Wednesday, January 18, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Cruising the Pacific Ocean
Where in the world are we?
Terry Bishop | Featured Lecturer
CONQUISTATORS – From Peru To The Amazon
Terry Bishop was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care.
Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the USA, Africa, and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert, and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus post-Chornobyl.
A real-life Troubadour, he seeks to inform and entertain, incorporating humor, music, and song. Terry is also an accomplished folk musician and has produced two films on social issues.
He and his wife Julie share their time when not cruising between homes in Rochester, England, and Andalusia, Southern Spain.
James Grant-Peterkin | Featured Lecturer
The Real Robinson Crusoe: Alexander Selkirk.
Meet the castaway who inspired Daniel Defoe’s famous novel.
James Grant-Peterkin is a Cambridge University graduate and the British Honorary Consul on Easter Island. He has been studying Polynesian culture, linguistics, and archaeology for over 20 years, most of those while living on Easter Island, and is the author of the guidebook “A Companion to Easter Island”. He has lectured extensively on Eastern Polynesia on cruise ships and at educational institutions worldwide.
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Guayaquil, Ecuador
Where in the world are we?
Guayaquil is a port city in Ecuador, known as a gateway to Pacific beaches and the Galapagos Islands. Stretching along the Guayas River is the waterfront Simón Bolívar promenade, home to the La Rotonda monument. In the north, Las Peñas is a neighborhood full of colorful houses. Stairs lined with cafes and art galleries lead up Santa Ana Hill, the site of Santa Ana Chapel, a lighthouse, and views of the city. Malecon 2000 is an urban renewal 1.5-mile promenade overlooking the Guayas River. Several of the greatest historical monuments in the history of Guayaquil can be seen along its length, as well as museums, gardens, fountains, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, food courts, the first IMAX theater in South America, as well as boarding docks where several embarkations offer both daytime and nighttime tours up and down the Guayas River.
Monday, January 16, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Manta, Ecuador
Where in the world are we?
Today’s Excursion – CERRO JABONCILLO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
We traveled back over a thousand years to an active archaeological site showcasing artifacts from the culture that dominated the Manta region long before the Spaniards arrived. Our guide provided an enlightening background on the area’s pre-Columbian residents such as the Valdivia people, whose pottery fragments are the oldest found anywhere in South America.
At the Cerro Jaboncillo archaeological site, we observed what remains of a complex society that controlled large parts of this region between 900 and 1500 AD. Relics found here and on display tell the story of a highly developed culture that used the sea to extend their culture as far as the California Gulf, Mexico, Chile, and Peru.
Among the most impressive sights are the massive U-shaped stone “power seats” used by the Manteño notables. Our visit provided a memorable glimpse into the story of a once-dominant civilization that has all but vanished.
Steven Rivellino l Enrichment Speaker
The Phantom and The Paris Opera House
Steven Rivellino is an accomplished writer, lecturer, and producer of theatrical entertainment.
He has worked successfully on both sides of the Atlantic—with credits spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and the corporate arena. From 1982 to 1990 he was Vice President and General Manager of Radio City Music Hall in New York—a time during which he produced The Grammy Awards, The MTV Video Music Awards, numerous concerts, and special events, and of course the celebrated Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
A member of the Circumnavigators Club, he has traveled the world extensively—far north of the Arctic Circle, south to Antarctica; from the Greenwich Meridian, and east to the International Date Line.
Tonight’s dinner pictures
Sunday, January 15, Photo of the Day – Manta, Ecuador
Where in the world are we?
Today’s Excursion -PACOCHE HANDICRAFTS & WILDLIFE REFUGE
We hiked into a leafy coastal forest reserve frequented by howler monkeys and exotic birds.
Lush green Pacoche Forest is a precious, ecologically complex remnant of the primeval forest that once covered vast swathes of Ecuador’s coast. Today, it provides a protected home to an enormous wealth and diversity of species.
