Day 12, Wed, 13 Feb, Houston to Surrey

We were up at 0800 and after showering & etc. we enjoyed a good breakfast at the hotel dining room. Then it was back to the room to finish packing and move our bags down to the lobby for transport to Bush Intercontinental Airport for our trip home. It is a beautiful sunny day here in Texas with temp about 15º C. Checking in at the airport went quickly and smoothly and we are now just waiting for our flight to Dallas & Vancouver at 1230.

Uneventful flight to DFW (Dallas-Ft. Worth) with clear skies all the way. We arrived at about 1630 and our connection to YVR on AA887 at about 1650. Hope our luggage arrives when we do, lol.

Well, we made it to the new gate in time for our connection to Vancouver. Unfortunately, the short time for making the connection meant that we didn’t have a chance to go to the duty free outlet. Our flight to Vancouver was uneventful, we cleared Canada Customs with no problems or delays and were home by around 2300 hrs. We were happy to find the weather was clear and dry, if a little cool.

The trip was very good, overall. Life on the ship is wonderful. We met some good people and enjoyed their company and hope that our paths will cross again at some point. The food on the Voyager was first quality and very abundant, served by an attentive and friendly staff. As always, there is always something to do and just lounging in the sun and warmth by the pools and hot tubs is so revitalizing. The modern ships today are amazing, so large but beautiful and comfortable.

We enjoyed our ports of call very much. Jamaica was hot and sunny and we enjoyed hiking up the river, challenged at times by the stiff current and the hidden rocks and holes in the river bed. Grand Cayman where we went to Hell and back and visited an interesting turtle farm along the way and Cozumel where I visited all the shops and finally got my new Movado watch.

Back in Texas, we enjoyed our stay in Houston even though we were lodged outside the city proper. Just being able to visit the Johnson Space Center for a day made it worthwhile and Kemah put the icing on the cake.

So it is all over and we are back in Surrey and back into our normal routine. With this blog finished and up to date, we will be working on the Webshots album at http://community.webshots.com/user/techysarge

Day 11, Tue, Feb 12, Houston

Today we were up at 0630 hrs to meet our car rental rep at 0800 so as to have mobility for our final day in Houston. At the rental office we picked up our Toyata Corolla for our day at NASA, where we arrived at about 1000. Our hotel is a ways north of the city of Houston and NASA is about half way to Galveston to the south east. Because the area is so well endowed with modern freeways, we made pretty good time getting there, in spite of the fact that Houston is the 4th largest city in the US.

What can be said about The Lynden B. Johnson Space Center? For anyone even remotely interested in the space program, this is the must-see place to visit. An information desk is located just inside the door where friendly staff orient you to the facility and suggest an itinerary for you depending on the amount of time you have for your visit.

We were directed first to the tram which drives around the complex pointing out the various buildings and what goes on in them. It makes stops at the mission control center, the astronaut training facility and the Saturn V facility where a complete Saturn V rocket lies. It is huge, much longer than the Statue of Liberty is tall. A very knowledgeable volunteer gives an interesting lecture about the rocket and its history.

At Mission Control, we saw the actual control center that was used for the lunar landing in 1967. While there, the ground controller (GC), Bill Foster came into the room, explained what he does and took some questions. One vistor asked what the difference is between an astronaut and a cosmonaut. Bill explained that there is no difference other than nationality. Both recieve similar training and perform the same jobs. It was very interesting.

We also stopped at the astronaut training center where there is a full sized mock-up of the International Space Station (ISS). There were no atronauts training there that day, but it was interesting to see.

Most of our time was spent at the Official Vistors’ Center which has many movies, including an IMAX presentation, as well as various displays and interactive displays, all designed to educate about the space program in a highly entertaining way. It was a truly fascinating day and we stayed until about 5 o’clock in the afternoon. Since there is too much to even attempt to describe here, I will rely on the old adage about one picture being worth a thousand words, and let the photos do the talking.

