sunday from the sea

Sat Feb 7 – Shortly after 12 noon, we crossed the proverbial line commonly referred to as the equator in these parts.   We understand that this is the first ever crossing of the equator by a Carnival ship.  A celebration and acknowledgment of our safe crossing was made to King Neptune and his court by special ceremony on the Lido Deck.  Finding a place to sit was impossible and a place to stand hard to come by.  Inasmuch as I am not a person tolerant of crowds I ignored the celebration, found a quiet place and read my book.   Today, Sunday, we were in Fortaleza, our first stop in Brazil.  It has been a good week though my foot has continued to plague me off.  The ships Doctor has prescribed an anti inflammatory and suggested that I wear old comfortable shoe in lieu of some newer shoes that I have been wearing.   The medicines seem to be working and my foot is much more comfortable.    After three days at sea, we were glad for a tour on dry land.  After Fortaleza our next stop will be Recife and a visit with Ken's sister, Barbara.  We are looking forward to seeing her and sharing the day,  Until then – obrigado for checking on us.         Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

Thursday Feb 5

Wednesday Feb 4 Barbados.  We arrived on schedule at 7AM and joined our friends Bill and Diane Herbert for an excursion around the island to old haunts that they visited 20 years ago.  Our driver was knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant as he drove us up the gentle Caribbean sea coast and inland to the Atlantic coast where the wind and sea were mighty haughty in their vim and vigor.  Signs pronounced the danger of swimming and surfing thereabouts, not that any of us were interested in challenging the veracity of the signs.   It was an interesting day.  Barbados is a beautiful, but crowded island. We have three days at sea to recoup and prepare for Brazil.  We are adjusting to the ship and the ship may be adjusting to us.   That is still to be determined, mind you.  We have a large travel group aboard who seems to be getting the VIP treatment leaving the rest of us to sort of fend for ourselves.  I am threatening to remove one of the signs on the doors that say VIP GUEST but so far, I have resisted.          Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be