March 6, 2016 - A glorious, lazy day at sea filled with the relaxed rhythm of the ship. We met Danny from Ireland and his wife, Alison from England - Danny is now retired and they are traveling the world. As with most Irishmen, he's full of stories and bits of information about just about everything; a delight to listen to and chat with. He is from Donegal and after our last driving trip around Ireland, it was so interesting to have additional details of the various cities and towns we visited. He passed on a bit of little know trivia regarding Guinness - it actually was first brewed in Cashel before moving to St. James Gate.
We are definitely into the groove of cruising. As a group, we usually catch up during the day, but always meet before dinner at a bar close to our choice of dining venues. It's usually the Mariner Lounge outside the Compass Rose and Prime 7 dining rooms, but tonight we're going to try to get into the Italian restaurant - the transformed La Veranda - Sette Mari So we're meeting in the Constellation Lounge with the magnificent 220 degree view.
Sette Mari. Wow! In a word, fantastic. Way too much to eat, but all quite delicious... I'd be content with just the buffet offering abundant salads & various antipastos. Oh my! But I sacrificed to research and ordered the Veal Marsala while John opted for the Osso Buco, both were outstanding!
Tomorrow Recife, (pronounced "heh see fee") with an excursion to Recefi & Olinda and Prime 7 for dinner!
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Ahhhhh
March 5, 2016 - Very quiet day today finding our own rhythm aboard. Reacquainting myself with Nenad, the IT god, I'm now wired. Today, I'm catching up with the blog, as I've neglected writing since we left Coral Springs for Rio.
There was a very good lecture by Terry Breen, cultural anthropologist for Regent, discussing the 2016 Olympics. Following the successful bid for the Olympics, reality set in and Rio has been working like mad to clean up the city, complete the venues located in five places around the city, many of the venues were used for the PanAmerican Games so Rio had a leg up. The biggest challenges Rio faces in the sprint to the finish line in August are two fold: money to finish in time and cleaning up the Enseada de Botafogo for the water sports - which is still filled with raw waste.
Lunch was a trip as we met a fascinating couple. They looked like street people, he very large, long hair and scruffy beard, from Montreal; she thin and wrinkled from Martinique. Finding out that her parents arranged for her marriage and at that, she headed to Paris for 6 years, but on her return, there was still a list of potential husbands waiting for her! So once again she took off, this time to Montreal! This couple celebrated their 50th anniversary with an around the world cruise on Seabourn and now cruising MIA r/t on Regent for 72 days around South America!
I've been hard at work since lunch and am headed for a Rosetta before going up to dress for dinner...Formal optional tonight! Jewels and Champagne! I'm there! Tomorrow Champagne and Caviar for breakfast! Oh the life!
There was a very good lecture by Terry Breen, cultural anthropologist for Regent, discussing the 2016 Olympics. Following the successful bid for the Olympics, reality set in and Rio has been working like mad to clean up the city, complete the venues located in five places around the city, many of the venues were used for the PanAmerican Games so Rio had a leg up. The biggest challenges Rio faces in the sprint to the finish line in August are two fold: money to finish in time and cleaning up the Enseada de Botafogo for the water sports - which is still filled with raw waste.
Lunch was a trip as we met a fascinating couple. They looked like street people, he very large, long hair and scruffy beard, from Montreal; she thin and wrinkled from Martinique. Finding out that her parents arranged for her marriage and at that, she headed to Paris for 6 years, but on her return, there was still a list of potential husbands waiting for her! So once again she took off, this time to Montreal! This couple celebrated their 50th anniversary with an around the world cruise on Seabourn and now cruising MIA r/t on Regent for 72 days around South America!
I've been hard at work since lunch and am headed for a Rosetta before going up to dress for dinner...Formal optional tonight! Jewels and Champagne! I'm there! Tomorrow Champagne and Caviar for breakfast! Oh the life!
Friday, March 4, 2016
Back Aboard the Mariner!
March 4, 2016 - Luggage out by 7:00am and ready to board the bus to the pier by 11:00. Check out, hurry up and wait! They failed to advise us we had to identify our luggage before boarding the bus, so that was a little hitch, but otherwise it was a pleasant tour of Rio on the way to the port and seamless transition to the ship.
Check in on board with luncheon waiting for us in La Veranda, and by the time we'd finished it was time to make our way to our suites and unpack. Not an easy chore, but I'm not complaining! It was so very nice when it was all done and you are feeling of being organized and able to finally find things again! 21 days before I have to worry about that again!
