Falklands

Now we return to the cruise around the tip of South America and onward. After we rounded the cape we sailed for the Falkland Islands or as Argentina calls them - The Malvinas. We approached in the morning and here is the sunrise as we neared land.

Moon over Ushuaia

At last we say good-bye to Ushuaia, Argentina, and the next day we will round Cape Horn.

To refresh your memories of this adventure I'm chronicling here:
This is a cruise around the bottom of South America. We started in Santiago,Chile, drove to the coast and boarded the ms Amsterdam, our home for the next 16 days. We stopped in several cities along our southward route. On the 8th day on the ship, we will pass Cape Horn. After that we'll go to the Falkland Islands, cruise up to Buenos Aries, Montevideo, and on to Rio de Janeiro, before flying home.

Leaving Puerto Montt

In the evening of March 3 we left Puerto Montt, Chile, to sail overnight to the next day's Darwin Channel and some glaciers. Our cruise will continue south along the coast of Chile through various other channels, including the Beagle Channel and the Straits of Magellan.

Fountains in Santiago

We're back and I'm not even unpacked yet. I had to stop about halfway through and save that suitcase for tomorrow. Too tired.

As you know, we went on a 3-week Elderhostel cruise around the tip of South America. There were about 25 of us plus a leader and a lecturer. They kept us busy! Our first lunch together was at a fish market with a restaurant in the center of the market. An adventure. In the courtyard in front of the market were three fountains coming right out of the pavement. (We spent two days in Santiago, Chile before beginning the cruise.)

If you see mistakes in this epistle or think it could be more inspired, please forgive - I'm jet-lagged!

Raindrops

On Tuesday morning at Bear Valley, it stopped raining for our walk/run on the trail, and the rain left some wonderful drops on the vegetation. These are on some unknown 'berry'.

Tomorrow's photo will be the last until March 21 or 22nd, depending on my jet lag. We are going on an Elderhostel cruise around the southern tip of South America, starting in Santiago, Chile and ending in Rio. I think several of you have made a similar trip, so you know what kind of photos to expect when we return!

Nothing

Oh, I forgot one more cruise photo that I just must show you. At dinner one night our two older granddaughters Nina and Marissa replied to the waiter that they wanted nothing for dessert. And that's what they got: Nothing!

Sunrise

One last photo from the Birthday Cruise - a sunrise. Again, no fiddling with the picture, except to lighten it a bit, since photos on this blog appear darkr than the original. After this we'll get back to other things.

Cabo sunset

On this trip the skies were gorgeous most of the time; sunrises and sunsets alike were almost too spectacular to believe. A while after we left Cabo San Lucas, this was the view at 3:45 pm. Tomorrow I'll show you the same sky an hour later; you'll think I doctored it!.

Man in a boat

Shortly after we arrived in Mazatlan around 6 AM, I noticed this boat coming across the bay, to cross in front of our moored ship. The man in the back was rapidly leaning down and up, as if he were rowing - but the boat had a motor that was obviously working. So what was he doing? As the boat came closer I could see that he was bailing water as fast as he could. In the photo you can see the water and the bucket. Too bad it's not a movie!

Market

Near the pier wherever a cruise ship docks there is an open air market, all the shops selling similar items, either clothing or jewelry. Puerto Vallarta is no exception - here's the biggest, most colorful shop.

Birthday people

On our third night on the cruise, we had the big birthday dinner for Dick and Celeste. And here they are, looking lovely in their candle tiaras. Celeste was kind enough to let me have this photo from her camera (have to give proper credit, you know!).

Looong hallway

The Sapphire Princess is a pretty big cruise ship, almost 1,000 feet long. Our cabin was not far from the bow of the ship and the dining rooms were way aft; so we got our exercise just walking back and forth to meals. This is the hallway stretching aft to apparent infinity!

Land Ho!

Our first sight of land was Cabo San Lucas but we didn't stop there at this time; we continued on down the coast to Puerto Vallarta. Cabo was our last stop on the way back to LA.

First sunrise

The first morning of our cruise we woke up as the sun rose and the sky was full of clouds, yielding this scene of the sun trying to peek through.

Foggy sailing

Our wonderful family birthday cruise last week was on the Sapphire Princess from Los Angeles to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas and back to LA. It was quite foggy as the ship sailed in the early evening on November 22 (Dick's 80th and Celeste's 50th birthday). Fog horns blared and the shore lights reflected eerily in the water.

Sunrise

The sky was beautiful last Thursday over Corte Madera Creek. This cloud photo is especially for my great-nephew Kirk who is a cloud aficionado.

Our whole family is going on a cruise to celebrate my husband Dick's 80th birthday and his daughter's 50th; she was born on his birthday 50 years ago. So this will be my last photo until November 30. I hope you won't suffer too many withdrawal pangs!