Monday 18th January Our arrival in Recife (pronounced ray-seef) was around 8.00 but Martin was up earlier to see the view of the approaching coast. I was on the front deck at about 7.30 and we were already in the harbour. The coast line was lined with tall thin high rise buildings as far as you could see - which wasn't too far because of the moisture in the air. It was hot but very cloudy with dark grey clouds all around. It had been raining as the decks were w...

Thursday 14th January The first of four days at sea as we cross the Atlantic to South America. Most days Martin has set the alarm so that he can see the dawn break but this morning decided not to, and woke up just as a early! Our cabin is an inner cabin without a window but is not in complete darkness because there is an inch/couple of centimetres gap under the door where a strip of light shines through from the corridor. The gap allows the steward to post t...