Oldies On Tour

Bridgetown, Barbados: New Years Eve

Posted on 31/12/2017 by Geoff

We woke reasonably early and rang room service for our usual cupper but nothing, no nothing happened, no reply; oh dear, another failure to log in the ships questionnaire!!!

Christine didn’t kick-up much of a fuss so I know she’s not right yet. I left her in bed whilst I went down for the 0900hrs appointment with the medical centre only to be told it was Christine they wanted to see, “separated by a common language” eh! so back to collect Christine then back to the centre, this time they were too busy and suggested we went to breakfast and call back after, which we duly did.

Now at this point I am pleased to say Christine was much better, yesterday she couldn’t walk; today no problem, still we had to go to have the needle taken out of her arm, the one they put a drip through, (we don’t know what the technical term is for this) and have a final round of tests, I could see $$$$ signs floating in front of my eyes.

All good to go pronounced the Doctor, just take it easy; keep taking the medicine; no alcohol other than 1 glass of bubbly at midnight and come back if she has any further problems. Oh yes Mr. Page, just before you go the nurse calls, I have all the results of the various tests we have taken, “a wad full”, and your account. Now I am not sure if I mentioned this before, but whilst waiting in the Clinic another patient came out, looked at me and asked if I had plenty of money, he then turned to the nurse and said he would have to take a mortgage out on his house. Bearing this in mind I braced myself and took a look at the bill: good god, no way could I brace myself for this, the guy was right, a second mortgage may be necessary; wait for it, are you sitting down, fortunately I was. The total bill for 2 consultations, 2 hours in the private ward, a few pills and a couple drips etc., just under $3,000. Unreal or what? I suggested to Christine that if she has a re-lapse, I would shake it out of her!!! Anyway, onwards and upwards, fresh air was called for.

I think this “jolt” improved Christine’s health no end, better than all the drugs taken and now felt well enough to venture into Bridgetown.

When we walked down the gangplank we were surprised to see 4 other cruise ships in the harbour. I always thought the places cruise ships visited, the local port authority organised and spread them, not have them all together as there would be too

We used to bring the dinghy alongside here to get provisions etc.,

many people to deal with all at once which would limit their “take of
The bridge named after Bridgetown
dollars”. Still we walked the 2 Km to town, albeit with several rests and when we arrived at the harbor where the fishing boats and day trip boats as moored, we

Down memory lane, happy days on Whitbread

remembered all the times we used to motor up in our dinghy, and enjoy the local atmosphere; food; drink “Carib”, the local beer; numerous rum punches and Christmas at the Hilton Hotel: ah yes, the

Many a Carib taken here

memories came flooding back and this contributed to Christine improving by the minute.

We walked over the bridge and sat down in the Harbour Bar, I

They caught three big fish, skinned, filleted and sold to local hotelier

enjoyed a few Rum Punches whilst Christine did as she was told and enjoyed (I think!) sparkling water. We got talking to a Scottish couple from another cruise ship and what was meant as a one drink and rest stop took us past lunchtime and into mid afternoon. We were right on the waterfront and a fishing boat moored up, stern first and they proceeded to gut, skin and fillet these rather large Wahoo, These are large predatory tropical marine fish of the mackerel family, and prized as a game fish; no doubt they sold them to the local restaurant as “the catch of the day”, fascinating to watch. We then started the long meander back, stopping along the way to make a few family ‘phone calls.

Bless she really enjoyed the music

We were back on board in time to put our feet up for an hour before the New Year’s Eve festivities begin. To get us all in the mood, the ship had arranged for a Caribbean steel band to come aboard and play for an hour by the pool; they were good and had a good reception at the end. Whilst playing one or two got up to dance but one person in particular really went to town, she looked to be in her 90’s, she had long grey hair, she is always seen wearing gloves, though not tonight she was carrying them, no doubt all this exertion got her warm, anyway, well done her and good luck.

