About 5 pounds and 4 weeks ago, we dashed south to get away from the cold and snow (which didn't come until we got back home!).
My travel journal contains a couple of pages regarding my absolute hatred of packing for such a trip. The rule of thumb seems to be that men under-pack and women over-pack - women thinking along the lines of "you never know." I almost never over-pack much - usually have a couple of tops/blouses extra - that's it. For a cruise one has the extra challenge of packing "formal" clothing that, for me, will be worn exactly once - but will need to be dragged around mercilessly.
Since 9-11 we all have the extra stress of remembering what can and what cannot be carried on.
Since the economic down turn, we have yet another thing to think about - "how much are these extra bags going to cost me?"
My last pre-flight entry 1/24/12 says the following:
"OMG! I HATE the packing part! What ifs. Too much! Not enough! Blah Blah."
Nevertheless, Wednesday, 1/25/12 we were picked up and delivered safely to the airport and our vacation had begun.
Knowing we wouldn't be served anything for lunch, Lar - ever-mindful of his tum - insisted we buy something at the airport for the flight. Note to self: next time, pack a P B and J!
The flight on South Western was really good. The crew was friendly and personable - we didn't get seats together, but that turned out ok for me as my seatmates were an Indian couple who were very nice and he imparted a lot of helpful travel tips as we flew. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale 1/2 hour early - the cloud cover was breathtaking - looked like towering snowbanks.
After a short jitney ride we were at our hotel - the Holiday Inn Express - and checked in.
I made Lar a cup of tea in the room and then I had a cup of decaf coffee. I ate the salad I'd bought at the airport and we relaxed in the sun rays coming in the window.
We took a walk to the drugstore for the distilled water Lar needs for his "snore-machine" and while there I noted he picked up some Tums and some Tylenol.
Once back in the room, Lar confided that he wasn't feeling well - he'd eaten his sandwich on the plane and hadn't felt quite well since.
Within an hour or so that "not feeling right" feeling had violently progressed!
My dinner was a bag of 100 calorie chocolate chip cookies and a bottle of water the hotel had provided upon arrival!
Without going into gruesome detail, my night included several calls to the front desk for linen changes and cleaning supplies, as well as constant worry about how our "vacation" was going to develop. We were due to board a ship in three days and not due to fly home for about 17 days! I cannot say enough about the staff of the hotel - they were there for me when I needed them.
Next morning I walked back to the drugstore to get some pedialites and ginger ale...Lar's breakfast, and then downstairs to get myself some breakfast. I made friends with the girl tending the breakfast room and she insisted I make Lar a cup of chamomile tea. Her opinion was that he'd gotten bad tomatoes! She was sure (and proved to be right!) he had food-poisoning.
At about noon it occurred to me that if I didn't get out and find some food for the room, we'd go without lunch and dinner for yet another day. By then Lar had been able to get up, shower and dress and he was laying down fairly comfortably. Crossing the highway was threatening - it's a busy, 6 lane road at fairly high rates of speed.
First try, Einstein Bagel - no soup other than chili. Didn't think that would be a good choice!
Next, an Italian restaurant - split pea or pasta fagioli. No good. Told the owner I needed something for my hubs who was sick and he seemed delighted to explain that a trip down a couple of alleys would find me at a NY Deli where they had just the thing.
Once there, I struck up a conversation with a lady behind the counter who is from N. E. Phila. Small world - once again. Got a sandwich for me for dinner and homemade chicken soup - mostly broth - for Lar. On the way back stopped for a pretzel bagel and then at Coldstone Creamery for sherbet.
Having returned to the room I found Lar stronger still - he got up and sat in the chair and had some of the sherbet. After a while we took a slow walk to the elevator and I got him outside to sit in the sun for a bit to get some fresh air and finish his sherbet.
Later he sat in the airy lobby and read the paper. When he was tired, we went back to the room and he lay down and went to sleep.
By the morning we were to be picked up by the van for the dock, Lar reported he was feeling quite well....so the trip was on.
Friday 27 Jan
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| Bidding Farewell to Ft. Lauderdale |
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| Home Away From Home! |
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| Recreating where we sat will cruise buddies Paul and Gail. Missed them this trip! |
Processing so many people is down to a science for Holland America!
Sat. 28 Jan
Up at 7 - today, Harbor Cruise and Snorkel - Nassau, Bahamas - Lar checks in with infirmary and they determine it was no doubt food poisoning and he is fine to go on excursion. We enjoyed the day so much! The crew on the ship fed the fish which meant we saw so many types...Lion fish - rays - fish in every color shape and size.
