Day 195 - At Sea With A N. Irish Twist!

Well, no more land for this Ship Chick. It's all sea until I disembark. Now comes the fun part of packing. You'd think after 7 years of traveling I would have it down to a science. Well, in a way, I suppose I do. Although my science is generally overweight! :o)


I slept late & decided to grab a quick bite to eat in the buffet before I headed outside to catch some Vitamin D. Unbeknownst to me, I would meet one of the funniest people ever. He was sitting at the bar talking with Eddie. His name is David & he is from Northern Ireland. It's a crackin' great accent & the only reason I was able to pick it up today was that I had spoken with Dr. Dowdall this morning. Dr. Dowdall is from Ireland, of which, David reassured me, is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. He quipped, 'Your Doctor's Protestant'. Okay. Means little to me, I know there is a lot of strife in N. Ireland, but otherwise, I only love the people I meet from there! 


David was the most sarcastic & quick-witted person I have ever encountered. When Eddie introduced me to David, I did the usual small talk. 'So are you enjoying your cruise?'
'Heavens NO! I can't wait for this one to end & the Americans to come onboard. Then I'll have some real fun.'
'Oh.'
He proceeded to tell me of a fellow passenger who, while in the lift with his wife & David, commented on the wrinkles in David's shirt. 'Don't you press the wrinkles out of your shirts?'
David's response: 'Don't you press the wrinkles out of your wife's face before you go out?'
The couple promptly got out of the lift at the next floor.


It's amazing what you can get away with when you have an accent! I tell ya! Sarcasm aside, David was a wonderful man to visit with. He had heart surgery not so long ago, had lost his Mum & worked as a fantastic Hairstylist. He claimed that N. Ireland had a huge amount of cancer patients. He offered me wonderful advice on my hair. It falls out around day 18. When it comes back, just shave it again - a few times. Otherwise it's coarse & wiry. And forget the bloody bandana! Everybody knows you're bald, be proud!


Eventually an hour had passed & I was still sitting at the bar visiting. My sunshine hours were quickly fading, so I said farewell to the boys & headed outside. On my way out, I bumped into Michael & David, the husbands of the 2 couples I'd met the other day in Grenada. The wives were shopping & the gentlemen were just chillin' out in the shade. I chitchatted with them a little & then found my spot in the sun. Ooooh, but I do love the feeling of being warm! It just feels so good! I soaked up the sun for an hour or so - don't worry, it was after 1600 when I went out, so the sun wasn't too strong. :o)


Jaco & I were going to go for dinner tonight, as it was the last formal & tomorrow night I was sure to be packing. However, as always, Jaco seems to get crazy busy every time I have to leave. I hardly saw him today! Thankfully we had a few hours in the evening to share. 


So much for packing today! Where does the time go?!? I guess it will have to be tomorrow! Wish me luck! xxxxx


Maria, Jaco & Valentina

David from Northern Ireland

Michael & David

Last little bit of Vitamin D before the frostbite hits me!

Enjoying our toys!

Only one last salty sunset left after tonight!

Jaco was holding her toy from beneath the blanket & it drove her crazy that she couldn't get it!

Dig! Dig! Dig!