Aug 26, Cartegena

That's Laura and Mrs. Columbia - which she managed to show up at almost every stop. This is the Fortress in Columbia and is our first stop.



Finally! started out raining but cleared up almost immediately and Cartegena was easy, nice and smooth.

Lots to see, took DCL's Best of Cartegena and we managed - with my urging to Cheryl, to PIRATE our own Pirate bus. It held 25 and we managed to hit that number. We had our own bus! WOO HOO! Our guide was Adelmo, our driver Goivani (I think) and after our trip, Steve, myself and Susy and Mike managed to snare our guide into taking us on our own private tour - basically back to the Artisan market we hit as we only had 20 minutes there. We DID hit one center that had Laura's version of candy but it was not that awesome and WAY, WAY too expensive - think I can wait until Aruba or perhaps even Vegas as its been a while since I've been there. The quality of the stuff is not all that and I didn't care for anything. Did however, manage to go to town on the typical tourist stuff.

More info later on the monastry, Pope John Paul visited here, saw some bones of the local priest founder of the city and even the skull of St. Pedro Miguel in the Cartegena Catholic CHurch. Only the skull as the rest of the body is resting in the Vatican where apparently all saints remains may go. Got a picture of the skull I can post later. LOL - yes - I am a bit macabre. But really, I was only following the example of our own resident priest.

More info later and pictures too. Including the astonishment on the faces of two nuns - one full habit nun and one novice when our priest - in casual clothes ended up giving them a blessing. Down right hilarious - had I not been so astonished at the expression on the older nun's face, I would have taken a picture - one of those momemts when I should have had a V-8. DUH!

Anyway, gotta fly, more later.

Aug 25, Panama Canal Day

FINALLY! After almost 2 years, we are here. Lots to dish about including a very POC type of storm - someone even claims they saw the Black Pearl coming in on the mist over Gatun Lake. LOL

Stay tuned for more info and pictures to be added later.


HOW APPROPRIATE - the Discovery Channel is showing a show on the PC. LOL - thanks for the 2nd hand news.

Tried uploading a picture not going so have to try again later.

Bye!

Aug 24 Sea Day

Early Mass given by our personal priest - Father Mike, veer itneresting. He is a riot but I refuse to call him Father Mike since he's on vacation. However, when in his working capacity - he is Father Mike - think Friar John from Robin Hood - big old cuddly bear but a hoot and a riot! Finally, a priest with a wicked sense of humor.

More info and pictures to be added later.

Aug 23, Sea Day

PJ Party at Lumiere's huge turnout - also Cheryl's Palo's Brunch. More to be added later including some pictures.

Oh yeah - Crash's Ice Cream Challenge was a huge success and a huge mess. LOL

Pictures and more to be added later.

Aug 22, Acapulco Day

Miserable, Miserable Day but it was saved. More to be added later. Hit rain - and hard rain but we still walked across the fort. More to be added later, including pictures.

Aug 21, Sea Day

To Be Added Later

Aug 21, Sea Day

August 21,

Puerto Vallerta, May 21, 2008

To Be Added Later

Aug 19th, Cabo Day & Zip Lining

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

CABO & ZIP LINING! YEAH! So as you can tell, today was our very first port and it was Cabo San Lucas. I had originally planned on nothing then I was reminded when I got a note on my door that many moons ago I had signed up with Paula to do Zip Lining in Cabo.

It’s late and I’m beat but here it is in a nutshell. Paula (Pbader) set up a party of 7 total (which we were joined by another party in the vans. Anyway, it was Laura (FairyGodmother, her DD – Elizabeth, Paula, Monica (Got2Travel) and her DS – Trevoy, Steve and myself. We got up at 8 – had breakfast, ran to Buena Vista Theatre got our tender ticket and at 9 am – they started allowing people off. We got into the first 2 tenders and were ashore before 9:30. We were supposed to meet the personnel picking us up at 10 so we waited a bit. While waiting, we noticed a stretcher being brought out on the pier and sure enough, a lady with her right leg encased in a soft cast was brought out. Then her DD and DH followed by their luggage. That’s right folks, our first port and already we have a casualty. I guess they ended up leaving. Found out later that another lady had a problem and I believe I’m told they left too unless it’s the same lady.
So we get to the place - Wild Canyon and I immediately think – this looks familiar. Come to find out it was featured in a Fear Factor episode. If anyone recalls that one – yeah – it’s that scary looking. There are supposed to be 10 zip lines but only 8 were operational and a good thing they were too. I about nearly had a heat stroke. So they start us off with a bang! First, instructions on how to break, how to get ourselves moving if we stop (which actually gave me flashbacks to the “Wall” in Basic Training – YIKES!), how to properly align our bodies – not that it did much good. First a baby one – 167 ft with a speed of about 3.2 speed – this was easy. We were allowed to take pictures and since their photographers weren’t there – we all went to town. I had brought my small waterproof and shockproof camera just in case but the other party had their Canon 40D and 2 other SLRs. I’m glad I didn’t as I got “bump”ed a lot – especially in the bump. LOL

