HOME IN ERIE IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS

Erie, Pennsylvania--home!
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
14 F, heavy snow

This morning we could see the weather had gotten much worse, but we headed optimistically north--only 4 hours and 270 miles to home! It took an hour to get through Columbus, Ohio, but after that the traffic thinned out and we made good time.

There were plenty of accidents and the highway varied from snow covered, ice covered, or wet. I am so glad we are driving a solid truck (Chevrolet Avalanche, which deserves a photo in this blog!).

The snow was heavier by the time we got to Cleveland, Ohio, about 12:45 p.m. We decided to eat at our favorite deli, Corky and Lenny's on Chagrin Boulevard off I-271. We sure love the mish mosh soup (rice, noodles, a matzo ball, a kreplach and sometimes kasha)! After lunch we were energized for the last hundred miles home via I-90.

Home at last! I was so glad that we cleaned house before we left because it sure looked cozy and comfortable and roomy to us! We are unloaded and I already started laundry. Two suitcases are already put away.

I am very grateful that we had such a nice trip and now we are home, safe! Thank you, good family and friends, for reading this story!

Our backyard, Erie, Pennsylvania

photo taken February 18, 2015

Front of our house, looking North from the balcony

Erie, Pennsylvania

photo taken February 18, 2015 

(looks exactly the same as the photo I posted when we were leaving in January and I said it was a reason to head south. And here we are, up north????

TK's Take: This was the worst weather we ever had to drive home in.

ON OUR WAY TO CINCINNATI, OHIO VIA SNOW AND ICE

Hampton Inn / Jeffersonville

Jeffersonville, Ohio

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

16 F and cloudy in Decatur/morning---20 F evening

We drove along I-65 North from Alabama to Tennessee. The tree limbs were frozen into sparkling forms poised to crackle under the weight. The roads were relatively dry. As we drove north toward Nashville, Tennessee, the ice was heavier and barren branches were lying on the ground, even encroaching the highway. Icicles draped the rocky banks.

Interstate 65 North---Alabama

We started seeing snow on the ground near Franklin, Tennessee. Despite seemingly clear and dry roads, we started to see more vehicles off the road, a 37 ft. camper on its side, pickup trucks, and semi tractor trailers all damaged before we reached Nashville. Tennessee troopers and tow trucks were prevalent.

Tennessee Welcome Center I-65 North

It took an hour to get through Nashville because of the accidents and traffic. We finally reached Kentucky by about 11:45 a.m.  MST. Evidently there were no plows available because the Visitor Center parking lot was full of heavy snow, about six inches.

Kentucky Welcome Center I-65 North

We passed the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green where a sinkhole opened up a year ago and swallowed so many beautiful Corvettes. We also would have stopped at the Mammoth Caves area—will wait till better weather!

The Cracker Barrel near Bowling Green was closed because of a power surge.  By now we saw another semi tractor trailer overturned and cracked open and over 300 other semis and other traffic at a standstill on I-65 South, along with a couple other minor accidents.

We pulled into a Cracker Barrel by Elizabethtown—the parking lot was not plowed and there was a long wait for service. The nearby Wendy’s was closed (we imagine workers did not show up for work), so we settled for a Burger King Whopper and fries. TK is a skillful driver and did not let the gas tank go below ¾ full. He also felt we should eat and use rest rooms because we did not know what was in store on the highway.

Our trip was quite uneventful after Louisville, Kentucky, where it was 26 F. We were very grateful for dry roads (for the most part) and a 4-wheel drive truck. We were able to skirt around both Louisville and Cincinnati, Ohio and we are in for the night. If the weather holds, we will be home by tomorrow!! We sure will be glad to see our family!!

TK’s Takes:  He’s glad to be out of the cold south. The cold north is acceptable. People in the north know what to do in snowy, icy weather (for the most part).

PRESIDENTS DAY ON THE ROAD TO DECATUR, ALABAMA

Hampton Inn/Decatur, Alabama

Monday, February 16, 2015

72 F and cloudy to 31 F and rain

We woke up in Baton Rouge to a very moderate 63 F. TK said it was -16 F in Erie. We headed east by 8:30 a.m. Donna had messaged me by text at 3 a.m. EST today that she and Lawrence finally reached home to 15 inches of snow in Janesville, Wisconsin. Their flight had been delayed.

