March 2, 2014 - "The Day After" one day of Carnival – Rio

One more day in Rio and we spent it just walking around the town viewing the aftermath of the first night of Carnival. There were still some people on the street in party garb from the night before. I can only imagine what the streets looked like while the festival was in full swing. John took a few shots of some of the best costumes to give you an idea of how crazy some of them were.

The streets will take at least a week to clean up and then they really need steam cleaning. I doubt that will happen but it would sure help with the smell. There are two more days of party to go.

We were able to see the entire group of parade floats in the repair area. Not all of them were completely put together, but we certainly got to see the grandeur of some of them. Each one is from a different Samba club. These were the best of the best! It was like seeing the Rose parade. Everyone was working on their float trying to repair them for the next day. What a treat!!! As they say… pictures say a thousand words. Enjoy the pictures!

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Travel - Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – March 1 & 2, 2014

Rio de Janeiro (technically the River of January) or the “Marvelous City” as it is fondly called, is the second largest city in Brazil, the fifth largest country in the world. The city has a population of 7 million people. It occupies 485 sq. miles with 31 miles of shoreline.

Fourteen million people live in the greater metropolitan area. Its main industries include petroleum, pharmaceuticals, furniture, clothing, textiles, processed food and chemicals. More tourists visit Rio yearly than any other part of Brazil.

The Portuguese first came to Rio in 1502 when Americo Vespucio and Andre Gonçalves sailed into the Guanabara Bay. The area officially became Rio de Janeiro on March 1, 1565. It was Brazil’s capital (as a Portuguese colony) from 1763-1815 and then capital, first of the United Kingdom of Portugal from 1815-1821, and then the independent nation of Brazil from 1822-1960, when the capital city was relocated to the newly constructed Brasilia. Rio receives the most visitors per year of any city in South America with 2.82 million international tourists annually.

Rio’s cultural life is intense and varied. Perhaps at no time is the city’s festive reputation better displayed than during the annual Carnival which enlivens the city for three solid days with music, singing, parties, balls, and street parades of brilliantly-costumed dancers performing the samba.

We arrive in the midst of Carnival. Certainly it was one of the draws of the trip. Who wouldn’t want to say that they have been in Rio de Janeiro for Carnival? However, with the party comes the people!! I think that all 7 million people were driving their cars on Saturday morning when we arrived. As our bus moved slowly through the streets of Rio, small groups of impromptu bands began to march and dance through the streets, and all the traffic stopped. Large floats blocked one side of the road, making two way traffic impossible. Then there are other streets under construction due to the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics. We saw a fair amount of the inside of the tour bus, but at least we were cool and comfortable.

Sugar Loaf

Due to the traffic, our tour guide rearranged our tour a bit. We saw the well know hill in Rio called Sugar Loaf first. It has two fairly high tram rides to get to the top. The view is beautiful; although, during our visit there was quite a bit of haze.

All of Rio is at our feet below this peak. The beaches are beautiful and full of people. Then it is over to Christ The Redeemer for a second spectacular view. We climb the mount there on a cog train, similar to those in the Swiss Alps. The ride through the jungle is beautiful and cool. The view from the top is again eye popping and

breathtaking. I’ve seen lots of pictures, but it is nothing like what I imagined. It is fun to watch all the people and the innovative ways they take pictures of themselves with this most iconic statue. Some stand on the railing. Some stand with out-stretched arms. Some photographers lay on the ground. In any case, the statue was so big it would not all fit in my camera lens at one time when up on the observation area. The overall effect and dimensions are gigantic.

No trip ever comes without some excitement. At one of the stops, we had a handicapped lady in the front of the bus get off first. As she came down the stairs with her hand in the tour guide’s hand, she slipped on the last step into the gutter and broke here leg. She eventually was put in a taxi and sent to the local hospital with a tour representative. Later, we heard that she had undergone surgery on her leg and was resting comfortably in the hospital. We figured that her cruise was over. She would never make it back on ship in time to continue, even though the ship has a good medical department.

