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April 2023
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April 2023

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Roatan Honduras

    12. april 2023, Honduras ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We had a fun day in Roatan’s Mahogany Bay, a tropical paradise just like you see in movies and beer ads.

    Our Romanian pals, Constantin and Maria, joined us for the day. We were greeted by a sweet little songbird as we stepped ashore. It put the Bob Marley song “Three Little Birds” in my head.

    The four of us took a “magical flying beach chair” over to the beach. Yes, the very same one that I had been making fun of when I noticed it from the ship.

    Well guess what? I loved it. Not only was it a nice view, but there was a little breeze up there. We saw sharks, colorful fish, and conchs from our perch.

    Constantin and I enjoyed a wonderful swim while Larry and Maria found some shady beach chairs. Only later did we realize that although the beach was free, people paid $30 for the chairs and $50 for the bungalows. Oops!

    As we wandered around, we saw a beach bungalow offering salon services such as massages, pedicures, and fish therapy: minnows that nibble any dead skin off of your feet!!

    The heat and surroundings called for cerveza, so we wandered into the beach bar.
    Larry ordered some snacks, too. That’s when we discovered that C&M had never had nachos before!

    It was fun explaining what they were and how to eat them. Not only were the nachos a hit, but they even liked the jalapeños.

    The server got such a kick out of learning that they live in Transylvania. “Really? Like where Dracula lives?”

    (He also complimented my Spanish accent, but he probably says that to all the gringos!)    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende
    1

    Puerto Limón

    10. april 2023, Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    I’m not exactly sure what a “wappin man wellcome” is, but we had a fun day in Costa Rica.

    Puerto Limón is so named because sailors used to come here to buy citrus to relieve their scurvy symptoms.

    “Pura Vida” (pure life) is a slogan I saw all over the place. Seems to be the Costa Rican version of what the Italians call “La dolce vita,” (the sweet life.)

    Our ship was greeted by a lively calypso band. Some folks wandered into town on their own, and most of them had a good time.

    A few were scammed by folks who took them to a local park to see sloths sleeping in the trees. As the tourists enjoyed the sight, the scammer’s accomplices rode up on bikes and swiped their stuff.

    Costa Rica is so lush. I love how the abandoned buildings were overtaken by the jungle.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Cacao Plant

    10. april 2023, Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    To me, the inside of cacao fruit looks a bit like intestines. The slippery white seeds are pink. They turn brown after they are dried.

    How did people figure out how to create such delectable treats from such a slimy thing?

    Somehow we made it back to the ship without buying any chocolate. I think we were melting from the humidity and simply forgot.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende
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    Costa Rica Jungle Cruise

    10. april 2023, Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    The canal we explored on our jungle cruise in Costa Rica was lush and full of life. The brackish water was brown because it’s fed by mountain streams and it’s been raining.

    We saw so many trees: almond, carob, ylang ylang, mango, and more. Beautiful birds dabbled along the water’s edge. I was especially thrilled to see a flock of toucans.

    We saw a mother crocodile nestled in the weeds with her baby, but the biggest thrill was seeing sloths snoozing in the trees.

    Our guide told us sloths only poop once a week, and that they come to the ground for this. If they plan to stay in the same tree, they bury their scat like a cat. This is to keep from advertising their whereabouts to predators.

    If they plan to move to a new tree, they leave their feces uncovered as a way to mislead predators.

    Who knew there was so much strategy to this!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Panama Canal

    8. april 2023, Panama ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    It took us from 7:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. to sail the Panama Canal and it was much more interesting than I expected.

    Transiting the Panama Canal is quite a different experience than the Suez Canal. For one thing, there are no locks on the Suez, so you simply sail along as if it were a river. For another, even though it’s fairly narrow, you are never so close to shore that you could hop off in the Suez.

    Tugboats escort you the the Suez Canal, and you’re part of a convoy, but it’s much more of a hands off experience. Not only did tugboats escort us through the Panama Canal, but we also had lock “mules” with metal ropes pulling our ship through the locks.

    There was plenty of room at the start of our journey, but our last lock was a tight fit as you can see from my pics. Larry estimated that we were only 18 inches or so away from the edge.

    I didn’t expect the mule drivers to get so close to the ship, either. When one driver saw me watching, he opened his window and posed for a photo! That was a nice surprise.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Unique Mausoleum

    6. april 2023, Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    Our guide told us to keep our eyes out for the name “Eloy Alfaro” during our tour.

