Goodbye for now...

Sunday, March 12. Cloudy, light rain.

Well it was a three hour sleep for me last night: to sleep at one and up at four. [???]

The day slipped away with unpacking, mail, laundry, shopping and long chats Wally and then we all seemed to go our separate ways before all coming together for a BBQ steak dinner with Wally doing the meat and Katrina and Fellette the rest of the food involvement.

Craig joined us with a progress report on Family Tree involvement and then swapping over my old phone to a new one after dinner.

I will say goodbye to you now, see you next time maybe. Thanks for joining us!

We are so tired!

Saturday, March 11. Variable weather.

Timeline for the day...

We were up at 4.05 am

I turned on the phone at 4.06

Turned on data roaming at 4.07

Coffee at 4.15

Ship docked at Fort Lauderdale 5.20

Biggest cruise ship in the world pulled in beside us 5.35

Breakfast 6.45

Disembark 8.20

Got luggage 8.30

Wait for Porter to carry bags 8.45

Wait for customs 9.15 

On bus 9.20

Bus moved 9.55

At Airport 10.15

Checked in 10.35

Cleared security 10.45

Boarded 11.00

Took off 12:00

Landed in Dallas  2:00  (1 hour time back.)

Boarded plane 2.  6:30. Flight delayed. Changed planes on us. 

Took off 7:00 pm

Landed in Vancouver 9.20 pm (Two hour back in time)

Cleared customs. 10:00

Hugged Wally 10:10 

Home 11.15 pm


The day was a long one but who cares. There were some pretty frantic and annoyed people in the luggage hall and the customs and immigration line. There were so many 'Special People' who went to the head of the line: wheel chair and slow walkers, ships speakers and bridge instructor, etc, etc.  It turned out it was a Nexus line that we could have used. However we would have to sit and wait for the bus anyhow. 

The first flight was a bit bumpy but who cares. Long time sitting today's disappointing with that two hour delay, but who cares. We were sitting at our new gate when we got a call from Jim and Gail. They were within 50 yards of us. Jim found out about the delay in our flight and phoned us. They walked down and we had a grand reunion and then rather quickly a grand farewell as our flight was called. Great way to end a day sitting in an airport for five hours. 

Things seem to work out somehow.

May I make a final observation on people please?  

I found that on the ship there were some people who seemed to have a certain reserve or reluctance to fully engage with us. However, as the Cruise came to a conclusion, some of that reserve disappeared. And today, with two couples and a single, there was no reluctance at all to engage on the same level: as travellers involved in a long stressful journey home.

Could it be that while onboard and as part of a group of 550 people they were conscious of the fact, or thought they had to act in a different way to maintain their position in the 'Pecking Order'? 

Just a thought, there certainly was a change in attitude. 

I suspect that in the morning we will be wishing for warmer weather pretty quickly.

I will do a Sign Off blog tomorrow.

Friday, March 10. The End is Nigh...

Calm seas, blue sky, hot.

Day 66 of 67. Final sleep aboard tonight!

At sea, approaching Fort Lauderdale.  

Once again, Fellette and I feel privileged and blessed to be able to take another 'once in a lifetime' trip/voyage. I thought several times in the last couple of months that this will be the last such trip, but never say never. 

At this point I am Cruise-weary however in about four weeks Craig, Fellette and I go to France on a battlefield tour ending with a few days in England. That is a different kind of experience completely: one suitcase each, moving from place to place almost daily and eating in different restaurants, cafes, hotels etc. A whirlwind of activity in other words. It will be exciting to be with Craig and an entirely different experience. I am looking forward to it. Two weeks total.

Today we spent fine tuning the packing and making sure we have everything in place for a good travel day tomorrow. Things can go wrong easily and it can be annoying with waits and other issues. However, it is on the way home and that is all that matters.

We attended a couple of interesting lectures and ended the day with a dinner in the Canaletto with Jim and Gail, a fitting way to end this 10 week vacation. 

"Bags Out in the hall by Midnight", a restless sleep no doubt and early coffee and turn on my cell phone and also Data Roaming. 

Thursday, March 9. Packing Day...

Blue sky, moderate seas.

Day 65 of 66 really, as day 67 is in Fort Lauderdale. Two more sleeps.

At sea on the way to Fort Lauderdale.

Last night we had a relaxing dinner in an Italian Restaurant with new acquaintances. It was a vey relaxed and pleasurable end to a good day.

Yesterday it seemed that Fellette became a bit edgy later in the day. Upon questioning it turned out that it was the packing that was to be done by 3.00 PM today that was bothering her. That is because we are having several cases being shipped home as part of a 'free' service that is part of the package we have with HAL.  

