Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunny, hot, 75 F; turned cooler by late afternoon after a little rain
Getting off the ship was easy and organized. We were at our car by 9:45 a.m. at the Hampton Inn. Drove to Hilton Garden/Airport in Miami-about 28 miles. Spent the afternoon reorganizing our suitcases and doing laundry. I’m not sure if I will be able to write daily on the Carnival Liberty. We had a lot of on board credit that paid for the Internet on the Grand Princess/$.40 a minute. I may write every other day, it depends.
As we anticipate our next two cruises, we are thankful that the Cruise Triathlon is not over! We do certainly miss our dear family, but we have kept track of the daily weather. Erie is in line for having the snowiest winter ever. From our local ABC TV station: Erie has “officially made #7 for snowiest Erie winters with a total of 122.6" so far. Number 6 is 124.9" from 1985-86. We need about 27" of more snow to make 2008-09 snow season the snowiest season in Erie history.” 1/30/2009
This is a good year to be traveling further and further south! This experience will give us a great chance to compare three cruise lines, a resort, traveling by car and visiting relatives.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
AT SEA
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Sunny, hot, 80 F
This last day of the cruise was very busy. I walked two miles around the ship’s Promenade Deck for the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure Fund Raiser. Afterward I sprinted to the special luncheon for our Cruise Critic group—I got to sit with Vera and Ken and he is going to give me information about the Tuskegee Airmen and some of the things they do with students. The Captain and many officers attended our lunch. This was quite an honor, too!
Then our group had a special tour of the bridge-this is no longer common since 9-11. The windows are so huge. It would be very easy to stand watch on this ship for four hours as opposed to my four hour watches on the U.S. Brig Niagara. I thought it was very interesting that I could see many similarities in protocol to those of a ship reconstructed to represent the Niagara of almost 200 years ago.
Some interesting facts Oli, the 3rd Officer (from England), told us:
The ship uses 40,000 gal. of fuel per day--it is refined on the ship (heavy fuel oil)
The ship gets 20 meters per gallon
Each engine is 28,000 hp (there are two)
The ship could spin all the way round in 2 minutes
Antipiracy plans are in place
Whales do get in the way and they do everything possible to avoid them--no whales or dolphins sighted on this cruise
It was difficult to say farewell at dinner-our CC friends have been very special. Manuel, our waiter, was excellent and took care of us very well. Nanta, his helper from Thailand, was very sweet. Lonelo, our cabin steward took very good care of us, too.
Culinary Delight of the Day: Baked Alaska, roast tom turkey
TK's Takes: The sea was calm and the temperature seemed the warmest yet--his favorite day. He did not enjoy packing up. His favorite pool aft seemed about 90 F.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: I picked up some post cards that had the islands' currency attached so we can compare their coins to ours!
Sunny, hot, 80 F
This last day of the cruise was very busy. I walked two miles around the ship’s Promenade Deck for the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure Fund Raiser. Afterward I sprinted to the special luncheon for our Cruise Critic group—I got to sit with Vera and Ken and he is going to give me information about the Tuskegee Airmen and some of the things they do with students. The Captain and many officers attended our lunch. This was quite an honor, too!
Then our group had a special tour of the bridge-this is no longer common since 9-11. The windows are so huge. It would be very easy to stand watch on this ship for four hours as opposed to my four hour watches on the U.S. Brig Niagara. I thought it was very interesting that I could see many similarities in protocol to those of a ship reconstructed to represent the Niagara of almost 200 years ago.
Some interesting facts Oli, the 3rd Officer (from England), told us:
The ship uses 40,000 gal. of fuel per day--it is refined on the ship (heavy fuel oil)
The ship gets 20 meters per gallon
Each engine is 28,000 hp (there are two)
The ship could spin all the way round in 2 minutes
Antipiracy plans are in place
Whales do get in the way and they do everything possible to avoid them--no whales or dolphins sighted on this cruise
It was difficult to say farewell at dinner-our CC friends have been very special. Manuel, our waiter, was excellent and took care of us very well. Nanta, his helper from Thailand, was very sweet. Lonelo, our cabin steward took very good care of us, too.
Culinary Delight of the Day: Baked Alaska, roast tom turkey
TK's Takes: The sea was calm and the temperature seemed the warmest yet--his favorite day. He did not enjoy packing up. His favorite pool aft seemed about 90 F.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: I picked up some post cards that had the islands' currency attached so we can compare their coins to ours!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
WELCOME TO GRAND TURK/TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Grand Turk/Turks and Caicos Islands—
Sunny, 77 F, some sprinkles now and then
We arrived in Grand Turk at 10 a.m. This island was badly by a hurricane last fall. A man on the island said that the area we docked in was almost completely wiped out. A great effort was made to repair the damage so cruise ships could once again stop here. The islands are named Turks because of the indigenous “Turks Head ‘fez’ cactus” that only grows here. Such a cactus was growing outside the cruise center when we arrived. This island is 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, situated 575 miles southeast of Miami.
As soon as we were off the ship (10:05) we headed for the beach and the Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville restaurant, bar, pool area, and swim up bar to enjoy the warm weather and cool breeze. It was a gorgeous day. Our two beach lounge chairs were right on the pool’s edge with a palm tree on one side and a large beach umbrella and wooden bridge on the other side. The clean facilities were nearby, the restaurant in view, and Jimmy Buffett music played all day. We stayed in this spot until 4 p.m. We did have Margaritaville cheeseburgers that were bigger and better than those on the ship!! We also had a fried conch appetizer.
I did find about 9 nice pieces of green beach glass on the beach. Some of our friends, Jim and Sue from Nova Scotia rented golf carts and drove around the whole island—about 4 hours ($80).
Tonight’s Horizon Court buffet feast was the Seafood Extravaganza---lobster claws, King Crab, and shrimp cocktail shrimp. This ship must have gone through a ton of shrimp! We have never seen so much shrimp offered on a cruise.
For dinner in the Michelangelo Dining Room I asked for a New York Strip Steak because other choices were not my taste, e.g. King Crab legs and lamb. The dessert, however, was phenomenal—Chilled Mini Raspberry Panna Cotta (like a little mousse), Honey-Hazelnut Semifreddo with Nutella Twist (creamy), and Tiny Gateau Opera (layered chocolate and cream), all three delicately served together.
After dinner, we ran to the comedy show with Jim McDonald who has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He was quite humorous—not the usual jokes about passengers or his family. At the end his slide show about cruise ship situations was especially funny.
Culinary Delight of the Day: New York Strip Steak and the three part dessert; TK: King Crab Legs; cheeseburgers/fries at Margaritaville, Grand Turk, of course!
TK’s Takes: This is his idea of paradise. He even submitted song requests to the DJ ("Coast of Carolina.")
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: We found the most beautiful Ron Jon/Grand Turk t-shirts that I hope fit! There was a “Flowrider” here where people try to surf. The islanders who work have no problem surfing, but tourists did not find it so easy. I bet B1 could do it though!
Grand Turk/Turks and Caicos Islands—
Sunny, 77 F, some sprinkles now and then
We arrived in Grand Turk at 10 a.m. This island was badly by a hurricane last fall. A man on the island said that the area we docked in was almost completely wiped out. A great effort was made to repair the damage so cruise ships could once again stop here. The islands are named Turks because of the indigenous “Turks Head ‘fez’ cactus” that only grows here. Such a cactus was growing outside the cruise center when we arrived. This island is 7 miles long and 1.5 miles wide, situated 575 miles southeast of Miami.
As soon as we were off the ship (10:05) we headed for the beach and the Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville restaurant, bar, pool area, and swim up bar to enjoy the warm weather and cool breeze. It was a gorgeous day. Our two beach lounge chairs were right on the pool’s edge with a palm tree on one side and a large beach umbrella and wooden bridge on the other side. The clean facilities were nearby, the restaurant in view, and Jimmy Buffett music played all day. We stayed in this spot until 4 p.m. We did have Margaritaville cheeseburgers that were bigger and better than those on the ship!! We also had a fried conch appetizer.
I did find about 9 nice pieces of green beach glass on the beach. Some of our friends, Jim and Sue from Nova Scotia rented golf carts and drove around the whole island—about 4 hours ($80).
Tonight’s Horizon Court buffet feast was the Seafood Extravaganza---lobster claws, King Crab, and shrimp cocktail shrimp. This ship must have gone through a ton of shrimp! We have never seen so much shrimp offered on a cruise.
For dinner in the Michelangelo Dining Room I asked for a New York Strip Steak because other choices were not my taste, e.g. King Crab legs and lamb. The dessert, however, was phenomenal—Chilled Mini Raspberry Panna Cotta (like a little mousse), Honey-Hazelnut Semifreddo with Nutella Twist (creamy), and Tiny Gateau Opera (layered chocolate and cream), all three delicately served together.
After dinner, we ran to the comedy show with Jim McDonald who has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He was quite humorous—not the usual jokes about passengers or his family. At the end his slide show about cruise ship situations was especially funny.
Culinary Delight of the Day: New York Strip Steak and the three part dessert; TK: King Crab Legs; cheeseburgers/fries at Margaritaville, Grand Turk, of course!
TK’s Takes: This is his idea of paradise. He even submitted song requests to the DJ ("Coast of Carolina.")
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: We found the most beautiful Ron Jon/Grand Turk t-shirts that I hope fit! There was a “Flowrider” here where people try to surf. The islanders who work have no problem surfing, but tourists did not find it so easy. I bet B1 could do it though!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
WELCOME TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Sunny, some clouds, 77 F
This morning’s port La Romana, Dominican Republic is on the largest island we are visiting, Hispanola, the 2nd largest island in the Caribbean. The terrain is less hilly than other islands. The Dominican Republic is about 18,700 square miles with a population of 200,000. The other country on it this island is Haiti. The area the Grand Princess docked at is new and quite suitable for disembarkment. Island dancers wearing native costumes of flowing multi colored skirts, short capes, and a huge pink hibiscus flower in behind their ear for the girls and green pants/white shirts and straw hats for the men and a small band entertained us as soon as we docked. It is especially nice when our balcony is facing the docking area—this is the 4th port that we have been on the dockside.
We were told that there was not much to do in this port, but Tim and I got off and took a shuttle to the downtown area ($5 round trip per person). We were told that a taxi would take us for $30 per couple round trip or we could walk a mile. Others went to the beach or an artists’ colony called Altos De Chavon. I really wanted to go to the artists’ colony, but information on cost was nebulous.
The shuttle bus aisle was extremely narrow and we got truly acquainted with other passengers. The ride was short and bearable. The island architecture is reminiscent of southern France, New Orleans, Key West, and many other islands—small two story housing with small balconies, narrow streets, wrought iron, and in yellows and pastel greens, and so on.
The market was located in a park downtown dedicated to Juan Duarte. There were more island dancers in a gazebo entertaining the crowd. The vendors were aggressive, but friendly. The goods were mostly jewelry, some leather goods, regular souvenirs, and a lot of artwork, mostly oil paintings in colorful tropical fashion. I purchased a lovely small oil painting of a sailboat on wood ($5) and made a friend for life when I asked the older artist to write his name down for me, Omor D. Alvarez. He included his e-mail. I also bought two colorful beach towels.
After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.
After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.
Tonight was the 3rd formal night. The Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party was for those who have cruised on Princess before. This is our 3rd Princess cruise—31 days. This cruise line goes by days instead of cruises. One man had 964 days on Princess cruises.
We enjoyed lobster at dinner tonight. Beef Wellington was another choice. The carrot cake and the petit fours could have been better. Our group of 12 is always the last to leave the dining room—10 p.m. tonight. We went straight to the production show, “Do You Wanna Dance,” with a variety of dancing in the style of Mexico, Ireland, U.S. and other countries. Very elaborate costumes and quick costume changes.
We turn the clock back one hour tonight.
Culinary Delight of the Day: lobster tail, prawns, chilled fruit soup.
TK’s Takes: He did laundry today.
This has been a very nice cruise. Princess cruise ships are a little more laid back. This has been a port intensive cruise, but each island has been unique and we have thoroughly enjoyed every second. The only negative thing so far has been the coffee. Tim has the coffee card and he enjoys the fresh brewed specialty coffees. I only drink black coffee and Dunkin Donuts is better! Of course, that is not a big deal in the scope of things!
