Sleepless at Sea: Ready to Go

After a sleepless night, I woke to the sounds of Bobby Darin singing "Beyond the Seas" and knew that was our goal.  Showers were taken, final items stuffed into carry-on luggage, and off we went to the final breakfast of this cruise.

It was amazing to see so many people wide awake at this hour.  It can be assumed some stayed up the entire night partying until the last moment--for some had that unnatural pop-eyed look of those struggling to keep eyes opened.  At least everyone was chugging along and ready for that FINAL shipboard meal.

Out the expansive windows, we could see fog over the inter-coastal waterway--yes, fog in Florida!  Dockside at the port does not look familiar.  It appears we returned to a different terminal than we left from.  Now in our stateroom awaiting directions, we can view the vegetation along the waters of South Florida.  The sun is burning  off  the fog as a work vessel passes the port side of the ship and up the inner-coastal.

Time to just wait for our group color and number to be called; oh, there was just an announcement--but not for us.  Guess I will finish in anticipation of the final call.

Last post first? Order is out the window!

The worst part of a cruise is always the last day--no that's night.  Reason is not the activities, dinner, or company; it is the packing!  How did we ever get all of this stuff  in those tiny suitcases and not have it over 50 pounds?  We didn't buy anything that is traveling on the next plane with us, so why doesn't everything fit at 50 or less pounds?

It would make sense if they weighed us for a gain after having the bountiful display of food presented during the cruise; that is not the case.

As we stuffed, crammed, and otherwise wrestled with our belongings sweat dripped off of our foreheads--no, that was my forehead.  Finally, we took a break and went to the last show of the cruise--Dancing With the Stars at Sea.  We returned refreshed and gradually got all packed in the bags, the biggies put outside for pick-up, and got a chance to relax.

That is where we are now--sitting around in our ______oh, yes, bathrobes_____ as we enjoy the last of the cruise and I use up my internet minutes writing this piece.

Tomorrow, off to more adventure as we spend the day at the Miami International Airport awaiting our next plane.  Looking forward to that seat in the Admirals' Club with my name on it.

Educational Cruising---a class every woman needs to take.

Many people talk about the food and services on a cruise.  I must admit the food is usually outstanding, plentiful, and beyond what one would eat on a regular basis--perhaps that is why everyone claims “the cruise”  is responsible for the additional pounds  many bring home as a souvenir from those glorious days of sailing.  The service of the everyday staff and the spa staff are beyond one’s idea of pampering.  They make one feel like royalty, if only for a brief moment in time--yes, you must go back via TSA to get your reality check.  Ah, the memories.   

My favorite part of cruising is not the food or the pampering but, instead, the shopping!
To make sure not a  moment is  lost on the mundane, there is a special department onboard to keep everyone informed about all of the latest bargains to be found at the next port.  You will learn of the latest cuts in stones and  design in diamond jewelry, the newest of gems, and what your favorite celebs are wearing this season.  With the little VIP card issued by this wizard of shopology, you will get discounts on your gem buys and a complementary gift from the ever-friendly sales staff.  They will make sure they have showered you with information and whirling price-tags until you are totally confused and leave or impulsively buy that overpriced bobble you really did not need. You proudly leave the shop with your brightly branded bag identifying you  as the latest sting of the sales forces and target for the next hawker down the line.  Hopefully after several ports you will learn that you can look without buying or know exactly what you want to spend or buy before entering.  Get the free charm at DI, the free necklace at Effy, and whatever is a give away from the various shops.  It is an adventure and a vacation, Enjoy.

If you have not had enough shopping, you can get a little more in when the ship leaves port and the onboard shops can once again open their doors for business.

If you Can't say anything nice, . . . .

The boarding process to the Noordam was really smooth, or so we thought.  We arrived at the terminal at a little past noon.  It was told to us that the lines for boarding started at 9 but folks were not allowed on board until shortly before 11.  The processing must have been fast because no lines existed when we arrived. 

Our luggage was swept away at curbside so we just walked in and magically got our keys after showing our passports.  That was easy and we thought the rest of the day would go so, too.

Most of our luggage arrived within a an hour EXCEPT mine with all my clothes.  Only after the ship pulled away from port  around 4 PM was I told the was a "problem" with my bag.  SECURITY RISK!!

I had packed a small paring knife to cut fruit in our room.  It was  decided the knife was TOO dangerous and a threat.  P----d me off!  Try cutting an apple with a butter knife. 

Very upset.  Did not even go to dinner the first night out.  Unhappy campers.
I can't say anything nice about that day so I will say no more. 

Things have to look up, I think.

Really? On the road again? The wake-up call.

Just waiting around for the driver to arrive and whisk us away to Sacramento for the first leg of our mixed up adventure.  This one is an odd combination but with a good reason; let me explain.

Last spring, I was dreaming over the most recent Gate1Travel brochure.  Glassy-eyed, I said to dear husband that it would be nice to do a river cruise--where you see land all of the time BUT much too expensive. End of that idea . . . topic closed.