Back on board, we sat in the sun on deck, and read.
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| Hal Cats - kept wishing Julia (granddaughter) could hear the saxophonist. |
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| First Formal Night |
First formal dining that evening - the only one we attended - two other couples at our table were a couple from MO - Carolyn and Lynn, and an English couple Chris and Donna Oakes. Really enjoyed Chris and Donna. He was fascinated that we'd been to Chester - he works just next to the Cathedral we visited. Nice kids.
Sunday - 29 Jan
Up around 7:30 - both having had a great night's sleep. After breakfast we dressed for a walk - I did 1 mile - 4 laps on the ship in really good time. Then we sat and read on deck. A bit later we got into swim suits and swam and did the hot tub on the Lido and Lar convinced me to have an on-deck massage. Leigh Ann's hands are amazing!!
This day we met Eva. What a delight! She is 82 years young - originally from Czechoslovakia now living in Canada - and believe me when I tell you, she should write a book! Her life has been full and interesting. Among other wonderful things she told us was that Lar should read the books of Wilbur Smith and that I should read Shantaram - which I intend to pick up this week.
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| That evening we enjoyed a magnificent sunset and dramatic skies. |
Monday 30 Jan - my actual birthday. Seemed strange to be so far from family and home - unable to hear from my kids, grand kids and friends and so forth. I don't usually miss internet - nor even the phone, but on this day I did. However, the day turned out lovely.
Again, I walked a mile on deck and then we prepared for an expedition to the rain forest - San Juan, Puerto Rico. We left at about noon and the tour bus guide was great. The mountains were misty, damp and cool - just what one would expect a rain forest to be.
Our little bus took us a short distance and then we hiked through the forest to the base of La Coca Falls.
At the end of this long excursion, I was exhausted! I actually dozed on the bus. When we returned to our state room, I found a birthday card on the bed from the Captain. Nice touch!
It seemed a good time to have a glass of wine, rest up and prepare for dinner. Exhaustion was the word of the day.
That evening we decided to try the Italian Restaurant - the Cannaletto - and were we glad we did! The service and the food were exceptional. From the antipasto to the lemoncello dessert - delicioso!
After dinner we had planned on staying up for the crew’s show at 11 – however, I was asleep long before that. We were sorry to have missed the show.
Tuesday – 31 Jan
Awake and seeing St. Bart’s come into view – rough seas.
We enjoyed breakfast on the aft deck and chatted at length with the ship’s Dr., Geisle and her husband Chas. Geisle had been the attending when Lar had gone to the infirmary.
I was still feeling the dizziness that had plagued me the day before so we delayed our departure for Gustavia, St. Barthelemy – we were hearing the difficulties they were having with getting people onto the shuttle boats, given the rough water, so we sat on deck reading until I felt better. Finally we gathered our things and went to stand in line for disembarkation. After about 15 minutes I got real and told Lar I just didn’t want to go and he readily agreed. Instead, we went back to the Lido, got some iced teas and sat to read. A short time later, I went to the stateroom and promptly fell asleep and enjoyed a good, sound nap.
Feeling much better, I rejoined Lar on deck, and went into the hot tub and pool.
That evening after dinner we watched the Country/Rock and Roll show and then wandered about the ship.
We filled in our room service menu and went to sleep to the gentle rocking of the ship.
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| St. Bart's |
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| 1-31-12 Magnificent sunset |
Wednesday 1 Feb
Up at 7 to a room service breakfast and then ashore to Roseau, Dominica for rain forest river tubing.
There are reportedly 365 rivers on the island – as we rode our small bus through the villages, seeing desperate poverty – huts along obviously polluted little rivers of open sewage, I began to have serious doubts about tubing! We struck up a delightful fellowship with Allison – a young performer/dancer on the ship and had great fun in her company. The fears were unfounded – the river in which we were to tube was crystal clear and the guides were amazing in their attentiveness throughout. One of the funniest sights I have ever seen – and will always remember – was when Lar got caught up on a big rock – he was unable to dislodge himself – and another tuber caught onto him and I heard him say “Welcome to my rock!” Several of us lost it, laughing away, as we swirled on down river.
During the bus ride back down the mountain, we stopped at a little place for a “free rum drink” which gave me second thoughts after my experience in Mexico – but I guess they were fine. I know they were Strong!
Still very tired, I fought off taking a nap, and instead we sat on deck, read, and then went into the hot tub and the pool. The pool was quite warm from the day’s sun and it was very wild with waves due to the movement of the ship. Great fun.
I returned the book I’d borrowed from ship’s library (“Last Days of Dogtown”) and borrowed another (“The Lost Quilter”).
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| Ann and Guide |
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| Couldn't resist a "self-portrait" on the river! |
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| A stop for a free rum drink. |
Thursday 2 Feb
Up at 7 for room service breakfast – we are so happy we have begun to utilize room service for excursion days – makes ever so much more sense. Not feeling 100% I am not certain I’ll be able to enjoy the day’s activities – a Beach Escape at St. John’s – Antigua. After a lengthy taxi ride we arrive at the hotel facilities which are spectacular.
I would thoroughly go to St. John’s to stay at this hotel. The water was perfect, the beach gorgeous – they treated us to a free rum drink and we had fun getting to know a number of people from around the world. I bought Lar a shot glass and I considered a dress for myself but then decided against it.
Driving back the “long” way the driver showed us a number of places of interest, as well as the mountain they call “the Indian woman laying on her back with her baby on her chest.”
Back on ship, Lar finally found Eva – we’d been looking for her for a couple of days, and turned out, she’d been trying to find us. We sat and talked for a long time, exchanged e-mail addresses, and I got her to write down the name of the book she’d recommended – I couldn’t remember the spelling.
After dinner that night we were on the aft deck and met a couple from Houston – she originally from St. Thomas – he originally from the island of Granada. These two people were some of the very nicest, most interesting, genuine people we have ever met. We talked for a couple of hours and it felt as if we’d known them for years.
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| Took notice of this because of my Roushey family connection to the Moravians |
Friday 3 Feb
Immediately upon rising, I know I will be unable to go ashore today – St. Thomas, USVI. After Lar is convinced to go ahead and have a tour, I go to the infirmary – get some meds and then have a quiet morning in our stateroom reading and relaxing. Lar returned about noon, we had a light lunch and enjoyed the view and sun on deck. We ordered "Miami Vices" – a beautiful and tasty drink – pina colada on the bottom of the glass, strawberry daiquiri on top.
After dinner I returned my book and borrowed The Witch of Portabella.
The show that evening was an illusionist.
click here Check him out, he is absolutely, mind-stunningly amazing! We were spellbound.
Saturday 4 Feb
Today we were invited to the Captain’s lunch. I was so glad we accepted the invitation – the food was very good and the people at our table even nicer. We met the Danzigs from Tennessee who were such nice folks. Miriam and I were able to share our memories of para-sailing- an item on both our "bucket lists". We four talked so long that when we were departing the dining room the staff called after us “thanks for leaving!”
We returned to the Italian restaurant for dinner that evening, but it was a mistake - at least for me - I was so full from the luncheon that I was quite unable to enjoy the meal, resulting in a lot of, "why you no eat?" I had to assure them it wasn't the food!
The show that evening was Encore and we enjoyed Allison’s dancing. The entire show very much lived up to its reputation.
Sunday 5 Feb.
At breakfast we had the pleasure of striking up a conversation with the couple next to us. He is originally from Scotland, they now live in British Columbia. We had a wonderful time talking with them, but we had to cut it short to go and prepare for the day at Holland America's island, Half Moon Cay. We were really looking forward to the beach time and the sun. Before disembarking, I went to the library and traded in a paperback we'd brought and read for another "American Wife." Definitely didn't want to spend the day without a book! Half Moon Cay is a treasure! It is beautiful, and the weather was perfection. We had rented a clam shell on line and that was a treat. We spent a great amount of time in the water, and chatted with people from all over the world. At lunch time HAL sponsored a massive BBQ and the food was - to us - absolutely yummy. Burgers, hot dogs, salads, veggies, fruits - you name it. We sat at table with a man from AZ who regaled us with great stories and Lar and he shared lots of baseball talk. The island was truly difficult to leave. However, the last tender was there and it was a matter of get on or swim!
Back on board, we headed to the Lido deck - showered and spent some time in the hot tub and then we sat and read. I wandered around a bit as Lar was intent on finishing his borrowed book which had to be returned by 4 PM.
That night we had to do that insane packing one does the last night of a cruise. You need to pack everything and have your bags out in the hall by around mid night so that they will be transported to the dock in the morning. However, you must remember to allow PJs for the night, along with anything else you need - AND - you need to remember you will need clothing for the morning! They say they have often had folks ring up in the morning to report they packed everything and have nothing to wear to go ashore! We got it done, but not without a bit of stress on my part that we both have everything we'll need.
Monday 6 Feb
While we were having breakfast, Eva joined us - we were glad to see her - we talked a long time. Finally we went back to our stateroom to get everything and leave the room so that our steward could clean and ready it for the next tenants. We were also happy to reconnect with Clarence and his wife - they were staying on for the next leg of the cruise - we chatted a while and then fondly hugged farewell.
