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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Dec 12, 2017 10:00 PM Rio from the sea!
I think that Rio has one of the most spectacular location regarding all cities of the world. Other ones are Hong Kong, Sydney, Cape Town, San Francisco....
For the first time I approached Rio from the sea. I got up early to see the view. Yes, it was spectacular with Sugar Loaf and Corcovado in the distance... An hour later I was already on a shore. Terminal in Rio (on a picture) is poor - no city maps, internet is so weak that not possible to use.
I have been already twice to Rio, visiting popular places. So what to do?
I will tell you the secret: there is Hans Stern jewellers stand in the terminal. They offer free round trip tour to their gem factory in Ipanema. Tour is interesting. On the way you will see many interesting landscapes of Rio. Tour takes like 40 min. They offer free tea/coffee/soft then you politely say thank you, I do not buy gems! Politely ask for the password and you can use their wi-fi.
Then you can walk around Ipanema to enjoy the beauty of the girls, before returning to the factory for your return shuttle bus (the last one goes at 6pm.) What a free deal!
Yes, it is nice to walk again along Ipanema and Leblon Beaches... I love it - there is only one Rio in the world...
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Dec 10, 2017 10:00 PM Ilheus, Brazil - Oh, how they dance!
The band of drummerswas waiting for us on the little pier in the port of Ilheus. And three ladies - the dancers... They were still dancing when I was disembarking the ship an hour later. What a power!
Ilheus for many years was a world capital of cocoa... The still have the plantations but noe tourism is here the main source of income.
It is walking distance from the port to the center of the city - Ilheus looks much safer then Maceio... :)
They have a nice cathedral and the pedestrian zone with the house-museum of the famous Brazilian writer Jorge Amado. In the back of the cathedral it is worth to see Praia de Christo - the name come from the Big statue of the Christ overlooking the beach.
Can you imagine? It is not possible to find here internet access!
On the way back I climbed with a group of friends little hill where Ursuline convent and church Piedade are located. Just nearby the fine viewpoint is located, but it is better not to be there alone.
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Dec 09, 2017 10:00 PM Sunday in Salvador - Bahia
Afro-American culture, exceptional architecture of Brazilian baroque - this place is on the World Heritage list of UNESCO. It is also one of the most dangerous places for the foreign tourists. But the situation is improving. In the old town almost on every corner you see the guys (and pretty ladies too) from Policia Militar. I survived Salvador many years ago so I believie I will be OK... Anyway it is a pleasure to walk again the cobbled streets, to see the rich churches (they conduct Sunday masses today) and to enjoy azulejos pictures in the courtyard of San Francisco monastery. But the upper deck of our ship gave me also the new perspective too see the old city - Alto located some 70 m on the cliff from outside. Destroyed houses, piles of garbage, ruins... This is the other face of the same town... Still exciting!
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Dec 08, 2017 10:00 PM Maceio - new port!
It was 7 am when we entered little port surrounded by beautiful beaches. It was Maceio - the, capital city of one of the poor states of Brazil. The pirt authorities offered free shuttle bus to take us from the pier/ cranes area to the city beach right from the harbor. Here the local tourist office staff was waiting for us to give the city maps, and the police officers - to protect us from the herd of taxi drivers offering tours.
First I took the walk along the beach. I is really nice with the palms, but sorry there is a lot of garbage, plastic bags and bottles around. Something what is special here are the jangadas - little, colorful boats used to sail the tourists around. Then I returned to the tourist office stand - yes, they say there is free city wi-fi network. But when I tried to connect the machine said that I need to upload local phone an ID number. Local girl gave me her numbers for a kiss... Then I ask the officer how to get to the center - to cathedral place - according to the map it is 3 kms from the beach. He responsed that I must take a taxi, because it is not safe to walk. Then we asked for the taxi price - the response written on the hand was 50 USD !!! The Brazilian paradise is expensive for the strangers!
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Dec 07, 2017 10:00 PM Recife, Brazil - hot, hot, hot!
After 6 lazy days in the ocean we docked in the first Brazilian port - Recife. Atlantic was calm, but with some rain too. I have ben to Recife - the capital of Pernambuco state before, sothis is opportunity to refresh memories, to walk again throught the old town to the Square called Marco Zero. Empty streets in the morning ( therefore they are not so safe) because today they celebrate the day of Immaculate Conception. I took the walk across the bridges to the former jail where they organized art and craft center. Poverty on the streets - people sleep on the sidewalks...
