Days at Sea - (Brazil)

November 4th we departed Manaus, Brazil, 1,000 miles up the Amazon, and headed for the port city of Racife.  Long story short, because of the Amazon's low water level, our downriver travel was slower than planned.  This delay caused us to abort our stop at Racife and head directly to Salvador de Bahia.  This revised schedule has resulted in 6 continuous days at sea, and nothing to Blog about. So what have we been doing?

After leaving the rainforest, most of the scenery along the Amazon looked much like this, sandy colored water flowing past the lush green shoreline.  The flat land, as far as the eye can see, will soon be under water as the rainy season begins in December.

Midway to the Atlantic we passed the city of Santarem which was our first stop traveling up the Amazon.  Notice the "mixing of the waters";  the blue water is from the Tapajós river that flows into the Amazon here. 

Having crossed the equator a few days before, it was time to initiate all the first timers.  The nautical term is to "transform the pollywogs into shell backs."  The celebration is complete with live music and much libation.

Norse, the Norwegian god of the sea, presides.  Pollywogs first come forth and confess their wrong doings.

Then they kiss the fish (which has been sitting in the refrigerator since Manaus)...

...and cross the swimming pool.  This happens to be the ship's Executive Officer doing it in proper seaman form.  (Most of the passengers just stepped into the waist deep water and waded across.)

Then the Captain and Cruise Director give it their best shot.

The crowd goes wild with cheers and applause!

Upon exiting the pool, the shellbacks are offered a glass of Aquavit, Scandinavian distilled spirit.  Notice the Cruise Director holding a glass of Aquavit in each hand.  She actually downed three straight!  (This is the equivalent of downing three shots of 100 proof whiskey.)

Then more of the same...endless water!

Wondering what to do a slow day, Gene noticed sea birds following the ship.  Shooting about 150 shots (pictures), he finally captured one worth sharing on the Blog.  We've been told this may be an albatross, can anyone out there help identify it?

Nautical Term of the Day - Rank

The number of stripes on a Naval Officer's uniform indicates their importance.  One-strip means they can read; two-strips, they can write; three-stripes, they can read and write; four-stripes, it doesn't matter, someone else will do it for them.