April 25, 2015 ALTER DO CHAO

Today we were suppose to anchor off Alter Do Chao Brazil.

Unfortunately, when they sent out the first tender it was noted that the water was too shallow and they did not have a proper dock for us so we  did not get in.

Someone who was quite perturbed was complaining that they got in in 2009 after the worst drought.  Another women looked at this women who is quite heavy and said “Well we might have gotten in when we left Miami 4 months ago but now that everyone has gained so much weight there is no way these tenders are not touching bottom.  I had to laugh!  Instead we picked up anchor and headed up the river to Santarem which we had changed our itinerary to dock here later today as we need to take on some clean water.

It seems there was some issue with water.  We were asked to please conserve water.  The laundry rooms were closed as always in the Amazon as they are not allowed to dispose of “Grey water”  I know there was some kind of water main break in the Men’s room on deck 7 the other day as the water was pouring out of the bathroom and I was told there was one up in Palm court.  This could have been part of the problem.  So as soon as the Captain got clearance we headed to Santarem.  We were able to dock there and we got in around 3:30pm.  We decided to go and have a look as we are scheduled for a tour tomorrow morning.  The Shuttle bus took us to a park and we walked all around.  There was a market and shops.   Did not buy anything and we took the Shuttle Bus back to the ship.

This evening we have reservations in Silk Road and have invited Leanne (my personal torturer and Jalena from shore excursions to be our guests. 
It was so HOT and HUMID I couldn’t wait to hit the showers when we returned and get ready for dinner.

We had a great time with these two special ladies!  One has kept me in shape and the other has kept is in tours!  We now have an overnight in Santarem and hopefully they were able to get the water we needed!

Tomorrow we have an early morning tour so more on that tomorrow

Good Night and God Bless

Bill, Leanne my personal trainer, Jelena our shore excursion wizard and me enjoying a great dinner in Silk Road!

APRIL 23, 2015 At Sea

April 24 2015 MACAPA, BRAZIL

Today we anchored off the coast of Macapa Brazil which was a maiden voyage for the Crystal Serenity. 

We were talked out of booking a tour so we were going to go in by ourselves.  The great claim to fame here is you can stand with one foot in the southern hempisphere and one in the northern.  

Since Crystal has never been here before no one knew what to expect and we were told a lot of different answers.  We were told we had to take the tender over to the shuttle and then a cab to the spot.  We were told that when the first tender went over they were still constructing the dock.  they were  not ready for 800 people!

As the weather was hot, humid and raining on and off we decided that we did not need a picture of us in both hemispheres and we stayed on the ship and relaxed.

Some of our friends got drenched so were happy we did not get off.  Another friend who did not  get off also said our bodies have been in two different hemispheres for a while !  Most people who came back told us we did not miss anything.  One of the women said that they had all the kids who are learning English around to help since most adults don’t speak it.

We played backgammon and had a nice relaxing day.  Probably the first relaxing day we have spent without having to rush somewhere!  Since we  arrived here after 12 noon and no one was allowed off the ship till almost 1:30 (still constructing the dock) and we had to be back at 5:30 it just didn’t seem worth getting wet over!

Tonight is the last time for this WC we will get to see Across the Pond!  We had a great dinner and we headed to the show!

Another great day!  Tomorrow we will anchor off Alter Do Chao Brazil.

Bring it on!

The Mighty Murky Muddy Amazon River that makes the Jersey Shore look like the Caribbean!

April 22, 2015

Today was a “Behind the Scenes” Tour for the full World Cruisers.  They do this every year and they try to change up where you go.  This year we got to see the Engine Room and some more of the back offices.  What they didn’t do this year was behind the stage tour.  It was held in the afternoon for everyone not just the world cruisers.   In years past when we have been on either as segmenters or for the full wc in 12 they had many more exclusive to world cruisers affairs.  Cocktail parties, mixers, dinners and shows.  There were none of those this time only the first mixer and the two shoreside events.  We were told that people who were on for a segment only complained.  Well one of the enticements to do a full world cruise were the special things they had for you.  If this is gone I am wondering if people will continue to do them.  Where is the incentive?  All right enough complaining as I am enjoying every minute of it just haven't been wowed like they advertised!

Anyway it was a great tour we had band leader Raphael as our guide and he was extremely funny.  He kept getting lost and he walked us into the Captain’s quarters and the captain wanted to know “what the heck” we were doing there.  Raphael said the tour says to go there and he is showing the captain the paper and the paper says senior officers quarters.  The captain who has proved to have a fabulous sense of humor says” They don’t need to come in they have all been in here before! So we headed into the bridge.  I got a few pix and had to head to PT ( not physical therapy )it is personal torture.

I completely forgot about the backstage tour oh well.  Glad I saw that in 12!

Another sea day tomorrow.  I have decided that   I am going to make an IMOVIE about our Safari.  I have made a couple of trailers but never the movie from scratch this should be interesting.  If you hear screaming it is just me being frustrated and throwing my laptop and Ipad overboard!

As Scarlett would say “Tomorrow is another day”]

Good night and God Bless.  I don't have the photos on this computer so I am going to go ahead and post without them and try o edit them in later.

April 20, 2015 Salvador de Bahia

Today we are in Salvador de Bahia which in the 1600s was the capital of Brazil.  This consists of two cities.  The upper city (old part of the town) and the lower city (new part where the dock is)  We were told we didn’t need a tour so we just walked around a little in the lower city and took the elevator up to get to the upper city.  Here the streets are all cobblestones and lined with shops that sell very colorful things.  We headed to the oldest church in Brazil and ran into Mihi( ship’s photographer) he was taking pictures of people in front of the church.  It was quite hot and humid so we asked him if he would like something to drink.  We found a place to purchase a can of coke and brought it back to him.  We walked all around the upper city and stopped for a water break!  We ran into people who were on the tour and having a beer, soda or water at the same outdoor café we were at,  we went into one of the stores and lo and behold it was airconditioned (nothing is here especially busses) one of the women said this is very upscale it is like Neiman Marcus.  Half the ship were in there  no one wanted to go back out into the humidty!  Salvador had a completely different feel than Rio and I totally enjoyed it  Loved all the bright colors everywhere.  We ended the day in the market but hold on to your hats I didn’t buy a thing!  we were happy to head back to the ship and have a late lunch!

We will now have 3 in a row sea days.  I need these to relax.  It means we will have computer classes and I will work out with Leanne! So I am not sure when the relaxation comes in.  It will also give me some time to start on my project!

I am going to need a vacation after this!!!!!

Marketplace in Salvador

Elevator to upper city

April 19^th @ Sea  Black Tie Optional

Sea Days are the best.  We started our day with 2 lectures and they were great.  Before we knew it lunch time was upon us.  We had our computer university course today the first one of this the last segment of the world cruise.  Where has the time gone.  It has really really gone fast!  In class we have been given our final project and told that there will be a graduation ceremony on April 29^th with caps and music and all!

It has been a little rocky today so instead of the production show we will have a violionist.  We had a great dinner and I decided I was done in so after dinner Bill headed to the cigar lounge and I headed up to the room to read and relax and try to finish my knitting project!  As my fingers are all numb and pins and needles this has been a huge frustrating project but I want to finish it.

Tomorrow we will be in Salvador de Bahia which use to be the capital of Brazil.  Looking forward to this.

Good night and God Bless