Lirio

After several changes and options around the globe we finally booked a cruise to Alaska with Silversea in the Muse (September 2024). Was not my first option but in the end was the best for us. We chose D2D because it was cheaper than P2P (5% venetian discount is not applicable to P2P). So, we will have our flights within US included. Several years ago, I planned a road trip to Alaska and redeemed a flight from Brasil to US with mileages from Varig. Varig went on bankruptcy, and I was very upset I would lose my long-planned trip. And while I was wondering what to do instead, I received an offer from a TA to take a cruise to Antarctica in a “new” ship Price Albert. At that time, price was very good and without further planning I said yes in the same day. In March 2010 I visited Antarctica because I could not go to Alaska. Now, after 14 years, Alaska here we go. As I have a tidy schedule, probably I will need go another time for a road trip, I hope it wont take 14 years again.

Ual!!!You did a great tour!

We are considering a cruise for Alaska at Le Soleal. Wi-Fi quality is a deal break for us, as we need to keep daily contact with office. Can anyone comment about the quality of Wi-Fi?

That´s me several years older....59 at the time of the picture and some kilos more. I am afraid of heights, so I needed 2 trips to Manaus to succeed climbing the 242 steps and the 42 meters high.....

@Fletcher I visit Manaus more often and should you need any information, just ask. In advance it is hot and humid. The visits I like most: Teatro Amazonas and neighborhood square. Museu da Amazônia – MUSA; it is a park and the guided tour is well worth and there is the tower to climb. Museu do Seringal Vila Paraíso a bit far from downtown. Should you have time, please check if the guided tour will be in English (I do not have a recent photo). Should you have time: Palácio Rio Negro. Some pictures from in July 2023.

These are good beaches. Sunday those beaches will probably be crowded Futuro Beach is close to downtown and Cumbuco is bit away. Cumbuco is popular for kitesurf and windsurf. Beaches in Fortaleza are all very windy so, be smart and do not underestimate the sun!

I am glad you liked Salvador. The historical area is very nice.

The best thing to do in Fortaleza is going to the beaches outside the city. Some are very very nice. The Theatre is also interesting. @Fletcher do you know which beaches are offered?

there is a one night cruise to Doubtful sound which was my first ever cruise.

Number 1.

At Minas Gerais State again in Belo Horizonte. In this area there are several iron ore mining facilities. Surrounded by those facilities there is a natural park: Rola Moça. Today we did a hiking in this park, from where one can see Belo Horizonte in the distance. The vegetation is called Cerrado which is a type of savanna. Low bushes, dry, with several tiny and small flowers with a lot of colors in a rocky soil (iron ore everywhere).

My heart lives in Auckland. Enjoy the city...I will be there April/May.

I wish I was on Rio de Janeiro to see Silver Nova. But I came to my home town. So I will miss her!

I only cruised in small ships. Not many, but I never regretted. SS and Seabourn are great. I wish I could do more. If budget is not a problem, go for it.

Get better soon!

We were in Venice last August. Check in was at old Venice cruise terminal. Then bus to Fusina. We made our own arrangement of hotel. We went to old terminal by People Move as our hotel in Venice was very close to that. You can not get into the Fusina Port by your own. Better to stay close to Venice.

Today we drove back from Punta de Leste to Montevideo. We chose secondary roads along side the beach and had a great day. In Montevideo, we opted for a hotel close to the airport (we fly tomorrow) in an historical building. The hotel restaurant is very good. We had a prime rib, and you have the option to choose your knife. We had a white wine with the breads + olive oil and a Tannat with the meet. Both were very good.

On the other side of the world, I finally went to visit Bodega Garzon (the most famous bodega in Uruguay) where Francis Mallmann runs a restaurant. I didn’t visit the vineyards and other areas as I am not a wine person. I went to the restaurant that happens to be in the bodega. Well, food was good, meet (oyo de bife) was spectacular. But I considered the whole experience overpriced and very far (3 hours drive from montevideo). But I am happy I finally came. We bought 2 bottles of wine to take home and visited the beach in Punta del Leste (and I am not a beach person as well). And a film from the view from the bodega yard. 20240127_163759.mp4

Every morning this week a cruise ship passed by my windown arriving in Montevideo. somedays 2. and in the evening sails away. I didnt expect so many cruises here. q Tomorrow we are going to Punta Del Leste for the weekend and then back home in Rio.

On Silver Spirit, last August, no tote in Veranda suite.

Someone is sailing away from Montevideo........the picture is not very good, but a cruise ship has just passed-by in front of my window

From Wikipedia: "The Pittamiglio Castle. The façade facing the promenade exhibits a replica of the Victory of Samothrace, representing "the victory of life", made by the Italian-Uruguayan sculptor Pedro Piccioli, which makes the building emblematic of the Montevideo coast. It was the residence of the architect Humberto Pittamiglio from 1910 to 1966, who kept it under permanent construction from the time he bought the land in 1910 until the day of his death, with the premise that its construction would never end, as a metaphor that life is a boat trip." I just passed in front of it. Didnt stop. Maybe next time.

Today we biked alongside Rambla, followed by a parilla lunch (very good) and the rest of the day by the hotel pool.

@Montevideo – Uruguai. A short direct flight from Rio (3 hours). This is not our first time here, so we came for relaxing and working (the good thing about home office: you can work from anywhere). Good food, good wine, good weather, reasonable prices. What more could we ask for? The view from our hotel room balcony......

I have a place in my heart for Dunedin. When my daughter first went to NZ, when she was 15 in a high school exchange program, she lived for 7 months in Dunedin. After that, I went there to meet her, and we came back to Brazil together. I redeemed a miles ticket from Brazil to Dunedin through LAX and Auckland. 2 days travelling, but it was funny at that time, first time in first class and Kiri Te Kanawa was just by my side from LAX to Auckland. When I arrived at Dunedin airport (small at that time) I passed by my daughter without recognizing her and she got really sad. On my excuse: she had gained 10 kgs, dyed her hair blonde and got a piecing and a tattoo. It is a lovely city.