Part 3 cruise

 Day 3 we sailed into Port at Grand Turk. This has always been a favorite port but it has changed over the years. 

The good part is that you can walk off the boat and the beach is right there. I was going to rent a clamshell like I did last time I was here...but then some nice young men said they had chairs with umbrellas, close to the water, right up the beach.

That sounded good, but it turned out to be sort of a long walk. Then when I got there, the area was crowded and unappealing. Not worth what they were charging.

So I walked back to the free chairs. There were a few trees but no umbrellas. I had a hat and plenty of sunscreen though.

I really like swimming here! When I say swimming I mean just floating and paddling around.

Late afternoon I was back on the ship and watched sail-away on the balcony.

That evening I tried out another eatery on the ship I didn't get around to last week...a barbecue place.  Waiters bring your order. I had brisket, shredded pork, macaroni and slaw.  It was all really tasty. 

I didn't really like eating from the big square pan though. I'd prefer a regular plate.

They had 4 different BBQ sauces to try...all were good.

I passed this area on the way back to my room. Cooking classes with a chef are offered. Probably a fun thing to do. Maybe next time!

Early on Day 4 we sailed into port in Dominican Republic.

A small port area, but scenic.

Here's the harbor pilot.

One thing I like about this cruise is nice long port days...most being 8am to 4pm.

I have been confused in the past, thinking the island of Dominica was the Dominican Republic.  Nope, that's wrong...they are two different islands.

I'm not so sure I have been here.  This is the island where much of the movie "Jurassic Park" was filmed.

I chose a beach trip for the day, which included a bus tour through the town and the waterfront and then past the jungle covered mountains.

It's really beautiful scenery.

The beach was nice too, although as we were driving in, the surrounding area looked run-down and seedy.

Lunch was included...chicken, rice, salad, and fruit.

The surf was rough here. The waves weren't big, but they were strong and close together.

Even though I had already seen one older lady get knocked down and washed to shore, I made an attempt to get out past the waves to the calmer area.

Of course I was off my feet and getting tumbled around within seconds...and it's hard to get up again when the waves just keep coming.

I could not get further out at all. By the time I stood up, my swimsuit was loaded with sand...very uncomfortable as I staggered out of the water back to the safety of my beach chair.

There was a short rain shower then later, just as it was time to leave, the clouds started moving in.

Back on the ship, I picked up a chicken basket again to eat on the balcony.  Then I was in the shower forever trying to get all the sand off my body and out of my swimsuit too.

It was so much!

Day 5 was a day at sea. I was feeling tired when I woke up in the morning but figured I'd feel better after some coffee.

I had breakfast then went to a craft class. I started feeling worse instead of better so I headed back to my cabin. 

I told the room steward to just skip cleaning my room today. I napped a while then sat out on the balcony, ate some pizza then napped again and woke up with chills and fever.

Day 6 was a stop at Nassau. I was feeling really terrible so just stayed in the room all day, sleeping and watching TV.  I had some room service food delivered.

Day 7 was a stop back at Celebration Key. Still feeling bad though.

I sat out on the balcony a lot and more sleeping and TV.

I did leave the room later to buy rum cakes to take home for the Sasquatch.

Got my bag packed since it was the last day of cruising.

Goodbye Caribbean. I'll be back soon!

Still feeling bad on my trip home. Just focusing on getting through one step at a time.

The Sasquatch had texted me that extremely cold weather and a major winter storm was moving into the area at home. There were advisories to stay off the roads unless necessary. I was worried that the airport might even close...or that my car wouldn't start!

Everything turned out okay though, and the car started and I headed for home.

People were taking the no-driving advisory seriously and very few vehicles were on the road. Here's I65.

Here's Highway 44...

So different than the lovely blue skies and warm weather of my vacation!

It was so nice to have this enjoyable trip. A fun time - a fun break in my regular routine.

Puss had a little "welcome home" present for me on the bedroom floor.

Eeeek!  A mummified mouse!  The head was a couple of feet away. Thanks Puss!

cruising part 2

 Day 7 was another lovely day. The port stop today was Carnival's newly developed Celebration Key. It's located on Grand Bahama island and only for Carnival cruisers.

It's a large complex...separated into family beach and pool areas and adults beach and pool areas. There is a water park area with slides, a shopping area, and restaurants and snack bars.

No charge to use the beach chairs but the umbrellas didn't provide much shade.

 

Easy to walk on and off the ship to take a break from the sun. 

Well, sort of a long walk.

The water was a little cool but okay once you were in for awhile.

The next morning we were back at Port Canaveral. This first cruise had come to an end and my second cruise was beginning. 

I had to pack up my suitcase since I had to switch rooms. The room steward took care of transferring it to the new room.

