Friday April 25 2025 Day 9 in Brazil

 


Friday April 25 2025 - Day 9 In Brazil


Where has a week flown?
Up at 6am to watch the brown waters meet the black waters of the two rivers meet but not merge. Interesting but not worth the early wake up call.


Breakfast and goodbyes to our American friends from western Colorado and Chicago.
Off the boat and the comfortable AC to the blistering hot cobblestone streets and 95% humidity.
No more WIFI so it’s time to try our data plan.
No luck.
Hmmmmm.
Getting an Uber may be complicated.
Krista - ‘ Is your data roaming turned on?
Darren checks phone.
‘YES!!?’ …..
(Turns data roaming on….)
BINGO!!
Holy text messages and voicemails Batman.
Back to Airplane mode.
Turn off all the running APPS and leave only Uber and Google Translate on. Phew.
Probably burned up 10 GIG in 30 seconds. lol
Uber arrives to take us to Laundromat. 5.76 BRZ REAL for 20 minute drive.
$1.25.
I. Love. UBER!!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Giant load of laundry 39.99 REAL. $10 - SWEET!
Way cheaper than the upcoming hotels I’m sure.
Went for a walk. Bought a couple postcards for my friend Cindy who INSISTS I BUY A POSTCARD FROM EVERY PLACE ON THE PLANET WE VISIT!…
Krista and Monisha drag Ricky (amazing Indian couple from South Africa) a couple blocks away for massages while our laundry finishes.
Amazing building across the street. Took a picture to look up later. Turns out the Manaus Opera House is one of the top 7 things to see in Brazil and we didn’t look into it. Sigh.
Off to the airport with an Uber driver who LOVED using his brakes - all while watching hundreds of people play Frogger across the highway while we did 60-90km/hr when the posted speed limit was 40.

Passed the huge Soccer/Football Stadium built for the 2016 Olympic Games mostly in Rio.
Gas prices high. 7.09/litre equates to $1.75
Airport lounge for 2 hours. Sat beside a 25 year old Girl on the plane. Spoke beautiful English and wanted to practice. 4 hours non-stop to São Paulo. Phew. That was a lot of practice.
Inhaled a burger. 1 hour Uber to south São Paulo.
Checked in to W São Paulo hotel - unbelievable suite with a corner view. Thank you to Krista for using points to book 2 nights in this amazing hotel. What a treat. Automatic blinds that open and close. Mirror glass, tile everywhere. Sliding doors. 

Lovely start to my upcoming conference.

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