David's Cruise

This is the second time I have been to Puntarenas on a Cunard voyage.  First known as Villa Bruselas, Puntarenas (“sand point” in Spanish) was discovered in 1519 by Hernan Ponce de Leon. Listening to the tour guide today, I learned that one of the less obvious industries here in Costa Rica are call centres, space exploration as well as the usual export of coffee and bananas.

It was overwhelmingly hot when I ventured outside this morning for breakfast.  Heavy rain had been forecast, but never materialised.  Apparently, I missed a spectacular thunderstorm in the middle of the night.  However, I did have all morning to prepare for this afternoon’s shore experience.  This was relatively inexpensive but did include a decent bus ride into the country where over a period of almost 30 years, a rain forest had been created from scratch and now, looked as if it had been there from hundreds of years ago. 

The complex is safe haven for many endangered bird and animal species.  It’s not massive, but, it is a privilege to see several species of macaw, parrot, jaguar, and rare monkeys, safe from human (and other) preditors. It came across as a very well run organisation, and I thoroughly enjoyed my all too brief visit

There were the remains of a narrow gauge railway on the outskirts of Puntarenas. Although the guide made no mention of this, he did tell me that as it was no longer making money, the government closed it down in 1994, 28 years ago. Much of the track is still in situ, tarmacked over in places. 

Written the following morning.

Soon, we were back, alongside our ship, which still looks impressive wherever she happens to be. Outside, a troupe of drummers and dancers made a joyful noise unto those embarking. The promised deluge of rain probably occurred earlier, before dawn, accompanied by lightning and thunder, which somehow, I slept through. Four of us convened for dinner at our usual table, 628, after which, we went our separate ways. I walked on the open decks to savour the humid night air, and to maintain my walking schedule. Briefly, I met up with the folk duo Cameron and Shane who were relaxing outside after their performance in the Garden Lounge. It was, soon after, time to hit the sack. Jolly comfortable are these beds on the QE.

I awoke to calm seas, as shown on the bow-cam channel 41 of the stateroom T.V. This is the first of three sea days as we head north to Manzanillo, a less we’ll known port city in Mexico, but the location of where part of the 1979 movie “7” was shot. I suppose I shall have to watch it now!

Many thanks for reading, David 08.58 hrs. The clocks were advanced 1 hour at 2am this morning.

Today at sea is a welcome break from the rather long and exciting day, yesterday, experiencing my first westbound transit of the Panama Canal.

Being the 6th Sunday of Easter, and, its being a sea day, I felt it appropriate to attend the interdemoninational church service at 10 o’clock in the Royal Court Theatre. Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge (That takes some remembering) took the service. I’m not sure I liked Jerusalem as an appropriate first hymn. Nevertheless, many of the congregation sung with the gusto of a Womens’ Institute choir. It is to Cunard’s great credit that a proper service, even with rewritten liturgy is conducted, usually by the Captain, as was the case today, or a senior officer.

This was the perfect sea day, a warm breeze, tranquil seas, JMW Turner skies, complete with deep pink and grey sunset.

A very pleasant day morphed into an enjoyable evening when our entire table opted for the specialty dining in an area of the Lido, sectioned off as a high end Indian restaurant. This themed dinner is billed as Coriander and attracts a nominal supplementary charge which is not unreasonable. Both cuisine and service were superb and attentive. By that time, I had added a further 13,479 steps to my total, equivalent to 4.7 miles. After parting company, my intention to walk further was “sabotaged” by catching the end of the resident folk duo’s gig, now moved from the Golden Lion on Deck 2 to the Garden Lounge up on Deck 9. (See below, photographed the following morning.)

Although very warm in there, it’s a good venue for this and other performances. Also, I became engaged in post-dinner conversation with friends who remember me from the QM2 voyage to the Caribbean in January.

I slept well, dreamed surreal dreams which made no sense, and woke up bewildered at around 6.30 local and ship’s time. The hour gained overnight will be lost early tomorrow morning as we steam ever northwards to Manzanilla in Mexico.

