RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - DAY 8

 

        We got up at 6:15, earlier than normal, as I wanted to watch us sail into the port.  We were docked at 7:15, and again today, we have a nice view of the pier from our balcony.  It is cloudy and 77 degrees this morning with rain forecast in the afternoon.

Historical/Background Info:

        Rio is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere due to its “Carnival” every February, its beaches, and the famous statue called “Christ the Redeemer”.  This photo was taken as we sailed into Rio. 

                                                      CHRIST THE REDEEMER

        The statue was started in 1922 and took 9 years to complete.  It is 98 feet high not including the 26 foot pedestal and the arms stretch to 92 feet wide.  It is the 5th largest statue of Jesus in the world.  The stones used to build it came from Sweden.  It became one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World” in 2007.

        Carnival this year is from February 13th to 21st this year, so just ended 3 days ago.  I’m sure the city was be abuzz with Carnival activities.

        The city population of Rio is 6.5 million but the entire metro population is over 12 million.  This makes it the 2nd largest city in Brazil, 6th largest city in the America’s, and world’s 35th largest city.  If you include the metro population then it becomes the 18th largest city in the world.  It was founded in 1565 by the Portuguese.  It served as the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries until 1960, when the capital was transferred to Brasilia.

        Rio lies on the western shore of Guanabara Bay just 225 miles north of Sao Paulo.  Rio has over 1000 slums, called favelas.  Crime in Rio is a big problem even in tourist areas.  

        Rio is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere and is known for its natural setting, Carnival, samba, bossa nova, and beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema.  In addition to its beaches, landmarks include the statue “Christ the Redeemer”, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Sambodromo, a permanent grandstand-lined avenue which is used during Carnival.

        The city experiences hot, humid summers and warm, sunny winters.  Remember seasons are reversed in the South Hemisphere:  our spring is their fall.  We were here in 2012 & 2016.

LAST EVENING

                                    Our pigs-in-a-blanket in the Meridian Lounge at 6pm.

                                   I had a Grey Goose martini first then tried a Cosmo.

        At 6:30 we went up to Sette Mari for dinner.  This is Komang whom we have sailed with before.  His wife in a sommelier in Pacific Rim.

                                          Our waiter is Kaye.  Strange name for a man.

                                             We both started with minestrone soup as usual.

                     It's neat as you can look into the kitchen and watch them prepare the food.

Here's my veal parmesan.  I asked for a smaller portion but still way too big.  Very good however.

                                Rebecca had this appetizer portion of some penne bolognese.

I was the first one to enter the theater when they opened the doors at 9:00 and got our first row seats.

        He has some stones on string that he is twirling and hitting the stage.  Hard to describe but amazing.  Another incredible show.  Again we gave them a standing ovation and this time a few more joined us.

After the show we got a photo with them and thanked them again for another amazing show.

        The heel came of one of my shoes during the show.  Hope I can get it reattached tomorrow.  I'll have Paul, our steward, take it.

TODAY

           We passed by two drilling rigs in the harbor.  This one was actually drilling for oil.

        This cruise ship is the Artania.  It's now operated by a German company but used to be a Princess ship.  It was the Royal Princess and we have actually sailed on it then.  Only 1200 passengers capacity.

                            Looks like a big provisioning day as several trucks waiting on us.

                                                 The water is full of garbage.  So sad.

        Another good job, Captain!  You gave us a great view from our balcony again today.  This is a parking garage.

                                                 Passengers heading out for their tour.

        Hope it is not raining when they return because it is long walk in the open to get back from the cruise terminal.

                                                    Fortress as we sailed into the harbor.

                                      There is a pretty big crew change over here in Rio.  

                                 Changing the light.  Constant ship maintenance going on. 

             Provisions being loaded on this side of the ship and fuel bunkering on the other side.

                                                              The passenger terminal

                      The crew will love this.  They have to pay something for it on the ship.

                                                     Lots of shops inside the terminal.

  Mural just outside the terminal.  They were also setting up lots of shopping stalls along the sidewalk.

                                                         Our home away from home!

 

                                                              Tram up to Sugar Loaf

                                                             Views from Sugar Loaf

                                                   Ipanema and Copacabana beaches

                          This is a favelas, slum area.  You would NOT want to go in this area.

                                                             La Veranda lunch menu.

        Emiliano, our long time friend, came back on board today.  He is the best Head Sommelier that Regent has.  He replaced Grace who has been the temporary head sommelier.

        To start with I had my usual anchovies & blu cheese plus some smoked salmon and tuna & salmon tartar.

       Then some maple roasted turkey breast, chili & honey glazed salmon, and Zurich style veal.

        This contraption is used to wash windows.  It is on rollers so can move down the side of the ship.  It can clean exterior window on this deck and the one above.

                                                          Drug sniffing dogs on the pier.

        At 2pm all the crew members going home today came down to put their luggage in the truck then board the bus in top left of this photo.  Many of them will be on flights with several connections and not get home for 2 days.  They don't care because they are going home!

        Looks like we will make it through the day here in Rio without any "liquid" sunshine.  It is 85 degrees with 70% humidity this afternoon.  They are finished with the fuel bunkering and a massive provisioning.  We are not sailing again until 9pm as our next port, Buzios, is just under 200 miles away.

                                      This is tonight's Compass Rose menu.  Looks good to us.

        As usual cocktail hour in the Meridian Lounge at 6:00.  Dinner in Compass Rose will be followed by the show featuring ship's production cast.  The show is titled "Crossroads".  Halfway between Nashville and Los Angles lies the "Crossroads Warehouse", where diehard country folks and rock & rollers meet to see whose music packs the hardest punch.  This is the show's theme.  We have seen the show before and is very good.  We even saw this cast perform it on our Aug/Sep cruise on this ship.