Arrival in the Amazon, Caruso and Fitzcarraldo

Finally, after a very frustrating and tedious journey, Robin has arrived at his destination and joined Seabourn Pride.
All started off well, in that he arrived at Manchester airport on time, but things deteriorated from there.

A delay in take off resulting in a missed connection and a 10 hour wait in Paris....

Those following Twitter will have read about events as they unfolded, and the support and advice on, 'ways to amuse oneself during long delays at airports', were much appreciated.
Special thanks must go to one of my Twitter friends, missmussell, over on, 'The Omniscient Mussel', for providing games and advice during this time!

On reaching Sao Paulo, and once more 'waiting', Robin was rather amused to hear someone calling his name.
It was a magician, who had appeared from nowhere, and was accompanying Robin on the final leg of his journey.
He was pleased to have the distraction of some much needed company by this point.

But after 38 hours Robin arrived in Manaus, Brazil, and was able to recover from his journey in luxury.
Incidentally, Robin made it with only about 3 hours to spare...no wonder we were all getting a little tense here.

Manaus is an incredible place, situated in the middle of the Amazon forest. But it isn't as one would imagine. Having become very wealthy in the early 20th Century, Manaus is a bustling city.
The Opera House, built during the heyday of the rubber trade was once visited by all the most famous Opera Divas and Maestros.

Thankfully Robin has a few days to recover and acclimatise before his concerts, the first one not being until Friday and the second a few days later.
When Robin joined Seabourn Pride she was actually docked on the Rio Negro, but within a few hours set off to cover the 4 miles to the Amazon.

He's ready for it though.
Last time I spoke to him he was heading up to the top deck armed with an old 78 of Caruso, which he was going to play at high volume.
If you are unsure what I'm talking about, then you are probably unfamiliar with Brian Sweeney Fitzgerald, a rather eccentric character. His story was told in the film, Fitzcarraldo.

Bonjour de Paris

I didn't need to worry.
In the end there wasn't time for Robin to go and try out a few guitars, so he went straight to the airport.
It was a shame really, as it is always good to keep your eye on available instruments, and Robin gets a great deal of pleasure from it.
It is however one of the few things that causes him to break out in a sweat. He just gets so excited by the whole thing that he can't help himself.
He once tried out some flamenco guitars in Seville.
It was 40 degrees outside, and Robin remained calm and cool, until we got inside the shop!
So for the comfort of the other passengers on the flight home it's probably a good thing he didn't go.
But as he is a frequent visitor to Southern California, I'm pretty sure he'll get there in the end.

After an overnight flight from Los Angeles to Paris I had a call this morning with a jovial Robin claiming the flight 'etait un morceau de gateau'.
His humour has gradually declined as the day has progressed, especially when he saw a flight leaving for Manchester, but couldn't get on it as his luggage was checked onto a later plane.
Still, what's another 4 hours hanging around.......

Paris to Miami

It was an early start for Robin today.
As he was getting into a taxi at 4.30 this morning, he was already looking forward to coffee and croissant, on arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

However, Air France were particularly efficient and I had a call from Robin as he waited for take off on his connecting flight.
He was rather put out that there hadn't been time to go for breakfast, and the longed for croissant had been denied him.
But, at least he will have the opportunity to partake of plenty of coffee on the long flight to Miami.
Why is it that the French are so much better at making coffee than we are?

Often I take Robin to the airport myself, but, the thought of getting two boys up so early in the morning, and then having to suffer the consequences for the rest of the day, were just too much for me.
Esecially as it's half term here, so they will be home all week, without their Dad.

Later today, Robin will arrive in Miami and join Crystal Symphony.
He has been on this lovely ship many times and always enjoys it.
I look forward to hearing from him, when he has settled in after his long flight.