AT LEAST THERE WAS POPCORN

January 11, 2019

Tonight’s entertainer in the Taj Mahal was a hypnotist.  Neither of us like hypnotists, so we opted to go to the “Dive Inn” movie up on the pool deck.  Last night was “Mamma Mia.” Why, oh why, couldn’t it have been tonight’s movie?  Tonight was “Antman and the Wasp.”  Two hours of my life I will never get back (sorry Luke – I’d rather watch a rerun of last year’s Steelers-Cheatriots game).  And someone said, “Did you like it?  There’s going to be a sequel!”  Nooooooooo!

At least there was popcorn!

Our shore excursion today was less than stellar.  It was okay, but, as Skinny Pappy would have said, “Nothing extrey.”  It was a walking tour around St. John’s, mostly past decrepit buildings and through a couple of markets – fish and vegetables – with a ten minute stop in a craft market to buy more junk souvenirs.  Our guide’s commentary was good, but there was not enough of it.  Half of the time we walked – and the tour was two hours – she said nothing.  With the history of this island, there was more that could have been said.  And her microphone which broadcast to all of our wireless headsets was cheap.  If she turned her head to one side or the other, the sound faded into scratchy incomprehensibility.  But it was a beautiful sunshiny day and Bonnie did get in her 10,000 steps.

Brandi and Keith, the couple we’ve eaten with twice, went to a beach today.  I saw Keith before supper and he said Brandi was burned, possibly second degree sunburns.  She was using tanning oil instead of sun screen.  And in the hot Caribbean sun, her white Maine skin was lobstered.  He said he got some vinegar to rub on her to ease the pain.  Here’s hoping it’s not as bad as he thinks.

Tomorrow is a day at sea and I don’t have a talk.  I’m not sure I’ll know what to do with myself, but there are some trivias and I have a good book.  A relaxing day to be sure.

The next stop is Grenada, an island we’ve only visited once, and that was about 8 years ago.  I do remember that Ronald Reagan sent in the Marines, and Clint Eastwood did a movie about it.  Our excursion is to the Spice Estate, Grand Etang Park, and Annadale Falls.  Stay tuned for details.

Oh, I had blackened catfish for supper tonight and a fresh fruit plate for dessert.  Tomorrow is a formal night, so maybe there will be lobster.

Okay, the Caboose is signing off.  10-4.  Over and out.

TTFN

We were up at 7 and off to breakfast. Our tour wasn’t until 12:15 so we decided to go out and go through the touristy shops while we waited for the tour. There must have been over 50 people out trying to sell you a tour. Tourism is one of their biggest industries. This a very poor island but somebody has money because there were many high end fancy cars parked on the streets and driving up and down the streets. Not beat up old cars like we have seen on some of the other islands.

There was one neat shop of fancy pocket books. You could smell the leather when you walked into the store. They had Guess, Michael Kors, and several other high end bags. Some had good prices.  That lasted about an hour and we came back to the ship and sat on deck 3 and he read and I did dot to dots.

  At 11:45 we headed back to the room to get our stuff and go to the pier to look for our tour. There were only 8 of us on the tour. Unfortunately that was 2 too many. One couple was a large man, over 6ft 6 inches tall in a huge wheelchair being pushed by his wife who was about my size. He was an idiot for going on this tour. And the tour guide for not telling him it was a bad idea. It was a walking tour on very crowded streets and narrow and very rough side walks. Not made for the handicapped. And most of them are uphill. Because of him we wound up walking in the streets beside the parked cars with a lane of traffic driving on our other side. It was not a safe way to travel around the town.  I was very uncomfortable through out the whole tour. The one spot we were to visit was the Anglican church which we have visited before but it was closed. The tour guide was not aware that it wasn’t open.  When she gave us info it was interesting but as you Dad said way to much empty air time. It was not a tour I would take again.

When we got back to the ship we went to the Lido for a bite of lunch. Then off for a nap. He napped I did not. Then, off to supper. I had a very good Tex Mex Penne.

The movie was good I really enjoyed it. I will have to find the sequel and watch it. The popcorn was okay but not as good as Orville’s.

Tomorrow will be a lazy day with nothing planned so far. I hope to get some crocheting done. I know I will take a walk in the morning after breakfast.  

Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie