Leaving Santa Marta, Columbia

I felt like a flapjack in a skillet last night. No idea what kind of storm we were in, but more bottles and drawers were flying open and the rumor is someone was knocked out of bed. I can believe it. Needless to say we (hope to) sleep well tonight.

We did a tour to a church, much related to Simon Bolivar the great liberator (who died of syphilis at 47), a botanical garden (maybe 3 flowers there?) a gold museum, and an outdoor folkloric show (we were told it was indoors!)

The sun was very hot and it was humid and sticky. Temps close to 90. Since it was Sunday, there wasn’t much going on. As usual, we are the only ship in port.

Our tour guide, Hugo, looked very indigenous but had excellent English and was very thoughtful and pleasant. He seemed delighted that I was practicing my (very limited Spanish). I love it when they let me practice and correct it when I’m not quite right.

We are all weary under hot and humid conditions. It seems to get more difficult with each passing year.

Lunch

We had a quick lunch in the buffet, always a little treacherous given all the temptations. Then I downloaded photos and kept trying to download and upload files with minimal success.

Shower

Oh what a miracle. I felt so much better yet still drained.

Tonight’s entertainment

A very good comedian just making observations on the lives of all of us. What a way to look at life. I could never be that clever.

Panama Canal

The best info we have is that the ship will start through around 7 am Mountain time zone for you in the US. Just as in the Suez passage, we must join a queue and wait our turn.

50s rock and roll party on the upper deck tonight. They’ll have to do it without us.

Santa Marta Columbia tomorrow

The sun rises earlier now.

Got to the destination talk

On a tender port in Nicaragua. Our next port, tomorrow, is Santa Marta Columbia. Since it is a Sunday, there won’t be muchgoing on. Next big event is transiting the Panama Canal.

Trivia: really pathetic today. But we had lots of company in the basement.

Lunch

Met some folks who know one of our UCLA friends of many decades. What a small world it is.

Wine tasting

With Frances and Ed who get a lot of the wine because I don’t like red wines and I pass the tastes on to them. But they did have one of my favorites: Asti Spumonti and a very mild chardonnay that wasn’t acrid as they usually are. And I like the candied ginger and cheese cubes they give you to nibble on in between.

Triva: pathetic again.

Dinner

I had discovered that it is possible to put your initials on the file name for all of the photos you take so I was busy annoying the folks in the photo dept. to help me figure out how to do this. They all know it is done on this camera too but can’t recall how to do it. For another time

It is getting hot and humid outside and the areas near the windows reflect this too so Frances and I are perpetually fanning ourselves.

Starlight

The big production show. We have the original dancers and singers back and they are very good but we all really miss the ones that were here for most of the world cruise. We had grown so fond of them.

On the way out: Basil was at the door. This guy never stays still for a moment. He’s always moving. So I went back and asked him if he also had restless legs syndrome. He said no it was just that he was born feet first. I told him my sister was born butt first so I wonder what that means. We were all howling at this image.

Yeah! We get another hour back tonight.

Everyone is making posters for the Panama Canal. We have the poster and some of the makings but haven’t started ours yet. We are however, collecting all the goodies to decorate it.

Panama Canal

There is a ship’s web cam and a Panama Canal web cam. The photographers and videographer get off the ship and follow us through the canal from shore side taking shots. So we flash the posters for them and the web cam viewers.

Ed’s birthday is coming up and after it’s over (because it is almost impossible to keep secrets from him.)  I’ll let you in on all the behind the scenes tales.

Goodbye Aruba

Slept in late

But the sea spray has been as high as the bridge on the deck above us so all of our window glass is obliterated with sea salt.

Arlene damage

We were told that the astro turf on Deck 11 where the putting green is was totally ripped off as we skirted this tropical storm.  I can believe it.

New staff on board

We picked up many new staff in Ft. Lauderdale and so some of the old timers are staying on until Aruba. We will have a new captain from now on as an example.

Trivia: we seem to be jinxed that when we lose, it is by one point. Sshhh

Noon on shore

It is hot and humid here and the horizon is hazy thus no panoramas this time.

We walked around the little area near the ship, wound up at Starbucks where we had a coke and used the internet. I needed the break. I am doing much better but still not 100%. Eventually we took the little free trolley around town which moves at a pace slower than walking. Still we did add a few places we had not yet gotten to in our search for a pharmacy and a tuxedo T-shirt for Ed. Two guys on the ship have them and Ed is intrigued by them. We found a different kind of tuxedo shirt but I was relieved when Ed didn’t buy it as it looked like something a Mafioso would wear. He did buy a $5 tchotskey though. I found a purple one size fits all bikini top for red hat events and a pair of very forgiving pants both at bargain prices.

Weather in the high 80s with terrific winds which I appreciated as it is cooling but makes a mess out of your hair and speaking of which, this is frizzy hair weather. Spanish, English and Creole are spoken here. But quite frankly there’s not much to do here unless you scuba or want to fry on the beach.

Medications

I bought an over the counter drug in Aruba and it also had Braille dots on it. Is this something I just haven’t encountered in the US?

Curfew

It was nice not to feel rushed today as the ship leaves after 7:30 pm. We had done a tour last time we were here and saw no need to repeat it.

Dinner

It was open seating so some folks at a table adjacent to our usual one invited us to join them. All delightful people. I sat next to a man from Homa La and we had a grand time talking about not much of anything except La politics. One fellow, an accountant rather shocked me with his open talk of taking illegal deductions that taxpayers wanted to take but which he knew weren’t legal. We all know it goes on, but to be so open about it was quite brazen I think.

We had a good time discussing various movies and instead of entertainment tonight, they are showing the movie Split. We are watching the ship leave as it sails away at 8 pm, rather late for us. The wind is fierce outside and the lines have been numerous and very snug today.

Listening to the engines rev up and the motors for the ropes begin, I was thinking this is a part of what I will miss when I go home. It is annoying when you can’t sleep through it but it is a part of the total experience.

New carpeting

The ship goes into drydock in late May but there are some workers on board already. We are seeing new carpeting in the most unexpected places at odd times. However, we have never seen anyone installing it. Do they do it quietly at night when all are asleep?

