WEEK 4

 

6 FEBRUARY 2024: NEW YORK CITY

Today we were late due to the tides, something to do with sailing in on the Hudson River and under the bridge have seen when we sail out not much leeway. So realized that today was going to be a busy day with us docking later than usual, so you need to book a flight late afternoon just in case something like this happens. Was -2.6 degrees outside so still very cold and you needed all the warm clothing you have.

I decided to visit my favorite bakery, Levain’s for a croissant and an americano coffee, was my breakfast for the day, so that was heaven after the walk in the cold. In the bakery they had hand warmers that I have never seen before did not even know you get things like that, they come in a packet that you activate once you open it and gives you up to 10 hours of heat how amazing is that. Popped in at a very old barber shop close to Central Park and asked if I could take a few photos and a video, just loved that, felt like going back in time, the décor was beautiful and very stylish.

My next stop was the Jacky Kennedy Onasis reservoir, for have not been up so far in Central Park, then I walked across the park to the 5 th Avenue side, walking back I passed the famous Met Museum of art, dog walkers and places in the road where they have those big pipes with steam coming out from under the street, like in the movies and a siren here and there!!!

This park seems to draw me to it, for I just cannot get enough and around every corner there is something else that catches my eye, stopped how many times to take another photo, thank goodness hubby was not with me for this drives him crazy and will end up in a fight, haa haa!!

We decided to buy us 2 pictures of New York City, the one is of the waterways with the Statue of Liberty that we pass each week sailing in and out on the Hudson River, the other one was Central Park so they will be framed and will have to get a spot on our home’s walls. Memories for one day when we can just sit and think of all our special times we had and all the places we could visit. Bought myself a beany and some more ear warmers for gave my others to hubby, so now we both are geared for this cold.

On my way back I stumbled across the chocolate shop Laderach chocolatier Suisse in 7 th Avenue so just had to get some for hubby, his spoil for the day. By the time I got back to the terminal there were hundreds of passengers waiting to board so instead of getting into the long rows I just sat for a while and posted my blog. Things were running late due to the morning’s late arrival, but we left on time. Sail away was stunning with views of the big apple on this beautiful winter afternoon with no wind and clear skies, the ship had New York New York playing in the background with hundreds of passengers enjoying the views while sailing out of New York.

7 FEBRUARY2024: @SEA

My goodness little did we know what rough seas were waiting for us, 6.5 meter high waves had the poor ship rattling and shaking making all sorts of sounds that I was not use to ,this was the first time in my 11 years at sea in such crazy weather and it kept going for the night, the next day and the flowing night at last on the second day we woke up with calmer seas. Hubby was busy all night long and when he said what funny noise is the ship making? that was the end of my peaceful night, for had me worried.

The huge waves would hit the ship then a little while later the water would crash against our porthole window and looked like a washing machine as the water twilled in the porthole! eventually got use to the sound of that. Saw on social media that the weather has been crazy all over for all the ships at sea and in ports in Miami, the Caribbean and Mexico. At Royal Caribbean’s private island, they had to get the passengers on board earlier and leave due to the bad weather and very strong winds. In Puerto Plata Holland American had a passenger land in the water between the ship and the dock thank goodness he was ok and not injured what a scary thought falling into the sea, people get told repeatedly to keep away from the big fat red line but to no avail, then things like this happen. Tomorrow we are at sea and then our first port of call in Puerto Plata.

9 February2024: PUERTO PLATA TAINO BAY

We arrived here late morning, so had time to get to the SPAR before it was time to get off the ship. Just love using the steam room and the hydro pool with its jets that get the blood circulation going. Sipping tea on a warmed lounger with stunning views is quiet something!

 Our sail into the port was beautiful after all our miserable weather since leaving New York and you could get a bird’s eye view of Puerto Plata from the ocean. Decided to walk to the old fort that you see while sailing into port but was disappointed in the area, not looking good and needs attention, the grass was long with rubbish lying around so from far it looks good but not closely!!  Was harassed again while leaving the port area but just kept walking and have decided will keep to the port area next month wanted to see the pink street and umbrellas and did that last week, might go on an excursion to the DAMAJAGUAS River to see its stunning waterfalls and walking paths or hikes. Also have sugar plantations so will see.

