Science Fiction Extras

These were on the dock at San Martin Port in Peru. They look like they might be alien characters in a Science Fiction Movie or maybe characters in Dr. WHo.

Towel Animals

When I get back to my cabin each night my bed is turned down and a piece of chocolate is on the pillow. On the other bed there is a towel animal, a different one each night. They join my Alpaca Teddy Bear I purchased in the Indian Market in Lima. Here the two are together.


Jo Jones

Photos so far

San Martin port.  All desert from Southern Peru to Chile

Fort in Cartahena.  Largest Spanish Fort in the new world..

Last lock before the Pacific in the Panama Canal.

Cathedral in Lima Peru

Presidental Place in Lima, Peru

Sea Side in fishing village near San Martin, Peru.  This was the best looking part of the village.

Easter Island

This is the best picture I got of Easter Island. I choose not to go and the picture of the tender tells you why.

Pitcairn Island

We cruised around Pitcairn Island today. It is a beautiful island. Very green. Only 60 + people live there. Most are descendants of the Bounty. Usually they come on board the ship to visit and sell crafts but two weeks ago another ship stopped and left the flu virus. 23 people had the flu so no visit. They did come out and off load supplies we were caring for them. We had free drinks and vegetable roles as we cruised. There was a three masted sailing ship from Canada anchored off shore. They were on a eight month cruise around the Pacific.

Round the World Cruise, January 16, 2012

We just spent two days in Lima, Peru.   I took wow tours in Lima.  One was a tour of the Indian Market.  It is in downtown Millaflores, a suburb of Lima.  It is a big market filled with stalls.  I purchased my Peru earrings here.  I also bought an alpaca teddy bear.  Could not resist he is very soft and cuddly.

The Second tour was Lima Highlights.  We went into the old Colonial Heart of Lima where the President’s Palace and the Cathedral are located.  We walked around the Plaza with the guide pointing out building of interest.  Because Lima is in a earthquake zone most of the building are rebuilt copies of the originals.  The Cathedral is original and was beautiful, photos to follow when I get shore Internet.  From there we walked two blocks to the church of San Francisco.  There are catacombs under the church where over 30,000 people were buried.  

All tours required long bus rides and I saw a lot of Lima.  It is a city of contrasts; beautiful upscale sections, the original Colonial center of the city filled with empty buildings, and the poorer sections. 

I also road the shuttle to the Marriott in Milaflores.  It is on the ocean with a shopping center built into the cliffs under a beautiful park.

I am glad I visited and would love to come back sometime to visit some of the museums that I missed.

I am in General San Martin port today.  The land is entirely desert with nothing around.  We leave for Easter Island this afternoon.  I understand that ship wi-fi will be spotty at best so nothing more for awhile.

World Cruise, January 12, 2013

We have gone through the Panama Canal and are on the Pacific Ocean now.  It took all day to transit and it was interesting.  I spend much of the day outside on deck 6.  I don’t know if anyone was watching.  I emailed everyone and told them that they could go to the Panama Canal web site and watch the ship go though the locks.  I waved every time in case anyone was watching.

Manta, Ecuador has come and gone and we are at sea for two days before getting to Lima, Peru.  I did not do a tour in Manta.  There was a shuttle bus going to a local craft market and shopping center and I road it into town.  I only saw a small part of the city.  It is a very busy port for fishing vessels and it is close to Monte Criste where Panama Hats are made.  There were several people selling the hats at the market but in the end I did not buy one.  I did add a new pair of earring to my collection.  Ship days are busy.  I have added guided meditation to my list of activities.  Tonight is the second formal night and I have an invitation to the Pinnacle Lounge for dinner with the Captain and the crew.    I think everyone on board will get an invitation sooner or later.

I changed my dining time yesterday.  I started out at the 8:00 dinner.  I was at a table for six and only three of us were showing up.  The other two were leaving the ship at Sidney so when I was invited to join a table for 8 at 5:30 I made the change.

I am still on the ship’s Internet so no photos yet.  I will do a large post of only photos when I find free Internet on the shore.

I do have two tours scheduled in Lima so more after I go on those.

World Cruise, January 9, 2013

Today,  January 9, 2013,  on the Amsterdam.

Internet is very slow so no photos yet.  Yesterday we were at Cartagena, Columbia and today we are going through the Panama Canal.  I took the Carriage Ride through the Old City in Cartegena.  I hope to post some photos later.  We have Donna, the star lady, on board for two weeks and last night I was on the upper deck  with the star watching group.  She is very knowledgeable and was pointing out stars until the clouds closed in.  This morning I joined her at 5:00 a.m to see the Southern Cross.   There were some clouds again but after waiting 30 minutes they cleared long enough to get a good view of the cross.  After that I went on the  front of the ship to watch us go through the Gatun Locks.  Tai Chi at 9:00 a.m. and Qi Gong at 2:00.  Days at sea are full of activities.  So far I am doing the travel programs and the cooking classes, the star watching, and the exercise classes.  Too many choices and so little time.  More after Ecuador on January 11.