Sandy's Travels 2014/2015: Amazon and Caribbean Cruises

Cruise Up the Amazon and Sailing the Caribbean

After a stressful year-end I started doing what I do best - planning my next trip. In previous years the Silversea Amazon cruise had always been sold out. This year I was lucky, not only were there empty cabins, but I qualified for the familiarization rate for travel agents.

My biggest problem was making sure I could get my visa to Brazil on time. Mucho dollars and two and a half weeks later I had my passport and visa in hand. I received it on Tuesday and I left on Saturday, not much wiggle room.

I was also lucky to find mileage flights too and from Barbados, where the ship embarked. I flew a day early and was glad I did. Of course my flight was canceled so I was rerouted. I was the last passenger reunited with his luggage. I slept well that night and looked forward to boarding the Silversea Silver Cloud on Sunday.

Georgetown, Barbados - January 25, 2015

There were five cruise ships in port, the Silver Cloud the smallest by far. I was greeted by one of the singers who I met on my December cruise. Onboard I felt right at home, knowing over half the staff.

I met lots of new people and had a very entertaining dinner with my new friends. I think we all drank too much that evening.

The beautiful beaches of Barbados

Bequia, St. Vincent & Grenadine - January 26, 2015

Today I ventured off the ship with Laurel, Beverly and Louie. We walked along the beach and then did some climbing before reaching a beautiful deserted beach. The water was Caribbean blue and super inviting. Unfortunately none of us had bathing suits. We took the road back, climbing even higher but we were rewarded with spectacular views of the harbour.

Back in town we tendered back to the ship for lunch and a nap. I'm writing this narrative while enjoying tea time. Luckily we walked almost five miles earlier so I could afford the pastries.

I had dinner with two of the singers, Rhiannon and Duncan. All the entertainers were amazing and I looked forward to seeing their shows again. By the way, I just booked the back to back cruise following this one, so I'll be on the ship another nine days.

Tonight's entertainment was an amazing magician. I have no idea how he does his magic. And to top it off, he was gorgeous.

A possible painting?

The Silver Cloud

One of many fantastic and beautiful meals

Granada - January 27, 2015

Today was a real surprise. For breakfast I had a lobster omelet - amazing. Then I got off the ship to what I thought was a new country/island. Wrong, I was here during my family cruise last November. Today I took a long five mile walk circumventing two bays.

We all got dressed up for our first formal night, followed by the amazing Voices of Silversea.

One of many rainbows

At Sea - January 28, 2015

This is the first of many relaxing at sea days. Laurel gave her lecture on "To Go a-Pirating: the True Story of Caribbean Piracy". I surprised her by borrowing a pirate costume and went up on the stage before her speech. It was quite amusing.

For dinner I was treated to la Champagne, the specialty restaurant. The lobster thermidor and lamb chops were awesome.

Devil's Island, French Guiana - January 29, 2015

We didn't arrive until 1:30 pm so we were treated to another lecture by Laurel. The subject was "The Portuguese in Brazil, Part 1". I don't think anyone had Brazilian history in school and it was very informative.

After we arrived at Devil's Island, we tendered to shore. I walked around the entire island and got my five miles in. The island was the sight of the infamous penal colonies. World famous Henri Charriere, immortalized in the movie Papillion, was supposedly the only convict ever to have escaped from the "green hell". This was one of the most interesting places I've ever visited.

One of the prison blocks

The actual Devil's Island where visitation isn't allowed

Me in the cell block

Me in the cell

Back on the ship I missed trivia for the first day, but I made it to golf putting.

Tonight's cabaret show featured my favorite entertainers - Nicola, Rhiannon and Duncan.

At Sea, Entering the Amazon - January 30, 2015

Today we entered the Amazon River. We had been asked to conserve water since the river was too dirty for the ship to purify it. I had all my laundry done yesterday.

In the morning I attended the bridge tour - sorry, no pictures allowed. The captain shared a lot of information. Its nice to know there are backups for almost everything.

I relaxed until trivia and golf. I had dinner with Nicola, one of the singers. As I've said before, this cast is definitely better then the previous one.

At 10:00 pm we entered the Amazon River. Since this morning the ocean has been super muddy with all the silt being washed down from the jungle.

On the Amazon River - January 31, 2015

The Amazon is the dirtiest river I've ever seen.

The highlight of the day was the visit of King Neptune for the equator crossing. This was extremely funny with all the first timers having to kiss the fish. It was much funnier than my first one.

King Neptune's court

Me with Rhiannon and Nicola

The rest of the day was for relaxation.

Santarem, Brazil - February 1, 2015

We arrived three hours late since there was a generator issue during the night. There was no power at all, including no air conditioning or toilets. Luckily it was fixed

We took the bus into town and discovered everything was closed since it was Sunday. We did find a bar where we had local a caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil. We then spent the afternoon walking back to the ship.

