Baking peppermint bonbon cookies can give me such delight during the holiday season. However, my mind can sometimes be on another continent, as I think about what will be coming in two months. Peppermint candy canes meet moist and chewy chocolate or sandy beaches and a trip up the Chilean Fjords, you decide? I know such a hard decision.
I will be flying into Sao Paulo and boarding the ship on the day of departure. But, I don't want that to hinder you from maybe flying in a little early to see the city. Sao Paulo is like any big city you visit where commerce and industry meet. There is much variety and trappings. If you like coffee or soccer, this is a place for you with a rich history in both.
If you're just flying in or staying a few nights, be aware that the metro or taxi is a good means of transportation. Staying in a hotel for a day or two before disembarkation? Check with the concierge at your hotel to best fulfill your needs. Most people in Sao Paulo and Rio speak Portuguese. You will also see this on the ship.
The big event is when we board the ship on Sunday, February 10, 2008 and head for the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Our Bon Voyage will be at 5:00 pm. After everyone is settled, members usually stop by the Loyalty Desk to say hello and see who came for the 1st member cruise of 2008. The Splendour of the Seas® will head a little north for our next destination as we rest for the evening and enjoy the ship strolling along the coast.
Rio de Janeiro has always sounded exotic to me. There are many songs and movies dedicated to the city and with the name 'cidade maravilhosa', translated the 'Marvelous City, how can you go wrong? The ship will dock by 8:00 am, which will give us 12 hours before our departure to see the sights. Some fast facts about Rio:
Rio is divided into four regions: Zona Sul (South), Centro (Downtown), Zona Norte (North) and Zona Oeste (West). Good to know directions by the sun or to carry a compass.
The South Zone is where the majority of the tourist attractions lie. Within 17 square miles you have the beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, 'Cristo Redentor' and Sugarloaf Mountain.
The most famous is the statue 'Cristo Redentor' or Christ the Redeemer atop Corovado Mountain.
Though a batida and caprihina are not a place but a drink, you simply can't go oceanviewing and people watching on Copacobana or Ipanema beaches without stopping and having just one maybe with some world famous barbeque. The weather should be warm but I hear the water is cold this time of the year.
No need to eat on the ship while in Rio. Fish, seafood, steak and barbeque, the city has some of the best restaurants with a view to compliment your appetite.
What do you think? Which would suite me best? I have my thoughts but I'm curious what you would do. The next in the series for the member cruise will be posted next week. We explore Buenos Aires.
If you like reading this article there are others about our previous member cruises and travel locations featured in the 'Crown & Anchor Society' group at Gather. Go to the yellow bar at the top of the page and click 'featured articles'. By clicking, you will go to a page of featured articles by me. Clicking on the three buttons to the right: 'articles', 'images', and 'video', you will get a list of items featured from other group members by scrolling down. Enjoy!
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Comments: 16
Janna: You are right. We are going to need the sugar to keep up our energy levels. The great thing is on the cruise there is plenty to eat and the staff is excellent. Always delivering the Wow!
Donna: So what are your thoughts on things to do in Rio for the day? We would love to hear the insider information.
David: That is fantastic you are planning ahead for a cruise in 2008. The Explorer of the Seas leaves out of Bayonne, NJ and goes down the coast to the Caribbean.
We will be joining you on this cruise. We are beyond excited about this one. We have done 10 RCI cruises, but this is our first member cruise. By the way your cookies sound real good.
Jan
Looking forward to this cruise because I actually booked Aug 2006........This is our first member cruise as well and no. 9 for me
country - however not all airlines and/or countries may require this. For the Visa - it is true that it must be issued within 90 days of travel and if you end up not entering Brazil within this time period it becomes invalid. Our Visa was acquired outside of the U.S. at a Brazilian Consulate and it took only 24 hours after we provided all the documentation - photos and paperwork. We had to deposit U.S. $100.00 per person into a bank account a minimum of three days prior to the appointment and we needed to provide that reciept at our appointment. Hope that this might help. The cruise was great - Rio was very nice - the port is not in a nice part of town - you will also need to be aware of heavy traffic if using your own transportation to get around Rio and the beaches.