A Look At What Is Happening Today:
Private Tour In Buenos Aires ✔ Pizza Night✔
Although we didn't dine at the Crystal Dining Room these are the menus from last evening.
Last evening was the second and final World Cruise Shore Side Event.
The title of the event was appropriately called "Tango! Tango Tango! The event was a celebration through music and dance of one aspect of Argentinian Culture.
The event was held at the Palacio Frers which was part of a large exhibition space which has more then 100 years of history.
We were taken in buses over to this venue. Approximately thirty people were on each bus so there was extra room for everyone. A Crystal Escort was also assigned to each bus and their was a local person on each bus as well.
The drive took about 30 minutes and the local spoke about not only the Tango but all of the sites that we saw on the way to the Venue. Our escort also sang a Tango song to all of us.
We were the first bus to arrive to the venue. All buses left at the same time and they pretty much caravanned between the pier and the venue.
When we arrived there were all sorts of people (we'd say 30 or 40) dressed in outfits representing the early to the mid to even later 1900's. They were in all different areas of the very large entranceway as we made our way to the actual room where the venue was held.
Approximately 340 people attended this event. When we entered the large room there were tables all around the room. Rather then having one stage which might make it difficult for those sitting in the back of the room to see there were two stages. One was in the front of the room and the other towards the back of the room. Some of the entertainment was staged on each of the two stages.
However, before that entertainment began we were treated to about one hour of entertainment by those who had been at the entranceway who came up the rows and stopped by each table to perform.
We sat with friends Linda and John and Elaine and there were some other guests who we knew at our table.
Heavy cold and hot canapés were served at the event.
When we sat down at the table this is how it was set up.
The cold Canapés were already on the table and wait staff came by frequently offering choices of red and white wines as well as beer and water.
Later on we enjoyed some hot Canapés. At the end of the show there were also desserts served. This plate was served to each person and it had a little of everything. It included a meat empanada, a grilled sausage sandwich, a filet mignon brochette with bell peppers, onion and chimi churri, salmon pastrami, potatoe and rosemary focaccia with prosciutto, fresh tomoatoes and herb gremolata and capresse style skewers.
Other characters came by the tables for quite awhile and the men received hats and the ladies colorful feather boas.
Keith ended up with a hat and a Boa.
Cruise Director Gary Hunter kicked off the event.
We didn't get a photo of it but World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy came out to the stage and danced with one of the men. She and Gary each said a few words.
Gary Hunter then introduced Captain Okland who was not in his usual Captain's Attire but was in attire to capture the theme of the evening. The Captain welcomed us and proposed a toast.
The tango was performed representing several decades to show the entire history of the Tango. In total, there were 16 different playlists; including many performances of the tango.
Many of the people who were at the entranceway and who later entertained us at our respective tables.
The venue, the music, the dancing, the singing, and all of the additional characters and the food and the wine were terrific. We had a wonderful evening and we made memories that will last a lifetime.
The bus ride back to the ship took around 20 minutes as there was less traffic then earlier in the evening. When we were first greeted at the entrance by Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise. Several other members of the crew welcomed us with cold towels and flutes of champagne. We skipped the champagne. There was a light buffet snack available for us and just as we did after the first shore side event we took a few items and then sat in the Crystal Dining Room to enjoy them and also to support the crew who worked so very hard to prepare this light meal for us and the wait staff who worked later into the evening for all of us.
The amount of planning that goes into this is incredible. The challenge is not only deciding which cities to have these events, and what theme and type of event to offer, but to also find venues that are suitable and will accommodate the record number of people taking this years World Cruise. Special thanks to John Stoll, a Vice President at Crystal Cruises, whose responsibilities include the shore excursion and overland programs, port operations and also planning these events along with the World Cruise Gala. His team of on board members of the Shore Excursion Department play an integral role as well as do so many other people including the Food & Beverage Group once we return to the ship.
We wanted to note that since this is an industrial port when we leave the port we take a shuttle that is operated by the port authority between the ship and the parking lot outside the terminal area. From there one can get on a Crystal Shuttle in to town or be picked up or take a taxi or some other related transportation. Kudos to John Stoll for being able to get permission to bring those buses that we took yesterday to and from the venue right into the terminal so that we did not have to take two buses each way. It made things lots easier for everyone.
We slept very well after a very long and wonderful day. It was very quiet. Keith was back up early in the morning and got a nice workout in. There was no one at the Fitness Center.
Keith had some coffee at the Lido Cafe and spoke with some of the Lido Deck Stewards. Three of the five will continue to work at the Cafe during the next segment. Two will move to other areas of the Lido Deck and two from other areas will take their place in the Cafe.