Thanks for reading, David, 09.57 hrs local time in Costa Rica

It will be a while before I see the sky again over the Atlantic Ocean!  I don’t know what time we actually entered the Panama Canal on our westbound transit. According to my original itinerary, 0500 hrs was given as entry time. Certainly by half-six, most had stirred from their beds and were thronging the crew decks, designated for today as viewing areas, forward on 5 and 6.  Soon, higher forward areas on decks 7, 8 and 9 appeared also, to be open to passengers. 

Although this is my third transit,  I am just as thrilled as I was in 2019 when my voyage started in Vancouver and, after an Alaska cruise, we sailed down the west coast of the United States, through the Panama Canal and home via Fort Lauderdale, New York, Halifax, Newfoundland, Iceland, Greenock, and Dublin. (In San Francisco, I had completed a land/sea circumnavigation of the world, and celebrated accordingly!)

I ventured up to the Lido for breakfast, where all the “good seats” had been taken.  No problem; “Let’s have a boot-filler in the Britannia Restaurant,” I reasoned with myself.  I was allocated a table close enough to a window to enjoy death by bacon etc, as M.V Queen Elizabeth was raised to a higher level in Gatun locks.  The sauté potatoes which came with the doctor defying dish was a special treat, not enjoyed since the days of classic breakfasts on regular long distance U.K. passenger trains! 

Ship’s Time has gone back one hour; my phone hasn’t!  This means that the times of these pictures are one hour forward.  I will need to remember this if and when I get around to identifying the places photographed. 

11.30 Ships Time.

Even I am taking shelter from the heat outside.  However, we have been particularly fortunate as this is now the rainy season, and only yesterday the rains fell incessantly, so I am led to believe. But, the sun worshippers are out there on the various open decks, working on their tans.

We are now in the beautifully scenic Gatun Lake.  Cargo ships of all kinds come frequently in the opposite direction.

Before the Panama Canal was opened, the only route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean was via Cape Horn, doubling in some if not all cases, the present journey time.  Even the Spaniards in the 16th century who had arrived here had looked into the possibility of building some kind of waterway.  The French came in 1880 but eventually ran out of funds, among other misfortunes including disease and lack of understanding of the local geology; America learned from the French and the Canal was opened in 1914.  (There’s more to it than that!) Three lock systems “lift” vessels to the level of the man-created Gatun Lake, 27 meters above sea level, and lower those same ships back to sea level, in both directions.  Gatun Lake supplies by gravity the water needed to operate the locks.  There is also a nearby reservoir/lake to cover the event of Lake Gatun being inadequate during an unusually dry season. This covers what was once the Chagres River, still the only river in the world to flow from one ocean to another. 

It still took me almost an hour to get up this morning and venture to the forward end of Deck 5, where despite many others with the same idea, I managed some reasonable photographs.  We were soon approaching the first of three locks, Gatun, which has three chambers which lift or lower ships in two directions to or from the level of Gatun Lake.  I hope my pictures convey the beautiful rainforest scenes Gatun Lake has to offer.  What I like about this transit is the slowness of it all.  There’s a good eight hours to see much of what you might wish to.  I did miss several things, but at least, this time, I got a decent view of the Panama Railway tourist train I so thoroughly enjoyed three years ago.  Also a two level container freight train which I was too late to photograph.

As the day progressed, I watched again in amazement as huge cargo and freight vessels negotiated both Pedro Miguel and Miraflores Locks.  One of the ship’s photographers kept his appointment to take official pictures of me on my balcony. Out of several, one or two aren’t bad.  Much more interesting is that there are technicians on board who might be able to restore my ill-fated Lumix camera to working order.  Right now, it’s a failure!  But my device on which I write my blogs, also acts as a half decent camera, and it is these pictures which I use to illustrate my writings.