The group met at the Mariner Lounge for a drink & hors d'oeuvres before dinner in the main dining room, The Compass Rose. I was looking for all those we'd met before, and was surprised, and somewhat saddened, to find that life goes on...many were on vacation, others transferred to other ships, but there are still enough from the LIS/CPT trip onboard to make us feel very much at home. Our staff captain from LIS/CPT is now our captain! Captain Serena Melani.
It was Jimmy Murphy's birthday and we did celebrate - we of course had cards for him, and a few celebratory drinks followed by a lovely dinner and birthday cake! And many well wishers, all was helped by a "Happy Birthday" crown Jimmy wore for the evening!
Going to Rio? Stay at the Sheraton Rio, eat elsewhere, call Guilherme for a tour (+5521) 7838-1693!
Check in on board with luncheon waiting for us in La Veranda, and by the time we'd finished it was time to make our way to our suites and unpack. Not an easy chore, but I'm not complaining! It was so very nice when it was all done and you are feeling of being organized and able to finally find things again! 21 days before I have to worry about that again!
The group met at the Mariner Lounge for a drink & hors d'oeuvres before dinner in the main dining room, The Compass Rose. I was looking for all those we'd met before, and was surprised, and somewhat saddened, to find that life goes on...many were on vacation, others transferred to other ships, but there are still enough from the LIS/CPT trip onboard to make us feel very much at home. Our staff captain from LIS/CPT is now our captain! Captain Serena Melani.
It was Jimmy Murphy's birthday and we did celebrate - we of course had cards for him, and a few celebratory drinks followed by a lovely dinner and birthday cake! And many well wishers, all was helped by a "Happy Birthday" crown Jimmy wore for the evening!
Going to Rio? Stay at the Sheraton Rio, eat elsewhere, call Guilherme for a tour (+5521) 7838-1693!
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Exploring Rio
March 3, 2016 - We were asked by the Concierge to start our tour at 7:00 a.m. rather than 8:00 a.m. as the tickets for the Tram do Corcavado were sold out for the day. Our driver/guide Guiherme warned us that if we were not in the first lines we could miss seeing one of Rio's highlights - the incredible statue of Christ the Redeemer. Guilherme (Bill in English) was a magician. He maneuvered both traffic and the crowds with ease and grace - he knew all of the ins, outs and shortcuts. He guided us through lines, throngs of tourists (the cruise ships were in!) and even recommended specific seats on the cog train. We arrived at the first level and took some time to ooh and ahh over the spectacular views before taking the escalator up to the statue. Cristo Redentor, sits on the summit of Morro do Corcavado and towers over Rio. It is Brazil's most recognizable landmark, officially inaugurated in 1931 to mark the centenary of Brazil's independence. The work began in Paris in 1926 with the sculptor starting on the hands and the head. The enormous statue sits in the middle of the gorgeous tropical Parque Nacional da Tijuca. It is even more impressive that you can imagine - having seen pictures all of my life, being there was beyond description; I was in awe of the massive size, amazed at the logistics that it must have taken to ship the 98' statue from Paris, haul it up the mountain by rail, assemble and attach it to supporting pillars. There is also the feeling of wonder that comes from being in such a magnificent, world famous sight and seeing it in person for first time after having seen pictures and read about it all your life. There was an electric excitement just being there! It's so incredibly beautiful and one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.
Our next quest was Sugar Loaf Mountain whose name is derived from its shape; (named by the early explorers as sugar was formed into a loaf, exactly like the mountain.) The monolithic quartz and granite mountain has been guarding the entrance to Guanabara Bay for time immemorial. The early explorers thought they had sailed into a great river when they named the mountain and christened their new discovery Rio de Janeiro. The Sugar Loaf experience takes in two mountains, the Morro do Urca and Pao de Acucar and although you may scale both mountains, it is certainly less demanding to use the two cable cars; first to the 705 foot Morro da Urca, before ascending to the summit of Sugar Loaf. Once again unforgettable, sweeping views of Copacabana, Ipanema, Corcavado, Tijuca and Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
Pretty pooped by this time, we were working on fumes. Bill offered us a break at Cafe Urca, a small corner bar. No tables, but a walk-up famous for shrimp empanadas, cod balls and those tasty Caiparinas. We gathered our snacks, crossed the street and made ourselves at home on the sea wall under the shade of a huge leafy tree. Oh so tasty, particularly with the homemade hot sauce!
