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Around the World in 180 Days
  • Kadi Kaljuste
  • Brad Ciccarelli
  • Kadi Kaljuste
  • Brad Ciccarelli

Around the World in 180 Days

January 14 to July 13, 2023 from San Francisco to San Francisco aboard Oceania Insignia Read more
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  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Thick fog in the morning
    Started to clearThe vendors ready and waitingAlpaca everything2Alpaca hat was a nope1Finally stepped foot in Peru

    “Technical stop” in Callao, Peru

    February 3, 2023, South Pacific Ocean

    While our landings in Peru were cancelled, we did stop in Callao today to pick up supplies as well as to allow crew off and have new crew board. It was incredibly foggy all morning thanks to the Humboldt Current. Fog is apparently a regular occurrence along the coast of Peru and Chile. The fog horn sounded for the better part of the morning.

    Once we arrived in Callao it was clear that the vendors at the pier were unaware that we would be staying on board. They were all set up and excited to see us. We were sad to see them disappointed. Fortunately, we were given clearance to visit them.

    We were keen to leave some dollars here because things must be rough for Peruvians right now. The unrest means tourism has pretty well dried up. We did our part.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days

    At sea day

    February 4, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Leisurely day at sea today. Had dinner with our new friends Shirley and Mike who live in Arizona and are on only this segment of the cruise. They’ll be disembarking in Santiago in a few days. But we’re confident we’ll see them again when they visit their son who married a Canadian and now lives in Toronto, a short walk from where we live. (And the son works for an ad agency (Cossette) I worked for in the ‘80s!?!)Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    2Heading up to El MorroBrad continues soloHe's up thereBrad took photos at the topCarnival chaosMartin, who recruited his mom to be our guideWaiting for his mom at the thrift shopDelia at the wheelGeoglyphs1Mummies of ChinchorroOur angel, Delia

    Arica, Chile

    February 4, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Today, we visited our first Chilean port, Arica. We decided to “freestyle” it on our own today without a formal excursion. Our first stop was to El Morro, the massive cliff that guards the southern tip of the city. It’s a hike up and it was hot so I bailed about halfway while Brad climbed to the top. We then walked back to the port to find a taxi to take us to the geoglyphs and the museum with the famous mummies of Chinchorro.

    The challenge was, it’s Carnival weekend in Arica and traffic chaos which meant taxis had zero interest in taking fares. One of the port tourism coordinators, Martin, tried his best to get one for us with no luck. He then came to us and said if we were game, his mother would take us! Brilliant!

    One of the employees from her thrift shop walked over to the port and escorted us to the store where his mother, Delia, met us and we set off together. What an angel. She spoke little English but between Google Translate and occasionally calling her son, we managed just fine. She not only took us to the geoglyphs and mummies, she also took us to a supermarket to buy some Chilean wine. It was a truly magical, special day.

    The kindness of strangers❤️    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    City squareClock TowerWaterfrontBeach

    Iqique, Chile

    February 6, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Arrived in Iqique this morning and had no excursion booked so we free-styled. Took the shuttle from the port to the city centre. It’s a city of about 200,000 with a charming historic city centre and a pedestrians-only street with shops, restaurants and bars. It’s a popular vacation spot for beach lovers.

    Because it was Sunday, the city was extremely quiet and few places were open. But when we arrived at the beach area, it was clear where everyone was. It was bustling with families as well as surfers and paddle boarders.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Veal recipe...chef said you can substitute pork or chicken
    Alfajores, Argentinian sandwich cookiesFlambéTada!

