Busy Month - January

As I mentioned before, I have a major To-Do List. Each month contains tasks I either must or should complete. There were about twenty items on it for January. I actually accomplished about half of them. I'm not freaked out, however, as several tasks from future months were also checked off my list.

Staying flexible helps maintain my sanity and keep anxiety at bay, at least for now. I saw two of the doctors on my long list. I had a check-up and told them about moving. They were more than willing to help me with a treatment plan for the future. My optometrist told me he'll be sad to see me go. We've become friends over the last fifteen years, chatting at each appointment.

He loved my plan and asked for details. He was very interested when I told him that in my new state and on the ship, I wouldn't have to do most of the daily tasks that I have to do now. I want to eat, just tired of cooking. I enjoy a clean house, but cleaning is not fun. All the planning, shopping, checking on things, gone. They're someone else's responsibility. 

I'm taking one of these emergency lights with me when I leave California. I like it very much. It operates at the touch of a finger, is rechargeable and pleasant in appearance. Check it out, CLICK HERE  #ad.

He asked for contact details for the ship, and information about the state I have selected as my home base. I was happy to provide them. Heck, maybe he and his wife will join me. That would be fun. Nice guy.

I found and made reservations for an apart-hotel in my new state. What's an apart-hotel? Think apartment building with furnished rooms. Consider also, how a hotel operates, cleaning, changing linens, including sheets. Take the best of each type of property and put them together. That's an apart-hotel. It is so much less expensive than California. Life will be even better there. 

I also did something unexpected. When I made the reservations for my ride to the ship, the owner of the company asked me if I was selling my furniture. It seems he loves going to estate sales, and finding treasures. Yup. I promised I'd give him the dates and times once those are finalized. He then asked about my car. It seems someone he knows wanted a car for their seventeen year old son. 

So that issue, a biggie, is solved. This is about four months before I had planned to do something with it. No problem, however, I need to get comfortable using Uber, since that is how I intend to get around from now on... no car. I'm done. 

I then did something I find unpleasant, set up a new credit card and new bank account. Neither was difficult, I just do not enjoy the process. My email account is full of messages from both, telling me various things I need to do, once my cards arrive. Oh, goodie. More tasks. 

But one thing I did in January was lots of fun. I had new luggage tags made. I took the photo you see in the banner of this blog, my one and only "selfie", and had it made into tags. The flip side of the tag includes my name and contact details. I ordered four of them to fit my luggage. They will come in handy when flying to my new state, and whenever I'm on the cruise ship. 

Here's one of the pieces of luggage that will be sporting a brand new, super cute luggage tag real soon. Check it out for yourself, CLICK HERE #ad. 

Most of the January items I have yet to complete, have to do with the new bank account and credit card. Both have been approved, and my cards are "in the mail". Let's hope so, I have to move lots of charges from my old ones to the new. Then I'll close the California bank account, and the credit card I have been using here. Yes, I know this will have an impact on my credit score, but I really don't care. It's high enough, it won't matter.

The cards should arrive some time this week. I'll be able to catch up on the actions I had to skip last month once they do. In the meantime I'm canceling my California library cards, transferring my California Teachers Association membership to my new state, and figuring out how to handle my phone both in my new home, and while traveling internationally on a cruise ship. 

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Planning Ahead to Avoid Future Issues - December

Once I decided to move to a safer location in the Mid-West, and to buy a cabin on a residential cruise ship, finding insurance was next most important step. That was made much easier by the cruise line setting up a relationship with a company, and Congress finally rescinding the much hated WEP. I was able to find and fund an insurance policy to cover my needs when out of the country. Medicare will continue to cover me when I'm in my Home Base in the Mid-West.

The next major hurtle was to find a company to hold an estate sale and sell most of my belongings. This was surprisingly simple, since a good friend knew of such a company. She highly recommended I contact the owner, which I have done. It looks great. She handles just about everything. I don't even need to sort anything, or rearrange my belongings. Her crew is used to selling from a home where the owner has died, so no help is necessary. Simple.

As with many in my age group, those over 65, I have been assigned a covey of doctors by my medical group. Unfortunately they are needed. Happily though, they are excellent at their jobs, and have helped me stay upright. I made a list of my doctors in December, and spent several days lining up appointments so I can be seen by each of them. Since some are specialists, it's not easy getting an appointment.

