NOVEMBER 09
SENEGAL-Dakar
Sunday 1st we stayed anchored
out until 1730 when we moved into the harbour. Monday we relaxed in the
morning and went into Dakar in the afternoon, when we visited an
internet café. The crew have been busy loading vehicles
and cargo from the “Repubblica Argentina“, another Grimaldi Ship that
has broken down. The passengers have been flown to Buenos Aires
and put up in a hotel. Tuesday
it rained, and as we were told that we would be sailing in the
afternoon, we went ashore to an internet café in the
morning. Howard could not access his e-mails. We sailed at
1730, just before dinner. Wednesday we sailed in a
south-south-westerly direction all day. Thursday in the morning it
rained and Howard saw a rainbow. Our direction was still
south-south west. In the late afternoon an officer told us that
the burglar alarm, which was switched off, was going off. There
is no trembler switch in the alarm. We went down to the caravan
to find that all three batteries were flat. Friday we crossed the
equator between 0400 and 0500. We went down to the van after
breakfast to connect to the ship’s electricity, to charge the
batteries. In the evening there was a celebration meal and we
were all given certificates by the Captain to commemorate the crossing
of the equator. The “photo” got us all on deck for a shower bath
from the upper deck.
Saturday 7th the south-south-west course continued. Mid afternoon the
Chief Engineer took us all for a tour of the
engine room and the working part of the ship. This lasted two
hours and made a welcome change. Sunday nothing different to
report. It was a fine sunny day. Monday the journey
south-south-west continued slowly until we anchored off the port of
Vitoria, in Brazil, at noon. Tuesday morning we entered
the harbour at 1000. We watched the ship being turned round in
the river not much wider than the length of the ship. One tug
pushed the bow another towed the stern. After lunch we went
ashore, a taxi driver convinced us that he was not expensive.
Howard saw The Bank of Brazil, the driver stopped and Mervyn went in to
obtain some Brazilian currency. Twenty min later he reappeared,
he had tried three ATMs with two cards each time without success.
It was suggested that he tried HSBC Bank. The taxi driver took us
to one near the mal we were going to and Mervyn was successful.
The driver took us into the mal and to the internet café, where
we spent 30min sorting out our e-mails. Howard accessed his
e-mails. The taxi driver then drove us back to the
docks and charged us 80 rials ($40). Wednesday the ship left the
harbour at 0630 and headed out to sea leaving the rocky coast
behind. We sailed south and then west to round Cape Frio to enter
Rio de Janeiro at 2030. We moored alongside the dock. Thursday Howard awoke early
on a cloudy morning and tried unsuccessfully to find a Wi-fi
connection. Friday
we sailed at 0200. When we arose the day was fine and
sunny. We continued along the Brazilian coast until we anchored
off Santos at 1450. Howard saw a Dolphin just after lunch.
Saturday 14th The ship moved into the harbour to moor at 0230.
Wi-fi was available on deck for most of
the day. We sailed and headed south at 2130. Sunday we continued south
and then southwest. Monday
the ship continued along the Brazilian coast to enter the Rio de la
Plata in the late afternoon. We passed Montevideo at 2030.
While we were in Brazilian waters we saw many Frigate Birds. Tuesday the anchor was
dropped between La Plate and Buenos Aires in the early hours. We
went into breakfast at 0730 only to find out that the ship’s clock had
been put back one hour and we had to wait for breakfast. The ship
up anchored at 2030 to head for Zarate. Wednesday the ship
manoeuvred into the dock at Zarate, Argentina, at 0430. After
breakfast Hannelore & Ludwig with Roland, Christian and us
took two taxis into Zarate to enquire about insurance. We drew
some pesos out at the Santandere Bank, then we went to an insurance
office. Roland was OK but the Germans and us decided to get our
insurance in Buenos Aires. Mervyn and Howard had some lunch and
returned to the ship. The French family have left the ship.
Thursday we are still
in Zarate, by the increased number of cars in the car park it appears
that the unloading has gone on all night. After lunch one of the
passengers was told that we were required to move all our caravans, we
all went down to deck 6 only to be sent back up. Half an hour
later we were sent for again and we all moved our vans to the exit
deck, deck 3. Friday
just after midnight we proceeded slowly down river. Mervyn went
to do his washing at 0500. At 0630 we were cruising west with a
big city (Buenos Aires) on the south bank. As we were on our way
to breakfast we were stopped by the stewards and told that we had to
clear our cabin. We packed and took our luggage down to the van
before going in to breakfast. The next step was down to the van
to commence unpacking. We then returned to the lounge to wait for
the Immigration Officer to return our passports and clear us. We
moved the caravans, all five, to the exit gate and waited. The
Officer then arrived and took us through the gate to the customs hall
to clear the vehicles. With all formalities completed and Ludwig
in the lead, we drove into town to a car park. Ludwig, Hannelore,
Mervyn and I set off to get third party insurance. This took most
of the afternoon. Mervyn went to a supermarket for a small
shop. Howard stayed in the van and was visited by a Dutch couple,
Henk and Marianne. We all went out for an evening meal.
