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Published: February 19th 2011
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OK, I spelled Machu Picchu wrong in the last entry...
On Wednesday, the 16th, we had our second luncheon for those passengers who are booked for the entire cruise, the "All-Rounders." Here's the menu:
Seafood Tower -- Baby shrimps, rock lobster and tiger prawns on an artichoke bottom served with cognac flavoured cocktail sauce.
Cream of Carrot and Pumpkin Soup -- Infused with ginger, served with a swirl of herbed cream and crouton.
Duo of Salmon and Sole -- Pan fried salmon filet and poached lemon sole filet served with grilled green asparagus, mushroom and lobster sauce.
The Best of Chocolate and Orange -- Silky chocolate cheese cake and orange mousse with Campari flavoured fruit sauces.
Not bad, huh? Oh, this was accompanied by a glass of champagne as we walked in and wine with the meal. And each course was a work of art, beautifully arranged on the plate, and tasted terrific. All our meals have been delicious, but this one was over the top!
Today we are in Arica, at the northern-most tip of Chile, only 12 miles from Peru. It only rains here one day a year and today was not the
day. We were not expecting much of this place, but were pleasantly surprised to find that we loved it. We are berthed in a very busy container port (this is the port for Bolivia, too) so we had to take a shuttle bus out to the gate. But then we were right smack in the heart of town. The first thing we did was walk up to the San Marcos church which was designed and "made" by Gustav Eiffel in France, then shipped out like an IKEA flatpack to be constructed here. It is cast iron and quite simple and beautiful.
Next we walked up to the top of El Morro, a huge rock promontory which overlooks the city (pop. 160,000). This sounds much easier than it was. There was a great view from the top, then we walked down again, which was almost as difficult as walking up since the path was so steep. A few blocks from the bottom was the pedestrian shopping street which ran from the harbor to the desert on the far side. It was not a touristy place, but was filled with locals. We stopped at a sidewalk cafe and had pisco sours
(just what you need at 10:30 AM after mountain climbing!!) where we sat and enjoyed people watching. Soon enough it was time for lunch, and there was a McDonald's right in front of us, so we thought, "Why not?" The place was full of crew members, most with their laptops on the tables alongside their hamburgers. Then Hugh decided he needed a beer to wash down his cheeseburger, so we went back to our earlier restaurant and spent another hour watching the passing scene. After changing what was left of our Chilean pesos into Peruvian soles, we walked back to the harbor, visiting another Eiffel building (the Customs House) along the way. We came back to the ship and flopped on our beds after all that exertion...and alcohol.
Incidentally, the entertainment on the ship right now has been interesting. We've had a comedian who was so bad that hardly anybody showed up for his second show; an excellent classical guitarist; a so-so male vocalist who cancelled his second appearance due to laryngitis; and a fantastic soprano who sings both opera and musicals. We will get new performers and half-a-ship of new passengers again in Lima next week.
Just
got back from dinner. We saw what we think were sea lions swimming by while we eating. Pat and I saw them, but the guys didn't, so we weren't believed. However, when we went up on deck after dinner, Hugh saw some, so now they are real...
Peru is an hour behind Chile so we get to set the clocks back tonight. We will then be two hours ahead of CST.
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peter de koning
non-member comment
Chile
Dear Suzy and Hugh. After so many travel blogs I am so used to your extensive, interesting and funny comments that I should wish that this wil not end early March. Can't you join another cruise after arriving in England? You write in a way that I think I am on the cruise as well. Reading your description of the All-Rounders lunch makes me very hungry, because it is in The Netherlands half an hour before dinner. Delicious that food! I like the photo of Suzy after visiting the hairdresser (even better than a photo of a locomotive!). The short hair makes her look even younger. Hugh will have to do something to catch up with Suzy, so to avoid to widen the age-gap. Colouring his hair perhaps? Clasien and I look forward to your next blog! P.S.: Hester just phoned that both Marten and Minke passed their swimming exams today. We shall visit the bank before we will visit and congratulate them tomorrow! Best wishes. Peter.