Saturday 21st January, Manaus Day 1

Peter is out of work at the moment, because the customs/immigration guys are squatting in the conference room. He wants to take advantage and stay in bed.  Trouble is, I'm up at about 6 am to go bug hunting. This wakes Peter up, and he ends up having an early start too.

When I get out onto the decks they are wet.  Ship management has obviously ordered the crew to hose them down in the early hours before daylight to wash away the creepy crawlies.  It's understandable, there are hundreds of them bumbling around the decks, mostly scarab beetles and mole crickets.  They are big, all legs and wings when they are flying, and no-one wants one in their face or hair.  Almost as bad is the crunch when you stand on one.

There are always a few escapees however, and always something that I've not seen before. This is especially pretty and reminds me of a night sky.







We didn't arrive at the port until about 12.30.  The piers are floating, designed to rise and fall with the height of river and our ship looked massive, surrounded as it is by riverboats of all shapes and sizes.  Vultures sunbathed on the roofs of the surrounding warehouses, noisy terns and silent cormorants flew back and forth on the bird equivalent of spaghetti junction.

So after lunch we've got ourselves ready to go ashore. Because we've been before, and because Chris (the creative writing tutor), is on her own, she joined us for a little wander.  Peter led, and within about 15/20 minutes of leaving the terminal, we'd reached the Opera House.  We took a few photo's and were discussing whether we should go inside when we met Barbara, one of the craft instructors.  So now we were four.
In the end, Chris and I decided to go in.  It is built entirely of bricks, tiles and materials brought piece by piece from Europe and completed in 1896. It always makes me think of Mrs Haversham out of Great Expectations. The wealth and opulence of its creation is very obvious, but it is now faded, old and worn.

The stage.  The front section can move backwards to reveal an orchestra pit.

The ceiling inside the Opera House

One of the many crystal light fittings in the hall upstairs. 

That is not entirely true of course, the hall upstairs is absolutely beautiful.

After that, we found a pizza parlour, "Splash", close by, and made use of the free wi-fi before making our way back through the city.

So it was a pleasant afternoon.  The day was finished with the most spectacular thunderstorm.  We all sat on deck watching and filming, until it reached us that is!   Tomorrow we're on tour, "The Amazonian Experience".  Keep your fingers crossed that it's a good one. 

Boxing Day plus one - a sea day on the Marco Polo

Just to let you know that today started well, and then ended up with the ship feeling like a bucking bronco.   OK - maybe it wasn't quite that bad, but............

As I said, it started well.  Well enough for passengers to explore the back deck and enjoy a bit of sun.  Peter's classes went well and I spent my time reading.  But as the day progressed, a swell built up that that just got  worse.  The sky grew dark,  drizzly rain washed the decks and everybody huddled inside.

I was feeling quite proud of myself because I wasn't feeling ill despite the rise and fall, but I wasn't hungry at dinner and the up and down got steadily worse. We were still looking forward to the evening's pantomime, Cinderella....  we'd been promised a new twist. 

We sit at the very back of the show lounge which is at the front of the ship. (So we are the closest of all to the front end.) The ship was pitching up and down like a see-saw as the swell lifted us higher and higher, each time just dropping us several metre.  My stomach tried several times to leap out of my mouth.

The pantomime was very funny, as much because of the mistakes as the script and it kept me distracted while the ship heaved, but as it ended, I couldn't wait to get downstairs.  As usual - straight for my bed, to stay there until morning.

So that was our sea day. Tomorrow afternoon we reach Arrecife, Lanzarote. Peter and I are on tour to the Fire Mountains. Cool

Christmas Day on the Marco Polo

OK - so I've not written a blog post for a few days for a couple of reasons.......  waves and nausea!

Although the ship missed the worse of the Atlantic storm I mentioned in my last post, we have still spent quite a bit of time in rough seas.  The first day was the worst, and I adopted my usual position when the ship starts to pitch back and forth, which is led down in bed.  The travel sickness tablets that I take make me sleep..... so I did......  for a day and a half.  The weather did start to improve yesterday lunchtime, so I managed to make it out of bed in the afternoon, and spent Christmas Eve enjoying the ships entertainment and even partook of a couple of alcoholic drinks.  My Christmas holiday was just beginning to start.

And then today started off really well with a flat(tish) sea and a lie in.   It's Christmas Day,  Yippeee!

We enjoyed a leisurely cup of tea in the cabin, opening the few presents we'd brought with us before going upstairs for breakfast.  By now it was quite late, around 9.30 and breakfast in the Bistro was due to finish at 10.   It seems every other passenger on board had the same idea and the Bistro was packed!

Everyone seems to be in a good mood, partly because it's Christmas Day, but mostly because the sea has calmed down.  Passengers that have been locked in their beds have finally been able to emerge, groggy and disorientated, to breathe the fresh air on the back deck and bathe in a little bit of sunshine.

And the good mood carried on throughout the day.  Passengers and crew wore Santa hats and flashing Christmas badges.  Christmas jumpers were in abundance and the lounges were overflowing with people full of the Christmas spirit.  The entertainment team went into overdrive, adding Christmas party fun to the day's activities and the Cruise Director, Ross Roberts added to the fun resplendent in his Christmas suit (a bit like a Christmas tie, but all over).

