Wednesday, July 4, 2012

We spent the night in New Orleans, before boarding our cruise ship. I was glued to the Weather Channel, as Tropical Storm Debby (or was she a hurricane?) was roiling in the Gulf.  My worst fear realized! Then we heard about the horrendous hot weather in the Midwest. And Miami meterologists had the audacity to claim that they had record highs of 93. Please! We are still 104 degrees today. We wandered the French Quarter and listened to some very talented street musicians.

The ship was easier to maneuver because we sort of know the basic layouts, having cruised previously. The first day wasn't bad at all because it takes six hours to travel down the river before arriving at the ocean. Then, things started rocking and rolling. The waves were 6-8 feet at least. I didn't panic or get seasick. I realize that airplanes hit turbulence and ships encounter high waves. BUT, our neighbors, a young couple, Elsbeth and Daniel, in their early twenties were having a rough time. She pleaded to be taken off the ship. Begged for Dramamine, paced for hours, while he walked out on the deck and shouted repeatedly, "F**k YOU, ocean!" The next day the seas and the two of them calmed down.

Our first port of call was Isle Roatan, Hounduras. Oh what a spectacular sight to behold. We spent the day at the beach and was I shocked when a pelican swam right past me and many others. It was oblivious to the people, and focused on catching a fish.

The next day we went to Belize, but we were very disappointed and saddened by the sights on shore. There were groups of  young children sitting at the side of the road playing "music" on upturned broken buckets for spare change. I so wish I had remembered to bring the bag of lollipops I had brought along. We deposited a dollar each in buckets for the three groups of children who had dull, sad eyes. It broke my heart.

The cabbies offered to take us to a beach for $49. They said the water was so murky at port because they were eight inches below sea level. Huh? In any case, we went back on board the ship and went in the pool. What an experience. Three couples: twenty-something-year-old newlyweds, a couple in their mid-thirties and us old timers. One thing led to another and before you knew it, we women were having a convention. I taught preschool. The bride taught first grade and the other gal taught 1st grade. We all had the same stories, and our husbands had the same complaints: we spend too much on our classroom supplies. It was an enjoyable day.

Third island, Cozumel, Mexico. We snorkeled at the state park, Chankaanab, and swam until we were exhausted and sunburned. Oh, my, I could live right there under one of those palm trees.

I missed you all, and I will catch up on your blogs soon. Please see my previous post, and if you wouldn't mind, leave a comment on Sasee's sight. Thank you.

I have more stories...think Lucy!

10 comments:

Val said...

I'm sure this is just an overview, and that you have many more stories left to tell when the time is right.

That is one big honkin' boat! I'm afraid I would have acted like your hysterical neighbor. The begging one, not the effing one.

Bookie said...

Sounds like things were not perfect but that you had a great time in spite of imperfections! HOme in time for a heat wave, you lucky gal!!! Ha.

Susan said...

Oh Linda. Sounds like you had a great time. I can truly identify with the children on the shore. We lived out of the country and the beggar children always hurt my heart. Good that you gave them each $1. It will probably buy food for a week or so. Take care. Susan

Sioux Roslawski said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I look forward to hearing more stories...

Janet Smart said...

Sounds like you had an interesting trip. My son and his wife went on a cruise in March (right after all the mishaps the cruise ships were having) I've never been on one before.

Anonymous said...

We loved our Cruise ship too . We went on the Princess Ship like yours.

Loved the night shows on board.
Do you go the on board for bargains in the one room they advertise over the speaker. I got bargans for popular brands for cheap oh. They still lasting.
I love the water in the pool and off the boat. I am a fish. I stayed in for hours that way I never got burned as to be sitting out in the sun.

Yes the poor children are sad.
One lady did strange act to a guy who takes trips all the time and he said it is a brank as the lady does the same act at the very same place to get a big attention.. She told one guy she would throw the baby in the ocean if he did not give her money. Just a real set up. You have to be careful when they make treats like that. They are over bearing.

The taxi's it happens on every cruise when you get off.Plus the stealing of cameras which I had happen. Know for that.

You have to bargain with others and we got to where we went for 5 bucks. Rather then what you had said.

Anyhow your enjoying. I loved the ship but not the airport.

Lynn said...

Looking forward to hearing more...

Melanie Sherman said...

Oh my gosh. I was at Starbucks when I read this and nearly spit up coffee, I was laughing so hard. The seasick couple, though it really is pathetic I'm sure, just sent me into fits of giggles. Must have been your writing and not their misery, right?

I'm going to have to send my cousins to read this blog, as they are probably going to do the same trip,

Unknown said...

Sounds like a grand time and a lot of bonding going on.

Grandma Linda's Daydreams said...

Oh, I'm so glad I found your blog! Your cruise sounds wonderful! What a great time you must have had! I think you are funny and so positive! I am now following you and will come back and read your previous posts (and future posts)!
I can't see right know, my eyes are so bleary! I've got to get these contacts out and get to bed!
Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. It was funny, I didn't know it had posted, as I wasn't finished drafting when I had to leave this morning. I hadn't meant to publish it yet, and now when I just finished it up, there was an instant comment, Yours! A nice surprise! Be blessed! Linda @ Grandmalay's Daydreams