DAY 25 - HONOLULU - FEBRUARY 20, 2010

THIS IS THE FIRST DAY IN THE LAST 5 WE HAVEN’T FELT LIKE A PIN BALL BOUNCING OF THE SIDE RAILS, BUT THEN AGAIN, WE ARE DOCKED...DA.

WE HAD TO MEET IN THE LOUNGE AT 8:00 AND WE WERE TAKEN DOWN TO THE BUS SHORTLY AFTER THE GROUP WAS TOGETHER. AFTER HANDING OUR TICKETS TO THE TOUR AGENT WE FOUND SOME SEATS. THEY BEGAN TAKING A HEAD COUNT, WITH THE BUS DRIVER BEING FIRST. SOON AFTER THE TOUR AGENT GOT ON THE BUS AND TOOK A COUNT. SHE WAS FOLLOWED BY THE BOSS. APPARENTLY SHE HAD 52 TICKET AND 53 SEAT OCCUPIED.

“WHO DIDN’T GIVE ME THEIR TICKET,” SHE ASKED. NO RESPONSE. AGAIN THE QUESTION WAS ASK, AND AGAIN NO RESPONSE. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE THE BOSS GAVE THE OK TO LEAVE EVEN THOUGH THE COUNT DIFFERED.

ALL WAS WELL, I GUESS, AS WE DROVE THROUGH WAIKIKI, AROUND THE BASE OF DIAMOND HEAD AND TO OUR FIRST STOP, HANAUMA BAY. WE HAD 15 MINUTES TO TAKE PICTURES FROM HIGH ABOVE THE BAY. CLEAR BLUISH WATER AND CORAL STRETCHED ACROSS THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE SHORE. THE THING WE NOTICED WAS THE LACK OF FISH IN THE BAY. IN OUR PREVIOUS VISIT, YEARS AGO, NUMEROUS TYPES OF FISH WOULD GATHER IN THE SHALLOW WATERS. THE TOURIST WOULD FEED THEM AND I GUESS IT BECAME A SAFE HAVEN FOR THEM. SOME STUPID PEOPLE BEGAN TO FEED THEM FROZEN PEAS AND KILLED THE FISH. FEEDING IS NO LONGER ALLOWED. THE FISH ARE NOT STUPID, THEY NO LONGER GET FED AND THEREFORE DON’T COME INTO THE BAY ANYMORE. BUT, BACK TO THE TOUR.

UNFORTUNATELY WE DIDN’T GET ANY PICTURES. OUR CAMERA START MAKING NOISES SEVERAL DAYS AGO AS THE LENS RETRACTED INTO THE HOUSING.

WELL, THE CAMERA DIED A SLOW DEATH AS WE TRAVEL FROM THE SHIP TO THE BAY. SO NOW IT RESTS IN PEACE, INTERNED IN A GRAY SUITCASE. IT TRAVELED THE WORLD IN IT’S 5 SHORT YEARS OF EXISTENCE, HAD PERFORMED PERFECTLY AFTER BEING CALLED UPON NEARLY 11,000 TIMES. IT CAPTURED, IN DIGITAL FORM, THE MEMORIES OF THE COHEN EXPLOITS.

OFF AND RUNNING AGAIN, WE CONTINUED ALONG THE EASTERN SHORE TO THE BLOW HOLE ON THE EAST SHORE. ALTHOUGH THE SENERY WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT, THE BLOW HOLE DIDN’T PERFORM. THESE MEMORIES ARE CAPTURED IN OUR MINDS AND NOT DIGITALLY.

WE LOADED ONTO THE BUS AND CONTINUED FURTHER UP SHORE AS THE DRIVER FILLED US IN ON HISTORY AND POINTS OF INTEREST. OUR NEXT STOP WAS TO USE THE FACILITIES CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN A JEWELRY SHOP. WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THOSE FACILITIES AND IMMEDIATELY HEADED TO THE ICE CREAM SHOP A FEW DOORS AWAY. IT WAS THE PERFECT DECISION.

NOW AS WE ALL GATHERED BACK ON THE BUS A PROBLEM AROSE. THE MYSTERIOUS 53TH PERSON DISAPPEARED. COUSIN DAVE, THE BUS DRIVER, COUNTED AND WAITED. HE COUNTED AND WAITED AGAIN, TRUSTING SOMEONE WOULD COME RUNNING OUT OF ANY SHOP FOR THE BUS. BUT NO SUCH LUCK. COUSIN DAVE FINALLY CALLED THE DISPATCHER FOR PERMISSION TO LEAVE, WHICH WE DID. HE WARNED US THAT IF NEED BE HE WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO THE SHOPS IF INSTRUCTED. MAY THE MYSTERIOUS PASSENGER REST IN PEACE, WHEREVER HE/SHE MIGHT BE.

OUR FINAL OFFICIAL STOP WAS THE MOUNT PALI. THE PALI PROVIDES A SPECTACULAR VIEW OF THE NORTHEAST SHORE OF HAWAII. THE DRIVE TO THE TOP WAS VERY SENIC AS THE ROAD WINDS UPWARD THROUGH SEVERAL TUNNELS. GEORGIA AND I WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE SEATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUS AND THE VIEW OF THE VALLEY BELOW WERE EXCEPTIONAL. FURTHERMORE, OUT IN THE DISTANCES YOU COULD SEE A THIRD TUNNEL AND THE HIGHWAY LEADING BACK FROM THE NORTH SHORE TO THE CITY SIDE OF THE ISLAND AND CLOSER TO PEARL HARBOR.

AS WE RETURNED TO THE SHIP OUR DRIVER GAVE US THE OPTION TO EXIT THE BUS AT HILO HATTIES, AND RETURN TO THE SHIP ON THE FREE SHUTTLE, OR STAY WITH HIM AND RETURN TO THE SHIP RIGHT THEN. WE CHOSE TO GET OFF, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE NOT INCLINED TO BUY ANYTHING AT HILO HATTIES. THE CATCH WAS TO GO INTO THE STORE, HAVE A LITTLE SHELL NECKLACE PLACED AROUND YOUR NECK AND BE QUALIFIED TO RIDE THE FREE SHUTTLE.

CLEVER SOLES THAT WE ARE, AND MANY OF OUR FELLOW PASSENGERS, WAS TO GO IN ONE DOOR AND OUT THE OTHER. WE CALMLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT CHORE AND WALKED DOWN THE STREET TO K-MART. IT WAS AT K-MART WE FOUND THE ITEMS WE MOST WANTED TO BUY, CANDY, SODA, A FEW PHARMACEUTICAL ITEMS AND SEVERAL CHAINS TO HOLD GLASSES AROUND YOUR NECK. WHEN WE FINISHED WE WALKED BACK AND WAITED FOR THE FREE SHUTTLE, WHICH DROPPED US OFF AT THE TERMINAL ENTRANCE.

CLEARING THE SCREENING PROCESS, WE SAT IN THE TERMINAL AND FINISHED CALLING THE KIDS. WHILE SEATED THERE WE SAW THE HAWAIIAN DANCE GROUP COME THROUGH. AS WE SUSPECTED, THE GROUP WAS MAKE UP OF SMALL KIDS. THEY WERE THE FOLKLORIC SHOW SCHEDULED FOR 4:00 IN THE LOUNGE. GEORGIA AND I HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO SKIP THE SHOW.

WE MADE IT TO DINNER AND THEN ENJOYED SITTING IN THE CASINO LOUNGE LISTENING TO DANIEL OLIVER PLAY THE PIANO. GEORGIA WATCHED A MOVIE WITH LINDSAY LOHAN AND I CHOSE TO READ THE MANUEL OF THE NEW CAMERA WE BOUGHT. WHEN GEORGIA RETURNED TO THE CABIN WE WATCHED THE MOVIE JUST LIKE HEAVEN, WITH REESE WITHERSPOON. IT’S A CHICK FLICK BUT GOOD.

DAYS 20 THRU 24 AT SEA

DAY 20 - AT SEA - THE FIRST OF MANY - FEBRUARY 15, 2010

THE CAPTAIN NORMALLY MAKES HIS DAILY ANNOUNCEMENT AT NOON EVERYDAY. TODAY WAS AN EXCEPTION. ABOUT 9:00 THE FAMILIAR BING BONG COULD BE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE SHIP. “THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING, FROM THE BRIDGE.” HE INFORMED US THE BAD WEATHER WAS DUE TO SEVERAL LOW PRESSURE AREA, 600 MILES TO THE NORTH, IN THE GULF OF ALASKA. HE HAD DECIDED TO HEAD IN A MORE SOUTHERLY DIRECTION TO AVOID THE POOR SEA CONDITIONS. THE NORMAL ROUTE WOULD TAKE US IN A SOUTHWEST APPROACH TO HAWAII.

KNOWING THAT THE CAPTAIN HAD EVERYTHING IN CONTROL, WE ATE BREAKFAST, WENT TO THE LIBRARY AND EVENTUALLY TOOK A NAP. WE DID MANAGE TO MAKE IT TO THE DINING ROOM THIS EVENING, WHERE UPON, OUR WAITER REINTRODUCED HIMSELF. WE ALL HAD A GOOD LAUGH.

NOTHING SPECIAL IN THE WAY OF ENTERTAINMENT. A SINGER WHO LOST ME TOTALLY WHEN SHE CHANGED INTO HER TINA TURNER OUTFIT AND BEGAN CHURNING OUT HER FAVORITE SONGS. SHE IS SCHEDULED AGAIN LATER THIS WEEK BUT WE HAVE ALREADY MADE UP OUR MINDS TO SKIP IT.