To my surprise in July, I found myself being airlifted to UCD in Sacramento in the process of having a stroke.   Impossible; amazing; really?  It was on roof of the hospital leaving the helicopter  when I decided that river trip was NOT too expensive and we needed to do it very soon, 

As soon as I got home from my hospital adventure, I called John Scott at Gate1Travel and booked our Danube River cruise.  That was a Wednesday.  The following Saturday, my boating instructor--Bob Burke, mentioned a group from the San Joaquin Delta Power Squadron were going on a Caribbean cruise and would we like to join them. The date was close to the river cruise date sooooooo we said, "Sure thing!"  After a bit of calendar surfing and time allotted for London with  a side trip to Paris,  that brings us to today.   

I hear the bell; must go!  More later.

Red Eye, Top 'o the Day, or Afternoon Delight? part I

Glutton.  That is the one word that has described my attitude about the amount of vacation time I have in a particular place has been.  Unfortunately, my description while not "regularly" employed has grown to Mega Glutton and it applies to everywhere we go.  The boots on the ground time in any particular place has really mattered; I tried to stretch and create time,  BUT things may be changing. 

For many years, I thought the only way to travel was at night. Wanting to savor every possible moment in  paradise, my favorite midnight red-eye has been  from SFO to Roatan's Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport.  Our TACA flight would  leave sometime shortly after midnight.  Following  a full week of work, anytime after midnight early Saturday is time to sleep; so  sleepily, we made our way to assigned seats and snuggled in to   our  tiny blankets and wafer sized, industry- standard  pillow. At that hour, the hospitality of the crew in offering food and drink was appreciated but somewhat lost on the sleepy souls.  As the engines hum their lullaby, sleep comes rapidly and rejuvenation quickly on its heels.  

The announcement of arrival in San Salvador, the first leg of the adventure,  awakens me as beams of  light begin to fill the cabin.  Upon landing,  I locate the closest restroom and change from my cold weather clothes to shorts, top, and sandals that have been stowed away in my carry-on ready to jump-start our island experience.  Touch down; pay entrance fee; get your bags.  Now is the time to get the rental car and head to West End or West Bay for the first Salva Vida and toast to a great trip at 11AM.  No day wasted  by travel and it's only noon by the time we have checked into our new home for the next week or so.  

Throughout the years, there have been other airlines offering flights to Roatan and some we have tried, but none meets the criteria of arriving bright and early~~gently squeezing every moment one can relish from  tropical paradise.

Historical tale from 2015

The red nose, red eyed dog of Sandy Bay; AKA Rudolph

What was it said about encountering a strange animal --- ie, bear, mountain lion, strange dog-- look them in the eye or make no eye contact?  Obviously, I have forgotten and so this tale took place.

During my birthday lunch at the Blue Bahia Grill on the beach at Sandy Bay, we watched the people and animals walk up and down the beach.  On occasion one of the animals would--oh how should I put it?--not find the restroom but use the beach.  Surprisingly, it was always at the water’s edge so the slight wave action  caused a flushing effect.  There, I said it!

After having lunch,  I suggested we continue up the beach in the opposite direction from our apartment. We passed several docks and then decided to wade into the water.  As we were talking and leaning on the dock, I spied a dog taking itself for a walk and, well, doing what the other dogs did.  Here is where the weird started.

As the dog turned around and looked up, we made eye contact.  I made a tisk-tisk sound and the dog started trotting toward us.  Not being a doggie person, I turned around  and tried to ignore the dog--but he kept coming.  He started swimming in the shallow water toward the dock.  Fast swimmer, really fast swimmer.  It appeared he was going to come under the dock to us.  Oh no!--more eye contact--That had to be a mistake.

Not trusting what kind of dog he was--smiling or bite happy, I asked Sweetie to make a hasty retreat to the dock.  We went to the far end of the dock where the water was from 5 to 6 feet --and the dog kept coming. More eye contact, “Go away doggie. No.”

He swam out to the end of the dock but couldn’t use the ladder because some people were on it, so he swam back to the beach. Good doggie--stop looking at him--couldn’t. I was grateful  for the new distance between us but I was so curious. That was not the end of the red nosed, red eyed dog of Sandy Bay.

I kept watching where the dog was not wanting any surprise attack.  Rudolph (my name for him) trotted along the beach a bit in the direction of our apartment...did he know where we were staying?  I remembered hearing one should never trust a smiling dog.

Suddenly he stopped at the next dock and began swimming out into the water.  I was even fearful that Rudolph might drown since only his head was above the water.  He swam all the way to the steps in the deeper water, climbed up on the dock and then continued to an upper observation deck and sat for a bit.  After an elapsed time, he entered the water again and went back to shore. 

That dog continued the process up the beach at each dock until he was out of view.  Rudolph had a collar so I guess he must have a family, who knows.  Does he take himself for a walk and swim each day?  Was he coming by just to be friendly or was I going to be the bite of the day?   Oh well, I made it through this many years and didn’t want any surprises. 

If we see Rudolph again, I will write an update. May even make friends with him.  That will be another day of paradise in the Bay Islands on Roatan.