Today is Monday the 14th of March and we docked here in Manaus overnight. Today we do not have any tours planned so we went up to the pool and swam for one hour. Then to breakfast in Lat Veranda. We were some of the last ones to eat. Most of the people are taking a tour today.
We worked on the crossword puzzles and then left the cabin so they could clean it. We then decided to take a walk into the city. They run a shuttle from the ship to the terminal building but then you have to walk. We went to the market but it was not what we expected. After walking around there we decided to try and find an area of this city with high end shops. They do not exist. At least we never found any. The weather was hot and humid so we were soaked and decided to head back to the ship.
So now a little history of Manaus…The history of the European colonization of Manaus began in 1499 with the Spanish discovery of the mouth of the Amazon River. The Spanish then continued to colonize the region north of Brazil. Development continued in 1668-169 with the building of the Fort of Sao Jose da Barra do Rio Negro by Portugal in order to ensure its predominance in the region, especially against the Dutch, at that tinge headquartered in what is today Suriname. The fort was constructed in rock and clay with four cannon guarding the curtains. It continued to function for more than 100 years. Next to the fort there were many indigenous mestizos, who helped in its construction and began to live in the vicinity.
The population grew so much that in 1695, the missionaries built a nearby chapel dedicated as Nossa Senhora da Conceical, who at the time became the patron saint of the city. On October 24 of 1848, the city was renamed City of Barra do Rio Negro. On September 4 of 1856 the governor Herculano Ferreira Pena finally gave it the name Manaus.
We have decided that this will probably be our last trip to this part of the world. We pretty much have seen what there is to see.
And today we placed third in trivia. That was a real surprise. Only got 8 correct but the winning team only had 10 correct. Some of these questions are tough. For example, what year did the term United Kingdom first get used? Who knew. Or who cares.
Dinner in Compass Rose with cocktails before in Mariner Lounge.
Docked beside us today was the Seaborne Quest. We have sailed with Seaborne twice. We like them too.
Monday, March 14, 2016
Manaus, Brazil
Manaus, the "Paris of the Jungle", is the capital of Brazil's state of Amazonas. It rests along the left bank of the Rio Negro, which merges with the mighty Amazon. It was carved from the dense jungle by rubber barons in the 19th century. It has become the ideal starting or ending point for visitors to the mid-Amazon region. Riverboats can be taken through the myriad of tributaries, estuaries and small creeks, where the richest wildlife can be seen.
We are docked here overnight. So on day one, we toured the "Meeting of the Waters'. This is where the black river of the Rio Negro meets the white water of the Amazon. It takes several miles before the waters mix. It is an interesting site.
Because the currents of the Amazon are so swift, we lost time and arrived here about one half hour later than expected. So all the tours went out a bit late. We probably got on the tour boat about 10am. The tour was supposed to be 4 hours but ours turned out to be 5 hours.
We sailed to where the waters meet and tried to spot the pink dolphin. We did see some dolphins but they did not come out of the water so not sure what color they were.
We took the large boat to the January Lake and here we got on smaller canoe like boats. They each hold 10 people. We wanted to sit with Noel and Tom but the one lady they asked to sit in the front, would not. So Bob and I ended up there and it was the best seat in the entire boat. We were all under cover so we could not understand why she would not sit in the front. At any rate, we were the ones with the best view and the best breeze.
We rode out to see the large lily pads and then a floating village. Here two young boys sold candy which we bought. It is a local candy and quite sweet. While we were in this area of the lake, our motor stopped and we had to be towed by a second boat for a bit until we were able to get our motor up and running. We think he flooded the motor. These boats have motors that are quite old. I was able to toss the rope to the other boat so I felt I was helping us all out.
Back to the larger boat and our trip back to the dock. All along the river are gas stations right in the middle of the river. Most people who live on the river have some king of boat. Manaus does not have any roads south. There is a very expensive bridge which goes north but we all called it the bridge to nowhere. And it cost 2 billion to build it. Right now the people of Brazil are protesting how the government has spent money.
Back on our ship, we had missed lunch so we cleaned up and I headed to tea and had two small tea sandwiches and some fruit. Then trivia which proved better than yesterday. We tied for first but because three teams tied, they had a tie breaker and we came in second on that.
Then Eddie, Lyn and I went to a special pre dinner show. Bob did not want to come so he headed to the suite to edit the over 300 pictures he took. The show was Grupo Imbauba. They are local musicians from the Amazon who play sound of the Amazon Rainforest. One of the instruments was a rain stick. Katie used to have one of them. The sound is quite relaxing.
