Ya Mon

Can y’all tell where we are now? That was the first  bit of dialect our tour bus driver taught us while on the road to tour the Good Hope Plantation – Ya Mon. Our ride over to Good Hope took us through the town of Montego Bay, through the country side and into the rural areas of Jamaca. I was surprised to see so much litter as we drove through Montego Bay. Such a tourist area, I didn’t expect the untidiness. Otherwise it was a pleasant trip, the driver provided information of our drive. We saw lots of homes that were partially built but not finished – like the second floor of a house was not roofed but the owners were still living in it. The driver explained that the owners build what they can when they have the money to do so – save a little then build a little.

We make our turn off the freeway and onto the inland road to the plantation and we find a small herd of goats grazing on the garbage left along the road side. This road took us up the mountain and into the plantation with some bumps and tossing around but it was paved so no dust. The driver explained that the plantation used to grow lots of sugar cane but now grows oranges and cane and provides tours. We roll up to the visitors centre and were given instruction on where to go and wait for our plantation tour guide. It never ceases to amaze me how some people can not follow instructions. After a pee break, we were to gather in an area to meet our tour guide and to begin the tour. Yes, you guessed it, we had to wait for a few while they perused through the gift shop and somehow our group was spilt up and we continued to wait at the various points of interest throughout the tour.

Our first stop after the visitors centre was the ‘water wheel’. We walked down a short trail beside a trickling creek – I have to assume it used to have a lot more water in it to channel water to the wheel. Anyway, we come upon an old ruin building that housed the wheel with several stone pillars that must have held the water viaducts  that routed water to the wheel. Since the water wheel was the only source of power for the plantation, you would think that it would have been restored and working for a better illustration of plantation life back when. Anyway, we find the wheel corroded, rusted and deteriorating beyond help. The foliage around us was however fascinating with very large banyan trees, bamboo and lots of butterflies. Back on the bus to the house. It overlooked the plantation and the road up was snake like but paved.

All unloaded but again have to wait for the others that decided to wander off at the visitors centre – you probably can tell this was a burr for me. Anyway, the plus side was that we got to sit under the tree and gaze out over the hill top view and it was terrific so all is forgiven. We entered the home and were amazed at the heavy construction of the exterior walls but I guess they learned early that they do get a few windy days there! When you looked up at the ceiling, all you saw was the underside of the roof boards and in some places, daylight. Apparently, when it rains the cedar shingles expand quickly and seal up the holes and no or very little water leaks into the home. The ceilings are left open for the heat to rise and keep the living area cooler. Large windows in all directions help to direct the breezes to flow through the home. After the house tour, we were directed to the dining room for a buffet lunch of a Jamaican prepared meal of 2 varieties of chicken, fish, potatoes and green beans. Rum cake was served for dessert. We left and boarded the bus for a quiet ride back to the pier to board the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we walked through customs to the pier, there was a marching band playing for all the cruisers as we shopped or boarded the ship to leave for Grand Caymen. We had  another nice evening with our cruise’n buds from the Rainbow Plantation. Returning to our room for the night – after pizza and ice cream and a stroll of course, we were greeted by another towel pet. It’s neat to have these critters there when you walk in….

We hope all is well where you are, all is good here.

Head’n to Montego Bay

This is our first full day at Sea and we were excited to see what mischief we would get into while cooped up all day on the boat. After all, when you take a walk around the deck, what else is there to do? To start our day, we got in line for the breakfast buffet. Wow, I can’t say that I have ever seen so much food available. We also could have gone to a dining room for a full service breakfast.  There certainly is no reason to be hungry while on board! We met up with Dianne & Jerry and discussed the possibilities for the day. The sea was calm and the weather was great.

 

 

 

Well, like I said in the last post, there is the activity calendar with all kinds of things to  do or watch or listen to. We watched the bean bag toss and then decided to try to play tomorrow. We did some people watching, the ‘hairy chest’ contest – I think it should have been called the man’s biggest belly contest – and no, I would not have won that one either, these ‘lads’ were bigger than me! There were 2 pools and 4 hot tubs – and they were busy all the time. Before we knew it, we were gathering for the 5 o’clock beverage and then dinner. Where did the day go? I can’t remember any moments of boredom with nothing to do. The  evening was spent watching the shows and listening to the comedy acts, pizza at midnight and a stroll around the deck looking out at the blackness of night while eating more ice cream! Of course, our ‘towel animal’ greeted us as we came into the room.

