Aguas Caliente — We’re not in “It” anymore!

We now know that Aguas Caliente is named well.  Well, we’re out of “hot water” and back on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner as of 5:30 pm Friday.  Rather than detail everything like I did yesterday, I’ll give you the high points.

When we last left you we had heard that Regent had rounded up a 737 charter to take us to Santiago, Chile.  We were in Lima at the Novatel Hotel and had a wake up call for 4:30 am.  We got up and had a quick breakfast and were on the bus by 5:00 am.

Everyone was in amazingly good spirits, another testament to the drive of the Regent Group.   The bus ride was shorter than from the airport because there weren’t a million taxis at this hour of the morning.  Some 30 minutes later we were waiting in a line while the counter personnel figured out how to start their computer systems.  Eventually we were checked in and headed to security where we all passed through successfully.

We boarded the plane on schedule at 8 am but then had some air traffic delays.  The flight was uneventful and we arrived in Santiago at about 2:30 pm local time (we lost 2 hours — but since we had just lost 5 days it didn’t seem to matter).   We filled out the immigration paperwork, all of our passports were processed and about an hour later we were on another bus ride to Valapariso.  We drove through a couple of long tunnels and two beautiful valleys.  One where vegetables and fruit are grown and another that was chocked full of vineyards.  A nice smooth ride despite there being no drinking water on the bus.

We arrived at the docks in Valapariso, disembarked the buses, retrieved our bags, went through security and went out the opposite door to get on yet another bus (it seems Pavlov has us under his spell — we see a bus and we queue up to get on it!).  The ship was several blocks away and thankfully the ride was only a couple minutes.  We could see from the bus that there were people crowding the decks cheering and Regent had set up a grand welcoming party complete with all the ship’s staff including the officers in all their regalia.  As the ships horn blew us a welcome toot or two a band played “When the Saints Come Marching In”.  Champagne was served along with a lots of handshaking, hugs and cheering.  Our butler Tapin was amongst the welcoming committee and I heard Margaret shout out “Tapin — bring me a martini!”.  The ship’s camera crew was also on hand to record this terrific event (not the martini order — but the whole grand affair!).

We hustled onto the ship, went to our room, dumped our clothes out of our bags, threw them in the wash and Margaret jumped into the shower.  I went to the pool deck bar, grabbed a couple of Pina Colada’s while talking to some people at the bar about our experience.  Then I soaked in the jacuzzi for about 20 minutes before heading back to the room.

While we were busy Tapin slipped in and delivered not only 2 beautiful martinis but also a large portion of shrimp cocktail.  Life is good again.

An important side note: While we are grateful to be back on the ship there remain approximately 1,500 people still stranded in Aguas Caliente/Maccu Picchu Pueblo.  Food and water are running low and, while they have taken out around 600 people, a lot of work remains and people are still there sleeping in the streets and eating the mush the Peruvian government airlifted in to feed those who need it.  Also, houses and hotels are falling into the river which is another real disaster.  People have died in various areas from MP to Cusco.  Adobe/mud houses are disintegrating and flooded, roads have turned to mud and are blocked.  So, let’s keep our hearts and prayers with those less fortunate than us as we get ready to go to Signatures for a world-class French dinner.

Tomorrow is a sea day and I’ll get started processing the my pictures and taking a look at those taken by the other photographers from our last journey.

Thanks to all of you who have had positive thoughts about our group reaching the Mariner safely.  They worked!

Dale

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  • January 31, 2010 - 2:43 am

    Marlene Shirley - WOW! What an adventure, I’m left speechless. The doctor I work for has always wanted to go to MP, I will have to share your story. Not sure if you knew that Mary’s husband, Cam, served his mission in Peru. He has always wanted to go back. Can’t wait to see your pictures. Are they posted anywhere? So glad that you are safe and sound! Love, MarleneReplyCancel

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