The 2nd one was a waker upper. We got to go tandem and Steve went first, I went and put my feet under his armpits and we were off. This was fine – I started laughing and got the evil Dr. Evil maniacal laugh. We made it safe to the other ravine – I forgot how long this was but it sure as heck wasn’t any 164 ft. When we got off this line, we had to climb up and when I mean UP – I mean UP – my heart was pounding so bad I about nearly passed myself out. If any of you have been following my blogs, remember my description of the Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta Sierra Madre hike? Yeah – that bad. It cut a path back and forth and almost straight up. It really wasn’t that long but I had to stop 5 times. By this time, the heat is just about to kick in. So I finally make it to the top, dead exhausted just from the climb up when I get all excited because I see a line – only to be told by the people waiting, this is the last one – you got to go that a way – pointing to the left trail which I see Steve going down. My heart dropped. Here my heart was pounding, I was lightheaded and nearly passing out but like a good trooper, I paced myself. Finally got to Zip Line #3 and waited for the party ahead of us to go.

Things proceed this way up to line #5, by this time, the sun is dead hot and the other party loses about 1/3 of their party and our 7 ends down to 3. Its wasn’t the zip lining folks, it was the unbearable heat. It would have ended down to 2 but for one thing. I am as stubborn as a ……… well, you can fill in the blanks. I get off zip line 5 only to tell Steve, who – I’m dizzy – my blood pressure dropped – I had zipped lying down and my head arched back so it was below my heart zipping along. Stood up too fast and so it dropped. But the line guide took one look at me and said, I really suggest that you take the “shortcut” from line 5 to 8 (which we passed up a LONG TIME AGO!) Of course, you all know that when you tell me not to do something, I’m going to do exactly the opposite. So I look at Steve, dump the water bottle over my head after taking off my helmet and proceed to tell Steve, let’s go – I’m finishing if it kills me. LOL

Monica graciously allowed her son Trevoy to come with us and while we climbed to line #6, they took off to 8. We were all looking forward to sitting down but poor Trevoy – as soon as we climbed (yes – its all climbs) up to line 6, the other party had to have some people leave by car/bus so he took poor Trevoy and they zipped down to 7. Well, things progressed this way until line 8. Line 8 was a single zip and the longest. During this zip about ½ down you must “break” to break your speed and you are precariously close to a cliff. I didn’t realize how close until I zip on by and a twig brushed by helmet and nearly seared off my butt. LOL – ok – it was only about 2 ft from my head. I got twisted but I made it!

It was extremely hot and tiring but I can honestly say, now that I’m not dead of heat stroke, I am so proud of myself. I knew I could do it. I just wasn’t sure this old body of mine would cooperate. Let me just say that I totally understand the saying – the spirit is strong but the flesh is weak.

So after finishing the last zip – I had to do guess what? Yup! One last climb to get to the starting point. We get done, get a drink and then the driver takes us back – by this time it is 2:45. He drops us off at Cabo Wabo – and Megan – there are two parts to Cabo Wabo. We found the back entrance! ROTFMAO. The other side, where the Giggling Marlin is – you remember that spot I pointed out where I had my fiasco with the phone – the timing part? Yeah – well that is actually the entrance to the restaurant. Our party made its way into the bar and I immediately flashed another era. Private booths, groovy lights, drunk people. OK – not drunk as it was too early and all aboard was 5 pm but you get the drift. For those that have been there when its happening – it was gearing up to be a good night to be in Cabo Wabo! LOL

So Steve and I say our good-byes and we leave to pick up some things I forgot, like a hairbrush, contact lens drops, mascara (which I really didn’t forget – LOL) lotion, aspirin, etc. So then once they were picked up we got to have a small lunch, we ate at the taco bar in front of Cabo Wabo where we both got the 4 taco special and since we were extremely hungry – went for broke and ordered a quesadilla plate too. We devoured it and left back to catch the tender. No more late runs for me! ROTFL.

