This is packing day for us because we’ll be in Seattle early and we have a shuttle bus date at 0845. We put the bags outside our cabin before midnight. Stewards will pick them up and deliver them to the pier in Seattle. Makes getting off the ship a little easier.
Many new passengers embarked for the one day ride to Seattle. They turned our nice quiet ship into a booze cruise. Also, the ‘new’ folks did their best to make anyone using the Lido Marketplace miserable. It wasn’t fun.
So, we just hung out on our balcony when we weren’t eating something.
The sunset was nice.
We’re ready for departure.
It’s been a hoot. Now all we have to do is navigate SeaTac airport to find our departure gate. So far, in our experience, wherever it is, it will be the furthest gate away from where we enter the airport. It always happens. Still, we endure.
We entered the Juan de Fuca Strait early morning and had a pretty pristine sail all the way to Victoria. Here’s what we saw. Snow covered mountains and a lot of tankers.
Then there was this guy.
I’m sure it was headed back to Bangor with it’s escorts.
Inport 1200 to 2300. That means our trip to Vancouver through the San Juan Islands will be in the dark.
And see, we’re still happy and having fun.
We stayed aboard to eat and lay around doing nothing.
Got up later than 0800 and took the treacherous trip to Lido with our platter to get food for Diane. We both felt it was best that she stays away from folks. There are 29 people on board with COVID symptoms, so Diane’s been wearing a mask, as have most other folks, when not in the cabin. So far, I haven’t worn a mask because I’m a daredevil. But I avoid people, too, and that’s one reason we’ve chosen to eat at “home”, so to speak.
At 1000 we went to the Main Stage to watch a presentation about how this ship works from the people who run it. Very informative. Most interesting, to me, was that the 4 huge diesel engines – two 12 cylinder, and two 8 cylinder – only run generators. The electrical power they create runs everything else, including the propulsion system. Yes, the propellers are connected to 3 very large electric motors that can rotate 360 degrees to direct the ship making a rudder unnecessary. Pretty cool. The captain takes control of those motors when entering a port and uses them to gently approach the assigned pier and place the ship within inches of the designated spot designated. The captain said docking without tugs is done in all types of weather up to 40 knots. Above 40 tugs are used.
Had a hotdog from the Dive In Grill. It was really good.
A great many of the original passengers debarked in San Diego and were replaced by a much younger crowd that includes many children. We know this is true because we’ve seen them throughout the ship, running up and down passgeways, and through the food line at he Lido Marketplace. None of their parents seem to think this is a bad idea.
Here’s something fun. There are four outboard elevators that have an ocean view. What fun.
Diane got up at 0800 or later. I’m not really sure. She was feeling better but still not ready to meet her public so I took the challenge, and the tray from our cabin, and made the trip to Lido in search of food and coffee. I did good and didn’t spill a thing.
In the evening she was better yet and wanted to see the entertainment. It was a quartet of singers, 3 guys and a girl, called Major Fourth. They were the best entertainment we’ve seen this trip. Really good.
Other than reading our books, and watching a little TV, this was pretty much it for the day.
Arrived 0530 a couple of miles off Coronado Island. The first thing I saw outside was the Pilot boat pulling away from the ship meaning we’re on our way into San Diego.
We cruised slowly past Point Loma and NAS Coronado and straight into our pier in downtown, two piers away from the USS Midway CV-41. The first line across was at 0630. The entire ship will be searched since we are coming from Mexican ports, I suspect. The process will take approximately 3 hours.
We passed the test with the Border Guards & Immigration and were released to roam freely about San Diego and that’s what we did. But, we had a destination in mind. The nearest US Post Office. The closest we could find with Google Maps was .7 miles away. Looking each other in the eye, we made a solemn promise to give it a try walking.
The ship was tethered to the B Street Pier, just a block north of the Broadway Pier. Diane made it about half way to the post office before it became necessary for her to sit and rest, so I trundled on by myself to mail the cards. It was very hot and muggy out. I went back and gathered her up and we began the walk back to the ship. Getting a cab was an option, but Diane wanted to walk so we just mosied along, very slowly which suited me just fine.
We got to the ship right about lunch time, ate, then retired to our cabin and took a nap until dinner. Diane really needed it and slept well. I guess I did, too.
According to my very reliable technological gizmos, I’d walked over 5 miles, before noon. That’s a first for me. Diane did over 3. You wouldn’t have thought we would walk that far when the PO was only .7 miles away. But, that’s what my Fitbit reported and I trust it implicitly.
There were three aircraft carriers in port at Coronado Island, all being worked on for one reason or another: USS Carl Vinson CVN-70, USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76, USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-76, CVN-72.
The ship pulled out of San Diego while we were napping so we missed the sail away past Point Loma. That was OK as that’s a trip I’ve taken many times in my past life in the Navy.
Got up late at 0700 then read until 0800 when the room service breakfast arrived. It was good to have coffee delivered to the room.
After coffee and a continental breakfast, we laid around until it was time to go to lunch. I ate spaghetti. Only the second time I’ve done that choice.
After lunch we went to the main stage for an interview with the CO. The special services activity directory did the interview. It was very interesting and informative.
Since we were already at the main stage we decided to stay and watch the featured movie, “Plane”. We were sitting in the top row, so I was able to be first in line for popcorn. When sporadic coughing started, Diane chose to leave for quieter pastures, like our cabin. I stayed and watched the movie. It was good.
After the movie, I walked aft and took the stairs up to deck 3 just in time to catch an elevator the rest of the way to deck 6. Diane was laying on the bunk watching HGTV. Just like home.
We arrived at our anchorage around 0700. Sadly, there’s no place to park this big ship inside the port so we had to anchor offshore and use boats to go ashore. They call them tenders at times like this, but they are really lifeboats. I know this is true.
The bus tour Diane scheduled was leaving the ship at 0900 and we had to show up for muster at 0800 to get our sticker. We finally wound up on about the 4th or 5th tender to leave the ship. In addition to 4 of the ships tenders, civilian tenders pitched in to help ferry folks to the inner harbor.
There are about 8 zillion boats in and around Cabo’s harbor. Additionally, there are a lot of scary people riding sea scooters that go about 80 mph. They just zip all over the place, seemingly without a care about the many boats they are annoying.
Once ashore we joined Oscar, the bus driver, and Israel, our tour guide, for a look around the area.
The first place we went was to a fandancy restaurant where we obtained a gratis drink – soda, water, or beer. I had a Mexican can of Pepsi, and Diane had a Mexican 7UP. They tasted normal; in case you’re wondering.
From the seaside, multi-level patio area of the restaurant we could see the ship at anchor.
From the restaurant we were driven to San Jose which is a little east and north from Cabo. Once there we were turned loose on the city’s huge main piazza. It must be 10 acres of open space that is completely covered what appeared to be 2×3’ tiles that were perfectly level.
We wandered around the piazza taking photos and saying “no gracia” to the myriad folks trying to sell us things. We wished we could accommodate all of them, because they are so nice, but we really have no way to transport a suitcase full of tchotchkes without them breaking, not to mention how overweight our luggage would be.
At one end of the piazza is an old church which we entered. It’s quite rustic, but beautiful for its simplicity. We sat for a bit and watched a lady (a nun, maybe?) teaching a group of children communion and how it’s done. The children appeared to be somewhere between 8-10.
We left the church and wandered back toward the spot where Oscar let us off an hour or so prior. He wasn’t there, yet, but we were early. When he arrived we returned to our seats and adjusted the A/C again. It’s warm in Cabo, but not sufficatingly so like Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Huatulco.
We were driven back to Cabo but before going back to the ship there was one more stop, at a “blow glass” business. A friend of Israel’s works there and it’s apparently a regular stop. In addition to watching the workers, about 10 of them, scurrying around with molten glass on a metal rod, one of them sat in front of us and created a turtle with a sombrero and a bottle of tequila in about 10 minutes. It was impressive. Another worker brought him different colors in a choreographed manner so he didn’t have to get up and get it himself. It was fun to watch. It was interesting to learn that this facility does not make glass. They recycle it.
Once the turtle was done, he held it up for all to see, then took a peso note and touched it to the finished product and it burst into flame. A demonstration of how hot it was.
Then we were ferried back to the main part of Cabo where all the fun happens. Especially on a Saturday night, like today. It was getting vey noisy as our tender headed for the ship putting a definite end to this tour. It was a good day.
Did I mention that there were some pretty classy yachts scattered around the harbor?
Once aboard the ship we immediately went to the Lido deck to seek food. We didn’t stop for lunch on our tour, and we were hungry. We ate tacos and chips and cheese.
At 1500 the ship upped anchor, we made a right turn, and headed for San Diego. We’ll be there the day after tomorrow.
We ‘live’ on the right, or starboard side of the ship so the sail away from Cabo was right in front of us. The driver spun this big ship around and sailed straight out for about a mile, then made that right turn slowly so we could all see the lands’ end where the Baja Peninsula meets the sea. The arch that’s revealed as we pulled out was right where it’s supposed to be.
Then we went to Lido to eat something. I had roasted chicken and green beans followed by a small salad with lots of shallots, which was a mistake. I guess they kinda curled Diane’s eye lashes a little. I would’ve brushed my teeth but we were late for the 1930 show and had to rush to the other end of the ship. One of the promenade walkers told me that once around the main deck is 1/3 of a mile. So, I guess walking from one end to the other is about 1/6 of a mile. Then we had to walk back to our cabin which is half of 1/6 so that should be 1/12. Making the afternoon trip about ¼ of a mile, right? Just guessing, of course.
The evening show was BBE (Boy Band Evolution), four young men singing hit songs from pretty much all genres and doing it very well. Fun to watch and listen too.
Now we just rest until our eyes tell us it’s time to call it a night.
On the railing, at 0630, were two pigeons that appeared to be wishing us a belated anniversary. The stuck around for a long time. It was special.
0800 we had a couples massage at the spa. Michelle massaged Diane, and Moi massaged me. Both girls were little, but Diane’s was littler than mine. Both, however, could really push hard on sore muscles. I can’t say my massage was relaxing because it really wasn’t. They were, however, beneficial in that for me, at least, they unraveled a few raveled spots around my shoulder blades. There were some really crunchy spots back there and Moi wasn’t hesitant about attempting to make them go away. So, tomorrow I will be sore for sure.
We did not go ashore today. Just lounged around on our balcony reading and resting. The temp is down to 80 which actually felt a little cool. I suspect the humidity here is a lot less which makes a difference.
It was nice and quiet on Lido for lunch with most everyone ashore doing stuff. According to our itinerary, everyone is supposed to be back aboard in about 3 minutes, then we’ll push away from the pier at 1500. That’s what happened.
Diane spotted this little manta ray swimming near the ship. He must have talked with the pigeons earlier.
We watched the departure then I went to a doctor’s appointment at the spa. Yes, the spa actually has a doctor. He does acupuncture which I’ve been interested in for my sciatica. He checked my back and left leg and reported that I definitely have inflammation all over the place. Then he explained the acupuncture process, showed me the needles, and asked if it was something I’d be interested in trying. Since I’ve never had acupuncture before I said, “Sure. Let’s do it!” So we did. Only took about 45 minutes and only cost $211. He suggested that I do 5 treatments to get the full value of the process but that meant I’d spend a lot of time in the spa and the price would be $800. I declined and suggested that I’d better join a gym and see if that helps.
When I got back, Diane made me take a shower to get rid of all that icky spa oil Moi smeared all over me in the morning so we could go to dinner.
Day 12 – April 20, 2023 – At sea – Our 55th Anniversary
I woke early at 0630 and looked out our patio door to see what was going on. Just water.
Things were going fine until I decided to take my phone, iPad, and pills to the head so I could take my BS reading, sync my Fitbit, and take my pills. On top of my iPad, I’d placed an empty water glass to get water for the pills. That was the big mistake.
The only place that doesn’t have carpet is the head. It’s like stone tiles. So, of course, even though I managed to get my foot under the bumbling glass, it bounced off, hit deck, and shattered to smithereens. Glass everywhere. Naturally, this woke Diane, the opposite of what I was trying to do.
Bless her heart, she feared I’d fallen and came rushing to the rescue to find me gathering pieces of glass on my hands and knees.