Saturday 21st a big shop at the supermarket started the day, with a return by taxi. Rowland and Hannelore left in their vans. In the afternoon while Mervyn was out for a walk a Belgian couple visited Howard. In the evening Ludwig, Christian and Mervyn went into town to look for books of campsites, they found one. Sunday after another good night’s sleep in our own beds we got up and breakfasted. Ludwig & Hannelore and Christian then left. We hope to see them again. Mervyn went off for another walk around town. When Mervyn returned we went to fill up the main diesel tank, and Mervyn transferred some fuel to the second tank. Monday Mervyn went to check up on the countries on our insurance and found that it was OK. On his return we drove out of the car park at 0945 and headed south. We cleared Buenos Aires by 1230 when we had lunch in Gurnuca where we also tried for camping gas. After lunch we drove to General Belgrano to camp. When we arrived we again tried for camping gas. We did fill up with water, in a local garage, replenished the diesel tank and bought a plug for the Argentinean electrical system (220V). Howard fitted the minute plug with many mutterings. On the way south we saw a flock of Rheas, a dozen Black & White Storks and many Chimango Caracaras. Tuesday we had a good night, the electric works OK, the camp showers are hot but a jet not a spray and the drainage is poor. We stayed another day in the camp. Wednesday We left around 0800 to continue south on route 29 as far as Ayacucho where we turned west to Tandil where the camps were difficult to find. We were directed eventually to a very nice camp in Pinar de la Sierra. The lady in charge took us to our site and with limited French she and Howard sorted out a few things. Thursday our first stop was at Carrefour where we spent some time food shopping. We next tried to find some gas spending most of the day at it. We were assisted by an English speaking student who tried her best to find a connector for us. We returned to the camp unsuccessful. Friday we filled up with water and then went to the office to pay and ask where they got their gas. The young man in reception spoke some English, his sister’s English was better. After comparing their tanks connectors we found one of our connectors was the same as the Argentinean ones. The gas depot were lying. Again no luck but now we know the problem. We started south west at 0945 instead of 0800. The rest of the journey went smoothly and we arrived in Monte Hermoso by 1530. Here we met more problems we could not find the selected camp, again. We followed signs to another camp near the beach. After we settled in we took a short walk to the beach and returned just before a heavy rain and thunder storm.
Saturday 28th we left and drove through Monte Hermoso, we turned north to rejoin route 3 to travel to Bahia Blanca. Our camp site was south of Bahia Blanca on route 3,unfortunately we missed route 3 and drove through the centre of the town. Our way was further complicated by a diversion, but after we stopped for elevenses we found the tree shaded camp near the Balneario (swimming pool). It was free. After lunch we chatted to an English couple, Kev and Lorraine with a tent and motor bike. They arrived here via Africa. Sunday we made a rest day. Monday we started out for Viedma. We stopped at a fuel station to fill up with diesel, Howard spotted a gas tanker and asked if we could buy some Butane, “not here”. We stopped at another yard with lots of gas cylinders, they directed us round the corner. Is this another run around? Round the corner a man said tomorrow which he amended to this afternoon, we returned to the camp for lunch and returned at 1300. The official made a phone call and said tomorrow afternoon. We went back to the camp and relaxed.
Saturday 7th the south-south-west course continued. Mid afternoon the
Chief Engineer took us all for a tour of the
engine room and the working part of the ship. This lasted two
hours and made a welcome change. Sunday nothing different to
report. It was a fine sunny day. Monday the journey
south-south-west continued slowly until we anchored off the port of
Vitoria, in Brazil, at noon. Tuesday morning we entered
the harbour at 1000. We watched the ship being turned round in
the river not much wider than the length of the ship. One tug
pushed the bow another towed the stern. After lunch we went
ashore, a taxi driver convinced us that he was not expensive.
Howard saw The Bank of Brazil, the driver stopped and Mervyn went in to
obtain some Brazilian currency. Twenty min later he reappeared,
he had tried three ATMs with two cards each time without success.
It was suggested that he tried HSBC Bank. The taxi driver took us
to one near the mal we were going to and Mervyn was successful.
The driver took us into the mal and to the internet café, where
we spent 30min sorting out our e-mails. Howard accessed his
e-mails. The taxi driver then drove us back to the
docks and charged us 80 rials ($40). Wednesday the ship left the
harbour at 0630 and headed out to sea leaving the rocky coast
behind. We sailed south and then west to round Cape Frio to enter
Rio de Janeiro at 2030. We moored alongside the dock. Thursday Howard awoke early
on a cloudy morning and tried unsuccessfully to find a Wi-fi
connection. Friday
we sailed at 0200. When we arose the day was fine and
sunny. We continued along the Brazilian coast until we anchored
off Santos at 1450. Howard saw a Dolphin just after lunch.Saturday 14th The ship moved into the harbour to moor at 0230.
Wi-fi was available on deck for most of
the day. We sailed and headed south at 2130. Sunday we continued south
and then southwest. Monday
the ship continued along the Brazilian coast to enter the Rio de la
Plata in the late afternoon. We passed Montevideo at 2030.
