A Look At What Is Happening Today:
Tour Of The Casablanca Valley Wine Country ✔
Dinner In The Crystal Dining Room ✔
These are the menus from the Crystal Dining Room from last evening. Since there was a World Cruise Shore Side Event, there was open seating in the dining room.
The entertainment on board the ship last evening featured a local Chilean Song & Dance performance.
These are the menus from the Crystal Dining Room from last evening. Since there was a World Cruise Shore Side Event, there was open seating in the dining room.
The entertainment on board the ship last evening featured a local Chilean Song & Dance performance.
We attended the World Cruise Shore Side event last evening. This is one of two Shore Side Events which will be held on this World Cruise with the second one scheduled during our stay in Buenos Aires.
In short, this was an extraordinary event. We talk from time to time of creating special memories which will last a lifetime and this is certainly one of them. We will cherish our memories from this event for the rest of our lives.
We boarded the first of about ten buses with friends Bob and Glo and once on the bus we saw other friends including Allan and Helen and John and Linda already on the bus. Each bus had an escort from Crystal Cruises, a driver, and a local guide who provided narration throughout our trip. The buses were extremely comfortable and modern and had terrific seats making the trip very easy for all of us.
We were driven to the beautiful Casablanca Valley home to "Estancia el Cuadro for an evening of song and dance and the opportunity to try various wines as well as chilean cuisine.
The drive took about one hour of which about fifteen minutes was getting out of the port area, and through the city onto the road that would take us to the Valley. Once on that road, we enjoyed breathtaking scenery of beautiful trees, and majestic mountains along the way. Upon exiting the road at Casablanca Valley, we drove for several miles on a two lane road lined on both sides with thousands upon thousands of acres of various vineyards. This region has the look and feel of Sonoma, California from the 1950's.
Eventually, we turned onto a dirt road which would lead us to the vineyard. The bus slowed down as we made our way up the road since we were running a little early. Eventually, we were met up with various people on horses who escorted our bus to its designated spot. There are a couple of photos we took from inside the bus.
The Estancia el Cuadro is a family owned business. They are home to a unique winery on one of the most important wine-growing valleys in all of Chile. Their property includes many beautiful gardens which are surrounded by a very large vineyard which produces wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir.
As soon as we got off the bus we were greeted by Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise. We were also greeted by John Stoll, Vice President, Crystal Cruises. As mentioned yesterday, John is responsible for port operations, shore excursions and land programs and one of his many responsibilities includes the planning and execution of these type of events. His on board shore excursion team also played a central role getting around 350 of us to this venue last evening as well as in other areas of the evening.
The first word that came to mind and one that we would repeat throughout the evening was "wow".
Anne Marie with World Cruise Hostess Elise and friends Glo and Helen from Left to Right.
As we continued walking there were different areas with entertainment that were set up for us to enjoy and areas set up with light canapés and wine and other beverages. The vineyard had lots of people who also served an array of items to us. There were also seats and tables for us in a shaded area of the property.
These photos show some of the entertainers.
A photo of Anne Marie while seated and enjoying the entertainment and the beauty of the valley and the extraordinary property.
After we had the cocktail hour we moved into this building for the show and for the wine and food pairings. There were tables with table cloths for all of us to sit and a stage had been built for the entertainment. Their is no roof and the other side allowed for beautiful views of the valley.
Once inside, we enjoyed three food courses with wine pairings. The first course included a large platter of fine cheese including goat cheese, basil cream cheese, cream cheese with olives, as well as roquefort and camembert cheese. The platter also included strawberries, pineapple and various varieties of table grapes as well as some vegetables.
This second course included a trio of items to enjoy. It was very tasty and it was hot when it arrived to the table which was terrific. The trio consisted of deer a la cazadora, seafood chowder, and conger dice (yes dice) on toasted buns.
The final plate was a dessert of cheese cake with a blueberry praline, seasonal fruits and a strawberry and banana parfait.
While we enjoyed the food and the wine, we were treated to a mixture of dance including dances from the Los Selk'nam people of Terra del Fuego to the Chiloe Island mythology of the "Caleuches", "Pincoya", "Trauco". Their finale included the religious celebration of the Great North known as "Fista de La Tirana".
As we departed the venue to board the buses to return back to the ship an orchestra performed for us. This was simply amazing.
When we arrived back to the ship around 10:15 PM, Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise greeted each of us just as they did earlier in the evening at the venue as soon as we entered the ship from the gangway. There were many other crew members present offering us flutes of champagne, and wet towels for us to freshen up with.
