South American Tour to Parangua Brazil

Thursday February 18th 1965 Buenos Aries, Argentine - Paranagua, Brazil

Sailing day, after 13 days in Buenos Aries a few comments before we leave. At night cars and busses drive without lights. Only at the very busiest intersections are there traffic signals. When cars and busses approach the blacked out intersection of which there are hundreds, the driver flashes his headlights on several times and gives the car the gas. Its amazing how many near misses and few direct hits. No parking meters. Tile sidewalks, but full of holes. Government Offices and banks are open on five day week. Banks are open 12 noon to 330 PM -- and are they busy! It takes 20 minutes to make a deposit after one reaches the teller's window. Daylight saving is in effect the year around. There were 268 labor strikes in 365 days.

We arose at 8 AM. Millie took off after breakfast to do some last minute shopping. I checked at hotel desk to learn how much the bill would be and then walked about six blocks to my favorite Dambio (money changer). I bought one hundred U.S. dollars of Argentine Pesos. The exchange  was 232 to $1.00, it was 210 when we arrived two weeks ago. The official rate is 152 to $1.00 U.S. We had an early lunch at hotel, brought our baggage down and then said, "Goodbyes." to the many friends and hotel employees. There are 8 passengers staging at the Dora. We enjoyed our stay immensely and the price for double room with twin beds and private bath including takes is less than $6 per day. The agent's cars and trucks picked us up at 1:30 PM and brought us to the ship. We did not have to go thru customs. The baggage was delivered right in our cabin. We had paid for this $400 - in our ticket purchase. It also includes radio gram between ship and agent to make reservations for rooms at hotel of our choice in time to secure them. We have a new couple on board who are replacing the Mortins. They are British subjects who have lived in Argentine for most of their lives. The ship sailed at 6 PM.

Friday February 19, 1965 Enroute to Parangua Brazil

Today we returned to our ship routine of sleeping, eating talking. The temperature of the sea is 75° and the air 73°. At noon the ship was placed at 34° 58" Latitude and 53°50" West Longitude.

Saturday February 20, 1965 Enroute to Parangua Brazil

The afternoon was spent by the Finnertys and Saegarts in preparing to host the passengers, Captain and chief Return Voyage Champagne Party. It started at 5 with champagne and hors d'oeuvres, white and red wine for dinner and liqueurs after dinner.