And the day continued in that mood.  Peter's classes went well, and we were completely relaxed as the day moved on to the main event:- Formal Night, the Captain's Cocktail Party and Christmas Dinner.  Peter and I didn't take part in the cocktail party, but we did dress up for the evening.  Peter always looks good in black tie, although he hates wearing it.

The evening show kept the mood with loads of Christmas classics including, of course, The Twelve Days of Christmas.  It culminated in the show team singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and then being joined by all the ships staff, officers and crew (who were able to), filing in along the sides of the show lounge.  The passengers were all quite moved and cheered and clapped in appreciation.  Very much a different attitude from  the last couple of nights, when everyone has been miserable and fed up with the weather and the rough seas.

Tomorrow we will be in Lisbon, and like everyone else, I can't wait to feel solid ground under my feet. As Peter say's "Bring it on!"

Back to sea on a cruise ship...... Or maybe not - First day of our Canaries Cruise on the Marco Polo

So today is Tuesday 22nd December.  Peter and I have travelled from our home in Richmond, Yorkshire all the way down to Bristol to board the Marco Polo and set off on a cruise to the Canaries.

We had a good clear trip and made good time.  The only problem we encountered was the wind, which buffeted the van around good n proper on the way down.  O oh I thought,  looks like I'll be taking me travel sickness tablets and spending a day or so in the cabin, until I find me sea legs.

We arrived early and offloaded our bags before Peter parked up.  Then, it was time to make our way through the embarkation process.  As soon as we arrived Peter was recognised.  First Olga, the Customer Services Manager, and then by Susan, the Shorex Mgr.  As a result, we were whisked passed the queues and more or less straight on board.  It was brilliant. So many of the crew recognised Peter (and sometimes me), it was quite heartwarming.

We've got one of the cabins in the bottom deck again, which has it's good points and it's bad points.   The good point is that it is lovely and spacious with loads of room for our stuff.  It's nice and clean, but with the standard "twin beds that cannot be moved together".   The bad point is that it's in the bowels, and the deck where they close all the port holes at the first sign of trouble.  And guess what?  Yep!  The port holes were covered, and the deadlights are battened down.  Humph!

Nureyev looks different - he's been sprayed gold.  He used to be a
dull grey green colour

I unpacked, Peter slept.  Then we decided we were hungry, so went for a quick lunch in the Bistro.  The chef and a couple more of the waiting staff recognised Peter, so more greetings, smiles and  handshakes before food.  My position on the table looked out at the miserable weather on the back deck.  I thought Nureyev looked a little different and then I realised why? He's been refurbished!

A wander around the ship after lunch proved that many other areas of the ship have been given a bit of a brush up. Peter hadn't really noticed, but then he doesn't.  The Captains Club and the Columbus Lounge have been refurbished they look the same, but different with new chair covers and carpets.  There are new covers on the soft chairs in the Bistro, and new carpet along the connecting halls.  It's all really quite nice.  I did try to get a couple of photo's for those that are interested, but there were too many people about.  I'll try again later perhaps.

Peter "demonstrating" the shop area of the Marco Polo

We tried to go  out on deck, but hurriedly ran back inside.  It was blowing a gale out there, and hurling drizzly rain at us.  Completely miserable.  If that's a taster of what it's like here in port, I'm dreading what it'll be like out at sea.  Peter and I discussed me going to bed as soon as we left Bristol, dosed up with travel sickness pills.

Fire drill was due at 3pm, the ship was due to set sail at 4pm and Peter had a meeting with Cruise Director planned at the same time.  3pm came and went, passengers were still boarding at 3.30pm, and it became obvious that things weren't going to plan.  At 3.45ish - the captain's voice came over the tannoy system and we knew there was trouble coming.  (It's always the same, whenever there's bad news, they stick the captain on, cos people will accept it from him).  My comment about the weather out of port was spot on it seems. Aapparently it is flamin' 'orrible out there.  So bad in fact that CMV had decided to delay the ships sail time until 2.30 am tomorrow morning in an effort to avoid an Atlantic storm.  And because we are leaving late, it will change our itinerary, ports are being moved around and it looks like we will end up with an extra sea day. But hey, if we miss the bad weather I am very happy with that.  (If you look back at our blogs for this cruise two years ago, you'll understand why).

So we've done our fire drill and been to see the Cruise Director, (a new guy called Ross, he seems cool), Peter's sorted out his classes and we've drunk several cups of tea.  Now we're downstairs in our roomy cabin, just chillin'.  We'll change for dinner in bit, and maybe go and see the evenings show later.  All very relaxed.

Tomorrow is a sea day and Peter will be running two art classes, one in the morning, one in the afternoon.  Depending on whether the captain has indeed avoided the storm, I will either be helping him or in bed feeling ill lying prone in bed moaning about bad weather and ships. Eventually I will find my sea legs, but it always takes at least a day.  (Why I can't keep them between one cruise and the next baffles me).

