Azamara Cruise Nov 30, 2022 --December 30, 2022

High above Rio de Janeiro

 

                                  (August 25, 2022) We have not been on an aeroplane for almost three years--all caused by the sting of Covid 19. We are booked and enthusiastically writing three months before embarkation from Lisbon, Portugal. Booking our stay in Lisbon for four nights and either Rio or São Paulo, Brazil for four nights is next on the to-do list. Additionally, the insurance for medical and/or trip interruption will be required. 

We'll be talking about the following itinerary; arriving via Air Canada in Lisbon, Portugal on November 26 at 06:00 with a taxi to our hotel. After several days of seeing the sites we taxi to Azamara's Pursuit ship and leave Lisbon on November 30. We arrive at Funchal, Madeira,  Portugal on December 1, and then on to La Palma, Canary Islands on December 3,  and then to Tenerife, Canary Islands on December 4 for two days. Then at sea until docking at Mindelo, Cape Verde on December 7 for a day. We are at sea from December 7 in the evening and across the Atlantic arriving at Salvador, Brazil on December 13 for one day. At sea for two days arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil December 16. At this point many of the travellers disembark but not us; we stay on board and leave at 17:00 for two days at sea and dock December 19 at Punta del Este, Uruguay and leave that evening for Buenos Aires, Argentina arriving at 8:00 December 20. We leave on December 21 at 18:00 arriving December 22 at 08:00 in Montevideo, Uruguay and leave December 23 at 18:00 and arrive in São Paulo, Brazil on December 26, and then to Ilhabela arriving December 27, and then to Parati, Brazil December 28, and finally Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on December 29 with an overnight stay and disembark December 30, 2022. We plan to fly home January 3, 2023.

(September 17, 2022) After a month of discussion, at this point we have decided to leave Rio on December 30 and find our way to São Paulo and the airport and fly home to Toronto. That decision could change because we might feel obliged to hang out in the sun a little longer.

(November 11, 2022) With fourteen days to go the arrangements have been made and we are ready to go. The flights look great: there are plenty of seats available including the J Class we have booked and fingers are crossed hoping that the loads will yield the seats and dates we want.

(November 21, 2022) With four days to make final preparations our plans are in place and there are 9/6/51 seats available on AC810 November 25, 2022. Let's Take Off.

(November 26) We were bumped to Premium Economy but not J and arrived in Lisbon at 06:10 and all is well. Our hotel the Marriott Lisbon could not book us at 7:10, but did so at 10:00 instead of their normal check in which is 16:00.  After a little snooze time we taxi to the ocean and dined in the wonderfully warm Portugalia restaurant preparation of Shrimp, Roasted Salt Cod, Rice, Rapini, potatoes, local wine, beer, olives and their famous Portuguese buns. A great start on this trip. 

(November 27) At our hotel Terryl met a young Concierge who wanted to help us enjoy the sites of Lisbon through his friend who just happened to own a taxicab. [I wonder if he could take us to Cascais, a fishing village she had seen 50 years ago?] Sure enough we made a deal with Manel Oliviera who was willing to drive us there and back after our visit: and Terryl threw in a lunch with us as well. He didn't know what to make of the lunch offer.

Fifty years of time, development and tourism has a way of changing things. Cascais is not a small fishing village any longer. It has a large Ferris Wheel and a small childrens' Carousel, plenty of shops and restaurants open to all sorts of people with young families enjoying a very pleasant Sunday afternoon. One or more places such as the Hotel Baia was still there on the corner.

Manel texted from his last pickup at Lisbon's Airport and said he'd be back in Cascais at 15:15 to pick us up. When he met us we were in front of a little restaurant and invited him to dine with us. He was very appreciative to say the least. We shared an Octopus plate and Manel said he would like to 'catch some meat.' We have made a good friend who would like us to call him for all of our needs in Lisbon, and when we book a golf trip in the Algarve he'll be there too. Thanks Manel

             

                

(November 28 and 29) We toured Lisboa with Manel our driver on Tuesday and on our own on Wednesday. Above these typed words you see a guy calling for another beer and a girl munching on a croquette that originated in The Netherlands according to the Dutch--that is. However, several of our acquaintances in Lisbon begged to differ with no challenge from me.