Our drive from the pier traverses unmarked but obvious habitat boundaries between the predominant dry forest and pockets of wetter forest like the one we explored at Pacoche Lodge. Our guided hike set out from a trailhead on the lodge grounds, situated just next to the Pacoche Wildlife Refuge. The lodge’s trails offered a private glimpse into this fascinating ecosystem where hundreds of birds flit among the dense canopy and howler monkeys call across distances.
Returning from the rigorous trek, we had a local lunch and enjoyed presentations of weaving techniques used to make Panama hats – which really should be called Ecuador hats – and discovered how many eco-friendly end products can be carved from the ivory-like nuts of the Tagua palm.
That evening we had a Grand Pool Deck Barbeque Under The Stars
Saturday, January 14, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Manta, Ecuador
Where in the world are we?
MONTECRISTI BY CHIVAS
We enjoyed a fun-filled ride via the local Chivas Bus to the heritage sights and shops of Montecristi.
You’ve probably seen the Chivas before, molded into those adorable miniature ceramic buses sold at craft shops, complete with baskets of chickens and colorful produce strapped to their roof. But the actual-size Chivas Bus is Ecuador’s vibrant answer to mass transit. And it’s a bouncy, down-to-earth, wonderful ride. Chivas routes crisscross the country, offering reasonably-priced transportation between the towns along the coast and the interior.
Our Chivas ride today was a convoy-style transfer to inland Montecristi, with a local band riding atop one of the buses as the en-route entertainment. Beautiful little Montecristi retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage – and is also the authentic home of what has long been known as the “Panama hat,” misnamed years ago by Teddy Roosevelt during his inspection tour of the Panama Canal construction site.
At the first stop, we saw step-by-step how artisans make Panama Hats.
At the second stop, we learned how artisans made burlap bags for coffee export and straw baskets, jewelry, and other colorful handicrafts, too.
Friday, January 13, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Crossing The Equator
Where in the World Are We?
Terry Bishop | Featured Lecturer
CONQUISTATORS – The destruction of the Inca Empire – Francisco Pizarro’s great quest to Peru
Terry Bishop was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care.
Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the USA, Africa, and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert, and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus post-Chornobyl.
A real-life Troubadour, he seeks to inform and entertain, incorporating humor, music, and song. Terry is also an accomplished folk musician and has produced two films on social issues.
He and his wife Julie share their time when not cruising between homes in Rochester, England, and Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Tango – History of a Nation
Steven Rivellino is an accomplished writer, lecturer, and producer of theatrical entertainment.
He has worked successfully on both sides of the Atlantic—with credits spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and the corporate arena. From 1982 to 1990 he was Vice President and General Manager of Radio City Music Hall in New York—a time during which he produced The Grammy Awards, The MTV Video Music Awards, numerous concerts, and special events, and of course the celebrated Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
A member of the Circumnavigators Club, he has traveled the world extensively—far north of the Arctic Circle, south to Antarctica; from the Greenwich Meridian, and east to the International Date Line.
Steven presented the history of the Tango, its roots in Argentina, the dancers who made it popular and famous, and the movies that featured tango dancing.
Headline Entertainer – Jeff Nease
Jeff was back with a new comedy routine.
Jeff Nease is one of the nation’s leading stand-up comedians.
You may recognize Jeff from his TV appearances on Comedy Central, Showtime, A&E, and PBS as well as a finalist in ‘National Lampoon’s Laugh Off’ and ‘The World Series of Comedy’. Jeff has also opened for Motown legends The Temptations as well as Jim Carrey, Tim Allen, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Thursday, January 12, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Transiting the Panama Canel
Where in the World Are We?
then continuing sailing through Gatun Lake, then lowering through the Gatun locks to the Pacific Ocean.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Cartagena, Colombia
Where in the World Are We?
We sailed through the Caribbean Sea and are in the colonial city of Cartagena, Colombia, South America
Terry Bishop | Featured Lecturer
The Panama Transit – The Panama Canal
Terry Bishop was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care.
Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the USA, Africa, and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert, and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus post-Chornobyl.
