JACK NICKLAUS WINKED AT ME

West Palm Beach, Florida
Marriott Ocean Pointe
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunny, 75 F

The last day of our cruising triathlon was a bit of a downer. We went to both evening shows--the crew performers were mostly singing. We do like the Philippine dance with sticks that we have seen before. The show after that included the magician, the lead singer, and the Irish comedian, Dave Heenan. One joke he told that tickled my sense of humor: Dave said, "I was an honor student in high school. No, your Honor; Yes, your Honor." The finale was truly hilarious--a new one for NCL and I don't want to spoil it.

We did not pack until after the show, which meant that we were packing past midnight. How we ever shoved everything into the bags, I don't know.

We arrived in Miami about 7:30 a.m. – we got off the ship about 10 a.m. A porter took our bags right to our car. We were on the road to West Palm Beach by 10:15—the drive was 80 miles north. Our room was not ready when we reached the Marriott, so we lounged around the fabulous pools and even walked onto the very sandy beach on the Atlantic.

By 2:30 we were called that our room was ready and that was when we realized we did not pick up one of our bags at the port. I won’t say who said he/she had all the bags and started for the car when we got off the ship. We immediately called NCL and the port to the best of our ability trying to get someone who could help. Finally someone said if we drove there, we might be able to get the bag. Tim drove the hour and a half back to Miami and by 4 p.m. he was able to see the Dawn leaving the port and one NCL employee, the only person on site. He told Tim that if we returned on Sunday we might be able to get the suitcase. It was mine, of course, with my swimsuits, medication, and regular non-cruise clothes, etc. etc.

Soooo, this morning we drove yet again to Miami. The good news is that we must have been the only ones who left luggage and we had the bag back within 10 minutes. Tim did not even have to park the car. The NCL Pearl and the NCL Jewel were in port, as well as two Carnival ships, and one Royal Caribbean.

On the way back to the Marriott we decided to go to the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art, and Antique Show at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. This was quite an experience. The cheapest thing I saw was $450. Original Tiffany lamps, Steuben glass, U.S. flags from the War of 1812, first edition Wizard of Oz, Chihuly glass pieces (starting at $60,000), diamond jewelry, ruby necklaces, it was like being in a museum with priceless objet d’arts. There was an original Marc Chagall painting for $60,000 and the signature was stamped. There was a Tiffany set of silver, 24 place settings, each place setting had 7 knives, 5 spoons, and 5 forks. The funny thing was that Tim was wearing an International Association of Firefighters t-shirt and I was in casual clothing--- most of the people there were definitely not dressed that way. Many Maseratis, Bentleys, BMWs, and Mercedes Benz were parked outside.

But, the most exciting part of this day was our little trip to Publix grocery store on PGA Drive. We were getting sub sandwiches and Diet Pepsi, when I almost bumped into someone with my cart. I said excuse me and moved along when Tim whispered, “That was Jack Nicklaus.” How would I know? Anyway, we continued our shopping and a few minutes later the same man went by again. He winked at me and smiled as he shook Tim’s hand. No words were said. The cashier said that he and his wife shop there all the time! We met Jack Nicklaus!!!!!!!!!

Culinary Delight of the Day: Italian sub sandwiches on multigrain bread from Publix--how else would we meet a great golfer??

TK’s Takes: He doesn’t think rich people park their own cars, as observed at the antique show and City Place, downtown West Palm.

Note to our Dear Granddaughters, B1 and B2:
B1, congratulations on having your winning photograph go on to another level. Quite an accomplishment for a 1st grade photographer!!! I wish I could be at the award ceremony on Tuesday-be sure your mom and dad take pictures!
We miss you both very much!

Note to Angel: I think if you get a flight before noon in November it could be iffy—the debarkations were about ½ hour off so the early people did not get off the ship until about 9:00. However, NCL has program where you can pay $15/bag up to four bags and the bags will be transported straight to the airplane you are boarding. This fee is beyond the fee airlines charge per bag, but we thought it would be worth it. Then, you could walk right off the ship with carry-ons. Customs at the NCL terminal did not require people to have their bags with them—this was new for us, we picked up our bags after customs.

Note to MJK and TK: Be sure you have ALL of your bags before you leave the ship/airplane/etc. Count them!!!!! When you put FOUR bags outside your door at midnight, you need to retrieve/claim FOUR bags at the terminal