Boca De Valeria, Brazil

Monday March 5, 2012.  Today we are at anchor in Boca De Baleria, Brazil.  This is an Indian village located between Parintins and Santarem.  When ships anchor here, inhabitants of Boca along with visiting families, offer handmade crafts for sale.  It is an chance to see how the people of the Amazon live. 

We started the day with an hour in the pool with Bonnie and David.  The water along the Amazon is smooth so no waves in the pool.  Then we had breakfast on the aft deck.

Aft deck

We decided to wait until the crowds thinned before we went to the village so I headed to needlepoint and stayed for about one hour.  

The local children row their canoes out to the tenders and hop on to show us their animals.  Bob took pictures from the cabin.

This young boy is carring a three toed Sloth.   I was surprise the ship allowed them to climb on the tender, but they did.  If you take a picture of the animals, you should pay the child $1.00.

We took the tender to the village.  This is just for the tourists.  The folks live further into the area but come out to this village when a ship is in.  It just gives you an idea of what life is like here in the Amazon.

Canoes

Flooded area

Right now the river is high and some of the areas along the river have been flooded.




I am having trouble with this blog today.  Margins have changed and I cannot get it back where it belongs.  There it fixed itself.


We walked along the village path and came across several of the villager dressed in native costume.  Of course, we had to take pictures.

You also see some of the animals and birds that can be found in this area.  We saw sloths, monkeys, small alligators, birds, and a turtle.  

We continued our walk and stay in the village for about one hour.  Then we returned to the ship for lunch.  Today they had a German Grill which was pretty good.  Then to the cabin for nap and reading on the deck as our balcony was in the shade.


Needlepoint, tea and trivia.  Today one of the questions was;" what is the length of an official marathon?" and thanks to Katie and David, I knew the answer.  Thanks guys.  We did not win but we are getting respectable.  


Dressed for dinner.  Tonight we were in Prime 7.  Since we had 6:30pm reservations we did not go to the pre dinner show.  Food was good but service is too fast.  We just finished our salad when here comes the main course.  No sorbet.  At least you get sorbet in Compass Rose.  I asked about that and they said we do not serve sorbet in Prime 7.  We like Compass Rose better than any of the other choices.  Back to cabin to read and lights out.


Tomorrow we are in Manaus.  Ed Knight, the gentleman we first met on another cruise, is ill.  He is having problems with his blood pressure and is getting off the ship tomorrow.  A private airplane has been sent to get him and take him to Miami.  We wish him well.