WEEK 5

 

20/08/23 NEW YORK CITY

We docked early this morning, think it has to do with the tides so that we can sail under the bridge when coming into New York, normally we get here at 7 in the morning, when I got up at 3 we were in port and docked. Could also have something to do with the pilots and other ships, who knows?

I sat outside the terminal building watching the people go by and o my genade is besig en almal haastig, eventually hubby appeared and off we went. Amazing how quickly you learn where to go and were to walk to get away from all the crowds, bikers and runners. We first stopped near a park just to catch our breath before we went to Starbucks. I had my usual espresso, flip maar is duur $3.50 vir n single shot en is net n ou blertsie maar vrek lekker and hubby had his breakfast wrap and a café latte.

I am feeling a bit tired and not firing on all cylinders so decided to take things slowly, ended up at Miss Lillies and was disappointed when I got there, I could only get a seat at the bar and no tables were available to have a meal. Decided to make the most of it and ordered myself some champagne just as well I first checked the prices for my goodness some prices are over 100$ a glass so I ended up with my 20$ glass and loved it. Sipping champagne in Miss Lillies on a beautiful Sunday at lunch time in New York City, klink nie te bad nie! Building memories vir my oud dag op die stoep,haa haa.

Had another espresso just to make sure I find my way back to the ship, the couple next to me had espresso with some or other alcohol and just looked so special because it was served in beautiful pink floral teacups with flowers floating on top. This was going to be my spoil for the day so will see when I fit in the visit to the aircraft museum and the other thing on my list is a horse’s cart ride around Central Park.

Think Levains Bakery is also going to see me again! Am so excited,got excursion tickets to swim with the pigs in Great Stirrup Cay and a pontoon cruise on the Banana River in Port Canaveral. In Nassau I want to visit 2 shops and going to try and get to the Stingray swim on my own but that will depend on if I have enough time for, we only arrive after 12 and leave again at 20h00 so will see. Have done a swim with them before and just loved it.

We are at sea for 2 days and then we arrive in Port Canaveral. Think going to move to deck 8 for the sail away and check things out from there while listening to some music. Busy putting a playlist together of all my favorite songs for my 60 th, we both turn 60 next year and I want to have a birthday party.

21/08/23 @SEA

Had a great sail away yesterday out of New York, found myself a spot on deck 8 on a very comfortable lounger and watched us leave this incredible city that never sleeps, with boats coming and going on the waterways and listening to music from home. Stayed outside until I watched the sun setting over the ocean, it is just so much better in real life, a video or a photo is just not the same.

 We had a peaceful night with no call outs, so that was a blessing. Hubby was in the gym just after 6 and I did my normal rounds on deck 17, with the most stunning sunrise over the ocean, was a huge round orange ball, even popped into the gym to make sure hubby had seen it. I finished earlier so had time to just sit quietly and watch the sun come up with a cup of coffee!

My day has been relaxed and a lazy day all things have been in slow motion, even the ship cruising along slowly. So thankful that Franklin the storm has missed us, am a bit worried for we are on our way to Port Canaveral which is close to Florida, and they said there were more hurricanes brewing near to Mexico and the Bahamas, so just hope they stay away from us. The devastation on the West Coast is very scary, did not like the announcement on TV that said it was the beginning of hurricane season 2023.

 Tomorrow another day at sea so really looking forward to Wednesday when we arrive in Port Canaveral, on a previous trip I had to fly to Atlanta and then get a taxi to Port Canaveral to get onto the ship, think is about an hour’s drive.

This week we have 4400 passengers on board and with the Canada trips there are a bit less so won’t complain about that for I prefer if it is a bit quieter, more my thing, rustig and I like the smaller ships. On the smaller ships I miss the observation lounge, that I really like, the open spaces on deck 8 where you can sit outside and have dinner with the wind in your hair. So, until tomorrow.

22/08/23 PORT CANAVERAL FLORIDA

Yesterday was another long sea day but we had flat seas that I am grateful for I decided to watch a movie about the Blackberry Cellphone inventors called Blackberry but my o my by the time it was finished I was also finished!! en opgewerk nee al die behind the scene drama was vir my te veel en die arme 2 outjies wat eintlik die ontwerpers was is so vertrap deur die groot besigheids manne wat net een ding in die kop het en dit is geld, natuurlik. Is a movie that one should watch just to see what really goes on in the real big world of technology, scary.