    At sea day: cooking demo

    February 7, 2023, South Pacific Ocean

    There are activities scheduled on board every day, whether we’re at sea or in port. But on sea days there are sometimes special activities like today’s cooking demonstration with Executive Chef Farid Oudir and Pastry Chef Sheila Diaz. Chef Farid demonstrated how to make “Veal medallions, mushroom ragout, sautéed apple flambé” while Chef Sheila demonstrated how to make Alfajores. Such fun!Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Coquimbo
    Cruz del Tercer MilenioLa SerenaLighthouseLone fishermanMarket in La Serena💘

    Coquimbo and La Serena, Chile

    February 7, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Woke up to a cool, overcast morning. We were in Coquimbo and La Serena in 2020 but took a slightly different excursion this time that gave us more of a panoramic view of the two sister cities. Coquimbo, founded by the British, is more commercial and industrial because it’s a port city. La Serena, founded by the Spanish, is more tourism oriented because of its beaches.Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Prat monument in Valparaiso
    Navy buildingStreet flea marketWonderful architecture and lots of graffitiOut of order funicularColourful houses on the hillsideWonderful muralsVinamar winery in CasablancaWine tasting21Lunch at the winery

    Valparaiso and winery

    February 8, 2023 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Our actual port today was San Antonio, Chile but there’s not much here. We have been here before in 2020 and at that time took an excursion to Santiago. This time, we chose to take a excursion to Valparaiso, and then visit a winery.

    Valparaiso is an interesting, colourful city built on 42 hills. it was lovely. We then headed to visit a winery which was spectacular.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    8The new segment
    The new captainThe officers1New friends

    At sea

    February 10, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Yesterday was the start of a new segment where people disembarked and boarded in San Antonio/Santiago There are now 200 new passengers on board for the segment to Rio de Janeiro. That also means some new crew and officers, including a new captain. Whether it’s a new captain or not, each new segment starts with a captain’s cocktail party🥂

    Following the party, we had dinner with our new friends Erin and Mui. They’re from Colorado and on their second world cruise. We met through the Cruise Critic website and they gave us incredibly valuable advice regarding packing when they visited Toronto in the summer.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    1Volcano view
    Frutillar1Tickling the ivoriesGerman charm1Museum of german settlersQuirky gallery3Brad with the artist Pablo

    Porto Montt and Frutillar, Chile

    February 11, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Our port today was Porto Montt. We’ve been here before and already visited the famous Osamo volcano and Porto Varas on Lake Llaquihue so we teamed up with our friends Geraldine and Thomas who’d also been here before. We hired a taxi to take us to the lake area about a half hour away to visit Frutillar, a small town also on Lake Llaquihue.

    This area was settled by Germans in the 1850s and the towns are slices of Germany in Chile. It’s a lush agricultural area known for dairy farming. With the lake and volcanoes as a setting, it was so picturesque. We loved it.

    We then headed to a quirky gallery/museum in Porto Varas that Thomas and Geraldine had visited in 2020. It’s the passion project of Chilean artist Pablo Fiero. He began converting this old lakeside property into its current eclectic form in 2002. He was there to host us!    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    At the port
    Only monument we saw. No plaque explaining who he is.Quaint park

    Chacabuco, Chile

    February 11, 2023 in Chile ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Today we reached the Chilean fjords area and Patagonia and had our first truly rainy day since we left San Francisco four weeks ago. The port is Chacabuco. We’ve been here before and had taken an excursion to Patagonia. This time we grabbed our umbrellas, got on the tender boat and just took a walk around, It’s more of a village than a town - about 1,200 people live here. Not much to see as it’s really just a gateway to Patagonia. But we got our Fitbit steps.😁Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Treadmill view was lovely
    Super Bowl spread

    At sea + Super Bowl

    February 13, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Rough waters overnight and this morning so we laid low until the afternoon and then hit the gym. We’re cruising the Chilean fjords now.

    The Super Bowl is on this evening and while Brad and I are only interested in the halftime show, there are many U.S. passengers on board who care a lot about the game. Oceania went all out with food and decorations and large screens for a viewing party. Nicely done.

    Wondering what they’ll do for Oscar night…😉    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Amalia glacier behind us
    Rain stopped by late afternoon

    At sea - Chilean fjords, Amalia glacier

    February 14, 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌧 7 °C

    Another day cruising the Chilean fjords. Unfortunately, a cold, rainy day so not the greatest. (When we were here in 2020 is was warm and sunny.)

