WEEK 2

 

WEEK 2 :

17 JANUARY 2024: NEW YORK CITY

Wow, what a fantastic day! We arrived in port, and it was freezing outside, snow was lying all over the place, the passenger’s cars that were parked in the parking lot next to the cruise terminal were covered in snow and had to be cleared with their special tools before they could drive anywhere. You could hear them breaking and removing the snow from deck 15 on the ship. On my way to breakfast I realized that I would have to put on all my warm clothes, jackets gloves and cover up my ears. Thank goodness I packed in my duck feather K -way jacket, and it has a hoody.

I walked to 74^th street all along 12^th avenue and my goodness it was cold, I had to walk very slowly for the street was slippery and here and there I nearly did fall. My leather gloves I left at home, was very sorry about that, for the others I brought along did not keep the cold out, so I had to keep my hands in my pockets to keep them warm.

Ek was so in vervoering dat ek kort kort my selfoon uit my sak moes haal vir n foto of n video en om fotos te neem met hankskoene het nou nie gewerk nie, so gevoel asof ek frostbite kry! Moes ook vinger oefeninge doen om die bloedsirkulasie aan die gang te kry. Was nie lank toe ek ook my K- way kappie ook oor my kop getrek het. My eerste stop was Levain Bakery vir koekies en n dubbel exspresso,lyk my dis nou n ritueel as ons in New York kom,was heerlik om net vir n rukkie uit die koue te kom en in die snoesige bakery my koffie te drink.

I then left the warmth of the bakery for my walk to Central Park, and o my goodness what a beautiful sight was waiting for me, everything was covered in snow and so different to my last visit in summer. I just could not get enough of the stunning views of this magical place. I took my hand out of my pocket at least 50/60 times !!! to take photos and ended up with tendinitis of my left hand from all the movement during my morning out in New York!!! Never had that before.

Got to take some beautiful videos and photos on my walk through the park and even my footsteps in the snow or should I say the crunching sound that you hear when walking on the ice/snow. The locals were out running and walking their dogs as usual. My next stop was the Apple store. That is my normal stop just to look around and use the restrooms, always tidy and clean, then I walked down 5 th Avenue and got to see some kids having a great time in Rockefellers Square, ice-skating, o how I wish I could do it but don’t think I would give that a try while I am out of the country just in case I fall, don’t need that drama while abroad.

By this time, I desperately needed more winter gear to keep the cold out so I popped in to get a New York beanie and those round woolie things they put over their ears that come around the back of your head, the lady at the till asked me if she could remove the label’s for me so I left the shop with these items and what a difference it made, now I was ready for the icy condition.

Maybe I was lucky to miss the falling snow but now I am ready and geared for next time! The photos that were posted on Instagram and Facebook really made it look like a magical world in a fairytale. I walked around in my gym shoes and did have close calls here and there but looked like the locals also wear their normal shoes, nothing special.

In the park they had a tractor come down the different walkways spraying little round balls on the icy surfaces I assumed it was to prevent you from slipping. The guys on bikes had their hands tucked away in big gloves to keep the cold out. The last bits of Christmas decorations were still up and in front of some houses the Christmas trees were put out with the garbage and in some streets the trees were still wrapped with fairy lights, think a white Christmas must be beautiful.

Stopped at CVS for our normal supplies and then it was time to get back to the ship and boy o boy was I glad to get back to the warm terminal, heaven! warm and cozy. Once back on the ship it was time for a warm shower and an afternoon siesta, was very glad to be back in our little cabin in our warm bed.

18 JANUARY 2024: @SEA

We were up early for a gym session and coffee on deck 15, really hope we can see the sun come up in the Caribbean for that is always beautiful while having your morning coffee on the open deck. Sunset last night while sailing out of New York was also beautiful with a big orange sun going down over the ocean and changing everything orange on the horizon.

Ek is so bly want kan van more af die SPAR  gebruik as ons in port is so sien baie uit na dit, ons gaan more net vir die dag in Bermuda wees so dink nie eers ek gaan afklim nie sal eerder as ons weer oornag vir 2/3 dae na al die swem strande toe gaan en heeldag rondloop.Die see is darem baie beter as verlede week so ek dankbaar en lyk asof ons beter weer gaan he vir die week. Sonskyn!

