tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64336779026249026262024-03-08T04:05:37.011-08:00Travel TimeJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-39045321381710959902008-10-16T02:10:00.001-07:002008-10-16T02:10:11.795-07:00Day Eighteen: In Which We Take A Short Trip to EPCOT, and Then Fly Home, No Thanks to Thrifty.<p>Departure day--it seems remarkable that it's here already.  At the beginning of the trip, it seemed an impossibly long way away, but here we are at last.  </p> <p>We say goodbye to Roger Rabbit from the elevator vestibule, and manage to trudge all our luggage down to the Bell Desk for storage until it's time to catch the Magical Express.  Then, it's off to EPCOT.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE2bWkhtI/AAAAAAAAH2g/D1xtFn0QBR8/DSC08346%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08346" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE2qk_MFI/AAAAAAAAH2k/xmRbvASkBh4/DSC08346_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> No, you don't have cataracts.  My camera always fogs up when I walk out of the room because it's so hot outside.</p> <p>Once at EPCOT we make a beeline for Soarin' for fastpasses, and then, as tradition would have it, we ride Living With the Land and manage to not sing "Listen to the Land" out loud.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE3fSU5SI/AAAAAAAAH2o/r6E8hkoFfO8/DSC08348%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE3qY8mkI/AAAAAAAAH2s/d7zRNFjGzrQ/DSC08348_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE4JfHKHI/AAAAAAAAH20/gQVLCB1U9pE/DSC08353%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08353" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE4WiK7UI/AAAAAAAAH24/Gsi6HcTrKVA/DSC08353_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Afterwards, hunger demands attention, so we have a relatively forgettable lunch at Sunshine Seasons, inside the pavilion.  Apparently it's so forgettable I didn't take any photos of it, and then promptly forgot it.  Anyway, by the time we're finished, it's time for our fastpass, so we ride Soarin' which is always fun, although I think they could clean the film up a little, as the dust specks are becoming evident.</p> <p>Our flight is at 6:40pm, so our Magical Express is at 3:30pm.  We figure we'll leave around 1pm to have ample time to gas up and return the car, and then get back to the Pop.  With that in mind, we take our last ride for the trip on Spaceship Earth.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE5KIF63I/AAAAAAAAH28/vq_EW2skKKY/DSC08357%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08357" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE5Yx3_DI/AAAAAAAAH3A/-4NzByGo0uY/DSC08357_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE6DoMDBI/AAAAAAAAH3E/rpo5qT-zC5M/DSC08366%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08366" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE6hAGpLI/AAAAAAAAH3I/Ug65Q8saILw/DSC08366_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The Judi Dench narration is grating and condescending, but we still like the little animations at the end that tell you of your future in a charmingly retro-fashion.</p> <p>We take our leave of EPCOT and gas up the car with no problems.  Our Nuvi directs us competently to the car rental place, and we check in, again with no problems.  We still have 45 minutes to get back, so everything seems going swimmingly.  The Thrifty lady calls for the shuttle and we sit down to wait...</p> <p>And wait...</p> <p>And wait...</p> <p>After several hysterical proddings from us, she finally calls for a different driver who ultimately shows up.  By now, however, about 40 minutes have passed, and there is pretty much no chance of our making it there on time.  This is compounded by the fact that the driver appears to not know how to get to the Pop, as evidenced by the fact that she drives right past the turn-off. After we give her some direction (during which she continues to insist that she knows where it is, "it's just these roads!...") we finally get there--in time to see the bus pulling out, as we drive in.</p> <p>After some more hysteria, the Bellguys assure us another bus is coming in 20 minutes, and say we can probably get on that one, which we do.  They don't play the departure video on the monitors, which only serves to point up the non-magicalness of the Express when you're going home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE65CIytI/AAAAAAAAH3M/oMJiwBOIMs8/IMG_0064%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="IMG_0064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE7HIsFcI/AAAAAAAAH3Q/rcHkCEYWQZc/IMG_0064_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> We say goodbye to the Pop, and breathe a sigh of relief as we pull out towards the airport, still over 2 hours before our flight.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the calm lasts only until we get to the airport, where we have to face up to carting all 8 pieces of check-in and carry-on luggage up to the check-in desks, and then having to rearrange Mom's suitcase which proves to be 2 pounds over the limit.  Frankly, I think their scales are off, as the removal of only a few magazines drops it 2 pounds under the limit, but in the end they take it, without extorting any more money from us, and we are grateful.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE7VEq7kI/AAAAAAAAH3U/eMuzfKkNhjc/DSC08370%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08370" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE7_HhrVI/AAAAAAAAH3Y/Cq3oTODCp64/DSC08370_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> After making our way through security and riding the monorail to the next terminal, we reach our gate with even enough time to go to the restroom before lining up in the odd signposts Southwest uses to manage the boarding crush.  We manage to get seats in the exit row, and enjoy an uneventful flight home...at least we think it's uneventful, as we pass out for the rest of the way, rousing only for the connection in Dallas, where we reflect on the eventful last 18 days, filled with buffets, and horseback riding, ziplining and jetboats, Broadway shows, and chocolate-covered strawberries.</p> <p>Thus endeth the Panama Canal narrative.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE8chJ0iI/AAAAAAAAH3c/wijScNbVGYs/DSC08290%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08290" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPcE8l5BadI/AAAAAAAAH3g/aGTy5R4P_ok/DSC08290_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a></p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-64160079490579467912008-10-14T22:27:00.001-07:002008-10-15T04:57:26.330-07:00Day Seventeen: In Which We Enjoy the Magic Kingdom and I Take A Lot of Photos of the Castle.<p>I don't care if it's been nine years since we went on this trip.  I'm going to finish this blog anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXaKJutpKI/AAAAAAAAHoE/B5fJqlzvwD4/DSC08274%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08274" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXaKWdiwhI/AAAAAAAAHoI/47ZXdQFJRUU/DSC08274_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After our usual late start (how anti-touring plan!) we make our way to the Polynesian, where we split a bowl of overpriced, yet tasty, chicken chow mein and vegetable chips.  Ah, to have to pay for our own food again!  How the mighty have fallen.  Finishing up, we toddle off to the Magic Kingdom for some quality ride time.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXaK-v0cEI/AAAAAAAAHoM/k35dBSHlDZE/IMG_0061%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="772" alt="IMG_0061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXal00NRLI/AAAAAAAAHoQ/pwlB2V9xuBc/IMG_0061_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="580" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXamRJ0CSI/AAAAAAAAHoU/HcSE1P4_5Q8/DSC08278%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08278" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXamtKaxHI/AAAAAAAAHoY/SDxI3TgEGkY/DSC08278_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </a> </p> <p>It's a nice day, and the crowds are not too oppressive.  Also it doesn't rain on us, which is always a plus.  We manage to finish off all the Fantasyland rides in short order, and, breaking with our usual counter-clockwise tradition, we decide to be rebels and go to Tomorrowland next.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPQMn8F6TdI/AAAAAAAAHWE/0360vJIxJvk/DSC08286%5B3%5D.jpg"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXamwrC1gI/AAAAAAAAHoc/IcyDBxruQuM/DSC08281%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08281" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXanCRu0YI/AAAAAAAAHog/nfRtELWZhGQ/DSC08281_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXanndyT_I/AAAAAAAAHok/KWiu3uCmobA/DSC08286%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08286" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXanz5D57I/AAAAAAAAHoo/yLnO2Phe7wA/DSC08286_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </a>  </p> <p>Our favorite ride there, that's not at Disneyland, remains the Peoplemover, which is, of course, not called the Peoplemover there.  But, for those of us who kick it old school, it will always be the Peoplemover.  As usual, we have a moment of silence as we pass by the model of the City of the Future, which was Walt's final dream, which was summarily dismissed as soon as he died.  And that's why we don't have flying cars today.</p> <p>After I beat Mom at Buzz Lightyear again and we once again decide to skip Stitch's Great Escape, we cross the hub and finally catch a showing of the (relatively) new forecourt show, "Dream Along With Mickey."</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXaoAJ_bVI/AAAAAAAAHos/26LHD0hloQM/DSC08299%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08299" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXaopDQKBI/AAAAAAAAHow/-puyXIWQBcE/DSC08299_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXao4i0_CI/AAAAAAAAHo0/NJilPlaYwuE/DSC08303%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08303" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXapc66eEI/AAAAAAAAHo4/OXYp_GmjJKI/DSC08303_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The new articulated heads now add a greater element of verisimilitude to all the characters.  It also ensures that, just like with real people, you'll pretty much always get someone with their eyes closed in any photo.  The show involves that wacky madcap Donald, who apparently doesn't believe in the power of dreams--a Dream Atheist, as it were.  The others are shocked, and determine to show the power of dreams by sharing their dreams...which just happen to involve <strong>Princesses</strong> and <strong>Pirates</strong>!  Who would have thought?  You know, they ought to have some merchandise about those things.  I bet it would sell well.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPQMrd67DCI/AAAAAAAAHWk/cH1Vvi5f68A/DSC08305%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08305" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV-_TTVNyI/AAAAAAAAHXM/lltYprmNGVM/DSC08305_thumb5.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV-_8yezjI/AAAAAAAAHXQ/ywk99R3UCeg/DSC083073.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08307" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_AMyWraI/AAAAAAAAHXU/wMZHWk1yvo8/DSC08307_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>What I find really amusing, is that they looked at the guy in the duck suit, and said, "you know, it's probably not <em>hot enough</em>, in Florida, in the 100 degree heat, for you to be dancing and gyrating around--let's add a <em>hat</em> and a <em>longcoat</em> on top of it!"  Anyway, Donald has a good time as a pirate, until Captain Hook shows up and shows off his new face, which appears to me to be sort of a segue from a full head costume to a complete face character.  Certainly his head is a good deal smaller than it used to be.</p> <p>Eventually, it all becomes too silly for Malificent who shows up to take over everything...because if you lose your belief in your dreams, evil women will come down from Alaska and take over everything!  Wait, that was another story...</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_AjQakvI/AAAAAAAAHXY/3L6sBwIBxxo/DSC083083.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08308" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_A0kmqXI/AAAAAAAAHXc/N6EX8Jzw_w8/DSC08308_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_BJqfVkI/AAAAAAAAHXg/1TS2N8k0w6Y/DSC083092.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08309" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_Bfi1XyI/AAAAAAAAHXk/ao2k8f0PkJY/DSC08309_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ultimately, good triumphs, and Malificent slinks away, down but not eliminated, as she promises to be back the next time someone's faith in their dreams wavers, or the next election.  Whichever comes first.</p> <p>After admiring some pavement-painters decorating the hub, we continue on our way to the left side of the park, and enjoy the Country Bears and manage to stay awake for a change.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_B8ddNOI/AAAAAAAAHXo/VgjO0LjaCw8/DSC082933.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08293" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_CKJgz7I/AAAAAAAAHXs/f8xtd79r6Kk/DSC08293_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_CacmPyI/AAAAAAAAHXw/7_OfSEHZeUw/DSC083113.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08311" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_Cjjk5jI/AAAAAAAAHX0/nAw2ScYwdHs/DSC08311_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After going to Tokyo Disneyland, I'm always hoping for a House Curry restaurant right outside Country Bears, but no.</p> <p>Finally, the line for Jungle Cruise shrinks to the point where we feel like waiting in it.  The skipper is a little better than last time, probably because the heat isn't quite as crushing, but it still wants for some improvement.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_C0avOXI/AAAAAAAAHX4/V1J93Bjmw8E/DSC083193.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08319" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_DXNcp4I/AAAAAAAAHX8/rJGYJaiPBio/DSC08319_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_DloL34I/AAAAAAAAHYA/MAFSHhD24Ik/DSC083232.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_EaarluI/AAAAAAAAHYE/39ihqNzvfKs/DSC08323_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>When you think about it, that hyena and the zebras in back are pretty brave, considering the rhino's probably going to lose interest in the treed guys soon and look around for something else for lunch.  </p> <p>After that ride, oddly enough, we began to get hungry ("them's good eatin'!") so we decided to try the (relatively) new sushi bar back at the Polynesian.  Since Mom hates the walk up the ramp to get to the monorail, we try the boats which are closer, but definitely not the speediest way of getting around.  In the daytime, it's ok, but I refuse to take the boats at night, generally, when they turn into what we lovingly refer to as "The Mosquito Express."</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_ElwV2iI/AAAAAAAAHYI/5iwQXOV3la4/DSC08326110.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08326-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_E5joIjI/AAAAAAAAHYM/Gt9l1orG7Ik/DSC083261_thumb8.jpg" width="656" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_FA42ejI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/gvlOH3FOmCk/DSC083303.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08330" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_Fd7A1aI/AAAAAAAAHYU/x-JqwzrTwS4/DSC08330_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The sushi bar is only open at night, as it's a coffee bar in the daytime, and when we got there, we were the only ones.  The sushi menu is fairly limited, but the quality is good, and you can also order anything off the menu from the adjoining Kona Cafe.  Although there were a few things that looked good, some included the spicy tuna about which we're not crazy.  The sushi chef's name appeared to be Elwood from his tag, which we thought was a little odd for a sushi chef, but we don't discriminate.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_F3d5OGI/AAAAAAAAHYY/_aJklYm25d8/DSC083332.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_GEcZWiI/AAAAAAAAHYc/bMjurtuM630/DSC08333_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_GfH0bZI/AAAAAAAAHYg/mpxsGY4AkaQ/DSC083342.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08334" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_GnnydwI/AAAAAAAAHYk/KHK1PJsdpqE/DSC08334_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_G7Fx3jI/AAAAAAAAHYo/cJZ8ghpafDU/DSC083352.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08335" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_HGEHbQI/AAAAAAAAHYs/6j-frYeoATg/DSC08335_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We sampled the crab cake roll, and the sashimi platter, with the duck potstickers from Kona.  Everything was very tasty, and in particular the rice was cooked well, which was a relief from the sub-standard rice we had on the cruise.  It wasn't all that cheap, but at least the portion size was reasonable, and not like 1 piece/$5.</p> <p>After that, it was Extra Magic Hours back at the Magic Kingdom, so we monorailed back again and finished up Pirates of the Caribbean and a few things we hadn't done yet, and wandered around looking in the stores and things.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_HnSL-hI/AAAAAAAAHYw/mvzeDduPNFA/DSC083413.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_H7Va7UI/AAAAAAAAHY0/vKDTwS9Xpsc/DSC08341_thumb1.jpg" width="580" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_IZoSaYI/AAAAAAAAHY4/3VbB5zIzKdY/IMG_00633.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="IMG_0063" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPV_I2p_RqI/AAAAAAAAHY8/FJ66v40UwbE/IMG_0063_thumb1.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Eventually we were forced to call it a night and wandered back outside to the monorail station...where a huge line had built up.  Apparently there was some sort of malfunction with one of the monorails, and we had to wait until they carted it off and brought up another one, which took about 1/2 hour.  So it was some time before we made it back, which only forestalled the packing we had to do, in preparation for the flight home the next day.  Which is why I was wheeling some of our luggage over to the bell station at about 3am, for them to hold onto until we were ready for our Magical Express.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Journey's End.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-86997689360650118832008-10-04T23:16:00.001-07:002008-10-16T01:21:31.056-07:00Day Sixteen: In Which They Force Us Off The Boat and We Retreat To Disneyworld.<p>Disembarkation is always a pain. You have to get up at the crack of dawn, stuff all your belongings from the night before into your carry-on, and face the unenviable prospect of going back to paying for food again. In general, the air is one of misery, as the children who you heard every morning laughing and giggling down the corridors for the whole cruise are now carted off sobbing and wailing. Breakfast is at the same location that you ate at the night before, so we head off to Artist's Palette again. </p> <p>On our way there, we find the lobby completely jammed full of people waiting to get off, and the overhead announcements seem to indicate that the ship's clearance to let people out has been delayed. Consequently, all the folk trying desperately to get to the airport to meet their flights are a little peeved. We make our way cautiously around them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5eVnD3ZI/AAAAAAAAH1I/47wHV7IeX6s/DSC08254%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08254" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5ekJIE2I/AAAAAAAAH1M/2zxG0-Wi9Ig/DSC08254_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5e_DY8aI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/0xf3yHtNZ60/DSC08253-1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08253-1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5fPSV0_I/AAAAAAAAH1U/XVNuwV7ORcc/DSC08253-1_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Breakfast is corned beef hash, and hash browns. So, sort of a hash-heavy meal. While we dawdle around, they finally let people off the boat, and the hordes of people depart. We say a last goodbye to Sailor Mickey, and head out through customs with our enormous amounts of luggage with only minimal problems/hernias. After dragging everything onto the shuttle bus, we pick up our car at Thrifty and are off to our room at the Pop. Actually, it's not really that uncomplicated, as I have a huge logistical problem getting our many large bags stuffed inside the compact car (which is the crappiest car in CrappyTown. Manual locks <u>and</u> windows? Thanks Thrifty!) and it is sometime and several gallons of sweat later that we get it sorted and are away.