This morning we had the option of meeting at 6am for bird watching or having a sleep in. We all elected to have a sleep in. Yesterday was a long busy day, the lure if a sleep in was far to enticing!!
We met for breakfast, and left straight from there to again walk through the amazon to reach an orchid garden. There were so many orchid varieties hanging from trees, from fences and on the ground. The large majority of them were not in bloom, however there were a couple that proudly displayed their flowers for us.
We then headed back to our cabins, not only to cool off a bit, but also to pack our bags.
It was now 11.30, and time to depart the amazon. What an experience it was!! Great company, great tour guide perfect location to have such an amazing experience.
We boarded the paddle boat and headed towards the Manaus marina. Here is where I would like to say my yacht is being stored. There were some absolute beauties there. We were met by our driver who then drove us the 15 minutes to Manaus airport. We said goodbye and farewell to our amazing amazon guide, Marko. Our only wish was that he was coming with us!
We arrived at the airport at around midday, only to find out that our flight wasn't until 4.30. Maybe there will be something to do once we are checked in, we can even get something to eat?? Mistaken, Manaus airport is so small. We checked in and went through security, only to find out that essentially there was nothing there. This was going to be a long wait!!
I scanned the waiting area, there were lots of chairs, 5 or 6 gates and a couple of food outlets. One was a subway, brilliant, maybe I will get some lunch. As I approached I realised that there wasn't a counter to select what you want in your sub. Hmmm, unconventional subway!! I then realised that there was a fridge with ready made sandwiches in there. It wasn't until I finally arrived at the fridge, that I realised that it was packed with what I can only describe as hospital pre-packaged sandwiches and rolls. Definitely not subway!!! Once you make your selection, they then warm them in the microwave for you!!! So, I decided to skip lunch. I'll just wait until I get on the plane.
So we waited, and waited some more. Boarding time eventually rolled around. Initially Kathy and Jan lined up at gate 2, only to be told to go down a long corridor and finally down the escalators. So we all jumped up and started our journey. We went down the hall way, down a set of escalators, then into a second waiting hall, where we joined a line down there. Our tickets were checked, and then we had to walk about 50m across the tarmac to get to our plane, only then could we finally climb the stairs to board our plane.
We found our seats, and before we knew it we were up in the sky!! On this flight I am now certain of a few things.
1: the amazon river is massive!! We were flying for about 15min before the river disappeared into the horizon. Now I'm not sure how fast a plane travels, but I'm guessing that this is a lot of km that the river travels. The amazon jungle surrounding the river is also amazingly huge and beautiful. However it was so disappointing to see some areas that were still being burnt down though.
2. Rio de Janeiro is massive. When we were flying in to Rio we were flying in darkness. The glow of the cities lights below firstly was stunning, but secondly extended for as far as the eye could see. It gave me a true indication of just how huge Rio is.
3. How disturbingly creepy some people can be. I was in my chair, on the plane, minding my own business. I started off watching the communal tv's (thank god I had my own earphones, as they didn't provide you with any). Soon after the seatbelt lights went off, the air hostesses started service. Great, I'm hungry. It will honestly be the first time that I have been looking forward to airline food. You can imagine my disappointment when they hand me a ham and cheese roll, that would be no bigger than 5cm long. Maybe this is a pre-dinner snack. Nope, this was all we got. I hungrily ate my dinner roll and drank my glass of orange juice. Within 10min of finishing my canapé, the cabin crew had switched off the lights and the tv. Were they expecting is to sleep?? It's only 6pm. 2 hrs left until we get to rio, and essentially we are left to twiddle our thumbs. So I cracked open my iPhone, I started listening to a few tracks and playing solitaire. This will keep me going until Rio. By this stage I had noticed that the guy behind me kept resting his entire arm on the top of the head rest of my seat. I just thought he was trying to rest his head. I then started to feel like someone was watching me. I turned round, only to find him peering at me through the gap of the chairs. I thought that as I had caught him out that this might be enough to deter him. But no. Every couple of minutes I would turn around, only to find him quickly ducking his head. Um, I can see you. So I looked in the reflection of the window, and the creepy b****** was just staring at me though the chairs. I just turned round and looked at him with one of my, 'I know what the hell you are doing, stop it' looks. I would like to say that my look worked, however it coincided with the message to return your seats to their upright position, fold your meal trays up and turn off all electronic devices, so this was enough to distract him. I just made sure that once we disembarked that I stayed well clear of him, and stuck with my tour group friends!!