We all stepped a little more carefully after that! It could have happened to any one of us!!!

The tour concluded with a dinner (should have been lunch) at a Brazilian barbeque restaurant. The waiters walked around the room with skewers of various types of meat and sliced them off onto your plate with a large knife. The entertainment is the slicing. Some young men are quite masterful in their slicing techniques.

Back at the ship, we see probably the best Brazilian show available in the most comfortable seat with limited crowds. 

Others from our ship went to the
“Sambadrome” in Rio. I was happy to be watching the rhythm band play, the scantily clad girls dance, and the acrobats twist and turn from a fourth row seat. All is well on the Crown Princes. I can only hope and pray for peace in the rest of the world.


YES…the adventure shall continue. HURRAH!

Ed, Cindy, John and Carol Ann

Travel - Recife, Brazil - February 26, 2014

Recife, capital of the Pernambuco state, is a large city of 1.3 million inhabitants located in the northeastern part of Brazil. Today it is an industrial powerhouse with among others textile, chemical, nutrition and minerals processing as the most important industries.
Recently, the service sector has gained a stronger hold on the economy of Recife. The city now hosts the second largest medical and pharmaceutical industry in Brazil and is one of the most important cities in software engineering.


Recife, also, is finally understanding its touristic potential as well. A rich cultural and historical heritage, a relatively well developed tourist infrastructure and having some of the nicest beaches in Brazil nearby, draw in more and more visitors.

However, for Brazilians it has often been considered the “Venice of Brazil”, and its emerald-green waters, numerous bridges and sunny beaches have long been a popular escape for Brazil’s Carnival travelers. The city is well underway in getting ready for Carnival as the ship stops for our visit today.
John and I woke up late this morning. Having an inside cabin, it is hard for us to tell what time it is in the morning. We knew the ship was in port because the ship was not rocking. We finally got up for breakfast, walked past the pool and noted that the air was still, hot and humid. Remember, we are still near the equator!

We ate breakfast, looking out on to the port and watching large forklifts move huge pieces of cargo around the dock. They were moving many pieces of motorized equipment, and at least 50 large wind turbine blades were stored on site awaiting shipment.

This – looking at the tremendous scale and complexity of worldwide logistics - is one of our favorite pastimes while traveling. I think we both wish we could be forklift drivers or mega crane operators in our next life. I love big machinery!!! I guess that is why construction has always been attractive to me.

By the time we got tired of watching freight movement on the dock and realized we would have to take a bus just to get to the port gate, we decided to stay on board the ship. We had no official tours schedule for the day and it was very warm. OK…another “sea day” would be just fine with us.

Some of the passengers did go ashore and had rave reviews for the UNISCO World Heritage Site Olinda, the colonial capital of Brazil, and souvenir shopping at the old prison. I understand that each prison cell has been made into individual shops. Some loved the shopping and some did not. Most of the items available near the tour sites are often priced too high and are often similar. (This is the same around the world.) One passenger indicated that she went to one shop and the item she wanted was priced at $20 US and at another it was priced at $15. Both prices seemed high to her. She didn't buy anything. Many passengers came away empty handed.

Maybe they are all waiting for Rio de Janeiro. We are!! Stay tuned for the continuing adventure!!

TRAVEL – February 22, 23, 24, 2014 –       

AT SEA .... Crossing the Equator

As far as I am concerned, being at sea on an “at sea” day is some of the best time of the trip. In the morning I get up for breakfast, meet with my knitting ladies to knit all morning long, have some lunch, either read, write the blog, or something else until late afternoon and then get ready for dinner. We have a favorite server named Jenny, and we usually sit at her table at around 7 o'clock PM and then either see a show or go to bed.

Now, the ship offers a number things to do during the day. They have a full service spa, a very nice fitness center, many pools, a library, lecture series, dance classes, trivia, bridge classes, ship tours, art auctions, jewelry auctions, shopping, coffee bar, checkers, putt-putt golf, basketball, belly dancing classes, health and circulation classes and movies…just to name a few. On February 24 the ship also celebrated crossing the equator.

