WEEK 5

 

16 FEBRUARY 2024: NEW YORK

Last night was one of those busy nights with hubby coming and going right through the night, so did not have a good night! We were both tired when it was time to get up this morning, I got up and tipped toed around not to wake him and left him to sleep until he had to get up! Decided to skip breakfast and get off early to enjoy the beautiful day in New York so left hubby behind for he could only get off at about 11.

Was another very cold day in the Big Apple with the snow still lying around but did not feel as cold as the first time round, think they said 2,3 degrees today and not – 2.3. The windchill is the problem when you are walking around outside, all you have open is your nose and eyes, everything else is covered up and you don’t really care what you look like, just want to be warm.

Central Park had snow lying around and in the open spaces blankets of snow to see, The Pond had an area of the pond/water iced with pieces of ice lying on the iced water. You could also see were the ice started and the water ended. To my surprise I got to an open area under a tree where some bulbs even had come up and had these tiny little white bells hanging, think is called Lilly of the Valley was just too beautiful made my day! These little bells always remind me of a very dear friend that has passed on, she always had them in her beautiful garden and introduced me to them when I was a young gardener, I call them her bells!

Then it was time for the warm/cozy Apple Store and updates that had to be done on all my electronic devises, was glad I could get it all done there. My next stop was at the big Catholic Church in 5 Avenue, was peaceful to have time to just sit, enjoy the beautiful church, have some quiet time and lit a candle to think of all my family and friend and those that are going through tough times now.

 Felt like popping in at the New York Public library and ended up at the coffee shop where I had a very tasty almond twister croissant and cappuccino while watching all the people enjoying the very cute shop in the library with stunning books about all of Ney York and more. How I wish I could buy some and take them home but just to heavy. Took a quick video and then it was time to hit the streets again.

We were lucky with the weather once the sun was out it turned out to be a very pleasant day, today I got hubby some traditional Greek cookies at a stall in Bryant Park, they just looked good.

This cruise looks like we were going to make it to Bermuda so that was good news, but I could not get a ticket for a visit to the Virgin Gorda and the Baths in Tortola for they are sold out, put my name on the waiting list but told me they also have a very long waiting list, so not very hopeful about that one. Will try again next week.

Talked to a South African girl about the excursion to the Dama jagua waterfall but after seeing her photos where they wear helmets decided would rather give that a skip, don’t feel like looking for trouble, looks very exciting and nice made me think of the Storms River rafting photos.

The Fiesta Latina in Puerto Rico is not on the list this cruise so will have to see next cruise about that one too, so die week is Jan Tuis Bly se karretjie vir my of moet ek se Skip Bly se Karretjie!!!Sien het vandag meer as 10km gestap so moet erken voel n bietjie flou vanaand en dink na die slegte nag gisteraand sal ons hopelik vanaand goed slaap.Die see darem ook rustig op die oomblik maar wil nie te gou bly raak nie want hierso verander dinge vining en gou.

17 &18 FEBRUARY 2024: @SEA AND BERMUDA

Yesterday was a wet and rocky sea day, the poor passengers could not put a foot outside due to the weather and rough seas, all the outside areas were closed. We were back to crab walking with the ship being battered by the swells, for hubby to make a remark about, it says everything!! Hy se mos altyd hoe rowwer hoe lekkerder , regte ou skip kat! Did warn the passengers that the weather in Bermuda would not be great and rainy.

Well, that is one thing we don’t have any control over and that is the weather. It rained on and off all day long but at least we did not have strong winds. My morning started in the Spa with a long visit to the steam room and then it was back into the pool. The heated loungers at the front of the ship are really comfy and relaxing. While I was in the pool an elderly lady slipped and nearly landed in the jacuzzi but thank goodness a couple close by got to grab onto her.

While I was in the changing rooms a lady told me about her mistake when she landed up in the men’s changing rooms and only realized it when a guy came walking in, so this does seem to happen often, maybe not marked clearly enough or people don’t read, I decided to get off the ship for a quick walk and a stop at the chemist only to discover that most of the shops were closed but it is Sunday. Due to the bad weather most of the excursions were also cancelled.

I got some good news last night that they got me a ticket for the excursion in Tortola so I will be going to the Virgin Gords and Baths, so very excited about that, did not expect I would be so lucky. They say it is a 45 min drive along the Francis Drake Channel to the Spanish town of Virgin Gorda. Open safari buses then take us through Spanish Town to The Baths where we go on a self-guided tour to the trails, hidden caves, sea pools and mammoth boulders, o koek hoop nie ek verdwaal nie maar nou ja sal maar versigtig wees.

Say the road to The Baths is rough and uneven terrain you need to go through small spaces, nie baie mal oor daai idee nie maar sal maar sien, sounds like an adventure. Go wherever I can for will never have this opportunity again that is for sure.

