Alter Do Chao/Santarem and Boca De Valeria- Amazon River

Well the Alter bit was primarily a beach stop. A sandbar directly in front of the town forms a picturesque white-sand island. 

It has a pop of approx 150,000 but where they were yesterday (Sun) who knows. Most we saw were in the water. It serves as a weekend retreat for the  people of Santarem. This place we will visit on our way back out of the Amazon in a couple of days. It was very very very hot!!!! Luckily I put on sunscreen and my bathers and sarong so it wasn’t as bad as the ones with the long pants etc. Of course it had a Cathedral, nearly had enough of those!

Today we anchored at Boca, a village nestled on a 400’ hill overlooking the Amazon. Its an Indian village located between Parintins and Santarem. Is a small settlement of about 100 people!!!!! yes why did we stop here?  who knows, but we tendered to shore and were greeted by the whole village. Lots of kids from babies to 12 year olds all wanting to touch your hands in the hope that maybe you’d put $1 in it for them. They live very simply and I mean simply, although they have big saucers in their yards! (satellite dish)

The locals glide their canoes thru the meetings of the waters (part negro and part yellow) which is quite amazing, and while we’re trying to get on the tenders, they’ve got wildlife etc they’re holding hoping you want to take a photo for $1.

It also has a church and a school but nothing much else. The houses on stilts are very poorly furnished. It was a great experience and not as hot as the days before.

This little boy is holding a sloth (like a monkey that people take a photo for $1 of course)

The Amazon is massive with not a lot of passing ships during our trip, although most of everything is bought in by ship. Its been an unusual day and one to be remembered.
We were fortunate enough to see a pod of pink dolphins, yes pink, a great experience, no photo as they were too quick. Check it out on google.

Tomorrow we dock at Manaus for an overnight stay. More to come from the assistant blogger, yes I do do it from time to time and guess you all know when its me. Chow!

Entering the mouth of the Mighty Amazon River

We are at sea for 3 days following our last visit to Fortaleza a very large City of 4 Mill. people.
We aren't going into a description of this place it would be really exaggerating if you called it a beautiful City as our guide did. It is a filthy place, people everywhere and rubbish scattered all over the place.
The beach is closed for swimming because of the pollution. It does have a very nice Cathedral, but apart from that it is better left untold!
Yesterday we crossed the equator again and the ceremony of King neptune was a lot of fun like last time. As we make our way up the Amazon we actually cross it again and then again on our way out.
It is so strange to see the way the water circulates in the sink, anti clockwise on the northern side of the equator, but it happens truly!!!
The river at the moment is 75 meters deep but this morning when we came over the bar at full tide there was only 15 feet under the keel.
We go up the River for 1000 miles and it averages 40 miles wide. We have a lot to learn about this amazing place over the next week.
Our next port of call is Alta de Chao and we don't get there until 4pm tomorrow afternoon.

This is where Tony loses 350 calories each morning!

This is where most of it is put on!!!!!!
The pictures of the bars will have to wait until we take some more!
"See you around, Chow!!!!!
This is what the Captain (Italian) says on his daily broadcast

Salvador de Bahia - Brazil

Didn’t get into Salvador until 1pm. Salvador used to be the capital City of Brazil but was moved to Rio centuries ago. The parts of the City we saw were called Middle Class but houses very dilapidated. There are 3 classes (higher, middle and poverty) we saw many slum areas but unfortunately we didn’t see any of the higher class areas at all. 

Bused around the area and then we were taken on a walking tour along very badly broken cobble stones. Sure didn’t do my feet or legs any good. Mainly went to 3 churches, one was made inside with heaps of gold. There are 365 churches in Salvador, you’d need 6 months to check them all out. They are very old churches so of great interest to many. Some of the picture tiles in the courtyards were very good. The architecture was really good and worth seeing, but overall the City is in need of some renovation. 

Stopped at a market after taking others back to ship and wandered around there for awhile with another girl. Same old stalls, not a lot of anything nice.

Last night we had another pool party which was a very happy event similar to those we had already attended. Band was a little noisy but at least it got the people up and dancing. Danced until it ended at 10pm, not bad for a couple of old ducks.

