Cartagena & Beyond

Unfortunately Brian & I received parting gifts from the ship that included stuffy noses, coughs and achy bodies.  We have both recovered (except for a cough I will keep all winter, most likely) & somehow managed NOT to give it to Jess in Florida - but this is the first day I have felt like writing to catch up on the blog and finish the trip.

We arrived in Cartagena, Columbia Tuesday about an hour early & our gang of six met up with our tour guide as soon as we could get off the ship. 

Boys on a bench waiting to get off ship

The gang depart for tour

This was a great advantage, as we were about an hour ahead of HAL tours and didn't have to fight the crowds.  She took us to the highest point in Cartagena where there was an old monastery and the view was amazing. 

B & G with Cartagena view

The gang pose in front of Cartagena

From there we drove back down the hill to the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

& then into the old city.  We walked about 2 miles throughout the town with its colorful buildings and great balconies – it was very enjoyable and again, not crowded because we were ahead of the other tours.  The city reminded me of Cadiz, Spain because of the narrow streets and intriguing sightlines. 

B does his 2 miles through Cartagena streets - just cause you beeped you can't stop walking!

We entered a museum (ugh! –lol!) but the courtyard was a tropical paradise, with trees, a cat and even a parrot. 

We saw the marketplace and told our guide we wanted shopping – so we ended up at an emerald shop for our “free” drink.  Susan bought emeralds but the rest of us bailed and did a walk around the shops – more jewelry stores!  LOL!  We requested to go to a souvenir market area and she took us to an outdoor market, but there was an emerald factory next door.  She must have been getting a kickback – lol!  Anna found a few dresses in the market and I bought some Columbian coffee and we returned to the ship.  We drove along the coastline & by the beach area before arriving back to the Zuiderdam.

At the port was a small menagerie of animals including flamingos and parrots. 

Also a small shop with Columbian items so I managed to do a bit of damage to my credit card…  Overall, I enjoyed Cartagena immensely & thanks to Greg for setting up a great tour – even if the lady talked on & on…lol!

Greg gets his name on the van! LOL!

Boys on a bench

More boys on a bench!

We had a sea day next.  Our last Olympic event was bean bag toss or baggo.  I played last so knew what my score had to be, but choked and could not make a holer – I ended up second place in the Olympics because Chrissy from Australia beat me by 10 points!  Brian got beat out by the youngster on the ship & ended up in fourth place overall… 

Me with my 2nd place certificate, Joel and the rest of the winners.

 I didn’t win at poker that day, but Susan did and I ended up a winner at blackjack so overall did ok in the casino.  B says he lost money but washed a lot of bills and has been offered another “free” cruise already on Carnival.

My trivia team, V2FL (Vancouver to Florida) was leading the pack of 28 teams by 2 points.  We knew we had to beat out the Barflies in order to win the whole shebang.  At the last trivia event we tied with 2 other teams, (neither of which was the Barflies) and had to answer a tie-breaker question.  We knew we had the cumulative trivia in the bag, but it was sweet success to guess the closest number and WIN the last trivia activity!  We won another bottle of champagne and really nice suitcases.  We all managed to pack the suitcase and I took the champagne for Jess.

Eric, Lois, Rich, Dave the Cruise Director, Erica, Greg & Me - the Winning Team!

The last formal night the gang of 6 got together one last time and enjoyed dinner together.  We had an odd thing happen at dinner:  the waiter told us only one lobster per person, but after he had taken our orders.  He was reluctant to tell us this and had no explanation…  As only 3 of us had ordered 2 lobsters & the others had ordered none, we just told him to bring us lobster for everybody!  We solved our own problem, but this was the first time we have ever been denied food… 

We found out later that 2^nd seating folks had as many lobsters as they wanted…strange…  That night was the Black & White Ball – a chance to meet and dance with the ship’s officers for fun and prizes.  I danced with the Event Manager and won a free drink, a cookbook (which I gave to Susan) and a day pass to the spa – which Brian enjoyed.  It was a great party & Greg, Anna, Susan & I danced most of the evening until midnight or so…  Brian & Dusty were party poopers – lol!

Greg & Anna are dancing fools

It took us awhile to go through customs in Florida and get our rental car but we were finally on the road to Winter Park about 1pm.  I slept most of the way & we arrived at our hotel about 5pm.  Jess had a class but got out early so we went to dinner at Perkins, basically a Denny’s.  Food was ok and we enjoyed catching up with Jess.  Saturday he did school work and then we joined him for a movie – The Mazerunner.  I liked it but Brian said I could not choose a movie again right away…lol!  So Jess chose the movie for the next day – The Book of Life.  The animation was well done and I have a better understanding of The Day of the Dead celebration, but Jess does not get to choose a movie either!  LOL!  That evening Brian returned to the hotel and I went with Jess to a LAN party – a viewing of League of Legends video game world cup!  It was interesting and I enjoyed meeting Jess’ friends AND I won the best door prize: a $10 Legends gift card, which I gave to Jess…  Remember, it is not the prize that matters, it is the winning that counts!!  LOL!

Monday Brian drove to Hardee county, zip tripping along the way.  He met up with about 6 Georgers for a mini-gathering lunch – it was a long day for him, but he enjoyed it.  He says he still doesn’t have a hit in Hardee!  Lol!

I went to Jess’ and we went to Wal-Mart so he could grocery shop on my dime – ha!  When we returned to his place I played Mom and did 3 loads of laundry for him (as he had not done his wash for 6 weeks) and cooked him a casserole…  I know – I’m a sucker, but when you love your kid…

Tuesday we returned to Jess’s – I did more laundry, lol! Brian and Jess made ginger snap cookies.  By this time we were both feeling better and I was hungry as I had not eaten the last couple of days.  Jess wanted to go out for Italian to a new restaurant he wanted to try – they had early bird dining until 630pm.  I had been pretty good on the ship dietwise, but when they brought a freshly made loaf of French bread to the table, I ate it and enjoyed it as did J & B.  The dinner special included soup or salad, drinks and pasta.  It was all pretty good and Jess packed up enough leftovers for 2 more meals AND he got another loaf of bread.  The very cute waitress described how to heat it but Dad suggested Jess go back in and tell her he needed better directions and could she come to his place & help him heat it…  LOL!

It was an enjoyable visit with Jess & he shouldn’t bitch too much about us invading his space: he got free meals, 2 movies, groceries, clean clothes and 4 dozen cookies out of the deal and NO flu – yeah!  We got undivided attention, hugs and kisses – I think it was a fair trade.

I have unpacked all the suitcases and put them away.  I still have my own laundry to finish up and pick up the tuxedo from the dry cleaners so it is ready for the next trip.  We have no plans YET for another cruise but a small trip to Vegas is planned for February & back to Winter Park in May for Jess’s graduation.  I hope you have enjoyed our trip virtually as much as we enjoyed it in reality.  Safe travels and long journeys, GB