Don't think I need to put another photo of our position as it has not changed. We are still docked in Santos. We were told the emergency generator would be arriving early this morning by truck from Rio but it did not arrive until after 12:30 pm. They are moving so slow in getting it put up on deck 12 (top deck of our ship). I stood out on deck 6 by lifeboats from 2 pm to 3 pm and all they did was take it off the truck. I had an appointment to get my haircut at 3 pm so when I came back out at 3:20, nothing had changed and the crane operator was taking a nap.
Now the internet is down again. I'm bummed but can at least write this. Who knows when I can post it however. This morning I did manage to get an email off to Regent. Just wanted to update our friend there about what was going on and that we were becoming disappointed with all that is going on with this cruise.
We were suppose to be in Ilha Grande yesterday, Parati today, and Buzios tomorrow. Obviously, we did not get to the first two and I am betting we will not be in Buzios tomorrow either. The Captain finally made a PA at 2:30 this afternoon saying that the generator had arrived and it would take some time to put it on board. She said she would be giving us another update at 6 pm. I expect her to say no port again tomorrow and we will be sailing straight to Rio. It is 250 nautical miles from here to Rio so will take minimum of 15 hours probably longer. Now I am just hoping we make it there by Thursday or even at all. I hate to be so pessimistic but it's just the way this cruise is going.
Patience has run out for many of the passengers. I feel bad for the ones on just the 12 day cruise from BA to Rio as 1/3 of the scheduled ports have been cancelled or about to be. What I'm not happy about is that we paid 30% more for this cruise than we did in 2012 and getting SO much less. Ok, I need to improve my attitude! Sorry
Even though we are not in Parati, Brazil, today, here is the information I had planned on sharing with you today anyway. I will also include the link to the 2012 photos I took in Parati. I am disappointed we are not going here this cruise as it was a very interesting place with lots of historical Colonial buildings.
Historical/Background Info:
Over night our ship (was suppose to have) back-tracked about 30 miles to arrive at Paratay (or what the Regent itinerary calls Parati). It was founded in 1597 but was not until 1667 that it was formally established as a town by Portuguese settlers. In 1696 the world’s richest gold mines were discovered here. In the early 1800’s the port here was revived due to coffee trade and later with the production of cachaca, which is a sugar cane derived liquor used in making Caipirinhas. This is one of my favorite drinks!! It is Brazil’s most famous drink. If you ever go to one of the Brazilian restaurants in the US, I would highly recommend that you try one. It will not be as good as the ones in Brazil however. You have to use Brazilian limes, which are smaller than ours, to make it. Believe me, I have tried!!
Today Paritay is a historic town with beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, much has not changed for over 250 years, narrow cobblestone streets, two colonial forts, and four beautiful Baroque style churches. Cars and trucks are not allowed on the cobblestone streets in the historic district but horses and carts are very common. Today Paraty’s economy is dependent mainly on fishing, agriculture (bananas & sugar cane), and tourism. Population here is 36,000.
Link to Parati photos from 2012:
https://goo.gl/photos/AzYa3tdeoG4UM268A
What We Did Today:
Guess I covered this above. This evening at 7:00 pm there is a special event (finally) for the Grand Cruisers (all those doing the full 72 day cruise. I believe there are now around 90+ of us). It is a "Brazilian Rodizio Grill" up in Sette Mari restaurant. Meats will be carved table side just as in Brazilian restaurants. It should be a nice time.
Tonight's show is the return of Mark Newsome, a Welsh comedian/pianist. Didn't go to his first show and probably skip this one too.
Well, as I said, I went to the Canyon Ranch Spa on board and got my hair cut this afternoon. Young lady from Serbia did a pretty good job, I think. Won't know until I wash it later. Men's hair cuts half the price of women's.
Here are some photos I took of crane and generator they will be putting on deck 12.
The backup generator FINALLY arrived after noon time today. Captain finally made a PA at 2:30 pm saying it had arrived but would take time to load. She said she would update us again at 6 pm.
These are counter weights being taken from truck and put on back of crane.
Putting counter weight on crane. This will offset the weight of the generator.
