Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Oct 7, 2010   90 some degrees again

Today we took a tour to Antigua, about 1.5 hours away. Our bus didn’t leave until 9am so after breakfast we went to the kiosks by the ship to see what they had – an incredible amount of wares these people brought from their homes 2 hours away, just for this one day. Our tour guide spoke very good english, and was very knowledgeable about her country. Today was the first day with not rain since April, and there were many places along the way where you could see areas had been washed away. It was a beautiful day for us as the local active volcanoes (pic2) were spewing ash and steam all day long. We passed by sugar cane, coffee and banana fields along the way. People were walking everywhere carrying loads, like bundles of sticks, bananas etc. Once we arrived in Antigua, they dropped us at a Jade factory but we decided to avoid the large crowd from the buses there and we headed toward the town square. We hooked up with Buttons (her actual name), from Florida and looked in all the little shops along the way. Almost every door had a shop at the front with all sorts of textiles, jewellery, artwork etc. Some of the doors opened into large courtyards, or more rooms. We were constantly approached by the street sellers (pic 4). We made our way past the central square and up toward the arch across the road and church beyond (pic 3). We turned around and came down the other side of the street heading back. We stopped to have lunch in a little place recommended by Karla, our tour guide. The beer and food was very good. Buttons ordered coffee and then asked to buy the cup, which was only $4. We only had 15 minutes to get back to the bus and we still had shops to look in!!! We hurried and they were gathering us all together so we did not see the jade – probably a good thing.  The temperature here at 1500 meters was a little cooler, about 80 and felt really good. Our bus driver had an amazing obstacle course to manouver through – narrow streets, one way the wrong way to avoid and extra 25 minute drive and lots of crazy drivers. We arrived back at the ship with an hour to spare and it was very hot here. We looked through the shops again and came back for happy hour. It is formal night but we are zapped from the heat and walking, so decide to eat on the lido back deck, and it was beautiful with a nice breeze and the setting sun (pic 1). The show tonight was a repeat, but one we wanted to see again with the 4 men from the ships cast. It was just as good the second time.

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

Oct 6, 2010  88 and humid+++++

This little spot is very different. Everything is very new. Pier, and surrounding look like they have been built by the cruise lines. There are 2 large grass roofed buildings, which we investigated after breakfast. One has little craft kiosks,entertainment and where you walk through to get the tour busses. The other is a restaurant, bar and outdoor pool. We have booked a bus tour of the Izapa ruins (pic 2) and the town of Tapachula. This area is Mayan, but very close to the Guatamala border which is Aztec. The ruins are small, as all that is left is the rock base, and the top which was built of wood has not survived. Our tour guide is very good, but you have to listen carefully past her thick accent. She explained the school system, the medical system and pointed out the important agricultural crops – mango, avocado, banana, coffee and cocao. The bus was air conditioned but the city, where we saw a government building with beautiful stained glass windows (pic 3) depicting the land and people, a church and the museum. We had only 20 minutes for shopping but it was too hot and we didn’t want to get too far from the bus. After we returned to the pier we looked around the kiosks, but we should have made some purchases before we left because the coffee was gone, and some other things we were interested in were picked over. We managed to spend our money anyway. We took our purchases back to the ship and Joan went to the local outdoor pool. I went to try to download my emails from my phone but they didn’t have wireless, so I went to the pool and we each had a cerveza. The male singers from the crew show were in the pool and one of them was carrying on with a water coconut – very funny (pic 4).The restaurant served mexican food and it all looked very good and a huge plate and huge selection for $8. US. The ship was having a BBQ on the pool deck so that’s what we had. It was very good but so hot up there. I went out on the deck to take sunset pictures when dancing broke out on the other side of the ship – such colorful costumes (pic 1). Needless to say I missed the sunset. The show tonight was a “swing” singer by the name of Ned Rifken. We enjoyed him very much. It is the Indonesian crew show tonight, but not until 11pm and we are beat so off to bed early.

Huatulco

Oct 5, 2010  90 something and very humid

We didn’t have to get up real early today, so we had coffee, breakfast, and did our laundry with lots of time to spare before we docked at 10am. The pier is long but ends at the beach (pic 2) so that was our ultimate destination. First, though we got a taxi to take us to La Crucecita a few miles away. It is a quaint little old mexican town. He dropped us at the town square, in front of the church. We went into the church and were awed at the beautiful painting on the ceiling (pic 3) and elsewhere. We walked up and down the streets and into the shops – mostly clothing and silver jewellery.

