Recife, Brazil (FEB 18)

Due to a tight schedule compromised by a contrary current, the ship arrived in Recife two hours behind schedule.  We were assured that this would not compromise the length of our stay in the port as the ship would leave two hours later, the overnight run to the next port (Maceio) being short.

We had to take a shuttle from the ship to the marine terminal to board our tour bus.  While transiting through the terminal, we were entertained by live music and dancing.  The small umbrella each dancer held was an integral part of a dance style unique to the Recife area.

The first stop on today’s tour was described as a picturesque beach south of the city.  Maybe on a sunny day without the need on route to detour to avoid Carnaval celebration preparations, but to for me it was more a question of why we had driven south of the city when Olinda, the centerpiece of our tour was north of the city.  It was literally a waste of time.

Recife is known as the Venice of Brazil.  The similarity eluded me driving through it on route to the beach and back through it on route to Olinda. 

Olinda, although a separate city from Recife, is actually part of the greater Recife area.  As we approached it, in addition to telling us that we would need to transfer to vans because our bus could not navigate the narrow streets, our guide mentioned that hopefully we would make it before some key sites closed “mid-day”.  This statement was made at 11:45 AM.  Sure glad we went to see the beach first.

Olinda is famous for its Carnaval celebration.  It is considered by some to be the best in Brazil because of its size while adhering to the traditions of the celebration.  Preparations for it were evident everywhere.

Sure enough, after mid-day tour was reduced to visiting two churches and a bit of walking around on our own.  Olinda certainly had a quaint charm, but our tour of it was disappointing from front to back. 

Using pieces of vinyl siding as ‘sleds’

We returned to Recife, driving through the center of the city.  The “Venice” thing still wasn’t working for me. The city looked unattractive and tired.

Stopping at the center of the regional government’s buildings, we walked through the park, apparently just before/after some graduation ceremony.

The last stop on the tour was a crafts market.  Groan.  As it turned out, the venue was interesting.  It was a former prison.

We returned to VEENDAM, having no interest in doing any further exploration of Recife on our own.

I probably have been unfair to both Recife and Olinda.  An overcast day, a late arrival, a Saturday and preparations for Carnaval were all factors that could account for a generally poor tour and poor impression.  Regardless, Pam & I will not be recalling fond memories of being here on our 39^th wedding anniversary.