Crusin -- Nov 4 - Grand Cayman

This day would not be over until we went to Hell and back.

The area we went ashore at on Grand Cayman was more along the lines of what I expected the Caribbean to look like. We found ourselves in an upscale shopping area with a decent waiting area where we waited to board our bus. This time our driver was also the narrator for the drive.

Hell was our first stop on today’s shore excursion. Hell is a little tourist trap built in front of an unusual rock formation. Since it was labeled Hell the little shop there sells every kind of Hell memorabilia you can think of. It’s not that special that it warrants a trip to Cayman to see but we did go to Hell and back and we have pictures to prove it.

The next stop was a rum and cake factory store. This was a relatively tiny building that was packed with tourists from every bus tour on the island. Inside there was a crush of people all clamoring for the free samples of rum cake and rum that were being passed out. There were many flavors of each to taste and even with the crush it was still possible to get a taste of whatever you wanted. We ended up buying some rum for K&T and C&C.

The final stop of the day and the day’s highlight was the turtle farm. Our bus driver was our tour guide through this facility. It raises turtles for commercial sale and releases some to the wild. The first stop inside is the breeding tank. It is full of adult turtles and has a patch of sandy beach for the turtles to lay eggs in.

the breeding tank

Next was the tank with young turtles in it that were just the right size to hold. If the turtle begins flapping its fins while you hold it you literally have your hands full. You can’t drop it and it’s not light. We all took turns holding turtles and then wandered through the rest of the facility. Penny bought some food and fed turtles.

Penny feeds turtles

I like the color and pattern on these turtles

penny holding a turle-doesn' she look happy?

hatchlings

On the way out we spotted an iguana in one of the bushes.

.We got back to the boat and dressed for dinner.

After dinner it was show time and then that evening it was the special chocolate night on the lido deck. The most interesting piece of chocolate to me was this dragon.

an edible dragon

Crusin-Nov 3rd (continued)

Dunn’s Falls was the place where our tour guide warned us about the vendors. He said that someone would ask you your name and if you told them they would quickly make something with your name on it and expect you to buy it. He also said someone might hand you a necklace and if you took It you bought it. We did run into these folks and because of his warning we were ready. He also preferred we buy our stuff at the dolphin swim place—that was his company. The vendors were rude in the way they would accost you and then if they got you to look or slow down they would try to sell you something.
The falls itself was a different story. They did have guides to help you up the falls if you wanted but I wanted to try it on my own. I don’t know how high they are but I got a good workout climbing them. It wasn’t easy and I had to back track a couple of times because I picked a path that turned out to be a little too risky to try. I did not want to hurt myself so I was being quite careful.


That's me in the green shirt



 Penny walked the stairs besides the falls and tried to get some good pictures of me.

I was feeling a sense of accomplishment when I reached the top only to find what looked like a shallow pool was actually a deeper sandy hole and I ended up with only my head above the water sitting in the pool. Penny got good pictures of this! I was hot after the climb and decided to take advantage of my misfortune and just sit there for a while and cool down.

Then it was back to the bus again for the long ride back. This time Norman didn’t talk all the way. He played reggae music until we were almost back and then he conducted quiz- guys against gals- to see who was paying attention on the way out to his talk. Penny did surprisingly well in answering.

When we left our ship was anchored out in the harbor and we were tendered ashore. As we approached the harbor we could see that the ship was not out there. Norman joked that we could wave goodbye as our ship left us. But we weren’t late! The ship had the opportunity to pull up to a dock while we were gone and as we got closer we could see it docked up ahead.

Our tour guide, Norman

Once back on the ship it was the regular routine of dinner and then a show.

Kitty Update—I haven’t talked about the cats in a while. At first when we got back maybe 1 cat would show up at night, then some nights 2. This past Wednesday and Thursday Marmalade showed up and stayed all day and night. She would follow me around outside and meow at me. She’s now been out there each night for about a week along with Meredith. Three nights ago Velcro showed up and has been there each night since. Buzz shows on and off. So I’ve seen all 4 cats on and off just not all at once. I guess trapping that possum did some good.

Crusin – Nov3 (continued)

The dolphin swim would take place in this lagoon that was full of the critters.

We swam off this dock on the right side of the lagoon

Two encounters were available. In one you walk down a dock and get to bend over and hug and kiss a dolphin. Our encounter was much different. First we were given life jackets to wear. Then we all went into the water and floated out about 20 feet from the dock and our group of 10 lined up shoulder to shoulder.