 

 

We left about 1pm and got a taxi back to the pier. We shopped around Hautulco a little then stopped at one of the bars lining the beach for a beer (pic 1). It tasted so good and cooled us off. We went back to the ship, put our bathing suits on and headed back to the beach, into the water for a short swim – Joan swam, I just walked in the water. We had another beer and went back to the ship and into the salt water pool – so refreshing. After we dress we are off to dinner. Our table mates are a couple from California and their friend, as well as a man from Germany. Very fascinating group of people. The show tonight was a comedian/magician by the name of John Lenahan. He was a fair comedian, did a little juggling and pretty good at ESP!!! The ship started rocking while we were at dinner so Joan went to the room after the show but I stayed to listen to the house band play between shows. Joan is sawing logs and I will be rocked to sleep fairly soon. We have had internet trouble all day so posting will be iffy.

Tropical sailing

Oct 4, 2010  sunny, hot & humid

We started off with our usual morning routine, then went to a talk by our captain, Tim Roberts. Very interesting details about his career and sailing. Next there was a talk about the next few ports – a few things we needed to know. I went to get the recipe for creme brulee (pic #2), then a talk on emeralds and a chance to win $500. towards emeralds – we didn’t. We stopped for a quick lunch then Joan was off to the pool and sunshine. Ruth attended the cooking class for crepe suzettes – a few chef secrets there. I listened to a talk on the newest ship in the fleet and how she was built. Very interesting. A class on making Margareta’s followed, and a few more secrets. I learned how to shake it and get the glass out!!!! I met Joan for bingo, but we didn’t win again. We headed to the bar and on the way Joan asked what time it was. I said one minute to 5 so we ran up the stairs and Wellah was by the till and said hurry up, give me your key, and she rang our drinks in. She knew what we wanted. This is really bad. After leisurely drinks we changed for dinner – another formal nite. We sat with a couple from Ottawa, a man from Alabama and a lady from New Jersey. Interesting conversation, but really slow service. The show tonight was the ship’s cast (pic #1) performing tunes from the 50’s and 60’s and they were fantastic as usual. 11pm and bedtime

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Puerto Vallarta

Sun Oct 3, 2010 sunny and 93

Our coffee came early this morning – he said they had too many calls for 7am, so I guess we told too many people about this. Breakfast on the back deck – a nice breeze so it wasn’t too hot (the sun wasn’t even up). We were off the ship shortly after 8 and hooked up with 3 other people for a taxi, so it was only $3 for the ride. We were let off at one end of the malecon (pic #3) and walked past the other end before most of the shops opened. It was mostly tourist stuff so we didn’t buy anything. We were heading back when we met up with Molly and hubby (can’t remember name) from Portland who we had dinner with a few evenings ago. They were looking for a restaurant for lunch so we hooked up with them. The place they were going was closed Sunday, so we asked a local and he pointed us toward a place 5 blocks away. In one block we found one right on the beach so in we went (pic #2). We wanted authentic mexican food. I had a huge margarita –bigger than a beer glass and Joan had beer. We both had burritos and all was very good. We found a taxi right outside the cafe and off we went back to the ship. I decided I needed to go to Walmart across the street from ship to get more wine – good prices. Thought we might find another light t-shirt, but no selection at all. Back to the ship – it is about 100 degrees with 100% humidity – we are zapped!! I flopped on the bed and Joan put her swim suit on. Once my heart rated came down to normal I put my swim suit on and we headed for the outdoor salt water pool which we were told is colder than the lido pool. It was cold and refreshing – yes I did go in!!!! After about 10 minutes I felt better and went back for a cool shower. I was in the Ocean bar having lemon drop martinis when Joan whizzed in with 1 minute to spare for happy hour – Wellah met her as she arrived and asked what she wanted. After the bar I went on a reconnaissance tour to find out the coolest place to eat dinner, and it was the dining room, so we changed and had dinner with a couple from San Diego and 2 men from Whidby Island . After dinner we were off to the show which was amazing – Johnny O (Pic #1) an instrumentalist who played and instrument called E-Wii. It could be played as many different instruments. He was bagpipes, all different horns, and the most amazing was as a violin piece where he had to sustain his breath for long periods of time which he did by “circular breathing” – absolutely beautiful!!! After the show we stopped by the casino for some merchandise draws but we didn’t win. To the room and to bed early. The room is comfortable – hope tomorrow is not quite so warm. I am unable to download emails as there are too many. You can contact me at ruth.e.steer@gmail.com . Cal, are you going to APAC?