The temperature was 72 F as we left I-12 East and turned a bit north. In honor of Mardi Gras we were playing the jazz on the XM Mardi Gras channel. When we reached Mississippi we stopped at the Visitor Center, full of Mississippi’s historical artifacts and antiques. Volunteers offered us a sample of King Cake from Paul’s Pastry shop, “The Biggest Little Bakery in South Mississippi.” The “cake” made with cream cheese tasted so good that we made a detour and drove to the shop in Picayune, Mississippi. The bakery was full of people buying these goodies for their Mardi Gras celebration. We bought a Pecan Praline King Cake that does not need to be refrigerated so hopefully we can eat it at home. Or if we get stranded, we have food in the car!  www.paulspastry.com 

By the time we got to Laurel, Mississippi, the temperatures were dropping. We decided to eat in Meridian and I found Weidmann’s Restaurant, Number 1 on Trip Advisor and “Mississippi’s Oldest Restaurant.”  It was an “easy off” of I-20/59 in downtown Meridian and the weather was still cloudy and temperate.  I am so glad we stopped!  TK had bacon wrapped chopped sirloin, mac n cheese, and corn pudding. I had a 4 cheese grilled Panini and beef vegetable soup. Wow! The restaurant, with fresh flowers one each table, was upscale and very authentic—the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. We topped the meal off with fabulous pecan praline bread pudding (I’m sensing a theme). I have to say this restaurant supersedes Oceana’s bread pudding in New Orleans.  We usually do not eat so well on the road, but I really do not want to hurry home to snow and more snow and ice cold temperatures. I am so glad we stopped in Meridian!! www.weidmanns1870.com

Weidmann's Restaurant, Meridian, Mississippi

About a half hour later the weather really started to turn with heavy rain and much lower temperatures. We decided to stop in Decatur, Alabama. By the time we checked in it was 6:30 p.m., a good time to stop. Now at 9:30 p.m., TK just told me that traffic on I-65, our route, is completely stopped because of the weather.  That will be his take for the day!! He thinks we can get out of here tomorrow—not sure!

I hope that B1 and B2 enjoyed their day off from school today despite the COLD!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DONNA! NEW ORLEANS TO AVERY ISLAND TO BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA—COLD UP NORTH AND DECISIONS TO MAKE!

Hampton Inn I-10/College Drive

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Foggy, Cloudy, 68 F

We disembarked Carnival Dream easily this morning and were in our truck headed for Avery Island by 9 a.m. I’m glad we bought the 4 wheel spinner luggage because it moves very lightly and very easily.  TK and I each have two 25 inch bags, plus the a carry ons.  I'm not proud of our luggage requirements--ha! The morning was foggy and quite dreary, but warm enough for capris and sandals. Since it was Sunday, TK was able to easily drive out of New Orleans. We got glimpses of colorful floats and parade routes.  We decided months ago we would not stay for Mardi Gras—hotels were outrageously expensive for one thing. We were in New Orleans one year for Halloween and saw quite a parade then. The police told us the crowds reached over 100,000 for Halloween. We had the benefit of a Halloween night cemetery tour with “Bloody Mary” who has been featured on A&E and other channels. There are twice as many people, at least, for Mardi Gras.

We followed U.S. 90 West and saw miles and miles of bayou, swamp, lakes, rivers, canals, inlets along the Cajun Coast. We even saw a “Bear Crossing” sign. The land is flatter than Ohio! There were live oaks and cypress trees, kind of a ghostly appearance in the fog with moss hanging from the limbs of the live oaks. It seems like spring because some trees are already budding.

We passed Houma, an area that boasts 52 bridges and 7 bayous converging there. This is the Acadian area where refugees from Canada settled, aka Cajuns.

We stopped at the newly built Morgan City Visitor Center by the Atchafalaya River built on a bayou. TK noticed a bald eagle fly by and perch in a tree, inviting us to take a photo. I also spotted nutria scurrying among the trees. The volunteer there told us the alligators are not out sunning yet—they wait till it’s warmer. Some live under the Center’s porch.  