After getting the big pieces and, placing them in the oddly intact lower half of the glass I got a towel and wiped then entire floor area to get the tiny pieces no one could see, vowing to warn the cabin boys about what had happened.
I was too busy to take any photos of this event.
Then I cleaned off our room tray, on which live a couple of large bottles of water we will never drink, added a damp washcloth, and took Diane’s shopping list to the Lido deck for food and coffee. I’m happy to report that I managed to get that full tray down 3 decks, and back to our room without spilling a drop. We were both very proud of me.
At 1300 we had lunch in the dining room with the Mariner Club. It was a lot of food picked from a menu, unlike the Lido where there are no menus. Just point at what looks good and they dish it up.
We lounged in our lounge chairs on our balcony and watched the world go by until it was time for supper.
Diane started out with crab cakes which she really liked. Then she had halibut that she didn’t like so much.
At 1730 we had a major dinner at the Pinnacle restaurant for our Anniversary Celebration. Diane had crab cakes & baked halibut (no photo), and I had a skimpy shrimp cocktail & 15 oz boneless ribeye steak. We also each had baked potatoes and they were huge. Mine was almost as big as my steak. I ate it all. Then we had dessert. The delivery was very elegant for all plates.
For dessert Diane had Baked Alaska and I had a couple scoops of ice cream.
After that sumptuous meal, we returned to our cabin and relieved ourselves of our shoes and clothing, and spent the evening laying naked on our balcony.
Arrived at 1100, attended the mass gathering of people going on tours, got number Orange 10, then left the ship to march about ½ a mile to the bus. The bus wasn’t there when we arrived, so we waited in the 90+ degree heat till he showed up. It wasn’t long, but it seemed like a long time.
The bus took us on a tour of Huatulco. The first stop was on a hill overlooking the Eurodam and a pristine beach. Got off, took some photos, got back on. They never turn the buses off, so the A/C is always on. That’s good. Diane stayed aboard for this stop.
Next stop was an overlook of the city. Diane stayed aboard again.
Then we went downtown. The destination after the bus parked was about a mile away. In addition to the walking, the heat sapped everyone’s strength, so we went really slow.
We visited a museum where we learned how the indigenous people created colors for their incredible textiles The blankets and rugs were beautiful. The only thing we bought was a very colorful cat magnet.
Next stop was a church, but we skipped that and went directly to the restaurant that was next on the list. They had bathrooms.
Everyone else showed up a short time later and we were all served a snack consisting of a small helping of beans for dipping the two tiny Tostitos they served everyone. They were tiny, but they hit the spot and kept us going.
Interesting art in the restaurant. Kinda looks like a nod to COVID and masks, right?
We left the restaurant, Mescal Mas, before everyone else to visit the church. It was close by. It’s incredibly beautiful. The entire interior is covered with artwork. I have photos.
Our next stop was to catch the bus. We made it but lost our way for a minute and wound up being the last people to board our bus. That was fun.
Back at the drop off, we walked toward the ship, passed the first check point to show our ship’s card, then Diane said we need to catch the little taxi that runs up and down the pier and only takes tips. No set fares. I’m sure he makes a pretty good living because by the time people get to him, they’ll pay anything to get back on the ship where the A/C is blissful. For the last 100 yards of that trip Diane paid him $5. She wanted to give him $10 but I thought that was a bit much. The driver was happy with $5.
Made it back with time to spare. Everyone was supposed to be aboard by 1630 so we could depart by 1700 with all the paying passengers. It’s currently 1640 and there are still people trolling down the pier.
Tonight, we’re going to the theater to watch “A Man Called Otto”. I watched it on the plane to Fort Lauderdale and really liked it. It will be fun to watch again with Diane because I know she will love it.
On the way to the movie, we stopped at the EFFY Jewelry store and got Diane an emerald ring she’s been wishing for. It’s for our 55th anniversary, and she earned it.
I was right. She loved it. The movie, I mean, and she kind of likes the ring a bit, too.
Back in our cabin we settled down to relax and watch the Mexican coast sail by on our way to Puerto Vallarta.
Temporary Sanity ... 