We were told to hold our arms out straight in front of us and to run our hands over the dolphin as he swam by. That was cool. The dolphin is well trained and swims by slowly enough for you to run your fingers all along his body. That was done a second time and it was even more fun now that we knew what to expect. Next the dolphin did a dance in front of us making dolphin sounds and splashing us all with his fins as he spun around. The dolphin seemed to be enjoying himself.

Next we all gathered (floated) at the dock and lined up in 2 rows. The trainer brought the dolphin in between our 2 rows so we all could touch and rub him as he talked. We all rubbed and pet him. All this time he was upside down with his blow hole under water. Every few minutes he would slowly and carefully roll over just far enough to take a breath and the roll back. We did this through 3 breaths. Did I mention this thing weighs 300lbs?

The best part came next. We all floated out about 30 ft from the dock and one by one rode on the belly of the dolphin. It was a unique experience. To ride you simply stuck your arms out straight in front of you and wiggled your fingers. The dolphin comes up under you belly to belly and you grab onto his flippers and off you go. When you get close to the dock the dolphin turns and dives leaving you to float to the dock.

Next was a demonstration of echo location. The trainer said the dolphin could “see” inside you—your bones and even if a woman was pregnant. He asked the dolphin if someone was pregnant and the dolphin selected someone. It was a guy. Anyway, that guy was given a yellow hoop and told to throw it deep into the lagoon. We all made sure the dolphin didn’t peek. Then he told the dolphin to get it and talk about fast. The dolphin was gone and back in a few seconds. The dolphin then went to the center of the lagoon and did some very high jumps.

We had one more session of stick your arms out and feel the dolphin as he swims by and it was time to go. It was worth every second, even the long ride.

Penny and I after the Dolphin swim

They didn’t allow cameras with the dolphin so we have no pictures. They did take a video that we could buy but we thought they wanted too much for it.

Update- 1/4/2011   Kathy bought the video for us and that was our Christmas present--here are some clips:

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

About 4 minutes up the road was Dunn’s River Falls. That will be my next blog.

Cruising – Nov 3rd

Today was Jamaica. We were dropping anchor in Montego Bay. I had pictured a Caribbean paradise but what we saw of Jamaica was anything but. We had our swim with the dolphins and climbing Dunn’s Falls on the schedule for today and I was hoping the experience would live up to my guarded expectations. I sort of pushed Penny into the dolphin swim because I thought it might be the only time in our lives we would get to do that. I mean, considering the flack that Sea World gets for its programs, letting people interact with the animals directly can’t last.
The ship could not dock in Montego Bay because all the berths were full. This meant we would be tendered-taken to shore in little boats. Because we had booked shore excursions we gathered in the theater and had a special time to board our tender. I found that whole process interesting. The tenders look like something out of a Star Wars movie

Tendering is quite efficient and even a little dangerous. You go down a steep gangway onto a small dock and step across to small space to the tender than is rocking in the waves. I especially liked the efficient design of tender.

I was surprised at the appearance of the dock area in Montego Bay. It looked more like an industrial dock than a tourist stop. We were originally supposed to stop at Falmouth Harbor not Montego Bay. Maybe it is prettier over there.

Once ashore we were told which bus to go to and then set off on what turned out to be an almost 2-hr drive! We had no idea it was so far away. We did get to see the mostly depressing Jamaican countryside.

Our guide for the trip was a guy named Norman and he talked for almost the entire time. He had a well tuned routine. We were taught some Jamaican. We were told about the history and general facts about the countryside we were driving through and we were warned not to make eye contact or respond to the vendors that would be accosting us.

First stop was the dolphins and first thing we did there was have lunch (included). What else would it be but jerk chicken and pork? As I was eating (outside under a canopy) I looked down and there sitting beside me was a black and white cross-eyed cat. Somehow he picked me out as the sucker who would feed him. (He was right) But he didn’t meow or paw me. He just waited until I noticed him. I fed him and he was nice.

Next it was off to the dolphins

(to be continued…)

Cruising – Nov 2nd

Happy Birthday to me!

This was a sea day with no ports of call as we made our way to Montego Bay and our visit to Jamaica. It was also a formal-dress day for dinner.

I have to mention the night sky that we saw from the veranda last night. There were layers upon layers of stars with a visible milky way. This is the fall sky that I am most familiar with because I got my astronomy merit badge in boy scouts reading the late summer constellations and stars. My old friend Cassiopeia and later Orion were bright and clear not to mention the northern cross.

