Buzios

Today’s port is not on our original itinerary. Due to a problem with a bridge in Vitória our port was changed to Buzios. We decided not to do a tour as they all visited local beaches and not much else. So it will be a “do-it-ourselves” tour today. After breakfast we organise ourselves and head down to be tendered ashore. As we head left from the dock we are immediately in the town centre, cobble stone streets, guys spruiking for taxis, shops, not open yet and beach, boats of all shapes and sizes and a path along the beachfront. We start to wander along the path and some other people from our ship are just unloading themselves from a buggy ride and said it was great so we decide to spend $17 each for an hours ride and jump in with Julio’s our driver. During the hours ride we stop at several of the local beaches before climbing a hill to look out over a bay with great views back over the town and the two cruise ships at anchor in the bay. Then further round this hilly peninsula we overlook another small beach and Bay Area. Julio’s doesn’t speak English but gives us basic details that we can understand (P:- we had no trouble understanding which was the nudist beach so I guess that must mean our Portuguese is improving!!!) It’s a very pretty area with a rugged coastline and lovely beaches. Some very nice homes and resort areas. It’s only 3 hours from Rio and is a popular holiday spot but still retains its quaintness with no high rise buildings along the beachfront And very few umbrellas along the waterfront.

After our ride, which we really enjoyed, we wandered along the street eventually making our way onto the beach. After finding the perfect spot we slip into the beautiful water for a swim. It’s so nice, clear and warm. Fish jumping and few people about. After a swim and a wander back along the beach and back up onto the street, we continuing along the waterfront for a while until we find a place to eat and enjoyed another delicious lunch. This time some of the menu was even in English. We chose a seafood plate for two with rice and potatoes. After lunch we returned to the beach for another swim before returning to the ship for a shower and relax before dinner.

March 1st is a cruising day as we make our way down the coast towards Rio. We don’t have a big distance to go and we have beautiful weather so as we near Rio the Captain brings the ship in so we can plainly see the coastline. Luckily we are on the right side of the ship to just sit on our deck and observe. Here the coastline is rugged with craggy mountains and steep cliffs interspersed with what look like nice beaches. As we pass by the entrance to the harbour that Rio sits on we can plainly see SugarLoaf Mountain and and Skyway gondola that takes tourists there to visit. That will be us in a couple of days. We spend a pleasant afternoon just watching the city pass by. Later afternoon the ship starts a 360 degree turn and the Captain informs us that we have to return to Rio to off load a passenger with a medical emergency. This time we enter Rio harbour on dusk with the lights making the view more interesting. During the time we are offloading the passenger onto a coastguard boat we watch an awesome lightening show over the city. Last night we also had a spectacular show as we left Buzios. Here’s hoping the thunder, lightening and rain have disappeared before our night at Carnival.