We get back to the ship and as soon as we enter the room, I peel off my nasty, dirty, filthy, dirt stained, used to be white t-shirt and access the sun damage. Not as bad as I expected. So I guess I didn’t sweat it all off. Took a shower and attempted a nap but got up to go see the variety show featuring – Ron Pearson. He was really hilarious folks and if you ever get a chance to see him – I highly suggest it. He’s the one I wrote about last night – the one that got his start at the La Mirada Swap Meet.

Got out, went back to the room and then made dinner. It was Parrot Cay tonight – got there late as I had a minor fiasco with the Secret Mickey – got that worked out and we went. I ordered off the kids menu as it featured turkey with gravy. Cheryl had gotten a humongous plateload of shrimp and forced us all to eat some. Dessert, for me was French Toast Bread Pudding with coconut ice cream and a sauce. I ate about 1/3 of it until I realized my pants were tight. We got up and left as the adult cabaret show tonight featured the variety show of John Charles. I wrote about him a little on the May blog. He was in top form today.

For those of you that know Todd and Melissa, John Charles dubbed them the cruise line version of Ken and Barbie. Then Cheryl upstaged him by ……well…….. ok – I won’t tell for what happens in Rocking Bar D – is supposed to stay in Rocking Bar D. I will leave it at that other than to say that Cheryl reacted to a comment and had the whole audience rocking with laughter. Even John broke up with laughter. Score one for the Leo gals! ROTFL.

After that, Steve and I pretty much left as we were beat from all the sun. So that folks, is a long, hot, exhausting day. And Wednesday is set for another one. Puerto Vallarta has been extended from 11:30 to 1 am so we get to party!!!! At 12:30, our Historic Town and Tequila Making gets rolling and we are doing that with Cheryl and John. For those of you that know me – you think I’m busy – I have no idea how John keeps up with Cheryl – she’s the belle of the ball on here. Its amazing. Although, she’s was too busy socializing to spend much time dancing……… hmmm…… that’s cutting into my dance time. LOL

Oh – one small tidbit. You all know that this is my 13th (15th if you count the Wonder) cruise on the Magic alone. Well, as we returned from putting our pin requests in, I got a certificate on my fish – it was a certificate of “Magic-al Moments” which is a guest recognition certificate that crew members hand out. I’ve seen them before but I’ve never gotten one. April I believe has but I got one for “being me.” I guess I made the girl laugh when she was doing my hair. Its either that or she just totally felt sorry for the inept woman that sat down in front of her – either way, I thought that was extremely nice of them to do.

So with that, my eyes are drooping and I need to get some sleep. I am off early on Wednesday to pick up Megan a Louis Vitton rip-off bag. Why? I don’t know.

But that’s all for now folks, stay tuned.

TTYL - Laura

P.S. - we are now 2 hrs ahead of PST. So while I may think its 12:30 - its really 1:30 meanwhile my brain keeps thinking its 10:30. I am falling asleep so off I go.

Till Later.

P.S. - picture above is taken at zip line #5 - right after he told me that I should probably not take 6 and 7. HAH! He doesn't know me very well does he? I'm stubborn as hell.

Sea Day August 18th, 2008

Monday, August 18, 2008

So today, I slept in – woke up at 11:30. Took a shower and realized that in my frenzy of losing my drivers license and credit cards, I left my brush at home. Bought a small cheapy-ass brush and while brushing my hair realized that my scalp has been fried when I got my hair done on Wednesday! Finally got Steve up and went to Parrot Cay for breakfast/brunch. Lots of goodies in the fish extenders, tattoos, a book from PaulaSillars – thanks Paula! Lots of goodies. Parrot Cay was American Brunch and the chicken soft taco was decent, had the usual – salad, fried chicken, hard shell chicken taco and soft. Left and walked up to the Vista Spa in the hope they had a better brush to brush my hair with. Tonight was formal night and turns out that the spa had 1 opening at 6 pm so I took it. LOL – hey I’m on vacation – I don’t do hair. LOL


So I took in the matinee show of The Golden Mickey’s and it went well. At 4:30, went to Rocking Bar D to do Ballroom Dancing where they were teaching the waltz. Steve chickened out on me and so I play paparazzi. Came back to the room and met up with Esteri to give her some SM gifts. Went to the my appt and had my hair done and where she talked me into buying some kind of oil treatment for my hands and scalp. I’m so gullible sometimes.


After my appt, came to the room and dressed and went out to get some pictures. Got some pictures including the prerequisite one with Capt Tom. Went to dinner where they had the Golden Mickey dinner. Oana (from Romania) had a salad for Steve and I ready. Cheryl managed to have a plate of shrimp waiting for all of us. If I keep eating this way, I’ll have gained back all the weight I lost (ROTLFMAO) this past year.


