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Across the Fence:  FUN IN THE SUN VACATION .. CARIBBEAN CRUISE  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 08:34:23 AM
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WELL, gurlfrenz .. here's the first page (and day) of my journal about our little vacation-ette .. no photos taken this day .. but you can see the 'whole story' and see photos sometime later this week on my blog ..
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2008
Our Fun-in-the-Southern-Sun vacation begins! Honey Hunk and I are going to have a little R&R together and have decided on a short Caribbean Cruise and a few days in Southern Florida for our little 'vacation-ette'. We leave a cold, icy Kentucky behind us and fly to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida -- where I spent one year of my life almost four decades ago .. PREGNANT and feeling like a beached white whale much of the time because of my rotund shape .. while sitting on the sunny beaches alongside thousands of slim nymphettes on 'spring break' from colleges all over the country. Even the co-eds from the far north Ivy League Colleges had darker tans than did I! Ha! nothing much has changed in my skin hue over the years .. but as Hunky reminds me .. my skin is still as soft and smooth as a baby's butt!
It has been 37 years since my last visit here .. and there seems to have been an explosion of humanity and man-made buildings. I felt somewhat relieved that it was dusk as we travelled the teeming roads towards Miami .. rendering it mostly impossible for me to see all the 'progress' in this southern state where I had lived and had given birth to my most precious jewell.
Arriving in Miami, it seemed we had crossed a border into a foreign land .. as we seldom heard our native language .. ENGLISH .. being spoken!
A darkly tanned and muscled young man we met on the limousine ride from the airport suggested we dine at El Rancheros since our hotel was near the port from which our cruise would be debarking.
The " ontinental Hotel (our hotel with the sign missing its big yellow "C" was a precurser of 'coming attractions'!!!) We booked this hotel 'on-line' .. and it was much of a disappointment in comfort and cleanliness despite the fact that it cost $150 for a night's stay .. with no breakfast included (for which we were actually grateful!)
Dropping our bags on the bed .. we headed for a gaily-lit "boardwalk mall" across the busily travelled street where we were told we would indeed find El Rancheros and fine Cuban/Mexican food!
We were NOT disappointed. Festive with a spirited atmosphere of friendly diners .. and somewhat oppulent in decor .. we enjoyed a sumptuous and romantic (albeit ... expensive!) ha! another preview of coming attractions!!! .. meal and literally 'waddled' out to the boardwalk and danced with shoulders and hips gyrating to live 70's music from a band playhing a free outdoor concert to a very large group of locals and tourists.
If you closed your eyes .. you would have thought you had turned back the hands of the clock 30-some years as you felt the hem of your long 'hippie-style' skirt against your legs and flowing bandanas tied around your long, straight hair .. rocking with the beat of Santana's Soul Sacrifice .. the Eagles' Hotel California .. Lennard Skynner with Sweet Home Alabama and my personal favorite Johnny-come-lately Cougar Mellenkamp's rendition of HURTS SO BAD!!
The party atmosphere told us we had in deed arrived at the very shores of the Caribbean .. a great beginning to our 'fun in the sun' winter respite.
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 10:05:01 AM
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That sounds like a blast Frannie, glad you are home safe and sound.
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
Rich or Poor, It Dont matter We're all the same everybodys hungry in a different way....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 1:46:51 PM
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http://FREEDOMVALLEYFARM.BLOGSPOT.COM/ ... BE SURE TO VISIT TO SEE HOW 'BLUE' THE WATER IS!!!
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2008
OUR SHIP LEAVES A BEAUTIFUL 'WAKE'
IN THE BLUE, BLUE WATERS OF FLORIDA!
We slept a sound and deep sleep at the " ontinental" in Miami .. despite what I SWORE were 'bedbugs' in our sheets! (Hank calmly reminded me that this is HOT HUMID florida .. where bugs thrive on the heat .. but at least none were found in our bed as large as the 3-inch long palmetto bugs I remembered from years ago!
We took a taxi across a very long BUSY bridge to the docks .. where we had lunch before boarding CELEBRITY CRUISES... "CENTURY" luxury lner.
We had fun roaming from aft to stern .. port to starboard .. and not missing an inch of the ten floors of this VERY BIG boat!
