August 2,

We awoke and were about by 0730, both taking our last river water shower…won’t miss this, just saying. We went to our first & only breakfast on board the Rondonia! It was our last chance, so we had to see what they had. Breakfast for both of us was 26 BRL – which is $5.13. The lady we pay called the meal a “tapioca pancake” with our choice of different stuffing. We both chose the ham and cheese filling. The “pancake” was like a flatbread made from cassava starch. It was different, interesting, but I wouldn’t want it everyday. Also got some over-sweet coffee.

By 1000 Belem, our final destination, was in sight. WELCOME TO BELEM, BRAZIL!
At 1047, the FB attached ropes to the dock, but didn’t pull front-in. At 1054, we finally pulled alongside and we’re docked. People started streaming off, then a mass exodus! As we watched a lady, named Rose – through translation – said she would take the key, but we could stay in the suite as long as we wanted. Yeah!! We weren’t particularly in a hurry. About 1130, we vacated our room, joining the line to exit the FB.I was hoping to wait until it was empty and snap a picture of the FB that way, but it was taking longer than we thought. We were off by 1150, and into an Uber taxi by 1154. We had to walk the last block due to the driver going the wrong place, but we arrived at our place by 1210.

We quickly unloaded, signed into the WiFi, and got onto Zoom with our church back home at 1220. But there were issues and we didn’t get to join until the service started. We did get to see the service and stayed after to chat with some members. Then we went out for lunch, walking through a park for an event but it was finished – little food available. So we went on to Casa Iga Restaurant. It was pricey, but good food. I had a creamy rice with pumpkin, cassava,and jambu- like an apple puree, topped with grilled fish in garlic and zaatar. We both thought my dish was the best. Jeff had Arroz de Pato- which was shredded bits of duck and rice in cassava sauce with a local herb called jambu (aka the toothache plant that “tingles your tongue.” His dish was good but could have been better with more and larger pieces of duck, especially for the price. My tongue did tingle from his dish! Jeff had a Cerpa beer and I had a Caipirinha – with Cachaca (a Brazilian sugarcane spirit, like rum) with limes, and sugarcane syrup. It was similar to a Mojito. Our bill came to 234 BRL- 257.40 with a tip, which was $50.80 total. We both felt the meals weren’t worth the price.

We went on toward the harbor area, passing by filming for a movie! We didn’t know what movie they were shooting for, because they were filming and we had to be quiet. But that was interesting. Then we came to Praca Dom Pedro II (Square Pedro II). There were two grand buildings facing the square. One, the Museu do Estado do Pará (Pará State Museum). This was open so we went in. It was free! The building was a Governor’s Palace, construction started in 1762, and finished in 1772; with the last restoration in 1975 – according to a placard. I don’t know when it stopped being the Governor’s Palace and became a museum, but it was stunning. The main entryway was a beautiful design in a mosaic tile floor; marble walls; and a huge painted emblem/seal painted on the ceiling. There was also a grand stairway in this main room. Gorgeous! Upstairs the rooms were decked out in some great examples of period furniture; wood parqueted flooring; intricate ceilings and large chandeliers. One room had a massive painting, titled the “Conquest of the Amazon.” It was painted in 1907 by Brazilian Antonio Parreias. It was a nice historical work. As we left, I saw the grand entry doors had a seal noting the Brazilian Independence was November 15, 1889.

Then we walked to another square, Praca Frei Brandao. There were two large churches facing the square, and our destination, Forte do Presepio. We went to the fort as it was supposed to be closing soon. It was a smaller fort, built in 1616 by the Portuguese to protect an established port and control of the Eastern Amazon with its forest products that the Portuguese claimed. The indoor museum part was closed already, so we took in the ramparts and historic cannons with the views of the town of Belem and the mighty Amazon.

We left and went into the only open church on the square, the Catedral Metropolitana de Belem Nossa Senhora de Graca- Our Lady of Grace Cathedral. It was very ornate inside with 18 Century elaborate gold leaf frescoes, dramatic lit paintings, and an altar of different marbled columns. Upon leaving, the second floor organ pipes were accented by a sunlit circular stained-glass window. Nice!

We walked back to our place. I went to our apartment and video WhatsApped with my sister – she is doing better. Jeff tried to find a grocery store. It’s Sunday and things were closed up, of course…also it rained on him. After three different places, he found a convenience store getting stuff for supper (pepperoni and cheese subs with wine) and breakfast. Then we video WhatsApped with Jeff’s sister and her husband. They are well. We finished and called the day a success at 2230.