Travel blog for GOGO Verdu

FINAL WRAP UP - ANTARCTICA & SOUTH AMERICA

1/14/2015

-Blogging! It's Not as easy as it looks
-Final words about the EXPEDITION TO ANTARTICA

As of this writing we are back at home, safe and sound after what was almost 24 hours of waiting in airports, flight time, transfers, etc. Incidentally, it was worth whatever hell you go through to get there and back! Regarding the experience there is a strange feeling of euphoria about it. It was magical in every sense of the word. There was never a time we didn't feel safe and well cared for. Seabourn delighted us daily with unusual experiences and special treats that I didn't write about here simply because this is a blog and not a novel.
This was the longest trip we have ever taken together or apart and because of that there were many days at sea. Initially this was my biggest worry and Michael's greatest joy. Upon returning home, we found ourselves a little sad. Antarctica is how I imagine a different planet might be. Hostile and beautiful at the same time. I am proud of myself that I didn't chicken out on this trip. It was an amazing gift we gave to ourselves and I doubt we will ever be able to top it. (We might try!)
Since this was my first attempt at blogging I can admit that it's more difficult than I thought it would be. One of the things I learned is that it's damn hard to have the energy to write coherently after an excursion or long day. The challenge to be creative and grammatically correct while playing cat and mouse with the internet (it was spotty in Antarctica) can get somewhat frustrating. I am hopeful that I can do better as I do it more. Next trip is a short one to London, Manchester (just outside London) and Paris!

I leave you with this: "Sure, the lion is king of the jungle, but airdrop him into Antarctica and he's just a penguin's bitch." - Dennis Miller

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DAY 25 - DISEMBARKATION - BUENOS AIRES

1/13/2015

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-Buenos dias, Buenos aires!
-Beware of the fat gaucho

It poured down rain this morning as we prepared to disembark in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We waited in the Observation Lounge along with some other guests for our group to be called. Since our flight was later in the evening, we booked "A Day with the Gauchos & Hotel/Airport Transfer."
From our perch on deck 10, we saw passengers file one by one off the ship being escorted by Seabourn crew members holding large umbrellas.
Finally it was our turn and we gathered our things. Large suitcases were removed from our stateroom the previous evening and were being held for us in the luggage terminal. We went down to the gang plank and walked toward the large exit. As we departed Captain Larsen thanked each passenger and wished each of us a safe journey home. As we entered the baggage terminal chaos ensued. It was pure madness as passengers grabbed at suitcases while locals hoping for tips were also aggressively grabbing at the bags. We actually found all of our bags but one of them had a handle that had been torn off. This was a high-end suitcase that has travelled around the world with us so we knew that whatever had happened had been pretty rough for the handle to come loose from the bag. Frankly it wasn't all that surprising given the amount of activity and pure aggression we were witnessing so we simply pulled the roller bar from the bag and proceeded to take it along with our other bags to the awaiting bus for our tour. I have to admit that this was the only thing that Seabourn got wrong the entire time we were with them but it is also entirely possible that they were forced to used the locals...hence the lack of control. When we got to the bus, the Seabourn representative made a note of the damaged bag but nothing ever came of it.
Once on the bus we found our seats and settled in for the 1 and 1/2 hr. trip to gaucho country. It was interesting to see the pampas of the Argentinian countryside that I had read about in my geography as a young student.
We arrived at an estancia (estate) which basically consisted of a country house and old ranch. Gauchos prepared a barbeque and demonstrated the proper way to share Yerba Mate (very strong tea.) Some of us gathered around passed the gourd with a silver straw from person to person. The tea is apparently very good for your cardiovascular health amongst other things. What the heck, I gave it a go and although it was very strong, I'm sure I could get used to it...after all, it has caffeine!
For lunch we were served empanadas and salad a tad too enthusiastically covered in mayonnaise. Finally the barbeque was ready and we were able to sample the world-famous Argentinian beef. Some of it was excellent but again it was hit or miss. One thing we enjoyed a lot was the wine. It was a wonderful Norton Reserva Malbec from Argentina. During dessert there was a folkloric musical show of dancing and singing. Several from our group (could it have been the wine talking?) got up and joined in on the dancing!
The Gaucho show was threatened by a light rain but the staff seemed undeterred. In the spirit of entertainment and a possible additional tip, the SHOW MUST GO ON! Honestly, I'm not exactly sure of why we watched this. It wasn't very interesting and it was muddy and wet to boot. The Gauchos that were performing pulled females from the group to ride along with them as they raced each other and competed by throwing a boleador. In my opinion these guys had seen their best days 25 years ago and that wasn't so bad but there was one gaucho who inappropriately touched the bottoms of the female volunteers. He was referred to as "Fat Gaucho" and our tour escort had warned us about him. Ew.
At last we were loaded back on the bus to go back toward Buenos Aires and the airport. We stopped for fuel and our escort let us go into a curio shop to purchase a few inexpensive souvenirs to take home to family and friends. **Travel tip - Understand that when making purchases in some countries, you must have cash. The caveat there is be careful not to be the victim of a pickpocket or purse snatcher. I would recommend that you keep cash stored safely inside pockets of your jacket or garments. Ladies might want to consider cross body purses.

