From GAP customers 2007:

 

Joey,

 

I'm sitting here, crying. Literally. Thank you SO much. To have the pictures to help tell the stories is incredibly meaningful. To be able to relive the memories outside of my brain...beyond words. I am SO grateful for your excellent photos and keen eye!

 

Just so you know, this trip changed me forever -it was the magic of Brazil and Tocorime I'm sure of it!! I have fully debriefed with GAP over the phone, and intend to visit the Toronto (main) location this week to continue my message about the importance of supporting the Tocorime. As a result of this 'life shift', I have tentatively reserved a 22-day sail in the Greek Islands in June, to try and continue the momentum. Dealt with the marriage (done), and have a plan for equitably selling the house and dividing the assets. Quite amicable so far! Who knows, maybe when Tocorime is back on course in November, she'll need a Canadian crew member ;) Let me know...

 

THANK YOU!!!!

Kelly

 

Hello All!

 

Yes, this time last week was amazing! I am at work right now and at

the

background "Hit the Road Jack" has been playing for the nth time.

(And our

surgeon has started asking whether this song is meant for

him....heheheh)

Like you, Dani, I've been having a horrible time readjusting and

honestly I

really wasn't sure I want things to go back just the way they were.

I have been waiting for this e-mail since I got home, checking everyday

when

I got home either from work or school.

Obviously, I can't make this too long but I am just so excited to hear

from

you that I had to reply. I hope everyone is not having as much of a

horrible time going back to your routine as I am....on the other hand I

hope

you are, so that it means you had as wonderful a time as I did.

Miss the noodles, miss the anchor beer (yech!), miss the bossa nova,

but

more than anything miss the sisters, the belgians, the professors, the

dutch, the canadians and all the brazilians!

 

Obrigada, Brazil!

 

:)

April

 

We were in Paradise and…

 

Soetkin was suggesting we all go on “another hike” up one small hill

Kelly was sneaking back aboard after a rendezvous with her captain

Stephanie was “taking names” in the dice game

David was counseling the unlucky in love around the kitchen table

Holly was yelling for someone to put the damn ladder down after hooking the anchor

Dani was being talked down from a back dive off the side of the boat

Joey was wearing a bowl on his head

Jelle was making the pizza and cleaning the ears

April was bargaining hard for a chess set in Rio

Marcello was jumping off the boat to save our “noodle overboard”

Marcus was pouring cashasas down our throats

Stephanie was debating similarities between crème Brule and pudding with the Belgians

The Celtic Spirit was in hot pursuit of the lovely ladies of the Tocorime!!

And Peter was calling us all a bunch of F*ng B*tches!!

 

Thank you all for an amazing trip!! So many memories have been making me smile and laugh out loud all week. I cannot remember the last time I met so many fun and interesting people. I was 100% serious that I would love to do it again… name the place in the world, and I will meet you there. Holly and I are putting together the list of addresses this weekend, and we will send out at that time… so that we can start to get some “fun mail”. Hope you all are adjusting back to real life. Obviously I am not, as I spent half my morning on this email!!

 

Love to all!!! ~ Dani

 

 

Carl Ryan writes about his time on board the Tocorimé GAP adventure:

 

I was on the largest sailing vessel in all of Brazil, the Tocorime.

 

Its difficult to do justice to the experience. How do you perfectly describe the feeling of slicing through tropical waters – propelled by the spirit of the wind gusting against 7 sails?

 

On the first day I was plotting the ships course, piloting the ship and raising the sails. There were plenty of sub tasks to be completed for each of the major ones I mentioned. All were supervised very well by the ships crew that came from around the world to enjoy the same experience. We had sailors from Holland, Sweden and Brazil. We were all lead by a skilled Canadian/Dutch Captain. I enjoyed my experience tremendously.

 

 

 

I was on the February 25- March 3 trip and had a fanatastic time. Seb and all the crew were fantastic.

Monica was really helpful when I tried to convert US dollars into Reais on my first day in Brazil. I can't thank her enough. Hope to be in Brazil again.

Julius

 

Dear Joey

I'm sorry that I did not get a chance to thank you for arranging a place for me to stay in Paraty. It worked out fine.

Capt. Seb asked me to send an email critique of the trip to Markus, but I seem to have lost the address. I'll write something here. Please pass it on.

Overall I enjoyed the trip in spite of, as Seb said, at 85 I am undoubtedly the oldest person who has taken that cruise. I participated in almost all of the activities, although I did not make it to the top of the main mountain climb. I did get to the upper water fall on another climb.

