Day 52. Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale.

The dreaded immigration procedures were much more speedy than on previous similar occasions; we were entering The U.S.A. at Ft. Lauderdale in Florida, where again, it rarely becomes cold. All passengers were required to disembark for “face to face examination.” In-transit guests did not have to endure the long queues of those boarding for the first time.

The opportunity to travel on the shuttle bus presented itself and I travelled out to a shopping mall. But, being Sunday, it was due to open at midday, and as a security measure, the public were not allowed to wander in there until the shops were open, contrary to previous occasions when walking around the mall was permitted before opening time.

I ventured to a tacky looking diner, across a multi-lane highway. There, I had a breakfast of chicken and sliced avocado pears in a toasted sandwich. I was assured of the fact that according to the menu, food and fruit was locally sourced and organic. I did not experience that feeling of righteous satisfaction, but what I ate was delicious.

Much to my horror, the camera I had carried was no longer over my shoulder. I came to terms with the probability that those rare photographs taken in Guatemala and Costa Rica were gone forever. My insurance company would shell out for a new camera. Thankfully, an initial enquiry confirmed my fairly strong suspicion that I had left it on the shuttle bus. Me and said camera were soon reunited…happily.

I joined Denise back on board ship, for lunch in the Britannia, open only for in transit guests from midday. I shall miss Sue and Chris, from Sydney, after they bail out in New York. With luck, Erma from California will join us with two of her friends, in New York for their voyage back to the U.K.

Time, now, to “walk off” that breakfast and lunch.

Thanks for reading,

David.