Day One - First 24 Hours in Aracaju

Our flight to Aracaju was delayed by 2 hours, so we didn`t get in until about 2am.

We had a wonderful welcoming committee, as you can see. All the families were out at the airport to greet us.

The next morning, we had to be up early to catch a ferry, so most of us only had a few hours sleep. The ferry crosses a large river. From there we dropped our stuff (overnight bags) off at a beach house, and then went to a dock where we boarded a boat.

We started to get to know each other on the boat!!

Thats me on the left. Just so my wife Louise knows... the good looking girl next to me is Bia. Her boyfriend is Filipe is the GOOD LOOKING, YOUNG guy, just behind her.....

Arlaine

Bill and Arlene

When we got off the boat, we got onto some dune buggies and went exploring the dunes that are adjacent to the beach. Wild Ride!

Gwen, Sheila, and Arlaine

Charlie and Marilyn

The Canadians in the dunes!

Arlaine sandboarding down a dune! Very Fast!!

Ted Sandboarding - leaning back to far!

A wonderful Smorg dinner at the resort. Lots of swimming in the waves.

The Beach!

So - now I´m only two days behind in my posts. We have been so busy, that I have hardly had time to download my photos - never mind post them. Hope I can add some more tomorrow.

Ted

Sao Paulo!

Well – a long, but uneventful flight to Sao Paulo. We all arrived with our luggage in tact. We are at a beautiful hotel close to the airport, and hope to have a lazy afternoon (morning your time) before we head back to the Airport at 8:00pm.

A little adventure at the Airport - Sheila went to re-book her flight and got lost. Gwen stayed behind for find her, while the rest of us went to the Hotel. Gwen heard an announcement with her name - but no idea what is said. Anyway - all ended well as the girls showed up at the pool. We waited in the lobby hotel for Gwen - you can tell were were pretty worried.

Very beautiful area – although the city seems very crowded – although very expansive acerages in the mountains surrounding it. To bad we don't get to explore it.
We are all heading to dinner at 6:00 and then back to the airport.

Ate Miais
(See you later)

Time to Go!

Oi
Very hard to believe how quickly today arrived. It was -23 when I got up this morning at our house. Louise and Spencer gave me a ride to work this morning, and then friend Neal drove me to the airport at noon. It was a bit hard to keep focused at work.....

Several people had asked me how I would know the group when I got to the airport. Well – I didn't recognize anyone from their photo's, but it was still easy to spot the group. They were the ones talking the loudest and obviously enjoying the wait. Everyone was instantly telling stories, and talking like old friends.

The Aircraft was delayed inbound, so we were almost an hour late taking off. That made for the marathon chase to the international termial in Toronto. We landed about 10 minutes after we were supposed to be at the gate – so we were about ½ hour late when we got there. I don't know how many Kilometers it is -but it's quite a hike. Bill and I were quite concerned because we had planned on supper in toronto.

When we got to the gate, there was a huge lineup, so a few of us went to Tim's for Donuts, Muffins and Coffee/Tea. Turned out they served a hot meal on the plan anyway. The plane left on time - About 8:00 our time, or 10:00 Toronto Time, or 1:00am Sao Paulo time... It's a 10 hour flight, so I hope to get some sleep. We'll see.

Adeus!

Ready to Go...

Well - I've been to the Travel Health Clinic and got all my shots and pills. My wife has packed every kind of medicine, lotion, and sunscreen she can think off..... I'm mostly packed, and re-packed. Everyone is asking if I am excited, but "In shock" is probably a closer term.

I have been trying to listen to some Brazilian Portuguese Language tapes, but languages are not my forte. My goal is to be able to say hello, goodby, thankyou, and "One Rum and Coke Please"......

I am looking forward to finally meeting the Team Wednesday, and then our hosts on Thursday!

I'm not sure how accessible internet will be during our visit, so I am not sure how often I will be able to post to this blog, but I will try to keep it up to date - or at least catch up once we are back.

Chow!