So, our little Canaries adventure begins.........   Or it will do in a few hours time.

Going home through the Kiel Canal

OK

So the 25th and 26th of October are a couple of sea days before we get back to Tilbury.  Peter will run his classes and I will run around Peter, but generally, it's a relaxing couple of days.

On the first day, outside could be presented as a good example of Peter's "Tonal Study".  It's grey.  A grey sky and a deeper grey sea.  It's not warm either.  Peter has managed to pick up the latest cruise cold. (It seems one goes round every cruise), I've fought it off it seems, with no more than a little bit of a tight chest. Trouble is, by the end of the day, he was knackered and not up to formal night.  We did get out for dinner a little later than usual and then were able to stay up just long enough for the next bit.

On the night of the 25th, we travelled through the Kiel Canal.  It's a shame we went through at night, because obviously we couldn't see much, and not only that, we would all be too busy getting a bit of sleep to even try.  The thing is, it's a canal, and we had to go through a lock, which was a whole new experience for me.

Approaching the Lock at the start of the Kiel Canal.  The red lights on the right hand side are the "out" gates which are closed at the moment.  The Marco Polo has to get into the lock using the left hand lane.

Look how close we are to the walls of the canal!   Actually, it's a bit deceptive, because we had a little more space on the other side.  But the ship has to be tied up when the lock gates shut, which is why we are very close to the side.

Another, much smaller ship pulls in behind us and the lock gate closes. 

The Marco Polo was painstakingly manoeuvred very slowly and carefully into the lock, and then the water level probably only changed a few feet.  Never mind I can now say we have sailed down the Kiel Canal, even if the only bit I actually saw was the start.  Peter's cold got the better of him, and it was time to go downstairs.

Our second sea day was relatively uneventful. I decided to get me hair cut whilst I'm on board, I thought I might as well, seeing as I am always waiting for Peter's class to finish.  Once again the ship's hairdresser has done a brilliant job, for no more than I would pay back home.  I've read a book and a half, these last two days and Peter ran his classes again.

The final night of this cruise ended with the Ship's Show Team putting on a fantastic show called "Scenes from the Cutting Room".  The show team are usually pretty good, but I think they excelled themselves last night.  I was very impressed with the Charlie Chaplin routine at the beginning put on by the dance troupe, and then the Wizard of Oz compilation was awesome.

And finally, for this cruise, I have to mention the cooks and the food.  It seems to have improved since the last time we were on board, but that isn't what I wanted to show.  The following pictures are the food art carved out by the various chefs (or maybe it's always the same chef), they are quite awesome.

Chef working at the back of the bistro, look at the fish carved out of a melon on the left. 

So that was it, our Baltic Cities Cruise.  I think I would like to do it again and see all the things I didn't get a chance to see last time, particularly in St Petersburg.

We'll stay on the ship when we get to Tilbury, and go out again on it's next cruise "Land of the Northern Lights".  We're off to Norway and another load of new experiences.  Just absolutely FANTASTIC!

Day 9 - Monday 13th January - A Sea Day

Next morning, we went in for breakfast just after 9am. Linda Schoffham, the jewellery craft instructor commented on how I was having a good effect on Peter, since he wasn't normally up at this time, and she was right. Once again Peter had forgotten to put his watch back, so it was actually closer to 8 am! Ah well, more hours in the day for us.

It didn't take long to get back into routine, mostly tidying and sorting the cabin this morning and helping Peter get his classes in and out this afternoon. I stopped to have a chat with our cabin steward, and asked him loads of questions about what it was like to work on the ships. He told me that he signs up for 9 month contracts. There are no days off, his only time off was in the afternoons between his morning and evening shifts. This means that when the ship is in port, he can only go take a look in those few hours he has in the afternoon. He told me it was harder for the waitresses and bar staff though, because they often had less hours between shifts than he did. The good news was that he was better off on a ship than he would be in a hotel in his home country of Serbia. For him, the fact that he didn't have to worry about bed and board meant that he could save, and that was exactly what he was doing.

I didn't fancy the show or the quiz this evening, so we retired to out cabin quite early, only to found that our cabin steward had been creating a little bit of art of his own.

Isn't it wonderful? We were absolutely delighted, even if it does mean we can't use the towels to hog the sun loungers any more.

Another sea day tomorrow.  Hopefully we'll get up at the time we think it is! 

Day 3 - Tuesday 24th December - Christmas Eve

Finally the lurching about has started to ease off.   That is, the wind has reduced from gale force 9-10 to a mere 7! By lunchtime I was able to sit up and leave the cabin. I even managed to help Peter with his first class. Once the group was in and Peter had started, I sat outside, too tired and nauseous to do anything more.

The ship had stopped lurching back and forward, which was good. Sadly however, it now seemed to prefer to throw its contents side to side. Weirdly, this seemed easier on the stomach, and more and more people were emerging from their cabins. Thing is, the sea and ship were lulling us into a false sense of security, and although it seemed that the rocking and rolling was beginning to calm down, it was actually getting worse. Every so often the ship would be caught in a massive wave or dip, and everyone and everything inside was tossed around like washing in the dryer. I was thrown out of my chair to skid along the carpet into the craft room door, (carpet burns to prove it). On another occasion, nearly every chair in the Columbus Lounge slid across the floor, hurling the occupants into a pile at one end. These chairs were followed by a globe centre piece, which must have worked loose of its fixings, skidding its way across the centre of the room to topple onto one of the fallen passengers. Quite scary!

