Day 21: 7,457 nautical miles from Southampton.

I see, from Sky Weather, the U.K. is basking in 12 degrees Celsius, both in London and Edinburgh!

Now well upstream along the Amazon, we are informed of temperatures of around 30 degrees, 84 Fahrenheit. Skies are bright with intermittent fluffy white cloud cover. It is going to feel even hotter tomorrow, particularly ashore in Manaus. Some are playing it safe and not leaving the ship.

The Amazon, although a little more narrow than yesterday, is still wide. We have passed areas which, sadly, appear to have been deforested, several tiny settlements, evidence of life, and one major town, announced by the Captain in his noon address, the name of which I have forgotten completely.

These signs of life are evidenced by occasional sightings of river craft, and settlements along the riverbanks. However, the sight, to the locals, of a passing cruise ship is probably now, less of a notable occurrence these days. If I want to do a similar journey next year, I will need to change shipping companies; Cunard are not coming here, as far as I know, at least in the next two years.

Annoyingly, the clocks go forward another hour, leaving us just three hours behind the U.K. Therefore, I shall forego “Show time” tonight, which is a pity.

Last night was an “in house production,” with a cast of just four over amplified singers and dancers, backed by an orchestra comprising the Royal Court and Queens Room orchestras, the trio of string instrumentalists and harpist who entertains throughout the ship at different times of the day and evening. I rather think, but cannot say for certain, that there are “plants” in the audience strategically placed to scream, shout and clap in order to generate a kind of contrived excitement. Royal Caribbean do this trick much more effectively! (or they did before the days of their mega-ships). Maybe, this kind of deja vue is “some kind of a privilege.”

On the other hand, journeying up the first 900 miles of the Amazon most certainly is a privilege and a rare occurrence in few peoples’ lives.

Just before I submit a handful of pictures taken today, I must mention the final lecture given by Tony White discussing the wisdom of legalising cannabis, “Going to Pot.” Another amusing and thought provoking talk which, I think, came to the conclusion that making cannabis legal would merely bring the price down, encouraging your “friendly drug retailer” to market far more dangerous “substances.” Again, this was a very comprehensive presentation, little of which, unfortunately, has sunk in!

The above views are taken mainly from my stateroom balcony, or the same side on the Promenade Deck. Talking to a former table companion, Liz, on the Promenade Deck, we came to the conclusion that it is almost impossible to convey the immense “WOW” factor experienced on such a voyage. Pictures “don’t do it.”

But I am looking forward to the time I have collated enough experiences to make up an illustrated talk; these blogs will help.

Many thanks for reading,

David.