Monday, October 20, 2014

CARIBBEAN PRINCESS—ALL ABOARD!!

October 19, 2014

At Sea—Aboard Caribbean Princess

Sunny, 86 F

 

After two more days with Tim’s brother, we drove to Fort Lauderdale to meet the Caribbean Princess. On Thursday night before we left, we had a great dinner with DDIL Denise’s mother Cheryl and Dave at the beautiful Watermark in Naples. It is one of Cheryl’s favorite restaurants. Tim had pork chops and I enjoyed fried shrimp. Our conversation covered a lot of topics, especially Florida living. I admire their ability to recognize great properties. Their home in Estero is fabulous. 

 

On Friday we had lunch at Mel’s Diner with Mike and Maria B., dear “old” friends from Erie who spend October to April or so in Bonita Springs.   I loved hearing Tim reminisce with Mike about neighborhood escapades from his childhood. Maria was an ESD teacher and we have a lot in common!

 

Another Friday highlight was a trip to Cape Coral for the Oktoberfest with Jeff, Carmel, Carol, and Tim. The festival was much larger than ours in Erie, with multiple bands and many more food vendors.  We had weinerschnitzel, noodles, and red cabbage—my favorite. Friends Kevin (EFD) and Jan S.  joined us.

(Note: I am very glad we have a German festival in Erie—but this year it was very rainy and we couldn’t go. We did enjoy the Greek and Polish festivals in Erie though).

 

October 19, Saturday morning, we left Tom and Carol’s generous hospitality for Fort Lauderdale. The Caribbean Princess was waiting for us. Every time we board a ship we have to fill out a form stating we are not sick with certain symptoms, but this time the form added wording asking if passengers had recently traveled to Sierra Leone and two other African countries in the last 21 days and if passengers were exhibiting certain symptoms. Of course this is a reaction to the situation recently with the Carnival Magic out of Galveston, Texas.

 

We were able to talk to sons Randy and Brian before we left port and told them about the web cams we would pass by. We stood on the deck and waved like crazy but it is doubtful they saw us because they were all having fun at Randy and Coleen’s Halloween Party. J

 

Unusual for us, we sat with 6 other couples for dinner. I told Tim if the conversation turned to politics I would leave immediately, but it didn’t!!! The couples were from Montreal, Buffalo area, Kansas, and Florida. We talked about fishing, the Air Force (the young married couple was on leave), snow, and cruising. Prime rib tonight!

 

Saturday night’s show included comedian Darrell Joyce, who was very funny. He said NO man looks good in Speedos—always good for a laugh and so true. He also said if a lady cannot see all of herself in the mirror, then she probably does not qualify to wear a two piece. In fact, a three piece might not even be appropriate.

 

Sunday was a reading day by the pool. Cold Fire by Dean Koontz.  Tim said the water was cold.

We dressed for formal night and dined at a table for two. The Surf and Turf was filet mignon and shrimp-no lobster—so I opted for German pot roast.

 

We immediately changed clothes after dinner and went to the movie under the stars—Maleficent. I really wanted to see it with B1 (not sure B2 could), but since it was playing here, we watched. Tim and I both thought it was very well done. I loved the story line except for Aurora’s father.

 

After the movie, at 10:15, believe it or not, we went to the Princess Theater to see Comedian Darrell Joyce again. I think he is funny and he focused on husband / wife relationships tonight.

 

Football was on all day and I think the Broncos won.

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