La Romana, Dominican Republic
Sunny, some clouds, 77 F
This morning’s port La Romana, Dominican Republic is on the largest island we are visiting, Hispanola, the 2nd largest island in the Caribbean. The terrain is less hilly than other islands. The Dominican Republic is about 18,700 square miles with a population of 200,000. The other country on it this island is Haiti. The area the Grand Princess docked at is new and quite suitable for disembarkment. Island dancers wearing native costumes of flowing multi colored skirts, short capes, and a huge pink hibiscus flower in behind their ear for the girls and green pants/white shirts and straw hats for the men and a small band entertained us as soon as we docked. It is especially nice when our balcony is facing the docking area—this is the 4th port that we have been on the dockside.
We were told that there was not much to do in this port, but Tim and I got off and took a shuttle to the downtown area ($5 round trip per person). We were told that a taxi would take us for $30 per couple round trip or we could walk a mile. Others went to the beach or an artists’ colony called Altos De Chavon. I really wanted to go to the artists’ colony, but information on cost was nebulous.
The shuttle bus aisle was extremely narrow and we got truly acquainted with other passengers. The ride was short and bearable. The island architecture is reminiscent of southern France, New Orleans, Key West, and many other islands—small two story housing with small balconies, narrow streets, wrought iron, and in yellows and pastel greens, and so on.
The market was located in a park downtown dedicated to Juan Duarte. There were more island dancers in a gazebo entertaining the crowd. The vendors were aggressive, but friendly. The goods were mostly jewelry, some leather goods, regular souvenirs, and a lot of artwork, mostly oil paintings in colorful tropical fashion. I purchased a lovely small oil painting of a sailboat on wood ($5) and made a friend for life when I asked the older artist to write his name down for me, Omor D. Alvarez. He included his e-mail. I also bought two colorful beach towels.
After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.
After an hour we returned to the ship—lunch, sun, and reading.
Tonight was the 3rd formal night. The Captain’s Circle Cocktail Party was for those who have cruised on Princess before. This is our 3rd Princess cruise—31 days. This cruise line goes by days instead of cruises. One man had 964 days on Princess cruises.
We enjoyed lobster at dinner tonight. Beef Wellington was another choice. The carrot cake and the petit fours could have been better. Our group of 12 is always the last to leave the dining room—10 p.m. tonight. We went straight to the production show, “Do You Wanna Dance,” with a variety of dancing in the style of Mexico, Ireland, U.S. and other countries. Very elaborate costumes and quick costume changes.
We turn the clock back one hour tonight.
Culinary Delight of the Day: lobster tail, prawns, chilled fruit soup.
TK’s Takes: He did laundry today.
This has been a very nice cruise. Princess cruise ships are a little more laid back. This has been a port intensive cruise, but each island has been unique and we have thoroughly enjoyed every second. The only negative thing so far has been the coffee. Tim has the coffee card and he enjoys the fresh brewed specialty coffees. I only drink black coffee and Dunkin Donuts is better! Of course, that is not a big deal in the scope of things!
Monday, January 26, 2009
WELCOME TO ST. THOMAS
Monday, January 26, 2009
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (Crown Bay Pier)
Sunny, a little rain, 84 F
We have traveled 2,427 miles from Fort Lauderdale in the past 10 days.
I always look forward to shopping in St. Thomas so I was up early and ready to disembark by 8 a.m. We noticed our room safe had a message on the face, “Low Battery.” I called the purser and it took ½ hour for a man to bring a battery. We did not feel comfortable leaving our passports and cash in the safe, so this slowed us down a little. We have not been asked for our passport or driver’s license at any port during this cruise, but I certainly feel like security is strong. Our room cards provide a photo id and other information as we get on and off the ship. A passport is certainly required to book such a cruise though.
St. Thomas is 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. Its area is 32 square miles and has a population of about 56,000. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. dollar is the official currency and we can use U.S. postal stamps.
Princess offered a water taxi option to the downtown area for $10 per person/unlimited rides. Ship personnel said that traffic would be heavy and the water taxi would take less time. I am so glad we went on the regular taxi/open air bus ($4 per person one way), because that ride was only 7 minutes each way and we did not have to wait. Crown Bay is not as enhanced as the Havensight port area.
We were downtown by 8:30 a.m. and most stores were open. There were four cruise ships in port, but we were the only ship at Crown Bay. I love to go in and out of the stores on the narrow main street—we look at jewelry, watches, cameras, art glass, linens, the marketplace, and the perfume stores. Tim had the option of going to a beach with CC friends, but he chose to shop with me today. I made a few small purchases for gifts. We will be back in St. Thomas in two weeks so I have time to make some decisions! This is the only port we repeat in our four-week cruise triathlon. There were a lot of cruise people on the streets, but I don’t think the stores are faring well economically.
We returned to the ship by 2 p.m. for lunch and the pool. There was a CC sailaway party at 5:30 at the Oasis Bar and we admired Donna’s new ring (more details later) and Lawrence’s silver scorpion pendant. Others spent time on Coki Beach, Water Island, and an eco hike.
Tonight’s dinner choices were the best yet as far as I was concerned. We had the heartiest fried mozzarella I’ve ever had (because Brian has become such a celebrity on the ship we are treated almost every night to a special appetizer). I also had gnocchi pasta, pineapple and strawberry plate, tomato and mozzarella salad, Chateaubriand steak, with Princess Love Boat Dream Cake (chocolate). We admired Sue’s emerald and diamond ring that she purchased today.
This was an early evening—we are tired from having so much fun. I cannot emphasize enough how enjoyable the cruise has been because we had become acquainted online with so many passengers (about 75). I truly believe our lives are richer for knowing these friends, just as we became friends with so many on our NCL Spirit cruise in November 2007. Our friends at dinner range in age from probably early 40s to early 60s, but the age difference certainly does not interfere with our fun!
Despite the warm temperatures on the islands, we really do not get hot—there is always a sea breeze wherever we go. I know we are lucky to be away from Lake Erie’s bitter cold winds. Today’s temperature in Erie was reported as 19 F and severe weather compared to our 84 F and sun sun sun on the Caribbean. We will soak in all the sun we can before we head north in late February.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fried mozzarella, Chateaubriand, Princess Love Boat Dream Cake
TK’s Takes: He happily pointed out that I am the oldest at the dinner table. He needed a 2 hour nap after shopping today.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: This ship has a basketball court, putt putt, ping pong, arcade games, a children’s pool, and children’s movies, among other activities for children. As I said before there are only about 13 children on this cruise, but we were told there were 400 children on the cruise during Christmas break.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (Crown Bay Pier)
Sunny, a little rain, 84 F
We have traveled 2,427 miles from Fort Lauderdale in the past 10 days.
I always look forward to shopping in St. Thomas so I was up early and ready to disembark by 8 a.m. We noticed our room safe had a message on the face, “Low Battery.” I called the purser and it took ½ hour for a man to bring a battery. We did not feel comfortable leaving our passports and cash in the safe, so this slowed us down a little. We have not been asked for our passport or driver’s license at any port during this cruise, but I certainly feel like security is strong. Our room cards provide a photo id and other information as we get on and off the ship. A passport is certainly required to book such a cruise though.
St. Thomas is 40 miles east of Puerto Rico. Its area is 32 square miles and has a population of about 56,000. It is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. dollar is the official currency and we can use U.S. postal stamps.
Princess offered a water taxi option to the downtown area for $10 per person/unlimited rides. Ship personnel said that traffic would be heavy and the water taxi would take less time. I am so glad we went on the regular taxi/open air bus ($4 per person one way), because that ride was only 7 minutes each way and we did not have to wait. Crown Bay is not as enhanced as the Havensight port area.
We were downtown by 8:30 a.m. and most stores were open. There were four cruise ships in port, but we were the only ship at Crown Bay. I love to go in and out of the stores on the narrow main street—we look at jewelry, watches, cameras, art glass, linens, the marketplace, and the perfume stores. Tim had the option of going to a beach with CC friends, but he chose to shop with me today. I made a few small purchases for gifts. We will be back in St. Thomas in two weeks so I have time to make some decisions! This is the only port we repeat in our four-week cruise triathlon. There were a lot of cruise people on the streets, but I don’t think the stores are faring well economically.
We returned to the ship by 2 p.m. for lunch and the pool. There was a CC sailaway party at 5:30 at the Oasis Bar and we admired Donna’s new ring (more details later) and Lawrence’s silver scorpion pendant. Others spent time on Coki Beach, Water Island, and an eco hike.
Tonight’s dinner choices were the best yet as far as I was concerned. We had the heartiest fried mozzarella I’ve ever had (because Brian has become such a celebrity on the ship we are treated almost every night to a special appetizer). I also had gnocchi pasta, pineapple and strawberry plate, tomato and mozzarella salad, Chateaubriand steak, with Princess Love Boat Dream Cake (chocolate). We admired Sue’s emerald and diamond ring that she purchased today.
This was an early evening—we are tired from having so much fun. I cannot emphasize enough how enjoyable the cruise has been because we had become acquainted online with so many passengers (about 75). I truly believe our lives are richer for knowing these friends, just as we became friends with so many on our NCL Spirit cruise in November 2007. Our friends at dinner range in age from probably early 40s to early 60s, but the age difference certainly does not interfere with our fun!
Despite the warm temperatures on the islands, we really do not get hot—there is always a sea breeze wherever we go. I know we are lucky to be away from Lake Erie’s bitter cold winds. Today’s temperature in Erie was reported as 19 F and severe weather compared to our 84 F and sun sun sun on the Caribbean. We will soak in all the sun we can before we head north in late February.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fried mozzarella, Chateaubriand, Princess Love Boat Dream Cake
TK’s Takes: He happily pointed out that I am the oldest at the dinner table. He needed a 2 hour nap after shopping today.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: This ship has a basketball court, putt putt, ping pong, arcade games, a children’s pool, and children’s movies, among other activities for children. As I said before there are only about 13 children on this cruise, but we were told there were 400 children on the cruise during Christmas break.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
WELCOME TO ST. KITTS
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sunny, 79 F
Basseterre, St. Kitts
We decided to sleep in today and awoke when the Grand Princess docked at 8 a.m. in St. Kitts. This volcanic island is located at the juncture of the Windward and Leeward islands, 65 miles from Antigua. It is shaped like a cricket bat and is 5 miles wide and 23 miles long. The population is around 41,000. Even though it is flatter than St. Vincent, we did not opt for a tour. We wanted to take the St. Kitts Scenic Railway tour, but it quickly sold out the first day. Next time we visit this island we want to that.
We were off the ship at 9 a.m. and it was a very short walk to the “mall” area where new shops are located. We walked a little further into town to see the green circus clock tower and shop at Island Hopper where island-made batik clothing is sold. We bought two gorgeous pillows with handpainted designs in yellows, oranges, greens, and blues-bird of paradise design on one—for our sunny sunroom. There was a handicraft market and I bought a nice blue and black swimsuit coverup. I bought some beach towels, post cards, and “Hawaiian” shirts for Tim. He did not have enough!!!???
We happened to see the cricket game on TV that Colin and Gwenda went to today (England is competing on the island) and now I know why he said it inspired the game of baseball (it has a funny shaped flat bat).
Back on the ship we changed into our swimsuits, headed for our cheeseburgers, then got the best seats yet by the back pool. As I read I could see what looked like a volcano, the sea, and a three masted tall ship. What’s not to like? Brian (Tigger B) from California entered the Mr. Sexy Legs competition and all our Cruise Critic friends were rooting for him and his grass skirt. Sadly he did not win. Tim went to a get together for firefighters and police. There were 5 firefighters and two police at the meeting. They talked about individual fire department circumstances.
Our dinner tonight was once again quite entertaining. Donna (Lidolounger) went to the spa for the evening, so Lawrence did not have a “filter,” or Donna, to “regulate” the conversation. The Sexy Legs contest was the main topic of conversation and all of us were very disappointed that Brian did not win. He had a huge CC fan base, a great show in his grass skirt/coconuts, and nice legs. Complaints will be filed. Brian, Lawrence, and Jim told jokes, most of which cannot be reported here. Brian did ask if we knew how much a pirate pays to have his ears pierced. Answer: a “buccaneer.” Tonight the veal was spectacular. We had cream puffs and a raspberry flan for dessert.
After dinner Tim and I went to the Movie Under the Stars, Dark Knight. We do use blankets, but we could never really say we were that cold. The seas were gently rocking us, but we had no trouble staying awake during this dark movie. We have really enjoyed having movies on the Grand Princess.