DAY 21 - AT SEA - HAWAII IS JUST A LITTLE CLOSER - FEBRUARY 16, 2010

ANOTHER TOUGH DAY AT SEA. BETTER THAN YESTERDAY, BUT NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT...BUT THEN AGAIN, ISN’T THAT WHAT I’M REALLY DOING.

GEORGIA BEGAN THE BOOK; PERHAPS MY NAGGING HAS PAID OFF.

WE WERE ALL AT DINNER TONIGHT AND IT SEEMED TO BE UNANIMOUS THE SINGER LAST NIGHT IS NOT WORTH SEEING WHEN SHE PERFORMS LATER THIS WEEK.

INTERNET SERVICE WAS OUT AGAIN...SO WHAT’S NEW. WE PICKUP ANOTHER HOUR TONIGHT.

DAY 22 - AT SEA - FEBRUARY 17, 2010

IT IS EXTREMELY ROUGH SAILING AGAIN TODAY. THE CAPTAIN, WHEN MAKING HIS DAILY NOONTIME ANNOUNCEMENT, MENTIONED THE SWELLS WERE BETWEEN 15 AND 20 FEET. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE MISSING FROM DINNER TONIGHT.

WE HAD ANOTHER COMEDIAN TONIGHT, NAMED STEVE BRUNER, HE WAS SO-SO. AFTER THE SHOW WE WENT TO THE CASINO LOUNGE AND PLAYED A SILLY GAME CALLED “MAJORITY RULES.” UNLIKE THE LAST TIME WE PLAYED, WE DIDN’T WIN. WE ALL HAD FUN AND IT GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OTHER PEOPLE.

ONE OF THE COUPLES IN OUR GROUP ASK US HOW MANY WORLD CRUISES WE HAD BEEN ON. WE MUST LOOK AWFULLY RICH. I FEEL QUITE CERTAIN WE ARE THE POOREST OF THE LOT AT OUR DINNER TABLE...BY A LONG SHOT.

DAY 23 - AT SEA - FEBRUARY 18, 2010

THIS IS PROBABLY THE ROUGHEST OF ALL THE DAYS AT SEA. SWELLS UP TO 18 FEET. AT TIMES I FEEL LIKE A PIN BALL BOUNCING OF THE SIDE RAILS AS I NEGOTIATE THE HALLWAYS AND STAIRS. HOPEFULLY, IT GETS BETTER AS WE APPROACH HONOLULU.

YOU ASK HOW BAD IS IT, BILL? THEY CLOSED THE SPA AND EXERCISE ROOMS EARLY IN THE DAY. NOT ONLY WAS IT TO ROUGH BUT THE STAFF MEMBERS WERE GETTING SEA SICK. HOW BOUT THAT SPORTS FANS?

GREAT ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. JACQUELINE ROACHE, A VIOLINIST, WAS SUPERB. I SAW HER ARRIVE AT THE PIER ON SUNDAY WITH AN OLDER COUPLE. SHE LOOKED QUITE DISTRESSED, EVEN TO THE POINT OF CRYING. I THOUGHT SHE WAS SOME YOUNG KID BEING SENT OFF TO JAIL.

HOWEVER, AS WE FOUND OUT TONIGHT, HER LUGGAGE DIDN’T ARRIVE ON HER FLIGHT AND IT CONTAINED ALL HER MUSIC AND OUTFITS. THE SHIP HAD TO REARRANGE THE EVENING SCHEDULE FOR SEVERAL SHOWS UNTIL ALL THE MUSIC COULD BE FAXED AND COPIED. CONSEQUENTLY WE WILL ONLY GET TO HEAR HER ONCE. SHE IS GETTING OFF IN HONOLULU.

WE HAVE ALREADY GONE THROUGH 4 TIME ZONES AND WILL ADD A 5TH ONE TOMORROW NIGHT.

ONE LAST THOUGHT. GEORGIA AND I HAVE DECIDED ROUGH SEAS STILL BEAT SHOVELING SNOW.

DAY 24, AT SEA - FEBRUARY 19, 2010

I HATE TO SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD BUT THE SEAS WERE VERY CHOPPY AGAIN TODAY. (I THINK IT MAKES YOU SLEEPY.) GEORGIA AND I SUBMITTED 2 OF OUR COPPER CANYON PICTURES FOR THE PHOTO CONTEST IN THE SECOND SEGMENT. THIS SEGMENT THE CATEGORIES ARE PEOPLE, FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.

LUNCH TIME IN THE BUFFET EVERYDAY IS SET TO A DIFFERENT THEME. YESTERDAY WAS CHINESE AND TODAY IT WAS MEXICAN. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN’T EAT, THREE CHEERS FOR THAT, WE DID CAPTURE SOME PICTURES OF THE DISPLAYS. THEY DID A NICE JOB.

THIS EVENING ENTERTAINMENT WAS SPLIT BETWEEN THE COMEDIAN AND THE “TINA TURNER” LIKE SINGER. WE DID THE COMEDIAN ONLY.

DAY 19 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14, 2010

IN ADDITION TO BEING A PORT OF CALL, LOS ANGELES IS THE END OF THE FIRST SEGMENT IN THE THE WORLD CRUISE. THEREFORE THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE SHIP FOR TOURS WAS COMPLICATED BY THE ADDED PROCEDURE OF GOING THROUGH IMMIGRATION.

THE PLAN SEEM CLEAR ENOUGH WITH CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING IN THE LOUNGE AT SPECIFIC TIME SLOTS. HOWEVER, AND EVEN THOUGH THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES WERE ON BOARD VERY EARLY IN THE PROCESS, THE DID NOT RECEIVE CLEARANCE TO LET PASSENGERS OFF THE SHIP UNTIL LATER AND THE HALLWAYS AND WAITING AREAS BEGAN TO BACKUP. ALL AREAS WERE CROWDED WITH TOURIST AND DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS.

OUR TOUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS TO DEPART AT 9:45. WE DIDN’T GET OFF THE SHIP UNTIL 10:20. WE DIDN”T GET ON THE ROAD UNTIL 10:45. NONETHELESS, WE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING SITES WE NEVER SAW BEFORE AND HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE. TAKING THIS TOUR IN A SUNDAY, VIRTUALLY TRAFFIC FREE, MADE IT EVEN BETTER.

OUR FIRST DRIVE BY WAS LOS ANGELES COLISEUM, LOCATED ON THE USC CAMPUS. OUR GUIDE, CAPT DAVE, INFORMED US THAT THE REASON L.A. DOESN’T HAVE A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM ANYMORE IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE RESTRICTION THE UNIVERSITY PLACES ON THE USERS OF THE STADIUM. HENCE, THE RAMS MORVED TO ST. LOUIS AND THE RAIDERS BACK TO OAKLAND.

OVER THE YEARS THE STADIUM HAS BEEN USED BY THE DODGERS, FOR SUPER BOWL, AND OLYMPICS, AS WELL AS, THE PRO TEAMS MENTIONED ABOVE. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN’T GET OFF THE BUS, WE WERE ABLE TO SNAP PICTURES OF THE MASSIVE ENTRANCE THAT IS SO FAMILIAR TO MANY OF US, ESPECIALLY SPORTS FANS.

AS WE EXITED THE GROUNDS OF THE COLISEUM WE PASSED THE STAPLE CENTER, HOME OF THE LAKERS I BELIEVE, AND THROUGH PORTIONS OF THE USC CAMPUS HOUSING. CAPT DAVE ALSO MENTIONED IT COST ALMOST $100,000 PER YEAR TO ATTEND USC. FOLKS IN THE AREA HAVE ENAMED THE UNIVERSITY. THEY CALL IT THE UNIVERSITY OF SPOILED CHILDREN.

THE DOROTHY CHANDLER SQUARE WAS OUR NEXT VENTURE. THE CENTER SQUARE HAS A HUGE SCULPTURED WATER FOUNTAIN IS SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL THEATERS AND ARTSY ACTIVITIES. THE SQUARE PROVIDES THE PERFECT PALCE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE OLD LOS ANGELES CITY HALL. THE BUILDING, I SEEM TO REMEMBER, APPEARED IN EVERY EPISODE OF OLD TV SERIES DRAGNET, WITH JACK WEBB.

THE BUILDING BEHIND THE CHANDLER CENTER IS A WALT DISNEY STUDIO AND THEATER. THE OUTSIDE STRUCTURE CONSIST OF OVER 10,000 STAINLESS STEEL PANELS. WHEN FIRST CONSTRUCTED, THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN ON THE PANELS CREATED SO MUCH HEAT, THE BUILDINGS IN THE AREA COMPLAINED THAT THERE AIR CONDITIONING COST HAD SKYROCKETED. THE PANELS HAD TO BE SANDBLASTED, 4 TIMES, AT A COST OF $270,000,000, TO REDUCE THE GLARE.

AFTER SPENDING 50 MINUTES IN THE SQUARE WE BOARDED THE BUS FOR A TRIP TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. IT IS A PLACE I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE BUT NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO SEEK OUT. THE BOWL HOLDS18,000 PEOPLE, HAS A GIGANTIC STAGE AND PROVIDES EXCELLENT ACOUSTICS.