Sea day

Tomorrow. I still enjoy them. For some reasons I think I have enjoyed this world cruise, at least the last few weeks of it, far more than previous ones. Not sure what that is about.

Aruba tomorrow

Maybe a little better

Still I ordered room service (oatmeal) and took the ant nausea drug. My balance is better but I still require something to hang on to.

Destination lecture

Yesterday’s lecture was on the TV and I’m more hopeful about Aruba. I was very underimpressed last time.

Weather

Varies. We have had rain. There is a storm in the Caribbean so the ship’s motion varies from calm to “hang on”. The nurse said 50 new crew who came on in Ft. Lauderdale, are havng seas sickness. They’ll get their sea legs soon enough.

Trivia

OMG! We were stunned! With a score of 12, we tied with another team. The person calling it decided to give us all prizes (it seems they brought some new ones on board in Ft. Lauderdale). So we both got a neck holder for passport, cell phone, pens and such. I had wanted one to compare with our previous supply.

Our team has our usual 4 for the morning including now one man probably 90 travellingwith his son who is so cute, and a guy who’s whole team left in Ft. Lauderdale. As usual we had some correct answers we didn’t choose. And lots of guesses which panned out. Some questions were ones we recognized from previous quizzes but to recall the correct answer is a challenge. We need a younger person desperately as many music questions are “Idunno!” type for us.

Lunch

Told Ed I didn’t want to share a table (he loves tor regale people with his many tales and brilliance). Had brought along doggie bags in case I had a problem: no trash cans in the dining room. The albondigas soup was marvelous and then I ordered a vegetarian dish with bell peppers and rice. I was OK with about half of it as I wasn’t going to overdue it. Decided I’d just take these drugs through tomorrow.

Trivia: we were no threat to anone. Lots of aussie questions

Formal portraits.

Gave flowers to others to use.

Farewell party

For the captain who is leaving and introducing the staff to the new folks who came on board in ft. Lauderdale. The Atrium is a good space for this. The visuals are so dramatic for this lovely boutique ship.

The Perfect Gentlemen

A 4 part group with good voices and a clever style. Not sure I’d recommend them but they did keep you guessing about how they are doing something.

Aruba day after tomorrow

Oh boy

I woke up really reeling but eventually made it to the shower with Ed’s help. I decided I should at least try to take last night’s meds and do the toothbrush thing. I also ate a banana thinking it was a good choice (BRAT diet anyone?).

Well it wasn’t long before I asked for the full trash basket and when I got done there was nothing left in my stomach. This time I told Ed to call the medical clinic but there was no way I could get down there.

Leo the visiting nurse

Nice British chap. I had some pretty good (and expensive: given to me during my last hospitalization) antiemetic which I had also upchucked as I clearly waited too long to take it. He did a nice assessment and we agreed it probably wasn’t gastrointestinal but we had no idea what it was.

The biohazard crew

Before Leo left they arrived and sterilized everything. I had been concerned about the barf bucket as it had solid matter in it before I made an emesis basin out of it and I didn’t want our cabin steward to have to deal with it. No worries: this team has it under control. They changed all the linens and left the cabin in sparkling order.

I sipped a diet Coke over about 2 hrs after the antiemetic was safely on board. Then Ed returned (I insisted he go to trivia: can’t let the team down) and we ordered room service: split pea soup and English muffin for me and a salad for Ed (which he later supplemented with more from the Buffet). About an hour later it was clear I couldn’t have anymore. I got horizontal and we watched most of “Into the Woods”. We had seen the play but never the movie.

I took another pill when it was time, and went to bed to see if I could sleep. I plugged into my audio Economist and never slept but it was good for me.

Reliable Leo

Called just before 4 to see how I was doing and so we could continue to guess what is going on. I brought him up to date and said if it wasn’t better in the morning, I would go to the clinic via their wheelchair for a personal visit. Ha.

In the meantime a beautiful sunny day has turned blustery and gray. Still I love being on the sea and have no complaints.

Ed went down to supper and I stayed in with room service. Didn’t eat much but I’m concerned about getting dehydrated.

Watched some travel logs about places in the Caribbean and then the Jody Foster version of the King and I which I couldn’t believe we had never seen.

Tomorrow had better be an improvement.

Back in the USA

No rest for the wicked

The ship’s noises began long before 5:30 am and we knew there would be no respite after that. We were alongside in Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale well before the 7am berthing.

Immigration

God Bless the USA but this was not a pleasant experience. There was the expected sniffer dog, a black German Shepherd, who cleared every part of Ed and I (use your imagination). But the delays were what was discouraging. I felt especially bad for the crew, who had to be back on board by 12 noon (as new passengers were coming on) as they had a rougher time than we did: over 2 hours! Usually they have a separate line in most countries as their process is different than ours.

On our way.

So finally we were out of the port and following along the ant trail of other passengers seeking Walgreen, Post Office and such. We picked up a few supplies in Walgreens and I asked the clerk if there was a place nearby that did hair cuts and pedicures (both of which we desperately needed not ha ving had them done since Singapore around 2 mos ago. We directed us down the street about 2 blocks.

Success!

We saw a place that said “Nails and Blow’ So we gave it a try. Both Ed and I had pedicures and hair cuts and the prices were very reasonable and the outcomes were well done.

We had originally planned to go to the Galleria Mall but since it was already noon and there were a number of stores around, we decsided to walk around here where we saw some other passengers. One couple probably older than we are, she very short and chubby with a suggestion of an Irish brogue, and he tall skinny, very nice looking, were sitting on the side and asked us about our hair cuts (after all this time it is obvious when folks got one). She told us they found a super cuts (this was what I had originally thought we might find) and was very happy with her cut. She only pays $12 at home but super cuts was slightly more. The gentleman, who seems always to be on his Kindle, swiped his hand slowly over his temples and decleared that he was back to James Bond again. It was so sweet and cute.

We found an Office Depot and got a few things we had left at home, the a dollar store (just because) and dropped into the ross which is the destination of almost all of the crew. Then we found Panera and had lunch there and used their internet.

