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Published: January 23rd 2012
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Porto Tumbo
I'm being eyed. LAST SEA DAY
The day is muggy and overcast with intermittent showers. That puts paid to my plan of sitting on deck for a tan. Breakfast service in the main dining room was appalling. We ordered at 9:10 and left at 9:45 with five of the six of us not served. No excuse for that.
Stopped in at the disembarkation talk just in time for the crew to take their bows and to hear “Love in Any Language”. This never fails to move me to tears. Then it was time for a stroll, chatting with my new friends along the way, lunch and the poker tournament. I came in 5
th. The cash game was a stinger. I called an all in with aces full to be beat by four eights. Ouch!
At 4:00 Theresa and Bob stopped by my cabin for a mini wine tasting. This great couple met on the Prinsendam and have been married and sailing ever since. The brought an Argentinean Talbec and I provided a Chilean Cabernet. Both were excellent. I hope we’ll sail together again. They are really good company.
The final formal night was escargot, chilled pear soup and surf &
Porto Tumbo
Heading for the shade surf (no turf for me) followed by my cinnamon ice cream. I had a rush at the poker table and picked up $85 for the night. One hour I couldn’t loose, the next I couldn’t get a hand to save my soul. Still, I ahead for the cruise and have enjoyed playing with my poker buddies and have learned a lot.
Tomorrow we arrive in Montevideo, Uruguay.
MONTEVIDEO
What had started out as a dreary day turned sunny and humid as we turned into the Bouza Winery for our wine tasting and tour. We were introduced to the grapes, saw the sorting and pressing room, the winery, a wonderful collection of vintage cars including a 1957 VW bug, so reminiscent of our Jezebel. Then it was time for our snack and tasting. The “snack” turned out to be cold cuts, cheeses, fresh baked breads, pate, walnuts, and fruit. There was plenty of each and we all had our fill. We tasted a Chardonnay that had not been oaked so I thought it a bit thin. Then there was a rose that had a hint of oak and surprisingly I really liked it. This was followed by a
Porto Tumbo
Grazing among the penguins Merlot – Tannet blend and finally a vintage Tannet. This is the grape that I mistakenly called a Talbec. Must have had Malbec on my mind.
After we had our fill and were feeling mellow, we had a great tour of the city of Montevideo. We entered the cathedral just as communion was ending and could actually follow most of the mass even though it was in Spanish. This is a beautiful cathedral, modest in size, not too ornate, beautiful statuary and windows. Our time there was too short.
We drove through the poor, the wealthy, and the middle-income neighborhoods. High metal fences, many electrified try to protect against robberies. Unfortunately, the crime rate is rising in Montevideo and Buenos Aires. I will have to be on my guard.
We drove to the beach, a wide strand of sand on the Rio de Plato. WE didn’t have time to visit real resort area on the Atlantic. The river water was a bit muddy. Our guide, Michelle, was wonderful and everyone seemed to enjoy the day. That really pleased me as I had made the arrangements.
Back at the ship I took my first refreshing dip in
Porto Tumbo
Standing sentinel the pool, met Jan, Gloria and Floyd for an aperitif in the Ocean Bar and then my final dinner with Jim, Gerald and Katherine; baked brie, a chilled pineapple “pina-colada” soup and roast duck. All were yummy, especially the soup. I had my cinnamon ice cream and headed to the poker table. All the regulars showed up and we had a Happy New Year toast for our Chinese. Welcome, Year of the Dragon.
Dropped $50, cashed in, finished packing, had a glass of wine, watched the last of the Giant game and went to sleep happy.
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