Panama Canal Cruise

Who begins a cruise to Panama by going to Alaska? O’well, just call me
Captain Wrongway Peach Fuzz.

The Log Book
Saturday, September 19, 2015 We take a taxi to the cruise ship and board. Depart Seattle at 4 pm. There are killer whales cavorting off the port bow, just outside our stateroom balcony. We meet our cabin boys Depa and Virago. They are from Indonesia. Every time we step out of the room, they rush in and straighten it up.

Sunday, September 20, 2015  AT SEA. We get to explore the ship. The most important deck is the Lido where the food is! I will be lost the whole time we are on the ship! I wish they would mark the walls with a P for Port and an S for Starboard. Hint: Port has four letters just like Left. Now you only have to know where the front of the ship is. Harder than you might imagine. Find the Crow’s Nest, a bar and library. I read a book every other day and could not carry 13 books with me.

Monday, September 21, 2015 Arrive at Juneau. Noreen and I stay on board.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015   Glacier Bay. Our ship is cleared to go on to John Hopkins Glacier. There we observe a calving ( large ice sheet falling into the water). What a spectacular sight. So happy we got the balcony suite.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015  Sitka Alaska, Sea Otter and Whale watch. Unbelievable, we sight over 20 whales tail up going for a meal at the bottom of the sea. The sea otters are good too especially the one who was wrapped up in kelp. She must be making a fashion statement.

Thursday, September 24, 2015 Ketchikan Alaska Wander around town a little.

Friday, September 25, 2015 Victoria British Columbia Stay on the ship – don’t want to run into “floatie”.

Saturday, September 26, 2015  Seattle The first leg of the trip is over. We have to get off the ship and go through customs.

 Sunday, September 27, 2015  Vancouver British Columbia We stay on board again.

Monday, September 28, 2015 AT SEA.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015 AT SEA.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015 San Diego SEAL (duck boat ) This was basically a ride around San Diego Harbor. The seals are really sea lions sunning themselves on a dock with lots of cormorants.

Thursday, October 01, 2015 AT SEA.

Friday, October 02, 2015  Cabo San Lucas Mexico We go into town to buy some future yard sale items and a margarita.

Saturday, October 03, 2015 AT SEA.

Sunday, October 04, 2015 AT SEA.

Monday, October 05, 2015 Hualtulco Mexico Rural Communities & Traditions The first stop here was the iguana sanctuary. There are two types of iguana, green and black. The black ones eat meat the green are vegetarians. They have been hunted almost to extinction because they are tasty. I shocked our guide when I asked if any one farmed them for restaurants. I think it is a million dollar idea – any partners? The next stop is with a sweet little old lady makes tortillas for us. She also has a disabled daughter who weaves textiles for sale. I buy a small square for $25 that everyone else buys for $5 – o well I have always been an easy “touch”.

Tuesday, October 06, 2015 Puerto Chapas Mexico Izapa Ruins and Chocolate Factory The trip to Izapa is interesting. Founded around the year 1,500 B.C., Izapa was the most important ceremonial, political, and religious center of the Pacific coast for almost a thousand years. Its importance was due to commercial factors, as well as for being the region’s religious center. They had human sacrifice here too see the picture of an obsidian knife. On to Charlie and chocolate factory. How any one figured out how to make chocolate from the pods to the nubs is beyond me, I am just glad they did. The Mayor of the town greeted us – said we are now all citizens of his town and welcome home. That brought tears to my eyes. Then some dancing ladies and a mariachi band. Next off to the Cathedral – beautiful. It houses Saint Peter the Martyr who was killed by an axe to the head. His statue has a machete in his head. Ya gotta love those Catholics and their obsession with gruesome images.

Wednesday, October 07, 2015 AT SEA Noreen’s Birthday dinner at the Pinnacle Grill
Tom, whatever you do “DO NOT” tell them it is my birthday! You know how I hate the attention. So I keep my mouth shut. As soon as we sit down at the table, sweetie pie blurts out, “Today is my birthday!!” O well at least I had smuggled her birthday card on to the ship. The Maitre d presented her with a cake and when we could not eat it, He wrapped it to resemble a swan. Princess was pleased.

Thursday, October 08, 2015 Tropical Mangrove River Cruise. Very interesting float through a mangrove forest. Lots of alligators and birds.

Friday, October 09, 2015 AT SEA.

Saturday, October 10, 2015  PANAMA CANAL  Ok, I will be the first to tell you that you can go to the Ballard locks and see the same thing in miniature. However, you won’t go under the Bridge of the Americas and see the tonnage of ships lined up to go through. It really was worth the trip.

Sunday, October 11, 2015  Cartagena Colombia Medieval Cartagena by Horse Cart Easily the worst tour we went on. Up and down the same three blocks being chased by a guy trying to sell me a hat. I have an unusually big head and I was already wearing a nicer hat than any he had.

Monday, October 12, 2015 AT SEA.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 AT SEA.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 Depart the ship in Fort Lauderdale and drive to Key West. Why can’t Florida afford street signs? We finally get to Key West and have been upgraded to the Master Suite –sweet! We ride the shuttle to Mallory Square and view the sunset. Key West’s’ major attraction.

Thursday, October 15, 2015 Key West We take the shuttle into downtown again and stroll along the sidewalks stopping for a slice of Key Lime Pie. We stop for an early dinner at the Turquoise Restaurant. We are ushered in and told what we will eat. The most remarkable scallops I have ever tasted. I am still dreaming about them. For desert we will have the official donut of Louisiana the Beignet. Prepared personally by the chef and served by him. Incredible!! Quite a wonderful dining experience.

Friday, October 16, 2015 Drive back to Fort Lauderdale and go to the airport. Sitting the waiting lounge Princes caves in my ribs and says walk over there and ask that women if she is Joan Young. She is! It is great to meet her partner and catch up on a few things. Then it is six hours sardined into a seat home.

Highlights:
Doctor Kess’ lectures about Aztecs, Mayans, conquistadors, pirates and the Canal. He was a great lecturer.
Tom and Barbara hosting duplicate bridge, One first, one last, twice in the middle. We managed to get one master bridge point, only 99 to go.
Ms. Easlin featuring cooking shows, ice carving, origami (we made little boxes).
Movies every day, live shows every night including three comedians and a ventriloquist.
That is a 28 day vacation with 26 days at sea.