January 12, 2006 - My last email introduced everyone to the city of Recife, Brazil. After such a busy day, we enjoyed 2 days at sea before arriving Rio. OH - Rio was absolutely wonderful. Yes, it's a big city (about 4 million). Because it's surounded on 3 sides by water, and very mountainous, there are lots of "villages" snuggled between the hills and mountains that make the city sprawling. We had a private car-driver take us to Sugar Loaf Mountain. You get to the top by cable car that's in two stages with a small overlook in between. The weather cooperated and the view was spectacular. Of course it was a busy day, but we actually caught it just in time before the tourists arrived. Martha, our hostess was very nice and explained a lot about life in Rio. It's very expensive - especially along the beaches. Oh yes, the beaches - Copacabana is no longer THE place but Ipanema is certainly popular even with the locals. The locals really enjoy the outdoors. On weekends, many streets are closed to autos to allow bikers, joggers, walkers, etc enjoy the outdoors. There are so many activities - bike paths, roller blading, board walk, beach, swimming. It's all there. Martha took us to a wonderful local restaurant for lunch "Casa Feijoada". Feijoada is served family style and includes: black beans with pork, beef ribs, sausage and spices that have been soaking at least 4 days then cooked slowly, served with rice and fried manioc flour and collard greens. Well, it was different and filling. We learned the accepted way to get a waiter's attention - you snap both fingers at the same time...snap, snap...Can you imagine doing that in NYC?
Our second day gave us the opportunity to visit the Botanic Gardens and Corcavado which is the other mountain where the statue "Christ the Redeemer" is. What a view. It's one of those places that takes your breath away standing ontop of the world and looking up to the statue. We wanted to see the sunset up there but it was just too busy to get the trolley car in time. But there was no shortage of places to witness a beautiful sunset.
Sailing from Rio, we once again had 2 days at sea before arriving Montevideo, Uraguay. We found out that Uraguay was established first as a buffer between Brazil (Portugese) and Argentina (Spanish) and in the mid 1800's they gained independance. Rio is really not a good port because of the dredging necessary to keep it open and Buenos Aires is actually on a river rather than close to the ocean but Montevideo has the perfect port - naturally deep water and close to the ocean. It is considered the busiest of the three. Montevideo has beautiful old homes and wide boulevards with a great deal of French influence such as the street lights, wrought iron gates and kiosks in the parks.
Their largest industry is cattle breeding and beef export, as well as beautiful leather goods. By the looks of things, little was left in the shops by our passengers as they boarded the shop....lots and lots of shopping bags.
Well, we are now in Buenos Aires and settling in for 2 days before heading to Iguazu Falls for another few days and then home. So - I will say good bye for now and catch up with everyone most likely when I return to the states.
Thanks for your emails. Keep in touch.
Joyce

January 6, 2006 - Greetings from just outside Rio. As promised, here is a report of our week onboard the MV Discovery. http://www.voyagesofdiscovery.com/ The company - Discovery World Cruises has a fleet of one - the MV Discovery. It was built in the 1980's and sailed for many years in the Princess fleet as the Island Princess, sister ship to the Love Boat - Pacific Princess. When full, she carries 600 passengers but we have just about 400. The staff and crew are great. I'm very impressed with the service onboard. The food, while not gourmet - is good. The staterooms are spacious with all of the creature comforts of home. However, they do have a problem with communications onboard and only yesterday did we have internet service since my last email to everyone. How this internet has changed things...we all felt like we were set adrift and never going to connect with the outside world again. But now all is back in working order. The company is working hard to provide cruises that appeal to destinations rather than the beer parties by the pool. So - take a look at their web site for interesting, informative vacations offered with great discounts. But enough of the fleet - our days at sea were great. While sailing the Amazon, we crossed the Equator 3 times...until finally now in the Southern Hempishere - and YES the drains swirl backwards. We also jumped back and forth with our clocks...one hour ahead, then 2 behind and again ahead. The average temperature is 88 (air and water). A cricket has hitched a ride onboard so every evening on the Lido deck you can hear the lonely guy singing away...actually it's quite nice.
After days at sea, we stopped at the city of Recife - it is just under the "elbow" of Brazil (thus the armpit for no other reason). Five rivers flow around and through the city of 1.5 million people - emptying out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the capital of the province (there are 5) and a major port. Besides the pristine beaches, the old prison and the beautiful San Francisco Monastery (1606), some of the architecture is beautiful - especially in the small village of Olinda (Oh, Beautiful) - the original capital from 1535. The entire village is now a Unesco Heritage Sight with carved doors and latticed balconies overlooking shaded streets. The buildings are just gorgeous and nicely maintained. Not to miss a bargain, I bought a beautiful hammock at the local market in Olinda. We learned that locals travel with their hammocks when sailing on the boats up and down the Amazon. All sleep out of doors and "reserve" the area to hang their hammocks on one of three decks (first class being the top deck with more room between hammocks). We heard about interesting situations of people having a bit too much to drink on the boat and not being able to find their own hammock so just climbing into any available (or roomy) one nearby. After our tour, we returned to the ship and have spent another 2 days at sea. Tomorrow - IT'S RIO. And keeping with typical Joyce style, I met a very nice family from Rio who have invited our group of 4 on a special personal tour of this famous city. On our list of course is Sugar Loaf (famous mountain composed of solid granite standing 1293' ) andCorcovado - with the remarkable statue of Christ the Redeemer (we will save that for the sunset). We are also thinking to stop at the Carmen Miranda Museum (remember? - the fruit lady). We overnight in Rio and leave Sunday afternoon with yet 2 more days at sea. Will report back then. Thank you for all of your emails and prayers.
Joyce

Dec 31, 05 - HAPPY NEW YEAR as we are sailing down the Amazon River - the longest and biggest river in the world. Recently they found the source of the Amazon in the Andes Mountains of Peru which then flows through Brazil and finally into the Atlantic Ocean. It has such a strong current, that it's flow is up to 6 1/2 miles per hour and pushes the Atlantic Ocean over 100 miles away from shore by its force. It's dark chocolate brown is from the clay along the banks and sediment it picks up along the route. There are many tributaries and rivers that flow into the Amazon. We have been on two - the Negro River and oops sorry can't remember the other at the moment - the sun is getting to me. One can clearly see these rivers meet the Amazon because they are dark blue and there is a definate line that separates the rivers at the junctions.
There are few roads in Northern Brazil...most routes are via the water - even children take canoes to school. The scene that will be in my mind for a long time is of a family along the tributary (they have lots and lots of children) living in a small wooded structure with palm leafed roof, a bucket on a rope to draw water from a well and no electricy. The mother was washing clothes by hand in a large basin, the children were herding some water buffalo and the father with his sons were in a dugout canoe casting nets for fish. A closer look at the father and we see technology at it's finest hour as he is talking on a cell phone.
Took a wonderful shore excursion this morning of Maica Lake to see gray dolphins as well as pink ones. (yes there are PINK). Saw Iguanas, vultures, falcons, parots, and even went fishing for pirahnas. Dad, your lessons of fishing paid off - I caught the most - 3. Total of 5 were caught by a group of 25 people. The crew fried up the fish for us to taste. No, it doesn't taste like chicken....like flounder actually but with LOTS of bones. They presented me with the jaw of one I caught. Goodie...maybe I'll make a necklace.
So folks, that is where I am for New Years. We will be sailing for the next 3 days to exit the Amazon and continue along the coast of Brazil to Recife. Some say it's the armpit of Brazil and others say it's the Venice of Brazil.. Will report back.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
Joyce