We had one more sight on our list, the Mosterio Sao Bento, a Benedictine monastery built between 1617 and 1641. Although the exterior reflects the simplicity of the time, it gives no hints to the opulence of the gilded Baroque interiors. A number of the works on display were carved by one of the monks, including the main altar which was created in 1675. It was stunning! It is still a working monastery with daily Mass and a full Gregorian chant service on Sunday.
We had quite a drive around the city as taking in just three sights took eight hours! Traffic is horrendous, but the slow crawl gave us plenty of time to see what there was to see!
The Murphy's made it to the hotel but unfortunately missed the day of sightseeing. However we have dinner planned at the hotel's Italian restaurant. As it turned out, no Italian dishes, but a buffet again with great salads, dreadful steak and tasty deserts... Caiparinas not as good as the upstairs bar!
Pretty pooped by this time, we were working on fumes. Bill offered us a break at Cafe Urca, a small corner bar. No tables, but a walk-up famous for shrimp empanadas, cod balls and those tasty Caiparinas. We gathered our snacks, crossed the street and made ourselves at home on the sea wall under the shade of a huge leafy tree. Oh so tasty, particularly with the homemade hot sauce!
We had one more sight on our list, the Mosterio Sao Bento, a Benedictine monastery built between 1617 and 1641. Although the exterior reflects the simplicity of the time, it gives no hints to the opulence of the gilded Baroque interiors. A number of the works on display were carved by one of the monks, including the main altar which was created in 1675. It was stunning! It is still a working monastery with daily Mass and a full Gregorian chant service on Sunday.
We had quite a drive around the city as taking in just three sights took eight hours! Traffic is horrendous, but the slow crawl gave us plenty of time to see what there was to see!
The Murphy's made it to the hotel but unfortunately missed the day of sightseeing. However we have dinner planned at the hotel's Italian restaurant. As it turned out, no Italian dishes, but a buffet again with great salads, dreadful steak and tasty deserts... Caiparinas not as good as the upstairs bar!
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Out the door!
March 1, 2016 - We took the puppies to the vet for boarding around 2pm and Mom is feeling guilty about my fuzzy ones ... even with my booking the "Mastiff Suite" and VIP package. Then a final bit of packing, closing suitcases, moving suitcases, and waiting, waiting, waiting. There are three couples traveling together... The Hudson's, the Murphy's and the Macchi's, our friend Jeannette was going to be with us, but after arriving in Florida, the weekend before the cruise, she wound up in the hospital and had to cancel at the last minute. A disappointment for us all.
Three couples, three different airlines and three different departures. Our flights were close enough to the Murphy's so we shared a limo to MIA for the flights to GIG. The Hudson's were flying to ATL for an ATL/GIG on Delta. We arrived in plenty of time for the Murphy's to make their 9:30 p.m. on TAM, while ours was at 9:50 p.m. on AA. We stayed in touch via cell phone to discover that we were all delayed, Hudson's, Murphy's and Macchi's, but the Murphy's flight was ultimately canceled. They spent the night in a Miami hotel while the Macchi's and the Hudson's arrived in GIG the morning of March 2 within nine minutes of each other. We met up in baggage claim, Ms. Hudson and I secured a van to take us to the hotel with our eight pieces of luggage plus carry ons while the gentlemen found an ATM for Brazilian Reais.
We were on our way in no time, with heightened anticipation of discovering Rio.
We were all booked at the Sheraton Rio Resort, checked in to find they expected rooms to be available by 2:30, so we immediately settled in the lobby bar and ordered 4 Caiparinas... They were the most delicious I've EVER tasted. This bartender had the magic touch! After two each, a couple of dishes filled with peanuts, it was past time for lunch!
The resort located on Leblon Beach with beautiful views of Loblon and Ipanema, the pool, beach restaurants and bars scattered throughout. After an uninspiring lunch, we headed for the front desk to obtain our room keys. The hotel offered an early check-in if available; unfortunately the hotel was fully booked so check-outs took longer than anticipated so it was 2:30 p.m. before we settled in for a nice, much needed nap. We had agreed to meet at 7:00 p.m. to explore our dinner options. We settled on the newly renovated, newly opened steakhouse. It was a stunning setting, outside under the pergola, soft, gentle ocean breeze, and for us old people, just the right lighting. FYI: Caiparinas at the restaurant were not as tasty as they were in the Lobby bar. The salads were spectacular, the steak mediocre, and desert tasty. Early to bed in anticipation of a busy day seeing the sights in Rio - as if exhaustion had nothing to do with it!