Firstly we ventured into the Martini bar, this had much of the ceiling covered with balloons: someone had done a lot of puffing!!!!! We then headed to the Grand Dining Room where we met up with the couple we shared a taxi/van when we went to Antigua. The Dining room not only had balloons everywhere but we were all presented with a garland and a hat to get us into the festive mood. The four of us shared a table and had a great evening and I have to say yet again, the 68 Chefs on board surpassed themselves.

Following the meal we headed to the Sirena lounge to listen to the stand up comedian, though American, he didn’t just make jokes for the American contingent; he appealed to everyone though there were a number of risky topics which may have caused a little offence to some, but he didn’t seem to care, on he went and the audience loved it. It also transpires this comic, Tom Drake, is married to our cruise director Dotty Kulasa.

It’s party time

After the show we headed up to Horizons Lounge where there

Great time was had by all.

there was a lively party going on; more balloons everywhere; music; bar rushed off their feet and the countdown to midnight called by the captain. It turned

Party time

out to be an excellent New Year Year’s Party.

Tomorrow we go to Tobago.

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30th December, a Day at Sea

Posted on 30/12/2017 by Geoff

Today started badly, we couldn’t raise room service for our daily ritual, a cup of tea in bed and also, watching the daily program on TV I heard the lecture that I wanted to go to was at 0900hrs, ouch!!! Add to that Christie wasn’t still herself so not a good start, and oh yes, at 1015hrs was our second boat drill.

We made breakfast OK and Christine kept it light, just fruit. We got back to our cabin just in time for me to go the lecture; unfortunately all Christine did was flop on the bed. Now being the caring husband I am I offered to stay but she said no, you go; I didn’t offer a second chance though.

Again another superb lecture about Pirates, Privateers, and Buccaneers attacking the Spanish fleets which much of the talk being about Sir Francis Drake. It was very interesting how the Spanish organised their plunder from central and southern America, consolidated in Hispaniola now Cuba, and transported it back to Servile in Spain. Though on the transatlantic they were easy targets, they defended their booty well and not as many ships, as were brought up to believe, suffered. It was during the consolidation period where most of the plunder took place, well according to our knowledgeable lecturer.

I rushed back to the cabin to collect Christine for boat drill and found her in a sorry state; she was in bed, had been sick, had a terrible head ache and generally felt sh1t. Now boat drill is compulsory so we had no option but to go, fortunately today’s drill didn’t involve standing on deck, only at our muster station in the grand lounge. As soon as it was over we were first out and she was back in bed. At this stage things weren’t too bad, so I went off to play cribbage with another couple from Canada and when I got back to the cabin, things were not good, her hands and feet had pins and needles, generally lethargic etc., etc., The medical centre was not open so Reception paged the nurse and after describing the symptoms she organised a wheel chair to collect Christine, take her to the ships medical centre for tests. They wired her up to all sorts of machinery did a number of tests, put her on several drips and kept on investigating. The nurse told me to go and eat as Christine was in for the next hour or so being monitored. Apparently her potassium was very very low, and she was dehydrated.

After a snack lunch I returned and after a short time they discharged her arranged a wheel chair to return her to our cabin, told to go to bed and they will see her tomorrow at 1800hrs, me on the other hand, I was asked to report to the centre at 0900hrs, I think this is for the presentation of an almighty bill.

We had a quiet and early night, hoping Christine is better tomorrow, New Years Eve in Bridgeton, Barbados.

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Willemstad, Curacao

Posted on 29/12/2017 by Geoff

No rush to get up for breakfast this morning, as we weren’t due to arrive ‘till around 1100hrs. Sometime before 1100hrs the Captain came on the PA apologizing to the fact we wouldn’t arrive now ‘till nearer 1300hrs: the ship had been hampered by currents and adverse weather conditions trying to slow the ship down, successfully as it seems!!! Naturally being a port day there were few, if any, activities so they hastily arranged a few things, one of which I attended. It was a lecture on the 4

Christopher Columbus lecture.

voyages of Christopher Columbus, www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus , called the 3 “G’s”: for God; for Gold; for Glory, and it was an hour well spent. There is a follow-up lecture tomorrow; I’ll be there.

