En Route To Cape Town - Day 21

NOTE: We included a couple of pictures from last evenings show and we also included one to give you a sense of the port at Buenos Aires. It is an industrial port with a significant number of shipping containers. This is the way the port has looked each and every time we have docked here. Thank goodness we were quite tired last evening, as they never seem to take a break from moving all of those containers.

We also wanted to mention how much everyone we spoke with enjoyed their time in Buenos Aires whether they went on an organized tour, strolled the city on their own, went for a nice lunch or dinner or whatever they chose to do.

We enjoyed our stroll around this city. It is very beautiful and so is the friendliness of many of its people.

When we were walking along Florida Avenue we saw many familiar faces of both passengers and the crew. In fact, when we were deciding on the Paddle for Paddle Tennis one of the Lido Deck Stewards (Richie) was in the store and gave us some helpful advice.

We enjoyed a wonderful time on the ship last evening.

Before dinner we spoke with our friends John and Linda and we also spoke with special interest lectures Dr Jay Wolff and his lovely wife. We got to know them during the 2008 World Cruise when they were on board the ship for the entire sailing. We look forward to all of Jay Wolff’s lectures. He is a unique presenter in that he uses no notes and gives his lectures in a story like format and in a very tone.

We dined at the Prego Specialty Italian Restaurant. Since so many passengers were on shore for dinner and/or the Tango shows Prego was not very busy. In fact, there were only three other tables occupied while we were there. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner as we had the Striped Bass along with a nice salad, vegetable and fruit for dessert. We had our favorite Prego Waiter and also enjoyed talking with the Maitre d’ Antonio and the Sommelier who we have known from our sailings on the sister ship of the Serenity the Symphony. As usual, everything was perfect.

Later in the evening we attended the 9:00 PM Argentine Folkloric Gaucho Extravaganza. This featured “The Southern Cross Ballet” who are very well known in Argentina and who have their own weekly television show. They are a folkloric dancing family who has the largest folkloric dancing academy with over 200 dancing pupils. The dancers who appeared on the ship wore beautiful native outfits, which represented various regions of Argentina. The outfits were very colorful. They also wore accordion boots that are made from horse’s leather. The “Voices from Patagonia” was just back from a recent tour of Japan. They are considered to be the best folkloric instrumental of skilled musicians that play and also sing songs from all over with their native pan flutes and charangos. One couple also performed a Tango.

The remainder of this voyage (Voyage Number 2) of the World Cruise is for those who enjoy plenty of sea days. Including today, we now have eight consecutive sea days as we make our way to Cape Town, South Africa. As part of this crossing, we will also forward the clocks forward by one hour each on five of the eight consecutive nights while at sea. Sea days on board the Crystal ships are wonderful for us as there are lots of activities in the morning, afternoon and evening hours to choose from.

We only hope that we have very calm seas and that there are plenty of strawberries, blueberries and even bananas to last for the entire eight days at sea. J

Once again, Keith woke early to begin our day by working out at the Fitness Center. Yes, he was the first one to arrive. He took his position on one of the four Elliptical Machines for a fantastic workout. About half way through his workout passengers John and Brian arrived. Around the time that Keith finished his workout it was Anne Marie’s turn and she took her position on her favorite treadmill of the many machines that are available. It is so very easy for us to workout on the ship as we only have to walk up three flights of stairs and we are there. On our back from the workout, we have each made it a habit of bringing back to the room some coffee. A few minutes after arriving back to the room we each enjoyed a nice breakfast.

During Captain Glenn’s morning announcement from the bridge he noted that we were still in the river plate and we only had six feet of water under the keel. By around 9:30 AM we reached the end of the river plate and began cruising in the open sea and would begin traveling 20 knots per hour in order to make it to Cape Town on time. The temperature was 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Captain Glenn’s thought of the day was “To love and beloved is to feel the sun from both sides.”

At 10:00 AM we attended Dr. Jay Wolff’s first presentation of this World Cruise Voyage. The topic of the presentation was “Evita – The Wild Days of Eva Person.” Born an illegitimate peasant, Maria Eva Duarte rose from prostitution and acting to power and wealth. When she died, does Argentina cry over the loss of their Madonna, or because they have been beguiled by an agent of the devil?

At 11:00 AM we stayed for another lecture, which was given by Ambassador Tony Leon. The topic of his presentation was “From Apartheid to Democracy and Beyond – South Africa’s extraordinary and tumultuous Twentieth Century.” For almost twenty years Tony Leon was a Member of Parliament in South Africa. He is also a trained lawyer and actively participated in the critical constitutional negotiations which let to the birth of a democratic South Africa.

We enjoyed lunch up at the Lido Café, which has been our routine since boarding the ship in Miami. Catholic Clergy Msgr Wilbur Davis joined us for lunch and we enjoyed a wonderful conversation. We sailed with Msgr Wilbur Davis in 2008 as well.

After lunch Keith played Paddle Tennis while Anne Marie took a nice long walk on the Promenade Deck. Today, Keith got to use his new Paddle that he purchases yesterday in Buenos Aires for the very first time. Unfortunately, Keith turned on his left ankle and while he continued to play he has swelling so he will likely take a couple of days off from playing.

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner in the Main Dining Room. Afterwards, Anne Marie attended a show featuring a comedian while Keith iced his ankle for the second time since twisting it.

This evening we forward the clocks one hour as we sail into a new time zone.

TODAY’S THOUGHT OF THE DAY…

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

Keith and Anne Marie