NCL Sun: Cozumel

We sailed through a thunderstorm last night – lightning all around, but not the high seas I associate with that weather in the North Atlantic. 

Had a bit of a tummy issue this morning, so I bailed on the Hantons and sent them to tour the island on their own.  

Once my digestive issue resolved itself, I had a really good day people watching. I am continually astounded at the degree of competitiveness among humans – cutthroat battles over trivia, over Deal or No Deal, the rants overheard in the sports bar during a soccer match. It’s kind of dark, but immensely entertaining, as long I don’t have to participate.

Spoke with several folks who had ridden the tenders to the port; Sun is at anchor as there was “no room at the inn.” Their responses made me pleased I’d decided not to go ashore. There were 10 cruise ships, including Avalanche (the largest cruise afloat) in port today. (The picture is tinted because I "stole" it off the Bridge Cam image in my cabin.)

The market looked, according to Jeff from St. Louis, like Times Square on New Year’s Eve. 

On a side note – this is first time I have ever been on cruise where no one asked what I was making as I sat knitting while watching the competition in Windjammer Bar.

The on-board library possesses a nicely broad spectrum of books. I even found a Harlan Coben I haven’t read, too bad I only have two days. I’ll know it’s there on future cruises. 

Another irk – no pens or notepad paper in my cabin. The line does not provide them. My Mom would have been annoyed; she would have run through her little pocketbook note pad in no time at all as she took her inevitable notes on what she saw and heard. (How I wish we had saved those!!)

I am surprised how many people I spoke with are repeat travelers on this cruise. As Norm from Jupiter-after-he-left-New-Jersey noted, “I drive a bit, then the wife and I eat good food, drink good liquor, watch good shows and enjoy 5 days of vacation.” When I sassed that they were taking the Travis McGee retirement track, he guffawed with “true but without the mayhem.”

Dianne and Scott had a lovely time today, so he reported when he came up to Great Outdoors Café to tell me she was too tired to meet for dinner. Not a surprise to me as she pushes herself to make the most of every moment, then her body just says, “That’s it for now.”

About 20 minutes before we exited Cozumel, I heard an engine revving outside my Deck 9 balcony door. Investigating, I saw a bight orange boat paralleling my side of the ship, very close in. As I watched, bumpers were put out by its crew and I realized it was about to transfer passengers. I am used to seeing lifeboats and small craft, but this was a good-sized water taxi. 

I discovered the regular tenders were so overbooked that the port authority was using a couple of these vessels to expedite passenger returns to ships. Also, that the boarding site this vessel was using is the overflow one when the Captain is ready to sail and wants his passengers aboard NOW! I snapped a couple of shots, then realized the mirror-effected created by the balcony plexiglass. Very Cool…a definite Christmas card contender.

NCL Sun: First Impressions (Delayed) and At Sea

I meant to write about first impressions yesterday but fell asleep before I could do so. A sure indication of the relaxing effect of ocean swells on me.

This ship is clean and well-cared for but lacks the amenities I have become spoiled by on a Cunard vessel. No surprise. Nonetheless I am bereft by no bathroom extras, like cotton balls and q-tips. Fortunately, was prepared, though I have idea what inner prompting made me pack those items. 

My balcony is nice, but I miss a chair that tilts into a semi-recliner. Yep, I’m definitely spoiled. 

I am typing this morning where I ate breakfast on the upper deck of the Garden Café. Outdoors under a Carolina Blue sky above a Florida Blue sea. The dining area is protected by a circus canopy of stretched canvas that shelters it form the direct sun but provides an airy, inviting place to dine and to people watch. An initial observation: I am far from the only overweight traveler! 

One thing I’m noticing is the ship traffic. I am so accustomed to the North Atlantic that it is a bit unsettling to see a plethora of other ships in all directions. 

After perusing the activities offered today, I’ll be spending my time reading and talking with Dianne, if she is having a good day. She shared yesterday that she can’t sleep and has no physical reason why, she just gets raging almost panic attacks late at night. She still looks great and possesses one of the best outlooks on life I have ever encountered. 

I just realized I have yet to meet my cabin steward. I guess I should go remedy that error. Juevan is charming and, based on my cabin, efficient. 