This city is all history, and a history that the people we met were justifiably proud. I could tell by the energy they used to describe the various sites they recommended. We were up and down the mountain in taxis and one three-wheeler that travelled faster than the cabs at times. It seemed to me that their 'rush hour' was almost all day long. Of course they use traditional traffic lights and round-abouts to keep them rolling, and they roll in a hurray with their little mini automobiles. We did not see a single fender-bender and we travelled many Klicks over our five days. Perhaps these pictures can tell something of our story:

Cascais Main Street

Lisboa Pedestrian Walk

It must be laundry day

Portugal's Cork Industry is open for business 

Is this a narrow street my friends?

Sculpture at the Waterfront

(November 30) We leave Lisbon on board Azamara Pursuit for a thirty day cruise to all sorts of places I have never seen, but Terryl has when many of us had our noses to the grindstone [or so they say].

On board the embarkation is seamless with attendants in the right positions and in no time at all we are in the cabin, unpacked, through the Muster Station, at the bar and one dining area where I was stopped by a lanky Scotsman and his wife who said "Of all the Gin Joints in all the world you had to come here!" This came from a couple we had sailed with three years ago on the same ship we are on today. Sandy and Cathy Aitken are a delightful couple who run the finest B&B in Scotland. We couldn't believe our meeting once again and on a back-to-back cruise too. Sandy and Cathy were singled out for having had 162 nights on board an Azamara Ship. If you wish you may reach them at shawleecottage@blueyonder.co.uk and say "Of all the Gin Joints in all the world you had to land here."

(December 1) Is a sea day. In the morning we rocked and rolled to the Windows Cafe on the ninth deck for breakfast. As George Constanza once said, "The seas are angry my friends." Yes, one needed the handrail to steady the walk, but soon the constant rolling of the ship was second nature to both of us. It's a little cool onboard at 15C as we head on course at 220 SW. Today was quiet with only 450 patrons soaking up the atmosphere with a few libations while I hit the gym for a half hour on the bike and finish with golf stretches. Dinner in The Discover Dining Room begins at 18:00 with Captain's Antonio's Welcome Onboard cocktail party at 21:00 followed by Andre Cruz a Portuguese entertainer who plays several musical instruments, speaks four languages which I'm sure he'll use on the patrons who come from around the planet. Last night we dined with three wonderful people: Marnie a fairly young widow from Switzerland, Linda a single female banker from England, and Neil a divorced medical instruments CEO who was a former Airline employee from Ireland. Who will it be tomorrow? Terryl is thinking that we may dine alone because she has a case of the sniffles. We'll see.

My bikes readings on Day 1. [It's a start.]

(December 2) at 09:00 we are in Funchal Madeira and it's a beautiful day around 20C and we have an excursion to attend at 10:15. But first last night in the Cabaret Andre Cruz was fantastic belting out great music made famous by The BeeGees, Prinz, and several others. Captain Antonio was good with a microphone and introduced his lead hands on board who took a bow and headed back to work.

Today, bus number 3 took us up and up and up the mountainous terrain where we found homes and agriculture living side by side with roadside aqueducts feeding water to the farmlands that are broken up into the smallest lots imaginable. Sugar Cane, Bananas, Potatoes and an assortment of other vegetation and sea food is consumed by the 125,000 population that still export tons of foodstuffs to the mainland and abroad. Terryl and I will now cook a mean Chicken Madeira at home which will be a pleasant memory of our day on this island several hundred Kilometres southwest of Lisbon.

Funchal Madeira

See the rows of vegetation up the side of this hill. It's like this everywhere on this island.

Could this be Winston Churchill?

It surely is. He loved this place and painted here after the War

Some Local Spirits

Day 2 on the bike and twice the time

(December 3) Cruising into La Palma, Canary Islands we start the day with breakfast in Windows Cafe and a wonderful demonstration of Italian cooking by a Lead Chef on Azamara who half-filled the Cabaret Lounge at 10:00 to see and hear him prepare a Pasta Ragu. His tables are filled with hot plates and ingredients ready to come together with the aid of two competent but silent Sous Chefs (just like you see on TV). The Chef is very Italian and he didn't waste words on his presentation. He let the food do his talking.

