Happy New Years everyone. More rambling notes and random thoughts. It is getting more difficult for me to be coherent as I’m just typing what comes into my head and not thinking of style, etc.

The dinners seem to last a long time, over 2 hours and often we find ourselves racing to get a seat at the show. Our dinner at Latitudes started at 7:15 and we didn’t get our main course until after 9 pm. This is fine for a week or so but after a while these long dinners get a bit tiring. I’m still not ready to go home. I could always order room service and La Veranda is a bit faster.

Tea time is far more crowded than any tea time on the PG. On sea days we have a gala tea. The tables of pastries take up the whole dance floor. On port days the food is not as extravagant. But I was surprised to find that they use tea bags exclusively. Liptons and Twinings. On the PG they had a variety of loose tea, then poured the nearly boiling water over the leaves. I miss that. Here they seem to dunk the bag in the hot pot of water instead of pouring the water over the tea. They need to hire a Brit to show them how to do this right. Of course, tea time morphs into trivia and then bingo and the crowds just get bigger and bigger. We have only won trivia once and you really need some Americans and some Brits on the team. We are doing better at the daily quiz. Didn’t really notice it until about 5 days ago but have won 3 times. Ted and I have also become TV stars singing “word of the day” tunes. Anything for a token. Strangers keep stopping me to tell me they saw me sing. (Condolences to all who actually watched that) If I could see what I could get with the tokens I might not be so competitive. I want a duffle and a tote but can’t get a clear answer to the number of tokens needed. We are up to 18.

Off topic: I have a friend who was spending 3 weeks in Thailand with her DH and 2 kids. They were due back in TX around now. I’ve sent a few emails to see if anyone has seen or heard from them but no news yet. I don’t believe they were supposed to be at a beach. The DH was teaching at a university but they had some days off and I don’t know if they might have gone for a day.

We had a very nice tour in Guatemala of a sugar plantation and mill. The guide was the best of any we have taken but the tour company gave us so many souvenirs we didn’t need to buy any. First we got a papagayo to pin to our shirts to ID as a tour group. I was trying to trade for 2 matching ones to make earrings but they were all different. Then we got nice woven water bottle holders and woven reed fans. Already used the water bottle holder in Acapulco.

Took the galley tour and really thought we’d see controlled chaos. Not at all, it was simply controlled cooking. The chef is working on his order for Sydney but hasn’t planned the menu for the first week of the world cruise. The whole operation and storage system is fascinating. They really have a little of everything down there. Caviar is kept under lock and key. At $1150.00 per 1.8 kg, sounds like a good idea.

I thought I’d add a few comments on the Gentlemen hosts. There are 2 on board and I have no idea if they will stay for the world cruise. They seem like nice enough guys but some of the single gals find them over powering. They have had 2 receptions for single travelers or unescorted travelers (traveling with a group but not a mate??) and this is how they identify the single gals. Seems like the women my mom’s age like the attention but the women my age want to be left alone more. Anyway, these guys can dance and even teach ballroom dancing to anyone whoever wants to try. But the funniest thing to me is that their title is not gentleman host but rather “Distinguished Gentleman”. I don’t know, but that just cracks me up.

Our Acapulco rafting tour was cancelled due to lack of water. We just toured the fort and museum across the street. It was a nice walk although we had to run the gauntlet of vendors. Unfortunately, they threw us out of the museum early. Near as I can figure, it is because of the holiday.

Oh, we have left our laptop out on the desk the entire cruise. So far, nothing has happened to it. I did hear about a guy with a walker who uses an electronic bone stimulator, that had the batteries robbed but not the actual bone stimulator. Security has searched the cabin, the laundry, whatever. The battery case was about the size of a laptop. Very strange. Luckily it is not life or death for him.

Colleen,


Have really enjoyed all your reports! Continue to enjoy your cruise!

How very wierd that the man's battery pack was stolen!

Happy New Year!

Love your onboard reports, Colleen.

I think the tea method is the one they used on the Mariner last month.

MarnaLou

Colleen, I look forward to your random thoughts.
I agree about the "Gentlemen Hosts" :eek:

The battery packs have turned up. I am happy to report that we heard they were misplaced in the room and ended up under the bed out of site in a pack or something. I just want to clarify I know of NOTHING that has been "lost" or stolen.

How funny about the "Distinguished Gentlemen"! And glad to hear that the battery pack turned up. Was thinking that it didn't make sense that it had been stolen since it wouldn't be usable for anything else ...

Masaki

Colleen: Thanks so much for writing your great reports - we can't wait to join everyone Feb 7 - Joannna

My guess is that "Distinguished Gentelmen" is what the company which hires them called them. "Gentlemaen Hosts" may be used by another company . . .

the "distinguished gentleman" story reminds me of a cruise I took many years ago. There were 2 or 3 elegant ladies dripping with jewels - in their 80s..being "squired" by gentlement in their early 30s. At first I thought, "Isnt that nice that they brought their grandsons with", DUHHHHHHHHHHH,

Oh so funny - I don't want to end up that way - but what are the alternatives???? Beats the home I guess - Joanna

Where ARE they???? We haven't heard from them all day! You'd think they'd realize they have "family" waiting to hear daily about what is going on, wouldn't you? Oh, the pressure, Marcie, when you get aboard! Just kidding, Colleen and Paul and others, but we all LOVE hearing from you on this adventure, and I don't even know what port you're in today. Loving all your posts, and thank you for keeping us in the loop!

Who??? When??? Where??? I am lost - J

Colleen and Paul!! They MUST be having TOO much fun!!

Got it - Joanna

Oh dear, so sorry, occassionally we are "between" satelites or something and the internet is down for a day or so. Was supposed to happen in Acapulco actually did happen in Cabo San Lucus. So I don't plan on posting those days.

I'll try to have an update later today.