19 JANUARY 2024: BERMUDA

 Het laat gele vanoggend en het so 9 uur se kant in Bermuda gedok .Ek het eers in die gym n draai gemaak met bene en boude vol melksuur en pyne, so lyk my gister te wild aangegaan en nou sit ek met die gebakde pere!!Stap soos iemand at kruppel is,het toe ook in die Spar uitgekom wat heerlik wa,s het vergeet hoe mooi dit is en heerlik rustig en stil waaroor ek mal is, rus en vrede.

Het eers in die stoomkamer gaan sit en toe in die swembad geeindig en in die borrelbad gou n draai gemaak net wat die seer spiere nodig gehad het. Had some Thai tea and an orange to eat while in the SPAR area with stunning views over the ocean. Really enjoyed my time and so glad can use the facilities on every port day for then most of the passengers are off the ship. Today was the normal weekly drill on the ship but they must have tested the generator for it made a terrible noise but thank goodness after a while that stopped, hy werk beslis dis verseker.

I did not get off today for was a miserable day in Bermuda and did not feel like walking around in the rain. So ended up in bed and there I stayed for most of the day. Voel so jammer vir die personeel want  lyk my die diaree en braking virus het nou weer sy kop uitgesteek en al hoe meer passasiers kom nou by die medies uit en hulle is alklaar so oorwerk.

Ek het toe plek bespreek in St Maarten om op die Americas Cup Regatta te gaan. Sien vreeslik uit en hoop ek kan n mooi video neem terwyl ons seil. It says become part of the crew as you actively take part in manning an authentic sailing yacht that once completed in the prestigious American Cup, how exciting is that! Feel the thrill of the wind in your hair and ocean spray in your face as you compete in a head-to-head race against another yacht crewed by guests just like you. So, will be back to tell you all about it. On our next visit I plan on taking a taxi to Airport Beach to see what that is all about.

Hubby did that 11 year ago and have beautiful pics of him swimming in the crystal-clear water and having such fun. More is nog n see dag en kom Sondag laat oggend in St Maarten aan. Sien dit sneeu weer in New York en lyk my hulle verwag redelike swaar neerslae.We left Bermuda in choppy seas and so far we are all over the place again, so not pleasant. Dink net jy is see siek met braking en diaree dit kan n gedoente afgee!!! Hoop daai kiem bly weg van my ek  gaan omtrent oorboord met die hande was en vat aan so min moontlik want dis waar die kiem aansteek as jy vat aan oppervlaktes wat gekontamineer is.

 

20 JANUARY 2024: @SEA

The day started at 5.30 with a visit to the gym and then we were awake and ready for the day, decided that we want to get up earlier so that we have time to do a few rounds on the open deck to get some fresh air for hubby spends most of his day in a area with no windows .The trip from Bermuda has been rocky and we have seen the sun for the first time today.

I have realized I need the sun in my life! At lunchtime this afternoon a Code Alpha was announced over the PA system and was very sad to hear that it was a crew member and that she passed away. Die is omtrent n skok en mens voel skoon omgekrap want jy besef daar is n familie wat nou die slegte nuus gaan ontvang , vir my is die hartseerste die was haar laaste kontrak want haar meisiekind het nou net klaar gemaak met Universiteit. Ai die lewe en al sy hartseer,syt nie opgedaag vir werk nie en toe stuur hulle die sekuriteit na haar kajuit en toe kry hulle haar op die vloer ,hulle het probeer om haar by te bring maar dit was te laat ,dit is die 2 de sterfgeval op die kontrak,wat maar sleg en hartseer is.

Hubby got me to download RSG radio from home and what a difference that makes to hear your songs, music, talk shows and things that you know, the only thing not so nice are the negative things and bad news. Looking forward to tomorrow and just hope the weather plays along, very excited this is a once in a lifetime opportunity a trip on an Americas Cup yacht!

21 JANUARY 2024: Philipsburg St Maarten

Well, what a day I had, we arrived in St Maarten an hour late, but the sun was out on a beautiful day in the Caribbean, and I was booked on the 12 Meter Regetta excursion. Just after we were docked, we got off the ship and were escorted to the local pier to catch a ferry that would take us to our blue yacht called Stars and Stripes. The sea had a bit of swell and a light wind just what we needed to have a good time on the ocean.