Tuesday started off much the same only this time we went to the dining room for a more ‘civilized’ breakfast. There’s something to be said for being waited on! It was also a selfish decision – this was our last morning of leisure since we have booked our shore excursions for our 3 ports of call and know that we will be getting off the ship fairly early with no time to be lazy. After our ‘up town’ breakfast, we have a leisure day, people watching, trying our hand at bean bag toss, music trivia and of course, eating! For having a couple of days that we wondered what we would do to consume our time, they went by in a  blink. Soon, we were meeting with many of the Rainbow Plantation group for our pre-dinner beverages. We checked out what each other has been doing and comparing what shore excursions we are going on.  To-nights dinner dress code is called ‘Cruise Elegant’ so everyone going into the dinning room dressed nicely. The rule is no swim wear, flip flops, tank tops etc. If Barb hadn’t insisted that I take my sport coat, I would have had to go to the buffet for my dinner – thanks babe for looking after me again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday morning brings into Montego Bay, Jamaica. We’re having breakfast again with Dianne and Jerry and he wants to go forward to an open deck and watch our entry into port. As Jerry said, he wanted to watch to make sure they did it right – he used to be with the US Coast Guard. We had the deck to ourselves. We watched the pilot boat bring the harbor pilot out to the ship as he guides the big boat into port. Jerry says even the US Navy have to turn control over to the harbor pilot when they come into a port. Who knew? Anyway, it takes some time to get us in and moored for de-embarkation.

This is probably a good place to end this for now and I hope all is well where you are…..

Just Cruis’in

We did it, we went on our first cruise and made it back without any mishaps or capsizing or the ship running aground on a sand bar! But, we did find a bar and I’m sure that is a surprise to y’all. I hope I don’t bore you so I‘ll try to keep it a fun and interesting read.
We started out at a time that is somewhat foreign to us – 8:00AM! The group that was going from here at the Plantation had to be at the club house by 8:30 for the bus ride to New Orleans to board the cruise ship. Waiting for us at the club house were bagels and coffee – apparently served every Sunday – wow, who knew? Anyway on the bus now and heading off to the boat – oh, excuse me, the ship. We turn into the rest area as we cross the Alabama – Mississippi state line so many could get off to deposit the coffees consumed. I guess it’s an age thing and we’re back on the road again but again, we pull off at the rest area as we cross the Mississippi – Louisiana state line, what’s with that? We’re finally at the ship and we think it’s great, we don’t have to touch our luggage, it gets taken off the bus and delivered through boarding to the ship and will eventually end up at our stateroom – we hope. Now, before I go to much further, try to imagine the line ups to go through security. There are 2 boats to be loaded with approx. 3500 people each. Our first reaction was that this was only a small inconvenience and once on board, all will be good. Barb goes through the scanner and sets off all the bells and whistles. As she explains about her knees, they escort her off to the side to be ‘wanded’. Wow, she got the full treatment with a pat down! She gets all the luck ;) At registration, we get our cards which is like a credit card – wait a minute, it is a credit card because whatever we spend on the ship with that ‘card’, ends up on our credit card! Be patient with me, this is our first ever cruise and it is all new to us so imagine us all wide eyed and a little bit scared.
All in all, the boarding went very smoothly and before we knew it, we were standing in our stateroom and our luggage was waiting for us, that was a relief. We had a quick look around then headed on up to the Lido deck to the lunch buffet – it has been a long time since the bagels this morning and we didn’t want to miss any of our ‘free’ meals! We managed to find our way from deck 7 – our stateroom to deck 9 where the buffet is and what did we see? Another line up from both sides of the ship. So, this is to be our future for the next 7 days, line after line but hey, it’s a holiday right? We gather our meals and meet up with Jerry & Dianne from the bus. The food was good and we had some laughs about our experiences so far. After, the 4 of us toured the ship to see where things are and what is available. Nothing is open – bars, shops etc until we have passed the 12 mile limit when under way. But, endless coffee, lemonade and ice cream – yes John, endless! So we walked the deck, mowing down on ice cream and watching all the action dock side – a crew painting the side of the ship, crew loading luggage and lots of trucks buzzing about delivering their stuff to feed the lot.
We leave port at 4PM and head out the mighty Mississippi River toward the Gulf. We were informed by other experienced cruisers that it will be midnight before we exit the mouth of the river and enter the gulf. Who’d have thought that New Orleans was that far up river from the Gulf of Mexico? After a little wandering to get our bearings, we went back to the stateroom to unpack and ‘move in’. The rooms were bigger than we expected and quite comfortable. We decided on an inside cabin since we were only on the boat for 7 days and not likely to be in the room that much. With no window, when the lights went out, it was dark – great for sleeping. We agreed to meet in the lobby bar for happy hour at 5Pm before dinner then onto the dinning room.
We have the early seating for dinner which will be good to get to the shows on time. So, at 6, we all headed on down to the dining room and met up with another line trying to get into dinner. Lesson here, go a little later to avoid that mad rush. We entered to find the tables covered with starched white linens, napkins folded just so and a table staff poised and eager to serve. We are with 6 other Escapee cruisers and they have all cruised before so we were able to gain some experience. Our table was perfect, our table mates were very enjoyable to dine with and we were at the very back of the boat with a large window overlooking the stern and the water below – unfortunately, it was always dark at 6 but we could still see the water turbulence below from the props. Oil rigs could be seen all lit up along with other freighter traffic going and coming from the Port of New Orleans. Our dinning companions suggested that whatever is on the menu, one can order as much of it as you want. Hello shrimp cocktails and crab cakes,  ok, so I will gain a few pounds.
The cruise ship publishes an activity calendar everyday as to what’s available for activities, shows, events and stuff to keep the cruiser busy. We went to the first show to watch a variety review of the Motor City. It was great, live music and acting, this is covering off all the things that we have missed the last few years! After the show, we met a bunch up on the Lido deck for midnight pizza and more laughs and good times. Can it get any better? Good friends, smooth seas and warm temps, it was great. Finally, we break up the party and head back to our staterooms but not before Barb & I grab an ice cream cone and take a twirl around deck 8, looking out at the blackness and down at the swirling seas as the huge ship pushed us toward Jamaca – mon. As we finally arrive back at our  stateroom, a little around 1AM – holy – we were greeted by a seal. Yes, a seal. The stateroom staff left an animal folded from towels on the bed to greet us as we came in. That was neat.