AS WE LEFT THE BOWL AND MADE OUR WAY TO HOLLYWOOD BLVD CAPT. DAVE POINTED OUT THE FAMOUS HILLSIDE SIGN THAT SPELLS THE WORD HOLLYWOOD. HOWEVER, THE SIGN NOW READS “SAVE THE PEAK.” IT SEEMS AS THOUGH A DEVELOPER IS TRYING TO ACQUIRE A LARGE PORTION OF THE LAND ON TOP OF AND AROUND THE SIGN AREA FOR HOUSING ETC. A GROUP OF CITIZENS, I PRESUME WEALTHY, ARE TRYING TO RAISR ENOUGH MONEY TO PURCHASE THE LAND AND SUBSEQUENTLY DONATE IT TO AN ORGANIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRIFFITH PARK FOUNDATION. CAPT. DAVE SAYS TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON THE EFFORTS TO RAISE THE MONEY. STAY TUNED!

WE EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO HOLLYWOOD BLVD AND HAD CLOSE TO AN HOUR OF FREE TIME TO EXPLORE THE AREA ON OUR OWN. THE PERFORMERS ON THE STREET IS WORTH ANY PRICE TO WITNESS. SPIDERMAN, STAR WARS CHARACTERS, CINDERELLA, THE HULK AND 100’S OF OTHERS ALL DOING THEIR THING TO EARN A BUCK. AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE SIDEWALKS, FOR ABOUT A 2 MILE STRETCH, ALONG HOLLYWOOD BLVD ARE PAVED WITH THE STARS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE, MOSTLY OF THE MOVIE INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM GRUMMAN’S CHINESE THEATER IS THE STAR OF BILLY GRAHAM. IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

GEORGIA AND I WALKED UP THE LONG STAIRWAY TO THE OUTDOOR PLAZA WHERE SEVERAL BIG NAME FRANCHISES HAVE STORES. THERE IS PLENTY OF SPACE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING AND FOOD CONCESSIONS. WE FOUND A NICE SEMI-QUIET PLACE TO MAKE A CALL TO GRANNY. AS WE FINISHED THE CALL WE STARTED BACK TO THE BUS WE SNAPPED PICTURES OF EL CAPTAIN, THE DISNEY THEATER, AND MARILYN MONROE. SHE STILL LOOKS GOOD, FOR BEING DEAD FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

A STOP AT THE FARMERS MARKET MADE THE DAY COMPLETE. WE HAD A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR OF FREE TIME. MANY IN THE GROUP FOUND PLACE TO GET FOOD, ALTHOUGH THE TOUGH PART WAS FINDING SEATS. THE PLACE IS A MADHOUSE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY’S. LINES WERE LONG, PEOPLE EVERYWHERE...SOME REAL STRANGE. GEORGIA AND I WALKED UP AND DOWN EVERY LITTLE NOCK AND CRANNY UNTIL WE FOUND...A DONUT SHOP. PEOPLE TOLD US IT IS THE BEST DONUT AND COFFEE SHOP IN THE CITY. THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE FARMERS MARKET FOR OVER 70 YEARS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT IS STILL OWNED BY THE SAME FAMILY.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE OUR TOUR HAD TO END AND OUR ROUTE BACK TO THE SHIP TOOK US DOWN SUNSET BLVD, INTO BEVERLY HILLS WITH THE GRAND FINALE A RIDE DOWN THE WORLD FAMOUS RODEO DRIVE.

OUR BUS MOVE DOWN WILTSHIRE BLVD TOWARD SANTA MONICA. I HAD HOPES WE WOULD TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA ROUTE 1 AND HEAD SOUTH TO THE SHIP, BUT THAT WAS NOT IN THE CARDS. INSTEAD THE DRIVER SHOT UP TO I-5 AND SOUTH TO THE 405 (I-405). WHEN I SAW THE SIGN FOR THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORT I MENTIONED TO GEORGIA THAT WE WOULD BE PASSING THE EXIT WHERE WE STAYED WITH SCOTT SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS ON ASSIGNMENT IN TORRANCE. AS WE CAME CLOSE TO THE EXIT I POINTED TOWARDS THE MARRIOTT AND MUM SAID, “LOOK THERE’S MILLS RESTAURANT.”

MILLS RESTAURANT MAKES THE ABSOLUTE BEST PUMPKIN PANCAKES IN THE WORLD. WE BOTH CAN ATEST TO THAT FACT AS WE FREQUENTED THE PLACE MANY TIMES DURING OUR STAY WITH SCOTT.

WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AROUND 3:30 AND AFTER GAINING ACCESS TO THE EMBARKATION TENT WE SAT DOWN TO MAKE CALLS TO THE KIDS. EARLIER IN THE DAY WE SPOKE TO SCOTT AND BARB.

THE SHIP LEFT THE PIER AS SCHEDULED AT 7:00 AND WITHIN A FEW HOURS OUT TO SEA THINGS GOT VERY ROUGH. SWELLS OF UP TO 8 FEET TOSSED THE SHIP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND UP AND DOWN. SOMETIMES IT SEEMED THE SHIP WAS GOING IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

I MANAGED TO UPDATE THE BLOG TO INCLUDE PICTURES WITH ALMOST EVERYDAY’S ACTIVITIES. I’M ALSO BEGINNING TO GET BRAVE AND INTEND TO ATTEMPT ADDING JUST PICTURES AND PLACE IT ON THE BLOG. I’M HOPEFUL, BUT BE SURPRISED IF IT WORKS.

THE COMFORTABLE WATERBED LIKE FEELING WAS JUST A LITTLE UNSETTLING DURING THE NIGHT. GEORGIA WOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ABOUT TO LOSE IT ALL...BUT DIDN’T. I AWOKE DURING ONE OF THE SWELLS AND FELT I WAS ABOUT TO ROUND OUT OF BED. WE BOTH MANAGED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT UNSCATHED.

DAY 18 - AT SEA - FEBRUARY 13, 2010

WE ARE ABOUT TO COMPLETED 1/6TH OF THE TRIP, AND WE HAVE TRAVELED 5017 MILES IN THIS SEGMENT ACCORDING TO THE CAPTAINS LOG. TODAY WAS ANOTHER LAZY DAY OF DOING NOTHING. IT TEMPERATURE DROPPED LATE THE AFTERNOON AND MADE THE BREEZE SO COLD THAT WE AVOIDED GOING IN ANY OF THE OUTDOOR AREAS.

AS WE COME TO THE END OF THIS SEGMENT HERE ARE SOME OBSERVATIONS I HAVE MADE ABOUT THE PASSENGERS.

1. SOMETIMES I FEEL I’M ON A FLOATING RETIREMENT HOME.

2. THESE PEOPLE ARE SEASONED TRAVELERS.

3. THE TOP CRUISERS HAVE OVER 860 DAYS ON PRINCESS AND STILL GOING.

4. WE HAVE LEARNED SOME NEW TERMINOLOGY...WE ARE ON A SKI CRUISE...WHERE SKI STANDS FOR SPEND KIDS INHERITANCE.

5. YOU DON’T GAIN WEIGHT ON A CRUISE LIKE THIS...IT’S JUST SEA SWELL.

6. THE PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY FRIENDLY AND NOT STUFFY AT ALL.

7. WE HAVE MANY COUPLES WHO HAVE COMPLETED WORLD CRUISES IN THE PAST.

8. I FEEL LIKE A NOVICE TRAVELER COMPARED TO SOME OF THESE FOLKS.

9. THERE IS NO TIME TO GET BORED.

10. THERE IS NEVER A LINE IN THE BUFFET BECAUSE NOBODY FEELS THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR MONEYS WORTH IN FOOD.

11. THE POOL IS NEVER CROWDED.

12. THERE ARE NO KIDS ON THIS CRUISE.

13.THE LIBRARY IS ALWAY BUSY.

14. MORE PEOPLE SEEM TO TAKE NAPS ON THIS SHIP.

15. THE ENTERTAINMENT IS BETTER THAN MOST CRUISES

16. VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE EVER IN THE CASINO.

17. EXERCISING IS A BIG THING ON THIS SHIP, THE ROOM IS ALWAY CROWED.

18. THE PASSENGERS HAVE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO DO THE WORLD CRUISE. - GERMANY, ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, CANADA, TAIWIN, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, FRANCE, BRAZIL

DAY 19 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 14, 2010

IN ADDITION TO BEING IN A PORT OF CALL, LOS ANGELES IS THE END OF THE FIRST SEGMENT IN THE THE WORLD CRUISE. THEREFORE THE PROCESS OF EXITING THE SHIP FOR TOURS WAS COMPLICATED BY THE ADDED PROCEDURE OF GOING THROUGH IMMIGRATION.

THE PLAN SEEM CLEAR ENOUGH WITH CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING IN THE LOUNGE AT SPECIFIC TIME SLOTS. HOWEVER, AND EVEN THOUGH THE IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES WERE ON BOARD VERY EARLY IN THE PROCESS, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE CLEARANCE TO LET PASSENGERS OFF THE SHIP UNTIL LATER AND THE HALLWAYS AND WAITING AREAS BEGAN TO BACKUP. ALL AREAS WERE CROWDED WITH TOURIST AND DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS.

OUR TOUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS TO DEPART AT 9:45. WE DIDN’T GET OFF THE SHIP UNTIL 10:20. WE DIDN”T GET ON THE ROAD UNTIL 10:45. NONETHELESS, WE HAD A GREAT TIME VISITING SITES WE NEVER SAW BEFORE AND HAD ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE. TAKING THIS TOUR ON A SUNDAY, VIRTUALLY TRAFFIC FREE, MADE IT EVEN BETTER.

