Day 486 - Barbados & My Baby!

We’re here! We made it! It was nothing short of a mission, but we did it! I was quite nervous that my bags wouldn’t arrive. They did! It took what seemed like an eternity to come off the conveyor belt, but they did! My next fiasco was customs.

I had seeds & plenty of them. Barbados is very strict. Thankfully, Jaco contacted the Port Agent, who contacted the Department of Agriculture who graciously gave me permission to take my seeds onto the ship. The format, however, had me nervous. Basically I was told to say that Mr. So & So said I could. That was it. Thankfully they knew who Mr. So & So was & let me carry on!

Once outside, we found a cab & M&D2 had the ride of their lives. I think they both aged 10 years. They hadn’t traveled on the other side of the road before & we were on some pretty narrow roads. I wasn’t fussed, but they were! I think the driver & I had our entertainment for the day!

The sun was setting as we arrived at the terminal. We waited for someone to come & help us with our luggage & slowly made our way to the next checkpoint. We declared our pieces of luggage & left the terminal building. We snapped the first of many photos on the pier as they viewed their ‘home away from home’ for the next 2 weeks. They were giddy with anticipation & excitement.

We took our carry-on bags into the next building where we collected our cruise cards & had our souvenir Embarkation photo. Soon, we were onboard. I went to find Jaco & find out what was happening with M&D2’s cabin.

And there he was. Oh-so-handsome. Even more than I’d remembered! It was so wonderful to see him! To hear his voice! To touch his face! And of course, kisses! I’ve missed him so much!

He was busy with a patient, so he gave me my key & the key to their cabin. I showed them around the ship, quickly, and by the time we returned to the cabin, Jaco was finished. He informed us that there was a passenger cabin available for M&D2. We went up & found it & they decided to stay there. It was an inside cabin, but this way they would have the true passenger experience. They were delighted to have privacy & their own space.

With all the luggage in our rooms, we said goodnight & agreed to meet tomorrow for our first day out!

Happy to be exactly where I am…

xxxxMaria

Trying to enjoy the plane ride!

We're here! And it's hot! Yippee!

Welcome to your new home for the next 2 weeks!

A fellow friend in hairstyle!

Back where I belong (& no, I'm not referring to Princess' former slogan!)

Day 126 - Northern Bound

Yes, I slept another good stretch. 2030 - 0900! Guess I was hard done by for sleep! In any case, I woke up without that dreadful headache, so I was happy about that!


Trisha & I had a wonderful visit for the remainder of the morning. The boys played with Valentina & kept all of us entertained! We got ready & left for the city. We were all stopping by Granny's & then Trisha had appointments & I was off to North Battleford. 


Granny was excited to see the boys & Trisha, too. She visited with Trisha for a little while & then it was time for them to go. Valentina kept running out the door to see the neighbours, so I was rather distracted chasing after her! 


I said farewell to Trisha & co. & promised to give her more notice next time I was coming. :o) I like surprises! Sorry! Granny & I visited for a little while longer. Today she asked me more questions than the previous day. Sadly Granny's hearing & eyesight isn't too well anymore. She can't hear much of what I say & I hate to raise my voice too much, as I feel like I'm hollering. (Believe me, my Mother let's me know when I'm quiet vs. when I holler & apparently there isn't much difference) Anyhow, we made the most of our situation & I hugged & kissed her goodbye. I wish I could visit her every day! And I really wish I could fix her hearing & sight! I can't imagine how frustrating that must be! I have tried & tried to convince her to move closer, but she likes Saskatoon & wouldn't have it any other way.


I stopped at Costco & fueled up ol' Contemplate for the next leg of the journey. I wish our Costco had fuel! Must be something to do with that camo flower wrap... With only 1.5 hours between me & my destination, I was on my way! 


I love how Saskatchewan has little one horse towns dotted every 15-25 kms along the way. I can just imagine back in the day when the railroad pulled through these tiny hamlets & there was just one general store. Everyone had an account at the store & things barely cost a dime! 


I called Kristina for directions as I pulled into Battleford. She is teaching this semester in her old home town. I haven't been to her house since she graduated from high school back in 1998. I guess she hadn't been home for a while too, as her directions omitted a new traffic light! :o) All good, I love a challenge! She put me back on track & I found her place no problem. I remember her house being 'the end of the line' on the block. It's not like that anymore! The entire area is developed with no open spaces! The times they are a changin'! 


Kristina & I have been friends since Kindergarten. Her family moved, as did mine, but they had a summer cottage close to where my family ended up, so it was easy to keep in touch! She was also a bridesmaid at Wedding #3. She had just returned from a cruise out of San Diego, so I was excited to hear all about it!


Her parents are absolutely wonderful. I get the idea that their world currently revolves around their 1 year old grandson, Luke. Kristina was telling me that 'Luke' asked Grandma & Grandpa for a hot tub at the cabin, because whatever Luke wants, Luke gets. Wink, wink... Kristina's Dad, Guy, made us a delicious shrimp, scallop & veggie stir fry for supper. BTW, Guy isn't pronounced guh-eye, as in man, but Gee, no, not jee, guh-ee. Kristina's family is French. 


When I was trying to tell Granny where I was headed next, she had quite the troubles understanding me. She asked who I knew in Battleford & when I said Kristina (whom Granny knows), Granny asked, 'Who?'
'Kristina'
'Who?'
'Irina? They must be German or Italian?'
'No, they're Canadian.' (I thought of saying, 'No, they're French', but that would have only added to the confusion.)
'Oh. How did you meet her?'
'We've known each other since Kindergarten.' (I hoped that would trigger a memory)
'And you've kept in touch all these years? That's wonderful.'
'Yes, she's a great friend.'


Kristina's Mom, Doris, arrived just in time for supper & we enjoyed a wonderful evening of catching up & of course, some more olympics! We watched the mens aerials & some of the women's figure skating. I'm still trying to figure out how they judge them. Everything happens so fast! Of course, we watched Joannie Rochette skate & yeah, I got all lumpy in the throat (adding to the neck!) :o) And then there was the 30 year old aerialist from Calgary. They announced that & I'm thinking to myself, 'Gosh, I'm 30. What happened? Where did I go wrong & miss my Olympic career? Hmpf.'


Kristina & I caught up on her trip & she shared with me what it is like on the 'Other Side'. Her cruise was with Carnival & the majority of my sailing experience has been with Princess. It was interesting to hear how they ran the show. Of course she had a great time! She was attending the onboard wedding of one of her longtime friends. And San Diego is a hard city not to enjoy!


We hit the hay relatively early. Kristina had a busy weekend planned & I had a full day's drive ahead of me. Thanks for a wonderful visit, er, merci beaucoup et a bientot! :o) 


Bonne soir!
Maria & Valentina
xxxxx

Kristina & her beautiful smile! And check out that tan!!! :o)