But I think this is enough for now so stay tuned for more, after all, this is just the 1st day with 6 more to come. Wishing you well out there and  send Jim some good karma to help him on his journey.

Where Did 2012 Go?

Blink! Did you see it go? Here we are in 2013 and what a year we had. Rather than me re-write stuff about last year like the news does, you only need to browse back through our blog to see all the neat things we have experienced. Now we are whizzing along in the new year. We hope y’all had a great celebration.

Barb came down with a bug after Christmas and was not feeling 100%. That was the determining factor to not visit with our good friends Jim & Lydia – Jim is in a fight of his own and we did not want to jeopardize his medical treatments by introducing our bug into his already diminished immune system.

New Years Eve we were invited to Barb & Spencer’s  and had a good time with other friends as we ate – there’s that activity again – drank some and played a new game to us, Pegs & Jokers. We have played it before but quite a few years ago, it’s similar to the game Sorry. Barb caught on quickly with Betty’s help and I with Jerry’s. We watched the Pelican Drop in Pensacola after seeing the festivities in Times Square, kissed our way into 2013 – good fun with friends.

Jan 1st always provides fun for the crazy here – a ‘polar bear dip’ that is not so polar. I went in last year but decided that I didn’t need another ‘Drip Stick’ certificate again. This year, the air was in the high 60’s and the water 57 so, not to difficult for a Canadian. Our other Canadian friends Simon & Sandy from Ontario went in, they are drying off as we arrived a bit late for the complete dip – just like at dinners, the seniors are always early. This also brings the  time to remove the Christmas decorations but without the rum & eggnog – where’s the fun in that, maybe we have to start a different tradition and substitute the rum & eggnog with a different ‘seasonal’ beverage.

 

 

The activities here have ramped up quickly right after everyone dries off from the dip, Barb back to the sewing ladies and I’m trying to decide to cane or not to cane. There  are lots of chairs to be caned for the annual auction at Mardis Gras but I just can’t decide – must an age thing.

 

The park is filling up quickly since the holiday season has ended and lots of the same folks from last year are making their way back to the Plantation. Even with all the goins on goin on, Barb still manages to complete some projects she had on the go from summer. Here, she displays or is that demonstrates the  usage of our new lap quilts she has completed.

Of course, the ladies have their regular ‘shop hop’ for sewing supplies. I think it is just  an excuse to get away from the men for a day! Oh, and of course, to have a lunch out – look at this burger, it’s gigantic. Barb could only eat half – that’s one difference between men and women, we would probably make our best effort to empty our plate! Not to be left out a few of us guys went over to the Naval Museum in Pensacola on the same day so we wouldn’t get into trouble around the park!

Did I mention that Escapees like to eat out? Of course we do, after all we are part  of the LEO (let’s eat out) group. Usually, there are so many birthdays in January that we descend on one of the favorite local spots for dinner to celebrate. Neither Barb or I have a birthday in January but what the hell – just another excuse to eat!

Well, I better sign off, we are getting ready for our 7 day cruise to the western Caribbean tomorrow. We are more than excited and kinda marking time before departure. But, like everything else fun, it will over all too soon. See y’all when we get back. Hope all is well where you are.