When Keith got back to the room, Anne Marie walked for about 45 minutes before we had breakfast in the room.
Today marks the end of World Cruise Segment 2 and the Start of the third Segment of the World Cruise. During the second segment we traveled from Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We sailed a distance of 5,674 land nautical miles or the equivalent of 6,525 land miles.
We had an early breakfast in our room as we got ready for an excursion.
Today, we went on a Private Excursion which we had booked through out Travel Agency. The focus of the tour was a guided tour of the La Recoleta Cemetery (which we had visited in 2005) along with a visit to the Evita Museum. Our tour also included some highlights of the city and even a stop for a coffee.
We were met at the pier by our driver Fernando and our tour guide Maria Gomez. They both were fabulous. Fernando knew many shortcuts as we weaved from area to area and Maria had terrific knowledge of each and everyplace we visited. At times, she seemed to be a walking encyclopedia.
As we drove to the La Recoleta Cemetery, Maria pointed out many landmarks and spoke about the history of what we were seeing.
Maria studied extensively at the Recoleta Cemetery and her knowledge was tremendous. We spent a long time walking all around the Cemetery and we stopped at mausoleum after mausoleum and then she would give the history of each family. It was amazing.
We visited the mausoleum where Eva Peron and many of her family members were put to rest.
This fighter Lusis Firno fought United States Boxer Jack Dempsey in the 1920's.
We visited the oldest church in the Recoleta District.
We then took a break and had a nice cup of Cappuccino Coffee.
We then made our way over to the Eva Person Museum where we spent a great deal of time walking the museum. Maria spoke extensively as we walked each of the rooms.
All in all it was a great tour and we learned so very much over the past two days. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and like many large cities around the world there is so much to see and to learn.
The weather was unseasonably cooler then what is normal which was perfect for touring around the city. Maria mentioned to us that the other day it was unbearably hot.
When we got back to the ship in the late afternoon we had a nice salad entree.
Later in the afternoon Anne Marie walked on the Promenade Deck for an hour. Keith met up with friend Bob and also with a couple of other guests.
This evening we plan to enjoy dinner in our room.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY............
Although we didn't dine at the Crystal Dining Room these are the menus from last evening.
Last evening was the second and final World Cruise Shore Side Event.
The title of the event was appropriately called "Tango! Tango Tango! The event was a celebration through music and dance of one aspect of Argentinian Culture.
The event was held at the Palacio Frers which was part of a large exhibition space which has more then 100 years of history.
We were taken in buses over to this venue. Approximately thirty people were on each bus so there was extra room for everyone. A Crystal Escort was also assigned to each bus and their was a local person on each bus as well.
The drive took about 30 minutes and the local spoke about not only the Tango but all of the sites that we saw on the way to the Venue. Our escort also sang a Tango song to all of us.
We were the first bus to arrive to the venue. All buses left at the same time and they pretty much caravanned between the pier and the venue.
When we arrived there were all sorts of people (we'd say 30 or 40) dressed in outfits representing the early to the mid to even later 1900's. They were in all different areas of the very large entranceway as we made our way to the actual room where the venue was held.
Approximately 340 people attended this event. When we entered the large room there were tables all around the room. Rather then having one stage which might make it difficult for those sitting in the back of the room to see there were two stages. One was in the front of the room and the other towards the back of the room. Some of the entertainment was staged on each of the two stages.
However, before that entertainment began we were treated to about one hour of entertainment by those who had been at the entranceway who came up the rows and stopped by each table to perform.
We sat with friends Linda and John and Elaine and there were some other guests who we knew at our table.
Heavy cold and hot canapés were served at the event.
When we sat down at the table this is how it was set up.
The cold Canapés were already on the table and wait staff came by frequently offering choices of red and white wines as well as beer and water.
Later on we enjoyed some hot Canapés. At the end of the show there were also desserts served. This plate was served to each person and it had a little of everything. It included a meat empanada, a grilled sausage sandwich, a filet mignon brochette with bell peppers, onion and chimi churri, salmon pastrami, potatoe and rosemary focaccia with prosciutto, fresh tomoatoes and herb gremolata and capresse style skewers.
Other characters came by the tables for quite awhile and the men received hats and the ladies colorful feather boas.
Keith ended up with a hat and a Boa.
Cruise Director Gary Hunter kicked off the event.
We didn't get a photo of it but World Cruise Hostess Elise Ivy came out to the stage and danced with one of the men. She and Gary each said a few words.
Gary Hunter then introduced Captain Okland who was not in his usual Captain's Attire but was in attire to capture the theme of the evening. The Captain welcomed us and proposed a toast.
