Penguin Video!

After our wonderful day at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands, I couldn't resist doing a penguin video...with music of course!

The stars of the show? A small group of stately king penguins going for their daily swim and a mischievous, cartoon-like gentoo penguin who keeps photo-bombing their scenes. 😉

After watching these beautiful (and sometimes comical) creatures don't be surprised if it causes you to book a cruise to South America! Here is the link. One click and you can have a 10 minute trip to the Falkland Islands!

Volunteer Point Penguins!

Heading Home

Sunday, February 24

It was still dark when we got up and went to the hotel lobby to wait for our ride to the airport at 6 am. Coffee was available which was much appreciated but we were too early for the breakfast that was included in our stay. When the four of us booked the package deal for Iguazu Falls I had expected that all of our transfers would be together in a van. But no. Again two drivers in two cars showed up. Seems like putting us together in a larger vehicle would have been a cheaper alternative. I know that is what I would have preferred.

Kent and Laurel were traveling with 3 large suitcases, a carry on bag and two backpacks...almost more than the small car could handle. It took some creative maneuvering by the driver, but they made it.

On our way to the airport we went past the obelisk. Very pretty in the predawn light.

Puerto Iguazu Back to Buenos Aires

Saturday, February 23

Weather: Still hot 😓

Not quite so early of a start today as yesterday. Time to get what little we had repacked and have breakfast in the lobby. I was so disappointed to find out the fresh mango that was on the buffet yesterday was not to be seen today. I knew pretty soon we would be back to Minnesota's version of fresh fruit in the middle of winter...hard and no flavor. 😒

Our transportation to the airport was a van and we only had a stop or two to pick up other travelers. The drive took us back through the national park.

Loved this sign. (I magnified it in the photo.)

Iguazu Falls

Friday, February 22, 2019

Weather:  Hotter than hot...and humid too 😓

Iguazu Falls is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural attractions in South America and in the world. Shared between Argentina and Brazil, this set of 250 waterfalls are surrounded by a subtropical forest, and they have well earned their place as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and as one of the natural seven wonders of the world.  [Source: https://a.01argentina.com/]

The name "Iguazu" is loosely translated from the indigenous Guarani language as "big water". Unsurprisingly, former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagra" upon seeing Iguazu Falls for the first time.  Iguazu Falls is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular treasures of our natural world. [Source:  https://www.beautifulworld.com/]

Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls

Thursday, February 21

Weather:  Hot, hot, hot

The end of the cruise...but not the end of our trip.

After breakfast in the buffet we went to our cabins to wait for our group to be called for disembarkation. Two of the things I like most about Holland America are that the cabins are ready right away when you start the cruise...and you can stay in your cabins until the last minute at the end of the cruise. It always makes a cruise end on a bad note when you have to leave your cabin and find someplace to sit in a public area when waiting to disembark. Usually these places are crowded and full of grumpy people...not fun.

The four of us had booked a package deal with 01Argentina to go to Iguazu Falls and we were scheduled to be picked up at 9:30 am at Gate 4 for our ride to the airport. Just like yesterday, the area around the gate was a madhouse. Lots of people were there waiting for their shuttle or tours...basically a mess. To make things worse (much worse) was all of the construction around the port was making it hard for the buses, vans, cars, etc. to get close to the gate. The small semi-circle drive in front of the gate was way too small for the full size coach buses to get through, but yet they were doing it.