Flat Pasta Ragu garlic onions wine olive-oil mushrooms

Off the Port Side parked at La Palma

Day 3 reveals a 50% increase of time pedalling 

In a few minutes we’ll eat again at Windows Cafe and then at the Cabaret for Jo Little a comedian of the first order. 

(December 4 and 5)

Jo Little started her performance by belting out a Shania Twain song that rocked the house--that was a real surprise because Comedians very seldom do. Jo did it all and left us wanting more. Here's one from Jo speaking the following, "An unusual looking person stood next to me and put his finger into my ear. I told him if he does it again I'll kick him in his wobbly parts. A minute later he stuck his finger in my ear again, so I kicked him hard and he flinched, so I kicked him harder and still no reaction. So I asked him why doesn't it hurt you when I kick you in your wobbly parts? He said I don't have any wobbly parts. So I said then how do you procreate? He paused and put his finger in my ear and walked away."

The city of Vera Cruz on Tenerife has a blue line running from our ship right into the Old Towne where I grabbed a nice chair in the shade on this lovely day at 23C and told Terryl to go for it and hit as many stores as she liked and I'll enjoy watching the pedestrians saunter by for the next 90 minutes. Two shopping bags later she was happy, as she usually is, and we slowly followed the blue line back to our ship.

This time we put on our swim suits and dropped into the pool area for 30 minutes of sunshine and a little appetizer and drink.

Later on we are in the Theatre enjoying Andre Cruz again with our friends from Scotland and Ireland and at 12:00 in the Living Room for some music and a little more fun with Neil, Sandy and Cathy.

Terryl, Neil, Sandy, Cathy

Dr. Bill Crowley treated us to a lecture on our next stop Cape Verde. I made some notes and offer this place and time to include his remarks:

Cape Verde is one of nine islands out here in the Atlantic. It gained its Independence from Portugal in 1975 and is Democratically governed with a population of 568,000 speaking Portuguese and Creole (coming from Africa).

A major limitation is a lack of water so most of the territory is sand based. Their Seafood is plentyful and desalination plants generate most of their water to grow Maize and Beans. 80% of their food is imported.

The Portuguese settled this place in the late 1400's as a stop off place for exploring ships. One such ship was the Slave Ships travelling out of Africa.

In closing Crowley mentions the Chinese Government are investing heavily with new buildings, water dams. sporting stadiums and a University in these islands to the tune of $2 Billion dollars so far. 

    I’m off to the top deck for some sun and wind at 24C and 15mph and then to the gym. 

Day three yields about the same as day two

(December 6) arrives with a cloudless sky and 25C temperature where we will be at sea until we dock at Cape Verde tomorrow. But last night we chatted up a couple from San Francisco who had been in kindergarten as children and met fifty years later at a school reunion. They were quiet and well-spoken during a lovely conversation in The Den. The fellow reminded me of Buster my brother-in-law while she spoke of taking a three month European Cruise after her College days. She claimed to be fearless in those days and would travel anywhere alone or otherwise. I hope we see them again. We were seated with another couple from England in the Discovery Dining Room and Terryl never hesitates to ask 'how are you?' And off we go talking about our Comedian Jo Little who is quoted earlier in a story revealing certain earthly people are not given Wobbly Parts by our Creator. The next ninety minutes are filled with non-stop verbiage that I broke through a few times. Once with a story of a lady whose husband works for Cunard Shipping Lines. You see she was listening to another lady who was complaining vociferously about the lack of service on board where her husband works very hard. With that she pipes up, "My husband works fuckinginghard too and I'm not complaining!" Go ahead say that 14 letter word with a very British working man's accent.

We are finishing the evening with the Azamara Singers and Dancers:

Today Dr. Crowley gave a lecture entitled Food: A Cultural Explosion where he begins with The Pillow Explosion: one that most of us have seen where 6 to 16 pillows are piled on our couches and beds. [Where do we sleep here?]

Now to the food:

The Columbian Exchange. Food, Microbes, Language, Religion is what this lecture is all about.

He speaks of Mexican food being all over the world in every city. He speaks of Quinoa, Chopsticks, Wok, as something we weren’t comfortable then but now we are. 

