THE PANAMA CANAL

April 30, 2016

Bonnie was up before 6 this morning, put my sweater on over her pajamas and went out on Deck 5 to see if we were in line for the Panama Canal.  And we were.  And she came down to our stateroom, threw open the door, snapped on the light, and shouted, "We're going through the Panama Canal!"  Yes, dear.  Now, come back to bed.

Actually, I got dressed, too, and we went up to watch an incredible technological and construction wonder open to receive our ship and transport us in 9 hours from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, instead of taking up to a week to sail around through the Straits of Magellan and reach the same point.

It is fascinating to remember learning in school about the Canal and Teddy Roosevelt's enthusiasm to get it built, learn about the earlier French attempt which cost the lives of 25,000 workers and failed, saw pictures of the incredible earth moving equipment, and now to sail through in its 103rd year of service.  And an expansion to the canal to receive larger ships is supposed to open later this year.

Bonnie stayed up on Decks 9 and 10 until we were out in the Pacific Ocean.  I came downstairs to check email, and thought I'd slip in a 30 minute nap, but she called me 4 times to give me position reports, so I went back up and joined her.  Her excitement was as high as we entered the Pacific Ocean as it was when we left the Atlantic, but the crowd of our fellow passengers that swarmed around early in the morning was mostly gone by 4 p.m.  And there were a few whom we overheard expressing, "Been there.  Done that."

Tonight's entertainer was a trumpeter and vocalist whom we've heard before.  An attractive young woman, and a great musician named Nicole Sasser.  She used a line we've heard another musician, a pianist, use.  Nicole did a triple tongue -- you trumpeters out there know what that is -- and then said, "The technique I just used is called 'Showing Off.'"  If I could do it, I would, too.

Tomorrow my talk is up against crafts, so my number one fan will be late for "Spice It Up."  But since she's heard it before, she will not have to report to the principal's office for being tardy.

And speaking of NOF, hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Bonnie!

Okay this is how the story really goes. I woke up at 5:40 and looking at my watch remembered Sammie said we would be in line at 5:15 and maybe it could take several hours before we got into the lock. But not wanting to miss anything I thought I would go check it out. I put on shoes and socks and his sweater over my PJs. I headed to deck 5. It was morning and I could see a long line of ships in a line but we were not sailing toward them but along side. I looked and there was a small pilot type ship drawn beside us and guys getting on our ship. I looked ahead and could see the first lock and we were headed toward it. I took some pictures and went to wake David. We both dressed and headed up and so my adventure began. I watched all day!! we were on deck 5 when the ships photographer got off on one of the small ships pulled along side and we waved and he took our picture. Exciting. We decided to go up to deck 9 or 10 for a better view but ended up going to 11. Oh My!!  IT WAS HOT!! The sweat ran down my legs, back everywhere. But it was amazing. The landscape around us was awesome and the locks were fantastic. We went through 3 locks raising us up to the level of the lake. Wow. What big gates and an amazing amount of water moved from one place to another. The Coral Princess was behind us before we got into the first lock. There was a huge cargo ship beside us in the parallel set of locks. It was about 20 minutes ahead of us so it got our before we did. I took lots of videos and pictures. I saw about 10 guys board our boat from another small boat pulled along side before we went into the first lock. I found out later they were the men who handled the ropes attached to the "mule" ( which is actually a train like engine) that pulls the ship by ropes through the lock. In the first 3 locks there 4 mules attached to the ship. WOW!! When we got into the lake we anchored for maybe  an hour (shorter than expected). Then headed for the next set of locks and two bridges.  As we anchored we went to the buffet and had breakfast. Then we went to the room showered, we were soaked with sweat, then I went to crafts and then back up to deck 11. By then 10:45 or so we had started to move again. Wow!  The scenery was magnificent. The ship cruised for about an hour twisting and turning through the lake. Finally we could see the first bridge. The Coral Princess was not far behind. We passed several large ships going the other way and a lot of tiny boats on the water. We headed under the bridge and assumed we had a while till we got to the next lock. We had lunch and I returned upstairs to watch and low and behold the next lock was just around the corner. There was just one. I did not call David I just watched us go through. After that I could see the next bridge and the next 2 locks and called him to come. It was funny there was a small tour boat in the lock with us. You could really tell the water was going down in the lock by watching it fall. The narrator said the small boat had belonged to Al Capone and had been used to carry his guests. Now some tour company owned it. Well, by this time a storm had formed over us and eventually it started to rain. But I got to watch all the way through to the Pacific Ocean.

