Sunday Morning Coming Down

Did we really have the week we just had? My brain is in overload and I don't where to begin sorting all these photographs out. Oh well.... when I have the time I can relive the experience all over again by sorting through everything. Meanwhile - back on the road soon for the last leg of the journey home - Raleigh to home.
(Oh yeah -  I stuck a few more pics on the snoozing at sea tab from Friday)
Elizabeth

Crab Dogs and Cocktails

Arrived at Grand Turk yesterday.  Knackered from all this running around this week, the day’s mission was walk a bit, find a bar, swim.  Mission accomplished. No big story to tell except it really is a beautiful as it looks in the photos and the crab dogs are too funny.  Maybe we should have been a bit more adventurous and discovered more but these two old cats needed a recharge!

Last night – Chef’s table – 9 courses – tour of the galley-private dining room for 12 people. Move over Joel Rubochon!! No photos allowed.

Today – at sea –  loving it! Packing tonight for a full day in Miami tomorrow!!!!

Elizabeth

A little bit o' learning

4 stops on our cruise, 3 were predominantly beaches -  Nassau, Bahamas (but the beach was a 30 minute after thought following Goldie’s Conch House experience), St Thomas, and the upcoming Grand Turk, and in between one a port city - San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am ashamed to say I actually knew nothing about Puerto Rico before coming here except for meeting a native in the mainland of the USA and assuming they were Mexican because their first language was Spanish. Shame on me.

On anticipating visiting what is about to become the next State of the United States of America we actually welcomed not lugging around a bagful of beach towels and were ready for a crash course history lesson with only a camera bag in hand. No tour, no guide (that’s just not us).

Disembarked the cruise ship 12/26 at 7am. Need to point out it was 7am… and already 80 degrees with a humidity factor making it feel like 95. And San Juan is NOT flat.

So.. a history lesson…. Today this is the country called Puerto Rico, and its capital is San Juan… not so until a hundred years ago. When discovered by Columbus the country was named San Juan after St John the Baptist. The capital city was named Puerto Rico (Rich Port)…. But when it had to be officially logged someone read the form wrong and reversed the country name and city name. And so it remained that way.

Anyway being an island it was prone to imperial invasions and so the Spanish residents built a fortress (still there today).  They fought off the Dutch and the pirates and then the British came. Everyone asks why British food is so bad – easy answer there were conquering nations and too busy to cook – well they defeated the whole Spanish Army based at the Fort, killing every last man. The governor of the island turned to the Bishop as a last call for hope. The Bishop rounded up all the women and children and took them to the Fortress top. When the British army saw another massive wave of “soldiers” they retreated.  So the monument to the bishop was quite high on my list of to find.

High on Jeff’s list was the fortress, and statue and crypt of Ponce de Leon – Puerto Rico’s hero.

So off we went. Again I repeat this is NOT a flat City. Steep streets in sweltering heat. Phew! After navigating through the port we stumbled across the original fortress wall and walked the coastal road. Of the five original gates that served the city only one remained – found it! From there up hill to the Fortress and bugger me…. There was the statue dedicated to the Bishop and the women! Continued the uphill walk. Eventually got to the outer landscape of the Fortress – thank God there was a fella selling bottled water. We parked ourselves on a bench admiring the fortress in the distance guzzling the water and enjoying a smoke right beside a school bus with a disenchanted driver. This was when we noticed a sign. Fortress closed due to Holiday. AHA!  Another Catholic country.  In VA 12/26 is 12/26, in UK it is Boxing Day, in Puerto Rico is a Holy Day – St Stephen’s Day. I honestly don’t know who was more relieved not to have to make that walk from the outskirts of the land to the fortress but it was a good enough view for both of us. Anyways – refreshed, re-watered we grab the map in search of Ponce de Leon.  Have to say the streets of Old San Juan are spectacular for old world charm and intimacy. And then you turn a corner for breathtaking Plaza with trees and sculptures. We wandered many streets. At this point I needed a fag. Reached across my shoulder for the camera bag which housed everything from money to military ID to ship cruise re-entry pass. All that was on my shoulder was the camera! No Bag!!! OMG…. I had just lost everything we had somewhere in the middle of San Juan!!!! Adrenalin overload!!! The last time I ran anywhere was in 1976 (200 meter dash at school) – but logic told us it had to be back at that bloody bench at the fortress. Heat, humidity, inclines suddenly paled away, I was on a mad dash. After running and running and running I saw the school bus but it blocked the view of the bench. Eventually got there. Dozens of people were milling about.. but there on the bench was our bag. The disenchanted bus driver? He smiled at me as I ran up in his rear view mirror and when I picked up the bag he gave me a knowing nod. He was my St Stephen. He wasn’t about to move the bag, but I know he was protecting it until we returned. Anyway by then my blood pressure was through the roof and the heat and humidity really hit. Calming down somewhat we continued our search for Ponce de Leon. Passed his home “Casa Blanca” and found the Plaza where his statue was. Unfortunately the cathedral housing his tomb was closed due the Holy Day, but Jeff was quite happy to know he was only yards away.