This is why I started the process in December. I want them all complete by mid-April. A few need lab tests to be completed two weeks before seeing the doctor. Timing is everything, especially with CT scans and the like. I was able to set up all the appointments I need, except for two of the specialists. I have to call back in January, when their calendars open up for the time frame I need.

This is an important part of moving. When establishing relationships with new doctors in new states, or when seeing a doctor onboard a ship or while visiting another country, documentation and a treatment plan are quite helpful. This way, doctors are not working in the dark. This is why, although I have not asked for a paper copy of my after visit reports in the past (I usually read them online), I am now. I intend to have a file with paper copies of all my visits, a plan for each specialty going forward, and test results.

I'm also going to request copies of CT scans, as I have a couple of ongoing issues. One is my lungs. They were damaged by working in a school where admin didn't take enough care to ensure the health and safety of those on campus. The other is my bones. Small boned women should have many important tests completed routinely on an annual basis going forward from thirty, but this was not done. I didn't know to ask, and no one bothered to tell me. Therefore, I was low in Vitamin D, Calcium and Magnesium for years, resulting in osteoporosis.

All of my medical issues are under control, and I follow the protocols established by my doctors to make sure they stay that way. Anyone who intends to move or travel, and may need to see new doctors, should visit their old ones before moving. Ask for an assessment for each chronic condition and a plan for future treatment. They will come in handy.

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Getting Started - November

November was the month my friend who lives in Texas sent me the article about the cruise ship "skipping the next four years". She thought it was funny. I thought it was a clever marketing tool, since they created it before the election. Some people were offended, but then, some folks look for ways to be offended.

Personally, I recognized way too much of the article to treat it casually. It took just a few moments to realize this was the people I knew from the round-the-world cruise I signed up for in 2023. This time, they had far more control over the process, so there were more options.

I thought at first about renting, but quickly realized it would save money in the long run if I bought. Plus it gave me more flexibility. I can live on the ship until I get bored, and live in an apartment in the Mid-West, when the weather is nice. I like having the option of renting mt cabin to others. I can do this on my own, or they will do it for me, if I chose to go that route. If they do the work (don't you love it?), then they take half the rental fee. Not bad as long as it covers the monthly maintenance costs. Even better if there's a profit, which there no doubt would be, since prices go up all the time.

Since I didn't know about this happening months earlier, I didn't "get in on the ground floor". That cost me lots, but I wasn't really ready earlier. I was still bruised from the disappointment of the previous cruise not happening. I'm fully healed now, so the timing worked for me.

Once I decided to buy, I had to determine when I wanted to embark. This time, unlike last time, we are on our own in getting our "stuff" to the ship. If I was renting, and only staying a short period of time, I wouldn't have much to take with me. However, owning is different. Making it feel homey is up to me. They provide very nice furniture, TV, linens and the like, but decor items (which are super important to me) are up to us. I'm embarking in the summer, when the ship is visiting the U.S. 

While I was doing all the legal things necessary to buy my cabin, I assigned my subconscious the task of deciding what I will take with me, and what will be sold in an estate sale before I leave California. I decided to only take things I absolutely love and those which would be hard to replace for some reason. An example, I love a gorgeous aqua glass bowl I bought in Cape Town, South Africa, so I'm taking it with me. I have problem feet, small, wide, with very high arches. I've ordered shoes and am having new orthotics made to fit. Better do it now, before moving to the Mid-West or getting on a cruise ship.

The second most important item was a real deal breaker. I needed medical insurance since Medicare doesn't cover us when we leave the country (although we still must pay for it). The last time I tried finding health insurance for a long cruise, it was a fiasco. Everyone on the ship had to figure it out for themselves. Very difficult for my age group. Happily, however, the ship's management team did what I had hoped. They made arrangements with an international insurance company to give us good rates. 

I signed up for it. The damage to my budget? The same figure I was paying for extra coverage for my current U.S. HMO plan. I was stunned. I had figured it would be five times as much. This was a huge relief. Medicare (covered by my Social Security) and the extra policy I will buy for Part D will cost me an extra $40 per month. The international plan, which includes flying me somewhere should I need specialized medical treatment, will cost me only $200 per month. 

What makes this all okay, is that I'll cancel what I have now, so the net increase is only $40 per month. Additionally, I will start receiving my entire Social Security benefits each month, thanks to WEP being repealed. On top of this, housing in my new state is about $1,000 less per month than I pay now. So cool. 

