Buenos Aires
Menkar - Launch
06/03/10 22:11
After an 8 month refit it was time for Gilles to launch Menkar.
Menkar awaiting launch at CN Albatross near Buenos Aires.
All went well and her new Yanmar ran like a sewing machine. After a short sea trial and some electrical work we left CN Albatros and move to a berth at Parque Nautico, San Fernando.
After mooring I left Gilles to attend to a variety of small jobs and prepare Menkar for sea.
Menkar awaiting launch at CN Albatross near Buenos Aires.
All went well and her new Yanmar ran like a sewing machine. After a short sea trial and some electrical work we left CN Albatros and move to a berth at Parque Nautico, San Fernando.
After mooring I left Gilles to attend to a variety of small jobs and prepare Menkar for sea.
Velas Sudamérica 2010
05/03/10 22:12
The navies of Chile and Argentina jointly organised Velas Sudamérica 2010 and this week the tall ships are in Darsena Norte, Buenos Aires.
All the ships are open to the public free of charge.
Aboard Simon Bolivar from Venezuela.
My favourite, the Chilean Esmeralda, viewed from the deck of Simon Bolivar.
A forest of spars and rigging. The Argentine Libertad with the Brazilian Cisne Branco astern.
Libertad.
As the sun set all the ships, apart from Cisne Branco and Sagres who left their ensigns flying, began ensign lowering ceremonies.
The Mexican Cuahtémoc.
Argentine navy band about to play their ensign down.
The Spanish Juan Sebastian Elcano, a four masted barquentine and older sister ship to Esmeralda.
Esmeralda with Juan Sebastian Elcano astern. Esmeralda was originally intended to replace Juan Sebastian Elcano but due to financial problems in Spain she was sold to Chile part way through construction. Juan Sebastian Elcano was later restored. They are both magnificent ships.
Esmeralda from another angle.
Creative flaking of mooring lines aboard Esmeralda.
Sagres and Cuahtémoc.
Strip lighting in the rigging aboard Esmeralda.
Subtle up-lighting on Juan Sebastian Elcano. Esmeralda is ahead of her. Sagres and Cuahtémoc in the distance with strung bulb lighting.
Simon Bolivar.
Cisne Branco.
Libertad.
Juan Sebastian Elcano.
Esmeralda.
Sagres.
Cuahtémoc.
All the ships are open to the public free of charge.
Aboard Simon Bolivar from Venezuela.
My favourite, the Chilean Esmeralda, viewed from the deck of Simon Bolivar.
A forest of spars and rigging. The Argentine Libertad with the Brazilian Cisne Branco astern.
Libertad.
As the sun set all the ships, apart from Cisne Branco and Sagres who left their ensigns flying, began ensign lowering ceremonies.
The Mexican Cuahtémoc.
Argentine navy band about to play their ensign down.
The Spanish Juan Sebastian Elcano, a four masted barquentine and older sister ship to Esmeralda.
Esmeralda with Juan Sebastian Elcano astern. Esmeralda was originally intended to replace Juan Sebastian Elcano but due to financial problems in Spain she was sold to Chile part way through construction. Juan Sebastian Elcano was later restored. They are both magnificent ships.
Esmeralda from another angle.
Creative flaking of mooring lines aboard Esmeralda.
Sagres and Cuahtémoc.
Strip lighting in the rigging aboard Esmeralda.
Subtle up-lighting on Juan Sebastian Elcano. Esmeralda is ahead of her. Sagres and Cuahtémoc in the distance with strung bulb lighting.
Simon Bolivar.
Cisne Branco.
Libertad.
Juan Sebastian Elcano.
Esmeralda.
Sagres.
Cuahtémoc.
Passport
27/01/10 23:39
Now in possession of an about to expire passport I visted the Australian embassy in the suburb of Belgrano.
It is a lovely building but sadly the security is pretty overbearing. Mobile phones, but not ipods or cameras, have to be left in a locker at the gate. At least there is somewhere to leave them. Visitors do not find themselves with the problem described here.
One is required to talk to the receptionist through a thick glass screen and it looked as though she got to breathe different air than us humble visitors. Given heavy security on the gate I wondered why it was necessary for such drastic separation from those the staff were there to serve.
That said, the process was very quick and efficient. I was sent away to get money (cash only) and some more photographs. They didn't like the ones I had.
An hour later everything was submitted. I have to return in 10 days to collect a new passport.
It has been difficult getting Uruguayan coastal charts. I had been told about El Pulpo Negro in Beccar. An excellent shop with a large selection of charts and books in stock. They had everything I needed.
It is a lovely building but sadly the security is pretty overbearing. Mobile phones, but not ipods or cameras, have to be left in a locker at the gate. At least there is somewhere to leave them. Visitors do not find themselves with the problem described here.
One is required to talk to the receptionist through a thick glass screen and it looked as though she got to breathe different air than us humble visitors. Given heavy security on the gate I wondered why it was necessary for such drastic separation from those the staff were there to serve.
That said, the process was very quick and efficient. I was sent away to get money (cash only) and some more photographs. They didn't like the ones I had.
An hour later everything was submitted. I have to return in 10 days to collect a new passport.