Our transit appeared to be without incident or problem. Things do go wrong but not very often. I remain fascinated by the mules, locomotives whose only purpose in life is to guide the ships through the three lock systems, being tied to the vessel concerned. According to what I have read, 8 mules are required for the guidance of large vessels, two at each end, starboard and portside, forward and aft. They do not tow the vessel through the locks, they are there to prevent the vessel colliding with, and thus damaging the canal walls.

Sunday 23rd May.

I didn’t complete my account by the end of a most enjoyable, but very hot transit of the Panama Canal. It seems the more I make this journey, the more I want to see more on a future occasion. Like a good opera, it is good to get a decent understanding of what you are going to experience beforehand.

I wasn’t on my own feeling exhausted afterwards. But I did enjoy another fine dinner in the Britannia Restaurant. We were the last out of the third deck level, having to walk down a deck to exit the restaurant! I slept really well and awoke only just in time to prepare for church this morning in the Royal Court Theatre.

It’s calm outside, with the numerous clouds a reminder that it is the rainy season, and a good dousing is assured for our stay in Puntarenas tomorrow! I must resume walking today even if it is 30°C outside.

Many thanks for reading, David, 13.40 hrs ship’s time, portside Lido.

Written the following morning. 09.57 Lido, port-side, window seat, panoramic sea views, a fine healthy breakfast, unhealthy coffee, 81°F outside….what’s NOT to like?!

Yesterday saw my third visit to Oranjestad on the One Happy Island of Aruba, part of the Dutch Antilles. On my first visit in 2019, I felt overwhelmed by the heat, and was exhausted walking around the endless souvenir shops. Nevertheless, I did get to look inside the tram depot, and still, I remain fascinated by this unlikely transport system of old style (but brand new trams) which offer a kind of round trip of the town on proper Standard Gauge track. Tourism is the obvious main industry for this, and most of the places visited by cruise ships. I don’t have The Daily Programme with me right now; this would give a more in depth description of this attractive town or city which is still served by very many souvenir outlets, the ubiquitous Diamonds International and an impressive complex of high end/ designer outlets and malls. I don’t know if Oranjestad still has something in common with Wigan. Wigan in northwest England once boasted a Rolex shop. Oranjestad still does!

A tour of this One Happy Island in 2020 revealed the “authentic” side to Aruba, a healthy mere 12° N, and I’m sure that any weird turn of fate which caused me to live here, in an equivalent dwelling to where I am now, I would not tire of the seemingly endless hot weather. Only the possibility of hurricanes might make me think twice…and also the lack of opportunity for attending classical concerts, and the like.

Yesterday was different again. One of my table companions, whom I do know from previous travels, invited two of us to join her for lunch; she, like me, likes to celebrate her birthday. Her research found a what turned out to be a lovely beach-side semi open restaurant whose cuisine was fabulous. My two friends chose wisely, a fish meal, worthy of photographing. I tried to choose sensibly, a chicken based main course. What arrived resembled the Pyrenees! I could feel the piercing disapproval of my G.P. and diabetic nurse as I polished off each magnificent morsel! Robert (from Indiana) and I then shared the best slice of cheesecake in the world. And I for the first time in “years” even put away half a glass of Sauvignon Blanc! I awaited the need for a cab back to the ship, but apart from feeling slightly less energetic, I ambled back at my own leisure, taking photographs and at long last, hoping that I may make a fourth visit to the One Happy Island.

Three ships were in port. The now vintage Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas looked impressive in its all-over white livery, still pristine, and prompting happy memories of being on board a brand new Splendour Of The Seas, and the recently scrapped Sovereign Of The Seas. Also there was the Freewinds, a former cruise ship constructed in 1968, and now associated with the Church of Scientology, whom I understand, gave Aruba much support during the ongoing pandemic.

10.57, still in the Lido!

