Good evening, friends and family,
We’ve reached our third continent on this cruise!
From deep in the Amazon – along the murky, swift running, deep and sometimes violent Amazon River:
I’d like to tell you the ship was creeping along; limbs from overhanging trees scraping against the side as we make our way up the mighty river that dominates South America; snakes, parrots, small monkeys and other species of birds and animals sit up high, looking down on us as interlopers; crocodiles lift their long snouts lined with wicked teeth and then shut them with a loud “snap” that frightens everyone.
The weather is dismal; rain falls in buckets as we stare in fright at the foreboding jungle just a few feet away. Someone drops a sandwich into the water and it is instantly devoured by piranhas.
A shiver runs up my spine as we wonder what mysteries lay ahead. Will there be headhunters, savages, what?
That’s what I’d LIKE to tell you; but, it’s not true. The weather is sunny and it’s HOT and HUMID. The Amazon is murky, almost brown with sediment washed down from far upstream. It does have a fast current, but we are making good time as we head for Santare’m, our first port of call in Brazil.
The river is wide, sometimes 25 miles wide in some areas. But here, it is approximately a mile wide, lined with dark green and sort of a lime green jungle, depending on which side of the ship you are looking from. Shade and sun make the foliage at each turn in the river seem a different color.
The jungle is deep and runs down to the edge of the river. There is seldom a beach as we know it. We see an occasional hut or small building and a few boats here and there. One small version with a canopy came out to meet us at one place. It looked as if it was close to foundering in the heavy waves. One man was sitting precariously atop the canopy while his comrade steered the small, ungainly craft.
The occupants were obviously excited to see us. They kept waving their shirts in circles above their heads. When we had passed, they turned back to shore, shouting all the way.
We didn’t do much today; had a late breakfast in the buffet area and ate on the fantail as we sat at anchor waiting for the Brazilian authorities to check all the passports of the passengers before we could continue on.
We went down to the main lounge to attend the “dicey horse races” and lost 6 dollars betting on the wrong horses. But, it was fun. Afterward, we listened to a port talk about Manaus, which is much larger a city than I pictured and wrote about in my novel,
“The Lost Priest”, (not published yet). I may have to make some changes! We plan to meet Sue and Tom, new friends, and hire a cab to take us on a city wide ride in Santare’m. There isn’t a lot to see other than a large shopping center and some tourist traps, but we’ll find our usual hat pins and magnets.
This afternoon we took part in “Liar, Liar”, which we lost at, again. Then we sat and enjoyed a beer around the pool while watching the forbidding jungle slide by.
Then it was Trivia time, where we tied for first, but lost in a tie breaker. Then, up to the room, where we are now, to get dressed for Formal Night. I’ll wear my new sports coat and Carol looks lovely in her rust colored gown and matching shoes.
I intend to write a few words about the waiters and waitresses and other unsung heroes who make this trip and others like it so enjoyable. I don’t think you’ve ever met a more cordial group of young people from all over the world – smiling, laughing, learning your name and card number with a glance at your room card and then remembering it the next time they see you.
I’ll add more about that tomorrow. Let’s see what we have to report on our next port. Tonight is another gala event with the full dancing and singing crew. “Motor City” is the title, with lots of Mo town music. Should be wonderful as all the others have been.
Until tomorrow,
Via con Dias,
Karl & Carol