Three couples, three different airlines and three different departures. Our flights were close enough to the Murphy's so we shared a limo to MIA for the flights to GIG. The Hudson's were flying to ATL for an ATL/GIG on Delta. We arrived in plenty of time for the Murphy's to make their 9:30 p.m. on TAM, while ours was at 9:50 p.m. on AA. We stayed in touch via cell phone to discover that we were all delayed, Hudson's, Murphy's and Macchi's, but the Murphy's flight was ultimately canceled. They spent the night in a Miami hotel while the Macchi's and the Hudson's arrived in GIG the morning of March 2 within nine minutes of each other. We met up in baggage claim, Ms. Hudson and I secured a van to take us to the hotel with our eight pieces of luggage plus carry ons while the gentlemen found an ATM for Brazilian Reais.
We were on our way in no time, with heightened anticipation of discovering Rio.
We were all booked at the Sheraton Rio Resort, checked in to find they expected rooms to be available by 2:30, so we immediately settled in the lobby bar and ordered 4 Caiparinas... They were the most delicious I've EVER tasted. This bartender had the magic touch! After two each, a couple of dishes filled with peanuts, it was past time for lunch!
The resort located on Leblon Beach with beautiful views of Loblon and Ipanema, the pool, beach restaurants and bars scattered throughout. After an uninspiring lunch, we headed for the front desk to obtain our room keys. The hotel offered an early check-in if available; unfortunately the hotel was fully booked so check-outs took longer than anticipated so it was 2:30 p.m. before we settled in for a nice, much needed nap. We had agreed to meet at 7:00 p.m. to explore our dinner options. We settled on the newly renovated, newly opened steakhouse. It was a stunning setting, outside under the pergola, soft, gentle ocean breeze, and for us old people, just the right lighting. FYI: Caiparinas at the restaurant were not as tasty as they were in the Lobby bar. The salads were spectacular, the steak mediocre, and desert tasty. Early to bed in anticipation of a busy day seeing the sights in Rio - as if exhaustion had nothing to do with it!
Monday, February 22, 2016
It's going to be a GREAT trip!
February 22, 2016 - It’s been wild and crazy around the Macchi’s household! The Brazilian Visa scheduled for pick up on February 17 is done! Bathroom completed, done! Birthday celebration for friends and family, done!
Picking up the Brazilian visa was as I suspected... take a number, sit and wait. Although I was number 5 it went quickly — no more than 10 minutes! Hey, I had practice from the application process! I can’t quite understand why Brazil would approve anyone into their country with the photo on my visa is beyond me... it looks as if I just escaped from prison and was on the run, headed for deepest, darkest Brazil to hide in the jungle and mine for jewels for the rest of my life! But I now have my “extended play” passport, all 52 pages, stamped, visa-ed and ready for the Brazilian adventure. AND, a week or so after the new the passport arrived, the passport center returned my old one - I’m thrilled as I haven’t had the chance to check out all of my cool entrance and exit stamps from the last trip. Besides, when I get really old (as opposed to just old) and forget my name, I’ll be able to review my old passports and see where I’ve been!
I took a day last week and started the “cruise closet” just to see if I could get an idea of what I’d like to take. Uh oh, there’s a lot of weeding out I need to do! And the shoes! Holy Toledo! Control yourself Patti! Work to do there – I’m in big trouble!
This time next week we’ll be in the full, last minute panic mode before we leave for Rio at 9:50 pm on March 1 via American Airlines MIA/GIG! We’re really in the final countdown... we have partied all weekend (plus) with a delayed birthday celebration, but with most revelers now gone, it's time to get busy with the details of travel.
Our housekeeper is still out of commission, so the little fuzzy Yorkie darlings are headed for the vets. I called the Vet to secure the “Mastiff Suite” for the puppies with VIP/TLC treatment (extra walks, extra treats, brushing each evening, chats, lots of pets, hugs and belly rubs). I also called to order a St. Patrick’s Day shirt for our March 17th on board, as well as every mosquito repellant known to man and now I’m catching up with you all. It’s going to be a GREAT trip!
We arrive in Rio at o’dark-thirty and it’s doubtful that our accommodations will be ready and with almost two full days in Rio before we board the Mariner, we’ll have time to see a little of Rio. We’ve made arrangements in Rio for a day tour to Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain and we’re most eager to see Moasteiro de Sao Bento with its magnificent Baroque interior. Plenty of time to sample a few local specialties, particularly the Caipirnha. And since you know me well enough by now, I won’t even bother to mention a trip to the Rio Sur with maybe a peek at H. Stern’s or Amsterdam Sauer... the stores will even organize a special jewelry tour for you! Oh my! However, I have a feeling that this is going to be my Havaianas cruise instead of razzle-dazzle jewelry cruise... we’ll just have to see!