This ship does have a marvelous answer to those horrible nasty knobs that QM2 now has – all the stateroom doors and drawers have these cutouts that are sooo easy to use, I wish I could redesign my cabinets at home!! 

On the flip side, room service is not free – anything except continental breakfast is a $9.95 delivery fee plus a 20% gratuity and taxes. It is becoming clearer why this was so much less expensive than previous cruise lines. I definitely plan to use my two free high-end dinner passes and max out my Adult Beverage Package (perks Audrey got me when she booked this passage). 

Back to the ship – I know why it seems so much smaller than QM2 – no dance floor, no movie theater, no planetarium. It is a space designed to have people spend time in bars or restaurants, I guess spending money. Even the rear pool area is smallish. This is not one of the large hulking vessels that has climbing walls and hang gliding; it caters to families (I am getting used to small ones running around while I am walking the deck. Speaking of the walking deck, I like the painted-on-the-deck instructions stating “Walking - this side of the line, Jogging - this side of the line.” By my observations today, folks seem to follow those directions clearly.

Scott just stopped by where I am typing and said his birthday cake was delivered to their room last night, after we left the dining room, with apologies for it not being presented during dinner. Makes me feel better. I was a tad perturbed when I thought he had been overlooked.

Regardless, I’m meeting them for dinner at Seven Seas at 5:45 tonight. Hopefully we can beat the crowds again. 

I am so relaxed. I’m thinking a nap is in order.  I'm having a good time, no worries!

NCL Sun: Embarkation/First Impressions

Drive down was excellent. Bright skies and no wind. I am pleased that Port Canaveral was my destination rather than Everglades (though I may never live down that mistake!! It remains one of those life instances that keeps me humble!) 

What a delight to be able to park a 2 minute walk from the ship. It might have been a bit more costly than out-of-port parking but I can already tell it’s worth the $$$. I breezed through check-in/ Though I was a bit astounded to find NCL did want a credit card as they already had mine on file, then I remembered that Audrey does that when she books passage. Polite staff, lots of help. Efficient. 

As I began walking to the gangway, Dianne hailed me. She and Scott had also just arrived. Serendipitous! We enter ship together, talking all the way. Went to Garden Café for lunch. God food, chicken was excellent with a hint of Caribbean spice. About 1:30, the intercom announced all staterooms were ready for use. So we separated to find cabins and to stretch out for a bit. 

I wandered round the ship for a while trying to orient myself. Discovered the Sun is much smaller than I expected, at least it feels that way. I’ll verify tonnage tomorrow.  My luggage was delivered while I was exploring. Good timing.

At Boat Drill, I met John and Leanna from Jacksonville and his brother Tan and wife Kathleen from Virginia. We hd a nice chat and I hope to see them around the ship. 

Dianne and I arranged for her to call me with a 10 minute warning so I could drop down to their cabin and give Scott his birthday scarves. He was pleased and so was she. She was flabbergasted that I made her one in her signature color. 

Dinner was okay. I was not to thrilled about eating at 5:30, until we exited and had to wade through throngs sitting and standing in line to dine. The food was okay, but not stellar. Service was excellent.

I left my card in my cabin ( Aft 9242) and had to have another keyed. What a rookie mistake!! Clear evidence I was tired. 

I excused myself from the entertainment show and went to 9242 to read for a bit, but I fell asleep within an hour. I can’t remember the last time I was asleep at 8:30 PM.NCL Sun - Embarcation/First Impressions

Sigh. Last day

Yeah, technically tomorrow is the last day, but check out is at 10 AM , so NO, that is not a "day."  I am not ready to leave, neither is B, but reality awaits and can not be avoided.

We continued working on projects today. That good-inside feeling of accomplishment is controlling each of us today. B joined panels for a baby quilt.  I am nearly done with the 60x80 strip quilt top for her church's donation project.

Barbara beach walked this morning for a long time, reporting low, low tide and almost no wind, but definitely gathering storm clouds on the horizon. Probably that system that's ravaging the states west of us.

We finished the refrigerated food supplies - proud of ourselves that we have gotten so good at estimating quantities. Laughing as we recalled how much we packed home the first couple of years we did this. Practice makes perfect!!!