After all this I went to the cabin, took a bath and took a nap. I had a wonderful time and I have many pictures and videos (yes, videos) to show you all. I am very tired tonight but I had to tell you what a wonderful day it was. I wish I could tell you every moment of it.

Mac, walk it is good for you. Granny knows it hurts. I love you.

Love you all wish you all could be here!

And now that Dostoyevsky has finished "War and Peace," I will say TTFN!

TO THE CANAL AND BEYOND

Entering the Canal

Exiting the Canal and entering Gatun Lake

WE WERE NOT IMPRESSED

April 29, 2016

The old city of Cartagena was very nice, we saw some neat things, but we were not impressed by the tour.

The tour was advertised as a photo shop for two places, and then a walking tour through the old city which featured museums and churches.

Well, once we did the photo stop, and it was only one, not two, we started our walking tour.  Down the street, past this building or that one, explained by a man with an accent and a 3 inch square loud speaker, and into another street where there were 5 or 6 side walk artists (people doing art, not painting sidewalks).  We stopped at the first one and were encouraged to buy from him.  Well, he did a painting in about two minutes, using only his fingers, and dutifully impressed, we bought that one and one more (one for $7, two for $10).  Then we went into an emerald museum with a mock-up of a mine and then into a jewelry show room where we were given a chance to buy emerald jewelry.  We stood around for 20 minutes, while maybe 15% of the group looked at jewelry.  I saw no shopping bags.  Then we went to a modern art museum where someone was giving out free samples of Columbian Coffee (tasty) and we were given an opportunity to purchase coffee.  Again, I saw no shopping bags.  Then we went to tourist trap row where we were directed to Stall 18 and we didn't even go inside.  Very disappointing.  It was not a tour to show us the historical sites, but a tour to get us to buy tourist junk.  We are not pleased.

As I said, we saw some neat things and snapped some good pictures, but a walking tour of historical places it was not.

Tremendous entertainer at tonight's show.  It was supposed to be a show featuring the ship's dancers, but one girl was injured in rehearsal, and the comedian who was to go on tomorrow night stepped up and had us laughing for an hour.  Great jokes, and musical comedy, and not one single swear word.  I'll tell you some when we get home.  Jokes, not swear words.

Bonnie shall report now.

Well, we got back to the ship at 12:15 and all aboard was at 12:30. We were supposed to be back at 11 but the traffic was horrendous! Our driver did a very good job navigating thru tiny spaces and many, many cars and buses. We gave the driver a tip but not the guide. He got his from his cut from all the places he took us to shop. The street sellers were everywhere with hats, jewelry, leather bags, maracas etc. Everything you can imagine. There were women in costumes carrying baskets on their heads and for $2 you could take their pictures. Three young men did some break dancing and we did contribute a dollar.

After returning to the ship we went to lunch and watched the ship sail away as we sat at our table in the window. We returned to our room and took showers and laid down to rest. From 2-4 you could go to the atrium and they provided poster board, markers, glue, etc., to make posters to display when we go through the canal. After sleeping for about 40 minutes, I went up and made a poster. It says "Hello," and a flag of Panama, followed by "from David and Bonnie with a map of Georgia with a star placed for Augusta and a list of all the grandkids names". We will hold it up tomorrow to the camera at the appropriate time.  By the time I finished the poster David was up so I went back and changed for supper and we sat in the coffee bar outside the dining room. Supper was good. Had a good time with our dinner companions.