Bald Eagle, Morgan City, Louisiana Visitor Center

As we approached Avery Island we saw turtles sunning on logs in the water beside the highway. Avery Island is the home of Tabasco pepper sauce. I read an article in National Geographic years ago and wanted to go there ever since. We paid $1 to cross the toll bridge and drove a short ways to the factory and country gift shop.

What I learned about Tabasco Sauce:

·         The company was established after the Civil War in 1868. Edmund McIlhenny was given some pepper seeds (now named Capsicum frutescens, tabasco) and created the formula that is still used today. Tabasco sauce is only made here on Avery Island, but now the peppers are grown in South and Central America. The seeds are harvested only from pepper plants grown on Avery Island and sent to their farmers in other countries for planting.  This process is repeated every year. I hope I am explaining this well. The tour guide said that 700 acres of pepper plants were previously grown on Avery Island, but now only 30 acres are planted to harvest the seeds. Actually growing the peppers for the sauce in other countries ensures that weather and other factors like insects will not affect the entire harvest.

·         700,000 bottles of Tabasco sauce are made a day!! And sent to 160+ countries !

·         McIlhenny uses Jack Daniels white oak 50-gallon barrels to age their pepper mash for three years. By law, Jack Daniels can only use their barrels once. McIlhenny can use the barrels for as long as they last.

·         The original pepper seeds (Capsicum frutescens) came from Mexico. When naming the sauce Edmund McIlhenny looked at a map of Mexico and saw the State of Tabasco. Tabasco means hot and humid, therefore the perfect name.

·         McIlhenny employs over 200 people, not including those who work in the salt mines.

·         The peppers must be processed the same day they are picked.

·         After being aged for 3 years, the pepper mash is stirred for 28 days before being bottled.

Another part of Avery Island is a wildlife refuge created by the McIlhenny family (which still owns the factory and island today). We took a driving tour of the island to see the wonderful cypress trees, a 300 year old live oak and others, a row of holly shrubs that arched over the roadway, a wisteria arch (not blooming), a fabulous pindo jelly palm, blooming red, pink, and white camellias, and “bird city,” an open aviary with thousands of egrets.

McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce Factory

Holly Shrub Arch, Avery Island

Pindo Jelly Palm in center, Avery Island, Louisiana

Camellias, Avery Island

After this drive, we returned to U.S. 90 West to find a Cajun restaurant recommended at the visitor center. Much to our dismay we discovered every single non-chain restaurant was either closed on Sunday or closed after lunch. We decided to eat at Mel’s Diner in Lafayette because it was already 3 p.m. and waiting until later would not be so good.

We drove on through more bayous and swamps, more lakes and rivers. We saw houseboats, bass boats, flat river boats, barges. I could spy little dirt roads amongst the trees and water areas. One swamp (I need to find definitions for swamps and bayous) was peppered with desolate looking trees for miles.

We know the weather today in Erie ranged between -10 F and -1 F. Kentucky and Tennessee had snow.  Snow storms or snowy cold weather is in the forecast from the South to Northeast for the next few days. I really do not want to drive in areas we don’t know, with drivers who are not used to snowy icy weather. I told TK I didn’t think that we needed to do a marathon drive. So we decided to stop in Baton Rouge for the night and strategize. Since it is 68 F right here, I hoped he would decide to stay here for another day, but he said we will drive to Alabama and then north, starting tomorrow morning.

TK’s Take: He wondered how people got around before the highways were built.  He also remarked about so many casinos—even one in a Pilot gas station!

AT SEA/HEADED BACK TO NEW ORLEANS/VALENTINES DAY!

AT SEA/HEADED BACK TO NEW ORLEANS/VALENTINES DAY!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Sunny, high 60s

I tried to sit by the pool today, but in the shade it was too cool. So I packed my bags and TK graciously allowed me to do that alone. We finally learned that it is easier to pack when only one person is in the stateroom.

We have had a good cruise. One thing I especially enjoyed (besides being with such good friends) was the live music venues---there was music by the pool, in the casino, in the atrium, by Ocean Lounge, seemingly all day long.

