Monday, January 18, 2016

A STOP AT THE PRINCESS LINE’S PRIVATE ISLAND

Princess Cays / At Sea
Monday, January 18, 2016
79 F—partly sunny


Today we took tender boats to a relaxing tropical island in the Bahamas.  I always look for a palm tree with a little shade to read, a perfect setting. We were near the sea with a view of the ship and near the picnic pavilion. Princess personnel carefully carry the assortment of picnic food to the island, burgers, hotdogs, all the fixings like tomatoes, lettuce, and onion, chicken, ribs, coleslaw, baked beans, corn salad, potato salad, fruit salad, brownies, and cookies. Some cooking is done on the island as well. This year I noticed wraps and pork, beef, chicken, or vegetable tacos in another area.  As I write I am thinking of our friends and family in the cold north and I feel a little guilty enjoying such warmth. TK and I are so fortunate and blessed that we are able to travel like we do. I promise that I will bring some warmth home in February!!

Tonight our gang of twelve dined in the Symphony dining room at two tables for six. We have a great group, three firefighters and two heavy equipment operators. Brian K. gave each of the ladies a bag of Lake County diamonds tonight. I will be very excited to show them to Brother Bill and B2. Brian K said the “diamonds” can be found in vineyards when they plow, after rains, and even on the side of the road. They are clear silicon dioxide (quartz) and they are only found near the volcanic Mt. Konocti in Lake County, California, north of Napa and east of Mendocino County (Northern California) in the Pomo Indian area. They remind me of the diamonds Son Randy and family found at the Herkimer Diamond Mine in New York State. We will all examine them soon!!  TK and I shared the maple syrup candy drops we got at the PA Farm Show. Brian K wanted to melt them tomorrow for his pancakes at breakfast.

Our dinners (most ordered veal scaloppini) were tasty, but we enjoyed the company more. 

Some Regal Princess facts:
·         The ship, built in Italy, was launched in May 2014—I think it is the newest ship we have ever been on.
·         About 1000 feet in length
·         About 120 feet in “breadth”
·         About 24 feet draft—below the water line
·         22-23 knots
·         Total number of passengers on board—3560 plus 1345 crew members (about 1000 more people than the population of the town I was raised in)
·         Five tenders each with a capacity of 220 persons.
·         20 Decks
·         10 bars, clubs, and lounges
·         3 main dining rooms
·         2 restaurants which charge an extra fee (steak house and Italian)
·         Seafood Bar, Pizzeria, Gelato, BBQ grill smokehouse, Ice Cream Bar, Cafes, and of course, the Horizon Court for the buffet
·         Other locations include a library, art gallery, boutiques, an Internet Center, spa and beauty salon, a fitness center, photo and video gallery, shore excursion desk, casino, and a reception/purser’s desk open 24 hours a day.
·         Princess Theater and multiple lounges with multiple kinds of music and  other shows
·         We did find another pool today so I’m not sure how many there are now.



This is a busy ship!!
[Note: I tried to upload one photo. After 7 minutes I gave up--since we are "Platinum" we have 150 minutes free internet, but it is deadly slow. -- can't fix that]


TK is at the movie (Bridge of Spies) so I will have to wait for his “Take.” Lawrence was unfettered today (also unfiltered), and entertained many. I will need to ask him for back up takes, 

Regal Princess from Princess Cays



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