Today we’re at Sea again and its quite pleasant and calm. Have already played bowls and golf and Tony to a lecture on the Olympics 2016 which are being held in Rio de Janeira.

Have another block party tonight, so its like meeting all the newcomers, although a lot don’t come out for a drink.

We go to Rio, Rio, Rio de Janeiro and At the Copa, Copa Copacobana da da da!

Sugarloaf at dawn.

Everyone was on deck at 6 am as we sailed into the natural harbour of Rio. What a sight, Sugarloaf Mountain, Corcovado Mountain and the statue of the Christ Redeemer all aglow plus the lights of downtown Rio. It's a huge City with areas of lovely architecture and then the Shanty Towns with many slum area's. Sure is a difference between the rich and poor.

Not a good photo, but there are several areas of these slums and they are a City of their own over 180,000 people live there and the police don't go there, no wonder we didn't do too much walking around Rio!

This is Gloria's photo of the delightful sunrise as we sailed into Rio (what a photo) Tony was down in the gym getting the surplus off)

Sugar loaf Mountain from below.

The cable cars, there are 2 sets one to a smaller peak 220 meters high and then another right to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain which is 396 meters high, another experience to behold. Only downside we queued for about 2 hours in the sun and it was 38 degrees!We had a typical Brazilian lunch in Impanema, a suburb which consisted of about 20  different salads and then the waiters brought out all of these long skewers about 2 feet long with chicken, beef, ribs, quail and then sliced off portions onto your plate with a huge knife. Bit frightening. Phew we were up to here!

Our photo of the Statue at Corcovado Mountain  of Christ the Redeemer. We rode a cog wheel train for 20 minutes to the base and then an elevator plus 4 sets of escalators to the statue.

Yesterday there were 5 ships in port and docked behind us was Oceania Insignia, the ship we cruised the Norwegian fjords in July last year. What a coincidence,  sure brought back some fond memories we had on that trip.

A view from Corcovado looking down on sugarloaf Mountain. What fabulous views.

A carnival girl at the cable car station.

Here we are on Corcovado Mountain with some of Rio fantastic scenery behind.

The 4 mile famous Copacabana Beach from Sugarloaf Mountain.(below)

Buzios - Brazil

Today we awoke to another great day, the islands around here are very picturesque,  but the seas were about 1-1/2 metres and when you are anchored it makes it difficult to get people on and off the tender when its bucking and rocking. The Captain repositioned the ship once again and it made little difference to us but everyone made their way onto shore for schooner trips or trolley trips (HOHO). Was pretty rocky which as you know I hate and it frightens me. Anyway made it safely to shore and wandered about.

 It was a very picturesque place, nice cobbled streets (very hard on the feet) and not too hot. Lots of good clothing stores and many many shops full of thongs (feet) and beach wear. Restaurants glore along the shoreline and  empty bars that I’m sure had a great trade during Mardi Gras. It was little more than a fishing village until the 1960’s when Brigitte Bardot holidayed here to escape the paparazzi. Things have never been the same since the star’s visit. Buzios boasts a temperate climate, vibrant nightlife and 23 beautiful beaches along its 8 km peninsula. We walked along the Orla Bardot which brings you to a bronze statue of a seated woman looking out over the cobalt blue  waters. This is the statue of the movie star who put the city on the map.

 Bardot, constantly hounded by the press said Buzios was the one place where she was able to relax. She stayed in Buzios until a photographers candid shots allowed the international press to discover her, and, in turn, Buzios. We spent a bit of time trying to find a battery for my phone as it is charging then running out the next day. No luck so will try in Rio tomorrow. How exciting to be going there eh!!!! 

The Circumnavigators Barbeque Disaster

There was an evening for the circumnavigators on the forward deck (Those doing the full 72 days) and it was all set up with this magnificent ice carving of Christ with outstretched arms that is situated on the mountain overlooking Rio. Have a look at what happened, Tony was right alongside at the time. Luckily no one was injured, only some beautiful food and hundreds of plates!

 Now you see the beautiful food and ice carving.

