Funchal, Portugal

On Friday we were docked in Funchal.  This is an island in the Atlantic that is a territory of Portugal.  We took a shore excursion as we have been here several times on our crossings in the past.

Our first stop was to Pico dos Barcelos.  Here you get a view of the entire city of Funchal.

This is a beautiful island.  But lots of hills.  We then traveled to a fishing village where we saw so many boats.  There was also a Chapel where the fishermen would worship.  

The Chapel is the white building at the top of this picture.

Our final stop was to a look out point which was so foggy that there was not view.  

So not so good.

Then we traveled back to the ship where I tried to take some pictures from the bus.  

To live here is to live on the edge.

Then we had our final day at sea.  Of course, they had a special Easter Country Fair which was held in the atrium.  Very well attended.   And then they had a pre dinner show which was a Virtuoso Guitarist who was very good.  We had dinner at a table for two in Signatures.  We were only able to get a table at 8 pm so it was a late night for us.  

Today we were in Casablanca where we had a wonderful shore excursion.  I will tell about it later along with pictures.

We can't believe we are only three days left on this leg.  But good things must come to an end.

Sea Days

We have had two sea days since we left Hamilton.   At first the seas were rolling but it did not bother us.  We seem to sleep really well with the rocking of the ship but some people did have issues.  But life on board is quiet.  I continue to attend the needlepoint group.  Have met several interesting ladies.  Kristy is from Pasadena and a lovely lady.  Her husband is 18 years older than she and her step son is 18 years younger than she.  But she is a great needlepointed.  And then there is Sue from the UK.  She cannot understand the people from Scotland and neither can we.  And then the group from Colorado.  I had it all wrong.  Penny and Patty are sisters to Ray who is married to Cindy.  And they are going to the wedding of the older brother of Patty, Penny and Ray.

Last night we had dinner in Signatures.  It was wonderful.  Ate with the Born's again.  I don't think I wrote about the dinner with the Ambassador.  He served in Ecuador under Reagan.  He and his wife live in Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.  We had invited the Born's to join us.  It turned out to be a great night.

I am writing this after dinner as the internet seems to be quicker when everyone is eating.  But I have already had one martini and a couple glasses of wine, so forgive the spelling.  Once we get to Fungal, we will have a port every day.  So the relaxing now is great.

Not doing the water exercises.   They say the pool is room temperature.  But who's room?

At any rate, this is a great way to cross the Atlantic.  Every other night we set our clocks ahead one hour.  And we sleep great.  These beds are wonderful.  And the sheet, what can I say.  I will need to buy better sheets when I get home.

Will update again tomorrow if I can.

Hamilton Pictures

While we have had two days at sea, the internet continues to be so slow as I am not willing to wait in order to post,

 I will now try to post some of the pictures we took while we were in Hamilton, Bermuda.

The terminal building welcomes you to Hamilton.  The weather was cool but sunny.

This is the clock tower at the Supreme Court building

Our horses who lead us about Hamilton.

The Methodist Church here in Hamilton.  On Church Street, several churches can be found.

The entire Supreme Court building.

Inside the Cathedral of Bermuda.  A beautiful Church.

St. Tereas the Catholic Church here in Hamilton.

Sea days are quiet.  But the seas have been tough.  Lots of rolls.  Nothing to make you sick but walking can be a challenge.  Tonight we had dinner with the Ambassador Hart.  He lives in Jacksonville.  Donna and Mike joined us.  I think we closed the dining room.  I continue to attend the lectures and then go to the needlepoint in the afternoon.  Today at lunch we sat we a couple from Hawaii and New Jersey.  They had lots of tree damage from Sandy.  Sea days are the most relaxing you can experience.  We love them.  Reading, hand work, etc.  Right up our alley.  Next I will probably be in Fungal.

Hamilton, Bermuda

Today we are in Bermuda.  Weather is windy and cool.  I think I will send home the warm weather clothes I brought when we reach Barcelona.  The weather will just be getting cooler as we travel north. Will see.

Last night we had dinner in Prime 7 with Mike and Donna from Plantation.  Dinner was very good.  They all had steak but I had the Dover Sole.  One of my favorite dishes.  By the time we finished dinner, the show was about over.

Yesterday I attended the needlepoint gathering and met three ladies who were married to three brothers.  They are attending the fourth brothers wedding in Barcelona.  The brothers also have four sisters.  Wow.

We got off the ship and walked about the town until it was time for our carriage ride.  The ride takes about one hour and you get to see some of the back streets of Hamilton.  After the ride, we walked up to the Bermuda Anglican Cathedral but there was a service going on so we decided to head back to the ship and then come back in town.

Lunch on the aft deck.  It is still cool but quite nice in the sun.  After lunch, Bob took his nap and I sat on the balcony and did my needlepoint.  I came back into the cabin to watch the NCAA basketball game and while playing with the remote, I think I broke something.  I was looking at what movies they have and did not exit correctly.  That will teach me.  

We headed back to the Cathedral and walked about it.  The Methodist Church was locked up tight.  I came back to the ship while Bob continued with his study of Churches in Hamilton.  My back has started to act up so I need to take it easy.

Second Sea Day

Last night after the block party, we headed to the Mariner Lounge for our martini's.  Today they had our blue cheese stuffed olives.  An older couple sat with us.  Tony and Clair from 6 months in Florida and 6 months on the Eastern Shore, Maryland.  They used to own a horse farm.  So when it came time to head in for dinner, we asked them to join us.  Dinner was escargot and grilled red snapper fish.  All good.

After dinner, which was now 9:45pm, we went into the show.  But it was a woman singer and I am not a fan so we left and returned to the cabin.  We lost one hour so we got to bed late for us.