</p> <p>After checking in, we succumb to the need for a nap, after the early rising and the subsequent game of Luggage Tetris. When we finally, groggily awake, we go to MGM as they're having Extra Magic Hours that evening.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5foPJVvI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/WmhHqaX00_8/DSC08259%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08259" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5f1Rt2QI/AAAAAAAAH1c/8vfBui7Wx8k/DSC08259_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We wander around hoping that Toy Story's line will drop below 90 minutes, and drop into Muppetvision 3-D and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5gYzXwrI/AAAAAAAAH1g/VpantTV2kcQ/DSC08261%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08261" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5glThFWI/AAAAAAAAH1k/45ecrT0V3X8/DSC08261_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5g9AWeYI/AAAAAAAAH1o/V6NHCvFiKGk/DSC08266%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08266" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5hJprXCI/AAAAAAAAH1s/LZGaceetO-E/DSC08266_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Finally, the line gets to 70 minutes right before closing, so we go for it. It is a long line, however the gameplay is great fun, and even Mom enjoys it. She particularly likes how it's easier to aim than the guns in Buzz Lightyear. I beat her handily.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5hg0asUI/AAAAAAAAH1w/5wUShenK9rw/DSC08268%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08268" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5hzY5aKI/AAAAAAAAH10/yvNoq-7cPXg/DSC08268_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5iF7eqkI/AAAAAAAAH14/TyOBsVfwf20/DSC08271%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08271" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb5idCD0-I/AAAAAAAAH18/DJitO94CrHs/DSC08271_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Tomorrow: A Day in the Magic Kingdom.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-52632683893465912742008-09-13T00:24:00.001-07:002008-10-16T01:13:05.277-07:00Day Fifteen: In Which All Good Things Must End.<p>Our last full day on the ship began with our docking at Castaway Cay.  While we heard it rained first thing in the morning, we slept through it, safely immured in our category 11 inside cabin.  By the time we got outside, it was actually fairly lovely weather, with the Flying Dutchman out to greet us, as always.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3ajueobI/AAAAAAAAHzY/9q5nNiLfk0M/DSC08212%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08212" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3bPkgpDI/AAAAAAAAHzc/WudMup71XAU/DSC08212_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We took a tram out to the main drag with the family beaches and shops and things, and wandered around there for awhile.  Then, after spectating a little at the stingray experience, we (I) decided to walk down to the adult beach.  The heat and the length of the walk caused some of us (Mom) to decompensate a little, but we eventually made it there and found some beach chairs to sit in, while looking at the sea.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3bRn_p4I/AAAAAAAAHzg/spjOl8P56NI/Castaway%20panorama%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="496" alt="Castaway panorama" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3biDbuhI/AAAAAAAAHzk/ggBnW_106tw/Castaway%20panorama_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's really a beautiful place, with the water incredibly clear and blue.  And yes, there was an interdimensional rift that made half the island a different hue when I took the photo.  I'm here to document these things for you.</p> <p>After a certain amount of lolling about (with me keeping a careful eye out for bugs, because I got bit to the point of anemia last time here,) lunchtime arrived.  We grabbed some sodas and ice cream to ward off the heat that was becoming a tad oppressive, and then trammed back to the ship for a nice lunch at Parrot Cay.  They like to tell you that the food is the same on the island as it is on the ship--not so much.  There was a lot more variety onboard, beyond the usual barbeque and mahi mahi they serve seaside.  While we ate, we were seated at the next table over from where all the entertainers were sitting.  This was amusing, as Magical Danny seemed totally amazed that with all the food onboard, people still eat hunks off the gingerbread house they display on the Christmas cruises.  Welcome to America, Magical Danny.</p> <p>More walking around the decks ensued after lunch, until people rebelled and retired back to the cabin for an afternoon nap.  We then found our next-to-last blanket animal for the cruise:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3cScCKFI/AAAAAAAAHzo/ipCyVEHOZ-A/DSC08224%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08224" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3ch3MKEI/AAAAAAAAHzs/kXQDdnd38H0/DSC08224_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> I'm going to go with "squid" for this one, but honestly, it's a little bit of a reach.</p> <p>After napping and showering were accomplished, I went out on deck to see the stunt-bike demonstration put on by Kevin Robinson, who is an X-Games gold medalist.  They constructed a little ramp alongside the ship where he did a number of jumps and <em>totally wiped out</em> once, making a good case for the wearing of helmets in such activities.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3dKw--0I/AAAAAAAAHzw/zdJI_SRsmsg/DSC08225%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08225" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3ducrV7I/AAAAAAAAHz0/SUdudY-uCYo/DSC08225_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We attended our last origami session with Ponz, the multifaceted CM, and then went off to our last show, "Remember The Magic" which was partially a variety show, involving all the entertainers we've seen in the last few days, and the continuation of a sketch started in the first day's show.  The family that was shown all happy and excited at the beginning of the cruise is totally depressed and dejected that it's all over and they have to go home, until Peter Pan and Anne-Marie come back from yesterday's show, and assure them that the magic will always continue, with "faith, trust...and a little bit of pixie dust!!"  I'm thinking a wad of cash doesn't hurt either.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3eLPjntI/AAAAAAAAHz4/tSn95gLT9Bk/DSC08232%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08232" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3eb2yr3I/AAAAAAAAHz8/8vn3HxpPMoQ/DSC08232_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3emeDmYI/AAAAAAAAH0A/RRIFhTchloI/DSC08239%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08239" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3e5JZhQI/AAAAAAAAH0E/obqjL3IxJ9k/DSC08239_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3fIXqAOI/AAAAAAAAH0I/wQ3eU3_AJ1w/DSC08236%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08236" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3fZDRAzI/AAAAAAAAH0M/niYZUN2u0gY/DSC08236_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We get our gratuity envelopes ready, and head out for the last night's dinner, entitled "'Till We Meet Again."  This had one of the best appetizers of the cruise, seared ahi, and I fall for the soup again which is a sort of watery chowder.  At least it was consistent to the end.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3fm0ArVI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/wSjQAnX9jiM/DSC08241%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3fyYJ3xI/AAAAAAAAH0U/obKRtg3Wb2A/DSC08241_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3gB_BnRI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/_a4r1yrpTZA/DSC08242%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08242" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3ghOVBzI/AAAAAAAAH0c/5Mm-gGelx0Y/DSC08242_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>My entree was a seafood pasta which was billed as having lobster, but which looked a little more langoustine-like.  Nevertheless, it was pretty good, although the noodles were a little al dente...but maybe my taste has gotten corrupted since everyone else here likes their pasta mushy.</p> <p>After the entree, they had the traditional parade of the baked Alaska, along with a parade of the servers, carrying their home flags.  Baked Alaska in general is not the most outstanding dessert, being just ice cream and meringue, but I always feel obliged to have it, given that they've gone to the effort of setting it on fire.  Ox was not as sensitive, and went with the sugar-free cappuccino mousse.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3hGTv58I/AAAAAAAAH0g/RoWptxBV68w/DSC08243%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08243" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3hVgx0tI/AAAAAAAAH0k/RGO1hcNTYk0/DSC08243_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a>    <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3iIMGRmI/AAAAAAAAH0o/FuPnLFrk7OQ/DSC08248%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08248" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3iZFJd-I/AAAAAAAAH0s/SyMSyqeqdsY/DSC08248_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We race back to the room to get our luggage out by the 11pm deadline, and manage to make it, although not before Felindro asks if we're ready.  <strong>No</strong>, Felindro.  We'll be ready at 11pm.  He does make us one last towel animal however, and we admire it before going off to see the crew perform in their late-night goodbye cabaret.  As is traditional, it's a tad on the raunchy side, but I'm sure nothing like what it would be on another cruise line.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3iskaLWI/AAAAAAAAH0w/B45hc7KNDVY/DSC08251%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08251" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3i3gZwyI/AAAAAAAAH00/roiddzNQHsE/DSC08251_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3jDyfCCI/AAAAAAAAH04/y_0l_It1AeQ/DSC08250%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08250" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3jYKxcMI/AAAAAAAAH08/PUiH3_SpeFs/DSC08250_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After making sure we have everything we're supposed to for the next day, we finally retire for the last time in our tiny cabin.  Not, however, before we close the circle on this cruise as it was always meant to be.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3jnfgBTI/AAAAAAAAH1A/4_WWBynD-eQ/DSC08252-1%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="601" alt="DSC08252-1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb3kCHXq9I/AAAAAAAAH1E/Ezq_1oac8BE/DSC08252-1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Thanks, Mickey.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Disembarkation...</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-57551106990489380822008-09-07T20:41:00.001-07:002008-10-16T01:06:32.593-07:00Day Fourteen: In Which We Finally See Wall E, Ditch the Disembarkation Presentation, and Watch Disney Dreams.<p>Our last day at sea *sniff*.  We rouse ourselves and get downstairs in time for the Stage Works backstage presentation at the Walt Disney Theatre.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1y3SVTGI/AAAAAAAAHwk/3NxS-6zj4s8/DSC08169%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08169" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1zDtTF3I/AAAAAAAAHwo/fVfHPXKqAYg/DSC08169_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1zr1aJZI/AAAAAAAAHws/XOt7a9t5RPg/DSC08171%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08171" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb10c1QamI/AAAAAAAAHww/tLXYTYU5LT4/DSC08171_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>They typically can't offer these sorts of backstage glimpses on the shorter cruises, as time in the theatre is apparently at a premium--the schedules are so tight, shows or rehearsals are nearly always taking place.  It's interesting to see how much stuff they can cram into such cramped spaces--all the props and sets are carefully and specifically filed/positioned/located so that they can be quickly located and retrieved for the next time they do that show.  They have representatives from each production department give a little summation of their area of expertise, and then they let us up onto the stage to wander about, gawk, and ask questions.  We are also amazed at the stairs leading up to the stage--each night, the performers bound up onto the stage, sometimes in huge costumes where they can't possible see their feet, with no problems at all.  In reality, the steps are fairly steep, and with no handrails, proof a little tricky for some of our members to mount.</p> <p>The actors had said earlier that they have no one behind the scenes designated to help them with their costume changes or anything, so it's up to their fellow actors to fill the gap--one of them mentions that there's more activity going on offstage than onstage at the Golden Mickeys, trying to get everyone ready in time.  They also have a rack of costumes available for people to try on and model.  If you're that much of an exhibitionist, that is.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb10t6NVPI/AAAAAAAAHw0/wfVrejlCCSM/DSC08176%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08176" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb10-q-9JI/AAAAAAAAHw4/1-uIs1zzERA/DSC08176_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb11XFfQbI/AAAAAAAAHw8/kAZDIUHEHPg/DSC08175%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08175" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb11gWpEsI/AAAAAAAAHxA/W2H5tOnD7Gk/DSC08175_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We duck out a little early to make a showing of Wall E.  It had showed earlier as the main evening show, but we skipped out on it, in lieu of standing in the rain, watching the Panama Canal pass by.  This was then the only other time that was convenient for us to see it, and it was apparently a last-minute addition as it wasn't listed in the movie schedule, but only in the daily Navigator.  We speculate that it was so last-minute that they forgot to tell the projectionist, as we all sit in the theatre for about 15 minutes after the schedules time, waiting for it to start.  Finally, after several phone calls, people come running, and the movie commences.  If you haven't seen Wall E yet...you must.  It's great, and like the kinder, gentler version of Idiocracy.  In any case, it's nice to know that, not matter what happens to the rest of the world, Costco (and it's equivalents) will survive, along with the cockroaches.</p> <p>We go for lunch afterwards, and finding nothing terribly exciting offered at Lumiere's (jaded, much?) we head up to Topsider's Buffet, where we are pleasantly surprised to find an Asian buffet, complete with Sushi table.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb12BE3B5I/AAAAAAAAHxE/aIQCxKBtWR4/DSC08177%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="772" alt="DSC08177" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb12iJRk5I/AAAAAAAAHxI/Jzwez8GOMhk/DSC08177_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The rice, is frankly, not very good, being by turns hard and mushy, but the fish is good, and they have ikura, so we are satisfied.  Amusingly, the CMs that get the food for you, do not appear to know what any of them are, and persist in saying anything with green is "wasabi."  A trend I notice is that at the beginning of any meal shift, everyone is bright and perky and accommodating...and while they try to maintain it throughout the mealtime, it is only natural that there is a little fading off by the end.  The CM that, at the start of lunch is going "what would you like?  This one?  That one?  Let me get that for you..." by the end is pretty much "...I don't know.  It's good.  You'll like it."</p> <p>After lunch, we split up as Mom goes to origami class, and I take in a juggling workshop.  I don't think either of us reaches professional levels of performance.  Mom then carpe diem's a naptime, while I wander around more and take in the sites.  I think I tried to do some blogging on deck 4, but found the chairs entirely too sleepifying to be very productive.  While there, a parade of munchkins meanders by.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb13aR_BJI/AAAAAAAAHxM/YgurJuS-eoI/DSC08179%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb13nZK3VI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/ppOnHXl2s-c/DSC08179_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> There are a lot of children on board, some of whom are unfortunately, only marginal in their behavior.  It's a crapshoot anytime you get in the elevator, as to whether someone will have punched all the buttons for every floor, and Christiaan has to make multiple announcements pleading with parents to stop their kids from congregating and running around in the hallways and public areas.  Towards the end of the cruise, there are rumors that graffiti has had to be removed off the murals around the elevators, which is unhappy, if true.</p> <p>Tonight's show Disney Dreams starts at 6:15pm.  Getting ready for it, we find our latest fabric animal addition:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb14KcGFkI/AAAAAAAAHxU/jZNdyVkWbLA/DSC08180%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb14YTMSXI/AAAAAAAAHxY/b6ADtuK0CFk/DSC08180_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> I can only think that the 15 days is really pressing his ingenuity, because I cannot tell what this is.  Mom thinks it's a seal.</p> <p>Anyway, Dreams is the DCL signature show, probably because it's won awards for best cruise line show or something.  There's no denying that it's well-produced, but I find it a little hard to get around the 20+ year olds that are playing ~5-8 year olds.  The story is that Anne-Marie gets told by the Blue Fairy that she has to find her own magic by 0600, or...I guess you grow up and go into Marketing, or something.  Peter Pan comes by to help her figure out how to fly and we try not to let creepy thoughts enter in when he says he comes by to watch her through the window most nights.  On her way to finding her magic, there are many good production numbers and the regulation number of characters make their appearances to new and improved technical effects.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb14vIGIaI/AAAAAAAAHxc/mjqNH7nliSo/DSC08185%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08185" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb14924QtI/AAAAAAAAHxg/mS1XxZ8JuBs/DSC08185_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb15Hn3IaI/AAAAAAAAHxk/IxoWCgT2Mfc/DSC08186%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08186" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb15z8hALI/AAAAAAAAHxo/B5COdu0Ve0g/DSC08186_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb16Cf8wAI/AAAAAAAAHxs/66lIWnF0Eb8/DSC08188%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb16VFCsAI/AAAAAAAAHxw/yibWXiO3i-E/DSC08188_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Anyway, I won't spoil it for you, but I'll just say that it doesn't end with Anne-Marie becoming an accountant.  At the end, Christiaan comes out and gives us last-minute information that he probably gave during the disembarkation talk that we ditched for Wall E (oh, we watched it on the TV later.)  