Early fog, warm.
Today was to be an uneventful day it seems. We are all a bit tired from three relatively busy days in a row in Lima and many have just come back from a somewhat gruelling time ashore in the Galapagos and some in Manchu Picchu and some in both!
We met a lady in the elevator who said she had been to Hell and Back and she was just in Manchu Picchu! The flights are rough, as is the altitude, [11,000 feet]. It is generally a very busy time.
The only thing of any importance today was a Mariner's Reception and Lunch. That is where the Holland America Line recognizes those passengers who have spent so many days on their ships. The plateaus are 100 days, 300, 500 and finally 700 days. It is of course basically a 'Loyalty Programme'.
I have a bit of difficulty to tell you the truth about the business of giving one a medallion for spending so much money with the company. However, in the spirit of the occasion we went. After the 100 and 300 day presentations there were eight awards for those with 500 days or more. Lo and behold, Jim and Gail's names were called and up they popped. I am sorry that my snap of them did not turn out very good as it was rocking and the focus was off. We later had lunch with them and the other attendees in the dining room. Nicely done.
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As we move down the coast towards the southern end of South America the sea seems to have taken on a life of its own. Last night there was some good movement and all day today we have been pitching somewhat. It is indeed a challenge going up or down stairs as the ship goes up or down at the same time. You should try the spiral stairs!
Tomorrow we are off on a bit of adventure, we hope, in Arica, Chile. It is a 6 1/2 hour tour where we drive to the Atacama Desert and 6000 feet to a town called Codpa. We are hopeful of some good scenery, a bit of local food and a change from shipboard life.
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Time zone changes: we put our clocks forward one hour last night and we have another change tonight. That means we are five hours ahead of west coast time now. We will have several more moving the clock ahead before we head west around February 20.
Last night, waiting to sail. The captain and some officers on the flying bridge just below and forward of our balcony. Captain in white hair.
As we sailed away, some of the merchants who were on the dock for three days, wave us goodbye. [Their tents were secured sat night.] They do not get a great deal of ships here so I guess they did ok from the Prinsendam. Their prices were the same as town and it was easier dealing with them. Very friendly and honest people it seems.
Out we sailed into the night and the Pacific Ocean.
Sorry Jim and Gail that I did not get a better picture, but they will have a nice, formal, full size print picture delivered to their cabin, complimentary.
Platinum for 700 days [choke], gold 500, silver 300 and bronze for 100 days.
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