King Neptune and court

King Neptune's crew

King Neptune requested all Polly-wogs (those who had never crossed the equator on a ship) to attend the equatorial trials of the Crown Princess. Some of the Polly-wog passengers were invited to attend court and stand accused of various crimes and submit to judgments passed down by King Neptune. Everyone else watched. 

 The guilty had to kiss a fish, kiss King Neptune’s feet and all were slimmed with something that looked like whipped icing/lard and punch. It was great fun, but I’m really glad I was not selected as one of the accused. Pictures were hard to take, but I've tried to include a few just to give you an idea. Half the ship’s passengers were hanging on the rails and five rows deep watching the action. The accused eventually were thrown in the pool to clean off the slime. Great fun was had by all.

No….Sea Days are NOT boring!! The adventure continues…Next stop Recife, Brazil.

Travel – February 21, 2014…..

Trinidad and Tobago

Mt. St Benedict’s Monastery 

I thought I’d change gears on this one, and the following introductory comments were drawn from a January 2014 CIA World Facts Book.

First colonized by the Spanish, the islands came under British control in the early 19th century. The islands' sugar industry was hurt by the emancipation of the slaves in 1834. Manpower was replaced with the importation of contract laborers for the Cocoa industry. The discovery of oil on Trinidad in 1910 added another important export. Independence was attained in 1962. The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean thanks largely to petroleum and natural gas production and processing. Tourism, mostly in Tobago, is targeted for expansion and is growing. The government is coping with a rise in violent crime.

Many oil rigs around city harbor

Trinidad has over 1.6 million people. Building on the island is at an unbelievable pace. Our short walking tour to the downtown Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad was a clear confirmation of the CIA facts book. The city was large, with lots of people and an enormous amount of traffic. We decided not to go on an organized tour. There really was not much interesting offered, and the traffic really could not guarantee that you would make it back in time for the ship’s departure.

Dock at Port of Spain

Instead we walked off the boat without a map and just wandered. Maybe not the wisest thing to do, but we did it anyway. We first met a local city provided tour guide in a red shirt standing on the corner and asked where the nearest shopping was. She gave us directions, which was contrary to where all the crowds from the ship were going. We were not quite sure she had given us good guidance. Later we asked a couple coming from the other direction what they had seen. They looked wide eyed and said they had turned around when they heard that the shopping was a very long way away and the pick-pocketing was rampant and they had seen police with machine guns. They had turned around before reaching the shopping area. At that point we decided to follow the local guide’s instructions.

Market just outside port

Independence Street

We crossed the street and headed down Independent Street toward the center of downtown. We hit the main downtown city shopping area. It included a number of indoor shopping malls and outside markets. It was interesting to walk around the markets. There were a lot of people walking around, both local residence and tourists, however, it appeared little trade was taking place. The shop owners were just standing around watching the crowd. The only thing I really saw as maybe a final team member of a pick pocket team stuff a purple wallet inside his pants. Seems that this trade is also popular in all types of crowds. Everything is normal in a big city…no matter what part of the world you are in. And so it goes for time in eternity.

Tug boat seeing the ship out to sea

There are some places to visit like Queens Park Savannah, the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Asa Wright Nature Center and the Mt. St Benedict’s Monastery. Our friends visited a few of these places. They loved the guide and the information about the island, but other than the view they were not too excited about the tour. I enjoyed going back to the ship early. I love being at sea!! 

The next few day we will spend at sea!! You might wonder what we do at sea. Well, hang on! My next blog will give you an idea what happens where you cross the equator on board a ship!! The adventure continues!!