20 FEBRUARY 2024: ST MAARTEN

Arrived in St Maarten late morning so was nice to watch the sail in with all the yachts out on the water on a beautiful day. The water was this turquoise blue color and just beautiful with the green mountains in the background. Had some rain even before we were docked but, in these parts, it rains and within minutes it is all over then the sun comes out. Had the Spa to myself so enjoyed that and decided to stay there until it was time to get off the ship. We did get up early for a gym session, but I must admit was not feeling bright eyed and bushy tailed so did more stretching than other things!! I find it amazing that you get up some days feeling ready to tackle anything thing and other days you wake up tired and lazy. Body clock opgekrap!!

Got myself a ticket for the local water taxi to get to the main beach in Phillipsburg St Maarten and off I went, left hubby on board because he was on duty for the day. I decided to first walk around and take some photos of all the colorful umbrellas all along the beach, that is something I remember from our previous visit to St Maarten. The beach was packed and had loungers even standing in the water.

Think that the hurricane and covid had a huge financial impact on the island and you can see it while walking around, things are broken and not so clean. Was saying to hubby I can understand the economic impact on not being able to buy new things or fix things but rubbish lying around is not acceptable and no excuse, to me looks run down even the restaurants don’t look great.

Had a little giggle when a guy asked me if I was interested in a beach lounger and when I said no, he said what about a bodyguard!!! Passed a café selling Gelato ice cream so stopped and bought myself a strawberry bederf! Was vrek lekker net te vining klaar. On my way back I walked to the beginning of the port area in the downtown and got to take some nice pics there.

On my way back stopped to buy hubby something and ended up trying some of the island guava rum maar proe toe, die ding het skop in hom, gelukkig net n ou bletsie want daarna is ek strand toe en besluit dis tyd vir n swem. Had a lovely swim to just cool down but must say has not been very hot or should I say unbearable for know here it can get extremely hot and humid.

While I was walking around passed the locals getting the jet skis ready for customers and could see that they were going to have fun in the sun, the operators took the jet skis out for a trial run and made it look so nice and exciting. Would love to do that again for our ride in Bermuda was amazing. I bought myself a return ticket on the water taxi so was nice to just show up and within 5 minutes we were on our way back to the cruise terminal. The walk from the cruise terminal to downtown is not a nice walk so that is why I decided to rather take the water taxi, in St Thomas they have built a beautiful walkway all the way to town from the cruise terminal.

21 FEBRUARY 2024: TORTOLA

Last night was hectic hubby was busy most of the night so got very little sleep and early this morning was called out again for an active GI bleed, a guy who had lost so much blood that he needed an emergency blood transfusion so that ended up in a crew member donating blood and being able to give it to this very sick man, who would think that things like this can be done while you are at sea, so he was going to be sent to hospital as soon as we arrived in Tortola at 7 this morning.

We got onto a local ferry and were transported to the town of Virgin Gorda,I loved the ride there for sat on the top deck enjoying the views of the Sir Francis Drake channel with lots of other boats and ferries going up and down, so this waterway was busy today. I had to hold onto my hat for most of the journey for did not want to get sunburnt.

Once in Gorda we got onto the open taxis and my goodness hulle beweeg en daai groot enjins brom,tried to take a video to show you what I am talking about! Thank goodness for bumps in the road that is the only time they slow down, but I really enjoyed the ride.

The walk from the top to the beach area is rough and you need to look where you are going but the view is amazing when you come around the corner, made me think of Cape Town and Clifton area with the huge, big boulders all over the beach area, there were a lot of boats and yachts anchored just of the beach.

So, we had time to just enjoy the beach and then later in the morning the whistle blew, and we were had to walk to the Cathedral Pool area down rocks holding onto ropes and over wooden ladders over rocks and tight spaces and in water, ek was hier en daar benoud en skrikkerig but in the end it was fine and not to challenging. The only thing about these tours I would love to have more time to really enjoy the walk and take in the scenery but with lots of people behind you and with a time schedule things are rushed.

The boulders and rocks are amazing and look like they have been sprinkled there from above! Got to take some beautiful pics. Did not have time to really take selfies so I just took pics of the rock’s pools and views. By the time I got to the other end my cooldrink was finished and I desperately needed a drink so ended up with a cold Carib beer and then took to the inviting water, sommer broek en al!!

Did not feel like fighting to get my ski pants on again so went for a swim with them on and knew had enough time to get dry, here you don’t need to worry what other think about you, everything goes, of so lyk dit. Really enjoyed the swim and very glad could get to see this amazing place. Once back at the carpark we were offered some island rum punch. and that went down very well think had it to fast but even went back for another glass.

The ride back I sat inside the ferry and with the rum punch in and the rocking of the ferry I did catch a snooze for a little while. Had a fantastic day so very thankful could get a ticket on this tour.

22 FEBRUARY 2024: SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

Sailed into port early this morning and the weather was not looking good so decided to first go to the Spa and then have breakfast before I decided if I was going to get off the ship. At about 11 the weather had cleared and turned out to be a nice day, so off I went. Decided to walk to the beach area where hubby and I had gone to before so just did a quick look around to see if anything had changed.

