Whiskey Jack Adventures: Cruising the Amazon

Yesterday evening we had dinner in the buffet (Chilean “Alaska” crab - yum), played trivia, as usual, and attended a performance by a Canadian female singer impersonator (important that the word “singer” is in there) from Sarnia, Ontario. She did a range of famous singers from Cher and Dolly Parton to the Four Seasons – excellent show.

Overnight we sailed to Macapa, the entrance city to the Amazon (“the capital of the middle of the world’) where we took 4 river pilots on board (they must be on duty 24 hours so need enough for shift work). Also we cleared immigration very quickly. We crossed the equator to get there and apparently will be provided with a certificate to prove it! It is such smooth sailing now. We are seeing more people out and about. And we can see land off both sides of the ship though we are told that may not be the case the further we go up this huge river.

While having breakfast we saw some dolphins feeding. We were able to spot them as birds brought our attention to the area by circling around before the dolphins popped up. We also noticed the first of what apparently will be many amazon bugs attracted to the ship. We are asked to keep our curtains closed at night to cut down on the bug attracting light. I think you’ve all heard the joke about the farmer’s wife had triplets. After the second one he said to the midwife “do you think it’s the lights that’s attracting them?”

After breakfast we attended a travelogue by the cruise director and figured out he was the same guy who was our director 10+ years ago when we were on our Mediterranean cruise with Oceania Cruises! Norma confirmed this with him. River boats

The waters are very brown. Not polluted per se but full of silt from all the upriver tributaries. We have been asked to conserve water as the water treatment plant they use to provide our water can’t work – filters get plugged. Good thing we did laundry a few days ago.

It is quite enjoyable to sit out on the veranda and watch the jungle go by. On the shore amongst the tress are houses on stilts. Most have power via gas generators but the only access is by riverboat. Apparently they are very dependent on their gardens and fishing. Having said that it is hot and humid but actually quite pleasant in the shade with the breeze from the ships movement. You just have to be sure to clean off the camera lenses and binocular eye pieces before use as they fog up quickly.

We have been surprised how many of our older generation are controlled by their cell phones. We had thought it was for the younger generation but as documented by the attached photo???

Just back from the talk on the upcoming ports. Some things to look forward to as we experience Brazil. We are due into our first Amazonian port: Santarem tomorrow morning.