Our port of call on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 was San Juan, Puerto Rico, our fourth port in four days. As of midway through the cruise, I had subscribed to only two (both culturally oriented) shore excursions in these final four ports, and “Puerto Rico Folklore: A Latin Traditions Show” was one of them. In all of my travels, when I find folkxxxx in the title of an event, I’m usually all in. From the Holland America web site: “Puerto Rico's folklore heritage has been shaped by many vibrant rhythms from across the globe. Today's dazzling show is a virtual journey through the world of music and dance, with steps and sounds originating from Cuba, Brazil and Dominican Republic. You'll also notice the beat of Africa and a fiery expression of Flamenco from Spain. Enjoy popular ... read more

Our port of call on Monday, March 13, 2023 was Roseau, Dominica, officially the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dominica is a 290-square-mile volcanic island country in the Caribbean Sea with the highest point being 4,747-foot Morne Diablotins. Geographically, it is part of the Windward Islands chain in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. Her two closest neighbors both are overseas departments of France – Guadeloupe to the northwest and Martinique to the south-southeast. There was a population of 71,293 in the 2011 census. The capital, Roseau, (population of 14,725 also in 2011) is located on the western side of the island. The island was settled by the Arawak arriving from South America in the fifth century. The Kalinago had displaced the Arawak by the 15th Century. Columbus is said to have passed the island on Sunday, November 3, 1493. ... read more

Our port of call on Friday, March 10, 2023 was “Devil’s Island,” French Guiana. The prison, often referred to as “Devil's Island,” operated from 1852 to 1952 and is, in fact, three islands called Îles du Salut (Salvation's Islands), as well as a larger penal colony on the mainland. The island group’s name was given by missionaries who encamped there to escape an outbreak of plague. In 1852, the government of Emperor Napoleon III established the islands and part of French Guiana as a penal colony. The main part of the penal colony was a labor camp that stretched along the border with Dutch Guiana (present-day Suriname). Most prisoners were first sent to St-Laurent-du-Maroni on the mainland coast, where they would be assigned to work gangs to clear forests and build roads. Political, dangerous, and incorrigible ... read more

The port of call on March 6, 2023 was the small city of Parintins, Brazil (115,363 people in 2020). Holland America offered only two shore excursions. One was a 90-minute tour of the city on a triciclo “past the major highlights of the city.” Triciclo translates as 'tricycle,' but it's not really a trike but more a tuk-tuk in Asia. The second option was “The Boi Bumba Festival Show.” Since one of my main objectives in travel is to learn of the culture and customs, this was a no-brainer. From the Holland America web site: “The must-see Boi Bumba is one of the greatest folk festivals in Brazil. It is a world full of magic, bright colors, music, dance and folklore -- a feast for the senses. The luxurious costumes and floats, comparable to those seen ... read more

Boca Da Valeria, Brazil was our port of call on Friday, March 3, 2023, and, for only the second port of call on the cruise, the Holland America itinerary says, “There are no Shore Excursions to choose from for today.” Boca Da Valeria (mouth of Valeria) is a small village at the junction of the Valeria and the Amazon Rivers and is quite a fascinating place to visit. The village has less than 150 residents, but the population swells when a cruise ship lays anchor. The locals, residents and “commuters” alike, have made a science out of extracting money from the cruise ship passengers. Many children don traditional clothing to fetch a dollar, but most dress in Western attire. Many children are toting their pet sloth, macaw, alligator, parrot, owl, capybara or other critter as a ... read more