The crew couldn't have been better, and seemed genuinely interested in being helpful. The food was very good. The area we sailed in is attractive and interesting and we had a good group of passengers.

Although I am glad to have been on board, I can see how some elderly (and perhaps some not so old) would have difficulty with the facilities.

Trying to get dressed while in a bunk without head room to sit up was a challenge for me. The heads were often occupied by those showering, or otherwise in use when needed. While handling the wheel for several hours, I stupidly allowed the tops of my feet to get some serious sunburn. This was certainly no ones fault but my own. I was disappointed that we had little wind for sailing, but again this is beyond anyones control.

Although I realize that it would take capital which may not be available, it appeared to me that modifications of the interior of the boat could make it more livable, and perhaps allow the booking of a few more passengers.

The large space amidships was hardly used. Could it be split into another bunkroom and a larger dining space?

Another couple of heads would be a big asset. The present dining area could perhaps be a lounge. At present there is no comfortable place with enough light to read easily at night.

Having had the wheel (granted I had supervision) at night in restricted waters, I felt the need for a radar monitor there. Also some light on the compass other than a flashlight. I realize that you want at least the exterior of the boat to be as authentic as possible, but some compromises are needed to make even "Adventure Cruises" worthwhile and profitable.

Again, however, I enjoyed the cruise and believe that most people people will also as long as they know the limitations beforehand.

 

Regards, Paul Engle

 

From GAP customers 2006:

01 – 07 January

* Very Nice Crew, wanted to learn more Portuguese, Glad to have the lower bunk, otherwise a Hell of a trip, very relaxing!!!

* Overall Great trip, great staff, Portuguese lessons would be nice, bunks-good but difficult in top bunk, exceptional food, great water cooler, alcohol – fine, would like some tasks to do, snorkel equipment – (borrowed not rented) more size of flippers, scuba lessons would be great, someplace to change clothes, for 16 people may want more toilet facilities.

* Had a great trip better if not different to expected, the crew are truly great, Ruari English speaking is fantastic, I thought the trip was an amazing value for money, thanks to Rosana I now weigh 4 kilos more, day beds would be great, new pillows would be nice, really enjoyed the locations – one better than the last, highlight was the BBQ, thanks to everybody, well done Markus on running a great show.

* The first evening would be good with a sail in Rio or out to the beaches, ventilation in the toilets needed, the door to the engine was left open often, the opening of the hold could be made into seating.

* Overall great trip, crew always helpfulFood good, cold beer hot coffee, varied itinerary. I was expecting a small cabin, bunk was comfortable but not good for sharing, suggest make more bunks in the hold, a fresh water shower on deck would be nice, separate toilets and showers, THANKS for a great trip.

12 – 18 February

* Fantastic trip, fabulous ship, fantastic crew, beautiful places, more sailing would be nice, excellent camaraderie onboard, I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone interested, thanks for everything.

* Amazing I loved every day, the crew and passengers are fun and make the experience so special, we visited beautiful places, inaccessible by road, beaches so amazing and nature trails so nice, I want to stay on board…..

* We need more sailing time, toilet didn’t always work so well, Amazing trip, would like to do a longer trip.

* Fabulous, thanks for making me feel so welcome to join in or to try anything – climbing masts, setting sails, diving off the bow… never once did I feel in the way, you guys are great and easy going teachers!! Day trips were great, especially Paraty and climbing up river to waterfall. Bunks were very cozy and comfortable, A changing area would be good. Food – Amazing, Rosana is a genius, I would really like to give her, and the crew who assisted with my gluten allergy an extra special thanks. I hope some day I can do this again..

* Speachless!!!!

19 – 24 February

* Great Trip – No Complaints.

* Great Time, beautiful boat, food was wonderful. I loved learning a little bit about sailing, using ropes,. I also enjoyed getting off the boat with the crew – guides, could use a little more explanation about the difficulty of the hikes. The crew was great helping to figure out things in the villages, Some fans in the beds would be nice.

* I enjoyed the trip onboard. I got to experience navigating, steering, going up the mast, raising and lowing of the sails. I enjoyed sailing by night. The crew were helpful with questions about the boat, sailing and local geography. The complaint I have is about the warm conditions in the sleeping area. Fans would be nice. I did not like getting stung by jelly fish. I also enjoyed the glowing plankton. Overall a great trip. The food was excellent.

* Beautiful Trip! Very Relaxing with incredible scenery around,. Even the rain was beautiful and made for adventure. The crew of the ship were amazing, friendly, fun and very knowledgeable - and the food was delicious as well. And of course the boat is exquisite. I really enjoyed working with the crew to raise the sails and to sail the Tocorimé. When the engine is off, the sail raised and the Tocorimé moving through the water – there is nothing better. The Peace, the quiet, the millions of stars overhead at night. I wish I could have spent another week onboard!