Connectivity

One of the hardest parts about sailing is the deficit of internet. While getting beautified, we tapped into the Starbucks free wifi, and then at Panera and we (at least I did)got all my apps downloaded and other miscellaneous things accomplished such as medical appointments and callilng the kids. It is amazing how much better you feel when these are accomplished.

Back to the ship

We had a 3:15 onboard and did some last minute wifi in the terminal and then immediately had a life jacket drill. We decided to walk around the ship and stay upstairs for the sailaway party which wasn’t much to talk about. However, we got to chatting with a couple from Torrance and the time passed quickly. The ship blows the horn as we exit the channel and many of the folks who live along the sides hoop and cheer and wave. It is great fun.

Trivia: no one showed up and then we discovered it wasn’t on the list. See how well trained we are?

Dinner

I had begun to be aware of some vertigo but figured it would go away. Had a great meal. But when we went to the show I found myself getting more wobbly. I wasn’t sure I could make it back to the cabin. It was like really rough seas except the ship was still in pretty quiet waters.

Ed came up pretty shortly and eventually I was able to go to sleep hoping it would go away. No brushing of teeth or anything, just stay horizontal.

tomorrow Ft. Lauderdale

An angry sea

Awakened us this morning but over the day it calmned down and it is actually warm outside now; probably in the 80s with good brisk winds. The black gloomy sea of the morning is now a Dresden blue and gorgeous.

Atosha Spanish Treasure

This Spanish galleon was discovered by Mel Fisher in the sea off they Keys of florida along with a sister ship. The amount of “booty” found in those wrecks is amazing and has I’m sure made him a wealthy man. The State of florida wanted to seize it all but the case went all the way to the Supreme court and the decision was in faver of Fisher.

We Won!

At trivia. 5 teams tied and all five answered the first tie breaker correctly but we prevailed on the deciding one. So we have more post cards of the ship with memorial pins. We were only 5 again so we especially felt good.

Lunch

OMG I sat next to a woman who complained all the way through the meal. I could not wait to get away from the table. From critiquing the food to the service to anything she could think of.

Afternoon trivia

Still fun but we weren’t any threat to anyone.

Dinner

Was the traditional farewell parade of the chefs and waiters with the Baked Alaska.

Farewell cocktail party

In the atrium. The Captain is leaving the ship and we are getting a new Captain. Many crew and passengers are leaving too: only 120 passengers are remaining to LA so it means a great deal of work tomorrow for the room stewards to turn over the rooms.

Entertainment                                                               

I just didn’t have the energy. The pianist of the other evening practices on the piano in the casino bar and it is marvelous to hear his talent.

Immigration tomorrow

It seems funny but we have to go through customs. So the booze that we have now is OK and we’ll be able to bring a new supply into LA. We are such drinkers you know though I think Ed and Frances are going to drink their way through the Caribbean rum drinks.

One more day to Port Everglades: Fort Luaderdale, Fla.

Ooops I slept in

So I barely made it to services and I had a hard time focusing in the remarks and the service. But I was there!

Women pirates

This was a good one with much lore about Mary Read and Anne Bonney. I went to get something and ran into a sale I could not refuse and got two tops I’ll wear a lot and the prices were a real bargain.

Trivia

OMG we WON! It wasn’t an easy trivia. I think our score was 17 but we weren’t hopeful. I”ll spare you a re run of the questions. Our “prize” was a Pacific Princess post card with a memorial pin attached. It says these sell in the gift shop for $5.95. I don’t see how and some folks have talked of taking it back and asking for a trade for something of equal value. So far, no one has had the cheek to do that. Ha.

Welcome to America brunch

Oscar was dressed as Uncle Sam and all the wait staff were in variations of Red White and blue. The food was very good and included hot dogs and hamburgers in the corner.

Choir farewell concert

It really is quite amazing what David Crathorne is able to forge out of this group of strangers and varyng talents.

Formal night

We got into our glad rags: Ed looking like James Bond, me in my green sequined top which, if I had auctioned it off, probably would have paid for the cruise given the number of compliments it engendered. This ws not spoiled by the fact that I put on a red and a black shoe not realizing I didn’t have a pair. I soldiered on convinced that no one would notice while discretely pointing it out to trusted folks. The photographer assured me it wouldn’t show in the photos.

Special dinner

Dr. chuck invited 10 of us for a small gathering and to get to know different of his new found friends, and some old ones (ed and I and another couple) from previous cruises. It was nicely done in a quiet area of a little known area of the ship.

Tonight’s show

Again the dancers and singers gave us a marvelous show with high lifts and amazing athleticism. We will miss them for so many reasons; I’ve grown quite fond of these kids and feel as if we are almost family. They are off to a larger ship where they will not have as much interaction with the passengers. Quite a different experience. However, they are due to return for next year’s around the world cruise.

Leaving Bermuda

Hamilton Bermuda

We finally got a good night’s sleep last night and the ship is much calmer now. We had activities in the morning and then sailed into reef laden waters around Hamilton, site of many ship wrecks over the centuries.

White elephant sale

Folks brought things they wanted to get rid of and boy you saw everything here. One woman had crocheted many blankets on ship and was selling them. Another had several bottles of wine (bar set up rejects?) and she got rid of them. One couple had some weird hats they had accumulated at various ports and other odds and ends. They were different in that they were giving them away to anyone who would make a donation to the ship’s charity. One lady had zip lock bags with small toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other amenities. Where she got them etc. is anyone’s guess. A lady was selling ½ bottle of nail polish remover. You read that correctly. Another woman (do you get the picture that the guys stood around and watched while the ladies did the work?) hooked her clothing on the security bars over the AV room; merchandising just like you see in the ports we’ve visited. Another lady had some nice Calvin Kline stuff she was selling for $3 to $5. I sold a peacock feather fan I had pondered in Mumbai for the same price I paid originally. The guy wanted a matching pair. Ed pulled back the baseball cap (something he NEVER wears) from the USS Iowa and wouldn’t let me sell it. My dress that doesn’t look as good on me as on the rack, did not sell. Two problems: most of the ladies are not my size and even then the style is rather youngish. Further, our shapes don’t look good in all garments. I wasn’t willing to cut the price too much as I know someone who may enjoy it.