The Columbus Lounge

Luckily no one was seriously hurt, and the concerned crew soon cleared the area so that no-body else could have a go at the helterskelter, but sadly the problems didn't stop there.

Everywhere around there were crashes and clatters as equipment and breakables were thrown about by the ships' movement. Peter watched a cleaning trolley hurtle down a passage, closely followed by the three cleaners chasing it. I made it to dinner, and watched bemused as plates, glasses, cutlery and food trays slid from the tables and shelves they were resting on. Passengers, waiters and kitchen staff grabbed wildly at whatever they could stop, but the carpet definitely got more than its fair share of the dinner that evening. It sounded like the kitchens were losing just about every piece of crockery the ship had, judging by the smashing and clattering going on behind closed doors, and we saw one of the passengers be thrown across the room, fall over the dinner table to crash into the floor. The poor lady had to be stretchered away.

But as the evening wore on, it began to get better, true, we were still being thrown from side to side, but not quite so severely and people were getting wise to it. As we sat in the Captains Club, everyone periodically grabbed their drinks as the bottles behind the bar clattered in their racks and the floor tilted to another precarious angle.

The Captains Club

All in all not a good Christmas Eve. In fact, the last couple of days have been so bad that management have decided to change the itinerary. They've worked out that we won't get to Gibraltar or even Lanzarote on schedule and it would be much better if the ship could put into port and everyone could eat a Christmas dinner that wasn't trying to escape the dining table. So instead, we're going to La Caruna, Spain. We'll arrive about 11 am tomorrow, and we won't leave until 1 pm Boxing Day. I am so looking forward to the floor staying level for a short while. Bliss! I'm sorry I'm not going to see Gibraltar though.

Canaries Cruise Day 1

Canaries Cruise - Day 1, Sunday 22nd December - All Aboard!

It all started so well.  The drive to Tilbury was easy and straight forward, and we arrived at the ship well in time.  We met the new Cruise Director, Frankie Anderson, who warned us that things were a bit chaotic, and were shown to our cabin in the bowels of the ship.  We like this one though, it's nice and big.

The warning signs appeared straight away though.  Just as we were putting our first bags in, an engineering type bloke in oily overalls appeared and immediately battened down our port holes.  Great big metal covers over our daylight!  Three days of bad weather was the whisper.  O Oh!

Marco's Bistro

It wasn't too bad today though to be honest.  We enjoyed lunch on board, got all Peter's stuff into the craft room, got to know the other crafters and managed to work out how the classes were going to pan out.  An evening meal the Marco Bistro, and although the ship was beginning to move a little I felt fine.  The ship began to move a little bit more by the time we'd got to bed, but not to worry, it just rocks you to sleep.  Peter won't have a class tomorrow, they'll have a sort of registration session.  That should be fun.   

Day 2, Monday 23rd December - Up and Down

Main Foyer

I woke several times last night, feeling the ship lurch forward and back. the sick bag fairy made her rounds and "do not disturb" signs appeared on the cabin doors as more and more people succumbed to the effects. I went up with Peter to the main foyer and helped with the registration session I managed to make it through to lunchtime, but the nausea was getting more and more persistent and in the end I too added my "do not disturb" notice to the row along our corridor.

And it just got worse.  As I laid in bed, the wardrobe doors would fly open and all four drawers slid out of the unit like something off a disney cartoon.  Then they would all slide back in again and the doors would slam shut.  The ship was lurching up and down like a seesaw, first the front end, then the bow.  Not comfortable for my stomach at all.

I stayed prone for the rest of the day. If I so much as sat up, wave after wave of nausea soon made sure I laid down again. The sea got rougher, the drawers and doors flew open with more voracity, and all I could think of was the promise that it would get better.  Peter came in and out, checking on me.  I just moaned.  Then the captain announced it was going to get worse, rising to gale force 9-10!

Me and the bed stayed close until morning.

Thursday 7th February – My last sea day

Tomorrow we’ll get to the Azores and Horta, a place I’m looking forward to.  The day after we’ll be Ponta Delgada, where I will board a plane and leave Peter and Co to continue the cruise without me.  I need to be back at work on Monday.  The ship will arrive in Tilbury on Thursday February 14^th.

So in a way, it’s quite sad.  I’ve helped Peter set up his classes for the last time, I’ve cut enough paper for the last sessions, started packing my clothes and stuff and generally started to prepare to leave.  Awwwwww!

This has been an absolutely brilliant cruise.  I’ve had so many fantastic days, which I’ve shared in this blog, but there are many things I haven’t mentioned.  For instance, the  quizzes every night have been fun, and although we’ve not spent a lot of time in the Captains Club, the couple playing classical music there are very good, creating are wonderful pleasant atmosphere in the evening. 