Dinner tonight was a barbecue restaurant suggested by a Waterside maintenance guy (Alex). One Hot Mama's was wonderful. Ali's a great waitress. Barbara's chicken was a match for my ribs and pulled pork. We left sated but not stuffed! For a moment, B consider getting a t-shirt until we read the back: "Our Butts are smoking'."

Now we're contemplating packing up all the stuff we brought while giggling through Despicable 3, which B has never seen.

This was a good vacation.  SO good that though the Galapagos are out for this year, we are on waiting lists for Victoria, British Columbia, Edinburgh, Scotland and London, England...our adventure continues!!

Oldies but Goodies Yet Still Minor Rebels

No surprise to anyone, I got too into the book I'm reading (Vince Flynn's latest Mitch Rapp novel, Lethal Agent) and ended up finishing it about 3:30 this morning. So, I didn't actually get up and moving until just before 10 AM. I was pleased to learn B had also been a reading good book and didn't rise until about an hour before I did.  Great Minds!!!

As per our routine, we stitched this morning. I am still stringing lengths of 2.5 inch fabrics together to form a scrappy quilt top for Barbara's church group donations. I'm pleased to be doing this with another person in the room as conversation makes the boringness of this task easier to handle. Not that we actually talked a lot, mostly we sang oldies and "danced" around the condo. (Sorry no video evidence, just take my word!) I am enamored of this radio streaming app that's 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's tunes. It was fun (and kind of embarrassing) trying to remember the words to such memories as Scarborough Fair, Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Me & Bobbi McGee, Hooked on a Feeling, Alley Oop, Running Bear, By the Dock of the Bay and more.

B finished the project she was working on (my table runner top) and began a quilt for herself in shades of Carolina blue (with, I might add, touches of Duke and UF blues!!!)

We shucked traditional food pyramid suggestions and ate ice cream before dinner. If you're ever on Hilton Head Island, you MUST try Hilton Head Ice Cream,. It's home-made heaven in a cone!!!!

We were out and about because when I put my MacBook charger in the wall socket, it came apart in my hand. Thus the trip to Best Buy to get a new one!

Garlic and ground sirloin spaghetti with Italian Bruscetta Picante Parmesan bread was dinner.  Since we'd already scrapped nutrition by eating dessert first, we "struggled" along without veg or salad.

Hard to believe tomorrow is our last day!!!

Hugs.

Beach, Stitch and Shop

I realized I have preferences that are weird - I will walk the length of this condo to use "my" bathroom rather than the one that's a yard away as it's the "guest" one! What's up with that? How did I get territorial about a time-share bathroom??? I am reminded that on board ship I will "time visits" to use my stateroom facility rather than a public one. Sigh! Every so often age jumps up and nips at my heels!

Anyway, on to our day here on The Island.

My morning began with a photo op as B had decided this blog needed pictures of me as well as her. So she caught me making a cheese omelette, no Honey Ham, and toast for breakfast.

We stitched our way through the morning. I finished binding my long-term project quilt that's pieced from fabric bits from the quilts and table runners I made the first 5 years I quilted. Here it is on my bed at the condo, I can't wait to see how good it's going to look on my one at home.

Barbara surprised me with fabric she bought to make a gift for me - we decided on a table topper and and created a pattern/plan for one.  She immediately began stitching.  I am very tickled and have already begun to plan a wine/cheese party.

Lunch out was a bust as Twisted European Bakery is closed for winter break until January 14. Sigh. I was anticipating their soup!

Hobby Lobby offered up the thread I needed to finish the binding AND a bit of wall art that immediately brought Sheila to mind. Plus, I think Audrey needs it in her office..or on her notepads at the office.

A brief trip to Tanger 1 provided us both with new tops at big discount prices! The Swarovski store, though, was a bust. I have gotten too picky, but much more determined to buy only what I see in my head and not a close facsimile.

Today was finally beach walk day, although the weather was too chilly for "toes in the water." Barbara is right in her assertion that Coligny is the most beautiful beach on the island!

It's been a while since I was in the room with a rabid basketball fan. Sharing a Carolina game with B is entertaining and educational. I learned that Coach Williams is fair but frustrated because his team has been decimated by NBA drafts and injuries. Also, she gets so in your face when the players don't do well that even I got caught up in the game and paid enough attention to what was going on that I recognized the names of one of the freshmen players! A tribute to her enthusiasm. She's a "true blue" Carolina graduate!