I did the math, (people who know me are laughing now). Over the next fifteen years, I will pay about $100,000 less than if I stayed in California. This is only for housing. It's an even bigger savings when you take notice of what I no longer will have to buy in my new state or on the ship, like food, cleaning services, linens, electricity, etc. 

Then, of course, there's the travel, built into the plan. I'll either be in my new state, exploring new places, or I'll be in one of over 400 new locations in the world. 

Like my T-shirts say... Life Is Good. By the way, taking lots of my Life is Good shirts with me when I move, CLICK HERE  #ad to check out more styles. 

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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Where Have I Been?

If you've been reading this blog, you may have wondered where I've been the last several months. Truth is, I've been researching my housing issue. I've always wanted to live in several places in retirement, staying in each when the weather is to my liking. That is a problem, as the climate has changed.

It's no longer "perfect" in Southern California, as it was in my childhood. Instead of a few days of temperatures over 100 degrees in the summer, it's now weeks. Instead of Santa Ana Winds for a few times in the fall, they now show up year round. I remember wildflowers growing in cracks in the pavement as a child, but now, there is rarely enough rain for them to survive, even in the mountains.

The worst parts of these changes for me, have been the overcast skies. When in school, I remember June Gloom. We didn't see our blue skies for the whole month. It was a tradition. Came in handy as it subdued the behavior of students just as the school year was ending. Then the gray skies expanded, and the phrase May Gray was invented. Next came Graypril, and lately July Why. I hate it.

Everything is more expensive in California mostly because of our glorious weather. Since we no longer have it, why haven't prices come down? Sounds like a joke, but it isn't very funny. We put up with high prices because we live in paradise. Paradise, however, was destroyed by wind, drought and fire a couple of years ago. Then came Lahaina in Hawaii. Last month it was Pacific Palisades and Alta Dena in Los Angeles County. 

It's no long paradise. It's not even safe. So, with this as a backdrop, did I finally find a way to live in three places? Will they be in Europe, Asia, South Africa, Canada, Mexico? Thanks to a friend who sent me an article about a residential cruise ship actually cruising the world right now, it will be all of them, and more.

If you remember the 3-year round-the-world cruise I signed up for in 2023, you won't be too surprised that I loved the idea. As I read the article, I realized this was the same people in the management team from the first, canceled cruise. I respected their integrity, when they sent us back our deposit money, and told us they could no longer trust their partners, so they pulled out of the venture.

This time, they found the funding, and bought a ship. It's on a maiden voyage of sorts now. I say "of sorts" because it's an older ship which has been renovated. Some may not like that idea, but I love it. Why? It's my kind of ship, much smaller than modern cruise ships, traditional in style and holds far fewer people. It's like living in a medium sized condo complex, but at sea.

There are many options if someone wants to cruise on this ship. I chose to buy my cabin. This way, I can stay in it when I like, and rent it out if I ever become bored. Where will I stay, if I'm not on the ship? I spent the last few months figuring that out. I wanted a location with very few natural disasters. If you've read The Big Ones by Dr. Lucy Jones, Click here to check it out on Amazon #ad, you'll understand what I mean.

Although she's a world renowned seismologist, she's an expert in natural disasters of all kinds. Since reading her book, I've been concerned about an atmospheric river becoming "stuck" over California as it did in 1861. It flooded the entire Central Valley and much of Southern California. If it happened again, it would be an epic disaster. I no longer want to live on the Pacific Coast in case it happens.

I also looked into hundred year rain events, tornadoes, and wildfires. I found an area in the northern part of the MidWest which hasn't had a natural disaster in many decades. Happily, the cost of living there is about half what it is where I live now. Housing is especially low. Plus, it's beautiful.

I'll be checking it out in person shortly, as I did when I decided to move to Cape Town, South Africa in 1997. But my decision is already made. I'm currently going through the arduous task of closing down my life in one state, setting up life in another, while planning to cruise some of the year. After I'm finished, life will be simpler. I'll live in my new state when the weather is to my liking and rent out my cabin on the residential cruise ship. When the weather isn't to my liking, I'll live on the ship, and see the world.

In both places, my life will be easy, as I will no longer have a car to worry about (Uber works almost everywhere). I won't have to do housework. I won't have to cook on the ship, or shop for food. I will stateside, but nothing in my little apart-hotel kitchen will be my responsibility to clean or repair. My linens will be provided and washed for me. Many day to day tasks will no longer be mine to do. Best of all, while living this way,  travel is part of the process, again, without my efforts.

