Where to even begin! I’m sorry it’s been a while since my last entry…it’s so easy to completely lose all sense of time out here! Things are still going well out here. We are on our way down to Antarctica…we begin our “scenic cruising” tomorrow, it’s supposed to be really amazing…I can’t wait! It is starting to get REALLY cold here. Our last two ports were Stanley, Falkland Islands and Cumberland Bay, South Georgia. Stanley was a really nice little town. It’s a U.K. territory and it was really nice to be in place where they speak English and we loved going to the grocery store and finding American and English products…we stocked up for our week at sea! It was a really nice and peaceful little town and it was neat to see things from the war that was fought there and in South Georgia in the 1980’s. South Georgia was really an amazing place. The ship sat in a little bay and we were completely surrounded by huge snow covered mountains shooting straight out of the sea with glaciers running down between them. I took way to many picturesJ You couldn’t even see the peaks of many of the mountains! We got to go on shore for about an hour. We went to the museum and church and then walked down the beach to see the wildlife. The place was covered in penguins and seals. I was so close to a group of penguins that I could have reached out and touched them…it was amazing! The seal pups were playing in the water from the glaciers and in the ocean…they were soooooo cute! I got some video of them that I can’t wait to share! Before we got to South Georgia my roommate and I watched a movie about a man named Shakelton who was an Antarctic explorer whose ship got stuck in the ice and he and his crew survived for 2 years on the ice before he reached South Georgia to get help. It’s an amazing story…you should look it up…he didn’t lose a single man!
Well…that’s all for now really…I’m sure I’ll have a lot more to share after the next week in Antarctica. Our internet signal gets worse as we head farther south so it may be a week before I can post again…but I will try again soon!
.JPG)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
More Brazil!
So…we’ve been in Brazil for a few weeks now and it amazes me how different each port is. We got off the ship in Fortaleza, Brazil and decided to go to the beach for the day. It was an interesting place. We took a taxi to the beach for the afternoon and the place that was recommended to us was one big restaurant/beach/tourist trap place. It was kind of sad because as soon as we got there and got settled on the beach it started pouring rain. So we ran to the restaurant area with everyone else and sat and had some lunch. We tried a few new things that were really good and a few that I didn’t really care for (I couldn’t handle the shrimp…I can handle peeling them…but the head was still on them and I just couldn’t bring myself to eat one). It turned out to be a good afternoon but the thing that struck me as we were riding back to the ship was how dirty and run down this city was. I was sitting in the cab thinking about all of the little things I take for granted back home. Things like trash cans, traffic signs and laws (the taxi driver scared me a few times), clean sidewalks, and buildings that aren’t crumbling before your eyes. Really…think of the dirtiest city in America you’ve ever been to and it’s nothing in comparison!
The next port was Maceio, Brazil, another beach day, and I was expecting the same sort of experience…but this place was completely different! There were lines on the roads, the hotels lining the waterfront area were decent looking and there were really beautiful parks all along the water. It is crazy how one night of sailing can take you to a completely different experience! It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and the water was really nice. There were boats that would come right up on the sand and pick people up to go to a sand bar a little way off shore (we didn’t have time to go unfortunately) and there was a market right beside us where people were selling all sorts of crafts and clothes and things. The only thing that was a little annoying was the vendors on the beach. They didn’t have much of a sense of personal space and would come right up in our faces…it got a little old after a while…I guess we just can’t hide the fact that we’re tourists. I learned how to say “no thank you” in Portuguese very quickly!
Today we stopped in Salvador, Brazil. This stop will definitely be one of my favorites. The city had a distinct African/Jamaican feel to it. The city was the center of the slave trade in Brazil for a long time so there is a very high African population. The city was very colorful and the crafts were all really bright and unique. Everywhere we went in town we could hear some kind of reggae music or drums playing. We visited an old cathedral that was extremely ornate and everything inside was made of gold…it was beautiful but they wouldn’t let us take pictures inside unfortunatelyL The people were setting up stages everywhere we went in preparation for Carnival that starts in a few days (we miss it by one day in Rio..sad day!) I took lots of pictures today so hopefully I can get them on facebook or on the blog sometime soon. We’re hoping to find a good internet café in Rio in a few days!
