Overcast, some light rain, about 80 F.
Today was dune buggy day. Off the ship [total of 10 in the group], and into buses through the city of 2,500,000[!]. We could immediately sense this was a very prosperous, clean, [by their standards], and expanding city.
There are very few people of African descent as the early explorers bypassed this area because the shoreline was nothing but sand dunes, [as a matter of fact the area is called Sahara, but in Portuguese], and not suitable for agriculture. It was only inhabited about 100 years later. The dark colour of the people in this area are a result of a cross between the indigenous people that were here and the Portuguese that did eventually develop it.
Today was dune buggy day. Off the ship [total of 10 in the group], and into buses through the city of 2,500,000[!]. We could immediately sense this was a very prosperous, clean, [by their standards], and expanding city.
There are very few people of African descent as the early explorers bypassed this area because the shoreline was nothing but sand dunes, [as a matter of fact the area is called Sahara, but in Portuguese], and not suitable for agriculture. It was only inhabited about 100 years later. The dark colour of the people in this area are a result of a cross between the indigenous people that were here and the Portuguese that did eventually develop it.
We arrived at the Dune Buggy camp and each couple was assigned a jeep. [There were two single women who shared a buggy.]
After a brief loading up period we took off in a cloud of sand and exhaust and were soon out on the dunes and trails going at speeds that seemed beyond safe. I thought, "We didn't sign a Waiver".
Jim and Gail were in front of us about by about 100 yards and all I could see of them was two butts, attached to a couple of bodies flying along about 40 miles an hour over lumps and bumps holding on for dear life. I have not laughed so hard in years! I just could not stop laughing for the first 10 minutes, yet, I could not take my hands off the safety bar to adjust my glasses or my stupid hat that had flipped down over my eyes as a result of the wind. It was a wonderful feeling to be so alive and having the wind in your face, combined with the roar of the very loud mufflers.
We had about three stops on the buggies before returning along the beach, skirting the lapping waves as we returned to our starting place where we had a cold cocoanut opened for us. We lingered there before back on the bus and through the city to a very large three or four story market with hundreds of small stalls, each selling what appeared to be the same thing. In spite of that there were some small purchases made there.
We arrived back on the ship where I got two hamburgers for us and took it to our cabin, had a drink and collapsed on the bed and fell asleep. Jim and Gail popped up later and we shared some photos and then they went for a light bite while I took a rain check on dinner tonight.
Great day today, amongst the best even if I feel a bit beat up at the end of the day!
A sea day tomorrow, thank heavens, before we enter the Amazon for a week going up there quite a way.
Who are these dignified looking people? Last night in the Pinnacle Dining Room.
Who are these undignified people? Loaded up, ready to head out for an unknown experience.
Two cool cats at an overlook. We simply could not take photos while in the dunes, it was worth your life.
Big cocoanuts up there.
Two chicks we hooked up with for a fun day.
This was quite a sensation. Buzzing along about 40 miles an hour with a sprinkle of rain the ocean lapping at the wheels, it was wonderful.
This was the only refreshment we had from 7.30 till 2.00. I was not too sure about drinking the whole thing, but we did.
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