The last night is usually sad-especially since we won’t see our dear friends for a long while, but we also will miss our Head Waitress Wasanna, her assistants Jose and I Gede, and Cabin Steward Lawrence. We stay connected with our friends, as well as the ship personnel who have been our friends on board, through Facebook.  I am so glad we all have already booked our cruise get together for January 2016.

Front: Donna

Middle: Brian, Nancy, Janie, TK

Back: Lawrence

At tonight’s dinner Wasanna gave each of us a carnation for Valentine’s Day, as well as an individual rich chocolate heart cake. We took photos for memories and we all returned to our cabins to finish packing. We put our bags outside of our door and I took photos. I do this to avoid the fiasco a couple years ago when we forgot one of our bags at the port and had to make two trips from West Palm Beach to Fort Lauderdale to find them.

Donna called that her photos were finished from their exclusive photo shoot. The photos are placed on a beautiful book, plus one was put on canvas, another on metal. I loved their beach and ship scenes that portray their happiness.

TK’s Take:  It is getting colder. This may be the last warm weather we see until summer in Erie.

COZUMEL: PALANCAR BEACH--HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRIAN K!

Friday, February 13, 2015

Sunny, high 70s

There was such a great surprise on the Lido/Pool deck this morning! Every lounge chair had a towel animal in it. There were dinosaurs, aardvarks, rhinos, bears, elephants, cobras, monkeys, frogs, sting rays, crabs, and more. Lawrence, our dear cabin steward from the Philippines, told me he was part of the 73 cabin stewards who got up early in the morning to make such a surprise of over 300 towel animals for the passengers to see.

We were ready for debarkation at 10 a.m. with Donna, Lawrence, Brian, and Nancy. Our first stop was the bid wooden birthday cake by the port entry for today’s birthday boy, Brian, and Donna, whose birthday is February 15.

 

Brian and Donna celebrate birthdays!

For $100 r/t we got a taxi to Palancar Beach, a small area with a bar, lots of palms, little shops, and a white sandy beach area on the beautiful blue sea. Because there are six cruise ships in port with a minimum of 20,000 tourists there would be no private beach anywhere.  The six of us enjoyed the day, although most of us stayed in the shade. Mexico sun is strong.  We stayed there about five hours.

TK and I finally figured out that the Cozumel beach we went to years ago was San Francisco. We were the only two there that day---it had a pool and a beautiful bar area and of course, a white sandy beach with many palm trees. A beach just for us! I am going to research San Francisco and see if it is still the same.

Back at the port, Donna and I shopped a little. We have made great promises for next year when we cruise together again—maybe more rings! Because it is her birthday Sunday, Lawrence did buy her a beautiful chocolate diamond ring in Mahogany Bay..

Brian arranged for our special table for our “birthday party” for him and Donna. The Maitre d’ promised special strawberry shortcake for all of us to celebrate.  It was formal night with Chateaubriand and other great fare. Some like escargot as an appetizer, but not me. Wasanna is so sweet and such a good team head waitress. Jose (from Peru) and I Gede (from Indonesia) are excellent team waiters. Every night the waiters dance for the diners, and our two waiters are especially good dancers, too.

Nancy, Donna, and I purchased the fun photos we had taken of the three of us on Thursday--they turned out so well! Lawrence headed to the casino and Nancy went back to the room to rest, so TK, Brian, Donna, and I went to see the new comedian, Tom Foss. He was the funniest yet.

One joke I can repeat:

Tom Foss, who claimed he was divorced and now single, said, “I had a girlfriend who said she was on a diet for two years.” Then Foss counted one, two on his fingers. “I did the math and figured she should be gone by now.”

TK’s Take: “I’m beached out. The only beaches I am going to now are Princess Cays, Grand Turk, and St. Marten (where the airplanes fly over).”

I forgot to mention the other day that Lawrence royally entertained Richard, our driver in Costa Maya. Here is one of the jokes he told:

Lawrence’s joke: “I've lost two wives. The first one died of mushroom poisoning. The second died of a concussion.”

Richard: “How did the second one get a concussion?”

