Travelling in style on the QM2
Two loyal subjects
Chris and Brenda O'Gorman have been enjoying the luxury and elegance of travelling on the magnificent Queen Mary 2, flagship of the Cunard Line. They are just back from their latest adventure on board which took them from Southampton to Rio de Janerio, visiting such exotic spots as New York, Barbados and Salvador en route.
At each port of call they took the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks and sample the local food. In New York they were particularly keen to see Ground Zero, the area which marks the spot where the bombed Twin Towers once stood. The square now includes striking and tasteful memorials, pools and fountains to mark the spot. It was a sad and humbling experience to be there, they said.
Rio de Janeiro, of course, came as a dramatic climax to the trip, with a chance to visit the 30 metre high statue of Christ the Redeemer, go up lofty Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car and stroll along the amazing sweep of Copacabana Beach.
Chris and Brenda also greatly enjoyed their time on board the 150,000 ton QM2, an amazingly opulent ship with a huge theatre which seats1,000 (where they heard John McCarthy speak to a capacity audience of his experiences), visited the amazing planetarium (where they took a virtual ride into outer space), browsed the 8,000 books in the largest library on the high seas, tried out several of the 10 restaurants, exercised at two of the five swimming pools and enjoy a wide range of games and entertainments (Chris and Brenda made good use of the table tennis tables!) and danced the night away at the largest ballroom at sea. Although there are 2,500 passengers, well looked after by 1,000 crew, the ship, with its 14 decks, is so spacious that it never feels overcrowded, they said.
Now Chris and Brenda are on the lookout for their next trip on QM2. They have one useful final tip - book late and you can get some amazing bargains!
STATUE OF LIBERTY: Brenda on deck as QM2
approaches New York Harbour.
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GROUND ZERO in New York at the spot where the
Twin Towers were demolished in the 9/ll attack.
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SALVADOR, a lovely colonial city in north east Brazil
where Chris and Brenda enjoyed a walking tour. |
CHRIST THE REDEEMER, the imposing 30 metre high
statue which dominates the Rio skyline. |
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ABOVE: Brenda relaxing at her hotel which overlooks
the amazing sweep of Copacabana Beach.
LEFT: On the cable car which took them to the top
of Sugar Loaf Mountain. From here they enjoyed
magnificent views over the city.
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