Got out of dinner around 9:45 and made our way down to Rocking Bar D. Ron Pearson did an adult cabaret show and he was really, really hilarious. The show started at 10:45 and I ducked out to change from my long formal to shorts and tank top. The show was fantastic – clean but totally hilarious – he did comedy based on women vs men – but clean. Had a hilarious pre show where Cheryl graciously volunteered John and he, being man #2 was asked to dance to ……….what else? The Chicken Dance. However, the best one was man #3, he was asked to dance a song I forgot because when it came his turn, he took off his shirt (and he was not a small man) and started stripping. AH yes, it was the stripper song. David, our entertainment emcee about pee’d his pants. I’m sure he was not aware of how this group would be so quick. LOL
Anyway, Ron Pearson hung around after the show to sell some of his DVDs. Turns out he and I have a connection, he asked where I was from and upon further investigation it turns out that he used to work at the La Mirada Swap Meet about ’87. He and his partner used to take turns juggling, working a tightrope and one time even worked with Stacey Q – the singer of Two of Hearts. In fact, that is how we ended up talking. He was asking me if I knew who sang Two of Hearts and before he even finished asking the question, out popped Stacey Q. How embarrassing – insert red smiley face here. LOL


We talked and I mentioned that I was actually buying the DVD (which he personalized for me – w/o me knowing) actually to send overseas to my soldiers in Iraq. He mentioned that he had been asked to do a USO tour but that it was really hard to clear his schedule for 2 ½ weeks. We talked a bit and at the end he was super nice to give me an extra for myself. YIPPEE! Go Ron Pearson. Somehow I knew that name was familiar. Now we know why – he was at the La Mirada Swap Meet in ’87 which was when I returned from the Army and I would go there and probably seen him working there. OMG! I feel so old! LOL


Anyway, when I returned the band, The Leonard Brothers were playing and they are a good band. Even Steve admitted he like hearing them. But one word of caution – they are loud! But good. So I’m sitting there about ready to go when what song comes on but my favorite guaranteed to make me dance song – but Footloose played by the band – I guess it was 80’s night. So yes, Id did, again I’m making a fool of myself on the dance floor. I ended up dancing with Kimberly, (OCD4WDW) and for some crazy reason – I was so totally off on my rhythm and I noticed it – and no folks, I was stone cold sober, so my kids would definitely have been embarrassed – walk out of the room embarrassed.


We waited till the band ended and left as it turns out that I have plans – made months ago with Paula (Pbader) to go zip lining. For those of you that remember, we did not get to go zip lining in July – we went dolphin swimming instead. So I’m hoping that I can continue my excitement tomorrow – assuming I don’t kill myself that is. So as its not 1:02 am I have got to finish.


First tender tomorrow at Cabo is at 9 and we are supposed to meet the driver of the van at 10 am so I will sign off and talk to you all tomorrow.


TTYL


Laura


Laura and Steve are going Zip Lining - pray for me that I don't break anything! Later folks!

EBPC Cruise has arrived!

OK I know this is late but I've started just didn't have time to post so here it is - bam! All at once.

Enjoy and let me know if you like!

Sunday, August 17th, 2008

OK so today started with a horrifying bang. It was actually 2:15 am when I realized that I could not find our tickets. So to make a very long and horrifying story shorter since some of you do really read my blog, here I am for the next 2 ½ hours trying to locate out tickets. I finally tell Steve and we methodically go searching – turning out house completely upside down – at least the bottom half even worse that it already is. So finally at 4 am – Steve finds it. Ok, I can rest easy now so I attempt a couple of hours sleep. I last look at the clock at 4:15 am.

Fast forward to 9:30, however, God or some mischievous being decides to wake me up at 9 am. So I shower, decide to check to see if my ipod speakers works with my ipod. Guess what? Not for my generation – it doesn’t sit on the dock well, so Steve volunteers to take me to Besy Buy to exchange. Long story short? We run, we return and I buy. While at the check out – I’m getting ready to whip out my credit card holder and VOILA! No CC holder. That’s right – I paid for April’s books and then attempted to call the credit card companies to notify them of our itinerary. Their systems were down and I was asked to call back after 5:30 am. OK – say I – no problem.