Lawrence:  “When she got hit in the head because she wouldn't eat the mushrooms.”

What can I say?

ANOTHER BEACH DAY: GRAND CAYMAN

 

At the Royal Palms/Grand Cayman

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Sunny, high 70s

 

We were up early this morning to meet Brian and Nancy to disembark on the tender. Tenders from the ship are used in Grand Cayman because of the delicate structure of the coral reefs that seem to surround this area. We did not wait long and the breeze was cool as we “sailed” into the port. The four of us hailed a taxi for Royal Palms, a resort area on seven miles of beaches. Donna and Lawrence are still working on their private photo shoot.

 

Royal Palms is beautiful and the beach is sandy white. There certainly is a great difference between Grand Cayman and Erie, Pennsylvania today. When we got here at 8:30 a.m., we had our choice of beach chairs and tables at the open bar area. Now, an hour and a half later, the chairs and tables are almost packed full.  We rented 4 chairs, an umbrella, and a table for si. Doris, our Royal Palms server, is taking good care of us! We noticed that the NCL Epic (4600 passengers), the Carnival Triumph (the ship of infamy a year or two ago—lost power for several days and hobbled back to port), Holland America Eurodam, and our ship----lots of people!

 

More later! I did not sign up for Wi-Fi on the ship this time and it is driving me crazy! I miss you, my family and friends. H and D—it won’t be long before we are playing WWF again! I hope B1 and B2 are having basketball fun and fun in the snow! Brother Bill and Marge are probably watching the weather carefully for when the maple tree sap will be running. Friend M is back from her special getaway and I can’t wait to hear about it. I’m so glad I was able to talk with Randy and Brian while we were just in New Orleans to catch up with them. I hope D is still enjoying her new job and that C is anticipating our trip to DC in April. B1 and B2 probably have some sort of break for Presidents Day.

THE CRUISING CONTINUES! NEW ORLEANS AND MONTEGO BAY! updated---

Sunday, February 8 to Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Sunny

MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA: CHUKKA 4X4 SAFARI RIDE

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Sunny, 70s

The six of us disembarked at 9 a.m. this morning for our Carnival tour on the Chukka (company name) 4x4 ride. TK and I bought water shoes in the gift shop yesterday because we forgot ours at home. We dressed in swimsuits under clothes in preparation.

On left: TK,Nancy, Janie, Donna

On right; Brian, a couple from Wisconsin, Lawrence

Our driver Richard told us to buckle up, this would be quite a ride. No kidding. My motto is to only go on tours in countries where they care whether you live or die. Hmmm. Eight of us buckled up and held on. The tour was advertised as “taking a ride through the real Jamaica.” Apparently Jamaica has no speed limits anywhere and people drive on the opposite side of the road that we do in the U.S. We were driving on VERY obscure roads with interesting hairpin turns, “where regular buses can’t go.” 

As advertised, we traveled over rocky terrain and through tropical landscapes. We discovered “hidden waterfalls and swimming pools, natural mineral waters, all in a rainforest.”

Brian, TK, and Donna

TK and Janie

We did learn some Jamaican history-saw a former slave hospital converted to a Baptist church in 1846 and the original plantation site of a slave insurrection in the early1800s. Most of all we enjoyed the lush landscapes. Richard told us that ackee (blighia sapida—soapberry family) was the national fruit and provided an easy sandwich with breadfruit, also common. We saw violet orchids, bird of paradise, 1600 acres of orange trees, banana trees, coffee plants, cocoa, three different kinds of coconuts, croton, so many ferns, and so many palm trees. Sensitive plants grew all over the ground. (I wish I knew Latin names of these plants!). There were so many flowers, red, orange, yellow, so much beauty and I didn't know what they were!

Richard took us to the hidden area by the river where the mineral springs were. Donna, TK, and Brian all went in and splashed around, with promises of eternal youth. On the other hand, those of us who did not go into the water were told not to put our hands on the railing of the overlook because it was covered with biting black ants. Richard did say there were few snakes in Jamaica because the mongoose were prevalent. I did see unidentified creepy crawly things, but what the heck, we were in a jungle. The small falls area was very nice and I loved the crooked little creek emptying into the river.  

