Heading Back

......and we're heading back to Miami, to leave this 'world-of-its-own', enjoying our final day of the cruise at sea on Nov 14. It was a relaxing day as we looked forward to the next leg of our journey. The dining room staff entertained us again with singing at dinner that evening (as they had done on most evenings of the cruise). We left the ship very early Sunday Nov 15, grabbed a shuttle to pick up our rental car & headed out for Orlando & Disneyworld.

Last But Not Least

On Nov 13 we got to visit our last but not least port, Cozumel, Mexico. More sight seeing, more walking, more shopping, & more beautiful weather with lots of sunshine.

And Maybe We'll Move There.......

You can buy a house for $100,000...hmmm...so maybe we'll move there. It's a thought.......for the cold winter months here. Where you say...?... well Belize City, Belize.......our next port to visit on Nov. 12.

Without plans for any excursions we went ashore for more sight seeing, more wandering, more shopping, more beautiful weather & of course there were more beautiful girls for George to get his picture taken with. We talked with a local (clerk in the jewellery store) who was telling us about the area & the price of houses there. One could buy a huge property there for about the price of a lot here.........seriously maybe we should all move there......what do you think?......well not everyone because then there would be no room for us.

And It Rains........

Isla, Roatan, Honduras was our next port on Nov 11. We went ashore but it was pouring rain so we didn't do too much (actually the only day of rain or any kind of bad weather we had so we really couldn't complain). We visited the stores that were under the protection of a little veranda type area with a roof, took this picture (for which we were asked a tip) then returned to the ship.

Others who had signed up for whatever excursions were available carried on with their plans in spite of the rain but we had made no plans so went back on board, wandered around the ship and of course we ate (an activity which was relatively easy to do as well as abuse.........which we certainly did). Certainly one of the things we will long remember about a 'CRUISE' is the amount of good food available.

To Hell and Back

We can now say we've 'been to hell & back'.....this is George

overlooking 'HELL' in Grand Cayman (a pretty bleak looking sight & gives a feeling that perhaps this is what HELL might look like).

Nov 10 was our first port..........Grand Cayman. We didn't purchase any of the excursions from the ship or on shore. There were many to choose from but we had our hands full with getting ashore & doing a bit of sight seeing. George had injured his knee prior to going on vacation so walking & any other activities (ie: snorkling which he would have enjoyed) would have been most difficult for him. We had fun just meandering and shopping. We took a short little sight-seeing tour with one of the locals........went to the dolphin pools, saw the oldest house on the island, drove by the mayor's house, and of course went to see HELL. The weather was gorgeous (almost too hot for me).

Day At Sea

Sunday Nov 08 we boarded, departed from Miami, sailed all through the night with a full day at sea on Nov 09 (the next day).

First night was a 'get to know the ship' and 'come as you are' night in the dining room. The ship was gorgeous, the dining room & food was wonderful, & service was excellent.

OUR DINING PARTNERS: Donald & Cathy - and - Walley & Beverlynn

We were pretty tired that first day after being up since early Nov 07, travelling the whole night & having only a short nap after we boarded in the afternoon of Nov 08.......so we pretty much ate and 'hit the sack Jack'. In our room we found our bed turned down & sitting atop, a little 'towel animal' with chocolates. This scene (with a different little towel animal) greeted us each night.

We're Off

We're off.........out the door on Nov 07 & on our way to George's sister's place in Olympia, Washington, where we will leave our vehicle until we get back. We fly out of Seattle so they will drive us there & drop off our vehicle for us when we are returning.

First cruise ever for both of us......very exciting!

Trip to Cecelia & Nick's went without a hitch. We had dinner with them before our flight & we were off. American Airlines, let me tell you, doesn't hold a candle to Westjet. They were not available, not helpful, seated us 'apart' on the plane, just gave us a general 'un-cared-for' feeling. We had a small window in San Francisco to make our connection & found no help at all.....we just made it on time......phew!

The 07th was a very long day.......left Seattle at 8:15 pm; arrived in Miami at 7:30 am (with one connection). We couldn't get on the ship until around 1:00 pm so we occupied ourselves playing dice at Burger King with toothpicks holding our eyelids open. We boarded our ship 'Caranival Valor'.......had some lunch......a wee nap.......then up on deck to watch our departure and we were off..!