I heard from Sue, the woman I met at the quilt shop yesterday. She sent me the pattern for Wizard's Chess which I believe will be one of my 2020 quilts. And, she noted that if we lived closer, she was certain we'd be friends. Nice compliment.

B and I remain frustrated that none of our electronics will connect with email through this resort's wi-fi. Thankfully, our phone do not rely on it so we still keep communications open, but it's very frustrating. Also, illuminating as we are involved in many other diversions and and activities that we not dependent on email.

Hope you had a good day. We did.

Quilting World

The quilting word is really very small. While Barbara and I were browsing in Island Quilters, I got talking with a lady here with her sisters and friends and 5 sewing machines! They are annual-get-away-to-sew folk like we are. A little bit different as one of their number moved from Connecticut a couple of years ago and now they all come visit her for 10 days or so, And she doesn't even sew - she crochets!  We traded emails and restaurants - they had never heard of Reilley's Monday Night Lobster Special. Beth (the owner) has a daughter in New Braunfels, Texas and knew the quilt shop where I bought the backing for my personal quilt.

For several years, B and I have meant to eat the food from Holy Tequila! here on Hilton Head, but the crowds were always too big. TODAY, we went during lunch and were immediately sorry we hadn't braved the hordes earlier. The meals we ordered were amazing! This restaurant has definitely become another of our go-to places here.

Personal quilting projects-wise: Barbara finished her Island Quilters mystery quilt. I completed the log cabin scrap quilt top for donation and began a scrap strip quilt.

I also joined the binding ends of my multi-year personal quilt odyssey quilt using a new method that leaves no lumps in the join!! I would have finished binding the quilt but ran out of thread so tomorrow I'll try to find more or just wait until I get home. I'll post a picture on the morrow.

Dinner was salad and lunch leftovers, preceded by the wonderful Bruschetta Piccante Natalie and Jack brought me from Italy.

I figured out how to stream Pure Oldies, but am still flummoxed that the resort's wi-fi won't allow emails.

One note - Barbara is a quilt whisperer - she talks to her work as she pieces. it's like she is encouraging the fabric to move the way she wants it to go. Just what she used to do with her students. Very cool.

While out driving this afternoon, we re-visited the huge hole that almost ate Mary Todd last night as I took a "short cut" through a parking lot coming home from Reilley's Bar. You'd think that at this stage in my life, I would know why short cuts are seldom a good idea.

Still a bit too chilly for beach walking!

Relaxing

Good day. We are each unwinding and selling into "island time." Not Jimmy Buffett's vision, but our own where we relish the complete lack of responsibility that surrounds us while we are here.

We stitched and chatted and made some appointments for next week when we return to responsibility.  Our conversations included the Dallas Cowboys new head coach, how belching could indicate a level of comfort with others in the room, glass-bottom boats or snorkeling for reef viewing, the correct way to use the word recherché, Hawaii or Alaska as a vacation destination, when/why/what transforms a hobby into an obsession, Braille typewriters, female referees and umpires in professional sports, the ideal temperature for a winter beach walk and the efficacy of an all-inclusive resort. We were productive but not stressed. A wonderful way to live.

One thing I learned this morning - do not make an omelette with Honey Baked Ham. It is too sweet, despite liberal use of lemon pepper. I ate my concoction, but will never make it again.

One of the segments of CBS Sunday Morning that we caught the other day explored  the resurgence of rye whiskey in American cuisine. Barbara has never tried it but I recall parental dinner parties with Manhattans.  I remembered this when we went to dinner tonight.

The highlight of today was our 4th annual lobster dinner at Reilly's Bar. The meal remains the same price - $14.95 for a 1.5 pound lobster, corn on the cob, potatoes and rolls.

I began with a Sazerac cocktail (honoring rye whiskey and NOLA). Dinner was its usual excellent repast. Our waitress was named Swish - a first for us. We nixed dessert in favor of Irish Coffees - after all, we had to ward off the chill!

Strolling back to Mary Todd, I was captivated by the holiday lights.