Culinary Delight of the Day: veal scaloppini, cream puffs. Tim truly enjoyed the escargot.
TK’s Takes: The shops in St. Kitts were close to the port.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: There are more monkeys than people living on this island! There are so many different species, too. The little ones we saw were very cute and people could take photos with them.
Sunny, 79 F
Basseterre, St. Kitts
We decided to sleep in today and awoke when the Grand Princess docked at 8 a.m. in St. Kitts. This volcanic island is located at the juncture of the Windward and Leeward islands, 65 miles from Antigua. It is shaped like a cricket bat and is 5 miles wide and 23 miles long. The population is around 41,000. Even though it is flatter than St. Vincent, we did not opt for a tour. We wanted to take the St. Kitts Scenic Railway tour, but it quickly sold out the first day. Next time we visit this island we want to that.
We were off the ship at 9 a.m. and it was a very short walk to the “mall” area where new shops are located. We walked a little further into town to see the green circus clock tower and shop at Island Hopper where island-made batik clothing is sold. We bought two gorgeous pillows with handpainted designs in yellows, oranges, greens, and blues-bird of paradise design on one—for our sunny sunroom. There was a handicraft market and I bought a nice blue and black swimsuit coverup. I bought some beach towels, post cards, and “Hawaiian” shirts for Tim. He did not have enough!!!???
We happened to see the cricket game on TV that Colin and Gwenda went to today (England is competing on the island) and now I know why he said it inspired the game of baseball (it has a funny shaped flat bat).
Back on the ship we changed into our swimsuits, headed for our cheeseburgers, then got the best seats yet by the back pool. As I read I could see what looked like a volcano, the sea, and a three masted tall ship. What’s not to like? Brian (Tigger B) from California entered the Mr. Sexy Legs competition and all our Cruise Critic friends were rooting for him and his grass skirt. Sadly he did not win. Tim went to a get together for firefighters and police. There were 5 firefighters and two police at the meeting. They talked about individual fire department circumstances.
Our dinner tonight was once again quite entertaining. Donna (Lidolounger) went to the spa for the evening, so Lawrence did not have a “filter,” or Donna, to “regulate” the conversation. The Sexy Legs contest was the main topic of conversation and all of us were very disappointed that Brian did not win. He had a huge CC fan base, a great show in his grass skirt/coconuts, and nice legs. Complaints will be filed. Brian, Lawrence, and Jim told jokes, most of which cannot be reported here. Brian did ask if we knew how much a pirate pays to have his ears pierced. Answer: a “buccaneer.” Tonight the veal was spectacular. We had cream puffs and a raspberry flan for dessert.
After dinner Tim and I went to the Movie Under the Stars, Dark Knight. We do use blankets, but we could never really say we were that cold. The seas were gently rocking us, but we had no trouble staying awake during this dark movie. We have really enjoyed having movies on the Grand Princess.
Culinary Delight of the Day: veal scaloppini, cream puffs. Tim truly enjoyed the escargot.
TK’s Takes: The shops in St. Kitts were close to the port.
A Note to our Granddaughters B and B: There are more monkeys than people living on this island! There are so many different species, too. The little ones we saw were very cute and people could take photos with them.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
WELCOME TO ST. VINCENT/GRENADINES
Kingstown, St. Vincent
Sunny, 79 F, some clouds
Saturday, January 24, 2009
We arrived at sunny St. Vincent, a new island for us, about 8 a.m. Each port arrival has been very smooth and disembarkment orderly with no lines. This is a volcanic island and seemed very hilly/mountainous from our ship. It is 18 miles long and 11 miles wide and is located in the Windward Islands. Its population is about 120,000. The main industry is bananas.
On the spur of the moment we decided to go on a private tour to Dark View Falls, a fishing village (Barroulallie), the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set, and the Botanical Gardens (the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere according to literature) with a group of people from Manitoba. The van was air-conditioned and the guide said it would be about 3 hours/$25 each (this price was already negotiated from $35 by the Canadians)
Tim ended up dubbing this tour, “the trip from hell.” I have to say the guide was fine, the bus was air-conditioned, the sites worth seeing, and the passengers relatively friendly. But the drive was almost a nightmare. We had not eaten breakfast (my planned fruit delight was spilled and we forgot to order room service and I am always in a hurry anyway), but I did take my meds—a mistake on an empty stomach. Consequently, when we encountered windy roads and the worst hairpin curves we have ever seen while sitting in the back seats for 3 hours, up steep mountains, down mountains, across mountains, around mountains my stomach did not feel very well and neither did Tim’s. Of course, there were steep precipices and no guide rails to add to the excitement. Our driver/guide beeped the horn at every hairpin curve and there wasn’t a lot of traffic and I cannot say he was driving dangerously. The hills of Kentucky and Tennessee amid the Great Smoky Mountains and Mount Washington in New Hampshire have nothing on the “roads” of St.Vincent.
We did note a cow in a pasture and then a slaughtered cow dressed out and hanging for sale in the sun on the side of the road. Goats were staked and grazing happily in fields as chickens wandered around. A woman was scrubbing laundry with a large stiff brush on a stone. There was a range of houses, from very modest to villa.
After an hour and a half of wondering how I was ever going to make it back to the ship, we arrived at Dark View Waterfall, a 75 ft. cascade that flows over a rock face into a pool below. However, to see the falls, we had to negotiate a swaying 3 ft. wide bamboo “plank” bridge with wire handrails that were certainly not stationary. The bamboo “planks” were of varying diameters so it was sort of a precarious walk, but we did it! I think I got some pretty good photos of the falls and Tim got a video of me walking on the bridge. He may make me pay ransom for that photo! I don’t think I was smiling. At the falls we saw a large wooden pipe about 4 ft. in diameter—carrying the spring water to the towns from the mountains. There were many leaks along the pipe.
One of the Canadians gave me a few pieces of dining room mints and that did help my stomach a bit-then we were off on another hairpin ride to the movie set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Some of the set was still there, a coffin maker, water wheel, wharf, a restaurant, photos, and autographs of the stars. We could see the rock formation (shaped like the sign of pi for lack of a better way of describing it) that was important in the movie a little way out into the Caribbean. Black sand. Crabs about the size of a saucer were scurrying all over.
The next stop after just enough time and steep and windy road to make my stomach queasy again, was Barroullie, a fishing village. Mahi-mahi is in season right now and we could see fishing boats.
The Botanical Gardens cost $4 to get in with a special guide and the price was worth it. Things we saw: cinnamon tree, garlic vine, fan palms, lignum vita tree (hardest wood), beautiful water lilies/a red dragonfly, cannonball tree, lemon “grass” used in citronella candles, an orchid tree, and a red, yellow, and blue parrot indigenous to St. Vincent.
The four-hour tour was worthwhile, but now I know that we should eat and sit toward the front before taking a tour on an unknown island.
Back at the port Tim wanted to go back to the ship and I thought there was a handicraft market. I began walking toward the town when a man approached me and said I was walking too fast and would call attention to myself. He continued to walk with me, showed me his dockworker ID card (Leroy Gordon), and said that he would show me where the market was.
As it turned out, there was no handicraft market, but I did see the fish market and fruits/vegetable market from a perspective others would not see. In the fruit/vegetable market he showed me a nutmeg and I did not know that a nutmeg’s covering was actually mace. I saw coconut, lemon, grapefruit, avocado, bananas, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, all freshly harvested. Fresh bay leaf in the islands does not smell like what we buy in Erie. The fish market was interesting too-tuna, mahi-mahi, and other fish all fresh from the sea. The knives and mallets were not like others I have ever seen. I did not feel threatened and Leroy was interesting. He asked me about President Obama—he said the whole island watched the inauguration. He especially liked when Obama signed the official papers.
Back on the ship I spent a little time at the pool after “my cheeseburger/fries.” I have not been so enthusiastic about such fare since the NCL Skyward cruise with my aunt in 1983. I think part of it is that there is never a line. The food at Horizon Court is OK and Tim is enjoying that, but I eat more simply.
I read on the balcony while we were leaving port because I wanted to photograph a sunset. The balcony is very private, but I could hear people talking excitedly and I looked up to the most beautiful double rainbow that started in the mountain and reflected into the sea.
Dinner (7:30 p.m.) this evening was at Sabatini’s, an Italian restaurant that charges $20 per person for a very grand five course dining experience. Vera and Ken (Tuskegee Airman) had arranged the dinner and twenty CC people enjoyed this experience. We met in the Wheelhouse Bar for drinks first—a lovely lounge with a nautical theme. At dinner, Tim and I were seated with Colin and Gwenda (Cosmic Rays) from Blackpoole, England and Brian and Leona (First Cruise Finally) from Niagara Falls, Canada.
For the Antipasti course (appetizers), we shared an assortment of cold and hot appetizers, including zucchini, prosciutto, mushrooms, sautéed red peppers, black olives, cheese ravioli, chunks of parmesan cheese, marinated artichoke, ricotta/garlic flan, small deviled crab cakes, and dried beef. There was an assortment of breads to dip in excellent olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
For the Zuppa e Salata course, I really enjoyed the Brodo di Pollo con Fagiole (chicken broth soup with white beans, and finely diced zucchini and carrots). The Pasta course included handmade potato and ricotta ravioli.
I chose cold-water lobster tail for the Secondi Piatti, the main course, with roasted pumpkin and risotta that had such a delicate flavor. Others had carved veal chops or chicken stuffed with foie de gras (liver pate).
For the Dolci course, I really really liked the raspberry frangipane. Tim had the Crema al Caffe (espresso crème brulee).
During dinner our conversation covered golf (Brian from Niagara Falls was a professional and manages four courses in that area), cricket (Colin from England is an avid fan), soccer, curling (Brian plays competitive curling), and our individual tours. Next time we visit St. Vincent we will investigate the water taxi option!
This was an early evening for us—returned to the cabin about 10:30 p.m., after dinner.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fagioli soup, lobster tail, roasted pumpkin (pureed), raspberry frangipane.
Tim’s Takes: today’s tour was the ride from hell. He also said the Horizon buffet court could be laid out better.
Sunny, 79 F, some clouds
Saturday, January 24, 2009
We arrived at sunny St. Vincent, a new island for us, about 8 a.m. Each port arrival has been very smooth and disembarkment orderly with no lines. This is a volcanic island and seemed very hilly/mountainous from our ship. It is 18 miles long and 11 miles wide and is located in the Windward Islands. Its population is about 120,000. The main industry is bananas.
On the spur of the moment we decided to go on a private tour to Dark View Falls, a fishing village (Barroulallie), the Pirates of the Caribbean movie set, and the Botanical Gardens (the oldest botanical garden in the Western Hemisphere according to literature) with a group of people from Manitoba. The van was air-conditioned and the guide said it would be about 3 hours/$25 each (this price was already negotiated from $35 by the Canadians)
Tim ended up dubbing this tour, “the trip from hell.” I have to say the guide was fine, the bus was air-conditioned, the sites worth seeing, and the passengers relatively friendly. But the drive was almost a nightmare. We had not eaten breakfast (my planned fruit delight was spilled and we forgot to order room service and I am always in a hurry anyway), but I did take my meds—a mistake on an empty stomach. Consequently, when we encountered windy roads and the worst hairpin curves we have ever seen while sitting in the back seats for 3 hours, up steep mountains, down mountains, across mountains, around mountains my stomach did not feel very well and neither did Tim’s. Of course, there were steep precipices and no guide rails to add to the excitement. Our driver/guide beeped the horn at every hairpin curve and there wasn’t a lot of traffic and I cannot say he was driving dangerously. The hills of Kentucky and Tennessee amid the Great Smoky Mountains and Mount Washington in New Hampshire have nothing on the “roads” of St.Vincent.
We did note a cow in a pasture and then a slaughtered cow dressed out and hanging for sale in the sun on the side of the road. Goats were staked and grazing happily in fields as chickens wandered around. A woman was scrubbing laundry with a large stiff brush on a stone. There was a range of houses, from very modest to villa.
After an hour and a half of wondering how I was ever going to make it back to the ship, we arrived at Dark View Waterfall, a 75 ft. cascade that flows over a rock face into a pool below. However, to see the falls, we had to negotiate a swaying 3 ft. wide bamboo “plank” bridge with wire handrails that were certainly not stationary. The bamboo “planks” were of varying diameters so it was sort of a precarious walk, but we did it! I think I got some pretty good photos of the falls and Tim got a video of me walking on the bridge. He may make me pay ransom for that photo! I don’t think I was smiling. At the falls we saw a large wooden pipe about 4 ft. in diameter—carrying the spring water to the towns from the mountains. There were many leaks along the pipe.
