Bit of a Blog : Crown Princess : Buenos Aires - Valparaiso : February 1st 2017

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Did this cruise in 2015 so very excited to follow this blog and relive our experiences!!

 

Have a great cruise.

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

The ride up on the train takes about 20minutes.

 

Then there's a lift

 

 

 

 

Two escalators up

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

We are not alone

 

 

This is His view

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

Not so easy to get this pic..... so many selfie sticks and bodies lying on the ground trying to photograph upwards at this location.....

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Walking around

 

 

 

The Chapel of Nossa Senhora Aparecida

 

 

This website describes the history of the site.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Our guide today.... he's discussing capuchin monkeys that inhabit the rainforest and occasionally cause havoc here.

 

 

 

Looking down on the tram / train

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Heading down

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

The statue to João Teixeira Soares who built the railway up the mountain

 

 

 

 

Another site with info here

[NorbertsNiece]

By the time we get back to the hotel I am exhausted. And hot. It had been pleasantly a bit cooler up the mountain. I know if I go up to my room and sit down I will fall asleep..... but I don't want to sleep...... I want to eat!

 

I'd filched a banana at breakfast but that hadn't done much to keep me going.

 

Armed with disinfectant hand gel I head for the cafe where I'd enjoyed coffee yesterday. Everyone else has gone for a shower. I am remembered. I knock back 2 coffees and an omelette!!

 

 

 

And GF banana cake

 

 

I take a coffee to go.

 

Here's that moment you've been waiting for.

 

Standing at the traffic lights I receive a really hard blow to the head. Those standing near me were subjected to some choice expletives. I look around to see what had struck me..... ok I admit..... I looked around to see WHO had struck me. I see an object roll into the road...... I have no idea what it is but it's fallen off the branches of the tree under which I'm standing.

 

This is it

 

 

Any botanists out there?

 

I meet our 3 guides near the hotel and they check me out. Just a bump developing.

 

My room has struggled to be cool. Yesterday I asked at reception and was told to turn the dial by the side of the bed. I avoided advising the receptionist to not patronise me. Today I ask the same receptionist to please sort the air con. He sends a technician.

 

I have previously downloaded a translator to my phone.

 

'O air condiciondo nao esta frio'

 

 

 

All nicely sorted.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to keep me company here..... loving your support and encouragement x

 

Will be back later following our BBQ tonight.

 

Linda

[mamaw58]

Following

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[jannandjohn]

 

 

Here's that moment you've been waiting for.

 

Standing at the traffic lights I receive a really hard blow to the head. Those standing near me were subjected to some choice expletives. I look around to see what had struck me..... ok I admit..... I looked around to see WHO had struck me. I see an object roll into the road...... I have no idea what it is but it's fallen off the branches of the tree under which I'm standing.

This is it

 

Any botanists out there?

 

Linda

 

Linda..its a Mango..we have a tree in our backyard.

Edited January 27, 2017 by jannandjohn

[ringers0815]

Great blog Linda. We will be on the next cruise Feb 15 Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale. Your blog makes me feel like we are already there!

[NorbertsNiece]

Linda..its a Mango..we have a tree in our backyard.

 

Well don't go standing underneath it then.

Damn thing hurts when it makes contact with cranium.

[NorbertsNiece]

Great blog Linda. We will be on the next cruise Feb 15 Valparaiso to Fort Lauderdale. Your blog makes me feel like we are already there!

 

Oh my goodness!!!

Hello!!!

 

We were on Rhapsody together..... Singapore - Dubai!! :D

[jannandjohn]

Well don't go standing underneath it then.

Damn thing hurts when it makes contact with cranium.

the avocado trees are worse...the avos feel like rocks when they drop...

[reemab1]

Really enjoying reading your blog - looking forward to more !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[LEESRE]

Great Blog so far, Must try to keep up with you.

 

We sail Crown Princess in May and if you have time once aboard could you post some details of prices for drinks, just things like a Beer and a cocktail.

 

Many thanks,

[NorbertsNiece]

The BBQ isn't a BBQ at all.

 

Hosted at a restaurant called Oasis Churrascaria it's an all you can eat steakhouse type place...... serve yourself starter buffet then meat served at the table.... and more meat..... and even more meat......

 

 

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

Three free drinks are provided..... water, soft drinks or beer. Wine or more than the free allowance has to be paid for.

 

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was ice cream for dessert which I passed on...... and coffee.

 

Meeting some wonderful people and having some good laughs. Most agree that the free day we had been given unexpectedly at the beginning was much needed to get over the flight. Not everyone is 100% yet. The heat and humidity is taking its toll on some. Some REALLY dislike this hotel. When I find out the cruise lines they're accustomed to I can see why something more basic is unexpected.

 

End of day 3

Edited January 28, 2017 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Itinerary for tomorrow, we're being picked up at 2pm..... not sure what I'll do in the morning at the moment :

 

Downtown is the business heart of Rio. It is the part of the city where colonial Rio meets modern skyscrapers. Your tour starts on 1 de Março avenue, the first commercial street built in the 18th. Century. You will see the Paço Imperial palace, which was the first residence of the Royal Family, Banco do Brasil Cultural Centre and the Candelaria Church. From this point, the bus will proceed to Presidente Vargas avenue, the second most important street in downtown. It was built to create access from the suburbs to the commercial centre of the Capital in the early nineties and passes through the popular market and Tiradentes Square. Continuing with the tour you will see the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, Rio´s aqueduct, Santo Antonio Church, BNDES and the Petrobras buildings before reaching Lapa, the most popular night life point in Rio. You will have a panoramic view of the Teatro Municipal, the National Library and the City Council building - all of them inspired by European 18th century style. Afterwards you will drive through the Flamengo Park, from where you have the chance to see Sugar Loaf. This famous mountain is reached by a cable car 1,200 feet high, and will provide an experience you will never forget, looking down at Rio from the Sugar Loaf is said to be one of the most spectacular views in the world. Touring, like yesterday will last approximately 4 hours.

[emmak8]

I will be doing this cruise on the Emerald January 2018. Love your blog. I too will be traveling solo! It is comforting to realize there are many solo cruisers. Thank you for sharing,

[riclop]

Thanks for the blog.

[I'm from Oz]

Yikes - an unripened mango - wow! Glad you are ok. At least it wasn't something like our Bunya pine nuts - they could seriously knock you out. :)

 

Love the pics of the food on the skewers - rather like the offerings from Samba Grill :D

 

Too much meat for my liking, but it always looks sooooooo delicious.

 

Keep it all coming.

[BarbarianPaul]

LOVE your pics! I feel like I'm going on this with you!

 

 

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