Toni and Janie's Blog

21st posting on Jan. 26, 2014 ..... Back to the welcome page and listings for other links

Punta del Este Uruguay
Happy Sunday as we come into port in Punta del Este Uruguay. What a magnificent sunrise this am. Weather is now warm and a comfy 75 degrees. Today is about shopping and sampling the supposedly fantastic meats they grill. And perhaps a few museum hops. We're just excited also to be warmer and have shorts on.

Yesterday was the Captains brunch---for people who have travelled on Holland America more than once. Each of us got a nice little Delft tile as a thank you for cruising on Holl Amer. Last nite was the last formal nite. We had dinner at the doo dah restaurant Pinnacle Grill. Wonderful food. Thank heaven for the gym and walking each day. Yesterday they had a "walk for the cure" and I went 5K (3 miles) and Toni 1.75. It was tough watching the beautiful waves and seeing whales spout at each turn. :). But......someone had to do it!

Also attended the last Antarctic lecture on the future of the research programs. Sounds like the Antarctic programs are going to be solid for years to come because we have to monitor the climate changes and global warming so closely. Good news is the ozone layer reduction has actually improved because of global efforts and cooperation.

Montevideo
Docked in Montevideo this am (yay no tenders to take a shore) parked (can you park a ship?) next to the Queen Victoria--Cunard Line--sister ship to the Queen Mary. Beautiful thing and carries almost 3,000 people. We met these 2 darling "older" (older then us anyway) guys from Inverness Scotland---been together for 28yrs. They are on the Queen Victoria sailing on a 42 day trip started from Southampton England (this ship is going around the world---can you imagine?). Yikes....we decided a cruise that long is waay too long. We are now getting homesick & missing friends and our babies--Buddy & Booky. Ready to get on the plane.

Bummed around Montevideo all day--lots of shops to see in old town & new town....this is a big city and of course has lots of homeless people and dogs which was not fun to see. The stray dogs we saw today are in better shape than the poor people. Sad..

Bought some nice leather wallets & other goodies. Weather is superb---78 degrees and a little overcast which kept it nice. Architecture is old Spanish colonial for the most part and of course tons of graffiti. Beef is fantastic---like Argentina's supposed to be. Into Buenos Aires tomorrow (Tues) then home Wed. to our dear USA.

Last note until we hit Miami. It's been so fun sharing this all with you. Hope you've enjoyed our ramblings.

Xoxoxo. Janie & Toni

Our email address is janie8500@gmail.com. Feel free to drop a note and say hello anytime!