We should have booked a city tour here. There is only one cruise ship terminal and several ships in and they are having a turnover day which means that the terminal is a madhouse. We took the H Stern free shuttle to their main headquarters since that seemed to be the only transportation possibility. It was actually a nice ride of about 25 minutes through the city to the Ipanema beach area. We did their short tour through their workshops and then looked at some jewelry which was beautiful, but either beyond my means or the rings and things I could afford I just really didn’t need. We then walked to the beach and watched the ‘beautiful bodies’ strutting by and the men playing volleyball. The few juice bars nearby were all completely full so we decided to wander in the other direction and soon tired of just looking at the shops so we headed back on the shuttle. It was nice that they took a different route back to the ship so we were able to see all of Ipanema beach as well as Copacabana beach and hotels.
We had a local show in place of the regular shows in the evening. It was done as a small version of Carnival and put on by one of the Samba schools. The costumes were great and quite skimpy. I’m sure this will be the favorite show of the men onboard. I’ve decided if I go and buy a sparkly thong, bra and some feathers I’ll suddenly have a figure just like theirs! Ok, I’m just wishing… it wouldn’t have happened even when I was young.
I should back up here and say that as we arrived into the port we were out on the deck and could see Sugarloaf and Corcovado with Christ the Redeemer on top. It was about sunrise and it was quite misty, but at least I have seen them and have a few (rather poor) pictures. We are supposed to pass by those same areas again this afternoon when we leave port so maybe I can get some better shots then.
There is a huge U.S. aircraft carrier, Number 70, the Carl Vinson, anchored here in the bay and we have been watching the sailors being shuttled back and forth to the ship. It’s quite interesting to see it this close.
We have been following the CNN coverage of the earthquake in Chile. 8.8 is a huge earthquake and it makes it seem so much more real since we were just there a little while ago. Our guide there talked some about their earthquake risk and the fact that they are constantly having tremors. Although what we are seeing shows the devastation, I actually am impressed with what didn’t happen. Most of the new buildings in Santiago and other cities have been built to stringent earthquake standards and seem to have come through this remarkably well. It is so sad to see the old historic buildings that have had so much damage - the historic architecture is what I love.
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