Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Today was the fifth anniversary of Sue’s passing. We especially enjoyed Colleen’s message on her Facebook account! Sue is indeed missed by all!
But life must continue, and Mary and I must do just that!!
Today, we get to relax! We got up at 7:00 am and piddled around the cabin, having a cup of coffee and watching Baja California pass by; we were sailing about twenty miles offshore.
Mary had a brainstorm, “Let’s go to the hot tub!” So we dressed in our swimming costumes and went to the “adults only” hot tubs! Mary bought me a hollowed-out pineapple that was filled with gin martinis! Slurp and burp, and it was gone. I was ready to jump in!
With my newly added confidence (gin does that to me), I did a high dive into the hot tub, sending a wave of water down the stairs and onto the deck. The next sound I heard was Mary exclaiming, “Who is that idiot?” I knew I was in trouble when Security showed up.
The only good thing was that I put my thong on correctly, and my little blow-up ducky arm floaters worked well because I did NOT sink! Later on in the day, I pondered whether or not it was the little blow-up duckies for the alcohol that kept me afloat.
I am so lucky! My thing fits no matter which way I put it on!
After my diving exhibition, we went to the trough (called the Windjammer Cafe) and had a quick breakfast before returning to our room to rest before the next meal. I should be more respectful and not call it “The Piggery.”
Next, we went to the Taste Of The Caribbean with Jon and Sarah. It was held at the Bamboo Room restaurant in the mall’s center.
It was quiet and peaceful inside (until we got there!)
The girls had on the appropriate attire!
Did You Know? Rum is also known as “Nelson’s Blood” because Admiral Lord Nelson’s body was submerged in rum after he died at the Battle of Trafalgar.
We went to the Bamboo Room and found great seats. There were only 14 of us today!
We received a complete recipe and history for the six rum drinks. It was fascinating to see how many drinks one could make with Rum!
They had us make six different rum drinks.
Jon and I checked Wikipedia to ensure we got the correct story. The bartenders did a good job!!
The drink’s history (as best they knew) was provided to us.
When it came Jon’s turn, he did not need measuring devices!
Jon volunteered.
The drinks were colorful and healthy, full of vitamin C due to the orange, pineapple, and lime juices used.
My little two-fisted drinker.
Who needs an electric shaker when you have Jon? The ladies in the group keep yelling, “Shake your booty,” whatever that means.
Jon and I were putting away the drinks, and being good guys, we assisted our ladies in drinking the results.
Here are some trivia facts about rum:
The origin of the word “rum” is unclear, but it may come from the word “rumbullion,” which means “uproar.”
History: Rum was first purified in the 1620s in the Caribbean and West Indies.
Use as medicine: Rum was used as a medicine.
Use as currency: Rum was used as a trading currency.
Rum and Lord Nelson: After Lord Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar, his body was submerged in a rum barrel to preserve it.
Rum and the American Revolution: The American colonists didn’t want to pay a tax on molasses to pay for the Seven Years’ War against the French.
Navy rum: The term “Navy Rum” dates back to the 18th century when sailors celebrated at the end of each day.
Rum and pirates: Many rums are named after pirates, including Captain Morgan, Pirate’s Grog, and Kraken.
Needless to say, we enjoyed our drink-making session, and we have even signed up for whiskey tasting tomorrow!
Like grandson, like grandpa.
Now, the professional has a chance to impress everybody. In addition to the usual ingredients, Sarah brought bat wings, the eye of a newt, and fish feathers. She decided not to scare everyone, so she did not wear her black pointed hat.
Sarah added some class to the bar staff.
You go, girl!
Mary enjoyed the activity, and we all wore our newly found T-shirts.
Like the T-shirts??
I drank everything but the last one, rum and ginger beer, yuch!
We tasted them all.
We decided to recreate the scene of the crime. Four people and twenty-four glasses of Rum, there has to be a song about that somewhere!
Grandpa Paul finished each of his creations (except the Ginger Beer).
The girls were able to coax us out of the Bamboo Room and go upstairs so I could grab a burger on the way to the Suite Lounge, where a deck of cards was waiting. out
The girls made sure we made it to the destination.
We escaped for the Bamboo Room and arrived at the fourteenth-floor lounge.
Mary had her marked cards, and we played four rounds of Crazy Eights. Why is it called Crazy Eights? The game first appeared as Eights in the 1930s, and the name Crazy Eights dates to the 1940s. It is derived from the United States military designation for the discharge of mentally unstable soldiers, Section 8.
We played Crazy-8s in the lounge after downing a hamburger.
After departing the lounge, we rested for a few minutes and headed to the spa for a couples massage! Oh my, that did me in. I was out like a lite within 30 seconds. When they were done, Mary and I wobbled to the room to get fancied up for dinner.
Dinner? Oh my!!
We found a dark booth in the corner of the Grille and had one more glass of wine before the kids arrived. I was so full from the burger I had three hours earlier that I ordered a salad and some Mac and cheese! All four of us were so relaxed after the massage! Oh my!
The Grille is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the main dining rooms.
We decided tonight was a great night to go to the room and crash. We did so!
We saw a Princess Ship heading for San Pedro out the window. She is supposed to dock on Thursday evening.
A fellow cruise ship began to pass us late in the day!
The last thing I remember is the news showing how things have changed.
We Were Not The Only Ones Traveling!
2/19 – landed in Santiago, Chile after an 11hr. flight. on an older 787 Dreamliner. Had an economy seat against the window that gave a semi recline, some leg space in front and with a great wrap around neck pillow Maggie gifted me with, and the 1st class comfort pouch from Mary (nightmask, chap stick, hand lotion, etc.) I was ready for the 11 hr. flight. We landed in Santiago at 6:00 a.m. and after clearing customs was greeted by Holland America staff, who directed us to the nearest coffee shop, Starbucks. I was happily surprised to find the “Chile” coffee mug “Been There” series to add to my travel collection. About an hour later, Holland America had us board busses for the 2 hr. ride to the port, however it was actually a tour company that had suddenly been contracted by Holland America due to an outbreak of Norovirus on the Rotterdam ship over in Florida which had every ship in the fleet under an emergency directive to sanitize top to bottom. The Oosterdam having just returned from Antarctica had to deboard and sanitize which delayed our boarding time by 3 hrs. so we got a land tour and overview of the Chilean sights and a view of the beginning of the Andes mountains and a look at some vineyards as we passed thru. We stopped for 3 hrs. at a cafe/wine bar mini-mall and I was able to take a power nap before we got to the port. With Maggie’s priority access we were in Group 1 and walked right to our cabin and was surprised by our luggage waiting in our room. We were unpacked and clinking our first glass of sparkling bubbly in no time, dedicating our first day and Bon Voyage to Sue. Next stop was the Spa Hydro pool for rejuvenation after the 24 hr. travel day, then it was lights out.
