We woke up at 7:00 to be ready to leave for the embassy around 7:45. Glen had about 300 pesos left, so he decided to go to the ATM to get 200 more - the passport would be about 400. We decided to try to pay with pesos to get rid of most of them. While he was there, Cintia, our wonderful travel agent showed up to escort us on her way to work. (If you ever want to go to Argentina and want a basically high end trip arranged, let me know - I cannot recommend her enough). A quick cab ride and we arrived at the embassy. It's beautiful and I'm sorry we couldn't bring cameras. We got there at 8am, and the was a line of people there, but they were Argentinians waiting for visas. We walked up to the guard and he told us to come back at 8:30 and we could go in. Cintia asked where a cafe was, and we went and had coffee until time.
We reapproached the gate, and he asked for ID. I of course, no longer had any. They took Glen's and got my passport number. He called someone and then let us in. We went through security and were directed to the consular affairs office. We got a number (701) and went into the waiting room. It was very crowded. I had number 701, and the were on 600. A moment of panic set in as I thought I'd have to wait through 100 people, but a guy standing there also replacing a passport told me that he was number 700, and the number 600 was just ahead of him. Sure enough, they called him next. Then they called 601, and then us. Total time, about 10 minutes. She gave me some forms to fill out and told me to come back when they were done. Glen helped me fill them out and we brought them back. (Basic passport info and why I needed it. An important question was where we were going. Since I was in the US embassy, I said Falklands, not Malvinas). She told me that first we'd have to pay then they'd issue a temporary. I told her I was leaving at 11. She said not to worry. I finally started to relax.
Another 15 minutes, and I was called to pay. We gave them 370 pesos, all in small bills. She thanked us for that, apparently small bills are hard to find here. Another 15 minutes and we were called back up. The agent basically made me swear that the application was correct, and mentioned she'd lived in the east bay for a while. Small world. She told me to sit down again, and the passport would be ready soon. About 20 minutes later, I was presented with my new temporary passport, good for a year instead of 3 months - apparently the Falklands require at least six months. I hate the picture, so I'll be replacing it pretty soon. From the time we entered to exited, about 85 minutes. The crowd were visa applicants.
Another cab ride to the hotel, and we bid Cintia a fond farewell. Between missing the flea market and our tango experience, and not having time for Igauza Falls, we decided we'll come back here for a week soon - one with better weather and fewer tour buses. We'll book the entire trip with Cintia. I hope to have the chance to pay her kindness forward sometime.
We completed our packing, including loading 6 bottles of wine into Bottle Armour in our suitcases. As we were finishing the bell stand rang to tell us our driver was here. We grabbed our now 6 bigs, including carryons, and went downstairs. While I went to determine if we owed anything on the bill, Glen went to find the driver and load the car.
About 20 minutes later we arrived at the port. It was a madhouse, with lots of people lined up to exit. We saw a bag drop, but then noticed that there was a princess drop elsewhere. It looked like we couldn't get in, so we hauled our bags to an area between exit lines and prepared to wait. Soon after, Bob and Linda arrived. I showed Linda my new passport and she grabbed it and kissed it. That was representative of the support and caring I got from my 50 new BFFs on cruise critic. That was the silver lining in all this. While Glen and Bob and I watched the bags, she went scouting about for information. The big bag drop we saw was not for Princess, and on a second scouting trip she found out we could go in. We quickly dropped our bags at the luggage drop off, and found the preferred checkin line. An employee there noticed that Glen had a pre checkin card, so sent him over there. When he checked in, they told me to go with him and someone there would check me in. I did. The young woman who was getting his room key remembered me, and said "oh good, you got a new passport". She sent me to her coworker who very quickly checked me in, and then took my brand new passport (on this trip they keep them). We got our room keys and headed to security. As we were in line, the power went out, so we had to wait a few minutes. It very quickly came back on, and we were soon on a shuttle to the ship. The port is a commercial one, and between the terminal and the ship is a container area, so we had to be shuttled.
We waited in line for a few minutes, and by noon were on the ship. First stop was the pursers office to sign up for the Ultimate Ship tour. While they claim to have a lottery to choose who goes, I've also heard that it's really first come first served. We were 2nd and 3rd on the list, so we'll see. Next stop was our amazing room. Since this really is a trip of a lifetime, we splurged and got a suite. Here are some pics of it:
And our crowded but large balcony:
I then set out for my other early sign up item - the Chef's Table, a gourmet dinner experience. I understand that is first come first served. I had to go to the dining inquiries table. I signed up us and our friends Linda and Bob and Rich and Joan. We also wanted to sit with Rich and Joan, so I asked them to note that. They did, but told us to see the Maitre'd later in the day. After that, I went back to the room and on the way in met Allen, our room steward. He brought is the welcome glass of champagne, and we sipped that while watching the container ship behind us being loaded.
Then we went to find lunch. ] They say the dining rooms are open, but we find that to rarely be the case. Here too, not open. So up to the buffet. On the way to find lunch, we saw the captain walk by with someone Glen recognised as the captain of the Dawn when we went to Alaska. After grabbing some food, we found one of our cruise critic friends, so we ate with them. We noticed Rich and Joan, our friends from Las Lillas at another table so after we finished eating we joined them. We then headed to the dining room to find the maitre'd. He wasn't there, so we agreed to meet back when he was. Eventually we got our request in to sit together at a table for 6-8. It would go into effect tomorrow, and we'd be notified by a letter as to which table it was.
Our departure time was going to be 7pm, so about the only thing we did all afternoon was the muster drill. Because we'd been up so early, we relaxed until dinner, even skipping the ballroom dance activities.
The channel in the Rio de la Plata is very narror, so if the Star Princess is going out, no one else can go in, so we actually departed at 9pm. So much for a sail away party.
We had dinner at our initial table - it was a table for 8 people, and all were Americans. If something happened and they couldn't accommodate our change request, we'd be fine. After dinner we looked for a dance venue, but they all appeared to be on break. Since we were so tired, we went to bed.
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