Our Christmas at the Plantation

In our last post, we saw the Fish River Santa parade. The following week of Dec 16th was full of activities getting ready for Christmas day. Barb joined an apron bee, building aprons out of old denim jeans for the clubhouse kitchen and I tried helping a friend with their laptop but I’m not sure I made it better or worse. I’m still working on it, I can’t let it win!

I think all Escapees belong to the LEO club – Let’s Eat Out! Barb & I met fellow ERPU friends for lunch at the LA BBQ then off  to their new home in Foley for a tour. Their home is very nice with lots of room for them to spread out after spending many years full timing. Diane and Jerry are musicians and their new home gives them a music room for them to practice and play. We had a fun afternoon playing Wizard with regular cards and of course, the score keeper won – and it wasn’t me.

 

On Thursday, the quilting ladies know how to have fun besides sewing, they had their annual Christmas party and gift exchange – complete with Santa. Naturally, when I heard they were having a Santa, I made the leap that he was a ‘Chippendale’ Santa but it was just one of the guys from the park. They had lots of finger food and a endless amount of laughter so they must have had a good time.

On Friday, we went to the movie theatre with another couple to watch Cirque du Soleil 3D and wow, it was spectacular. We have never seen one of their shows before and were blown away by this one. To end the week before Christmas, we went out for dinner at a great Mexican restaurant in Fairhope with Simon and Sandy. The food was very good, the beer cold and the company fun, what more could you ask for?

Barb & I could not decide what we wanted to do for each other for Christmas this year – we don’t need anything. Barb suggested we take $30.00 each and we had to buy 3 gifts. So to make it more fun, we did it on Sunday, Dec 23rd! Ya gotta be part of the Christmas mayhem to really get in the Christmas mood! We also did our Christmas card exchange in the card department of Walmart. It was too funny, there we were reading the cards we would get each other and then take a picture of each of us with the desired cards. A fellow shopper saw us and took a double take then said ‘I thought I have seen everything but not someone talking pictures of their cards before they buy them’. Well, wouldn’t she howl if she only knew we were not buying them!

Christmas Eve took us to the clubhouse after dinner for some caroling, a secret Santa and of course, more eating with finger foods that we all took over. For the secret Santa, we made a circle with our $5.00 gift in hand and listened to a story read by one of the members. Each time we heard the word left or right in the story, we had to pass the gift in hand to the person in that direction. At the end of the story, the gift you held was yours. It was fun with lots of laughs.

Christmas morning, Barb & I opened our fun gifts and had some laughs over what we each got – of course we had our traditional rum and eggnog in hand. We had breakfast and then called each of the girls to see how their Christmas’ were going. Finding that all were enjoying their families, Barb & I retired to the deck for our morning coffees. What more could we ask for, we were out on the deck in our shorts, enjoying the beautiful warm morning before a busy afternoon.

 

Soon, we were preparing our dishes for the Christmas dinner potluck at the clubhouse. Barb prepared a candy bowl covered by a knitted snowman for each guest at our table. Our table host provided a shrimp plate while each of the members brought other delicacies. Our dish made us a bit nervous – Barb made a sweet potato bake for Americans who know their sweet potatoes. Needless to say, it was a hit, many asked for the recipe. Since several of the bowls were hot, we all stood and treated the table as a buffet and walked around the table and retrieved all the delicious food we wanted without passing the dish. That was a neat idea for a large table of 12 dinners.

 

 

Well, after a delicious meal and desserts, we were all stuffed, sitting and chatting and I’m sure looking for a chaise to lounge on! It’s a good thing we brought a wheel barrow so Barb had an easy way to get me home!

Storms were threatening the rest of our day so we retired to the rig and watched TV to see where the storm from off the Gulf was going. We had invited 3 other couples over for a get together but 2 cancelled out due to the weather but I’m sure it was due to the amount they ate during dinner and could not move! Dick & Marcia did come down and we had a terrific visit, discussing quilting, the storm, quilting and other hot topics.

That brings us to Boxing Day – huh, it is not recognized as a holiday down here but a shopping day to get all the Christmas wrap and decorations you need at 1/2 price! But everything goes back to normal – as normal as normal can be. We didn’t do anything, kept our heads down and tried not to eat after such a huge meal yesterday. Thursday, Barb was off to the quilt group and I went to the computer group. A few people came in with some viruses and I agreed to help them clean up their systems. That little task was an all day affair – I don’t mind helping as I was not doing anything anyway. These pesky bugs can really kill a computer – I just don’t understand what the virus creator gets out of it but maybe some people do actually click the ‘I accept’ button and then they are in more trouble. Lots can be said for good virus protection.

Well, that was our Christmas. We were safe, well fed and with friends. What more can anyone ask for? Best wishes for the New Year and throughout 2013. Until then……..