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INCAS SeaMail #249500 01/19/18 03:04 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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We are at Austin airport. We will meet up with Olivia in Atlanta this afternoon and then on to Lima. Really looking forward to this adventure!

:LCT:



Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249501 01/19/18 04:19 PM
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Ms Understood Offline
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Gee, Marc, have you even unpacked from your last adventure? Safe travels!
————————-
Helen

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249502 01/19/18 08:58 PM
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lonestarlady Offline
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Marc - If you were at the Austin airport, that must mean you have moved into your Sun City house! Welcome to Georgetown!

All you INCAS have a wonderful cruise!


Cindy
TravelingTexasDuo.com

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: lonestarlady] #249503 01/20/18 08:02 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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Originally Posted by lonestarlady
Marc - If you were at the Austin airport, that must mean you have moved into your Sun City house! Welcome to Georgetown!

All you INCAS have a wonderful cruise!


Not quite; tenants will be out by end of month. Did arrange for painter and bought furniture and arranged delivery of PODS while we were in Georgetown last ten days.

Trip off to inauspicious start. First, when packing we couldn't find our primary camera; last time we definitely saw it was in Harbin; I could have left in room or left it on plane or in one of our myriad of transfers in last two weeks; luckily a lot of our Harbin pics are on the other camera too. Flights fine except for screaming kid, next time I am going to travel with pacifiers and lollipops to try to help out useless parents. Then, when luggage came onto belt, our suitcase looked like one of those funny videos of bags on belt with clothes hanging out; I had put clothes in outer pocket and somehow (unintentional or intentional) the zipper was ripped open with pull gone. Luckily, we had just turned some Regent reward tokens into a belt to go around suitcase.0230 before we were settled in our hotel room.

Luckily Olivia just showed up so time to relax at bar.



Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249504 01/20/18 09:12 PM
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Tom G Offline
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I guess we're a day late. Leaving Atlanta now headed to Lima.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249506 01/20/18 11:42 PM
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petlover Offline
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The gang will all be together soon. Have such a special time. Post along the way if time permits. Sending cyber hugs to all.


Marcie

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249507 01/20/18 11:58 PM
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Ngaire Online
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And the adventure begins ------- Ralph and June did a full week in Peru starting in the Sacred Valley. Fortunately June said the weather had co-operated just showers now and then. Weather forecast looked bad for their time there so hope you have the same good luck with some long breaks in the rain. I packed today we leave on Monday.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249508 01/21/18 03:51 AM
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jhp Offline
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Mark and Arlene and I had dinner in the restaurant tonight and did a lot of reminiscing! My driver from arrival hotel said the pope’s visit caused some problems for him yesterday, and would earlier tonight, as he would be coming back in from the countryside. Tom and Mon will miss it, as the should be arriving later I assume. We have wake up calls at 5-5.30 for next three days. HahA omg what was I thinking when I signed up for this! We won’t see anyone else on roll call until we’re on the ship. Safe travels to all who aren’t here yet!

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249510 01/23/18 09:10 PM
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Ngaire Online
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We are onboard!!! Feels like coming home. Dennis is onboard we were thrilled to see him, not seen him for a long time. Lots of happy friendly faces in the crew. Only seen John and Jennifer, June and Ralph, Tom and Mona and Ed and Mary so far. Lots of people to see yet.
Looking forward to dinner tonight I have my menu all planned.

I paid the extra $10 a day for streaming internet and it is fast. My emails were the same speed as at home. I tried Netflix and it worked. Just bought a new iPad Pro that supports word and excel so I can work in my iPad. This faster internet will really help. For those that need to work on a cruise this will be a huge difference for them.


Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249511 01/24/18 03:01 PM
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We finally made it onboard....scary flight from Cuzco with an aborted take off during full roll. Apparently they had a door open signal which they were able to fix, only about an hour and half delay..they didn't even take us off plane. Great fun dinner in Prime 7 with Jack and Laure, Tom and Mona, Dick and Kate and Jill. Everyone crashed after dinner. Long three days on pre Machu Pichu tour with very early wake up calls, and lots of bumpy bus rides on very narrow and curvy roads. But MP was amazing. Decided to cancel excursion today, had not realized it was an open boat ride for 2 hours, so just relaxing and enjoying some down time.