OUR FIRST DRIVE BY WAS LOS ANGELES COLISEUM, LOCATED ON THE USC CAMPUS. OUR GUIDE, CAPT DAVE, INFORMED US THAT THE REASON L.A. DOESN’T HAVE A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM ANYMORE IS BECAUSE OF ALL THE RESTRICTION THE UNIVERSITY PLACES ON THE USERS OF THE STADIUM. HENCE, THE RAMS MOVED TO ST. LOUIS AND THE RAIDERS BACK TO OAKLAND.

OVER THE YEARS THE STADIUM HAS BEEN USED BY THE DODGERS, FOR SUPER BOWL, AND OLYMPICS, AS WELL AS, THE PRO TEAMS MENTIONED ABOVE. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN’T GET OFF THE BUS, WE WERE ABLE TO SNAP PICTURES OF THE MASSIVE ENTRANCE THAT IS SO FAMILIAR TO MANY OF US, ESPECIALLY SPORTS FANS.

AS WE EXITED THE GROUNDS OF THE COLISEUM WE PASSED THE STAPLE CENTER, HOME OF THE LAKERS I BELIEVE, AND THROUGH PORTIONS OF THE USC CAMPUS HOUSING. CAPT DAVE ALSO MENTIONED IT COST ALMOST $100,000 PER YEAR TO ATTEND USC. FOLKS IN THE AREA HAVE RENAMED THE UNIVERSITY. THEY CALL IT THE UNIVERSITY OF SPOILED CHILDREN.

THE DOROTHY CHANDLER SQUARE WAS OUR NEXT VENTURE. THE CENTER SQUARE HAS A HUGE SCULPTURED WATER FOUNTAIN SURROUNDED BY SEVERAL THEATERS AND ARTSY ACTIVITIES. THE SQUARE PROVIDES THE PERFECT PALCE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE OLD LOS ANGELES CITY HALL. THE BUILDING, I SEEM TO REMEMBER, APPEARED IN EVERY EPISODE OF OLD TV SERIES DRAGNET, WITH JACK WEBB.

THE BUILDING BEHIND THE CHANDLER CENTER IS A WALT DISNEY STUDIO AND THEATER. THE OUTSIDE STRUCTURE CONSIST OF OVER 10,000 STAINLESS STEEL PANELS. WHEN FIRST CONSTRUCTED, THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN ON THE PANELS CREATED SO MUCH HEAT, THE BUILDINGS IN THE AREA COMPLAINED THAT THERE AIR CONDITIONING COST HAD SKYROCKETED. THE PANELS HAD TO BE SANDBLASTED, 4 TIMES, AT A COST OF $270,000,000, TO REDUCE THE GLARE.

AFTER SPENDING 50 MINUTES IN THE SQUARE WE BOARDED THE BUS FOR A TRIP TO THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. IT IS A PLACE I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE BUT NEVER TOOK THE TIME TO SEEK OUT. THE BOWL HOLDS 18,000 PEOPLE, HAS A GIGANTIC STAGE AND PROVIDES EXCELLENT ACOUSTICS.

AS WE LEFT THE BOWL AND MADE OUR WAY TO HOLLYWOOD BLVD CAPT. DAVE POINTED OUT THE FAMOUS HILLSIDE SIGN THAT SPELLS THE WORD HOLLYWOOD. HOWEVER, THE SIGN NOW READS “SAVE THE PEAK.” IT SEEMS AS THOUGH A DEVELOPER IS TRYING TO ACQUIRE A LARGE PORTION OF THE LAND ON TOP OF AND AROUND THE SIGN AREA FOR HOUSING ETC. A GROUP OF CITIZENS, I PRESUME WEALTHY, ARE TRYING TO RAISE ENOUGH MONEY TO PURCHASE THE LAND AND SUBSEQUENTLY DONATE IT TO AN ORGANIZATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE GRIFFITH PARK FOUNDATION. CAPT. DAVE SAYS TIME IS RUNNING OUT ON THE EFFORTS TO RAISE THE MONEY. STAY TUNED!

WE EVENTUALLY MADE IT TO HOLLYWOOD BLVD AND HAD CLOSE TO AN HOUR OF FREE TIME TO EXPLORE THE AREA ON OUR OWN. THE PERFORMERS ON THE STREET IS WORTH ANY PRICE TO WITNESS. SPIDERMAN, STAR WARS CHARACTERS, CINDERELLA, THE HULK AND 100’S OF OTHERS ALL DOING THEIR THING TO EARN A BUCK. AS YOU MAY KNOW, THE SIDEWALKS, FOR ABOUT A 2 MILE STRETCH, ALONG HOLLYWOOD BLVD ARE PAVED WITH THE STARS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE, MOSTLY OF THE MOVIE INDUSTRY. HOWEVER, JUST A SHORT DISTANCE FROM GRUMMAN’S CHINESE THEATER IS THE STAR OF BILLY GRAHAM. IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.

GEORGIA AND I WALKED UP THE LONG STAIRWAY TO THE OUTDOOR PLAZA WHERE SEVERAL BIG NAME FRANCHISES HAVE STORES. THERE IS PLENTY OF SPACE FOR PEOPLE WATCHING AND FOOD CONCESSIONS. WE FOUND A NICE SEMI-QUIET PLACE TO MAKE A CALL TO GRANNY. AS WE FINISHED THE CALL WE STARTED BACK TO THE BUS WE SNAPPED PICTURES OF EL CAPTAIN, THE DISNEY THEATER, AND MARILYN MONROE. SHE STILL LOOKS GOOD, FOR BEING DEAD FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

A STOP AT THE FARMERS MARKET MADE THE DAY COMPLETE. WE HAD A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR OF FREE TIME. MANY IN THE GROUP FOUND PLACE TO GET FOOD, ALTHOUGH THE TOUGH PART WAS FINDING SEATS. THE PLACE IS A MADHOUSE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY’S. LINES WERE LONG, PEOPLE EVERYWHERE...SOME REAL STRANGE. GEORGIA AND I WALKED UP AND DOWN EVERY LITTLE NOCK AND CRANNY UNTIL WE FOUND...A DONUT SHOP. PEOPLE TOLD US IT IS THE BEST DONUT AND COFFEE SHOP IN THE CITY. THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE FARMERS MARKET FOR OVER 70 YEARS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT IS STILL OWNED BY THE SAME FAMILY.

LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE OUR TOUR HAD TO END AND OUR ROUTE BACK TO THE SHIP TOOK US DOWN SUNSET BLVD, INTO BEVERLY HILLS WITH THE GRAND FINALE A RIDE DOWN THE WORLD FAMOUS RODEO DRIVE.

OUR BUS MOVED DOWN WILTSHIRE BLVD TOWARD SANTA MONICA. I HAD HOPES WE WOULD TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA ROUTE 1 AND HEAD SOUTH TO THE SHIP, BUT THAT WAS NOT IN THE CARDS. INSTEAD THE DRIVER SHOT UP TO I-5 AND SOUTH TO THE 405 (I-405). WHEN I SAW THE SIGN FOR THE LOS ANGELES AIRPORT I MENTIONED TO GEORGIA THAT WE WOULD BE PASSING THE EXIT WHERE WE STAYED WITH SCOTT SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS ON ASSIGNMENT IN TORRANCE. AS WE CAME CLOSE TO THE EXIT I POINTED TOWARDS THE MARRIOTT AND MUM SAID, “LOOK THERE’S MILLS RESTAURANT.”

MILLS RESTAURANT MAKES THE ABSOLUTE BEST PUMPKIN PANCAKES IN THE WORLD. WE BOTH CAN ATEST TO THAT FACT AS WE FREQUENTED THE PLACE MANY TIMES DURING OUR STAY WITH SCOTT.

WE ARRIVED AT THE PIER AROUND 3:30 AND AFTER GAINING ACCESS TO THE EMBARKATION TENT WE SAT DOWN TO MAKE CALLS TO THE KIDS. EARLIER IN THE DAY WE SPOKE TO SCOTT AND BARB.

THE SHIP LEFT THE PIER AS SCHEDULED AT 7:00 AND WITHIN A FEW HOURS OUT TO SEA THINGS GOT VERY ROUGH. SWELLS OF UP TO 8 FEET TOSSED THE SHIP FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND UP AND DOWN. SOMETIMES IT SEEMED THE SHIP WAS GOING IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

I MANAGED TO UPDATE THE BLOG TO INCLUDE PICTURES WITH ALMOST EVERYDAY’S ACTIVITIES. I’M ALSO BEGINNING TO GET BRAVE AND INTEND TO ATTEMPT ADDING JUST PICTURES AND PLACE IT ON THE BLOG. I’M HOPEFUL, BUT BE SURPRISED IF IT WORKS.

THE COMFORTABLE WATERBED LIKE FEELING WAS JUST A LITTLE UNSETTLING DURING THE NIGHT. GEORGIA WOKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND THOUGHT SHE WAS ABOUT TO LOSE IT ALL...BUT DIDN’T. I AWOKE DURING ONE OF THE SWELLS AND FELT I WAS ABOUT TO ROLL OUT OF BED. WE BOTH MANAGED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT UNSCATHED.

