Day 507 - At Sea

Today was another sea day. It was also a formal night. I went up for a bit of tanning - only one hour. I rotate every 15 minutes. I'm not a sun worshipper, but getting a tan is becoming a challenge and I'm up for it! Bring on the vitamin D! 

I cleaned up the cabin, made some almond milk to take my protein shakes with and went up to see Larisa while she was shooting. I visited with her a little about diving, travel & her upcoming holidays. I chatted to her colleague Craig, about lenses, as I was thinking of getting a new lens in St. Maarten. I'm pretty bad at decision making these days, so I wanted some input. 

Of course, my day isn't complete unless I visit Jaco at work in the afternoon. And then I leave & wait until he is finished for the night. We then chill out in the cabin & watch a little TV & visit about the day's events. 

Tomorrow is another dive - a wreck dive! Stay tuned!

xxxxMaria

 land ahoy!

Hard at work!

Day 495 - Sea Day

Another night to get all dolled up…

I had a bit of a sleep-in. Jaco was paged at 0800 this morning & he was already up, but in the shower, so I got up to fetch him. By the time he answered the phone, the caller had hung up! And so his day went that way! Poor guy! I think I saw him for a total of 2 hours today!

I managed to get 2 loads of laundry done. Of course, I managed to acquire oil spatters all over one of Jaco’s t-shirts & my pants from one machine & the other machine just didn’t work. I went back 40 minutes later to put the 2 loads in the dryer & the dark load was still stuck on filling the tub. It ran water for 40 minutes. Needless to say, I didn’t finish laundry in time for dinner!

I rearranged the cupboards & drawers, as the cupboards are getting warm during the day & I don’t want my ingredients to sit heated all day long. I juiced some wheatgrass, watered the sprouts that are slowly growing & then got ready for dinner. I was about to walk out the door, when I had that feeling that something was missing… HAIR! Oh yes, I had forgotten to put on my wig. Minor detail!

Jaco was still busy in the clinic, so he couldn’t join us. Hopefully for the 3^rd & final formal night he will be able to. Tonight was lobster night, so M&D2 enjoyed lobster & beef wellington. It took a little convincing, but I managed to convince D2 to have some chocolate mousse… M2 & I tried the cheesecake with fresh strawberries.  And some mandarin sorbet.

I checked my messages tonight & had a lovely email with photos from Shanel. Her & Jordan have been looking after the dogs for us these past 2 weeks & she sent a message to say that everyone is doing well… A few potty problems, but for the most part, all is well! I was so thrilled to see photos of the girls. I sure do miss them!

Tomorrow is our tour to the Baths at Virgin Gorda. I’m very excited to see them. Stay tuned!

xxxxMaria

 Ignore the copyright on the following three photos - I didn't take them & they aren't mine to copyright. It's just a Picasa whoopsie.

 I did take this one though!

Out on deck.

Gotta love the reflection shades!

Just another day in Paradise! Note the Del Sol keychain from Collet!

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!