We loaded up the 4x4 (really an open air safari truck like vehicle) again and went to a private area for the Chukka tours for beverages and fabulous jerk chicken.  I would eat chicken a lot more often if TK fixed chicken like that. The hushpuppies were sure tasty too. We enjoyed this tour very much. We felt bad because this is the tour Gwenda and Colin especially wanted to do. They would have really enjoyed it!

Nancy did not feel well with a cold, so it was dinner for 5 tonight. Wasanna looks after us well and knew just what Nancy needed (chicken and rice) so she sent that “home” with Brian. We all had an early evening of it because Grand Cayman is an early port tomorrow.

COMEDY SHOWS

At Sea/Carnival Dream

Monday and Tuesday

High 70s, Sunny

We were at sea for two days, sailing toward Jamaica. Both days I read on deck by the Waves Pool and the Aft Sunset Pool. TK wandered around, lounging on Deck 5, Promenade Deck or by the Pool on Decks 10, 11, and 12. It was easy to get a lounge chair in the shade both days. On some ships that is a difficult feat. I got the Soda Card again, $48 for unlimited soda for the week. Carnival Cruise Lines sells Coca Cola products. I have found that Coke Zero tastes much better than Diet Coke. Coca Cola Light, available on the islands and in Europe, tastes much better too.

As a group we really enjoy dining with Wasanna every night. She is especially personable and seems to like her job as Head Waitress very much.

On Monday night after dinner we sat in the Lanai Bar/Ocean Plaza area and listened to BlackJack, a band Donna said was very popular on Carnival. They played music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s that we all recognize. From there we went to the Burgundy Lounge for the Punchliner Comedy Club featuring adult comedy with Carl Faulkenberry. We had a lot of good laughs. In one topic he said that everything is reality TV now. He said, “What is real about one ordinary man entertaining 30 single women in a mansion?” as in The Bachelor.

We did the same thing Tuesday night, only we saw adult comedy with Caroline Picard. She was funny, but there was not one joke I could repeat in this blog!

PERPETUAL MUSIC IN NEW ORLEANS!

Sunday, 76 F, sunny 

All six of us easily disembarked the Dream at 9:30 a.m., went through U.S. Customs, and started walking toward Café du Monde. [Note: One of the six of us accidentally brought his/her expired U.S. passport. As it turns out Customs officers accept copies and can easily check the numbers to see if the passport was renewed. Not TK or I]. The only thing in our way was an Outlet Mall right outside the ship. What a challenge. One Tommy Bahama bandeau swimsuit (my absolute favorite style) and one TB shirt later (purchased by Donna and Lawrence who like TB just as much as we do), we finally made it to Chico’s.  A quick look around and we were on the NOLA River Walk truly walking along the Mississippi River toward the Café.  We all enjoyed our powdered sugar beignets and coffee or hot chocolate as we wondered how many beignets a day this open air café sells. There is always a long line to get in to the popular café and NOLA never sleeps!

I guided everyone to the French Market just down the street from the café. The weather was so pleasant, sunny and warm enough to wear capris and sandals.   Nancy and I bought some fabulous feathered masks and Donna bought a feathered hair clip similar to mine. The market was very crowded. We saw so many dogs with Mardi Gras outfits discovered that there was a Mardi Gras parade for dogs today.

We sampled pecan pralines, a New Orleans specialty, in several shops, but I thought Evans had the best. This candy is so sweet. I needed to find a post office box to mail some special cards—Donna and I walked briskly to find one blocks away, but I finally left the cards in an Art Gallery near the Cathedral where a lady promised to mail them. I hope so!

After a stop at Walgreen’s on Decatur Street for soda, we walked back to board the ship about 2:30 p.m. which was cutting it a little close. We were almost the last people to board the ship. We went straight to the Safety Drill and then we were sailing down the Mississippi toward the Gulf one more time.