In the evening we hava a show of Pernambuco national ballet - so I expect a lot of fun...
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Nov 30, 2017 10:00 PM For 12 euro to Maspalomas
At sunrise our ship arrived to Las Palmas. I have been here few times already, but I did not see the sand dunes in Maspalomas - in the south of the island where most of hotels for vacationers is concentrated. The most simple method is to take the bus no.30 from Santa Catalina bus station - just 200 m from the pier. Buses go every half an hour and the single ride cost 6,15 euro. Sometimes the want you to change the bue in San Telmo station. Go to he last stop - it is about an hour of picturesque route and at the end you will see the fancy hotels of thd tourist ghetto. The last stop is close to the lightouse. Then you can take a long walk along the coast and through the diunes - they are up to 50 m high. Nudist beach (a bit shocking) on the way!
In the evening we will start to cross Atlantic Ocean. Next message after 6 days! Keep your fingers for the weather! Thank you!
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Nov 29, 2017 10:00 PM The best view from Lanzarote
In the early morning we docked in Lanzarote - on Canary Islands.
I know the island, but I nerver bee to the famous Mirador del Rio in the north. My new Russian friends from Ahrkhangelsk - Russia invited me to join their trip on rented car. We were driving first to thd Cactus Garden (6 euro entry - if you want) an then to this fantastic Mirador. It is overlooking the strait beetwee Lanzarote and Graciosa Islands. There were clouds passing by but the in the middle the panorama was great!
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Nov 27, 2017 10:00 PM Cloudy Cadiz
Yesterday we passed through the hazy Gibraltar Strait. Today I have a chance to visit for the first time historic Cadiz (Kadyks in Polish).
We are docking in the middle of the old city - just a short walk from huge new cathedral. The old town here is nicely restored - it is a pleasure to stroll the labirynth of narrow streets. Palms are planted along the main streets, but it is cloudy today. 17 deg Celsius.
My ship is nice, but sorry - no other Polish passengers aboard. You have to take care on the cruise because Costa - the owner of the ship is trying to milk you on every possible way... But you know, that I have already experience, how to avoid extra payments.
In the evening we will be sailing to Canary Islands - I hope there will be a sun again!
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Nov 24, 2017 10:00 PM Barcelona once again...
Bus no 21 goes from my Cal Siles hostal to the city centre. Single tickets for the bus are more expensive then 2 years ago - you pay 2,15 euro for the ride. If you stay longer it is worth to buy T10 tickets foe 10 euro...
My ship arrived only at 1 pm. I left my pack to be delivered to the cabin and walked back through the high Europa Bridge (what a view, but it is 3kms walk each way!) to enjoy the atmosphere of Barcelona streets - artists and vendors on Rambla, fountains on Plaza Catalunya. Each time I am here the image of this city is different, so it is worth to come here again...
We are departing in the evening and as you know the internet access on the ship iv VERY expensive I will probably upload the next message after few days... Sorry, dear friends...
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Nov 23, 2017 10:00 PM Flying back to the continent...
It was still dark at 7.15 am when I left hotel heading to the airbus bus stop near Mercado. The bus should depart at 7.40... At 8.20 they are closing the gate for my flight! 7.45 - no bus... I am getting nervous, I shouldn't trust Madeira buses! 7.50 - no bus... 7.53 - uffff- yes, arrived - I am boarding the bus...
Sun was rising when we were going by high road on the cliffs (see picture) to the airport. The line to the security was short. They were still boarding easyJet when I reached the gate. Ufff... We departed soon to Porto. Why to Porto? - Because it is the chapest way to go from Madeira to Barcelona. :) If you use low-cost airlines sometimes it looks like a nonsense, but it is the way to save money... I am waiting in Porto for the connection on the other low-cost carrier... Guys from security are (no comment) here - they confiscated my emergency food ration - the can with the meat! But otherwise Porto airport is nice - in the waiting hall near gate 35 they have regular computer stands with internet access to use for free. I believe I will be in Barcelona in the evening...
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