Happy New Year!!! We spent the first day of the year doing one Joinville's biggest tourist attractions--a day cruise around Babitonga Bay and it's 24 islands, across the peninsula with a stop in Sao Fransico do Sul (South San Fransisco). We didn't have any reservations since we had a crazy day before and we weren't sure if we were going to be able to go. My friend and former mission companion Dani really wanted to do with us but she wasn't feeling great on New Year's Eve and neither was I so we didn't plan on anythingfor the next day . In the morning, even though Dani wasn't with us, I was feeling well enough so we decided to just go. We slept in and cut it very close to the arrival time but luckily we were able to get tickets!!! They cost about $325 reias ($128 American) for all four of us. Adults were $130 reais, kids 6-12 were half price, and under 5 were free. The price included lunch (the main meal of the day here, therefore "worth more") and on board entertainment.
Boarding time was about 9:30am and the boat left at 10:30am. The Boss was scared to go every time we talked about it but once we got there he was fine. We had our picture taken at the front of the boat and then we were ushered to a table on the middle deck, off to the side near the stairs. It turned out to be a fantastic spot--we were right near the entertainment. We spent some time exploring the boat and enjoying the views. On the bottom deck we could climb up to the bow and take pictures.
This island looked like it had some sort of private resort on it.
Soon the entertainment started. The performer was on the 3rd deck but the 2nd deck opened up to the 3rd right where we were so we had a great view AND we were right next to where everyone gathered to dance. I think this was one of my favorite parts and it was definitely The Boss's favorite part. For me it wasn't the entertainment so much as the crowd's response to it. They LOVED it. Everyone was happy and up and dancing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. People of all ages--across generations were singing and dancing. I wish I could remember the songs because they were ones that EVERY SINGLE PERSON young and old on board seemed to know the words to. I'm usually pretty self-conscious about dancing but here the pure enjoyment was so contagious I couldn't help but dance. I can't describe well in words the feeling but it was totally Brazil to me--everyone united in and celebrating what they had in the moment--peace, joy, a day off work and some good music. I absolutely loved being a part of it. The entertainment was this guy who told jokes, dressed up in various humorous outfits, sang song and DJed music. He was funny--The Boss loved his costume changes. He did a section just for kids where he dressed up as Sponge Bob, a chicken, and a clown. The Boss thought he was hilarious. Watching him I thought how gratifying it would be to be an entertainer in Brazil--everyone seemed so pleased and thrilled with each little antic he pulled.
Lunch was typical Brazilian affair with rice and meat (no beans though!). They had beef and grilled chicken and shrimp and this delicious breaded fish. They had "spaghetti" which was really noodles with garlic seasoning and potato salad, which they call "Mayonaise". They had broccoli and beets and carrots and salad, which I loaded up on. I definitely do not get enough veggies here. We paid extra for drinks but the pineapple juice Papai and I ordered was totally worth it! The kids both enjoyed Guarana--a type of soda found in Brazil.
As we arrived in port at Sao Fransico do Sul we got to see a pirate boat! The city is the country's 5th largest for container shipping, but when we arrived you'd never be able to tell that. Everything was closed and the streets were empty. Another reminder that most Brazilians are at the beach on this day. Joinville was completely shut down as well. We couldn't find a single grocery store open all week. At least in Sao Francisco do Sul some of the touristy shops were open but nothing else was. We hadn't done our homework completely again so I don't know what we would have done there had anything been open. We only were docked for an hour but as it was it was SWELTERING hot--98 degrees F and like 80% humidity. Some passengers caught a tourist train around the city, which cost more money and packed you in like sardines with no air conditioning so we weren't too disappointed it was full.
We did spot this large container shipping area as we were headed to Sao Francisco do Sul.
Tough to actually see it in this picture though.
Ship at Sao Francisco do Sul
Hard to tell in this picture but the guy in the yellow shirt and red vest was a "pirate".
Sao Francisco do Sul
Train city tour we didn't catch
The main street near the docks
Instead we walked like turtles up the street, conserving energy and not exerting ourselves more than we had to and eventually we found the church the captain suggested we go look at. There was a cool praca (square) with an awesome tree and we hung out there a bit in the shade before Safari Girl needed a restroom. We headed back to the street by the dock and found a ice cream store that was open. It was $3 reais to use the restroom if you weren't a customer so we decided to get some popsicles and water. $27 reais later we were a bit cooler and a bit happier. We checked out a few of the tourist shops. Everything seems exciting and fun while you're in the shop but I've finally learned I never know what to do with it once I'm home so we just got a postcard and left. Safari Girl, who is like our own personal weather person now, said it looked like rain so we headed back to the boat early. Five minutes after we got settled back into our table, it started pouring. The kids were terrified about traveling in the boat in the loud rain and imminent lightning but the storm was over as quickly as it came and by the time we left the dock it had already pretty much stopped.
The Praca near the church
We spotted these butterflies (borborletas)
The church the captain suggested we go look at.
Popsicles and ice cream helped!
German influence here--even though it was settled by Portugal.
Dark storm clouds rolling in.....
Heading back to the boat a little early to get out of the rain.
RAIN!
Rain is cleared--the yellow and white boat is the staff of our cruise picking up our entertainment.
Goodbye Sao Francisco do Sul!!
Before we docked the captain made a big deal about being back to the boat on time because they leave and they do not count heads or account for the presence of passengers in any way. As we pulled away from the dock our entertainment started chasing us down. He had a huge watch and indicated that we had left him behind and there were still several minutes until the appointed time. He did a whole comedy routine trying to figure out how to get back to the boat, which culminated in tossing his suitcase into the bay and the staff going out in a rescue boat to get him. The kids ate the whole thing up. The rest of the trip back to Joinville was pretty quick and slow all at the same time. We spent a lot of time on the deck at the bow watching the water and hoping to see dolphins. One of Papai's co-workers saw them when he went on this cruise. No luck for us though! The Boss wanted to watch the entertainment but the music wasn't quite as fun and the crowd wasn't quite as joyful--until the very end when the guy made a big deal about how great a crowd we were and made some beautiful comments about wishing everyone a New Year filled with peace and prosperity. He sang a song about friendship and peace (one that again, everyone seemmed to know) and had everyone join hands and sing. Afterward, everyone was hugging everyone else and making all kinds of New Year's wishes. Several people hugged us and made beautiful wishes for us. It was kind of cool.
Everyone singing and dancing together
We arrived and got off the boat around 3:30pm. I don't know why we're so exhausted after these excursions, but we were again. I think it must be the heat. It was a DOOSY that day! We went home and closed off the entire apartment so the air conditioning was just in our living room and it was still sweltering hot! But the boat ride was worth it!
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