“the Big One”! World Cruise on Sojourn

[SLSD]

Shark b8, Were you part of the adventure with the tenders yesterday? Or were you already back on the ship.  

[shark b8]

Ok, back after a hectic 24 hours. Yes, SLSD, we were caught up in the fun and games yesterday…..while we were out and about in Panama City, the Captain had to move the ship from its position tied up at the dock, out to a quarter-mile or so away.  I overheard something about tidal stuff and currents and unusual seas, not sure precisely what the issue was.  In any case, they had to hurriedly enlist the tenders of course, and a large number of us waited patiently in the curse terminal for it all to start playing out.  Getting on the tender at the dock was fine, but getting off, at the ship, was dicey.  Seemed very strange to me….the seas appeared perfectly normal, no big waves or surge, but the tenders bobbed up and down at the ship’s tender platform like a (champagne) cork.  We’ve all had that experience where you sort of visually “time” your step onto the platform to correspond with when the tender is right there and level, but in this case (at least when we were there), the platform vs the tender itself were rising and falling fully 2-3 feet different from each other, it really was a bit tricky.  And when I got both feet on the ship’s platform, a big wave washed over it and my feet, I was soaked almost up to the knees.   (My sneakers are still drying out).   Never a dull moment….

Edited January 19, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

…..and then, for those who opted for the 3-day off-the-ship excursion in the Galápagos Islands, well:   Had to wake up at 3:30 AM this morning, meet in the Club at 4:00 AM, take the tenders back to the port, get on the world’s bumpiest bus for the 4-hour drive to Guayaquil airport, wait in line to do Customs/immigration type stuff, fly 2 hours to Baltra, wait in line to do customs/immigration type stuff again, and then bus-drive to the channel, take a ferry to Santa Cruz Island, stop off for some lunch (nearly 4:00p) and do some tortoise-watching, and then take a bus to Puerto Ayora, then take another shuttle/ferry to the hotel dock, and walk ¼ mile to the hotel.  Just seemed like….a lot.

Edited January 19, 2023 by shark b8

[shark b8]

But the tortoises helped save the day.  
 

 

[shark b8]

Noticed this and wondered……..was romance in the air?

 

 

 

[shark b8]

Question….answered. (ahem)

 

 

 

[SLSD]

Shark b8, It DOES seem like a lot! 

 

I read somewhere that the lines holding the ship snapped.  And that's why the ship left the dock.  I even saw a photo.  But only that one report.  

 

It does sound like you world cruisers have been very busy!

[shark b8]

Presented without comment.   😜

 

 

 

[florisdekort]

Yes, 3 lines snapped within ~45 minutes. The sound is amazing, like an explosion. The swell at the dock was insane. Lots of crashing glasses etc. at the Colonnade.

 

 

 

[florisdekort]

Sailing to Lima, Peru now which is under a State of Emergency because of riots/protests. We skipped the Galapagos tour because we already visited on Celebrity Expedition a few years back. 

[cadburysmom]

16 minutes ago, florisdekort said:

Yes, 3 lines snapped within ~45 minutes. The sound is amazing, like an explosion. The swell at the dock was insane. Lots of crashing glasses etc. at the Colonnade.

 

 

 

Holy cow....hope no one was injured!

[travelwell]

My kids and young grandkids just got back from visiting Peru. To say we were concerned is an understatement. They only went out with guides and family who knew the area.They kept away from all protests. US State dept said it was and still  is a level three. They had a great time and and said  Peru tourism has been hammered. They were treated like royalty and after seeing their photos and hearing their stories, Peru is now on my bucket list. It will be too bad if you miss your stop in Lima.

[florisdekort]

1 hour ago, travelwell said:

My kids and young grandkids just got back from visiting Peru. To say we were concerned is an understatement. They only went out with guides and family who knew the area.They kept away from all protests. US State dept said it was and still  is a level three. They had a great time and and said  Peru tourism has been hammered. They were treated like royalty and after seeing their photos and hearing their stories, Peru is now on my bucket list. It will be too bad if you miss your stop in Lima.

We will definitely stop as they’re loading the next 2 weeks worth of food and supplies there, plus some crew is changing. We’re just debating with ourselves whether or not we’ll get off the ship. Sounds from your post it’s doable; thank you. 

[shark b8]

 

 

[shark b8]

Wonderful Galápagos cactus with thick tree trunk.  Just to left of it, on the rock, is a marine iguana, to the right a little lower, a sea lion.

 

[shark b8]

This little fella is only a couple of days old. And then, well…the Circle of Life.

 

 

[shark b8]

 

[shark b8]

[shark b8]

Too cute.

 

 

[shark b8]

This one’s a little older, but still nursing.

 

[travelwell]

Shark B8, we had booked the Miami to Tahiti segment of this WC but had to cancel due to family issues. It is still on our bucket list but until then it is great living vicariously through you! I really appreciate you taking the time to share.

[nancygp]

Great photos Shark!

 

Nancy

[fdnycruiser]

Outstanding photos. It may have been a difficult journey to get there, but looks like it was well worth it. Still on my bucket list 

[frantic36]

23 hours ago, florisdekort said:

We will definitely stop as they’re loading the next 2 weeks worth of food and supplies there, plus some crew is changing. We’re just debating with ourselves whether or not we’ll get off the ship. Sounds from your post it’s doable; thank you. 

 

@florisdekort we used Haku Tours for both days in Lima. We had a driver and a guide both days and the cars were new and very comfortable. We felt very safe with them. 

[shark b8]

Here’s the Sea Lion, the boat owned by our hotel (Finch Bay) - two levels, covered upper and lower with a/c.  The latter was appreciated, during today’s hike I started seeing a few spots from the heat, great to be able to cool down.  Typical day involves sailing about 2 hours to a nearby island, a nature walk, then a swim/snorkel, lunch, and return.  Yesterday we sailed by the Silver Origin in the Puerto Ayora harbor - knowing Silversea’s reputation, it certainly seems it would be a great way to do the Galápagos Islands in a little more depth if one had the time, they do continuous 7-day sailings.