A real-life Troubadour, he seeks to inform and entertain, incorporating humor, music, and song. Terry is also an accomplished folk musician and has produced two films on social issues.
He and his wife Julie share their time when not cruising between homes in Rochester, England, and Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Terry Bishop tells the story of the building of the Panama Canal
Our sights of Cartagena, Colombia
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Cruising the Caribbean Sea
Where Are We In The World?
Terry Bishop | Featured Lecturer
The Panama Transit Part One
Terry Bishop was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care.
Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the USA, Africa, and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert, and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus post-Chornobyl.
A real-life Troubadour, he seeks to inform and entertain, incorporating humor, music, and song. Terry is also an accomplished folk musician and has produced two films on social issues.
He and his wife Julie share their time when not cruising between homes in Rochester, England, and Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Terry told us the story of the the Building of the Panam Railway.
It’s histroy begins with the discovery of Panama and its isthmus to the Pacific Ocean and the centuries of progress to build the railway.
Steven Rivellino l Enrichment Speaker
The Man and His Stage – Bob Fosse
Steven Rivellino is an accomplished writer, lecturer, and producer of theatrical entertainment.
He has worked successfully on both sides of the Atlantic—with credits spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and the corporate arena. From 1982 to 1990 he was Vice President and General Manager of Radio City Music Hall in New York—a time during which he produced The Grammy Awards, The MTV Video Music Awards, numerous concerts, and special events, and of course the celebrated Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
A member of the Circumnavigators Club, he has traveled the world extensively—far north of the Arctic Circle, south to Antarctica; from the Greenwich Meridian, and east to the International Date Line.
Steven’s presentation was on the life and works of Robert Fosse.
He was an American actor, choreographer, dancer, and film and stage director.
He directed and choreographed musical works on stage and screen, including the stage musicals The Pajama Game (1954), Damn Yankees (1955), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961), Sweet Charity (1966), Pippin (1972), and Chicago (1975). He directed the films Sweet Charity (1969), Cabaret (1972), Lenny (1975), All That Jazz (1979), and Star 80 (1983).
Fosse’s distinctive style of choreography included turned-in knees and “jazz hands”. He is the only person ever to have won Oscar, Emmy, and Tony awards in the same year (1973). He was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning Best Director for Cabaret, and won the Palme D’Or in 1980 for All That Jazz. He won a record eight Tonys for his choreography, as well as one for direction for Pippin.
Dining tonight at the French Chartreuse Restaurant
Monday, January 9, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Day at Sea
Where in the World Are We?
Terry Bishop | Featured Lecturer
A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CARIBBEAN
From Settlement to Exploration and Independence
Terry Bishop was raised and educated in the west of England. For 35 years he was a psychiatric nurse, a child protection social worker, and a senior manager in Youth Justice and Child Care.
Terry has led groups of walkers/explorers across many of the battlefields of Europe and has explored historic sites in the USA, Africa, and beyond. He has trekked the foothills of the Himalayas, ventured across the Namib Desert, and driven relief supplies from England to Belarus post-Chornobyl.
A real-life Troubadour, he seeks to inform and entertain, incorporating humor, music, and song. Terry is also an accomplished folk musician and has produced two films on social issues.
He and his wife Julie share their time when not cruising between homes in Rochester, England, and Andalusia, Southern Spain.
Steven Rivellino l Enrichment Speaker
Discover how Broadway Shows are produced, financed, and marketed
Steven Rivellino is an accomplished writer, lecturer, and producer of theatrical entertainment.
He has worked successfully on both sides of the Atlantic—with credits spanning Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and the corporate arena. From 1982 to 1990 he was Vice President and General Manager of Radio City Music Hall in New York—a time during which he produced The Grammy Awards, The MTV Video Music Awards, numerous concerts, and special events, and of course the celebrated Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
A member of the Circumnavigators Club, he has traveled the world extensively—far north of the Arctic Circle, south to Antarctica; from the Greenwich Meridian, and east to the International Date Line.
