Category: Brazil

Hot again and decided to take the Shuttle Bus (free), from the ship to Copacabana Beach.

It was an interesting drive, through the modern, residential parts of the city. Big change from the port area, with wide roads and fancy apartment blocks.

Wandered around the shopping area and came across a hairdresser’s that advertised men’s haircuts.

Tried to escape but Lynne dragged me in and was told to bring me back in half an hour – just enough time for her to pop into another shop to buy a dress.

It would be a bit silly for me to invent a dialogue with the barber, where he asks “what sort of haircut do you want?” I reply “a normal Brazilian haircut” and he asks me to take off my trousers, so I won’t do that.

In fact, the haircut was quite good and done with scissors, rather than having to guess which number on the shears would least damage. Charged £5, much less than Lynne’s visit to the ship’s beauty salon.

Went for a walk along Copacabana Beach, which is amazing and very scantily clothed. Decided to paddle along, dipping our feet into the warm surf but lost concentration and was almost bowled over by a freak wave.

Stopped at a beachside bar for a snack and a drink. Someone had told me that I must try the Brazilian national drink – a Capri – something – piranha. Couldn’t resist. Very nice but mostly vodka with a bit of lime juice. Thought a bar in that location would be expensive but the total bill was around £15 – Rio is a great place and cheap!

We had booked a 4 hour tour of the highlights of Rio and Sugar Loaf and were on our way by 8:30.

The first stop was at the lift to ascend Sugar Loaf – essentially, a two stage ski lift. We arrived at around 9, to join a massive queue, where we remained for an hour, in a temperature of more than 30º and little shade. I was about to give up and catch a taxi to a beach but was prevailed upon to stick it out. We eventually got to the top, avoiding other oldies, with their walking sticks, zimmers and other paraphernalia.

It was now approaching 11 and we were told that we could spend only 20 minutes taking photographs and enjoying the view.

It was spectacular and I would not have missed it but would probably not try it again, other than by helicopter.

Drove through Rio, on the way to our final stop at the Cathedral. The old part the city, close to the port, is a bit run down and covered with graffiti but the buildings were still interesting and divided by narrow streets. We were told that many of the buildings had been used for storing and trading in the goods from the port but were made obsolete by the switch to containers.

The business district was quiet and our guide said it was due to the government having “embraced” working from home – wonder how long that will last?

The cathedral was spectacular. It was consecrated in 1999 and replaced the old one, which was demolished in 1922 – the Town Council wanted to create more land for development and flattened a hill, unfortunately, the Cathedral stood at the top of it.

Returned to the ship a bit worn out in 33º temperature.

Arrived at about 9am but had to wait for tenders, so landed in the town at around 10.

Buzios is a small and pretty resort and seemed to have plenty of Brazilian and Argentinian holiday makers, along with the Cunard passengers.

Unfortunately, no barber, so haircut will have to wait.

Walked around and bought a few things, then took a water taxi to a popular beach. It was very nice but very crowded, so returned to town centre.

Bridget Bardot was a regular visitor to Buzios and there is a statue of her on the seafront.

Out early this morning, as Lynne had an appointment for hairdo in the ship’s beauty salon.

The gym is just next door and I had looked in, when she booked. They are usually full and I had given up bothering but at this time, there were quite a few spare machines – probably something to do with the average age of the passengers and that chair aerobics was in full swing in the ballroom – followed by a game of cowboys and Indians, that they call a line dancing class.

Anyway, I found an exercise bike and cycled for about half an hour. The person next to me was relatively young, probably in his 50’s and he was giving it some wellie, pedalling furiously, with his head down and crouched over the handlebars. I was going to tell him that it was not necessary, as he was not moving and aerodynamic efficiency was not necessary. I noticed that he had tattoos on his arms, of the type marathon runners and triathletes wear, so I thought my advice would probably not be welcome.

Just made it to the Trivia in time but Lynne was still under the dryer. Score was towards the bottom end of the range and our hopes that we may become contenders are fading.

Lynne eventually appeared with her nice hairdo but was reluctant to tell me how much it had cost. She eventually said that it was £100 but that included the standard 15% service charge.

She suggested that I may like to have mine done. I said that was about 10 times what I normally paid. I would find a barber at one of our ports of call and perhaps have a Brazilian haircut in Rio – she suggested that it may not be a good idea to ask the barber for that.

Gala night again and invite to Captain’s Cocktail Party. Usual frenzy to get a drink but chatted to a few people, so not too bad.

The party was for passengers who had achieved Gold, Platinum or Diamond loyalty status. Gold is something like 50 days cruising and it goes on from there. The Captain introduced the passengers who had most days  – more than 2,300, that’s 6 years on Cunard ships. I think they were still breathing and not hauled out of the freezer for the party.