He tells us we have to have our bags out by 11pm tomorrow night, and to make sure we don't pack everything, as every cruise there are families having to disembark in their nighties, with bare feet because they packed away all their stuff.  Now, I imagine the implications are more dire, as they now have direct airline check-in, which means the family that packs everything but their sleepwear is flying home in feet pajamas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb16o7Sc0I/AAAAAAAAHx0/YyR0Dszd0nA/DSC08195%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08195" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb160_u5mI/AAAAAAAAHx4/bF8Qv2uC7Mc/DSC08195_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb17KqwQMI/AAAAAAAAHx8/6E7PhL3zdGw/DSC08181%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08181" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb17rED-0I/AAAAAAAAHyA/AeusAx1SdvI/DSC08181_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After a visit to the stateroom where we uncover our second animal of the day (and wonder where one of our pillows is,) we go down to dinner, which is the Captain's Gala menu tonight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb18E9zWxI/AAAAAAAAHyE/Pe2IMRfVMig/DSC08196%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb18Ru66dI/AAAAAAAAHyI/dbpjkAo-PPA/DSC08196_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb18uwcqII/AAAAAAAAHyM/UOLaLgT5BnA/DSC08201%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08201" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb189L9xTI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/0VlaGXpm1M8/DSC08201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is possibly our favorite menu of the trip, along with the Panama Canal menu.  For appetizers, we have the garlic shrimp and the Oysters Rockefeller which are excellent.  The entree is lobster tail again, and happily the green beans are a little more cooked than normal (perhaps the attacks at the Food Manager Q&A yesterday did some good?) If the rice is still a bit hard, well that's of little moment.  Dessert is a lava cake that resembles nothing so much as a Ho Ho, but which is pretty good.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb19JltDGI/AAAAAAAAHyU/S6x4ZMcZ6Mk/DSC08198%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08198" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb19Un2ZbI/AAAAAAAAHyY/g4zDFeo2zkM/DSC08198_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb19lLspnI/AAAAAAAAHyc/dsZBJxWGhHc/DSC08199%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb194GrNwI/AAAAAAAAHyg/VyYc19JrdRA/DSC08199_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1-Fl0aoI/AAAAAAAAHyk/-J4fnIg9bgI/DSC08202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08202" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1-aX79wI/AAAAAAAAHys/Ee18k7ux_6I/DSC08202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We actually make it out in time for the adult cabaret which is somewhat underwhelming, and eventually take a turn around the big dessert buffet in Lumiere's.  This turns out to be more of an ordeal than I would have anticipated, as the line extends out the door, around the corner, and down the hallway.  As I'm waiting, one lady walks by jeering loudly "look at all the creepy people, waiting for dessert at a quarter to twelve!"  You Ma'am, are <em>not</em> magical.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1_GYHHyI/AAAAAAAAHyw/4H7o8tQDsig/DSC08205%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1_vhDStI/AAAAAAAAHy0/1dadTQzyYio/DSC08205_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb1_8Cd7AI/AAAAAAAAHy4/hqpK1WdJPrQ/DSC08207%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08207" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2ARyrvUI/AAAAAAAAHy8/N6k61JOnJgw/DSC08207_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2AsU4rlI/AAAAAAAAHzA/Pl4o0RaHsNc/DSC08208%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2A2TNEiI/AAAAAAAAHzE/rggxUetI5YU/DSC08208_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Inside, most of the desserts have been demolished in a surprisingly barbaric fashion--it literally looks like people have clawed chunks out of the cakes with their bare hands, which begs the question of how hungry do the people from early seating get?  Most the children in line seem primarily interested in the spun sugar/chocolate decorations that they pluck and cart off by the plateful.  It's an unholy mess, but everyone appears to have a wonderful time.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2BE-hMMI/AAAAAAAAHzI/pVzkI7jt3Bw/DSC08206%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08206" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2BTNLhgI/AAAAAAAAHzM/6Rky4S4aE3Q/DSC08206_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2Bqs7anI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/8qfuel6a7uQ/DSC08209%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08209" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPb2B0-uSdI/AAAAAAAAHzU/d2vpJHWsiE8/DSC08209_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Plus, there's a chocolate fountain.  But no strawberries!  My God, Why Hath Thou Forsaken Me?!</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Castaway Cay, and our last full day.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-73073519480580770812008-09-05T22:12:00.001-07:002008-10-16T00:49:32.879-07:00Day Thirteen: In Which We Enjoy Both Palo and Pirates.<p>Today we started the day off with our previously-designated character breakfast.  At the beginning of the cruise, everyone was given tickets with a certain date and time so as to make sure, I suppose, no one was overlooked by Mickey and his Gang.  Unlike the character breakfasts I've been to at the parks, where the characters circulate around multiple times, Mickey is apparently a little more pressed for time on the ship and only visits once.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxw95E1bI/AAAAAAAAHtA/TWtk3qOWUKI/DSC08112%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="455" alt="DSC08112" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxxP35OHI/AAAAAAAAHtE/l-fIz7NQeSM/DSC08112_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>On the whole, I think we find one time sufficient attention.  A Cast Member comes by to prep people, arrange them into groups, and then takes the photos with your camera.  I suppose it's more efficient, but as in so many instances, it loses some spontaneity.  </p> <p>In an unfortunate example of counter-programming, most of the talks from the morning have finished by the time we're out, so we have a quick stroll and nap (discovering our new...blanket animal) before attending the Food and Beverage Q&A with the Food Managers of the ship.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxxYb8JpI/AAAAAAAAHtI/elwqa4x7MMo/DSC08119%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08119" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxxm17nWI/AAAAAAAAHtM/glWCvnL_-QQ/DSC08119_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxyrF_cHI/AAAAAAAAHtQ/mLPDPk1wmFs/DSC08121%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08121" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxyzvc5CI/AAAAAAAAHtU/Rixa8W9xCWs/DSC08121_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I thought this was rather interesting:  I was expecting questions like "how do you come up with the menus," but people apparently decided to use this as an opportunity to air grievances with the food, and ran more along the lines of "WHY DO YOU UNDERCOOK THE VEGETABLES?!"  "HOW COME I CAN'T GET FRESH SQUEEZED ORANGE JUICE?!"  Which was much more entertaining (Answer:  "Most people from the US like them that way," and "it's against Disney regulations.")  I consider adding "WHY ARE ALL THE CHOCOLATE-COVERED STRAWBERRIES GONE?!"  but decide that maybe one shouldn't say everything that one thinks.  </p> <p>There were also a number of questions revolving around the masses of food we daily consume--I think they said it was something like 2000 cookies a day.  "They say it's the children," Executive Chef Patrick says, "but there are only 600 children on board..."  I think since leaving LA, we've polished off something like 20,000 lbs of chicken, and other numbers too horrifying to remember.  They mention that all the food they use must come from approved vendors, which mostly means all the food, even the food we picked up in Aruba, had to be shipped in from either LA or Orlando.  </p> <p>After that was over, we fought our way through the masses of people lined up for the Ally and AJ autograph session (did I forget to mention?  They were the big, headliner act the night before.  Apparently they're super big amongst the teens.  Not knowing them, we skipped out on their show to save spots for those who would desire them more, and also our eardrums) to get to the towel folding seminar.  This was put on by a group of the cabin stewards, some of which seem to know quite a quantity of animals.  We like the pig.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxzKuZXlI/AAAAAAAAHtY/Rb2V4Pwn93I/DSC08124%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08124" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxzSjKcnI/AAAAAAAAHtc/2iV2YoDUlq8/DSC08124_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbxzrcBt8I/AAAAAAAAHtg/I2btVvHYJ-s/DSC08128%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08128" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx0EQCW3I/AAAAAAAAHtk/5hS4gWQb0cY/DSC08128_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I still think the towels may be starched or something, because no matter how many times we see them being made, they never come out quite as well with the shabby towels we have at home.  Still, it's diverting.</p> <p>Another lull in the activities looms, forcing us to indulge in more strolling, shopping, and napping.  The weather continues fine, despite multiple storm warnings.  The Captain has announced that we will change our route, but not our itinerary, in order to miss the bad weather.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx0XatAFI/AAAAAAAAHto/pQGrrstj-JA/DSC08123%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08123" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx0ol7Y8I/AAAAAAAAHts/WWWlNg-NcT4/DSC08123_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The internet connection, always touchy when we're far off from a port, only allows me to download but not upload today.  At least I am able to enjoy the air conditioning in the adult-only coffee bar, Cove Cafe while trying to connect.</p> <p>This evening's show is the Crew's Talent Show which shows a broad range of abilities from many of the cast members and personalities we've met throughout the cruise.  Christiaan, the cruise director, does breakdancing and acrobatics; Amy, the art auctioneer balances a deck lounger on her chin; the guest services department re-enacts "Thriller;" Ponz, the origami instructor sings; and "Ducky" Williams participates in "Dancing With The Officers."</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx03IvyfI/AAAAAAAAHtw/4t48yPyXGKM/DSC08130%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08130" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx1J6Q5II/AAAAAAAAHt0/TfTO3hiVWwI/DSC08130_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx1VnT2GI/AAAAAAAAHt4/WnDQL_IK9Qk/DSC08133%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08133" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx1sjbJ9I/AAAAAAAAHt8/obcjFwaMddQ/DSC08133_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We make tracks after the show to get ready for our dinner at Palo, and our evening of gluttony commences.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx12atxLI/AAAAAAAAHuA/YqKEqotZUnw/DSC08135%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08135" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx2N4ylMI/AAAAAAAAHuE/-jiRuM7fWEY/DSC08135_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx2UsPg6I/AAAAAAAAHuI/Z_Ej_F3VTgE/DSC08136-1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="329" alt="DSC08136-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx2v9KMiI/AAAAAAAAHuM/urKUgYMmkEA/DSC08136-1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The thing about Palo, is that they pretty much force-feed you.  Even if you try to keep your orders manageable, they'll just start bringing you extra stuff anyway.  We have a plate of antipasto, an appetizer of fried calimari (much better than the previous fried calimari from the main dining room) and a 4-cheese pizza which is excellent, then grilled pesto shrimp with portabello mushrooms and a tuna tartar plate.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx3Mx79kI/AAAAAAAAHuQ/1bUQyYQSik4/DSC08137%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08137" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx3aUKsAI/AAAAAAAAHuU/8UjB_wlkJrA/DSC08137_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx3jI4H5I/AAAAAAAAHuY/YFxqZTlnOfI/DSC08138%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08138" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx4Jjk9BI/AAAAAAAAHuc/e8MrqmAjyI0/DSC08138_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The shrimp is cooked perfectly...the ahi could be a little more flavorful, but that could be because it's sliced so thin as to be translucent.  Interesting to note that the portion sizes of all the food in general--Palo too--seems to have been reduced, perhaps to eliminate waste from people not finishing anything.  As an example, here's the shrimp salad from last December, and then from the December before that:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx4WNpLOI/AAAAAAAAHug/Wb_3mslgdck/DSC06394%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC06394" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx475TOYI/AAAAAAAAHuk/n0z0Xpp_VJY/DSC06394_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx5HEKN6I/AAAAAAAAHuo/1YH3Ye9Wwjw/DSC04589%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC04589" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx5WdGfFI/AAAAAAAAHus/-HepYn8-oSo/DSC04589_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>On the whole, although dinner at Palo is still an event you'd hate to miss, it's definitely dropped in value in the last 2 years.  Not only has the charge gone up from $10 to $15 per person, but before they used to say that the charge included the gratuity, which it no longer does--which increases the price a good bit as well.  Mom thinks the brunch is much better than the dinner.</p> <p>We then have a mid-meal sorbet for the essential palate cleansing, and then have something of a lengthy wait for our entrees.  Apparently there's an APB alert out that we insist on taking at least 2 1/2 hours to eat dinner each night.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx5qFrXAI/AAAAAAAAHuw/ejWMCXpk2MQ/DSC08139%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08139" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx57ECRMI/AAAAAAAAHu0/g8X0R0U7QLk/DSC08139_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx6cvdLfI/AAAAAAAAHu4/NwxZ_XQBARY/DSC08141%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08141" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx7DdMpZI/AAAAAAAAHvA/3Z_kLdf_gxw/DSC08141_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx7XviAjI/AAAAAAAAHvE/_89E1aS2oyA/DSC08142%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08142" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx74AqO4I/AAAAAAAAHvI/WwsFW7kVmsI/DSC08142_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx8IEswsI/AAAAAAAAHvM/eTclZkiGoRk/DSC08143%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08143" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx8m4eThI/AAAAAAAAHvQ/21hQXzq34G8/DSC08143_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The lobster ravioli are terrific, notwithstanding the fact that I get a piece of shell in one, as are the lamb and the tenderloin.  Mom is taken aback at the onion rosettes, which she initially takes for mushrooms, but it's all delicious and overly-filling.</p> <p>But don't think we're done--no one's going anywhere until we get our chocolate souffles.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx87FDa0I/AAAAAAAAHvU/lAKtOzCQD7Y/DSC08145%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08145" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx9FegKfI/AAAAAAAAHvY/Tc_zYiH-_P0/DSC08145_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx9V7ApOI/AAAAAAAAHvc/zE6EF9frUO8/DSC08146%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08146" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx9inA0II/AAAAAAAAHvg/NqBIlMLibKk/DSC08146_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Our server throws in a vanilla/mascarpone panna cotta just to make sure we explode.</p> <p>It's also Pirate Night tonight, for which there is an after-dinner Pirates In the Caribbean deck party that involves about 30-60 minutes of high-energy dancing, followed by a short character sketch, and fireworks, accompanied by a Pirate buffet.  It's amusing that about this time in the dinner, you see all these formally-dressed folks flinging the checks at the waiters and dashing out yelling "PIRATE NIGHT" behind them, as way of explanation.  I overhear one person at a different table grousing a bit about the deck parties:  "...and then the cast members shout 'EVERYBODY DANCE!'...<strong><em>No! </em></strong>I want to see Minnie tied to train tracks!  Cannons going off!  Mickey flying in on wires!  This is <u>Disney</u>!  They can do this!"  There is, perhaps, some truth in this.</p> <p>We go out to join the party and enjoy the fireworks.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx-PMLNwI/AAAAAAAAHvk/-cgxotGLLh0/DSC08165%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08165" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx-bpY1AI/AAAAAAAAHvo/O-1XXBT6PYU/DSC08165_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx-rn57pI/AAAAAAAAHvs/cad8u12Qsmc/DSC08156%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="753" alt="DSC08156" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx_P_bsYI/AAAAAAAAHvw/n5JsfOUld9k/DSC08156_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" width="1028" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It is a crowded, windy madhouse, but everyone seems to be having a raucous good time.  Mickey does swing in on a wire to save the day from Captain Hook who continues to have Chronomentrophobia.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx_TVaQkI/AAAAAAAAHv0/oNbBvVaJZt0/DSC08158%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbx_uDDILI/AAAAAAAAHv4/h6zpzJfWvws/DSC08158_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyAOINFKI/AAAAAAAAHv8/VpBzGB0egZ4/DSC08160%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08160" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyAdM5nuI/AAAAAAAAHwA/ZKjy2_qUKMw/DSC08160_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We swing by the buffet to check out the decorations, which are fabboo, but are way too full to eat anything.  Besides, after the shrimp and lobster and steak and souffles, the tacos and chicken wings seem a little plebeian.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyA1MuFRI/AAAAAAAAHwE/5Bxwpno5-nw/DSC08162%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08162" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyBApxX7I/AAAAAAAAHwI/7H7ckrw9M9U/DSC08162_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyBfLwZLI/AAAAAAAAHwM/BGWDwncDl84/DSC08166%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyBwfgmqI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/BGT4_hxTnVI/DSC08166_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyCF9op1I/AAAAAAAAHwU/OVSJ0JGF8Vo/DSC08163%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08163" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyCao4H2I/AAAAAAAAHwY/HmX-MaEQGjg/DSC08163_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After a great deal of energetic dancing (some by Christiaan again--we wonder at his energy!) the party comes to an end, and we retire back to find our second blanket animal of the day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyCv8I0FI/AAAAAAAAHwc/C_DXMrjo2gg/DSC08168%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08168" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbyC507ZwI/AAAAAAAAHwg/hofGd7KIIiQ/DSC08168_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> We are not sure whether he's run out of towel animals that he knows, or if he's just taken to using the blanket in an effort to stop us from saving them, now that we've run out of room on the furniture to store them.  