The evening concluded with popcorn and several episodes of National Geographic's Draining The Oceans. Neither of us had ever heard of Baiae, the Roman naval port and "Las Vegas" just west of Naples. It's an underwater Archeological Preserve and a possible visiting site if we decide to "do" the Mediterranean.

Tired in a good way, sleep awaits. We are definitely not party central!!!!

Pleasant dreams.

Uh, I forgot....

Today began chilly and didn't warm up a great deal. Barbara declined to beach walk, so we planned to begin stitching right after breakfast.

First hiccup - B realized her hairbrush was back in SA. So she walked over to Piggly Wiggly for one and her bananas, which we forgot to get yesterday.

I was ready to begin while she was on her stroll only to discover I left the cutting mats sitting on the kitchen counter! Fortunately, my travel one was with the sewing machine. But a small one didn't really "cut it" (Yeah, I know - horrible pun!) for long.

B's first task this week is completing her Island Quilters mystery quilt that we began receiving instructions for a year ago. On step 4, she realized she had never made Flying Geese..she very quickly became as un-enamored of them as I am! But she did finish.

I decided to empty my trays of 2.5 inch strips and am making a very crazy quilt log cabin block lap quilt. One challenge arose when I realized that not all the strips were properly "filed" compelling me to remeasure and cut many of them.

After lunching on Honey Baked Ham sandwiches (minus mustard which is back in The Burg along with my Crustal Light) we toddled off to Walmart for a cutting mat. Stopped at Coligny Plaza on the way "home" to get the SC decal Sonny desires. My Ring doorbell startled me when Amazon delivered a package, which Kitty took off my porch to safeguard until my return. These two wonderful neighbors (Kitty and Sonny) so lessen my angst about leaving my home that I travel more pleasurably.

We continued sewing and watching the Saints lose the Wild card with me complaining that if the Vikings' QB had played like that during the season I would probably not have ended up in last place in Fantasy Football.  Very pleased with our sewing progress, so we opened a bottle of the Heath Winery Sparkling Wine I bought in Texas and had a delightful dinner,   Then watched some TV while planning future trips - possibly back to Alaska or to Iceland, then to Scandinavia and Finland.  Lots of possibilities.

Late this afternoon, we discovered the complex's wi-fi was blocking our email reception. Web searches and other apps worked great, just no email reception. Thank goodness for LTE.  The email conundrum waits for a solution in the morning.

Basically a quiet and productive day, despite having to accept several instances of "old brain" as we each had moments of "Duh, I forgot..." Tomorrow promises to be warmer so the sand is already calling Barbara, me, not so much.

One realization - two women stitching does not equal much available counter space!!!

New Year, Same Us

It's January, and Barbara and I are ensconced at Waterside on Hilton Head island. We decided during the drive up here that this is our 8th year of this January tradition. Not much has changed in our vacation itinerary in those years: talk a lot, solve the problems of the world, explore this island community and neighboring Bluffton, try new restaurants. We have in the past few years begun to use the week for an extended sewing session as Barbara has gotten into quilting.


We are like a couple of ladies from an Agatha Christie period novel. We can be in the same room and still be separate. Witness the fact that this evening Barbara has been watching back-to-back NFL Wild Card football games (which she chose over a Carolina basketball game!!!) while I lounged less than a yard away from her reading a book. I can turn off ambient noise and become so absorbed by the written word that I am unaware of what's happening right next to me. She can multi-task by watching tv, reading her book and emailing/texting with her daughters while I remain stolidly focused on the printed electronic pages being screened on my iPad. We are a study in opposites, yet we mesh well together.

Our drive-up was uneventful until just outside of Savannah, where multiple accidents and cars on the shoulder made a 4 mile stretch of I-95 a drugde to creep through - taking an hour to travel with no clearly discernible cause. I yearned for a small, highly portable drone I could send up to find out why the slow-down was occurring. Barbara tried to ease my frustration by continually updating me on what WAZE reported. I faced the realization that while I am (mostly) not an easily irked driver, I do not like be ignorant as to what is happening in front of me on the road. Where is the miniature camera drone when I want one????

We are settled in and ready to enjoy our annual retreat.

Happy 2020!!!