March 16 - Back in blue water

Around 4 AM we exited the Amazon River and by this morning when I woke up we were back in blue water.  It’s nice to see water that looks that way again.

After Parintins where we saw the Boi-Bumbá show we spent the next day anchored a little further down river at a place called Alter do Chão.  There didn’t appear to be much there and the only excursions offered were more zodiac ones to see birds and fish, so I spent the day onboard. In the afternoon there was a movie called River of Doubt which I went to see.  It’s the story of Teddy Roosevelt’s expedition to map a river in the Amazon rainforest in 1914.  It was fascinating and taught me a lot of history I didn’t know.

Now that we’ve left the Amazon I have some thoughts about that part of the trip.  I’m glad that I’ve seen it.  There were interesting things to see and I learned quite a bit about a part of the world of which I had only vague ideas.  Having said that, I would not book a cruise specifically to go back there.  If something I really like came along and the Amazon was part of it, I’d go but not for the river part of it.  Perhaps if I were a biologist or birdwatcher or something like that I’d feel differently.  As it is, the oppressive and constant heat combined with incredible humidity just made me feel tired and listless.  I’m happy that we’re out in the Atlantic again and there’s a fresh breeze and NO BUGS.  That’s the other thing I didn’t like at all.  During our days on the Amazon we always seemed to be batting away flies and bees and moths and…

Today we’re only 10 days away from Miami and the end of this odyssey.  It’s hard to believe because it seems like only yesterday I was flying to Santiago.  The cruise staff has all kinds of activities going on today to keep us busy.   There were two lectures in the morning about coffee and Sir Francis Drake. Next came trivia and then the Galley Market Lunch.

Have I told you about the Galley Market Lunch?  I can’t remember. If I have and you’ve read it before, skip this.  When they have this event, it’s held in the main galley.  We guests walk through the whole kitchen which has stations set up with various foods for us to take.  It’s a dangerous proposition, because it’s inevitable that you wind up with too much food on your plate because you just want to sample a little of this and a little of that.  Today there were crab legs, lobster tails, and jumbo shrimp at one station,  Sushi and sashimi at another, roast turkey and roast suckling pig, salads, veggies, grilled beef and chicken. Pastas, boeuf bourguignon, etc.  One side of the galley had nothing but cold cuts, cheeses, breads and fruits.  And then there were the desserts! Try making a choice between cherries jubilee, baked Alaska, tiramisu, and about eight different cakes and pies, plus platters of cookies. It’s overwhelming and all so good.  Here are a few photos of some of the food and the decorations along the way.

Isn't this sugar flamingo wading in marsh grass something?

Are you hungry yet?

As we entered the restaurant they were handing out Harvey Wallbangers, a drink I remember from decades ago when it was a fad drink.  I think we all need a siesta now.  In 10 days it will be time for bread and water. Speaking of which, tomorrow we’ll be at Devil’s Island, French Guyana.  I don’t think there’s much there but the former French prison so it will be another lazy day. Thank goodness! This vacationing is hard work.