CRUISIN'


          After three years of marriage, we decided to take a honeymoon. Cruising sounded romantic and neither of us had been on a big ship before so naturally we booked two cruises, back-to-back, figuring if we didn't like the first, we'd try a second just to make sure we hated it.

          We flew from California to Orlando, spent the night there oohing and ahing over the lovely green growing things..so refreshing after dry southern California. The next day we boarded our Carnival ship and took off for adventure on the high seas.

          BAHAMAS



          Our first port of call was Freeport, in the Bahamas. We had a full day to shop and roam around. The weather was fine, the beaches beautiful and the people cheerful and friendly. So far, this was working out just fine.


          The next stop was ever popular Nassau where they seem to take "don't worry, be happy" as their Golden Rule. These lovely people call each other "honey" and "darlin'" even when they argue. I tried to emulate that practice with my mate, but it didn't seem to go over very well.


          We visited one of the local tourist attractions where they had a sort of marine "petting zoo". Carl leaned over to touch one of the critters, forgetting the camera hanging around his neck...oops! That was the end of photography until we could find a place to buy a couple of those one-use cameras.

          Bidding a fond farewell to the Caribbean, we flew back to California, hopped in the car and drove to Long Beach where we spent the night on the Queen Mary. This one wishes she could live in such luxurious surroundings all the time! The next day we boarded our NCL ship for a short cruise to Ensenada, Mexico, with a stop at Catalina Island. My turn for an "oops"...I leaned over to look at something in the water and my sunglasses fell off...gone forever.


          In Ensenada, we took a ride in a horse-drawn carriage, sampled the local beer, and got chased away from taking pictures of an interesting sight by rifle-toting military types. We never did find out what it was that we weren't supposed to be photographing.

          We returned home, laden with souvenirs and memories, promising ourselves to do this again soon. Eight years later we fulfilled that promise, taking off for a cruise to the Panama Canal in July of 1998.

          On the Guided Tour, your next stop is Costa Rica

          If you are meandering, choose your destination:
          Home
          Who Are These People?
          Mexico
          Las Vegas
          Panama Canal Cruise
          Costa Rica

          In Costa Rica

          Resort Beach
          Rain Forest
          Arenal Volcano
          Tabacon Hot Springs
          Palo Verde National Park
          Nice People
          Banana Man!


          UK 2000
          Florida 2001
          Mayaribbean Cruise 2002