In any case, we collapse asleep, trying not to think of the rapidly diminishing days ahead of us.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Our last Day at Sea.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-78336296919160869452008-08-31T23:01:00.001-07:002008-10-16T00:27:01.335-07:00Day Twelve: In Which We Explore Aruba Undersea, Overland, and In The Malls.<p>So our last foreign port arrives today, and we dock at Aruba. Our excursion today is called "Sea and See," quaintly enough, and it involves looking at underwater shipwrecks in a semi-submersible, then going around in a bus tour on land to check out the land portion.</p> <p>Aruba appears to be mainly a resort island now; it was originally a Spanish port that was eventually taken over by the Dutch.  Although they used to have reasonably productive gold mines, it seems their main resources now consist of casinos and timeshares.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbslepgneI/AAAAAAAAHqc/UC4Uu_7LkIQ/DSC08063%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08063" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbslt5brJI/AAAAAAAAHqg/0-S4woreJ_w/DSC08063_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsl7dECWI/AAAAAAAAHqk/wnD6WLjtMVs/DSC08065%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08065" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsmBy0aiI/AAAAAAAAHqo/pM4tLpjsTtI/DSC08065_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The first part of our excursion takes place on an Atlantis boat that basically has a glass-bottom basement.  You descend into the lower part of the ship where you can get a reasonable view underwater. It is actually fairly reminiscent of the submarine rides, as you can look up and see the surface of the water just out of window frame.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsmfXa_3I/AAAAAAAAHqs/9q8IPctx2Ac/DSC08075%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08075" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsmmTQrJI/AAAAAAAAHq0/d4PA7qyjrog/DSC08075_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsnGIScsI/AAAAAAAAHq4/Sc42kSZe4eA/DSC08066%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08066" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsnSrpGqI/AAAAAAAAHq8/ssIsfNSOFEg/DSC08066_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The ship we see is apparently a German freight carrier, who sailed into Aruba, dropped it's cargo, and then got trapped here when Holland entered WWII.  The crew hurriedly decided to sink her, rather than let her get captured, and then surrendered to get taken to a POW camp.</p> <p>The ship was a fairly young one, so the metal has withstood corrosion well, and it's ended up as a sort-of man-made reef for the fish.  There are a number of snorklers around the whole West side of the island, all congregated around the various wreckages there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsntbkMwI/AAAAAAAAHrA/7TjFfJLk0No/DSC08068%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08068" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsn0bWCgI/AAAAAAAAHrE/TCZhI9egqk4/DSC08068_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsoAMurmI/AAAAAAAAHrI/0oUUyJaHbsw/DSC08073%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08073" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsoQhweDI/AAAAAAAAHrM/7R2Svb22gQ4/DSC08073_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After returning to shore, we get on our blessedly air conditioned bus and travel to the California lighthouse, home to many picturesque iguanas.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsosSWOtI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/BZLfxNhukeo/DSC08080%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08080" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbso6rdEVI/AAAAAAAAHrU/qNgQjugv-z8/DSC08080_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbspb6Xi7I/AAAAAAAAHrY/VRgulpNVJLI/DSC08078%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbspotvNFI/AAAAAAAAHrc/AGKl5OkJB_U/DSC08078_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The lighthouse is on the Northernmost part of Aruba, named after a ship called California that wrecked on the point.  The memorial plaque implies that everyone was overjoyed because they salvaged all the stuff and sold it at markets.  It doesn't mention how overjoyed the passengers that lost all their stuff were.</p> <p>We drive on to the Casibari rock formations.  This turns out to be a large heap of rocks that people can clamber up and under to get to the top and check out the view.  I don't know how tall people did it, as I had to duck down in some parts to avoid braining myself on the rocks.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbspzZs8SI/AAAAAAAAHrg/-_xSakhqupA/DSC08082%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="263" alt="DSC08082" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsqPPcN7I/AAAAAAAAHrk/yDsV4f5RE9E/DSC08082_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsqlp1mpI/AAAAAAAAHro/HuavWsGjt4E/DSC08085%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08085" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsq_d6qWI/AAAAAAAAHrs/9lfKI0s29Pg/DSC08085_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's a pretty small island, and you can see the ship in the distance from the highest point.  I ask the guide what the significance of the rocks are, and he says they think that they were once under the water, and now they are above water.  I refrain from noting that that's pretty much what they think about everything.</p> <p>The last stop of the day is at the Natural Bridge, which was apparently pretty significant back in the day.  They make a great point of saying how it used to be the number 1 tourist destination.  Unfortunately, a few years ago, the natural rock formation spontaneously collapsed, so probably bumped down the list, I'm thinking.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsrQH_PWI/AAAAAAAAHrw/LNC-c1yINg8/DSC08093%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08093" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsr3EZjSI/AAAAAAAAHr0/5Jnu6w_PgyQ/DSC08093_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbssMGZRHI/AAAAAAAAHr4/km25qxIJXfY/DSC08090%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08090" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbssV6-YjI/AAAAAAAAHr8/gpAgiOWfw8w/DSC08090_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>There is another rock bridge forming, however it's still unstable.  Perhaps eventually it will reach the same point as the original rock bridge.</p> <p>After the tour is over, we make it back to the ship in time for lunch.  Mom subsequently goes to watch Wall*E, while I walk around the major city for a short while.  The overwhelming major impression of the town is its incredible heat and humidity.  It's so humid, as Hochberg would say, you almost need a snorkel to breathe.  There are several malls within walking distance to the ship but as it turns out, they are all outdoors malls and the humidity is so oppressive, I'm unable to think about anything but how to get to the nearest area with air conditioning.  Eventually I retreat back to the air conditioned haven of the ship where the only things to concern you are doing the YMCA with Chip and Dale.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbss1lU0aI/AAAAAAAAHsA/5ORwC4KxHN8/DSC08098%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08098" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbstKDfQ6I/AAAAAAAAHsE/4zXkhVvB1zE/DSC08098_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbstY6yiCI/AAAAAAAAHsI/6YV3OWiHyMY/DSC08099%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08099" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbstveICHI/AAAAAAAAHsM/3vIhNKSmE_Y/DSC08099_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The family cabaret tonight is "Magical Danny," who is very funny despite playing to only a handful of people.  We meet our new towel animal on arrival back in the room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsuAfNHoI/AAAAAAAAHsQ/38AbMLjT9hA/DSC08102%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08102" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsue4MBbI/AAAAAAAAHsU/EcZajNjjYHw/DSC08102_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsusL9bGI/AAAAAAAAHsY/mWbkvj9SNzw/DSC08103%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08103" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsu8fASFI/AAAAAAAAHsc/TsJtOSE671c/DSC08103_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dinner tonight is "Around the World" and is better than you might expect, for such a shotgun approach to international cuisine.  My appetizer is made up of scallops, which are very good, and rice, which is not.  A trend is developing, where the rice is typically either hard and underdone, or mushy and overdone.  Only rarely do you get something in between.  Mom gets spring rolls, which she likes, despite her initial assumption that they would come fried (?)</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsvPJya5I/AAAAAAAAHsg/WxE-qlewBaI/DSC08104%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsvaH58LI/AAAAAAAAHsk/98fHaLiuiZA/DSC08104_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsvj3GHVI/AAAAAAAAHso/szpmzsjfdmk/DSC08105%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08105" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsv7WuGFI/AAAAAAAAHss/RomDDN2PlOk/DSC08105_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The entree is a seafood dish from Belgium, I think, which is very nice, although they have a slight tendency to serve their clams and mussels closed, which I had always heard was unsafe.  I don't die after eating them however, so that's something.  The desserts were a little recycled I think, as they seemed familiar from some of the late-night buffets.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbswcAql3I/AAAAAAAAHsw/tSKVywCZNZQ/DSC08106%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbswq_vmzI/AAAAAAAAHs0/sq5b9A1ZAho/DSC08106_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbswysRD2I/AAAAAAAAHs4/uTmgWoU3vro/DSC08109%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08109" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbsxCfe0aI/AAAAAAAAHs8/_yv62IwN-2o/DSC08109_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The adult cabaret is Jeff Civillico, who is a comedian/juggler and is generally excessively entertaining, despite a tendency to self-promote during the act.  He has several more sets scheduled in the next few days.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  At Sea Again.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-58736734013725758532008-08-29T22:20:00.001-07:002008-10-15T23:08:58.878-07:00Day Eleven: In Which We Have Brunch at Palo and Learn That It Never Hurts To Knock.<p>Another slow day at sea, notable for our Palo brunch.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaYGWFDaI/AAAAAAAAHo8/NrrTDK_VszI/DSC08039%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="361" alt="DSC08039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaYdNylnI/AAAAAAAAHpA/fvfUFMc6lKs/DSC08039_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaYrdOs_I/AAAAAAAAHpE/Z3CU55LK-eU/DSC08040%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaYwLJCTI/AAAAAAAAHpI/1Z97i27kjW4/DSC08040_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The brunch at Palo is a major affair, with more food than you could easily imagine.  They have different stations for seafood and cold items, berries and cereals, pizzas, eggs, pastas, meat entrees, and desserts.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaZWSgJeI/AAAAAAAAHpM/zT19JOZEdQk/DSC08042%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08042" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaZnRNOmI/AAAAAAAAHpQ/FpO_ia5NAMs/DSC08042_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaZ0ssHwI/AAAAAAAAHpU/pkEpZYX2RLs/DSC08044%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaaRbQKuI/AAAAAAAAHpY/mvqWgOJ4Oxc/DSC08044_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The only downside is that there is no way you could ever try everything, or even something from each station, without exploding in a "Mr. Creosote" moment.  We particularly enjoy the caviar and crab legs.  They are extremely cordial and always make a point of saying that you can stay as long as you wish.  We contemplate taking sleeping bags up, but figure they may not be speaking literally.</p> <p>After a considerable time spent devouring some fine quality food, we retired to our cabin to recuperate.  In Hawaii, one guide told me they have a saying:  "Some people eat until they get full; we eat until we get tired."  This is pretty much where we're at by now.  There is a cooking demo we considered going to earlier, but can no longer face the sight of more food and take a nap, instead.</p> <p>Finally, I drag myself out of food coma to attend an Animation With Ducky session, in which Don Williams shows everyone how to draw Mickey Mouse.  He also draws some random characters and raffles them off, and we don't win again but it's still fun.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaajrpEoI/AAAAAAAAHpc/KnppCx9sAQU/DSC08052%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08052" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaaxn4-tI/AAAAAAAAHpg/42WXExv1fQo/DSC08052_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbabIpDnKI/AAAAAAAAHpk/cQVbAljjLmI/DSC08053%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08053" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbabaIdPHI/AAAAAAAAHpo/FSLulEhdrZc/DSC08053_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Almost directly afterwards, they have a signing for him, where we can get our complementary lithographs signed.  The line is fairly lengthy, but it goes pretty fast as there's no personalization.  They also restricted it to pre-designated floors, so it was probably less of a mob scene than it might have been.</p> <p>Our show tonight was Darren Romeo, who does magic and sings, sometimes simultaneously.  It was an entertaining show, however one couldn't help thinking it might have been better had he concentrated on just one or the other.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbabqQ_G5I/AAAAAAAAHps/ceQ4GLgrA1Y/DSC08054%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08054" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaby0l7aI/AAAAAAAAHpw/arV54jBIBzE/DSC08054_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbacJ2uRdI/AAAAAAAAHp0/EWkwHJ0fOCM/DSC08055%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbace7gJdI/AAAAAAAAHp4/YMOCdRoZcNE/DSC08055_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>In the meantime, we receive our latest animal--apparently we have now graduated to animals of greater stature, as a gargantuan creature is waiting for us.  We are unsure what it is, and are excessively grateful when we run into our steward and he says "oh, did you like the dinosaur?" before we can thank him for the ostrich.</p> <p>The bathrooms on board in the public areas are, as befits Disney, very clean and orderly.  They are the sort where each stall is basically a little room with it's own door, and Mom says she has a hard time telling if someone's in there or not.  I patiently explain to her that the door has a little white dot under the handle; when the door is locked, the dot turns red, so further examination is unnecessary.  She is suitably impressed.</p> <p>The dinner menu tonight is "Master Chef:  A menu created by our world-famous chefs."  Which, I suppose, sounds better than "We Ran Out Of Themes Because The Cruise Is So Long."</p> <p>Appetizers tonight include a seafood risotto (rice still a little harder than I would normally look for, in risotto,) and a tropical fruit cup.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbactBnqxI/AAAAAAAAHp8/Ue75kWJFcuU/DSC08056%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08056" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbac_TYcAI/AAAAAAAAHqA/5OQN3X2HHdo/DSC08056_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbadAqbAEI/AAAAAAAAHqE/YPKFIslFwyM/DSC08057%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08057" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbadZLlj8I/AAAAAAAAHqI/1n7zufAzCds/DSC08057_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>My entree is a sirloin steak which looks pretty much like every other sirloin steak you've seen.  It was good, but I'm not sure you necessarily need a Master Chef for that.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbadg3VeUI/AAAAAAAAHqM/zg1G1a7Uw2Q/DSC08060%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbad1YaClI/AAAAAAAAHqQ/yz029UltWCo/DSC08060_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaeMRYbwI/AAAAAAAAHqU/NIPeW96aqIk/DSC08061%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08061" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPbaeecYnKI/AAAAAAAAHqY/lXmCiocoVcQ/DSC08061_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dessert was a chocolate terrine which was creamy and mousse-like, and a no-sugar added chocolate pots de creme, which was actually better tasting, as it was so much less sweet than the regular desserts.  </p> <p>After dinner, I enter the restroom and see two doors with red dots, and one with a white one.  Confidently, I fling the white dot door open, to reveal a small girl using the facilities within.  After a great deal of horrified screaming from all parties involved, I manage to slam the door shut, which then locks decisively over with a red dot.  There is a mortified pause, broken by a plaintive voice:</p> <p>"<em>At least you managed to fix the door."</em></p> <p>Tomorrow:  Aruba.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-77859467261524673712008-08-29T21:55:00.001-07:002008-10-15T04:04:39.130-07:00Day Ten: In Which We Go To Columbia, Home of Coffee, Emeralds, and Juan Valdez.<p>It's a relatively overcast morning that greets us in Cartagena, along with many dancing residents.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFPfK4akI/AAAAAAAAHk4/LrqdFjPS0hg/DSC07970%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07970" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFPz7_V3I/AAAAAAAAHk8/Lnj0P68WKD0/DSC07970_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We are the first cruise ship of the season here, so they are fairly happy to see us.  After a quick breakfast of Mickey waffles, we set out on our excursion, Best of Cartagena.  It takes some time to get going, as most of the ship seems to be going on this excursion, but eventually we load onto busses and are off.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFQE12kiI/AAAAAAAAHlA/gRdeW78thBw/DSC07971%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07971" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFQUYnhzI/AAAAAAAAHlE/kwrvgPTrnSM/DSC07971_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFQr7aw2I/AAAAAAAAHlI/Xaxcss_okeo/DSC07989%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07989" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFROoJI4I/AAAAAAAAHlM/ekhpLZA-gf0/DSC07989_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The first stop on the excursion is the San Pedro Claver Church, famous for its namesake who made a life's work out of helping the African slaves that were abundant there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFRc-zeAI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/vXqJVbC16RM/DSC07976%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07976" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFRnq2Q5I/AAAAAAAAHlU/5sTIguIyuho/DSC07976_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFR-XTAkI/AAAAAAAAHlY/63aC3EoSnBY/DSC07982%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07982" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFScLatNI/AAAAAAAAHlc/UbcbUrlbqas/DSC07982_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>In the main church area, our guide Duran Duran showed us the original resting place of San Pedro...