One lady was selling the amenities we (who are elite) get from the spa. I thought this was pretty tacky along with the lady selling the chocolates we get on our pillows at night and the one selling 4 Cokes from her minibar.  I’ll bet the crew had a lot to discuss about the passengers this evening!

Just Sam and I for trivia this am. The Boat Building competition was going on too. Those boats are a riot and so much time, energy and work goes into making them. They have to be able to hold a 6 pack of beer without sinking. The entry that won had a lot of money put into it and there was some pandering that went on. Kind’ve disappointing in a way.

Lunch

In our cabin with Frances and Randy so we could watch the sail in. It’s amazing how little leeway there is for the ship and the shore! I don’t think a larger ship could do it safely. You can almost touch the shore on each side. Eventually we berthed right in the middle of town. I’m not exaggerating. You stepped off the gangway and it was about 10 steps to the busy street that is their main drag.

Drive around to St. George’s the old town

We found a driver and negotiated a price and Frances and Randy, Ed and I were off with a nice older local man named Del. We spent a few minutes exploring the original and first Anglican church in America. The ceiling is like an upside down ship bottom. Then an old wooden ship called Discovery; I must get it’s story some time.

When we returned we checked out the stores along the main street. They were all high priced and so we just looked. But we went into a liquor store so Frances and Ed (they are now drinking buddies while Randy and I roll our eyes) could buy the local drink called Dark Storm made out of ginger beer and rum. Ed snuck the 4 cans on board and they both declared it really good and a concoction they’ll make at home.

We dashed back for dinner and the slow sail away where I spent the whole time trying to download some stuff to listen to.

Connectivity

It is odd that on the way in I could not get a signal. Neither could Ed. Then I got one on my iPad (the one that is the weaker of my two devices) and eventually on my iPhone. Ed’s wasn’t working hardly at all. On the way out, I had good strong signals in both devices but they would switch the power of the signal at times. Now why would that be? They are both the same kind with the same connections?

Geography Trivia

I called Frances and Randy to see if they wanted to go for this. They were already in their “jammies” I was glad that decision was made for me. I did my usual every other day routine of washing out my sleeves and then the usual nighttime rituals that seem to entail more and more minutiae as we age.

We now have two days at sea before Ft. Lauderdale, sailing along the side of the Bermuda triangle. The ship’s photo today has the Bermuda triangle. I thought that was clever. They really try hard to make things special for us.

Hamilton Bermuda tomorrow

A very rocky day

Though it did improve somewhat as the day went on. Tropical storm Arlene meant no one got any sleep last night. The booms as the ship splats into the ocean and the roar of the wind, coupled with the shakes and rattles which catapult one towards the ceiling with regularity. It is impossible to walk easily and if this were to be the majority of the cruise, the ship would be empty.

Not much happened except for the crew talent show which is always fun. The Pillipinos are always singing and some are very good musicians. I was delighted to see SRO in the Lounge as the passengers came out to cheer on these folks who devote so much energy to making our lives fun. It all ended with the classic “If I were not upon the sea, a ____ I would be.” I’ve seen it numerous times and it is always a hoot. I’d have felt cheated if they hadn’t done it on thiscruise.

Whee (I think)

Glasses clanking against each other…

Doors slamming, drawers swinging in and out…and we just had a lecture on Blackbeard and his ghost.

But it was just the seas. In excess of 15 ft waves, 40 knot wind, and this ship was giving us a free test of our balance and quick reflexes. The Captain came on in our cabins (this is highly unusual) at 7am and explained that we were altering our course because of the weather but that this kind of weather would continue for most of the day. What afun: what a challenge.

Bermuda

The lecture on this area was much more interesting and enlightening that I anticipated. We already have a tour booked and I think it will be more interesting now.

Blackbeard

This pirate (he would say privateer) ruled the Caribbean and his men and captives ruthlessly. His treasure is buried somewhere and still has not been found. He as married 14 times (no info on divorces) and so his progeny are many.

Trivia

Really tough! We were elated to get 11!

Lunch

In the buffet with some folks from Iowa who run a farm and haven’t watched TV in 20 yrs. But they read papers and use the internet. The other couple are newyorkers who now live in florida for 35 yrs.

Everyone is hanging for dear life and we look out for each other to prevent falls or embarrassing encounters as the ship sways from side to side.

Later in the day: Captain warned us because he is having to adjust the trajectory of the ship to keep us on course for Hamilton Bermuda. I expect this ship to take flight at any moment. Either that or tip so much it can’t right itself and it sinks. Barf bags are everywhere. So many activities had to be cancelled or changed. We are all grateful for that but the motion of the ship and the weather impacts everyone’s enthusiasm for doing anything. Even goofy golf was cancelled! (but not trivia).

So we decided not to go to the show tonight. On a good note, they have apparently changed the satellite we are using for internet access and it is much better than we’ve had in a long while. Ed defaulted to his TV (no surprise here) and I to my book on Pope Francis (I finished two Isabell Allende novels previously.)

There won’t be much sleep tonight with all the noise and the pitching. And the Captain said we had gone around th storm. I can’t imagine what it would have been like IN the storm. And I can’t imagine how those pirates and others managedsuch storms. Just amazing.

whee (I think)

Glasses clanking against each other…

Doors slamming, drawers swinging in and out…and we just had a lecture on Blackbeard and his ghost.

But it was just the seas. In excess of 15 ft waves, 40 knot wind, and this ship was giving us a free test of our balance and quick reflexes. The Captain came on in our cabins (this is highly unusual) at 7am and explained that we were altering our course because of the weather but that this kind of weather would continue for most of the day. What afun: what a challenge.

Bermuda

The lecture on this area was much more interesting and enlightening that I anticipated. We already have a tour booked and I think it will be more interesting now.

Blackbeard

This pirate (he would say privateer) ruled the Caribbean and his men and captives ruthlessly. His treasure is buried somewhere and still has not been found. He as married 14 times (no info on divorces) and so his progeny are many.