The tango was performed representing several decades to show the entire history of the Tango. In total, there were 16 different playlists; including many performances of the tango.
Many of the people who were at the entranceway and who later entertained us at our respective tables.
The venue, the music, the dancing, the singing, and all of the additional characters and the food and the wine were terrific. We had a wonderful evening and we made memories that will last a lifetime.
The bus ride back to the ship took around 20 minutes as there was less traffic then earlier in the evening. When we were first greeted at the entrance by Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise. Several other members of the crew welcomed us with cold towels and flutes of champagne. We skipped the champagne. There was a light buffet snack available for us and just as we did after the first shore side event we took a few items and then sat in the Crystal Dining Room to enjoy them and also to support the crew who worked so very hard to prepare this light meal for us and the wait staff who worked later into the evening for all of us.
The amount of planning that goes into this is incredible. The challenge is not only deciding which cities to have these events, and what theme and type of event to offer, but to also find venues that are suitable and will accommodate the record number of people taking this years World Cruise. Special thanks to John Stoll, a Vice President at Crystal Cruises, whose responsibilities include the shore excursion and overland programs, port operations and also planning these events along with the World Cruise Gala. His team of on board members of the Shore Excursion Department play an integral role as well as do so many other people including the Food & Beverage Group once we return to the ship.
We wanted to note that since this is an industrial port when we leave the port we take a shuttle that is operated by the port authority between the ship and the parking lot outside the terminal area. From there one can get on a Crystal Shuttle in to town or be picked up or take a taxi or some other related transportation. Kudos to John Stoll for being able to get permission to bring those buses that we took yesterday to and from the venue right into the terminal so that we did not have to take two buses each way. It made things lots easier for everyone.
We slept very well after a very long and wonderful day. It was very quiet. Keith was back up early in the morning and got a nice workout in. There was no one at the Fitness Center.
Keith had some coffee at the Lido Cafe and spoke with some of the Lido Deck Stewards. Three of the five will continue to work at the Cafe during the next segment. Two will move to other areas of the Lido Deck and two from other areas will take their place in the Cafe.
When Keith got back to the room, Anne Marie walked for about 45 minutes before we had breakfast in the room.
Today marks the end of World Cruise Segment 2 and the Start of the third Segment of the World Cruise. During the second segment we traveled from Lima, Peru to Buenos Aires, Argentina. We sailed a distance of 5,674 land nautical miles or the equivalent of 6,525 land miles.
We had an early breakfast in our room as we got ready for an excursion.
Today, we went on a Private Excursion which we had booked through out Travel Agency. The focus of the tour was a guided tour of the La Recoleta Cemetery (which we had visited in 2005) along with a visit to the Evita Museum. Our tour also included some highlights of the city and even a stop for a coffee.
We were met at the pier by our driver Fernando and our tour guide Maria Gomez. They both were fabulous. Fernando knew many shortcuts as we weaved from area to area and Maria had terrific knowledge of each and everyplace we visited. At times, she seemed to be a walking encyclopedia.
As we drove to the La Recoleta Cemetery, Maria pointed out many landmarks and spoke about the history of what we were seeing.
Maria studied extensively at the Recoleta Cemetery and her knowledge was tremendous. We spent a long time walking all around the Cemetery and we stopped at mausoleum after mausoleum and then she would give the history of each family. It was amazing.
We visited the mausoleum where Eva Peron and many of her family members were put to rest.
This fighter Lusis Firno fought United States Boxer Jack Dempsey in the 1920's.
We visited the oldest church in the Recoleta District.
We then took a break and had a nice cup of Cappuccino Coffee.
We then made our way over to the Eva Person Museum where we spent a great deal of time walking the museum. Maria spoke extensively as we walked each of the rooms.
All in all it was a great tour and we learned so very much over the past two days. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city and like many large cities around the world there is so much to see and to learn.
The weather was unseasonably cooler then what is normal which was perfect for touring around the city. Maria mentioned to us that the other day it was unbearably hot.
When we got back to the ship in the late afternoon we had a nice salad entree.
Later in the afternoon Anne Marie walked on the Promenade Deck for an hour. Keith met up with friend Bob and also with a couple of other guests.
This evening we plan to enjoy dinner in our room.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY............
“Be
the change you want to see in the world.” - Mahatma Gandhi
Keith and Anne Marie
Wow what a great stop over. Keith, nice to see the "wild side". Continue to have fun!
ReplyDeleteYour private tour sounded and looked wonderful. Do you remember where you had coffee? Was it Tortoni?
ReplyDeleteVery nice blog post of your wonderful evening, esp. enjoyed the pix of Keith doing the Tango :)
ReplyDelete