We felt it sufficiently oppulent and were greeted with champagne and friendly, smiling attendants everywhere we went. I was very pleasantly surprized at how many families with small children were on-board. And the large numbers of 20-somethings with their tan, nubile bodies!
I had so hoped that there would be very little Lawrence Welk entertainment .. and with this crowd .. I doubt that there will. There are indeed a smattering of 'elders' on board too though.
Another surprize is that at every dining room, cafe and often at floor landings, are attendants passing out "sanitized' napkins .. (NO!!! NOT THOSE KIND!!!!) following the CDC recommendations to help eliminate so many gastro-intestinal and other diseases that are transmitted by germs on our hands!
After our mandatory 'abandon ship' orientation class .. we re-visited several of the boats eateries .. there seems to be a dozn or more options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and midnight snacks!
We enter the 'grande ballroom' .. and I SWEAR a string quartet dressed in formal wear were playing: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE (remember the TITANIC as it went down!!)
Well .. that's my story .. and I'm stickin' to it!
After eating and sightseeing the boat .. and eating and unpacking our luggage .. and eating .. it was time for dinner. We had requested a romantic 'table for two' for this cruise for our dinner meals in the "Grande Restaurant" each night .. but somehow had been placed at a table for 6 .. it was nice to meet three nice Italian women from New Jersey! One older aunt and two 50-something adoring nieces .. taking 'auntie' on not only her first CRUI(SE .. but as she told it .. her first VACATION ever!
A lovely dinner .. a stroll around the decks .. great caribbean music by the pool as we watch the sun go down.
Several forms of entertainment are offered each evening. Not surprizing to me .. we opted to go "to the movies" (we LOVE movies!)
Another dreamy 'bugless' night's sleep .. our staterooms are roomier than most cruise line's i've been on .. with a king-size bed!
We've already settled into a very relaxed 'vacation' mode!
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 2:05:46 PM
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2008
5 A.M. .. and my eyes pop open in the darkness of our room. I fumble to get dressed so as to not wake Hank (who has already said he wants to 'sleep-in" on the first morning of our trip).
Book, journal, pen, glasses, jacket in hand .. I roam the emty corridors and found my way to the 24-hour coffee urn!
I do not see even ONE other guest on this ship of a zillion souls that has awakened and ventured outside the walls of their stateroom.
That is poetic music to me .. the early morning dawn belongs to ME .. and ME ALONE!
The sun finally rises over the caribbean .. and other travellers are not milling about .. heading for that same coffee urn! I walk the decks .. have a small breakfast 'repast' and wander back to our still-darkened room .. undress and crawl back under the waiting covers .. snuggle close to Hank's warm body and do not wake again until almost NOON!
We lunch at the SPA CAFE (the healthy foods alternative on this 'Goodship Lollipop"!
Hank has gone to 'run' the top deck .. work out at the spa machines and swim awhile.
I retreat to the ship's library alone (a few people occasionally wander in for a moment .. look at the bookcases and wander out again) leaving me in my revelry with my book, journal and pen!
Later, we join at poolside for more 'reggae' music and swayin' with the waves that gently lap the sides of our 'boat'!
EVENING
Another sumptuous, elegantly-presented meal at this evening's formal CAPTAIN's DINNER. (we surely did not bring tuxedo's and evening gowns .. but are sufficiently 'did-up' in our 'Sunday Go To Meetin' Clothes and pass muster!) Lively conversation .. getting to know 'the sisters and auntie .. and they us! It's fun having 'nawtherners' as table-mates .. we all have so much in common and fun stories to tell.
After dinner, Hank wants to hear the live rock 'n roll music in the theatre (i choose to stay in our cabin and read more of my book (i am soooo enthralled in it .. will tell more later of this book that has me so entranced!).
Hank will join me later at the Academy Awards on big screen theatrre.
+++++++++
LATER: AHHHHHHHH .. the best of plans sometimes head off in different directions!!
After the Rock 'n Roll that Hank says was great .. he returns to our stateroom to find me blissfully snoring the evening away .. book and eye glasses resting peacefully on the bed beside me! I guess that 5 a.m. early morning rising caught up with me! I am now fully awake .. and we watch part of the Academy Awards together on TV in our room .. and at 11 p.m. .. rush for a slice of pizza and another late on-board movie in the theatre.
