November 4, 2013

It was a dark and stormy night, but dawn dawned. Today started out windy and rainy and stayed rainy

until it stopped. The rain stopped about noon and we went out for about 4 hours – rode the bus to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (Leroy Jethro was not there – head slap). The climb up 185 stairs was too much for Bonnie. She went up 5, looked up, and said, "I can’t do this," and waited for me to climb. The circular staircase, winding upward for 185 steps is a bit daunting. The sides are open with only the outside wall for support, and the obligatory handrail. Beautiful views, but since I am having such problems posting pictures, you may have to wait till we get home to see them.

After the lighthouse, on the hillside, that over looks the sea, we caught a bus to Hamilton where we ate a sandwich, and guzzled Mountain Dew and Diet Coke and caught the Ferry back. We had 30 minutes to wait before the Ferry came – they are running on winter schedule, so it only comes on the hour instead of every 30 minutes. I took advantage of the time to go back to the Bermuda Book Store and look around. Surprisingly, I bought nothing.

Back onboard there was a greeting card class making, but Bonnie had done the same class in September and had bought the kit. There was another couple who came, but she claimed – rudely – to be a professional scrap book teacher, and this greeting card class was too elementary and she left. Boy some folk are sure impressed with themselves. Since we were the only ones left, we talked to Roberto, the card instructor, for a half hour. He is from Cozumel and was impressed that I knew San Gervaso, a Mayan city on the island. We chatted about Mayan ruins and Mayan culture for a while. And he told us some stories from his 8 years with Royal Caribbean.

Later we played "Who in the world am I?" trivia, scored 10 out of 13 and lost to a perfect score. Did you know Sean Connery’s first name is Thomas?

The entertainment department once again put on a spectacular aerial show in the Centrum. There are four flyers, four dancers, and three singers.

At supper Yolanda and Rainey recounted their day to us. We actually met them, quite by accident at the Lighthouse. They had booked a ship’s tour in a taxi for three hours. I don’t think their driver’s name was Gilligan, but they did smile, and rolled their big brown eyes and got an extra hour and 15 minutes of touring.

The wind kept up most of the day, and only once did a little bit of blue sky peek out. Hopefully it will be a pretty day because I want to go back to St. George’s and get some pictures before we sail. Maybe I can get them posted, because I got some good ones today, too.

November 5, 2013

We headed off this morning into very strong winds blowing directly into our faces. I remarked that I haven’t walked in winds that strong since trying to cross the Quadrangle at Frostburg State College during a winter blizzard many years ago. The waves were crashing up onto the quay and spray was flying like it a summer rain shower. Not unpleasant, but the wind canceled many of the last day’s activities – no kayaking tours or snorkeling tours, and the Ferry to St. George’s, which we wanted to ride, is not going today because of the winds on the western side of the island.

So we wandered around the Dock Yard and went into the Glass Blowing Factory and watched three talented young people making objects from molten glass. There was very little blowing, hardly more than a strong puff to get the shape started – round balls, perhaps Christmas tree ornaments – and then a lot of twirling of the rod to which the glass was attached. There were many precision movements, and all of it was judged exactingly by callipers. Quite interesting.

Then we bought a couple of souvenirs and came back onboard. I will try to post this in a few minutes. Check back, but this may be the last blog for this cruise. I’m not going back out into the wind, and my shipboard account is almost depleted.

Lots of love!
TTFN
Well, TTFN