It is complicated because of always-new security concerns about what you can and cannot ship that way. We also have to itemize the contents of those cases. We spent a few spare moments before dinner last night about what goes in what case, etc. To make today easier. Fellette always has done the actual packing, that included folding and putting into cases. I was more involved this time.

Another issue is that we should really bring home with us all the stuff we bought on the trip even though it could go in the cases being shipped later. Our fear is that if we break a Canada Customs Regulation we could loose our Nexus card. The benefits of that card are only fully realized when you lose it!!!

***********

Well, the end is nigh! Great trip, I think that I behaved very well this time. I am repeating myself I think, but to me at least, it is quite a challenge to be in close proximity to about 550 strangers for such a long time. We did not choose the passengers and we have a very broad cross section of the population that we are rubbing shoulders with. It gets a bit intense after a while as it is not really our lifestyle.

Eating is one thing on board and HAL sure makes it easy to overeat. Drinking is another, and I continue to be amazed at the amount of alcohol that some, [many] people can consume. We heard from two sources that one couple bought a 48 bottle package, and then another 24 because they ran out. Remember the cruise is really 66 days. Consider that there are many, many other places and opportunities to drink other than your purchased wine. I don't know why they are not dead or at least a diabetic. [I suppose some are diabetics actually].

Gambling:  There are only a small amount of people who we have seen in the casino. Most are regular attendees, most smoke and have a drink at hand. Different strokes for different folks. 

I really think that Fellette and I are a small slice of society that does not really like to or feel the need to spend a great deal of time socializing or smooching in a large group. We prefer a more intimate time with like-minded close friends. 

Yesterday was an example of, for me, too many people and too close, it was bit outside my comfort zone as we walked off the ship along with some 16,000 [?] other folks in St. Maartin [or however you spell that name that I see in so many spellings]. Gail gave me some good advice as we strode with the horde: "You just have to get inside yourself" she said. Good advice indeed.

Tonight was the last of eight or nine formal nights on this cruise, our last chance to get all dressed up, tuxedos and all. After that the captain hosted a farewell toast for 1/2 hour before the show in the Showroom Lounge. A fabulous half hour. We went into the Showroom flanked by about 30 members of the crew, from the captain on down to the girls that fry our eggs in the morning. A bit humbling for me, well done.

The crew had made a whimsical five minute video of them behind the scenes in various circumstances, many with the giant three foot stuffed Penguins that have been in evidence since we sailed.  

Great day even if it was a bit hectic to get our packing and paper work ready by the afternoon deadline. The documents and packets for each piece of luggage, [5] was in our room when we came to the cabin after the show. The situation for people having their luggage shipped to Canada is completely different and more complicated as the luggage has to be sent across an international boundary.

We had a problem and Gail and Jim helped solve it this evening: there was a bottle of champagne in our fridge and we had to get rid of it before we left for home. Problem solved! [Nice shirt Jim] The girls always look gorgeous, especially on dress up nights.

Last dress up nights until who-knows-when. Enjoy it!

Wednesday, March 8. I don't believe this place!...

Fantastic day, blue sky, blue water, white sand...

Day 64 of 67.  Three more sleeps.

Again, we three were off the ship and onto a shuttle ferry boat to a beach that was at 9.15 in the morning basically deserted. We picked our spot and settled in for the day. I could not believe how close they were jammed together and in rows as well, sometimes three rows.

Inside of two hours the place was jam-packed. The water was cooler but agin, not too cool, but it did cool you down somewhat. Gail and I spent most of the time reading, honing our computer skills on the free wifi, Jim and Fellette read most of the time. 

It was another wonderful day on the beach. What was the most interesting thing today was the amount of cruise ships in this tittle place. There were seven, one left and another came in within an hour.  

I looked it up on the internet, and the combined passenger capacity of the ships here today was over 19,000! We have been spoiled the last nine weeks by most times us being the only ship in a port. Today, it was beyond ridiculous, it was so bad it was comical. I actually enjoyed the experience.

When we went back on board around 3.00 we walked down the pier to our ship between a wall of ships. Battleship Row Jim called it. It was an experience that we will never see again in all likelihood. 

After our beach day we decided to walk through the shopping street. Fellette and I found some items we had been looking for for about six weeks. Jim splurged and got a new shirt, a real bedazzler!

This was a glorious way to end our cruise, absolutely marvellous!

We now have two sea days as we make a run for Fort Lauderdale, arriving very early, we are scheduled to get off at around 8.30, our flight leaves at 11:30 AM. 

Britannia, a P&O ship

The terminal area is a massive complex of happy holidayers, all soaking up the sun and the rum it seems.

