This is our fourth of four days at sea before docking at Salvador, Brazil tomorrow. What a much better day; the wisdom of an outside cabin on the starboard side is just beginning to bear fruit; the coast of Brazil is just visible on the horizon. Hopefully, I will be to able to identify the major city we sailed by at around 09.30 hrs.
I met Jo for breakfast, as “ordained” last night, and we ate al fresco….again. This is more like it, it’s roasting out here!
Poor Ruth struggled with a disintegrating voice as she advised her audience on the history of, and tour opportunities in Buenos Aires in her usual excellent presentation in the Royal Court Theatre.
I had woken up before 6am today after around four hours’ sleep. The opportunity to deck walk presented itself, even ‘though part of the Promenade Deck was cordoned off for routine maintenance. But now, it’s far too hot to contemplate exertion right now.
I have every intention of joining the whist drive this afternoon.
Note for Iguassu: ITAPU DAM
(17.52 hrs) Today turned out to be one of relaxation and whist, the latter of which followed a rare lunch in the Britannia Restaurant, again, looking aft towards the ship’s wake. Seas were calm, blue skies decorated with artistic cloud-scapes. Needless to say, the sun set behind a bank of said clouds. Passengers basked in temperatures of an unnatural (for this time of year) 27 degrees Celsius.
I have received official details of the Iguassu Falls Overland (off ship) journey. It all looks very exciting. Apart from the Falls themselves, we also get to enjoy time and sights both in Rio De Janeiro and Montevideo. This will be a full four days. It would have been nice if we had a few hours in Montevideo to perhaps go out to dinner there; M.V. Queen Victoria is scheduled to leave for Buenos Aires at 17.30 hrs.
I think the arrangements for my birthday are now in place. Invitations will be printed by Cunard, and Jose will computer print menus on special Cunard paper. Among other things, I plan to bring in wine from a Uruguayan winery we are visiting.
There’s a gorgeous tropical breeze across the open decks now that the sun has retired for the night.
I must take my final malaria tablet; I forgot this morning.
Time to leave the therapeutic breeze I could go to sleep in. A cocktail party which I feel obliged to attend, beckons.
With all good wishes, David 18.13 hrs.
David's Cruise 