Buzios, Brazil

Thursday, February 16, 2012 – Armacao dos Buzios, Brazil

We had a beautifully hot and humid day in Amarcao Dos Buzios, just a two hour ride from Rio on the tip of a peninsula – the haven for Rio socialites. A Costa ship was also in port so the small town with shops, shops and more shops was overrun with tourists speaking every language you can imagine. We had to tender in and the sea was as smooth as it could be. The area is known for its beaches and bays – Tartaruga, Ferradura (snorkeling), Ossos (for the young, beautiful and wealthy), Armacao, Brava and Geriba (surfing), Joao Fernandinho, Manguinhos (for sailing and windsurfing)…all within a 5 mile radius but there were some steep hills involved.

We hired a tax for an hour’s ride and had some nice vantage points over the various beaches. Buzios’ claim to fame is from Brigitte Bardot’s visit in 1964. There is a nice small statue of her by the beach; and also one of a past Brazilian President. In the shallow water, there is also a nice bronze statue of three men fishing/working the nets.
Back to the ship to rest and then we returned to Buzios with the computers. We searched for a WIFI office and after a few HOURS on the Skype phone with Verizon I hope I have my email account all resolved. I have had a terrible time this week with email. HOPEFULLY, it is resolved. That gave us zilch extra time to look around but there seemed to be just three streets of shops and restaurants, all parallel to the beach. It was 4:30 and my favorite time at the beach. I would have loved to jump in for a quick dip but maybe next time.

Rested on the ship’s lounge chairs on the walking deck for a short time while we sailed away and it was so nice -- the sound of the water, the warmth of the sun and the wind cooling you…I loved it. Dinner was very good and we had Juan and Eileen LOS GAUCHOS for an Argentinian cowboy and tango show. Gene was pulled from the audience to work with the entertainer; he had to hold a cigarette in his mouth while they twirled the bola and knocked it out of his mouth. Went to the line dancing event and worked for a short time.

“Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation.” – Elizabeth Drew