Happy Birthday in Porto Belo, Brazil

We celebrated Ronnie’s 78^th birthday in Porto Belo, Brazil today. 

He normally gets up before I do and goes to the Concierge's Lounge for coffee and to do his Bible reading. He usually brings me back a cup of coffee or tea and that’s when I start my day. Today I got up before he returned to our room and surprised him with his birthday gift – 12 Dr. Peppers! That may not sound like much of a birthday gift, but those don’t come easy on the ship even in the US, much less in foreign countries! Thankfully, our very kind butler was able to locate some for me earlier in the week and hide them under our bed, so Ronnie had quite a surprise when he arrived back to our room and discovered his birthday gift.

 

 

It was a hot day in Porto Belo, a seaside town on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We didn’t have anything booked so we did what we often do. We took a 25 minute tender ride to shore to just take a look around. It was super hot and I was ready to come back to the ship within an hour or so. The skyline here is absolutely incredible. I so wish Blogger would allow me to post a short video (it supposedly does, but I’m not having any luck). 

 

here's what a hot and pitchey ride looks like inside a tender

Porto Belo, this city background goes for miles and miles!

The skyline was longer than any I think I’ve ever seen. The sandy beach was the prettiest we have seen (almost like white powder). It was not crowded at all (by Rio standards) so it’s easy to see why Porto Belo has become a destination for travelers who just want to relax and take in the local culture.

 

an uncrowded white sandy beach

 

view from pier

Flag of the municipality of Porto Belo

store window

surfer-biker

EU Porto Belo

blooming palm

women's restroom

 

While tendering back to the ship, we visited with a very nice couple from New Braunfels, Texas, then had lunch in the Terrace Cafe before heading to our room for a lazy afternoon. Ronnie finished his drawing using color pencils of a photo I took at the ROXY dinner theater a few nights ago.

 

window table view of tenders going back and forth

 

birthday boy enjoying his ice cream

Tonight was our first night to eat in a specialty restaurant due to our (lack of) clothes the first few weeks. I had booked a table for two in his favorite steak restaurant for his birthday. The ship has record of everyone’s birthday, so he had the same treatment I did – a cake, being sung to by waiters and our room being decorated while we were out to dinner. 

 

being sung to in Polo Grill

 

room fairies delivered birthday wishes

It's been a good day!