</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFSnhZWWI/AAAAAAAAHlg/8Mr6B3eTAtc/DSC07984%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07984" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXFS9flzKI/AAAAAAAAHlk/R2L-sGf2KNE/DSC07984_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>...and then his current resting place.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOE-gXKfI/AAAAAAAAHlo/779zQjadXc4/DSC07987%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07987" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOFOM-sxI/AAAAAAAAHls/9VSKR6AtKEo/DSC07987_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I always think nothing adds to the interest of a place of worship like a preserved body, or parts thereof.  </p> <p>We leave the church and walk around the city center for a bit, while Duran Duran points out buildings of interest to us.  Although it doesn't seem all that hot, the humidity is around 5000%, which makes everyone melt into puddles.  Eventually we make our way to the Naval Museum for a drink and some folkloric dancing, to which we give short shrift because we are so busy enjoying the air conditioning.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOFXeQ0SI/AAAAAAAAHlw/Jqwrrsqh_QU/DSC07994%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07994" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOF2mfi5I/AAAAAAAAHl0/MUNo7sxQWZc/DSC07994_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After he pries us from the air conditioned comfort of the museum, we walk back to the bus via a quantity of street vendors, some of which are obviously endorsed by Duran Duran.  He encourages people to buy Official Columbian Coffee from one vendor in particular, whom he swears is Juan Valdez.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOGR_exRI/AAAAAAAAHl4/1YWFn5jwK04/DSC07996%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07996" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOGgz7QCI/AAAAAAAAHl8/viczBbzOgos/DSC07996_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I remain dubious, although I refrain from asking him "where is your burro?"</p> <p>We next have a photo stop at the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, which is the largest Spanish fort in the New World.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOHLeROlI/AAAAAAAAHmA/tjXAXdMBGoQ/DSC07997%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07997" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOHdzRr-I/AAAAAAAAHmE/xff1ah3BXhM/DSC07997_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>They are very proud of their various city defenses, which include walls around the city center, the Fort, and an underwater wall blocking entrance to the bay through the main passageway "Bocagrande."  Many of these were developed after Sir Francis Drake came and almost captured the city, accepting ransom in exchange for taking it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOHvMBKCI/AAAAAAAAHmI/10u9uev7N4k/DSC08002%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOH9yJ_HI/AAAAAAAAHmM/WroNlJAXCY0/DSC08002_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is the "Half-Man" statue.  He apparently lost one arm, a leg, and an eye, but still fought bravely against the enemies until he was stabbed in his remaining thigh and died of gangrene.  He kind of reminds me of the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.</p> <p>Continuing on, we travel to the Convento de la Popa monastery, which is the highest point in Cartagena and offers city-wide views.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOITXLQVI/AAAAAAAAHmQ/3Pui_bSmiqc/DSC08020%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08020" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOIn_9zmI/AAAAAAAAHmU/5fhxDep6K-c/DSC08020_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOJAiEA2I/AAAAAAAAHmY/OQnbfl6ZdF0/DSC08007%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOJgQ7RcI/AAAAAAAAHmc/KDRDRt-fFbc/DSC08007_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Within, you can find items of interest such as their altar, which is covered in real gold, and a depiction of people who indulged in golden goat worshipping and got subsequently busted.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOJ6W8rOI/AAAAAAAAHmg/31wBCEU2WyI/DSC08012%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOKXy1GmI/AAAAAAAAHmo/pBMbIuWOW6I/DSC08012_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOKg6ykjI/AAAAAAAAHms/cIMuGoj7xXQ/DSC08014%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOK0XGnbI/AAAAAAAAHmw/tNEnFVnzpAM/DSC08014_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>In addition to these areas, we also made a few shopping stops where people were invited to buy emeralds of every shape, price, and quality.  Whether people actually did or not, is probably best left to the imagination.</p> <p>At the end of the tour, we were deposited back at the port where Mom went back to the ship to rest, and I looked around the shops at the port terminal.  I get an coffee slush at this place:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOLaFpxrI/AAAAAAAAHm0/jRSxJg9jt5A/DSC08015%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOLmzG5oI/AAAAAAAAHm4/Hk56Loae2DM/DSC08015_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Looks like our friend Juan has moved up in the world.</p> <p>Back on the ship, we say goodbye to the interesting port of Cartagena and begin sailing off towards Aruba.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOMG47zZI/AAAAAAAAHm8/BnXQVoRQeZ8/DSC08021%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08021" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOMXcW_UI/AAAAAAAAHnA/zA-B0fgAxVI/DSC08021_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOMk-WqJI/AAAAAAAAHnE/oRvkll5xkMQ/DSC08024%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOMzHgeDI/AAAAAAAAHnI/elY6fxF-gT0/DSC08024_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The show tonight is Disney on Broadway, with Sarah Litzinger, the longest running "Belle," and David DeVries who played "Lumiere" with her doing various songs in a cabaret style.  Although they give reasonably pleasant performances, the disappointment from the small girls who doubtless thought Litzinger would look more like Belle, is palpable.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXONVwafFI/AAAAAAAAHnM/THYBB8NiB8s/DSC08026%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXONr2EHiI/AAAAAAAAHnQ/lnBkMPf0LJA/DSC08026_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The towel animal for tonight is a little larger than we've been used to, however the upside is that we now know where Felindro hid our couch cushion.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXON1-qqLI/AAAAAAAAHnU/Qxc5h8B3wTQ/DSC08027%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOOAs7jfI/AAAAAAAAHnY/AaTVZhkjj9U/DSC08027_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOOXE4hHI/AAAAAAAAHnc/_aIEu8OujXI/DSC08028%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08028" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOO9vcpzI/AAAAAAAAHng/HD5OLCV-wos/DSC08028_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The evening cabaret is comedian Heath Hyche who starts off his act telling us that his flight was deranged and his luggage lost after having to spend the night in Miami and Cartagena, causing him to have to spend his whole time on board until he gets off in 2 days with one shirt and pants from Disney costuming.</p> <p>Dinner tonight is "Taste of the Caribbean" </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOPPBLQ4I/AAAAAAAAHnk/kUH_gbJVFcs/DSC08029%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOPsWuArI/AAAAAAAAHno/-xh-BAAoaro/DSC08029_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOP-bwxAI/AAAAAAAAHns/gMm1aVP2XsA/DSC08030%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC08030" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOQalZHZI/AAAAAAAAHnw/o9OgV0Zc7VE/DSC08030_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's very good, despite the fact that the dessert photo comes out blurry.  </p> <p>The deck party theme tonight is Tropicalifragilisticexpialidocious.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXOQ-Gd-GI/AAAAAAAAHn0/YHsZsH72qmw/DSC08034%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC08034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPXORXXaigI/AAAAAAAAHn4/Hyxks6ycy_Q/DSC08034_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's a pretty buffet, however the pain of the late dinner seating is that you are inevitably still full to bursting when the deck parties are ongoing.</p> <p>We leave the merrymaking to the less-stuffed, and retire to our cabin, where I notice something odd about the TV programming.  One of the channels is supposed to be showing episodes of various sitcoms all day, one of which is Whose Line Is It Anyway?  I watched one episode a few days ago and it was funny; then I watched an episode the next day, and it was funny, but a little familiar.  Today it suddenly occurs to me that they play the same episodes of the given sitcom at the same time each night, so basically I've been watching the same episode for about a week now.  </p> <p>No regular midnight buffet tonight, as the larger one for the deck party supplants it, so consequently no chocolate covered strawberries.  Again.  </p> <p>Tomorrow:  Another Day at Sea.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-77757190516945279292008-08-27T21:55:00.001-07:002008-10-15T01:14:18.485-07:00Day Nine: In Which We Traverse the Panama Canal and Get Really Really Wet Again.<p>So...the Panama Canal.  Commonly referred to by Christiaan the Cruise Director as "one of the Eighth Wonder of the World."  It's the reason this journey is 2 weeks, instead of 2 months.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl8S5E0mI/AAAAAAAAHjY/x0VhCjOM3xE/DSC07931%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="377" alt="DSC07931" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl8i7-KwI/AAAAAAAAHjc/NcPQu7Tw9V0/DSC07931_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We are told that we are scheduled to pass under the Bridge of the Americas at 0700.  It actually ends up taking about an 30-60 minutes longer than that.  Our plan is to sleep as long as possible, while watching on the front-of-the-ship cam to see when we're actually approaching, then race out all disheveled and race back to sleep after we pass under it.  It is, unfortunately, a plan doomed to failure as everyone else apparently got up and staked out spaces at around 0500.  After wandering around aimlessly trying to find a decent spot in the scorching heat, we watch the bridge pass over us and retreat back to our cabin until the next lock.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl9FDppOI/AAAAAAAAHjg/dDxwKVFcLog/DSC07934%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07934" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl9ItwlrI/AAAAAAAAHjk/b3FqfwIbgoo/DSC07934_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl9u8OaHI/AAAAAAAAHjo/WlIhNjfk7dA/DSC07936%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07936" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl9l2ACwI/AAAAAAAAHjs/iiHMjPYS5i4/DSC07936_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl-AAN8YI/AAAAAAAAHjw/nLe2csvYz90/DSC07941%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07941" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl-beAUyI/AAAAAAAAHj0/fyMXV8SqxYw/DSC07941_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We get to the Miraflores Locks around 0930.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl-jpmCRI/AAAAAAAAHj4/L4jug4bbISQ/DSC07944%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07944" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl--DaJWI/AAAAAAAAHj8/mEtIqpzBFvo/DSC07944_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl_H0QKCI/AAAAAAAAHkA/XQmHvP3v10c/DSC07947%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07947" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl_ZhG0vI/AAAAAAAAHkE/LUgzGfO_pPM/DSC07947_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I am finally able to get something of a view by balancing on the top of a waist-high box with about 6 other people.  I watch the ship enter the lock, and then decide the better part of valor might be to just assume we get out ok.  As the heat becomes ever more oppressive, we have lunch in Topsider Buffet and watch the next lock, the Pedro Miguel, from inside.</p> <p>Finally, for the last lock, the Gatun Locks, we are determined to watch the whole thing from a good spot.  By this time, most people's interest had waned, so we got a relatively clear spot in front.  The weather had also turned cooler and we congratulated ourselves on a pleasant viewing experience...until we noticed the flashes of lightning in the distance.  The lightning that got progressively closer, until it began pouring down rain on us.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWl_6Qjc3I/AAAAAAAAHkI/oQwJ80ahRgU/DSC07963%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07963" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmAYDP0QI/AAAAAAAAHkM/qdE0DF2GDPU/DSC07963_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After a considerable time of getting rained on, CMs came by and handed out ponchos.  Finally, roughly 12 hours after our initial approach to the Bridge of the Americas, we completed our journey through the canal, and reached the Atlantic Ocean.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmUOylunI/AAAAAAAAHkQ/HTSq72u2UFI/DSC07964%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07964" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmUWWvxvI/AAAAAAAAHkU/GVbtwlWU34o/DSC07964_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We celebrated by going inside and toweling off, although not with the towels from our new cabinmate:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmUnK6jAI/AAAAAAAAHkY/h6gYf0DrARQ/DSC07965%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07965" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmUwYrPQI/AAAAAAAAHkc/iUcCG_mqBws/DSC07965_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dinner tonight is a special menu entitled "West Meets East" with the date printed on it that we are allowed to keep as a memento.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmVC1p37I/AAAAAAAAHkg/7cTo1mgeh44/DSC07966%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07966" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmVQ8QWBI/AAAAAAAAHkk/YcV4qcrEEfM/DSC07966_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmVvsp1YI/AAAAAAAAHko/ZApuYlT0FCA/DSC07967%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07967" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmV54gD8I/AAAAAAAAHks/DqXLGG8gfFY/DSC07967_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is my favorite dinner by far on the trip.  The crab legs and lobster are terrific, and cooked just right.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmWDIjuoI/AAAAAAAAHkw/7ImW5qobvfA/DSC07969%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07969" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWmWSfIsEI/AAAAAAAAHk0/dwghjCThOFk/DSC07969_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Our day in the Panama Canal came to a close with the delivery of a lithograph by "Ducky" Williams to commemorate our voyage.  Heat and rain nowithstanding, it was a great experience to see such a marvel of engineering and historical significance.  The only downside is that there is no longer any way to deny that the majority of our trip lies behind us, with the Pacific Ocean.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Cartegena.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-67148375133207928662008-08-27T21:38:00.001-07:002008-10-15T00:58:56.634-07:00Day Eight: In Which We Spectate Various Things.<p>Another day at sea.  Mom tries to make the case that the days at sea should be spent in restful contemplation and napping.  I make the case that you can rest for free at home, and neither one of us is entirely convinced.</p> <p>I start off the day at a demonstration called "The Art of Entertaining," which is a cooking series put on by Michael Jordan, Master Sommelier at the Napa Rose restaurant in the Grand Californian at DLR.  He is accompanied by Gretchen...someone...who is something like the Executive Chef of the DCL, and who used to be something like the Executive Chef of EPCOT before.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiqb4qpMI/AAAAAAAAHiE/9JQhDZ19Org/DSC07909%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="370" alt="DSC07909" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiq0jSXeI/AAAAAAAAHiI/ufcrkX6eKD4/DSC07909_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWirNAewxI/AAAAAAAAHiM/ggCRxrvhrGU/DSC07908%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07908" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWirURno7I/AAAAAAAAHiQ/7Na-Gecpd-Y/DSC07908_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>They make duck comfit tacos and crunchy fish tacos which are a little amusing, as the duck requires you to get a duck breast and cook it slowly in (separately obtained) duck fat for eons, shred it, etc. and then roll it in a corn tortilla.  Michael Jordan's fish tacos involve you going to the market and getting the Gorton's frozen fish sticks, baking them, and then cutting them in little pieces and putting them in a tortilla.  So some difference in the amount of time/effort investment required.</p> <p>After that, we attend a talk by the Art Auction folks, where they showed original art storyboards created by Salvador Dali for the animated short he did with Walt Disney called "Destino," and then showed the actual film from the 40's.  It was typically difficult to follow as most Dali works are, but fascinating none the less in its depiction of a love story between a woman and man separated by time, monotony, and various insecurities, who ultimately find connection.  I suspect you'd have to watch it a number of times before you really caught the majority of the details.</p> <p>After a quick buffet lunch at Parrot Cay, we went to the matinee showing of the new DCL musical, "Twice Charmed," which basically follows a similar plotline to the made-for-DVD Cinderella III animated.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWirt431vI/AAAAAAAAHiU/zfqLjYwGEdk/DSC07911%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07911" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWir_W-IoI/AAAAAAAAHiY/KYZYvwkntZg/DSC07911_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWisE_6YsI/AAAAAAAAHic/FscqzvWfqns/DSC07919%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07919" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWisWLJ4GI/AAAAAAAAHik/PMJdAJjs9x0/DSC07919_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I liked it.  It's definitely a little more ambitious than their other theatrical offerings in it's attempts to tell a whole new story with original music, etc.  The sets and costumes are wonderful, as always, and the Stepmother and Franco, her Wicked Fairy Stepfather (who looks suspiciously like Nathan Lane) are well-delineated characters.  As in the original text, however, the various protagonists come off a little weak, with the Major-Domo actually getting more characterization than anyone else.  The Prince gets a little more to do this time around, and provides what I think is the funniest moment in the play:  When the stepsisters are presented to him as his potential brides, he basically runs off stage, changes his clothes, then pretty much leaps off a balcony and flees away like a bat out of Hell.  I think it's supposed to show his heroic resolve to find Cinderella, but it ends up just looking like abject terror to me.</p> <p>Cinderella still strikes me as a heroine in dire need of a backbone.  There's one point where she's wrestling with the stepsisters over an object which is supposed to mean the difference between marriage to the Prince and Happily Ever After, and a lifetime of domestic slavery to her stepfamily.  I don't know about you, but if the stakes were that high for me, I expect blood on the floor before anyone runs away with that one.  </p> <p>Subsequently, we watched Prince Caspian in the Buena Vista Theater.  While greatly changed from the original book as far as I can remember, it was a good action-filled flick, and the kids seemed as though they had become slightly better actors from the first film.