Recap South America Trip

Currently we are back home in Nanaimo, BC, and got past our 2 week mandatory isolation with no issues. I like do a recap of our trip and share my highlights with you. The number 1 highlight for me was definitely sailing the waterways of Antarctica. The looks of the emerald green colour of the water with the pure white icebergs floating all around us and not to forget the snow covered mountains under the sunny blue skies. This all made up for a spectacular scenery. The numerous humpback whales and killer whales we have seen were also precious. Another impressive scenery was the boat trip up the Amazon River and witnessing the enormous size of this river and the amount of water it is carrying down to the Atlantic Ocean. For large cities, I liked Montevideo,Uruguay the best because of the History and old Architecture of the buildings combined by the friendliness of the people. It also has great cuisine. Compared with some of the other larger cities we visited, I felt very safe here. The best events we visited:  I have to go with the Carnival parade in Rio, it’s hard to put it in words, and you actually have to experience the vibes of the Samba music for yourself. Other events worth mentioning: The boat ride on the lake outside Puerto Mont in Chile, visits to the Cities of Punta Arenas and Ushuaia looking at the snow-capped Andes. The Sunday night that we circled Cape Horn followed by a beautiful sunset. The boat ride on the small river visiting the young kids at Boca da Valeria. The beautiful Brazilian beaches of Ilhabela Island, Buzzio and Recife followed by the beaches along the Amazon river and the Rio Negro river outside Manaus. Our last stop was in Barbados, where a taxi driver who took us (Mark, Pam, Carol and myself) to his neighbourhood which he was very proud to share with us. There we ended up sharing a beer with his friends on the side of the road at a small neighbourhood store. Turn offs: The crazy traffic in Lima Peru and the pickpockets in Manaus Brazil.

Holland America Line – Volendam : Just a fantastic crew all-around from the room cleaners to the bartenders and waiters, Dining room staff, Lido buffet servers and cooks maintenance crew all the way up to the officers on the bridge, and not to forget the singers and dancers. All of them always had a big smile for us and were always available for a quick chad. And let me tell you that this isn’t always easy with the demographic of guest on board. A special thumbs up to the captain who kept us informed in what was going on board, especially in the last 2 weeks when the Corona virus became a daily topic of conversation on the ship. Not to forget the special farewell from all of the crew, when they lined the hall way at the port of Fort Lauderdale sharing a hug and tear with the passengers when they wished them a safe trip home. At that time the crew didn’t know what the future would look like for them. As I write this one month later, most of them still didn’t make it home to their families. My prayers are with them.

For the ones who wondered what happened to my eye injury, on my arrival in Vancouver, I managed to have surgery to have the retina in my right eye re-attached and currently I am recovering  at home in Nanaimo, BC and my eye sight has returned to almost normal. Big thanks and kisses to my wife Carol for looking after me.

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Stay Healthy and Cheers.