He talks about wine's requirement to be over described and we’ve seen a lot about that. “Emerald-hued pureed prune nose etc. 

In 1500 there was no Wheat, Rice, Barley, Banana, Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Onions, Lettuce, Tea, Apple, Melon Ginger, Cattle, Chicken, Pigs, Sheep, Donkey, Horse. None of these where available to eat as food prior to 1450. Lots of others where not available in the old world.

They ate no tomatoes at that time. No potatoes in Ireland in many cases.

In the New World they ate Maniac, Cacao, Maize, potatoes, arrowroot, Beans, Peanuts. 

Maniac is a root (Cassava) one peels and Grinds the root to get rid of its Cyanide by leaking the subsequent liquid into a pot to get rid of the cyanide. In St Lucia they dry the root out in ovens to get rid of the poison..

Chocolate comes from Cacao Cocoa Coca (source of Cocain). Hot chocolate appeared in 1727. Cadbury 1830, Hershey a few years later.

Cacao Pods grow out of trees. Grenada Cacao

Today West Africa produces 72% of world’s Chocolate. Holidays are where chocolate is essential and in Japan on Valentine Day the women dole out the chocolate to their Valentines.

Potato is slow to adopt the Irish diet and then the Irish Population increases because potato and cow’s milk are sufficiently nutritive to sustain life. Russia was late in planting potato until 1850. The leading producers of potato in the 22nd century is China followed by India in second place.

The Chile (Capsicum) 5 species are in the Amazon and Mexico. The Portuguese got it started as did Africa, India and China. But in Europe? Africa 1600, India and China 1540,  Amalfi in Italy in 2007 has a big story where Viagra has Chile in it and Chile sales go up 50%.

It's 13:15 in the Drawing Room where a dozen singers have gathered to learn how to sing in a classical manner. They sound fabulous but I must go to the pool and then the gym.

(December 7) is the 81st Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harhor by the Japanese war machine: "A day that will go down in infamy." (FDR)

We are docked in Mindelo, Cape Verde among numerous Containers and Container-styled ships. We''ll be here for only seven hours and then off on our six days sail to Brazil about 2100 Nautical Miles from here. We have chosen to walk into town and have a little look around and go back to the ship. Apparently there are luxury Resort Hotels about 45 minutes by car from the dock. But we thought, heck we're on a luxury hotel right now, so we visit a few shops, a fish monger on the street, another trinkets and trash guy decorating a tree for Christmas.

On board the crew is preparing the White Night Extravaganza complete with the outdoor BBQ with music, dancing, entertainment and all are expected to wear white clothing. We’ll do it. 

(December 8) We are at sea for the next six days, but first, let's talk about the White Night Party last night.

Azamara puts this together for every cruise. Using the pool deck with all sorts of balloons and flags, tables with tablecloths, passengers and crew are decked out in white adornments and clothing throughout. It's a feast for the eyes and the feast continues with the BBQ laid out on 20% of the total space on Deck 9. When the crew and singer/dancers take over around 20:30 the music never stops and everyone (390 Crew and 465 Passengers) hits the floor boards with or without canes trying to remain vertical. The ship is on Auto-Pilot when Captain Antonio appears in his traditional clothing and belts out a tune with Emily the Cruise Director who is in all white. It was a blast.

Cathy Aitken

Sandy Aitken

Neil Forest

That's Sandy at 11:00 at this table viewed from the Jogging Track

We hit the rack at 24:00 and turn the clocks back another hour. That’s two with four more to go before we are on EST. 

Okay, just one more:

(December 10) begins where we are about 1,000 NM east of Brazil. Yesterday was day 1 of 5 where we sail on without a port of call. So what did we do all day yesterday? Breakfast at 09:00 and a lecture at 11:00 given by Dr. Bill Crowley with these points he pulled from his series of Voyages on Azamara and other Cruise companies:

THE HOLLOW FRONTIER and Black & White Settlement Across Brazil

What does Pre mean? Pre-teen, pre-marital etc. means BEFORE

Used cars are now called pre-owned that should be called Post-owned. [That's Bill Crowley's correction of the American use of PRE.]