Everyone that was doing back to back cruises had to wait in a dining room while all other passengers got off the ship.  At that time we lined up walked off the ship and through immigration and passport control then right back on the ship.

It was really strange and sort of spooky to walk around the ship before all the new passengers boarded.  

Quiet and empty!

That didn't last very long. New passengers started appearing and filling the pool chairs and bars and restaurants.

Meanwhile, the cabin stewards were getting rooms ready. 

Here is my new room. A higher floor and the opposite side of the ship.

I always like it best when the bed is close to the window but it is still easy to see out with this arrangement.

I unpacked my suitcase.  Also something I've started doing...bringing a pack of Clorox wipes and using them on all the door handles, TV remote, shower controls, room phone...anywhere I might put my hand.

It only takes a couple of minutes.

Since it was a new cruise I had another complimentary meal at a specialty restaurant.

This time it was an  Asian meal, with spring rolls and a stir fry.

Later went to a comedy show. The main stage shows are repeats of last week's but comedians change every couple of days, so always something new.

Day 2 was a day at sea. After breakfast and a craft class (shell bracelet again) I went up to deck 18, an open sports deck. This ship is so big I never got around to seeing this deck last week. Lots to do up here for those passengers who are young and energetic.

A ropes challenge course (mostly kids on this).

Pickleball and basketball.

Way up high was a track racer ride ($15 for one loop)

Some seating available but none were seats where I could have watched all the fun going on.  That's a jogging track there too.

Miniature golf underneath the rear of the racer track. Waterworks nearby.

Then spent the afternoon in a good seat overlooking the pool. It was a gorgeous day.

Music, people watching, and maybe a short snooze.

But again, you see how the lounge chairs are packed close together? Eventually it got to peopley.

It occurs to me sometimes, that since I have to pay a price nearly double for a cruise, shouldn't I have the option to have 2 chairs for myself?

I'd like the extra space but I don't want to seem like a selfish butt.

I picked up a chicken basket and found a nice quiet table in the buffet area.

Reading a shipwreck book on my kindle. Just right to read while at sea!

I'll continue with part three.

Crusing...twice

 

I'm back from a cruise. Actually, I took two cruises, back to back.

I had booked the first 7 day cruise a while back, but I kept wishing it was for a few days longer. Then I got the idea to just schedule the second cruise and extend the fun.

I sailed on the Carnival Mardi Gras. It is a huge ship. It has a different type of layout than other Carnival ships I have been on.

Anyway, I flew down that morning. Everything went smoothly with the flights and boarding the ship. Once onboard, everyone had to wait in the public areas until the cabins were ready.

I spent my time wisely by eating two fish tacos and a cheeseburger!

Here is my cabin. Nice!  Still at port.

The bathroom was good sized too...with an actual shower door rather than a curtain that always tries to cling to your body.

Here is the view from the balcony...leaving port. This is different. I prefer looking out directly over water rather than the lower deck.

Looking the other direction from the balcony. I was surprised to see this Celebrity ship sail out of port...and sort of excited because I have a future cruise booked on it.

I had a short nap in the room then unpacked. Later went to a show. This ship has 2 areas for their main shows. After this show I went to the second one for a later show.  

Slept good! I don't feel any movement or rocking on this ship.

The next day was a day at sea. I had breakfast in the dining room then went to a craft class and made a shell bracelet. 

Skies were cloudy with a couple of rain showers but a big rainbow appeared.

Later the weather cleared up and it was a good day to look around the ship and later watch more shows and comedy acts.

 

Another day at sea on the third day.  I had some quiet reading time on the balcony and tried to get around to different eating areas to try them out.  They have a chicken tenders restaurant and a bagel counter...and more. It's hard to choose!

Later I watched a violin trio - really talented and playing so many types of music. After that a comedy show.

Now THIS is what I'm here for!

This is Tabyana beach in Roatan Honduras. I've been here before and it's one of my favorites. 

I nearly missed my bus trip out here though. My phone time was showing an hour earlier than the ship time. When I realized that, I just had a few minutes to get off the ship and walk to the meeting point. I'm not a fast walker but I did my best and joined the group just as they were leaving.

So beautiful and relaxing.  Shady areas to sit too, which is what I prefer.

This lady was doing massages, or hair braiding. Those green plant leaves may be aloe vera?

Nearby, a gentleman selling coconut milk or coconut drinks.

There was a performer playing a keyboard and singing all day. Not too loud, just pleasant bckground music.

The security person gave me a Honduran dollar which is worth way less than one American dollar. But then I traded him a $5 bill for it. They know what they're doing!

 

But I did ask him to keep an eye on my stuff while I swam a couple of times. 