I then got Bob and we headed to Mariner Lounge for our cocktails. Yea, nuts and chips are back. We are no longer in Code Red. Finally. And then dinner in Compass Rose with Risky as our server.
Back to the suite where we started watching "Bridge of Spies". Will finsih tomorrow night.
Pictures to follow.
We are docked here overnight. So on day one, we toured the "Meeting of the Waters'. This is where the black river of the Rio Negro meets the white water of the Amazon. It takes several miles before the waters mix. It is an interesting site.
Because the currents of the Amazon are so swift, we lost time and arrived here about one half hour later than expected. So all the tours went out a bit late. We probably got on the tour boat about 10am. The tour was supposed to be 4 hours but ours turned out to be 5 hours.
We sailed to where the waters meet and tried to spot the pink dolphin. We did see some dolphins but they did not come out of the water so not sure what color they were.
We took the large boat to the January Lake and here we got on smaller canoe like boats. They each hold 10 people. We wanted to sit with Noel and Tom but the one lady they asked to sit in the front, would not. So Bob and I ended up there and it was the best seat in the entire boat. We were all under cover so we could not understand why she would not sit in the front. At any rate, we were the ones with the best view and the best breeze.
We rode out to see the large lily pads and then a floating village. Here two young boys sold candy which we bought. It is a local candy and quite sweet. While we were in this area of the lake, our motor stopped and we had to be towed by a second boat for a bit until we were able to get our motor up and running. We think he flooded the motor. These boats have motors that are quite old. I was able to toss the rope to the other boat so I felt I was helping us all out.
Back to the larger boat and our trip back to the dock. All along the river are gas stations right in the middle of the river. Most people who live on the river have some king of boat. Manaus does not have any roads south. There is a very expensive bridge which goes north but we all called it the bridge to nowhere. And it cost 2 billion to build it. Right now the people of Brazil are protesting how the government has spent money.
Back on our ship, we had missed lunch so we cleaned up and I headed to tea and had two small tea sandwiches and some fruit. Then trivia which proved better than yesterday. We tied for first but because three teams tied, they had a tie breaker and we came in second on that.
Then Eddie, Lyn and I went to a special pre dinner show. Bob did not want to come so he headed to the suite to edit the over 300 pictures he took. The show was Grupo Imbauba. They are local musicians from the Amazon who play sound of the Amazon Rainforest. One of the instruments was a rain stick. Katie used to have one of them. The sound is quite relaxing.
I then got Bob and we headed to Mariner Lounge for our cocktails. Yea, nuts and chips are back. We are no longer in Code Red. Finally. And then dinner in Compass Rose with Risky as our server.
Back to the suite where we started watching "Bridge of Spies". Will finsih tomorrow night.
Pictures to follow.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
Boca da Valeria, Brazil
Saturday we anchored off Boca da Valeria, Brazil. This is an Indian village located between Parintins and Santarem.
Life here is a startling contrast to life in Brazil's modern Amazonian cities of Santarem and Manaus. This is a tiny fishing village so you would get to see and experience the culture of village life.
You need to tender and surrounding the tenders are several canoes with families begging for money.
We got to swim in the morning for one hour and then breakfast. I then went up to the Observation Lounge to knit or needlepoint and stayed there quite a while. Bob did go out and take some pictures and then he went to the village but did not stay long. We were here in 2012 and there was not much to see and the children surround you asking for money.
These are some of the small boats that come right up to the tender. Each one has a small child and a sloth. They want to get money so that you can take pictures of the sloth. You can see the guy with the hat sitting on the side of the tender holding the sloth.
They do try and get real close to the people so you can pet the sloth. Our crew tries to keep them away but it is hard to do and help us get on or off the tender.
These pictures were taken from the top deck of our ship. so we did not have to pay any money.
The tenders have to go up this small stream so that only one tender at a time can be there. The other tenders have to wait for the stream to be clear. It is too narrow for two tenders to pass.
One of the local girls doing her job to keep the boats near the tenders.
And a close up of one of the sloths. This one turns out to be a three toed sloth.
Each boat has some children on it. The sloth might be the family pet.
This young guy used it for a pillow.
You can spot our cabin by the top I have on the balcony drying. Can you spot it?
Some of the homes in the village.
And our home away from home for the past 50 some days.
The homes are built on stilts because in the rainy season, this area will be flooded.
More of the village houses.
And this is the village church.
The local animals enjoying a drink.