Our selected Shore Excursions with Regent have all cleared with the exception of one; the Bacardi Rum factory tour in San Juan... but we can always opt to grab a cab and do a private tour if we are so inclined. I’m still waffling.
We start with the Highlights of Recife and Olinda which includes the Golden Chapel and the 16th century colonial town of Olinda with its historic city center founded in 1534, now a UNESCO world historical monument.
In Manaus for two days, we have chosen Meeting of the Waters taking us on riverboats and motorized canoes to cruise the narrow channels in the forest to see the giant water lilies before seeing the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark, clear Rio Negro and the yellow Solimoes flow side by side for several miles before merging, it's the official starting point of the Amazon. The second day in Manaus, we are touring the Highlights of Manaus; the yellow colored Alfandega (the custom house built by the British in 1902), the famous Opera House, Teatro Amazonas, and the Indian Museum and the Military Zoo, where you will be able to view the various colonels and generals overthrown in the last revolution, or probably more likely, some of Brazil’s exotic fauna.
The small village of Parintins on Tupinambarana Island is our next stop where we’ve arranged to “sample” the Amazonian folklore; I’ll let you know all about the Boi Bumba once I know what it ‘tis! There are sure to be colorful costumes, some singing and hopefully a local drink or two!
In Santarem (dating back to 1661, it’s become one of Brazil’s most important trading centers that’s rich in legend and nature) we have chosen the River Tour and Eco Maica Lake. We explore the lakes and vegetation of the Tapajos and Amazonas rivers... another meeting of the waters where they run side by side and, if conditions permit, we’ll learn to fish for the fearsome piranha! Hopefully it’s doesn’t involve throwing someone overboard!
Barbados brings us to a quick Discover Barbados that will take us through the sugar cane fields and quaint villages from the Atlantic breakers to the sandy beaches and hotels on the Caribbean side... we visit St. John’s church and enjoy a cool drink at the Highlands Center.
Antigua... we have a Champagne & Lobster Catamaran cruise arranged with a cruise along the beautiful coast to Deep Bay Beach (don’t forget there are 365 beaches in Antigua), followed by a lobster feast with champagne! This is the life!
San Juan – this is the one place we are still wait listed for the Bacardi Distillery, but my back-up is an El Yunque Rainforest tour! Hope it is better that the birdwatching expedition in Africa... remember the chickens? I just may opt out of all excursions here and visit the old town, and have lunch at El Convento... a favorite of mine.
Nassau is our last port of call, and I’m definitely opting out of any organized excursions. I have plans to head for Atlantis, walk through the aquarium and its 14 lagoons, 8 million gallons of salt water with more than 50,000 aquatic animals from over 250 marine species! What a fantastic ending to what I know will be a magnificent cruise!
Join me at www.perx.com and follow along with Patti’s Blog.
Picking up the Brazilian visa was as I suspected... take a number, sit and wait. Although I was number 5 it went quickly — no more than 10 minutes! Hey, I had practice from the application process! I can’t quite understand why Brazil would approve anyone into their country with the photo on my visa is beyond me... it looks as if I just escaped from prison and was on the run, headed for deepest, darkest Brazil to hide in the jungle and mine for jewels for the rest of my life! But I now have my “extended play” passport, all 52 pages, stamped, visa-ed and ready for the Brazilian adventure. AND, a week or so after the new the passport arrived, the passport center returned my old one - I’m thrilled as I haven’t had the chance to check out all of my cool entrance and exit stamps from the last trip. Besides, when I get really old (as opposed to just old) and forget my name, I’ll be able to review my old passports and see where I’ve been!
I took a day last week and started the “cruise closet” just to see if I could get an idea of what I’d like to take. Uh oh, there’s a lot of weeding out I need to do! And the shoes! Holy Toledo! Control yourself Patti! Work to do there – I’m in big trouble!
This time next week we’ll be in the full, last minute panic mode before we leave for Rio at 9:50 pm on March 1 via American Airlines MIA/GIG! We’re really in the final countdown... we have partied all weekend (plus) with a delayed birthday celebration, but with most revelers now gone, it's time to get busy with the details of travel.
Our housekeeper is still out of commission, so the little fuzzy Yorkie darlings are headed for the vets. I called the Vet to secure the “Mastiff Suite” for the puppies with VIP/TLC treatment (extra walks, extra treats, brushing each evening, chats, lots of pets, hugs and belly rubs). I also called to order a St. Patrick’s Day shirt for our March 17th on board, as well as every mosquito repellant known to man and now I’m catching up with you all. It’s going to be a GREAT trip!