I didn't bring my snorkel this time at all, trying to use a smaller suitcase for this trip.

 

The day was over too soon.

Back to the ship. Here's a view from the ship while still at port.

I always like to watch the harbor pilot boat.

After sail-away and a shower I went to the deli area and had a reuben sandwich. Meh.

Day 5 was a stop at Cozumel. I took a trip to Kunza Beach. It was lovely and clean but not as peaceful. There was constant loud music playing and also beach games and contests being led by a person with a loud microphone.

What's wrong with just going to a beach and enjoying the ocean and the sun? Why do we need other distracting entertainment and shopping opportunities added?

Except for cold beer...it's okay to have that available. Mustn't get dehydrated!

It was a bit crowded but I had a nice chair in the shade. My face got a bit too much sun yesterday so I slathered on the sunscreen. It was a beautiful day!

The port area in Cozumel has a large modern shopping and restaurant area. I browsed through it a bit before getting back on the ship.

After showering and rinsing out my swimsuit, I picked up a quick meal at the chicken tenders counter and brought it back to my cabin to eat on the balcony.

 I was ready for some quiet time so just stayed in my room the rest of the evening.

Day 6 was a day at sea. After breakfast, I went to a craft class...embroidery on a card. Next, I watched a baby crawling contest - cute! 

I walked up to the adults only area. Nice and quiet up there early. 

See how close they have these lounger seats placed. Not really much personal space. I read there for a while but, when someone lay down in the next lounger, it was just to close, so I went back to my cabin and my own balcony.

I spent the afternoon reading and stitching on my balcony....until it was time to go to the Diamond and Platinum party.  This is Carnival's party for those passengers who have taken a lot of cruises.  I have 94 cruise days with Carnival before this cruise!

The party used to be free drinks for an hour but now it's just one drink per person...limited to a few choices.  Still it was a fun gathering with music, ships officers introduced, and awards given to oldest and youngest cruisers and to those with the most cruise days.

Later I had dinner at an Italian specialty restaurant. Normally an extra charge but first meal is complimentary. Then went to a musical performance in the big central show room.  Enjoyable!

Well, this is getting long. I'll write another post for part two.

Lazy January

 

January is a good time to take things a little slower.

Just stretch out on the rug and let some sunshine warm your belly!

This deer was taking it slow one frosty morning too. There were actually 2 laying down out there in the back yard but one was behind a tree.

Sort of unusual to see them laying out in the open like that.

I guess January is also a good time for cleaning and sorting household items.

I've done some of that.  I bought a new toilet seat and put it on to start the new year right!

I've also been getting clothes gathered to take on a cruise.

I'll be heading for warmer weather and sunny skies!

This year comes to a close

My quilting group, Crazy Quilters, got together for our holiday party. We joined with another group, Sew Busy, to have a pot luck meal and play games.

Lots of goodies on the buffet table!

Chips and desserts too!  That big cake is a cheesecake. I absolutely had to have a small slice of that.

One member even brought her fancy punch bowl and put together a holiday punch recipe.

We all played a dice game to bet with fabric fat quarters. The winners take all.

Some members bring in their unneeded sewing items, some wrapped, for door prizes. This time there were even a couple of potted plants in packages.

I won this jar of M&Ms by guessing closest as to how many were in the jar.

Yes, it was full at the time but I've eaten a few.

It's a battle dealing with diabetes at Christmas time. The little bag of Hershey Kisses was a holiday treat from the leader of my non-fiction book club.

Then any sense of control over eating sweets went out the window when I received this box of Sharps saddle candies (like Turtles) from the pizza company.

So hard to resist and it's a good quality candy. At least I was able to send a large portion of these home with the Sasquatch.

I got another fun package in the mail that didn't raise my blood sugar...a fabric order from Connecting Threads.  They had a huge sale in November and all these fabrics were $3 per yard. It took them over a month to get caught up shipping orders.

They always package the fabric folded inside-out. Here it is refolded and ready to put away. I certainly didn't need more fabric but who could pass up such a good deal?

I finally got concerned enough about an issue with my heart beating too fast (I have a-fib) and I was also feeling a new fluttering sensation occasionally.

I went to my cardiologist and he had the nurse fit me with a Holter monitor to wear for 3 days.

These monitors are so different than just a few years ago. They used to be a black box sort of thing that you wore from a strap hanging around your neck.

Now it's a stick-on device that you remove at home after 3 days, then just mail it in the included box. So easy. Okay to shower with it on too.

Last year I cleared out and donated a lot of Christmas decorations.

I now just have a few of my favorite and simple things left. 

Just right for a quiet peaceful holiday.

The Sasquatch made some festive holiday drinks to celebrate.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!