The largest ship in port today, 5400 passenger capacity, ours has a capacity of about 800, we have a bit over 500 on board now. Harmony of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean Line.

The beach, nothing but thousands of chairs and umbrellas.

Ready for bums.

The vendors come by you.

Jim and Gail, happy as clams. Fellette was swimming.

The shopping and eating street.

There you have some idea of the situation here.

Walking down Battleship Row to our lovely little Yacht!

Tuesday, March 7. In search of Sun, Sand and Surf...

Brilliant, some high clouds.

Day 63 of 67. Four more sleeps.

Point-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, a French island group.

We were off the ship at 9.00 this morning and within 30 feet we were in the hands of a black, French-speaking cab driver. Price was negotiated with the use of our hands, fingers and high school French, and off we four went to our beach of choice today, Caravelle Beach, right next to Club Med., a 30 minute drive.

We paid the cabbie and asked him to pick us up at 2.00 and we wandered off in search of palm trees, white sand, and blue water with no debris under foot. After a 10 minute walk we had found our goal and more: Beach Lounge Chairs.

We spent the next four or five hours relaxing, reading, napping, taking pics of passing iguanas and people watching. The beach is very busy but not to the point of annoyance. The mix was quite interesting: Club Med people, other tourists, some locals I think and obviously some ship people, but few of them. Basically all white, or well tanned, 30, 40 or 50 years younger than us as well so, the people watching was a much more pleasurable experience, for me anyhow.

There were some older French people, either native to here or from France. They were identifiable by their tiny French bathing suits with mandatory large belly, [men]. The women here harder to identify, particularly when lying on their backs as they had the same tiny bottoms. Their sex only became noticeable when upright, and their chest area had a definite female form. The ones we saw were very thin, think Twiggy!

I am not sure if this is a exhibitionist thing or they are so self confident that they don't even think about or just don't give a damn . The younger males had a mix of suits but by far the most were of the Shorts style as opposed to European style.

It was a wonderful mix of things at the beach today, it was almost the Perfect Beach. We really had to cover and lather up as the tropical sun seems to get through us even in the shade of the palms and clouds.

We discovered today that iguana climb up into the palm trees, possibly to sleep, and get down by climbing down a palm frond and dropping the last several feet. It is quite a shock to see one do a belly flop in front of you. They are innocent enough but just look so darn frightening.

We had a bite to eat at a rustic beach restaurant and awaited our cab driver. He had not showed by 2.15 so  we nabbed another and were back on board the ship by 3.

We then attended the luggage arrangement table and got the documentation for us to fill out and then, with a bit of luck we will see the majority of our luggage in Langley about a week later. 

Tonight we were invited to a little cocktail party in the captains quarters after dinner. Part of the 'End of The Cruise' thing.

Excellent day. 

A wreck just along the channel markers on the way in this morning.

I love this, coffee on the deck, early, around 6.15 AM.

Our home for the majority of the day.

The view for the day.

Sometimes we shared the beach with these critters. Fellette took this photo.

Heading back for a taxi rendezvous and a bite to eat.

A ham and cheese Panini. It looks big but was very thin and our only food for nine hours today.

Across the street from the Cruise Terminal.

Monday April 6. Back to Civilization[?]...

Cloudy, showers, clearing, hot as blazes.

Granddaughter Alicia turned 20 today. Wow, time does go fast.

Day 62 of 67.  Five more sleeps.

Barbados

Our plan was to go to the beach for the day so we four had our suits on at breakfast and were disappointed to see the clouds and rain worsen as we had our breakfast. We decided to put off the beach run until 10.00 and see how the weather was then.

Jim had a thought that we could spend a bit of the morning visiting the newest ship in the fleet for HAL, the Koningsdam . Nine months old, a crew of 1200 and 2600 passengers on  7 to 10 days cruises in the Caribbean. There was a chance for us to visit this mammoth ship so Jim and I went. It accounts for over 25% of HAL's profit 

Big ship for sure. Our ship has about 550 passengers now and a crew of about the same, so the big ship's crew is more than all the souls on the Prinsendam. 

I thought that the ship was very nicely done and everything was made to move people around quickly and effortlessly. The cabins are reputed to be small and there is ample opportunity to spend money but the age of the average passenger would be far less than this Floating Rest-Home. Anyhow, it was an interesting 1 1/2 hour except that Gail and Fellette did not expect us to be away for so long.

When we returned we took off immediately to a nearby beach that was about a mile long and was basically vacant. We got set up near a quirky place called Rascals with beach chairs and umbrellas and a rum punch. 

We had a dip and settled in. It was cloudy but somehow the burn could be felt through the cloud. Gail went for a very long walk, so long that we thought that she was kidnapped. Of course she came back and joined us in the water that was so warm it never really cooled you off.

