WEEK 7

 

 7 MARCH 2024: NEW YORK

Well, what a nice surprise, no rain only overcast and the chill in the air has also disappeared, so got off and could walk to the different spots I wanted to see today. I first made my way to Café-Flor and popped in for an almond croissant and an americano coffee with all these beautiful fresh flowers and plants all over the little café must say really like this vibe and look. The florist was busy arranging bunches of flowers and had huge blossom branches in big glass vases, just beautiful.

Next stop was looking for Ariston Flowers and Cafe in 5 th Avenue but had my heart rate going for was a long walk to get to it and wanted enough time just to look and enjoy. So was a brisk walk. Walked 12km so got my exercise in or should I say got my steps in for the day!!This little shop is also beautiful with the most stylish and stunning floral works of art! In the back of the shop, they have the café with beautiful arrangements all over on the walls.

The street entrance had this big red heart on the outside and cute little green tables and chairs to enjoy your coffee outside but think warmer inside this time of the year. The hotels are a big source of income to these florists for in the big smart hotels they have these huge, big arrangements that are breathtaking and make a statement for sure.

On my way back down 5 th Avenue where I have not been before I arrived at Madison Square Park and got to see very interesting exhibition of tulle material.

The artist is Ana Maria Hernando an Argentinean American who lives in Denver and Boulder. The exhibition is called to let the Sky know and a Spring of wild kindness. Is made from fabric called tulle. Beautiful bright colors of tulle that symbolize hope, growth and fluidity. She says she grew up around her grandmother surrounded by textiles, afternoons were spent with her mother and grandmother while they sewed and crocheted and the idee of making things together better than doing it alone. Circles of Women how special is that, love it. Brightens up the park for sure while still in its winter coat and color.

Passed windows saying the following about the Big Apple:

DEAR NEW YORK, ILL NEVER GET OVER YOU

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

NEW YORK IS NOT A PLACE IT’S A FEELING

In Bryant Park the ice-skating ring was being dismantled and winter stuff and stalls are being taken down getting things ready for the spring. The daffodil bulbs should be in bloom in the next few weeks so hope I make it before I return home. In Bryant Park there is a Belgian Stall selling wafels called Wafels en Dinges!!  dit was nou vir my snaaks, might try some next week.

On my way back stopped at Madame Tussauds and might go in next week to see what it is all about for my last chance did not get to Magnolias Cafe was worried did not have enough time so that will also be on my list next week really want to try their famous banana pudding they rave about. On my way back could feel had been walking for 12 km my feet were sore, and think might have stiff muscles tomorrow won’t be getting any sympathy from hubby he will just say het jy nog nie jou les geleer nie!

Daar was 2 herioen verslaafdes wat opgedaag het vir hulp met ontrekking en liefie se dis eintlik onstellend om te sien hoe dit hulle afgetakel het en se sommer reguit wil nie hulp he nie, al wat hulle soek is hulle volgende fix. So, hier sien jy omtent alles. Very excited got to book 2 different executions this week the one is in St Maarten to the Nature Reserve and Beach Break and the other one in San Juan to go and see the Fiesta Latina, dancing. Would have loved to do a hike but they do not offer that in San Juan. Tomorrow is a sea day and next stop Bermuda.

8 MARCH 2024: @SEA

The sea was upside down, we had waves crashing into our cabin porthole all day and night. You can hear the wave hit and then you can count before it comes gushing into the porthole, that’s what happens when it is time to go home! Haa haa, you get to know all the different sounds and noises when you have been at sea for 7 weeks.

Was a rest day after my long walk in New York and a sore knee and foot.

10 MARCH 2024: BERMUDA

Decided to stay on board and spent my morning in the Spa. Due to an autoimmune decease, I have been told by my physician to rather stay out of the steam bath and sauna, so made the call to rather just enjoy the pool and lounger. Today I blow dried my hair in the changing rooms and was so glad to have met a lady using a straightener I have neve seen and she says she has had it for 4 years and just loves it, so never too old to try something new, anything to make things easier.

 In St Maarten I am going to visit Saint Martin Nature Reserve, we are going to participate in activities like regulating invasive species, planting mangroves and counting birds how cool is that, so really looking forward to that. On our way back we stop at Orient Beach an area that is known as the Saint Tropez of the Caribbean so hope to get to swim in the beautiful bright turquoise waters.

The Fiesta Latina in San Juan you watch an entertaining performance of music and dance that reflects the very best of Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries. The dancers perform the mambo which was invented in Havana in the 1930’s indigenous to Puerto Rico. Tambourines are the principal instrument in the La Plena also get to taste a sangria, so looking forward to that too. That will then be the end of my excursions on this trip for all the other things on our trips to Bermuda I am going to do on my own. Will take the ferry and local busses, the nice thing is you buy a 1/3-day pass and then are sorted all over the island just need to keep the 5-o clock home time traffic in mind for then the transport is congested.

Another drama was playing off behind the scenes while I was sitting enjoying a beautiful sunset over the ocean. When I got to the cabin and heard hubbies voice and saw his face, I knew something had happened and was told that they had just had another passenger pass away after trying to resuscitate him for about an hour. He had arrived at the medical just after 5 that afternoon and had been feeling ill since we left New York and when they saw him knew straight away something very serious was wrong, just so sad was in his 50 and traveling with his wife and 2 children. These things really upset you and get to you for sure, the crew are also taking strain.

