Robertson International Travel

Friday, January 29 ~ Montevideo, Uruguay

MONTEVIDEO REVISITED  
We were greeted on our early morning arrival in Montevideo by a small boat in a rather sad state of affairs!  Up on blocks, the port authorities later told us this sole occupant of a "Used Boat Lot" was for sale for U.S. $2,000.00!  There haven't been any takers for years! 
 
Our call in Montevideo is a repeat visit for us so the complimentary shuttle to the city center followed by a short stroll around Independence Plaza and time to visit with the locals was to our liking.  As with most city centers in South America, there is always a Square and a Statue of one of the most important people in the country's history and this was not exception - Jose Artigas, the "Father of Uruguay" who was the leader in the battle of Independence from Spain. On a coach tour years ago, we missed seeing the most impressive building, Palacio Salvo, an architectural masterpiece originally built to be a hotel, but later turned into business suites and residences. 

We returned to the ship and prepared for our first exclusive event for full world cruisers.
The Neptune Pool area turned into an Argentinian village square with singing and dancing by the ship's entertainers and, of course, tango!  This time, the entire evening was arranged and choreographed by the singers and dancers themselves.  What a show!  

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (As we approach the land of the tango)....
"Dancers are the athletes of God" - Albert Einstein 

Thursday, January 28 ~ At Sea in the Atlantic Ocean

A DAY IN THE SUN AND OUR VIRTUOSO VOYAGER CLUB RECEPTION 
Another wonderful day at sea was had by all with a lineup of lectures, bridge games, music lessons, language classes, computer classes, and, among many other strenuous activites, napkin folding!  Something for everyone!

This evening we hosted our Voyager Club Reception and did something new.  We turned the Lido Cafe into a marvelous cocktail lounge with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean.  All of our guests loved it so much, we will be having all of our Receptions on this world cruise in Lido. 

We always try to headline a lecturer or two at our private Voyager Club Receptions and we featured Rex Ziak this evening as it is this segment of the world cruise that Rex is lecturing.  Everyone enjoyed his brief talk about Captain Cook in these very waters long ago. 

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....
"Roam abroad in the world, and take they fill of its enjoyments before the day shall arrive when thou must quit it for good." - Saadi

Wednesday, January 27 ~ At Sea in the Atlantic

THE LOVE AFFAIR OF REX ZIAK AND CAPTAIN COOK

We promised our return to the story of Rex Ziak which, on this ship, is far more than the assumed love affair with Captain Cook.  In the fall of 2008, we encouraged Crystal Cruises to bring our friend, Rex Ziak, aboard the 2009 Crystal Serenity World Cruise to talk about Captain Cook, one of Rex's top explorers in addition to Lewis and Clark on the Columbia River where we met Rex in 2006.  He came aboard in Auckland, New Zealand, delivered 3 lectures, and disembarked in Sydney with some of the highest ratings received by a lecturer on Crystal. 

One evening in our Nobu Restaurant, Silk Road, we introduced Rex to our delightful and charming Japanese Public Relations Officer, Keiko Osugi. Instantly, an international love affair was born which lasted until the end of the world cruise with Rex reboarding the ship in Yokohama upon the request of Crystal Cruises due to his high ratings.  Very few people knew about this romance, including us.  Three weeks after our return from last year's world cruise, we received an email from Rex and Keiko announcing they were getting married on November 7, 2009!

They are now both back aboard this full Crystal Serenity World Cruise (above) as husband and wife with Rex continuing his lecture series on Caption Cook and Keiko continuing with her Japanese Relations Officer duties. Their happiness is overwhelming and resonates throughout the Crystal Serenity.  A romantic novel could be written about Rex and Keiko, but we will end by saying we couldn't be happier for them. 

Rex's lecture today started with the early exploration of the globe by Drake, Pizarro, Magellan, Cabot, De Gama and many others with his build up to, according to Rex, the greatest and most important explorer, Captain James Cook.  As always, he packed the Hollywood Theatre!

We had some fun this evening with an idea to improve the elevator service aboard the Crystal Serenity.  We caught one of our favorite crew members in full uniform acting as the elevator operator and our wine steward offering wine for the ride up!  We recommend the continuation of these enhancements for the world cruise!