</p> <p>For dinner, we had Prince and Princess dinner, which we were told was a new menu for them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWis2QMuRI/AAAAAAAAHio/C0_tnaBxClA/DSC07926%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07926" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWitKDoeEI/AAAAAAAAHis/uuyLUxddmqk/DSC07926_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>For appetizers, I had Belle's scallops, with puff pastry.  The kitchen continues its above-average run on scallops.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWitWJ_sfI/AAAAAAAAHiw/okyRZN-fNBI/DSC07922%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07922" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWitmf7ZkI/AAAAAAAAHi0/HMRsKW7-SHs/DSC07922_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The featured entree was a chicken Wellington which my Mom said was good but too big a serving for her to finish.  It had a mushroom stuffing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWit3dBz6I/AAAAAAAAHi4/FA_EdAQz5Es/DSC07924%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07924" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiuNfdSGI/AAAAAAAAHi8/Qhw8aw4shb4/DSC07924_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiuZITjWI/AAAAAAAAHjA/gmVJWkg6hww/DSC07925%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07925" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiuoh2LkI/AAAAAAAAHjE/LLqz7guhFhk/DSC07925_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I had a seafood stew with zucchini and olives.  The seafood is cooked just right, however the sauce is a little one-dimensional, and the rice is frankly hard in bits, as if undercooked.</p> <p>For dessert I had the chocolate slipper, which was not the same as the chocolate slipper they used to serve at Cinderella's Castle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWiu1qGn8I/AAAAAAAAHjI/flu1H0SFNro/DSC07928%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07928" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWivAT84RI/AAAAAAAAHjM/EnB9Ewr5qaM/DSC07928_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The slipper was really more of a decoration than an integral part of the dessert, and the presentation was fairly sloppy--it was like they had amateur night with the piping bag.  The cake was very good though--similar to angel food.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWivmbiL8I/AAAAAAAAHjQ/pSypWf4GYdc/DSC07930%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07930" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWivwkrw7I/AAAAAAAAHjU/zQ5DoJuhNSc/DSC07930_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Today's towel animal looks a little like a lobster, but I'm not sure.  Either way, it's doing it's part to prevent cataracts.</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Panama Canal!</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-54392551502753712652008-08-26T23:04:00.001-07:002008-10-15T00:47:24.345-07:00Day Seven: In Which We Spend Another Day At Sea, and I Hope My Camera Doesn't Explode.<p>We start off the day with a talk by Don "Ducky" Williams, Disney's only character illustrator.  He gave a nice talk on how he got a job as a Disney Artist by trying for years, sending them something like 100 drawings per week.  While he spoke, he sketched numerous characters which were then given away to 20 lucky ticket holders.  Sadly, we were not any of them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWf-z37cCI/AAAAAAAAHhM/WPHPzQ6fE80/DSC07895%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07895" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWf_C4DYoI/AAAAAAAAHhQ/UEZovn2axMQ/DSC07895_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I don't take quite as many photos today as usual, as I'm trying to let the camera dry out.  The photoguy at the onboard photo sales place says that the best thing would be to not use it at all, as any usage while it's wet could just damage it more, but...I can't just not take anything, so we try to keep it minimal.</p> <p>After lunch, we attended an origami animals session.  I am not sure whether it was the fault of the instructor or the creator, but our frogs looked distinctly mutated.</p> <p>A tour of the Galley was on the schedule for the afternoon, which was fairly interesting.  The galley they showed us extended all the way from Lumiere's to Parrot Cay, so about 1/2 the length of the ship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWf_WJ6dMI/AAAAAAAAHhU/WYOphPpIkyw/DSC07897%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07897" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWf_pNU_qI/AAAAAAAAHhY/0TcL00mJc28/DSC07897_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgAB6pQvI/AAAAAAAAHhc/nJ9p1n0d3EQ/DSC07898%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07898" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgAaBFxVI/AAAAAAAAHhg/nhYDecVNVSQ/DSC07898_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>In the Pastry section, they give us each a cookie, making it our favorite part of the tour.  The pastryguy said that there is someone making pastry virtually 24 hours a day for all the meals onboard, and that most of it is made from scratch.  We consider volunteering to come sample 24 hours a day, but then recall that we already think wistfully of the times when we used to have a waist.  Also a neck.</p> <p>After some more lolling about, I attend the evening show which is Ricky Kalmon--comedian and hypnotist.  He calls people up, puts them under, and gives them suggestions like "when I say this word, you will think you smell something bad."  I'm not sure I entirely buy the process, as it seems likely the volunteers are self-selecting for exhibitionist traits anyway, and nothing he asks would be out-of-place as an improv exercise for a non-hypnotized person.</p> <p>Dinner tonight was Island Dinner at Parrot Cay, which was actually much better than I remember it being in the past.  The appetizer I had was seared ahi and conch ceviche, and the entree was grouper with zucchini and bay shrimp.  Everything was cooked very well and the fish tasted very fresh.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgAlvu9BI/AAAAAAAAHhk/r2evyuvs_kE/DSC07900%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07900" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgAynnv9I/AAAAAAAAHho/qz57YuSiCyw/DSC07900_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgBdQqyaI/AAAAAAAAHhs/C-bHFUsfK7A/DSC07901%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07901" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgBiE1pbI/AAAAAAAAHhw/XxfjGFEOn4k/DSC07901_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dessert was described as some sort of s'mores cake, but the cake was actually limited to the thin layer at the bottom and the marshmallows were not really melted all that much.  It ended up being more or less marshmallows and chocolate mousse, which is on the whole, not a bad thing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgBwvW2sI/AAAAAAAAHh0/2831GsrZoeY/DSC07902%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07902" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgCWTTTBI/AAAAAAAAHh4/DKKEcJ5oC4o/DSC07902_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Tonight's towel animal:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgCkR6eMI/AAAAAAAAHh8/2agbfCwLjFg/DSC07905%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07905" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWgC5sH-9I/AAAAAAAAHiA/zaIGwhaSzzE/DSC07905_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We are initially unsure as to what this is, but hope it is a shrimp of some kind.</p> <p>No chocolate covered strawberries at the buffet tonight!  How wrong is that?!</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Another day at sea.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-52328336986615279772008-08-25T00:11:00.000-07:002008-10-15T00:26:19.949-07:00Day Six: In Which We Get Really, Really Wet.<p>Today we find out why the inside cabins are so much cheaper, as we get up at the unGodly hour of 0500 to get breakfast before our shore excursion meeting time of 0645, slather on sunscreen, and go outside to find Acapulco pitch dark and pouring rain.  Sigh.</p> <p>After hastily gulping down some food and much-needed coffee, we met up with today's excursion, the Shotover Jet Boats in the Puerto Marquez tropical lagoon.  I wasn't sure they would go on with it, but it turns out they do, equipping us with towels and rain ponchos and wishes for good luck.  </p> <p>In my guidebook, it says Acapulco is sunny roughly 360 days of the year, so apparently we've gotten lucky and hit one of the 5.  We load onto a bus and the guide drives us out to a lookout part-way to the lagoon for some photos of Acapulco Bay.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWXsUs1kDI/AAAAAAAAHfc/4AM4M7-f6K0/DSC07857%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07857" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWXspsD1MI/AAAAAAAAHfg/HZtjI-OZn5k/DSC07857_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It's really a pretty town, from a distance at least--we're sorry we don't have much time to explore it, as our ship sails at 1pm.</p> <p>We continue on towards Puerto Marquez, which is said to have the highest Mangroves in the world.  It's situated in sort of an odd area, where a wealthy-appearing golf course is right next to an area that looked like trash pick hadn't happened in the last month or so.  They divide us into two groups, at which time we have to wait around for them to find another jet boat and clean out the water and debris.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFCAXOdMI/AAAAAAAAFBY/-mTKqQz-3aQ/DSC07869%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07869" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFF4oZ58I/AAAAAAAAFBc/nsGTYXPjbKA/DSC07869_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We finally get in and our driver speeds us along the waterways at high speeds, occasionally whipping us around in 360 degree turns.  It's fun and would be even more fun if it weren't still pouring, causing the rain to pelt us in the face with the force of a dermabrasion treatment.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFIjWCIqI/AAAAAAAAFBg/eSlIjCFWacc/DSCF1385%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSCF1385" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFMZETF1I/AAAAAAAAFBk/VB_19-t-5KM/DSCF1385_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Here's a sample picture of us, and no, you can't see me, as I'm cowering behind my poncho, trying not to have my face blasted off by the force of the water.</p> <p>Later, he drove us into the mangrove groves.  The trees are remarkable for their dense root structures that extend out of the water.  They must be fast-growing, as they have to regularly machete open tunnels for the boats to maneuver through.  Sometimes the ends of the roots are so close in, he has to tell everyone to duck down to avoid them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX8-D-6DI/AAAAAAAAHfk/b3Ulw_FF5M4/DSC07864%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07864" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX9aYMOrI/AAAAAAAAHfo/wH_N-7Q_D7s/DSC07864_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>As we enter an area with such heavy mangrove growth it almost acts as a cave, I take the opportunity to get some photos.  This may be a mistake, as later I notice the camera has escaped it's plastic bag and gotten rather wet.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFaj_bcVI/AAAAAAAAFBw/EexyCYMvI94/DSCF1381%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSCF1381" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SLMFfE8p-wI/AAAAAAAAFB0/cc561rtiMe0/DSCF1381_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Anyway, it's pretty fun as I said, although the other boat apparently has problems and breaks down, causing them to all have to be taken off and then put back on again after it was fixed.</p> <p>We then are given the opportunity to buy a cd of the photos, which we end up doing, despite the fact that all you can really see of us are our ponchos.  </p> <p>After the bus ride back, we hire a cab to take us to the cliff diver area, wait for us, and then drive us back to the port terminal.  He drops us off and we happen to walk in the same time as one of the Disney tours, which reassures us that there will be another show soon (there doesn't appear to be a regular schedule.)  I think it also saves us admission fee, as I notice fee signage on our way out, but no one ever asked us for any money.</p> <p>We see some of the cliff divers just finished from one drive, and have the sense that, perhaps, these are not the ones prominently featured in the advertisements, and Love Boat.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX9m3uiKI/AAAAAAAAHfs/ERcZGdlPTUg/DSC07870%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07870" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX-Mexh0I/AAAAAAAAHfw/8xEbS2BnHp0/DSC07870_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We find a place to spectate and hunker down, at least as well as can be expected when everything is soaked from the recent rain (now stopped, thank goodness.)</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX-clZttI/AAAAAAAAHf0/XX8bF_UslC0/DSC07872%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07872" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWX-s-msaI/AAAAAAAAHf4/X10-25IIUzA/DSC07872_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWYG4jxCeI/AAAAAAAAHf8/Nx1YZjAB_pY/DSC07874%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07874" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWYHK2aM_I/AAAAAAAAHgA/XCAkNaWjjbA/DSC07874_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This is the cliff that they dive off of, and the shrine on top where they pray before diving, presumably for not-death.  It is about this time that I begin to think the camera may not be happy about the whole getting wet thing earlier, as it begins to randomly emit loud "CRACK" sounds that resemble gunfire.  I manage to keep it working for most of the dives, but it is clearly needing a rest.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWYHhC0_BI/AAAAAAAAHgE/hMQKpAOrupg/DSC07879%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07879" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWYIEw41jI/AAAAAAAAHgI/KKKfsLgTOFs/DSC07879_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Finally, after much waiting, the divers jump into the water, swim to the other side, and climb up the side of the cliff.  All except the guys at the top that just suddenly appear from the back.  It makes you think no one tells the newbies about the elevator.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWYIXMi8BI/AAAAAAAAHgM/aJyENP0rssQ/DSC07881%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07881" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbCCg0JyI/AAAAAAAAHgQ/JJgi3pDo1-Q/DSC07881_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbCp4YKhI/AAAAAAAAHgU/c_5viu3mrS4/DSC07880%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07880" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbC-T7a6I/AAAAAAAAHgY/_rBOp_gXMwU/DSC07880_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbDRHUxNI/AAAAAAAAHgc/DhAhXLOj2y4/DSC07883%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07883" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbDoGDdQI/AAAAAAAAHgg/yL-lJO-Ryrg/DSC07883_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Nobody dies, and the cab driver is still waiting for us when we come out, so we consider the whole thing a success, although I am still concerned about the camera.</p> <p>We make our way back onto the boat, and are greeted by a familiar face on boarding.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbEKnGz2I/AAAAAAAAHgk/dUTg4GAc6Oc/DSC07884%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07884" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbEo2FJ-I/AAAAAAAAHgo/vy-pnVha3sY/DSC07884_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After some recovery time and a lesson in origami flower folding, we go for dinner in Animator's tonight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbE0pe1uI/AAAAAAAAHgs/1GKllnxNA_k/DSC07890%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07890" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbFK3cu4I/AAAAAAAAHgw/rXzSe2N5ww4/DSC07890_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbFXW6xMI/AAAAAAAAHg0/oL5akO8TFLg/DSC07892%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07892" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbFnuZUxI/AAAAAAAAHg4/UdWKYqahcQE/DSC07892_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The curry crab nachos are a little different than what I expected but still makes a good pairing with the mango salsa-thing that accompanies it.  Ox enjoys the grilled shrimp and scallops, but has difficulty taking the shell off, as the grilling makes the shell stick to the shrimp like nobody's business.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbF55BPSI/AAAAAAAAHg8/z-IdzVHUN3s/DSC07893%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07893" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbGCgeI9I/AAAAAAAAHhA/zPJyiNVReB4/DSC07893_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>As our entertainment, Minnie comes in and does a little dancing, Mexican-style.  They have a Mexicali deck party up top, but we don't make it because in general, our server doesn't seem to be able to get us out of dinner in shorter than 2-2.5 hours.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbGYaBWhI/AAAAAAAAHhE/g_kiQGcLxac/DSC07894%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07894" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWbG7eje5I/AAAAAAAAHhI/cskJBDZyeW0/DSC07894_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I mean, he seems really nice and is always enthusiastic about greeting us when we get there, but then he'll disappear for 30-45 minutes at a shot between courses.  Periodically the Head Server comes by to ask if there's anything he can do for us, and I always feel like saying "yes.  Can you check on R---?  Because I think he might be dead."</p> <p>The night ends with a churro eclair, as the deck party buffet supplants the usual midnight buffet and, alas, no chocolate covered strawberries.  Apparently they aren't Mexicali enough.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-77316027813129977152008-08-24T23:41:00.000-07:002008-10-17T04:15:20.606-07:00Day Five: In Which We Spend A Leisurely Day at Sea.<p>After the day's excitement yesterday, we tended to be a little inert on today's sea day.  In the morning, there was a cooking seminar called "Art of Entertaining" in which they prepared chicken breast rolled with ratatouille--interesting, but I think not something we'll be preparing anytime soon.  (Our lack of enthusiasm for it might have been due to the fact that we had just come from breakfast, where we gorged on eggs benedict and all manner of breakfast-y items.)</p> <p>After a short nap interval, we went to Captain Ken Puckett's lecture on transiting through the Panama Canal.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzqp1zQaI/AAAAAAAAH40/vnXJ8A14jWk/DSC07842%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07842" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzrGDFwII/AAAAAAAAH44/3yancvAlwbs/DSC07842_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>He had been a Senior Pilot and Port Captain on the Panama Canal for 16 years (now retired,) and spoke on the mechanics of piloting a ship through a canal with 2 feet of clearance on either side and the dangers thereof.  It was relatively complicated, and the whole thing makes you wonder how anyone thought of it all in the first place.</p> <p>Afterwards, we wandered past the art auction, where they were prominently auctioning off art by Disney Artist John Rowe who was in residence for the first part of the cruise.  He started one work when he got on board, and was painting it every night until the auction, when it was completed.  He does a lot of art for movie posters, and all the covers for the latest Black Stallion books.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzrZHdamI/AAAAAAAAH48/-EIfC3OJlrw/DSC07843%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="404" alt="DSC07843" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzriOUxpI/AAAAAAAAH5A/Zg8kSe7LKUg/DSC07843_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The art was gorgeous, however when they started the bids at $10,000, we kept walking.</p> <p>We had some spare time in the programming at this point, and still not hungry for lunch, we indulged in more quality lolling about until it was time for the Castaway Clubhouse reception.  The one of these I had been to before was a fairly small gathering of past Disney cruisers, however on this cruise the vast majority of everyone has cruised on Disney before.  I think they said this was the most number of repeat cruisers they had ever had--around 2036 or so.  There were so many they held it up on Goofy's Pool Stage, which basically made it into another deck party.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzsGrJ4CI/AAAAAAAAH5E/wzbuIdn9QVQ/DSC07844%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07844" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzslhjjCI/AAAAAAAAH5I/ZScBl-yBfW0/DSC07844_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It was something of a zoo, with people jostling around trying to collect small plates of appetizers and margaritas.  They gave away 20 travel clocks, which seemed a little skimpy given the number of people involved, and then pretty much called it.  I thought this could have been done better if they had broken it into two smaller receptions but maybe it's just bitterness from not getting any Mickey Mouse rice krispy treats this time around.</p> <p>Anyway, we had enough to to get ready for the show for the evening, which was Ronn Lucas, comedian and ventriloquist.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhztDj5qzI/AAAAAAAAH5M/16KrhvMi1zI/DSC07845%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07845" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhztq762yI/AAAAAAAAH5Q/CIzSXb87he8/DSC07845_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>He put on a very clever show--one thing about the Disney cruises, they've definitely given us a new appreciation for ventriloquists.</p> <p>Dinner tonight was at Lumiere's for "French Dinner."  Getting ready for it, we meet Felindro's latest towel creation.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhztz1qOjI/AAAAAAAAH5U/PBMLCz1mJGo/DSC07847%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07847" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzuLsqpkI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/O3UBM_kgEgo/DSC07847_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The French Dinner menu probably has the same relation to what French people eat, as the California menu had to what Californians eat, but it's pretty good anyway.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWQkq38YWI/AAAAAAAAHfU/XoftVVP-Bro/DSC07849%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07849" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWQk2VfEQI/AAAAAAAAHfY/BIqlLtXWYMA/DSC07849_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzucpVQoI/AAAAAAAAH5c/Y94BulnxvaQ/DSC07850%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07850" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzuw59mjI/AAAAAAAAH5g/jP6JUCIWSPk/DSC07850_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ox has the escargot, and I have the coquilles St. Jacques, which is a little salty but still tasty.  One thing about Lumiere's, the meal seems to take an enormously long time to get served.  I don't think we've eaten there for dinner yet, when it took less than 2-2.5 hours.</p> <p>In the middle of dinner, we are joined briefly by some familiar faces:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzvnZH2LI/AAAAAAAAH5k/zbObLx_dbj4/DSC07851%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07851" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzwKoEngI/AAAAAAAAH5o/v5hPKwGgYjo/DSC07851_thumb.jpg" width="316" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The light fixtures are cute, as they have the Beast's rose inside, with some dropped petals lying on the bottom of the glass case.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzwSOBA-I/AAAAAAAAH5s/cWB2I2v_6sM/DSC07854%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07854" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzwueET6I/AAAAAAAAH5w/8jAP1WnbWao/DSC07854_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Tonight's creme brulee is an improvement over the preceding ones, as the top is a little harder.  There is something sad that we've had enough recently to mount a comparison.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzxR3-sjI/AAAAAAAAH50/XGfTviZLSSY/DSC07855%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07855" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhzxnuUcJI/AAAAAAAAH54/yRif8qZJCb4/DSC07855_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I believe the 11th commandment is "Thou Shalt Have Chocolate Covered Strawberries And Rejoice."</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Acapulco.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-30912683257666121942008-08-23T23:32:00.000-07:002008-10-17T03:47:48.454-07:00Day Four: In Which I Experience Mules, Unimogs, and Ziplines, Oh My.<p>On this day, we arrived at Puerta Vallarta at around 0930.  We had an unexceptional breakfast buffet at Parrot Cay, where an overworked omelette chef really earned his pay, and the smoked salmon was really salty.  I had an excursion planned with Vallarta Adventures called Outdoor Adventures which involved being taken to a jungle in the Sierra Madres where you would get to ride ziplines through the forest, rappel down waterfalls, cross suspension bridges, etc.  </p> <p>All I have to say is:  <strong>OH MY GOSH, YOU GUYS, YOU HAVE TO DO THIS!  IT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!</strong></p> <p>Seriously.  It started out with a short walk to an Apex speedboat where our shoes were taken hostage and we sat on what resembled small boxes with no seatbelts.  This became slightly alarming as the boat took off at warp speed, careening across the waves, with relatively few handholds of any kind.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPyb94wyI/AAAAAAAAHeo/eEuKzQWerFU/DSC07832%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07832" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPyl-ZTcI/AAAAAAAAHes/G2I_x6Zlm3k/DSC07832_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Our destination is Boca de Tomatlan, on the other side of Banderas Bay.  It's at the edge of the Sierra Madre jungle.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtMCqKwOI/AAAAAAAAH3k/1HgzG26TYNM/DSC07819%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07819" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtM_wO_lI/AAAAAAAAH3o/xpCacegoFic/DSC07819_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Having arrived there and rescuing our shoes, we are introduced to our next method of transport, the 4x4 Unimog.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtNs5pLxI/AAAAAAAAH3s/2cZa_0bN9gs/DSC07824%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07824" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtOA8vVkI/AAAAAAAAH3w/dQojFSn1GYM/DSC07824_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This results in the oddest, yet familiar, mix of sensations, as the ride feels just like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Mara, the outside looks just like Kilimanjaro Safari, and the inside looks like something out of M*A*S*H.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPy_hM6kI/AAAAAAAAHew/B59RoFVT0Ho/DSC07823%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07823" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPzJxqEiI/AAAAAAAAHe4/oWZCwkwwz6E/DSC07823_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtOtWXu-I/AAAAAAAAH30/-uNGqqXAdfQ/DSC07820%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07820" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtPAD-5yI/AAAAAAAAH34/IcqiBfvrPKM/DSC07820_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>When we arrived at the Base Camp, they confiscated all our stuff and outfitted us with bandanas, harnesses, pulleys, and helmets.  Afterwards, they offered to sell us photos of the experience for $18 each, which is why I have none to show you today.  Suffice it to say that we boarded some mules, of which mine seemed vaguely disenchanted with the idea of toting my bloated cruise-ship mass up to the top of the mountain, and then ziplined our way down.  En route, we hiked a bit (ugh,) forded streams, crossed high suspension bridges, ziplined straight into rivers, sat in the water on the edge of a waterfall, rappelled down the side of said waterfall (with and without wall contact,) and generally got incredibly wet and muddy.  It was enormous fun, right up until my pulley broke, which turns out to be way less exciting than you'd think.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtPVWXgzI/AAAAAAAAH38/XLt-fizSKNM/DSC07825%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07825" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtQO-VJSI/AAAAAAAAH4A/CAzmxKDi1gQ/DSC07825_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">On return to camp, we retrieved our things and were offered a snack of chips and salsa, and a soda you could buy for $2.  I'm sure the salsa was fine, but after spending the last few days in an environment where you can't even look at food without getting hosed down by a Hazmat team, it just seemed a little dicey.</p> <p align="left">Later, on the way back, we had our obligatory shopping stop at a Tequila factory that resembled someone's house.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtQcjOOUI/AAAAAAAAH4E/dVF4X0SRbyQ/DSC07827%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07827" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtRBWzj9I/AAAAAAAAH4I/54vL2b8tuNs/DSC07827_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtRcaMr7I/AAAAAAAAH4M/RGQ3w4ZyN4o/DSC07826%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07826" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtR3bcTbI/AAAAAAAAH4Q/ihHFpsdsNTA/DSC07826_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Tequila is apparently grown from plants related to orchids, and then something happens with that big spoon and...actually, I think the salesguy was a little vague on the details.  Mostly I think he said that they don't use donkeys anymore, and then started pouring everyone samples of tequila.  For those of us who don't drink, we mostly spent the time watching the kids and dogs play with fetch with the water bottles which probably came from some exotic place like the Sam's Club across from the ship's dock.  I was surprised, however, that the tequilaguy ended up asking for tips afterwards--for a 2-minute tequila sales pitch?  Maybe he should ask for a larger commission from the tequila sales.</p> <p align="left">On the way back, it begins to rain a little.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtSNzQXaI/AAAAAAAAH4U/Svc3lLg66NE/DSC07831%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07831" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtS0JI-SI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/pN2FRakDGYA/DSC07831_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">This doesn't seem like a big deal until you remember that photo I took of the speed boat earlier.  Remember how there's no top?  Remember how it goes really fast?  The ride back was like riding in your car, on the freeway, in pelting rain, with the top and sides down.  We did, however, see a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waves, and maybe a whale, although it was far away, and rain was denting our corneas.</p> <p align="left">By the time I returned to the ship, it was about 6:30pm.  I had thought that maybe I could collect Mom and grab a cab out to the main downtown area for a quick look around, but I was soaked to the skin and muddy, and it was also pouring rain so our enthusiasm waned.  A shower and time of unconsciousness later, we went to dinner.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPzaF3uaI/AAAAAAAAHe8/gySuWMiTmjU/DSC07833%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07833" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPzgDTHLI/AAAAAAAAHfA/ZxgsQCTAyNk/DSC07833_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWPz0RTGYI/AAAAAAAAHfE/pRgbbflWZaQ/DSC07834%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07834" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWP0EsPNhI/AAAAAAAAHfI/jF0e8Ue4AJU/DSC07834_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">The appetizers were very good--duck  with puff pastry, and tuna carpaccio.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtTVmOkMI/AAAAAAAAH4c/59QZqqaligU/DSC07835%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07835" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtT2Oo8EI/AAAAAAAAH4g/Y1vFIVcG-e8/DSC07835_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtUBbgPrI/AAAAAAAAH4k/fPvWVMnyd-o/DSC07836%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07836" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtURqZcaI/AAAAAAAAH4o/QcOGxakelvA/DSC07836_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">My entree, however, left a great deal to be desired:  Smoked salmon, which was incredibly salty, on wheat fettuccini, which had been cooked not quite to "al dente," but rather to "al hard-e."  Ox enjoys his entree much better--the halibut with asparagus.  Tonight's theme was California cuisine, which leads me to think the country must have a skewed idea of what we eat in California.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWP0k0pn7I/AAAAAAAAHfM/jlyeqIDVHFM/DSC07838%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07838" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWP1Pq8LVI/AAAAAAAAHfQ/-HUVhcJAb7g/DSC07838_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">No, these were not all my desserts (ice cream sundae with toasted marshmallow, sugar-free cappuccino mousse, flourless chocolate cake,) but they could have been...I didn't get lunch, remember?  Remember?</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtUi-6o2I/AAAAAAAAH4s/JHANso7HP-I/DSC07840%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07840" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPhtU2M_eeI/AAAAAAAAH4w/GFXb9DxNa30/DSC07840_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p align="left">Our latest towel animal blesses us with her presence.  We take advantage of the fact that the rain has stopped, and make a mad dash to the Wal-Mart across the street from the dock to see if there is anything excitingly Puerta Vallerta-ish about it.  Mom gets a t-shirt, and I get a bottle of apple soda and we make our way back, satisfied.  Unfortunately, it means that we get back too late to catch the midnight buffets with the chocolate-covered strawberries.  <strong>Noooooo!  Why, God?  Whyyyy?!</strong></p> <p align="left">Tomorrow:  A Day at Sea.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-53133261703019036782008-08-21T17:54:00.001-07:002008-10-14T23:27:12.902-07:00Day Three: In Which We Ride Horses and Melt Like Butter in the Sun.<p>As usual, we get up and make our way to Lumiere's for some breakfast and much needed coffee.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNCUc0lII/AAAAAAAAHcg/7Mp0Kox7ETE/DSC07780%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07780" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNCkilRjI/AAAAAAAAHck/pi6EP92GceA/DSC07780_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNC-qZpNI/AAAAAAAAHco/t0bkIaXe4yc/DSC07782%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07782" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNDOPnsyI/AAAAAAAAHcs/6AsugQ09BJE/DSC07782_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I have Mrs. Pott's Belgian waffles, which ends up being very similar to Ariel's Belgian waffles on the Wonder.  It's no Tonga Toast, but it's good anyway.</p> <p>Later we go to Sessions where I meet up with my excursion group, and Mom takes a look at Cabo San Lucas from a porthole.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNDpy-pvI/AAAAAAAAHcw/5ZukClTm2II/DSC07783%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07783" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWND9g_NCI/AAAAAAAAHc0/Oa0AMBUUnvY/DSC07783_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We are given Pinocchio stickers to make us easy to identify as Disney Freaks to all the casual passers-by and vendors.  After being walked out into the broiling heat, they stick us inside the naval offices and then make us wait there for a considerably long time until marching us out to a van and driving us about an hour into the desert.  I fall asleep, so they could have left us there, and I'd probably have been coyote bait.  Or whatever the Mexican equivalent of coyote bait is.</p> <p>We arrive at the Carisuva ranch and are greeted by a few goats and dogs ambling about.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNEFevinI/AAAAAAAAHc4/aCDnykMsnOI/DSC07787%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07787" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNER5u1fI/AAAAAAAAHc8/Zg0Lkys-YR0/DSC07787_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Our guide, Dave, gives a little talk about the two cardinal rules of horseback riding:  Don't walk behind the horse, and don't get off by yourself.  I manage to almost break both rules by the time I've been on about 5 minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNE5onWTI/AAAAAAAAHdA/UG5mcfziq9c/DSC07788%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07788" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNFNbZFUI/AAAAAAAAHdE/PWazwq5MuFU/DSC07788_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The Guide once walked behind a horse and one of the other guests pointed out the rule against it.  "Ah, but Sir," the Guide replied, "I am Mexican."  </p> <p>After getting on the horse and then persuading the Guide to get off his horse and go pick up my hat from where it flew off onto the ground, we begin riding out through a desert-like environment filled with what looks like the skeletal remains of bushes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNFY3KJyI/AAAAAAAAHdI/IJFMUi0saIg/DSC07790%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07790" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNF93JFfI/AAAAAAAAHdM/qrFf-UDFBiY/DSC07790_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After successfully avoiding being scraped up against cacti by the horse, we make it onto the beach, which is appropriately beautiful.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNGRJ8MuI/AAAAAAAAHdQ/v78iWyzaqMQ/DSC07791%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07791" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNGu13ZWI/AAAAAAAAHdU/KoiUu3SpqmI/DSC07791_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNGzJVNZI/AAAAAAAAHdY/6p7lWo752cA/DSC07792%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07792" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNHN4ZnBI/AAAAAAAAHdc/TWuLNxT23Dc/DSC07792_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>They ride us down from one end, back to the other end, which makes for a relatively short ride in relation to the time spent getting here and back.  Still and all, there aren't all that many places where they'll let you ride on the beach anymore.</p> <p>After declining to purchase their $10 photos (printed on actual cactus paper!  From real cactus!) we are returned to the pier, where I meet Mom arriving from the boat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNHUp5oKI/AAAAAAAAHdg/2U5EEzimdgA/DSC07800%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07800" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNHmHGE5I/AAAAAAAAHdk/Ni6H-dkd68M/DSC07800_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNIOFUSxI/AAAAAAAAHdo/q6clHLlkkdY/DSC07797%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07797" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNIfjt7fI/AAAAAAAAHds/HI2uqFwmKSc/DSC07797_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We totally decompensate in the heat, walking down the main shopping drag.  All the stores seem basically the same as the stores in Nassau, where we've never been able to find anything we want, anyway.  We stop at Cabo Wabo, a bar/restaurant apparently owned by Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame and purchase souvenirs for those who might care for that sort of thing.  