It has been difficult getting Uruguayan coastal charts. I had been told about El Pulpo Negro in Beccar. An excellent shop with a large selection of charts and books in stock. They had everything I needed.
Day Trip to Colonia
26/01/10 22:31
When renewing a passport it is necessary to bring the old one. A fact overlooked in my rush to catch the bus yesterday.
The best option was a day return to Colonia on BuqueBus, booked online and costing Arg$133. I left BsAs at 09:30 and returned at 22:30 after spending about 3 hours aboard Kiriwina in Colonia.
Immigration formalities were very slick and fast. Argentine and Uruguayan immigration officers sit together and are able to process large numbers of passengers with virtually no delay. Chilean authorities please note! It can be done.
Eladia Isabel, comfortable tourist lounge with cafeteria. Other options are first class and special class. Tourist class was just fine.
Galleria space featuring live music.
Harbour entrance with Yacht Club Argentino to starboard.
Eladia Isabel was built in 1994 and enlarged in 2005. Service speed is a relaxed 10 knots with a crossing time of 3 hours.
Eladia Isabel in Colonia. Bow section. The car deck is open.
One disembarks via an old unused terminal before entering the brand new ferry terminal at Colonia.
Either there was a budget shortfall or a late supplier. The new departure lounge furnished with very second hand chairs from somewhere and old seating from one of the ferries.
Checkin was very slick. Insert a barcoded booking confirmation an out popped a boarding card.
Sunset en route Colonia Buenos Aires.
The best option was a day return to Colonia on BuqueBus, booked online and costing Arg$133. I left BsAs at 09:30 and returned at 22:30 after spending about 3 hours aboard Kiriwina in Colonia.
Immigration formalities were very slick and fast. Argentine and Uruguayan immigration officers sit together and are able to process large numbers of passengers with virtually no delay. Chilean authorities please note! It can be done.
Eladia Isabel, comfortable tourist lounge with cafeteria. Other options are first class and special class. Tourist class was just fine.
Galleria space featuring live music.
Harbour entrance with Yacht Club Argentino to starboard.
Eladia Isabel was built in 1994 and enlarged in 2005. Service speed is a relaxed 10 knots with a crossing time of 3 hours.
Eladia Isabel in Colonia. Bow section. The car deck is open.
One disembarks via an old unused terminal before entering the brand new ferry terminal at Colonia.
Either there was a budget shortfall or a late supplier. The new departure lounge furnished with very second hand chairs from somewhere and old seating from one of the ferries.
Checkin was very slick. Insert a barcoded booking confirmation an out popped a boarding card.
Sunset en route Colonia Buenos Aires.
Puerto Madero to Colonia
13/01/10 23:53
Today's forecast was for NE winds 17-21 knots backing W and then SW. I had cleared customs yesterday so we set off for immigration and the prefectura. All straight forward and we were back on board ready to go by 14:10 which meant we had to wait until the bridge opened again at 15:00.
Approaching the exit to Puerto Madero with the bridge just starting to open.
It closed as soon as we were through.
ARA Libertad in Puerto Madero.
Yacht Club Argentino.
It was a fast sail across will with 22-32 knots of wind on the port quarter (NW). More short steep seas and we only used between 2/3 and full yankee.
However, as the crew discovered, progress was not uncomfortable.
We covered 30 miles in just over 5 hours, a very fast passage for Kiriwina. At Colonia there were only 2 vacant buoys and with NW7 over a long fetch in fading light it was a job to pick up a buoy. At the third attempt we made it.
The combination of wind over tide made for a very uncomfortable motion on board. We went ashore for dinner after which Nancy and Erica opted to sleep in a hostel.
Approaching the exit to Puerto Madero with the bridge just starting to open.
It closed as soon as we were through.
ARA Libertad in Puerto Madero.
Yacht Club Argentino.
It was a fast sail across will with 22-32 knots of wind on the port quarter (NW). More short steep seas and we only used between 2/3 and full yankee.
However, as the crew discovered, progress was not uncomfortable.
We covered 30 miles in just over 5 hours, a very fast passage for Kiriwina. At Colonia there were only 2 vacant buoys and with NW7 over a long fetch in fading light it was a job to pick up a buoy. At the third attempt we made it.
The combination of wind over tide made for a very uncomfortable motion on board. We went ashore for dinner after which Nancy and Erica opted to sleep in a hostel.
Deckhead Holes
10/01/10 22:22
I discovered signs of dampness in the upper port saloon locker. It is lined with carpet which had to be removed.
The culprits were the usual suspects. Holes drilled through the deck. Most likely in the course of installing the teak deck.
I plugged the holes with a mixture of cotton wool and epoxy filler. After hosing the deck for half an hour no water came through and the carpet was glued back in place.
The culprits were the usual suspects. Holes drilled through the deck. Most likely in the course of installing the teak deck.
I plugged the holes with a mixture of cotton wool and epoxy filler. After hosing the deck for half an hour no water came through and the carpet was glued back in place.
Response
08/01/10 22:21
Waiting for a bus in Recoleta this morning when 6 police cars arrived nearby. Officers left their cars, put on bullet proof jackets, drew their side arms and entered a building.
By the time the bus arrived it was looking like a false alarm. They were leaving without anybody in custody.
By the time the bus arrived it was looking like a false alarm. They were leaving without anybody in custody.