Just before we entered the Galaxy Lounge to watch the award winning production show of "My Favorite Things", we visited with our honorary Voyager Club Host, Virtuoso Chairman Jesse Upchurch and his assistant on this portion of our world cruise, Donna Coleman Myrick.   "My Favorite Things" was as dazzling as ever with a performace better than anything you see on Broadway or London's West End!  Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! 

CAPTAIN'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY (and one of our favorites).....

"Where ever you go, there you are".  

   

Tuesday, January 26 ~ Rio de Janeiro

RIO REVISITED 

Although we have been to Rio in the past, we did not share it together.  In a way, it was like we visited it for the first time which brings up one of our travel missions:  No matter how many times you have visited a destination, you have to climb into the realm of discovery.  There is always something out there that needs discovering.......always something that will give you that feeling that you are the only one who knows about it.

 
 Our own example of this is our "discovery" of "Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura" or The Portuguese Library.  What a find suggested by our marvelous destination lecturer, Ken Rees!  Our colorful guide, Franco Montefinese, told us he wanted to show us "his" Rio which was more of a behind the scenes tour that did not include our previously visited sights of Sugarloaf, Corcovado, and the beaches of Copacabana and Impanema.  The library was first and Franco wanted to show us one of the rare books, a 1572 edition of Luis de Camoes's "Os Lusiadas".  Although quite small, this library is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen! 
 

We drove half way up to the Corcovado and discovered there was nothing to see.  The overcast skies completely covered any point of interest - quite unlike the day before which was clear and beautiful, but much hotter than today!  

So let's see other things like the famous Lapa Steps, a stairway of tiles created by a Chilean painter, Selaron, who in 1983, fell in love with Brazil and adopted Brazil as his country.  As a tribute, he started painting these colorful tiles from over 60 countries.   There are 215 steps and Selaron, who continues placing and changing colorful tiles higher and higher on the steps says he will not stop until he dies.   

 

We then continued to the street that hosts Carnivale in a few weeks - one of the most colorful spectacles in the world today.  This is a very short street with stands on both sides with prices ranging from $600 to $6,000 per ticket! 

Of considerable interest to the tourist trade in Rio is the future Summer Olympics in 2016.  Plans are already underway to prepare for this great sporting event in 6 years. 

 
Our last stop was the Hotel Copacabana Palace for tea by the pool.  This is the only 5 Star hotel in Rio and has been the icon of Rio de Janeiro for decades.    

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....

"Do not follow where the path may lead.       Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

 

 

  

Monday, January 25 ~ Rio de Janeiro

  RIO AT LAST!
 
After 3 long days at sea with perfect weather calm seas, we were up at dawn to watch our arrival in Rio de Janeiro!  Behind us the sky was pink as we waited for the sun to bring this most beautiful port in the world to life! 

 

The Corcovado watching over the city, Sugarloaf waiting for tourists at the top of the tram, and Copacabana and Inpanema Beaches preparing another day of sunbathers wearing the lease amount possible and staying legal. 

We will venture out today to explore this jewel of Brazil, South America, and the world.  

Sunday, January 24 ~ At Sea in the Atlantic Ocean

Post Pending

Saturday, January 23 ~ At Sea in the Atlantic Ocean

A SUPERB LECTURE TODAY....BRIGADIER GENERAL NICK HALLEY "China and Russia - Future Enemies?"

General Nick Halley's talk covered the view of the world both from the Chinese and Russian perspective.  It was a fascinating in-depth insight into why both countries act as the do and what actions they are likely to take in the future. 

This will be our third world cruise with General Halley and now we have become close friends along with his fiance, Lorraine Weissman.  We invited Nick and Lorraine to our Voyager Club party and they were sitting close to our Voyager Club German couple, Klaus and Jutta Bossart, from Berlin. Lorraine speaks German and they started a nice friendship resulting in a planned visit to Berlin soon to see them.  Our Voyager Club is certainly becoming more and more international! 

During dinner this evening with Nick and Lorraine, we discussed having them come to Santa Barbara later this year for a visit and, during their visit, schedule Nick to talk to our Santa Barbara Channel City Club.  We certainly look forward to that opportunity!