First impressions, a lovely colourful vibrant place

We arrived at the dock in Willemstead, Curacaco, one of the A B C Islands in the Dutch Antilles and went ashore. Our one main aim today was to find a nail place to get Christine’s nails

Beautiful painted houses rows and rows of them, keeping up the tradition of the town

sorted. The ship wanted $105 for what she gets done in Pilar for €20 and after some wandering about and asking people we discovered one in the middle of town who said she could do them straight away, yes a success “AND” only $20, what a result that was, and when she came out they looked very nice. That was the good part of the day, the bad part is that Christine has had a nasty niggling cough for the past 10 days or so, and today it seemed to be a lot worse. Now bearing in mind she has a bit of a history of pneumonia I said that she was going to see the ships doctor when we get back and that was that.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see everything in Willemstad but we did go over the Queen Emma Bridge; this is a floating

Floating bridge

Pontoon pedestrian bridge, originally built in 1888 but renovated in 2006. This bridge connects the two halves of Willemstad: Otrobanda, the side our ship is docked and

Dutch navy in town, bridge opened to let them through.

Punda, where the old part of the town is

Floating market with stalls in front

situated, and where we were headed. The other site recommended to see was the floating market, well this was a disappointment, yes it had beautiful fruit for sale but all the stalls were on the quayside with old boats behind, the “floating” part I suppose.

Floating market that didn’t float!

After nails and before venturing back to the ship we stopped

Me playing the drums!

for a drink on the riverfront and was there when they swung the pontoon bridge open and let a Dutch Navel Frigate sail in, they then closed it again. Interestingly, when the bridge is out of use, the old ferry takes over and once the bridge is swung back, the ferry ceases. When we decided to return we took the ferry, anyway it made a

One of the many bridges in town

change!!!

Back on board and straight to the doctor and after a full examination confirmed it was just a bad cough, it hadn’t gone south into her lungs, told her to not be close to people, gave her some pills and masks, and me a bill for $304, ouch! Anyway if it stops her coughing it will be money well spent.

We were going to the specialty restaurant, Red Ginger tonight but under the circumstances had to cancel so a quick trip up to a quiet corner on the outside deck of the buffet instead followed by an early night for Christine whilst I caught up to date with logs etc.,

Tomorrow is another sea day before arriving in Barbados.

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2 oceans and the Panama Canal

Posted on 27/12/2017 by Geoff

Boxing day, the first of the three sea days was quiet. We were getting over the excitement of seeing and meeting Santa yesterday, over indulging in the culinary delights and having the odd “drinky-poos” relaxing in the sun with the odd dip to cool off with. We also had a chance to get on with our reading.

On our second sea day, we entered the Panama canal from the pacific end passing Panama City then under the “Bridge of the Americas” a road bridge for the intercontinental highway which was built in 1962, however now they have added the additional large locks catering for the larger ships, this bridge is too low, they are going to have raise it!! Talking about the larger locks, the original locks built for the opening in 1914, still operating today, can accommodate what is called “Panamax” size. To give you an idea, they can accommodate circa 5,000 container-size ships; the new locks can accommodate 10,000 container-size ships and to build these new locks, naturally they had to build new channels. The original canal itself has been widened during the years so this wasn’t a problem.

Just after the Bridge of the Americas we passed the area known

Museum with unusual roof structure

as Biomuseo: The area where the “Museo da la Boidiversidad en panamais”, (www.biomuseopanama.org) (Museum of Mexico) is sited. This building was designed by that “well-known” architect, Frank Gehry who, I don’t think anybody has heard of and perhaps looking at the building, this is not only his “first” building in Latin America, but perhaps could also be his last!!!!! The idea for this museum was thought of back in 1999, but it wasn’t completed and opened until 2014, no surprises for the delay there then! As Christine said when she first saw this and pointed me in the direction of a shantytown: I am sure the museum is worth visiting if we could though.