After supper we went to the cabaret, and got our seats and waited for the show. Very good show. Very funny comedian.  When we returned to the cabin our port hole had been closed because the ship might hit the canal on the way through and it is for safety. Bummer dude. Oh well I plan on being on deck as much as I can. I am sure they didn't close people's balconies for safety. Oh well.

Mac, Granny hopes you feel better real soon. Listen to Mommy and Daddy, even if it hurts you have to walk on it. It will make it get better faster. Granny loves you and misses you.

Okay Granny loves and misses all of you. Hey, there is only 3 more weeks of school. Woo Hoo!!

Bonnie/Mom/Granny

KEPTAIN, THE SHIELDS ARE RAISED!

In preparation for our sailing through the Panama Canal, our porthole has been closed and locked.  I asked why and was told, "In case we bump the side."

Well, there you go.

If you want to try to see us going through the Canal go to:

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

our bridge cam is:

http://www.princess.com/bridgecams/ (select Pacific Princess).

I'll be back with more blog soon.

TTFN

MONDAY, TUESDAY, HAPPY DAYS

April 28, 2016

You may correctly surmise from our title tonight that the headliner at this evening's show was again Donny Most (Ralph Malph from "Happy Days") reprising songs from the days when song lyrics rhymed and the music did not shatter glass.  A great show!  And I helped!

You see, it went like this.  My talk this afternoon, "Salt: The Rock We Eat," was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., but when I went in the Cabaret Lounge to set up at 1:50, Donny was still rehearsing, and my technician was frantic.  Something had happened to delay the start of practice and he was certain he would be "written up."  I don't know what that means beyond the obvious, but it is something terrifying to him.  Donny said, without rancor, "We have three more songs to rehearse, and there is another show coming in here at 2 p.m.  What can we do?"  I told Donny I could hurry my talk, leave some inconsequential parts out and get him back on stage at 2:45.  That satisfied everyone.  I got started 10 minutes late and at the end shooed everyone out, and we met outside for questions and discussion.  Three pats on my back.  Bonnie said I talked like a house on fire.  But Noi, my tech, gave me a huge smile and a very enormous "Thank you."  Hopefully he did not get written up -- that was my goal.

Tomorrow is Cartagena, and we are taking a three hour tour (walking, not on a ship named "The Minnow").  The "Pacific Princess" docks at 7 and sails at 1 so we can be in line to go through the Panama Canal at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning. We plan to be up and on deck throughout most of the next 8 to 10 hours to watch this incredible journey -- a bucket list item checked off.

We turn our clocks back an hour, so we will probably end up in the sack before 10 p.m.  And to that end, Hereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Bonnie!

Hello, hello again from just off the coast of Columbia, South America, where we were told not to wear our jewelry or flash money. Carry only $1 and $5. Oh my. We joked at supper that if one of the six of us got kidnapped we would help with the ransom. We also remembered that "Romancing the Stone" was made here.

Well, back to the beginning of today. Up about 7. Showered and went to breakfast. then, I went for my walk. Oh My! It was HOT and MUGGY. Not a breeze to be had. But I walked my 13 times around the deck and finished soaking wet. And I thought Georgia was bad. I proceeded down to the atrium to await the start of the craft class. I finished my second crochet project that I had brought cruising with me. At least 2 more to go or maybe more. Mothers Day is coming.

Today in craft class we use ribbon yarn from Lion Brands yarn to make a colorful bracelet. You use about 1 and 1/2 yards. It took me two or three times starting and tearing it out to get it right. It was all a matter of having the right tension (not unlike the tension she generates in her husband sometimes -- David). Keeping your loops the same size. After about 45 minutes, I had completed my bracelet and headed back to the room. David was practicing his talk so I played on my kindle till he finished.