One of the Canadians gave me a few pieces of dining room mints and that did help my stomach a bit-then we were off on another hairpin ride to the movie set of Pirates of the Caribbean. Some of the set was still there, a coffin maker, water wheel, wharf, a restaurant, photos, and autographs of the stars. We could see the rock formation (shaped like the sign of pi for lack of a better way of describing it) that was important in the movie a little way out into the Caribbean. Black sand. Crabs about the size of a saucer were scurrying all over.
The next stop after just enough time and steep and windy road to make my stomach queasy again, was Barroullie, a fishing village. Mahi-mahi is in season right now and we could see fishing boats.
The Botanical Gardens cost $4 to get in with a special guide and the price was worth it. Things we saw: cinnamon tree, garlic vine, fan palms, lignum vita tree (hardest wood), beautiful water lilies/a red dragonfly, cannonball tree, lemon “grass” used in citronella candles, an orchid tree, and a red, yellow, and blue parrot indigenous to St. Vincent.
The four-hour tour was worthwhile, but now I know that we should eat and sit toward the front before taking a tour on an unknown island.
Back at the port Tim wanted to go back to the ship and I thought there was a handicraft market. I began walking toward the town when a man approached me and said I was walking too fast and would call attention to myself. He continued to walk with me, showed me his dockworker ID card (Leroy Gordon), and said that he would show me where the market was.
As it turned out, there was no handicraft market, but I did see the fish market and fruits/vegetable market from a perspective others would not see. In the fruit/vegetable market he showed me a nutmeg and I did not know that a nutmeg’s covering was actually mace. I saw coconut, lemon, grapefruit, avocado, bananas, pumpkins, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, all freshly harvested. Fresh bay leaf in the islands does not smell like what we buy in Erie. The fish market was interesting too-tuna, mahi-mahi, and other fish all fresh from the sea. The knives and mallets were not like others I have ever seen. I did not feel threatened and Leroy was interesting. He asked me about President Obama—he said the whole island watched the inauguration. He especially liked when Obama signed the official papers.
Back on the ship I spent a little time at the pool after “my cheeseburger/fries.” I have not been so enthusiastic about such fare since the NCL Skyward cruise with my aunt in 1983. I think part of it is that there is never a line. The food at Horizon Court is OK and Tim is enjoying that, but I eat more simply.
I read on the balcony while we were leaving port because I wanted to photograph a sunset. The balcony is very private, but I could hear people talking excitedly and I looked up to the most beautiful double rainbow that started in the mountain and reflected into the sea.
Dinner (7:30 p.m.) this evening was at Sabatini’s, an Italian restaurant that charges $20 per person for a very grand five course dining experience. Vera and Ken (Tuskegee Airman) had arranged the dinner and twenty CC people enjoyed this experience. We met in the Wheelhouse Bar for drinks first—a lovely lounge with a nautical theme. At dinner, Tim and I were seated with Colin and Gwenda (Cosmic Rays) from Blackpoole, England and Brian and Leona (First Cruise Finally) from Niagara Falls, Canada.
For the Antipasti course (appetizers), we shared an assortment of cold and hot appetizers, including zucchini, prosciutto, mushrooms, sautéed red peppers, black olives, cheese ravioli, chunks of parmesan cheese, marinated artichoke, ricotta/garlic flan, small deviled crab cakes, and dried beef. There was an assortment of breads to dip in excellent olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
For the Zuppa e Salata course, I really enjoyed the Brodo di Pollo con Fagiole (chicken broth soup with white beans, and finely diced zucchini and carrots). The Pasta course included handmade potato and ricotta ravioli.
I chose cold-water lobster tail for the Secondi Piatti, the main course, with roasted pumpkin and risotta that had such a delicate flavor. Others had carved veal chops or chicken stuffed with foie de gras (liver pate).
For the Dolci course, I really really liked the raspberry frangipane. Tim had the Crema al Caffe (espresso crème brulee).
During dinner our conversation covered golf (Brian from Niagara Falls was a professional and manages four courses in that area), cricket (Colin from England is an avid fan), soccer, curling (Brian plays competitive curling), and our individual tours. Next time we visit St. Vincent we will investigate the water taxi option!
This was an early evening for us—returned to the cabin about 10:30 p.m., after dinner.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fagioli soup, lobster tail, roasted pumpkin (pureed), raspberry frangipane.
Tim’s Takes: today’s tour was the ride from hell. He also said the Horizon buffet court could be laid out better.
Friday, January 23, 2009
WELCOME TO BARBADOS!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Bridgetown, Barbados
80s, warm, humid, sunny!!
We awoke today before room service arrived to watch the Grand Princess’ morning TV show, hosted by the cruise director James Ibrahim. We wanted to see Brian, Lawrence, and Colin (CC friend from England)! Indeed, Brian was as good as his word and wore his grass skirt and coconuts and provided great humor. A morning TV show every day is a good idea—people have a way to interact (with birthday/anniversary announcements, etc. and question of the day) and passengers have another chance to see what’s in store for the day.
The ship docked in Bridgetown before 8 a.m. We shuttled to the cruise terminal (free) about 9 a.m. and took another shuttle ($2 each) to the downtown area. Barbados is the easternmost island of the West Indies—270 miles from the Venezuelan coast and about 100 miles east of our next port of call, St. Vincent. It is 14 by 21 miles, 166 square miles. The population is about 279,000 thousand.
We walked to the Boatyard beach, but ended up just taking a look for future reference. Our favorite beaches are in Cozumel (Nachi) and Royal Caribbean’s private island area, Labadee, near Haiti. In all our travels nothing has compared to these beaches since we like to feel a little secluded with our own palm tree and lounge chairs, and perfect sand. The beaches we have seen through many cruises are beautiful—yet lounge chairs are almost always side-by-side.
We checked out many shops—I love the smell of the island perfumes, the colorful island clothing (shirts, tops, beach cover-ups). We have nothing in mind to purchase, just enjoy looking. There were only a few market tents and the most goods did not seem native. There were two other cruise ships in port, the Emerald Princess and P & O’s Oceana. The downtown area is not too large and we enjoyed the walk. Traffic was very heavy and I do think there could be more traffic lights and pedestrian walkways.
Port security is very important and we notice that at every stop. There is a U.S. Navy ship (HSV 2), a destroyer or some kind of intimidating looking ship with lots of artillery docked behind our ship (much smaller than ours-high speed?).
We returned to the ship about noon. My cheeseburgers are available from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. After lunch, we went to the aft pool deck to read. Tim could live in a pool, I think.
more later
Bridgetown, Barbados
80s, warm, humid, sunny!!
We awoke today before room service arrived to watch the Grand Princess’ morning TV show, hosted by the cruise director James Ibrahim. We wanted to see Brian, Lawrence, and Colin (CC friend from England)! Indeed, Brian was as good as his word and wore his grass skirt and coconuts and provided great humor. A morning TV show every day is a good idea—people have a way to interact (with birthday/anniversary announcements, etc. and question of the day) and passengers have another chance to see what’s in store for the day.
The ship docked in Bridgetown before 8 a.m. We shuttled to the cruise terminal (free) about 9 a.m. and took another shuttle ($2 each) to the downtown area. Barbados is the easternmost island of the West Indies—270 miles from the Venezuelan coast and about 100 miles east of our next port of call, St. Vincent. It is 14 by 21 miles, 166 square miles. The population is about 279,000 thousand.
We walked to the Boatyard beach, but ended up just taking a look for future reference. Our favorite beaches are in Cozumel (Nachi) and Royal Caribbean’s private island area, Labadee, near Haiti. In all our travels nothing has compared to these beaches since we like to feel a little secluded with our own palm tree and lounge chairs, and perfect sand. The beaches we have seen through many cruises are beautiful—yet lounge chairs are almost always side-by-side.
We checked out many shops—I love the smell of the island perfumes, the colorful island clothing (shirts, tops, beach cover-ups). We have nothing in mind to purchase, just enjoy looking. There were only a few market tents and the most goods did not seem native. There were two other cruise ships in port, the Emerald Princess and P & O’s Oceana. The downtown area is not too large and we enjoyed the walk. Traffic was very heavy and I do think there could be more traffic lights and pedestrian walkways.
Port security is very important and we notice that at every stop. There is a U.S. Navy ship (HSV 2), a destroyer or some kind of intimidating looking ship with lots of artillery docked behind our ship (much smaller than ours-high speed?).
We returned to the ship about noon. My cheeseburgers are available from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. After lunch, we went to the aft pool deck to read. Tim could live in a pool, I think.
more later
Thursday, January 22, 2009
WELCOME TO TRINIDAD!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Port of Spain, Trinidad
90s, humid, a little rain, sun
We awoke early (with room service) to prepare for our private tour of Trinidad arranged by Vickie from Vancouver—a new CC friend. Debarking was easy and our group of 16 met Gunda Busch-Harewood of http://www.islandexperiencestrinidad.com/ right outside the port entrance off the ship. After our airconditioned bus’ undercarriage was searched by the port police (as was every bus), we headed out on our tour.
Trinidad, the southernmost island in the West Indies, is about 37 miles wide by 50 miles long with a population of approximately 1.3 million including neighboring Tobago. It is just 7 miles from Venezuela. The temperature is about 90 F year round. Right now the island is preparing for Mardi Gras. Gunda said that Trinidad hosts about 75 Mardi Gras celebrations, the most of any Caribbean island. When we saw a Kentucky Fried Chicken she said that it had the most food sales of any other KFC in the world and is open 24/7. Apparently the Trinidad people love KFC!
She said that Trinidad/Tobago’s economy is centered on its natural gas deposits. Trinidad is only now becoming more of a tourist island and the industry is “not yet pushed.” Natural gas, oil, and electricity are cheap, but gasoline is $.50/liter (expensive). The terrain is mountainous and we negotiated many hairpin turns with steep, steep drop offs on the side.
Our first stop was the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens (70 acres-formerly a sugar plantation), a sort of a large arboretum. Of note was the Brazil nut tree. Brazil nuts are my favorite and now I know that there is a pod about the size and hardness of a large coconut and inside are the “seeds” which are really the nut. We saw a tree with a flower that looked like Napoleon’s hat and another where the flower looked like a Chinaman’s hat. Gunda said Trinidad has the highest density of birds/square mile of any area in the world and that there are 600 species of butterflies. The scarlet ibis is part of their national emblem. Next trip to Trinidad I would want to visit the Asa Wright Nature Center, a 200 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Our next stop was a VW/Peugeot/Nissan dealer for a bathroom spot—the tour bus driver used to work there. Clean, convenient!
Trinidad considers itself the source of island music. It is known for calypso music and most other Caribbean islands play music that originated in Trinidad. Gunda also said that the steel pan musical instrument was invented here, the only musical instrument created in the 20th century.
We stopped at Maracas Bay for an hour on the beach. Despite being a shallow area, one of our CC friend’s 2-piece swimsuit came entirely off in an intense surf wave. Fortunately she quickly recovered the suit! A few little beach hut restaurants offered shark sandwiches and a drink for $5. The sandwiches smelled very good, but I don’t eat much seafood. Just as we were leaving the beach, there was a little downpour—it is the dry season but Gunda said this year they have had lots of rain. We saw evidence of mudslides as we returned to the port.
Our final stop was a small shop (http://www.legacycarnival.com/) that made and sold Mardi Gras attire. The colors were astounding—feathers of reds, greens, blues, gold, yellows, peacock feathers, like the photo in this post. Women were sewing the intricately detailed headdresses. I was so lucky to try one on and Tim snapped a photo. The shop’s items are sold all over the world and the headpiece I tried on was priced about $300.
Before we returned to the port, Gunda told us that President Obama is very popular in Trinidad and that half the population watched the inauguration on Tuesday.
There was a small market outside the port building. Since tourists are only now beginning to come on cruise ships, the market was modest. The dear people were very friendly and not at all demanding. I purchased some hand made items because they were so well done (a tote bag and small drawstring bags with embroidered designs).
