Grandma and Wendy sail the Caribbean!!--Complete!
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Wendyismyname · 02-02-2005, 12:17 PM

Wednesday Jan. 26, 2005
Port of Call: Costa Maya

Costa Maya was probably my most favorite place we visited. The water was just absolutely gorgeous with all the green, turquoise, light blue and blue!!

We awake early and head down for our tour. Today we'll be seeing the Chacchoben Ruins. I really enjoyed it, but grandma found quite a bit to complain about. These particular ruins didn't open to the public until 2001!! Grandma found the walking to be difficult what with all the tree roots and loose rocks. So we took it nice and slow. I'm so glad we had an understanding guide!
The whole trip took 4 hours. An hour there and back and only a couple of hours for the tour. The guide gave people time to climb one of the ruins, but I took one look at it and said no way!! It was steep!!! I don't know how the ancient Mayans did it!! I loved the ruins and would recommend one of the tours on Costa Maya, but I really wish now that I would have tried snorkeling!! The water was just absolutely beautiful!!

Back to the boat, via the little trolley they had set up(saved Grandma some walking!)and we were back in the room. Briefly for myself anyway. I had to check out the action in the bar!! Got my coke and chatted with Chico and Jaime for a little while. Watched people come and go. Next thing I know, it's time for dinner!! I think tonight was Italian night! At least it was smart casual but now I know that most anything goes for dinner.

I do know that this night I had scallops for an appetizer and shrimp scampie for and entree. Both were good, but not very filling, so I had TWO desserts!!! I couldn't decide between the strawberry cheesecake or the cherries jubilee, so I had both. Now that I've tried cherries jubilee, I can say that I don't care for it, but the cheesecake was YUM!!

After dinner, instead of waiting for the elevator, I walked up 3 flights of stairs. I wasn't as winded as I thought I'd be, just coming from dinner and all. For the rest of the trip, I'd usually take the stairs, unless I wanted to watch the ocean.
I traded my dinner clothes for some capris and a t-shirt, felt more like myself!!! I headed back down to the bar and Grandma headed to the show.

Tonight, I got brave and asked Jaime to make me an alcholic drink, but it had to be super light and hopefully I couldn't taste the alcohol or feel the effects(why drink alcohol at all then, right??)

After thinking for a few minutes, he came up with a Colada Kahlua! OMG was it every GOOD!! Very light, couldn't taste the alcohol once I stirred it up!! So good in fact, shortly after that one, I ordered another one!! Sat and talked with Chico and Jaime and a few of the guests and just kicked back and relaxed. Never did feel the effects of the drink.

Tonight was also the night for The Quest(scavenger hunt type game)and the 50's and 60's sock hop. I went to the other bar where that was happening and just couldn't get into it. The band playing the music was good, but the singer sure couldn't sing the right words!! I left shortly after I arrived!!!

Went to bed feeling better than I did the night before, at least tonight I wasn't feeling as lonely.

Thursday Jan 27, 2005
Port of Call: Georgetown, Grand Cayman

I didn't really want to go into Georgetown, but grandma did. We slept in late. Okay, I tried to sleep in but was up by 7am. It sure was hot today, so I fiixed my hair up into a couple of french braids. Didn't like the looks of them, so I called the Spa to see if they could do it. Sure enough, I hung up, went to the Spa and got my hair done!! But first, I got a shampoo with scalp massage! Oh, I felt so relaxed after that!! Katie, the lady who did my hair, was the first American crew member I had ran into!! She's from Wisconsin. She braided my hair and we talked about me coming back the next day for highlights and low lights! We bargained on the price and I was really happy and ended up booking an appointment.

So, I got back to the room and grandma was ready to get our tender. I was not looking forward to this part at all. I did NOT want to ride on a small boat. But I did because I wouldn't feel right letting her wander around by herself and possibly get lost.

There were alot of folks trying to catch tenders and we were group number 21!! At least I had a window seat on the tender so I could look at the water and didn't really focus on the up and down motion of the boat. The Jewel didn't bother me with the rockin and rolling, but I don't care to feel it on a small craft.

Anyway, we shopped briefly in Georgetown. She purchased 4 cartons of cigarettes for $45!!! I think that was her best purchase!! I bought some color changing nail polish for my nieces at Del Sol. Everything they sell in that store changes from black and white to color when you get it in the sunlight. The nail polish changes from say blue to green in sunlight. (These were a big hit with my nieces, all of who want more!)

Finally, we decide to get back on the ship. I wasn't really impressed with the very little of Georgetown we saw, trust me, it was only a couple of blocks. There's always next time though.

Back on the ship and I freshen up and head to---you guessed it--the bar!! Had a couple of cokes and of course, had to talk to Chico. They sure do keep busy!! I didn't waste too much time talking as I needed to get ready for dinner. it was another formal night tonight. I went back to the room after assuring Chico that I'd be back before dinner to see him. Got ready in a hurry, grabbed my camera and headed back to the bar. I met so many people that it was hard to believe that I'd been so lonely just a couple nights ago!! Had my coke and then met grandma for dinner. The tablemates had all decided that tonight was the night we'd bring cameras, but we hadn't planned it that way!! LOL!! Dinner tonight was Lobster and Shrimp. Boy, I wish I would have just ordered the prime rib!! Grandma was pleased when I gave her my lobster tail!! Still, at least I tried something new.
For dessert, I had the flourless chocolate cake. YUM YUM!!! Very nice!! Very very rich too.

I hightailed it out of dinner so I could hit the bar!! LOL!! I really enjoyed sitting there talking to everyone and watching the gorgeous guys work!!!

I asked Jaime to fix my special drink for me. During the non busy times, he'd come over and break up some toothpicks and build me puzzles. I never could do brainteasers, so I failed these. Next thing I knew, it was midnight, I had sat there for 4 hours and had drank 5 Colada Kahluas!!!

Mind you, these tasted more like vanilla milkshakes with very little alcohol. I really didn't because a lush, but my family likes to say that I did!!

Next: Friday, our day at Sea and the trip is almost over!!!

loobyoxlip · 02-02-2005, 12:28 PM

Great installment, Wendy

I climbed one of those ruins in Mexico and by the time I got to the top I could barely walk, my legs were like jelly. And there were vendors up there selling Coke

I had to wonder...do they carry that up there every day?!

**rescuesk** · 02-02-2005, 12:48 PM

Oooh sounds like you had a wonderful time!! And thanks for the reviews of the ports of call...these are some of the ones we will be doing on the Western Carribean and I'm glad to get a review!

GoofyMom · 02-02-2005, 05:08 PM

Wow! Those Colada Kahluas sound really yummy

They must go down too easy though -- 5 in 4 hours!!

My brother just got back from Mexico and he sent me some photos of him at the stairs of one of those pyramids (the pyramid of Kukulkan at the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza) and I gotta say I'm with you Wendy! I'm not too sure I could have climbed them. They are so steep and not even a full foot length deep.

**chezp** · 02-03-2005, 01:32 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Wow! Those Colada Kahluas sound really yummy

They must go down too easy though -- 5 in 4 hours!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking the same thing!

Boy, did you try lots of new things during this cruise - and by the sounds of it, you enjoyed most of them!

**LizardCop** · 02-03-2005, 05:23 AM

[ QUOTE ]
We saw Ernest Hemingway's house, Sloppy Joe's(the pub Hemingway made famous!), learned about the guy who built the railroad and for the life of me, cannot remember his name!!! I wish I could remember more, but really the only thing I do remember is how cold I was!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Henry Flagler built the railroad from the mainland to Key West...

You're doing great for no notes!!!!! More [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/23/23_31_4.gif[/img]

Tara O'Hara · 02-03-2005, 07:41 AM

Wendy, you are a little barfly!!

Great updates!!

Costa Maya was definitely my fovorite port of call as well!!

I loved the beach and the water and the people were so warm and friendly!! Can't wait to hear more!!

Wendyismyname · 02-03-2005, 09:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
We saw Ernest Hemingway's house, Sloppy Joe's(the pub Hemingway made famous!), learned about the guy who built the railroad and for the life of me, cannot remember his name!!! I wish I could remember more, but really the only thing I do remember is how cold I was!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Henry Flagler built the railroad from the mainland to Key West...

You're doing great for no notes!!!!! More [img]http://smileys.*************.com/cat/23/23_31_4.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

That's it!!! Thanks Bill!!! Isn't Flagler Beach named after him too???

Wendyismyname · 02-03-2005, 09:47 AM

Friday Jan 28, 2005
Day at Sea

I thought maybe I could sleep in today, but I was wrong!! I awoke at 6am ready to start my day!! Since grandma likes to have her coffee before her feet hit the floor, I got dressed and headed up to the Solarium to get morning coffee. It was terribly windy that day(67 mph wind!). I was carrying the coffee on a plate and trying to keep my dress from doing a Marilyn Monroe impression when the wind picked up the cups and threw the coffee on me!! OUCH! Fortunately, since the wind was so strong, it cooled my burnt legs down quickly! I was almost to the doors to go inside when that happened!

