Hi everyone,
Hope you are all well and everything is OK at home.
Yesterday ( 24th) we were in Fortaleza, Brazil. We thought it would be a small place, but it has around 3.5 million inhabitants! Think Toronto....
Anyway, we did not do much. We were tired. Slept in, had breakfast, then took the shuttle into town. Saw a huge craft market/shopping place that was a renovated prison. Knowing that you could then see how each ' shop' was probably a former cell, or perhaps 2. Did not buy anything, though. Took pics of a huge church that was very unique - a combo of gothic & Romanesque styles with gorgeous stained glass windows. Saw people selling their stuff on the side of the street and in the street itself. The line between ' rich & poor' is still very evident, although you can see where a middle class is developing here. It is all very interesting. Went back to the ship, had a swim in the pool, handed in our entries for the photo contest ( one for each of us) , took part in a fashion show ( modeled jewelry) and then supper. After supper we went to the theatre and watched a movie, " The Big Year| . As a result Dad & I have decided that we will try to take pictures of all the birds we see from now on, and keep a list of them all. This was actually Dad's idea - can you imagine that ??!!!!
Today was a sea day, so we were lazy. Dad got up and did his usual thing, but I slept in late, had just yogurt for breakfast, then read my book on deck for a while. This is only the 4th book so far, which is shocking considering I usually read that many in a week at home. Just goes to show you how busy things are on board. Had afternoon tea at 3 with Dad- ate too much. When we got back to the room we found a note saying I had been nominated for "Raspberry Award for most unique photograph", our spoof of the Academy Awards. This was very exciting news. Took in 2 classes on wellness later on. Decided we were still too full to go to supper at 5.30 so decided to order our selections for room service later on at 7.15. This is the first time we did it- it was really quite lovely eating quietly with the ipod playing in the background. Got ready for the awards show- it was great- there were categories for talent/ performance, funniest travel experience, least romantic experience, best joke, and most unique photograph. Each category had 3 nominees. I won for the photo we submitted of jellyfish. I was so excited that I forgot my ' acceptance speech' when I went up and so bumbled around like an idiot. Got a bottle of champagne and a ' goody bag' with Holland America memorabilia. Thought I might ask to get together with some of the other "photo people" I have met on board to share the bottle together. I have attached the photo- tell me what you think. Anyway, by then it was late, so we went back to the cabin and ordered some hot water for tea, and here I am writing you.
Interesting thing - we are on water rationing while we are in the Amazon because the on board water purification plant can't use water from the Amazon so we had to fill up in Fortaleza and that water has to last us for the entire time we are there- today until March 3rd, when we can dock to take on fresh water again. The self-serve laundry is closed, so hopefully we will not run out of underwear or anything. the current joke is if we don't take our daily showers the mosquitoes will leave us alone because we will smell like the surroundings. Someone else suggested communal showers to save water!
Guess there will be a 'run' on the washers and driers on the 4th.
Tomorrow we arrive in Belem, and are booked to go on a 5hr 'River Cruise' up the Amazon's smaller channels with a 45 minute jungle walk. We have been warned it will be hot, with frequent short showers. And mosquitoes. We started taking our anti-malaria pills today. We have to take them for 13 days now. So far so good.
Anyway, that's it for now. Will write more later.
Miss you all . Thanks for taking are of things while we are away.
Love, Mom & Dad
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