There was a beautiful buffet set up for us in the middle of the Crystal Plaza for all of us returning to the ship to enjoy. We originally did not expect to arrive back to the ship until sometime between 11:00 and 11:30 PM. However, since we arrived back earlier then expected we decided to enjoy the buffet. We selected some items and then we ended up sitting at our regular table and our senior waiter Jijo was there to assist us.
This was a wonderful evening and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We thank all of those from Crystal Cruises for making this such an extraordinary event and evening for us to enjoy.
We slept very well last evening. Keith slept a little later then normal and worked out for about half of his normal workout time. Afterwards, he enjoyed some coffee at the Lido Cafe and brought some back for Anne Marie.
We had an early breakfast thanks to Rao. We chatted for a few minutes about last night.
Today we took a private tour which we had arranged with our travel agency that took us back to Casablanca Valley where we had been only last evening.
The Casablanca Valley had its first vineyards planted in the early 1980's. The area benefits from the warm, temperate climate and is influenced by he coastal sea breezes. In many ways it is similar to Santa Barbara and portions of Sonoma. It is best known for producing grapes for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. While best known for these wines it also become quite well known for producing Gewutztraminer and certain lighter wines such as Pinot Noir.
We were met at the ship by our driver, Christen, and tour guide, Alehondra. Alehondra works as a tour guide during the cruising season and a translator during the rest of the year.
Our first visit was to the Casas del Bosque winery. We took a tour of the winery and the cellars and had the opportunity to taste some of their wines.
As it seems we do on each tour we take of wineries we always learn one or two new items that are new to us.
Afterwards, we were taken to the Matetic winery. We took a tour of the winery and enjoyed the views of the Rosario Valley and then we traveled to their location which has a hotel and restaurant. The grounds were absolutely beautiful.
These were spreads that could be used on the rolls they served. We did not try them.
The lunch consisted of three courses. We did not have the first course which was a choice of three items including soup, salad and one other item.
For our entree, we each selected the Chilean Sea Bass. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce that accompanied it were the delicious potatoes.
We enjoyed the tour. We learned a lot not only about wine and the Casablanca Region but also about Chile, Valparaiso and Santiago.
As to wine, last night and today at the wine tastings Keith enjoyed the Carmenere Red Wine. It is a medium body wine. Pairs very well with Salmon, White Sea Bass, Tuna and Pasta.
Upon arriving back to the ship late this afternoon we got freshened up for this evening.
Later this evening we will be dining back a the Crystal Dining Room.
These past 24 hours have been wonderful and we enjoyed both of our visits to the Casablanca Valley.
In short, this was an extraordinary event. We talk from time to time of creating special memories which will last a lifetime and this is certainly one of them. We will cherish our memories from this event for the rest of our lives.
We boarded the first of about ten buses with friends Bob and Glo and once on the bus we saw other friends including Allan and Helen and John and Linda already on the bus. Each bus had an escort from Crystal Cruises, a driver, and a local guide who provided narration throughout our trip. The buses were extremely comfortable and modern and had terrific seats making the trip very easy for all of us.
We were driven to the beautiful Casablanca Valley home to "Estancia el Cuadro for an evening of song and dance and the opportunity to try various wines as well as chilean cuisine.
The drive took about one hour of which about fifteen minutes was getting out of the port area, and through the city onto the road that would take us to the Valley. Once on that road, we enjoyed breathtaking scenery of beautiful trees, and majestic mountains along the way. Upon exiting the road at Casablanca Valley, we drove for several miles on a two lane road lined on both sides with thousands upon thousands of acres of various vineyards. This region has the look and feel of Sonoma, California from the 1950's.
Eventually, we turned onto a dirt road which would lead us to the vineyard. The bus slowed down as we made our way up the road since we were running a little early. Eventually, we were met up with various people on horses who escorted our bus to its designated spot. There are a couple of photos we took from inside the bus.
The Estancia el Cuadro is a family owned business. They are home to a unique winery on one of the most important wine-growing valleys in all of Chile. Their property includes many beautiful gardens which are surrounded by a very large vineyard which produces wines including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Noir.
As soon as we got off the bus we were greeted by Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise. We were also greeted by John Stoll, Vice President, Crystal Cruises. As mentioned yesterday, John is responsible for port operations, shore excursions and land programs and one of his many responsibilities includes the planning and execution of these type of events. His on board shore excursion team also played a central role getting around 350 of us to this venue last evening as well as in other areas of the evening.
The first word that came to mind and one that we would repeat throughout the evening was "wow".
As we continued walking there were different areas with entertainment that were set up for us to enjoy and areas set up with light canapés and wine and other beverages. The vineyard had lots of people who also served an array of items to us. There were also seats and tables for us in a shaded area of the property.