* Fantastic Journey! Fantastic Crew! Awesome Boat! It has been an amazing trip. Captain & Crew have been working very hard to sure everyone onboard is happy and safe. The cook are her cooking is wonderful! The Tocorimé is beautifully crafted. All of us enjoyed our stay and this journey. Thank You!

* Crew was very competent nice to work with. Day Tour trips lots of fun Great hikes. Cook was fantastic. Washrooms could be bigger, Bunks are too hot no ventilation. Nice Variety of Meals. Fun to help with the setting of the sails. I had a great time.

25 February – 03 March

* Trip was fantastic, boat was amazing and the crew was great. Positives; hiking, food, sailing, beautiful scenery, Carnival. Things which could be better; shorter sailing the first day, at least one scuba destination, better sleeping quarters (fans). I will recommend this to friends who have an outgoing spirit and who are willing to sacrifice a little comfort for beauty.

* This will be the highlight of my travels. The crew are all easy to get along with, understanding and helpful. They never tire of answering questions. The Tocorimé is beautiful and a joy to be n. The only discomfort is the heat in the bunks – an understandable problem. The crew went out of there way for the guests and the food was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone.

* Overall the trip is very pleasant. The staff very helpful and kind, the chosen beaches are spectacular, the hiking trails are well guided and beautiful, and the food is just excellent. Could improve with: a small library, have some mattresses on deck for nap and suntans.

* I loved the trip and I am so glad we came. The Tocorimé in itself is amazing, especially knowing it’s history and is built in the Amazon. The crew was wonderful, professional and FUN. The boat was kept clean every day. All crew worked hard and kept us well informed. The food aaahhh the food it was the best. I have no complaints but a suggestion for GAP – I think the sleeping arrangements need a bit more detail (in the dossier). Thanks to the crew we will miss you and the Tocorimé.

05 – 11 March

* Everything was great

* Good: Sailing Paraty to Rio, visiting Blue Lagoon and Abraão, Hikes, visiting Lopes Mendes Beach, swimming in fantastic places, ships crew. Improvements could be made; ships berths, washrooms, drying area for towels. The concept is good and better with improvements.

* Had a great time. Trip met my expectations but could have had better hiking. Great Crew.!!

* The places visited were wonderful, small villages, a memory for always, but the important thing was that it was a safe and comfortable. Bathrooms could be cleaner, beds better, ventilation, the schedule for the hiking not so difficult. Adventure should be safe and comfortable. I really enjoyed the trip. The concept of going to off-the beaten-path, being the only people on islands with no signs of civilization are really awesome, the concept of getting to know the fellow passengers and crew. The cooking was terrific. I liked being able to get involved in the crews activities. I would have like more activities and tougher hikes – like the last waterfall hike, from the GAP literature it was what I was expecting. I will remember this trip for a long time. Thank you for a wonderful experience. I hope to do it again.

* Has been the best organized trip that I have even been on. All the crew were fantastic the places were great and I loved that everything was off the beaten track. (I felt very pampered) The unique selling point of this is the Tocorimé it has sooo much character and being the only Tall Ship in Brazil, this should be stressed in the marketing.

* We greatly enjoyed our “adventure” with the Tocorimé and its wonderful crew. The highlights: the people, the crew in particular were a joy…. Always willing to be of assistance. Always cheerful and helpful. The Tocorimé – a truly unique vessel with a very special history, this could be used for as an advantage for future promotions. The Brazilian Islands and villages, the beaches, hikes, exceeded our expectations. Point which could be improved : the sleeping arrangements are to hot. Had there been more passengers this would be a problem. As an overall comment, I greatly enjoyed the experience and would like to know of future voyages.

* Overall this was a fantastic experience that exceeded my expectations and will be a livelong memory! I will also recommend it to my friends. Some aspects could be improved. Crew; the people who made the trip extraordinary, more than friendly wanting to share their own love for adventure, they were competent and I felt safe and well cared for. Living accommodations; bathrooms and berths need attention, in particular the ventilation for sleeping. I loved the way the common areas were laid out.  The positive aspects of the trip far outweigh the challenges. Food – very good indeed, perhaps some more fruit. Islands and Itinerary – Incredible the swimming to private beaches the bar-be-que, al was perfect. I will close the comment with this special ship “Tocorimé” Markus and other who imagined what could be possible and then made it happen, remind me to continue to think creatively and to make the world a better place.