During our pause for lunch, a tremendous thunder and lightning storm broke out. The rain came down in torrents. thank goodness we were inside. The thunder was louder than any we had ever heard before. It even caused a power disruption for a few minutes in the Zero G Diner where we were eating.

If you turn east on the NASA Rd. on leaving the Johnson Space Center and drive toward Galveston Bay, you will come across Kemah Boardwalk. Here is a large amusement park with many rides including a wooden roller coaster, a large marina and a boardwalk where you will find the Kemah Boardwalk Hotel along with many interesting tourist shops, galleries and restaurants. It was quite cool when we arrived in the late afternoon so there weren’t many other people walking about. We were told that on weekends, especially when it is warmer, the place is packed. We found a restaurant called Aquarium where we stopped for supper. It was a beautiful place where as the name implies, there are huge aquariums with hundreds if not thousands of exotic salt water fish on display. Diane & I enjoyed a beautiful seafood dinner and I took some photos of the live fish. I can heartily recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting the area, not cheap, but well worth the price.





Later, we explored some to the shops along the boardwalk, including an interesting gallery of work by one of our favourite artists, Thomas Kinkade. There were many beautiful works on display and for sale, including paintings of Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. It was a perfect ending to an enjoyable day.

It took about an hour to drive back to our hotel, including getting a little bit lost, but we eventually made it and enjoyed a relaxing drink before bed. Tomorrow we fly back home to Surrey.

Day 10, Mon, Feb. 11, Houston

We woke up at out 0930 to a cloudy, mild day. We had a nice relaxing breakfast. Today was a very relaxed day; it is a vacation after all. We went for a walk to see the sights and made arrangements to rent a car tomorrow to go to see NASA. That will be our big day for this part of our adventure. There isn’t much to see around the hotel which located on a busy freeway. It is an area built for driving and not for walking.

Today was just a day to relax, download and check our photos and work on this blog. It was also nice to just watch a little TV. For supper, we went to Subway and came back to our room to see one of our favourite shows, “Prison Break”.

Tomorrow will be our big day before returning home to Surrey.

Day 8, Sat. 9 Feb., At Sea

Our final day on the ship has arrived all too soon. After breakfast at the Windjammer Café, we decided to take advantage of our last chance to hot tub and enjoy the sun. It was a beautiful warm day and both of us managed to get a little burnt from the sun.

Diane still had little appetite for food, so I went alone for a light lunch, just a hot dog and some salad, actually. Then after another soak in the hot tub, we returned to the cabin to get all packed up for tomorrow. During this time, I went to see Holley, our shopping advisor, to pick up Diane’s pearl bracelet. It does look lovely.

Once we were pretty well packed up, it was time to dress for dinner at La Bohème. This was our last chance to see our new friends, Bob & Joyce and Pat & Jack and Erlie, our waiter. We will miss them all. Finally, we passed out the envelopes with the gratuities to our waiter, attendant waiter and head waiter.

We enjoyed our final show at La Scala, Los Pampas Gauchos. They gave us a great show with black light luminescence and some bolos artistry. It was a good performance.

After the show we played some slots for a while before retiring to our cabin for the night. Wouldn’t it have been nice to hit a jackpot on our last night.

Day 7 Fri, Feb 8 Cozumel, Mexico

Last night was a bad night for Diane and I, as it was Diane’s turn to be sick. She was up several times during the night, even after there was nothing left to expel. Needless to say, we were both tired in the morning. As much as Diane loves to shop and was looking forward to hitting all the big stores in Cozumel, she decided to spend the day on board and I became the power shopper for the day.

I got away just before noon and the first thing I saw was two of the biggest ships in the RCCL fleet sitting proudly side by side on either side of the jetty. What a sight! Freedom of the Seas to starboard and Voyager of the Seas to port.