John and our friend Cindy

Travel – February 19 and 20, 2014

Antigua and Barbados


What breath-taking islands these two beauties are. Both are independent countries with very proud citizens. When asked how you like their country and you gush with glee, they proudly smile and tell you when they won their independence. It would appear, however, that both are dependent on their neighbors, tourists and the world for their survival. Neither is self-sufficient and there is not enough industry to keep everyone working. In Barbados the unemployment rate is about 13% and the rate is going to go higher as the government is forced to lay off people in order to trim their budget. Hummmm - sounds so familiar. This repeats around the world. You need a going economy and good jobs before anything works. On some islands though, there is really nothing to make a good economy except the tourists. Other than that they are all living in heaven on earth. At least that is the case during the non-hurricane season.

Antiqua Beach and Boat harbor

In 1492, when Columbus sailed by Antigua, he named this island in honor of Maria de la Antigua, the saint he worshipped in Seville. Eventually the English gained control, and retained it until just 25 years ago when Antigua achieved independence.

The island was an important colonial base of the Royal Navy. The remains of its presence are still some of the most fascinating attractions to tourists -- a walk around historic Nelson's Dockyard and the grounds of Shirley Heights reveals remnants of a working Georgian harbor, old forts and officer's quarters, as well as a multitude of crumbling sugar mills from the days when sugar plantations ruled the island. In more recent years, English Harbor has become the capital of international yachting and sailing, whose activities are responsible for the surge in population during the winter months from 70,000 to 100,000. The season opens in December with the Antigua Yacht Show, and ends in May with Antigua Sailing Week, the largest annual regatta in the Caribbean.

Since gaining independence, Antigua has all but abandoned its agricultural heritage in favor of a tourist economy. The real highlights of the island lie well beyond the port town. With 365 beaches to explore, it's best to check out at least a few of them during your trip.

Antigua Harbor where the Crown Princess was docked

In Antigua we went sailing. What a kick that was. We took a local bus/van all the way across the island. It was an interesting trip and we really got to see the country as a local does. I sat next to a nice young man who worked for the park service at Nelson’s Dockyard. We started to chat about the island, America and Canada. If it wasn’t for him we would have gotten off miles early and really messed up the trip. Thank God there are gracious and kind people everywhere and we keep on running into them.

Rain squall and a sea swell ...AHHHHhhhhhh.....

Another couple Brooke and Larry from Denver, John and I rented a 40 foot sail boat with a crew of two, Lincoln and Simon from “On-Deck”. Lincoln and Simon are a very apt crew. Lincoln, late 20's something, is a professional crew and skipper guy who has participated in big-name ocean races and trans-ocean delivery of yachts. Simon, maybe 20, is just getting started. We sailed out and around the back side of the island for about two hours. Larry and Brooke race their boat on Chatfield Dam Reservoir back in Denver, but they also have experience out in the Caribbean. I could tell from the start we were in for a fast moving trip. The winds were blowing at 20 to 23 knots with gusts to 29 and the seas were choppy between 6 to 7 foot swells. From my perspective both seemed much faster and larger. The water kept coming over the bow and rolling over the gunnel. We were soaked to the bone by the time we got off…but we were all smiling. YAHOOOOooooo!!

Mushroom coral rocks on the beach

About 150 miles off the northeast coast of Venezuela, and the easternmost island in the Lesser Antilles, is the island of Barbados. It was discovered by Spanish navigators in the late 15th Century. The Portuguese visited the island in 1536, but they left it unclaimed, with their only remnants being an introduction of wild hogs for a good supply of meat whenever the island was visited. The first English arrived in Barbados in 1624. They took possession of it in the name of King James I. In 1627 the first permanent settlers arrived from England, and it became an English and later British colony. The population today is about 280,000.

A view from the top of the island of Barbados

I think that Barbados would be my island of choice. The weather was perfect, the island was beautiful, and the beaches were picture perfect. They have sugar cane, rum, and an inner island with promising agriculture possibilities if handled correctly. John and I both joked that we spotted a vacation home with our name on it. We took a 4X4 jeep tour planned by the ship. It consisted of a trip across the island to Bathsheba, through a small preserve with a dirt road, hence the 4X4 title of the trip. We saw the mushroom coral rock beach and lots of beautiful country side. I know there is much more to see in Barbados. Guess we will just have to come back! Darn!!!!

