Day 74

-
NOVEMBER 13, 2019

 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

The last time I visited Rio it was sunny and clear, visibility was forever. This is what we saw as we entered Rio's harbour today, not promising:
It got brighter later but a thin cloud cover persisted. Tomorrow we are expecting rain (80%).

As we entered Rio's bay I looked around - as far as I could see in all directions it was Rio de Janeiro - this is one BIG city. Almost nine million actually - but only the sixth most populous city in South America.

 The lectures I mentioned previously - well, they are usually more fascinating than I ever expected. Don't laugh, you had to be there to appreciate this one.


 This evening Viking brought a local samba club aboard, Samba Cervila, to put on a show for as many as the Star Theatre would hold, about 500. Terrific and gorgeous. The troupe:




















At its core Rio is samba. Want a sample? Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAiHEQblKeQ

 MOST IMPORTANTLY - Rio de Janeiro's CARNIVAL PARADE is an event like no other.
It is unquestionably the most spectacular event on the planet! Take a look: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW313inIlFk

Comments

  1. Viking CruiseNovember 14, 2019 at 8:11 PM

    I'd like to see a video of you doing the samba, John :)
    Don

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Di TomassoNovember 15, 2019 at 5:04 AM

      Too late. During the Samba Cervila presentation I was dragged up onto the stage to dance samba with the ensemble - I was pathetic! But it gave me an appreciation how really difficult that dance is. How those dancers can keep up the frantic pace for so long is truly impressive.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 182

-
FEBRUARY 28, 2020 DARWIN, AUSTRALIA We all recognize that life is an adventure - there will be surprises. Coronavirus is an unexpected development and this voyage has already made adjustments. Further adjustments are possible, even likely, during the two months remaining on Viking's World Cruise.  At a time when authorities must be " seen to be doing something " about the chances of a pandemic, fear can provoke overreaction and more surprises. Karen and I have taken a cautionary attitude about how matters could evolve. We believe this is prudent. Consequently, we have decided to defer the remainder of this voyage to a later date.    With that in mind, a fitting tune is Sophie Zelmani's  " Going Home ". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrIG3K40-8A
Read more

Day 11

-
Image
September 10, 2019 EDINBURGH - They say Scotland gets a lot of rain. Tell me about it! Arrived here in the fog and that became a steady drizzle. But at least it wasn't cold, around 16 degrees.  The rush hour (good planning) bus tour of The Queen City was mostly about crawling from stoplight to stoplight. Incredibly dense traffic made worse by many downtown streets being closed to accommodate the filming of Fast and Furious Nine - we saw the support trucks, an army of them, dozens. The main attraction, of course, is the Castle on the hill. Very impressive from below, but almost inaccessible due to the overwhelming crowds and the discouraging wait times - where did all these people come from? I'm told that tourism gridlock is becoming the new normal in cities like Paris and Rome. Meanwhile, on the Viking Sun there is so much space, even in the restaurants, one never feels pressed.  After returning to the ship from downtown, wouldn't you know it, the sun came out.
Read more

Day 72

-
Image
NOVEMBER 11, 2019 SALVADOR DA BAHIA, BRAZIL For a city that I've never heard of, Salvador da Bahia is a surprisingly large metropolis. Three million people live in this sprawling, modern city. It seems as though there is a catholic church at every street corner, a bit like Starbucks. The photos I took today all disappeared as I was downloading them, so I borrowed a few from the Internet. This is part of the old town where we walked - it was crowded.  Most of the city is on an escarpment above the water. In order to access the escarpment, there are three funiculars and this 73 meter Elevador Lacerda which was built in 1873 - it costs 4 cents to ride up or down.  Also in town is the cruise ship, World Odyssey. You might recall that this ship operated as a floating condominium at one time and sailed wherever the owners decided. I guess that concept passed its expiry date for the ship now sails under its new flag "Seminar a
Read more