Trivia

Really tough! We were elated to get 11!

Lunch

In the buffet with some folks from Iowa who run a farm and haven’t watched TV in 20 yrs. But they read papers and use the internet. The other couple are newyorkers who now live in florida for 35 yrs.

Everyone is hanging for dear life and we look out for each other to prevent falls or embarrassing encounters as the ship sways from side to side.

Later in the day: Captain warned us because he is having to adjust the trajectory of the ship to keep us on course for Hamilton Bermuda. I expect this ship to take flight at any moment. Either that or tip so much it can’t right itself and it sinks. Barf bags are everywhere. So many activities had to be cancelled or changed. We are all grateful for that but the motion of the ship and the weather impacts everyone’s enthusiasm for doing anything. Even goofy golf was cancelled! (but not trivia).

So we decided not to go to the show tonight. On a good note, they have apparently changed the satellite we are using for internet access and it is much better than we’ve had in a long while. Ed defaulted to his TV (no surprise here) and I to my book on Pope Francis (I finished two Isabell Allende novels previously.)

There won’t be much sleep tonight with all the noise and the pitching. And the Captain said we had gone around th storm. I can’t imagine what it would have been like IN the storm. And I can’t imagine how those pirates and others managedsuch storms. Just amazing.

we get another hour...again

Foggy morning

Lots of rocking in the night but smoother during the day. Wind brisk and absent much of the day. Temperature is warming up.

Captain Kidd

This was fun to learn about this hero/despot we often hear about. It’s possible he got a bad rap.

But the speaker started off showing outhouses of Alaska and some of them are a real how.

Trivia

Ramona, Craig, Sam and I did it! We won mugs that were for ports we didn’t make it to on this cruise. It wasn’t a give away trvia either.

Had a quick snack in the buffet and then put the DVD of Revenant on. Ed stuck with it; I went to listen to my magazines and books. Prepared my meds for the next few weeks. Had a few snack in the afternoon as I knew we weren’t going to dinner.

Captain’s private party

For those in suites. It is a nice smaller gathering with small delicious snacks. It gives you an opportunity to spend one on one time with the officers and crew. Many have their spouses on board and that is a big plus.

Saxophonist

I didn’t stick it out. Ed stayed longer than I did. He was OK but a single instrument of this type doesn’t hold much interest for me. I used to play (well I tried let’s put it that way) a baritone sax in high school.

There was an entertainment trivia this evening but I don’t know much about that area and I preferred to listen to my magazines to catch up.

somewhere on the rocky Atlantic

Time change

Well somehow I got it wrong. Woke up and got ready and headed down to cabaret Lounge for interview with some of the staff. The dancers were practicing some routines. I wasn’t the only one there but after many attempts to get onto the internet (no guarantee on a ship), it dawned on me something was wrong. I asked one of the crew members who told me the time and I was an hour earlier than my devices showed. Perhaps I turned the clocks the wrong way. However, the elevators still have the old time.

Have no problem with the time changes where we gain an hour. It gives me more leeway in the morning but some folks hate going east to west as they are awake at 2 am. Ed and I hate going west to east as you continually lose time. I guess it’s all about biology.

Breakfast

So I called Ed to tell him I’d meet him at Sabatini’s for breakfast, something I rarely do. On the way through the library, I met Sam and invited him to join us. We had a nice visit over breakfast.

Interview with staff

It is interesting to find out about the behind the scenes glitches that occur and which are seamless for those of us who are passengers. Such as the difficulty getting into port in Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, and the difficulties with Indian and Singapore clearing the ship.

Be careful what you say

Ramona and I have been chuckling about the “Santa Fe chili” which is made with chicken and white beans. Santa Fe Chili would be made with beef or pork and definitely not white beans. We thought no more o fit and it wasn’t a complaint.

Last night Ed and I got an apology from the chef with a plate of cookies. We had no idea what this was about. But we think it might have been the discussion about the Santa Fe chili so we discussed it with some of the culinary staff and explained that it wasn’t  complaint.  So we’ll be much more careful about what we say.

World Cruisers photo take two

This time they turned the ship around and I can’t imagine everyone who wanted to be in the photo was not in it. The photo manager again climbed high on the ship in a very precarious location and despite wind and a rocky ship in the seas, got several shots. Just wow.

Hidden Figures

This movie about the “computers” the brilliant black women who did the computations for the NASA launch of John Glenn was shown in the lounge. It is a movie worth seeing. Brought tears to my eyes.

Production show

Again they do a fantastic job with great singing and terrific dancing. Because the ship is pitching so much, they eliminated some of the lifts but I couldn’t tell where they were eliminated. They do such a good job.

70s music trivia

Randy and Frances invited us to join them. We were all complaining as it was all disco music. We were all in school or raising kids, not going to discos. Still we came in one point behind the winners. We were just amazed we did that well! I knew two of them because of my kids playing the music before they left for school each morning. Pretty much Frances knew all the rest.

We have been warned that we are going to have a lot of pitching and yawing of the ship. I was going down the hallway this evening and the ship pitched to one side. The room steward was cleaning a room and the door was open. I came close to flying right through that room and over the balcony.

no internet so catching up

Time change

Well somehow I got it wrong. Woke up and got ready and headed down to cabaret Lounge for interview with some of the staff. The dancers were practicing some routines. I wasn’t the only one there but after many attempts to get onto the internet (no guarantee on a ship), it dawned on me something was wrong. I asked one of the crew members who told me the time and I was an hour earlier than my devices showed. Perhaps I turned the clocks the wrong way. However, the elevators still have the old time.

Have no problem with the time changes where we gain an hour. It gives me more leeway in the morning but some folks hate going east to west as they are awake at 2 am. Ed and I hate going west to east as you continually lose time. I guess it’s all about biology.

Breakfast

So I called Ed to tell him I’d meet him at Sabatini’s for breakfast, something I rarely do. On the way through the library, I met Sam and invited him to join us. We had a nice visit over breakfast.