Back on the boat in the evening, we celebrated our 21st anniversary at the Crown Grill with Ed and Cindy. We had a lovely time and enjoyed being with good friends. I can’t believe John and I have been together that long. We are very lucky!! We both enjoyed the night and are looking forward to visiting Trinidad tomorrow. Then we have four days at sea. I think many of us are looking forward to a little rest. I know…..a rest from vacation….you think we are crazy! Well, hang on, there is more for this adventure. Hope you are enjoying the trip!

Barbados Country Flower

Travel –February 15, 16, 17 & 18, 2014,

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

First pool with movie theater outside.

Second pool with bar and Jacuzzi

A long outside hallway along the 15th floor of the ship.

Boarding the ship on the 15th of February was a long arduous affair. Not everyone is as organized as John. Once we arrived at the registration counter it took us all of three minutes to check in, however, to get to the counter took about two hours. Some people on board indicated that they waited as long as two and a half hours. I guess the ship is going to so many countries with so many visa requirement and so many foreign passengers there was a lot to check at the reception desk. The first afternoon everyone was wandering around to familiarize themselves with the ship. The elevators were very slow and crowded. Now that people have spread out and gotten into a routine the boat is like a mini ant hill. It is an amazing thing to see. The boat holds a maximum of 3,000 passengers and 1,400 crew. The ship is 19 stories tall….yes….I said 19 stories. That is above the water line. It is a city, holding more than some towns in the US.

Another cruise ship leaving the harbor just before sunset

The pools are great!!!! (That is for my swimming buddies.) They have two pools that are 5 to 7 feet deep…YEA!!! Now…if I can only find a time when the lappers are not in the pool. There are a few other pools too, but smaller. For those who swim the Crown Princess is TOPS! They also have great food too! I could do with a few less people, but then again, that is just me. Pictures always say more than words. This is a nice ship!!! Two days at sea was very enjoyable, and I found a large group of women that like to knit. What more could I ask for?

Back bar and third pool...AWESOME!!

Coming in to St. Thomas on Tuesday morning rain clouds were all around. We planned on going on a catamaran sailing trip and snorkel trip to St. Johns. By the time we docked and the sun was fully up, the clouds were gone. This is the tropics! I have been on both islands a number of times. John has been here at least once, and I keep on reminding him of that…. no recollection. I don’t blame him. When you travel as much as we have some time you can forget a few. It always looks different, nothing ever stays the same. You can go back to a place many times because things are always changing. We docked at a new port and everything was new for me too. All the shops were new and we were farther away from the old downtown area. It is not a big problem for us. We are not big shoppers of diamonds and gold so we skipped that.

A beach near St. Thomas

St. Thomas is about 30 miles due east of Puerto Rico, and one of the world's most heavily trafficked cruise ports.  It is the most popular port of call in the Virgin Islands. Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the Virgin Islands, welcomes visitors to its shores. The island is packed with attractions, beaches and world-renowned shopping as I mentioned above.

Driving to and from the catamaran was informative and gave us a view of what St. Thomas living was really like. There are the really rich and the really poor. We saw both. Not quite sure where our tourist dollars go, but they don’t trickle down very far. There is a fair amount of poverty when you get away from the tourist area. I guess it is like all the U.S. Territories. They primarily exist for the tourists, but the tourist dollars support just a very few. Not sure how this is fixed, it is so around the world.

View of St. Thomas as the ship departs.

Back at the ship we washed the sand out of our suits and off our bodies, checked our email and waited for the ship to sail. It was a quick, short visit to St. Thomas and St. Johns but this time the swimming and beach landing will be memorable. This is another place I’d highly recommend for its beauty and various activities.

Guess what?? It is raining….it is the tropics!! Tomorrow we are headed to Antigua and we are going to sail with another couple on a Beneteau 40 ft. sail boat. This should be a load of fun!! Stay tuned; our adventure shall continue.