Good day from sailing off the Peruvian coast on our way to Lima, Peru, where we will docking tomorrow morning at 8:00. Another good sailing day as seas are smooth, sunny skies, and getting warmer and more humid as we get closer to the Equator. At noon the Captain said it was 77F and our speed was 17 kts. The depth of the ocean here is 10,500 feet. We have 205 miles left to go before reaching Lima.
What We Did Last Night:
Tetyana is also a bartender in the Observation Lounge. She is from Russia.
We met David & Marge for drinks up in the Observation Lounge before heading down to Compass Rose to enjoy dinner with them. We have known them since 2012. Great conversation and was next to last table to leave the dining room. The production show, "Paradis", was already in progress. It was a packed theater so stood in back and watched rest of the show. Cast was VERY good.
Since we are offshore Peru now I thought this a good day to give you some info about this amazing country.
PERU
Peru’s History/Background:
Actually Peru, and most of South America, lies east of the east coast line of the USA. I am betting most of you thought it was south of the USA. Check the atlas! Peru is bordered on the north by Colombia and Chile on the south. Anyway, Peru is twice the size of Texas but Peru has a little more than half the population of Texas. Peru is the 4th most populous country in South America with 31 million people, nearly 1/3 of them living in metro Lima area. The earliest evidence of human presence in Peru dates approximately 9000 BC. Peruvian territory was home to several ancient cultures over the centuries. In the 1400’s the Inca Indians ruled here with its capital in Cusco. The Spanish conquistador, Francisco Pizarro, conquered them for Spain in 1572. Peru gained its independence from Spain in 1821. You will see statues of Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin, Peru’s liberators, all over Lima and Peru.
Peru is basically divided into three biodiversity regions: the Pacific coastal plains on the west, the mountainous Andes dividing the country, and on the east the tropical Amazon basin rainforest. The Amazon River actually begins in Peru. It is now a democratic republic, after years of political unrest, divided into 25 regions. Its economy is classified as an emerging market and doing very well. Its main economic activities include mining, manufacturing, agriculture, and fishing. Telecommunications and biotechnology are growing sectors. Spanish is the main language here but a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua, the old Incan language. Peru’s literacy rate is 93% with primary and secondary schools being compulsory. Peruvian food is some of the best in South America. I am fascinated with the Incan history. Our visit to Machu Picchu back in 2012 is a memory we shall cherish and never forget. If you ever have the chance, come see it. I may put those photos from back then on this blog again for you.
What We Did Today:
Rebecca had her usual room service scrambled eggs while I had a blueberry muffin. We then went to gym for our usual 1 hour workouts. At 12:30 I went for a veterans luncheon up in Prime 7. There were only 4 of us show up and 3 wives. Three of us were ex-Air Force and one was ex-30 year Army general. All Viet Nam vets. It was a great group and great lunch. Towards the end Lorraine, our cruise director, shows up with the production team from Discovery Channel's "Mighty Cruise Ships" television show on board filming an episode that will air early next year about the most luxurious cruise ship ever built, the Seven Seas Explorer. They have been filming ever since they got on with us in Santiago and will be on board until we reach Costa Rica. Everyone at the table had to sign a release so they could show us on tv. I'm going to be a star!!!
This afternoon Rebecca is reading and I am working on this blog post. At 6:00 pm this evening there is an event that only happens on Regent cruise ships. It is called the "shipwide block party". A bell is sounded over the PA and then everyone is to come out in the hallways with their wine glass to meet their neighbors. The suite stewards serve wine and canapes. The Captain, General Manager, and Cruise Director races up and down every hallway on every deck to greet everyone. It is fun, and as I say, unique to Regent.
We have been invited to dine with Lorraine, our cruise director, at 7:00 this evening. The show tonight features the PBS special guest entertainers, Doug LaBrecque and Debbie Gravitte, singing together. Show is called "Direct from Broadway".
I must say that the Explorer's Regent Signature Orchestra is outstanding. They did away with the trumpet and trombone players on the other Regent ships but not this one. The brass instruments adds so much to the orchestra's sound and I know the guest performers appreciate that as much as we do.
Ok, here is the link to photos of the Explorer that I actually took last March but want to share with you once more so you will get an idea of how luxurious this ship really is. Remember passenger capacity is only 750. It is not nearly full on this segment. Believe I heard there are only 550 on the Santiago to LA segment. The next segment, LA to Miami, is full.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/skABhKwRm1UhvL5K6
Remember you have to cut and paste the above link to a "new tab" on your browser. Then click on first photo to enlarge it and see my captions in upper right corner. Arrow midway down side of photo through the rest.
I have decided to include the 164 photos I took back in 2012 on our 3 day excursion to Cusco and Macha Picchu. This will keep you busy for awhile. Great photos of a great trip!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Zh99TDLktq6uufuW7
I also want to congratulate Pavlus Travel, our travel agency in Albuquerque. Yesterday, Jason Montague, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, presented Craig Pavlus with a plaque commemorating 25 years as a travel agency. Our travel agent, Susan Bender, was honored as one of their top 5 producers.
https://pavlus.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment