Class Reunion Eastern Caribbean Cruise - Arriving in San Juan

Waiting for the red-eye.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Over a year in the planning (special thanks to Cathy), the Class of '68 45-year Reunion Cruise came together before we knew it. With about 20 cabins reserved – some by classmates, some by family members, some by friends – it was going to be a whirlwind of activity, friendship, and reconnection. At least, that was our hope.

You may wonder why we would embark on such an undertaking on such a weird anniversary. Not 40. Not 50. But 45? Well, here's the thing: Our class gets together every five years. We're strange that way, but we like each other a lot. We had been losing boatloads (no pun intended) of classmates all of a sudden. It was sort of panic inducing, really, to think of waiting another five years before doing something really grand together. Most class reunions take place in one lovely soiree. You get to the hotel ballroom (or the high-school gym), you have a nice dinner, you dance a little, and you spy so-and-so from across the room. Maybe you get a chance to go over and say, “Hi! How have you been? Oh, look! There's so-and-so!” And maybe you don't. But, either way, you've done nothing more than intend to have a conversation that never really happens. And then you go home, and you wonder why you're disappointed and don't like class reunions. So you don't go next time. You don't realize that what you're missing is relationship. We didn't want that to be us.

A contingent from our part of the country traveled together to San Juan, taking the exact same route as Harry and I had done for our wedding anniversary cruise. It was equally fabulous, so I won't recount it here. We were excited to meet up with another classmate at the Charlotte airport for the last leg of the trip, so it didn't matter that much that I still can't sleep on planes and still need to remember to bring Benadryl or something and still didn't do so. Okay. I've carried on enough about that. So what, right?

Selfie with Bob & Karen, hanging out
in the lounge in the lobby.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

The happy news is that there were no luggage issues this time around. Nothing was stolen out of our bags, no bags went missing...all good! We all climbed into a mini-van cab and were happy to pay the $20 (split amongst us) plus $1 per bag to go the one mile or so to our hotel, the Hampton Inn in Isla Verde. The same Hampton Inn we stayed in previously. It had lots of things to recommend it, besides being highly ranked (#1) on Trip Advisor: cozy in size, affordable, convenient, comfortable, available, poolside restaurant, swim-up bar, and with breakfast included. Surprisingly, the front-desk staff remembered us...or the computer remembered us, whichever! Still, it was nice to check in to a warm welcome.

The beach at the Courtyard. Kinda makes you want to
see it in person, doesn't it? Your hammock awaits you...
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

As more of those of us who were staying there for the night arrived, we gathered in the lobby and poolside. We had intended to go sight-seeing, but we were all exhausted and settled comfortably in our deck chairs, forming conversation groups and happily greeting each other. Later, after perhaps one too many appetizers (free on Friday night) and some adult beverages (free on Friday night) at “our” place, we walked along the beach to meet Cathy and Fred and others at “their” place, the Courtyard by Marriott Beach Resort, for a lovely buffet dinner with too many salad options to mention. I'm sure you can look it up on their website if you're interested. The Courtyard is just a few bucks more than the Hampton Inn, is much larger, and is right on the beach. If that's what you're looking for either before or after (or both) your cruise out of San Juan, stop reading right now and make your reservations!

Some of our classmates arrived several days ahead of the cruise to explore the island. Some of us opted to arrive just one day before, giving us an opportunity to rest, rejuvenate, and spend a little time together before boarding the ship. Some of us (ourselves included) were planning to spend a few extra days on the island after the cruise. Whichever way you decide to do it, you'll have a wonderful time in beautiful Puerto Rico. Please don't just stay in San Juan overnight and think you've seen the island. Although San Juan is a lot of fun, come to think of it...

Western Caribbean Cruise - Day at Sea

Friday

Just another sunset picture.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

The sea was like glass. The sun shone brightly. All was calm as we enjoyed our last day of the cruise, sailing slowly in the Caribbean and back towards our “home port” of Houston.

I'd heard from some that sea days can be excruciatingly boring, with no shore activities to look forward to and just “the stuff to do on the ship.” You know, "stuff" like soaking in the hot tub, swimming in the pool, reading a good book in the shade as a soft, warm breeze kisses your skin and tousles your hair, watching a movie, enjoying live music in one (or more) of the myriad lounges, having a fancy tea with canapes and amuse-bouches and petits fours and tiny tarts in the dining room, competing in a variety of games, taking dance lessons, enjoying a cool drink with friends recently discovered, catching some rays. And don't forget the required eating of mass quantities of fabulous foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, too. Oh, ya. Excruciatingly boring. That's what I'll tell everyone so they'll take other kinds of vacations and leave the cruise ships to me.

I might not have mentioned that they keep the
common areas kind of cool. Bring a light wrap.
See how relaxed we are? Okay, we're tired from
too much fun. Wait. There's no such thing
as too much fun!
Photo by Harry. All rights reserved.

This was a day to relax at the end of a fabulous vacation. A day to just...be. And also a day to pack our bags and place them outside the cabin door by 10 p.m. So, you'll want to have an overnight-type duffel tucked away somewhere to stuff your sleepwear (wink) and toiletries into the next morning. Fortunately, you can purchase a lovely souvenir tote (or t-shirt or sun hat or bathing suit or sarong) on the ship or at on of the many ports of call, in case you “forget” to bring one from home.

Just as at a nice hotel, your bill will miraculously appear in your cabin for inspection. You might want to actually check it over to make sure it's correct. Ours was perfect. It occurred to me at this point that it might have been a good idea to check our tab at the purser's desk now and then along the way, just to make sure we weren't going to have a heart attack on the last day. But, no worries. If you have a tendency to purchase drinks for everyone at the bar or to take expensive shore excursions each day, you would probably be wise to keep track of your tab. There was one person, for instance, who discovered that his bar tab was more than the cost of the cruise. Much more. I'm sure his newly acquired friends thought he was fabulous company. And so it goes.

Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

And taking the stairs instead of the elevator to keep the pounds off? It totally works. Do it, if you can. I lost a couple of pounds, actually. Of course, I gained it back right away...but that's a different story.

Disembarking was terribly organized and efficient and interminable. Customs was a drag. So, what's new there, right? But Fred had our vehicle conveniently parked in the adjacent lot provided (at a very reasonable fee) for that purpose, and we weren't in a huge hurry to catch a flight. We had our vacation on!

Back in north Houston, we stayed with Cathy and Fred overnight and went to church with them at Second Baptist the next day. It was a lovely service filled with wonderful music as only a large choir and a full orchestra can deliver it. The message was solid and inspiring and appropriate for the season. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas, and I had a lot of work and planning awaiting me back home. But I wasn't thinking of that yet. I was determined to make the vacation feeling last. And I did.  

Western Caribbean Cruise - Roatan, Honduras

Wednesday

Tropical lushness
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

After an beautiful and calm overnight sail from Cozumel, here we are, approaching Roatan. It is a verdant island, all green and lush, with homes dotting the hillsides. Some of these homes are palatial. They do not necessarily belong to the locals, just sayin'.

The sea here is absolutely fabulous and clear. You can see all the way to the bottom, and I keep hearing “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid” going through my head as I look over the railing, straight down though the crystal turquoise to the fish swimming around in the coral way below. Wow.

The water was very clear.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Today, we've decided to get off the ship and wander about. We are greeted by the ever-present “special moments” ship's photographers who seem to be by the gangway all the time, snapping your photo as you arrive at your fabulous destination-du-jour. The photos will be displayed in the photographer's lobby on the Promenade Deck, where you'll also find a most excellent specialty Italian restaurant. There's a modest but worthwhile additional fee to eat there, which is a recommended “at least once” treat to enjoy on the cruise. Back to the pictures. Photos are taken of you at embarkation (where you'll look really happy but awfully tired from the flight), at each destination, on formal nights, at various activities. Obviously, the photographers want to sell their portraits. But here's a little hint: Don't buy them separately, because, oh, say, on Thursday, there'll be a special sale. That would be because, as I said, the photographers want to sell the pictures! But do keep track of yours so you can select your favorites to purchase. The charge, of course, will be added to your tab. Along with your bar purchases, selections at the ship's store, massages, haircuts, mani-pedis, off-ship excursions, and so forth. So, do keep checking your tab to make sure you aren't spending over your own sort-of-preset limit. We want to avoid unpleasant surprises, yes?