These photos show some of the entertainers.
A photo of Anne Marie while seated and enjoying the entertainment and the beauty of the valley and the extraordinary property.
One of several people from the Vineyard who served wine and canapés and other items to us throughout the evening.
After we had the cocktail hour we moved into this building for the show and for the wine and food pairings. There were tables with table cloths for all of us to sit and a stage had been built for the entertainment. Their is no roof and the other side allowed for beautiful views of the valley.
Once inside, we enjoyed three food courses with wine pairings. The first course included a large platter of fine cheese including goat cheese, basil cream cheese, cream cheese with olives, as well as roquefort and camembert cheese. The platter also included strawberries, pineapple and various varieties of table grapes as well as some vegetables.
This second course included a trio of items to enjoy. It was very tasty and it was hot when it arrived to the table which was terrific. The trio consisted of deer a la cazadora, seafood chowder, and conger dice (yes dice) on toasted buns.
The final plate was a dessert of cheese cake with a blueberry praline, seasonal fruits and a strawberry and banana parfait.
While we enjoyed the food and the wine, we were treated to a mixture of dance including dances from the Los Selk'nam people of Terra del Fuego to the Chiloe Island mythology of the "Caleuches", "Pincoya", "Trauco". Their finale included the religious celebration of the Great North known as "Fista de La Tirana".
As we departed the venue to board the buses to return back to the ship an orchestra performed for us. This was simply amazing.
When we arrived back to the ship around 10:15 PM, Hotel Director Josef and World Cruise Hostess Elise greeted each of us just as they did earlier in the evening at the venue as soon as we entered the ship from the gangway. There were many other crew members present offering us flutes of champagne, and wet towels for us to freshen up with.
There was a beautiful buffet set up for us in the middle of the Crystal Plaza for all of us returning to the ship to enjoy. We originally did not expect to arrive back to the ship until sometime between 11:00 and 11:30 PM. However, since we arrived back earlier then expected we decided to enjoy the buffet. We selected some items and then we ended up sitting at our regular table and our senior waiter Jijo was there to assist us.
This was a wonderful evening and one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. We thank all of those from Crystal Cruises for making this such an extraordinary event and evening for us to enjoy.
We slept very well last evening. Keith slept a little later then normal and worked out for about half of his normal workout time. Afterwards, he enjoyed some coffee at the Lido Cafe and brought some back for Anne Marie.
We had an early breakfast thanks to Rao. We chatted for a few minutes about last night.
Today we took a private tour which we had arranged with our travel agency that took us back to Casablanca Valley where we had been only last evening.
The Casablanca Valley had its first vineyards planted in the early 1980's. The area benefits from the warm, temperate climate and is influenced by he coastal sea breezes. In many ways it is similar to Santa Barbara and portions of Sonoma. It is best known for producing grapes for Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. While best known for these wines it also become quite well known for producing Gewutztraminer and certain lighter wines such as Pinot Noir.
We were met at the ship by our driver, Christen, and tour guide, Alehondra. Alehondra works as a tour guide during the cruising season and a translator during the rest of the year.
Our first visit was to the Casas del Bosque winery. We took a tour of the winery and the cellars and had the opportunity to taste some of their wines.
As it seems we do on each tour we take of wineries we always learn one or two new items that are new to us.
Afterwards, we were taken to the Matetic winery. We took a tour of the winery and enjoyed the views of the Rosario Valley and then we traveled to their location which has a hotel and restaurant. The grounds were absolutely beautiful.
These were spreads that could be used on the rolls they served. We did not try them.
For our entree, we each selected the Chilean Sea Bass. It was cooked perfectly and the sauce that accompanied it were the delicious potatoes.
We each had fruit for our final course.
This is a view of the restaurant. We were the first to be seated and we had a table at the window.
We enjoyed the tour. We learned a lot not only about wine and the Casablanca Region but also about Chile, Valparaiso and Santiago.
As to wine, last night and today at the wine tastings Keith enjoyed the Carmenere Red Wine. It is a medium body wine. Pairs very well with Salmon, White Sea Bass, Tuna and Pasta.
Upon arriving back to the ship late this afternoon we got freshened up for this evening.
Later this evening we will be dining back a the Crystal Dining Room.
These past 24 hours have been wonderful and we enjoyed both of our visits to the Casablanca Valley.
TODAY'S THOUGHT FOR THE
DAY............
“There are only two ways to live your
life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything
is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein
Keith and Anne Marie
Outstanding. What a great blog entry. So glad that you are having a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing. o you ever buy any of the wines you talk about and bring them back to the ship? Thank you again for doing this each day.
ReplyDelete