We arrived at the first set of locks, The Miraflores and Pedro

First lock we encountered

Miguel locks; 3 in total raising us 85 foot above sea level. The ships seem to just fit the locks and are held in place by 4 motorised “Mules”, special locomotives built exclusively by Mitsubishi for the Canal. Alongside these locks is the Canal Museum, a much more

The mules steadied us in the locks

Museum, people can stand and watch ships going through, our ship wished them a happy Xmas, and we got an enormous cheer

Museum, people can stand and watch ships [caption id="attachment_5261" align="alignleft" width="150"] Two gates for safety on way out of locks

going through, our ship wished them a happy Xmas, and we got an enormous cheer[/caption]conventional building and more in keeping with the area.

I have now been through this canal 3 times and still I marvel at the extraordinary engineering lengths the builders went to back in the construction days, bearing in mind “their technology” of the day. It stands testament to their skills that the locks etc., are still working today. Even the concrete laid back then, though a little battered, has stood the test of time.

It was a very sunny and hot day as we meandered through the “cut” and across the Gatun Lake watching the countryside and wildlife, including a couple of crocodiles as we passed by. This man made lake provides all the water necessary for the canal and the lake is filled with all the rain there is around here, and will continue to do so as long as the rain forest stays in tact. This lake also provides the power needed through turbines below one of the dams, generating electricity.

About 5 hours later we enter the Gatun Locks and drop back down 85 foot to sea level then out into the Caribbean, past Colon, the complete transit, all 77 KMs (48 miles) took about 7 hours. For those who would like to know more about the history and facts about this wonderful engineering enterprise, here are three (of many) useful links:

http://panamaforbeginners.com/
http://www.history.com/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/

In between watching everything we manage to “sit-&-

Map of the Panama Canal

tan” have a swim and experiment with rum punches before heading to the room prior to visiting the dining room.

After another excellent meal we retired to our cabin and played Crib as the show tonight didn’t appeal and besides it is very tiring watching things happen in the Panama Canal.

We woke up late on this 3^rd sea day; we have very thick curtains across our porthole so with no light, we just slept on! Anyway we had to put our clock on one hour during the night but when we woke we weren’t sure which clocks were right so we switched on the TV to the “map program” the channel that gives us all the facts including the ship’s time. Gosh it was after well after 9 and weren’t dressed, and if we wanted breakfast, we had missed the Grand Dining room but if we hurried we could make the Buffet before it closed at 1000hrs. At this point we knew we were told to put the clocks on 1 hour but the ship clock showed they should have gone on 2 hours. Anyway as we came upstairs we noticed the Dining room was still open, so went along and asked if we were too late, of course not came the reply so we asked the correct time, 0830 Sir, and that was on the ships computer. When we got back to the room they had altered the ships clock on the map channel. Their mistake and we panicked for nothing, the main reason was for this was we were having a question and answer session with the Captain, the Chief Engineering officer and the Hotel Director and this started at 1000hrs.

The weather today wasn’t up to much this morning, the doors to the outside decks were closed off, the pool had been emptied the sea was a little rough, though Christine was convinced the waves were very high, still it was chores day, Christine did the washing and ironing, I helped with the fetching and carrying and all was soon done. Apart from eating, drinking playing games, we had a quiet day until dinner.

After dinner they had a musical show, singing and dancing that we both agreed was good, the background to the show was the last night of prohibition in the US and all the songs were from around that time.

Tomorrow mid morning we arrive into Curacao.

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Posted on 25/12/2017 by Geoff

Christmas has arrived and are pleased we are experiencing a much different acknowledgement of the festive season, here on board than we did when we spent Christmas day travelling from Los Angles to Chicago on a train back in 2015. The ship is decorated throughout the public areas and we were even given a present, a very impressively gift-wrapped, expensive looking

Not sure if we have room to bring it back!

box containing a commemorative globe of our Christmas Cruise; we were impressed.

After enjoying our customary tea in bed delivered by our steward, naturally, we made our way to breakfast where we had steak for a change, washed down with an excellent glass of Champagne. We weren’t in any hurry as the ship wasn’t due to dock ‘til around 1030, and we had been here before. We did look at a couple of tours but nothing really impressed us and the cost certainly didn’t!!