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Magdalena island
    1Penguin landscape2Working lighthouseTea time2Soma chocolate 😍

    Punta Arenas, Chile

    February 14, 2023 in Chile

    We’re now in our last Chilean port and in penguin territory. Those who know me well know that spending Valentine’s Day with my hubby and penguins is beyond my wildest dreams. We set off on an excursion to Magdalena Island to visit Magellanic penguins. It was cold, windy and rainy and we loved every minute.

    Back on board, Valentine’s tea time was epic.

    And to top it all off, my hubby brought me Soma chocolates from Toronto 🥰s    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    1Penguin love
    Hungry manRice with king crab1$4 U.S. manicureRan into our friends Yvonne and John

    Ushuaia, Argentina

    February 15, 2023 in Argentina

    We arrived here late morning and headed out for a walk with our friends Geraldine and Thomas. We’ve all four been here in 2020 and Brad and I were just here in November/December when we went to Antarctica. It was windy and rainy which is typical weather here.

    We walked the main drag together for a while and then split up to do our own thing. Brad and I decided we’d have king crab for lunch and then I’d go for a manicure. We found a restaurant and had king crab with rice. Delicious! We asked the waitress for a recommendation for a salon for me to get my nails done and she suggested one a block away. It was fabulous. And, shockingly, just $4 US! (I paid her $10 and that still felt like it was too little.)

    Our next surprise was walking down the street and spotting our friends Yvonne and John from Ancaster, Ontario who we met in March on a transatlantic cruise. 😲

    They’re on the Oceania Marina; we’re on Insignia on a similar itinerary for the next while. Hoping to meet up in a pub in the Falkland Islands in a few days.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days

    Antarctica

    February 17, 2023 in Antarctica

    Woke up to virtually no visibility which was disappointing. We were just in Antarctica in November/December and knew how spectacular the scenery could be. We also know from experience how the weather here changes. Sure enough, by afternoon skies were clear and the sun was shining.

    Unlike the expedition trip we took with Hurtigruten where we did actual landings, this visit will be cruising only. Lovely, but just not the same. The expedition experience can’t be beat.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Balcony view2The menu1Sea bass

    Antarctica day 3 and ATW dinner

    February 19, 2023, South Atlantic Ocean

    Final day in Antarctica and the weather wasn’t great again but cleared up in the afternoon. Not a lot of whale or penguin sightings. A quiet day.

    Yesterday and today there were special dinners scheduled for the Around The World passengers. Our invitation was for this evening at the Polo Grill. We had assigned seating which was great for meeting some new people. As usual, the food was delicious.Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Newsns Station
    1Brad on the rocky ridge1A stoutWith our friends Yvonne and JohnPort Stanley Cathedral and whale bone sculpturePost officeMargaret Thatcher statueLovely garden

    Falkland Islands

    February 21, 2023 in Falkland Islands ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    We visited the Falkland Islands in 2020 and though it was rainy, windy and cold, we enjoyed it very much. Our visit today was even more enjoyable. While it was still windy, it wasn’t rainy or too cold. And it’s penguin territory!

    Last time we went to Bluff Cove; this time we went to Newans Station where there are about 200 pairs of breeding gentoo penguins. And there was one random king penguin!?! The penguins were as entertaining as ever.

    After our penguin outing, we headed to the Victory Bar in downtown Stanley to meet our friends Yvonne and John for lunch. They’re on a sister ship and in port as well. It was a lovely catch up over fish and chips.

    After lunch, we took a walk around town and then headed back to the ship.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    3Brad working on his model
    2My current reading

    At sea

    February 22, 2023, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    When we have a sea day, we have a routine. I usually have a morning pilates class so Brad works out while I’m in class. We have a leisurely breakfast after and then do some reading or Brad works on building the model car kit he brought along.