The welcoming committee.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

We had our photo taken, watched the welcoming local musical group and dancers for a while...very exotic...and noticed an internet cafe just outside the gates. There were actually a number of internet cafes, at least one on every block. Not the most trust-inducing places, if you ask me, but if you must log on, you must log on. Or something.

Looks trustworthy, eh?
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

We shopped for hand-made, local souvenirs (sarongs, pine baskets, bracelets) to help out the local artisans. Can I just say, the poverty I saw was appalling. In such a lovely place, rich in natural beauty, with plenty to eat, it's hard to imagine why there would be policemen dressed in camouflage and carrying automatic weapons everywhere, in twos and threes. 

Makes you want to adopt a family, doesn't it?
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

But it's easy to see that the people are exploited and poor. The smell of sewage and rotting things permeates the air, and there's a hollow look in the eyes. The look of despair and anger and bitterness. I understand that it's all completely different in the areas where the huge resort complexes are, on the other side of the island. You know, where these people work. For practically free.

(Steamy camera lens.)
Doing our bit for local economy.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

It was hot in Cozumel, but it is stinking hot and humid here. My camera lens kept fogging up. Quick! A cold drink! And, indeed, it was possible to purchase a local beer and sit on a little dock overlooking the beautiful sea and lovely scenery for very little money. If you stay in the designated tourist areas, you'll be fine. Truly, the folks appreciate your patronage and will do everything possible to help you and your cash to separate. But do stay in the designated tourist areas. If you wander off (as I did), you may not feel comfortable with the looks you'll get. Half a block off the beaten path was all it took to make me turn around and go back. Things may have changed and improved, but...be safe.

This is the grocery store.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

I'd love to see Roatan again and explore the other parts of the island. It truly is beautiful, with amazing snorkeling and diving and lush vegetation. Cozumel was in a foreign land, but Roatan felt like a different world entirely. It's exotic. If you're looking for a place to go on your next good-will mission, you might consider Roatan.

We returned to the ship, where we were welcomed by the crew, went for a quick swim, and prepared for dinner and a show. You get used to the service very quickly, I noticed. At least, I sure did. The way the ship's crew caters to you is just like having servants or something. At least, I imagine so, as I wouldn't actually know. “Yes, madame.” (That's “madame” pronounced the French way, not “madam” or “ma'am.”) “Madame desires [fill in the blank]?” “Please, madame is not eating enough. Would madame like something different?” [Not eating enough?! Are they kidding?! I'm using the stairs instead of the elevators in hopes of not gaining 50 lbs.!] The service is really a “wow” experience. I could get used to this, but I'd better not.

Do I look relaxed yet?
The sarong was a gift from Karen when she
and Bob went to Bora Bora. I take it on every
trip, until I get to see Bora Bora myself.
Flip flops? Aruba trip gift from Cathy K.
Shell necklace? Gift from Hawaii.
Coral bracelets? Gift to self from a woman
combing the beach for tiny bits in Aruba.
Photo by Harry. All rights reserved.

Part of the fun of cruising, I may have mentioned once or twice already, is the nightly entertainment. The revues are excellent and not like local theater or high school musicals at all. It's really more like Vegas, and it's all included in your fare! The auditorium is always full, and you do have to show up a little early if you want a prime seating location.

Wait staff come by every few minutes to make sure you are provided with your libation of choice. Alcohol is not included, don't forget, and that bar tab to your room can add up pretty quickly. Sodas are also not included, but you can purchase a “soda card” at the beginning of the cruise that'll cover all the soda you can drink, if that's what you want to do. Coffee, tea, and juices are all included. I became an avid juicer.

So, on board, we met Ms. Marian Kelly, a truly hilarious and self-deprecating (the best kind) comedienne. She made us roar with laughter, whether she was on-stage or sharing our table in the dining room. Marian was always “on.” Especially fun for us at her first show was a sarcastic bit about high-school cheerleaders and their “Go, team!” attitude, which she said she couldn't stand and made her sick. Well, Cathy and I were both, you may have guessed, high-school cheerleaders. So, every time she would mention the “Go, team!” bit, Cathy and I would shout, “Go, team!” in echo. Naturally, it cracked everybody up, and Marian used it to her advantage in her routine. Every time we would pass her on the ship, we would smile and cheer “Go, team!” as we passed her. She loved it, and so did we, and so did the others nearby. So, it was a whole lot of entertainment for everybody, and we made a friend.