Whist getting ready for breakfast, suddenly there was an announcement on the public address system saying there was an unusual blip on the radar screens and upon closer inspection noted it was heading our way; there was mild panic in the announcer’s voice especially after Trump had managed to persuade the UN to up the sanctions against North Korea. Apparently it kept coming closer and closer and when consternation was at its peak, the bridge received a message, asking “permission to land”. Before giving permission and upon closer inspection this object was close enough to identify; no

Father Xmas with glasses ho ho ho!

it wasn’t a UFO, it was Father Christmas!!!

Naturally permission was granted and we all managed to meet him, he was looking a bit tired, after all where we are in the part of world that is his last port of call. We had a very nice but brief encounter with him and had our picture taken at the same time.

Once docked we left the ship, walked down this rather long pier and into the town but being Christmas day wasn’t expecting a lot. The area immediately in the vicinity of the pier was teaming with locals, firstly the stands selling touristy things; naturally they wouldn’t miss such an opportunity to sell their wares and secondly locals enjoying Christmas in and around the beach.

Before leaving the ship we talked to the local tourist representative who had come aboard and he pointed out a couple of things worth going to see. So after walking the length of the beach area we consulted the map we were given and headed to the place they call here “Downtown” where we will find their church, a museum and shops though being Christmas day they may be closed. Also there is a market in the same area.

After trudging around in the heat we arrived at “Downtown” but had we blinked we may have missed

Museum of art

it!!!! As we walked past the museum, it was open for business but we carried on around the corner to the church but this was closed for business, which we thought rather

Local church, closed even though its Xmas Day

peculiar, as it was after all Christmas day. There were some seats around so we took the opportunity to sit in the shade, consume water and make a few ‘phone calls. Dotted around were a number of sculptures, no doubt part of the Museum, which incidentally, when we went past the second time, around 15 minutes later, was also closed.

OK, now to find the Market, this time after trekking around in the heat there was no sign of it. We presumed as we were not in the normal area tourists visit they didn’t bother to open, though we did come across some shoe shops, clothes shops and a supermarket open for business; how does that work?????

Back to the beach now; we had taken our swimmers with us but

Paddle on beach

the dark colour of the sand didn’t invite us into the sea for a swim, however we did paddle. I have to say the water was lovely and warm, perhaps quietly we thought we

Pelican was more than happy to pose for us

had missed out not going in for a swim.

Time to get back for a light lunch, we were very hot and a swim onboard and a laze in the sun sounded perfect, accompanied with suitable cocktails.

Christmas dinner tonight, we were looking forward to this

No formal nights on board, but most dressed up for tonight

especially after the head chef said on the morning news channel what he was doing, so back to the cabin to get ready. We started by visiting the Martini bar and sat down with a couple from Australia where the conversation centered on what we thought of Oceana as a cruise line. This was interesting as we all had similar thoughts; food, exquisite; service first class; staff to guest ratio, magnificent; Comfort, second to nothing; beds un-believable, and the best thing of all free Wi-Fi throughout, but then we came to discussing the entertainment. Under normal circumstances we would be happy with what was provided but as everything else is top notch, we assumed the entertainment would also be but alas, it is lacking. Yes, we had the best magician/illusionist we have probably ever seen, and the comedian was very good also, but unfortunately that’s where it ends. We agreed that with a ship with only 680 passengers; a regular floorshow in its own theatre was probably un-realistic, but that’s what happens!!!!

Next we enter the “Grand Dining Room”; my it’s busy tonight and firstly we are greeted by a chef standing in front of the largest turkey I think I have ever seen, a magnificent beast. We asked for a table for two tonight and sat in the raised centre section of said dining room where we had a good view of everything going on, the atmosphere was buzzing tonight and the staff were scurrying around keeping everyone happy. We both knew we were going for the traditional Christmas Turkey followed by Christmas pudding but what to start with, oh dear, decisions-decisions. We settled, Christine went for a lobster dish followed by Foi Gras I on the other hand had a terrine of Foi Gras followed by a salad, (I am on a diet you know!!!) then the Turkey. All the food was excellent and though they were catering for lots of people ordering Turkey, there was plenty, very hot, not dried out and very tasty; the best I have ever had outside home.