Today was the British Pub day up on deck 10. So we headed up. He had bangers and mash and bread pudding and I had fish and chips with smashed peas. I ate the chips (which are actually fries), David ate my peas. I ate one piece of fish. Not as good as long john silvers. Oh well.

David headed back to the room to dress and practice. I went to the excursions desk to try and get a new excursion since our first choice did not make. It didn't open till 2 pm so after waiting for a while I decided to try their I pad to order the tickets. Believe it or not I was successful.

I returned to the room and we soon headed to his talk.

After the talk it was off to take a nap and then dress for supper. I consumed turkey pot pie. Very tasty.

Well, even though it is not very late we have to rise early for our excursion so we are soon off to bed.

Love you all.

Bonnie

And TTFN

Dot Dot DOT...

April 27, 2016

Well, it is my turn first. Yeah!!  It is 10:10 pm and we just pushed away from the dock in Curacao. Very nice day. We got up about 7:30 and laid in the bed for awhile. Then, showered and headed for breakfast about 9. As we were dining we could see the island. After breakfast we went to the Cabaret for a talk about Panama. We got a few Spanish lessons interspersed with a video showing a Panamanian man tells us all about the canal and  the country. Very interesting. After that we were coming into to port so we went up to deck 10 to watch us dock.

After a short lunch break, we went off the ship about 12:30. It is the kings birthday so it was a holiday and most everyone was off and in the downtown area where we were headed. There were thousands (no exaggeration) of people. Bands playing and people dressed in costumes of all kinds. Jennifer, you have loved it. In honor of the king's birthday you were to wear orange. Almost everybody had on orange. Hats, dresses, pants, flowers, etc. Most everything we went to was closed. But we enjoyed the walk. We stopped at an ice cream store and bought a cup of coffee ice cream (one scoop $3.45) so Dad could use the wifi.

After getting on the ship it was naptime. And boy did we nap. I sleep till 5:15, time for supper. We went an sat at our regular table though tonight you could set anywhere tonight. Our one couple was there and we sat and talked till 7:15. Our waiter said don't leave stay then they won't send us any more people.

We went to the cabaret for the show. It was the comedian, Troy Thirdgill, and he was hilarious. We laughed for almost an hour non stop. Clean good humor.

Well, Dad is waiting for his turn so tata for now........

Shoot, she left me nothing to say, so TTFN.

Just kidding.

The cruise director did not what would be open and what would be closed because the island was celebrating the birthday of Wilhelm, King of the Netherlands.  Suffice it to say that everything we had marked to see was closed.  We wanted to see the Jewish Synagogue again.  Closed.  We wanted to see the National Museum again.  Closed.  There is a hotel near the museum and there is an outdoor refreshment stand which serves the hotel.  I asked the young lady working the stand if she had a key to the museum.  She allowed as how she did not.

Walking across Queen Wilhelmina Bridge (the draw bridge across St. Ann's Bay) we were serenaded by an 8-piece band.  All the members were dressed in orange -- the King's color as my co-correspondent reported earlier.  And all were playing drums.  An 8-piece percussion band!  I thought for a minute a hip hop parade or break dancing would break out.

Across the bridge we looked at the throng packing the main street, and the empty street to the side, and opted for the empty street.  We went into a square of government buildings which surrounds a small park and took a few pictures.  One was a selfie in the governor's private parking spot.  Take that, Gov!

We evidently missed the premier event of the King's Birthday Party -- a truck pulling contest.  Watching Curacao slide into the night as we sailed away a few minutes ago, one man was regaling us about sweaty, muscle-bound men, lashed to huge trucks with rope and pulling in a winner take all contest.  I don't know if I will be able to sleep tonight, knowing I missed it.  Listening to him talk, I thought of the line from "Airplane" where Peter Graves -- playing Captain Over; his co-pilot was Captain Under -- asks a young boy, "Do you like Gladiator movies?"

The sail away was quite beautiful.  I snapped a few pictures of the lights from downtown, decorations on the draw bridge flashing red and green, and lights from the very tall Queen Juliana Bridge.  As we turned towards Columbia, we counted 7 ships waiting their turn to sail up St. Ann's Bay.  Most impressive.

My talk tomorrow is on "Salt: The Rock We Eat," and the time has been moved from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  I like that better for rehearsal -- I can run through it twice before show time.

Well, enough for tonight.  As was said earlier -- TTFN.

LAZY, HAZY, CRAZY DAY AT SEA

April 26

Nothing unusual to report today.  Talk number 2 -- Water -- was well-attended and well-received.  My traveling companion laid out today.  It is only the second time in all of these talks that she has missed.  She came back to the room to take a nap while I was finishing rehearsal.  I nudged her when I was getting ready to go, got a sleepy response, and assured her she could lay out for this one.  And she did.

Interesting at supper tonight -- the table was full, all 6 of us in attendance (Dana and Grayson, Jim and Cheryl, and your favorite cruisers).  All 6 of us are Believers and we held hands and offered grace.  Very nice!

Great production show tonight on our first formal night of the cruise.  Six dancers -- three boys and three girls -- and two singers -- one of each -- did a production called "Lime Light" which featured energetic dancing and beautiful singing to a number of Broadway and London East End shows.  Our favorite was "Mamma Mia" (Super Trooper, It's a Rich Man's World, Mamma Mia and more).  Excellent show that the audience rewarded with a standing ovation.

And now, hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Bonnie!

Well, my day started as all days on board, with a shower!  Following our baths we went up to nine for breakfast. Hard boiled egg, half English muffin, and hot chocolate and OJ.

After breakfast I went up on deck 10 to the jogging track and went around 13 times plus one for good measure. Then down to the room to pick up my crocheting. Working on Mother's day gifts this cruise. They will be late but hey it is the thought that counts.

Then, up to the Atrium on Deck 4 to wait for crafts to begin at 10:15. We finished our little jewelry bag by adding beads with backstitching. Took me 45 minutes to sew on 5 beads. I am fast!  After completing my craft I went outside to set on deck 5. On one side the spray was blowing and it was wet so I went to the other side where it was dry. Worked till 12, having to tear out at least one row of crocheting because I lost my place. 

Went back to the room and got David and headed up to lunch. We opted for the grill. I had a beef knackwurst and he had a bratwurst ("the best of the wurst" -- David). I had sauerkraut on mine with mustard. We both had fries. Dessert was nutella ice cream and cookies. After lunch he went to study and I went to crochet. I sat in the Atrium again and listened to the ukulele practice for about 1/2 hour. I was extremely tired so I returned to the room and took a nap and slept 2 hours. Missed David's talk.

After his nap we dressed and went to supper, formal night. So we got all dressed up. Afterwards the first show by the singers and dancers was on at 8. Very good show. There was one female singer and one male singer and 6 dancers, 3 male and 3 female ("she didn't read mine before she started" -- David).

We are now back in our room in our pajamas and writing this blog. Bedtime soon. No talk tomorrow, we will be in Curacao. They are celebrating the king's birthday so virtually everything is supposed to be closed. We will see. Also, in honor of the king's birthday you should wear orange.

As you can tell this was not a very exciting day.

Night. Love to all.

TTFN

SUN DOG

April 25

We were up at 7:30 and after we were showered, shaved, and shampooed, we went to the buffet for breakfast.  I had oatmeal with butter and brown sugar and then biscuits and gravy, accompanied by several cups of very good coffee.  Bonnie had a sanctified egg, bacon, and a muffin.

After consuming of breakfast thereof, I returned to our stateroom to rehearse for my first talk.  Bonnie wants you to know that she did 13 laps round the track (or was it 15) after breakfast.  Completing her circumnavigation, she walked down to Deck 5 where we met for a talk by the cruise director.  On Deck 7 she was met by a woman coming up who said, "It's only the 2nd day.  You shouldn't be huffing and puffing."  Bonnie said, "I just did a mile around the track and I am entitled to huff and puff!"

The next several hours were typical cruise ship stuff -- she went to crafts, I went to hear the destination lecturer talk about Curacao (I wanted to raise my hand and interject some points, but refrained). 

Then we went back to the buffet for lunch where we witnessed an astronomical phenomenon which some of our fellow passengers called a "Sun Dog" (hence the title for this blog).  Imagine you are standing on the open deck of the cruise ship and one of the alien craft from "Independence Day" breaks through the clouds (if the picture posts, you won't have to imagine).  The sun was a tiny bright spot in the center of a gigantic grey cloud that was rimmed in a gold circle.  Absolutely fascinating.  If you want to know more than I've told you, Google is ready when you are (and your internet connection does not cost $99 for 200 minutes, plus 20 extra for signing up the first day).

I had a good crowd for my talk and a number of folks came up afterwards to ask questions.  The ship recorded it and it is playing right now on Channel 24, if you'd like to watch it.  Interestingly the camera never points to me (or at least in the small segment I watched) but just shows my slides.  I'll be interested to see if anyone tells me they watched it on TV.

Tonight's show was Donny Most.  If you're old enough, or if you've seen the reruns, you remember Ralph Malph from "Happy Days," so you know who our singer was.  He did a variety of songs from Frank Sinatra, and Bobby Darren, plus others.  A very good program, and he is staying on board and doing a second show in a couple of nights.

Tomorrow a day at sea and my second talk.  We are booking a tour for Cartagena since we've never been there and don't want to wander on our own and subject ourselves to possible kidnap by Columbian Drug Lords.  Wednesday we will go ashore by ourselves in Curacao and help the locals celebrate King Wilhelm's birthday.

Bonnie's turn:

Well, last night as I settled into our bed, I found we had one of the old fashioned beds from the motels where you put in your quarter and you are vibrated -- "Magic Fingers." Only I didn't have to put in a quarter, the bed vibrates all by itself all night. (oops!! did you just hear that -- we have the loudest toilet on the seven seas).  Any way I slept pretty well even with the vibrating bed.

As I was walking this morning I could see another large cruise ship just at the rear of our ship speeding along. At one point I thought it was veering off but it simply moved slightly to the right of our ship. I guess it thought because it was bigger it might run over us. It followed us most of the day.

It has been unusual so far on this cruise, that I have seen at least 5 or 6 cruise ships either going in the same direction or opposite direction, 4 or 5 container ships and a small sail boat when we passed near an island. Don't believe I have ever seen that many ships in one day. I sat outside on deck 5 twice today and crocheted. It was warm and nice in the morning and quite breezy and chilly in the afternoon. I thought I was going to have to get a sweater.

The one couple at our table did not return tonight but the other couple did. The man was walking into the dining room and had on shorts and the maitre d stopped him and said he had to go put on long pants.  Wow, they are following the rules. This couple is very nice and we have enjoyed our 2 evenings talking to them. The lady has allergies to strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries and pineapple. Also, she has to have gluten free. Every night the head waiter in a white jacket brings a menu for her to order for her meal the next night.

The food in the buffet and in dining room is quite good. David went to "tea" this afternoon and had tea and biscuit with clotted cream and raspberry jam!! He said it was quite good.

Well, enough of my silliness. I shall tell you about my craft project tomorrow. Hey Mac, Granny misses you. Miss all of you. Hope you are all well.

Love Mom/Granny

See you tomorrow.

TTFN!

ONBOARD THE PACIFIC PRINCESS

April 24, 2016

This will be short, because your favorite cruisers are tired.  It is approaching 10 p.m., and we've been up since 6:30 this morning, and no naps.

