South American Cruising

South America.

I have been down to this part of the world several times from the Northern part to the South Pole.The contrast in Scenery here is amazing, though I don't pretend to be a geologist, though if you are or if you are interested in dramatic rock structures, jungles, ancient villages and Mountain path ways and volcanoes this is the place for you. Certainly not for the party cruiser but more of an educational trip of a life time.

Amazon Manaus

Just recently, 2008, I got off a ship which spent 8 days on the Amazon heading up stream for Manaus in Brazil. I think we where there at the wrong time of the year. Apart from the natives every so often canoeing up to the ship and greeting us, and us greeting them by throwing fruits over board for them to catch, there was not a great deal to do other, than say that you have been there afterwards.A lot of the guests where disappointed as the water level was over 8 meters its usual level thus flooding many of the villages we should have seen. Also I am assuming after spending many years watching superb documentaries as myself of national geographic on Tv , the actual reality was mud, trees and a big murky river thrown in for good luck.For the sake of 1 months supplies of anti disease tablets, which you will need to take before venturing here, really not worth the potential side affects unless you are called Indian Jones or David Attenborough.

Machu Picchu Simply stunning Probably the most beautiful of all the South American tours. It's a tour definitely worth participating in, especially if you are this far south and away from home. Of course I never got to do it (to busy working or napping), though the feed back was always positive. I will not go into the history of Machu Picchu, that's what google is for, though please note, you will need to be in relatively good shape to appreciate this tour, because of it's altitude and climb leading to it. Don't forget your camera, as once you are up top, is a long way back to base camp. Definatly one of the most incredible tours of any ships itenary.

Antarctica- South pole For the adventurer Again, a recent contract took me here for 2 months, in fact we where docked out of Ushuaia at the very South of Argentina. The cruise started from there on embarkation days, heading south retracing the route of Shackleton the explorer. Incredible scenery, lots of icebergs, and a great deal of history thrown in. Also the ship will provide zodiac´s and the pilots so as you can get right in between the ice burgs to the wild life. Very educational and memorable and well worth a trip, I mean, imagine waking up in the morning, walking in for your meal and watching the penguins riding on the icebergs as you sail by. We had a Captain who liked to really take us to within a few meters of a drifting ice sheet the size of Wales.Make sure you bring with you plenty of sun block, camera film and a warm jacket.

Galapagos Islands Mother nature at work Taking a trip down here is life changing, especially if you are from the city. Mother nature at her very best. Wildlife to be scene every where, especially in contrast to the Amazon where we saw so little. Ships these days are not permitted to anchor within a certain distance off shore , so you might, or probably will, have to fly from Manta in Ecuador to reach the islands.Have a good breakfast before you go as there will be no snack bars here and it´s a long day out.