I ended up at a bar in a hanging swing bench around a pool area sipping a Mojito and must admit it was vrek lekker ended up going for a swim and lying on a lounger that was in the water while the local show was in full swing. After this it was time to get back and had a very nice day. Tomorrow we are in San Juan so doing things the other way round this week. Will still have to see if we are going to make Bermuda this week, that port of call always depends on the weather.

10 FEBRUARY 2024: SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

Choppy seas had me roiling around last night, so was not a good night, hope we have calm seas on our way to St Thomas tonight. I waited for hubby before I got off, but his things did not work out, so I walked around on my own for the day. We were blessed with a beautiful day so was so nice to walk to all the different places I have been waiting to go too since we have been coming to San Juan.

I started with a walk over the hill to the old fortress and all along the sea to the El Morrow Fort that watches over the entrance of this old city. The stunning colors caught my breath all over again and the beautiful architecture which I just love and can’t get enough! I need to start deleting photo and take less but just can’t get to doing it. Had time to lie on the huge green open space on top of the cliffs overlooking the sea and what a beautiful picture and feeling, lots of locals were out and about with their kids and kites were in the air, playing in the wind.

Passed a local restaurant that I want to try with our next visit and take hubby with me is called La Verguenza Chinchorro don’t know what that means but the place was packed and had a waiting list the top floor has stunning views over the ocean.

Another place closer to the port area is called Raices and think would also want to try that out, so we will see if we can get to both. On my walk around the old San Juan city area, I stumbled across a new place where you can feed the doves and has a beautiful play park for children, there I had an espresso with stunning views over the ocean. They have a little stall where you can buy food to feed the pigeons and o my goodness there were lots of them even come to sit on your arms, head and hands took a nice video to show you.

Found another shop where they make little pottery front doors with your names and numbers of your house thought that was cool and want to get us one too, so will have to get liefie to go with next time, is called MI PEQUENO SAN JUAN , here they call hubby TJ so I am thinking we need to get that on our little front door pottery to remember us of our time here.

A stop at Macys made me feel I was at home, could just browse through all the clothes, shoes and home things, must admit walked out with a packet of stuff!! We arrived this morning at 11h00 and were only leaving tonight at 20h00 which was great so had all afternoon to walk around and enjoy this amazing city. Did not get to the beach but maybe next time.

11 FEBRUARY 2024: ST THOMAS VIRGIN ISLANDS

We arrived in St Thomas early morning, but I decided to take things slowly today or that is what I thought I was going to do, after breakfast I was on the open decks and saw the high-speed thriller boat passing our ship and thought to myself today is the day am going to take a ride on it. Phoned hubby to let him know what I was planning just in case, otherwise he does not have a clue where I am or what I am up to. Would call it a dangerous outing, so you never know!

Once I was off the ship, I asked along the pier and was told to go to the boat and ask, so that is what I did as I got there the skipper had started loading the passengers and I was the last to board. He first took me to his kiosk and asked me to leave my backpack in his container on the docks for you get really wet on the boat so only took my cellphone and thank goodness packed in my plastic cellphone casing. Was not happy to leave all my belongings there but had no choice.

Die boot lyk vir my n bietjie gehawend en dink vir myself o koek wat het ek nou aangevang!! We were only 5 passengers on the ride and both other couples were not from the ships docked in the harbor, we did not sign any waver which was also a bit strange but anyway it was too late to cry now, we were on our way. Our Skipper explained how things work and when I asked how long he had been doing this said 10 years so that made me feel a lot better and was reassuring so must know what he is doing.

Hy het vir my n bietjie dicy gelyk so n regte seeman, free spirit,klein mannetjie, kaalvoet, verrinneweer deur die son maar wat n aangename jong man, so ek was verkeerd. Kyk hy waarsku jou voor hy die boot in die 180 grade spin sit ,so n tipe count down en wys met handgebare maar jy is beslis nie voorbereid op die presies gevoel nie nie,maar n fantasitse ervaring ! He took us out in the bay and gave us some information about the island and places to visit and see.

Stopped close to an island with a cliff face that looks just like an American Indian, really looked like an Indian, told us most days he cannot get the boat so close to the island due to the swells so that was nice to see and got my cell out to take a photo. The other nice thing about taking this ride was speeding on the sea and going over a few wakes and then the 180 degrees spins with water gushing over you from behind.