Then we flee back to the ship.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNIiPAeVI/AAAAAAAAHdw/Hkl3ovTU9lY/DSC07804%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07804" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNI50UGaI/AAAAAAAAHd0/MEJq3U1Fyek/DSC07804_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNJCojWXI/AAAAAAAAHd4/ljq7B2qFLeY/DSC07803%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07803" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNJU7uxWI/AAAAAAAAHd8/zlor-L5vOD4/DSC07803_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dinner tonight was at Animator's Palette--Show Dinner.  I think a lot of people have become blase about the effects in this restaurant, but I still like it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNJz1mFyI/AAAAAAAAHeA/_7LPN-UYA-Y/DSC07805%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07805" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNNiQrHoI/AAAAAAAAHeE/PC0z_dkJ-GA/DSC07805_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The menu has changed slightly from the last time I ate here, but the seafood wrappers are still here.  Oddly enough, the service turns out to be very slow at this point; slow to the point where we think something may have actually happened to our server, as he disappears and doesn't reappear after taking our order until most other tables are mostly through their next course.  We notice that the wrappers have cucumber instead of the described avocado, and contemplate that the delay was the kitchen trying to decide what to use instead.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNOIg_7hI/AAAAAAAAHeI/G5QuD196ftw/DSC07806%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07806" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNOc0jQFI/AAAAAAAAHeM/RIrCPtAq3YQ/DSC07806_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNOs8JB5I/AAAAAAAAHeQ/OCGCxGzqZho/DSC07807%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07807" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNO0KS6gI/AAAAAAAAHeU/eMCysvuJooQ/DSC07807_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Two items that look to have been changed up a little--instead of mushrooms in puff pastry, they're now in a risotto which was nice, once it finally arrived.  The filet now comes with scallops and a spinach-mushroom mix embedded in potatoes.  The meat is cooked just right, however they break their winning streak with the scallops, that are a little sandy.</p> <p>After dinner, there is really only one dessert at the Animator's:  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNPEfatKI/AAAAAAAAHeY/jl02L6NESHc/DSC07809%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07809" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNPSviHRI/AAAAAAAAHec/lxGMdnEBR0A/DSC07809_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Chocolate and peanut butter pie, which is delicious but served on a regular dish, rather than the cute artist's palette plates of yesteryear.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNPme9sdI/AAAAAAAAHeg/fA805iL8doY/DSC07811%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07811" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWNP50K1zI/AAAAAAAAHek/YDLVdbIXMeM/DSC07811_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>You're also never too full for chocolate covered strawberries.  It was Ox!  I swear!</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Puerto Vallarta and the Outdoor Adventure.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-33875982223856439272008-08-20T23:14:00.000-07:002008-10-14T23:15:52.638-07:00Day Two: At Sea. In Which a Lot of Napping and Eating is Done.<p>Although I'm sure they had a number of interesting panels and Q&As this morning, we missed most of them as we tried to make up the sleep deficit we incurred by deferring our packing to the last moment.  We attended brunch at Lumiere's this morning which pretty much extended through the rest of the morning's talks.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKZsxT3WI/AAAAAAAAHak/tqghFffz_Ss/DSC07744%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07744" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKZ0ZFa1I/AAAAAAAAHas/7EgPDwmlgyI/DSC07744_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>This was a chicken and asparagus quiche which was a little bland, perhaps because the taste of chicken is too similar to egg.</p> <p>Ox enjoyed a fruit salad with Midori liqueur.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKdgxU7VI/AAAAAAAAHaw/KEgYOx1mfws/DSC07745%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07745" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKd9aLDhI/AAAAAAAAHa0/lprdLYDmw20/DSC07745_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After which we tried a smoked duck salad, which proved that most smoked meat tastes pretty much like ham to me.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKeGGD8DI/AAAAAAAAHa4/8SqSi4bkEjM/DSC07746%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07746" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKegN_B4I/AAAAAAAAHa8/4Tord_JHIAk/DSC07746_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We finished with a lamb pita, whose meat was tender enough, but not very strongly spiced.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKe2ENcHI/AAAAAAAAHbA/G57dRD9Cd2Q/DSC07747%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07747" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKfDuEQUI/AAAAAAAAHbE/peYoyI1fCz8/DSC07747_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After this enormous amount of food, we staggered out on deck for a few turn-arounds.  The weather, which had started out a little foggy and breezy, had cleared up to be a very nice day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKfb9kYUI/AAAAAAAAHbI/rXuBfqNgnPo/DSC07750%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07750" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKf1aT3MI/AAAAAAAAHbM/LSAiDm-q_44/DSC07750_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After burning off at least 5 calories with our walking, we retired back to the room to settle into food coma before getting up to attend Tea With Alice.  This was a special event which was sparsely described in the Navigator.  "Is it for adults too?"  I asked the guest service guy, "or is it mainly for children?"  "Oh, it's for everyone" he assured me.  </p> <p>He lied.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKgBr1dyI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/1DTFrX0BE5M/DSC07752%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07752" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKgfUKYlI/AAAAAAAAHbU/-RbOeAPLEDk/DSC07752_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The tea basically consisted of chocolate chip cookies and a pot of apple juice masquerading as tea.  While ingesting those, Alice gave instructions on how to take tea, with such liberated advice as "ladies <em>always</em> pour!" Later, she recounted her adventures through Wonderland, Cliff's Notes style and consented to stay for photos.  A cute activity for kids (some of which couldn't identify Alice on sight,) but probably not a must-do for adults.</p> <p>After this, it was time for our viewing of the Golden Mickeys Award, which is shown on most of the cruise schedules.  It seemed as though some of the show numbers had been changed slightly, but the idea is still pretty much unchanged.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKgnZPy-I/AAAAAAAAHbY/iZ9klfLOeD4/DSC07756%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07756" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKhFPHeBI/AAAAAAAAHbc/byP7Pl_AcsE/DSC07756_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ensign Benson still has difficulties putting on the award show, and is still helped out by a variety of celebrities, all of which probably remember fondly a time when they still looked like they do in the clips.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKhY_f6uI/AAAAAAAAHbg/kWRswwZfn6I/DSC07763%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07763" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKh5KPrjI/AAAAAAAAHbk/5y8KMZJE-vQ/DSC07763_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>On return, we find the newest member of our cabin.  Ten more days, and we'll have a menagerie.  Of course, we won't be able to move around the cabin, either...</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKiJfZnPI/AAAAAAAAHbo/LUjh1VEKoD4/DSC07765%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07765" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKiRHvgPI/AAAAAAAAHbs/AODmUnBEoQQ/DSC07765_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dinner tonight is back in Lumiere's again, where I start with a cheese souffle--nice and light and airy.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKikcxomI/AAAAAAAAHbw/o7FHbSFrHS4/DSC07766%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07766" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKixWGJRI/AAAAAAAAHb0/RE9g-2V7DD4/DSC07766_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Bay scallops and leeks are next.  The kitchen seems to do remarkably well with scallops in general, as they are neither dried out nor tough.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKjcdaQGI/AAAAAAAAHb4/9iCkD1cMqLU/DSC07767%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07767" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKjn25CUI/AAAAAAAAHb8/Xv8f8MsaT0Q/DSC07767_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I had the roast duckling with cherry sauce which was very good.  The carrots seemed peeled a little in haste.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKj0aXxmI/AAAAAAAAHcA/fitZS_-n-Z0/DSC07771%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07771" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKkEa0NsI/AAAAAAAAHcE/hMTmwXE1g04/DSC07771_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Although the suggested dessert is the Golden Mickey, which has a little chocolate show ticket as garnish, we decide to buck the trend and get a creme brulee with raspberries and honey.  If they could only get the top hard, you'd be rockin'.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKkuU8XLI/AAAAAAAAHcI/U1DtSXx5uDc/DSC07773%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07773" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKk2OGzxI/AAAAAAAAHcM/L8DMLYGCEAg/DSC07773_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Later, we go to the Golden Mickey After Party in the Atrium.  All the characters come out as it is announced they will drop a jillion balloons currently suspended in nets from the ceiling.  I begin to have a feeling of danger, as the CMs begin to whip the crowd into a frenzy as they encourage everyone to pop all the balloons that fall, as fast as they can.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKlLSJEzI/AAAAAAAAHcQ/tiugeIJQwqs/DSC07776%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="274" alt="DSC07776" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKlbyaXAI/AAAAAAAAHcU/pi9ZmslAFN4/DSC07776_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> This is pretty much the view you got a second after the balloons fell, as the whole thing degenerated into a mob scene from the movies about the storming of the Bastille.  You could literally see arms reaching around your head from the back as people frantically tried to grab any balloon within arm's reach, whether it was inches away from your face or not.  The violence increased as people with questionable coordination tried to stomp and jump on seemingly invulnerable balloons and inevitably missed or fell off.  I haven't seen instep strikes like that since my last Assailant Defense class.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKlvQ0sRI/AAAAAAAAHcY/PjKMNk9hEsU/DSC07779%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07779" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWKl9BClII/AAAAAAAAHcc/zDKfKy_6BdA/DSC07779_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>I soothed my crumpled and broken feet with more chocolate-covered strawberries.  What?  They were necessary!</p> <p>Tomorrow:  Cabo.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-25891749252782805562008-08-19T22:38:00.000-07:002008-10-14T22:54:46.617-07:00Day One: In Which We Manage to Not Miss The Boat.<p>So after having to spend all night packing, I got up at the crack of dawn and checked in at the Grand Californian cruise desk, so I could get a good boarding number without having to wait around at the port forever.  It was important to get onboard in a timely fashion, given that I was unable to get Palo brunch reservations online, and now the only way was to reserve it in person.  I asked what time they started boarding, and the CM said, "oh, 1pm.  You should get there by 12:30, since your number's so low."</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFTlWiMLI/AAAAAAAAHZE/ks0j8ejRi_A/DSC07717%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07717" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFUPH4pcI/AAAAAAAAHZI/u-1lihDIotA/DSC07717_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Of course, after we took her advice and got there at 12:30, we were greeted by another CM who said "oh we called that group a long time ago.  We're on 15 now."  Feh.</p> <p>Anyway, wait, wait, wait through security.</p> <p>Wait, wait, wait, through the line for Palo's reservations.  Surprise, no more brunches.  We're put on the waiting list and assured that they will have space eventually.  Well, it's not likely that we'll go hungry in any case.</p> <p>Having already filled our waiting quota for the day, we opt to skip the 1/2 hour wait to get into Parrot Cay, and head up to Topsiders for the lunch buffet.  Let the eating commence!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFURX8ZmI/AAAAAAAAHZM/I7tejFWMVs4/IMG_0058%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="IMG_0058" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFU7rnzzI/AAAAAAAAHZQ/1Jh8s5NWvzM/IMG_0058_thumb.jpg" width="364" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>After the mandatory safety drill, they had the sail away party entitled "Adventures Away!" and much rejoicing was known in the land, as the horn tooted out "When You Wish Upon A Star" and we began sailing away down San Pedro, past a number of old nautical-type ships out for the "Festival of the Sail" that was occurring then.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFVCRGz_I/AAAAAAAAHZU/N-phA9yTSyI/DSC07722%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07722" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFVpqCk7I/AAAAAAAAHZY/1rJDgB2UEFU/DSC07722_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The next traditional event, known as "call everyone you know before your cell signal gives out and you have to pay $3/minute" then occurred, as we said good by to Long Beach.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFV09yP6I/AAAAAAAAHZc/1YslxGE_Fhw/DSC07724%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07724" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFWANvpzI/AAAAAAAAHZg/mh8CLNikJwc/DSC07724_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>A quick visit back to the cabin for a brief analysis of the day's Navigator showed that we were scheduled to see the night's show "All Aboard!  Let the Magic Begin!" next.  It was a series of short production numbers, broken up by the cruise director and captain's welcome, and two comedians who were, frankly, underwhelming.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFWx3Q-pI/AAAAAAAAHZk/wsDB7NXyZ3I/DSC07729%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07729" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFXfB3e1I/AAAAAAAAHZo/WhGStoOHRjM/DSC07729_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Dinner tonight was at Parrot Cay--the "Let the Magic Begin" dinner.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFXsPEoXI/AAAAAAAAHZs/pB85DukWQKc/DSC07733%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07733" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFX1mAsII/AAAAAAAAHZw/Q1InHoJs24U/DSC07733_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It was a little uneven.  I had the scallop and caviar appetizer in which the scallop was excellent, the caviar and salmon were little more than accents, and the base seemed to be potato salad with that frozen vegetable mix you get at the store.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFYI0Ye7I/AAAAAAAAHZ0/FHeueU2IAeI/DSC07734%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07734" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFYr-HMaI/AAAAAAAAHZ4/hh2NIv5Etg8/DSC07734_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The seafood curry was actually very good, although probably not spicy enough for people who are really into authentic curry.  Fortunately, I'm a spice wimp.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFYwO8qBI/AAAAAAAAHZ8/BncAacIZRPg/DSC07736%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07736" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFZAn0lII/AAAAAAAAHaA/oaDKApKUoMc/DSC07736_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The desserts were really a little odd.  I had a Kahlua creme brulee which was fine, although it came with something called "cinnamon apple" which appeared to be some sort of preserves on some crumbly cake.  Mom's dessert was described as a coffee and pistachio pyramid, but which had no pistachio or pyramid aspects that we could discern.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFZWII9iI/AAAAAAAAHaE/ra_CU3ztvUE/DSC07739%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07739" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFZn9msLI/AAAAAAAAHaI/VbldZXc1OJk/DSC07739_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFZxs5qSI/AAAAAAAAHaM/kK5vCJKN-5k/DSC07740%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07740" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFobi4DxI/AAAAAAAAHaQ/NBlJoUE-cMk/DSC07740_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The other amusing aspect was that Mom ordered a ginger ale (which we have previously ordered,) for which she received a bill at the end of dinner.  It was explained that hers came out of a can, and they charge for anything that comes out of a can.  I asked if they had ginger ale on tap, and they said "yes..."  After we established that she hadn't actually asked for a canned drink, they took the charge off, but I told Mom she is no longer allowed to order drinks for the duration of the trip.  "<em>What, exactly did you say?</em>  <strong>'Yes, I realize that there are free soft drinks available outside 24 hours a day, but <u>none of that for me</u>!  I want the soda you have to <u>pay for</u>!</strong>'"  Later, we notice our assistant server getting called aside.  <em>"And that is why M--- spat in their food for the next two weeks."  </em>I tell Mom I cannot believe she screwed us over on the very first day.  Hee.</p> <p>Anyway, we get back and our cheerful room steward, Felindo had left us some chocolates and a towel swan.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFogrWnYI/AAAAAAAAHaU/Ed0C6bo3PCs/DSC07732%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07732" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFo72WGkI/AAAAAAAAHaY/ByFdYsO6y8M/DSC07732_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Ox seems enthused.</p> <p>Our day ends as each day on the Disney Cruise must.  I mean, of course, the one thing that represents all that is good and wholesome and magical on board.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFpAidJRI/AAAAAAAAHac/rWxLugOLUWA/DSC07742%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="DSC07742" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/jnyama/SPWFpXdKoxI/AAAAAAAAHag/pGycRCxtptk/DSC07742_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg" width="644" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>More as it commences...</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6433677902624902626.post-44570290283622845552008-08-16T03:22:00.001-07:002008-08-16T03:24:13.681-07:00Eastbound Repositioning Cruise--Disney Magic, 8/2008<p>Embarkation in 1 day.  Not packed.  No documents.  Unprepared.</p> <p>Clearly, a time to go to the Griffith Observatory.</p> Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12198657872870083805noreply@blogger.com0