Category Archives: Travel

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – First Day At Sea

(Pardon the delayed posting)

Sunday, August 31st – our first day at sea

We’ve found that with most cruises, there’s a rhythm to sea travel. It’s in the way the passengers—really just a bunch of strangers—dance around each other as they make their way through life on board. It starts out a little herky-jerky, which is really not all that unexpected when you factor in the wide diversity of ages, genders, nationalities, lifestyles, and interests.

This cruise is different. First, there are no teens, as in zero. And I can count on one hand the number of children under what I think is age 12 and even fewer young adults 20-30. They are the ones with the kids, after all. For the most part. There’s a smattering of 30’s-50’s , but by far and away I believe the median age of the passengers on board the Legend has to be in their 60’s, maybe higher. Let’s face it, who else can take a month off from school or work, and if they can be able to afford a trip like this?

So the rhythm changes with this cruise. Instead of boisterous squeals and racing through the corridors, you’re on the lookout for a runaway motorized wheelchair. No drunken loudmouths here—just the inevitable loudmouths that don’t require alcohol. No smoochie-smoochie honeymoon stuff either, so the late shows have plenty of available seating. (I can poke fun at the seniors since we both fall into that category.)

The ship’s cruise director informed us with great enthusiasm that this cruise set a blockbuster record of having the most Platinum and Diamond VIP cruisers on a single ship at one time. It’s true. And we thought we were veteran cruisers with our 20 little vacays. We’re babies compared to some of these people who’ve taken hundreds of trips! Can you imagine? If we squeezed in just 20 cruises a year, it would take us another 4 years to reach the century mark. It would sure beat retirement home living!

Enough today. I’ve found a quiet little niche where I can do my writing. Paul has wandered off, probably to his own little private hideaway to read. Or maybe just muse. I find myself doing that a lot, gazing off at the ocean, a silly smile on my face. I think I’m going to like retirement.

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Sailing Date

(Apologies for the delayed posting — blame it on the lack of satellite coverage in the Pacific!)

August 30th – I woke somewhat late, still being on Atlanta time, but what was really early for Long Beach time – 7 a.m. Paul, of course, slept on and on and on.

Somehow we managed to laze the morning away until it was finally time to head for the ship. Giddy doesn’t begin to describe our feelings. We have been looking forward to this cruise for so long, until you reach a point that you’re constantly looking over your shoulder and wondering when whatever’s going to happen finally does … and the plans fall part. Thank you, Lord Jesus, not this time!

We arrived at the Carnival terminal to find throngs of people already queued up. Imagine our snobbish reaction when we realized our superior VIP status gained us nothing more than a somewhat shorter line. We waited once more with everyone else. Now we could have groused and grumbled for the next hour plus as we inched forward—and I do mean inched. But everyone around us had arrived with the same euphoric anticipation for our cruise of a lifetime. We met several nice people and Paul, as always, was touting my book. The man is Tahiti - Carnival Legendsurely a gift. He talked it up to 3 ladies on the plane coming in and watched them each download copies from Amazon as they taxied to the terminal! He’s already given out ordering information to several more people, handed out my business cards and rack information cards, too. He has such an easy-going style, loves talking to everyone, and finds a way to seamlessly work in a plug every time. I can’t do this. At all. I am so blessed to walk by his side.

Anyway, we finally made it to the front of the line. Long Beach sends out only two ships a week, so their operation is nothing like Miami and Fort Lauderdale where multiple ships from multiple cruise lines go out every day of the week. The mega-centers have loading down to a fine art. Not so much in Long Beach. But you know – it didn’t matter one whit! The staff—local residents who do this work as a part-time job—were amazing! Friendly, beyond helpful, courteous, and obviously happy in what they do. I cannot give a finer testimonial than to say how much we, as seasoned travelers, appreciated their kindness and consideration. Kudos again, Long Beach.

We sent a text to our kids saying how it felt like coming home. That’s how much we enjoy cruising with Carnival. A long lazy afternoon getting acquainted with the newly furbished Legend (which looked nothing like we remembered). Even the layout had changed, with the Promenade Deck on Level 2! Dinner was excellent as usual. I still can’t believe they gave us the Crème Bruleè (my very favorite) the very first night out! The Maitre ‘d warned us about the 1-pound per day rule. NO WAY! I AM NOT gaining 23 pounds on this cruise! Looking for the exercise room and walking track next.

To cap off the night, we sailed from a night-lit Long Beach around 8:30 p.m. An hour later I headed off to the Casino (I won $48!) and Paul off to the theater to save me a seat for the 10:00 show. We were both very impressed with the dancers – who were also singers! And wonderfully talented. Back in our cabin, we made a pact to indulge in as many activities as we could and not our typical reclusive behavior. This is one trip we want to savor and remember—our trip of a lifetime. Maybe if I stay away from the lunch buffet, I’ll miss out on those extra pounds. Maybe. If.

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Puerto Vallarta

(Sorry for the delayed posting – no internet connections in the Pacific!)