    We go to lunch around 1 PM. We then spend the afternoon socializing or reading or watching a movie in our room. Sometimes we go to afternoon tea at 4. Then, it’s time to get ready for dinner.

    We typically go to dinner around 6:30 or 7. And on some evenings, we have made dinner arrangements to dine with other people. After dinner, there’s a string quartet that performs and Brad often goes and listens to them while I go to the casino and play slots. There’s a show every evening at 9:30 and if the entertainer appeals to us, we often go to that, too.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    Breakfast on the terrace
    Oceania Club cocktail party1At the party with my friend from South Africa Geraldine

    At sea, Oceania Club cocktail party

    February 23, 2023, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Another at sea day and we’re now in warmer temperatures and once again able to have breakfast and lunch on the terrace, our favourite spot.

    Oceania’s loyalty program is called the Oceania Club and there’s a cocktail party held each segment for members. During the party, guests are recognized for the number of sailing days they’ve had with Oceania and the numbers are astonishing. There are some passengers on board who’ve spent almost 1,500 days sailing with Oceania over the years! And some are on their FIFTH around the world trip. And there’s one “resident” passenger 😲

    We learned there are 610 guests on this segment from 19 countries with the most passengers from the U.S., second from Canada, third from the UK, fourth from New Zealand and fifth from Australia. Of these 610 passengers, 520 are repeat customers. A loyal bunch!    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    La Mano
    1Brad on the beachBeautiful hibiscusThe beachChivito lunch

    Punta del Este, Uruguay

    February 24, 2023 in Uruguay ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Arrived in Punta del Este this morning and it was overcast but the sun came out by mid morning just as we got on a tender boat to take us ashore.

    We were here in 2020. It’s a scenic beach resort town. The one landmark of note is called La Mano - The Hand. It’s a large public art installation on the beach and a tourist must see.

    After walking the beach, we strolled the shopping area and went for lunch. We were looking to have a chivito which is an Uruguayan sandwich reminiscent of a Portuguese Francesinha. It’s made with sliced beefsteak (churrasco), mozzarella, ham, tomatoes, mayonnaise and black or green olives. A chivito commonly also includes bacon and fried or hard-boiled eggs and is served in a bun, Ours was a classic with all of the above.

    We meandered back to the pier to catch the tender boat and spend a quiet afternoon in our cabin before dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, Polo Grill.    Read more

  • Around the World in 180 Days
    On the yellow bus
    La Caminito in the Boca neighborhoodColourful11Beef country1Boca is the soccer team1Woman's BridgeGauchos as we arrive at the eventThe menu2Beautiful tablescaping31

    Buenos Aires, Argentina-Day 1 of 2

    February 25, 2023 in Argentina ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Ahhhhh. Buenos Aires! Third time in this wonderful city, most recently this past November. No need for a formal excursion here. We decided to get a two-day ticket for the “yellow bus.” Yellow buses are hop on hop off tour buses run by the City of Buenos Aires that are inexpensive. A two-day pass was $29 US each. A bargain!

    We set off around the city to Caminito in the Boca neighborhood that was established by immigrants and became known for the arts. It’s where tango was invented. From there, we hopped the bus to the Puente de la Mujer (Spanish for "Woman's Bridge"), a rotating footbridge. Wikipedia: “It is of the cantilever spar cable-stayed bridge type and is also a swing bridge, but somewhat unusual in its asymmetrical arrangement. It has a single mast with cables suspending a portion of the bridge which rotates 90 degrees in order to allow water traffic to pass. When it swings to allow watercraft passage, the far end comes to a resting point on a stabilizing pylon.” From there, we walked to the pedestrian mall area, heading back to the ship by mid afternoon to get ready for our first Oceania special event for Around the World passengers - an evening of tango.

    The venue was the agricultural association’s La Rural property where they hold the annual agricultural fair. (Similar site to Toronto’s Exhibition Place.) It was truly lovely. We were treated to cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, three course dinner with wine and an outstanding folklore and tango show. Fabulous!    Read more

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