It rocked and rolled all night and there was a noticeable easing of the roll as we entered in between the jetties leading to the port facilities of Rio Grande Do Sul (Great River of the South). This is also the name of this southernmost state of Brazil.
This old, Portuguese city dates from the late 1600s and the Cathedral of San Pedro dates from 1735. It is the oldest cathedral in southern South America We had a tour scheduled this morning but could not face another bus and tour guide. So, after breakfast, we visit with the local hospitality representative on Deck 5. About 10AM, we get a city map and some touring ideas then head off the ship and get a taxi into town for $6. We share with an English couple so, with a $2 tip, it cost us $2 a head for the 15 minute ride.
We are dropped downtown and visit an old Gothic church, Igreja N St do Carmo, make a fast visit
and then walk down to the dock area.
There is a nautical museum with displays, Portuguese only signs, showing how they dredged the harbor and ship channel as well as how they built the dikes.
We now head up to and wander through a large park, Plaza Xaxier Ferreira.
It is bordered on each end by the Citadel
and two government buildings that are being restored.
There are numerous, interesting, early 1900's buildings lining the Plaza; most in need of repair.
One block over from the Plaza we find the small plaza with the San Pedro Cathedral and make a short visit.
The pedestrian street ends at the Cathedral. We walk a little way down this shopping street but its stores are only full of everyday items and we find nothing of interest; not even a pin for Jack.
We walk back to the Cathedral plaza and follow the ship’s tour over to the big Plaza Tamanare. There are a couple of stalls selling herbs around the edge of the park, but not much else.
The town has some really interesting architecture dating from the late 1800's through the Art Deco period. It is too bad it has not been kept up!
They are working to restore some of the larger old buildings and are setting up some museums, but they have a long way to go to be a good tourist destination. We are so glad we didn’t take the ship’s tour!
We catch a taxi back to the dock and are on board by 12:15PM. Rio Grande do Sul; been there and done that! Carolyn orders a sandwich to the room and we spend the afternoon working on the blog, pictures and napping. The Captain announced earlier this morning that he needed to sail by sunset as we are expecting some high winds tonight. We pull away from the dock at 6PM in a building rainstorm and falling visibility.
Dinner is in La Veranda where they are offering the French menu. Carolyn finds the lamb a little strong but Dick rises to the occasion and eats her’s also. Back in the room, Carolyn gets the last two days of blogs posted and Dick writes up today. Carolyn goes to the evening show, the Le Cirque Mariner. The show was a little different and as usual very entertaining.
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