September 2nd – Land ho! For two days now, there’s been land off our port bow. For you non-seafaring folks that’s the left side as you look toward the bow (front) of the ship. The Baja Peninsula. And then Mexico. This morning we woke to a considerably slower speed and land close in. Lush. Green. Very tropical.

Puerta Vallarta - Blue Agave PinaWe took a tour sponsored by Carnival, one that took in the sights of the city of 350,000 and included a visit to two tequila factories and two shopping districts. I learned about the Blue Agave plant, the ashy soil it prefers, the pina (pineapple) shape at the core of the plant, and distilling! If the process is done with patience and quality control, the taste of tequila is quite nice. Not at all like the horror stories you hear of blinding headaches and rebellious stomachs for days after imbibing. Nice as it might be, though, I doubt I’ll become a connoisseur.

As our guia (guide) pointed out, Mexico is a land of extremes, particularly in the very, very rich and very, very poor. Pepe (“don’t call me PeePee!”) made a point of stressing that the terrible drug-related violence filling the news lately is on the wane, and confined to specific regions. He was quick to let us know that Puerto Vallarta (PV as the cruisers call it; Vallarta as the locals call it), a city of just over a quarter-million people, has the lowest crime rate of the country. We Puerta Vallarta - Shoppingpassed a massive prison, complete with guard towers and concertina wire topping 25-foot brick walls which he proudly proclaimed only 946 inmates resided. Impressive.

I enjoyed our time in Puerto Vallarta. The tour was interesting, the bus very comfortable (air conditioned!), the driver very capable, and Pepe, our guide, one of the most enjoyable ones we’ve had. I would give it 5-stars for sure.

Fire OpalsOh yeah, my honey bought me Mexican Fire Opals. Stunning!

He got a tee shirt.

TRAVEL IMPRESSIONS – Long Beach, California

Friday, August 29th – marked a new chapter in my life. (Pardon the writer’s cliche, but it just seemed appropriate here!) I left the old working life behind and embarked a a new, retired phase. How wonderful I could kick-start this part of my life with a dream vacation, a trip of a lifetime — to the South Pacific Islands!

First stop – Cali.

When I boarded the plane in Salt Lake City, the connection between Atlanta and Long Beach, I walked onto the plane through one of the accordion tunnels we all know so well. But when I landed in LGB, the cabin door opened to bright sunshine, fresh air, pleasant temperatures, and a blue sky adorned with puffy white clouds.

I have to admit I felt a sense of euphoria walking down the roll-away staircase to the terminal. I use italics here, because it took me about two minutes to cross the A/B terminal and out through the doors marked Baggage Claim — right into that dazzling sunshine again. Signs led me to the where I could collect my suitcase (all still outside) and … voila! There it was! On the conveyor belt heading my way! Anyone who’s experienced the mysteries of the gargantuan Atlanta airport can appreciate my awe.

With the assistance of a very helpful Jet Blue agent (I flew in on Delta), a Skycap who was wheeling another passenger in a wheelchair, a policeman guarding our safe crossing to the other side of the street, and a very nice taxi driver, we made it to our hotel in Long Beach. Many thanks are owed at the Hilton, too, for a helpful, courteous, and friendly staff.

Right outside the hotel, we hopped the Long Beach Passport bus, a free ride that takes you around the town to all the tourist attractions, as well as some of the more residential areas. We dropped off at the Queen Mary for a short tour, and then caught the bus again to the Shoreline Drive shopping area for a delicious dinner at Tequila Jack’s.  Another fantastic experience with yummy food, a funny and friendly wait staff, and a water view to ooh and aah over.

Temperatures were in the low 70s with little to no humidity, so we elected to walk the mile-and-one-half back to the hotel. You learn a lot about a city by riding a bus or walking the streets. While I’m sure Long Beach has its own dark side (all cities do), what we saw and experienced here blew away every preconception I had of California. I came expecting earthquakes (they had one a few days before we arrived, one that did some serious damage north of here), plastic people (Hollywood ain’t that far away, folks), squalor, and definitely gangs. Street thugs. Didn’t see nary a one.

The streets in Long Beach are wide, as are the sidewalks. The city is clean andlong-beach-aquarium_2 well kept, with a very large park area near the water. A few people lounged on blankets, soaking up the sun. Totally not crowded, not on the bus, the streets, or the shops. Drivers obey the law, even to giving over the right of way to pedestrians in or out of the crosswalks. We saw families walking, couples strolling, dog walkers with the doody-bags in hand, lots of bicycles — all smiling and with a friendly wave or hello. There was no barking, yelling, or car horns, although we did hear one firetruck wailing. All the cars pulled over to the let it go by. The only loud music we heard spilled from a couple of bars we passed, but no lewd or drunken behavior.

Long Beach is nice, a respectable little town that I enjoyed immensely. A real melting pot of nationalities, all living in harmony and with a lot of pride.

Kudos to you, Long Beach. I can’t wait to come back.