This morning we were docked in Port Canaveral by the time we got to deck 17 with lovely views over the place. Once it was light, we could also see the NASA Kennedy Space Center in the distance. After breakfast I got on the bus on a short ride to Coco Beach where we got onto the Pontoon for our trip on the Banana River. This heat is next level and I mean Durban on steroids i will have to stay hydrated.

The trip on the boat was rustig in the no wake zone passing houses that are built on the water edge. We were so excited to see some wild dolphins busy with there daily activity looking for food and the high light of the trip was seeing a few manatees, I did not even know what they look like until we saw a statue of one in front of a house. They are grass eaters and if I heard correctly only have 2 young in their lifetime.

Did catch it on video but was only his back and the tail, things happen so quickly so the video is really the best way of trying to get it on camera. Our captain did tell us forget about trying to take a photo press the record button and videos are the best. There was lots of birdlife must be fantastic cruising around and enjoying them or just watching them from the houses.

Passed people on kayaks and a local fisherman cruised along slowly busy fishing. Must be so nice having a house on the waterfront, most of the places have pools with beautiful decks overlooking the river. I could just see myself sitting there and enjoying the views. Mangrove trees were all over the place and little islands with only them, on.

Heard today that Port Canaveral is the worlds biggest cruise terminal port, I thought it was Miami but that info we got on the bus. Must say I prefer Miami to me it is the best. Disney Cruise line and MSC have their main embarkation terminal here maybe because of the theme parks that are only an hour’s drive away. Port Canaveral has the biggest surf shop in the world, and it is open 24/7, 365 days of the year even Christmas Day, can you believe it.

Just after I got back from my trip hubby was called out and the paramedics had him in all worked up about his referral to hospital, they were not keen to take the patient, but typical hubby stayed calm, when they said they don’t hear anything in the lungs he said but the x rays show double pneumonia. His patient was 92 with a very high temperature you don’t mess with his patients, he will do what is best for them always, so said take her to the ER and if she is fit to sail/travel bring her back with her LETTER! He knew that was not going to happen and not worth getting into an argument with them.

Dis nou wat jy ondervinding noem,bly kalm en laat hulle maar dink wat hulle wil. Hy is die een wat finaal moet besluit wie hy toelaat op die skip as dit kom by enige mediese goed moet hy verantwoordelikheid vir die passasiers aanvaar. So tomorrow we are going to be sailing into Nassau at 11 and should be docked by 12, looking forward to our day in this port lots to do and see. Hubby is off for the day so can walk around together on n a precious contract we went snorkeling in this port and loved it.

Had an afternoon sleep but still feeling tired, think the heat must be the culprit! Looking forward to our Canada run their things might be cooler or I hope so. Today was great and I really enjoyed my trip on the pontoon on the Banana River if we ever come back this way, I might decide to do the excursion to the Kennedy Space Center.

24/08/23 NASSAU BAHAMAS

Just to inform you hubby was right and the patient she was diagnosed with double pneumonia and admitted to hospital, so the paramedic was wrong and not fit to travel at all!! Thank goodness he stood his ground.

Sailed, into Nassau late morning on a beautiful day with stunning views over the harbor area where we are docked. I waited for hubby before we were going to get off but eventually got off on my own because the local ambulance and hospital had so much red tape and was taking forever to pick up another patient with a fractured ribs after a fall. They only collected the patient after 5 hours.

 The port is really looking good with all the new development they have done since we have been here. Have covered walkways on all the piers which is great just to get out of the hot sun with the walk from the ships into the shopping area and security area. All the little shops have been revamped and are painted with bright pastel colors, new gardens, grass and big palm trees.

I walked into town and then went to our old spot on the beach where I had a late afternoon swim in crystal clear water. Pity I could not snorkel for I had to keep my eye on my bag while swimming net nou gaps iemand dit en dan is my selfoon, kaarte en geld gone!! A disaster if you are abroad, the area where I was swimming looks a bit run down and the beach chairs are in desperate need of paint or replacement. There seems to be a lot of construction work going on.

Most the hotels are looking great and think tourists go to these hotels that have their own private access to the beaches, so we go to the local beaches and that is why they look run down, moeg en vuilerig. We need supplies so on my way back I stopped in at the local groceries store and could only find one or two things so, the rest will have to wait for Miami or New York.

