Spring 2012- Day 3

Here is the video we took from the Franke Valli concert last night. I was a wonderful concert and they really, really sounded great.

Day 3

Ed driving

We woke up to another beautiful day. We drove down to Miami Beach and rented a boat for a 2 hour tour around some of the islands that make up Miami Beach. We rented a 21 foot boat with a 115 horse power engine; however, we couldn’t go fast because of all of the houses. Then it was a little too rough out in Biscayne Bay so we didn’t open it up.

For lunch we went to a Columbian Hot Dog restaurant called La Perrada that we saw from the Travel Channel with Anthony Bourdain.. Barb had a Chilean Hot dog which was a hotdog with sausage, guacamole, fresh tomatoes, sauerkraut, sauces, mayo and mustard. Ed just had his regular with ketchup and relish.

Barb up front directing!!

Then it was a short drive farther up the beach to Haulover Beach. As it was Saturday, it was really crowded but we had no trouble finding a spot close to the water. We met a couple from Miami and talked a little about each other lives, then they left and we shall never see them again – but we always have memories.

After a few hours in the sun, we went back to the hotel and cleaned up, rested and did a little packing for tomorrow. The weather again today was in the mid 80’s with a light breeze and virtually no clouds. We could not have asked for better weather.

After resting, we went out to the entertainment and food district and had a fun dinner sitting outside watching people as we ate.

La Perrada

Barb and the boat

Then it was on to the casino where Ed had his best night. We finished UP and we hope that we built up enough credibility that they will ask us back.

It is now time to get to back to the room and do a little more packing before getting to bed.

A fun trip to Miami – now on to the Cruise.

Spring 2012 – Day 2

Our new friend

We slept a little late because we were really tired from the traveling the day before. We finally left the room at about 10 am and drove about ½ hour to the Sawgrass Recreational area were took an air boat tour. Barb had never been on an air boat and this had been one of the items on our “bucket list” that we were finally able to check off.

The ride was fun although because it was about noon and the tempteture was in the middle 80’s, we only saw one alligator, but he was a huge one. We stopped the boat and watched him watching us – it was fun.

On the airboat ride in the Everglades

We ate there from a trailer like we used to have and we had a Cuban Philly sandwich which was pork, cheese, tomatoes and thin French fries on a long roll. Then we toured their little nature area where Barb got to hold a small alligator – it is fun being a tourist. It was good for her that the trainer put tape over the alligator’s mouth.

Back in the car we went about 30 minutes and we were back at Haulover Beach where we spent 2 ½ hours in the sun before heading back to the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel to clean up.

Then we walked around this huge complex and met with our casino host, Vanessa. We are very fortunate that she is here as hopefully if will mean free stays whenever we are in this area – we will see.We had fun talking about when she worked at Celebrity and now the Hard Rock Casino.

Barb and her new pet!!

Frankie Vallie and the Four Season were playing in the huge showroom and Vanessa arranged for us to get casino comp tickets.

Wow – what an amazing show he and his group put on. A full two hours on stage of solid great singing.

After that we went to the casino and Ed did well and Barb couldn’t find a machine she liked because of the crowds.

Then we walked around their big entertainment, shopping and eating outdoor area, had an ice cone and generally just watched people.
What a fun day and tomorrow will be as good if not better.

Our room

Spring 2012 – Day 1

We awoke early in the morning and headed to the airport to catch what will probably be our last Air Tran flight from the Bloomington airport as they are ceasing service June 2.

A full car as usual

The flight was totally full and we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale just after noon.

We quickly picked up our convertible and headed to the Hard Rock Casino. Our casino coordinator from Celebrity cruise line is now working as a host at the Hard Rock and sent us an invitation for a free room, etc. for the three nights we needed – so here we are.

We changed out of our travel clothes and immediately headed for our favorite beach – Haulover Beach. Sorry no pictures because pictures are not allowed. The weather was beautiful – 84 degrees, a light wind and no clouds and there were a lot of people on the beach.

Barb's dinner

We stayed on the beach until about 4:30 pm and then headed down Miami Beach to a Cuban restaurant that the Travel Channel had recommended called Las Olas Café. Their specialty is empanadas, which is a pastry stuffed with chicken, beef or ham and cheese and were they ever good. No one in the restaurant spoke any English so it was fun. Ed had a couple of orders and also an order of Plantains, which are fried bananas.

Then it was back to the Hard Rock to clean up and go to the Casino. This place is huge – there are over 2,500 slot machines! We had a fair session in the casino and built up some playing hours.

As we have been up a long time, we are getting to bed early – it isn’t even midnight – but night night.

Ed's empanada and fried plantains

New Years 2012 – Day 10

Ready for our last evening

We awoke to a beautiful day, the sun was out, hardly any clouds and there was only a slight breeze.

So there was no choice but to get two deck chairs and stay in the sun which we did until lunch and then more sun until 2pm when our deck chairs were finally in the shade.

We went down to our cabin to clean up and realized that our balcony was directly in the sun – so out on the balcony to catch some very private sun time.

Finally we came in at 3:30pm – hopefully not too much sun and it was wonderful.

As today is our last day, we cleaned up and started to pack as we like to finish packing early so we have the evening free.

Shrimp coctail for dinner

The show in the main showroom was fun because it was parts of several of the shows that we missed.

Dinner was wonderful as usual but sad it would be our last evening meal on this ship – dining has been a fun experience on this ship. There is no question that this has been the best dining experience we have ever had on any ship.

Then it was on to the casino for our final session and we both lost but at least we are both up for the trip.

It is now 1:30am and we are going to get off the ship in only a few hours.


Duck

So, thanks for enjoying our trip with us and thanks for everyone back home who allow us the privilege to travel. We are truly blessed.

LOL from the sea – next stop Miami, AirTran and we should be home Saturday evening.

 

 

 





Steak

New Years 2012 – Day 9

This was to be a relaxing day at sea, sitting in the sun and eating on the deck; however, the weather didn’t corporate as it rained starting at 8:30am and then was cloudy all day.

Lobster Tail for dinner

So our day was planned around activities that were inside.

At noon we had an interesting tour of the showroom and backstage. It is amazing how much goes on behind the scenes and how small a back stage they have. One of the things that we learned is that a lot of the clothes can not be washed and dry cleaning them after every show would mean that these very elaborate costumes would not last very long. What they use is a solution of 1 part cheap vodka and 2 parts water that they spray on the clothes. They said that the alcohol removes the odor better than any product on the market!!

We had lunch again in the Aqua and had a nice lunch sitting with a lady from Canada.

Our table mates, Vera and Jeff from Long Island, New York

Then it was on to the blackjack tournament were Ed did not qualify which was too bad because it was one of the largest payouts of any blackjack tournament that we have ever entered.

We picked up our pictures from yesterday and then met our Casino Host in the Bistro on Five where they have wonderful crêpes. Her name is Kremi and she is from Bulgaria and we had fun talking to her. This is the second cruise we have been on with her.

Then it was time to dress for our second formal night and see the musical production number in the show room. Even though we had seen this production on our last cruise, it was still fun as the music and dancing was from Broadway plays.

Dinner was again a wonderful experience and then it was on to the casino where Barb broke even and Ed did very well.

Ready for the evening

We set the clock back an hour tonight so the extra time will help our sleep.

Tomorrow is our last day and it has been a great cruise.

Night from somewhere on the sea!!

New Years 2012 – Day 8



A clock and water spigot in the main square



We awoke at 10:00am – I think that we needed the sleep. We were at the island of St. Kitts, a very little, but beautiful island.

Today we wanted to do some shopping and then work on our tan.

So, first we were off the ship into the shops that were built right along side the port. After that we went into the original town to go to a shop that we have found some great bargains before. Unfortunately, the shop didn’t yield any bargains for us this time.

We walked back to the ship and were eating lunch in Aqua Spa at 1:00pm.



A local fruit and vegetable market

Then it was time for a couple of hours of sun on the ship’s deck. We have been to the beaches here before and while they are beautiful, there was no sense in spending the money to take a cab when the ship would do just fine today.

Again, the tempteture was in the lower 80’s and simply gorgeous and those are the best words that we can describe the weather and the countries we have been to.

After resting, we watched the ship sail and then walked around. As we left port with another ship in front of us, we passed by the island of Montserrat which has an active volcano!

A cold wash cloth always there when we board

The show was before dinner tonight and was a very entertaining singing impressionist named Karen Grainger and she was quite good.

Dinner was again excellent. This restaurants food and service is the very best we have ever had on any cruise. The problem is that we enjoy eating in the main dining room and meeting a lot of people. But, all in all it is a great experience and we are eating and gambling with a fun couple.

After dinner, of course we all went to the casino and thankfully again we both did well.

A Princess ship with the volcano on Montserrat

Tomorrow is the first of our last two days at sea and then we will be home.

Night for now.

New Years 2012 – Day 7

St. Martens – one of our favorite islands.  It is ½ Dutch and ½ French. 

Heading out to the beach

We woke up to a hard rain storm, but by the time the ship was cleared for arrival, the rain had stopped.

We arrived on the Dutch side where most of the shopping is and spent a little time walking the streets and just looking.

Then we took a taxi to the French side for our favorite beach, Orient Beach.  We stayed there until 2:30pm and then took a taxi back to the ship.  We also talked to a couple from Pontiac, IL who we had met at the beach last year – what a small world.  The nice thing about this beach is that the sand is wonderful, the water is warm and also everyone on the beach is a couple staying there so it is a very adult beach.

We may have gotten a little too much sun – we will see how we are tomorrow.

We showered and rested (beaches are hard work!) and then went to dinner which once again was excellent.

Downtown

Then it was on to the casino where we did really well and called it a night at midnight.

We didn’t do a lot today, but it was a fun day, very relaxing.

Tomorrow is our last island, St. Kitts and we will do some shopping.

The start of Orient Beach - no camers allowed

Leaving Port with two other ships docked