JoAnn
Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249512 01/24/18 04:52 PM
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Interested to hear more about the streaming internet Ngaire. Might need to pay for it during BATIK to keep up with things at the office.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249513 01/24/18 10:46 PM
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Ngaire Online
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Time will tell. I have the streaming internet but not been as fast today. Of course first sea day and the whole ship is on line. I will report as the cruise continues on internet speed.

Enjoyed the boat ride. Said open boat, wear life jackets all the time and forecast was windy. Planned on not going but looked it up on line and it had rave reviews so we went. It was quite good. Like a giant zodiac with seating. Got very close to the birds and sea lions just like an expedition cruise. A nice surprise was a large ancient geoglyph on the side of a hill. Similar to the Nazca geoglyphs.

Lunch was great now for another great dinner

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249515 01/25/18 03:43 PM
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Ken Offline
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Pisco, Peru - Ballestas Islands Tour:

[Linked Image]
We are definitely in PISCO.

[Linked Image]
ANCIENT GEOGLYPHS we saw from the boat

[Linked Image]
This is not snow on the island, its bird guano.

[Linked Image]
Humboldt Penguins.

[Linked Image]
The Peruvian booby with chicks.

[Linked Image]
June & Ngaire on our boat trip.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
The Mariner at Port San Martin.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249516 01/25/18 04:22 PM
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seadog Offline
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Yay! See Mail and photos! What a great group on board a great ship. I love the Mariner.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249519 01/26/18 01:35 PM
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petlover Offline
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Great photos. Looks like sunny perfect weather too. Thanks for posting.


Marcie

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249520 01/26/18 01:59 PM
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KarenS Offline
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I love the picture of June and Ngaire! I agree Marcie, perfect weather for sure.


Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249521 01/26/18 06:15 PM
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RachelG Offline
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Is the streaming internet just on Mariner or on all the ships now? I am thinking it might be worth me paying for it.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249524 01/27/18 01:49 AM
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Ngaire Online
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I think it is on all the ships.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249527 01/27/18 12:26 PM
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ColonelWes Offline
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We have enjoyed meeting after a decade + of digital friendship Marc, Olivia, Tom, Mona, Joanne and Frank. Wednesday nite we had a wonderful dinner with Olivia in Signatures. Last nite Tom, Mona, Frank, JoAnne, Jill and us had dinner full of laughs, memories and delish cuisine in Compass Rose. Later JoAnne and Ida went to Horizon lounge to enjoy the late nite entertainment.

Would post a few photos but only use apple productts and no longer use photobuckett. Tom posted on his FB page a nice snap of Joanne and Ida, and we have posted a good pix of Olivia and us at dinner on my FB page.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249529 01/27/18 01:51 PM
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petlover Offline
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Happy to hear you're having a great time. Hopefully Olivia is feeling better too.


Marcie

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: petlover] #249531 01/28/18 12:01 AM
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Marc Offline OP
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I learned tonight that the bartender policy has changed; Asians can now be bartenders; not just assistant bartender.

We are having wonderful time; still haven't been off the ship. Machu Picchu wiped us out for first couple of days; now, staying on ship wins out over the recent ports. We will get off in Porto Montt and the other ports in southern Chile.



Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249538 01/28/18 05:15 PM
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jbittle Offline
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The Navigator never had the non-Asian policy. Over the past 1 1/2 year we've sailed on her a few times there have been at least 2 bartenders and a Senior Bartender from the Philippines. The sommeliers are all Filipinos.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: jbittle] #249539 01/29/18 02:33 AM
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jhp Offline
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Now that just sounds plain stupid to me that Regent would have a policy excluding an ethnic group from fixing my drink. I had NO idea this was the case.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249540 01/30/18 02:47 PM
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Ngaire Online
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Been having some great meals with wonderful people. This is a very nice group. We were told we could have rough weather there is a little bumping but not what I would call rough. I thought it would be worse. We enter the Chilean Fiords tonight and that is more sheltered. I love this area of South America. Terry Bremen is on board and June has never seen her before and she is enthralled with her lectures.