This morning we did not get up until 8:30 but my body said 7:30am.  Up to the Lido for breakfast.  After we finished, we stopped and spoke with Ambassador Hart and arranged to have dinner with them on the 25th.  He and his wife live in Jacksonville Golf and Country Club.

Bob attended the lecture on Opera.  Angela Schneider spoke on "Opera Without Fear". while I stayed in the cabin to do my needlepoint.  When he returned, he said the lecture was very good. He said he would go to another in the future.

Lunch in La Veranda.  They had a chili lunch but we opted not to partake of the chili.  Just a salad and then some cheese and fruit.

Back to the cabin for nap for Bob and I watched more of the NCAA basketball games.  Temple won, yea.  Down to have a coffee before needlepoint.

Pre dinner cocktails in the Observation Lounge.  Tonight was the Captain's reception but we decided not to attend.  We have already talked with the Captain.  Then to the Mariner Lounge where a couple from England sat with us.  They had done about 100 different cruises but most of them on lines in the UK.  We then headed into Prime 7 where we sat with Donna and Mike who were already at the table.  Mike had called us to say they would be in the Horizon Lounge but we had already left so did not get the message.

Dinner was very good.  I had the chop salad and Dover Sole.  The rest of the table all had steaks.  Bob said his was very good.

Back to the cabin to watch more basketball and then lights out.

First Sea Day

Last night we ate in Compass Rose and had a nice table by the window.  We could watch our sail out of Miami.  Sailed right by Fisher Island.  Some expensive real estate there.  Dinner was very good as usual.  After dinner we spoke with Mike and Donna Born.  They are our neighbors in Plantation.  We knew they would be on the ship and we will have dinner with them at the two special restaurants.

We turned in early as we were tired.  Don't ask me why as we did not do much but oh well.  Then during the night there was a medical emergency and we diverted to the Bahamas to take the passenger off the ship.  Then back on our way.

This morning it was quite windy so we had breakfast inside.  After breakfast we returned to the cabin where it was already cleaned up.  Love that.  Later, I attended the lecture by Ambassador Samuel Hart. His topic was "American Foreign Policy in Obama's Second Term".  Sort of interesting.  I think your take on it depends on if you voted for or against Obama.

I then attended the Cruise Critic Meet and Greet.  Several people showed up.  Met Mary Alice from Maryland and Ann from California.  Then Bob and I had a nice lunch in Compass Rose.

Back to the cabin where Bob took his nap and I got to watch some of the NCAA Basketball games.  Then up to the gym where I did 30 minutes on the bike.  And then I went to the needlepoint gathering.  Lots of ladies attended.  This was the most I have ever seen at needlepoint.  Sometimes I think they come just to get the kits.  Whatever.  Spoke with Jennifer who is a dancer with the ship.  Donna and I sat together.

Cleaned up for dinner.  Tonight is the block party so need to be ready by 6pm.  We are eating in Compass Rose again tonight.  The staff is willing to give us a nice table for two.  Tonight I might go to the show.  It is guest entertainers.  Will see.

Embarkation

We got up and headed to the free breakfast down stairs.  Bob had a nice omelet and I had two eggs over medium.  We then came back to the room to get ready, pack up our stuff and head over to the port.  We took a taxi that was the fastest ride I have experienced.  Had the feeling he was in a rush.  But we made it all in one piece.  Embarkation was a breeze but it take a while.  While waiting in line, we met an older  gentleman who was traveling alone.  He is going on to Paris and then to Philadelphia.  He has never been to Philadelphia.  We talked it up as we like Philly.

Once on the ship, we headed up to the Lido for a light lunch.  When we were finished, Didi came over and gave us great big hugs.  Didi was on our South American cruise and we befriended her.  She is married to August, the food and beverage manager.  She is from Turkey and he is from South Africa.  Nice people.  Great seeing her again.

When the cabin was ready, we came down and was surprised to find our luggage already here.  So we unpacked and put everything away.  This cabin is exactly like the one we had on the South American cruise so we knew where to put everything.  We popped the champagne and toasted our trip.

The Butler came and introduced himself and explained how to use the coffee machine, which is a new item in the cabin.  Then the Cabin Steward and her assistant came in to see if we needed anything.

We have the muster drill before we sail.  Then we will clean up for dinner.  New rules state you can not leave port until the muster drill.  Sail away is then at 6pm.  Tomorrow is a sea day so not sure if anything of interest will occur.  I do know that there is a cruise critic gathering.  Not sure if I will go but you can bet Bob will not.

Travel to Miami

Yesterday we picked up our rental car.  I made one little error.  Seems there are two Hertz rental counters in St. Augustine.  We were at the airport and the car was at the south location.  But they were willing to drive the car up to the airport for us.  Then we had dinner with Katie and her family.  David will start his new job on April 1st.  So that could have been our last dinner at Bonito's.

Today we are driving to Miami.  Will return the car to the airport and stay at Embassy Suites tonight. So far traffic has been fine.  A little rain but not bad.  Seems I am unable to pack light.  But as long as I can lift the suitcase, I guess I am good to go.  Part of the problem is we do not know about the weather.  So layers means rain jackets, wind breakers, etc.  Might  just pack some of the stuff up and send it home as we go along.

More later.

We are staying at the Embassy Suites at the airport.  This is the most difficult hotel to drive to.  The last time we stayed here, we got all turned around and it happened again this time.  The iPad directions get us going the wrong way.  And you would think I would learn.  At any rate, we arrived, checked in and then returned the car.  We took a taxi back to the hotel but later found out we could have gotten the shuttle back for free.  Oh well, next time.

Tonight the hotel has a managers reception.  Free cocktails and munchies.  We do like this about the Embassy Suites.  Seems they upgraded our room since Bob is now Silver with Hilton.  We will probably have dinner here in the hotel dinning room.  And then call it a day.  Tomorrow to the ship.