Part 2 -DAY 30 Feb 11 - Scenic Cruising Amalia Glacier & Canal Sarmiento

The captain gave us some welcome news in his lunch address from the Bridge today, namely that the CODE RED restrictions at the various restaurants on board were being lifted. We could now once again help ourselves to food from the buffet and presumably now use salt and pepper pots.

He reported that yesterday was the first day no new cases of the norovirus had been reported to the Medical Centre and it was hoped that the illness had now therefore been defeated on the Prinsendam

The ship's CODE RED vigilance started after our visit to Arica on 31st January so has been running for about 9 days or so. Lets hope there is no re-occurrence of this unpleasant and disruptive virus.

One can become so blasé when cruising through this type of scenery. It is all non-stop National Geographic coffee table book picture stuff and we were now just taking it all for granted! One thing that was more noticeable now was the number of little lighthouse built to protect sailors from jutting headlands.

At 3 o'clock Frank again presented himself on the ships PA system (and on Channel 43 on our cabin TV) as we cruised through Channel Smyth which would eventually lead into the very picturesque Grey Channel. This in turn, he added, would lead into the very wide Magallanes Estrecho, where we expect to be this evening. This water is thankfully protected from the Pacific Ocean by a large island.

Frank reminded us that the very early mariner/explorers navigated this great multitude of (and frequently leading to nowhere) channels looking for through routes that would protect and keep them safe from the often threatening Pacific Ocean.

These brave men then gave their names to most of these amazingly intricate waterways that surround us.

White caps were now common place as we continue along the Channel.

The wind was being naturally funnelled through the high mountains from the Ocean. It could now clearly be heard whistling past our veranda windows suggesting that we were better staying indoors and watching the ship's progress from the excellent pictures on Channel 43 rather than venturing out.

Again our Chilean Fjords Chart was being frequently consulted in order to follow the detailed commen-tary we received from the Bridge.

By leaving the TV on we were updated by Frank on anything of particular interest we might be coming to so it was not in the least intrusive.(see picture of TV screen below)

One such announ-cement was to inform us of the approa-ching ship wreck, the Santa Leonard (a photo of which unfortunately seems to have alluded us!), a relic to remind us how treacherous these waters could be to unprepared mariners.

With the evening approaching I ordered from room service a good selection of nuts and sliced lemon to help enhance our little birthday gathering.

Cabin steward Deden came laden with a wide selection of different types of glasses and an ice bucket for the bubbly. He was determined that the party would be a success. Nearer the hour he again appeared this time with a bucket of ice. Nothing was being left to chance by our near perfect steward.

(Pictured here is George, Maria and Jennifer) At quarter past the hour our guests arrived and the party begun.

Our Canadian friends had requested some information from us on our travel organiser CSI so it was a good opportunity for them to meet Henk and Lucia, representatives of that company on the ship.

(Pictured here is Henk me and Robin) It was however a condition of them hosting the CSI group on board the Prinsendam that Henk and Lucia could not advertise or in any other way promote their company. Tonight they would do neither, they would just be pleasant company.

(Pictured here is Robin, Lucia and Rosalyn) We certainly managed to consume a portion of the drink mountain with three bottle of Californian Bubbly and about half a bottle of Tio Pepe being consumed.

However just two of the soft drink cans managed to be finished. In addition we made a little inroad into the 3 litre box of Australian Shiraz. At least a start has been made.

(Pictured here is Rosalyn and Francoise) The party went with a swing and the convers-ation was good between all the various groups. Françoise was of course asked many questions about the ship which he answered and his candour was appreciated.

He presented me with a nice pair of HAL cuff links which I will now wear on future formal nights.

All in all it was a good evening.

One little post script to the party was the phone call I received at about 7.30. It was Gil our barman from the Crow's Nest. He had kindly phoned to wish me a happy birthday as I had not visited his establishment this evening.

However our guests didn't know it was Gil and I proceeded to address him as 'The Captain' saying that he had "disturbed me entertaining guests and it was not convenient to talk to him and that he should phone back at another more convient time".

Well you should have seen the look on my assembled guests' faces. They were shocked at my off-hand manner with 'El Capitan'.

Needless to say I did reveal all a little later.

But what did poor Gil make of it all I wonder? An explanation is due in the Crow's Nest Bar later today!!

As a result of the party we were a little late for dinner but as service is always a little slow at our table of 10 it didn't matter too much.

At the end of the meal the head waiter came over and presented me with another birthday cake, for my real birthday, and his choir of lovely Indonesian waiters again serenaded me with their national edition of happy birthday.

What a lovely end to the evening. Bed was now beckoning as another heavy day was ahead of us. We arrive in Puerto Arenas in the morning, our last port of call in Chile.

However it wasn't quite over yet. On arriving back in the cabin we found the bed covered in balloons with a happy birthday note from dear Deden and assistant Edgar. With the balloons were two fluffy little toy penguins from HAL.