While we were in Brazilian waters we saw many Frigate Birds. Tuesday the anchor was
dropped between La Plate and Buenos Aires in the early hours. We
went into breakfast at 0730 only to find out that the ship’s clock had
been put back one hour and we had to wait for breakfast. The ship
up anchored at 2030 to head for Zarate. Wednesday the ship
manoeuvred into the dock at Zarate, Argentina, at 0430. After
breakfast Hannelore & Ludwig with Roland, Christian and us
took two taxis into Zarate to enquire about insurance. We drew
some pesos out at the Santandere Bank, then we went to an insurance
office. Roland was OK but the Germans and us decided to get our
insurance in Buenos Aires. Mervyn and Howard had some lunch and
returned to the ship. The French family have left the ship.
Thursday we are still
in Zarate, by the increased number of cars in the car park it appears
that the unloading has gone on all night. After lunch one of the
passengers was told that we were required to move all our caravans, we
all went down to deck 6 only to be sent back up. Half an hour
later we were sent for again and we all moved our vans to the exit
deck, deck 3. Friday
just after midnight we proceeded slowly down river. Mervyn went
to do his washing at 0500. At 0630 we were cruising west with a
big city (Buenos Aires) on the south bank. As we were on our way
to breakfast we were stopped by the stewards and told that we had to
clear our cabin. We packed and took our luggage down to the van
before going in to breakfast. The next step was down to the van
to commence unpacking. We then returned to the lounge to wait for
the Immigration Officer to return our passports and clear us. We
moved the caravans, all five, to the exit gate and waited. The
Officer then arrived and took us through the gate to the customs hall
to clear the vehicles. With all formalities completed and Ludwig
in the lead, we drove into town to a car park. Ludwig, Hannelore,
Mervyn and I set off to get third party insurance. This took most
of the afternoon. Mervyn went to a supermarket for a small
shop. Howard stayed in the van and was visited by a Dutch couple,
Henk and Marianne. We all went out for an evening meal.Saturday 21st a big shop at the supermarket started the day, with a return by taxi. Rowland and Hannelore left in their vans. In the afternoon while Mervyn was out for a walk a Belgian couple visited Howard. In the evening Ludwig, Christian and Mervyn went into town to look for books of campsites, they found one. Sunday after another good night’s sleep in our own beds we got up and breakfasted. Ludwig & Hannelore and Christian then left. We hope to see them again. Mervyn went off for another walk around town. When Mervyn returned we went to fill up the main diesel tank, and Mervyn transferred some fuel to the second tank. Monday Mervyn went to check up on the countries on our insurance and found that it was OK. On his return we drove out of the car park at 0945 and headed south. We cleared Buenos Aires by 1230 when we had lunch in Gurnuca where we also tried for camping gas. After lunch we drove to General Belgrano to camp. When we arrived we again tried for camping gas. We did fill up with water, in a local garage, replenished the diesel tank and bought a plug for the Argentinean electrical system (220V). Howard fitted the minute plug with many mutterings. On the way south we saw a flock of Rheas, a dozen Black & White Storks and many Chimango Caracaras. Tuesday we had a good night, the electric works OK, the camp showers are hot but a jet not a spray and the drainage is poor. We stayed another day in the camp. Wednesday We left around 0800 to continue south on route 29 as far as Ayacucho where we turned west to Tandil where the camps were difficult to find. We were directed eventually to a very nice camp in Pinar de la Sierra. The lady in charge took us to our site and with limited French she and Howard sorted out a few things. Thursday our first stop was at Carrefour where we spent some time food shopping. We next tried to find some gas spending most of the day at it. We were assisted by an English speaking student who tried her best to find a connector for us. We returned to the camp unsuccessful. Friday we filled up with water and then went to the office to pay and ask where they got their gas. The young man in reception spoke some English, his sister’s English was better. After comparing their tanks connectors we found one of our connectors was the same as the Argentinean ones. The gas depot were lying. Again no luck but now we know the problem. We started south west at 0945 instead of 0800. The rest of the journey went smoothly and we arrived in Monte Hermoso by 1530. Here we met more problems we could not find the selected camp, again. We followed signs to another camp near the beach. After we settled in we took a short walk to the beach and returned just before a heavy rain and thunder storm.
Saturday 28th we left and drove through Monte Hermoso, we turned north to rejoin route 3 to travel to Bahia Blanca. Our camp site was south of Bahia Blanca on route 3,unfortunately we missed route 3 and drove through the centre of the town. Our way was further complicated by a diversion, but after we stopped for elevenses we found the tree shaded camp near the Balneario (swimming pool). It was free. After lunch we chatted to an English couple, Kev and Lorraine with a tent and motor bike. They arrived here via Africa. Sunday we made a rest day. Monday we started out for Viedma. We stopped at a fuel station to fill up with diesel, Howard spotted a gas tanker and asked if we could buy some Butane, “not here”. We stopped at another yard with lots of gas cylinders, they directed us round the corner. Is this another run around? Round the corner a man said tomorrow which he amended to this afternoon, we returned to the camp for lunch and returned at 1300. The official made a phone call and said tomorrow afternoon. We went back to the camp and relaxed.
ARGENTINA-Bahia Blanca