We all walked off the plane and down the steps onto the tarmac, where we were herded onto awaiting buses. I managed to squeeze onto the first bus, and off it took!! We were all packed in like sardines, which I'm guessing is a safety feature of this transfer. Essentially no one can move enough to jolt around when the bus takes off and stops. We drove around what felt like the entire Rio airport. Through tunnels, under bridges, over bridges, waited for planes the cross the tarmac, past buildings, and hangers. We then did a u turn and headed back in the direction we just came from. Then after travelling 5mins back in the direction we had just come from, we pull up to a building, which I had seen the first time we passed it!! The doors open and everyone piled out. It amazes me the amount of people that will bowl over other people in order to get off the plane or bus first, only to have everyone catch up to them at the baggage carousel.
The luggage took forever to arrive at the carousel. Probably because it had to travel from the plane which was located in Siberia!! The carousel started and 3 bags were released onto it. They travelled around, slowly people arrived to claim them. By this stage the entire plane load of people were waiting for their bags.
A couple of more bags were released, a giraffe looking bag and a black bag, and a random packet of tampons that had obviously escaped from someone's bag. Either that or it was a baggage handlers idea of a good joke!! So around these bags went. The black bag was picked up. The giraffe bag and the tampon box did quite a few laps. We then realised, hey someone claimed the tampons. So what we have taken from this is that someone is more embarrassed about claiming their giraffe bag than they are about picking up a box of tampons off the baggage carousel. Interesting social experiment!! The bags were released in dribs and drabs, until finally one by one our entire tour groups bags were released and collected.
We made our way out to gen. pub where the Globus sign was being proudly held high by Eduardo... Or as I like to call him, Eddie for short. He was escorting us to our hotel. Eddie told is that the transfer to our hotel would take about 50min. Holy crap batman, this town is big. As we were all starving, we went in search for food.... But nothing looked appetising or safe to eat, so again I passed on the opportunity to eat airport food. I just couldn't do it!!! A coke zero will just have to do!!
So we eventually all start dragging our luggage to the car. Eddie was still proudly holding his Globus sign up, high above his head so that we could all follow him. I hate to tell you Eddie, there are only 5 of us, and we managed to walk through the amazon forest without losing anyone, so I'm guessing the walk from the airport door to the car (all of 20m) would be manageable!!
Off we go. The drive ended up being a lot quicker, mostly because for some reason there was very little traffic, which apparently is unusual for Rio. But hey, I'm not complaining!!
We were so excited to catch our first glimpse of Christ the redeemer. So you too can feel the excitement, my cover photo essentially shows you our first glimpse of Christ the redeemer, it is the white dot!!! Enjoy and savour it!!
Due to the fact that there was no traffic, we ended up getting to our hotel in about 25min. Wow, we halved our expected travel time.... Winning!!!
We are staying at the Sheraton, right on the beech, not far from Copacabana beach. On one side, the beach laps up to the hotel property, the other side is shadowed by mountains covered by a shanty town. Such a contrast!! And can I just say, what a view some of these shanty towns have!!! Many would pay millions for the view that they get from their houses!!
We checked in... And I was lucky enough to get a room with an ocean and pool view. Really pretty. All I could hear was lapping waves, and the occasional elevator door opening!!
I just had to wait for my bags. After about 10min, Kathy phones my room to let me know that my luggage will be 5 mins away. Ok!! 1 hr later, my luggage finally arrived!! I wasn't happy!! By this stage it was well after midnight!! Then he had the nerve to stand there and hint for a tip. I just said goodnight and shut the door!!! Finally, I could get my pjs out and jump into my massive king size bed!! Argh the serenity (insert elevator door ding here).