Amazon & Carnaval Explorer, Report #7, Icoaraci (Belém), Brazil

Sad news – ship’s Captain has just announced our port-of-call in Vitoria, Brazil, has been cancelled! – for us a particular disappointment. Our plan for there was to visit the Convento da Penha, atop the Morro da Penha a panoramic city view (see left).

Today, from where our ship anchors off-shore we take a tender in to the dock at Icoaraci (right), and from there a 35 kilometers shuttle to Belém. Enroute our guide explains Brazil is short of money and police are chronically underpaid. In Vitoria

about 165 police officers have been arrested for collusion with criminals. All police there are now on strike. “It is not safe there”, she says. That explanation assuages our disappointment our visit there has been cancelled.

Belém, the capital of the state of Para, is the gateway to the greater Amazon River system (left). The name Belém is the Portuguese word for

Bethlehem, the town where Jesus Christ was born. Belém is also known as the Cidade das Mangueiras (City of Mango Trees) due to the many trees found in the city. In Portuguese = “manga”, are sold on every street corner it seems. Alighting our shuttle in ‘the dock area’ we ask for a memento photo with 3 Tourist Police Officers, all wearing shirts the identical color of Bob’s. That chance encounter influences the entire

remainder of our day in Belém! These 3, all from the city of Brasilia, are here in Belém training to be police instructors when they soon return home. All speak perfect English, and are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Together, these ‘Brazilian Goodwill Ambassadors’ created a fabulous

impression of Brazilian Police, and the country of Brazil. Together they walk with us a few blocks to ensure we board the correct public bus to Museu Emílio Goeldi. They instruct the bus

driver to alert us at the correct stop. We enjoy the cultural immersion of public

buses! (left). From a previous visit Bob and Kerrell recall with fondness Emílio Goeldi Zoo and Botanical Garden. It contains many Amazonian animal species, including tapir, turtle, tortuous (these having sex), many bird species, jaguars and a giant otter. However, residing most prominently in our memory are the giant water lilies. We have lilies in our goldfish pond at home.

Searching streets for a public bus to return us to the shuttle drop location, an attractive young woman standing at road-side, volunteers to point out the correct bus, and to speak with the driver about our destination -- the dock area. Alighting there, by very fortunate serendipity we spot the same 3 Tourist Police Officers. We learn the name of one translates to Moonlight – Jussiara in Portuguese. Once again they escort us to vendors of the famous ice-cream made with Amazonian fruit, and Cachaça (pronounced – ‘cash – ass-ah’), a potent local liquor, particularly popular at the celebrations of Carnival . The name of waterfront Mercado Ver-o-Peso, comes from colonial times, when the Portuguese would ver o peso (check the weight) of merchandise. The display of fruits, animals, medicinal plants, and press of dense crowds of shoppers, is exciting! Back in hot Icoaraci Kerrell awaits the tender back to our ship (in the distance). In her pink cap can you see her waving from the dock? Having a fantastic cruise, ‘till next we have the pleasure of seeing you, love to all, Bob and Kerrell, http://lincolnshome.wordpress.com/