I carried on to the International zone where all the big duty free stores are located to carry out my duties of family power shopper. The two main tasks were to buy my new Movado watch which I had been salivating over for years, and to pick up Diane’s free tote bag from Del Sol. My secondary duties were to visit all the stores which had free offers for visitors from the several ships that were in port that day.

Buying my new watch was a great adventure, being torn between the Movado that I knew I really wanted but was two or three times over my budget and the model which I eventually bought. I am not complaining; it was like choosing between a Cadillac and a Rolls-Royce. You know you really want the Rolls, but it is a way out of reach. Anyway, my new watch looks just great on my wrist.

Next I went to Del Sol for Diane’s tote bag. That was much easier, no choices to make. The only problem was getting there because every store has a guy at the door and if you accidentally make eye contact with him, you are going into the store to see what he wants to sell you, and the price starts in the high three or four figures. Fortunately, the street only has stores on one side; the other side is the beach. So, for the rest of my shopping, I walked on the beach side. That way, I had a good view of the stores without getting hassled, crossing the street only when I was opposite the store I wanted to visit.

By about 1530, I was back on board with my treasures and Diane was not in the cabin. Eventually, I found her lounging by the Solarium pool, feeling much better, but for a persistent headache. She had had a good rest while I was gone. Good news, indeed. I showed her my treasures, and she approved. Then we had a soak in the hot tub and a light supper.

The evening show at La Scala was a stand-up comic, Tom McTigue. He was pretty good, although we have heard better. I think a better show is on later where the ship’s master, Capt. Gerry will be playing and singing country music. However, with Diane being still under the weather, we are passing on it and going to bed, hopefully for a more restful night than last.

Day 6 Thurs., Feb 7 Grand Cayman

This morning we were up by 0730 to have breakfast before tendering to Georgetown, the largest town in The Cayman Islands. It was a beautiful day, warm with scattered clouds and about 82º F.

It was an impressive scene to behold as we headed to the pier from the ship. There were six huge ships lined up; Carnival Conquest, P&O Oceana, Voyager of the Seas, Celebrity Century, Freedom of the Seas, and Carnival Victory. Once ashore, we headed for the gathering spot for our Island Sightseeing Tour and Turtle farm tour. With so many ships in port, the transportation for tours was overloaded and it took a while for our tour to get underway.

We had signed up for a bus tour and a visit to a turtle farm. The turtle farm very interesting. There were several large cement above ground pools where the turtles are raised. There are about 5 different types of turtles raised there for meat and breeding stock. Some of them are very large, weighing over 200 pounds. We got caught a sudden squall while there that lasted maybe 30 minutes then ended as quickly as it started.

pounds. We got caught a sudden squall while there that lasted maybe 30 minutes then ended as quickly as it started.

Also, this was the day we actually got to go to Hell. Yes, it does exist on Earth and it is in Grand Cayman. Eons ago before the island existed, a bacteria grew on the limestone on what would one day become Grand Cayman. When the Island eventually was born, the limestone formations blackened and hardened into what you see today. Somebody said, "This looks like Hell", or something to that effect and the name stuck. It reminded me of the lava fields at Hilo, Hawaii.

There is a post office there and you can buy postcards. If you mail them from there, they will bear the post mark form Hell. Also, the shop owner is dressed like the devil, and may welcome you with, "Where in Hell are you from?"

Another interesting stop was the Tortuga rum outlet. We bought some rum cakes there and sampled several kinds of Tortuga rum; very nice.

Our guide explained about how much of the shore area had been destroyed during Hurricane Ivan 2 years ago. Most of the buildings along the shore had been destroyed by Ivan and have been rebuilt since.

We were back on board in time to a dress for supper, formal night, and attend an Elvis show at La Scala. The performer was Travis Ladoyt and he was excellent, both as an Elvis impersonator and a performer, obviously enjoying doing what he does. Everyone really enjoyed the show and Travis got a big standing ovation and we got an encore.
After the show we went out on deck for some air and and to look at the stars. They are brilliant in the clear dark sky. We could also see 4 ships on the horizon, so Cozumel should be busy tomorrow.