We returned to the ship about 3 p.m. I am stuck on the Trident Grill’s cheeseburger and fries. The Lido buffet has a variety of food, with soups, salad fixings, sandwiches, cheeses, sliced fruits, beef, chicken, and pork prepared in many ways, and desserts (fruit tarts, brownies, cookies, cakes), but admittedly I prefer simpler fare. Tim seems to like the burgers best, too—they are fresh and juicy, and the fries are hot. Hotdogs and brats are available.
After lunch I read on our balcony—and wrote. As I type I can view the sea and feel a slight breeze. There are many on board activities, like trivia games, cards, chess, ping pong, golf, scrapbooking, basketball, shuffleboard, ballroom dancing classes, etc, but for now I am just relaxing.
For dinner we joined our CC friends at 8 p.m. There is always a fish, chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian entrée choice. I ordered the coq au vin, but ended up not eating it—all dark meat, just did not seem tasty. Brian K, the California firefighter, told us his interview for tomorrow’s morning TV show went very well-he wore a grass skirt and two coconuts. His humorous personality has given us much amusement at dinner. We will not miss the show! His wife Nancy is very sweet and has inspired me to walk in the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure” competition next Thursday.
Another couple-Sue and Jim- (from Nova Scotia) at our nightly dinner table booked this cruise two days before it started-now that is spontaneity! Donna (a manager at Target) and Lawrence are from Janesville, Wisconsin. Lawrence speaks with no “filter,” as described by others. Lawrence definitely keeps us entertained. Brian and Leona are from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leona and I think we were in Kohl’s in Erie at the same time early early on Black Friday. I have invited her to visit us next year!
After dinner we all decided to go to the Movie UTS, The Mummy, Tomb of Dragon Emperor, more of an action movie. At one point there was rain, so we just moved under the covered area nearby and watched the rest of the movie. There was sufficient action in the movie to keep most everyone awake. It seems quite unbelievable that we can enjoy such entertainment under the stars in temperate weather. The seas were a little rough, a gentle rocking. We retired after the movie around 1 p.m. That gentle rocking is very soothing and conducive to a restful sleep!
Culinary Delight of the Day: breakfast croissant, apple strudel
TK’s takes: Tim has commented that the water pressure in the shower is the best we have ever experienced in any cruise—even at home! He also likes the fresh water in the pools. There is much more light in our room than there was on the Carnival Fantasy last November.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: All children go to school here. Whether public or private, the education is high quality, according to our tour guide.
Port of Spain, Trinidad
90s, humid, a little rain, sun
We awoke early (with room service) to prepare for our private tour of Trinidad arranged by Vickie from Vancouver—a new CC friend. Debarking was easy and our group of 16 met Gunda Busch-Harewood of http://www.islandexperiencestrinidad.com/ right outside the port entrance off the ship. After our airconditioned bus’ undercarriage was searched by the port police (as was every bus), we headed out on our tour.
Trinidad, the southernmost island in the West Indies, is about 37 miles wide by 50 miles long with a population of approximately 1.3 million including neighboring Tobago. It is just 7 miles from Venezuela. The temperature is about 90 F year round. Right now the island is preparing for Mardi Gras. Gunda said that Trinidad hosts about 75 Mardi Gras celebrations, the most of any Caribbean island. When we saw a Kentucky Fried Chicken she said that it had the most food sales of any other KFC in the world and is open 24/7. Apparently the Trinidad people love KFC!
She said that Trinidad/Tobago’s economy is centered on its natural gas deposits. Trinidad is only now becoming more of a tourist island and the industry is “not yet pushed.” Natural gas, oil, and electricity are cheap, but gasoline is $.50/liter (expensive). The terrain is mountainous and we negotiated many hairpin turns with steep, steep drop offs on the side.
Our first stop was the lovely Royal Botanical Gardens (70 acres-formerly a sugar plantation), a sort of a large arboretum. Of note was the Brazil nut tree. Brazil nuts are my favorite and now I know that there is a pod about the size and hardness of a large coconut and inside are the “seeds” which are really the nut. We saw a tree with a flower that looked like Napoleon’s hat and another where the flower looked like a Chinaman’s hat. Gunda said Trinidad has the highest density of birds/square mile of any area in the world and that there are 600 species of butterflies. The scarlet ibis is part of their national emblem. Next trip to Trinidad I would want to visit the Asa Wright Nature Center, a 200 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Our next stop was a VW/Peugeot/Nissan dealer for a bathroom spot—the tour bus driver used to work there. Clean, convenient!
Trinidad considers itself the source of island music. It is known for calypso music and most other Caribbean islands play music that originated in Trinidad. Gunda also said that the steel pan musical instrument was invented here, the only musical instrument created in the 20th century.
We stopped at Maracas Bay for an hour on the beach. Despite being a shallow area, one of our CC friend’s 2-piece swimsuit came entirely off in an intense surf wave. Fortunately she quickly recovered the suit! A few little beach hut restaurants offered shark sandwiches and a drink for $5. The sandwiches smelled very good, but I don’t eat much seafood. Just as we were leaving the beach, there was a little downpour—it is the dry season but Gunda said this year they have had lots of rain. We saw evidence of mudslides as we returned to the port.
Our final stop was a small shop (http://www.legacycarnival.com/) that made and sold Mardi Gras attire. The colors were astounding—feathers of reds, greens, blues, gold, yellows, peacock feathers, like the photo in this post. Women were sewing the intricately detailed headdresses. I was so lucky to try one on and Tim snapped a photo. The shop’s items are sold all over the world and the headpiece I tried on was priced about $300.
Before we returned to the port, Gunda told us that President Obama is very popular in Trinidad and that half the population watched the inauguration on Tuesday.
There was a small market outside the port building. Since tourists are only now beginning to come on cruise ships, the market was modest. The dear people were very friendly and not at all demanding. I purchased some hand made items because they were so well done (a tote bag and small drawstring bags with embroidered designs).
We returned to the ship about 3 p.m. I am stuck on the Trident Grill’s cheeseburger and fries. The Lido buffet has a variety of food, with soups, salad fixings, sandwiches, cheeses, sliced fruits, beef, chicken, and pork prepared in many ways, and desserts (fruit tarts, brownies, cookies, cakes), but admittedly I prefer simpler fare. Tim seems to like the burgers best, too—they are fresh and juicy, and the fries are hot. Hotdogs and brats are available.
After lunch I read on our balcony—and wrote. As I type I can view the sea and feel a slight breeze. There are many on board activities, like trivia games, cards, chess, ping pong, golf, scrapbooking, basketball, shuffleboard, ballroom dancing classes, etc, but for now I am just relaxing.
For dinner we joined our CC friends at 8 p.m. There is always a fish, chicken, beef, pork, or vegetarian entrée choice. I ordered the coq au vin, but ended up not eating it—all dark meat, just did not seem tasty. Brian K, the California firefighter, told us his interview for tomorrow’s morning TV show went very well-he wore a grass skirt and two coconuts. His humorous personality has given us much amusement at dinner. We will not miss the show! His wife Nancy is very sweet and has inspired me to walk in the Susan G. Komen “On Deck for the Cure” competition next Thursday.
Another couple-Sue and Jim- (from Nova Scotia) at our nightly dinner table booked this cruise two days before it started-now that is spontaneity! Donna (a manager at Target) and Lawrence are from Janesville, Wisconsin. Lawrence speaks with no “filter,” as described by others. Lawrence definitely keeps us entertained. Brian and Leona are from Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leona and I think we were in Kohl’s in Erie at the same time early early on Black Friday. I have invited her to visit us next year!
After dinner we all decided to go to the Movie UTS, The Mummy, Tomb of Dragon Emperor, more of an action movie. At one point there was rain, so we just moved under the covered area nearby and watched the rest of the movie. There was sufficient action in the movie to keep most everyone awake. It seems quite unbelievable that we can enjoy such entertainment under the stars in temperate weather. The seas were a little rough, a gentle rocking. We retired after the movie around 1 p.m. That gentle rocking is very soothing and conducive to a restful sleep!
Culinary Delight of the Day: breakfast croissant, apple strudel
TK’s takes: Tim has commented that the water pressure in the shower is the best we have ever experienced in any cruise—even at home! He also likes the fresh water in the pools. There is much more light in our room than there was on the Carnival Fantasy last November.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: All children go to school here. Whether public or private, the education is high quality, according to our tour guide.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
AT SEA
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Sunny, a few clouds, about 82 F, mild seas--we are headed toward Trinidad
I love having the balcony door open all night so we can listen to the waves as the ship glides through them and see the stars and the moon all night (if it is a cloudless night).
This morning we awoke to room service again! Tim spotted flying fish off the balcony. We prepared quickly for the "beach" only one deck up--aft. Our cabin is midship, which is quite convenient. That area was windy so I went to the main pool area to read for a while before heading to the port and shopping show. This was an introduction to the next ports of call (TRINIDAD, ST. VINCENT, ST. KITTS, ST. THOMAS, LA ROMANA, GRAND TURK) and we picked up a few tips.
After my lunch of a cheeseburger and fries and Tim’s sautéed chicken, we had little fruit tartlets for dessert. Tim finished Crichton’s Prey and started Timeline, also by Crichton.
I met with a group of amateur photographers in the Wheelhouse Bar to discuss our cameras and favorite photos so far. The group, mostly CC people with a range of abilities, is very helpful. On another note, I have had a few issues with connecting to the Internet. For the most part I am in our cabin writing this blog, but today I needed help connecting—it ended up being a matter of a few settings on the laptop.
Tonight was a formal evening, so we dressed with glimmer and glamour for dinner. We met our group at the lobby bar at 8 p.m. Our CC friends are camera buffs as we are and everyone was taking photos (10 people) of each other. The camera flashes made us look like movie stars.
Manuel, our headwaiter from Portugal, is very tolerant of everyone’s antics. He brings at least three or four extra shrimp cocktails for the men, and makes sure they have all the entrees they want. Tonight I enjoyed veal scaloppini, which was excellent. The green salad with pine nuts was very good, too. Princess’ menus are a little different in that there is an appetizer choice, soup or salad, and then the entrée. One can break that into four courses if one wants, but our table usually limits it to three courses before dessert. Dessert tonight was fabulous and will make our culinary delight of the day.
After dinner everyone rushed to change out of the formal clothes so we could go to the Movie Under the Stars (MUTS). Tonight’s 10:30 feature was Mamma Mia with Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep. I was very surprised that Tim and the other men agreed to this activity. Our cushioned lounge chairs and blankets were on the deck just above the pool deck and we had a great view of the screen and the stars. Some men did fall asleep in the comfy chairs, but most stayed awake and most enjoyed the movie. We returned to our cabin about 12:30 to get ready for our tour of Trinidad on Thursday.
Culinary Delight of the Day:
*Cassata alla Siciliani—an ice cream trilogy (layered flavors of vanilla and raspberry) with candied fruits—sort of like a gelato/ice cream mix;
*Frutta e Frutti di Bosco Gratinati—fruit and berries in Sabayon gratin with a pistachio biscotti.
Tim’s Takes: After viewing Mamma Mia, Tim said he would never look at 007 the same way again.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: There are only 13 children on this particular cruise, but they are enjoying themselves—there is a special children’s pool, too.
Sunny, a few clouds, about 82 F, mild seas--we are headed toward Trinidad
I love having the balcony door open all night so we can listen to the waves as the ship glides through them and see the stars and the moon all night (if it is a cloudless night).
This morning we awoke to room service again! Tim spotted flying fish off the balcony. We prepared quickly for the "beach" only one deck up--aft. Our cabin is midship, which is quite convenient. That area was windy so I went to the main pool area to read for a while before heading to the port and shopping show. This was an introduction to the next ports of call (TRINIDAD, ST. VINCENT, ST. KITTS, ST. THOMAS, LA ROMANA, GRAND TURK) and we picked up a few tips.
After my lunch of a cheeseburger and fries and Tim’s sautéed chicken, we had little fruit tartlets for dessert. Tim finished Crichton’s Prey and started Timeline, also by Crichton.
I met with a group of amateur photographers in the Wheelhouse Bar to discuss our cameras and favorite photos so far. The group, mostly CC people with a range of abilities, is very helpful. On another note, I have had a few issues with connecting to the Internet. For the most part I am in our cabin writing this blog, but today I needed help connecting—it ended up being a matter of a few settings on the laptop.
Tonight was a formal evening, so we dressed with glimmer and glamour for dinner. We met our group at the lobby bar at 8 p.m. Our CC friends are camera buffs as we are and everyone was taking photos (10 people) of each other. The camera flashes made us look like movie stars.
