Day Four, Montego Bay, Jamaica – November 20
We were up fairly early this morning and watched the ship make good use of its azipods to dock next to the Star Taurus, a crude oil tanker.
After that was successful, we went to the Garden Cafe for breakfast.
About 10:30, we went down to 4 and down the gangplank to check out a bit of Jamaica. We were at the regular cargo pier (#2), so we took a shuttle over to the cruise terminal.
This terminal was several tacky shops but Tom got some postcards and I got a little bag for carrying my Kindle on deck. He looked at watches in The Royal Store but didn’t buy anything. They gave us a free Jamaica keychain for looking. Whoopee!
We took the shuttle back and made good use of most of the other folks being on tours and such. We had a hot tub to ourselves for over half an hour.
In a bit, a couple folks joined us. One was a veterinarian and Tom told her about my Cushing’s experiences. After about 45 minutes I got out to read for a while. Then in the pool – salt water! Who knew?
Tom thought I should go over and talk to the veterinarian but I said I was on vacation, not here to “talk shop” unless I found that Cushie-looking woman again.
We stopped by the Great Outdoors and had some coffee. A yellow butterfly flew by but didn’t stop at our table. It wasn’t as big as Alice’s butterfly, but I wondered all the same… How does a tiny thing like that fly up to the 12th deck of a ship?
I’ve been thinking a lot about Alice on this trip. She would have loved this cruise, especially the Sea Days. Looking all around at the vastness of the ocean, the beautiful clouds, sunsets, the moon. I know her soul is out there, somewhere, in one of these beautiful things that God has created.
Great Outdoors
Great Outdoors
Back in our cabin, it was fun watching people hustle back to make the 3:30 all-aboard. I got some shots of the ship just sliding out from the dock, parallel to it, instead of backing into the Star Taurus. The folks on board that ship looked happy that we didn’t hit them, too.
We bid a fond adieu to Montego Bay and head off into the sunset.
We tried the Garden Cafe for dinner tonight, too. Pretty good – both plates worth!
The usual after-dinner deck stroll, then back to the cabin. I was asleep by 9:00PM…and up at midnight doing my website chores and blog-writing.
We didn’t go to the show again.
Tonight’s towel animal was a lobster.
Today’s Stats:
Wednesday, November 20th, 2013
Today’s Forecast: Mostly Sunny 85F/30C
Sunrise: 6:22 am
Sunset: 5:34 pm
Arrival: 8:00 am
All Aboard: 3:30 pm
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- Interesting Facts About Jamaica (travelingmyself.com)
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- Cruise shipping row brewing: Amid reports of possible head tax reduction in MoBay (joeyissainsights.wordpress.com)
Cruisin’ With Susan, 2013
I’m so excited! Just over six years ago Susan M, one of my Cushie friends, invited me on a cruise to Bermuda. I was delighted and excited to go. Then I found out I had kidney cancer and had to bow out at the last minute – the cruise embarked the day I left the hospital. My surgeon said that there was no way I could postpone my surgery for another 5 or so days so someone else went in my place.
So, that was it for my first (and only!) Bermuda cruise.
Then in 2008, I heard from my friend again, asking me if I wanted to do the cruise then! Of course, I said yes… She said she was celebrating and upgraded the whole cruise to the Western Caribbean. We had a superior balcony stateroom and I could wear some of the clothes I got for the non-cruise.
You can read all about our 2008 cruise here: http://www.cushingsonline.com/cruise/cruise.htm and see a slideshow of pictures at http://www.cushingsonline.com/cruise/cruise.html
Last year, September of 2011, we went on a land trip to Gloucester, MA. Blog posts and pictures for that trip start here http://maryoutandabout.posterous.com/last-trip-for-awhile.
I was at work today when I saw Susan’s name pop up on my cellphone and knew she wanted to go on another trip. As soon as I got in my car, I listened to her message. YES! Another cruise!
We talked on the phone and decided on this trip:
Then, Susan booked the cruise and called back to say it was even cheaper than we thought it would be. Major WooHoo. And, we have the all-important balcony.