We arrive in Rio at o’dark-thirty and it’s doubtful that our accommodations will be ready and with almost two full days in Rio before we board the Mariner, we’ll have time to see a little of Rio. We’ve made arrangements in Rio for a day tour to Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain and we’re most eager to see Moasteiro de Sao Bento with its magnificent Baroque interior. Plenty of time to sample a few local specialties, particularly the Caipirnha. And since you know me well enough by now, I won’t even bother to mention a trip to the Rio Sur with maybe a peek at H. Stern’s or Amsterdam Sauer... the stores will even organize a special jewelry tour for you! Oh my! However, I have a feeling that this is going to be my Havaianas cruise instead of razzle-dazzle jewelry cruise... we’ll just have to see!
Our selected Shore Excursions with Regent have all cleared with the exception of one; the Bacardi Rum factory tour in San Juan... but we can always opt to grab a cab and do a private tour if we are so inclined. I’m still waffling.
We start with the Highlights of Recife and Olinda which includes the Golden Chapel and the 16th century colonial town of Olinda with its historic city center founded in 1534, now a UNESCO world historical monument.
In Manaus for two days, we have chosen Meeting of the Waters taking us on riverboats and motorized canoes to cruise the narrow channels in the forest to see the giant water lilies before seeing the Meeting of the Waters, where the dark, clear Rio Negro and the yellow Solimoes flow side by side for several miles before merging, it's the official starting point of the Amazon. The second day in Manaus, we are touring the Highlights of Manaus; the yellow colored Alfandega (the custom house built by the British in 1902), the famous Opera House, Teatro Amazonas, and the Indian Museum and the Military Zoo, where you will be able to view the various colonels and generals overthrown in the last revolution, or probably more likely, some of Brazil’s exotic fauna.
The small village of Parintins on Tupinambarana Island is our next stop where we’ve arranged to “sample” the Amazonian folklore; I’ll let you know all about the Boi Bumba once I know what it ‘tis! There are sure to be colorful costumes, some singing and hopefully a local drink or two!
In Santarem (dating back to 1661, it’s become one of Brazil’s most important trading centers that’s rich in legend and nature) we have chosen the River Tour and Eco Maica Lake. We explore the lakes and vegetation of the Tapajos and Amazonas rivers... another meeting of the waters where they run side by side and, if conditions permit, we’ll learn to fish for the fearsome piranha! Hopefully it’s doesn’t involve throwing someone overboard!
Barbados brings us to a quick Discover Barbados that will take us through the sugar cane fields and quaint villages from the Atlantic breakers to the sandy beaches and hotels on the Caribbean side... we visit St. John’s church and enjoy a cool drink at the Highlands Center.
Antigua... we have a Champagne & Lobster Catamaran cruise arranged with a cruise along the beautiful coast to Deep Bay Beach (don’t forget there are 365 beaches in Antigua), followed by a lobster feast with champagne! This is the life!
San Juan – this is the one place we are still wait listed for the Bacardi Distillery, but my back-up is an El Yunque Rainforest tour! Hope it is better that the birdwatching expedition in Africa... remember the chickens? I just may opt out of all excursions here and visit the old town, and have lunch at El Convento... a favorite of mine.
Nassau is our last port of call, and I’m definitely opting out of any organized excursions. I have plans to head for Atlantis, walk through the aquarium and its 14 lagoons, 8 million gallons of salt water with more than 50,000 aquatic animals from over 250 marine species! What a fantastic ending to what I know will be a magnificent cruise!
Join me at www.perx.com and follow along with Patti’s Blog.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Life at the Macchi’s Returned to Normal
February 3, 2016. Life at the Macchi’s returned to normal after we arrived home from LIS/CPT on Regent Seven Seas Mariner. We got home just after Thanksgiving, so Christmas was looming large, but we made it through the holidays and January turned our attention to the next adventure! Three adventures actually. First, we are getting our master bathroom redone. We’re pushing out a wall to increase the size from extra small to small. Lots of noise and dust. Second, we’re getting things in order for our next trip, Rio to Miami, meaning Brazilian Visas, and third … a HUGE birthday!
