Monthly Archives: March 2015

A typical day at sea, heading to Amazon

Weekend at sea!

Today is full of fun.  Up early for the walk around the deck with a few of the Canadian Goddesses …. Our new name for the Karaoke group singers … Lol.
After a seat in the shade near the pool and lots of cold water to drink.  Great conversations arise from our morning walks … Topics if politics, gender, fitness, excursions and gratitude.  Off to breakfast and we begin our Malaria medications today, the day before we enter the Amazon basin and malaria potential area.  
Then to the room to gather plans for the day.  Breakfast on Terrace Cafe out side.  Lovely.
Needlepoint class.  Three or four of the women in our group making needlepoint glass holders, change purses etc.  Very fun and light atmosphere in horizons lounge on top deck 10.  
Then downstairs to the Regatta Lounge theatre room, to a presentation with our Future cruise gal, Stella.  She hosted us last night at dinner for 8 of us.  Tonight another group joins her, I get to attend both dinners.  It is a very nice presentation mostly about itineraries … Fabulous descriptions and maps.  She speaks well.
I am still working on my needle work and trying to arrange excursions for the gals in our upcoming ports of call.  Now attending a live cooking demonstration with three fabulous chefs on board.  Lobster Thermidore and Ceviche.  They are very entertaining, bantering a bit.  When a guest answers a question correctly a glass of wine is offered.  
At one pm we will cross the equator for a ceremony.  New to this are called polliwogs.  Already crossed before guests are called shellbacks.  I am a shellback and have done this ceremony four years ago with my mom, Steve, Darlene and Joan when we cruised Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro with Oceania on board Insignia.  It was December 2010.
The chef talked about using sauces without flour for the gluten free guests everywhere… How respectful and very much appreciated!  The lobster dish is ready and looks amazing … The carved watermelon for display of the Ceviche.  Great demonstration!
Signing out for now.
Pamela

Sea Day in the Sun

Hello all, I am going to arrange for unlimited internet as of today so I can be posting every day.  It is quite an expense on this ship, however I feel it is important to my work as well as keeping in touch with you, my friends and family.

Today is Thursday March 12 and we are on day 6 or 7 of the 21 day cruise from Rio de Janeiro Brazil.  In a few days from now we will be cruising up the Amazon, a destination of many.  The ship seems full and there are over 140 Canadians on board.  We have joined forces with some other women for Karaoke as well as spending time checking in morning and afternoon meals.  Also dancing in the evenings in Horizons lounge after 1030.

I am reading from the Oceania Currents, the daily planner for the guests, and it provides some interesting facts.  Like the pressure at the deepest part of the ocean is close to 7 tons per square inch.  Wow!  Ocean water comprise about 85 percent of the water on the earths surface.  The Pacific Ocean is the largest by double the next largest, Atlantic and followed by the Indian and much smaller is the Arctic.
This morning I met a very knowledgable woman from Vancouver who is a guest speaker on board on the topics related to the Amazon, Angela Scneider.  
Tonight half of our group will meet for dinner with the Future Cruise gal on board in the Main Dining Room.  I have also arranged many specialty dining dates with each of the 6 staterooms of the Canadian ladies.  Last night we mostly all met and ate at a very large table for 10.  Great fun!  
Tonight is late night dancing with the show band at 1030 pm.  I have some wine in the room now so I will have a wee drop later today. 
The sun is hot and bright as we near the equator, perhaps tomorrow we cross. It has been amazing weather!  
Pamela

Recife day, Olinda

At the pier we negotiate twenty USD per person for four hour tour.  Olinda, Recife, beach. And a bit of shopping and sight seeing is promised.  She speaks some English, enough for us to understand.

Olinda… Means beautiful and the views from monetary.  

Recife, political demonstration outside the government buildings .. We took pictures of the park.  We could hear the voices raised.  Police said not safe, we got in van and left :). We feel safe and cared for now 🙂
Driver says two seasons, hot and very hot.  Ha ha
At the prison converted to shopping stalls in Recife. I have been this way before  and is fun.  
At prison now.  Shopping.  Bargains … Here we go.
I have been here before, four plus years ago.  Same same …