The humidity did get to me as I returned to the ship, having obviously enjoyed my brief stay. Back in my cabin, I consumed all the bottled water stored in my small fridge, watched longingly, from my balcony, as M.V. Queen Elizabeth slipped her moorings and One Happy Island was once more confined to memory. Just two of us came down for dinner; me, and Lesley, who has recently joined us. I think we put several worlds to rights during a highly enjoyable evening meal. There was no energy left for nocturnal deck walking and for the first time on this voyage, I had an early night, and awoke this morning, rejuvenated.

Thanks for reading, David, 11.22 hrs the Lido. That was a long breakfast. Now, to continue walking.

P.S. Departure from Oranjestad

11.27 hrs. David.

What’s there not to like.  Outside, it’s 82°F, again somewhat humid, and there is plenty of space to relax, either under the direct rays of the sun (not advisable), in the shade, or in the numerous luxurious lounges and seating areas cooled by the ship’s air-conditioning. 

I calculate that I now need to walk just over 10,750 steps each day to achieve my Million Steps on and Between Two Continents Challenge by the end of May.    Only yesterday did I discover that this blog can be accessed via the Christian Aid Website.  Type in, e.g., via Google, Christian Aid 1,000,000 Steps and scroll down a little. There, you can find details including how to access my Blog Page.  Depending on WiFi quality, it might be possible to scroll right back to my early attempts to write in December 2017,  and my first travel blog documenting a sea voyage to Australia.

Earlier in the cruise, passengers were issued with forms and online instructions regarding entry into Canada early next month.  Eventually, I did manage to work out how to complete almost all of these forms, the task being completed very efficiently by the computer staff in the Library.

It took a while, but I am now beginning to feel the good from this trip to the Caribbean and beyond. And I think that I have walked more up to today than on the voyages beginning in January and February.  As you will imagine, most of this has been on board ship, with, so far, just four stops.  Our 5th port of call tomorrow is the town of Oranjestad, Aruba. 

In the evening, we had five people at our table, two who joined us the day before. This is good, particularly as the general conversation is more varied and continuous. I still like our location, aft on Deck 3 overlooking the wake and the seas beyond. Almost always, we miss the beginning of the show in the Royal Court Theatre. I then like to finish the evening with a nocturnal stroll on the Promenade Deck, mainly to enhance my steps total. Somehow, I managed 21,400-ish before midnight. A good number have sponsored me at home. Thus, I feel all this is worthwhile, apart from the possible health benefits!

Many thanks for reading, David, the next morning in The Lido having just enjoyed a healthy breakfast.

At the start of the first paragraph of Blog 768, Fort Lauderdale/ Port Canaveral, should read Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades. It’s a bit hot round here and I can get confused!

DAY 72 of the MILLION STEPS On and Between Two Continents Challenge in support of CHRISTIAN AID WEEK.   Steps total since Day1,   833,349, last night, 23.59 hrs, 04.59hrs BST

As promised by the Captain a couple of days ago after leaving Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades 12 and a half hours late, we did indeed arrive at our fourth port of call, Grand Turk, right on time, after a very leisurely two days in the warm calm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Curiosity got the better of me at some obscenely early hour this morning.  I looked for details of my MILLION Steps Challenge on the Christian Aid Website, and eventually came across it. I was directed to my blog, and read through some of it. Christian Aid’s Website gives very encouraging support of the challenge I set myself towards the end of last year.  My writings, unlike last year when I headed each blog with the daily steps total, give very little detail other than to describe my travels in “snapshot” detail.   Perhaps I do deserve a modest pat on the back; over a 72 day period on board ship, or in foreign and distant lands, I have completed 833,349 steps (including the three embarkation days in Southampton).  My doctor and diabetic nurse might be impressed; that equates to 11,574 steps/day!  Each morning, the challenge seems daunting, but towards the end of the day, a few laps of the Promenade Deck, especially with company, feels more do-able.  So much so that I now aim to complete the Million  Steps Challenge by the end of May, but continue walking as originally planned intil 14th July, when the next day, I will be back on U.K. soil.