On my way back stopped at the restaurant with the beautiful view over the ocean but I was too early for lunch and did not feel like a drink and they did not have coffee so just took a video and some pics and moved on. I thought hubby still had time off with our next visit to San Juan, but they swopped working days, so he is not going to be off in this port again. Another lesson learnt, when you can do something do it, for you never know.

On my walk down the downtown stumble upon a shoe making workshop that I thought was so amazing, was at Avarcas & Espadrilles shop in the old town area. Ladies and men were busy adding extras to their shoes that they had bought and making them extra special, while sipping Champayne, was able to take a video to show what it looked like. Maybe a good thing I do not have any more space in my suitcase!!

Then it was time for some ice cream and stopped at a cute little shop called Senor Paleta in old San Juan think am going to go back for more with next visit, they had these small chairs on the street where you could sit and enjoy your ice-cream with a view over the harbor area.

My last stop was to get supplies at CVS but by this time I just wanted to get back to the ship, have been feeling tired all day and not well, think yesterday’s walk and climbing took more out of me than I thought and don’t forget the 2 rum punches,haaa haa.Did not drink enough water so think I might have been dehydrated of dis wat die dokter se!!

On the beach I saw a lady with 2 big shells to cover her boobs and the bottom only had the landing strip covered,ek was skoon stom en mens kan nie anders as om te staar nie,kyk hier sien jy baie keer snaakse goed ,het darem die lyf vir dit gehad maar o genade! So, dis vals hare, vals oogwimpers, botoks lippe wat lyk asof hulle deur n by gesteek is, ek nie so seker van die boobies nie en dan is dit  nog n ding hierso  om die boude wat vergroot !! n Barbie pop ! weet nie hoe alles in plek gebly het in die branders nie, dit sou ek wou gesien het, verbeel jou, jy verloor een skulp,hoe nou?

More is ons weer in Puerto Plata en dan is dit weer terug na die koue New York. Hubby is off tomorrow so I am hoping to get him on the lazy river ride so we will see about that.

23 FEBRUARY 2024: PUERTO PLATA

Arrived early and as soon as hubby could get off, we took to the docking area, first showed him around and took a quick walk to the town area just outside the port. That did not last long, and we were back, at last I got him to take a ride on the lazy river. We just left our belongings where we got in but did take all our important stuff with, in my little waterproof backpack, that went on my chest like last time.

Hubby could help me onto the round tube and got me going on the river and he followed. Got to take a few photos and a video of this very special occasion of him doing something like this, did not think it would happen but in the end, he did enjoy it, while we were waiting to get dry, we ended up having lunch with very loud music playing.

That was too much for me we could not even hear each other talking so was not a peaceful beach vibe at all. Think with next visit we will choose a spot closer to the water with lounger overlooking the ocean and away from the crowds where he can relax for a while.

Wanted to take a ride with those little tuk tuk bikes back to the ship but with 2 ships in the harbor there were lots of people and the row was very long so ended up walking. We left at 15h00 and are on our way back to cold New York. This next cruise will be our 2^nd last 10 Day cruise and then we only cruise to Bermuda and stay over for 3 nights on a cruise. Looking forward to enjoying going out for dinner on dry land and walking around at night.

25 FEBRUARY 2024: @SEA

Yesterday a patient walked right into the lion’s den, during his visit to the medical earlier in the afternoon he was in a wheelchair and pretended he could not walk, an hour later during dinner in the garden café he was walking around, out of the wheelechair! only to bump into the last person he wanted to see and that was the doctor! Caught out!! Told hubby he had a miraculous improvement in his condition after the medication, moet erken dit was vining dink 10/10 vir daai antwoord,ons moes maar net lag en dink vir onsself kan mense so aansit en jok vir n mens!!

Kan dit seker die blinde sambok noem van al die honderde mense op die skip loop jy nou wragitg in die person vas vir wie jy gejok het en is eintlik, uitgevang! So sy siekte het verdwyn,poef net so! Dis 14 grade buite en soos ons nader kom aan New York raak dit al hoe kouer lyk my die see strome werk die week weer nie saam nie en ons gaan more oggend weer later as gewoonlik dok. Ek wil more kyk of ek by n tee en blomme winkel kan uitkom net om iets anders te doen.

So many places to see and things to do in this city, stumbled over a blogger that writes about travel, hiking and food, called Serenas lenses so gaan bietjie gaan soek na plekke wat sy van vertel en praat.

Plekke is :

Remi Flowers and Coffee

Ariston Coffee Bar

The Edge

Summit

One World Observatory

Cloisters by die Metropolitan Museum of Art

Marvel at Grand Central Terminal

Farmers Market at Union Square

Joe’s Pizza / Ess a Bagel / Murrays Bagels / Sadelles

Beste Korean BBQ K Town at Herolds Square en Banana Pudding at Magnolias

Nog goed op die lys maar te veel om te noem so net n paar opgesit.

Tot volgende keer xxx