rio revisited

The sunshine in Rio

We arrived and boarded the ship, found our travel mates and then the lido buffet.  A bit overcast but hot and muggy, like walking through lukewarm soup as we toured around the decks.  
Our first night on board this amazing Regatta ship was lovely.  A few of the gals were off on tour, one went off on her own, and many of us enjoyed a bevy in Martinis lounge and then fine dining in the main dining room.  
The rain poured intermittently and there were flashes of lightening seen through the dining room windows.  Scallops, tiger prawns, salad and of course several desserts! 
After, a further walkabout exploring the lounges, as quiet as a ghost town.  Jet lag has set in around the ship.  Out side a we could get a glimpse of the shiny icon glowing in the dark, high atop Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue.  And for us as well, an early night after just one more look at the buffet for a treat before bed.
Plans for more on the sea days to come.  
Beautiful morning, relaxing and no pressure to leave the ship for those of us without tours.  Leisure breakfast outside on the Terrace Cafe.  With a daytime view of the far away icon, Christ the Redeemer statue.
A brief walk outside looking for a convenience store for wine purchase.  No luck, no foul.  Now on search for Internet cafe in the port pier.  Bright colours of fabric greet the eyes, scarves, sarongs and more on sale by local and approved reputable venders.  So tempting.
Outside the ship and beyond the pier is the huge and important port city of Rio de Janeiro.  Bound by the sea and stunning miles of sandy beach, and the dense green rainforest jungle and mountainous terrain on the other border.  Famous for the icon mentioned above, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and views from high atop Sugarloaf, accessed by a high tram.  Botanical gardens and other sights are beaconing the many tourists who have travelled far to join the amazing Amazon River cruise.  This is day two and I am happy to just be here on this ship.
I have travelled and toured two days in Rio four and a half years ago.  I don’t feel the need to travel today outside the pier and ship views.  The rest of the 14 gals of the club are taking full advantage of the sights and sounds of Rio.
Tchau for now.
Pamela

rio revisited

The sunshine in Rio

We arrived and boarded the ship, found our travel mates and then the lido buffet.  A bit overcast but hot and muggy, like walking through lukewarm soup as we toured around the decks.  
Our first night on board this amazing Regatta ship was lovely.  A few of the gals were off on tour, one went off on her own, and many of us enjoyed a bevy in Martinis lounge and then fine dining in the main dining room.  
The rain poured intermittently and there were flashes of lightening seen through the dining room windows.  Scallops, tiger prawns, salad and of course several desserts! 
After, a further walkabout exploring the lounges, as quiet as a ghost town.  Jet lag has set in around the ship.  Out side a we could get a glimpse of the shiny icon glowing in the dark, high atop Corcovado Mountain, Christ the Redeemer statue.  And for us as well, an early night after just one more look at the buffet for a treat before bed.
Plans for more on the sea days to come.  
Beautiful morning, relaxing and no pressure to leave the ship for those of us without tours.  Leisure breakfast outside on the Terrace Cafe.  With a daytime view of the far away icon, Christ the Redeemer statue.
A brief walk outside looking for a convenience store for wine purchase.  No luck, no foul.  Now on search for Internet cafe in the port pier.  Bright colours of fabric greet the eyes, scarves, sarongs and more on sale by local and approved reputable venders.  So tempting.
Outside the ship and beyond the pier is the huge and important port city of Rio de Janeiro.  Bound by the sea and stunning miles of sandy beach, and the dense green rainforest jungle and mountainous terrain on the other border.  Famous for the icon mentioned above, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and views from high atop Sugarloaf, accessed by a high tram.  Botanical gardens and other sights are beaconing the many tourists who have travelled far to join the amazing Amazon River cruise.  This is day two and I am happy to just be here on this ship.
I have travelled and toured two days in Rio four and a half years ago.  I don’t feel the need to travel today outside the pier and ship views.  The rest of the 14 gals of the club are taking full advantage of the sights and sounds of Rio.
Tchau for now.
Pamela

I was not a writer

I was not a writer.  

I grew up around people who read.  I did not.  As far as I know there were no writers in my family or among my close friends.

I feel compelled now to change all that.  
I now read.  I listen to Audible books.  And I write.  
It assists me to pay attention to my own life experience.  
I found a subject to write about: my life, when I started to pay attention; my gender; the worlds reaction to my gender; and my experience of this all.  
I found my world, my voice and my experience.  
Today I seek and find the words that come to my assistance as I tell my unique and authentic story of the world in which I find myself living.   
I am floating on a river  of the pivotal conversation I enjoyed yesterday, while I was staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, a heart connection with a lifetime mentor, Anita.  
I am reminded of the days I found my story.  And then I grab to the raft and  redraw the  meanderings of how those early days lead me to the place I find myself now.
Along the way I find peace and excitement in equal composition.  The days to come will invite the writer in me to scribe the past and dreams of my future.  
Come along with me, this is a fun ride!  Woman on the move.  Heading to familiar and exotic, and unknown territories of geography, philosophy and wallowing in personal bliss.
I can hardly wait to turn the page!
Pamela

I was not a writer

I was not a writer.  

I grew up around people who read.  I did not.  As far as I know there were no writers in my family or among my close friends.