CAPTAIN'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....
"If you have a full heart, you have room for everything.  If you have any empty heart, you have no room at all".   
  

Friday, January 22 ~ At Sea in The Atlantic Ocean

THE FIRST OF THREE DAYS AT SEA CRUISING SOUTH TO RIO
 
As we look off our starboard side early this morning, we can barely see land which is a thin gray line on the horizon.  With oil platforms in view, we see evidence of the recent and important news of the oil discovery off the Brazilain coast.  The sight reminded us of the same scene off the Santa Barbara Coastline in California.  This discovery will place Brazil in a very enviable financial position for many decades to come.  Weather is balmy with bright sunshine promising a great day in front of us.   
Time to turn to "REFLECTIONS", our ship's daily newspaper giving us all of the activities and daily lifestyle.  The lineup is rather exhausting with so many enticing lectures, classes, etc.! The front page starts off with a fabulous and timely article featuring our cruise location. 

Most of the time, the article is written by our friend, Karyn Planett, who lives on THE WORLD, but for her vacation, takes a Crystal cruise!   Karyn and her husband, Geoff, know what's good for them! 

We had a great relaxing time on our veranda this afternoon watching sporting sea birds diving for flying fish.  These birds, with their unique wing design, were extremely fast once into their dive.  The flying fish didn't have a chance!  This local entertainment lasted until sundown.   

CAPTAIN'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....
"It doesn't matter how slowly you go, just so you don't stop"

Thursday, January 21 ~ Fortaleza, Brazil

SHOPPING IN FORTALEZA - THE HIGHER THE BETTER!
  In each port, we devote some time to mingle with the neighborhood to get the flavor of the lifestyle and take a pulse on the economic conditions.  Although Fortaleza is the third largest city in Brazil, it did not offer an interesting or exciting sightseeing opportunity (except for some dune buggy riding that Voyager Club members Bob and Glor Novello reported was fantastic!) so we ended up at the end of the complimentary Crystal shuttle service at the "Mercado Central", a large 4 story semi-circular building, offering a very colorful assortment of shops selling clothes, shoes, handicrafts, and some specialty foods.  We were in the thick of it now.  Brian was looking for a pair of sandels and on the first floor, found a pair for the asking price of $85.00; third price was $55.00.  We went to the second floor and the same shoes were now $60.00; third price $40.00.  The same thing happened on the third floor and without even bargaining, decided to go to the top floor where the same sandels were $40.00 with third and final price $25.00. Sold!  It took four floors to get from $85.00 to $25.00 and worth the climb! In Fortaleza, never shop at the bottom! 

MAKING IT CRYSTAL CLEAR....


Our evening was another fabulous correographed production with our singers and dancers plus the very entertaining Cruise Director, "Ricky" and World Cruise Hostess, "Chi Chi".  It was clever, instantaneous, full of laughter!  Show after show, Crystal delivers the very finest entertainment and is a big factor in delivering the Crystal Cruise number one rating year after year!  Congratulations, Crystal Cruises!

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY.....    
"It is not down in any map; true places never are." - Herman Melville
 

Wednesday, January 20 ~ At Sea in the Atlantic Ocean

CROSSING THE EQUATOR WITH KING NEPTUNE...THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE WELCOMES US!
Captain Glen normally gets thrown into the pool in a very raucous ceremony and, in the end, all the pollywogs (those not in good favor with King Neptune) end up in the pool.  With increment weather, we moved inside for the ceremony and........."a dry run".

 
Great entertainment including our fabulous dance team of Beverley and Curtis plus the entire Crystal Ensemble of singers and dancers (mermaids)!

Our outstanding Crystal World Cruise Hostess, Stacey Huston, has a huge smile with unlimited energy throughout the world cruise for 108 days!  Stacey adds so much to the enhanced enjoyment for everyone on the ship!

Following the ceremony, Judy held her trademark ceremony of her own with the Executive Chefs and Chef de Cuisine of Nobu's Silk Road Restaurant.  All were were given their Angel Pins with wishes to them for a safe journey, good health and happiness.  All staff and crew members get Judy's Angel Pin which means so much to them!

OUR THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness." - Mark Twain