Tuesday morning started early as we had an excursion to catch! You can book tours (excursions) through the cruise line, with large-scale tour operators like Viator or Get Your Guide, or directly with local operators either prior to or when you disembark the ship in port. The catch is that if your return to the ship is delayed past the time for the ship to depart for the next port, it will only wait for you (or pay your way to the next port if it cannot wait) if you are booked through the cruise line.
When we cruised to the Panama Canal, we took a tour boat through to the Pacific end of the Canal. The ship motored around in Gatun Lake, where buses were to bring us back to continue our cruise. Unfortunately, our little tour boat was delayed several hours as enormous container ships and others were given priority (ships have reservations years in advance). Fortunately, our excursion was booked through the cruise line – along with more than 200 of our closest friends. The ship waited for our return, the crew hustled us off the multiple buses onto the ship, and the Lido staff offered us hot food for our 11:00 p.m. dinner as the ship sailed away.
We were also on a ship that was pulling away from the dock in another country when two couples came running to the gate. Everyone was waving goodbye from the ship, when the Captain made the decision to go back. He made it very clear in a presentation the next day that the action would NOT be repeated in future ports!
Today’s excursion was called, “Gaucho Life on the Pampas”. There were about a hundred of us who filled three buses and took a 1.5 hour ride to a working ranch outside of Buenos Aires. There we were greeted by an Argentine gaucho – or cowboy – on his beautiful horse, given refreshments of hot empenadas (fried turnover style pies) filled with meat and veggies (de-li-cious!) and our choice of beverage (wine, water, Coke, or Sprite (made me feel like I was in Atlanta).
After arriving, we were seated at tables on the lawn in front of the Hacienda and treated to a show of Argentine dance by two professional dance couples. Afterwards, we were allowed to roam the grounds of the Hacienda, take pictures of the more than 200 years old house that has been in this family for four generations, and meet the owner and patriarch, Mr. Mauricio Carraujes, who appears to be in his 80’s.
In one section of the ranch were cattle, in another, horses. They were used both for the cattle and for shows put on by the gauchos to exhibit their skills at riding full-tilt toward objects hanging from overhead that they were to spear with small quill like instruments and long sticks. In another section there were peacocks and peahens, ostriches, ducks, chickens, and geese. The peacocks strutted around calling loudly.
Near this area were men cooking sides of beef on tall skewers around a fire, and steaks and chicken on a long, flat grill. Wowsie, did it all smell good!!
We sat under trees with the temps in the low 90’s and a steady breeze, watching the flocks and herds and dozens of bright green parakeets flying hither and yon with what sounded like hundreds more in the surrounding tree tops.
After the horse and gaucho show, it was time for lunch. We were now herded into a large building filled with tables laid out with 10 place settings at each and unlimited choices of the same beverages offered upon our arrival.
After we were seated, bowls of salads were brought out. One was made from shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and onions; one was just tomatoes and lettuce; and one was finely shredded carrots and boiled eggs. Each had a light oil of some kind, and all were refreshing and delicious. Then the gauchos started bringing in platters of meats, hot off the grill, and by the time we were finished had offered each of us a steak, chicken, and a different cut of beef still on the bone. There was bread and chimichurri to put on the meat (a mix of spices and oils), and just as we thought we were finished, a dish of the whitest homemade vanilla ice cream I’ve ever seen with a swirl of some delicious berries, and Argentine coffee which is hot, strong, and sweet. I can’t believe I didn’t get pictures of every course!! I did, however, manage to get a picture one of the ferocious Argentine guard dogs who joined us for lunch. Impressive!
After the outstanding meal, the Professional dancers treated us to more samples of beautiful traditional folk music and dance, including large drums known as bombos.
And at the end, they each did special demonstrations of the use of “boleadorras” with music. These are traditional weapons made of a piece of rope with hard balls made from stone at each end – or three balls on a single rope, etc. covered in leather, used by the gauchos to hunt or protect their herds from wild animals. Let me just say that ALL of my respect went to these four who could twirl and spin those extremely dangerous instruments of death with such force and speed – and most importantly, control. I wish I could upload the videos, especially after I realized I only took videos!
After the performances as we left the hall, we were given a delicious flaky pastry and a cup of very sweet hot tea known as “mate”. It is actually a caffiene-infused herbal tea that is a very cultural drink made a special way in individual containers. It was excellent!
We walked outside to finish our final portion of the meal and found a wooden log in the shade. A lone peahen moved in for a snack, and as soon as Genny shared a nibble, we were surrounded by birds!
I held out a small piece, but the peahen grabbed the big one and shot off to enjoy it by herself as several others gave chase. As we walked to the bus, one of the peacocks decided to give us a full display of his beauty. A nice way to end the day – and this post.
Grateful for the sharing of new cultures and experiences in another part of God’s world. Praying to walk in His kingdom, in honor of Him. May He bless each of us with knowledge of and humility in His Presence today.