Getting to the ship was fairly uneventful, if you consider Elena, our trusted GPS not signaling two turns in time -- either that or we just chose the wrong lane twice.  You had to be there.  But even with that, we arrived before our scheduled time at Budget Rental to drop off our rented chariot -- Ford Fusion, rather a nice ride.

When I picked up the car at the Augusta Airport, it was 9:45 a.m.  My reservation was for 1030 a.m., and because it was 45 minutes earlier, the geniuses who programmed their computers said, "The rate will increase from $127 to $275."  I told the lady, for $150 bucks, I'll get a cup of coffee and wait till 10:30.  Instead she redid our reservation so it was possible to leave at 9:45 for 127.  And we got to Fort Lauderdale at 9:43.  So there.

A very kind gentleman, who got a $5 tip, went inside and found our stateroom number so we could label our baggage, and we got into the line for the Which of Which there is no Whicher, and as soon as the doors opened we were serviced and onboard.  Very smooth (there is more to it, but I'm tired and I need something to tell you tomorrow).

We have a very nice stateroom.  Much bigger than the one we just had on the Grandeur of the Seas.  Ivana, our stateroom attendant, from Serbia, had not put our beds together, but she fixed that in short order.  After a good supper with companionly folks we went to the welcome aboard show, then came back to 3015 and unpacked.

And now, to bed, to bed, said sleepy head.  Let's tarry a while said slow.  Put on the pot said Greedy Gut.  We'll stuff before we go.

TTFN

THE NO BLOG BLOG -- FIRST EDITION

April 3, 2016

A family from Russia is sitting beside of us -- grandparents, parents, kid -- and except for "schtoi" (what) I haven't understood a word.  Oh the sadness.

Well, we got on board the Grandeur of the Seas smoothly.  The first security agent we talked to knew exactly where the Pier Coordinator was, and within 15 minutes we were heading for the ship and stateroom 3007.

Let me tell you, this is the smallest cabin we have ever had.  I could not lay stretched out between the sofa and the dresser, if I wanted to lay stretched out between the sofa and the dresser.  And if the sofa were moved, there would be no room between my head, feet, and the other solid objects, should I lay stretched out between the dresser and the wall.  So, we will avoid laying on the floor.

There is 6 inches clearance on either side of our deluxe king-size bed (formed by two twin beds shoved together and some kind of covering placed over the crack from the two beds).  I don't have any difficulty scooting between the sofa and the bed to get in, but it is a chore for my bionic bride.  So she has devised a very interesting means of getting into bed.  She sits on the foot of the bed, swings her legs up and to the right, and rolls in, with her feet landing on the floor.  Exiting the bed, the procedure is repeated in reverse.  No, there is no video available.  But the cruise is young.

When the Captain made his noon report on our first day at sea he apologized for the delay caused by our stopping for three hours off the coast of Virginia.  We slept through it, but there was a medical emergency which required the transfer of a guest to the shore via a transport vessel.  A man suffered a heart attack and was attended by another guest who is an EMT.  He was relieved by ship's medical personnel and cared for in sick bay until the transfer.

The Captain informed us that we would be late getting to our first stop, Labadee, and to make up for it, we would stay later in San Juan and St. Thomas.  We docked in Labadee about 12:30 and all aboard was 3:30.  We will stay in San Juan until midnight and St. Thomas until 8 p.m. (original schedule was 9 p.m. and 5 p.m.)

Your favorite cruisers lathered up with SPF 70 and headed out into the Haitian sun.  We played on the beach and in the water for about an hour. Bonnie sat on some convenient rocks and let the waves wash over her because she sank in the sand when she tried to walk out into the ocean.  Bonnie gathered some seashells which security started to confiscate, and then said, "Go ahead.  Keep them."

And we bought our pastor a large bottle of Haitian hot sauce.