Now, here we fly home as we managed to get our shuttle pick up time from 12:30 to 11:30. We get home its 11:10. So here we go zipping and tearing the bedroom up as that’s the last place I thought I had it. Go figure – Murphy’s law – I’m having trouble and who shows up early? The shuttle service. Steve runs out to tell the we have a problem. He waits 15 minutes. Rings the doorbell and tells us he can wait another 15 minutes and then has to leave – cannot return. I’m nearly in tears by this time and seriously upset. Got our tickets, passports but no drivers license and I’m seriously not wanting to carry my passport every time we get off – not to mention our credit card was in the bundle. At my wits end, I beg, plead and promise my last born – OK – so I didn’t do that last one but only because I hadn’t thought of it yet. I did however, get this idea to pray to St. Anthony. What do I have to lose. I practically beg for his help promising to drop a donation into a cathedral in Mexico – home of the churches on this side of the world – totally forgetting that Father Mike will be saying mass on the ship. So – no sooner did I pray and beg and promise but I look at the bed – which by this time has been searched by all of us – Megan, April, Steve and myself. I look at the footrail and the mattress – jam my hand down between the mattress – on top of the bedspread and voila! I feel the tip of my drivers license. Folks, I have a hot pink picture holder which I keep the cards in as well as the drivers license. In case you haven’t figured it out – I tend to lose things. LOL

So I pull it out – about 2 minutes before I sent the driver away. I shout for joy realizing what I have just promised and fully intending to complete it – when I realize – the bedspread was never on the bed at the time I tried to call. In fact, it wasn’t even on the bed – it was at the bench at the foot of the bed. If I had had it on the bed, it should have fallen UNDERNEATH the bedspread when it was put on the bed. Nope folks, it was the mattress, the bedspread, the wallet and then the footrail. So make what you want out of it – but St. Anthony really works. Cheryl – my tablemate told me later that I should have called up St. Jude as he’s the patron saint of lost causes. ROTFL

So, we get to the Long Beach terminal, check in, get boarding group 25 – they are on 17. Then right at group 24, along comes 5-8 busses of people from Disneyland. They have already checked in at the hotel so they got in before us.

Note – small disaster with dinner when someone else took our table and messed everything up. Cheryl and Arlene managed to nab one person who takes them onboard before anyone else and they get the mess straightened up within 20 minutes.

So we drop our bag off as we finally get through the line at about 2 pm. We hightail it to Parrot Cay where Arlene and Cheryl have saved a table for us. We eat – run to the room for our boat drill then return to unpack as our bags had arrived – you know – last one on – first to arrive. LOL
Then, about 4 pm – we head up to Sailaway party. Managed to run into several DIS people, Cheryl, John, M and family, 4Boons, to many to remember. We stay until about 4:45 and just past the breakwater. We head to the room, unpack and then catch the 6:15 showing of the Welcome Aboard Variety Show. Regular show – Jeremy, family board, then the entertainment – John Charles entertains. More Jeremy show then the other entertainment , the Physical Comedy of Ron Pearson. At one point he asks for volunteers and guess who is picked but our own Julie. And the first and last time I will be left without a camera. Didn’t think I would need it - she got a DVD out of it – he’s funny but with a bit of a small edge. But this was the family who – and I am sure his adult show will be even better.

So we return to the room after hitting the gift shops after realizing I forgot a brush and toothbrush in my haste to locate my credit cards. We go back to the room, unpack and then head out to dinner. Were last ones in the dinner room – we start at Lumiere’s got our table 6 back and meet our tablemates. Cheryl and John (micsmouse2003), Arelene and Richard (Arlenesp) and Terry and Brett (Nutty4Disney). Everyone was soon talking and laughing. Service was a bit slow and it was 9:30 and we still had only our appetizers. I hope service improves as I think it was because of it being first night. We get out about 10:30 from 8 pm seating and head over to Rocking Bar D just in time to hit the Ice Breakers show. Not going into details but Laura, Steve and others were involved in adult activites. ROTFL. You’ll just have to sail with us in the future if you want to know what we did – for as David – the entertainment group said – what happens in Rocking Bar D – stays in Rocking Bar D – unless of course you have a camera with a big old honking flasth like someone has. WHO ME? Never!

They have a new band – The Leonard Brothers who just ended a contract at Pleasure Island in WDW. They snatched them up and they are really, really good. Much better at least for me than Soul Drive. They play a little – ok a lot harder and louder but they are good – not to mention blonde and better yet? I believe the front men are twins – DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE WITH DOUBLEMENT TWINS ……… um …. sorry – meant twins. And the keyboardist and other guitar are not ½ bad either. ROTFLMAO

So at midnight – which is really 1 am – as time went forward one hour, we head back to the room amid ringing ears. Notice the over 450 Pirates and their doors. Closer to 500 is what I am told. I am sitting in the middle of stateroom 2100 at 2 am tired but decidely typing up so I can remember this.

So with this – I will sign off – talk to you later (TTYL)

Laura