There may have been another rum punch or two, and a swim before we soon found ourselves back in our very cool stateroom, got cleaned up and our guest Mary arrived and we had a good chat and then the ship sailed. 

We went on the balcony and witnessed a very emotional and spectacular sail away as we pulled out first and engaged in a wonderful Ship's Horn Honking Serenade as the smallest and the biggest ships in the fleet of 14 said goodbye and God's Speed. The crews of the two ships have close friends on board both. Great feeling up there.

We went to the dining room with Mary and had a great dinner and conversation.

It was a great day with an iffy beginning.

The view from or balcony as we docked early this morning.

The dining room on the new ship.

All set up and hunkering under the umbrella from the sun. The Cutler's have been served and we await ours. Flying Fish Sandwich was the choice of most.

Three slightly sunburned, or toasted happy folks ready for a cool shower!

Sunday, March 5. Barbados tomorrow...

Cloudy in morning, brilliant sun later,  lots of Ocean Motion.

Day 61 of 67.  Six more sleeps.

Lots of writing today, no pics, sorry about that folks. 
Another easy day at sea for us, Church and then we had a couple of ladies we met earlier in for coffee.

I think that there has descended a mood on the ship that this trip is coming to an end, slowly but surely, for good or bad. It is interesting to see how various people feel about that fact. Some don't want the journey to end, some can't wait to get off and say, 'Never again!'

Fellette is eager to get home, now that the end is near and inevitable. I am eager to get home, period, the trip has served its purpose: relax and give both Fellette and I a bit of a break from a rather stressful six months. The trip was made most enjoyable because good friends Jim and Gail were aboard. 

About now in a long trip, about a week to 10 days before we disembark, I begin to think about home and what we are looking forward to there. Adversely, what we will miss from what we have been accustomed to on the ship. 

What I/we will miss...

- The conversations and companionship of Jim and Gail.

 

 - Having our suite cleaned twice a day, from carpets to linen to cleaned bath, sink and toilet.

- The wonderful coffee and latte maker in the Neptune Lounge.

 

- The rocking of the ship while in bed, and, the six pillows.

- Going ashore and exploring new places.

- Fellette will miss the Craft Classes and after dinner shows with Jim and Gail.

- I will miss the long lazy mornings of a couple of coffees after a 5:30 wake up and checking the weather on our deck and confirming that is another beautiful day. 

- I will miss the educational and interesting lectures.

- I know for sure that Fellette will miss the absolute luxury of having no meal preparation for about 10 weeks, just choices to make.

- I will miss the lazy afternoons on sea days on our deck, listening  to the sound of the waves and slowly rocking me to sleep. 

- I will miss writing the blog and trying to imagine who may be reading it, and their thoughts on it. 

- I will miss dressing for dinner on sea days, we take our time getting ready for dinner. When shaving, I can see the reflection in the mirror, through the open bathroom door and out through the large glass double door to the open sea or whatever view there is. Yesterday it was Devil's Island in the reflection as we sailed away. I did a double take and thought, "How lucky we are, to be able to do this". Fellette and I then took time out to reflect upon that fact.

What I will not miss...

- I certainly will not miss the slow-speed internet that seems to gibble up my pictures and emails.

- I know that Fellette is definitely not looking forward to packing seven suitcases on   Thursday, my job is to take an inventory of the goods, for customs purposes. 

- I will not miss the sliding bathroom doors that suddenly closes in rough seas with a noisy bang. Usually in the wee hours. 

- I will not miss the sound of somebody coughing or sneezing in the Lido Buffet restaurant.  

What I am looking forward to at home...

- Hugging our kids and grandkids.

- Talking to or seeing my sister and brother. [And a hug or two!]

- High speed internet!!!

- Driving my car. 

- Going over Wally and Katrina's house plans. 

- Coffee with good friend and mentor Don Gray.

- Meeting with Scott.

- Walking around Canada Ticket and the familiar smell of paper and ink.

- Getting to my workshop and working with wood. I have a few projects for people.

- Going to France with Craig and Fellette early April to visit WW I battlefields.

- Walking the back garden with Fellette  the first morning back, weather permitting. 

- Fellette is certainly looking forward to having a scrabble game with good friend Myra. 

- Fellette is looking forward to exercise with her friends, twice a week.

The list is endless but those come to the front of my mind. 

***********

Tomorrow we are in Barbados, the next, Guadeloupe, and then St. Martin. We four hope to get to the beach each day and get in some water and sand time. We have been sadly lacking that on this trip due to the nature of the ports visited. 

After those three ports, we have two sea days and then the Great Silver Bird and home.