They did have needlepoint in the afternoon and two new ladies joined us. Mary is from Ottawa, Canada and I had met her in the Observation Lounge. I encouraged her to come. She did not know that they gave out the projects.
Trivia was hard today. Lots of questions about Europe. We only got 7 correct. And we feel lucky we got that many right.
Dinner in Prime 7 tonight. I had a crab cake and then the small plate of a seafood platter. Still too much food. So no dessert for us.
We finished watching Spotlight and I recommend it. Really well done. Lights out.
Life here is a startling contrast to life in Brazil's modern Amazonian cities of Santarem and Manaus. This is a tiny fishing village so you would get to see and experience the culture of village life.
You need to tender and surrounding the tenders are several canoes with families begging for money.
We got to swim in the morning for one hour and then breakfast. I then went up to the Observation Lounge to knit or needlepoint and stayed there quite a while. Bob did go out and take some pictures and then he went to the village but did not stay long. We were here in 2012 and there was not much to see and the children surround you asking for money.
These are some of the small boats that come right up to the tender. Each one has a small child and a sloth. They want to get money so that you can take pictures of the sloth. You can see the guy with the hat sitting on the side of the tender holding the sloth.
They do try and get real close to the people so you can pet the sloth. Our crew tries to keep them away but it is hard to do and help us get on or off the tender.
These pictures were taken from the top deck of our ship. so we did not have to pay any money.
The tenders have to go up this small stream so that only one tender at a time can be there. The other tenders have to wait for the stream to be clear. It is too narrow for two tenders to pass.
One of the local girls doing her job to keep the boats near the tenders.
And a close up of one of the sloths. This one turns out to be a three toed sloth.
Each boat has some children on it. The sloth might be the family pet.
This young guy used it for a pillow.
You can spot our cabin by the top I have on the balcony drying. Can you spot it?
Some of the homes in the village.
And our home away from home for the past 50 some days.
The homes are built on stilts because in the rainy season, this area will be flooded.
More of the village houses.
And this is the village church.
The local animals enjoying a drink.
They did have needlepoint in the afternoon and two new ladies joined us. Mary is from Ottawa, Canada and I had met her in the Observation Lounge. I encouraged her to come. She did not know that they gave out the projects.
Trivia was hard today. Lots of questions about Europe. We only got 7 correct. And we feel lucky we got that many right.
Dinner in Prime 7 tonight. I had a crab cake and then the small plate of a seafood platter. Still too much food. So no dessert for us.
We finished watching Spotlight and I recommend it. Really well done. Lights out.
Alter do Chao, Brazil
Friday we sailed up the Amazon River to a stop called Alter do Chao. It is 25 miles from the city of Santarem and named after the flat topped hill that provides a natural backdrop. It is a small island located on the Rio Tapajos. It is a popular destination for travelers. Lots of beaches.
We did not arrive until 3pm and you need to tender in so Bob and I decided to stay on board. We heard later that while the people were waiting for the tender to take them back to the ship, several people fainted. The weather was hot and humid and I guess they did not drink enough water. There was no shade in the area and the people had to stand in the sun and wait.
Noel, Bob and I played trivia as the rest of the team was onshore. And the three of us came in second.
We had dinner in Compass Rose with Noel and Tom.
After dinner we starting watching Spotlight. Really good movie. But we did not finish it and will do that tomorrow.
We did not arrive until 3pm and you need to tender in so Bob and I decided to stay on board. We heard later that while the people were waiting for the tender to take them back to the ship, several people fainted. The weather was hot and humid and I guess they did not drink enough water. There was no shade in the area and the people had to stand in the sun and wait.
Noel, Bob and I played trivia as the rest of the team was onshore. And the three of us came in second.
We had dinner in Compass Rose with Noel and Tom.
After dinner we starting watching Spotlight. Really good movie. But we did not finish it and will do that tomorrow.
Friday, March 11, 2016
Rio in Pictures part Two
When we were in Rio the first day, Bob took a walk and these are some of the sights he saw.
Part of his walk.
And this building seems to have lost its windows.
This is by the port . They are going to run a rail system to some of the events of the Olympics. Right now they are not finished.
Some of the workers taking a break.
And part of the rail system that is already in place.
Some of the buildings in Rio.
I found this building quite interesting.
I do not know what this says.
This is the Museum of the Future. It is quite an impressive building.
Another view of this building.
Inside the building. This is a globe of the world.
And outside there is this pool but it looks like algae has formed and they need to clean it up.
Isn't this an interesting building.
Just another view.