All of a sudden, Diane had to run for the bathroom and then was ill a couple of times outside, then again in the cabin. Looks like she has what I had the day before yesterday. Neither of us had much sleep as she was sick most of the night.

Day 5, Wed, Feb 6 Montego Bay, Jamaica

Up at 0800 hours this morning. I still felt like my stomach was not quite stable yet and very tired because I didn’t sleep. We decided to go on the tour to Mid Land Falls anyway, but I didn’t have any breakfast. I didn’t want anything in my stomach at all

. When we went ashore, Wow! Was it ever hot; it felt well over 90º. There was no breeze and no clouds and the sun was just blazing down. While we were waiting for our trip to be organized, my stomach finally decided it was time, so I quickly found a far corner, just in time. After that I felt quite a bit better.

Eventually we found Nicole, our tour guide and were boarded onto our bus for the hour and a half ride to the falls. It was quite an adventure as we had to leave the main highway and wound up on very narrow and winding country roads through the jungle. We learned that the horn is essential to driving in Jamaica. Every time we approached a blind curve the driver leaned on the horn to announce to anybody approaching from the other direction to, “Look out, here we come!” When we got off the bus, we had a long steep descent of steps and dirt path to a small collection of ramshackle buildings; souvenir shop, changing rooms & etc. We were issued with special shoes for our adventure and took the short path to the river.

The river turned out to be more of a rapid than a real water fall, but it was fun and challenging to walk the half mile or so upstream as it was. We were assisted by a crew of young local boys who scrambled up the stream in bare feet. It didn’t seem like any challenge at all for them. In fact, several of them carried digital cameras which they easily kept dry and took photos of us struggling to navigate the swiftly flowing water. One of the problems was the turbidity of the water, such that the bottom was invisible. At one point, I banged my shin on a hidden rock. A short time later, I hit exactly the same spot again. That time, it really hurt. After leaving the river we had to take a forest path back to the cluster of little buildings to change back into dry clothes and give up our river shoes for our own. The photos the boys had taken were available for sale there as well, not as individually printed photos but as CDs for more than $20. US.

My next problem was to get back up the hill to the parking lot, especially since I forgot to take my nitro lingual for my angina. Diane and the bus driver were with me but part way up the hill we saw an old car coming down. Our bus driver stopped the car and asked its driver to drive me up the hill, which he did. It was a pretty beat up old car with missing hardware and lots of rattles. When it delivered me safely to the top, I paid the driver $5. It was worth it.

When we got back to the ship, I was ready for a nap because I was still somewhat under the weather from my stomach upset and Diane went to supper. Of course, everybody wanted to know where I was, so Diane had to make the explanations.

Tonight’s show at La Scala was the big production by the ship’s singers and dancers, and then, to bed.

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Day 4, Tuesday Feb 5, At Sea

Today we were up in time for a nice breakfast in the Windjammer. Actually, we had slept in a little once again as the alarm didn’t go off. Since we did not have anything planned, it didn’t matter, so we were able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before going poolside to darken our tans a little until lunch. Oh my, but life is good. After lunch we came back to the pool where Diane soaked in the hot tub while I worked on this journal that you are now reading. Then it was supper at the La Bohème dining room. As always, it was great.

The show at La Scala tonight was a magic show by Laraf. Fantastic illusions combined with outstanding showmanship.

After the show we went for a walk on the outside deck. A little difficult for me because although I hadn’t eaten a huge amount, I felt grossly overstuffed. When we went to bed, I started to feel more and more uncomfortable until finally, I was violently ill. That made me feel somewhat better, but not completely so. Needless to say, it was a restless night..

Day 3, Monday, Feb 4, At Sea

We had decided to attend the shopping seminar early this morning, but slept in. One thing about having an inside cabin is that there are no windows. One has no idea of the time unless you have a clock to look at. There is no dark or light to see so 6 AM or 9 AM look the same, dark.