More to come. In the meantime, feel free to check out my YouTube page, Elizabeth Endorses, CLICK HERE #ad, where I do reviews of my favorite Amazon products that simplify my life.  They could simplify yours too.

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The Hills of Corsica, France

 

Corsica, France

 

Trust Your Gut, Peru

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (Oh, well.), I would have spent two days visiting Callao, Peru. However, the area where the ship was to dock is listed by every source I checked as one of the most dangerous places to visit in Peru. Before getting off the ship, I would have made sure this was not the case.

Most likely, I would have stayed on board, or just visited the little artist vendors at the pier, but right next to the ship. No wandering around. Hopping on a bus for a ride to see Lima might sound inviting, but I wouldn’t risk it. The crime I read about is organized, and violent. I don’t know this from firsthand experience, of course, but why risk it?

When a single woman travels alone, especially to far away places, she must learn to listen to her gut. When reviewers on TripAdvisor raise a red flag, I pay attention. Sure, there was a disclaimer by TripAdvisor, but again, better safe than sorry. There are hundreds of places on my 3-year-round the world itinerary and skipping one wouldn’t matter in the long run.

If this information had been positive, instead of negative, I would have paid for an excursion to Lima since there are few cultural or architectural attractions in Callao. I visited Peru in 2017 and saw the lovely sand dunes. On this trip, I was interested in seeing the city. I saw a “highlights” tour for just over $100. That would have fit my budget, since I’m not into buying souvenirs.  

The Barranco neighborhood seems to be somewhere I would hang out for awhile. There are lots of art, shopping, restaurants, and stunning architecture. I also like historic centers, and would have enjoyed seeing the old government buildings in Lima. 

In addition to secular buildings, there are several lovely churches in Lima. I would have visited a few before going to the coast. 

I would have ended my visit to Lima in the neighborhood of Miraflores. There are stunning hotels, shops and other points of interest in what I read is a safe area. Then, I would have jumped on my tour bus, and headed back to the ship. Depending upon what I found when I first arrived in Callao, some or none of this would have happened on this trip. It's too bad. The topography in Peru is very different from SoCal where I live,  and I would have enjoyed seeing more of it. 

 

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Chile Again

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (Sadly it didn’t happen), I would have spent several days visiting Chile on my 3-year cruise. I was there before, in 2017. I was surprised by the landscape I saw. It reminded me of Provence, in France. The weather would have been to my liking too. Most of the time during our proposed stay it would have been in the high 60’s or low 70’s, with a light wind.

The first city where we would have landed was Valparaiso. Our timing would have been lucky, as there have been terrible wildfires in the area since. Much of the nearby forest was devastated, and homes were destroyed in Valparaiso. This wouldn’t have been the first occasion when timing was fortuitous for me while traveling. One year touring with students in France, we visited a police station in Paris, as one of my student’s fathers was a deputy sheriff in California. A week after we spent time there, it was bombed.

Valparaiso is another port city, of course, but it’s also known for its steep funiculars and colorful clifftop homes. I would have visited both. I love the funicular just outside of Sacre Coeur in Paris, and in Salzburg, Austria. I have ridden both several times. Love them.

Because of their history of European immigrants, the architecture and cultural institutions are reminiscent of Europe. It’s known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”. It’s home to the Chilean legislative Congress and headquarters of their navy. There are plenty of historic maritime buildings. I would have been pleased that our itinerary put us there for two days, because I enjoy all things maritime.

I would have spent some of my time in the UNESCO historic downtown area. I love artistic, bohemian culture. As I’ve mentioned before, charming, colorful, colonial architecture is my favorite kind. The views there, and from the top of Cerro Concepcion would have kept me entertained. I would have capped off my tour with a visit to the home of the writer, Pablo Neruda. Two of my favorite travel memories were visiting the home of Victor Hugo in Paris, and Claude Monet in Giverny. Adding another historical house tour to my list would have been a thrill.

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Baby, It's Cold Outside

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (I lost time due to the cancellation, but no money), I would have visited both the Falkland Islands and Antarctica this month. We would have also had several sea days, which I enjoy most about cruising. The weather as we traveled south would have become colder, rainy, and windy. I would have missed spending time outside walking on the deck.

I took a cruise south from Los Angeles towards Cape Horn about five years ago. I enjoyed that cruise very much. There was lots to see and do, plus the weather cooperated. As we headed south, I realized I wouldn’t enjoy the last leg of the cruise, so I disembarked near Santiago, Chile and flew home instead of completing the itinerary. I wouldn’t have had this luxury on my 3-year cruise. But as with other long cruises I have taken, there would be plenty to do while onboard and new friends to make.