Well…this has been a very long entry! I’m just in awe of this place and how unique each port is. From the Amazon to Rio I’m sure each one will bring something new. I’m trying not to compare them and take each one for what it is…this is a part of the world I never thought I’d see and here I am. It’s crazy!
I’ll have another update after Rio in a few days! I can’t wait!
The next port was Maceio, Brazil, another beach day, and I was expecting the same sort of experience…but this place was completely different! There were lines on the roads, the hotels lining the waterfront area were decent looking and there were really beautiful parks all along the water. It is crazy how one night of sailing can take you to a completely different experience! It was a gorgeous day, not too hot, and the water was really nice. There were boats that would come right up on the sand and pick people up to go to a sand bar a little way off shore (we didn’t have time to go unfortunately) and there was a market right beside us where people were selling all sorts of crafts and clothes and things. The only thing that was a little annoying was the vendors on the beach. They didn’t have much of a sense of personal space and would come right up in our faces…it got a little old after a while…I guess we just can’t hide the fact that we’re tourists. I learned how to say “no thank you” in Portuguese very quickly!
Today we stopped in Salvador, Brazil. This stop will definitely be one of my favorites. The city had a distinct African/Jamaican feel to it. The city was the center of the slave trade in Brazil for a long time so there is a very high African population. The city was very colorful and the crafts were all really bright and unique. Everywhere we went in town we could hear some kind of reggae music or drums playing. We visited an old cathedral that was extremely ornate and everything inside was made of gold…it was beautiful but they wouldn’t let us take pictures inside unfortunatelyL The people were setting up stages everywhere we went in preparation for Carnival that starts in a few days (we miss it by one day in Rio..sad day!) I took lots of pictures today so hopefully I can get them on facebook or on the blog sometime soon. We’re hoping to find a good internet café in Rio in a few days!
Well…this has been a very long entry! I’m just in awe of this place and how unique each port is. From the Amazon to Rio I’m sure each one will bring something new. I’m trying not to compare them and take each one for what it is…this is a part of the world I never thought I’d see and here I am. It’s crazy!
I’ll have another update after Rio in a few days! I can’t wait!
Monday, January 19, 2009
It's HOT here!
Hello again!
I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last post! I thought I had put something up a few days ago…but apparently I got kicked off the internet before it actually got up…oops!
Anyways! I’ll try to catch everyone up now! We are stopped today in Belem, Brazil. Unfortunately, I’ve been in rehearsal all day so I won’t be seeing this port. The past few ports have been pretty nice though! Parintins was a smaller town and Audrey and I just got off the ship and walked around some of the markets. They had a lot of artwork that was really beautiful but it was all too large for me to get home so I didn’t purchase any. Alter de Chao, Brazil was kind of a resort town. There was a really nice beach and a few hotels and condos that you could see from the river. We pretty much spent the day lying on the beach and playing in the Amazon River. The water felt great because it was SOOOO hot outside (I’m the genius who fell asleep on my back and got sunburn…go me!)
We left the Amazon early yesterday morning (Sunday) and had our crossing the equator ceremony around 2pm. They have a ceremony when King Neptune comes on the ship and all of the “pollywogs” (those of us who have never crossed the equator before) have to be judged by him so that the ship has his blessing. It was MESSY and cheesy and STINKY (it involved us being slimed by a grotesque combination of foam, dirty water, and goopy foods…(YUCK!) but it was fun in the end. Next time we cross the equator I can be the one sliming the pollywogs…and keep the distance from it myself!