Interview with staff

It is interesting to find out about the behind the scenes glitches that occur and which are seamless for those of us who are passengers. Such as the difficulty getting into port in Ceuta, Spanish Morocco, and the difficulties with Indian and Singapore clearing the ship.

Be careful what you say

Ramona and I have been chuckling about the “Santa Fe chili” which is made with chicken and white beans. Santa Fe Chili would be made with beef or pork and definitely not white beans. We thought no more o fit and it wasn’t a complaint.

Last night Ed and I got an apology from the chef with a plate of cookies. We had no idea what this was about. But we think it might have been the discussion about the Santa Fe chili so we discussed it with some of the culinary staff and explained that it wasn’t  complaint.  So we’ll be much more careful about what we say.

World Cruisers photo take two

This time they turned the ship around and I can’t imagine everyone who wanted to be in the photo was not in it. The photo manager again climbed high on the ship in a very precarious location and despite wind and a rocky ship in the seas, got several shots. Just wow.

Hidden Figures

This movie about the “computers” the brilliant black women who did the computations for the NASA launch of John Glenn was shown in the lounge. It is a movie worth seeing. Brought tears to my eyes.

Production show

Again they do a fantastic job with great singing and terrific dancing. Because the ship is pitching so much, they eliminated some of the lifts but I couldn’t tell where they were eliminated. They do such a good job.

70s music trivia

Randy and Frances invited us to join them. We were all complaining as it was all disco music. We were all in school or raising kids, not going to discos. Still we came in one point behind the winners. We were just amazed we did that well! I knew two of them because of my kids playing the music before they left for school each morning. Pretty much Frances knew all the rest.

We have been warned that we are going to have a lot of pitching and yawing of the ship. I was going down the hallway this evening and the ship pitched to one side. The room steward was cleaning a room and the door was open. I came close to flying right through that room and over the balcony.

Goodbye Portugal

Goodbye Lisa!

We did a nature tour this morning which was the most popular on the ship. Our guide was a very good English speaker with many American colloquialisms but he is Portuguese. We saw many gorgeous beaches and unbelievable rock formations with some crazy mountain climbers on top of these spires. But all is so gorgeous.

Portugal is noted for its streets with rock designs in them. We did a walk through the old town of Portomao and wandered through some of the shops enjoying the local crafts, many of which are only painted in blue, and the others are very colorful and redolent of bright Mexican colors.

We ran back to catch a a quick lunch and get Lisa off the ship to a waiting taxi to the airport one hour’s drive away. The only option we could identify with the ship’s help as well, was a chancey “find a taxi and be sure they speak English, establish the price in advance, and if they aren’t outside the port gate, take the shuttle into town and pick one up there.” That seemed to be everyone’s option. Then while we were on the first stop of our tour this am, I saw a sign outside a storefront that said: Airport transfers and so I grabbed Ed and we went in. the wonderful lady inside (she left me use the restroom too) called and made the arrangements for Lisa to be picked up at the port gate at 2:30 pm. Ed paid for it and we got the ticket info.

One is still not sure about such arrangements in a foreign country but at 2:30 a nice man with reasonable English, wearing a suit and a name tag, was waiting. After clearing the ship, passport control, and their local version of customs, she was off. And it cost half as much as the first option was quoted. It hope it went off as smoothly as it looked on our end. We’ll wait to hear from Lisa.

We so enjoyed her stay with us. As one of the other passengers said: “She is a good soul.” I was also glad there were some folks near her age on board as well. So many people knew about her visit: passengers and staff. It really felt like a neighborhood.

We picked up a few odds and ends in the port terminal (only one shop; and a duty free on our side of border passage). Ed got some local port wine and Lisa had also gotten him a good bottle with the help of the tour guide while we were wandering around the plaza. We did try the WiFi in the terminal but couldn’t get on. Clearly it has a limited number of portals and we got tired of trying.

Trivia: no luck but if we hadn’t made a mistake in writing an answer down, we could have tied with another team. And we were only four.

Dinner

Back at our usual table. We were laughing until we had tears in our eyes as we began to share jokes and Oscar came by with his contributions. His accent and emphasis make them even funnier.

There was a sax player for the entertainment but we are both tired. Also, there was a lecture about Admiral Horatio Nelson that we had missed and it was on the TV so we watched that. Ed is now catching up on the political news from America.

Atlantic

The ship is now well out into the Atlantic and the wind is whipping around. The captain did warn us that the seas may be rough. So far I think the stabilizers must be very new on this ship, and improved, as the bucking and rolling of the ship are not as bad as on our previous voyages. That is not to say you don’t have to hold onto the rails and feel your way around the furniture on occasion.

What an exciting day

First off we woke up at 3:30 am due to the howling wind and never really slept well after that.

The ship made at least two approaches to the port and had to turn back due to wind and high seas. We were all on tenderhooks and finally the Captain got us to the berth, albeit 2 hrs late. We didn’t care. We were just glad he tried as usually they give it one go and then go on to the next port.

There might have been a good reason to keep at it: we have to refuel here for the 6 days across the Atlantic after Portomao Portugal tomorrow. And Portomao does not have the capacity to refuel us.

The staff is amazing. They had already announced activities for the day assuming we could not get into the port.

We were all delighted that we were able to do our tours even if they started late. The captain was also able to get a longer time at the pier so we could have the full tours we looked forward to.

Our tour

Was to Chefchawah (sounds like chef showah) a mountain town 2 hrs into Morocco from Cueta, Spanish Morocco where we were tied up.

We had the fun of crossing the border: Spanish first and then the one into Morocco. We surrendered our passports with immigration forms for coming and going and we were off with our Jebala clad guide: Muhammad (of course). He spoke excellent English and had a strong voice.

Morocco

Wasn’t was I expected. It is very mountainous, lush and green in most places. We kept climbing higher and higher. We saw donkeys, horses, lots of goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and lots of shepherds. You see more Islamic dress here than in the more recent places we’ve been. There are several quarries visible from the bus, probably for granite, limestone blocks and probably others as well. Phosphorous is their major mineral export; tourism is the 5^th contributor to their economy.

We passed through Teotoun, one of the other tours, and this city is the so called “white city” for the white wash on the buildings and homes.