There’s the day we crossed the equator, which I wrote about earlier and the quiz “Rock your socks off!” which all future passengers should attend if the opportunity arises.  The same applies to the pantomime, Cinderella, and the cut down version of Joseph’s Technicolour Dreamcoat, “Go Go Joseph”, which really was absolutely brilliant.  Andi Ford, the comedian, certainly made us chuckle too.   

The food has been very good too and much better than last year. ( Apparently that’s because they changed the chef).  The only thing lacking it seems is vanilla icecream.  (And Peter won’t eat any other flavour).

Downsides?  Well, I suppose you get used to the way things are done on this ship.  Beds are singles and there are no coffee making facilities in most of the cabins. There isn’t a launderette, which is really difficult after 6 weeks. The Eastern European waiters and waitresses don’t smile quite so quickly and easily as others and there are probably loads of other little extra’s and facilities on other ships that aren’t available on this one.  But if you talk to the passengers, the difference and the plus side of the ship is the atmosphere.  I can’t quite put my finger on what it is, a general friendliness which sort of exudes from everything and everyone, making you feel comfortable and at ease.  Although I am sure it doesn’t suit everyone, many of the passengers I’ve spoken to completely agree, and many of them keep coming back because they like this ship.

Me, well, I’ll be very sorry to leave.  Peter is already trying to work out when and which ship he’ll be working on next.   If it’s this one, and I can join him, I will be absolutely delighted. All I have to work out is how do I get the time off!

Tomorrow we’re in Horta.  I’ve not been before, so I’m really looking forward to it. 

Thursday 17th January – A brilliant day at sea.

We awoke this morning early, both feeling much better.  Well.... nearly.  Peter was still coughing, I still had a red nose that thought it was a tap, and we both felt a little drained, and washed out.  But still better

So after breakfast we headed out of the Bistro onto the deck to see what was occurring.  As we opened the door, we were almost forced back into the Bistro by the humidity and heat.  Temperatures were due to rise to 30^o C today, and it was already like an oven outside..  The haze caused by the humidity did nothing to ease the burn of the sun.  Hats on, sunglasses on, we headed for the front deck and some fresh air.  We were hoping that time out of the air conditioned environment of the ship might help Peter’s cough.  The sea is, and has been amazingly flat and comfortable, the skies blue and the sun bright and warm, Although I’ve been hiding in me cabin for the last two days, everyone else have been cooking themselves into a glorious shade of chestnut.  Bare brown flesh everywhere!   Nice then, as long as we didn’t stay out too long.

Back indoors, Peter’s classes went well, and once they’d finished, we grabbed a very quick lunch and headed out onto the rear deck for one of the main events of the day, “The Equator Ceremony”.  The heat was intense, but everyone had been reminded re hats, fluids and sunscreen.  Temperatures, parasols and spirits were up, and fluids were going down,  judging by the worn out look on the bar and waiting staff.

 

During the Equator Ceremony, the ship asks permission of King Neptune, the God of the Sea, to cross the Equator.  For us, (and similar to last year), it was an hour of fun along the lines of “I’m An Entertainer, Get Me Out of Here!”  The entertainnment team performed hilarious tasks, got voted off and then pushed into the pool.  I think they were grateful for the last bit, as at least the water was cool.  At the end of the competition, the winner was presented to King Neptune as proof that the ship was worthy to cross the line, and King Neptune very kindly agreed.

One of the contestants on "I'm an Entertainer, Get Me Out of Here"

King Neptune’s fishy seafaring attire is created for him by the handmaidens of the craft clubs.  Last year, they carefully designed a crown of card, lined inside, and out with metal beaten mirror smooth.  (Tin foil).   Unfortunately King Neptune suffers from a common affliction of his sex in that as he has grown older, his hair has grown less, and he now sports the traditional bowling ball shine where his hair used to be.  This, coupled with the cunning design of the crown, the heat from the sun, and an hour waiting for the contestants to complete their tasks resulted in King Neptunes cranium glowing fiery red beneath his crown.  The handmaidens were concerned that the glowing pattern created might be permanent, like a tattoo.  Luckily there was no long term damage. 

Therefore  the design this year did not include the ability to cook popcorn on top the head of the Sea God, (although they did wonder if they should try it), and the Kings glorious headdress was seen once again to be as bright as the sun, but inside was a lot cooler.  So was his “robe” I believe...... I’m sure they hid his knees last time!

King Neptune in his specially designed crown.  Please note his trident is made of the same beaten metal.

 A brilliant afternoon for all, but it didn’t stop there.  We went to the front deck to stare at the sea as it changed from deep blue, to green, to muddy brown.  There was no land on the horizon, and wouldn’t be for several hours, but we were seeing the effects of the millions of gallons of fresh water pouring into the sea from the Amazon.  I’m told sailors have found fresh water a hundred miles out from land (or something like that).  It is amazing to see, as is the fact that water takes on an eerie flatness.  No swell and only little rippling waves.  We also managed to see some odd looking fish.  Fascinating!