We were going to leave Nassau at 8 tonight but due to Hurricane Franklin are going to stay overnight and leave for GSC island tomorrow evening and then head to Miami and 2 days back to New York. Going to skip Bermuda this week for the hurricane seems to be going in that direction and expecting very strong winds. Don’t want to get in a hurricanes way that is for sure. So here things can change very quickly, and you need to just go with the flow.

This means one more Bermuda before we leave for Canada.

Wanted to try and go on an excursion tomorrow in Nassau because of the extra day but does not look like they have any plans, for it is short notice! Hubby is off today so we are going to go out tonight after work just to walk around get some fresh air and get his feet on dry land!

 

25/08/23 NASSAU Day 2

We went for dinner and after that went on a short walk in Nassau, think we are getting old for all the places have loud music playing not really our thing. The night lights are magical and must compliment the new port area, very well done and organized a pleasure to walk around in.

I had my walk this morning before people were up so had peace and quiet for a while and joined hubby for breakfast. I stayed behind after he left and just sat on deck 16 enjoying the views of Nassau from the dining area, then the first big cruise liner docked next to us Disney, had Goofy dangling from the back of the ship with a paintbrush and a bucket of paint in his hand, I thought that was very cute took some photos to show what it looks like.

During the rest of the day the following cruise liners also joined us in Nassau, Carnival Freedom, MSC and Royal Caribbean so with Disney 5 ships in total, just think if there were 4000 per ship, we are talking about 20 000 people, and I think MSC had more passengers for it was a huge ship. Good for the local economy, what a boost!!

I got off and suddenly decided to rather take the water taxi to Atlantes which is only a 10min boat ride away. The skipper loaded his boat to the brim, and I did think o my goodness was this a good idea, even put all my valuables into a plastic bag just incase we need to swim, and the boat did look a bit old and moeg! Our guide, that is what he called himself, gave us some very interesting information and was very entertaining, am so sorry I did not video all his chirps.

Once in Atlantes I did some dock walking where all the yachts are docked, they belong to the rich and famous, my goodness they are very smart and shiny think you could eat from the floors. The cool aircon of the Atlantes hotel was just so good to escape too for a while and there I got to sit and watch the sea turtles, I found them amazing and interesting, beautiful creatures.

They have some lovely shops in the hotel with beautiful clothing stores especially beach clothing and costumes but all the brand names and with that comes big bucks. Wanted to get myself an espresso only to find out they are a cashless hotel so only cards and did not want to use my card just for a cup of coffee.

I was lucky for there were quite a few people waiting at the dock to return to our port area so did not wait long and off we went. The color of the water is just so inviting and beautiful. My next stop was the local grocery store to get something to spoil hubby after a long day of work and then I looked for a place to try out some local conch and drinks. Found a spot at a bar and grill right on the water, got the last table so was lucky to get a spot with all these hundreds of people in the port today, all the places were packed.

I wanted to try out the famous conch salad but that was sold out, so I went for the Conchy Conch Chowder and then my first Bahama Mama that went down like cooldrink and finished it off with a Ginger Mojito that I really enjoyed. By this time, I had enough for one day and returned to the ship for a shower and late afternoon siesta.

Tomorrow is going to be an early day for need to get the first tender to shore because my swim with the pigs leaves at 8.15 and don’t want to miss that for anything. We are tendering from the ship to the island, and I love this island think they have really done a good job here of creating this private island and all the lovely things you can do, see and enjoy. A few of the cruise liners have their own private islands and then bring their passengers to their islands for a day of fun in the sun. The only problem is when the weather does not play along, and the sea is too rough for safe tendering operations.

I have also been on some tender boats when it has really been rough and scary,was omtrent groot ogies en nie speletjies nie,sulke tye vir almal geweldig stressvol om almal weer veilig aanboord te kry. Die oggend lyk alles goed en dan net so verander the weer en dis n gedoente om almal weer veilig aan boord te kry. Die keer toe ek so groot oog was toe is daar hoe deinings en kyk dan gooi hy so n tender boot sommer met geweld teen die skip en net die met goeie ondervinding en ken van bestuur van so n boot doen dit goed, die groot tender bote is natuurlik baie makliker as die klein reddings bote.

So, tot more.