I got up in time to catch the sunrise that, while not spectacular was interesting. I enjoyed taking pictures on the boat before most people were up.

Penny and I went to  a free digital photography class that actually taught me something about the features and settings on my camera that I didn’t know.
Cruises are synonymous with eating and I already had been eating my share. But this day was a day I would not go hungry. For lunch Kathy and Joe treated us to a 5-star meal. I had fillet mignon.

Kathy got a kick out of the way her cucumber was sliced.

I got a mousse birthday cake.

This was also the day we had a wine tasting scheduled. It was actually quite fun and interesting. Instead of telling us what we were supposed to sense (see, taste, smell and feel) the expert asked us and then led the responses down the correct path. We tasted 2 reds and 2 whites.

I also joined Kathy in the pool and hot tub.

Penny and I then dressed for dinner and headed off to eat some more. I got another birthday cake at dinner but had no room to eat it so I brought it back to our rooom-where I found a plate of 6 chocolate covered strawberries as a special gift from the cruise line.

After dinner we went to a great show in the theater and then went up to crow’s nest lounge to dance through the decades. Each time the DJ plunged into a new decade of music we had a new year’s countdown and Penny and I would share a new year’s kiss.

Our twisting was good enough to be selected as 1 of 4 couples that danced a twist-off rated by the drunken crowd’s applause. We didn’t win but we did get Holland American pins.

When we returned to the cabin we found a towel butterfly on the bed. Each night of the cruise we would find a different animal.

Crusing - Nov 1

We visited Key West on a hot sunny day. The boat docked here so no tenders were required. We had no shore excursions booked and only a few hours on shore. We walked the length of Duval St stopping in shops and even a church just exploring and enjoying the sights.

a colorful kite in one shop

We went to the southernmost point in the US and took pictures.

We were hot and thirsty by the time we got to the end of Duval St so we stopped at a bar on the beach to get something to drink. The server never came to our table so we left. The view was nice out over the water. The beach, by the way, turned out to be a topless beach.

We found a cozy little shop to buy some root beers at a little further up the street and enjoyed them on the breezy front porch.

We got back to the boat with time to spare so I took some pictures from our veranda.

one of the many roosters running free on the key

I’m sure Key West would be a fun place to stay for a while and experience an evening or two to really get the flavor of the place but we didn’t have time for that. At least now I can say I’ve been there.

Cruise - Oct 31

Boarding a boat is similar to boarding an airplane. There is just more space involved, a larger number of people and security is there but they get you through faster. They also take your luggage to your room for you and don’t charge for heavy bags or for any bags for that matter.

The aft deck awaiting passengers



Penny and I cruisin'

all aboard!





We got on board early before our cabin was ready so we gathered on the Lido Deck and got some food at the cafeteria-style restaurant there.

It was fun watching the boat leave the dock, back up and turn around and head out the channel.


bye-bye Tampa



Joe and I watching us shove off



We took an orientation tour of the ship. It started by taking us through the spa and gym to show us all the programs we could sign up for. We also got valuable tips about getting around the ship as well as seeing where all the major facilities were located.



Kathy and Joe try out the spa

Afterr we got underway it was time for our first visit to the dining room .We met the 2 other couples who would be our tablemates all week. Fortunately they both were friendly and interesting. If not it would have been a crummy week.


The sun set as we ate and we saw Egmont Key go by as we were finishing dinner. We could just make it out in the dark.



The next big event was passing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge but Penny and I were distracted from that. There was a liqueur tasting (free) going on and our timing was such that I was tasting flavored vodkas at the time we passed under the bridge and only saw it before and after we passed under.

I mentioned before that we were some of the youngest passengers on the boat. I found it interesting that most of the men I talked with throughout the week had significant armed service experience in their lives with the most talkative having served in the Korean War. Most were much better off than us and had several cruises under their belts. In fact a number of couples were on the cruise just for the cruise experience and didn’t bother with going ashore at the ports we stopped in. They had been there and done that and didn’t want to go through the trouble of getting on a tender and going ashore.



Since it was Halloween and we had brought our scrubs Halloween costumes with us we put them on after dinner and went to the orientation briefing in the ship’s theater in costume. The Halloween party followed at 10:30 PM in the ship’s Crows Nest Lounge.

Darth, Cruella and Dr Paul



us playing doctor



Dr Penny and Cruella


Yes, that means Penny and I went to a party that started past our normal bedtime. We danced and had a drink and stayed up past midnight. It was not a bad start for the cruise.