Manuel, our headwaiter from Portugal, is very tolerant of everyone’s antics. He brings at least three or four extra shrimp cocktails for the men, and makes sure they have all the entrees they want. Tonight I enjoyed veal scaloppini, which was excellent. The green salad with pine nuts was very good, too. Princess’ menus are a little different in that there is an appetizer choice, soup or salad, and then the entrée. One can break that into four courses if one wants, but our table usually limits it to three courses before dessert. Dessert tonight was fabulous and will make our culinary delight of the day.
After dinner everyone rushed to change out of the formal clothes so we could go to the Movie Under the Stars (MUTS). Tonight’s 10:30 feature was Mamma Mia with Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep. I was very surprised that Tim and the other men agreed to this activity. Our cushioned lounge chairs and blankets were on the deck just above the pool deck and we had a great view of the screen and the stars. Some men did fall asleep in the comfy chairs, but most stayed awake and most enjoyed the movie. We returned to our cabin about 12:30 to get ready for our tour of Trinidad on Thursday.
Culinary Delight of the Day:
*Cassata alla Siciliani—an ice cream trilogy (layered flavors of vanilla and raspberry) with candied fruits—sort of like a gelato/ice cream mix;
*Frutta e Frutti di Bosco Gratinati—fruit and berries in Sabayon gratin with a pistachio biscotti.
Tim’s Takes: After viewing Mamma Mia, Tim said he would never look at 007 the same way again.
A note for our granddaughters B and B: There are only 13 children on this particular cruise, but they are enjoying themselves—there is a special children’s pool, too.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
WELCOME TO CURACAO
January 20, 2009—Inauguration Day for our 44th President of the United States
79 F, warm with some sprinkles—lots of sun and warmth!
Waking up to room service is certainly a luxury I better not get used to. Tim is not going to want to bring me sliced fresh honeydew and cantaloupe with my coffee on a daily basis.
We watched the ship dock at Willemstad, Curacao. From our balcony we could see the three mountains that look like a reptile’s scaled back in the background and the pastel painted buildings portrayed in so many photos and paintings-reminiscent of the island’s Dutch heritage. Besides a towering bridge a little in the distance, another quaint feature is the swing bridge (called “Emma”). It swings to the side when a ship is going through the channel. Last visit Tim was “caught” on the bridge and he had to wait about 20 minutes before it swung back into position for crossing.
Curacao is about 42 miles from Aruba and 35 miles north of Venezuela. It is the largest of the 5 islands of the Netherlands Antilles-38 miles long, 7 ½ miles wide with 170,000 people.
We got off the ship about 9 a.m. to head to the Kontiki/Cabana Beach, a short distance by taxi. Some of our CC friends went with us. The beach had clean facilities (although repairs were being done) and comfortable lounge chairs. There were palm trees, but not enough shade for me. The sand was very fine and soft to the toes. Tim enjoyed the water, which he said did not seem too salty. He happened to notice there were many topless bathers everywhere.
We returned to the downtown area about 1 p.m. Tim returned to the ship while I looked around at the shops and the market. Many shops and restaurants were tuned to the Presidential Inauguration, listening on a remarkable, historical day. I returned to the ship about 2:00 p.m. and went straight to the Lido Deck—Trident Grill for a cheeseburger and fries.
At 4:30 p.m. the ship’s crew is preparing for departure. It is interesting to watch from our balcony as last minute passengers run to get onto the ship. Yesterday a lady almost did not make it-the brow/bridge was up, but they lowered it at the last minute to lift her up onto it so she could board. Many jokes are made about the fantastic photo one can take as a ship departs.
After watching the ship depart from Curacao while on our balcony, I went to read at the glass enclosed pool section that is a very quiet area while Tim napped. About 6 p.m. we got ready for dinner and strolled through the ship’s boutiques. Tim took advantage of tonight’s special—tee shirts/2 for $20.
To commemorate this special Inauguration day, we had our pictures taken in front of the American flag. Tim was wearing his Harley-Davidson/American flag shirt and I wished I had brought something red, white, and blue. I tried not to bring all my clothes and basically stuck to tropical greens and blues to mix and match outfits. Tim, as I think I wrote before, brought about 20 Hawaiian style shirts…at least that many, who’s counting? So, Tim will look patriotic in the photo and I will look like I’m on a cruise.
We met our CC crew for dinner at 8 p.m. We have anytime dining and so far we have eaten at 8 p.m. every night—this is not our usual pattern, but seems to work well because it does make the day seem longer. Everyone at our table of 10 had the filet mignon and shrimp (surf and turf). Princess has very good beef. So far the desserts have been so-so. I had cherries jubilee, which was fair. Because of the size of our group and the antics of some, including our waiter Manuel and the Maitre d’, we do not finish eating until almost 10 p.m. We are enjoying the group very much.
Except for the night we went to the movies, we have not stayed out too late so far.
Culinary Delight of the Day: filet mignon—medium rare
TK’s Takes: He was very happy to have his photo taken with two showgirls. He will have to pay for that photo, by the way. The extra-unexpected windfall was the girls at the beach and their “attire,” or lack thereof.
79 F, warm with some sprinkles—lots of sun and warmth!
Waking up to room service is certainly a luxury I better not get used to. Tim is not going to want to bring me sliced fresh honeydew and cantaloupe with my coffee on a daily basis.
We watched the ship dock at Willemstad, Curacao. From our balcony we could see the three mountains that look like a reptile’s scaled back in the background and the pastel painted buildings portrayed in so many photos and paintings-reminiscent of the island’s Dutch heritage. Besides a towering bridge a little in the distance, another quaint feature is the swing bridge (called “Emma”). It swings to the side when a ship is going through the channel. Last visit Tim was “caught” on the bridge and he had to wait about 20 minutes before it swung back into position for crossing.
Curacao is about 42 miles from Aruba and 35 miles north of Venezuela. It is the largest of the 5 islands of the Netherlands Antilles-38 miles long, 7 ½ miles wide with 170,000 people.
We got off the ship about 9 a.m. to head to the Kontiki/Cabana Beach, a short distance by taxi. Some of our CC friends went with us. The beach had clean facilities (although repairs were being done) and comfortable lounge chairs. There were palm trees, but not enough shade for me. The sand was very fine and soft to the toes. Tim enjoyed the water, which he said did not seem too salty. He happened to notice there were many topless bathers everywhere.
We returned to the downtown area about 1 p.m. Tim returned to the ship while I looked around at the shops and the market. Many shops and restaurants were tuned to the Presidential Inauguration, listening on a remarkable, historical day. I returned to the ship about 2:00 p.m. and went straight to the Lido Deck—Trident Grill for a cheeseburger and fries.
At 4:30 p.m. the ship’s crew is preparing for departure. It is interesting to watch from our balcony as last minute passengers run to get onto the ship. Yesterday a lady almost did not make it-the brow/bridge was up, but they lowered it at the last minute to lift her up onto it so she could board. Many jokes are made about the fantastic photo one can take as a ship departs.
After watching the ship depart from Curacao while on our balcony, I went to read at the glass enclosed pool section that is a very quiet area while Tim napped. About 6 p.m. we got ready for dinner and strolled through the ship’s boutiques. Tim took advantage of tonight’s special—tee shirts/2 for $20.
To commemorate this special Inauguration day, we had our pictures taken in front of the American flag. Tim was wearing his Harley-Davidson/American flag shirt and I wished I had brought something red, white, and blue. I tried not to bring all my clothes and basically stuck to tropical greens and blues to mix and match outfits. Tim, as I think I wrote before, brought about 20 Hawaiian style shirts…at least that many, who’s counting? So, Tim will look patriotic in the photo and I will look like I’m on a cruise.
We met our CC crew for dinner at 8 p.m. We have anytime dining and so far we have eaten at 8 p.m. every night—this is not our usual pattern, but seems to work well because it does make the day seem longer. Everyone at our table of 10 had the filet mignon and shrimp (surf and turf). Princess has very good beef. So far the desserts have been so-so. I had cherries jubilee, which was fair. Because of the size of our group and the antics of some, including our waiter Manuel and the Maitre d’, we do not finish eating until almost 10 p.m. We are enjoying the group very much.
Except for the night we went to the movies, we have not stayed out too late so far.
Culinary Delight of the Day: filet mignon—medium rare
TK’s Takes: He was very happy to have his photo taken with two showgirls. He will have to pay for that photo, by the way. The extra-unexpected windfall was the girls at the beach and their “attire,” or lack thereof.
Monday, January 19, 2009
WELCOME TO ARUBA!
January 19, 2009
Aruba/ Oranjestad
The ship docked in Oranjestad at about 8 a.m. and we disembarked shortly after. On the spur of the moment we decided to take a two-hour yellow bus island tour—in an open air, sort of psychedelically painted school bus for $10 each. Aruba, an island just off the coast of Venezuela, is only about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide (74 square miles), with a population of about 106,000 people. Aruba does not suffer from hurricanes, but does see tropical storms in the aftermath if one is near.
I especially liked the colorfully painted houses in pastel pink, yellow, and blue—there were many beautiful villas, hotels, condos, timeshares, and modest homes. The sea is so azure blue and the beaches have fine white sand. The dry cactus landscape amid rocks and sand was so unlike ours in Pennsylvania! The divi divi tree’s limbs only grow north-south and the tour operator said no one can get lost in Aruba knowing that.
After this tour we shopped a little in Oranjestad—both Tim and I like the Aloe Aruba products, hand cream, shampoo, sunscreen, soap, and deodorant. When we visited here in November 2007, we visited the Aloe Aruba aloe plantation and factory. The smell and feel of these products is luxurious.
After one more quick purchase of Aruban coins (one is square-perhaps the only coin in the world currently used that is square), we boarded the ship (1:30) and headed for the Lido Deck for cheeseburgers and fries-excellent.
The weather was warm and pleasant-in the high 70s with a sun-kissed breeze. The rest of the afternoon we read our books (I finished The Day Trader and started Ludlum’s The Janson Directive, a covert U.S. agency thriller).
The production show, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” starring the Grand Princess singers and dancers, was performed before dinner tonight. The show featured songs by the Beatles, Leslie Gore, Monkees, Elvis, the Supremes, etc. with many colorful costume changes. I thought the performers did a nice job—there are four primary singers—two men, two women, and all have well-trained voices. They dance, as well, with 11 others. They were accompanied by a live band. From my calculations, there is an orchestra, a dance band, a calypso band, two pianists, a DJ, and at least two other groups who perform nightly in the lounges or during the day at the pool.
We met again for dinner at 8 p.m. with our CC friends. I am eating modestly because we have many days to go and I don’t want to gain any more weight! The standing cruise director joke is that passengers arrive as guests and leave as cargo. Count me out! Anyway, tonight I had the standard shrimp cocktail, a little fish and chips, and key lime pie. There was a seafood dish on the menu and one can imagine my face as I watched two of our tablemates eating small squid, the whole entire body, tentacles and all. That was a sight.
After dinner we visited the boutique level, heard the pianist Maurizio on three levels of the atrium, then returned to our cabin about 10:30 p.m. At 11 I made a quick run to the Lido deck buffet (Horizon Court) for a bowl of those great green grapes but tonight they were mixed with honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, and pineapple, so I filled a bowl with fruit for a snack .
The Grand Princess is 952 feet long/201 feet wide; 2600 passengers; 1300 staterooms, including 710 balcony cabins; the largest casino afloat; 3 main dining rooms; 3 main show lounges; 3 additional restaurants; 5 pools; a poolside movie screen; and 14 bars and lounges.
Culinary Delight of the Day: key lime pie, cheeseburger
TK’s takes: He spends a lot of time at the quieter pool on Deck 14 aft. It isn’t far from our stateroom.
Aruba/ Oranjestad
The ship docked in Oranjestad at about 8 a.m. and we disembarked shortly after. On the spur of the moment we decided to take a two-hour yellow bus island tour—in an open air, sort of psychedelically painted school bus for $10 each. Aruba, an island just off the coast of Venezuela, is only about 20 miles long and 6 miles wide (74 square miles), with a population of about 106,000 people. Aruba does not suffer from hurricanes, but does see tropical storms in the aftermath if one is near.
I especially liked the colorfully painted houses in pastel pink, yellow, and blue—there were many beautiful villas, hotels, condos, timeshares, and modest homes. The sea is so azure blue and the beaches have fine white sand. The dry cactus landscape amid rocks and sand was so unlike ours in Pennsylvania! The divi divi tree’s limbs only grow north-south and the tour operator said no one can get lost in Aruba knowing that.