The generator in container
Crane fully entended about to take generator off truck. Crane will have to put it on top deck of our ship.
Grain elevator with conveyer belt to load grain on the ships.
Here comes our Captain after she made the PA to help??
Lots of cell phone calls going on.
I left at 3pm to get my hair cut. Came back at 3:20 and crane operator taking a little snooze.
It is now about 5 pm and no progress is being made. Generator still sitting on dock hooked up to crane but no one around now, not even crane operator. I'm guessing it's their quitting time now. Stay tuned tomorrow for this fiasco. Bet we will be here all day--Day 4.
Now the internet is down again. I'm bummed but can at least write this. Who knows when I can post it however. This morning I did manage to get an email off to Regent. Just wanted to update our friend there about what was going on and that we were becoming disappointed with all that is going on with this cruise.
We were suppose to be in Ilha Grande yesterday, Parati today, and Buzios tomorrow. Obviously, we did not get to the first two and I am betting we will not be in Buzios tomorrow either. The Captain finally made a PA at 2:30 this afternoon saying that the generator had arrived and it would take some time to put it on board. She said she would be giving us another update at 6 pm. I expect her to say no port again tomorrow and we will be sailing straight to Rio. It is 250 nautical miles from here to Rio so will take minimum of 15 hours probably longer. Now I am just hoping we make it there by Thursday or even at all. I hate to be so pessimistic but it's just the way this cruise is going.
Patience has run out for many of the passengers. I feel bad for the ones on just the 12 day cruise from BA to Rio as 1/3 of the scheduled ports have been cancelled or about to be. What I'm not happy about is that we paid 30% more for this cruise than we did in 2012 and getting SO much less. Ok, I need to improve my attitude! Sorry
Even though we are not in Parati, Brazil, today, here is the information I had planned on sharing with you today anyway. I will also include the link to the 2012 photos I took in Parati. I am disappointed we are not going here this cruise as it was a very interesting place with lots of historical Colonial buildings.
Historical/Background Info:
Over night our ship (was suppose to have) back-tracked about 30 miles to arrive at Paratay (or what the Regent itinerary calls Parati). It was founded in 1597 but was not until 1667 that it was formally established as a town by Portuguese settlers. In 1696 the world’s richest gold mines were discovered here. In the early 1800’s the port here was revived due to coffee trade and later with the production of cachaca, which is a sugar cane derived liquor used in making Caipirinhas. This is one of my favorite drinks!! It is Brazil’s most famous drink. If you ever go to one of the Brazilian restaurants in the US, I would highly recommend that you try one. It will not be as good as the ones in Brazil however. You have to use Brazilian limes, which are smaller than ours, to make it. Believe me, I have tried!!
Today Paritay is a historic town with beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial architecture, much has not changed for over 250 years, narrow cobblestone streets, two colonial forts, and four beautiful Baroque style churches. Cars and trucks are not allowed on the cobblestone streets in the historic district but horses and carts are very common. Today Paraty’s economy is dependent mainly on fishing, agriculture (bananas & sugar cane), and tourism. Population here is 36,000.
Link to Parati photos from 2012:
https://goo.gl/photos/AzYa3tdeoG4UM268A
What We Did Today:
Guess I covered this above. This evening at 7:00 pm there is a special event (finally) for the Grand Cruisers (all those doing the full 72 day cruise. I believe there are now around 90+ of us). It is a "Brazilian Rodizio Grill" up in Sette Mari restaurant. Meats will be carved table side just as in Brazilian restaurants. It should be a nice time.
Tonight's show is the return of Mark Newsome, a Welsh comedian/pianist. Didn't go to his first show and probably skip this one too.
Well, as I said, I went to the Canyon Ranch Spa on board and got my hair cut this afternoon. Young lady from Serbia did a pretty good job, I think. Won't know until I wash it later. Men's hair cuts half the price of women's.
Here are some photos I took of crane and generator they will be putting on deck 12.
It is now about 5 pm and no progress is being made. Generator still sitting on dock hooked up to crane but no one around now, not even crane operator. I'm guessing it's their quitting time now. Stay tuned tomorrow for this fiasco. Bet we will be here all day--Day 4.
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