Peru!

More photos can be found - here

After two not so fun days at sea where Matt got very very sick... and needed on board medical intervention... and lots of time in bed... we arrived in Peru.

I noticed something was amiss when I woke up because we weren't docked... and there had not been an announcement of what deck we would be debarking from. Turns out, they thought we were a plague ship! Depending on who you listen too, the authorities thought we were coming from Mexico and were possibly infected with the swine flu. The other account is they needed to inspect everyone from Mexico for signs of the swine flu. Regardless... it took over an hour to clear us that we were able to dock and not infect the entire country. There was a media circus on the dock... and everyone had masks and gloves and such to protect themselves from us.

While we waited to see if we were allowed in the country, I took some shots of the fog that surrounded us...







By the time we were allowed in port, look how clear it was!



We then boarded a bus that took us from the port city of Callao, right next door to Lima. On the bus I saw some pretty interesting things...

First, the Eugene child in me was impressed by the number of bike paths... even divided from the main road.



I don't think I want to know why there is a fish in the back of that car... I just... no... I don't want to know... or smell...





The guy standing beside the car? He was selling soda. There has been more than once stuck in traffic I probably would have killed for someone to do that.



I liked the message... basically along the lines of God, my mom, and you are my three loves.



Did I mention that people in Lima don't know how to drive? Our entire trip was a 30 mph white knuckle journey of cars making up their own turn lanes... pulling out whenever they wanted... it was... wow.

Sadly most of the downtown area of Lima is very rundown. Hardly anyone lives there and the great old buildings are going to ruin.





Even though this was not in a great area, I thought it was a really cool hotel.



Our bus took us to the central square in Costa Rica. The main Catholic church for Lima was here along with the government building. Some shots from the square...

























Then we got back on the bus... we headed towards the craft market, winding through some areas of Lima that are more tourist friendly.







Reading... while driving...



Soccer stadium...



Craft market...



Scenes around the boat after we got back.

















When we got back to our room, we noticed we had a "friend" on our balcony.









And our towel animal...

Sunset at Sea

We had a number of great sunsets... this one was on April 29th, between La Serena, Chile and Lima, Peru.













And for your viewing pleasure... a video preview of what we saw in Lima...

La Serena, Chile - Recap 2

First a quick answer to a question - All my panorama shots were taken with my Olympus Stylus 1050 SW digital camera. I bought it for the underwater capabilities, but discovered it also has an awesome feature that allows you to put together panoramic shots with a handy screen guide.

Larger versions and additional photos can be found HERE

First the ubiquitous muster drill photo!



After a overnight sail, we arrived in Coquimbo/La Serena, Chile. We had booked an excursion up to the big telescope in the area, but it was canceled... which made me super sad because I love astronomy.

So, we took advantage of the free shuttle to downtown La Serena.

Our boat!


Scenes from La Serena




We stumbled upon a parade!


Then I bought this beautiful hand crocheted sweater...


Next was lunch at the market...




Entertainment for lunch was provided by watching people come and go from the market.


A video to break up these photos, of the first part of our morning...


Then we took a walk around...



And found a long park with the best sculptures EVER!!!

Why yes... I do work out!


Why... hello there!



I think he may be auditioning for a deodorant commerical...


After the ladies...


Oh did I mention Matt was on the trip too?


A panorama of the park




After our long walk, I was exhausted, so we caught the shuttle back to the boat. While in La Serena, we found some pictures of some murals that Matt really liked but I was too nervous to ask a local where to find them... well guess what we spotted from the ship.


Some other views from our ship in port and departing...








And last, our towel animal of the day!

Swine Flu

Okay... I think I win on Swine Flu experience...

So lets see... what have I experienced in the last 17 days or so because of it???

Arriving in the Santiago Airport on April 26th. We got the unique honor of following the mask distributor through customs. He was giving out one to every employee... despite the fact that all the flights coming in at that time were from the US and at that point it was just barely exploding in Mexico.