We ate at second seating the first night -- 8 p.m., but the matri d said he would get us Main Seating for the rest of the cruise, and he did.  The first night we were directed to table 325 and when we got there, the four chairs were already occupied.  The staff located a table for 10 with two empty seats, and we ate with an eclectic, but companionable bunch.  Our table for the rest of the cruise seats 6, but two of the folks came the first night before we got there and never came back -- I guess our reputation preceded us.  Dick and Marilyn are 79 years old, and have been married for two years (earlier spouses being deceased).  Two of the three meals we have eaten with them, Dick has forgot his reading glasses, and Marilyn takes over.  Me thinks she does a lot of that whether he has his reading glasses or not.

I met with Katrina the first afternoon to go over my talk schedule.  They had me down for 5 talks.  The first one was Thursday at 9:45 a.m. and the rest were scheduled for 9 a.m.  Because of a schedule change, the second talk was moved to 11 a.m., and the next day when I was not scheduled, the delay into Labadee opened up a time slot, and Katrinia put me on at 9 a.m.  I have 3 talks coming home, still at 9 a.m., but subject to change.

I am doing the talks in the South Pacific Lounge, where I've performed before when we've been on the Grandeur.  It is a great lounge, seating 250, and so far has been mostly full for my talks.  I am down on the floor where I can interact with the audience and that makes for better communication.

We took part in a Family Friendly Feud game.  We formed a 6 person team and lost in the first round.  Strange rules, indeed.  We stole the first question from the other team, which if we had been on TV would have won us the points, but in this version, we have to get all the rest of the answers (assuming there are more than one) or the other team can steal back.  They did.  We sat down.  Our question was the top 5 flavors of ice cream.  We missed cookies and cream.

There is a dance instruction couple on board -- Jerry and Ruth.  We took one lesson and are now proficient at the Fox Trot.  Back one two.  Back one two.  Left one two.  And there you are.  As simple as that sounds we are just as terrible as you would have expected us to be.  But we had fun.  My talking schedule has conflicted with their other lessons so we may never know how to Tango.

The evening shows have been very good.  A concert pianist who does the classics, but also can play like a rock musician led off.  There was a Tango production the second night with incredible dancing and a fantastic orchestra.  Last night's comedian was First name Last name, the third (I can't remember).  He sings and does impressions.  We saw him a couple years ago just after he had won the leading role in a biography film about Bill Cosby.  Needless to say, that film has been shelved.  And he said Bill Cosby owes him money -- he is thinking of suing him for sexual harassment to recover the loses.  Excellent performer -- he did Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis, Jr., Louis Armstrong, Michael Jackson, Prince, Johnny Cash, Elvis, Nat King Cole, and more -- I just wish I could remember his name.  Excellent pianist as well.

As I write this up on Deck 9, sitting across from me is a very large woman, eating ice cream from a very large glass, and drinking Diet Coke.

One of the ship's staff just led a Latin dance exercise class.  I lost five pounds watching them. And now I am consuming a vanilla and chocolate ice cream cone. And coffee, as soon as my wife gets up and gets me a cup, having just got up and gotten me the ice cream.

We have sailed before with the cruise director, John, and Katrina, the activities director, and John's wife.  We haven't figured out what ship, but we remember them.  Very polished, professional team, not the usual gung-ho get up and shout directors we often see.  This morning they led an interdenominational church service, and it was very good.

Now we are sitting outside on deck 9 in the shade. I am crocheting and he is blogging. It is noisy but pretty cool. We are supposed to dock in San Juan at 1:30. it will be interesting to see what is open since it is a Sunday.

So far our purchases on board have included two cokes, one ginger ale, a new necklace to hold my sea pass ( this is the third one I have bought while cruising since the first two broke), a pair of water shoes for David. The sand got into the shoes he had brought to wear on the beach and he was not happy. I agree I do not like sand in my sandals and on my feet. Oh, well if you are going on the beach there will be sand. The weather on the beach was very nice. The sun was not too hot and there was a nice breeze.