Fully replete we had some time to kill before the show so went back to our cabin, had a hand of crib before going to the show. Now we are not of one accord, Christine thoroughly enjoyed the show, consisting of various singers, a string quartet, the comedian reading a poem and a number of the band doing solo performances. This reminded my of days gone by, before TV and people in their homes amused themselves doing “turns”; as I said Christine enjoyed it but it was not my cup of tea, especially on Christmas night. As I mentioned earlier, in my humble opinion the shows are what lets this wonderful cruise down.

The thought of going up to “Horizon’s” to dance the night away was too much, we headed for our cabin and to bed, we were both totally knackered; I fear we are starting to get a little old now.

We are at sea for the next three days, one of which we traverse the Panama Isthmus via the Panama canal.

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Corinto, Nicaragua

Posted on 24/12/2017 by Geoff

We arrived at the port early morning, another commercial port

Busy port full of containers

but this time full of containers, they were stacked everywhere. We suspected there was little to do or see here as we are due to leave early afternoon and what tours were available from the ship, were few in number and short on time.

After a leisurely breakfast, we ventured out and as soon as we left the dockside we were accosted, not so much by tour operators but by the local transport operators. Even though we said no to each one, they still kept trying to persuade us

The bicycle were everywhere, one would ask we would say No thanks seconds later another one would stop.

theirs was the best offer. Oh yes, when I say local transport I don’t mean taxi’s or buses, I don’t even mean motorised tuck tucks, no, here they were pedal powered tuck tucks of a sort! They were everywhere and to be fair, used by locals though I suspect the locals paid a fraction of what they wanted to charge us!

Very sad to see how poor but have to say very happy everyone was

For a large commercial port, the roads into and out of it were very narrow, un-even cobbles, potholes and locals milling around

Everywhere we went the tuck tuck followed

everywhere. The town was incredibly poor, the local inhabitants seemed to live in poverty but I have to say they all seemed very cheerful.

One of the street sellers outside their homes

The highlight of this “town” is the Park Central; this park is described as being notable for its numerous fountains

The very dry waterfall

and ultramodern clock tower. After walking around the streets wee finally arrived at this small park, the numerous fountains described were bone dry and as for the ultra modern clock we didn’t see it. We did see

and old steam locomotive and the outside of the closed museum and the locals exiting their church. Oh yes there was a small fun fair also in the town but being Sunday that was also closed. Not what one would describe as a “highlight” of the cruise, in fact we wonder why they stopped here, there are far more interesting places to stop.

Having completed the tour of the town we re-traced our steps back to the ship, along with many other fellow passengers. And headed up to the terrace buffet for a spot of lunch, not too much as being Christmas Eve, there was a special dinner being provided that included Lobster and Christmas Goose.

A couple of hours up on deck taking in the sun and today, “Long Island Iced Teas” as way of a change, their strongest drink available, ha, they should have one of my Georgetown’s, that’s an alcoholic drink!

Sirena resident group

We were entertained by the Sirena Show Band playing whilst we sailed out of the port and onto our next port of call.

Sailing out of the harbour

Back down to our cabin for the 3 S’s and then into the Martini bar where they were having a carol sing-along, led by the ships singers. The only trouble was the carols we know had different words; they were of course the American versions.

We shared a table tonight with a nice elderly US couple who had travelled everywhere in their working lives so quite interesting. When we ordered, we skipped the starters, soups and salads and went straight for 2 meals; firstly the Lobster and secondly, the Goose; with no side dishes etc., we managed to clear our plates and still have room for a desert; diets, what diets????

We went to the show, tonight it was a Brazilian singer, I am sure she was OK but not for us and besides we were tired so headed back down to our cabin and bed, big day to morrow.

At this stage, I must point out to our readers that these posts with the pictures is all down to Christine, I write and Christine does the hard work of putting in the pictures and publishing, skills that I am lacking!!!

No patience either!!

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Bridgetown, Barbados: New Years Eve

30th December, a Day at Sea

Willemstad, Curacao

2 oceans and the Panama Canal

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Corinto, Nicaragua

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