Another beautiful morning greets us as we rise from our slumbers. Placid seas and many impressive cumulus clouds abound under a gorgeous multicolored mantle as the sun breaks the horizon. On the wildlife front the start is somewhat slow, but then there are a number of important sightings which excite all those on the bridge; included are Cory’s and Atlantic petrels as well as common dolphins and a large sea turtle. We are only 35 miles from the coastline and as we get ever nearer we sight more fishing boats and accompanying them magnificent frigatebirds and masked boobies.

As the land appears, more and more of us venture out onto the decks to appreciate our approach to the magnificent natural harbor of Río de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful and iconic places on Earth.

As we approach the pilot station we are able to enjoy the impressive beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana with its line of skyscrapers just behind. The backdrop is the innumerable steep Inselbergs of granitic gneiss. These geological formations are covered with rich vegetation that is part of the Atlantic rain forest. Precisely at 11:00 a.m. our pilot comes aboard with the Sugar Loaf Mountain now clearly visible. There are hundreds of small craft out and about enjoying their Saturday as well as some very large ships entering and leaving this busy port. Unfortunately the visibility is not the greatest and much of Río is shrouded in mid-day haze. As we approach the cruise ship terminal we are struck by a very modern building, it is the recently opened Museum of the Future. Just as we are about to begin docking the haze opens briefly and we get our first glimpses of Christ the Redeemer, the enormous statue that looks down over much of Río.

Shortly after lunch we hear that the ship has been cleared, which was done a lot quicker than was to be expected. This is an opportunity to leave the ship and head off to explore the city on our own. Many of us take advantage of this to wander close to the docks; some visit the museum. There are old buildings close by that have been well maintained or restored and some are today cultural and art museums. A little further one entered a series of narrow streets with lots of cafés and live music on the street. Hundreds of people could be seen enjoying a drink, lively conversation, and some dancing—it is a wonderful take on the essence of Brazil, albeit somewhat stilted as the neighborhood was middle class. In the favelas the music and entertainment would be very similar.

After dinner we all head on our coaches for an evening of samba at a wonderful venue called Galeria Scenarium. Along the way we pass the old aqueduct, the cathedral as well as some other historic buildings, each with a story to tell about the rich history of the place.

We descend from the buses and head a short distance to our evening venue. Along the way we pass bars and restaurants getting geared up for the long night of festivities. This is, after all a South American city, where the nightlife is legendary. We are greeted with wide smiles, a variety of canapés and drinks. Most of us try the delicious caipirinhas, a typical Brazilian drink which contains cachaça, limes, and sugar. Tonight they are also offering passion fruit caipirinhas—and they are to die for!

Accompanying all these goodies there is a live band playing a variety of Brazilian styles and of course a number of the famous sambas. The backdrop is a marvelous collection of beautiful Portuguese tiles, all well lit and clearly explained.

A number of our group, making good use of our bracelets, walked into the other Scenarium across the road. It too is a remarkable place to be able to go out and enjoy a drink with good friends and listen to excellent musicians. The backdrop to this place is fabulous collections of musical instruments, porcelain, clocks, an old apothecary, and the tables and chairs that are used are also part of the antiques on display.

It has been a first rate evening in Río de Janeiro and even though an early morning faces us the next day there is a feeling that the sacrifice was all more than worthwhile.