I feel compelled now to change all that.  
I now read.  I listen to Audible books.  And I write.  
It assists me to pay attention to my own life experience.  
I found a subject to write about: my life, when I started to pay attention; my gender; the worlds reaction to my gender; and my experience of this all.  
I found my world, my voice and my experience.  
Today I seek and find the words that come to my assistance as I tell my unique and authentic story of the world in which I find myself living.   
I am floating on a river  of the pivotal conversation I enjoyed yesterday, while I was staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, a heart connection with a lifetime mentor, Anita.  
I am reminded of the days I found my story.  And then I grab to the raft and  redraw the  meanderings of how those early days lead me to the place I find myself now.
Along the way I find peace and excitement in equal composition.  The days to come will invite the writer in me to scribe the past and dreams of my future.  
Come along with me, this is a fun ride!  Woman on the move.  Heading to familiar and exotic, and unknown territories of geography, philosophy and wallowing in personal bliss.
I can hardly wait to turn the page!
Pamela

Delta flight to Atlanta

I managed one exit row seat on this next leg of flight on route to Rio.  I am seated now and the plane, full to capacity, continues to load.  

Met up in the lounge area with the following gals on our trip, Penny, Laine, Helen, Sylvia, Cindy, Janie and Mishka, Vivien and Margrit… Gerry and Gail had an earlier flight.  We will all meet in Atlanta for the last leg.  And then we will join up its Aurelie and Adrienne who are flying to Rio from Miami airport.  And with me, total 14 all accounted for.
Check. 
On Facebook connecting with a few of the gals who wanted to come but for a variety of reasons were unable to make this trip.  Too bad … There will be other trips to join!
We also met a few other couples who are destined for our same cruise, Oceania Regatta 21 nights from Rio to Miami with a week on the fabulous Amazon River.  Wow!
My flight pillow is now inflated, my iPhone plugged in and charging, I have some pistachio nuts for the flight.  Hoping for gluten free vegetarian selection for a meal … We shall see.
Closing the overhead bins means we are preparing to depart.  Must get ready for my instructions in the exit row.
  Check.
Sunshine brilliantly the entire trip so far, looking forward to the same for the entire three weeks.  
Tchau for now, as they say in Brazil, similar to Italy!  Only the spelling is different, the meaning remains the same.
Pamela
“One does not mess with the  sun along the equator” and 
“One can never be too careful on the Amazon.” By Joe Jackson, author of The Thief at the End of the World

Vancouver to Seattle, just the beginning!

The journey to Rio.

First leg in Vancouver was lovely.  Fairmont Airport Hotel in Vancouver is wonderful and luxurious.
Crazy busy getting though check in and then security and many queues. In fact we were the last three to board I think.  Janie, Mishka and myself.  No breakfast and running the last part of the trip up and down escalators as the sound overhead explained that final boarding for our flight, all passengers should be on board.  

In front of me is the exit row with empty seat.  I asked to be moved, Delta says no.  Well that is strange.  However. I am going to be happy with just getting on board …. Oh here comes a few more last minute arrivals.  Thirty minute flight to Seattle.  Lol.  Two hours plus trying to get through the gates.
Our bags are supposed to go through to Rio.  Saying hooponopono prayer for luggage safe arrival.  
My phone and email out of office are on.  My work is done for now as I transit to Brazil.  
A vacation is needed after a busy first part of the year.  My stats show over one thousand percent increase in sales over last year ….  So three weeks away from the business  should be ok.  I will continue to be checking email.
Travelling with 14 wonderful women from the Women’s Travel Club.  
For now, saying Tchau…. And good bye.
Pamela

On route to Amazon 

The Amazon, the anticipation.  On my way, women living our dreams!

I am on the road, on the move.  The gals and I travelling from different locations and arriving in Rio sometime early tomorrow morning.  I am in Vancouver staying at the Fairmont Hotel last night and off for my Delta flight this morning to begin the flight leg of the journey to the Amazon.  
What is it about the Amazon for women?  The diversity of wildlife, unique, exotic … No where else in the world.  The myths and the legends. 

Immense.  Mythical.  Exotic.  Dense rain forest.  Wildlife.  Mysterious.  Wide, deep, long.  Massive.  Unrelenting. Awesome. Wonder.  Jungle. Folklore.  
Over 6200 km long.  Contains a fifth of the world’s fresh water.  Widest spot is 40 km in width.  Dumping 300 million litres of fresh water into the ocean every second.  Crosses 7 countries.
150 million years ago this mighty river flowed from east to west, now it flows from west to east.  (The proof that change is inevitable!).  
Taken from Great a Journeys: by Lonely a Planet.
What to expect?  White sand beaches at Alter do Chao.  Mind blowing sights.  
Off I go, a flight in my day to get me back to Rio.  Last time I was here in December 2010.  
Tchau to all, pronounced ciao, as in Italy !
Hugs to all, 
Pamela