We all had to sign waivers and then were asked if we wanted to participate in the manning of the yacht, I did not have a clue what that would mean but decided why not, so signed up! Our Captain then said once we were on the yacht, he would explain what he wanted us to do and would let us practice before we got going, so that made me feel better. Had to hold on and get our sea legs fast while getting onto the yacht from the ferry, for the yachts were anchored off the bay.

I was told that I would be winching so said that s fine just show me and I am ready. Was just so excited to be sailing and doing this for the first time, have seen the yachts on TV but this was real! We did a few practice rounds but got the hang of it quickly so off we went and after about 30 minutes we got to the starting line where the race started between the 2 yachts.

I changed my name to TJ for the captain had to call my name and instruct me when I needed to release and do things and my name was just too weird for him, also use TJ when in Starbucks when they mark our food and call you when it is ready. Can’t make a mistake with initials, se maar is deel van TJ, dis sy naam op die skip.

Well now I know what is expected from you when you are the wincher on a yacht en o genade is werk en n gedoente om alles te laat werk en die seiljag te laat gaan waar jy wil he hy moet gaan.So bly ek het besluit om deel te neem want dit was so lekker en pret. Being on the ocean on a yacht is just magical and would love to do it again that thrill of moving over the water in the swells was awesome, loved every minute, only problem the time went by much too soon.

All the people on this tour just loved it, chatted to an older man who only decided to do it last minute and he was so glad he decided to do it. Even had a race route a referee boat with buoys that we had to race to and around. We were so lucky to have nice weather after all the miserable weather from New York and in Bermuda.

It all ended to soon, we had free drinks on the yacht, and I ended up having 2 beers that I don’t normally drink but all the excitement and work had me very thirsty, so the Carib Lagers went down quickly. Was nice just sitting on the side of the yacht on our way back and enjoying the views with our feet hanging over the side of the yacht, chilling.

The views of the setting sun late afternoon were magical and got to take some beautiful pics and videos. By the time I got to bed last night I was pooped all the excitement of the day het sy tol geeis het geslaap soos n baba. So dankbaar vir die geleentheid om die te beleef, sal dit vir enigiemand aanbeveel.

22 JANUARY 2024: ST THOMAS USVI

We were up early again and had a nice walk on deck 16. More people were up and around this morning for we were going to be docking at about 7. After hubby left for work, I went to the SPAR for a visit to the steam room and made a stop in the sauna that I don’t normally do for don’t really like it but decided to try anyway, had the place to myself for most people get off on port days so that was nice.

The heated pool has these jets in that give you a good massage alles wat kan skud word geskud,goed glo vd boude en bobene.Na n stort was dit tyd vir ontbyt en terwyl ek nog so sit kondig hulle aan dat dit nou weer drill oefening tyd is so ek is met n spoed daar weg om betyds af te klim voor ek in die kajuit vasgekeer word.

Besluit om vandag op te gaan met die Skyride na Paradise Point net so bokant die skip met die mooiste uitsig oor die deel van die eiland waar ons dok. Had the most stunning views on a perfect day and decided to do it just in case we have terrible weather on our next visit. Had a Bahama Mama with this beautiful view over the bay, took a nice photo of it with the bay in the backround maar hyt my plat getrek so spot en se lyk my ek moet eerder by my wyn hou. Was vrek lekker maar sou beslis nie nog een kon vat nie dan sou my kop beslis draai.

Teen die tyd was ek weer lus vir die skip en sal volgende keer dalk na die middedorp toe gaan met n taxi,hulle eintlik lekker om in te ry, sulke oop voertuie so wind in die hare tydens jou rit.Die middedorp is n hele ent  se stap more is dit weer San Juan in Puerto Rico,sien nogal uit na dit want ook net so n mooi plek. Will try to go on an excursion with our next visit.

23 JANUARY 2024: SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

We had a good night’s sleep and arrived in San Juan early this morning, I still wanted to get up to watch us sailing into this beautiful port, but the bed got the better of me. Hubby had to get going early for he had a patient that was going to go to hospital as soon we docked. I decided to wait for him so had to wait until 11 before he could get off but decided to rather make use of the SPAR and its facilities while I waited. It is just so relaxing and calming, a good space to go to, to escape all the noise and buzz of the ship.