Went on to the theatre to see an Irish comedian – he tried hard but material was a bit old hat. Dancing to big band afterwards and quite late to bed.

Left the ship at around 9:30 and fought our way, through the throng of taxi drivers and tour operators, to the exit of the terminal.

The idea was to take a taxi to see a picturesque lake and then wander around the old town.

Salvador is built on a hillside that comes down to a bay. The “New Town” is around the port area and is a little decrepit. It is very hot and humid, with damp, green, mouldy walls and overgrown vegetation.

The “Old Town” is at the top of a steep hill and is reached by a large, public elevator (out of order) and two funicular railways.

Back to the plan outside the terminal was also packed with taxi drivers, though their price was US$60 for a 3 hour tour, compared to the $100, that was been asked inside.

Unfortunately, they all wanted $40 to take us to the lake, which was part of the $60 tour – we decided to take a tour but asked for a driver who could understand English, or Spanish and had a big car.

We were directed our driver (Almir), who had a big car but could not understand a word of English or Spanish – he also did not have a tooth in his head and subsequently, I came to suspect that he was dyslexic, as one one occasion, I resorted to Google translate, to ask him a question. Thinking about his name later, I began to think that he may have been a Turkish immigrant.

We managed to communicate and had a really good tour around the town(s) and the beaches. The lake we wanted to see, called El Dique of something or other, was bordered by a dual carriageway and was not that impressive.

More dancing in the evening and Lynne was asked to dance by one of the Dance Hosts (Lounge Lizards) while I sat by sulking and planning a sneaky trip to the bar. Unfortunately, she would not follow his lead in the Quick Step and was returned, prematurely, into my care.

Regrettably, I know the situation very well. All too often, I am about to launch into my “Feather” and “Locksteps”, only to find that Lynne has other ideas.

Usual sea day – Trivia, average result. Walk around the deck, with frequent stops to chat.

Captain’s cocktail party rescheduled for this evening.

It was held outside on the top deck, on a clear and balmy evening. Fewer people around than previously but still a feeding (and drinking) frenzy.

Managed to elbow my way into the queue and regrettably, succeeded in getting more than a sensible amount of red wine.

Still very warm and sticky but looking forward to arriving in Salvador on Sunday. Frequency of stops the increases to around one every other day.

Received a note about a Cunard event for “World Travellers” to be held in Buenos Aires. Had to fill in any dietary requirements and return to the reception desk but they would not tell us what the event was – rumour has it that it’s a Tango Show.

Trivia team back to full strength and continued our improved performance, with a score of 15 – just two points behind the winners. Discipline improved by restricting number of answer forms, so just the approved version is marked.

Visited the laundrette with little hope of finding a machine but surprisingly, there was one that had finished its cycle but was standing idle but with a full load of washing. The notice on the wall says that a cycle takes 45 minutes but some people simply abandon their washing, or given the age of the passengers, totally forget about and the location of the laundrette. The usual etiquette is to empty the washing into one of the baskets provided and use the machine. That is what we did and Lynne returned, 40 minutes later, to place the washed clothes in the dryer.

Unfortunately, she was met by an irate Spanish women, who started to berate her for removing her washing when she said that the cycle had not completed.

A heated discussion, in Spanish followed, with the “Señora” storming out.

Lynne left the washing in the dryer and returned to the cabin. We went to collect it about half an hour later, with me tagging along as “security”. Fortunately, there was only an English lady there and I returned with some of the washing while Lynne gave the rest a bit more time in the dryer.

No sooner had I left when the mad woman appeared again and got stuck into round two of shouting and chuntering.

Someone once told me that the most dangerous place on a ship (or boat) was the galley – due to the fire risk. On a cruise ship, it’s the laundrette.

Certainly provides a source of entertainment and looking forward to our next visit.

Very warm, sunny and humid – must be close to Equator (3º South, in fact).

Trivia team down to 4 today but achieved best ever score of 17. Could have been 18, if we had not changed the answer to one question, thinking it was a trick. Winning score  was 19, so still behind.

Captain managed to dock by midday but only after having aborted one approach and having to circle around.

As expected, long queues to go ashore for coaches to centre of Fortaleza.

Made our way to the visitor centre but decided not to take the trip to the town centre, as we would have only about half an hour, before having to get back on the bus.

We had seen some beaches from the ship and thought about taking a local taxi but when we came out of the terminal, it was like being in an oven, so retreated via the souvenir stands and returned to the ship.

Dancing and show in the evening and late to bed.