Day 515 - Grenada

You know, every time I come to Grenada, I find someone who is going to pray for me. No wonder I like this island! I went into a shop in the terminal & they remembered me from the last cruise. We got to chatting &, as usual, they remembered my hair. I explained why it was the way it was & they asked me if I’d taken saffron or turmeric. They said they would pray for me - one bloke & 3 women. It was so kind of them.

I stopped in one of the jewelry stores to window shop. I saw some men’s bands – Jaco has misplaced his (for a long time now) – and I thought I saw a price tag of $130. Not bad! Maybe the Caribbean is a good deal after all. I asked to have a closer look. Wrong. Try $1300! Yikes! Guess I’ll keep looking!

I picked up a few souvenir stickers – Dive Naked: Show Us Your Harpoon. It made me laugh! I then sat outside the shop & caught a free wireless signal. I managed to skype with Jenn for an hour. Thankfully she was online & after I sorted out my microphone, we were able to have a great visit. I’m so excited for her! She is going raw! Yay! It is inspiration for me to keep going! I won’t give in! I’m no angel, but I’m trying! I was so happy to see Harrison & Heidi on the webcam too. Heidi is growing so big! And Harrison is such a little gentleman! I loved the kisses being blown my way from both of the kids! Be still my heart!

I was again, one of the last people onboard & as I walked away from the terminal security personnel, one of our staff came running in asking for bandages, gauze, etc. A passenger from the Thomson ship we were docked with had fallen & cut his head. I jogged down the pier & went on the Thomson ship to ask them to send a medic & a wheelchair for the injured passenger.

When I walked out of the Thomson ship, three of the officers from the Sea Princess were standing there with puzzled looks on their faces. Which ship was I going to sail with?! Maybe you had to be there, but I thought it was cute.

I made Thai Noodles for dinner tonight. Jaco ate a whole big bowlful & actually enjoyed them! I was impressed! I’m happy when he eats a lot. I’m happier when he eats a lot of healthy food! That said, he was already complaining about his belly & that he wasn’t going to eat that much tomorrow night. He did the dishes for me after dinner. What a sweetheart.

He watched a bit of telly, while I went to the mess to get an Internet card. On my way back, I stopped by the photo lab to chat with Carla. We had a wonderful visit – in fact, I think I was there for a good hour! Her fiancé called her to come for a bite to eat & only then did I leave! Whoops!

I returned to the cabin to find Jaco sleeping peacefully. I did my best to keep quiet & at one point he woke up. I asked him a question, but when I saw his eyes continuously rolling into the back of his head, I knew it was fruitless to take any answer he might mumble to me.

Sweet dreams to you…

xxxxMaria

Day 501 - The Aquarium, Grenada

Since we had a late sail last night, we had a late arrival this morning. We docked around 1030 & shortly thereafter, Leana called & asked me if I wanted to go with her & Bronwyn to a beach. Of course!

We left just after 1100 & Leana directed the taxi driver to take us to the Aquarium. I hadn’t been further than Grand Anse Beach, so I was excited to see what laid beyond it! We weaved in & out of traffic, past the airport & finally turned down a VERY steep hill. It was so steep, in fact, that when the driver turned the van to park perpendicular to the hill, I thought surely the van was going to tip over. Of course we exited the van on the downhill side! Thankfully we lived to tell the story!

The Aquarium was BEAUTIFUL! It was a restaurant built at the foot of a rock cliff right on the beach. The waves were quite intimidating, but the water was inviting. We enjoyed some virgin piña colada’s & the scenery. It was a very impressive restaurant – many sections wrapped around the cliffs & trees, earthy décor, and of course, the view was unbeatable!

After our drinks were finished, we found a little tree to put our things under & went into the water. There were only about 6 other people on the entire beach. It was very quiet. Getting into the water was a challenge. I knew getting out would be an even bigger challenge.

We swam away from the shore for a short distance to escape the waves tossing us into the sand – there was quite a little swell for this prairie chick! These were definitely the biggest waves I’ve ever swam in. I’m not too brave when it comes to water, but I’m proud that I managed so well today!

We then swam parallel to the beach towards a darker patch of water where Leana knew there was more coral, thus more sealife. The sealife was actually really good! I haven’t had a whole lot of luck snorkeling from shore & finding plenty of fish, but today was a great exception! We even saw a few seahorses! My favourite! Leana & Bronwyn saw a funky fish that I missed, but I saw plenty of other fish. I don’t know the names of the fish yet, but I am trying to learn! I know I saw Blue Tangs, Sergeant Majors, Butterfly Fish, and those really pretty black ones with yellow tails & luminescent blue dots on their bodies.