The passengers this week seem a little more laid back than last. The majority are from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

AT SEA IN THE GULF--updated

Aboard the Carnival Dream

Saturday, February 07, 2015

74 F, sunny

AT SEA IN THE GULF

Aboard the Carnival Dream

Saturday, February 07, 2015

74 F, sunny

Yesterday, Friday, I woke up early (6:50 a.m.) and headed straight away to the pool area for a lounge chair. It was raining! I sat in a chair under a ledge for about a half hour and finally the rain stopped. By this time TK joined me and we found a good location near the Aft pool by the Sunset Bar and Tandoori Grill. I can spend hours in a lounge chair just reading.  As TK says, the two pools on this ship are small for the amount of passengers (I think 4000, need to check). Usually there are fewer children in an Aft pool, but not this time.

We went to the “Elite Party” for Platinum and Diamond passengers (we are Platinum with 12 and about 75 days aboard Carnival cruises). We have actually been blessed to travel about 322 days on cruise ships, and are “Platinum” or “Latitudes” on Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

My first “cruise” was in August 1967 when I traveled transatlantic aboard Holland America’s Rotterdam to study in southern France for a year. One could take trunks as well as suitcases then and I needed to take books and clothing for a year abroad. At that time, I was very naïve, but I knew a good thing when I saw it. Being aboard such a magnificent ship (the Rotterdam) made me realize I wanted to this again!!  I returned to the U.S. in July 1968 and did not cruise again until 1983 with my Aunt Bernice aboard NCL’s Skyward.

Tim and I took our first cruise together in 1990 aboard Royal Caribbean’s Sovereign of the Seas. I really had to convince TK to sail. He spent four years in the Navy aboard the cruiser, USS Columbus, and wasn’t so sure he wanted to go asea again. After that vacation, he loved cruising too!

Anyway, back to the elite party---free drinks and appetizers are available, as well as entertainment. This was the first time we saw the Cruise Director, Hennie van Heerden, since we have not gone to any shows. The ship’s captain is Ettore Bovo. I spoke again with the Bar Operations Manager, Clifton Morrison. He was so helpful a few days ago when I had a little glitch with the beverage service.  TK and I enjoyed pina coladas without the rum! Especially thick and delicious! Donna and Lawrence sat with us, so we had some good unfiltered Lawrence laughs.

I went to brunch with Donna, Lawrence, Brian, and Nancy—Brian and Lawrence can make everyone laugh and the other four people at our table were not offended. Even the waiters think these two are funny. Wasanna, our favorite evening server, came by and gave everyone a hug. She is extremely quick and can do the repartee with Brian and Lawrence quite well. She remembers all our names and asked about Tim.

Our favorite saying (Brian, Donna, Lawrence, Nancy, TK, and I) is several versions of, “We don’t know who we think we are,” or “They don’t know who we think we are,” or, more confidently, “We know who we think we are,” and finally, “We are who we think we are.” All of this banter has come about because some people have a habit of being pompous when aboard cruise ships.  Our silliness prevents that illusion, but it is funny to observe different personality traits.  That said, I do think the Maitre d’, several dining room stewards, our cabin stewards, the Hotel Director, Hector Groves (thanks to Brian), and the Bar Operations Manager, Clifton have all become aware of us.

Today (Saturday), TK is not feeling so well. I hope it isn't anything serious. We did go to the Medical Center so he could get checked. He needs to rest. TK’s Take will have to wait.

Tonight at dinner Brian and Lawrence were in rare form, again.  They were describing their behavior in grade school and high school. It seems like Lawrence may have spent a lot of time in the principal’s office for behavior unbecoming a student. Brian wasn't an angel, but he said he got in trouble because he looked out for the underdog. Donna, a self-described “good student” wore an ensemble to school that makes her blush today, miniskirt—boots—and more. Nancy says she was a good girl, but did mention an antic—maybe something about forged hall passes.

I took some pictures of these friends for Colin and Gwenda and any readers who are curious about the characters we have encountered who make us laugh so much.

Aside to Colin: Thank you for arranging our beach time in Costa Maya—Steve and his waiters at Tropicana took very good care of us. Brian will relay the story of the “stolen” beach lounge chairs, I am sure.

Tomorrow we are back in New Orleans and we have plans for the French Market and the French Quarter!