TOPOLOBAMPO (TOE-POE-LOW-BAM-POE)

AS MUCH AS WE WERE EAGERLY LOOKING FORWARD FOR THIS BIG DAY TO ARRIVE WE WERE RUDELY AWAKEN AT 3:00 AM. THE REALITY OF SUCH A WAKEUP IS BRUTAL, BUT BY 3:45 WE WERE IN THE BUFFET HAVING A LITE BREAKFAST BEFORE HEADING TO THE LOUNGE FOR OUR ASSIGNMENTS.

WHEN WE ARRIVED ONLY A FEW PEOPLE WERE WAITING FOR THE EXCURSION STAFF TO SHOW UP WITH THE MULTI COLOR STICKERS THEY PLACE ON EVERYONE TO IDENTIFY EACH OF US BY TOUR. AS THE STAFF WALKED THROUGH THE DOOR THE PEOPLE BEGAN TO RISE TO FORM A LINE. THE STAFF INSTRUCTED US TO REMAIN IN OUR SEATS AND THEY WOULD COME TO US. WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET STICKERS FOR BUS #1 AND TRAIN CAR “A”.

GEORGIA AND I SAT ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE LOUNGE, THE SIDE THEY NORMALLY ESCORT YOU TO THE GANGWAY, IN HOPES WE COULD BE ONE OF THE FIRST IN LINE, ON THE BUS AND SUBSEQUENTLY ON THE TRAIN TO OBTAIN THE BEST SEAT POSSIBLE FOR VIEWING. THE PLAN WORKED.

AS SOON THE BUS WAS FULL, IT BROKE RANKS AND WE BEGAN OUR 90 MINUTE JOURNEY TO THE TRAIN STATION IN EL FUENTE. IT WAS MUCH COOLER THAN WE EXPECTED, BOTH ON AND OFF THE BUS, AND MOST US WERE SMART ENOUGH TO WEAR WARM CLOTHES AS WE DOSED OFF TO LA-AL LAND.

I MUST HONESTLY SAY, I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT TAKING THE PULLOVER PARKAS WE GOT FROM LARRY LATE LAST YEAR. OUR CRUISE WAS TAKING US TO WARM PLACES AND I SAW NO NEED FOR TAKING UP VALUABLE SPACE IN OUR LUGGAGE. FURTHERMORE, WE HADN’T BOOKED THIS TOUR ORIGINALLY FROM HOME BASED. THE SCARY FACT THE TOUR STARTED AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING HAD A LOT TO DO WITH THE DECISION...THEN. IT PROVED TO BE BEST THING TO DO.

MEANWHILE, BACK TO THE TRAIN. WE ARRIVED AT THE STATION SLIGHTLY OVER 90 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING THE SHIP. GEORGIA AND I QUICK FOUND THE SEAT BEST FOR US. OUR SEATS WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR, AND THEY HAD A LARGE PICTURE WINDOW. WE WERE HOPING THAT WOULD BE THE MOST SCENIC, AND IT TURNS OUT WE WERE CORRECT.

IT WAS STILL DARK WHEN WE BOARDED THE TRAIN AT 6:30 AND WE WERE NO SOONER SETTLED INTO OUR SEATS THAN THE TRAIN PULLED OUT OF THE STATION BEFORE 7:00. WE HADN’T TRAVELLED MORE THAN 10 MILES WHEN THE SKY TO THE EAST BEGAN TO LIGHTEN AND THE SCATTERED CLOUDS STARTED TO SHOW SIGNS OF A REDISH TINT. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES DAYLIGHT FILLED THE SKY, THE PINK TINT WAS GONE, AND THE SUN WAS ABOVE THE PEAK OF THE MOUNTAIN.

THE TERRAIN FOR THE FIRST 50 MILES WAS FLAT AND BARRON WITH AN OCCASIONAL FARM THROWN IN TO BRAKE THE MONOTONY. THE MOUNTAIN SIDE BEGAN TO COME CLOSER AND THE BARRON LAND STARTED TO TAKE SHAPE. SMALL PEAKS BEGAN TO APPEAR AND THE HILLSIDES WERE FILLED WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF TREES AND CACTUS. POOLS OF WATER IN SHALLOW WATER STREAMS COULD BE SEEN AT TIMES AND OCCASIONALLY RUSHING WATER FLOWED BETWEEN 2 LARGE BOULDERS CAUSING THE DRY CREEK BED TO BECOME A RAGING RIVER.

THE TRAIN NORMALLY TRAVELS BETWEEN EL FUENTE AND LOS MOCHIS IN THE NORTH, APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES. NUMEROUS TUNNELS AND BRIDGES WERE CONSTRUCTED ALONG THIS COMPLEX LANDSCAPE TO FULFILL THIS DREAM TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE CANYON. THE CANYON IS SITUATED ABOUT MIDWAY BETWEEN THE 2 CITIES. OUR CHARTERED TRAIN TOOK US ACROSS ROUGHLY 20 OF THE 37 BRIDGES AND 40 OF THE 82 TUNNELS IN ROUTE TO THE CANYON.

THE TRAIN RIDE IS BETWEEN 5 AND 6 HOURS...ONE WAY. SIXTY MINUTES INTO THE JOURNEY YOU CAN SENSE THE ENGINE BEGINNING TO EXCERT MORE THRUST AS IT STARTS TO CLIMB HIGHER INTO THE MOUNTAIN RANGE. THE VALLEYS GET A LITTLE DEEPER, THE PEAKS A LITTLE HIGHER AND THE WATER IN THE CREEKS FLOWS FASTER AND IS LESS SHALLOW. THE HILLSIDES ARE STILL LUSH WITH GREEN VEGETATION AND NEW VARIETIES OF FLOWERS BECOME EVIDENT.

MARTIN, OUR TOUR GUIDE, CONTINUALLY KEEPS US ABREAST OF WHAT WE SEE AND OF THE HISTORY OF THE AREA. THE FIRST BRIDGE CROSSING WAS OVER 1600 FEET AND HIGH ABOUT THE VALLEY. IT IS THE LONGEST OF ALL THE BRIDGES IN THE SYSTEM. OUR FIRST TUNNEL WAS OVER A MILE LONG WITH A LONG SEVERE CURVE TO THE RIGHT.

ABOUT 90 MINUTES FROM OUR DESTINATION OUR TRAIN SLOWED TO A STOP IN AN AREA WHERE THE TERRAIN WARRANTED 3 TRACKS. TWO OF THE TRACKS WERE SIDE RAILS OR AREAS DESIGNATED FOR TRAINS TO PULL TO THE SIDE TO PERMIT TRAINS TO PASS IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. WITH THE TRAIN STOPPED MANY OF US WALKED TO THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CARS WHERE WE COULD TAKE PICTURES WITHOUT BEING HAMPERED BY THE WINDOWS.

IT WAS HERE THAT MARTIN EXPLAINED WHAT WAS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE. WE HAD REACHED AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 4800 FEET. IN ORDER TO GET TO THE NEXT PLATEAU THE TRAIN WOULD GO THROUGH A SERIES OF SWITCHBACKS, 3 IN TOTAL, TO RISE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITHOUT TRYING TO CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN AT A 15 DEGREE INCLINE ALL AT ONCE.

WE BEGAN SLOWLY AND ENTERED A TUNNEL, AGAIN ABOUT A MILE IN LENGTH, WITH A VERY SHARPE TURN TO THE LEFT.WE EMERGED THE TUNNEL AND SLOWLY PROCEEDED ALONG A NARROW LEDGE INTO A SHORT TUNNEL AND BEGAN A LONG GRADUAL TURN TO THE RIGHT. PASSING THROUGH 2 MORE TUNNELS WE AGAIN BEGAN TURNING TO THE LEFT.

AS WE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW, BELOW US WE COULD VIEW OUR STARTING POINT FOR THIS TRIPLE SWITCHBACK, AT LEAST 1000 FEET BELOW. THE VIEW WAS OVERWHELMING AND WITH THE TASK COMPLETED WE WERE WELL ON OUR WAY TO CLIMBING THE REST OF THE MOUNTAIN AT A NEW AND HIGHER LEVEL.

NOW AT ROUGHLY 5800 FEET THE REMAINDER OF THE 2000 FEET WOULD BE LESS OF A STRAIN FOR THE ENGINE. WE STOPPED AT THE RAIL YARD THAT DOUBLED AS A TRAIN STATION APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES FROM THE RIM. WE HAD BEEN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE TARAHUMARA INDIAN TRIBE WOULD BE WAITING FOR US. ALONG WITH BUYING SOME OF THEIR HAND MADE ITEMS, ALL OF THE LEFTOVER FOOD FROM THE BOX BREAKFAST WE RECEIVED WOULD BE GIVEN TO THEM. HOWEVER, AND UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF POOR COMMUNICATION THE MEMBERS WERE NOT ON LOCATION.

THE ENGINE CREW WAS SWITCH AND WE WERE OFF TO THE RIM.

AS WE APPROACHED THE AREA FOR DISEMBARKING THERE WERE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE WAITING. SOME WERE IN FRONT OF THEIR DISPLAYS OTHERS WERE WEAVING BASKETS. THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE IS, BY FAR, LESS AGGRESSIVE IN THEIR SALESMANSHIP THAN ANY GROUP WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED, HOWEVER WAIT UNTIL WE GET TO CHINA.

