The Amsterdam’s speed is at 22.5 knots and I remember the QE2 was capable of about 10 knots faster. QE2 is over 90,000 tons; Amsterdam 61,000. QE2 965 feet long; Amsterdam 780. Width about the same. QE2 holds 2,058 guests; Amsterdam 1,380. We are not full and after Buenos Aires we will have around 800 passengers on board. No lines, no waits for elevators, and food gets to our table hot and fast.
I now realize I used the wrong word; I should have used the word nobility and not royalty . I would enjoy having more nobility on board such as Lord Kay but alas, that is not to be.
For those of you posting on my face book, because of the costs of internet time I am not using my face book. Use the comment section of my blog and contact me there in stead. For those of you shocked shocked at my having a face book site you can just think of me as cyber chick .
Valparaiso is not one of my favorite cities and I had toured there before. The most memorable thing to me about Valparaiso was the containers at the dock. They were piled so high and looked like skyscrapers with streets between rows of them. That was two years ago. Look at the port now and you can see the difference in the worldwide economy.
We are now on our way to Isla Robinson Crusoe which is a part of Chili. This is where Daniel DeFoe got his inspiration for his book based on the experiences and/or legends of Alexander Selkirk. Seas are quite high so unless they are calmer next to the island there is no way the Captain is going to allow a tender. We are rocking and rolling and have had a degree of this for about 12 hours. Thirty to forty knot winds. I am in my element. As I am writing about this the Captain just announced unless the bay is calmer we won‘t be able to tender so we are in a wait and see mode.
The Captain did maneuver the ship to give us more protection from the wind and we were able to tender to shore. Lovely island; very clean and no hovels. High peaks and lush greenery a welcome relief to the big cities. It would be fun to stay here for a month or so.
That is quite the difference in economic activity. Sounds as if you are now beginning the interesting part of the voyage. Heading into the Antartic will be great fun. Do you find a smaller ship while having far fewer passengers to be confining or is there planty of space to explore and enjoy?
ReplyDeleteCharlie
Judi, have you received any of the "pillow gifts" that they give to world cruisers after each segment? I'd be interested to know what they give you. The ones on the QE2 and Victoria were quite nice. Love your posts and would love to see Isla Robinson Crusoe!
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous and thanks for your answers. Get out the wool knickers for the Antarctic. I do hope you will be able to go ashore in the Falkland Islands. Don't spend all your money, as you'll need some change to check out the Queen Mary 2 on her 2011 World Voyage. Don.
ReplyDeleteNow you have made a stop that I have always wanted to do .... sounds lovely. Right now you are on the leg of the trip that most interested me when I saw the itinerary. Am anxious to hear more. I too hope you make the Falklands (another one I still want to do) Remember Margo who was at our table on the QE2 for awhile... she had tried 3 times for the Falklands and still had not made it.... So far, for you, so good.
ReplyDeleteSusan
I hope you get to port in the Falklands. That will be such an amazing experience. The kidos miss you. Kayden asked to see you this morning & I had to remind him that you're on vacation. We are going out for a bday dinner with Mario this Sat. SUSHI =-) You can have a commemorating dessert for us. LOL
ReplyDeleteOld Chick, I will bust a gut if I don't just tell you flatout that I have booked the 2011 World Voyage on the Queen Mary 2, beginning Jan 13, 2011 and ending April 26, 2011, in New York. And the bad news is that "our friend" from New Hampshire will also be on board. LOL, and Roll Over like Jack Benny. We expect to see you.
ReplyDeleteHi, Judi -- Finally found your blog. It sounds as though you are having a wonderful time. I felt a bit wistful when I saw the picture of you with your dining companions, remembering our dinners together on the QE2. We are looking forward to reading more about your trip.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Laura graduated and was commissioned a second lieutenant -- thank you for your card and gift. I'll send pictures to your e-mail address.
Grace