 

26/08/23 GSC (GREAT STIRUP CAY)

This morning I was up early because I wanted to have breakfast before I had to catch the first tender boat. Was good to be on the island first so had time to quickly walk around and get some nice photos of the island. We have not been here for a while and can see that they have done a lot and really is looking good. Think it is a South African who is the manager now, something to be very proud off! Een van ons boytjies!

O, how I wish we could have all these things at home the showers, restrooms rubbish bins everything is in tip top condition neat, tidy and clean nothing is lying around, and I mean nothing. Must say can give them 10/10 for everything here. Will post pics to show you what I am talking about, and you can see for yourself, just shows you it can be done.

They have also done a lot of gardening and planted a lot of new plants, a new putt- putt coarse, chess board on the sand very close to the water and then are still busy with more building and development. Other excursions on the island were Kayak Tour, Osprey Ziplining, Seahawk ziplining, Island ziplining, Standup Paddle boards and Wave runner Tours so lots to choose from.

The weather was not working in our favor and the sea was rocking and rolling and it was hard work to keep the tender next to the ship for us to get on, I wanted to take a video, but it started raining and with the high swells had to cling onto my umbrella and hat so, no time for any photo or video.

Our trip to Treasure Island was maybe 10 minutes and got to take a video of that. We had a safety briefing about the do’s and don’ts regarding the pigs how to interact with them and how to feed them pieces of apple that were on a sosatie stick. We could rub them on there backs from there ears towards there butt but no touching of ears or tails. There were 2 tiny little piglets walking around and they were not to be picked up at all but was so tempting for they were just so cute and stole the show.

Then it was time for our swim with the pigs, just as well for then it started pouring with rain and I mean katte en honde reen! No cameras were to be taken into the swimming area and they had their guys taking photos at different stations. So, in we went with the pigs following us into the sea to get a bite of apple. I tried to have a pic with one of the bigger pigs but then his hooves nicked my leg in the swimming process, and I had visions of a bleeding upper leg, so i decided to rather try and hold one of the little piglets.

It was such an amazing experience, and I loved every minute of my tour. Pigs are good swimmers, and the little piglet was also a good swimmer so seems to come naturally to them. After the swim with them it was time for some drinks at the bar, I tried a Bahama Goombay Punch that was good, and it was time for some close-up piggyback encounter with some of the pigs. They lift themselves up onto your shoulders while you sit and then they take pics of you and your piggy friend, that I loved and made it special to get so close and personal with these amazing creatures. Got some great pictures of this encounter and to me it some’s up the whole experience this morning.

Our Jiggy with the Piggies soos die toer leier dit genoem het,sou dit beslis aangebeel vir enigiemand anders,beslis n moet as jy die geleentheid kry. Wonder wie die affere uitgedink het! Die ou kleintjie het eintlik gebewe toe ek hom in die water vasgehou het,nie dat dit koud was nie maar dink hulle verkies maar die hitte en die sand. Een ou kleintjie het ook nie omgegee om vasgehou te word nie ,hy het sommer toe oe gele,toe se die man die spesifieke een is so rusitg en hou van die vashou en raak sommer aan die slaap so in die vashou.Dierbaar verby.

Once back after a high-speed boat ride back to the main island it was time to explore the rest of the island and I went for another swim. Wanted to go to the furthest part of the island where I went too long ago before that part was developed but it is now closed off and only for the paying guests, so that was a disappointment, for I loved the shallow water and peace and quiet of the place.

So glad I had my water shoes on, for the beach area is a bit rocky and a lot of loose stones which does not work with bare feet. I went to a few stalls to try and get a piggy magnet and was glad to get one as a memento of my encounter with them. Started pouring with rain so, after a cup of coffee I still had plans of having lunch on the island decided against it and headed for the ferry to return to the ship. The sea was a bit calmer this time round, so all in all had a fantastic day with the pigs.

Back on the ship poor hubby had a busy day with another femur fracture and a passenger fight where someone tried to throttle someone else and was told she is as high as a kite, so what that means only time will tell, booze or something else!! Early morning a crew member was playing very loud music and needed stitches for a head wound, as drunk as a skunk, so that meant trouble for him, he obviously had had enough and was trying to go on holiday for a few hours, haa haaa. Always feel so sorry for them, think things can get too much at times with contracts of 8 /9 months long. Tomorrow it is Miami, and we need to go through immigration before we can go ashore. I am planning on walking to the downtown, so will see how things go.