Getting on the boat... finding out that our Mexico ports may be in jeopardy.

Arriving in Lima, Peru... our boat was stopped, not allowed to pull into port until investigated by the local health authorities. All the media was there (We freaking made it onto CNN international). According to the cruise line they thought we were coming from Mexico... according to the media accounts that I've read in Spanish, they wanted to investigate all Mexican citizens on our boat. Add to that the fact we had to call ahead for an ambulance because of a hot appendix, and well... it was a scene. We get off the boat finally, and all the port agents and vendors and such are wearing masks and gloves. Some of the tour guides were until they realized how ridiculous it was, and if we were exposed we'd all be sick by now and not touring around Lima.

Matt and I thought that we were going to be inspected, because my hubby had spent the past two days confined to quarters with a bad stomach bacteria that caused so much vomiting and diarrhea he needed 3 bags of saline and IV Septra and oral Cipro. Thank GOD I did not catch this!

In Ecuador, we also got the mask and glove treatment by a lot of port agents. By this time we also were told that we were not going to be allowed to go to Mexico... even though there were no cases in the areas that we were headed. I'm okay with that... but it sucks that we were going to miss 3 stops in a 7 stop cruise.

At Costa Rica we had to tell the health inspector if we had been coughing recently. Yes. I lied through my teeth. The worst was when we were later walking past the inspection station and I NEEDED TO COUGH a good juicy CF cough. I managed to hold on to it until we were out of range... but still... OY!

Then we got to enjoy 5 days in a row at sea avoiding Mexico, getting into San Diego a day early. But the good news? Matt and I will essentially be getting a free cruise. Because of our missed ports, the cruise line is offering us 25% of what we paid for this cruise towards a future Mexican Riviera sailing. Since they are a lot fewer days, they are a lot cheaper, so 25% will go along way. Then because Matt was confined to quarters for 2 days, they will be giving us credit for 2 days of our cruise applicable towards a future sailing. Oh, and we both have $300 travel vouchers on Delta.... lets just say we have a free vacation in our future!!!

Oh an not to mention when I'd get a good cough on the boat and people would start looking at me, I'd get to have the "CF talk" because face it... I'm spending 16 days with these people... they are going to notice!!! This was made easier by offering myself up as a "make-a-wish" poster child for their fundraising on board...

And Off We Go - Recap 1

Here goes... A trip in review, spread out over several posts...

April 25th, 3 AM, Eugene Airport.

The Luggage is Ready to Go! A large checked bag for both Matt and I, two small carry-ons, my vest bag (also carry on) and my big purse of entertainment.




However, I am not impressed by 3 am. I am even less impressed because I had not slept all night/day.


So you want an idea what the Eugene airport looks like at 3am? Empty. No one in the one baggage claim, no one at the desk... no one at security...




Then we were on layovers... I knitted... Matt read. My knitting was really a bag to carry IV balls in, but I figured it could be a hat too!





After our flight to Atlanta, then a 10 hour flight to Chile, we ARRIVED! The customs area at Santiago was very crazy, with very little signage to tell us where to go... but we made it through. I had a small panic attack when the drug sniffing dog decided he needed to sniff... right where my marinol bottle was. Apparently synthetic THC was interesting to sniff for like 5 minutes... but not enough to trigger him to signal his handler... PHEW!

A few views from our bus trip to the ship, which took about 2 hours on a bus that could not climb hills... which was an issue! We did however get to see great valley vistas, wine country... and a lot of little roadside eateries.





Arriving in Valparaiso, Chile...





Finally off the bus... we got to sit in the terminal at the ship... and wait to board. Then go through line. Then finally ON THE SHIP!!!! Where we got to wait in the buffet for our room to be ready. Matt took the opportunity to nap, while I wandered around, met people, went to a talk about La Serena, Chile from the most crotchity old woman ever who was so unberable a number of us left early!

And lastly the views of the port from our room!

Chile here we come!

Leaving for the cruise in 2 hours! I'll post when we get home in May!