Intentional traveler: Three Sea Days!

Once we left Manaus we had three sea days - or river days- before getting to our first Caribbean port of Barbados. As I have said before the sea days become sort of routine. We learned more about the Amazon like it provides 20% of the world's fresh water, there are a 1,000 species of birds and more than 45,000 types of plants along the shores. More are discovered or identified all the time. The Amazon is known as the 'river sea' and has more than a thousand tributaries that contribute to the width which is up to 6.8 miles wide at times and places. The Meeting of the Waters is most specifically the point at which the Rio Negro and Amazon run side by side but don't mix because of the densities and Ph differences. Eventually, however, the Amazon engulfs this Black River like it does all the others.

Saturday highlights included several lectures on a variety of topics ranging from Literature of the amazon given by one of the worst speakers I have ever heard. She simply read her paper to us. Give it to me I can read it faster and with more understanding than your monotone provides. To a good lecture by Patrick Goodness on the Hidden Tribes of the Amazon. We sucked at trivia - again. Munch Moments were shared with our friends and we ate in the World Cafe. They went to hear the Mezzo-Soprano from Manaus sing. I wandered and chatted and read and wrote.

Sunday started with a swim where I had the main pool and hot tub completely to myself for a whole hour before I decided to have a shower and breakfast. Elva and I hung out together not rushing to do anything in particular. We enjoyed a lecture on the Bayeux tapestry which is a fascinating work of art that I missed when in Normandy but Elva, of course, especially enjoyed. Best score of the game yet at trivia. . . 13 of 15! Dinner was at Manfredi's and I again had the delicious Veal Scalloppine with a Lemon -Basil sauce. And they make a fabulous Limonata cream for dessert. Entertainment was a 60's - 70's concert by Drew. He has a great voice and such a good personality. Thoroughly entertaining and not too loud. We had good seats.

Today, Monday, was just as relaxing. Elva and I must have thought we would be hungry this morning. Last night we ordered Room Service for our breakfast today. We each had an omelet and I had a fruit plate and Cream of Wheat. We shared pancakes, Elva ate her blueberry muffin but I have mine tucked away which is totally ridiculous to do on a cruise ship. We stashed the cheese plate in our fridge and drank our juice, coffee, and tea!

We then called down and changed our tour in St. Kitt's from the catamaran and train to just the train as we will be on a Cat the next day. Saved us $40 each! I went to the Captain and Senior Officers Q&A while Elva enjoyed one of the many comfy cushioned lounge chairs overlooking the sea. We met for trivia and then Judy and I went to the ABBA dance class and back stage tour. We had lunch by the pool. Elva ate in the Explorer's Lounge. Back in our cabin we watched the televised talk on how sugar brought wealth and lost it in the islands. Dinner was La Route Des Indes at the Chef's table. It explored the 'warm spices' and seasoned the Ahi and steak and even the Granita. It does not agree with me at all! My friends went to the showing of the Metropolitan Opera La Boheme. I went up to Deck 7, poolside, for the Beatles tribute under the stars. The dome was pulled back and the music was great. Not only could I see the guys singing from where I was but they were also projected onto the big screen! This was followed by an old fashioned sock hop type Dancing Under the Stars. What a great evening!