At Sea
As Endeavor sails southwards towards Uruguay, she leaves Brazil in her wake, but the memories are still fresh in our minds. Brazil has been an astonishing and eye-opening part of this South American Odyssey. For the last week we have been enveloped in the colorful and rich culture that is Brazil. We have taken part in the dancing, we have tasted the food, drunk the caiparinia, walked the streets, witnessed everyday culture, and delved into their long and complicated history. There is not one person onboard who has not come away with a more enriched understanding of this society.
Brazil abounds in its diversity. Its cities hold millions of people, huge and towering buildings line the streets, the wealthy and poor often living next door to each other, creating their own symbiosis. But one need only drive a short distance outside the cities, and you are met with a whole new setting, the Atlantic Forest, some woods have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, and others cut over are more recent second growth, each holding its own individual community.
Just as the city streets and Atlantic Forests offer a huge variety of life, so do the aquatic habitats that surround Brazil. Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo, and myself as dive buddy, were able to explore the underwater realm, bringing back lively pictures of the diverse marine system for the guests on Endeavour.
Pictured here is a crinoid, something fossil collectors are quite fond of. Mainly a filter feeder, this curious creature will catch particles floating around the water column, and sift them down the small hairs that line its arms. It will then take the arms to its mouth for the full meal. Although this crinoid looks quite settled into its encrusting sponge perch, it actually has small legs on which it can walk around. It also can swim, semi-gracefully, through the water, pumping its legs alternately.
We have tried to experience all Brazil has to offer, but fear that we have merely scraped the surface. However, there is not one person onboard who has not come away with a more enriched and broadened understanding of this nation.
As Endeavor sails southwards towards Uruguay, she leaves Brazil in her wake, but the memories are still fresh in our minds. Brazil has been an astonishing and eye-opening part of this South American Odyssey. For the last week we have been enveloped in the colorful and rich culture that is Brazil. We have taken part in the dancing, we have tasted the food, drunk the caiparinia, walked the streets, witnessed everyday culture, and delved into their long and complicated history. There is not one person onboard who has not come away with a more enriched understanding of this society.
Brazil abounds in its diversity. Its cities hold millions of people, huge and towering buildings line the streets, the wealthy and poor often living next door to each other, creating their own symbiosis. But one need only drive a short distance outside the cities, and you are met with a whole new setting, the Atlantic Forest, some woods have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years, and others cut over are more recent second growth, each holding its own individual community.
Just as the city streets and Atlantic Forests offer a huge variety of life, so do the aquatic habitats that surround Brazil. Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo, and myself as dive buddy, were able to explore the underwater realm, bringing back lively pictures of the diverse marine system for the guests on Endeavour.
Pictured here is a crinoid, something fossil collectors are quite fond of. Mainly a filter feeder, this curious creature will catch particles floating around the water column, and sift them down the small hairs that line its arms. It will then take the arms to its mouth for the full meal. Although this crinoid looks quite settled into its encrusting sponge perch, it actually has small legs on which it can walk around. It also can swim, semi-gracefully, through the water, pumping its legs alternately.
We have tried to experience all Brazil has to offer, but fear that we have merely scraped the surface. However, there is not one person onboard who has not come away with a more enriched and broadened understanding of this nation.