But I will say, the water around our ship is quite dirty. Rio has not found out how to clean up the waters and it is a problem for the upcoming Olympics.
Part of his walk.
And this building seems to have lost its windows.
This is by the port . They are going to run a rail system to some of the events of the Olympics. Right now they are not finished.
Some of the workers taking a break.
And part of the rail system that is already in place.
Some of the buildings in Rio.
I found this building quite interesting.
I do not know what this says.
This is the Museum of the Future. It is quite an impressive building.
Another view of this building.
Inside the building. This is a globe of the world.
And outside there is this pool but it looks like algae has formed and they need to clean it up.
Isn't this an interesting building.
Just another view.
But I will say, the water around our ship is quite dirty. Rio has not found out how to clean up the waters and it is a problem for the upcoming Olympics.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Amazon River
We had two days at sea and now we are in the Amazon River. The weather this morning was foggy and pouring rain. We skipped swimming until later so we had an early breakfast in La Veranda.
Worked on the crossword puzzles and then swam in the rain. I was only going to do a half hour but it finally stopped raining so I did the entire hour.
The rest of the day was the same as others. One good thing, we won trivia. But I was not much help. Thank goodness it is a team as others have helped out. Yesterday we came in second.
The first stop was only to take on two pilots and pay our money to travel the river. Tomorrow we stop in the first stop. This is Alter Do Chao. But we don't arrive until 3 pm so not sure we will do anything.
Tonight we are having dinner with Sydney and Steve along with Terry and her husband. I do not know them but they are friends of Sydney's. Yesterday we crossed the equator so they are having a King Neptune party before dinner. It was suppose to be by the pool but the weather says no. So the party is in the theater so we will not be going. We have crossed the equator several times.
Worked on the crossword puzzles and then swam in the rain. I was only going to do a half hour but it finally stopped raining so I did the entire hour.
The rest of the day was the same as others. One good thing, we won trivia. But I was not much help. Thank goodness it is a team as others have helped out. Yesterday we came in second.
The first stop was only to take on two pilots and pay our money to travel the river. Tomorrow we stop in the first stop. This is Alter Do Chao. But we don't arrive until 3 pm so not sure we will do anything.
Tonight we are having dinner with Sydney and Steve along with Terry and her husband. I do not know them but they are friends of Sydney's. Yesterday we crossed the equator so they are having a King Neptune party before dinner. It was suppose to be by the pool but the weather says no. So the party is in the theater so we will not be going. We have crossed the equator several times.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Recife In Pictures
Our tour was a highlight tour. So here are some pictures.
You need to come through these breakwaters in order to enter the dock area. We always had a tug nearby to make sure we stayed where we were suppose to be.
Some of the sculptures around the dock area.
There were two Costa ships here with us. They were both heading to Europe when they left today.
A nice view of the city from the dock.
Once in Olinda we visited the Cathedral. The doorway is framed with flowers. And lots of vendors selling lace tablecloths.
The inside of the Cathedral.
One of the altars in the Cathedral.
The front of the Cathedral. Notice all the people here on shore tours. The group with the number 34 is one of the Costa tours.
A view of the dock area from the Cathedral.
Our meeting point was in front of the pick house with the naked lady on top.
Back in Recife we visited the Golden Chapel. This is the altar area of the Chapel.
The entire inside of the Chapel is covered with gold leaf.
Around the inside of the Chapel you will find this lovely area.
And the outside of the Chapel with the bell tower. Around the Chapel we found lots of homeless people. We found out that the Chapel serves food for these people once a day.
You need to come through these breakwaters in order to enter the dock area. We always had a tug nearby to make sure we stayed where we were suppose to be.
Some of the sculptures around the dock area.
There were two Costa ships here with us. They were both heading to Europe when they left today.
A nice view of the city from the dock.
Once in Olinda we visited the Cathedral. The doorway is framed with flowers. And lots of vendors selling lace tablecloths.
The inside of the Cathedral.
One of the altars in the Cathedral.
The front of the Cathedral. Notice all the people here on shore tours. The group with the number 34 is one of the Costa tours.
A view of the dock area from the Cathedral.
Our meeting point was in front of the pick house with the naked lady on top.
Back in Recife we visited the Golden Chapel. This is the altar area of the Chapel.
The entire inside of the Chapel is covered with gold leaf.
Around the inside of the Chapel you will find this lovely area.
And the outside of the Chapel with the bell tower. Around the Chapel we found lots of homeless people. We found out that the Chapel serves food for these people once a day.
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