Now all to-do’s were checked off. Time to just wander those tiny hilly streets. Charming, old world and timeless. It was around this time I went on the other side of an adrenalin rush. The blood pressure downer. I thought my legs were about to give out or would pass out. Time for a stop – out of the heat to rehydrate. We saw a hotel named Casablanca with “Rick’s Café”…. That was US!!!!!!!

And that was the moment…. The Jeff/Lizzy  “only you two moment”. We couldn’t have paid for what came next….

Elizabeth

Let's back up a couple of days...

Aaah… 8am Thursday sitting on the balcony with some time to reflect on the past two days. So let’s start with Christmas Day – St Thomas. We knew before going that St Thomas was a beach island and a mountain top view island and not much else. Our plan was to have a true beach day. Apparently him upstairs has a sense of humor because as St Thomas came into view it was shrouded in the densest rainstorm clouds. The forecast for the day – showers. LOL. Determined not to be deterred we ventured of the ship under the stormy sky. There are two famous beaches on St T – Megans bay and Sapphire. We had already decided on Sapphire and went to the taxi stand. We piled in a SUV along with 3 other passengers. Turns out they were going to Megans Beach and as ours was further away they got dropped off first. This we considered to be a Christmas present cos we actually got to see the beach we had not opted for. It was quite stunning from an aerial shot (that’s the photo of Jeff in his swimming trunks and weed shirt. Best of all about that picture the Christmas baubles hanging from the tree to his right. LOL. Anyway got to Sapphire and we had made the right decision – stunning beach. Clear water and coral and palm trees swaying. Settled down ordered a drink… and then the rain came. LMAO. Not a heavy rain but enough to drive everyone else off the beach except for us and the ducks. It could be so easy to moan, but seriously – sitting in the rain on a perfect beach with the ducks looking across as the island of St John on Christmas day – awesome.  Well eventually it did get a bit too wet and windy so we decided to head off and find some lunch. That’s when we remembered St Thomas is a Catholic country and this was Christmas day. Everywhere closed! Good for them! Then remembered “the ship has food!!” so we hailed a cab and headed back for port. Henry, our cabbie was brilliant. He took us back via the southern coastal road (the first driver had taken us the northern coastal road). He also gave us a history lesson, pointed out all of St Thomas’s important buildings and all of the great places to eat and always followed that with “but it’s closed.” Lol.  Back on board we headed for the 11^th deck. The fish n chip shop!! YUMMY! The perfect Christmas lunch! Just chilled out and hot tubbed away the afternoon before dressing up for elegant evening and Christmas night dinner.

In summary – St Thomas – a charming little island which I am sure is stunning from the mountaintop where there isn’t a bloody big rain cloud covering it. Best memory – being proud of them all for NOT trading their family time on Christmas Day for a boatload of tourists!

Hmmm... the bleeding photo thing won't work properly

OK... I put up some pictures from yesterday at St Thomas. I have no idea why it makes some really large and some small. Best way to look at them.. click on the first one it then opens up a photo gallery where there are all the same size.
Had a wonderful day in Old San Juan today. Currently sailing right by the coastal lights of Dominican Republic and Haiti... OK gottta go internet minutes ticking away!!
Elizabeth

IT's a big bloody ship!

OK, been on board 4 days now, and STILL finding new rooms and places on this ship. Bloody huge! Posted a few pics on the smoozin page. Will post some St Thomas later, but San Juan is calling us - time to go explore!
Elizabeth

Jammy Buggers...

Ahhh…. At last, a few minutes to sit down and write more than a WOW, or an OMG.

So… up before sunrise this morning, watching Nassau come closer and closer into view. The question was what would we do with our 6 hours on land? Before coming on this trip we had had lots of feedback from prior cruisers and visitors to Nassau. Mostly it was “take a tour”, “go beyond Nassau.” In all of his pre-cruise research Jeff had discovered information and details of a district in Nassau called Fish Fry. A bit like Hell’s Corner. It was a mile from the dock. Each reviewer had their own personal favorite restaurant, but it looked eclectic and fun. As everyone left the ship this morning and turned left on their tours, we turned right and took a slow stroll along the beachfront watching this sleepy harbor begin to stir. Arriving at Fish Fry around 9am we walked along the brightly colored restaurant fronts. All closed from what had been a lively and long festival celebration last night.  

