March 2, 2025

PARITY, BRAZIL - Day 2 

Today we spent on the water. We had signed up for a beach and snorkel trip yesterday and had to move to today because we had tender issues into the port and missed the start time. Today was also looking bleak but the charter waited for us and even sent their tender over to our delayed shuttle and rescued us off so we could join the group waiting for us! It was a fun day, swimming and snorkeling over 4 different beach locations. The water, drinks and sunshine were all great fun! 

We had time to do some shopping for Carnival sparkle outfits after in the colonial town center.

Sadly our tender issues surfaced again when we went to rejoin our Ship at 5:30. The tender was having engine problems and we had to hire a  party boat to get us back to the ship. Always an adventure!  There was 37 of us, happy to finally make it back on board our Ship and we were extremely grateful for the female crew, who took kindness on us and got us back safe and happy!

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • April 1, 2026
We spent our last day in Adelaide exploring the downtown. It was an easy and convenient, 1/2 hour train ride from the port into the CBD. The University had a lot of interesting architecture and it was a nice quiet Saturday to walk around. The River Torrens runs through the campus and provides a many pathways to enjoy.

BONUS ART AT THE CUBE - SOUTH AUSTRLIA

By PAT PATRICK • March 29, 2026
In the parking lot of the Cube there was another bonus art installation, and this one was much better known by me, Dr. Seuss !

BAROSSA VALLEY - d'ARENBERG CUBE - S.AUSTRALIA

By Pat Patrick • March 29, 2026
The d'Arenberg Cube in the famed Barossa Valley w as the draw for me here; the wine tasting was an added bonus! The 15M AUD Cube was built in 2017, from the vision of 4th generation winemaker, Chester Osbourn , who likened the solving of a Rubik's cube to winemaking. The avant garde glass, concrete and steel visitor center is 5 stories tall with the top floor tasting room offering panoramic views over the McLaren vale vineyards, the Willunga Hills and the Gulf St. Vincent . The other floors house the Alternate Realitites Museum , a contemporary art gallery, bars, a fine dining restaurant, a virtual reality experience and a wine sensory room. There is currently a Salvador Dali Universe exhibit on a 2 year lease, with some of the artist's sculptures and graphics.