BTimmer's Almost Live Antarctica Redux - Oosterdam 1/7/24 to 1/29/24

[cruisin'teach]

So glad you were able to get into the Falklands! Volunteer Point is such an amazing place. An unforgettable experience!

[TravelBluebird]

19 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Here's your penguin fix for today.  There were thousands of them.  They weren't as smelly as those in Antarctica. The Kings are those with the colorful heads. 

 

Your photos are fantastic! Wasn’t that a magical place? And they definitely are the least smelly penguin type so far.

[Btimmer]

For a detailed commentary on our visit to Stanley including my recommendations for a first time visitor, please visit my blog at https://timmer2024osa.blogspot.com/.

[Btimmer]

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

Your photos are fantastic! Wasn’t that a magical place? And they definitely are the least smelly penguin type so far.

Thanks, yes it was.  I saw you there but didn't get a chance to say hi.  

[TravelBluebird]

1 minute ago, Btimmer said:

Thanks, yes it was.  I saw you there but didn't get a chance to say hi.  

 

LOL if you had said hi, I would have been hard pressed to notice, I was so enthralled by those penguins!  I think at one point Russ came up to me and decided to just let me be I was so engrossed!

[Btimmer]

19 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

LOL if you had said hi, I would have been hard pressed to notice, I was so enthralled by those penguins!  I think at one point Russ came up to me and decided to just let me be I was so engrossed!

You were in the parking area with Russ and the penguins would not have been a distraction. . . 

[0106]

1 hour ago, Btimmer said:

For a detailed commentary on our visit to Stanley including my recommendations for a first time visitor, please visit my blog at https://timmer2024osa.blogspot.com/.

I encourage everyone to read the entire blog.  It is excellent.  Thank you for you insightful comments.🐧🐧🐧

[Hogladyrider]

24 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I encourage everyone to read the entire blog.  It is excellent.  Thank you for you insightful comments.🐧🐧🐧

I agree 100% the BLOG is excellent and I look forward to each and every entry on each and every cruise adventure!

[bluesplayer]

Thank you for sharing your travels. We were on the Oosterdam the same time last year and also missed Puerto Montt.  We sailed around the Cape in 2017 (no Antartica) and also missed Puerto Montt.  Amazingly enough both cruises made it to the Falkland Islands.  We did see whales last year however seems you had more sightings.  We did have a few very good lecturers on board with interesting talks and information.  Our boarding was delayed (entire ship) for many hours.  The port holding area was a mess.  We found out later there was a copper heist at the port that evening with armed robbers.  The Ooosterdam was still at sea when that occurred but delayed boarding by a day..  missing Puerto Montt.  

  We really enjoyed the Gallery Bar for an evening cocktail.  If Michael is still there (he calls the Gallery Bar "the worst bar" jokingly..    so funny as it was the best in our opinion).   We enjoyed our cruise so much.   Missing Puerto Montt may have been to my advantage to convince DH to return for a 3rd cruise.   I would go in a minute.  Enjoy the rest of your trip.  Hope you can make it to Igauzu Falls...

[Btimmer]

7 minutes ago, bluesplayer said:

Thank you for sharing your travels. We were on the Oosterdam the same time last year and also missed Puerto Montt.  We sailed around the Cape in 2017 (no Antartica) and also missed Puerto Montt.  Amazingly enough both cruises made it to the Falkland Islands.  We did see whales last year however seems you had more sightings.  We did have a few very good lecturers on board with interesting talks and information.  Our boarding was delayed (entire ship) for many hours.  The port holding area was a mess.  We found out later there was a copper heist at the port that evening with armed robbers.  The Ooosterdam was still at sea when that occurred but delayed boarding by a day..  missing Puerto Montt.  

  We really enjoyed the Gallery Bar for an evening cocktail.  If Michael is still there (he calls the Gallery Bar "the worst bar" jokingly..    so funny as it was the best in our opinion).   We enjoyed our cruise so much.   Missing Puerto Montt may have been to my advantage to convince DH to return for a 3rd cruise.   I would go in a minute.  Enjoy the rest of your trip.  Hope you can make it to Igauzu Falls...

Thanks for following along.  We are missing Iguazu Falls this trip as well. 

[Btimmer]

We're just entering Puerto Madryn, Argentina.  We're off to see more penguins today.  We have company with the Norwegian Star.

 

Edited January 24 by Btimmer

[Btimmer]

Here's your last penguin fix from this voyage.  We did a Viator excursion out to Punta Tombo and the Magellan colony.  Besides penguins we saw many guacanos which are a relative of llamas and alpacas. The penguin chicks are just about as large as their parents and are beginning to molt.

 

Punta Tombo is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive each way. But it's worth it. Along the way we saw a full size replica of a dinosaur whose bones were found nearby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

This morning at sea was towel animal zoo day along with the City At Sea presentation.