After a nap and dinner we went out on deck at 9pm to watch “Rock Your Socks Off”.  I didn’t know what to expect and assumed it would be a music quiz.......  Which it was....... Sort of.......   If by music quiz you include a petulant quiz master, everyone singing, a conga, an assistant cruise director being “knobbled” to prevent her side winning and a dance off.  I don’t think anyone left the deck until the “quiz” was finished, but the audience swelled as passengers  came out to see what all the noise was about.  If you ever sail on the Marco Polo and this quiz is on the entertainment program, I highly recommend that you go take part.  Fantastic fun.

And then, before you know it, it was the “Crossing the Equator Party”.  Everyone was still in high spirits from the “Rock Your Socks” Off quiz, and the mood carried on.  Peter has found a soul mate in the guest comedian Andi Ford.  You should have seen them together dancing to “Greased Lightening”!  An excellent end to a really good day. 

Runny nose?  Drained and washed out?  Did I say that?  Nah, we finished on a high.  (Although maybe a little knackered after dancing in that humidity).  Tomorrow is another “sea day”, although not really, as we’ll be sailing up river to our first port, Santarem.  So it’ll be a “river day”.  I am so looking forward to it.   

Saturday 12th January - Sea Day

One of the best things about cruising is the all inclusive nature of the package.  Many people go on an “all inclusive” package holiday to a hotel somewhere warm.  Having never been on one myself, I don’t really know what that entails, but here, on the ship, it means everything, (except your washing).  Obviously there is someone to look after your cabin.  In our case it is a young, very diligent, man called Saw.  (Not like the film!).  He comes in every morning and evening, keeping our room and bathroom  very clean, making sure we always have clean towels, and our beds are made, or turned back depending on the time.  

Then there is constant food: Early breakfast, breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and finally evening snacks, and of course the entertainment.  Today, as an example, there were: two lectures,  6 craft classes, Peter’s water colour classes, organised games from bridge to shuffleboard, choir club, bingo, bridge, quizzes and Yoga.   That’s during the day, at night time there is a show, (shown twice), evening cabaret, quizzes, and if you have the energy, even a disco.   

Therefore the only domestic chore I have is to make sure that we put stuff away.  This is for two reasons, first so that we can move in the cabin, which really is very small, and secondly to save Saw the embarrassment of finding Peter’s dirty socks, or even worse, his underpants!

So you do sort of relax on these sea days, because there isn’t really anything else for you to do.  Today I chatted and meandered.  Listened to lectures and spent time out on deck.  A wonderfully relaxing day.   And the added advantage is that you get to see new places all the time.

Tomorrow we arrive in Mindelo.  We’ve been there before, it’s sort of barren and run down, but we quite like the fact it is what it is, not fully touristyfied yet.   Last time we visited, the sunrise was beautiful, Peter painted it.  I doubt we’ll be up early this time.  Peter really hasn’t been very well, and needs an easy day. 

Friday 11th January – Heading for the Cape Verde Islands

Last night we joined the rest of lecturers and craft tutors in the Marco Polo lounge where we took part in a 70’s pop quiz and then listened to the Elvis tribute delivered by Richard Sykes.  Most of us were on the same cruise last year.  It’s so much nicer when you already know everybody   It was a really good night, especially since between us, we did really well in the 70’s quiz.  Michelle (the scrap book crafts person), and I answered the questions based on whether we could remember the song or not, (both being far too young to remember the early 70’s well).  Our methodology worked, cos we outdid the others on a fair number of questions. 

This morning we took it really easy.  Peter is feeling a little under the weather, and I just needed a good lie in after yesterday.  We didn’t leave our cabin until 11, when it was time for Peter’s Class.  Whilst he was teaching, I just wandered and chatted, enjoying lunch with the Bonners (both lecturers), helping between classes and then the clean up at the end.  Peter is always so busy talking to the art students, he doesn’t realise its being done around him, mostly by crafts teacher, Michelle, trying to get ready for her class which is next.  

The ship is travelling south at the moment, down alongside the coast of Africa heading for the Cape Verde islands. I think Cape Verde to Brazil is the shortest crossing of the Atlantic which is why this route is chosen.  As a result, the weather has been warming up.  It’s been sunny all day, I think the temperature got up to 20^oC and it’s been really nice up on the rear deck out of the wind.  Sadly, the wind stopped us spending much time on the front deck looking for marine life.  It was a bit nippy !

We went into listen to one of the lecturers, Brian Ford at 3 o’clock, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.  And the gentle roll of the ship has the effect of making you want to sleep.  Not just me, -  everyone.  Wherever you go, there are passengers sleeping.  In all the lounges and on all the decks, on chairs, sofa’s and loungers, heads fall gently forward or back, as its owner drifts off into the land of nod.

So we had a couple of hours kip in the cabin this afternoon before dinner, which as usual, we ate in Marco’s Bistro.  We have never eaten in the restaurant on this ship, partly because passengers get priority and we would have to wait for a space, but mostly because we have never had any interest in doing so.  We are very happy with the informality of the Bistro.