    “You will see his name everywhere you go. He is the favorite president of Ecuador. Because of him, slavery ended. Because of him we got a railroad. Because of him, women got rights. In 1908, Ecuador became the first country in South America to give women the right to vote.”

    After watching the hat weavers, we wandered over to an unusual looking building, which turned out to be the Mayo for none other than President Eloy Alfaro.

    I’m glad to hear he is a beloved figure, because the large bust overlooking the skyline brought dictators to mind.

    A tunnel with a checkered floor leads to the lower level of the mausoleum. There is also a second floor viewing platform so you can get a different view.

    When I get home, I’d like to find more info about this mausoleum. It’s certainly one of the most unusual ones I’ve ever seen!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Montecristi Hat Makers

    6. april 2023, Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 79 °F

    As I mentioned in a different post, Panama hats are made in Ecuador.

    A more appropriate name for them is “toquilla hat” or “Montecristi hat” because artisans in the town of Montecristi weave them from a type of palm called paja toquilla.

    Paja toquilla palms only grow on the coast of Ecuador. In the town of Montescristi, we enjoyed a hat weaving demonstration.

    The first step for making these special hats is to shred the strands of the toquilla palm. These fine strands are boiled for 8 to 10 minutes. “Just like pasta,” Larry observed.

    After the palm fibers dry in the sun, the weaving begins. The outer leaves of the plant grow back after the plant is shredded, so it’s a sustainable practice.

    Isn’t it interesting how the weavers bend over to make the hats? Doesn’t look very ergonomic, does it? When we asked our guide why they stand like this, he chuckled and said “It’s tradition.” He then added that people can become hunchbacks after decades of hat making if they aren’t careful.

    Ecuadorians have made these hats for hundreds of years. In the past, it was considered “women’s work,” but in an effort to keep the tradition alive, guys are encouraged to learn this skill now, too.

    I used to weave wheat when I was a kid, so I can really appreciate their handiwork. And as a hat aficionado, I really hoped to buy one. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to afford one, though. They can sell for hundreds of dollars.

    Much to my surprise, the hat I fell in love with was a mere $25. It was the first one I saw. Even so, I visited all the shops in the area just to make sure that hat was “the one.”

    I will certainly treasure my Montecristi hat and treat it well!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Tagua (Ivory Nut)

    6. april 2023, Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    I’d never heard of the Tagua nut before, but I’m a fan of anything that can be substituted for elephant ivory.

    These nuts are used for buttons, piano keys, billiard balls, jewelry, and more. The cluster you see our guide holding weighs around 40 pounds.

    When they told us we were going to a nut factory, I didn’t expect to be so impressed by its many uses.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Montescristi Hat Statue

    6. april 2023, Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    Did you know that Panama hats are actually made in Montecristi, Ecuador?

    The misnomer came about when President Teddy Roosevelt cut the ribbon for the inauguration of the Panama Canal. His hosts had given him a straw hat that was made in Ecuador.

    Photographs from this event led folks to assume the hat was from Panama, and the name stuck. Roosevelt loved that hat and wore it a lot. Al Capone had one, too.

    As we drove to the town of Montecristi to watch artisans weave these iconic hats, we past a big statue of a hat weaver. I wasn’t on the best side of the bus to get photos, but I did the best I could.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Tuna Capital

    6. april 2023, Ecuador ⋅ 🌧 81 °F

    No wonder I saw so many tuna leaping in the sea as we approached Ecuador: Manta is the Tuna Capital of the World.

    Our guide rattled off the names of several tuna brands including Bumblebee and Starkist. They all get their fish from Manta, Ecuador.

    The harbor was full of fishing boats, some of which even had helicopters on deck for spotting tuna.

    I also enjoyed seeing frigate birds again, as you can tell from the last photo. They do some mighty fancy flying.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Miraflores Mosaic Park

    3. april 2023, Peru ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    In Miraflores, we stopped at a pretty hilltop park that had a mosaic bench snaking through it.

    The view was amazing, so many greens and blues!

    The mosaics all seemed to be proclamations of love. It reminded me of Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona.

    I’d love to make some mosaics for our backyard back in Texas!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Lima Police Presence

    3. april 2023, Peru

    We saw a wide variety of police in Peru. Considering the civil rights unrest in February that prevented cruise ships from disembarking, I’m just happy we were able to get out and explore.