 

 

 

Llama

 

Crocodile 

 

[CruisePrin]

Thank you so much for your blog!  I followed you on this cruise and your previous cruise.  My husband and I are 2-star Mariners and will take our first long cruise next year - the pole-to-pole on Volendam.  Based on your blog, we have signed up for the tour to Volunteer Point with PATRICK WATTS TOURS.  He has asked us to do our best to be on the first tender.  I know that they give tender embarkation priority to 4-star and 5-star Mariners.  What do you think our chances are of being able to be on the first tender?  Any tips?

 

We are so grateful for all the work you do to share information in your blog.

[Btimmer]

19 minutes ago, CruisePrin said:

Thank you so much for your blog!  I followed you on this cruise and your previous cruise.  My husband and I are 2-star Mariners and will take our first long cruise next year - the pole-to-pole on Volendam.  Based on your blog, we have signed up for the tour to Volunteer Point with PATRICK WATTS TOURS.  He has asked us to do our best to be on the first tender.  I know that they give tender embarkation priority to 4-star and 5-star Mariners.  What do you think our chances are of being able to be on the first tender?  Any tips?

 

We are so grateful for all the work you do to share information in your blog.

You will be competing with MANY. 4-5 star Mariners on that voyage.  The best tip I can offer is to get in the tender ticket line as early as possible.  While we had 5 star status on the Oosterdam, the first tender for us did not require tender tickets, but the tender filled quickly and they turned over the tenders pretty rapidly.  The Oosterdam has much nicer tender platforms than the Volendam in my estimation.  But don't overly fret about it.  Shaun knows the drill.  Keep in contact with him as your arrival gets closer.  He can see the ship from where he lives.

 

Tim

[bluesplayer]

16 hours ago, CruisePrin said:

Thank you so much for your blog!  I followed you on this cruise and your previous cruise.  My husband and I are 2-star Mariners and will take our first long cruise next year - the pole-to-pole on Volendam.  Based on your blog, we have signed up for the tour to Volunteer Point with PATRICK WATTS TOURS.  He has asked us to do our best to be on the first tender.  I know that they give tender embarkation priority to 4-star and 5-star Mariners.  What do you think our chances are of being able to be on the first tender?  Any tips?

 

We are so grateful for all the work you do to share information in your blog.

We also went on the Patrick Watts tour.  We were not on the first tender..  maybe the 3rd?  Was not a problem.  He is a great communicator and just does not want folks to take their time getting off.  Let him know you will try to get on the first tender possible.  We were in the line early.  Amazing tour!!!  

[CruisePrin]

Thank you both very much!  We will get in line very early for the tenders.  Looking forward to it so much!

[roberts2005]

Back in January, Patrick actually sent a car back for someone they missed.  There is a certain amount of time where all groups meet up at the farm before the last segment.  The ride can be a bit bumpy

[Btimmer]

We've just spent our last two days in Uruguay.  Yesterday was Punta del Este (a wonderful little port) and today is Montevideo. The Costa Fabiosa was in port with us today.  Today we walked a bit over 7 miles including the nice tourist walk plus we walked a couple more miles to the MAM (Mercado Agricultro de Montevideo) where we ate lunch.  Mt lunch was a chivito and it was much better than what the ship makes.  Along the way I got a haircut for $11 plus a $4 tip.  On the way back we walked by the deserted central train station and walked the Rambla which paralleled the port.  There were a few historical things, but I would recommend the tourist route as it's more interesting. Here's few pictures from today.  We wrapped up our day with a visit to the Carnival Museum and the next door Mercado.  Go to my blog if you'd like information about Punta del Este yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside the MAM

 

 

 

 

 

Carnival exhibit 

q

 

 

[Hogladyrider]

@Btimmer...wow what a great adventure you have had this cruise!

[Btimmer]

Just now, Hogladyrider said:

@Btimmer...wow what a great adventure you have had this cruise!

Thanks.  We've totally enjoyed ourselves.  Everyone can have an adventure; taking the first step begins it.

[Hogladyrider]

1 minute ago, Btimmer said:

Thanks.  We've totally enjoyed ourselves.  Everyone can have an adventure; taking the first step begins it.

Yes sir our 1st step starts Tuesday our first adventure cruise to Hawaii!

[Btimmer]

Correction:  It was the Fascinosa in port with us today and it appears they will be with us tomorrow in Buenos Aires.

[Btimmer]

Today in Buenos Aires, the called play was to do a spa day.  But we punted and did the red hop on hop off bus trip ($25/person) around the city and enjoyed it except that the commentary didn't keep in sync with the map and they didn't broadcast stops through the headset but used the PA system.  We gave a tango show tonight onboard and tomorrow morning we disembark and head home.
 

 

Planetarium

 

Linch at the end of the tour

 

 

 

women's bridge

 

street art

 

Obelisk

Edited January 28 by Btimmer

[cunnorl]

Hard to believe your trip is over. I have certainly enjoyed all your posts and pictures. 

  Safe travels home.