Originally, we were to visit Pisco, Peru after our two days in Lima. However, like our other Peru ports, all excursions were cancelled. This time Silversea decided to skip the port and arrive in Arica, Chile a day early. So, another surprise sea day, but this time was a bit more complicated.
There is a two-hour time change from Peru to Chile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before – step across the border, lose two hours. You can see from the above image (from “Time & Date” website) that Peru is UTC-5 (US east coast time), whereas Chile is UTC-3. Only the north-central regions of South America use UTC-4. You can see the dynamic map here.
Silversea is taking advantage of skipping Pisco by only moving our ship’s time by one hour each of the two nights we are at sea before arriving at Arica. We will then stay at that time until we get to Barbados in March.
However, because of different “local political issues”, I’ve missed: Chichen Itza, Machu Picchu and the Nazca Lines. I’m a bit bummed about that.
There were whales escorting our ship this morning, but they didn’t do any Discovery Channel stuff like leaping out of the ocean, and I only had my phone because I was eating breakfast, so no pictures. So, here’s a different kind of whale picture.
Sometimes I blog just for me.
With a new segment we picked up new lecturers:
- An Andean archaeology professor
- A world affairs expert focusing on the Pacific
- A music professor speaking on Broadway
- A historian lecturing about Charles Darwin and the voyage of the Beagle
We have new performers as well. Laszlo Pap is a violinist I saw a few days ago who was very entertaining. While I greatly enjoy the lectures, attending shows of a genre that I normally would not take the time to see is another cool thing about cruising.
During the morning when we disembarked 400 passengers and then six hours later gained 400 new passengers, all those who were continuing the cruise were asked to stay in one of the lounges for 3 hours “while Silversea sanitized the ship.” I was happy to spend the time sipping tea while reading (I haven’t read Michael Moorcock’s Elric series in 40 years), but I can’t help but wonder to what international standard does one “sanitize” a passenger ship. That is as far into medical science and viruses I will get into.
It is quite a shame to have to miss out on interesting places because of troubling political issues. My Mom and Dad missed out on a scheduled stop in Libya on a Mediterranean Cruise once years ago. Dad really wanted to say he’d been to Africa for the first time. He, my brother, and I have planned a trip to South Africa and Zimbabwe booked this summer (their winter) so he check Africa off as his last continent. (Yep, he’s already been to the Antarctica!) I’ve got my fingers crossed that the trip doesn’t get upended by politics, terrorists, weather, pandemics, etc.
South Africa really depends on specific locations and traveling in a group. Antarctica is now my “last continent to visit.” However, I have no interested in being surrounded by snow and ice, so I may just let that go.
Oh right! The bowl of petunias!
I am thinking we need pics of the ship, cabin, tonight’s dinner?!?!?
I’d be disappointed to miss the sites you missed too, places I heard about in Spanish class and other HS classes. At least the next set of activities sound intriguing.