Life is good on the Mariner just about to head out for lunch.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249542 01/30/18 07:15 PM
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Ken Offline
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Iquique, Chile - Humberstone & The Jewels of Iquique Tour:

[Linked Image]
Former Nitrate Refinery Town.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]
The people of Iquique call this large sand dune that hovers over the city "The Dragon".

[Linked Image]
Centro Espanol for a drink.

[Linked Image]
Tom, Mary, Pam & Jim.

[Linked Image]

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249544 01/31/18 06:16 PM
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Ngaire Online
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Woke up to brilliant sunshine. I love this port of call. Port Montt . It was touch and go for a while as wind kicked up and the tenders were bouncing around. We were delayed about an hour but finally got ashore. The scenery here is beautiful, volcanoes, big lake, streams, green fields and tons of trees. The waterfall is my favorite as the water comes down crashing around the rocks. Weather was perfect. The whole area reminds me of
New Zealand.

We ended up in a quaint town and we were hungry. So we went to eat pizza. It was OUTSTANDING.

All happy little campers a great day.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249549 02/02/18 01:08 AM
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Ngaire Online
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Lost internet a lot today in the mountains of the fiord. So Ken could not post pictures. Very cloudy this morning but at noon when we went on our tour the blue sky appeared and then the sun came out. Scenery reminded me of the South Island of New Zealand. Green grass, sheep, snow topped mountains, green hills and running streams. This was all about scenery. The museum was nicely done but no English explanations. I was fascinated by their amardillo. So different from out Texas armadillo. Much smaller and hairy. I had Ken take a picture

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249550 02/02/18 04:57 AM
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jhp Offline
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Like Ngaire, I’m still up. Somehow at this hour I doubt we’re in same time zone. Today I did a “glimpse of Pategonian nature”. Started at 1:45 and we were gone til I’d say almost 6 with tender rides. A short trek thru the woods with our guide that was quite enough to get me going once again. That’s good. Along the way she described different shrubs and trees and the flowers produced and liquors and meds produced from them, to me most amazing was what she called a red barked myrtle that had a trunk that the bark had a coldness...as if you touched a metal ice bucket on the outside. Strange! Touch the next tree and it was the same as the Air, maybe 72 F today. Really weird! We walked to the top to see a waterfall. And all the way back. Whew! It felt good!

And then went for snacks and drinks at a place on the water with folk dancers and one of them was a picture of Wes’s Ida and then she got picked to dance with one of the male dancers and looked wonderful. It was a good day and we now have 2 sea days! Yay, more sleep!

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: jhp] #249551 02/02/18 06:46 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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This has been a strange cruise . . .

The last two days in Patagonia were absolutely beautiful; well worth the trip down here. Today we are cruising through fjords but Captain decided on alternate course so we are not seeing Seno Iceberg. Tomorrow morning at 0730 we will be off a glacier; don't know if we will spend much time there as Captain said we still had to average over 19 kts to make it to Punta Arenas on time. No chance for deck bbq with glacier in background.

Great group of passengers; both in the INCAS group and others we have met. One constant complainer but at least she is entertaining.

I still really like Mariner; however, I might finally prefer Voyager; will depend on how they modify the Mariner Observation Lounge; still much nicer than Voyager.

Sure miss the friendlier staff and entertainment cast that we had on Voyager. No one seems to be cruising Grand Promenade during the day; even Caron the Social Hostess has disappeared last couple of days. Captain is non existent. I am wondering if I am just sensitive to this as on Voyager everything happens around Atrium on Deck 5; not so here.

We are really looking forward to last half of this cruise; great ports and hopefully great scenery.

More later . . .



Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249552 02/02/18 10:53 PM
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petlover Offline
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Sorry about not getting to see the iceberg and having an invisible Captain. So strange how things can change one cruise from another. Tom & I have always enjoyed fun time with the staff and crew....to others it's no big deal.

Hope the sunshine continues and the internet stays up. Thanks for the postings, keep 'em coming.