On spotting one that had been recommended on the forums we stopped to take pictures. A man came around the corner and wished us good morning as he entered the restaurant. We asked if he was open, he said he would be in about 30 minutes, but we were welcome to take a seat outside.

And so the adventure began……

He was back within a few moments chatting away. Turns out he was the owner, Goldie. He offered us a signature drink “Goldie’s Call-a-Cab”. Who could say no?  Seven different liquors and a splash of something that made it turn turquoise, this was a Long Island Iced Tea – but with LEGS!!

Then he asked if we’d ever eaten conch and what did we know about conch. Next thing… he takes us in and through the back of his restaurant, shows us all the live conch in the water and then proceeds to show us how to breakdown a conch. Each step was accompanied with an explanation of all the various parts, how to tell the sex, and which part made what conch delicacy. It was amazing to watch his skill. When finished, he told me to pick out two conch shells to take home. Awesome right? It got BETTER!!

Next he asked if we would like a conch salad, we said “yes please!” Heading back to our seats he said “No, come watch” – next thing, there we were in the kitchen of Goldie’s Conch House in Nassau having a cooking lesson. That knife was moving so fast it took my breath away.

I don’t think I can remember a time like this. So unexpected, so genuine, and Goldie – one of the nicest fella’s you could ever meet.

http://www.goldiesconchhousenassau.com/

As we finished our third “Call-a-cab” – the restaurant actually opened and in came customers. Everyone talks to everyone here, and with another ten minutes we had a new friend – Dexter – immigration officer for the Bahamas!! LMAO.  Another genuinely nice, happy man.

I got Goldie’s on the must do list for everyone who ever comes here, and I have Dexter’s email (just in case).  Always pays to have friends in immigration J

So in summary, we were only there for 6 hours, but thanks to Goldie and Dexter - what a memory! Pictures all on the Nassau page.

Adios Nassau – but not goodbye. We will be back!

Elizabeth

Speechless

It's not often that I am. But right now I am. WOW.
When I get more time I'll write more but just suffice to say this in incredible. Put a few snaps of Miami on the Miami page. Will post more later but I see Nassau on the horizon.. gotta go watch the sun come up over it.
Cheers
Elizabeth

Reindeer Pee Test

Ha! This may look like a glass of wine, but apparently the FAA now insists on drug testing reindeer in Raleigh. LOL.
3 hours later - Leg one of the journey done! Miami - sweater & headband GONE! Now off to explore Miami..... hope we don't run into Dexter... but then again..... secretly hope we do!!!

Horseradish, bungee cord, suction hooks, leopard print duct tape, scotch tape, and an old Marriott Hotel key card and sandwich bags – can only mean one thing…..

We are packing for a cruise!! LMAO

I wish I could claim credit but nope, Jeff is the mastermind behind everything to do with this trip. I cannot believe how much time and effort he has put into our virgin cruising experience, but can never really express how grateful I am that he did. I came home tonight from my last day at work kinda dreading the whole packing thing. Turns out, all I had to do was pick out swimwear, eveningwear, casuals and jewelry. Nailed it in 10 minutes!  (How come he already knew my shoe selection? Or was that a genius stroke of thought on his part? … i.e. “match what your taking to these shoes”… brilliant!).. it worked!

All the other stuff? He had already covered, packed, weighed, re-packed to distribute the weight evenly across cases. They are all closed up and in the car.

Cat and dog already dispatched to their holiday home.  

Freshly laundered sheets to come home to – BONUS!

So…. Tomorrow morning 8am.. off we go!!!! Kenbridge to Raleigh Airport via Bath n Body Works (not sure why, but it is on the to-do list) and the Gap…. me has no jeans L…. Followed by a truly greasy Waffle House breakfast! J

Should be in Miami around 3:30pm….  More on that tomorrow or Saturday.

In the meantime….. back to the title subject….

Horseradish – to mix into the free morning tomato juice (with a drop of purchased vodka)…  Bloody Mary 101

Bungee cord (to hold the balcony door open)

Suction hooks (cos sometimes things just have to be in reach, not in a wardrobe)

Leopard print duct tape (to wrap/strap all luggage so we can easily identify it at Miami airport and at embarkation)

Scotch tape (homemade lamination 101 for all luggage tags)

An old Marriott Hotel key card (for the in stateroom safe… it needs something with a magnetic swipe… so much safer than a credit card)

Sandwich bags – errr no brainer…. 4 port stops…. Hit the breakfast buffet with sandwichable stuff to munch on the beach.

Elizabeth