11 MARCH 2024: SAINT MAARTEN

Sailed into this port at midday on another beautiful day I decided to visit the Spa before breakfast and then had to ready to get off the ship as soon as we docked. Our trip took us to the St Maarten Natural Reserve that is situated on the French side of the island. A very different nature reserve to what I was expecting, dry, barren and hot so don’t know what it must feel like in die middle of summer.

We were met by 2 very nice ladies who work for Seagrape the one lady was an engineer and the other a teacher who both have been living here for many years. Was just so inspiring to see how passionate they feel about the eco systems of the islands and the preservation of it, doing their part to try and look after it. First gave us informative talk about the five main ecosystems showed us the different mangroves that are on the island red, white, black and grey and what they all do.

Got to see a sea cotton bush with cotton popping out of the pod and told us about the sea grape trees and the fruit that you can eat. Got to taste the salt on the mangrove trees leaves and real salty the crystals sit on the front of the leaves. Showed us Baby beach with St Barts Island in the distance where a hamburger can cost $30 can you believe it, the playground of the rich and famous.

The high light of our tour for me was the planting of established new little mangrove trees that we could choose and then dig a hole and plant, doing something and leaving something here on the island, how cool is that, thought a great idea. I planted a white mangrove tree, and the red trees get planted in the water and the black and white in the sand next to the water. Took a photo to show you, my slip slop got stuck in the mud while trying to take the photo so ended up with very dirty feet once done with planting.

Listening to the talk about the island and the 2 sides that belong to different countries and all their challengers you realize all the countries in the world have their own and different challenges so we are not unique so try and do what we can to make it a better place!! Then it was time to visit the Orient beach for a swim and to try out the local Guava berry Colada, was my lucky day and got 2 glasses for the price of one, but the second glass did not have any guava berry rum in! seker ook maar goed so maar was baie lekker.

I did not walk to the area at the beach where people walk around naked but did get a topless lady which I still find very strange. The swim in the lovely water was just what I needed after the tour and planting of the mangroves. Had a good day.

12 MARCH 2024: ST THOMAS

We were here at 7 in the morning but we only got off at 11 when hubby was done with his work, I must admit I prefer to do things rustig anders kry ek myself in n knoop so my perfek gepas,genoeg tyd gehad vir die Spa en ontbyt. We went for a walk, and he had time to take a snooze on my lap while sitting under trees and just chilling. Then it was time for a tub of ice cream that we bought at the local grocery store and had to eat with 2 plastic spoons and what a story!! Try and eat ice cream with plastic spoons, not so easy so had to wait for it to melt a bit and get softer, think next time we must stay with the singles ones in their own packets.

Today was our last visit to this port so don’t think I will be seeing this place again, but you never know! So, until next time, bye St Thomas may the hurricanes stay away from you and your people.

13 MARCH 2024: SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO

Had another great day in this beautiful place, got off early and did my grocery shopping haaa and then it was back to the ship before I had to meet the excursion team for our trip to FIESTA LATINA and my goodness the traffic was crazy with 4 ships in port for the day, next to us was the EPIC hubby’s first ship, started on it 12 years ago.

Well, what a fantastic morning it was, the entertainment was just mind blowing from 83-year-old Juan Carlos he was just so witty, funny and an excellent guitar player, I have never seen anyone play like him, I just loved every minute. Told us his guitar was 45 years old and had traveled and played all over the world, even in the White house.

So glad I had the opportunity to watch him play and listen to all his stories, this is a must if you ever come to San Juan don’t miss it. He and his family opened a shelter for animals after the terrible hurricane hit the island and his funny witty warm personality just made sense after telling us right at the end about his shelter and what they do for the animals, had me hook line and sinker! Beautiful soul.

We made it back to the ship just in time, would say with 5 minutes to go so that was a bit nerve recking but if you are on a ship exertion and you do run late the ship will wait for you so that was reassuring. Needless to say did get an earful about getting back to close to sailing time, at least he must want me to be with him and did not want me left behind!! So tomorrow our last port before we head back to New York City, hoping to see some blossoms.

14 MARCH 2024: PUERTO PLATA

Today was another beautiful sunny day in the Caribbean, 3 ships in port today so very crowded and could not get any loungers to lie on while we were in the port area. So, after getting us some food found a place in the shade on the beach and spent our time chilling in the shade maar was vrek warm!!

Hubby ordered a juicy hamburger and 10/10 for the chef was good, the other food also looked good, chicken and beef kebabs being cooked on the grill on the beach next to the sea. After hubbies return to the ship, I stayed a bit longer for a margarita sitting next to the pool area watching the show of talented dancers that perform each week. Today they had black and white costumes on and must say looked good.

Decided to take the tuk tuk back to the ship for was our last day in this port so decided why not! Think such a good idea to transport tourists from and to the ship, not far to walk but if you are lazy perfect and just a nice experience. Can take 5 passengers at a time. So, 2 sea days then we dock in New York on Sunday morning, I want to try and get to Magnolias for the banana pudding, don’t know if I am going to have time to get to the park and check on the blossoms and bulbs but will try. Central Park will always stay my favorite place in this city.

16 MARCH 2024: @SEA

The 2 sea days have been sunny and pleasant sea behaving but the captain informed us this afternoon that due to engine problems we cannot get to New York intime so will be 4/5 hours late!! The ship cannot sail at full speed due to some or other problem so we will be sailing slowly, at least we are going to make it but what a story, so now passengers flights must be changed, and we will be leaving late!! Wat n gedoente!  Hope all sorted before it is time for me to leave in 2 weeks’ time, thank goodness I am only flying out at 23h00 so if we are delayed should have time to get to JFK. So, until end of next cruise, bye.