Now you see the disaster when the ice carving toppled onto the food, plates etc.

Some of the Aussies on board, the gentleman on the right is a highly decorated ex Air force Officer, a real gentleman as well.

An interesting group. Left is Annabelle from Brisbane (recently sold a large coal seam gas company) Two in the middle use to own a pharmacy at Sunnybank in Brisbane, the two on the right are John and Angela Bruce who own a large beef cattle farm in Stanley Tasmania.

Tony and Gloria acting up as in "the Titanic"!!!!
Wed. 22nd Feb. in Parati (pronounced parachee)
Last night we sailed exactly 28 miles to reach Parati in fact all he did was sail around in circles, seems like a waste of fuel. Today we did a schooner ride around some of the many islands in this area. Tony enjoyed it because it gave him some swimming practise in this clear warm blue water. Very nice, Gloria wasn't so happy the schooner didn't want to stop rocking and she wasn't into swimming!

The type of schooner we were on. Oh bugger how did this photo below get on here!!!!!!!!!!

Oh this was nice!!!

A few days from steamy Brazil!!!

                                          John Deere harvesters at Rio Grande and dancers doing  a show for us.

Well we’re back in the tropics and the weather is just like home hot and humid although we have had no rain.Since we left Rio Grande we have ben to Porto Bello, Santos, and Iiha Grande, we don’t get to Rio until Friday 24th.

Porto Bello was fun we tendered ashore and caught a cable car from the beach at Camboriu over a rain forest mountain and down to the beach at Laranjeiras where you’ve never seen wall to wall people. It was impossible to see the beach as there were literally hundreds of beach umbrellas, (see pic.) and thousands of people. It was unbelievable.

We visited  Santos the port for Sao Paulo (21 mill) where we did a highlights of the City.

Umm it’s not the prettiest place on earth obviously because it is very Industrial, however we went to an aquarium (yuk) and then went to the Santos Football Club stadium and Museum. Santos is one of the worlds best soccer teams, it was quite an eye opener for a non soccer fan. Josh would have loved it! WE finished up at the Coffee museum a former palace (1922) which was where they trade coffee, it was quite interesting although the guide was very hard to understand. There was a  trading floor where the coffee beans were auctioned and some lovely stained glass and murals.  

We visited a little island called Iiha Grande only 150 kms. to Rio but very much like the Whitsunday's, trees right down to the sea. There were no excursions so we went ashore by tender and spent about an hour there, it was hot, but quite pleasant with heaps of young tourists. It is Carnival time in Brazil and we were unaware that each City or Town all have there own carnival, we saw lots of floats at Santos yesterday. It finishes  today Tuesday, they certainly know how to enjoy themselves in Brazil.

Some very choice real estate in Santos taken from our cabin balcony! Nice place!!!!!!!!!!!

Well were now into our 46th day and still no sign of homesickness, it makes life easier when you have free internet and Gloria has been able to ring her mother  every few days. everyday is a new day, we have met many people and its is a lovely ship, the girth is slightly larger not too bad, but there will be some heavy dieting on our return!!!!

The duo on the way from BA back to Montevideo, Punta de Este and Rio Grande Brazil

This is a short video of the Devil's Throat Fall. Very amateurish but was very exciting.

Well after all the excitement of the Iguazu Falls, we left BA to go back to Montevideo where we took an excursion provided by our agent and saw a different side of Montevideo than we saw on the previous visit. We saw the best beaches so far, some very nice real estate and had the fortune to visit the famous Solis Theartre built in 1856 with features we have never seen before, magnificent chandeliers, the individual boxes the patrons use and the colours were amazing. We then travelled to a vineyard where we tasted some lovely Uruguayan wine, had a lovely lunch and drank some more wine. We were then entertained by a couple of Tango dancers, Tony was selected to have a dance with the lady guess it was an experience. yesterday we spent the day in a tourist resort called Punta de Este a very minor version of the Sunshine Coast, lots of nice beaches, some huge mansions where many of the rich Brazilians come for their summer vacations. Visited an art gallery which is not our normal vocation, but the artwork was something special, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Amongst the art were two gardens of bronze statues see the photo of 2 little girls but there would have been 50 more of different poses.
Today we are in our first Brazilian City, Rio Grande, we were told it is not so nice, more of a stopover to get through the formal immigration approvals, apparently Brazil is very strict and if it is left to do in Rio de Janeiro the delay can be anything up to 8 hours. We've chosen to stay aboard, we are still recovering from the falls visit and with another sea day tomorrow we should be ready to "go to Rio" in a few days.