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1:30 a.m. and i read a few more chapters of my BOK before my eyelids flap closed!
another blissful ending to another blissful day!
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 2:58:22 PM
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see my 'blog' for photos:
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
the little 'speck' in the sky is
HANK .. not ME!!!
typical of the 'shades' of the Caribbean
= touristy 'dirty dick' the pirate =
even though it is 'contrived' .. with the festive music
playing .. you can't help but get 'in the mood'!
we had lunch on the deck of this restaurant
We dock ealry at Cayman Island. have an on-board healthy breakfast .. then take the boat 'tenders' to the dock. the cruise boats are way too large to dock at this port.
Arriving with five other cruise liners .. thousands of shoppers, sightseers, sun worshippers and water sports thrill seekers poured onto the the dock like waves to a beach.
CAYMAN ISLAND
Much cleaner and by far nicer shoppes and restaurants ..
than Jamaica .. the natives seemed to be having more fun ..
for the sake of fun.
Colorful .. caribbean music wafting from shoppes and restaurants and spilling onto the streets.
We wander up the wooden steps to
BREEZES BY THE BAY .. (restaurant)
overlooking the docks and throngs of brightly clad people and I order absolutely the BEST "GAZPACHO soup (with Conch) to ever pass over my lips .. slide across my tongue and rush down my throat!
After a leisurely and delicious lunch .. we do a little shopping for the kids .. then take a taxi (which here are mostly very crowded vans) to the oppulent Westin Hotel along 7-mile beach for PARASAILING .. oh do let me claify here and now .. HANK parasailed .. I went along for the boat ride!
I came periously close to strapping into a harness and going with him .. but with a flowy skirt on .. I decided discretion (and fear) were the wiser choice .. and I stayed in the boat!
Of all the adventures Hank has had in life (including parachuting from a helicopter) during his Marine days stint .. this was his first parasailing adventure!
When he was 'reeled in' the boat 'driver' gave him a couple dunks in the sea! At which time I laughed loudly and thanked JEEEZUZ that I was sitting dry inside the boat!
Hank said it was fun but that he would probably have returned to the boat a 'widower' had I accompanied him. the death certificate simply delcaring: "died of fright"!
On our return trip to town .. we took a bus (vehicle, like the taxi .. was an overcorsed van). Had an hour to find our way back before the last 'tender' headed to the cuise boat. When the "bus" veered off the main road and headed into the hinterlands of Cayman Island, I realized we had not inquired as to whether or NOT his destination would include "the docks"!!
I did ask . .and in a very heavy accent .. i "thought" he had answered in the 'affirmative". Indeed we did eventually pile out of the bus a couple blocks away .. got the 'last tender' .. avoiding us having to find our way to the Cayman Airort to fly to Miami and await the arrival of our ship!
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More reggae music on deck around the pool in the sun before dinner time .. my FAV meal on the boat .. LOBSTER TAIL AND BAKED ALASKA!! all served with 'pomp and circumstance'!!
___
Then a really fun "BLAST FROM THE PAST: 1950'S ROCK 'N ROLL PARTY! we did indeed rock, roll and twist the night away ..
unbeknownst to us at the time that this was to be ...
"previews of coming attractions in the middle of the night!!"
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 3:25:08 PM
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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008
Thinking I am still 'partying' .. I'm rolling from one side of the bed to the other .. when i realize .. MAY DAY! MAY DAY! and thank gawd i attended that 'abandon ship' class!!!
I find it is only cuz' i keep rolling over my 'full bladder' that I think we are sinking!! I stand up to stagger to the potty room and my stomach starts doin' the TWIST! .. so i lay back down and try to 'sway' with the rolls!
Morning time .. it is cloudy, rainy and with no change in weather in sight for the next 24 hours of our trip (and our last day at sea!) The Captain announces at one point that the waves are TWELVE feet high!
We are 8 nautical miles from Cuba .. and I'm picturing our ship slamming against Castro's Condo at the edge of Cuba!
I decide to forego breakfast .. and grab my book and hank and I make it to the ship's library .. which is now full of avid readers! Despite the weather, there are lots of on-board activities to entertain passengers today .. a POST art auction .. classes and seminars .. demonstratons .. games .. movies and a casino. You can believe those machines didn't gobble a DIME of my money .. if money passes outta' my grubby little fingers ... by gawd .. i want the GUARANTEE of a treasure in return!