So, I get back and apologize and tell her if she wants coffee, it's in a puddle on the 11th deck!! LOL!! She felt bad for me. Bless her heart. So we got dressed(again!) and headed to breakfast. We really enjoyed this meal because we were able to score window seats!!
She wasn't planning on leaving the room too much today because it was the 1 year anniversary of her son's death due to brain cancer :sad: . I ran down to the photo place to purchase our lovely photo that you see in my signature. By then, Hector was ready to clean our room, so we went back up to the pool deck to sit and chat. Time was passing quickly today, by then it was 11:30am!!! i had a spa appointment at 12:45pm and I couldn't wait to get beautiful!!
She went to the Coral Theatre to see the presentation on the building of the ship and how the ship works. I think secretly she was half in love with the captain. He was good looking for an older guy

She said he looks like Van Johnson??? whoever that may be.
So we parted ways and I went to the Spa where Katie did such a wonderful job on putting in highlights and lowlights, that I came out of there $200 lighter. I just had to buy the products(she threw in several for free!)and this powder make up that can be used for eye shadow, lipstick and all around cover, plus giving you a nice healthy tan look!!!! Woohoo!! Of course as soon as I got back, grandma had her camera out taking my pictures. She did that alot!! I honestly think she has more pictures of me than any part of our tours!!

I'm such a ham too!!

I run down to the (where else?)lobby bar for my coke. As I walk in, of course my eyes are on Chico when I feel someone grab my arm!! I whip around and see my friend, Michael!!! He was a sight for sore eyes!! Poor guy had been sick in bed since Costa Maya and only today was able to move around. We sat and talked for a while and decided today was the day to get video and pictures of the ship. So we did. We also found our way to the back of the ship where we enjoyed some snacks and the ocean. We asked someone to take our pictures. Should be really good ones since the wind was so strong, my hair was NOT staying in place!! LOL!!

Anyway, we went back inside to the bar and I ordered my drink. It was early, about 3pm!! Couldn't believe I was drinking so early!!

After this trip, anything is possible with me!! I filmed both Chico and Jaime during this time. I had been down earlier and showed Jaime pictures of my niece, Whitney. I swear they'd make the cutest couple someday!!!
Michael and I made plans to meet at Disney World this month and I hope he's well enough to make it.
Sadly, it was time to get dressed for dinner. No, wait, tonight was very casual, come as you are type of dinner! All right!!! So, I just ran up, put my camcorder up for the last time and went back to the bar to meet my ladies at 5pm. These 4 older ladies and I met at the casino(nothing worth talking about there--I lost $40 in slots

)They didn't show that night until after dinner, but it was still fun talking to the other guests that I had ran into all week.
Dinner tonight was American!! I had a huge steak!! YUM!! It was great and I certainly left full tonight!! I didn't want to leave the table mates, but we all joined hands and kind of held on to the moment a little longer. Then it was time for hugs all around!! I'm so glad we had all exchanged emails the night before!!
I didn't want to wait for the elevator, so up the stairs I went. Grandma had already had her packing done during the afternoon(show off!)so she was ready to go to the show. Me, I threw my stuff in the bags, set them out and went back to the bar!!!

I had 5 of my drinks today, but only 3 that night. My stomach really couldn't hold anymore and tonight seemed to be the night that whenever I'd take a sip, I'd get brain freeze!!! Michael didn't come back that night. I was so worried about him. I really am keeping him in my thoughts. Wish there was hope for him, but the doctors don't give him any.

A couple of my tablemates, John and Sherry came down to have a drink with me!! Oh I adore these people!! It's funny that we all travel so many miles just to meet people who live maybe 30 miles away!!! We have plans for cookouts, pool parties and whatever we can do to get together. They have kids my age, so I either helped them from missing their children or made it worse!! Sherry got a margarita, she let me try. It was really good. John got a Bloody Mary, which he let me try. YUCK!! OMG I can STILL taste the tabasco sauce and pepper!! GAG!! They really did enjoy me that night!!

We sit down and listen to the band play. Got really sad when they sang Leaving on a Jet Plane. How appropriate though!! Funny, I STILL have that song stuck in my head!!

