The internet here at the Navigator has been down or very slow the last two days...had to log on off topics to get this cruise diary entered.

Wednesday was a sea day, and we enjoyed a relaxed day at the pool...enjoying reading my favorite fiction authors Cussler and Baldacci.
Then we had a light lunch at Portofino's of
salad, pasta, shrimp & calimari..Ida took three aerobics classes (yoga, abodomial, stretching)

Then it was off to the Compass Room for a delicious degustation menu...we elected to
sit with two new couples; a retired Doctor and his wife from Dallas, and two retired school teachers from Florida..dining this way was
a fun and interesting experience as we met new cruise friends. Now for the food:

We started off with Longostino's with olive oil and peas (a Tony Manutuano of Speggia specialty);
then it was French Onion Soupl; the third course was escargo in butter,garlic, and herbs..the fourth course was Crusted Roated Shredded Lamb
coupled with a rack of lamb along with Garlic potato's; we ended with Intn'l cheese board & Port.

The matched wines were Poully Fuisse and a spectacular (Fr)Chatnaeu de Pape--perfect with the lamb.

Thursday

Started at 0615 with my daily 30 min run and 25 min swim...went directly to the Pool side grill for fresh OJ..then back to the room with a cup of joe for Ida...We then went to the Compass room
for breakfast..I kicked it up a notch and ordered
Caviar/Lobster Benedict (just kidding) had the
banana pancakes (very tasty)

Then I was off for White Water Rafting and Ida
went shopping in the town of Colon...She got
great bargains and lots of hugs as many vendors
were suprised she spoke spanish so effortlessly.

I had a spectacurly good time, rafting in the middle of Jurasic Park--well this Costa Rica
river sure looked like it...It was as lush as
I have ever seen it (even more than the Island of
St. Lucia)...We were organized into three groups of 6...I went with three of the scuba divers I went diving with in Honduras and will go again with in Grand Cayman...they quickly elected me
their paddle leader (since I am the Colonel)
Once we crossed the first river and had to march about 500 yards to our entry point, I told them to
"fall in and get ready to March" just kidding again. They asked me sit in the front of the boat as their leader--little did I know that would be the wettest spot--but it was raining all morning and the river soaked us all to the bone.
The ride was thrilling and if you get a chance
do it...but make sure you are a good swimmer..as I left Ida to shop because she is a weak swimmer.

We went back to the base camp where they had wonderful facilities for us to change/shower into dry clothes..then we received a complimentary
buffet lunch (black beans and rice, chicken, potato salad, pasta, squash) I washed it down with Imperial the local beer from Costa Rica...and it was one of the best I tasted (but I was might thirsty).


Dinner--we met our new cruise friends Pete
and Alice (who invited us to share dinner with them they were celebrating their 60th Wedding
Anniversary!--we met them on Sunday at Sea at the Pool side grill where we shared lunch and shared our passion for Tennis and Dogs.

We each had the following:


Mexican Empanadas served with salsa cruda
New England Clam Chowder
Caesar Salad (Ida did not care for the slice
Anchovies--I loved them)
Next, was Luinguinni Corti alle Auberinge
(Pasta with eggplants, garlic, basil and mint)
Finally, we had Stir fried shrimps with red pepper,zucchini and onion, tossed in tangerine--Soy sauce served with vegetable fried rice.

Our match wines--were Grove Mill Sauvignon
Blanc (NZ) and Pinot Noit (Calif) but Ida
asked Head Sommilier John to bring something special as Pere & Alice were celebrating 60
wonderful years..John brought us a mouth watering,
delicious Burgandy Chardonnay (France) and three bottles at the ready (The Rad Style shines through)

We then went to the show--but Ida got side tracked from the Boutique (under renovation today)
fireside sale...I did get some Paul & Shark shorts
for $25....orignally $119--the singer/impersonator
was great (he did Dean Martin, Neal Diamond, Joe Cocker, etc.,)

Well enough for now...did I mention we
love Radisson Cruising!

Pls Take good Care.

Wes & Ida

Wes,

Have been missing your reports and assumed you were just having TOO much fun! So glad to hear you are!

By the way, you have been missing absolutely foul weather here most of the week!

Okay, Wes, I TOTALLY bought into the "Caviar/Lobster Benedict" until it dawned on me that you really were joking. I was all ready to put that in the binder of things I am preparing for our cruise, so I wouldn't forget to try it! Now how could you tease me that way? BAD boy!
<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSXXXXXXXXUS' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_137.gif' border=0></a>

:D :D :D
By the way, I've had to do a thorough cleaning of my keyboard due to the saliva build-up from reading your tantalizing trip reports.

Thank goodness they are doing strenuous shore excursions and arobics classes. I am gaining weight just reading Wes's descriptions of the food!

Wes you are an incredible writer - always in awe of people who write a story that makes you feel as if you are with them - in your case - eating and drinking with you - joanna

Great report Wes! We had no doubt you would love it!

Wes,
Glad you had such a great time rafting and Ida shopping. Sounds like it was a great choice for both. Loving the food writeups. It is giving me some great ideas for my next cruise. Looking forward to more posts over the next couple of days. Hope you get to dive the wall in Cayman. It is great!

Once again, the food sounds spectaular. So did your rafting excursion...WOW! Makes me want to go whitewater rafting again.

Wes - oh, the front seat in the raft in white water rafting is ALWAYS the one that gets splashed the most! Oh well, now you know for future reference! Keep up the great reports - we might have to try a sailing with chef spotlight one of these days ...

Masaki

Wes- love reading the food discriptions and different wines. We also enjoy trying a variety of wines. Thanks for the great reports.


Kim

Wes,

I'm really loving your wonderful reports. Thank you for taking time post for us. Waiting for more!

Masaki, Congrats on 2000 posts!!!!!

Betty

Holy smokes, I didn't notice that, Betty! I better go shopping for Masaki's gift!!

Wes,
Thanks for the reports have loved them. It is one week and we are boarding the Navigator. I have done a trail run on the packing and now taking a small little carry-on to check through. Karen- it is those shoes! lol...
We wanted to go see Ocean 12 before we left, it is great. There are some surprises in it! We were one day behind them in Monte Carlo and Portifino last May, and it was great to see the countries again. Enjoy.
Jan

Wes, is the movie, After the Sunset, playing on the Navigator? Supposed to be several scenes filmed on board. Haven't had a chance to see the movie yet.

Wes - Mark and I were"introduced" the the Chateauneuf de Pape on our last Navigator trip. It is one of our favroites now! I even asked for - and got - it as my "in room liquor." (Which I of course, brought home with me. Keep up the good (and tasty) reports!!!!
We are salivating here in Philly!