I've finished my FIRST book: "RED LIKKER" (a novel all about the beginnings of 'bourbon' and early Kentucky politics!) Written in 1929!
LOVED IT!!! I love reading early Kentucky books .. it gives me an appreciation and understanding for the 'ways' of the people.
I'm now on my second book .. "The Women in Lincoln's Life" that I had just started reading before we left home. What a very interesteing personal life Abe had! If the book and it's research is correct .. our 16th venerable President had several loves .. Anne Rutledge (who died early in her young womanhood .. and supposedly the LOVE OF HIS LIFE!)
He went into deep despair and confided to several close friends that he contemplated suicide. It also tells of Lincoln visiting houses of prostitution a couple times and fearing that he had contracted syphyllis. At least one of his docotr's labelled him as a 'hypochrondriac'.
Yes .. there are those that believe Lincoln was homosexual .. and yes .. he did indeed share a bed with several male friends at times in his adult life. But anyone who has studied early American lodging habits, knows that this was more the RULE than the exception .. often crowding as many men in a bed as would fit!
Lincoln proposed to two Mary's .. and changed his mind with both when over time they both gained some poundage. Mary Owens from my very own Green County, Kentucky was of the Mary's. the other being the Mary who he finally "did right by" ... by marrying her .. Mary Todd.
There was another woman in his life that was suspicioned that he fathered a child with (there was an additional possible father in that little 'menage a trois' .. who ended up marrying her.) I will continue reading reliable-source and respected biographiers of Lincoln' s life to see how many times I read stories verified or denied.
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Having skipped breakfast, we decided to have a 'fancy lunch' in the 'formal' restaurant .. HowSomeEver .. i didn't make it through without getting the 'quesies' and before i returned everything to my plate and perhaps the plates of table mates .. i decided it best to stagger my way back to our statesoom .. where i discovered snoozing was the best way to fight the nausea. (hmmmmmm .. i just noticed that nauSEA .. ends with SEA!!!)
I have a new profound respect for early explorers and our pioneer ancestors who crossed 'the high seas' .. sailing in small, creaky boats!!
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DINNER .. Hank has headed for the last night's formal dinner .. I chose to stay in a 'supine position" rather than become the evening's entertainment!
Hank brings me a tray full of pasta with cream sauce, salad, rolls, fruit and dessert .. which I manage in my debilitated happenstance to gobble down to the last smear of cream on my plate!
We watch the movie Michael Clayton together in bed and I fall blissfully and belly-full asleep well before it is even half-over!
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Firemama
True Blue Farmgirl
1731 Posts
Amanda
Medical Lake
WA
USA
1731 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 4:30:38 PM
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I love to read your stories Frannie, Keep em coming
Mama to 2
FarmGirl# 20
Rich or Poor, It Dont matter We're all the same everybodys hungry in a different way....
http://myfarmdreams.blogspot.com/
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 4:48:22 PM
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thanks darlin' .. visit my 'freedom valley' blog to see the pics and hear music too! xo
this is jus' a little R&R journal i kept .. in between reading .. sure wish i'd had lots of hand-sewies too .. but we wanted to travel 'light' .. sooo .. i left all my needles and fabrics at home! (but i'm makin' dollies today!) xo
True Friends * Frannie
HEAR MY STORIES
come, visit my:
"GATHERING ROOM" ..
http://freedomvalleyfarm.blogspot.com
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. up for adoption:
http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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downbranchroad
True Blue Farmgirl
374 Posts
Joy
Southern
KY
USA
374 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 6:11:28 PM
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Frannie,
I am so glad you are back home safe and sound. Sounds like you have a wonderful Caribbean vacation! I just read all of your vacation stories. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I have sure missed seeing you here. Welcome back.
Appalachian Girl
Jem
*If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got.
My new blog!
http://downbranchroad.blogspot.com |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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amyartgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
991 Posts
Amy
Junction City
Ohio
USA
991 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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Across the Fence: FUN IN THE SUN VACATION .. CARIBBEAN CRUISE |
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FUN IN THE SUN VACATION .. CARIBBEAN CRUISE