Today we are learning our last show and then we’ll start preparing for Showgirl next weekend. Our next performance will be on the 25th(the night before we get to Rio!) Tomorrow night they are having a Black and White ball to celebrate the inauguration day and we have the whole day off of rehearsal so we can get all dressed up and enjoy the evening together…I can’t wait! I’ll be sure to write again soon and more often from now on… I think I’ve finally got this internet thing figured out here!
<3Katie
Ps-for all of you who are cold right now…I just thought I might take a moment to rub it in that it is HOT as FIRE here…I love the beach!
I’m sorry it’s been so long since my last post! I thought I had put something up a few days ago…but apparently I got kicked off the internet before it actually got up…oops!
Anyways! I’ll try to catch everyone up now! We are stopped today in Belem, Brazil. Unfortunately, I’ve been in rehearsal all day so I won’t be seeing this port. The past few ports have been pretty nice though! Parintins was a smaller town and Audrey and I just got off the ship and walked around some of the markets. They had a lot of artwork that was really beautiful but it was all too large for me to get home so I didn’t purchase any. Alter de Chao, Brazil was kind of a resort town. There was a really nice beach and a few hotels and condos that you could see from the river. We pretty much spent the day lying on the beach and playing in the Amazon River. The water felt great because it was SOOOO hot outside (I’m the genius who fell asleep on my back and got sunburn…go me!)
We left the Amazon early yesterday morning (Sunday) and had our crossing the equator ceremony around 2pm. They have a ceremony when King Neptune comes on the ship and all of the “pollywogs” (those of us who have never crossed the equator before) have to be judged by him so that the ship has his blessing. It was MESSY and cheesy and STINKY (it involved us being slimed by a grotesque combination of foam, dirty water, and goopy foods…(YUCK!) but it was fun in the end. Next time we cross the equator I can be the one sliming the pollywogs…and keep the distance from it myself!
Today we are learning our last show and then we’ll start preparing for Showgirl next weekend. Our next performance will be on the 25th(the night before we get to Rio!) Tomorrow night they are having a Black and White ball to celebrate the inauguration day and we have the whole day off of rehearsal so we can get all dressed up and enjoy the evening together…I can’t wait! I’ll be sure to write again soon and more often from now on… I think I’ve finally got this internet thing figured out here!
<3Katie
Ps-for all of you who are cold right now…I just thought I might take a moment to rub it in that it is HOT as FIRE here…I love the beach!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Santarem, Brazil
So...how to discribe the Amazon river??? Well...sad to say the actual river isn't really anything to write home about...it's kinda poopy brown and gross. BUT...Brazil is beautiful! I got some great pictures as we went down one of the side rivers on our fishing trip today that I can't wait for everyone to see. I just couldn't get over how amazing the landscapes were and the clouds just seemed to keep going and going straight on up to heaven!
I also ate Pirana for the first time today...and boy was it TASTY! I didn't think I'd like it but it was so fresh because they had been caught on our trip...cool huh? I can't wait to get further up the river and see Manaus...it's a bigger city and is really cool from what everyone says.
The most interesting thing about today's trip was definitely seeing how the people in Brazil live on the river! There are no roads in this part of Brazil, everyone gets around by boat. We saw the city at first and then we went more into the country and got to see these little shacks on stilts that people live in and their farms. Each family had about 10 kids! And they were poor as could bee (the guide said they were all on gov. welfare) but they seemed so happy as they played in the water by their homes. It was a really neat experience and really makes you greatful for all of the little luxuries that we take for granted (like clean drinking water!)
I think it only gets better from here...I'll write again soon!
I also ate Pirana for the first time today...and boy was it TASTY! I didn't think I'd like it but it was so fresh because they had been caught on our trip...cool huh? I can't wait to get further up the river and see Manaus...it's a bigger city and is really cool from what everyone says.
The most interesting thing about today's trip was definitely seeing how the people in Brazil live on the river! There are no roads in this part of Brazil, everyone gets around by boat. We saw the city at first and then we went more into the country and got to see these little shacks on stilts that people live in and their farms. Each family had about 10 kids! And they were poor as could bee (the guide said they were all on gov. welfare) but they seemed so happy as they played in the water by their homes. It was a really neat experience and really makes you greatful for all of the little luxuries that we take for granted (like clean drinking water!)