After dinner we joined everyone upstairs for a TV theme tunes quiz.  Again, our group of very knowledgeable craftspeople n lecturers did very well, but it’s not good for PR if we beat the passengers, so of course we didn’t win.  The evening’s entertainment continues with shows, music and singers, but we’ve had enough today.  

For those who are interested, photographs of the ship can be seen at this link First day on the Marco Polo 2012.   They were taken during our stay this time last year.  It hasn’t changed since, retaining the charm of a country hotel.  Very nice. 

Tomorrow is another sea day, but this time I plan to be full of new energy, and maybe take part in more of the entertainment program. Let’s see eh?

Four relaxing sea days

The weather has been getting warmer and warmer, culminating in the 32°C we have experienced today.  The sea has been quite flat mostly, with a gentle roll some days, but nothing to really notice.  The sky has been mostly overcast and we only really saw the sun on Saturday.  Despite this, most passengers are various shades of red and brown, something to do with the sun’s strength and reflection off the water.  I sat out for about an hour today, under cloudy skies that occasionally spotted blissfully cool rain on us.  After the hour I had to start coating myself in factor 30 sunscreen, as my exposed skin had turned a brilliant shade of crimson, and I mean crimson.  Peter of course is fine, browning off nicely, just cos that’s what he does.  (Humph!) 

So what have we been doing for the last four days?   Well, Peter has been running his three classes a day for the first three, but got the afternoon off today because of Neptunes visit (more later).  Because I am chief bottlewasher between classes, I’ve been hanging around nearby whilst he is teaching, mostly reading and chatting to passengers.  Peter’s classes run through lunch, so unfortunately, he doesn’t get any (although that doesn’t make me feel guilty when I am eating mine), so usually, as soon as he’s finished, we drop in to the Bistro to partake of “afternoon tea” where Peter stocks up on sandwiches and I eat cake.  After that we generally spend a lot of time on the deck at the front of the ship, looking out to sea, enjoying the limited breeze, and generally chilling. Eventually it’s time to go downstairs to get ready for dinner followed by the evening’s entertainment.   

On Saturday, (sea day one), after breakfast we went up on deck to see if there were any of the flying fish that we remembered from our last cruise.   It didn’t take long before we saw the first one, brown and silver as it launched itself up and out of the waves away from the ship.  It was followed by another, then a group of three and then so on.  Peter and I then spent a long time watching them before it was time for his classes.  I went back whilst he was teaching and after spending some time looking over the railings, I realised that the other passengers on the deck hadn’t seen the flying fish.  They were looking out to sea, not down beside the ship.   I told the man next to me about them.  Once he’d seen his first one, he told the guy next to him and the one beyond that, and before you know it, everyone was looking out for the little darting bodies. 

Like last year, there were different types.  There were larger, single, brown fish, and smaller blue fish that appeared in groups of 3 or 4.  Then there would be the almost magical moment when a shoal of very small ones, not much bigger than dragonflies, all left the water at once and flew in a small cloud over the waves, flashing blue and silver.  This would be accompanied by a collective “Oooooooh” from the people watching.   The fish can travel quite a distance, I would say easily 50 ft.  Remarkable!  Peter and I spent a lot of time watching them after his classes.  Peter also spent a lot of time trying to get a picture of them.  The ones I have added to the blog don’t do justice to the little critters, but they are so fast, and never quite close enough for the camera to get a decent shot.   Entertaining though.

Rear deck at night

We’ve had a “formal night” on board, so I had the chance to get dressed up.  I felt dead posh n proper in my dress and wrap, feeling particularly proud of the electric blue shoes I’d found to match.  Thing is,  it’s not easy to walk far in 4 inch heels when the ship is gently rolling from side to side, especially if you are that good at walking in the blasted things in the first place.  Peter found my wobbling quite amusing, but was good enough to hold me up when required.  Bless him.  He looked good in his tux too.

A bonus has been that we’ve managed to find some thermos mugs.  After all that time tramping around Funchal looking for them, it turned out that we could buy them from the ship shop!  So now we can sit in the cabin, reading, watching tv or messing around on the computers, supping tea and coffee out of our new mugs.  Bliss.

Everyone on the rear decks to watch the ceremony

We don’t spend that much time in the cabin though.  There is loads of entertainment on board.  We’ve listened to the Asst Cruise Director, Cait Stevens, sing (very good), and watched the show company do a medley of songs from the musicals.  We’ve sat in on a few quizzes such as “Name That Tune” and “Muddled Melodies”, (good fun) and watched the comedian Andy Ford (very, very funny). We’ve listened to a couple of lectures regarding the Amazon and the rubber trade, and finally, this afternoon sat out on deck to watch the crossing the equator ceremony .   In the style of “I’m a celebrity.....” the entertainments staff had to complete tasks to become the ships champion.  That champion could then represent the ship to ask Neptune’s permission to cross the equator.  It was an entertaining and enjoyable afternoon, especially since the afternoon watercolour classes were cancelled so that everyone, including Peter, could watch.

