There aren't many villages on the island but we stopped at the largest on which has a population of 1900. I won't bore you with the name of it. There were no ship's tours but the tenders took us ashore. After our Tex-Mex buffet lunch up on pool deck, I grabbed my camera and headed ashore. I found an interesting little village with quite a few Brazilian tourists who came by ferry from mainland. It was a great place for photos and just walking around enjoying the quaint place. The first thing I noticed was the colorful flowering trees on the sides of the rain forest hills. The beach at the village was not that great but I never ventured to any others. There were boats that would take you on a tour around the island, that some of our passengers really enjoyed. The streets, if you call them that, (no cars on the island) were either dirt, sand, or cobblestone. There were many little shops selling: bathing suit, souvenirs, groceries, and several restaurants with very questionable sanitary standards. I had a couple "problems" with my camera malfunctioning?? They say there are 120 miles of hiking trails here. I walked a little ways up one but turned back after smelling something very dead. I stayed a whole hour here which is much longer than I figured I would. Finally got hot so headed back towards tender dock stopping along the way to get a refreshing Guarana, Brazilian soda with lots of caffeine. I used to drink them on flight back to DFW from Sao Paulo. They are very good.
It is 6pm and there is a special event for full circle passengers up on front outer deck where passengers are normally not allowed. We are passing as too hot and not big on champaign. We are to meet Susie and Fred, our next door neighbors, for cocktails and dinner at 7pm. Both couples are wanting to go see the show at 9:30 this evening. It is Jamie Michael Stewart, Love Boat singer, on stage again. We loved his first show a few days ago.
I believe our stop today and our stops on Wednesday and Thursday are just so Regent does not have to be in Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. They do not want the expense (docking is premium price during it), try to reserve space for passengers along the Carnival parade route (again $$$), and the security issues with us being there with 5 million other tourists. I got a ship's officer today (no names) who admitted this was a "technical" stop and smiled when it was said. I ask that they at least try to televise the parades on the ship for us. I know it is televised because I used to watch it when laying over in Buenos Aires.
Soft shell crabs were wonderful last night as was Peter & Maureen, our table mates. I say "mates" as they are very Australian (ex police supervisor in Sydney). Well, I guess Regent does listen to their passengers. We were on this ship back in November for our two week transatlantic cruise and I bitched because there was only one stationary bike in the gym. I ask for a second one to be put on for this cruise. Well, this morning I walked into the gym and there was a new, second bike!!! Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the BEST!