ON OUR WAY TO THE AWAITING BUS WE PASSED WOMEN AND CHILDREN SITTING AROUND GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS. OCCASIONALLY MAKING EYE CONTACT THEY WERE SOMEWHAT BACKWARD AND SHY.

WITH ALL THE TRAVELERS ABOARD THE 4 WAITING SCHOOL BUSES, WE STARTED OUR TREK UP THE BUMPY DIRT ROAD TO THE HOTEL’S RESTAURANT. MOST OF US MADE POTTY STOPS AND FOUND OUR WAY TO THE DINING HALL. IT WAS A MASSIVE ROOM WITH CEILING TO FLOOR PICTURE WINDOWS OVERLOOKING A PORTION OF THE CANYON. ENJOYING THE VIEW WOULD HAVE TO COME SECOND, AND ALTHOUGH NOT STARVING TO DEATH, WE HAD NOT EATEN SINCE 3:30 THIS MORNING, 9 HOURS AGO. (I DIDN’T COUNT THE BOX BREAKFAST BECAUSE GEORGIA AND I ONLY DRANK THE JUICE AND REALLY DIDN’T EAT ANY OF THE SWEET ROLL.)

THE MEAL WAS EXCELLENT. RICE, BLACK BEANS, VEGGIES, CHICKEN ,FISH AND HOME MADE AUTHENTIC MEXICAN QUESADILLAS. THE BEVERAGE WAS MADE FROM THE HIBISCUS FLOWERS.IT WAS VERY UNUSUAL AND QUITE TASTEY.

AFTER LUNCH MOST OF US WALKED OUT ON THE VERANDA TO SNAP PICTURES AND ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL SIGHT. IN COMPARISON WITH THE GRAND CANYON WE CAN SAY THAT IT DOESN’T HAVE THE COLORS BUT IT CERTAINLY HAS ITS BEAUTY. WE WERE AT THE 7800 FOOT LEVEL OF THE CANYON.

COPPER CANYON IS MADE UP OF A SERIES OF 7 CANYONS, THE HIGHEST ELEVATION IS 8500 FEET AND IS FURTHER INLAND. WE DID NOT HAVE THE TIME OR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ANY OTHER AREA.

AFTER LUNCH WE WERE ENTERTAINED BY MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE WITH DANCE, CRUDE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EXHIBITIONS OF GAMES, SPORTS TYPE, PRACTICED BY THE TRIBE. AGAIN VERY INTERESTING AND EDUCATIONAL.

MARTIN, THE GUIDE, MADE 3 SIDE TRIPS AVAILABLE FOR ALL THOSE WISHING TO JOIN IN ON THE ACTIVITIES. HE WAS LEADING A WALK ALONG THE RIM. ALTHOUGH THE WALK WAS ONLY 1/2 TO 3/4 MILE IN LENGTH ON A SLITE ELEVATION IT WAS TRYING. REMEMBER THE AIR IS SOMEWHAT THINNER AT 7800 FEET.

THE EFFORT AND TIME WAS WELL WORTH ALL THE ENERGY EXPENDED. THE VIEWS WERE VERY IMPRESSIVE, IT WAS A CLEAR DAY AND YOU REALLY COULDN’T HAVE ASK FOR MORE. MARTIN HAD TAKEN A GROUP TO THE RIM YESTERDAY, FROM ANOTHER CRUISE LINE, AND HE SAID YOU COULDN’T SEE A THING. HOW BLESSED ARE WE?

BY 2:30 WE WERE BACK ON THE BUSES TRAVELING DOWN THE BUMPY, DIRTY ROAD TO THE TRAIN. AT 3:00 THE TRAIN BEGAN HEADING SOUTHWEST TO EL FUENTE. THE BROCHURE ESTIMATED THE TRIP TO BE OVER AROUND 7:00 BUT SIMPLE MATHEMATICS TOLD YOU IT WASN’T GOING TO HAPPEN. THE SHIP WAS SCHEDULE TO LEAVE AT 11:00. MY FEELING WAS THAT WE WOULD BE RUNNING FOR THE SHIP AGAIN.

EVEN IF THE TRAIN COULD MAKE THE RETURN TRIP IN 5 HOURS, IT WOULD STILL BE CLOSE TO 10:00 BEFORE WE WOULD BE ON TH SHIP. WE MADE FAIRLY GOOD TIME FOR THE FIRST 90 MINUTES. IT WAS STILL DAYLIGHT AND SEEING THE SWITCHBACK AREA FROM UP TOP, LOOKING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION, WAS EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR. I KNOW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE AND IT STILL SEEMED AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT.

THINGS STARTED TO DIGRESS AFTER LEAVING THE SWITCHBACK. A FREIGHT TRAIN WAS IN FRONT OF US ALL THE WAY BACK AND EVEN THOUGH THE FREIGHTER IS SUPPOSE TO PULL OVER AT THE FIRST SIDE RAIL TO LET US CONTINUE UNIMPEDED,IT DIDN’T HAPPEN. WE WOULD STOP EVERY 20 MINUTES AND WAIT 5 TO 8 MINUTES. I GUESS THE THOUGHT WAS THE FREIGHTER WOULD GET FAR ENOUGH IN FRONT WE WOULDN’T CATCH UP TO IT AGAIN...WRONG.

WE ROLLED INTO THE EL FUENTE STATION AT 8:50 AND WE WERE LOADED ONTO OUR BUSES, POSTHASTE. IT WAS AS DARK OUTSIDE THE BUS AS IT WAS INSIDE. VERY FEW PEOPLE STAYED AWAKE. THIS PORTION OF THE TRIP WENT WITHOUT A HITCH BUT WE STLL DIDN’T ARRIVE AT THE SHIP UNTIL 10:40.

ALTHOUGH TIRED GEORGIA AND I FOUND OUR WAY TO THE INTERNET CAFE TO SEND INFORMATION ABOUT THE BLOG. WE REVIEWED ALL OUR EMAILS AND DECIDED TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE BUFFET. BECAUSE OF OUR LENGTHY TOUR THE SHIP HAD PLANNED TO KEEP THE BUFFET OPEN UNTIL MIDNIGHT. OUR DECISION TO NOT GO TO OUR CABIN FIRST PROVED TO BE A GOOD ONE.

WE BOTH GOT SOME VEGGIES, SOME SALAD AND SAT DOWN TO EAT. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE HEAD WAITER ASK IF ANY OF THE PATRONS NEEDED ANYTHING ELSE FROM THE BUFFET. GETTING THE ANSWER HE DESIRED, THAT WOULD BE NO, HE QUICKLY CLOSED THE LINE AND HAD THE STAFF REMOVE THE FOOD.

EXHAUSTED, DISAPPOINTED AND BROKENHEARTED WE FINISHED OUR FOOD AND SADLY, AND SLOWLY, RETURNED TO OUR CABIN. AS TIRED AS WE WERE WE STILL DIDN’T GET TO SLEEP UNTIL 1:30, NEARLY 22 HOURS AGO.

OUR PLAN WAS TO SLEEP UNTIL...WHATEVER THAT IS. BUT AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT OUR EYES OPENED WIDE AT 8:00.

DAY 14 - ZIHUATANEJO AND IXTAPA - FEBRUARY 9, 2010

IT IS QUITE UNCUSTOMARY FOR US TO BE OUT OF BED BEFORE 8:30 EACH MORNING BUT HERE WE ARE BREAKING TRADITION WITH AWAKING BEFORE THE BIRDS. THE ONLY LIGHT TO BE SEEN AS WE ATE BREAKFAST ON THE DECK OUTSIDE THE BUFFET WAS THAT OF THE LIGHT STANDS HANGING FROM THE STRUCTURE ITSELF.

OUR REPORTING TIME IN THE LOUNGE THIS MORNING WAS 7:15 EVEN THOUGH OUR TOUR WASN’T SCHEDULED UNTIL 8:00. EXTRA TIME HAS TO BE ALLOWED FOR TENDERING. ZIHUATANEJO DOES NOT HAVE A NATURAL PORT AND THEREFORE SHIP MUST DROP ANCHER IN THE BAY. ALL PASSENGERS GOING ASHORE MUST BE TENDER IN THE LIFEBOATS.

WE WERE MET BY TOUR GUIDES ASHORE AND WERE QUICKLY LEAD TO OUR TOUR BUS. TODAY WE ARE HEADED TO THE SMALL TOWN OF PETILAN.

PETILAN, AS I UNDERSTAND, HAS RECEIVED WORLD RECOGNITION FOR THE MIRACLES OF HEALING THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THROUGH PRAYERS LAID AT THE ALTER. THE CHURCH WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED IN 1585 BUT WAS REBUILT WHEN IT WAS DESTROYED IN A VOLCANIC EARTHQUAKE IN 1949.

EXCEPT FOR THE WALL THAT HELD THE CRUCIFIX OF CHIRST, ALL THE WALL CAME TUMBLING DOWN. SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE CRUCIFIX WAS REMOVED FROM THE WALL IT ALSO COLLAPSED. TODAYS CHURCH IS QUITE SIMPLE AND PLAIN IN DESIGN BUT HAS 6 VERY COLORFUL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS OF CHRIST IN THE GARDEN, LAST SUPPER AND THE CRUCIFIXION.

THE LITTLE TOWN, WITH NARROW STREETS JUST WIDE ENOUGH FOR THE SMALLEST OF CARS, IS LAID BACK AND WAITING EAGERLY FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE TOURS. BECAUSE OF THE NARROW STREETS OUR BUS PARKED SEVERAL BLOCKS FROM THE CHURCH. IT WAS THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO LEISURELY WALK AMONG THE PEOPLE. IT WAS TRULY ANOTHER GREAT EXPERIENCE.