Back to the lecture

Brazil occupies half of the South American continent.

214 Million people, with many Portuguese speaking in South America’s world’s 12th largest economy, Brazilians are innovators in bio fuels.

The giant of SA was 100 Million population in 1973.

Leading exporter of Coffee, Orange Juice, Sugar, Poultry, Beef, Soybeans, Tobacco, and lately a load of Football Players in the World Cup at Qatar.

Mineral rich Iron Ore, Copper, Zinc, Chromium, Tin, Gold, Bauxite, and Petroleum

Guyna and Brazilian shields from billions of years ago

In the beginning 

Brazilians are slash and burn agriculturists meaning they move as soon as the land becomes less fertile to another local in a few years

No metal tools no written language

No beast of burden

No knowledge of the wheel

Animistic religions (Many Gods)

Found useful resource - Brazilwood used for red dye

Established trading posts 16th century

Develop economy

Sugarcane started in 1530’s, Salvador was founded in 1549 as their capital.

The Dutch came in 1630 to 1650 invaded the northeast and took over, and then left to the north islands.

Gold discovered in Minas Gervais 1690’s and took their slaves with them to do the work.

Rio becomes the Capital because it is closer to the gold mines.

Coffee arrives 1727 from French Guiana, first to Paraiba then to Sao Paulo and then to Minas Gerais now producing about 60% of Brazilian Coffee.

By 1800

4 million population immigration from Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, Lebanese who were not treated well and about half of them left to go home.

Whitening of the south

Japanese 1907-1962 where 235,000 came to Sao Paulo and to the Amazon

A variety of nationalities became the Brazilian president right up to today

Rubber started in 18th Century, vulcanization discovered in 1839  and peak export From 1839 - 1912.

Latex is 40% of all of their exports in 1912

They cut Rubber trees by tapping

PETROLEUM DISCOVERED IN DEEP WATER IN 2008 IN PRE-SALT DEPOSITS—-YOU’LL  SEE PLENTY OF THESE OFF EAST COAST OF BRAZIL. They ship 1,369,000 barrels a day.

AND THEN THERE WAS DINNER AT 19:00 WITH JOHN AND JAN FROM A SMALL TOWN ON THE SOUTH COAST OF ENGLAND (just a short hop from Vera Lynn's home).

This couple have a great story to tell and it appears to me that the British are keen to tell it to Terryl and me. John played Bridge as a lad to get some extra pocket money. Jan was an Executive Chef in Europe and the USA prior to their meeting, marrying, raising four children who are the light of their eyes especially at Christmas time when they meet at their Seaside home for the fun and tradition. Jan and I spoke at length with our faces just 8 inches away from the other. Her mother was also named Emma which is probably why we hit it off so well. By the time the dinner was over (two and a half hours) Jan said to Terryl, "the two of you are madly in love. Isn't that so?"

John said I bet I'm older then Gary; with that Terryl asked him to guess my age. He said 73. This voyage is really working out. It must be the tan.

In the Theatre last night two amazing dancers did the Tango for 45 minutes. At the end she still had enough to run me around just a little bit.

This morning we dine (again) and Dr. Crowley is lecturing at 10:00 and it's all about Bananas. Here are  his points:

Dec 9, 2022 Lecture “What about Bananas"

Tropical popular limited shelf life of the Banana.

Banana Republic Countries. 

Bananas USA most popular fruit as well as the subject of songs and jokes, “He went Bananas” “top Banana”

Where do they come from?

(300 banana related accidents in Britain) Just a little shot at the British people

India eats the most bananas, In many countries that food is critical

Many kinds of Bananas, plantain, finger and red bananas

India is the leading producer with China in second place (2019) 100 million metric tons

Origin in New Guinea 

In 1803 Bananas came from Cuba, 1860 from Jamaica and Honduras from small farms and growing along rail lines until 20th Century.

A new technology introduced in 1908 which was in refrigerated ships as well as bedrooms for 150 passengers on a Great White fleet 19 days for $160.00 in the USA.

Dole and Chiquita (2014) evolved from the originators.

He shows and old film extolling the virtue of bananas complete with music.

Vitamin G is noted in the film that uses Spike Jones type music.

Political 

US was responsible for over-throwing Honduras and Guatemala democratic governments.

Fought about labour Unions.

A Disease striking Banana roots, (Panama disease).

We eat the Cavendish variety today which is 47% of world production, formerly we ate Gros Michel.

A Disease is threatening banana crops called Cavendish TR4 Fusarium Wilt Disease.

Banana flowers exist and the fruit grows out of it.

They tie up the trees to prevent the wind from toppling them over.

(Equador Farm 759) is possibly a wordy description for Bananas just like Wine can be seen on present day packaging from Dole or Chiquita.

End of Crowley's lecture is followed by the ship's Captain Antonia where he:

As a young man working on a two and a half year Expedition emulating the "1492 Finding of the new world for the Spanish Government and Royalty."

Captain Antonia talks about the building of the three ships using 1492 tools and material, wood, cloth, hemp filling the cracks between the boards, and anything else that would make the expedition as similar as Columbus had in his day.

He sailed those ships and of course it took months to make the crossing and there was no fresh water so they would be tethered to the ship and go for a swim with a bar of soap. And when it rained the water was corralled and used to wash off the salt.

The wind, and where and when it will help or hinder the voyage is vitally important and the Captain gave us a extensive talk on the subject because it would have dictated their day to day operations in 1492 and duplicated in 1992 for The 500th Anniversary when Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

Now it’s lunch with Pudster, thirty minutes of an ever increasing hot sun, followed by 30 minutes on the bike and stretches just like Rory McIlroy. 

(December 10) began in glorious sunshine. But we must breakfast and this time we dined in the Discoveries Dining Room with complete service provided at a table declared The Honeymoon table by our Stewart. There is a huge window overlooking the Ocean and its passing wake at 17 Knots. The meal was perfect and so were the staff that served it. We are keeping a list of names of the most notable staff as well as passengers we meet.  

At 13:30 our ship crossed The Equator with great fanfare directed by the Captain and Cruise Director of this beautiful ship. Captain Antonia and Emily Love (she is starting to grow on me) held court while the King and Queen Neptune, followed by their band of Indigenous from the Deep Ocean, paraded on to the Pool Deck to bring proceedings to us. Perhaps some photographs might help provide proof that these deep sea characters do exist. Every ship that crosses the Equator must observe the tradition that I'll attempt to describe with and without these shots:

I like moonlight 

If you saw a 'tug of war', a King and Queen declaring the ship’s captain was fit to cross the Equator if he kissed the King’s feet, ring, behind and allowed his henchmen to toss the Captain into the pool before the King annointed him then you have it. 

Crowley and the Mightiest of Rivers: The AMAZON

Around 16:00 I scurried off to the Cabaret to hear Dr Crowley's lecture on the Country, People, Culture and Industry of the People of Brazil but mostly on the longest River in the world: the Amazon River. The Cabaret lounge is comfortable and well-appointed:

The Amazon is 4,000 miles long and has 6 main tributaries stretching over 1,000 miles each. Because the population is mainly in the northeast of the country, Brazilians have built a highway (BR230) that is 3,000 miles long running in the same direction as the Amazon. The plan is to populate the rest of Brazil. One day the road will be finished. But note this, that Manaus a city of 2 million people now live in the west with a trade free zone where no tax is collected.

The geologists call the Amazon 'The Lungs of the Planet.' because it is by far the longest fresh water river in the world. 100,000 people have moved west and created a massive deforestation creating industries for lumber, cattle and soybeans. China is a huge importer of cattle and soybean, not to feed their people but to feed their chickens. A great deal of this work is done without formal approval and the 'Slash and Burn' technique described earlier has been in full form in the development of Brazil.

The Madeira (wood) River is a tributary of the Amazon where a city of 500,000 population produce Sugarcane for the production of Ethanol as the world's second largest supplier of that 10% that fills our gas tanks.

They have discovered Gold and other metals and have their version of the Gold Rush and the pursuit of riches for those that will dig and go to any length that man has reached. 

(December 12) begins as the previous ones with sunshine and tender trade winds that satisfy. After breakfast on pool deck aft both of us head to the Theatre for a lecture on Religion in Brazil and how it found its way:

December 12, 2022

AFRICAN RELIGIONS IN BRAZIL by. Dr. William K. Crowley, Geographer

Cultural transfer in Brazil

Europe brought religion language.