Heartier people than I would enjoy disembarking on the islands. Although the terrain is rugged near the cliffs along the coast, there’s both birdlife and sheep farms to see. In town, there’s the Falkland Islands Museum, with themed galleries focused on maritime exploration and natural history. It would be a pleasant visit and easy for passengers to enjoy, since the island’s native language is English. This would have been a welcome break after so much Portuguese and Spanish.

After a few more days at sea, yippee, we would have arrived in Antarctica. Our first stop would have been Deception Island. It’s in the South Shetland Islands, close to the Antarctic Peninsula. Although it’s summer in the southern hemisphere, it would be far too cold for me, in the mid 30’s. Again, hearty passengers, those without health conditions when breathing cold air, would love it.

The terrain was created by an active volcano, and it shows. There are no inhabitants on the island, except for wildlife, seals, whales, penguins, and other varieties of birds. Photographers would go nuts. Even if shooting from the deck of the ship, with the right lenses, photographs would be stunning.

The second cold, cold stop would have been Half Moon Island. It’s farther south, and colder. The terrain is a mix, but what impresses me the most is the rock outcrops and cliffs. Lovely. The sea is also impressive, as it is very blue and clear. Of course, there are few visitors to mess it up.

I doubt we would have been allowed to visit the island itself, although I know some ships do visit remote, uninhabited islands. Our cruise ship was small enough to get close, drop anchor and let us observe from a safe distance. We wouldn't have been a scientific group, so I think going ashore wouldn't be allowed. The safety I referred to is not for the passengers, but for the wildlife and vegetation.

After leaving, we would have rounded Cape Horn and headed north. Although seeing the wildlife would have been fabulous, and taking photographs enjoyable, the cold temperatures would have been hard on me, asthma stinks. Going north, therefore, would mean I could take laps around the deck outside, and perhaps go ashore. I know the next few stops on the itinerary would have been familiar territory for me. I know I liked them in the past, and would no doubt find them pleasurable.

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Don't Cry for Me

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (all my money was refunded), I would have spent four days this month in Argentina. The first city we would have visited is Buenos Aires, the capital of the country. Two days isn’t enough for this big, cosmopolitan city. However, the weather cooperated, was only 81 degrees, with pleasant humidity. It’s summer there, and these conditions would have been a welcome relief from the tropics.

It's yet another coastal city with gorgeous neoclassical architecture. I would have taken an organized half day city tour first ($55/adult), since it’s so large. I have done this in every large city I have visited over the years. It gives me an overview and lets me know where I want to spend more time.

I’ve heard about Recoleta in Buenos Aires before. It consists of a series of palaces and mansions designed by French architects. It resembles parts of Paris because of this. It’s one of the places I would spend extra time, perhaps wandering the streets and then having lunch with the locals in a restaurant there. I always enjoy breaking away from the tourist spots and finding where the locals dine. Never had a bad experience doing so.

The last place I would enjoy spending some time is the Bosques de Palermo. It’s the largest park in Buenos Aires, and well maintained. There are lakes with geese and ducks, as well as manicured lawns and rose gardens. Roses have a special place in my heart, as I once had a garden of twenty-four bushes. Since I lived in Southern California, they bloomed all year. My house was full of their scent. I miss that.

After a full day at sea, my favorite place, we would have visited the port city of Bahia Blanca. There’s more stunning architecture here, like what can be found in Buenos Aires. There are also many gorgeous parks, some near the coast. Honestly, I would probably stay onboard the ship instead of going ashore to explore. The city so much like Buenos Aires, although smaller, I would relax on the ship, enjoying the peace and quiet after most passengers left for the day. It would be a great time to have a pedicure and manicure, maybe even a haircut.

The final city we would have visited in Argentina is Puerto Madryn, which is on the northern edge of Patagonia. I was excited to visit here, sadly it was not to be. The coastline is the draw for me. There are wide sandy beaches and stunning cliffs. Add to this a vibrant city and the interesting addition of the Welsh language, and it would have been fascinating to stay for the day (or more). 

I would have spent the one day allowed by the itinerary on a small boat seeking out wildlife such as orcas and right whales. I'm sure we would have spotted Magellanic penguins too, since there are over 1,500,000 of them in the area. I understand no cruise, even one three years long, can stay several days in each port, but Patagonia deserves more than one day. I would have been sad to leave after such a short stop. 