I bid goodnight to my new friends, glad that we're on the same flight back tomorrow. Sherry heads to the casino(she ended up winning about $2000 that trip!!)John headed to roam around the ship. I headed back to the bar. I ended up staying until almost closing. Had to say goodbye to Chico and Jaime. Jaime and I had already exchanged email addresses, so I knew I'd be hearing from him soon!!

I went to bed at 1am after setting my 5am wake up call.

Saturday Jan 29, 2005
Departure

I was so sad this morning to be leaving such a wonderful and relaxing place! But I could not wait to get home to my family!!
I awoke at 5am and got ready for the day. Grandma and I got ready for breakfast and managed to score another window seat!! I ran into Michael and we said our goodbyes with promises of meeting soon!!
Soon enough, we shut our cabin door for the last time and was up on deck waiting to be let off. Boy it really is hectic that last day. Enough to stress you out!!
We disembarked and it felt strange to have actual land under my feet!! After yesterday, with all the rockin and rolling, I was still wobbly(took me two days to get back to normal!) I had worked myself up about going thru Customs, but what a joke!! We picked up our luggage and off we went to find a taxi(note to self: never do that again!). We were finally at the airport. Checked in and ready to go!! Ft. Lauderdale airport is probably the worst I've flown out of. They do not allow you to go thru security early because the waiting area is small. Ooookay. Made more sense when I actually saw it.
But first, we had time to kill and we ate lunch at Chilis. Another first for me!! We dined with John and Sherry. Grandma and Sherry had a margarita while John and I had a coke. We started talking about last night at the bar. Immediately, they started laughing at me because I was pulling faces and trying to wipe the taste of the Bloody Mary off my tongue. It kind of reminded me of when my niece tried Beverly at Epcot.
Before we know it, we're waiting for the plane to arrive. Guess there was some snow that morning in Indianapolis. Fortunately, we only left 45 minutes late. Unfortunately, that made us 45 minutes late arriving and I was chomping at the bit to get home to my beautiful family!!

Back home again in Indiana!!! I was really pleased that it was not too cold, 34 degrees!! About 7pm we pull up to my house, not bad for landing only 2 hours earlier!! Ben met me at the car to help with my bags and I walked in to multiple hugs from Josh and Carlee. Mikey was in bed, but not asleep so I got him up so I could love on him. Gabby was in her bouncey seat playing. OMG that baby had changed in a week!! Lots of tears flowing tonight!!! I was so glad to be home!!!

Final Thoughts

I'm ready to cruise again. Next time, I'll take someone my age. Grandma and I had a wonderful time and didn't get on each others nerves. We truly are wonderful traveling companions.
The crew made the trip absolutely marvelous. All of them are beautiful people!!! Customer service onboard was better than any place I've ever vacationed, even WDW.
It's true, you can make a cruise as relaxing or as jammed packed as you'd like it. Me, I was relaxed.

Since I've been home, I've heard from everyone I've exhanged email addresses with. Jaime has an open invitation to visit when his contract is up. It was like meeting a brother. I hope to fix him and Whitney up, but because of the age difference(he's 26, she's almost 18)and also the important fact that he's from another country--none of us believe it would be serious. But hey, they can have fun!!

I hope you enjoyed this brief trip report. I enjoyed writing it. Now, to get my pictures picked up from the store so I can have visual memories too!!!

Tara O'Hara · 02-03-2005, 10:26 AM

Wendy, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this report!!

You and your Grandma are a hoot and I wish I had been on the cruise with you guys!!

My kids still keep in touch with friends that they made on our cruise last year!! What a fun way to meet people!

Thank you very much for sharing your adventures on the high seas!!

GoofyMom · 02-03-2005, 11:06 AM

What a terrific vacation that was! I'm so glad that you enjoyed yourself and that you shared your trip with us!!

crystalloubear · 02-03-2005, 12:33 PM

What a terrific trip!! We made friends on a cruise 5 years ago and now plan vacations together!! They are some of our dearest friends.

Aytime you need someone closer to your age to cruise with, let me know - I feel it is my duty as a friend to help you out!!

Wendyismyname · 02-03-2005, 01:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Aytime you need someone closer to your age to cruise with, let me know - I feel it is my duty as a friend to help you out!!

[/ QUOTE ]

You're on!!!

Ooooh, I think it would be nice if a bunch of us set up to do a cruise together!!!

PhillyPooh · 02-03-2005, 02:16 PM

Count me in, I'd go in a heartbeat. Cruising really is addicting. Thank you so much for sharing your cruise with us, I really enjoyed reading all about it.