Population was overwhelmingly Catholic, with Baptist Presbiterian, Methodist, and a Mormon Temple as well built in 2008, and then two.Mosque Temples

Huge growth in last 30 years

Strong presence of African magic-religious systems

5 million slaves brought to Brazil

Salvador is the heart of African Religions of which there are numerous.

Salvador is first capital 1549 to 1763 and major slave ship port, today it has 3.9 million people

Candomblé orixás is a religion with priest( in abundance.

Animistic - multiplicity of Gods

Oral traditions 

This religion will focus on the here and now, not the hereafter

Their goal is to maintain a harmonious balance between Saints and Gods

Ceremonies include healing, devotional, initiation rites, and focus on here and now with Drumming Chanting Dancing Animal sacrifice divination

Vegetation Plants are part of the complex of the Religion and its Source of power that provides

Healing, narcotic effects use seeds, roots and leaves.

How did Candomble get to Brazil?

Arrived in Brazil 1830 — 3 women where shipped back only to return later

How did they survive?

Catholic church had similarities, such as saints, saints work miracles. Pomp of ceremonies, both recognize high Gods.

Slaves adopt saints name for their God

Plants used are found on both sides of the Atlantic

Source of Plants

Pantropical plants brought from Africa. (Beach morning-glory is but one of them) 

Corn cotton and tobacco taken to Africa and flourish there.

Festivvals

 God of Love, Goddess of the seas

How does it fit in Brazil?

Many practitioners practice other religions as well

It’s no longer a religion of only Africans

There religion is persecuted by some other religions as wrong and who have smashed statues and relics  etc.

If there is to be a summary to this (my thought, not Dr. Crowley) the world of Religion TODAY is still drawing battle lines like it always has.

The lecture is over and I’m in the Drawing Room doing this—which I enjoy a great deal—for the next ninety minutes. I’m on my way to the Patio Lounge for lunch with Pudster consisting of one Budweiser, one beef consommé, one half lamb brochette (we often share one meal), and five spring rolls shared again. It was perfect and not an once thrown to waste. 

Now it’s outside for thirty minutes under the blazing sun bringing the shade temperature to 82C. I don’t think I lasted the full term before heading to the gym for the usual workout. 

(December 13) We are in a shuttle bus provided by Azamara taking us to centro in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. The trip was five days at sea from Cape Verde and we have docked. Salvador is a large city obviously on the coast with its traditional Cargo shoreline and Container mechanics at the dock. A short trip to the shopping area and downtown brings us to an area that I'll let these photographs do the talking.

Our ship's reflection off a glassy wall

This is a Brazilian tree

This evening we board the Air Conditioned complimentary buses that deliver approximately 250 passengers and crew to the Theatre to see the most colourful and athletic singers, instrumentalists and dancers that we have ever seen at home or abroad. But first we are offered a Brazilian drink and tidbit on the lower area of their magnificent Theatre and watch an all female band beat the hell out of their drums and bounce around to the music.

The entire cast

Drummers greet us back on board

Judy's Christmas gift to Terryl

All Female Drummers hammering out the beat

And upstairs we are in the theatre's excellent acoustics and seats and the show begins, Approximately eight women appear when the curtain raises. They begin with a low sounding almost religious chant and slowly increase the tempo and sound level rocking the place with voice and drums all during their symbolic dance movements. My assumption is that much of what we are seeing and hearing comes from their heritage: Many of Salvador de Bahia settlers were brought here in chains from Africa.

After fourty minutes ten male actors appear on stage stripped to the waist and join the group. These men are fit and start kick boxing with cartwheels around the stage as if it's a track meet before they eventually mingle and dance with the women until the show is over. Our continuous applause when everyone took one single bow to the audience as the curtain descended was heartfelt and thankful.

This evening's program made our day all of which was courtesy of Azamara Cruise Lines and what they call an AnAmazing Night. Thank you.