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| Lar and Andy - our Steward |
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| and with our second Steward, Juri |
At about 0930 we were called to disembark.
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| Time to say goodbye to the beautiful Maasdam |
Lar found the bags while I held onto what we had in hand and then ended up in quite a conversation with a guard originally from NJ (North!) We had some very hearty Jersey laughs.We were processed smoothly and were soon in our pre-paid van and on the way to the car rental. Our Dollar Rental rep, Patricia, was amazingly helpful - got us set up with a GPS - which she programed for our destination - and with the EZ Pass - did you know that highways throughout Florida will not take cash or credit card? I didn't!
No sooner than we had gotten loaded into our Dodge Avenger and were on the road than a torrential rain hit. We were traveling on 95 - high rates of speed and very little visibility. I was able to figure out where we were on the map and found an exit that would take us to 1A1 - we drove the GPS lady crazy - she kept trying to get us to "make a safe U turn"!
Driving by mind-boggling mansions and yachts, we finally reach our motel in Deerfield Beach. Can't check in yet, so they loaned us an umbrella and we walked the 1/2 block to Amantes, where we had a delicious lunch - I had spinach egg drop soup with tortellini and Lar had an Italian hoagie. We sat outside under the awning in the rain and relaxed.
Later, after we'd checked in to our room at the Sunrider, we got out and about, looking for a laundromat and hoping to find a bookstore where Lar could buy a book. I talked to my sister briefly and we finally went back to the room without a book.
At the pool we met 5 young people from Chicago who had come to FL to support a friend, Jim, in his new venture of investing in a local bar - the City Pub. They recommended we try Flanigan's for dinner - which we did.
When we got to the restaurant, again, only about 1/2 block from the motel, we found they had about "a fifteen to twenty minute wait." There were two gentlemen (an uncle and his nephew) waiting as well and by the time the four of us had waited over an hour we had become great friends! So much so that we shared a table and ate our meal together. We will never forget them and the warmth of their companionship.
Tuesday 7 Feb
Up at 6, I made coffee in the room and then we took a walk about 1 1/4 miles - intermittent rain. We ate breakfast next door at the hotel in the open air and the sun began to break through.
We sat at the pool, skipped lunch and had some popcorn and a glass of wine instead!
We chose to eat dinner at Amantes - Lar had spaghetti and meatballs and I chose ziti with broccoli. Their rolls are homemade, hot and fabulous! We requested half plain and half garlic...don't know which are more delicious!
Wednesday 8 Feb
Up early, we took a 2 mile walk and then went to breakfast at the hotel next door again. This time we were seated near another couple who displayed their delightful self-indulgence by complaining almost constantly. First it was "why are they (us) getting their coffee before us?" "Where is our (their) waitress?" and it went on and on. Ultimately, we were still waiting for our food until after they had been served/eaten/gone! Apparently our "paperwork?" had gone missing - waitress was so sorry..etc., etc., but of course, we had no complaints - we were in an open air dining room with all the coffee we could handle and no where to go - nothing needing doing.
Later when we had returned to sit by the pool, one of the couples from Chicago discussed how they had been to Maui at about the same time as we, and we discovered they'd stayed in the same hotel as we had. Their camera had been stolen and they had lost all their Maui pictures. I got her e-mail address and promised to send our pictures - after all, they'd probably be very close to the very pictures she had taken. She was thrilled.
That day we drove to City Pub to have lunch and support Jim and his new business, but discovered the kitchen was not open that day. We returned to the motel and walked to Whale's Rib where we had a super lunch...Lar a mahi grilled sandwich and I had a veggie sandwich. Their fries are amazing - served with "Whale Juice" - don't know what it is, but it is yummy. I took 1/2 my sandwich back to the room and we shared it that evening for dinner.
I dreamed about "packing" all night that night!
Thursday 9 Feb
Today was our grandson's birthday - 15! Doesn't seem at all possible. It was misty, raining, and windy. The wind is blowing waves in the pool. We sent texts to the birthday boy after breakfast and then we worked on sorting our things in order to make the bags as flying friendly as possible. Once that was settled, we went back once again to Amantes for lunch - amazing soup, a hoagie for Lar. We had them pack 1/2 of each for dinner, went to say goodbye to the Chicago folks, hugs all around and off we went to return the rental car. We got a van to the hotel near the airport, ate our leftovers for dinner, and relaxed. Vacation is over - with all its thrills - time to go home! I've gained 5 pounds and tons of memories. Seems about right.