I enjoyed somewhat of a lazy start to the day.  Outside, live reggae music boomed across to the ship, creating a very typical Caribbean welcome.  The music did not stop and will probably play on until both ships have left.  Grand Turk can accommodate two cruise ships.  Queen Elizabeth was making her maiden call here.  Soon after arrival, we were joined by the Carnival Freedom, another vessel which appears massive when close by.

One might say there is little of interest here, but well thought-out research would deem calling here worthwhile.  Golden beaches are just minutes away from a new and welcoming pastel shaded complex with the typical mix of souvenir shops and the likes of Diamond International which has yet to make it to  Buxton!

I shouldn’t complain about the heat, but for a second time, I felt too hot to achieve very much. I should achieve my steps target today, but don’t foresee any spectacular end result. I almost made it to 20,000 yesterday.  Three excursions to the Caribbean in 5 months has to be quite rare.  I enjoyed a semi healthy lunch of blue cheese salad, and French fries and two bottles of water under the shade of numerous palm trees.  However, I let the warmth defeat me and eventually ventured back to the ship. 

It felt too hot to venture far, but, I did have to, at least, set foot on the British Territory of Grand Turk.  I walked around the complex which offers shopping, dining and swimming.  My friend tells me that I missed nothing staying put, not far from the ship.  Everything one needs is close by.

We left on time, shortly after 4.30.  After an appointment with the Future Cruise Representative, I alternated between relaxing in the glorious sunshine, and walking around the ship’s open spaces. It was very warm, but I still managed a respectable steps total, and then, after a dinner, “slept for England!” – not before completing a couple of nocturnal laps of the Promenade Deck on a warm dark night. Because it was so nice outside, approaching midnight, I was far from alone.

Many thanks for reading, David, 09.44hrs 18/5/22.

I don’t quite know how this happened, but I found myself “committed” to share various private cars on a trip to a one-time favourite haunt of mine, Miami.  I was here on two occasions in the late 1990s and I was very taken with the then, fairly recently renovated Art Deco district on and around Ocean Drive. 

To begin with, we travelled to the fabulous Vizcaya Museum and gardens.  As the pictures illustrate, every aspect of this mansion is quite magnificent, with endless rooms styled in previous historic fashions, and, very authentically, too.  As is probably the case almost anywhere these days, one can adapt your mobile phone to become a virtual and informative guide.  Whereas my two table companions had no problem whatsoever, I struggled, and reverted to the old fashioned method of reading the information on well illustrated plaques outside each room, photographing some for unlikely future reference.  I enjoyed visiting the mansion, and was awestruck by the creativity and imagination of its original owner. 

I realise that my mindset still remains in the late 20th century.  However, the table companions who kindly invited me to join them organised the private travel on their phones as they day progressed.  Cars turned up more or less “on cue” and the appropriate charges paid automatically.  My unsophisticated mind was suitably “boggled!”

Right now, I am in a sidewalk cafe in Miami’s Art Deco Ocean Drive. Over the road is South Beach, but it really is too warm….

….to do much walking about.  It’s very vibrant and noisy here, but I am, for the time being, alone.  We meet back at the Art Deco Centre at 3.30.  Needless to say, I did attempt to take some interesting art deco pictures, but, for once, heat, fatigue, booming disco sounds of the nineties, modern day rap, mega noisy vehicles/motorbikes, and screaming kids all conspired to sabotage any attempt at writing my blog.  I “downed” two bottles of ice cold water, and was soon (in good time) making my way to the Art Deco Center on Ocean Drive, where I would meet up with my two friends.   We would then return to Port Everglades in luxury air-conditioned private transport.  For reasons I may put in a different blog, this didn’t work out quite as planned, but we were back in good time…very good time as it turned out; because of a technical malfunction, we would not leave Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale until 7am the following morning.

SUNDAY 15th MAY,   The 5th Sunday of Easter, 11.25 approx.

It was strange waking up in the night, not yet having slipped our moorings.  We’re we a total failure?  I think that this might have made for not the best night’s sleep; I kept waking up!    But at seven o’clock, looking out from my cabin to the training ship State of Maine, directly opposite, I detected very slight movement; we were on our way, much to the relief, I would guess,  of most of the passengers.  Around perhaps an hour later, the Captain announced the reason for the twelve and a half hour late departure, and assured us that with the ship’s speed increased from an average of 10 knots to 12, we would arrive at our fourth port of call, Grand Turk on time, at 8am. 

Being awake and now up much earlier than I get up normally, I treated myself to breakfast served in the main restaurant, getting to meet five other passengers in the process.  All were seasoned cruisers, and all seeming well pleased with this voyage, despite lingering memories of the disappointing crossing from Vigo. 

As it is Sunday, I attended the interdemoninational church service in the Royal Court Theatre.  It was well attended and very well conducted by the Deputy Captain.  I met a couple (Methodists) who reside in the next county to where I live, and enjoyed a brief conversation after the service.  Harry then presented an excellent port lecture covering our next two ports of call, Grand Turk and Oranjestad, Aruba.  After his presentation, I got into long conversation with a passenger from Dorset thereby missing lunch and relying on an unhealthy scone and sandwiches for Afternoon Tea in lieu.  We then attended the almost daily art presentation, like afternoon tea, also in the Queens Room. Today’s lecture followed the fascinating life of Salvador Dali.  There were, and remains, the opportunity to acquire works associated with and signed by the man himself.  I do like the Art Gallery and some of its offerings, but I would buy only (if I could afford to) works which would give me a lasting pleasure to own. 

It was Gala Night with Red and Gold as the suggested theme.  I tried the red shirt and gold/black tie with white tuxedo.  Although the shirt was not officially formal, it seemed to work well with the white tux’ and black trousers.

I chose not to go to tonight’s show in The Royal Court Theatre, instead completing this blog while a first rate string trio play in the Atrium at the bottom on 1 deck.  I plan to round off the evening   walking.  Actually, I only managed a Deck lap, but still came away with a respectable steps total, which now stands at 813,767 over a 70 day period. I should easily reach the 1 million target in the remaining 62 days. Already, the Challenge in support of Christian Aid Week 2022 has been worthwhile.

It’s now 20 minutes into Monday Morning. and I’m really ready for some sleep.   Goodnight folks, David, 00.22hrs 16th May 2022, in my room.

Checked and amended as necessary, Monday 16th May, 09.12 hrs. There may still be typos and poor English grammar and “construction.”

It’s a little after 5am, and my body clock has forgotten that it’s 10am in the U.K!  Nevertheless, fed and watered in the Lido, where I opted for a small cooked breakfast, I am rather excited about this particular shore experience. I have a decent window seat on the coach and hopefully, the coughs and sneezes of those around me are just that, and not the harbinger of a second bout of covid 19.  It is Friday 13th today!  

Today’s shore excursion would be out of this world. The tour guide delivered a most fascinating account of the history of space exploration, right back to the early days of ballistic missiles.  There is much to see, perhaps two or three days to cover the entire Kennedy Space Center complex.  I never thought I would get up close to vehicles that had travelled to outer space. And, being a collector, I have acquired a tiny fragment of the cargo of a Space Shuttle, framed with an autographed photo of the launch.  I don’t believe this is a rare item, but it could be the only one to sail to the UK and end up in Harpur Hill! 

The tour guide identified the structures I photographed on Cocoa Beach as launch pads at Cape Canaveral Airforce Base, not part of the Kennedy Space Center as I previously suggested.

For once, there was generous time allowed in the places we were taken to.  There was a grand finale, the most spectacular 3D documentary on a massive screen with fabulous loud surround sound, which seemed to reassure the audience that any incoming asteroids would be deflected one way or another.  There is now a new event on my bucket list, to witness an actual launch.  I don’t want to become a space tourist, but to see the various space craft now preserved for generations to marvel at, may have spawned a “late in life” interest.