All in all it’s been a good four days, the only negative being the fact that we have been made incommunicado.  Peter has managed to get a few messages and a blog post out, but  for the last day or so especially, our phones don’t have a signal, and we’ve been unable to use any wi-fi at all.  This eventually resolved itself about 7 o’clock this evening thankfully.   Peter is like a bear with a sore head when he can’t access his email.

The ship crossed the equator at about 10.30 tonight, so there’s been a party on deck.  (We didn’t attend to be honest preferring to stay in the cabin where it’s cool).  Tomorrow we visit our first Brazilian Amazon city, Belem.  Peter and I have booked ourselves on the “Guama River Tour”.  The tour will take most of the morning, but should give us a little time to look around when it’s finished.  I’m really looking forward to it. 

A couple of easy Sea Days (for me anyway)

Peter posing

We’ve not had any internet for the last couple of days, therefore no blog  updates.  To be honest, not a lot has happened although Peter is now doing 3 water classes a day.  There’s been quite a palaver about it all because not everyone could fit into two classes.  But now, with passengers having allocated places, and a third class for those who haven’t managed to squeeze in before, the whole issue should be sorted.   We did think the third class would be very small and could maybe be combined with the other two.  But no.  16 people in the first class and 19 in each of the 2^nd and 3^rd.  Hard work for Peter, I just clean up after him and bring cups of tea.

The weather has been lovely, and the sea nice and calm, so both days we’ve spent a fair amount of time out on deck enjoying the sun and wave spotting (meaning trying to see something other than waves).  Nothing really so far, except the splashes made by dolphins a little way away, but we’ll keep trying.   We’ve also been out on deck to enjoy the stars.   Really luurrrrrrrvvly. 

The last little bit of news I have is that I have caught Peter’s cold.  He’s Just about better and I’m sniffing n sneezing like a good un. 

The third downer of this ship actually has it’s advantages.  Most of the cabins do not have double beds, and the twin beds can’t be pushed together, so couples are either snug in one bed or waving across the gap in two.  With us both having been  under the weather, the separate beds have actually meant the other one got some sleep through the snuffing in snorting.  So as I said, a little bit of a silver lining.

Tomorrow we arrive at Mindelo.  We liked it last time we visited, and we remember a place where we can get plenty of wi-fi time dead cheap. There is also a shop with loads of lovely craft keepsake type stuff I want to visit.  I will upload this blog from Mindelo, and hopefully the ship will sort out it’s crew wi-fi problems.  If not it’s another five days until Brazil!

My first Sea Day on the Marco Polo.

Our cabin

It seemed that the last 48hrs have been a little bit of a blur.  So today, I am just getting used to being  on board the Marco Polo, and catching up on meself. 

Marco’s Bistro was very busy at breakfast this morning, it is obviously preferred over the restuarant.  We could only find tables outside, so we sat on the rear deck near the pool, where we met the history lecturer and his wife.  Apparently, they were on the Marco Polo when it did this cruise last year.

Marco Bistro

They must have really liked it because they’d come back for another go.

Peter has developed quite a disgustingly snotty cold, so I insisted we find him something to help dry it out.  Not as simple as you would first think.  We went to the shop first, which, it turned out, doesn’t even sell paracetamol.  Staff there directed us to the medical centre, where we would be able to “buy” something.  When we got there it was quickly established that Peter was “crew”, so he was sent away to get a form from the Cruise Director. 

The form was to save him the extortionate medical cost that passengers would be subjected to, because he had to see the doctor before they would allow him to be issued a box of Day Nurse.  What a faff on.  Necessary I suppose, but honestly!  Next time I will pack the stuff.

We also sat and worked out what tours we wanted to take part in when we get to Brazil.  The tours can seem expensive, but our last visit proved that some of them are well worth the money, and really are one of the best ways of being introduced to the port you are visiting, with lots of information about the place and the people.  We quite like them, and I am really, really looking forward to things such as the Bumbai festival, Manaus Opera House and Piranha fishing.

As for the rest of the day: Peter’s classes today were very organised, (cos I was helping of course).  He insisted on a max of 20 per class, which funnily enough, is exactly what he got.  While he was working, I had a very nice lunch of pasta with cheese sauce and salad.  It was so nice I went back for seconds and then I had a little wander around the ship.  It has been lovely outside, quite sunny but not too hot.  We’ve had a nap this afternoon and spent some time in the “Palm Garden” so that Peter can catch up with his emails and stuff. 

Not being able to have tea and coffee in the room has been one of the only downers.  There are no kettles in the cabins.  We assume this is something to do with power and the Marco Polo is an old ship.  All coffee and tea has to be served from Marco’s Bistro which is just a bit tedious really.  We may buy a couple of thermos mugs in Madeira tomorrow if we see them.  I think a crate of cold drinks may also be in order.

Tonight’s dress code for dinner was informal, so this time I wasn’t overdressed, and Peter’s red nose is perfectly in keeping with the shiny and glittery stuff everyone else was wearing.  Dinner was borscht soup and beef stroganoff, not fancy but very nice. Afterwards we went to watch the show, and when that finished, we sat and listened to the very pleasant duet of violin and piano in the Captains Club.  I’m all nice and relaxed now and looking forward to Funchal, (with shopping list), tomorrow.