Good evening, friends and family,
We just returned from dinner up on deck 9, out on the fantail overlooking Manaus – the lights of the town are lovely – they don’t show the real city and make dining special there. I’m sitting here with my Santa Claus red and white hat on, given to me by a crew member who knows we want to play Santa to those kids back in Bocca Da V.
Today was mostly wasted, as our plans didn’t work out the way we thought they would. We took a free shuttle to Stern’s – a jewelry place in a high priced hotel way across town. On the way there, we got to see a lot more of the town. There are mostly squalid hovels and worn, badly in need of pain apartment buildings with many public housing areas that look almost as bad as those in Chicago or St. Louis.
Then, the town opens up to the wealthy part where you see modern homes and shops along with some decent looking apartment buildings or condos in high rises. That’s where the hotel and Stern’s were located. We heard there was a large shopping center close by and Stern’s promised to take us there after they made their pitch for us to buy their high priced jewelry. But, when we didn’t, their plans changed and they put us on a bus which went directly to the ship.
We had hoped to purchase 20-30 dolls and trucks, cars, etc. for boys, but it rained hard on the way back and we didn’t feel like making the trek to the terminal again, so we will wait until we arrive at the next port of call, Parintins, and get off the ship, visit the town and find the toys we want, purchase same and have them ready to give out when we reach Bocca Da V.
We’ve been extremely lucky with the weather. It rains periodically, but so far we’ve managed to be somewhere when it poured. Then the sun comes out and we are drenched. I don’t understand how anyone can live here without air conditioning, but they do.
Trash continues to pile up around the ship and on shore near where we are docked. We wonder if the ship’s propellers will be able to cut through the thickening mess as we leave here. God, it is a terrible sight. Think about those people downstream.
Well, enough of that. Time for other good news- we got our booze! Now, there’s a rhyme. Six small bottles of Canadian Club, six cans of diet coke, two bottles of beer and four bottles of water. Then, there is the nice bowl of fruit they delivered. But, most important – our laundry (two bags) is gone to be washed for FREE!
Over 500 people got on today, as that many departed early this morning. All the new people are in long pants and shirts with jackets and sweating like hogs. We hope they all get their luggage and are able to change into shorts and t’s.
Another helpful hint for your next cruise – bring along some wire hangers to replace the large, bulky, space taking up wooden ones in the small closets. Then ask your steward to remove the wooden ones and bring you as many other wire hangers as he can. Saves space and you can actually hang up everything that way.
They furnish hairdryers for the ladies in the bathrooms, so leave that bulky item home. They also supply great shampoo and conditioner and (from what I hear) – wonderful hand lotion for the ladies. Leave those items home too so they don’t rupture and run all over your clothes in the luggage.
Bring lots of sunblock if you are on a cruise like this one – at least 30, but 50 is preferred. It also helps to have spray wash along for those spots you WILL get on your pants or shirts. Put the items inside plastic bags in your luggage and then put them inside your shoes if you can. Same thing with perfume or cologne.
You have two large beach towels in your room and there are more on deck. If you wish, you may order a heavy bathrobe to wear over your swimming suit. Flip-flops or deck shoes are a must for around the pool.
Bring along your laptop – compose your emails (or blog like mine) off line, then cut them, go on line for a few minutes and paste them – then get off line in a hurry to save your precious internet time. Same thing for receiving your emails – turn the message black, cut it and paste it on a blank Word document and read them after you log out. Every minute is expensive, so use them wisely.
Well, enough for tonight. The entertainment is the same local Brazilian group we had last night, so we’ll head down to the casino bar and listen to Brad Stevens tickle the ivories and let the new passengers enjoy the show.
So, for tonight,
Via con Dias,
Karl & Carol
