Welcome to "JOURNEY AMERICAS"

Introduction

This is the travel blog for Christopher Douglas Warrington and Johannes Hogrebe as we embark upon a "Trip of a Lifetime".

From Saturday 17th March 2012 until Sunday 29th April 2012 we are travelling to "The Americas" visiting South America, Central America, the Caribbean and the United States of America.

Journey 1 - "Europe to South America"

From 17th March To 19th March 2012

Starting the journey from Düsseldorf International Airport in Germany via Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport in France to Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport in Argentina and flying with Air France.

On board a long-haul Boeing B777-300 series wide-body jet aircraft.     

Spending 1 night and 2 days in Buenos Aires the Capital City of Argentina staying at the Hotel Telmho Boutique in the San Telmo district of Buenos Aires and taking a half day city tour.

 

Journey 2 - "Cruise Around The Americas"

From 19th March To 22nd April 2012 

Travelling from Buenos Aires in Argentina to New York City in the United States of America on the Holland America Line 34 night and 35 day "South America and Inca Discovery Collectors' Cruise" and an incredible voyage.

Itinerary

 

 

Visiting Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands/Las Malvinas, Chile, Peru and Ecuador in South America; Panama (through the Panama Canal) and Colombia in Central America; the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean and Florida and New York in the United States of America in North America.

Embarkation

 

Embark the "Holland America Line" Cruise Liner "MS Veendam" at the Benito Quinquela Martin Passenger Terminal of the Port of Buenos Aires in Argentina.

 Cruise Liner

All aboard the "Holland America Line" Cruise Liner the "MS Veendam".

Which features a huge Glass Sculpture soaring down in the Atrium Lobby.

   Stateroom

Staying in Stateroom category BA number 119 which is a Verandah Suite on the Verandah Deck 9 of the "MS Veendam".

 

Offering a queen-size bed, ample wardrobe space, whirlpool bath and shower, sitting area with couch, chair and a flat screen television with video player, refrigerator, mini-bar, floor-to-ceiling windows and private verandah.

 

Additional amenties include a variety of luxurious pillows, oversized bath towels, personalised cruise stationery, one-touch telephone concierge service, fresh flowers and an extensive video library.

Wining and Dining

Mix: an innovative meeting place featuring three different speciality venues: Champagne, for mid-day mimosas or anytime celebrations; Martinis, for Grey Goose cocktails and martini flights; and Spirits & Ales for microbrews, single malts and sports updates.

Rotterdam Dining Room: features impeccable service and an extensive wine list. Five-course menus include continental cuisine and vegetarian options.

Pinnacle Grill: is an intimate venue and offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. Featuring premium beef, inspired seafood dishes with many select wines as well as distinctive china, stemware and linens.

Lido Restaurant: offers a relaxed ambiance for all three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties.

 

Canaletto: offers an evening venue for Italian cuisine and is adjacent to the Lido Restaurant and offering waiter service.

 

 Additional Facilities

The Culinary Arts Centre: the state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen offering interactive gourmet cooking lessons taught by the ship's Master Chefs.

Digital Workshop: offering fun, free learning about how to make the best of digital photography, videos, scrapbooking, blogging and social networking.

The Retreat: is a private resort-style pool experience offering sophisticated poolside amenities and service.

 

Explorations Café: is a comfortable, coffee house environment to browse through an extensive library, surf the internet, check e-mails or read a paper. 

Greenhouse Spa: features heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. With hot stone massage and a steam thermal suite. 

The Showroom at Sea: is a nightclub venue for world class entertainment.

Crow's Nest: offers sweeping 270° views during the days at sea and in port, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening.

The Pools: features the Sky Pool and Oasis on the Sky Deck and the Lido Pool with Whirlpools on the Lido deck which has a retractable roof.  

Side Trip A - Antarctica Landing

As a full day side-trip from Punta Arenas in Chile flying from Presidente Carlos Ibáñez International Airport to the Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Airstrip at President Eduardo Frei Montalva Base (Chile) which is located on the Fildes Peninsula on King George Island, along the Antarctic Peninsula in Antarctica.

 

Visits will be made from the base to the the nearby Villa Las Estrellas (Chile) and the Escudero Station (Chile).

And also to the Trinity Church in Bellingshausen Station (Russia) and to the Great Wall Station and Base (People's Republic of China).

Finally boarding a zodiac to cross over to Ardley Island, which one of the Antarctic’s most protected areas for sealife and wildlife.

Side Trip B - Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru

As a 2 night 3 day side-trip over the Easter weekend from Callao (for Lima) in Peru flying from Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport to Cusco Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport but returning to Capitán FAP Carlos Martínez de Pinillos International Airport close to Salaverry (for Trujillo) via Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport and staying at the Hotel Orqidea Real in the San Blas district of Cusco and taking a half day city tour.

Then taking a full day tour by road, rail and foot to Machu Picchu, which is a 15th-century Inca Estate site and is located 2,430 metres above sea level being situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in the Cusco region of Peru.

Side Trip C - Quito in Ecuador

As a 1 night 2 day side-trip from Guayaquil José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Ecuador flying to Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport and the capital city of Ecuador but returing to Manta in Ecuador and staying at the Hotel Cafe Cultura in the Victoria district of Quito and taking a half day city tour.

Disembarkation

Disembark the "MS Veendam" at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in the Manhattan district of New York City in the United States of America.

Journey 3 - "Villa In The Caribbean"

From 22nd April To 28th April 2012 

Travelling from Newark Liberty International Airport in the State of New Jersey (for New York City) in the United States of America via Miami International Airport in the State of Florida in the United States of America and flying with Amercian Airlines.

On board a medium-haul Boeing B737-800 series narrow-body jet aircraft. 

To the world reknowned Princess Juliana International Airport on the island that consists of Sint Marteen (the Dutch south side) and Saint Martin (the French north side) in the Caribbean.

  

 

Joining several dear friends on the island to celebrate the 50th Birthday of Jose Santiago in this beautiful and amazing Caribbean location.

Spending 6 nights and 7 days at the fabulous Maison Blanche in Guana Bay on the island of Sint Marteen (the Dutch south side).

Side Trip A - Island of Anguilla

  

Taking a cataman trip for a full day sea tour to the (British) island of Anguilla.

 Side Trip B - Island of Saint Martin (the French north side) 

 

Taking a full day road tour from Sint Marteen (the Dutch south side) to Saint Martin (the French north side) of the island.

 Side Trip C - Island of Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths)

Taking a ferry trip for a full day sea tour to the (French) island of Saint Barthélemy (St. Barths).

Journey 4 - "Caribbean to Europe"

From 28th April To 29th April 2012

 

Departing from Princess Juliana International Airport on the island that consists of Sint Marteen (the Dutch south side) and Saint Martin (the French north side) via Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport in France to Cologne Bonn Airport in Germany and flying with Air France. 

On board a long-haul Airbus A340-300 series wide-body jet aircraft.