If you're curious about Marian's sketches, you can check her out on YouTube, where you'll find quite a few bits. You'll roar with laughter, too.

About a year ago, a tornado ripped through the town where Marian lives. It destroyed every home on the other side of the street from hers, and it caused a lot of damage to hers, as well. She was home at the time and took shelter in her crawl space. Thank God she was not harmed. We love you, Marian. Go, team!

Western Caribbean Cruise - Cozumel

See that line of white between the sea and the sky? Cancun.
Told ya it looked tiny.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Tuesday

We sailed across the Gulf of Mexico, and the temperature got warmer, as promised! Hurricane Wilma having done a number on the Yucatan, we were unable to visit Cancun, but we saw it as we sailed by. Off in the far distance, the resorts beckoned white in the bright sunlight against the blue sky and azur sea. I know they are large, but they seemed so small and forlorn. The sand had all been washed away, and the new cruise dock had been completely demolished. It's hard to imagine that a storm could tear up concrete like that, but the storm stayed over the area for a long time, and the wind and water ripped it to shreds.

Cozumel when it is brown.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

The end of the dock was ripped off (see left).
The building doesn't look so hot, either.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

So, our ship went to Cozumel, which had also been hit hard by the same storm. There was major damage to the dock and so the ships were at anchor while the people were ferried in. The buildings were also damaged, and the tops of the palm trees were gone. It was all very...brown. New, small trees had been planted, and the rebuilding process had begun.

L to R: Fred, Cathy, Harry
Notice the tall trees and sandblasted buildings.
And the stuffed shopping bag. Go, Cathy!
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

We cheerfully bartered and spent some tourist dollars, doing our share to bolster the economy. Those who had been here previously were shocked at the lack of vegetation and sand. Apparently, it's normally quite lush here. But it wasn't on this day. There are lots of cute shops and little boutiques. And Senor Frog's. But we didn't go there. My purchases included some lovely white gauze skirts and shirts. And lots and lots of vanilla. So smooth, such delicate flavor, and colorless. Delicious!

Count the ships. This is good for business.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

There were lots of cruise ships in port, which was a surprise to me. I don't know why I was surprised, except that I didn't really know what to expect. Everything is surprising and delightful to me at this point. I love new experiences. Especially if they're good ones.

On board, there's food and more food. And the buffet is always open, except between 5 and 6 in the morning. There are dance lessons, contests, games, activities galore. Off the ships, there's snorkeling and diving and exploring and shopping and hanging out. The atmosphere is relaxed and happy and cheerful. Except for those who are used to working 12 and 16 hours a day and find that their cell phones, miracle of miracles, work way out here! Turn the thing off, already. And stop checking your messages. Notice, not naming any names in my attempt to protect the innocent.

It was clouding up as we sailed away.
Beautiful shades of gray.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

We opted for anytime dining, which means you can eat at the buffet or you can go to a number of different dining rooms to eat dinner whenever you want within the hours of operation. So, you don't have to worry about missing your assigned seating time. Very easy and wonderful. And we never had to wait more than 10 or 15 minutes for a table. The wait staff? Awesome. Attentive. Obliging.

The modest daily tip amount is added to your tab automatically and is split up among all the folks who are serving you. So, you'd think their attitude would be more along the lines of, “Hey, whaddya want?” But, no. You're free to leave them an additional tip towards the end of the cruise, and they work very hard to make sure you're going to want to do that. The service is superb.

I love sunsets. Don't you?
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

In the evening, there's entertainment in the theater. There's a casino, if you like that kind of thing. There are various lounges with live music of different sorts for every taste. There's dancing. There's so much going on all the time, it's hard to decide what to do, and you can't possibly do everything. So, you might as well put on your bathing suit and go soak in the hot tub. Or get a massage. Or whatever you want to do. You're on v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n, and you don't have to worry about a thing.

