Adventures and Ordeals

Ah, the joys of travel! Our Miami to Houston flight decided to join the delayed party, leaving us with the delightful possibility of missing our transfer in Houston. Talk about a thrilling challenge!

Upon landing in Houston, we were greeted with the news that we had a whopping 20 minutes to catch our next flight. Cue the Olympic-level sprint through the airport! I must say, I’ve never moved so quickly in my life. Dodging passengers, luggage carts, and probably a few confused airport employees, we made a mad dash to our gate.

Houston Airport, a behemoth of a place, seemed to stretch for miles. But fear not, for we were on a mission – a mission to avoid an unexpected sleepover in Houston!

Miraculously, we made it just in the nick of time. Picture this: panting, sweating, and with our hearts racing, we stumbled onto the plane, the last passengers to board. The flight attendants were already closing the door, but we waved our victory flags and claimed our seats.

Finally, safe and sound, we made it home and into bed by 12:30 am. Ah, the sweet relief of a narrowly averted travel disaster!

So glad to have made our flight!

HOME!! On a bus to the airport!! Should arrive in Calgary around 10 tonight!! So much fun aboard the ship. So many interesting sites and beautiful places

I’m thrilled to announce that my knee is finally better! Yes, the same knee that has been causing me trouble for the past six months is now feeling great. Who would have thought that all it took was a tumble down the stairs on the ship to bring about this unexpected improvement? And just to clarify, alcohol was not the primary factor in my fall.

Friday on Grand Turk Island marked another day where we arrived in port late morning, following yet another rough night at sea. Our room had a mysterious element in the ceiling that swayed with the ship’s movement, making sleep incredibly challenging. Coupled with my lingering cold, it was quite a restless night.

After breakfast, we made our way to the theater area, anticipating a swift exit for our snorkeling tour. However, it took some time for the authorities to grant clearance for us to disembark, causing our tour to start later than scheduled. Once off the ship, though, everything was well-organized, and finding our tour group was a breeze.

The water surrounding Grand Turk Island was a mesmerizing greenish-blue, crystal clear and inviting. Our first stop was swimming with the vibrant tropical fish around a coral reef. I regretted not having a waterproof case for my 360 camera – the underwater world was teeming with beautiful, colorful fish.

Our next adventure involved conch hunting, something I hadn’t experienced before. Conchs are essentially giant snails. After diving for a few, we gutted them and had some close encounters with stingrays – they were everywhere, gracefully swimming around us. Legend has it that kissing a stingray brings seven years of good luck, so Joanne bravely puckered up for the encounter, and yes, there’s photographic evidence!

The stingrays felt surprisingly soft and slimy, and the experience was unforgettable. Reluctantly, we bid farewell to the stingrays and boarded the boat, enjoying rum punch as we made our way back to the ship area. Once back, we had some time to enjoy the ocean and splurge on overpriced food and drinks.

After a couple of hours, we returned to the ship to depart from the port and head north back to Miami. Saturday would be a day at sea before our final docking, marking the end of our incredible journey.

Thursday was an early start as the ship navigated into port at Puerto Rico. With no tour booked for the day, we planned to explore interesting sites within walking distance of the port. As we enjoyed breakfast, the crowds rushed off to their tours, leaving a more serene atmosphere for us to embark on our own adventure.

Puerto Rico, known as “The City with the Wall,” revealed its incredible history to us. In response to attacks in the 1400s, massive forts were constructed to defend the country from European forces. Intricate tunnel systems were integrated into the forts, allowing movement of people and weapons discreetly. Cannons lined the northeast shoreline, ready to bombard approaching ships, and the region saw numerous battles over centuries, including an invasion by the United States in the 1800s. Walking through this historical legacy was truly fascinating.

With temperatures soaring to around 100°F, it was time for a refreshing beer and to check if the blog was up and running, although technical issues had delayed it. After a couple of hours and a few beers later, I finally managed to update the blog, feeling satisfied with the accomplishment.

Next on our agenda was a delightful seafood lunch – mahi-mahi for me and a fish sandwich for Joanne, both incredibly delicious. Following our meal, we strolled through the cobblestone streets, exploring shops and admiring the local culture. While Joanne browsed for souvenirs, I couldn’t help but compare prices at the drugstore section, noticing that everything was relatively expensive on the island, which made sense considering transportation costs.

As the day slipped by, it was time to return to the ship for another formal dinner, where we enjoyed delightful conversations with our newfound friends from the USA. Exhausted from battling my cold, I opted for an early night, while Joanne headed to watch a comedy show and try her luck at the casino.

(Wednesday)

The night on the sea was a bit turbulent, but we managed to catch up on some sleep this morning before our tour. We finally discovered the elusive buffet that everyone had been raving about, and after a satisfying breakfast and a bit of sunbathing, we were ready to dock at St. Thomas. The island’s beauty was immediately evident, with its lush hills and picturesque landscapes.

Our tour took us to the top of a mountain, offering breathtaking views of both sides of the island. Magen’s Beach, visible below us, looked straight out of a postcard – it was a pleasant surprise that our tour included a visit there. We made a few quick stops for photos before heading down to the beach, and my initial reaction was pure astonishment at the sheer beauty surrounding us.

Stepping into the water, I was taken aback by how cold it was at first, but after a while, I adjusted. As I knelt in the water, small fish darted around my legs, some even attempting to seek refuge inside my swim shorts – definitely not a welcoming idea! The water was incredibly clear, allowing those who could swim to spot sea turtles, stingrays, and a myriad of tropical fish.

After a wet bus ride back to the ship, we arrived late and opted for the buffet for dinner. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, I caught a cold and wasn’t feeling my best. Despite that, the day’s experiences at the stunning St. Thomas beaches made it all worthwhile.

(Tuesday)

“Why am I up before the sunrise on vacation? Vacations are supposed to be about staying up late and sleeping in!” I grumbled to myself as we arrived in port at 7:30 AM and disembarked from the ship. Our first tour of the cruise awaited us, titled “Outdoor Adventure.” It involved an outdoor bus ride through the countryside, showcasing various fruit and spice trees on the island – oranges, bananas, pineapple, and even a cinnamon tree. One adventurous person dared to try a hot pepper and ended up breathing fire afterward; lesson learned – no peppers from the south! 🥵 It did, however, give me a newfound appreciation for fruit prices back home. Knowing that it takes between 9 and 14 months to grow a pineapple, and only one grows per plant, suddenly $5 seems like a bargain!

I was fascinated by the fact that you could pluck a leaf from the cinnamon tree and taste its strong cinnamon flavor. Our tour also included a visit to a typical school, where the kids excitedly greeted us in English.

Moving along, our next stop was lunch. Oh, and did I mention it was an open bar all day long? Lunch was fantastic – fried chicken, rice, and beans. I even sampled a bit of mama juana before hitting the beach. I decided to test my boogie boarding skills, which turned out to be quite a challenge. After 45 minutes of turning, saltwater taste-testing, and getting my stomach sandblasted, I managed to catch a few good waves! There’s even a video to prove it. 😀

After a bumpy ride back through the jungle, it was time to return to the ship. A quick shower refreshed us for dinner with our newfound friends from the USA. The food onboard has been consistently delicious – every dish we’ve tried has been a delight. However, we’re still on the hunt for the main buffet; that’s our mission for tomorrow morning! 🤔

Tonight, we’re aiming for an early bedtime, hoping for a bit of a lie-in tomorrow before we set off for our next destination – St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. 💕