FOOTBALL AND SEA DAYS AND SHOPPING

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands / Regal Princess

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

84 F/ sunny

I have some catching up to do! I forgot to mention a little anecdote from Sunday after the football game. No one in our group watched the first football game on Sunday, so I was asking everyone I could who won the game. Finally, in the Internet Café I asked a man at a computer, “Do you know who won the Broncos/Patriots game?” I figured if he was on the Internet, he would surely know.

He turned around and said, “Broncos.” I immediately smiled and said, “That’s great!” I knew our son and granddaughter would be happy.

It was then I noticed the scowl on his face. I said, “Oops, I’m sorry. Where are you from?” He answered, “Cape Cod.”  To myself I said, “Now you’ve done it!” Oh well….

Again on Sunday, when we were painfully waiting in the Princess Theater for about 10 very late people to show up, a lady volunteered to tell a joke. Everyone sort of groaned, but she forged ahead.

She asked, “Are you all familiar with the Three Little Bears? Did you know that Mama and Papa Bear were getting a divorce?  Sadly, they were. The family went before a judge to determine who would get custody of Baby Bear.  The judge said to Baby Bear, ‘You probably want to live with your Mama.’

Baby Bear replied, ‘No, please! She beats me.’ So the judge said, ‘OK. Then you can live with your Papa.’  Baby Bear said, ‘No! He beats be me too!’

So the judge said, ‘Well, Baby Bear, you can live with the Chicago Bears. They don’t beat anybody!'”  Everyone groaned again, but the lady said she was from Chicago and she could say that! American football. Binding us together!

Monday was a sea day so first on the agenda was Brian K’s Meet and Greet. Regal Princess Captain Paul Chandler-Burns popped in. He told us this was a very windy cruise. On the open deck it is certainly windy, but the ship is not rocky. He also told us that only 38 people missed the cruise because of the snow storm from NYC/DC and beyond. [Note: we do think more missed the ship, but that Princess was able to fill in the staterooms with Florida residents able to leave on a moment’s notice.].

Lots to talk about, sitting listening to live music, first the Beatles songs, then a  fabulous pianist/vocalist who did a fab job on Adele’s Hello, BUT we have an early morning in St. Maarten, so I better get some sleep!  Friend H, we paved the way for you in St. Thomas big time. The shops will be looking for you!  

Not finished! And thank you, MJ, for commenting!!

Tuesday was a sea day so first on the agenda was Brian K’s Meet and Greet. Regal Princess Captain Paul Chandler-Burns popped in. He told us this was a very windy cruise. On the open deck it is certainly windy, but the ship is not rocky. He also told us that only 38 people missed the cruise because of the snow storm from NYC/DC and beyond. [Note: we do think more people missed the ship but Princess was able to fill in the staterooms with Florida residents able to leave on a moment’s notice.].

Tuesday night all twelve of us had reservations in the Crown Grille steakhouse, arranged by Colin. The selection included filet mignon, porterhouse, sirloin, ribeye, and lobster. We enjoyed being together an even fancier setting.

TKs Take: The Cruise Critic slot pull had to be cancelled today because a woman was using the machine that the casino uses for group slot pulls. She would not get off of it and everyone waited around for almost an hour.[i] She ended up losing all her money while spiting our group, but by then it was too late for the game.

St. Thomas

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

81 F /sunny

Donna is not allowed to shop with me again. I didn’t do anything. I know Gwenda will attest to that. Anway, at 9:30ish, TK and Lawrence accompanied Donna, Gwenda, and me into downtown Charlotte Amalie on our shopping trip. In fact Lawrence made the first jewelry purchase, a titanium ring at Cardow’s. Then TK bought a bamboo t-shirt at Cariloha.  We also stopped at Diamonds International, Effy, and Mr. Tablecloth (where I bought my beautiful crocheted table cloth over  25 years ago), diamonds, wooden watches, rings, pendants, beachwear, an AMAZING selection of everything.

Colin met us for lunch at the Green House and we made some serious decisions about possible purchases. Colin, Lawrence, and TK decided to walk back to the ship after lunch and let us shop alone. Big big mistake.

Diamond thumb rings, Marahlago larimar pendant (blue stone found only in the Caribbean), diamonds, earrings, we all got into trouble! Gwenda tried to keep track of us, to no avail, and then she caved too. We finally shared a taxi with another couple and returned to the ship about 5:30 p.m.

We were ready for the Bavarian dinner in Horizon Court by 7:00. We missed the Bavarian buffet last week and it was a must tonight—bountiful spaetzle, veal schnitzel, turkey schnitzel, pork schnitzel, all kinds of German sausages, red cabbage, sauerkraut, German potato salad, bread pretzels, cheese strudel, Black Forest cake, a glorious feast.  While dining, Nancy’s hot tub incident came to light. On Tuesday afternoon she thought Lawrence was getting into the hot tub with her. She motioned for him to sit on her lap. Problem was, the guy wasn’t Lawrence. The guy asked her if Lawrence was her husband. “No,” she said, “my husband is over there.” That only sounded worse, of course. Now she keeps running into the guy. We all determined he was quite good looking!

After dinner, I sat in the Atrium to write the blog while listening to live music, first the Beatles songs, then a pianist/vocalist, Tatiana Alekseeva, who did a fabulous job on Adele’s Hello, BUT we have an early tour tomorrow in St. Maarten, so I better get some sleep! 

Note to Friend H: We paved the way for you in St. Thomas big time. The shops will be looking for you! 

Thanks, MJ, for the comment!!