Cruising 2019

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 - Cartagena, Columbia                                                             The "Old" Cartagena The city of Cartagena, known in the colonial era as Cartagena de Indias, is a major port founded in 1533, located on the northern coast of Columbia in the Caribbean Coast Region. It was strategically located between the Magdalena and Sinu rivers and became the main port for trade between Spain and its overseas empire, establishing its importance by the early 1540s.  During the colonial era it was a key port for the export of Peruvian silver to Spain and for the import of African slaves under the asiento system.  It was defensible against pirate attacks in the Caribbean.   Cartagena is the capital of the Bolivar Department, and has a population of 971,592 as of 2016.  It is the fifth largest city in Columbia and the second largest in the region, after Barranquilla.  The urban area of Cartagena is also the fifth largest urban area in the

Tuesday, October 29, 2019 - Colon, Panama About 50 miles northwest of Panama City, Colon is home to the northern gateway of the Panama Canal as well as Afro-Caribbean descendants of those workers who helped build the canal in the early 20th century.  Colon's greatest claim to fame - and the main reason visitors come here - is the Colon Free Zone, a massive shopping showroom where wholesalers retailers and the general public shop.  You'll also find Colon 2000, a cruise ship port with restaurants, a supermarket, and shops selling duty-free merchandise.  Just west of the city, at the mouth of the Charges River, Fort San Lorenzo is a well preserved colonial military structure.  Colon is the second-most populous city in Panama by population. Today I was scheduled for the Monkey Watch and Canal Nature Cruise touted to be a wealth of sight and sound combined with the thrill of speeding through the Panama Canal next to the mighty ships transiting  this manmade wonder.   I was to

Monday, October 28, 2019 - Panama Canal Following the failure of a French construction team in the 1880s, the United States commenced building a canal across a 50-mile stretch of the Panama Isthmus in 1904. The project was helped by the elimination of disease-carrying mosquitoes, while chief engineer, John Stevens devised innovative techniques and spurred the crucial redesign from a sea-level to a lock canal.  His successor, Lt. Col. George Washington Goethals, stepped up excavation efforts of a stubborn mountain range and oversaw the building of the dams and locks.  Opened in 1914, oversight of the world famous Panama Canal was transferred from the United States to Panama in 1999.  Bolstered by the addition of Madden Dam in 1935, the Panama Canal proved a vital component to expanding global trade routes in the 20th Century.  The transition to local oversight began with a 1977 treaty signed by U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panama leader Omar Torrijos, with the Panama Canal Authori

Sunday, October 27, 2019 - Day at Sea Lovely wine from Italy being offered by Seabourn at no extra charge - quite delicious! Think it would cost somewhere between $21 and $26. Got my hair "fixed" in the afternoon - cut and color, then a short rest. Beautiful sunset this evening! Enjoyed a wonderful Japanese themed dinner out on the back deck in the Colonnade with the two ladies who generate lots of laughter.   Weather was balmy, with just enough of a cool breeze, could hear the ship churning the wake, drank good wine, the Condrieu once again - all in all, a lovely evening. Finishing our wine out on the pool deck. Dined on Sashimi, Lobster Tempura and Beef Teppanyaki - delicious!!

Saturday, October 26, 2019 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica As the closest coastal town to San Jose, Puntarenas was once Costa Ria's prosperous, coffee-exporting gateway to the Pacific, and a popular escape for landlocked Ticos. Some still come here on weekends, but during the week, the activity along the oceanfront promenade slows to a languid pace - all the better to enjoy the beachfront sodas (inexpensive eateries) and busy market.  Puntarenas, the city's ferry terminal Is a convenient way to connect to the pristine beaches of southern Nicoya, and Puntarenas is also the jumping off point for the almost mystical Isla del Coco. Its Casa de la Cultura is a cultural center with a theater and art gallery.  On the main boulevard, Paseo de los Tourists, Parque Marino del Pacifico includes an aquarium and rescue center with seahorses, turtles and crocodiles.  The town beach, Playa Puntarenas, is backed by shops and cafes.  Southeast of town, Playa Dona Ana is a beach known for strong sur