While there is some trash here and there, almost exclusively plastic bags, for the most part this is a very clean countryside. After another hour we reached our destination.

Chefchawah, the blue city.

Obviously the spelling isn’t accurate but the pronunciation is pretty close. This is a lovely old city with mostly blue wash on the old houses. It makes for a wonderful lovely change. It is an ocean blue.

We trudged up and down hills on old weathered cobblestone streets (more like alleyways they were so narrow), so worn down over the years that they were slick and would have really been a threat with rain. The whole town is like a giant maze of a souk. You can get most everything here.

Lunch

Authentic Moroccan food with local musicians in a 3 story building; we wound up on the second floor crowded into nooks much like you see in the movie Casablanca. We had a sort of pita bread, though more hearty, with olive oil and a kind of vinegar. We had water to drink. Next came a kind of bean soup with perhaps small angle hair noodles in it. Soon a salad came made with fresh tomatoes and enough on the plate for each person at our table to have about 2 tablespoons of this really tasty salad. Next came a big communal dish with meet, carrots, potatoes and other unknowns. It was quite tasty. Finally a cookie kind of dessert that I couldn’t describe. Then we were off to explore more nooks and crannies of this very picturesque hillside community. There is a creek and small waterfall and if you look up between the tall walls as you snake through the cobblestones, you can see high craggy mountains.

There were lots of cats around but not so many dogs and they looked pretty mangy.

You don’t dare get separated from your guide or you’ll never find your way out. We saw many folks in colorful clothing including the jebala (I probably spelling and pronouncing it incorrectly. It is worn by both men and women, covers the whole body with a slit in the side seam for accessing your pockets, and a monk like hood. We passed many cute older people. A smile goes a long way in connecting with people. Some small children were selling something that looked like pizza crust with paprika dust on it.

Odd hats

As we drove up  ato this city, we saw many people in the fields wearing these strange little straw hats that are peaked and have colorful yarn balls on them. That’s all I know about them but there were being sold in the souk and at least one woman on our bus bought one. What she’ll do with it is anyone’s guess.

This was such a wonderful excursion and I learned so much more. I did buy two jebalas: one iridescent blue and one purple (red hats in mind). The blue is gorgeous but a little too snug for me as they are meant to be very loose so Lisa has that souvenir. The purple one is definitely big enough. I wasn’t planning on buying anything as it takes too much time, I hate haggling, I’m not good at estimating sizes, I hate haggling (a must here), BUT this cute little man with perfect English gave me bothfor $15 USD. I was stunned. The prettier one was $5 and the purple (not so pretty) was $10. My great find of the trip. I still feel guilty. He was concerned about the currency as he has not seen the new USD with the colors and strips. Eventually he did accept them.

We arrived back at the ship with 30 min to spare. There was some discussion about the time as the time was different in Morocco. So I used my limited Spanish to accost a Spanish policeman at the ship and ask him the time. It was indeed 7 pm as I had said.

Quiet supper

Quick bite at the buffet and sitting in the sun on the back of the ship.

Pick up photos from last night, download today’s photos to iPad, and PC and then load all of these onto an SD chip for Lisa to take back with her tomorrow.

Tomorrow is another busy day. We have a half day tour and then we put Lisa in a taxi to go one hour to Faro for her flight back to Norway. It has been great fun having her with us these few days and I hope escorting the parents has been as much fun for her.

tomorrow Cueta Spanish Morocco

Boy am I sleeping soundly! And the ocean is barely with any waves. The temperature is getting a little warmer and Lisa is living in the sun and sauna.

Port talk

On Portamao in Portugal. Lisa leaves us there and shore excursions and the destination speaker helped us by getting information on how she can get from this little port to the town of Faro where she takes the plane by to Norway. Later I asked the photographer if anyone on the ship speaks and writes Portuguese. I found this person and she cheerfully wrote a note to the taxi driver so we can be sure they understand where she is going and the price we believe the ride should be. The town is a one hour drive from our port. I am constantly amazed at the resources and resourcefulness of the people on this ship.

Tug of war

Between various departments of the ship. It was hilarious with the principal singer acting as cheerleader. Passengers were draped over the running track on deck 10 and there was a large crowd around the pool to witness this hilarious event.

Trivia

There were 5 of us and near the end Lisa showed up so she helped validate one answer and totally give us the answer to another question. Well, amazingly, we won! So we now have princess pens to add to our booty. The irony is two fold: I had said about midway that I had a good feeling about today’s trivia. And when Lisa came, she was looking for a pen as hers had stopped working. Do you believe in such things? In any event, the coincidence is funny.

Lunch on back of ship in the sun (Lisa’s choice) and Craig and Ramona joined us. Just fun conversation.

Back to room to complete immigration forms for Morocco tomorrow. We have to fill out two each: one for entry, one for exit; and they retain our passport at the border!

Ed and Lisa went to wine tasting as she has not had the experience and I am a waste with red wines.

Casual photos

We did these with Lisa. They are doing things like shouting, accepting a rose and such. I wanted to get as many pictures with her as I could before she left.

Show tonight

Is Gaucho dancing. I think we’ve already lost Lisa to resting. But I don’t want to miss this show even though I’d love to get into my PJs and listen to my book. Tomorrow is a long day: 2 hrs each way into Morocco and so I want to be ready for it.

at sea

Quiet day at sea

Usual routine for port presentation (Ceuta Spanish Morocco) and later a talk on Vasco da Gama and Magellan. And trivia: no cigar.

I took out some things from earlier ports for Lisa to see and take what she wanted.

Casual portraits

We did our silliness with the photographer and can’t wait to see the results.

Mentalist

Was the entertainment. I try to figure out what behind the scenes tools he uses to do what he does. I can figure out only a very tiny part but I don’t for one minute believe he reads minds.

50s party

We all went to see the fun and drink some way too sweet wine we got in one of the ports. It is fun to see how the staff makes sure everyone is having a good time and dancing if they wish.