Our stateroom #10261, looking out toward the balcony

Our stateroom, looking toward the door--the bath is on the right in the small "hallway," 

our closet area is on the left in the hallway

Brian and Nancy Kornegay from California in the Crimson Dining Room

Donna and Lawrence Bulington from Wisconsin

Main pool area/Carnival Dream

Guess who!

ROATAN, HONDURAS: BEACH DAY AT MAHOGANY BAY!

Thursday, February 05, 2015

83 F, sunny

While we were getting ready to go to Mahogany Beach today in Roatan, we saw the weather report for Erie, Pennsylvania. Snow and more snow, and colder and colder. Oh dear. I will concentrate my thoughts on how much both B1 and B2 like to snowboard and I hope that they can go to Peek and Peak this weekend to enjoy that weather while we are on beaches amongst the palm trees.

Last night’s dinner was just as raucous as usual. Our server, Wonna (need to check spelling) from Thailand asked Brian to marry her. He had asked her about her family back home. She said she had a mother and father, but no husband. Then she said seriously, “Brian, will you marry me?” Brian, who is never caught off guard, was speechless. Nancy (Brian’s wife) said she would be the Maid of Honor. Lawrence continues to speak without a filter, and so we spend most of dinner laughing at all the antics. TK used to be the voice of reason, but sadly, he is going over to the dark side.

Lawrence’s joke of the evening:  A man went to his doctor for a checkup. After checking the man over, the doctor said, “I have bad news and even worse news.” 

The man said, “Give me the bad news first.” 

The doctor said, “You only have 3 ½ months to live.”

The man countered, “That’s really bad news. What could be worse than that?”

The doctor replied, “I should have told you the bad news 3 ½ months ago.”

Brian’s joke of the evening: A man went to his doctor and said, “I think my wife is getting hard of hearing, but she won’t go for any tests.”

The doctor said, “I can tell you about a test you can give her. Today when you go home, stand 30 feet away from her and ask her a question. If she doesn’t answer you, keep going closer until you think she finally hears you.”

That night the man goes home. He stands about 30 feet away from her and asks, “Honey, what are we having for dinner tonight?” No answer. 

He moves 20 feet away from her and asks again, “Honey, what are we having for dinner tonight?” Again, his wife does not answer.

He moves 10 feet away from her and asks again, “Honey, what are we having for dinner tonight.” His wife does not answer.

Finally, he is just 3 feet away from his wife and asks once again, “Honey, what are we having for dinner tonight?”

She replies, “I’ve told you three times, chicken and biscuits.   What’s the MATTER with YOU?”

TK just told me he did not get this joke now when I just read it and last night when Brian told us. Maybe he has a hearing problem!!

We spend so much time at dinner with this kind of entertainment, we still have not seen a show on this cruise. Maybe Brian and Lawrence can get jobs on a cruise ship.

We spent a fabulous day on the sandy white beach in Roatan. We walked to the beach, about half a mile.This island is so lush—large bird of paradise, and many other flowers and plants I don’t know their names.  The glorious sun and the mellow breeze made it a perfect day by the Caribbean. Donna and Lawrence had a private photo session before they joined us. Three changes of clothes! I don’t think TK would go for that. I was reading in the shade under a palm tree—my favorite – a book, a beach, and a palm to sit under!!

TK and Janie in Roatan,  Honduras

Beautiful flowers on Roatan

This is the 3^rd time we have been in Roatan. The first time we docked in a different area, and nothing was really built up. More recently Carnival Cruise Lines built a docking area, shopping area, and a large beach area that includes a sky ride to the beach, several restaurant/bar areas, rest rooms, and hundreds of lounge chairs and collapsible cabanas. People can also rent all kinds of water toys. Two Carnival ships were in port (Dream, Pride), so the beach area was packed with people. We did have six lounge chairs together though, some in shade, others in the sun to please all of us.

After a little tour of the shops (I only purchased “cozies” to support the Roatan Marine Park), I returned to the ship and saw the huge towel animal frogs by the pool bar, Red Frog.  We have never seen towel animals like this!

Towel frogs for B1 and B1--so big!

Dinner 6:15

TK’s Takes: He’s napping on the balcony. I will ask him later…