WE HAVE LEARNED IN OUR TRAVELS THAT NO TOUR EVER TAKES THE DIRECT ROUTE TO THE TOURS OBJECTIVE. SEVERAL INTERESTING SHORT STOPS FILLED OUT THE ITINERARY.

AS WE TRAVEL THROUGH IXTAPA (ISH-TAP-A) AND ZIHUATANEJO

(Z-HUT-TA-NA-YO) WE COULD SEE SIGNS OF DECORATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING FESTIVAL HEADING INTO LENT. ALTHOUGH THE COMBINED POPULATION OF THESE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IS 110,000 THEY ALSO ARE SMALL. IN A BLINK OF AN EYE OUR BUS WAS IN THE COUNTRY. THE SERRIA MADRE MOUNTAINS ON OUR LEFT AND BROKEN DOWN SHACKS AND FARMLAND ON OUR RIGHT. OUR FIRST STOP TOOKS US THROUGH A COCONUT PLANTATION TO A 15 MILE LONG WHITE SANDS BEACH, PLAYA LARGA, WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE OCEAN...AND HUCKSTER SELLING THEIR WARES.

ON OUR WAY BACK TO THE MAIN ROAD WE STOPPED AT THE PLANTATION FOR A CULTURAL EVENT. IN OUR 45 MINUTE STAY WE LEARNED THAT NOTHING IS WASTED IN THE PROCESS OF HARVESTING COCONUTS.

THE HUSKS ARE USED FOR FUEL BY BURNING THEM, ONCE THE MEAT, COCONUT, IS REMOVED FROM THE SHELL, THE SHELL IS USED TO MAKE BUTTONS. THE COCONUT IS MILK IS USED IN THE PRODUCTION AS AN INGREDIENT FOR MAKING PINA COLADAS. THE MEAT, BESIDES EATING IT, IS USED IN THE MAKING OF COOKING OILS, AND COSMETICS. TRAVELING IS SO EDUCATIONAL.

OUR SECOND STOP WAS EVEN MORE INTERESTING. A FEW MILE FROM THE COCONUT PLANTATION PULLED OF HE MAIN HIGHWAY AND ONTO A NARROW, BUMPY DIRT ROAD. ALTHOUGH WE WERE ON THE ROAD FOR A FEW MINUTES IT SEEN FOREVER AS EVERY BUMP JOSTLED YOU FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN YOUR SEAT. YET, WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION IN GOOD SHAPE.

THE SITE WAS THE HOMES AND MANUFACTURING LOCATION OF AN INDIGENOUS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO PRODUCE CLAY TITLES FOR ROOFS, BRICKS AND FIGURINES. THE ENIRE PROCESS IS DONE BY HAND. AS EACH PIECE IS COMPLETED IN IS PLACED ON THE GROUNG, HOPEFULLY IN THE SUN, TO DRY...APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS.

AFTER DRYING THEY ARE STACKED IN AN AREA THAT COVERS 12 SQUARE FEET AND THEY ENCLOSE THE ITEMS IN A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BUILDING TO KILN DRY, FIRED, TEMPERED OR WHAT EVER TERM YOU ARE USE TO USING, THE ITEMS BEFORE THEY TAKE THEM TO MARKET OR SELL THEM TO A RETAILER. IT TAKES 18 HOURS TO FIRE THE ITEMS AND ANOTHER 2 DAYS TO LET THE ITEMS COOL AFTER FIRING.

AS I MENTIONED, THE WHOLE PROCESS, FROM DIGGING THE CLAY TO FIRING THE ITEMS IS DONE BY HAND. THEY BUILD A NEW FURNACE EVER SEVERAL DAYS TO FIRE THE ITEMS. FIRED ITEMS TURN RED WHEN THE FIRING IS COMPLETED. DID I HEAR SOMEONE ASK, WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF FUEL? GLAD YOU ASK. THE PURCHASE TONS OF COCONUT HUSKS FRO THE PLANTATION. LIKE I SAID, NOTHING GOES TO WASTE.

THE LAST TENDER FROM SHORE TO THE SHIP WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE AT 1:30. OUR BUS ARRIVED BACK AT PORT AT 1:20 AND OUR 10 MINUTE WALK TO THE PIER GOT US ON JUST IN TIME. THE SHIP SET SAIL AT 2:00.

SIDE STORY: I HAD NOTICED A MAN ON THE SHIP AND IN PASSING WE EXCHANGED GREETINGS. UPON HEARING HIS VOICE, AND ONLY FOR A FEW WORDS, I FELT I KNEW HIM FROM SOMEWHERE.

AS WE WERE IN LINE TO BOARD THE TENDER THIS MAN IS BEHIND ME. I TURNED TO HIM AND GREETED HIM AND INTRODUCED MYSELF. HE RESPONDED AND SAID HIS NAME WAS JOHN (JON). I REPLIED “AS IN MILLER.”

HE LOOKED SHOCKED AND REPLIED YES. I WAS CORRECT IN MY THINKING, HE IS JON MILLER THE ANNOUNCER FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AND ESPN BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK.

(WE ALSO HAD TAB HUNTER ON THE SHIP...FOR THOSE OF US OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER)

AT DINNER THE ENTIRE TABLE WAS FILLED WITH CONVERSATIONS OF THE DAYS ACTIVITIES. WE EXITED THE DINING ROOM AND SHOT OVER TO THE LOUNGE FOR A GOOD SEAT FOR TONIGHTS ENTERTAINMENT. LINDA GENTILLE WAS BACK TO PLAY THE PIANO. ANOTHER EXCELLENT SHOW.

OUR IDEA WAS TO HIT THE SACK EARLY SO IT WOULD IN TURN MAKE US MORE TIRIED TOMORROW NIGHT. THURSDAY MORING WE HAVE TO GET UP AND BE ON THE BUS AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING FOR OUR EXCURSION TO THE COPPER CANYON.

THE PLAN DIDN’T WORK. THEY WERE HAVING A POOL PARTY ON DECK 9 AND THE NOISE KEEP US UP UNTILL ABOUT 11:30. PLANS, I GUESS, ARE MADE TO BE BROKEN.

FACTS:

HARVESTING COCONUTS REQUIRES TAPING 4 TO 7 BAMBOO POLE TOGETHER, WITH THE TOP PIECE HAVING A KNIFE ATTACHED TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE TREE. COCONUT TREES LIVE AROUND 100 YEARS AND ONCE PLANTED TAKE 5 YEARS TO PRODUCE FRIUT. IF A TREE DOESN’T PRODUCE FRUIT WITHIN 7 YEARS THEY DETERMINE IT IS A MALE AND IT IS REPLANTED IN THE CENTER OF A LARGE GROUP OF FEMALE TREES.

THE WOOD OF A COCONUT TREE IS EXTREMELY HARD AND IS USED FOR FURNITURE OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS.

THE AREAS THREE TOP MONEY MAKERS ARE, TOURIST, FARMING AND THE MINING OF GOLD AND SILVER.

OUR GUIDE TODAY WAS JUAN AND THE DRIVER WAS JOSE OR PEPE.

ACAPULCO

DAY 13 - ACAPULCO, MEXICO - FEBRUARY 8, 2010

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE ACTUALLY AROSE EARLY TO SEE OUR ARRIVAL INTO ACAPULCO BAY. THE MORNING SUN HADN’T BROKEN THROUGH THE THIN SCATTERED CLOUD LAYER WHEN WE ARRIVED ON DECK. WE MANAGED TO TAKE A FEW PICTURES FOLLOWED BY A LITE BREAKFAST.

OUR MEETING TIME IN THE LOUNGE WAS 8:45 AM, MUCH LATER THAN PREVIOUS DAYS. WHEN WE ARRIVED THE ROOM WAS FULL OF EAGER TOURIST READY TO HIT THE SIGHTS OF ACAPULCO. THE BEST VIEWS OF ACAPULCO WAS OUR CHOICE TODAY. IT IS LISTED AS ONLY A 4 TO 5 HOUR EXCURSION.

LUIS, OUR GUIDE, SPOKE BETTER THAN AVERAGE ENGLISH AND INFORMED US WE WERE IN FOR A GREAT DAY. AS WE MOTORED DOWN THE MAIN DRAG HE STOPPED ALONG THE WAY TO SHOW US POINTS OF INTEREST.

OUR FIRST BEST VIEW WAS THE LAS BRISAS. ALTHOUGH IN SOMEWAYS IT COULD BE CONSTRUED AS A HOTEL IT IS REALLY OF SERIES OF PRIVATE BUNGALOWS BUILT ON VARIOUS LEVELS OF THE HILLSIDE OVERLOOKING ACAPULCO BAY. NOT ONLY ARE THE VIEWS SPECTACULAR, EACH UNIT HAS LARGE PICTURE WINDOWS IN EVERY ROOM, INCLUDING THE BATHROOM. GUEST HAVE THEIR OWN POOL AND WHIRLPOOL, OUTDOOR DECK AND PATIO, LIVING ROOM AND AT LEAST ONE BEDROOM.