                                                    Tony and the tango Dancer in Montevideo.

                                                A crazy bridge in Punta de Este

                                               Bronze statues in the gardens of the art gallery
                                                2 little kids feeding a squirrel.

                                          Statues of the hand on the beach in Punta de Este

Day two of the adventure to the Iguazu Falls

Early rise and 8.30 am start by walking from the Hotel about one and half km. to catch the ecological train to the beginning of a 1.5 km. catwalk that takes you over all the Iguazu River and tributaries to where it crashes over at Devil’s Throat. The walk is flat and easy to do except on the way back hordes of people had decided that they would go there too. From the top of the falls you can look back to see the Sheraton in exactly the reverse we saw when we arrived the day before.

There have been many highlights of the Iguazu Falls and if you had to choose going under the falls and this event watching the torrents of water crashing over at Devil’s Throat these had to be the two best.

After maneuvering back across the catwalk, we then caught the train back to do what is known as the Upper Circuit another catwalk that takes you to all the different smaller falls that we saw on our way down to catch the rubber ducky the day before. Each of them were very spectacular. We arrived back at the Hotel in time to shower,change have another lunch and then off to the airport to catch the plane back to Buenos Aires.

No dramas this time, plane on time and then back to the ship by 6.30pm. Luckily the Captain had agreed to hold the ship from a 5pm departure until we got back. What an adventure, thoroughly exhausted, tired but so pleased 20 of us were able to see this magnificent wonder of this amazing world. 

A strange happening on the way to the Iguazu Falls Argentina

Maybe you didn’t read about it at home, but we have a local paper to prove it, with pictures and a two page spread about our happenings on the way to the falls.

Our 2 day trip to Iguazu Falls commenced early at 6.45 am Monday when we assembled to go to the Domestic Airport at Buenos Aires to fly to Iguazu. A quick trip to the airport to find out the plane was delayed three quarters of an hour, exactly the same as the 4 flights to the other destinations taken so far to Quito and Machu Picchu. That‘s okay, so we board the plane and set off taxiing to the runway. Almost get there and Bang a very major thump, everyone looks at each other “what was that”! Soon after the Captain comes on to inform us that another plane has crashed into us as it was taxiing to the terminal after landing. Well the upshot to that was, back to the terminal, the flight was cancelled and we spent another 2 hours waiting for another flight. Meantime some of the group decided that they would prefer to go back to the ship, so 9 of them had a barney with the guide and then off they went.

We eventually landed at Iguazu at 3.30 pm, 4hours late and checked into the Sheraton at the falls and immediately saw what was to amaze us for the next day. This magnificent sight of water crashing down into the river. Every room in the hotel has a view of the Devils Throat,  the largest and most ferocious of the 200 odd falls we were to see.

We were told we would see everything we came for, just juggled around a bit.

The first excitement came when we walked from the hotel about a kilometer to about 300 steps that led us down to the river viewing numerous large waterfalls where we caught a large rubber ducky (40 pax) to view them from river level.

We knew we were going to get wet as the boat gets close to the falls and the spray, but we weren’t aware that we would go underneath Devil’s Throat with the full force of the falls on top of us TWICE. What excitement everyone screaming, laughing and drowned. (they gave us rubber bags to put our belongings and cameras etc so they wouldn’t get wet).

Oh, how fabulous, we then went off down a large number of rapids about 8 kms. to then climb back up another set of stairs to get on a open back truck where we drove back to the Hotel through a rain forest. By this time it was about 6.30 enough time to shower and change and then have a magnificent dinner. What a day!!!! Oh not sure we can continue onto tomorrow because all this will become boring to read. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode!!!!!! More piccies too!!!!!