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DAY 24 - MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

1/12/2015

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-the oriental republic of Uruguay. WHO KNEW?
-Pepe Mujica, THE PRESIDENT DRIVES A VW BEETLE TO WORK
-I could have tangoed all night

A warm sunny day and calm seas greeted us as we arrived into Montevideo, Uruguay. We had an excursion scheduled for the day that highlighted the historic, architectural and affluent neighborhoods of the city. We drove past the home of the President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. His name is Jose Mujica, but everyone calls him "Pepe." Our guide, with obvious great fondness for the man told our group that Pepe not only refuses to live in the presidential quarters but also any presidential household staff assistance. He drives himself to work every morning in his beat up Volkswagon Beetle and donates 90% of his paycheck to charities that benefit poor people and entrepreneurs.
**NOTE** When we returned home I was listening to a news program that mentioned him saying that he picked up a hitchhikers on his way to work on various occasions. I thought of his beat up Beetle and this made me giggle. On March 1, 2015, having served his five year term as President he went back to live the chrysanthemum farm that he and his wife run on the outskirts of Montevideo. If you would like to learn a bit more about him, check this article that Huffington Post wrote about him. And don't forget to read the author's footnote at the bottom of the article, it's sweet. The Great Mujica - Portrait of Person. (I am hoping for a book or a movie about his life!)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ximena-ortiz/the-great-mujica-portrait_b_6793430.html

Montevideo is a lovely city with ornate marble structures, beautiful city parks and the famous Rio de Plata where visitors from all over South America come to enjoy the beach-like sandy shores. It is the widest river in the world although apparently there is some debate as to whether it is a river, a gulf or a "marginal sea" of the Atlantic Ocean. No matter what the geologists call it it's beautiful and a lovely place to vacation!
After we finished with the city tour we ventured into the countryside about 12 miles outside of town to Bouza Winery. Classic hacienda styled architecture is prevalent on the property surrounded by native trees, plants, animals and of course, rows and rows of grape vines. Having rescued the property from disrepair the Bouza family renovated and worked to restore the buildings to their once pristine condition and they did a magnificent job.
Sitting on about 50+ acres of land, our visit began with a stroll through the vineyards. Afterwards our guide escorted us through a fascinating car museum that held vintage automobiles including a Model T Ford and a Model A Ford. **My father owned a Model A Ford for a couple of years when I was about 8 or 9 years old. He took me and my siblings to church on Sundays, and since the car didn't go very fast we generally arrived as the sermon was ending and Sunday school was starting. :-) It was nice to see the car that evoked that childhood memory again.
Next we were taken down into the wine cellar where wine between 20 and 40 years old was being stored. We stood amongst the wooden crates of bottled wine in the slightly chilled room as the guide explained the process of winemaking.
Next up on the itinerary was a "light lunch" served at the Bouza Restaurant. It was well into the afternoon by now so most of us were quite hungry. Three male musicians sat near a wall in the room playing their instruments as we were being seated. I recognized a type of accordion which I later learned was called a bandoneon as is typical in a tango orchestra. Another man played a folk guitar player and the other played a violin. It was quite nice. There were no delays in service after we were seated, wine was poured and empanadas, vegetables, and about 14 different types of meat was offered up. This was no light lunch!
As we were enjoying the food a couple walked into the room and the dramatic tango music began. The couple began an elegant tango that went on for a good 20 minutes. Then each partner started picking people out of the audience to dance - and Michael did his best to look inconspicuous. It was a very memorable wine, food and entertainment experience. We highly recommend you check it out if you find yourself in the lovely and ultra friendly city of Montevideo.

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FINAL WRAP UP - ANTARCTICA & SOUTH AMERICA

-Blogging! It's Not as easy as it looks
-Final words about the EXPEDITION TO ANTARTICA

DAY 25 - DISEMBARKATION - BUENOS AIRES

-Buenos dias, Buenos aires!
-Beware of the fat gaucho

DAY 24 - MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

-the oriental republic of Uruguay. WHO KNEW?
-Pepe Mujica, THE PRESIDENT DRIVES A VW BEETLE TO WORK
-I could have tangoed all night

paula verdu

Archives

Categories

FINAL WRAP UP - ANTARCTICA & SOUTH AMERICA

-Blogging! It's Not as easy as it looks-Final words about the EXPEDITION TO ANTARTICA

DAY 25 - DISEMBARKATION - BUENOS AIRES

-Buenos dias, Buenos aires!-Beware of the fat gaucho

DAY 24 - MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY

-the oriental republic of Uruguay. WHO KNEW?-Pepe Mujica, THE PRESIDENT DRIVES A VW BEETLE TO WORK -I could have tangoed all night

paula verdu

Archives

Categories

-Blogging! It's Not as easy as it looks
-Final words about the EXPEDITION TO ANTARTICA

-Buenos dias, Buenos aires!
-Beware of the fat gaucho

-the oriental republic of Uruguay. WHO KNEW?
-Pepe Mujica, THE PRESIDENT DRIVES A VW BEETLE TO WORK
-I could have tangoed all night