Friday, October 25, 2019 - At Sea A very quiet day yesterday, at sea - except for an exceptional round of Team Trivia - we rocked!!  Bonus question at the end was to name all of Henry VII wives and how they ended, or survived.   After much discussion, writing furiously and sharing ideas, we submitted our answers, and believe we got them all correct!!   WOW!   We all felt like geniuses!! Here's a photo of my favorite waiter on the pool deck, Steve, and a bottle of wine that was recommended to me by Joanna, head Sommelier, because she knows I love Viognier.  It's from the northern part of the Rhone -  very good, but believe my favorite is still Lambert Bridge Viognier.   The difficulty with drinking this wine outside on deck, is that it heated up in our glasses too quickly - won't order it again unless inside.    Had such high hopes for our dinner last evening with assistant Cruise Director, Jessica. John and Sandi, she was our Assistant Cruise Director on th

Thursday, October 24, 2019 - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala Puerto Quetzal, on Guatemala's Pacific coast, serves as a gateway to the inland attractions of this Central American country.  As with most central American countries the populations centers are located in the more temperate central highlands, rather than along the humid, tropical coasts. Not unlike Mexico 30 years ago, Guatemala has to be the most colorful country in Central America and second only to Peru in all the Americas.  It offers superb, jungle encrusted Maya pyramid complexes, gorgeous smoking volcanic landscapes, wildlife crammed rainforests, magnificent colonial towns and colorful ethnic people with curious customs. Left out of the above description is that outside feels like one huge, ongoing sauna!! . . . and it does not seem to ease up that much in the evenings!   Had good intentions to go into the town today - a $5 cab ride.   While on the ship, asked an Aussie how town was, to which he replied:  "

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - Puerto Chiapas, Chiapas, Mexico Puerto Chiapas is a small port on the Southern West Coast of Mexico.   The port entrance lies about 13 kilometers northwest of the mouth of the Suchiate River which is the international boundary between Mexico and Guatemala.  It is the gateway to Mexican state Chiapas where you can find various interesting cities and tourist sites.  This is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the history and cultivation of coffee, bananas and cocoa.  There are several plantations you can visit in the area.  Puerto Chiapas is also the port from where you can visit the city of Tapachula.  This historic town offers lovely museums and shops with local produce. This is one of the most beautiful and inviting ports I've ever seen! It's like we've docked in the middle of a beautiful park! The two photos above are taken from my balcony.  The pool was accessed by many guests on the ship - quite large - bel

Wednesday, October 22, 2019 - Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico A tropical dreamscape, Huatulco is a small resort in Oaxaca where the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains meet the Pacific Ocean approximately 500 Jim south of Acapulco, Guerrero.  Until the airport was modernized in the 2000's there was no easy way down to Huatulco, and even today the only international flights come from Chicago and various airports in Canada.  The resort has nine bays and 36 beaches along 30 kilometers of untouched coastline.  On land are waterfalls, canyons and coffee and tropical fruit plantations.  Four different sea turtles inhabit the ocean at Huatulco's National Park, joined by a whole spectrum of other marine specie3s like angelfish butterfly fish, rays dolphins, yellowfin tuna and whales that migrate here in winter.  A trip to Huatulco will be a whirlwind of snorkeling, diving, boat trips to deserted beaches and mountain adventures to villages and farms in primal jungle. T

Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21, 2019 - Two Days at Sea Awoke to very grey skies and it is raining!   But, it's super humid - another UGH!!  Thank the Lord for air conditioning. Today will be Team Trivia and a wine tasting.   Though these tastings have been offered on other cruises, have never participated - should be fun.   And, tonight I dine with Emma Abel.   She is delightful and it should be another good table.   Will report more later. ************** Caramel Cookies recipe delivered to my suite by Chef Lindsay Lewis. Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated white sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup caramel chips 3/4 cup walnut pieces (not in original recipe, but in cookies eaten today!) Preheat over to 375 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper and then set aside. Add butter, sugars, eggs