Saturday 12th December:
A farewell to the folks we have met, Dennis & Maribeth, and Chris & Nancy. Both have offered us accommodation should we visit either Oklahoma, Florida or Colorado; we just need an itinerary, and one that takes in Mission Viejo as well.
We also say farewell to a plethora, is that the correct collective noun, of gay male couples on the cruise. I can't remember quite so many, may be a cruise presents a pretty safe environment for them. We are even on quite chatty terms with the Austro/German couple.
We also say farewell to a plethora, is that the correct collective noun, of gay male couples on the cruise. I can't remember quite so many, may be a cruise presents a pretty safe environment for them. We are even on quite chatty terms with the Austro/German couple.
As expected chaos surrounded the terminal with hundreds of people trying to find their contacts, and their contacts trying to get their vehicles anywhere close to load people and luggage. Our man Carlos does a good job and gets us to the Sofitel at the end of Copacabana beach. They are happy to store one case for us until we return from Iguazu in two days time. Irritatingly Dennis & Sue arrive to find their accommodation has been cancelled.
The only noteworthy item on the drive out to the airport is the young men who sells food items on the motorway, 10-20 of them weaving their way through speeding traffic, and some of them probably no older than six or seven years. Also of note is the bare chest syndrome, it seems that in Rio "skin is in" and the more you expose the more current you are, especially along the Copacobana.
A fairly uneventful flight from Rio down to Foz dos Iguacu, and arrival at the fabulous Belmond Cataratas Hotel, the only one inside the National Park. We upgrade for a room with a view of the Falls, or more accurately, a view of the spray and mist generated by the Falls. Some confusion over what the time is as we have put our watches back again on the flight down, only to find the plane is on Argentinian time, and of course we're still in Brazil. A rush out to see the sun set over the Falls, and then to dinner, which almost reaches Faulty Towers heights with a large number of seemingly incompetent waiters.
The food is good, but expensive, and for the first time we have to look at prices of both food and drink following two weeks of giving a hoot on the Marina. Our meal, two courses, and three bottles of Stella, served as if it was wine by being returned to the ice bucket, costs us 340R, or nearly £70.
The Belmond is a fabulous hotel, reminding us of The Victoria Falls Hotel, there's a connection there somewhere, old, spacious, colonial and expensive, oh for Cape Town prices.
The day gets even better when we watch the final minutes of Tigers great away win in Munster on Lorna's Twitter feed, 19-31, can't wait for the return at Welford Road next Sunday.
The only noteworthy item on the drive out to the airport is the young men who sells food items on the motorway, 10-20 of them weaving their way through speeding traffic, and some of them probably no older than six or seven years. Also of note is the bare chest syndrome, it seems that in Rio "skin is in" and the more you expose the more current you are, especially along the Copacobana.
A fairly uneventful flight from Rio down to Foz dos Iguacu, and arrival at the fabulous Belmond Cataratas Hotel, the only one inside the National Park. We upgrade for a room with a view of the Falls, or more accurately, a view of the spray and mist generated by the Falls. Some confusion over what the time is as we have put our watches back again on the flight down, only to find the plane is on Argentinian time, and of course we're still in Brazil. A rush out to see the sun set over the Falls, and then to dinner, which almost reaches Faulty Towers heights with a large number of seemingly incompetent waiters.
The food is good, but expensive, and for the first time we have to look at prices of both food and drink following two weeks of giving a hoot on the Marina. Our meal, two courses, and three bottles of Stella, served as if it was wine by being returned to the ice bucket, costs us 340R, or nearly £70.
The Belmond is a fabulous hotel, reminding us of The Victoria Falls Hotel, there's a connection there somewhere, old, spacious, colonial and expensive, oh for Cape Town prices.
The day gets even better when we watch the final minutes of Tigers great away win in Munster on Lorna's Twitter feed, 19-31, can't wait for the return at Welford Road next Sunday.
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