    The biggest surprise was when a couple members of the tourist police asked if they could take a photo of our group. They said they needed to text it to their boss to prove they were doing their job!Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Lima Bus Ride

    3. april 2023, Peru ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Here are some sights from the bus drive from the port of Callao to Lima and Miraflores.

    I like the way the woman with the baby was dressed.

    Our guide explained that two sandwiches and a drink cost less than a dollar at the little sidewalk stands we passed.

    “Chifa” means “Chinese restaurant” in Chilean Spanish. We saw them all over, but especially near the Port of Callao, where there is a Chinatown.

    Our guide explained that in the 1800s, a bunch of Chinese were lured to Chile to work, but were basically treated like slaves, instead.

    As for the man carrying a box labeled “mutant,” what do you suppose that is all about?!?!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Lima: Graffitti & Signs

    3. april 2023, Peru ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Here are a few murals, signs, and graffiti that I saw in Lima, Peru.

    After the recent political unrest, I expected to see more, but there was a noticeable lack of posters and graffiti near the port. Maybe anything put up is quickly taken down?

    I’m curious about the billboard for the tourist town, Castillo de Chancay. Funny how the main feature is a great big hunk of meat!

    I really liked the blue and black mural. I think it depicts a vulture, but I’m not sure. We Cerro saw a lot of black headed and turkey vultures swirling through the skies here.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Leaping Fish & Dolphins Close Up

    3. april 2023, South Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Before the internet, the only proof I had that other writers existed were bookstores and libraries.

    For many years, I felt quite alone in my compulsion to play with words. When coworkers asked how I’d spent the weekend, they were baffled. Sure, they liked to read, who writes for fun?

    I often wondered: Where are all the writers?

    I sometimes experience a similar feeling at sea. While I know the ocean teems with life, much of it stays out of sight.

    We can cruise for days without seeing a single fish near the surface. Many times, the only proof of their existence is fishing boats and seafood on our menu.

    I often wonder: Where are all the fish?

    Lately, there has been no need to wonder!
    From a distance, what appears to be a cluster of whitecaps often turns out to be a school of fish.

    Near Manta, I even saw jagged finned tuna leaping in the air. (We thought they were dolphins at first.)

    We’ve seen dolphins quite a few times on this journey, but lately they’ve been so close to the ship that we could even see them swimming underwater!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Lovely Chilean Ladies

    1. april 2023, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    On our way back to the ship, we came across these lovely ladies. When we asked if we could take their photo, they said, “Of course!”and began striking poses.

    In retrospect, I can’t believe we didn’t ask about their costumes. Instead, we just made small talk. They asked us where we’re from and had questions about the ship and we just assumed they were folkloric dancers.

    Silly us. I blame the heat!    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Signs in Arica

    1. april 2023, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    I always keep an eye out for graffitti and posters in cities around the world because they offer a window into the concerns of locals in a way that travel guides sometimes gloss over or ignore.

    In Arica, we noticed several small casinos tucked along the main shopping street. One of them had a handwritten sign saying they needed a senorita.

    A few steps away, I noticed a series of posters honoring International Women’s Day. Each poster features a woman or girl, along with information about her disappearance or death. They all seem to date from the 70s or 80s.

    One poster, for instance, explains that 13-year-old Nadia Fuentes Concha lost her life while crossing the street in crossfire from a military patrol.

    Several countries in South America suffered under military dictatorships in the 1970s and 80s. It’s horrific to think about a government abducting and killing citizens, but that was the case.

    Throughout South America you will see graffiti mentioning “abuelas de Mayo”(grandmothers of May), or simply “abuelas.”

    These abuelas are women who protested after their family members were abducted during these dictatorships. Many were never seen again, but some mass graves were eventually found. The women would wear white headscarves and March together in public squares to protest.

    Seeing graffitti depicting these brave women is how I first learned about “los desaparecidos” aka “the disappeared.”

    Some other graffiti I saw in Arica: “todos tenemos sangre Mapuche, los pobres en las venas, y los ricos en los manos” which means, “Everyone has Mapuche blood, the poor in their veins and the rich on their hands.”

    Another poster read: “Transfobia es colonial, Autonomia para los pueblos.” I’m not sure what they’re driving at with, “transphobia is colonial, autonomy for the towns.” Maybe saying that transphobia is a vestige of colonial belief systems? I dunno.

    I’m really not sure about the last photo. I think the top poster is about violence towards women. Not sure why the woman has an anarchy symbol by her neck.