Marcie

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: petlover] #249554 02/03/18 11:38 AM
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Marc Offline OP
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Great glacier sighting this morning; Skua Glacier. A shipwreck this afternoon (not staged by Captain but one that has been around for a while). Great dinner last night with Dick and Kate, Jack and Laura, and Jill. Life is good!

edited to add:

Quiet day at pool bar. Rain storm just ended and sun trying to come out. Trailing winds so except during storm pretty calm at bar. Fjords not that exciting with low cloud cover; no snow covered peaks. I guess the entrance to Ushuaia on Monday will be very scenic; hopefully sunny skies.

It is really great sailing with Michael and Paul again; definitely friendly folks. I found out they are "Irish" brothers.

Marc



Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249555 02/03/18 07:47 PM
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jbittle Offline
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In Punta Arenas go to Sotitos for the best crab anywhere. It's only 2 blocks from the ship. In Ushuaia La Estancia has wonderful Argentine steak and lamb broiled over hardwood coals.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249556 02/04/18 12:26 AM
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Ngaire Online
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Actually we have plans to go to Sotitos tomorrow for lunch. Terry Breen is on the ship and she told us about Sotitos.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249557 02/04/18 02:52 AM
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jbittle Offline
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The cheesy crab casserole and crab in avocado half are both good. The fish soup is delicious, but their portions are large so only one item is enough. Please say Hi to Terry for me & Pat.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249558 02/04/18 03:59 AM
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jhp Offline
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Gosh, Ngaire I wish I knew about this crab thing. Im on the afternoon excursion, so will have to miss it. Im always about finding good crab wherever in the world!

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249559 02/04/18 04:05 AM
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jhp Offline
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I think those of us cruises and report back here should be more aware that those at home still love pics at dinner of everyone like it used to be? We’ve had not one on this cruise. Maybe too long since I’ve been on a group cruise. Or maybe harder to post. When the waiter just clicks?

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249560 02/04/18 04:50 PM
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Anna B. Offline
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Whatever the reason might be, I agree, Olivia. I love dinner pics and people pics in general. I felt very sorry after our last cruise that I didn't have a single picture of the 5 of us.

Those 2 crab dishes sound wonderful. I really don't think there's anything I like more than fresh crab!

Have fun everyone, and take those phones to dinner!

Editing to add that there are lots of great pics and videos on FB from Tom Giusto and Wes.


Kathy
Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249562 02/05/18 11:33 AM
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Ngaire Online
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Well our trip to Sotitos was a bust. We tried calling to make a reservation but there was no answer. Their web site said they were open at 11.00 am on Sunday. It was a rainy day but we decided to try it. Got to the restaurant and it said closed on SUNDAYS. There was another nice looking restaurant a few doors away. They were setting tables. So we went in the did not open until 1.00 pm. Two hours in the rain too long to wait. So no crab today.

We went for a walk and saw a military parade about 30 or 40 soldiers. They marched in different formations and steps and at the end they did the goose stepping. We were told they do this every Sunday.

Ken has some pictures to post but I had him working on Hippo Itineraries downloading and printing them all so I could proof them all. But hopefully he can get some up today.

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Marc] #249563 02/05/18 11:42 AM
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Ngaire Online
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Amazing weather today. Sunshine, blue skies, totally calm sea, no wind and we were in the avenue of the Glaciers. This was truly spectacular. Terry Breen was so excited she said she was seeing peaks she had never seen before. The blue in the ice was stunning. A perfect morning. It started early about 6.30 am which was VERY early considering the super bowl ended at 12.30 am. What a game probably will stand as the best super bowl ever.

When we really needed pretty weather we got it. Port Montt, and Port Chacabuco, and today with the glaciers.

LIFE IS GOOD ON THE MARINER!!!!

Re: INCAS SeaMail [Re: Ngaire] #249564 02/05/18 12:38 PM
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Marc Offline OP
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Absolutely beautiful scenic cruising both last night and this morning. Seeing sunset over snow covered mountains was fantastic. Waking up this morning to more snow wonderful; we are lucky to be on port side. We went up to observation to enjoy scenery and commentary this morning; wonderful. I wonder how this trip would be on Explorer with no forward facing weather decks.

Winds are supposed to pick up to 20mph this afternoon; rethinking our catamaran trip. May just walk into town.



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