When you go to bed at night, your room steward has turned down your bed and placed a chocolate on your pillow, and the itinerary for the next day has been placed in your room so you can decide what to do next. When you wake up in the morning, you'll be at a new destination, or sailing up to one. When you return to your room after breakfast to freshen up for your day, your bed will already have been made, fresh toiletries will be available for you, and all will be in readiness. Even if you've only been gone for 15 minutes. I don't know how they do it, but they do it like clockwork. Magnificent. Feeling grateful!

Western Caribbean Cruise - Houston & Galveston

Time for another retrospective adventure! Our friends Cathy and Fred invited us to join them for a Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Norwegian Dream (Norwegian Cruise Lines). We also spent a few days exploring their "neck of the woods." It was December, 2005, and here we go!

Houston and Galveston

Come and sit by the fire...
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Here we are in Houston, at Cathy and Fred's, and it feels cozy and comfortable. Their home is lovely and reflects their personal charm and style, with gas fireplaces (always on for ambiance) in the living room and master bedroom, which is a loft room overlooking the living room. The house was designed to be open flooring, which it certainly is – vastly spacious, with beautiful hardwood floors. It says, “Come on in and make yourself at home. How about right over here, on the cushy sofa by the fire?”

The guest room is on the main level down a little hallway from the living room, very private, with its own bathroom that connects through to the laundry room off the kitchen. Cathy has thoughtfully supplied it with everything we could possibly need. She sets the hospitality bar pretty high and couldn't be more gracious.

Grab ya some sweet tea and sit awhile.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Situated right by the water on a peninsula between the San Jacinto River and the bayou, it is in a flood zone. So, it's up on pilings and is about 20' in the air. That way, when the water starts to rise and reaches a particular tree, Cathy and Fred can get in their car with their pooch and a few belongings and safely leave the vicinity for higher ground farther inland, knowing that their house will probably be just fine while they are gone. Or not. But judging from what we saw in Galveston yesterday, it's normal for homes near the water to be up on pilings. It's also harder for swamp creatures to make it all the way up to the deck, I imagine. But there I go with my imagination!

Galveston is flat. And, on this day,
it was grey, too.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Yesterday, when we arrived after an uneventful flight from Oakland on Southwest Airlines, we all drove down to Galveston to the sea wall that was built to protect the city after the hurricane in 1900 that killed 6,000 to 8,000 people. With all that water around, and with everything at sea level, it was easy to see why folks were freaking out at the possibility of a direct hit by Hurricane Rita. Galveston is built on an island, and there's basically one bridge and the ferry for getting out of Dodge. I imagine the traffic could back up in a huge hurry if everybody was in a panicked hurry to leave. And once the bridge and ferry shut down, there would be no easy way to get out. I guess you'd have to hunker down in your palatial beachfront home.

The beach at Galveston goes on for miles, and the water is very shallow quite a distance offshore. Glen Campbell, get out of my head with that song, already! Sheesh!

Watching the ships (large cargo ships and oil tankers) sailing in and out of the harbor, we were treated to some pretty entertaining antics by the dolphins. They love to frolic in the wake and jump ahead of the bow. It makes my heart glad to see these creatures having a blast, too.

We took the ferry to the Bolivar Peninsula (east), where we stuffed ourselves with soft-shell crab – BBQ'd, fried, boiled, fired – at the Stingaree Restaurant at Crystal Beach. Very delicious! And the frozen margaritas were pretty spectacular, too, as we sat our table, watching barges navigating the intercoastal waterway just outside the window. There's a bait farm at Stingaree, too, for the fishermen. There are cement block tanks with fresh live, live dead, and dead baits (Interesting classifications, eh? Not being a fisherperson, these may be standard designations, but I wouldn't know!).

View from the deck. Very private.
Photo by Chris. All rights reserved.

Upon our return to Houston, we went to the post office and to Target. Yep, just like home. I noticed that flags are at half-mast everywhere, as it is Pearl Harbor Day. Texans are seriously patriotic, and such observances are not overlooked lightly.

The weather is unseasonably cold. In fact, it's freezing. Fred had hoped to BBQ for us on his patio boat, but that may not happen. Maybe we can have a BBQ on the deck if it warms up a bit.