Day 923: Fernando de Noronha

The ship stopped at the Fernando de Noronha archipelago. Characterized by jagged cliffs and a diversity of ecosystems, it has been designated a UNESCO Word Heritage Site and is a protected national marine park. At breakfast on the ship while waiting to disembark, an Aussie walked by Laetitia’s table and said, “There once was a girl from Noronha.” “There, I’ve given you the first line, why don’t you write the rest?” Laetitia complied.

There once was a girl from Noronha
Who rejected a lad from Estonia
His sweet words and sweet grin
She viewed as akin
To the sausage they make in Bologna.

Day 922: Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a city of splendid views from the Sugarloaf and the base of the Christ the Redeemer statue and is also famous for its beaches, such as Ipanema, and its Samba music.

‘Round Rio folks find trails to bike on
And fine views to catch with a Nikon
Like Christ the Redeemer
Sugarloaf, Ipanema
Each of which is a world-famous icon.

Day 921: Puerto Madryn

The ship stopped at Puerto Madryn in Patagonia (Argentina) and the sightseeing excursion included afternoon tea and Welsh choir singing.  Welsh emigrants settled in the area in 1865 and after initial hardships became successful irrigation farmers.  The Welsh tea inspired the limerick.

At Gaiman, near Puerto Madryn
To a teahouse we were ushered in
For Welsh cakes and scones
And a choir’s dulcet tones
A fine afternoon we’d do again.

Day 920: Ushuaia

Laetitia led a tour group on a cruise that began in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego.  It’s on the Beagle Channel on the southern tip of South America.  Charles Darwin passed through here in 1833 on his famous voyage on HMS Beagle en route to the Pacific Ocean.  Thoughts of Darwin inspired the day’s limerick.

Ushuaia on the Argentine Tip
Is the place where we boarded the ship
Natives of visage regal
Once viewed there the Beagle
Bearing Darwin on his round-the-world trip.