A lot has been going on since I last wrote so let me catch you up on our adventures.
On November 21, we drove back to NAS North Island and spent night in their base quarters. Our room wasn't bad but the Navy needs to take some lessons from the Air Force.
On the 22nd we drove up to Dana Point to take the boat ride out to the beautiful Santa Catalina Island. Also known simply as Catalina, it is located approximately 22 miles south west of Los Angeles and is one of the Channel Islands of California archipelago.
An interesting fact about Catalina is that in 1919 the chewing-gum magnate, William Wrigley Jr. bought out nearly every share-holder until he owned controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company.
In 1921, the Chicago Cubs baseball team, also owned by Wrigley, used the island for the team's spring training. The Cubbies used the island for training until 1951.
The Casino is in the background. This casino is not a casino as we know the term. It was a gathering place and is still used today.
Home sweet home, Catalina style.
The Wrigley Memorial
Day 1:
Cruising. One of the best things about cruising is making new friends and and when we met our table mates at dinner, we made some life-long friends. One gentleman, who lost his wife a few years back and traveling alone was Brooks Wood. Turns out Joyce and Brooks have a connection.
Her grandfather, Henry Coulter went into the Kentucky Fried Chicken business a long time ago and actually owed the first one in Sandusky, OH. Bob Bagshaw, a friend of his also went into the business and eventually became the executor of Henry's estate. In fact, Grandpa's ashes were buried on Bob's estate.
Bob did very well in the KFC business and bought a vacation home in Marco Island, FL. Come to find out, Brooks knows Bob very well and they are members of the same yachting club.
"It's a small, small world."
Day 2:
Cruising. Kick back day and getting to know the ship. Legend is one of the smallest ships in RC's fleet, making the walk from stem to stern in less than 10 minutes even with a stop for a beer at the Schooner Bar.
Dinner in the main dinning room was roast turkey with all the trimmings and was delicious. They even had pumpkin pie for desert which turned out to be horrible and became the joke of the ship for the rest of the cruise.
Day 3:
Our first port of call was Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on the tip of Baja California. Since we had been to this city twice before, Joyce and I decided to hang out on the ship. For most of the day when had the Solarium pool to ourselves.
This is the way to cruise!
Day 4:
In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. This is another city we had visited on prior cruises but we did walk to Wall-Mart and then Starbucks so we could use the internet to check our emails. I would really like to get a condo or an apartment there someday and spend a few weeks.
Day 5 & 6:
Cruising. Spent most of our time relaxing by the Solarium pool reading and just plain relaxing.
Day 7:
Our next port was Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. There isn't much to do here so we only got off the ship to check emails and have a local brew.
Day 8:
Another sea day.
We found out that there were some folks getting sick with the Norovirus so our Captain ordered "enhanced cleaning measures" in an effort to stop the spreading.
Day 9:
Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
We took our one and only excursion, a bus, boat and train tour. We had a really interesting forty-five minute bus ride though the countryside. During that time our tour-guide gave us a running commentary about what we were seeing and about the country.
Our next stop was to get on a boat to see the and cruise around looking for wildlife. After checking out all the birds and learning about every tree in the country we stopped so our boat driver could feed the crocodiles. I have to say that is one of the worlds ugliest animals. And, they have very big teeth and like to use them.
Lastly, we got back on the bus and headed for a ride on a train. The railcars are over 100 years old and they rode like it.
Hmmmm...not me brother!
Day 10:
Another sea day.
Day 11:
Cruising the Panama Canal.
The Norovirus outbreak escalated with several more folks getting sick so the crew ramped up in their effort to contain it. They started serving anything that we got to eat or drink, even in the Windjammer buffet, at all drink machines and even at water water dispensers.
Also, we had to change cabins. One of the steam lines over our stateroom was not wrapped properly so condensation was leaking through our ceiling and raining on us. The crew upgraded us to a balcony cabin so even though it was a pain making the move, we were happy.
Halfway through the Canal we want to our new friends suite for a private party. Millard & Robin from Maryland had booked the Owner's Suite for this cruise and believe me, if I could afford one of those, I'd get it!
Waiting our turn.
Panama City in the background. In the foreground is what used to be the Panama Canal Zone.
Going under the Bridge of the Americas.
Part of the new lock construction. This project should be completed in 2015.
First of three sets.
The "mules" are lined up waiting for us.
The gates have no seals, just metal to metal. And they don't leak. Amazing that they are over 100 years old!
The Centennial Bridge.
The white makers on the lower side of this hill are grave stones for workers who died during the construction of the Canal.
In Gatun Lake.
More of the new construction.
Millard and Robin.
The Owner's Suite.
Party Time!
Day 12:
Colón, Panama. Why this stop in on the itinerary we have no clue. Got off just to check our emails at an internet café.
I would love to cruise on one of these. I met a guy that had done one on this very ship and he said it is fantastic but, very expensive.
Day 13:
Cartagena, Columbia.
We decided to hire a cab for a couple of hours and go see the Fort of Castillo San Felipe in old town Cartagena.
After a drive is really heavy traffic, we arrived at the fort where our driver took Joyce on a tour of the fort. The climb up a steep incline was too much for me with my leg problems I am having, so I sat down on the wall and people watched. More on my legs later.
Day 14 & 15:
Cruising and then Fort Lauderdale.
All-in-all we had a good cruise. The food was better on the Legend than on the last ship we were on and the service was impeccable. The highlight of the trip was going through the Canal, the only reason for this cruise in the first place.
I don't think we will take a cruise over seven days again. We had a lot of days at sea, which on a large ship like the Oasis or Allure of the Seas would be good. But on the smaller ships, not so much.
When we got on the ship one of our first stops was the Schooner Bar. I had two beers and Joyce had a couple of drinks for a total of over $16. So, after some consideration, we decided to get the premium drink package which costs $55 a day each and includes booze, sodas and bottled water. Big mistake, for obvious reasons! Primarily, to break even you have to drink a lot every day. That ain't good! I broke even but Joyce didn't make her quota by a few bucks so we won't do that again.
It is good to be home!
Later!
Barry & Joyce