Tomorrow is a sea day! Yeah

Busy day in Trapani Sicily

The sail in, again, was with little islands here and there. The harbor is a nice cozy little place and we were docked with little fan fare. Our tour left quickly to

A highlight tour of the city. Lots of statues of Garibaldi who saved the city in olden days. A tour of the Papi Museum with so many gorgeous and interesting things to see. Statues, miniatures, gorgeous oil paintings, church areas, vestments, church utensils made out of coral, and so much more too much to detail.

City walk

We winded our way through these ancient streets with their magnificent buildings. Eventually we encountered yet one more: ABC (another bloody church) and it was being decorated for Holy Week. So many people there working hard on these altars that men carry through the streets. Flowers everywhere. And again magnificent architecture, paintings, sculptures, and so much more.

Eventually we were let loose and we picked up some post cards so Lisa could catch up with friends and family. Ed bought a bottle of marsala wine and some other knick knacks and asked for a recommendation for a restaurant which was given.

Lunch search

So the restaurant was at the end farthest from where we were near the fish market. With Lisa in the lead (as Ed’s sense of direction abandons him more frequently these days and of course I don’t know directions.

We find this restaurant. It is too hot inside and outside has no covering from the blistering sun. So we sat in the shade and froze. The menu is all in Italian and the servers knew very little English. We reminded them that we should be speaking Italian. Lisa and I had Insalata Caprese which I loved with just ripe tomatoes, great fresh basil, olive oil and balsalmic vinegar and their version of mozzarella which was fine with me but not so much fun for Lisa (So I ate hers too). Ed had the catch of the day which he loved.

And we are off

In search of cannoli for which this area is known. So we saunter along the seaside where we find quasi sun bathers out on these craggy rocks but with pure clear water all around. Eventually we were back in the middle of the old part of the city and searching for cannaloni which no one had.

ABC

There was a church of San Lorenzo I wanted to see. All of these old churches seem to be so well kept up and since it is Holy Week, there are special preparations going on. Eventually we found a place with cannoli and Ed and I each ordered one. Lisa ordered de caf coffee.

Well this is not LA Cannoli! It was about 4 inches round, friend, and stuffed with a very rich, creamy ricotta cheese. We should have shared just one among the three of us. Lisa’s “decaf” (clearly a translation error here) was about 2 TBSP of something grainy that would grow hair on your chest accompanied by a small square of chocolate. Ed finished it for her.

Rumors

We had heard they were going to have a procession carrying an altar through the street. BUT no one really knew where this would start nor at precisely what time. So with Lisa leading the way to the church we thought was doing it, we encountered the musicians gathering and joined the other plastered up on the walls alongside the very narrow street.

Small children were dressed up in these cloaks with a design on them, rocking back and forth to the dirge coming from far away. When this procession moved, it crawled. Women were hanging out of windows watching this procession from on high.

It was great fun. Men dressed in black business suits followed the banners and the priest and two acolytes came by with the priest saying prayers in Latin (or Italian: same difference) through a bull horn. The length of the procession wasn’t very long but it was very slow.

The altar approached beautifully decorated with Easter lilies and carried by at least 12 (strong?) men. We are told this will go on all week. We felt very lucky to have encountered it.

Back to ship

Winding our way through the maritime building and the souvenir shops but we did pick up a few things from a nice lady who looked very Italian.

Sail away

Viewed from our dinner table. Lots of islands all around. Pilot boat made a clean sweep to take the pilot away and quickly we were in open seas again.

Entertainment

Lisa and I were tired but Ed went down to the singer who is today’s Judy Garland. Since I don’t especially like Judy Garland, I didn’t go but he came back with a glowing assessment and he’s also going to the second show. I’m still staying here…smile.

The men we see on these voyages

A side observation, especially in the Arabic and Mediterranean areas. You see the women carrying baskets with foodstuffs or those little rolling carts but otherwise they are not present on the street. Occasionally one with a child.

But the men: well what DO they do?? All we can recall is drinking coffee and talking with great gestures. Now and then you see a cop (male) and so forth but really: where are the working men?

Sicily tomorrow

Long interesting day

Sailing into Malta is a treat in view of old walls and buildings.

The seas were a little rough until we got near the harbor. We had full day walking down old lanes among ancient buildings with bus rides in-between. The city is Vallarta near the ship. It was in the 50s and the wind could really be full at times. We saw many public buildings and found out about Maltas political structure. Malta is a nation state and it’s role in history has been crucial because of its position as the portal between Africa and Europe.

As I write this I am too tired to recount all the details. I regret that but we have another tour tomorrow in Trapani Sicily.

We went around many cathedrals and churches but didn’t go in. there simply isn’t enough time.

We had lunch at a cozy restaurant in an upper room. We had red and white wine, local dishes: a very hearty vegetable soup, a beef dish that is like meatloaf with peas inside, other veggies and a hearty bread whose crust could break your teeth if you weren’t careful.

Mdina was an adjacent city we visited. It is higher on the island. In many places we were treated to samples of their local liquor; my favorite is the prickly pear.

But the highlight was the Mostra Dome. This incredibly beautiful old church (which is lovingly restored to look almost brand new) is prepared for Holy Week events and so it was even more special. It was bombed inWWII and the bombs didn’t detonate: 3 of them that landed directly into the dome and the church. Now if that isn’t a miracle! There is more to story but for another time.

Ed and I came back at 4:30 but Lisa continued into the town for more sightseeing as we did not leave until 7:30. We returned to our usual table and had many laughs.

Entertainment

Another fantastic production show with the amazing dancers and the two singers.

Trivia

Lisa was keen to do this and we called Sam to join us. Willie and his mom also joined us. I didn’t know it was a musical trivia: theme songs from TV shows in the 70s. We only missed 2 out of 24; one many playing along got all 24 correct. That hardly seems fair.

A special treat

The seas were pretty rough as we left the harbor and the little pilot boat gamely kept trying to get close enough to the ship to get the pilot off our ship and onto the pilot boat. It was a real nail biter and we all cheered when the guy successfully jumped onto the pilot boat and it swung away. They tooted their horn and our ship did as well. It was such fun to watch and makes one especially appreciate the skill of these behind the scenes people who make such trips such a joy for us.