27/08/23 MIAMI

Woke up this morning with a big long blue mark on my upper leg, that is what happens when you swim with piggies, nee terg net dis wat gebeur as jy nie hulle reg vashou nie. Last night we were woken with another code alpha at 2 in the morning this time round hubby left with no socks!!I battled to go back to sleep so started sending text messages to family a home. After 03h00 he got back, and we tried to get back to sleep. Gister se verwurgings  storie het toe geeindig in n ander ietsie wat gevat is!! Soos hulle sal se, you catch my drift!! So die kamer is deurgegaan en hulle het toe afgekom op die stash,so die is vanoggend onder polisie begeleiding hier weg.Dit is legal in die land maar word glad nie toegelaat op die skepe nie.

Gelukkig is dit n sekriteit probleem en nie eintlik iets met die medies te doen nie.Die code alpha was toe ook weer n vals alarm en net iemand wat te veel gedrink het en toe n konvulsies hehad het. Hoeveel moet jy nou drink om n konvulsie te kry!Dit het sukkel sukkel gegaan maar ons het toe uiteindelik aan die slaap geraak.

We had to go through immigration this morning because we were entering the USA again so and no need when we arrive in New York on Wednesday. I planned on going to immigration and then to breakfast but because they used the latest facial recognition machines, I had to get off the ship once I had passed through immigration, thank goodness there was a South African crew member that I know so I used his phone just to let hubby know that I was getting off and all was ok with immigration.

So, no breakfast for me in the end and off I went on my 35-minute walk to the downtown area in terrible heat, was 33 degrees with 60% humidity, was bad today. Took my water with to drink while on my walk and stay hydrated especially after my big fright the other day when I felt lightheaded and faint.

The mall on the waterfront had a few new shops and the Starbucks was gone so I went to another hotel to get some coffee and something to eat. I made my way to Marshalls the shop the crew love and was nice to walk around and no rush to get back. Was very chuffed to get 2 Nike running T shirts for us, were a very good prize was more than 50% off so, that would be my reason for getting them, haa haa.

Have been battling to get us some hard candy lifesavers sweets so when I did eventually find some at CVS I bought us enough until we go home. Only bugger I had to walk around with all these heavy packets in my backpack all the way back to the ship. Passed the Thriller boat docked in the waterfront and was very tempted to take a ride but decided against it for need to let hubby know before I do something like, just in case.

It has been on my bucket list for a while and each time I think next time so who knows when I will get the courage to just do it! Took out my umbrella and decided I don’t care what I look like in this heat and sun I am going to get some shade and walked like that all the way back to the ship, can say make a huge difference. Five ships were in port today so very busy and saw a Virgin Atlantic cruise ship for the first time, really like there layout and colors even had plants on the back of the ship on an open deck, that really impressed me, don’t know if they are real of fake and had red hammocks hanging on all the balconies that I thought was very cool and funky, typical Richard Branson!

Was very glad to get back to the port area and then it was time to post all my photos of the last few days of all the places we have seen and my Piggie swim. So relieved to have good Wi-Fi in the terminal building and must say the new cruise line terminal is stunning and beautiful so was great to get out of the heat and just sit for a while. Am glad we have 2 seadays ahead when you are in different ports each day you feel you need to walk around and see things and as much as you can so, it is tiring. Klink seker nou seker nes n regte ou vrou maar is seker ook een.

We only leave port at 23h00 tonight so no sail away pics, for we will be in bed by that time after last nights interrupted sleep. I love the Miami vibe and think this is really a beautiful port.

29/08/23 @SEA

I got up and did get to walk and enjoy the beautiful sunrise. Felt guilty so decided to get a gym session in before I made my way to the dining room for breakfast. The ship has added a weather station on TV, then you know it is hurricane season in the States! Dis genoeg om jou senuwees klaar te maak en wraggies een oppad na Florida so baie bly ons is weg daarso en het dit ook net net gemaak en nog een lyk my broei naby Bermuda rond so weet nog nie of ons dit gaan maak na Bermuda nie.

Gelukkig kan ons darem vlug of uit sy pad probeer kom maar die arme mense op land moet maar net sit en hoop vir die beste. Vertrek more vroeer van New York, so ons dag in die Big Appel is korter as gewoonlik. Tot volgende keer xxx