A three hour tour ....rather ....three weeks.

HE SAID: This was our home for three weeks while we toured from Miami to Vancouver on a three week cruise. I have always wanted to go through the Panama Canal and it was a dream come true this year. Pat and I got an inside cabin and were concerned,  but it was really spacious and we spent lots of time in the open decks and observation lounges. This cruise had lots of sea days but also had lots of ports. Our first port of call was Cartagena Colombia. Our first time in South America. We took a cruise excursion for the hop on hop off bus. We only got off the bus once, to tour the down town area. It was so hot and we did a lot of walking. All I remember was how thirsty I was and something about Sir Frances Drakes home. 

Colombia local

The next day we went through the Panama Canal.  It started really early in the morning and went all day going through all the different locks. It was nice that our cruise line had a local narrator that described the whole event. It was really spectular. Just wish it wasn't so cloudy. 

Panama Temple

After another sea day we arrived in Puntarenas Costa Rica.  I have always wanted to visit this country. Again we took a cruise excursion. This was a trip by Bus, Train and boat. The country side was stunning. Awesome to see howler monkeys in the trees while on the train. 

 We got to see lots of wild life on the boat part of the journey (lots of great looking birds and of crocodiles all of who were very active coming very close to the boat).

We then docked in our first of four Mexican ports. The first two were new to Pat and I - Port Chiappas we took an excursion to the Mayan tree of Life and Chocolate making (Pat really was looking forward to the chocolate). It was great . Picture below was how they treated the Catholic priests who tried to convert the natives - a good old knife to the head. Saw how chocolate was really made. Kind of disgusting, but a great finished product.  I also did some dancing with the locals. For those who missed it ...see below. 

 

 

This is a statue of a Priest who tried to convert the Black Mexicans to Christianity...that is a knife in his head...evidently they weren't interested.

Our next port was Hutulco Mexico. Pat and I took a two bay snorkelling excursion. The water was bathtub warm and we did some great snorkelling.

 On next to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.  Both Ports Pat and I had been too before. We did some shopping in Puerto Vallarta, but decided to take a chance and take a private tour of Cabo on our own. We got a great tour of this port, stopping by a glass factory first

  We watched them making these glass drinking turtles (had to buy one!!!)...then on to seeing some great beaches and a tour of the town near Cabo. 

 One more day at sea and then we finished our first leg of our cruise. All but 500 passengers got off in Los Angeles, but were quickly replaced with new passengers. While waiting for the newbies to arrive we took a bus tour of the city. Pat and I have been there lots but hadn't seen much of the "historic sites". It actually was a great tour, even if it included seeing Hollywood again. 

 

The unfortunate part of the next leg of this cruise, was that they had to start over with all new passengers which meant a repeat of all the same shows we saw the first two weeks, plus the chef specials and menus we the same (I know white whine). I was excited about our next port of San Francisco. The told us to be up early to see us go under the Golden Gate Bridge and we were.

We took a private tour of the city, 

accompanied by our two Aussie Trivia friends. I really loved this city and I want to definitely go back again.  After another day at sea, we arrived in Astoria Oregon. Not a really exciting city except having a great place to get some free Wi-Fi.

  Our last port of call was Victoria BC. A place Pat and I have both have lived and toured many times. It was a great time to be there though with all the spring flowers in full bloom. We also got to visit with Pat's sister Dusty, our nieces Peggy, Kimberly Stephanie and Catherine and her family and Peggy's daughter Megan. It was a beautiful day. We also said goodbye to Dorothy who got off to stay with her son. 

 Finally arrived in Vancouver where we got on a plane to fly back to Miami to get our Motorhome and the Dogs so we could head back to Canada. It seemed weird being in Canada for such a short time before heading back to the USA. It was all part of our adventure. Anyway, this was a great cruise. Lots to see and do and of course eat.  But as the sun sets on the day, it was time for us to move on!!!

SHE SAID:

 I think that John put up a sunset picture prior to my part, to keep me short worded.  He gave a good synopsis of our trip.  I agree that it was an amazing trip, seeing lots, learning lots and meeting some great people.  On the ship we played trivia daily.  We teamed up with Mom, Aunt Dorothy, Bev and Julie (from Sidney, Australia).  It was great fun and we did well as a group, as we were different ages and interests.  Bev and Julie were good sports and patient with all of us...even through our family dynamics :) - just imagine the conversation when John, Aunt Dorothy and I disagreed on an answer and then double it, after the second week.  It worked well, however, so no complaints here.  

On our day at the Panama Canal, I was sitting in the observation lounge enjoying the process while John was somewhere taking pictures, or sleeping and struck up a conversation with the lady sitting by me.  We did the usual cruise conversation - "where are you from?" Canada - "me, too, where?"  Alberta - "me, too, where?" Lethbridge - well could have blown me over - then...the woman on the other side of here "I'm from Lethbridge, too!"  Of course it shows what a small world we live in!  The woman on the other side of the original woman was Cindy Sallenbach, who's in-laws live in the same building as Mom - she was travelling with her husband Dean (of course) and her sister and brother in law.  (They are also related to friends in Lethbridge and Vicotria)  I must say it was very bizarre to have the three of us randomly sitting in a row...or...was it random????

I did love the cruise, but after the 3rd week, I was ready for a change...we have been in a mad dash since walking off the ship, having travelled from Vancouver, to Miami and now in Toronto.   We have  a few days here, then heading West again.