Good Morning! We’ll be arriving in Manaus within a couple of hours. This will be the first major city we hit since entering Brazil. Up until now it’s been small jungle villages. Yesterday we went to the Boi Bumba show and it was absolutely amazing! The costumes were like something we have never seen….huge head dresses, colorful feathers and peacock feathers . I can only imagine the time that went into making this production. There were huge props…. gigantic animals like sea serpents, birds, a dinosaur, a big bull, even King Kong. The dancers were spectacular and went non-stop for an hour. There was a cast of about 50 dancers. It was a pageant like nothing else. I think I took about 50 pictures! Tom and I were in the front row and at the end the dancers walked up and took our hands to come dance with them along with other passengers. It was outdoors but covered and VERY hot and humid so after the show we were all excited to get back on the air conditioned ship.

Last night was Paul's birthday (also our anniversary) so 6 of us celebrated in Signatures. Paul wore a feathered head dress which was a riot. He is so much fun and you never know what he’s going to come up with next. It was a really special dinner for all of us as we’ve become such close friends since the WC last year.

The RSSC shuttle takes us to the Tropical Hotel where Joanna and Tony will be staying tonight before boarding tomorrow. We have plans like nail fills and massages planned and hopefully will hook up with J & T since their plane is scheduled to land at Manaus airport at 12:30pm. Tonight we have a complimentary excursion at the Manaus Opera House. There is a reception/cocktail party there and then a 45 minute non-opera show (more of a jazz-folklore, whatever this means) in store. From those that have seen the show before, I guess we’re in for a real treat. As always, the complimentary excursions that Radisson provides have been top-notch!

Tonight will be an early night for me. I’m scheduled to meet Rogerio, the F & B Mgr. on the gangway at 5:15am tomorrow morning :eek: to go to the fish market in quest of this exotic fish (Masaki, it starts with a P but I’ll find out the name tomorrow).

Here are a few pictures from the Boi Bumba show yesterday and one from our dinner last night with Paul in his head dress (you may have to look hard to see his blue head dress due to the lighting).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/BoiBumbaShow-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/BoiBumbaShow-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/paulsbirthday-2.jpg

Good pics. It look like you were there during the daylight hours. Last Feb it was near or after dark and the ones I have posted in the web page reflect that. :(

Gee 5:30 I have been up and had one to two cups of joe. Have a good morning fish hunting.

Marcie, thanks so much for your great post! Happy anniversary to you and Tom.

Nancy

Wonderful pictures and really enjoying your posts! Thanks much and continue to have a great cruise.

Yipes Petlover/Party Animal/Marine Corp Social Director/Fish Hunter :p

While I love your pictures they are BIG, and I hope you have Free Internet at your level :)

If you take a laptop on your cruises, you may think about getting Photoshop (the $99) version. They have a figure called Save for Web. I took one of your Manaus pics and it started out 224Kb and after I "saved for web" the web version was 44Kb..

editted to add: the save for web is great for web viewing but not for going to prints. So I copy my pictures into a separate directory and do the reduction on the copies.


LOL on my dream list when I win the Lotto, besides World Cruising I would have to take some classes from Moose

Oh how cute a Mommy and her Little Ones....

What great photos, Marcie. It was interesting to see a blue coca~cola sign at the show. You all look so spiffy dressed up for your birthday/anniversary dinner!! ;) ;) Hope you have a fun fish hunt tomorrow.

Marcie, loved the post & your pictures. And they are just the right size on my computer. Happy anniversary. You have a great present arriving tomorrow - Joanna, Tony, Ngaire & Ken.

Good photos, post and experiences, Marcie! Thanks! Going to the fish market will be a really unique experience.

Say hi to J&T, N&K for me!

Have fun at the fish market! Can't wait to hear about that adventure. Enjoying all of your posts.

Dena

Marcie, as usual, we're loving your reports from on board and down south. Enjoy your Manicure and Pedicure today.

Marcie, Happy Anniversary!!! I am enjoying your seamail and your pictures are fabulous, looks like a great cruise. Can't wait to read about your fish adventure, thanks for all the pleasure you are sending everyone.
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Doris

Marcie, happy anniversary & thanks for the wonderful photos! If your pictures are coming through in less than 30 seconds on our Bahamian dial-up (which they are!), then you're doin' something right! Have fun with Ngaire, Ken, Joanna, & Tony. All the best, - Michele

But she is on the Mariner and their net speeds are not as fast as 56KbS :eek:

I always enjoy reading your reports, Marcie.

What beautiful pictures! You all look so fabulous at the birthday party. Thank you very much for spending so much time posting for us. I hope I can do just a fraction of that in a few days.....
Cindy

Marcie, I just wanted to add my “Happy Anniversary" to You & Tom and also mention how much that I’m enjoying your reviews / pics. I’ve been fantasizing now about a South American cruise ever since I’ve been reading your excitement during the count down before the trip. Maybe SOMEDAY!!!……Be sure to let us know if Joanna gets her luggage OK. I look forward to reading your continuing reviews and hope you can get a pic of that fish that we’re all waiting with baited breath to see. Enjoy your cruise!
Ralph

Happy anniversary? I must of missed that post! I hope you have a wonderful one at sea!

xoxo

Starts with "p"? Hmmmm. Have to think about that one. Looking forward to hearing the full name and a pic of the mystery pisces.

As always, the pics are great! That picture of Paul with the headdress on is a hoot!

Masaki

piranha?

No piranha are small fish, but PL can get a stuff one in any port on the Amazon.

Oh no,,, I just had a nasty thought,,, PL with a short blow gun that you also can buy in any port :eek:

I reposted a picture of the fish they are looking for from another thread.



Short story, After my cruise, I went to a book signing of one of my favorite authors, Randy Wayne White. http://rwwhite.com/ Before Randy started writting he was a fish guide in Sanibel Island, FL. And his main character Doc Ford is a marine biologist and something else. Anyway I show him the above picture and he named it right away.

Happy Anniversary, Marcie and Tom and a very Happy Birthday to Paul. The headdress looks great next to the couple dressed in blue.

Hoping the nail fill, massage and reunion with J&T is a great one! Cheers, Anne

Marcie & Tom:

A belated Happy Anniversary from Penny and me and although we have never had the pleasure of meeting Paul, belated birthday wishes to him as well.

Cheers! Ray & Penny