SC Johnson, Carnaúba Oil and Me!

Our first stop south of the equator was in Fortaleza, Brasil. It was a hot sunny day ... imagine that ... 88 degrees and 81% humidity. It began with a bit of chaos as it took almost two hours for the port authorities to release us from the ship for our excursion. Once underway we traveled through town on our way to Morro Beach. What a cacophony of sights - from a highrise skylight that mimicked New York city to the shanties housing a population of 2 and a half million people. Fortaleza is the fifth largest city in Brazil. (And supposedly one of the most crime-ridden in the world.) [See: https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/Fortaleza]

Imagine my surprise when I realized the indirect connection between Fortaleza and our "previous hometown." The tie involves a palm tree, the "Carnauba," and a company that I was employed by in Racine, Wisconsin, S.C. Johnson. I worked for them as a personal trainer (in a previous lifetime!). The leaves from the carnaúba palm are the source of the world’s hardest wax, the key ingredient for nearly every SC Johnson product back in 1935. Demand for SC Johnson products was growing rapidly. If the company was going to survive, they would need a steady supply of the palm oil.

As the company's historical website tells it, H.F. Johnson set off from Milwaukee Airport in a small, amphibian airplane. The Sikorsky S-38 was known to be the safest aircraft of the time since it was a twin-engine plane but could maintain itself on only one engine if needed. Here's the route which they covered -15,550 miles over Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Virgin Islands, Antigua, St. Lucia, Trinidad, British Guiana, Dutch Guiana and French Guiana, and then Para, Maranhaa, Amarracao, Camocin and finally Fortaleza, Brazil, and back. The total air time was 168 hours, and the plane traveled at an average speed of 96 miles per hour.

Anyhow, once at Morro Beach we located a spot to sit under an umbrella with a gentle breeze to keep us relatively cool. We happened to be near our new-found friends (they sit next to us each night at dinner - Juergen, Julia, Max & Anna - from Austria, living in Switzerland). Those of you who know Jeff, aka AquaMan, are likely not surprised that he had a great time in the ocean showing Max how he "body surfs" the waves. We were also entertained by the parasailor, although we both said any person taking that ride must have a death wish. A Jellyfish washed up on shore and was a fascination, especially for the children - such a pretty specimen (But I was warned by Max & Anna "Don't touch!")

A part of the tour included a walk along the sand dunes and view of cliffs and caves that the beach and area are so well known for. We opted to stay out of the blazing sun (Dr. Cobb, my dermatologist would be happy!) But I did get photos [posted by a fellow traveler, Jason Burke].

I've often heard "It's a small world" and today was just yet another example: SC Johnson, Racine, Wisconsin - Fortaleza, Brazil and I have connections to both!!!