(December 14) The unthinkable happens to a traveler who came to us to say hello on Day One of our journey. The gentleman pictured here (Neil Forest) took ill two days ago and stayed in his stateroom. After several attempts by us to reach him the staff entered his room and found that he had passed away. Neil from Ireland was 52 years old and appeared in good health and certainly in good spirits. On the third day of our meeting he gifted a bottle of wine and chocolates to Terryl and me. The three of us plus Sandy and Cathy had many opportunities for long conversations to learn his thoughts, likes, opinions and successes in his life. We liked him very much. His passing has not been made public on board and is not Covid related. Because we were not related to Neil the ship's protocol was not provided to us.

Neil Forest

(December 14) Captain Antonia at 11:00 delivers another rather serious lecture on

Piracy in the 21st Century. Mission Atalanta-Horn of Africa

Piracy is Any act of violence or detention etc.

Their objective is to get in close to potential prey on merchant ships that run with a small number of crew.

They use all manner of equipment like rifles grenades etc.

Azamara Ships are considered low risk.

Hot places are west Africa Gulf of Guinea, east Africa Gulf of Aden;  the Red Sea (Big in 2008); India and Asia and straight of Malacca.

23 Countries launched  EU Navfor December 2008.

Operaton Atalanta began to provide food in the area, monitor the activities, Deter and prevent, and Support other initiatives.

With so many countries involved you need poitical and military operations.

Key leader engagements and friendly approaches are its mantra if possible.

EU Navfor is involved with many organizations like the shipping industry and others.

Head Office is located in Spain and other aspects are there and elsewhere.

They have  incident response team called Mercury, that can arrive on the scene in aircraft and helicopters within a couple of hours, where other ships would take longer.

Many pirates have been imprisoned over the years BUT,

The Piracy is contained but not eradicated as of now.

(December 15) is the last day of this 16 day first cruise from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. At 10:00 I attend another Head Chef's preparation of Beef Wellington in the Theatre with a six-person assistance team. We have a recipe to duplicate his work in about 60 minutes and, it will be done for a special occasion at 66 High real soon.

Beef Wellington TDF

Guess who’s in charge?

And in the Auditorium at 14:00 Dr. Crowley delivers has last lecture for this 16 day Voyage fittingly on Rio de Janeiro, but of course:

December 15, 2022 Lecture on Rio by Dr. B. Crowley

A Sail in at Sunrise would be optimal.

10,000,000 People live within this complex topography.

Where’s Rio? 

Slide of Sugarloaf mountain, Ipanema Beach, Flamingo and Vermello and Copacabana beach.

Original development required a tunnel with trolley line through tunnel. The slides are great but we'll see the real thing from a Gondola ride tomorrow.

High Rises are on the beach now.

Favelas (squatters) arrive late 19th Century with impossible sites--they have 20% of the populations many areas are drug infested and lawless where the streets are finally getting names and addresses given in the last decade.

Favelas named are Morro da Provindencia, Botafogo & Santa Marta Favelas are squatter's land of large areas butting right next to the governed areas.

A Samba is a person wise in the ways of the samba world.

Samba has a musical and religious origin.

Incorporated into Carnaval in 19th Century with months of preparation by and for the whites. The Black Community really got it going later. The Carnaval Concept was originated in Venice and Paris.

They end slavery in 1888 in Brazil which is quite late. 

1907 mixed races formed a promenade with their centre of activity: Aunt Clara house and the whites get involved in 1916 and 1923

THE BIG DEAL is downtown and large floats. Plenty of Costumes, singing and dancing.

FOOTBALL HUGE HERE introduced by the British 1889. Arturo Freidenreich mixed race hero  from Brazil came along early in the 20th Century.

Then there was Pele and Brazil wins World cup five times in 20 years.

Brazil is an Architectural dud except for Museum of Contemporary Art built in 1889. The vertical Catholic Church is also surprisingly futuristic as well.

Tijuca Park and waterfall just outside of Rio.

Rio de Janeiro is all about party, music, dancing, and plenty of fun. But hang on to your watch and wallets my friends. Here are some Rio photographs of the most beautiful bit of Earthly Topography I have ever seen:

Downtown Rio

High above Rio de Janeiro on the Funicular

I call this one The Joyage of The Voyage

Gary Terryl Cathy Sandy

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