Destination South America - cruise Lisbon - Rio de Janeiro
After my successful 1st cruise (Norway), I managed to convince Andrew that, despite being an old fart type activity, it would be very cost effective way for us to travel to South America - to kick off our 2024 road trip.
Didn’t take long till we had booked our ‘repositioning’ cruise, departing Lisbon 24th Nov 2023 - arriving Rio de Janeiro 12th Dec. 18 days across the Atlantic with 10 port (day) stops; Madeira, Canary Islands (3): Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Cape Verde (2); Praia and Port Grande, Brazil (4); Recife, Macaio, Salvador da Bahia, Buzios and then final stop Rio de Janeiro.
With Andrew’s return from Australia at the end of October, we had just enough time to organise ourselves, sell our (Spanish based) motorcycles, rent out the Barcelona flat - and we were off.
In short the cruise (which turned out cheaper than flying!!) was brilliant. Amazing weather the whole way, with sea days spent by the pool and port days, wandering around the respective stops. The quality of the non stop food options were great and I probably shouldn’t confess, so was the non stop ‘unlimited bar’ package. The only downer - thanks to Vueling - who left my check in bag aka ‘my whole life’s possessions for the next year’, on the airport service road in Barcelona airport. It was 9 days before I got it back, half way across the Atlantic, despite my telling them exactly where the bag was, thanks to the Apple airtag located in it. Hey ho…
First half of the trip, the stops were spent trying to find clothing items and contacting people trying to get my bag. As such unfortunately we feel we missed out on really enjoying exploring them. We had already been to Madeira early last year and enjoyed the day in Funchal again this time, but neither of us had been to the Canaries and are now keen to discover more there. As such we decided that we would like to go back to do some island hopping there, once we get back to Spain. They´d be a lovely short break destination and seem to have plenty to see for a week or so away from Barcelona.
Cape Verde was the ‘Halleluhah’ moment of getting my bag back!!! Other than that both islands had limited things to see but we enjoyed wandering the streets and checking out the towns and street art.
Actually stepping foot on South American soil felt great….and the real beginning of our adventures in another continent. Recife was our first stop in Brazil. Pre trip research had shown us a lovely little colonial town outside Recife called Olinda. With its bright colours, cobbled streets and views from its advantageous hill top, it certainly was worth the trip. Following the cultural tour we headed to the beach, no swimming here due to sharks. I can tell why they like it there - the water was so warm it was like having a bath. Never knew the Atlantic was so warm!
We had three more Brazilian port stops before we reached Rio. Maceio was busy with a religious festival, dancing and chanting ceremonies to a Saint of the Seas. Next stop Salvador do Bahia is another reputed colonial town and draws many tourists. Its colourful main square, beautiful churches and plazas aswell as being a place of rhythm, samba and music. The final port was Buzios. Loved this place - apparently visited by (and consequently made famous by) Brigitte Bardot who enjoyed vacationing here in the 60s. We had an awesome hike, along the beach over a headland to the much quieter Tortuga (Turtle) Beach. Gorgeous turquoise water, lovely places to eat or grab a drink and many interesting statues like the three fishermen statues in the water.
Arrived in Rio de Janeiro to the local samba band serenade. Had a great few days staying at Copacabana Beach area. Andrew did a hang glide off one of the many monoliths around the city, we hired bikes for a day to check out all the beaches, tried out the local tickle - Caipirinha (like rum, sugar and my favorite with passionfruit) and of course did the touristy sites of Sugarloaf Mountain (found a hike that got us up the first bit), Christ the Redeemer and the Botanical Gardens.
Next Stop …… Buenos Aires & Iguazu Falls & Colonia, Uruguay