How colorful

Wall art

Millions of boats everywhere

Piranhas

Boca Da Valeria, Brazil - February 2, 2015

This village was on the shore of the Amazon. It was pouring and the native children were very clingy, just what I like. I stayed five minutes and took a few photos before climbing back on the tender.

The afternoon was relaxing, where I caught up on reading and writing - not rithmatic.

Manaus, Brazil - February 3-5, 2015

We arrived in Manaus in the afternoon. I opted, as usual, for a self tour. But first I needed money. I finally found an ATM machine, but my card didn't work. So I tried another, and another, and another with no luck. I had some cash so I exchanged my dollars for reais.

Next I visited the opera house. It was quite ornate, with a lot of the original structure still in place. Its over 100 years old, financed by rubber money - Manaus' main industry at the time of construction. There are a number of free concerts, but the timing wasn't right for me.

The next day I again walked around town, visiting the market place. I bought some clothes, and will probably buy more the following day.

That evening I took Seraia, the international hostess, to Bufalo, the local Brazilian steakhouse. They had a caipirinha cart with many brands of cachaca to choose from. The meal was amazing.

On our final day in Manaus, I had local currency I had to spend. I was looking for a Brazilian shirt that did not have English. After visiting 15 shops I gave up. I did find an amazing T-shirt with a black and white photo of NYC. I was down to a few dollars and passed a barber shop. I got my first Brazilian cut. Three days in Manaus was much too long.

Local fruit and vegetable vendors

The Opera House

The Opera House main hall

Sunset in Manaus

Marketplace

Brazilian Art

My caipirinha

The waiter making the caipirinha

Alter Do Chao, Brazil - February 7, 2015

This was the most beautiful port on the trip. We tendered in to white sandy beaches. You can see a picture of me in the Amazon River. I looked to make sure there were no piranhas. We walked into the resort village and completed our final day of shopping. Unfortunately we had to sail away at 1:00 pm.

This was the only anaconda I saw on the Amazon. (Julie, it is real)

My feet in the muddy Amazon

On the Amazon River and at Sea - February 8-10, 2015

The last three days of the cruise were very relaxing. I did break down and ordered the internet for the at sea days. I had an amazing time with my new friends playing trivia and putt putt golf. Of course the food remained fantastic.

Bridgetown, Barbados - February 11, 2015

I decided to extend my cruise and picked up a 9 day cruise from Barbados to San Juan. Today I walked into town and then beyond. I met my friends Laurel and Beverley and spent a few hours shopping before returning to the ship.

At Sea - February 12, 2015

After an amazing breakfast for the returning back-to-back passengers, I sunned and read.

Before dinner I found out a veranda cabin was available, so I had my butler move everything for the second time in two days.

Willemstad, Curacao - February 13, 2015

Today my butler brought my fold-up bike, which I gave to the crew last December. Some mechanic on board must have given it a tune up since it worked much better then before.

I rode around town but the traffic was bad and the drivers didn't want a cyclist sharing the road, so I found a back street and completed my 10 miles there.

In the afternoon I did some serious shopping. I bought an emerald and diamond ring and a gold bracelet.

The most famous scene in Curacao

Oranjstad, Aruba - February 14, 2015

It was Saturday so I hoped the traffic would not be as bad as yesterday. I got my bike and helmet and headed to the resort and beach area. I was lucky and the traffic was light. I road about 7 miles before turning back and taking a break at Eagle Beach. The water was Caribbean blue, how surprising. The last two miles were directly into the Aruba winds, a constant 20 MPH.

In the afternoon I went shopping but wasn't in the mood. There were too many tourists due to the huge Carnival ship the had just docked.

Cycling in Aruba

Beach chairs

Kralendijk, Bonaire - February 15, 2015

This is the smallest of the ABC islands. I ventured out on my bike again. On my way back the SD card in my camera malfunctioned and I could not even view the pictures I took. Luckily I had just replaced the SD card, so all my other pictures were safe.

That evening I met two couples on the way to cocktails. They mentioned they were from Greensboro, NC. I said my cousins lived there over 30 years ago. They asked what their names were and I said Sara and Jerry. They then completed their last name, Lynn, and said they had two girls. What a small world.

Then I sat with another couple and found out their last name was Neuharth. The mystery of why everyone was calling them Neubarth was solved.

At Sea - February 16, 2015

Sun, water, food and drinks

Roseau, Dominica - February 17, 2015

I have been to this port before and elected to stay on board. How many waterfalls and banana trees must one see. Also, the island was much too hilly to ride my bike.

The butler surprised me with chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne. The napkin was folded like a tuxedo. I am so spoiled.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten - February 18, 2015

Another repeat port. Another day of relaxation.