A foggy approach to Rio Love those tugoats
Nautical Term ~ of the day ~ Pooped
The poop is the stern section of a ship. To be “pooped” is to be swamped by a high, following sea.
That’s how I feel sometimes, being swamped by compiling/editing the photos and stories of all the cities we are enjoying in addition to the activities on the ship (I hope to post those photos after Rio). But the wonderful experiences, new friends and fantastic crew are very definitely most enjoyable and worthwhile. The Viking Sun goes the “extra mile” with everything they undertake. Their excellent chefs consistently prepare the best meals, both presentation and taste. Their hospitality crew take great care of our every need promptly. The stewards and wait staff are the most friendly and efficient. The audio and lighting theater crew are remarkable with their talent to project such beautiful and surprising back screens and the acoustics are fabulous for the acts. The bands and performers, shows and lectures are all exceptional and all of them (the whole crew) always with a smile and greeting. When the Captain speaks on the daily announcements every noon, he always ends with “be kind and look after each other.” And our Cruise Director, Vicki Van Tassel, is the funniest, most entertaining host. She leaves the cruise in LAX and everyone says no one can replace her, she is that good. This is a tremendous trip and no, we have not tired of it yet. No matter how many adjectives that can be used, they can’t express the overwhelming gratitude we feel to God and to them for this magnificently, exhilarating experience. No wonder Viking has been voted #1 so very often.
Rio has been my romantic city since the 1950’s when I enjoyed “old” black and white comedy romance movies with Carmen Miranda. So the Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Samba and classical guitar music was my tiny view of Rio before visiting there in 2006. The following photos will show how much my idea of the city and all of Brazil has changed.
Carmen Miranda Museum Our lecture on the history of the Samba, Bosa Nova and Brazilian music with two great musicologists.
The name Sugar loaf was coined in the 16th century by the Portuguese during the heyday of sugarcane trade in Brazil. Blocks of sugar were placed in conical molds made of clay to be transported on ships. The form of the peak reminded them of the well-known resulting “sugar loaf” shape.
Where we get the cable car to the top! Rock climbers everywhere!
The original cable car line was built in 1912. Newest one holds 65 people.
Oscar Niemeyer is the modern architect who designed this Municipal Cathedral and most of modern Brazil. The stain glass rises more than 250′ in the air.
A beautiful town park surrounded by many old government buildings. The Cannonball tree
Christ the Redeemer statue was constructed between 1922 and 1931 and is 98 feet high, excluding its 26 foot pedestal. The arms stretch 92 feet wide. It is made of reinforced concrete and soapstone.
All of the above stops from 2006 were offered on this 2019 tour, except for the Carmen Miranda stop! So too, was the Igauzu Falls.
