First Day at Home, no more Holidays

I think that I have recovered my poise now and recovered from the long journey home. We seem to have everything in order, I quickly drove to town this morning to do some grocery shopping and try to get the bank to assist me with my fraudulent 20,000 Chilean Peso note. Needless the say they lived up to my brother-in-law’s dictum that if you believe all banks are out to screw you, you will not be disappointed. Worse than that my bank suggested criminality in that I should have tried changing the note at a local travel agent. Apart from that nada, they washed their hands of everything!!!

So a session at a gym that was static was a pleasure. On the Quest I found the side-to-side motion challenging on the treadmills. Further to that all the unpacking and washing has now been done. Unfortunately that leads a large pile of ironing.

The photos from my IPhone have now uploaded so I have some more shots to display. Of particular note is the photo of Captain Larsson giving his valedictory talk.

There is also a selfie of us with a friend that we met on the cruise. Marion wanted to bring him home.

So how was it? In simple terms the most amazing holiday that we have been on. The experiences were outstanding, the beauty and uniqueness of Antarctic mind-boggling. It was travelling to a place that was largely unspoilt except perhaps by climate change and being able to experience creatures at first hand. I have come home a new advocate for campaigning for the awareness of climate change, and also a convert to re-cycling. So that is a first, never before has a holiday quite so comprehensively changed my views. I think that speaks volumes for the profound nature of the experience. It was also supremely relaxing being largely out of contact with the modern world, being unconnected was a pleasure. The hospitality that we experienced was also superb and contributed to the overall pleasure that we experienced.

A special mention should be made of the Falkland Islands, I learnt a great deal and although it has not changed my views that the war was not justified, it most be admitted that the islands are defined totally by that war. It was as moving and as instructive as visiting the World War One sites in Northern France.

The “educational” programme on board was comprehensive, informative, and explained sometimes complex subjects in easy to understand terms. It was also an opportunity to appreciate subjects that had been outside of my ambit.

It is up there with the best holidays that we have had. So that I do not bore my reader(s) I will now move on from the holiday, although you will forgive me if I refer to it now and then. Tomorrow is a reality check as I have a meeting with my dissertation supervisor!