On to Brazil! Zika, Carnival, Samba - bring it on! Rio to Miami on the Mariner March 4, 2016! 21-nights - I’m in heaven! What is so cool about this trip is cruising the Amazon to Manaus and back before cruising north through the Caribbean to Miami; 16-days in Brazil, a visit to Devil’s Island followed by Barbados, Antigua, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. It is a nice mix of days at sea, new ports of call and familiar Caribbean destinations. It’s all good; I just wish I could have had the time to cruise from LIM to MIA as that would cover South America for us. As it is, we still have LIM/GIG on the list... maybe next year.
The biggest challenge we have encountered so far is obtaining the Brazilian Visas! Oh my! They are proving to be even more difficult than the Chinese Visas we acquired last year! You must apply in person at a Brazilian Consulate, BUT, first you must fill out the Visa Request Form on-line and submit it on-line before you get the Visa Request Form receipt for your application number. You then take your Visa Request Form with your application number, 3 months of bank statements, pay stubs or “international” credit card statements as proof of income, a letter addressed to the Consulate with detailed information on your trip, tentative dates of arrival and departure, places you are planning on visiting, contact information, hotel, etc., a passport sized photo, passport (valid for 6 months with two blank visa pages. Uh, oh) and a money order for $160 (price of visa fee varies by country)! You with me so far?
I did have two blank passport pages but, when I read that the endorsement pages don’t count, and since I had one page on 15 and one on 28, I was afraid the pages would have to be consecutive. PANIC! I determined that I best apply for a new passport just to be on the safe side!
I looked into going to Miami to apply for my passport in person, but they require that you be departing for your trip within two weeks OR that you needed a visa to travel within the next 4 weeks before they would give you an appointment... neither applied. I would have to wait to go to Miami, or apply by mail. It was a timing toss-up between sending my passport off as I was out of pages and waiting for a passport appointment in Miami. I opted to apply via mail and “expedite” the process. So off it went to Philadelphia, shipped via USPS on Friday, January 18 - MLK weekend. It didn’t actually go anywhere until Saturday, I figured, with the holiday, there was no chance for it to arrive before Tuesday and thought I was passport toast. Wow, was I wrong. Someone signed for it on Monday and believe it or not, my new passport was in my hands on Saturday, January 23! All 52 new, clean, empty pages! Fantastic! I could finally breathe again.
Tuesday, January 26 we drove to the Brazilian Consulate in Miami which will only take visa applications Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to noon. You take a number, sit tight while you wait and no cell phones (oops)! You are given a pick up date 15 business days from the day you applied; you get a visa receipt with your name, application number, notation of the $160 paid, and a pick up date... for me February 17, at the consulate between 2-4 p.m. I’m sure there’s another number involved and some more sitting too.
All in all, I’m thrilled. Passport and Brazilian visa are pretty much in the bag! Delighted to report that friends will be joining us as well, so it will be a grand PARTY! Actually we start the party for my birthday, with friends arriving for the party on the 20th and some are staying, headed down to Rio with us, and then cruising! It’s going to be a birthday to remember... as well it should be. This is a “big deal” birthday, one where they can’t fit all the candles on the cake and if they could the fire department would have to be on standby. In fact, if all lit at once, they would probably be visible from space!
After the excitement of the party dies down, we'll get down to business and start serious, nitty-gritty cruise planning, putting together my “cruise closet” then try to figure just how to get the “cruise closet” into a bag or two for the trip! But that’s another story! I’ve promised myself not to over pack this time... but then what would I have to leave home?
As each day passes, I’m more and more excited. I keep thinking of all of the wonderful staff and crew we will be able to see again... Can’t wait to see Danella and see how she is doing with F&B, as she was just taking over full responsibility on the ship when we cruised LIS/CPT, Teddy (Theodora) the head of housekeeping that not only was so generous, but took the trip with us to the Artisans Market in Cotonou, Benin, Jose at the Mariner’s Lounge with tasty Rosetta’s ready and waiting, Michel & Pauline in Signatures, Stephan, the Maitre D'; Stoyan, the Bar Manager; Vladimir, the Restaurant Manager and Nenad (Shawn) the IT god just to name a few! It will be a delightful homecoming! I promise to keep you posted and up to date with all our antics and adventures!
Want to join Patti? Well you can. Save up to 48% when you book with PERX!
