February 22, 2025

MONTAVIDEO - URUGUAY - HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Cupid Resident, Bosco greeted me back on the Ship Friday Morning 2/14/25 on our return from Iguazu. I helped him fine tune his bow and arrows, with the addition of paper hearts! I love a good craft project and Bosco's enthusiasm!

After unpacking and a quick nap, I took a stroll into town to check out this Capital City of Uruguay. The city center was an easy walk from the port and it was a gorgeous day. Architecture mixed bag with corner buildings being most appealing - so many shared party walls! Good sprinkling of street art and love old VW bugs.

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This is most significant architecture I could find The Salvo Palace - a national historic monument, the icon of Montevideo, built 1923 to 1928. A mixed use property - housing, retail and office. Italian Architect Mario Palanti and developer / owners - 3 brothers Angel, Jose & Lorenzo Salvo. Building was controversial was first in post war construction promoting both industrialization and optimism. We saw sister building in Buena Aires.

Some Port FUN!!

ROTORUA CITY HIGHLIGHTS - NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua became a bonus city for us. Our Port stay in Tauranga got cut down to one day, due to NZ biosecurity regulations and since we really wanted to do Hobbiton, we decided to get off the ship and stay in hotels and get back on the ship, in a few days. Due to a variety of factors, the Ship ended up doing a quick pick up of us in Tauranga, three days later. The Kiwi's we encountered along the way, who helped with all our last minute details, were amazingly kind, hospitable and generous. Below is our tired, chilly group huddled at the security shed, outside the Port in the wee hours (1:30 am) Monday morning, awaiting our final hurdle of getting back on our Home. Home sweet home! What an adventure!

ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 3, 2026
Rotorua, New Zealand is known for it's geothermal activity ( geysers, mud pools, hot springs) and rich Maori culture . I saw lots of that last time I was here in 2016, so this time I wanted to see their Redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest. John and Colleen joined me in exploring. Their redwoods are smaller than the ones in Muir Woods California, but still impressive. Both are planted forest dating back to around 1908.

ALONG THE ROAD - TAURANGA TO ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND

By Patricia Patrick • March 2, 2026
Love the unexpected, along the road, sights we get to see and discover. Along the way from Hobbiton to Rotorua we came across these three unique large buildings. I believe the town was Tirau and lots of cars and buses were stopping to observe the buildings, use the public restrooms, (which are housed in one of them) and grab some snacks, gas and / or souvenirs.