Once off we decided to go for a walk and ended up sitting in the most comfortable chairs along the sea. Later we walked into the mid-town area to get us an ice-cream and were disappointed that our old café did not exist anymore so had to go looking for another place. There were 3 ships docked in the port today so that meant thousands of passengers, was busy and people all over the place not our favorite thing! Hubby went back and I decided to do a little more walking around but that did not last long, think I prefer to do most of my walking early morning and not in the afternoon. Took a few photos and then decided to also return to our cabin for an afternoon siesta.

Next visit we might walk to a beach that we discovered on one of our trips and a nice place just to get away and lie on the beach, the sea is a bit rough in that area so am not too keen on swimming there.

At last, I got my self-stick remote button to work so today was my first try so we will see how it goes, as usual hubby not impressed with any photos or videos. Some things don’t change!! Think I need to accept that now and if I do get him to sit for a 1 pic, be happy. The weather has been nice and not too hot think today was 25 degrees with a little bit of wind.

We left port at 15h00 which is not a great time for would have been great if we had the whole day to walk around in this beautiful city, so many things to see and do and not enough time, so next visit I think I am going to get off as soon as we dock so can be walking around by 8. I want to start at the Fort San Cristobal that we pass on our way in, it has the most stunning views over the ocean and then up and down all the colorful streets with their amazing architecture.

Ek sit nou in die eetsaal en hier sit nou 2 ou tannies oorkant my giggle en lag dat dit bars nou weet ek nie is daar drank betrokke nie maar is nou besig met wyn drink ,praat n taal wat ek nie herken nie maar hulle twee het nou n lekker tyd!!! That’s the way to go of wat se ek!.Dink het te lank in die stoom kamer vanoggend vertoef so nou drink ek maar water dat dit bars want voel nie te fris nie.

More is ons in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic ek is so bly ons dok in die nuwe port area en is glo vreeslik mooi en die skip gaste kan alles gebruik en  dit is nie oop vir die publiek nie waaroor ek bly is want laas is ons op straat dagga aangebied en het mens nie baie veilig gevoel nie,moes ook n hele ents tap tot in die dorp area.So my plan is om dan net in die port area alles te gaan verken en dalk nog op die lazyriver te ry dit lyk so lekker op die TV.Die see is tans weer rowwerig en ons rol maar lekker rond,weet nie of die dansers sal kan aangaan met hulle vertonings nie.

24 JANUARY 2024: PUERTO PLATA DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

Hubby corrected me about being offered some grass to smoke it was in Jamaica so got my ports and counties wrong. Was warned that it could be dangerous once I left the port area and should be vigilant so that was not very nice to hear.

We got up early and had a good workout, getting there slowly, I decided to visit the Spar today for won’t be able to use the facilities for the next 4 days so made the most of it and the weather was terrible wanted to wait and see if it would be getting any better through the morning. Packed all my things so I would be ready to leave the ship after breakfast but while up on deck 15 I saw that the weather was getting worse so decided was not going to walk around in the rain and with such a hectic wind a umbrella would not work either so made the call to wait until 12 and if no change I would rather stay on board and wait for our next visit to this port.

Just as well I did not get off for the rain came down in buckets felt like a mini storm so made a good call, heard passengers saying that they got drenched from head to toe!! Had some lunch and then back to bed for a sleep. Was interesting to see that the area where we were docked the water was brown and it was pushed out to sea for a distance, realized that the sea water and fresh water don’t mix like I saw in the Amason. So, we are on our way back to New York for the next 2 days and am expecting rough seas going to be weird going from hot and humid 25 degrees to cold and icy New York City we have been ready for that this time round. Want to see if I can visit some nice coffee and cake shops.

25 JANUARY 2024: @SEA

We have been sailing very slowly on our way back to NYC at least the sun was out today so that was great for all the passengers, and they were at the pool area enjoying the sunshine while they can. I must be off the ship before 9 tomorrow morning so going to walking around on my own for hubby can only get off at about 11 so he will be visiting Starbucks on his own for some nice coffee. I want to try and find a smart coffee shop with delicious cakes so we will see want to go in the opposite direction as last week look for new things to see.

Saw on TV that the people had there umbrellas out in New York and the snow has melted think it is still going to be very cold. We will be sailing at 15h00 so I need to be back 14h00 but always come back earlier just in case something pops up I prefer to be back early then I know no rushing or running to be back on time. Had a scare once when the departure time had changed due to a change in our itinerary and when I left the ship, they still had the old departure time up, so will never forget that feeling, made it just in time. So, tomorrow is the beginning of week 3.