I think it only gets better from here...I'll write again soon!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
It's show time!
It definitely has been more difficult to get on the internet than I expected..sad day! But I got it to work tonight so here we go! We had our first show last night...WOOHOO! We did Love Broadway and it went really well! We got a standing ovation at both shows and the cruise director and entertainment staff were really excited about how things went. They loved us so much that the cruise director bought champaigne for a toast after our 2nd show...fun:)
So...one down...seven to go! We blocked Showgirl today and will do our first run of it tomorrow. Thankfully though we get the daytime off tomorrow...yay for laying in the sunshine!
Tomorrow we will arrive at the Amazon and our first port in Brazil will be the next day. My roomate and I are signing up to go Pirana (spelling??) fishing in a few days and go on another boat tour. I can't wait! It's absolutely beautiful here and I can't wait for what's next!
So...one down...seven to go! We blocked Showgirl today and will do our first run of it tomorrow. Thankfully though we get the daytime off tomorrow...yay for laying in the sunshine!
Tomorrow we will arrive at the Amazon and our first port in Brazil will be the next day. My roomate and I are signing up to go Pirana (spelling??) fishing in a few days and go on another boat tour. I can't wait! It's absolutely beautiful here and I can't wait for what's next!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
On the SHIP!!
Hello from the MS-Prinsendam!!
Wow...what a crazy couple of days it has been! Yesterday we boarded early in the morning and went straight to rehearsal and spent most of the day in meetings or in the theatre blocking our first show. The ship is big to me because I've never been on one before but everyone else says its really small. Last night we got to get settled in our rooms (which are teee tiny...haha!) But it's nice to make it feel like home! The food has been really good so far...everyone says its better on this ship because it's smaller. Tomorrow we have more meetings and then have most of the day off from rehearsal so I think I'm gonna go explore more and try to get used to the ship!
The cast laughed at me when we first took off because it took me a while to get used the rocking of the boat (I almost fell a few times...haha!) They say that this ship is rockier than others because it's smaller and that it wont be as bad on the Rotterdam but I've gotten used to it pretty quickly!
Tonight we're going to the first guest entertainer show and then we have a midnight rehearsal...woohoo! I'm gonna try to get my pictures up when we have some time off tomorrow afternoon! Keep an eye on skype tomorrow afternoon I may be online
<3kt
Wow...what a crazy couple of days it has been! Yesterday we boarded early in the morning and went straight to rehearsal and spent most of the day in meetings or in the theatre blocking our first show. The ship is big to me because I've never been on one before but everyone else says its really small. Last night we got to get settled in our rooms (which are teee tiny...haha!) But it's nice to make it feel like home! The food has been really good so far...everyone says its better on this ship because it's smaller. Tomorrow we have more meetings and then have most of the day off from rehearsal so I think I'm gonna go explore more and try to get used to the ship!
The cast laughed at me when we first took off because it took me a while to get used the rocking of the boat (I almost fell a few times...haha!) They say that this ship is rockier than others because it's smaller and that it wont be as bad on the Rotterdam but I've gotten used to it pretty quickly!
Tonight we're going to the first guest entertainer show and then we have a midnight rehearsal...woohoo! I'm gonna try to get my pictures up when we have some time off tomorrow afternoon! Keep an eye on skype tomorrow afternoon I may be online
<3kt
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Rehearsals are OVER!
Hello!! Today is the day we fly to Ft. Lauderdale to board the ship EARLY tomorrow morning!! I can't believe how quickly these last 4 days of rehearsal have flown by! It has been so wonderful to have all of our cast here together at last and they are all WONDERFUL! It's gonna be a little crazy on the ship the first week from what I hear so it may be a little while before I can put up another post but I'll try to get on again asap and get some more pictures up! What an adventure...I'm so excited:)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