South America
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Mariner
21-night South America - Rio de Janeiro to Miami
[Rio de Janeiro, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Recife, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Devils Island, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, Bridgetown, St. Johns, San Juan, Cruising the Bahamas Islands and the Atlantic, Nassau, Miami]
On to Brazil! Zika, Carnival, Samba - bring it on! Rio to Miami on the Mariner March 4, 2016! 21-nights - I’m in heaven! What is so cool about this trip is cruising the Amazon to Manaus and back before cruising north through the Caribbean to Miami; 16-days in Brazil, a visit to Devil’s Island followed by Barbados, Antigua, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. It is a nice mix of days at sea, new ports of call and familiar Caribbean destinations. It’s all good; I just wish I could have had the time to cruise from LIM to MIA as that would cover South America for us. As it is, we still have LIM/GIG on the list... maybe next year.
The biggest challenge we have encountered so far is obtaining the Brazilian Visas! Oh my! They are proving to be even more difficult than the Chinese Visas we acquired last year! You must apply in person at a Brazilian Consulate, BUT, first you must fill out the Visa Request Form on-line and submit it on-line before you get the Visa Request Form receipt for your application number. You then take your Visa Request Form with your application number, 3 months of bank statements, pay stubs or “international” credit card statements as proof of income, a letter addressed to the Consulate with detailed information on your trip, tentative dates of arrival and departure, places you are planning on visiting, contact information, hotel, etc., a passport sized photo, passport (valid for 6 months with two blank visa pages. Uh, oh) and a money order for $160 (price of visa fee varies by country)! You with me so far?
I did have two blank passport pages but, when I read that the endorsement pages don’t count, and since I had one page on 15 and one on 28, I was afraid the pages would have to be consecutive. PANIC! I determined that I best apply for a new passport just to be on the safe side!
I looked into going to Miami to apply for my passport in person, but they require that you be departing for your trip within two weeks OR that you needed a visa to travel within the next 4 weeks before they would give you an appointment... neither applied. I would have to wait to go to Miami, or apply by mail. It was a timing toss-up between sending my passport off as I was out of pages and waiting for a passport appointment in Miami. I opted to apply via mail and “expedite” the process. So off it went to Philadelphia, shipped via USPS on Friday, January 18 - MLK weekend. It didn’t actually go anywhere until Saturday, I figured, with the holiday, there was no chance for it to arrive before Tuesday and thought I was passport toast. Wow, was I wrong. Someone signed for it on Monday and believe it or not, my new passport was in my hands on Saturday, January 23! All 52 new, clean, empty pages! Fantastic! I could finally breathe again.
Tuesday, January 26 we drove to the Brazilian Consulate in Miami which will only take visa applications Monday – Friday 10 a.m. to noon. You take a number, sit tight while you wait and no cell phones (oops)! You are given a pick up date 15 business days from the day you applied; you get a visa receipt with your name, application number, notation of the $160 paid, and a pick up date... for me February 17, at the consulate between 2-4 p.m. I’m sure there’s another number involved and some more sitting too.
All in all, I’m thrilled. Passport and Brazilian visa are pretty much in the bag! Delighted to report that friends will be joining us as well, so it will be a grand PARTY! Actually we start the party for my birthday, with friends arriving for the party on the 20th and some are staying, headed down to Rio with us, and then cruising! It’s going to be a birthday to remember... as well it should be. This is a “big deal” birthday, one where they can’t fit all the candles on the cake and if they could the fire department would have to be on standby. In fact, if all lit at once, they would probably be visible from space!
After the excitement of the party dies down, we'll get down to business and start serious, nitty-gritty cruise planning, putting together my “cruise closet” then try to figure just how to get the “cruise closet” into a bag or two for the trip! But that’s another story! I’ve promised myself not to over pack this time... but then what would I have to leave home?
As each day passes, I’m more and more excited. I keep thinking of all of the wonderful staff and crew we will be able to see again... Can’t wait to see Danella and see how she is doing with F&B, as she was just taking over full responsibility on the ship when we cruised LIS/CPT, Teddy (Theodora) the head of housekeeping that not only was so generous, but took the trip with us to the Artisans Market in Cotonou, Benin, Jose at the Mariner’s Lounge with tasty Rosetta’s ready and waiting, Michel & Pauline in Signatures, Stephan, the Maitre D'; Stoyan, the Bar Manager; Vladimir, the Restaurant Manager and Nenad (Shawn) the IT god just to name a few! It will be a delightful homecoming! I promise to keep you posted and up to date with all our antics and adventures!
Want to join Patti? Well you can. Save up to 48% when you book with PERX!
South America
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Mariner
21-night South America - Rio de Janeiro to Miami
[Rio de Janeiro, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Recife, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Cruising the Coast of Brazil, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Amazon River, Devils Island, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean, Bridgetown, St. Johns, San Juan, Cruising the Bahamas Islands and the Atlantic, Nassau, Miami]
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