Saturday, March 28, 2020

2020 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, All good things must end....


Well, it’s been a while….  Sorry about that, I seem to have gotten caught up in Pandemic matters.  Since Alter do Chão we had our first trip hiccup relating to the Coronavirus when we were forced to miss Devil’s Island.  Our next stop was Barbados…..  I saw three large cruise ships filled with guests from Europe, the epicenter of the Coronavirus at that time.  I decided that the prudent thing was to stay onboard.  Things began to move quickly after that….  Long story short, we passed our last two ports and returned to Ft Lauderdale 2 days early.  In the end, I felt blessed to have had an amazing voyage on the Volendam with an incredible cadre of Officers and Crew. It will always be a voyage to remember! Once the voyage was ended early, I skipped flying home and drove with my friends Ann & Cathy as they made their way back to Canada…..  I was back home safely on the 21st and Ann & Cathy made it home on the 22nd….  My house was stocked by my sister Lisa and her husband Jim along with my lifelong best friend Randy.  I have been hunkered down since, ticking off one project after another….  So far, there aren’t enough hours in the day.  At some point, as the days turn into weeks and weeks into months, I’m sure that will change.  I hope everyone out there in staying home and protecting themselves and their families.  To my friends, Officers and crew that are still onboard the Holland America Line fleet, stay safe and I hope you make it back to your homes and families safely….  Praying for people around the world!

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

2020 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, Alter do Chão, Brazil


Today marks our last port in Brazil...I was out early for sail in photos.  It’s changed quite a bit since I was last here in December, before the rainy season.  Cathy and I were off the ship on the first tender headed for the beachfront resort of Alter do Chão. Since my previous visit the river has risen significantly and most of the beautiful beaches are now under water.  It was only a short distance across the beach to the walkway into town. We followed the riverfront walkway to the Our Lady of Good Health Church on the town square. Alter do Chão is best known for its Ilha do Amor (Island of Love), a picturesque island ringed by a white-sand beach directly in front of town...unfortunately the high water changes the entire dynamics of this offshore island. We walked around town and then along town's beachfront which is temporary, since it is formed during the river's high-water season. Returning to the pier area we did some shopping at the outdoor market before taking the tender back to the ship. I spent the best part of the day poolside...It was a , really hot day today...probably one the hottest day we had in the Amazon so far... It was a great day! Tonight, we are celebrating Ann’s birthday.   Happy Birthday Ann!