On the Road - by Bob Van Leer

Santiago 2-9-03 Medford to Chile

By Bob Van Leer

(SANTIAGO, CHILE, Feb. 9, 2003) - This is the capital of Chile, which occupies the southern half of the west coast of South America. Betty and I arrived here today after a long flight from Los Angeles aboard an Airbus 340 operated by LAN Chile, the Chilean national airway.

Coquimbo, Chile 2-10-2003 Grapes and Pisco

By Bob Van Leer
(Coquimbo, Chile, Feb. 10, 2003) - We arrived here this morning after an overnight sail from Valparaiso and Betty and I took a tour up the Elqui Valley. We had never heard of the Elqui before but discovered the valley supplies part of our food supply.

Gen. San Martin, Peru 2-14-2003 Inca Settlement

By Bob Van Leer
(General San Martin, Peru, Feb. 14, 2003) - This morning we were driven to Tambo Colorado, an Inca settlement that pre-dates the Spanish conquest of Peru. We were told that Tambo is the best preserved Inca settlement. Most walls are still intact.

At Sea 2-18-2003

By Bob Van Leer
(At Sea, Feb. 18, 2003) - We are in our second day at sea on our trip from Lima, Peru, to Easter Island. The island is one of the most remote places on earth, situated over 2000 miles from the South American mainland to its east and 1100 miles from Pitcairn Island to the west.

Easter Island 2-20-2003 Moai of Easter Island

By Bob Van Leer
(Easter Island, Chile, Feb. 20, 2003) - Today we toured Easter Island, a highlight of our tour across the Pacific, and by some accounting the most remote place on earth.

Pitcairn Island 2-23-2003 Mutiny on the Bounty

By Bob Van Leer
(Pitcairn Island, Feb. 23, 2003) - This is the island made famous by Fletcher Christian, leader of the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. Christian wrested control of the British navy ship, Bounty, and set Capt. Wm. Bligh and 18 seamen who supported him adrift in an open boat with a week's provisions. Bligh, after an epic sail of more than 3000 miles, made it to safety.

Papeete, Tahiti 2-26-2003 Traffic Jams in Polynesia

TRAFFIC JAMS IN POLYNESIA
By Bob Van Leer
(Papeete, French Polynesia, Feb. 26, 2003) - Our first stop in French Polynesia was the capital, Papeete, (pronounced paah-pay-eh-tay) located on the island of Tahiti. This a bustling city of 69,000 residents and 4000 French soldiers, according to the ship's Daily Program.

At Sea 3-4-2003 Heading Toward New Zealand

By Bob Van Leer
(At Sea, South Pacific, March 4, 2003) - Yesterday at about 2 p.m. we crossed the International Dateline so March 3 disappeared. We went from Sunday, March 2, to Tuesday, March 4. The reason for this is it was required by standardization of time.

Auckland, N.Z. 3-5-2003

By Bob Van Leer
(Auckland, New Zealand, March 5, 2003) - As our ship, Amsterdam, approached New Zealand, the country was subjected to what was to them a devastating blow. New Zealand lost the America's Cup to, of all countries, landlocked Switzerland.