After this tour we shopped a little in Oranjestad—both Tim and I like the Aloe Aruba products, hand cream, shampoo, sunscreen, soap, and deodorant. When we visited here in November 2007, we visited the Aloe Aruba aloe plantation and factory. The smell and feel of these products is luxurious.
After one more quick purchase of Aruban coins (one is square-perhaps the only coin in the world currently used that is square), we boarded the ship (1:30) and headed for the Lido Deck for cheeseburgers and fries-excellent.
The weather was warm and pleasant-in the high 70s with a sun-kissed breeze. The rest of the afternoon we read our books (I finished The Day Trader and started Ludlum’s The Janson Directive, a covert U.S. agency thriller).
The production show, “Shake, Rattle, and Roll,” starring the Grand Princess singers and dancers, was performed before dinner tonight. The show featured songs by the Beatles, Leslie Gore, Monkees, Elvis, the Supremes, etc. with many colorful costume changes. I thought the performers did a nice job—there are four primary singers—two men, two women, and all have well-trained voices. They dance, as well, with 11 others. They were accompanied by a live band. From my calculations, there is an orchestra, a dance band, a calypso band, two pianists, a DJ, and at least two other groups who perform nightly in the lounges or during the day at the pool.
We met again for dinner at 8 p.m. with our CC friends. I am eating modestly because we have many days to go and I don’t want to gain any more weight! The standing cruise director joke is that passengers arrive as guests and leave as cargo. Count me out! Anyway, tonight I had the standard shrimp cocktail, a little fish and chips, and key lime pie. There was a seafood dish on the menu and one can imagine my face as I watched two of our tablemates eating small squid, the whole entire body, tentacles and all. That was a sight.
After dinner we visited the boutique level, heard the pianist Maurizio on three levels of the atrium, then returned to our cabin about 10:30 p.m. At 11 I made a quick run to the Lido deck buffet (Horizon Court) for a bowl of those great green grapes but tonight they were mixed with honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, and pineapple, so I filled a bowl with fruit for a snack .
The Grand Princess is 952 feet long/201 feet wide; 2600 passengers; 1300 staterooms, including 710 balcony cabins; the largest casino afloat; 3 main dining rooms; 3 main show lounges; 3 additional restaurants; 5 pools; a poolside movie screen; and 14 bars and lounges.
Culinary Delight of the Day: key lime pie, cheeseburger
TK’s takes: He spends a lot of time at the quieter pool on Deck 14 aft. It isn’t far from our stateroom.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
At Sea-sun sun sun!
January 18, 2009 / 9:30 a.m.
At Sea aboard Grand Princess
Sunny and Warm/Calm Seas
Because it was cloudy yesterday (Saturday), we did not seem to get into our cruise rhythm, but we are now more acquainted with this lovely ship. I am reading Stephen Frey’s The Day Trader, another murder mystery and found several quiet lounges for that.
We dined again with our CC friends/8:00 to 9:45 p.m.—tonight was formal night and the ladies sparkled, the gentlemen looked uncomfortable. The beef tenderloin was great, but I will pass on chilled tamarind soup from now on-very tart.
After dinner, we changed and headed for the pool deck for “Movie under the Stars” at 10:30 p.m. The Grand Princess has a large screen for watching movies while comfortably seated in a cushioned lounge chair. This evening’s feature was Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Popcorn and soda were served and we were truly under the stars. The movie ended at about 12:45, and since we had to turn the clock ahead one hour, we retired! I did wear a sweater to the movie, but the weather is warmer and the seas calmer. From balcony the moon looked completely like a completely horizontal orange slice. Perhaps no rain tomorrow.
This morning I am sitting on our balcony as I write and read in the warm sun! TK is in the pool! I am really looking forward to the football games today--I don't know if I ever said that before in my life. I want an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl!!!!
We were disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles did not win the playoffs—watched some of the game on the Lido Deck on a huge screen above the pool. Even during the day, we could see the game clearly. We joined our CC friends for dinner in the Michelangelo Dining Room again at 8 p.m. This is late for us, but we are enjoying the company.
Tim wanted to watch the Steelers game, so he returned to the large screen in Lido Deck pool area to watch. I could not bear to watch for fear the Steelers would lose, so I joined our friends in the Princess Theater.
The featured show at 10:30 p.m. was singer Johnny Thunder (76 years old), of the Drifters. He created the song, “Loop De Loop” and is in the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the songs he sang included “This Magic Moment,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and he closed with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” He was very entertaining. While watching him, I almost time traveled back in the 6os when those songs were so popular. I even purchased his CD.
The ship was alive tonight with people everywhere enjoying a comedy show, the piano bar, karaoke, ballroom dancing, and the party band.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fried free range chicken at the Lido buffet, the turkey pot pie for dinner, and the small green grapes that are better for me than candy!
TK’s Takes: The Steelers won! Even though they aren’t his team, he’s supporting them now!
At Sea aboard Grand Princess
Sunny and Warm/Calm Seas
Because it was cloudy yesterday (Saturday), we did not seem to get into our cruise rhythm, but we are now more acquainted with this lovely ship. I am reading Stephen Frey’s The Day Trader, another murder mystery and found several quiet lounges for that.
We dined again with our CC friends/8:00 to 9:45 p.m.—tonight was formal night and the ladies sparkled, the gentlemen looked uncomfortable. The beef tenderloin was great, but I will pass on chilled tamarind soup from now on-very tart.
After dinner, we changed and headed for the pool deck for “Movie under the Stars” at 10:30 p.m. The Grand Princess has a large screen for watching movies while comfortably seated in a cushioned lounge chair. This evening’s feature was Iron Man with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Popcorn and soda were served and we were truly under the stars. The movie ended at about 12:45, and since we had to turn the clock ahead one hour, we retired! I did wear a sweater to the movie, but the weather is warmer and the seas calmer. From balcony the moon looked completely like a completely horizontal orange slice. Perhaps no rain tomorrow.
This morning I am sitting on our balcony as I write and read in the warm sun! TK is in the pool! I am really looking forward to the football games today--I don't know if I ever said that before in my life. I want an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl!!!!
We were disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles did not win the playoffs—watched some of the game on the Lido Deck on a huge screen above the pool. Even during the day, we could see the game clearly. We joined our CC friends for dinner in the Michelangelo Dining Room again at 8 p.m. This is late for us, but we are enjoying the company.
Tim wanted to watch the Steelers game, so he returned to the large screen in Lido Deck pool area to watch. I could not bear to watch for fear the Steelers would lose, so I joined our friends in the Princess Theater.
The featured show at 10:30 p.m. was singer Johnny Thunder (76 years old), of the Drifters. He created the song, “Loop De Loop” and is in the Cleveland Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the songs he sang included “This Magic Moment,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” and he closed with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” He was very entertaining. While watching him, I almost time traveled back in the 6os when those songs were so popular. I even purchased his CD.
The ship was alive tonight with people everywhere enjoying a comedy show, the piano bar, karaoke, ballroom dancing, and the party band.
Culinary Delight of the Day: fried free range chicken at the Lido buffet, the turkey pot pie for dinner, and the small green grapes that are better for me than candy!
TK’s Takes: The Steelers won! Even though they aren’t his team, he’s supporting them now!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
ALL ABOARD!!!
At Sea/Grand Princess
January 17, 2009
Yesterday, we boarded the Grand Princess about 1:00 p.m. Our cabin and balcony seem huge compared to other ships we have been on—plenty of lighting, storage closets (separate from our sleeping area), mirrors, a refrigerator, hair dryer, a nice desk, and safe, etc. Right away we teamed up with a couple that writes on Cruise Critic (a web site/bulletin board devoted to cruising). Brian is a firefighter from Ukiah, California with lots in common with Tim. Our “Cruise Critic” Sail Away party was held on deck amid raindrops and 62 F weather. Good-bye Fort Lauderdale! We toasted friends and family who we wish could be with us.
We explored the ship somewhat—Tim bought the coffee card and I got the Coke card—unlimited! We switched to anytime dining. We signed up at the Internet Café, checked out the Casino (very very big), 13 different bars/lounges, 3 large dining rooms, 2 restaurants, the Lido Deck buffet, a pizzeria, a grill, and of course, room service, the boutiques (3), the show lounge (where every single seat is a good one).
For dinner we met our new CC friends, Brian and Nancy (CA) Donna and Lawrence (WI), Vickie and Bernie (Vancouver), in the Michelangelo dining room—we did have a bit of a wait for a table because passengers are getting used to a new routine. Our new friends are a humorous bunch who have cruised together before.
After dinner, we went to the short show, an introduction to the Princess singers/dancers and the crew. It was evident travelers were weary.
We retired about 11:30 p.m., ready to rest!
Gourmet delight of the day: super shrimp cocktail, crisp and perfect Vietnamese spring rolls, prime rib cooked just right, the New York cheesecake was sooo good.
TK’s Takes: Boarding was very efficient and painless—very little wait time. He enjoyed the mushroom soup, flourless chocolate cake, and the prime rib.
January 17, 2009
Cloudy, near gale winds, supposedly 70s F, but I am cool...
We got up about 7:30 to the knock of room service with my coffee and fruit. By 2 p.m. TK already has played in the slots tournament and I have purchased the boarding photos-we are easing into our regular pattern!
Our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet included about 50 people-from CA, KS, MI, WI, TX, MA, NY, FL, England, UT, every Canadian province, and others! A great moment was when I met Ken, a World War II Tuskegee Airman who gave up a personal invitation to the Presidential inauguration to be on this cruise. I hope to talk to him more. Almost 15 ship's officers attended, including the captain, cruise director, hotel manager, purser, engineers, and others. They were very friendly and stayed for many photos.
Photo upload was not successful--will try again later!
January 17, 2009
Yesterday, we boarded the Grand Princess about 1:00 p.m. Our cabin and balcony seem huge compared to other ships we have been on—plenty of lighting, storage closets (separate from our sleeping area), mirrors, a refrigerator, hair dryer, a nice desk, and safe, etc. Right away we teamed up with a couple that writes on Cruise Critic (a web site/bulletin board devoted to cruising). Brian is a firefighter from Ukiah, California with lots in common with Tim. Our “Cruise Critic” Sail Away party was held on deck amid raindrops and 62 F weather. Good-bye Fort Lauderdale! We toasted friends and family who we wish could be with us.
We explored the ship somewhat—Tim bought the coffee card and I got the Coke card—unlimited! We switched to anytime dining. We signed up at the Internet Café, checked out the Casino (very very big), 13 different bars/lounges, 3 large dining rooms, 2 restaurants, the Lido Deck buffet, a pizzeria, a grill, and of course, room service, the boutiques (3), the show lounge (where every single seat is a good one).
For dinner we met our new CC friends, Brian and Nancy (CA) Donna and Lawrence (WI), Vickie and Bernie (Vancouver), in the Michelangelo dining room—we did have a bit of a wait for a table because passengers are getting used to a new routine. Our new friends are a humorous bunch who have cruised together before.
After dinner, we went to the short show, an introduction to the Princess singers/dancers and the crew. It was evident travelers were weary.
We retired about 11:30 p.m., ready to rest!
Gourmet delight of the day: super shrimp cocktail, crisp and perfect Vietnamese spring rolls, prime rib cooked just right, the New York cheesecake was sooo good.
TK’s Takes: Boarding was very efficient and painless—very little wait time. He enjoyed the mushroom soup, flourless chocolate cake, and the prime rib.
January 17, 2009
Cloudy, near gale winds, supposedly 70s F, but I am cool...
We got up about 7:30 to the knock of room service with my coffee and fruit. By 2 p.m. TK already has played in the slots tournament and I have purchased the boarding photos-we are easing into our regular pattern!
Our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet included about 50 people-from CA, KS, MI, WI, TX, MA, NY, FL, England, UT, every Canadian province, and others! A great moment was when I met Ken, a World War II Tuskegee Airman who gave up a personal invitation to the Presidential inauguration to be on this cruise. I hope to talk to him more. Almost 15 ship's officers attended, including the captain, cruise director, hotel manager, purser, engineers, and others. They were very friendly and stayed for many photos.
Photo upload was not successful--will try again later!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
LET THE CRUISING BEGIN!
