Today, Monday the 3rd is a beautiful day at sea which has given me time to figure out a bit more about how this blogging works. Communication has been slow to impossible. Not sure that is because of the operator or the shipboard internet. Still haven’t learned how to send pictures which I’m sure you are all much more interested in than my musing, but this is what you get today.
Upon arrival at the beautiful Fairmont in San Francisco we were given a $92 voucher for breakfast the next day. Trying to hide my shock at such a ridiculus sum for a mere breakfast, I thanked them and then told Tommy, “No way I can eat $46 of breakfast!” I was right on that, the tab the next morning was $93.86 without alchol OR tip. Welcome to San Francisco prices. It was a delicious breakfast. Following breakfast, we strolled the grounds, took some pictures, and got ready to board our ship. Our boarding was delayed due to the fact that the ship was being ever so carefully sanitized. It seems, due to the coronavirus CDC has suggested extra sterilizing process which Oceania has implemented fleet wide. It’s really no inconvenience to us and greatly appreciated by me.
First stop was Santa Barbara which we chose to sit out. Took some pics from ship but didn’t take the tender to shore. Second day was San Diego which we did explore. Took a bay sightseeing cruise, then a cab over to Coronada to the grand old hotel there for lunch. They have captured much of the history of the hotel in photos on display in one of their shops as the lobby is being refreshed. Stolled along the beach and then back to our beautiful home away from home.
Next excursion was my infamous Camel Ride! What a hoot! It was a 1 hump but 2 people seater. Got on from a platform supposedly making it easier to mount. Haven’t attempted anything remotely resembling the splits since probably high school until then. Wasn’t easy, but after calling on Jesus for help I finally made it AND, I didn’t fall off and break anything. Yay, Me! They of course would not let you take pictures so that you would have to purchase theirs – which I did. Two that will be sent along when I learn to do that on this blog. After a stroll thru the dessert accompanied by a lesson on local vegetation, a nice meal, a lesson on how to make tortilla’s (thanks just the same, I’ll buy mine at Bayside because that is just too much like work), a tequilla tasting which I passed on, watching the sun set over the beautiful Pacific, dark fell and we were told it was time to leave. Dario, our guide who had been quite enjoyable up to that point, ruined any hope of a generous tip when he took us to our ride. It was an open wagon pulled by a tractor. Remember, it was dark and getting chilly. Had doubts whether Dario was actually going to be drawn and quartered at that point. As it turned out we simply had to ride in that contraption for about a mile to the highway where a nice warm comfy bus awaited. All in all another fantastic day.
Next day was a perfect day at sea. I took advantage of my very thoughtful Christmas gift and had a pedicure, the other usual pursuits of eating, exercising, bridge, eating, a little dancing, a lot of nothing followed by more eating. I’m trying to still think rainbow, but must admit, I’ve slipped a few times. Is lobster high in colestral?
Then we arrived in Ixtapa. Went in to town on our own, shopped a very little, had a beer, sat by the sea and watched the world go round. All this activity could be habit forming. Just saying.
Yesterday we were in Acapulco where we went to see the cliff divers. Spectacular show. The divers must be in the same blood line as the original fishermen who started diving off that cliff for “fun” sometime mid-century. They generally start at about 12 to 14 then retire at about 48-50. We were told that there had never been a fatality. Broken bones, yes, but no deaths. Women aren’t forbidden, but due to structural differencies, adult women find it more difficult. There was one young girl who dove from the lower cliff, but rest were men. Interestingly enough, they crossed themselves before diving. Following was some typical Mexican dancers preforming. Really neat. Next came an informative, delightful tour of beautiful Acapulco. Never been before, but certainly a place to consider in future.
We arrived back on ship in time for the big Super Bowl game watching party. To say there were technical difficulties is an understatement. “It’s 3rd and goal from the 8. . . blank screen and no sound for two or three minutes. Then it seemed to always come back on for the stupid commercials. You do understand it wasn’t the cute expensive ones, it was for the movie about Michael Vick, The Masters, etc, etc. Oh well, glad the Chiefs won and another Longhorn now has a Super Bowl ring.
Tommy just returned from the lecture on immigration so I’ll log off for now.
This IS someday. Make it count.
2020 Around the World Tour 