    Then below it there’s something about how “Your feminism has too many theories and lacks all the murders, disappeared and locked up by this heterocis themes of shit and romance.”

    I don’t claim to understand all this, but as I said, I like to keep an eye on graffiti to see another layer to the places we visit.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    El Morro

    1. april 2023, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Just like the ancient Chinchorros, we were drawn to El Morro, the rocky hill overlooking Arica.

    El Morro offers quite a view, even though we only made it partway up. (It was so darn hot that we got a little woozy out in the heavy sun, especially once there were no more options for shade.)

    I don’t know why the stairs are painted as they are, but I like it. I also enjoyed the various murals, including one showing a Chinchorro fisherman using tools we had just seen in the nearby museum.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Museo Colón 10

    1. april 2023, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    In 2004, skeletal remains were discovered by a construction company excavating foundations for a new hotel in Arica, Chile.

    They originally planned to move the remains to a museum in a neighboring town, but eventually decided to keep the site intact and build a museum around it.

    That’s why Museo Colón 10 is named for its address on Colón Street, right at the base of the path leading to the top of El Morro, the big mountain overlooking town.

    This archaeological discovery was quite a surprise. A house stood here for over a hundred years, but no one realized it was on top of an 4,000-year-old cemetery.

    In all, 48 bodies were found during the excavations. As you can see from my photos, visitors are able to view these skeletal remains through the glass and floor.

    The ancient Chinchorro people buried their dead with heads facing south. Several bodies show evidence of artificial mummification, along with painted hair and wigs, while others seem to have simply been buried, with no preservation intended.

    The Chinchorro bodies lack cavities, but the teeth are worn down from chewing food with sand residue in it. They were fishermen, and since the ears show bony growths, this indicates they spent a lot of time underwater, as divers.

    The two wooden items seen here were simply described as ritual items. The black mask was part of a manmade mummy. The Chinchorro people created masks for the face and attached a wig of human hair to it with mud.

    The reason a cemetery is located here is because the ancient Chinchorro people made pilgrimages for rituals (including funerals) to El Morro.    Læs mere

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  • Tui SniderApril 2023Rejsende

    Arica Walk

    1. april 2023, Chile ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    We’d never visited Arica, Chile before so we decided to simply wander through town with our fabulous Romanian friends, Constantin and Maria.

    Like Cape Town, a large mountain stands watch over Arica and helps keep your bearings. I tend to anthropomorphize such geological features. To me, they impart a certain feeling to a town. Like trees, they are silent witnesses to all the follies of us shortsighted humans.

    We had three items on our “to see” list, but only managed two due to the heat and steep inclines. Ah, well.

    Some of the sidewalks around Arica feature the same geoglyph designs as can we seen from the air in the nearby Arica desert.

    While that desert is one of the most arid places in the world, I swear it was rather humid as we wandered town. (Hey, it’s a port, and had rained recently.)

    Townsfolk were quite friendly. Many of them greeted us with smiles and hellos, and were happy to give us directions when needed. Neither Constantin nor Maria know Spanish, so I had fun translating their questions for shopkeepers.

    After seeing the cathedral and museum we started off towards the cemetery, but never made it. The heat made us woozy, so we stopped at a cafe for cold drinks and before we knew it, it was time to head back to the ship.

    The photo of the llama on the phone makes me laugh because it’s a visual pun. “Llamar” means “to call” so the llama is making a “llama.” Hehe!

    Constantin and Maria started calling Larry “ombra” which means “shadow” in Romanian. I tried to say he was the “hombre de ombras” but it didn’t work in their language.

    By then end of the day, Maria and I also earned nicknames. She’s “caffea” due to her sun loving nature, and I’m “mozzarella” due to my pale hue.

    We still need to come up with a good nickname for Constantin! (Update: his nickname is “lămâie” which means “lemon” in Romanian. He puts lemon on everything at dinner!)

    We had such a fun day with our sweet Romanian friends! We’re so comfortable with Constantin and Maria now. We’re sure gonna miss them when this trip ends.

    Constantin and I have already agreed to become pen pals. He’ll write in English and I’ll reply in Romanian. I hope they visit us in Texas, but it doesn’t seem too likely.

    There may be a trip to Romania in our future, however!

    ps I don’t know what those pigeons are standing on, though I suspect it’s a pile of grain. I’ve never seen so many pigeons in one place before!    Læs mere

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