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
January 15, 2009
Today we traveled about 224 miles-- cloudy and 62 F---stopped by Ron Jon's to buy swimwear in Cocoa Beach --(not many swimsuits to choose from in Erie). A Ron Jon's clerk told Tim business was way down.
Our next destination was Sawgrass Mills Mall-350 stores, what's not to like? After checking in at the Hampton Inn/Plantation about 5:00, we headed to the Broward Mall across the street for some last minute details. We got some good exercise today.
Tomorrow we board the Grand Princess for 14 days, our first cruise in the Cruise Triathlon. I hope that I will be able to post my blog on a regular basis from the ship.
Gourmet delight of the day: Strawberry shortcake (my whole lunch) at the Cheesecake Factory is the best. Tim enjoyed a Cuban panini-pork, ham, cheese, and pickled on panini bread. Neither of us were hungry for dinner.
TK's Topic: he says he loved going to two big malls in one day (smile) and that he cannot wait to begin cruising.
January 15, 2009
Today we traveled about 224 miles-- cloudy and 62 F---stopped by Ron Jon's to buy swimwear in Cocoa Beach --(not many swimsuits to choose from in Erie). A Ron Jon's clerk told Tim business was way down.
Our next destination was Sawgrass Mills Mall-350 stores, what's not to like? After checking in at the Hampton Inn/Plantation about 5:00, we headed to the Broward Mall across the street for some last minute details. We got some good exercise today.
Tomorrow we board the Grand Princess for 14 days, our first cruise in the Cruise Triathlon. I hope that I will be able to post my blog on a regular basis from the ship.
Gourmet delight of the day: Strawberry shortcake (my whole lunch) at the Cheesecake Factory is the best. Tim enjoyed a Cuban panini-pork, ham, cheese, and pickled on panini bread. Neither of us were hungry for dinner.
TK's Topic: he says he loved going to two big malls in one day (smile) and that he cannot wait to begin cruising.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Soaring to Kennedy Space Center
Titusville, Florida
January 14, 2009
When we left Savannah this morning, it was sunny and 35 F. After we got gas ($1.79—just about everywhere we have been), we stopped at Huddle House, a southern restaurant chain we found two years ago. By 10:20 a.m. we were in Florida drinking fresh orange juice at the Welcome Center and enjoying 51 F warmth!
We stopped at the Kennedy Space Center near Titusville about 2:15 p.m. We had not been there since June 17, 1985 when we took Randy and Brian to see the Shuttle Discovery launched.
January 14, 2009
When we left Savannah this morning, it was sunny and 35 F. After we got gas ($1.79—just about everywhere we have been), we stopped at Huddle House, a southern restaurant chain we found two years ago. By 10:20 a.m. we were in Florida drinking fresh orange juice at the Welcome Center and enjoying 51 F warmth!
We stopped at the Kennedy Space Center near Titusville about 2:15 p.m. We had not been there since June 17, 1985 when we took Randy and Brian to see the Shuttle Discovery launched.
I have always been interested in the space program and even filled out an application for the Teacher in Space Program in the 80s. A project I had my students do involved naming the last-built space shuttle before its first flight in 1985—our choice was a Rising Star, a name I always loved (Atlantis was chosen). Anyway, Tim and I saw the IMAX movie about the man on the moon Apollo flight, and did the “Space Shuttle Experience,” a sort of ride that simulates the shuttle launch with a feeling of intense gravity, powerful shaking, the roar of engines, then space, and a view of the earth. It was a mild ride compared to Waldameer’s Ravine Flyer, but an interesting experience nevertheless.
Sun sun sun! and high of 62 F!!!!
Tonight's stay is at the Days Inn in Titusville, FL.
Gastronomic delight of the day:
Huddle House ham and cheese omelettes—I do not know what they do, but their omelettes are the best in the world.
Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant—fresh fried shrimp and crab bites—excellent!
TK’s Topics: the Florida Welcome Center’s orange juice and driving through Jacksonville without trauma.
Gastronomic delight of the day:
Huddle House ham and cheese omelettes—I do not know what they do, but their omelettes are the best in the world.
Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant—fresh fried shrimp and crab bites—excellent!
TK’s Topics: the Florida Welcome Center’s orange juice and driving through Jacksonville without trauma.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Savannah, Georgia on my mind
January 13, 2009. Today was cloudy travelin' day--BUT the temperature keeps getting warmer--up to 48 F! I especially love seeing the red earth as we travel south--saw 4 more sets of wooden crosses and only one more herd of deer. I-95 seems to meander in more populated areas. Perky faced blue and yellow pansies greeted us south of Charlotte, North Carolina when we stopped for lunch at Chili's. By 12:30 p.m. we saw PALM trees (South Carolina)
We finished Mortal Fear and started Greg Iles' Spandau Phoenix, another intriguing mystery inspired by the fictional discovery of a diary when the Spandau prison in Berlin was destroyed.
We drove 402 miles today, stopped in Richmond Hills, Georgia for the night (Best Western again). I was ecstatic to take off my leather coat and boots before we visited the Savannah Mall for a little exercise. It was very amusing to see the local people wearing winter coats and boots! This is sandal weather to me.
Tim isn't as tired tonight--he is doing a very good job driving.
We finished Mortal Fear and started Greg Iles' Spandau Phoenix, another intriguing mystery inspired by the fictional discovery of a diary when the Spandau prison in Berlin was destroyed.
We drove 402 miles today, stopped in Richmond Hills, Georgia for the night (Best Western again). I was ecstatic to take off my leather coat and boots before we visited the Savannah Mall for a little exercise. It was very amusing to see the local people wearing winter coats and boots! This is sandal weather to me.
Tim isn't as tired tonight--he is doing a very good job driving.
Monday, January 12, 2009
ON THE ROAD FINALLY!
We left Erie, the wet snow, icy roads, and 24 F temperature at about 8:30 a.m. Within a 1/2 hour I-79 was clear and we saw sun!! By Morgantown, West Virginia (3.5 hours from Erie) it was 31 F and only a dusting of snow.
We listened to Greg Iles' novel on CDs, Mortal Fear ( a decent murder mystery with Internet chat room issues) while Tim drove. I saw 10 herds of whitetailed deer along the highway, as well as 10 sets of three wooden crosses--Christian sentinels referenced in a Randy Travis song. To vary the pace we listened to Margaritaville on XM radio to get us in the cruisin' mode.
By 2:15 p.m. --at New River Gorge, West Virginia (in photo) where we stopped to enjoy the spectacular view--there was virtually no snow. At 3 p.m. at Beckley, WV there was NO snow and BRIGHT sun! Even though the temperature rose to 38 F, it was still very cold. I think I expected it to be warm with sun and without snow. Tim says it will be 50 F when we stop tomorrow.
At 4:15 p.m. we stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner in Wytheville,Virginia. Our Best Western Hotel was about a mile away. Today we traveled 438 miles, about 8 1/4 hours. We had a good drive--
Tim commented: he's tired from all the driving...
Monday, January 5, 2009
New to Blogging
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I am realizing that I cannot blog on the fly. The date is not showing correctly and maybe I have to change it myself. I hope I can catch on before our cruises!
Anyway, the last post about our leaving tomorrow was really written today, Sunday, January 11, 2009.
Let's see!
When I tried to publish the note said illegal post date. Nothing is ever simple!
I am realizing that I cannot blog on the fly. The date is not showing correctly and maybe I have to change it myself. I hope I can catch on before our cruises!
Anyway, the last post about our leaving tomorrow was really written today, Sunday, January 11, 2009.
Let's see!
When I tried to publish the note said illegal post date. Nothing is ever simple!
All Packed!
11 hours before we drive away into the warmth! I am all packed. All I need to worry about now is how I'm going to lose 10 pounds before tomorrow morning so I can fit into all the clothes I packed for the trip.
4 MORE DAYS
We will be leaving in four days for our drive to FL!! I'm not ready yet--better get packin'!
TK is not feeling well today, he is the chief driver so we need him in good health! To survive the drive we bought a triple CD set of books at Sam's Club. Last year we listened to Stephen King's Duma Key--that took 22 CDs and two trips to Florida to finish! The book was memorable though! Love Stephen King!
Today is a little snowy and cold, but definitely inspiring a trip south!
TK is not feeling well today, he is the chief driver so we need him in good health! To survive the drive we bought a triple CD set of books at Sam's Club. Last year we listened to Stephen King's Duma Key--that took 22 CDs and two trips to Florida to finish! The book was memorable though! Love Stephen King!
Today is a little snowy and cold, but definitely inspiring a trip south!
Explore. Dream. Discover
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." Mark Twain
This is a great quote that captures how we are feeling as we are about to embark on our adventure.
I think we are a little closer to getting ready--TK gave me 9 Hawaiian shirts, 2 dress shirts, his suit, and a sport jacket to pack. We are packing separately, but this garment bag will be a joint effort.
We are officially leaving next Monday, January 12. TK divulged the driving itinerary:
Monday-drive to Wytheville, VA; Tuesday-drive to Savannah, GA; Wednesday-drive to Titusville, FL; Thursday--drive to Sawgrass Mills Mall (I know what is important); then Friday board the Grand Princess.
Tomorrow I will explore ways to travel 6 hours a day and still stay on good terms with a spouse!
This is a great quote that captures how we are feeling as we are about to embark on our adventure.
I think we are a little closer to getting ready--TK gave me 9 Hawaiian shirts, 2 dress shirts, his suit, and a sport jacket to pack. We are packing separately, but this garment bag will be a joint effort.
We are officially leaving next Monday, January 12. TK divulged the driving itinerary:
Monday-drive to Wytheville, VA; Tuesday-drive to Savannah, GA; Wednesday-drive to Titusville, FL; Thursday--drive to Sawgrass Mills Mall (I know what is important); then Friday board the Grand Princess.
Tomorrow I will explore ways to travel 6 hours a day and still stay on good terms with a spouse!
HOME SWEET HOME
We arrived home on Saturday, February 28, afater driving about 9 hours from Williamsburg. We were very, very happy there was virtually no snow on the ground despite the fact that Erie is about 7 inches from the its all time snowfall record.
HOME SWEET HOME--ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA
Erie, Pennsylvania
February 28, 2009
25 F, chilly and cloudy
Much to our relief, there was hardly any snow in Erie!
February 28, 2009
25 F, chilly and cloudy
Much to our relief, there was hardly any snow in Erie!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Nothing is checked off the list!
Today I did not do anything on the pre-cruise list! I did take my dear granddaughter and her friend to see Tale of Despereaux-very well done BTW.
I did spend some time dreaming about an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl so that we can watch the Eagles and the Steelers compete while we sit on deck under the stars.
I also spent too much time on Cruise Critic....
I did spend some time dreaming about an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl so that we can watch the Eagles and the Steelers compete while we sit on deck under the stars.
I also spent too much time on Cruise Critic....
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Reflection
Happy New Year 2009! We celebrated modestly with family and friends--the traditional pork and sauerkraut dinner at our home.
I mentioned this blog at our dinner -- and my intention to keep everyone up to date on our travels. I have begun a list of things to do before we drive to Fort Lauderdale, including stopping the newspaper, forwarding our mail, paying bills for two months, filling prescriptions, preparing my laptop, and so on.
Of course we need to pack. I have already discovered that a few of my clothes don't fit because of the holidays. We will pack for different kinds of weather-from zero degrees F to over 80 F.
I have not been away from home this long since 1967 when I studied in France a year and I am unsure about that, too. This will be an adventure, for sure.
In a way I am looking at this trip as a way to begin the celebration of our 25 years of marriage. Why not celebrate all year long??
Anyway, we welcome the New Year 2009 and I will reflect on how grateful I am for a beautiful family, our health, and an opportunity to travel.
I mentioned this blog at our dinner -- and my intention to keep everyone up to date on our travels. I have begun a list of things to do before we drive to Fort Lauderdale, including stopping the newspaper, forwarding our mail, paying bills for two months, filling prescriptions, preparing my laptop, and so on.
Of course we need to pack. I have already discovered that a few of my clothes don't fit because of the holidays. We will pack for different kinds of weather-from zero degrees F to over 80 F.
I have not been away from home this long since 1967 when I studied in France a year and I am unsure about that, too. This will be an adventure, for sure.
In a way I am looking at this trip as a way to begin the celebration of our 25 years of marriage. Why not celebrate all year long??
Anyway, we welcome the New Year 2009 and I will reflect on how grateful I am for a beautiful family, our health, and an opportunity to travel.
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