We managed to gracefully exit the water & waves without drowning ourselves & Bronwyn caught a little sun while Leana & I bobbed up & down in the waves. We caught the same taxi back & worried about tipping the van down the steep hill – thankfully I didn’t eat anything at the restaurant, otherwise the chain of events could have been VERY different!

The girls did a little shopping in the terminal & then headed back for afternoon clinic. I returned to the ship & took my laptop off to do a little blogging. We were in port with a magnificent Windstar ship – one of the tall sailing ships. They are beautiful with 4 giant sailing masts. They sailed a little before our ship & when they blasted the ship’s whistle to signal their leaving port, I got a little nervous, so I packed up & headed back to the glorious Sea Princess.

The evening proved fairly uneventful. My right ear blocked today while we were snorkeling, so Jaco blew it out for me. It was rather disgusting, but the return of my hearing capabilities to that ear were worth it! In fact, it now feels like the left ear is blocked, as I can hear so clearly from the right ear! Jaco assures me that both ears are clean & clear.

The same ear blocked in 2003 – I was in Victoria with an old boyfriend. We were walking along the waterfront & he said, (or so I thought) ‘The trees sure are pretty’ – it was Autumn & the leaves were changing colour. I replied, ‘Yeah, they sure are.’ He looked at me like I was crazy & started to laugh. He asked if I’d heard him right & I repeated what I thought he’d said. He laughed harder & said, ‘No, I said, ‘Gee, I have to pee’’. Oops.

This should prevent any diving escapades, as well as any miscommunications… I hope.

xxxxMaria

Yours truly 

 Nice view!

 Bronwyn & Leana

 Funky place

Turtles!

Sunset as the tall ship sailed away

Day 192 - Grenada

Today was a short port day. We sailed at 1400, which meant all crew & passengers had to be onboard by 1330. By the time I got myself organized & then Valentina organized, it was nearly noon when we exited the ship.

Today was Sunday, so no wig shopping for me. :o( I thought I might get lucky & find something in the terminal, but no. I took Valentina for a walk over to the water taxi station & on our way there, a local girl & her Mom stopped to visit with Valentina. They were very impressed with her. They wanted to know if she had puppies & when I said no, they told me I needed to come back & make sure she had puppies on the ship next time so they could get one! Yeesh, they really liked her! They were selling spice necklaces, so I bought one from them. I bought some last time I was here & they are delicious! The have nutmeg, cloves, lemongrass, cocoa beans, and saffron(?) on them. Grenada is known as the Spice Island.

I found a shirt for Eddie. He had been mentioning a particular pirate shirt he was after – ‘The beatings will continue until morale improves’ but he wanted a white t-shirt & they are generally in black. One of the shops in the terminal had white ones, so that would be his thank you gift for taking Jaco & I out during our visit.

I also met a security guard who was a pleasure to visit with. She has 5 children & offered one to Jaco & I if we can’t have our own. :o) I told her our story & she is going to pray for my health to return quickly.

I must say, the people in the Caribbean are incredibly helpful. I have been here many times before, but I don’t recall everyone being this hospitable. It’s wonderful!

I went back to the ship & headed upstairs for a bite to eat. I ended up sitting with 2 wonderful couples from eastern USA, Pennsylvania, I think! We had a great chat & I hope I’ll bump into them again throughout the rest of the trip. They are going to have a great time!

Tonight was also formal night and Jaco had to do his ‘wave’ when the Captain introduced the Senior Officers onboard. The Captain approached me after the introductions were finished & said hello. I worked the Captain Stenzel previously & he is a wonderful man. He would officiate the weddings & I always thought he put a little extra TLC into the ceremony that many others didn’t. Anyhow, he saw Valentina’s bag & clearly didn’t realize I had a dog inside. He asked me if I’d just arrived & had I been dropped off, luggage & all? I didn’t want to tell him, no, there’s actually a dog inside, so I just laughed along with him. He & Jaco will be leaving on the same day.

Jaco & I decided to go for pizza after the ‘wave’ & then a few portraits with Valentina & Eddie. Oh dear, we had quite the crowd! I’m sure I’ll be hearing about it tomorrow! NOTE TO SELF: Wear dark glasses & big hat!

Just another day in paradise! Here’s to a wonderful sleep & a fine day in Bonaire tomorrow! Lekker slaap!

Maria, Jaco & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Look near the bottom of the shot - on the rocks...

Big building across the street from the terminal area

Jaco doing his 'wave'

Out for Pizza

Portraits

What a pair!

Happy girls!

Eddie joins the family!