Sailing past Cabo

Oct 2, 2010  Hot and muggy

An eventful day started out about 7am with coffee. Small breakfast followed by a lesson in cold soup –yummm!! The sun was out so Joan was off to the pool to claim a chair for the day. Ruth attended a talk on Puerto Vallarta, a walk through the pool area but could not stand the heat. Back indoors to learn a couple of new appetizers. Our room is still very warm so we talked to the front desk, and by the time we came back up to the room there was someone here checking. They turned up the air conditioning, so we will see if there is any difference. Next was the computer class on making a video out of my pics. Sure hope I can do all this when I get home. I went for a quick lunch then a lesson on making biscotti (pictured). I talked to the cruise booking gal, about future cruises. There is going to be a big sale starting Oct 9, so we’ll see what they have on sale. I discussed what to do in PV with the travel guide, then off to a demonstration on cocktail garnishing (pictured), where Joan caught up to me. She had baked long enough.We went to bingo and lost the big game ($300) by one number – bummer. We made it to happy hour just before last call. Not sure what this means but they greet us by name!!  Talked to the nice British couple for awhile. We went back to the room to change for dinner and had a glass of wine. The air conditioning guy came back and set out room to the coolest he could. It was already better. We went to dinner a little later and sat with a couple from California and another from Florida. The couple from Florida – Buttons and Terry were hilarious. Buttons is a prankster and they were telling stories of some of the pranks she pulled on Terry – no boredom in that marriage!!! After dinner we went up to the Crows Nest to hear Buttons sing at Karaoke, as we told her if she did she could get 5 free bingo cards. She was very good, as were many others, but not either of us. Next was the show – a magician/juggler named Sideshow Bert – he was very entertaining. He was followed immediately by the Filipino Crew show and it was very good as well (pictured). One of our waitresses in the Ocean Bar was in it. It is after midnight and the ship is rocking a little. Joan is already sawing logs with her anti-motion wrist bands on. Nite, nite.

Another day at sea

singer – Tamika                               captain’s gala

 

Oct 1, 2010

Today we slept in until 7, since we set the clock ahead last night. The weather has improved as we can see the bright blue sea meet the blue sky-yippee. After breakfast Ruth went to an interview with the head of the culinary dept. who told us all about the amount of food, training, sanitary precautions etc. Very interesting. Joan went to a demonstration on garnishing. Next we listened to a talk about the shore excursions coming up. After that we had a meet and greet in the Crows Nest bar (free champagne) with a group I connected with on the internet to try to get groups who want to join up for shore excursions on our own. We met a few folks who may be good companions. Whew, now it is time for lunch with the singles and solos – we had a table of 7 ladies and one man. It was very pleasant and the wine was free. Joan found the sun and settled by the pool, and had a little nap. Ruth popped on the end of a demonstration on cheese fondue, listened to the band for awhile but it was too hot in the sun. I listened to a talk on the history of the Baja, but it was a little boring. I changed for dinner (formal night) and went to another computer class, then to happy hour – stopping off at the perfume testers for a new scent. It has become a daily habit. Lemon drops martinis today. Joan has come in from the sun and meets me there. We go to dinner a little earlier and get a big table for 8 with a couple from Oklahoma, one from Oregon and 2 ladies from Kansas, who were also at the singles luncheon. Very good conversation. Stopped at the photographers and had my picture taken with a necklace of black and chocolate diamonds worth $2600.00. The closest I’ll ever get to diamonds!!!! I could go on a good cruise for that! On the the Captain’s welcome toast – more free wine. Following that was the show which was Broadway tunes performed by the ship’s entertainers (pic above) wearing gowns designed especially for the show by Bob Mackie – a fantastic show. Off to bed now.