No wonder they call it the Screaming Eagle VI Jet Boat Tour for that we did in every spin, screaming like mad people but was a joyful scream!! Hope I can get to see a video about the ride for it is impossible to do it while you are on the boat for you do get soaked right through to your underwear. Would love to take hubby on a ride so we will see if I can get him to join me and this time I will be prepared with a costume!

My plan was to go shopping and browsing through the shops, but this had to wait, for I needed to get dry first. Would recommend this amazing excursion to anyone, really enjoyed it and so grateful could do it. Spent the rest of the day walking around in the dock area wondering around rustig en op my tyd. Passed the Rum Hut and had a giggle when I saw the sign and 3 older folks sitting in the swings around the bar, thought to myself first you drink rum and then you start swinging!!!  Sal dit glo want daai goed bekruip jou van agter en  voor jy weet het hy jou vas dan swing jy letterlik en figuurlik!!

Vergeet om te vertel nadat ek in die swembad was in die Spar vanoggend, klaar gestort en kaalstert kom ek uit die stort en loop my vas in n man,weet nie wie het die grootste geskrik nie ek of hy, hyt in die verkeerde kleedkamer ingegaan so is baie vining daar uit al verskonende maar teen daai tyd was ek alweer in die stort agter n toe deur .Nog nooit so iets oorgekom nie, hoe se hulle daar is altyd n eerste keer!

12 February 2024: TORTOLA  BVI

Today was drill day for the crew, so I was warned that they would be going through this before we could get off. So, after breakfast I am sitting on deck 15 enjoying my tea and I hear they say code Oscar, but I assume this is part of the drill and I’m thinking why they are doing all the different drills in one day, little did I know what was really happening!

It was a real-life Code Oscar man overboard and this happened on the dockside of the ship where the passenger had crossed the red line clearly saying don’t cross this red line!!!! After 30 minutes they got the old man out of the water and 2 other security crew had to jump in to get the man out, imagine the drama and stress. This happened to another ship last week as I mentioned in my blog, so people just don’t listen and then these accidents happen, but it puts other people’s lives in danger to get them out of danger! The ambulance had to come to have him checked out at hospital for when things like this happen on shore they can’t come back on board and be treated by the medical crew of the ship. Ship Rules first must be cleared medically.

The captain did inform us that we would be missing Bermuda due to very strong winds that are going to be blowing and make entering and docking in Bermuda to dangerous or even impossible, so we are spending another day at sea but did leave Tortola later this afternoon due to that. All the cuisine liners have been changing their itineraries due to bad weather conditions all over the world, so it seem to be part of cruising now, better than Covid hope we don’t even again have to go back to that again.

Hubby and I had lunch at a local café with the best burger ever, even went to the chef to tell him was delicious, I had a cold Carib beer and was good to just sit and enjoy the sunny day in Tortola.

13 & 14 Febreuary2024: @SEA

Sea days are the same and I have my routine, so I get up and try and have a long gym session, before having breakfast late morning. The nearer we get to New York the colder it gets so sitting outside not an option for it is just too cold. Feels crazy to be in the Caribbean heat at the beginning of the week and as the days go by, we end up in freezing New York at the end of the week, it could be snowing, for another cold front is approaching, so only time will tell.

Hubby was busy all night and what a fantastic surprise I got this morning when he came back early this morning on Valentines Day with a large coffee from Starbucks! Told him it felt like a bag full of diamonds or gold so had a very happy wifey on Valentines Day. This is one thing I do miss and that is having a cup of coffee or tea in bed.

The calmer waters we have left behind in the Caribbean and can feel we are back to rocky times as we get closer to New York. Next cruise we have lots of kids on the cruise so going to be busy and noisy am not sure if it is school holidays or just a break, klink seker nou nes n regte ou vrou. Hubby off in New York so we might do something together but don’t think walking around outside will be an option for is just too cold, he enjoys going to a café for a bite and some nice coffee and can sit and relax away from the ship without being called for a short while, anyway. On the ship he is on high alert all the time for you need to be ready for action at any time of the day or night. As die skote klap moet jy reg en wakker wees vir hol en aksie. So tot volgende week, mooi loop.