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San Francisco, California

 

Using My Spanish

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (no one went), I would have spent all of December in Brazil, and then visited Montevideo, Uruguay. It would have been a relief to be in a Spanish speaking country after so long being where I don’t know the language.

I took up Spanish at the beginning of the pandemic using the Duolingo app. So, communication wouldn’t have been a problem. The weather would have been a vast improvement too. It stayed in the high 70’s while we were scheduled to visit the area. Neither wind nor humidity would have been an issue either.

As the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo is a major city with a large population. It’s on a lovely bay and has the kind of architecture I enjoy. There’s lots of Art Deco buildings in the Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) along with historic colonial homes, churches, museums, theaters, and landmarks.

The city was ranked number one for the quality of life in Latin America in 2019. It stayed number one through 2005. It’s considered a “global city” and has a vibrant economy. This would make it a lovely place to live and to visit.

We were only scheduled to stay in Montevideo for one day. That’s a pity since it has so much to offer. I would have liked to spend a full day in the Old Town and another taking an organized city tour, (at about $48 per person). Since it has a vibrant theater culture, I would have found a play or concert to attend in the evening. But with only one day in the city, I would have spent it in Old town. Art Deco is one of my favorite types of architecture.

To learn more about Uruguay, CLICK HERE (ad). 

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Twelve Stops in Brazil

 

If things had gone as planned with the 3-year cruise I signed up for in March 2023 (long story, canceled), I would have spent the month of December in Brazil. We would have visited most of these towns and cities for only one day. This is not my favorite way of traveling. I prefer to savor a location. If it’s not worth spending several days, it’s probably not worth visiting at all. But that’s just me I guess. Others don’t mind rushing.

The last two weeks of December were in cities that seem quite similar to each other. They are very modern, with lots of Brazilian charm. Since they are located fairly close to the Equator, the temperature stays high. It was mostly in the high 80’s to low 90’s in December, with bright sun or brief intense storms. None of this is in my comfort zone, but the cities are lovely, and worth putting up with the heat and humidity.

In order to protect my fair skin, while not causing damage to the environment, I found this sun block, CLICK HERE (ad). I had already purchased some before my real world 3-year cruise was canceled. So I know it's good. 

Fortaleza is a big city, well known for its urban beaches. We would have visited this location in the second half of the month.

Natal is also on the coast, is very built up in a modern way. It’s well known for the sand dunes there. I saw many huge sand dunes when my cruise ship stopped in Peru in 2017. The ones in Natal are very different. They have lots of vegetation, even trees. In Peru, this is not the case. Both have their own type of charm.

Recife is another very modern, built-up city on the coast. There are fabulous beaches, and rain forests on the outskirts of the city. They’re really into sports there. For me, although it is lovely, and an interesting mixture of modern, beach and forest environments, it would have been too much of the same thing one stop after another.

Maceio is not as built-up as the last few cities we would have visited on our 3-year cruise. That would have been a relief for non-big city lovers, like me. It’s best known for the beaches, reefs, tide pools, and music. I would have enjoyed the topography there, lots of rocks along the coast, like in the photo below. I always carry a sun protective hat with me, even when not on a trip. I found this one for the cruise, CLICK HERE (ad). I especially like the tie, so it doesn't go flying in the wind. 

Salvador has more interesting architecture, at least from my perspective. I enjoy old towns, and the buildings they contain. Where I’m from, in Southern California, most old buildings have been torn down and replaced with sterile modern structures. Not a fan. It’s why I would be sure to spend time in every old section of town in our cruise destinations. Salvador is also Afro-Brazilian in culture. I would have enjoyed this as well. I lived in South Africa for two years. I liked it very much.

We would have stayed in Rio de Janeiro for three days. While that’s more than many other cities on our itinerary, it’s not enough time. Rio is in a natural setting, with beaches, hills, and lots of plants. But it’s huge. It would take several days to do it justice. My favorite activity there would be taking the cable car up to see the 98’ tall Christ the Redeemer stature on the top of the Corcovado Mountain. I’d probably do it more than once.

Sao Paulo would have been our last stop in Brazil. It’s a modern center of finance in Brazil. This is why it has a large population. It’s a place for movers and shakers. There are plenty of modern buildings and excursions that a visitor could take, but the old architecture in Centro would be my draw.

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