As you will deduce from the pictures, there is much to see, along with numerous documentary shows all over the complex, simulators, and memorabilia.  Only the eatery lets the place down, or the one I ventured into. I don’t think I came across anybody disappointed with their trip to the K.S.C. I hope to write more when, with the help of the guide book, and other related literature, I can put together a more knowledgeable account of this awesome experience. More than likely, I shall amend this blog and re-publish. I (we) were given far too much information to remember.

At dinner, we said goodbye to Cecile who leaves the ship at the end of her current vacation. I’m sorry she will be no longer with us, but of course, New people will be embarking at Port Everglades tomorrow.

Many thanks for reading, David

The day (Day 10, Wednesday 11th May) started with an e-mail from Cunard regretting that “owing to staff shortages”, I had my booking for 10 days in Alaska, immediately after this present cruise, cancelled. Wow! That was a turn- up.  The voyage to Alaska from Vancouver isn’t actually cancelled; my guess is that those who were booked on that cruise alone were selected to have their holiday curtailed.  On paper, I, too, am booked on that cruise alone. I look forward to the result of my visit to Customer Services!

In the afternoon, the Queens Room hosted another post-pandemic first, the first guest choir concert, usually a feature on these longer voyages. 

This was an outstanding and enjoyable performance of an eclectic selection of well known songs, popular with the respectably sized audience who came along. Their response was enthusiastic and noisy!

This final sea day before Port Canaveral has been and still is glorious, not too hot but lovely and sunny with azure blue white crested seas, and an interesting skyscape.  Fifty shades of grey, swirling rain and off-white sea mist should be well behind us for the time being.  And I remain ahead in my steps challenge for Christian Aid. Time to continue walking!

I continued my deck walking today in beautiful not too hot weather.  I would stop to admire the magnificent seascapes I miss so much at home.  Very occasionally, I miss the rolling hills of North Derbyshire when so far away from home. 

After some more laps of the Promenade Deck, I adjourned to my stateroom where the laundry I had sent off yesterday had arrived beautifully washed and folded.  It was soon time to change for dinner.  Champa (not from Thailand as I thought originally) suddenly showed up for dinner, shortly after 9 o’clock.   Three of us ventured to watch Mr Doyle’s final stand-up comedy routine before leaving us tomorrow.  Again, his observational sketches were very funny. 

It’s such a beautiful evening tonight.  In six hours’ time, we shall be in Port Canaveral.   We called here during the South America voyage.  It was bitterly cold that day. Tomorrow, a pleasant 23°C is predicted.  U.S. Immigration law requires every passenger to be examined, off the ship.  I need now to return to my stateroom for some sleep.  And, remember to put my watch back an hour.

THURSDAY 12th MAY in PORT CANAVERAL

What a beautiful day. Temperatures in the mid seventies Fahrenheit and a nice cool breeze, albeit a bit strong when walking against it on the beach ⛱. I could easily have stayed on the ship. However, a complimentary bus ride to Cocoa Beach not too far away and a stroll towards the pier along the sands was for me a special treat. To be fair to those less than impressed than I was, it’s not the paradise beach with sophisticated bars and umbrella covered sun loungers one might yearn for. I met up with my “table companion” for al fresco lunch. She had crab cake, me a fine chicken sandwich. I enjoyed the shopping part of the day, although she was unable to find what she was looking for in various malls and department stores (for want of a better word).

Although very far away, it is possible to discern the Space Center and its unmistakeable massive infrastructure silhouetted on the horizon. I’m going there tomorrow on a full day guided tour.

Dinner tonight was, as usual, in the Britannia Restaurant. I never tire of Cunard tomato and pepper soup. This preceded rack of lamb and trimmings. Two scoops of allegedly diabetic ice cream made a nice change from the water melon fruit plate, the only dessert available which doesn’t contravene my “strict” diet.

But, it’s an early start tomorrow. I shall try to write more about Port Canaveral in tomorrow’s blog.

In the meantime, many thanks for reading, David 23.38hrs in my stateroom.