MOST TOURS ARE ON BUSES, BUT OURS WAS IN A VAN. AT FIRST I FELT WE WERE GETTING THE SHAFT, HOWEVER WHEN I SAW THE ROADS AND PATHS LUIS HAD TO NAVIGATE I REALIZED WHY WE HAD VANS. AFTER CLEARING THE SECURITY GATE WE WERE ESCORTED TO THE VERY TOP OF THE COMPLEX TO THE VERY BEST BUNGALOW, WHICH OF COURSE HAD THE BEST VIEW.

THEY SAY A PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS AND IN THIS CASE IT WOULD HAVE TO DO SO BECAUSE THE ONLY THING I CAN SAY IS SPECTACULAR.

DID I HEAR SOMEONE ASK THE PRICE? WELL, OFF SEASON, THE PRICE IS ONLY $1200. DURING SEASON THE PRICE JUMPS TO $2000. OH, DID I MENTION THAT IT IS PER NIGHT.

AFTER GETTING THE WALK THROUGH WE JUMPED BACK IN THE VAN FOR A TRIP DOWN THE SWITCH BACK ROAD TO THE RESTAURANT FOR REFRESHMENTS, AND ANOTHER FANTASTIC VIEW. OUR FANTASY OF BEING WEALTHY EXCLUSIVE GUEST OF THE ESTABLISHMENT WERE QUICKLY ENDED WHEN HEARD THE CALL TO JUMP BACK IN THE VAN FOR OUR NEXT BEST VIEWS OF ACAPULCO.

THE CHAPEL OF PEACE IS LOCATE LESS THAN A MILE FURTHER UP THE HILL ON THE MAIN DRAG. AGAIN WE HAVE TO CLEAR SECURITY BEFORE BEING PERMITTED TO ENTER THE GROUNDS. THE IS A LONG HISTORY CONNECTED TO THE FACILITY WHICH IS CONSTRUCTED IN AN AREA SURROUNDED BY PRIVATE HOMES THAT COST APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 MILLION DOLLARS.

THIS IS NON-DENOMINATIONAL AND HOLD REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE CATHOLIC CHURCH SEVERAL TIMES EACH WEEK. WEDDING ARE FREQUENTLY HELD ON SATURDAYS AT $600 A POP.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS STOP IS THE 120 FOOT CROSS WHICH CAN BE SEEN FROM JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE IN ACAPULCO.THE CROSS, CHAPEL, GROUNDS AND THE LARGE SET OF SCULPTURED HANDS, BOTH RIGHT HANDS SIGNIFYING HARMONY, ARE WELL WORTH THE TRIP. (RIGHT HANDS ARE COMMONLY USED TO SHAKE HANDS, A FORM OF GREETING, AND WERE THEREFORE USED IN THIS EXHIBIT TO EXPRESS FRIENDSHIP AND HARMONY.)

WE SPENT ABOUT 30 MINUTES AT THE CHAPEL BEFORE HEADING TO THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE THAT MOST TOURS SEEM TO ALWAYS OFFER. GEORGIA AND I CHOSE TO WALK ACROSS THE STREET TO THE FAMOUS HOTEL MIRAOOR. THE HOTEL IS THE SITE OF THE INFAMOUS CLIFF DRIVERS.

ALTHOUGH THE DIVERS WERE NOT PREFORMING AT THE TIME, GEORGIA AND I SNAPPED PICTURES IF THE AREA. WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SEE THE DIVERS SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON OUR MEXICAN RIVIERA CRUISE. THE SHOPPING PORTION ENDED AND WE WERE HEADING BACK TO THE VAN AS THEY WERE LOADING.

OUR FINAL STOP WAS THE LOS FLAMINGOS HOTEL, ONCE OWNED BY THE MOVIE STAR AND ORIGINAL TARZAN, JOHNNY WEISSMULLER. WEISSMULLER WAS OWNER FROM 1950 THROUGH 1980 AND IT WAS OFTEN FREQUENTED BY STARS LIKE JOHN WAYNE, RED SKELTON, ERROL FLYNN CARY GRANT AND OTHERS.

ALTHOUGH THE PLACE IS NOT WHAT IT USE TO BE IT HAS A CERTAIN CHARM, AND IT IS RELATIVELY CHEAP FOR ACAPULCO. THE MAIN ATTRACTION IS THE ROUND ROOM, WHICH IS REALLY 4 ROOMS, CONSTRUCTED AT THE TOP OF THE PROPERTY FOR HIMSELF. THE ROOM COMES WITH A VIEW THAT ALSO IS FABULOUS.

AS WE PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY LUIS ALTERED HIS ROUTE BACK TO THE SHIP AND MADE ONE LAST PASS AT THE SIGHT OF THE CLIFF DIVERS. ALTHOUGH WE WERE ONLY THEIR FOR A FEW MINUTES, AND WE NEVER LEFT THE VAN, WE MANAGED TO SEE 3 YOUNG DIVERS PLUNGE INTO THE WATER AT THE SAME TIME.

ONCE BACK ON THE SHIP WE WENT TO GET A SMALL BITE TO EAT BEFORE I WENT TO WORK ON THE CREATION OF THE COHEN TRAVEL BLOG. SURPRISINGLY I FOUND IT AS EASY AS BOB SAID IT WOULD BE TO CREATE. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE FIRST ELEVEN DAYS POSTED WITHIN AN HOUR BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE PICTURES INSERTED. OH WELL, ROME WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY EITHER.

AFTER DINNER GEORGIA AND I HUSTLED OVER TO THE LOUNGE TO GET FRONT ROW SEATS FOR THE MEXICAN FOLKLORIC PRESENTATION PREFORMED BY A LOCAL GROUP. IT WAS A SUPERB SHOW WITH TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND VERY COLORFUL PERIOD COSTUMES.

DAY 12 - AT SEA - SUPER BOWL SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 7, 2010

SURPRISINGLY WE ROSE AT 7:30, ON OUR OWN, AND BEGAN TO GATHER OUR DIRTY CLOTHES. THE LAUNDRY OPENS AT 8:00 AM. WE WERE NIAVE ENOUGH TO THINK WE WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO UP AND WASHING THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING. OH HOW DUMB. THERE ARE 8 WASHERS AND 8 DRYERS WITH PEOPLE MILLING AROUND IN EVERY SQUARE INCHE OF SPACE AVAILABLE.

I WAITED A SHORT WHILE AND GOT A MACHINE BUT WE HAD TO WAIT FOR THE PLACE TO CLEAR OUT BEFORE WE COULD FINISH. SO, AFTER A QUICK BITE TO EAT WE TRAVELLED DOWN TO THE LOUNGE FOR JOHN LAWRENCE’S PRESENTATION ON ZIHUATANEJO AND TOPOLOBAMPO

RETURNING TO THE LAUNDRY ABOUT 11:00, WE FOUND THE PLACE EMPTY.

FILLING 2 WASHES WITH CLOTHES AND TRANSFERRING THE BLUE JEANS TO THE DRYER, WE WERE OFF TO THE CABIN TO WAIT FOR THE WASHING CYCLE TO END. WITHIN A SHORT TIME WE RETURNED AND STRUCK IT RICH, IN A MANNER OF SPEAKING.

THE JEANS WERE REMOVED AND THE 2 LOADS OF WASH WERE PLACED INTO THE DRYER. GEORGIA CLOSED THE DOOR AND PUSHED THE START BUTTOM. DON’T YOU KNOW THE BUGGER STARTED RIGHT UP AND CONTINUED TO RUN.

EXITING AGAIN TO THE CABIN, WE SET THE CLOCK FOR 30 MINUTES BEFORE RETURNING TO THE LAUNDRY. THE THING WAS STILL RUNNING, GO FIGURE.

AS WE WERE FOLDING OUR CLOTHES, ANOTHER LADY CAME IN TO TRANSFER WASH TO THE DRYER. GEORGIA SUGGESTED SHE USE THE DRYER WE JUST EMPTIED. SHE LOADED UP THE DRYER, PRESSED THE BUTTO AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW, THE THING STARTED RUNNING AGAIN. I THINK WE FOUND A WINNER. WE SAVED A FEW BUCKS.

THE SUPER BOWL PARTY STARTED AT 5:00 BUT WE GOT TO THE LOUNGE AROUND 4:15 FOR A FRONT ROW SEAT. SINCE WE HAD SO MUCH TIME I TOOK THE LAPTOP SO I COULD WORK ON THE CHINA TRAVEL LOG. GEORGIA BEGAN TO TELL ME ABOUT THE GUY SHE MET IN THE POOL. HE WAS EXPOUNDING ON THE USE OF THE BLOG FOR INFORMING THE FAMILY BACK HOME ABOUT THE WORLD CRUISE. JUST THEN SHE SAW HIM WALK INTO THE LOUNGE AND BEFORE I KNEW IT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CREATION OF A BLOG.

I MADE SOME MENTAL NOTES AND PROMISED MYSELF TO START CREATING A BLOG AFTER RETURN FROM OUR TOUR IN ACAPULCO, WHICH I DID.

WE ENJOYED THE GAME MORE SO BECAUSE WE DIDN’T HAVE TO SWEAT OUT EVERY PLAY AND IT DIDN’T MATTER TO US WHICH TEAM WON, ALTHOUGH WE WERE BOTH CHEERING FOR THE COLTS. INCIDENTALLY, THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR THE GAME AND PARTY THEY RAN OUT OF FOOD. I GUESS THEY DIDN’T EXPECT THE TURNOUT; FEAR NOT, WE DID NOT STARVE, THEY MADE LOTS MORE FOOD.