Any way, we did make it to the seminar, but without breakfast. Actually, that is not a problem on the ship. Miss a meal and you can make up for it later, any time at all. There is always good food to be found someplace on board. As I said, we did get there and learned all the best places to buy diamonds and other precious stones or fine watches ashore. Diane also won a strand of pearls. Somebody else claimed them, but we are sure that Diane will eventually get them. (9 Feb.: she did)

The rest of the day was spent luxuriating around the pool and getting a sunburn. The weather here en-route to Jamaica is around 25º C and sunny. We love it.

Tonight was the Meet the Captain night, meaning we had to dress up for dinner. I found it warm with my suit on but Diane was beautiful in her dress, and it was nice to wear a suit since I do it so seldom. As it turned out, we didn’t actually meet the captain directly, but he appeared on stage and gave a little talk and introduced all the senior ship’s officers.

Then it was time for the big Broadway type show at La Scala Theatre. The ship’s singers and dancers presented a high energy show of tunes from Ellington, Webber, Sondheim & others. It was excellently done, but for my liking, a little too loud.

By that time, both of us were pretty well done in so retired to our cabin for the night.

Day 1 – Sat. 2 Feb Surrey

We woke up at 8 AM to a fresh snowfall outside. We had already taken our cat, Baby, aka- George, to her vacation at Cat Utopia. It is a unique cat hotel where each cat has its own room with a window with a comfortable sill, scratching post and heated floor. Very nice.

We finished packing and were ready for our cab at 10:30 hours. The trip to the airport was good with only light traffic. At 1400 hours we were on our way to Dallas-Fort Worth on an American Airlines A330. After a 3 hour flight, we were at Dallas-Ft. Worth
in sunshine and 19º C. From there, we caught an American Eagle EMB for Houston Hobby airport.

It was there that things started going wrong. First of all, the airline had lost one piece of our luggage. Once we had the attempt to recover it under way we called for ground transport to our Hotel which is located near Houston’s Bush International Airport. It is about 45 miles from Hobby A/P and the hotel does not do pickups from our location, so we had to hire our own van for $50. When we arrived at our hotel, the Doubletree Hilton, they didn’t have the reservation for our 3 day stay after the cruise, which we had already paid for. The hotel agent advised us to see the Royal Caribbean representative in the morning. So, thoroughly discouraged, we went to bed for a restless night.

Day 2 – Sun, Feb 3 Texas

After a very restless night, we were up and showered and ready to meet the RCCL representative at 9 AM. His name was John and he listened patiently as Diane poured out our story. He assured us he would do everything in his power to set things right. Very soon he had our hotel reservation fixed up, so we would have a place to stay after the cruise was finished. Diane also called American Airlines again, but there was still no word about our missing suitcase. John arranged for us to see RCCL’s port manager at the port of Galveston when we arrived there to board.

After the long ride to the pier, we cleared security and asked for our contact, Mark. He was already aware of our situation and needed to confirm a couple of details with us. He seemed to have a great many things on the go at the time, but with a few phone calls, he had our hotel stay changed to Galveston and transportation arranged to the airport after our stay. He was amazing.

By about 1300, we were finally aboard the Voyager of the Seas. We couldn’t go to our cabin yet so we explored a little and went to the Windjammer Buffet for lunch. Then we found our cabin and relaxed a bit.

There is a shopping area called the Royal Promenade. We went there for a raffle. We didn’t win anything, but enjoyed seeing the interesting shops in that area. One in particular appealed to me, the Pig & Whistle Pub which specializes in British brews.

When we returned to our cabin, there was our lost suitcase sitting in front of our door. Wasn’t that a wonderful surprise. Now we can truly enjoy our cruise.

By this time, it was time for supper at the La Bohême dining room where we enjoyed a wonderful meal and met our table-mates, two nice couples from Texas.

Then we enjoyed a show at the Scala theatre before returning to our cab in to retire for the night.