RECIFE, BRAZIL

RECIFE, BRAZIL

We have enjoyed our two sea days which we spent eating, reading, and sleeping. We even managed a swim in the pool though It wasn't a swim but more a romp in the waves. The movement of the ship caused the water in the pool to slosh from end to end - emptying out the shallow end before filling up the deep end and vice versa. As Courtney would say "More fun than a picnic!"

We arrived in Recife this morning under sunny skies and hot and humid temperatures. The forecast was for 31 degrees and it felt every bit of it. I must say that the Brazilians sure know how to pick the locations of their cities. This city of 4 million is surrounded by turquoise waters and beautiful beaches. It is called the Venice of Brazil as 6 rivers flow down to the ocean here and the main part of the city is built on three islands connected by many bridges. The name Recife was derived from the surrounding coastal reef shoreline. Here we caught glimpses of the infamous favalas. We had an excellent guide with a good sense of humour who kept us together by means of a whistle and his sign. We visited the square where the governmental palace and botanical garden was located before seeing the Golden Chapel of the Franciscan Convent of Saint Anthony. Gold leaf covers the interior wood carvings and is an example of Brazilian Baroque. Not as baroque as some of the churches we saw in Europe this summer. We then drove to the 16th century colonial area of Olinda, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is located at the top of Recife's highest hill and consists of narrow streets and colourful houses. We had to climb into mini buses to get there as the streets are too narrow for tour buses. There we visited the Recife Cathedral and had a drink of coconut water from a coconut which Norma tells me is all the rage back home by fitness affecionados. We arrived back at the ship, grabbed a bite to eat and retired to our beds for a 2-hour nap.
It is very difficult to avoid the sun - both of us managed to redden our skin even when we sit in the shade. Going through lots of sunscreen.