Cruise day 13

The seas are even better today.  We haven't done much today - but eat of course.  Saw a soso show in the evening.  Will be good to see land again and not constantly moving.

Cruise day 12

The ocean has calmed down some but it is still cloudy, would be nice to see some sun.  We sat with some people at breakfast who are “Tea Party” and soon got tired of their lingo.  We finally finished and got up and left.  How rude to force your political ideas on others.   It must have been our day for uninteresting dinner guests as in the evening we were sat with people whose first language is French.  They did try to be friendly with their limited English and our non French.

We went to another lecture, this time about Volcanoes and in the afternoon about identify theft.

We went to a show which started with some acrobatics people and then a sax player who was good, not great.  I think we are getting tired at all this!

Cruise day 11

This evening was formal dress.  We went to a reception for people who have cruised over 5 times.  Usually they manage to get to you with one glass of watered down drink, but tonight they kept passing out full alcohol drinks.  After the reception was a lobster and crab cake dinner.   Everyone at our table ordered a second plate.  There was a good production show afterwards.

Cruise day 10

It was a disappointing day.  We planned on going to Maui but the trip was canceled because of high swells of the ocean.  People had to be tendered to the dock and it was too rough a ride.  I really wouldn't have wanted to be on a tender but we did have two trips planned, one to the mountains and a whale watch in the afternoon.  Instead, like most people we just milled around the ship.  Took a nap and ate even more.  It didn't take long for the staff to come up with plan 2 and they gave out new activity sheets.  Some people think we should get a reduction on the cruise but it was the weather, not the ship’s fault.

In the evening we went to a comedian show.  It was good, clean. 

The ship is really rocking so may be hard to sleep tonight.

Cruise day 9

We had an early start to an all morning trip to the north side of Kauai.  We stopped at a blow hole where the ocean comes through some lava to make the water shoot up and a cannon sound.  Then it was up into the mountains.  It was a good trip, we enjoyed the morning.

When we got back to the dock we took a shuttle to Walmart.  My main need there was some hair conditioner.  The combo the ship has (shampoo/conditioner) just isn't enough conditioner for my hair.  They used to have good product but changed.

We got back and the boat left shortly thereafter.  Went to a Beatles tribute band after dinner.

Cruise day 8

We woke up in Oahu today.  We took a Circle Island Tour.  Our bus driver had lived all his life on the island so was knowledgeable and had many sad jokes.  Almost at the end of the tour it started to rain hard.

We went to early dinner and then to a Hawaiian show by natives.  It was good, not what I expected but fine.

Cruise day 7

We docked on the "Big Island" of Hawaii.  Good to be on firm ground again.  We took at tour to Volcanoes National Park.  We got into the only little bus, the driver had lived in Hawaii for 35 years so was good in giving us a lot of information.  Because we had a small bus we got to go places the big buses couldn't get into.

When we sailed out of the island, about dusk, we saw many whales.  We ended up eating late dinner as we didn't want to go inside until it got dark.

Cruise day 6

Good news!  The ocean has calmed down a lot, still a little rough.

Also we finally saw land, the island of Hawaii.  We cruised near it for some time.  This has been a slow day but the next four will be busy.  It has also warmed up, feels good to be outside.

Cruise day 5

Very rough sea today, up to 25 foot waves.  My motion sickness patch takes care of how I feel but walking around is a challenge.  Everyone is having trouble, walk around with one hand on something solid.  The elevators are clamoring in the shafts - scary!  Don clams he is not having trouble but does admit to a bad headache.

We went to a song and dance show, I don't know how the dancers didn't loose their footing.  The stage curtains were swaying.

We have a magic drawer, it opens and then later closes!  Hopefully all this movement will stop soon.

The ship has had to slow down and so we won't get to Hawaii tomorrow but will on Saturday.  The itinerary has been rearranged so we will get to all four planned islands.  The north side is having 50 to 70 foot waves, just what the surfers want!

Cruise day4

The morning started with a rainbow.  I pulled the drapes and there was a perfect full rainbow over the ocean.  The ends were reflecting in the water.  I got some good pictures but can’t upload as the internet is so slow.

Otherwise it was just another day at sea.. . eating, going to lectures and sleeping.  The ocean is getting rougher as the day goes on.  I put a new motion sickness disk on, it was time and I don’t want to be without.

Cruise day 3

We went to the same to lectures as yesterday but about Maui rather than the island of Hawaii.  After lunch I went to a class to make a Lei.  I made one, turned out well.  It was formal night so we got all dressed up for dinner and after dinner we went to a juggler-comedian show.  Then we went to a song and dance type show.  Both were good, not exceptional.

I STILL have my cold, about the same day after day.

The internet on the ship is very slow, too slow to upload pictures.  Will have to do that when I get home.

Cruise day 2

This is the first full day on the ocean heading to Hawaii.  In the morning we went to a lecture by a naturalist mostly about the island of Hawaii and after that was a lecture about the history of the island.  Both were very interesting.  We just walked around in the afternoon and took a nap, still jet lagged some.  We ate all our meals in the dinning room, had salmon for dinner.

The ocean has some large swells but nothing too disturbing.

Hawaii Cruise Day 1

This morning we went looking for breakfast in the hotel, the best we could find was expensive - $11 for a bowl of cereal.  Then we saw a Starbucks which had some pastries and made that do.  I had a couple energy bars we had for lunch.  We had a scary bus ride to the pier and after going through the usual rig-a-role we got on the ship about 2 PM.  Our balcony room is fine, the usual Princess fare. 

We were defiantly hungry for dinner and had prime rib.  I couldn't  eat it all even as hungry as I was.  For dessert I had Gouda and brie cheese with nut bread.  The nut bread was the highlight of my meal.  We were too late for any show and very tired anyway so went to bed about 10 PM.

LA

We made it to LA last night about 7:30, 10:30 Florida time.  We were tired, flight was a little rough at times and L O N G.

We checked into the Marriott Hotel and into bed shortly afterwards.    Boarding the ship to Hawaii tomorrow.

Packed, almost

About all packed and a good thing - we leave tomorrow for LA and then a 15 day cruise to Hawaii.  I still have my cold and hope flying won't be too hard on my ears.  Hopefully the sun will cure my cold.

Cold

It is cooling down in Florida, freeze warnings for tonight and the next couple nights.  The worse cold is the one I have and can't get over, instead of feeling better each day I feel worse.  Hard to pack and get excited about traveling when I just want to sleep.

I decided to spread the germs and go out to lunch with some women from the RV Park.  It was fun but again would have been better if I didn't have the cold.

We ate at the local pizza place, good as always.

Too much Tuesday

To cold is worse.  I HATE colds.

I need some Hawaiian sun!

Bad Monday

I woke up with a cold that I no doubt caught from Don.  I took too strong of medication and felt even worse until it wore off.  We went to the drug store for the usual cold medication I take and some night time medication which knocks me out for the night.

When we came home I started the washer/dryer to dry the clothing I had earlier washed and the machine wouldn't work.  Don pulled it out into our small bathroom and managed to find a loose wire and repaired it.  That took a couple hours but the machine now works again.  Just thankful Don can do such things and we don't have to move the motorhome to a repair place to get it done.

Hopefully I will get over this cold fast as we leave on Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday

Yesterday we brought home Chinese food for dinner - always good.  We rented the movie "White House Down"  which was good, variation on bad people capturing the White House, killing, making a mess but had several twists and even a few funny parts.

Today we went out for breakfast, read the papers and did some things around the house.  We went to the ice cream social at the clubhouse in the afternoon.  

A day in the park

We didn't leave the park today.  Dinner was at the clubhouse, it was pulled pork with beans, Cole slaw and corn on the cob.  Following, the video from the clubhouse New Year party was shown probably for us fools that celebrated else where.

Exercising the motorhome

Another cold night last night.  This morning we took the motorhome for a fill of propane and a trip down the interstate to get the fluids and gears moving after it has sat in one place for 3 months and will have another 3 months before it's moved again.  The hard part is putting stuff away inside and outside disconnecting and taking off wheel covers, front window cover, etc.  It took about 2 hours from the time we left our site until we were backed in again.  It took each of us about an hour before and another hour after the move.  All worked well with the motorhome.  Good to have that job done!!!

As a reward we went out to dinner for a favorite, prime rib sandwiches.  They were so good.  We have another cool evening but headed to 80 degrees again.  From heat to air conditioning in a few days!

Looking forward to Hawaii!

Cold night, cold day

It got down to 27 degrees last night, we keep warm at night with our electric blanket and heavy quilt.  During the day is another challenge.  In the middle of the day the sun came out and with our big windows to the south it warmed up the motorhome nicely.  That came to an end of course when the sun went down.

We went to Brooksville for hair cuts and Sam's Club for tax software.  We didn't have any other stops to make unlike most times.  Ate lunch at Cici's and got a Subway for dinner.  Have to hunker down for another cold night.

Cold

We are getting prepared for a cold night - below freezing.  We have water in our motorhome tank so we can disconnect the hose, plants are inside.  May be cold here but nothing like what our family is experiencing in Minnesota.

Sunday in Florida

We went out to breakfast this morning and to CVS to pick up a couple sale items.  Later in the day we went to the park clubhouse for the Ice Cream Social.  More and more people are arriving in the park or returning from a northern Christmas trip.   Don put water in the motorhome tank in anticipation of freezing temperatures on Monday and Tuesday nights.  (Have to disconnect the hose.)  At least we won't be as cold as Minnesota!

Cruise day 14

Too long on the ship - one day is like the last.

EAT
Go to activity
EAT
Nap
Ice Tea and cookie
Check out something
EAT
Go to show

I have eaten so much and so many different things, I no longer care.   I still go to the dinning room just to see what is on the menu and then order up.

Cruise day 14

One day is much the same as the next.  Or perhaps we have been on this ship too long.


Eat
go to activity
Eat
nap
Eat
go to show

Saturday

We went into Bushnell for groceries this morning, in the evening we went to Wildwood to Steak 'n Shake for a hamburger, milk shake dinner.  Late afternoon Don worked on the water heater problem (wouldn't let the water heat completely and turn off opening a valve and releasing water).  He had to make a fast trip to Bushnell for a part.  We we watched the movie "Seven", a old movie we found in the clubhouse with Matt Damon - mildly good.



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Escapees Chapter meeting

We went to Clermont for the monthly chapter meeting.  Not too many attended.  Afterwards I went to Kohl's and Kmart.  Don showed me a rash on his leg which I immediately knew it was cellulitius.  We stooped by a drug store clinic, he saw the nurse practitioner who agreed with me and gave him a prescription for antibiotics.  He said his leg felt better by bed time.

Happy 2014!

We got up about 8 AM but tired all day.  Even a nap didn't help much.  We had the traditional southern lunch at the clubhouse of black eyed bean soup, greens, Cole slaw and cornbread.  I liked it, Don not so much.   Just stayed home the rest of the day.