Another hot day in Recife. Rally control had a bus organised to take us all to Olinda where we could view the Carnival. This time there was a "Base" where we could come and go. The base was a big back yard with drink, food and loud music. Things got off to a lively start, and by 11am, most of the sailors (with their ear plugs!!) had a few rounds of dancing under their belts. The First Mate had decided not to come, she had enough of the crowds from yesterday, so did her own tour of town again and eventually wound up at the beach for a paddle in the water.
Meanwhile, back at the Carnival, we came and went from our base and viewed the proceedings. The crowds, the colours, the colourful costumes (including all the fancy tee shirts, masks, hats and feathers we were wearing), the bands. Skipper walked to the top of the hill, where he met Uli and Joerg from Lady Ev VI. We just stood there admiring all beautiful young people, including families flowing along the streets. The costumes were amazing, including a large collection of Priests and Nuns costumes, police costumes, army costumes, navy costumes (every one loves the sailors, and naval cadets), Pirates, etc.
However, as with all of these events, pick pockets have a ball, and Oisin and Judy from Brown Eyed Girl had their cameras stolen while they were being squeezed in the crowds.
The whole event was just one big drinking party, and there were beer cans all over the streets, not to mention all the other rubbish, but then on the other hand there were plenty of fellows with big bags collecting all these cans to make a few shillings.
Skipper, got lost on his way back to the Base, then got totally lost, and felt very uncomfortable in the middle of all these heaving crowds, so made his way to the edge of town and got a taxi back to the Marina, as did everyone else, because the coach that was to collect us, never arrived. Ohhhh, sure, never a dull moment. All this ment was skipper left behind in the Base his colourful hat, haversack and umbrella, filp!
We all returned to the boats during the afternoon and most had a zizzzzzz for a while. Joe (Brown Eyed Girl) had us all amazed at his story of their dingy being taken by Cheshire Cat last night and they could not return to their boat for a long time, plus all the ensuing rows with the skipper from Cheshire Cat in the middle of the night. Never a dull moment.
Later we went for dinner with Herman & Sylvia from Destiny they may join us for the next leg to Grenada, which leaves here next thursday, 10th March.
We had a good evening.