Day 187 - Tortola, BVI

Today was Tortola, BVI – British Virgin Islands. I had never been here before & obviously neither had Valentina! Much to my surprise, Valentina was allowed ashore! I had slept quite late & by the time Jaco was finished with clinic, we were ready to head out.

We were on a mission to find a shower water filter. We took a cab to the local plumbing shop & to my complete & utter glee, they had ONE left! Hooray! Oh please let this take away my eczema. Did I mention it’s all over my feet, legs, arms, neck, chest, back, belly, face… Horrid. Simply horrid. I even took drugs for it yesterday! It’s that bad!

After our plumbing stop, we headed downtown. Perhaps we missed the ‘downtown’ others were referring to, or perhaps there just wasn’t really a downtown. In any case, we didn’t see a whole lot, but we enjoyed ourselves. Valentina had a nice long walk & we took her to a little craft market, which was right by the water. I was going to walk her into the water to cool her off a little, when I realized the concrete pad we were standing on was COVERED in urchins! Gulp! Thank goodness I didn’t take her another 2 steps! She would have been one lame puppy!!! Poor thing! Close call!

We wandered along the side streets & checked out the artsy little shops off the beaten path. It reminded me a little of St. Thomas, which is part of the US Virgin Islands. We stopped in a wig shop & the wigs were cheap! $24! I wanted to try a few on, but we didn’t have much cash with us, so onwards & upwards…

We stopped for an Italian gelato – Pink Grapefruit! Yum! Then, it was time to head back to the ship. Jaco had clinic & Tweet Pea was pretty beat. She drank & then slept straight away! I wandered back out for a souvenir & then took her upstairs for my dinner & sailaway. It was really pretty as we sailed out of the harbour. I think Jaco can work in the BVI – that would be fun!

After dinner, I took Valentina to the shops to say hello to a few of the girls she met a few days back. They were completely enamoured with her. In fact, one of the girls was headed on her break & asked if she could take Valentina with her. Away we went to the crew bar. Everyone was excited to see her! She had her fill of cuddles & kisses! Although she was a little disappointed to find out they didn’t serve doggy biscuits at the bar! :o)

Tomorrow is St. Maarten & I’m not sure if Valentina will be allowed off or not. Fingers crossed we can enjoy another day at the beach!

Hugs & kisses,

Jaco, Maria & Valentina

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Papa susses out the sights

It's a happy tongue!

Local craft market

Cute & kitsch touristy stuff

Investigating the water

She loves her Papa - check out that smile!

Mama's turn!

The Happy Family

Cute lil' side streets with unique shops

Sunset & sailaway

Daniela & Valentina hit up the crew bar!

Day 183 - Sea Day

Well, I suppose I had my share of sun, sand & sea these past few days, as I slept quite late today! I do love a good sleep-in! Even more exciting was the fact that Valentina used the potty box! I got her started (expressing her bladder) & then she finished up the job! Sadly, she didn't go again & there was no #2 involved, but tomorrow's another day! She's pretty much on the ship all week, so she had better get used to it!

Her & Papa are bonding wonderfully. They cuddle & play all the time. It makes me laugh - Jaco & I will share a kiss or two & as soon as her little ears hear the smooching noise, she's right in there, licking our faces! Every time, without fail! :o)

Today, I also finished my last & final expense sheet for bankruptcy! I am official finished with my bankruptcy! YAY! Celebration!!! If all goes as planned, I shouldn't be hearing from the Insolvency company again! Let the rebuilding begin! I also found out I had a parking ticket… You remember the post right before I left for Mexico this last time? I was running around downtown Calgary trying to pay my speeding ticket? Well, those little turkeys tried to ding me with a ticket! I had Mom's truck & accidentally entered in one of the incorrect numbers on the license plate. I entered 'RXY 221' instead of 'RXY 721'. You'd think they would pick up on that, as it's only a one block section with only a few parking spots. Nope. They sent me a ticket. Luckily I had printed receipts both times I paid my parking. We scanned them tonight & sent them off to Mom. Hah! Take that Parking Authority!

I am also pleased to report that the eczema is pretty much gone from my forearms, bicep & belly. BUT. I am NOT pleased to report that I have a far more intense case of eczema breaking out on my feet, calves, wrists, chest, back & knees. Ugh. It is brutal! I'm quite sure it's the chlorinated water on the ship, but it's pretty hectic itching! I had a good sand scrub yesterday in Aruba, but I can tell it's going to need a whole lot more to get rid of it!!! The old stuff was patchy & scaly. The new stuff is bumpy & blistery - like pickle skin. How sexxy! 

I called the Oncologist back home today, but unfortunately he is away until Monday. I also called Mom. Still no Annie in the picture, but she did tell me about a nearby kennel. Why would you need a kennel when you don't have a dog? That's like having braille on a drive through ATM. No really, it seems to be a recurring joke in my life these days. And it's seriously true! How many blind people drive? I get they need money, but really? 

It's been a little 'queer' these past few days. As I sit in this beautiful big cabin, typing my long overdue blog posts, I glance over at the 'Officers Telephone List'. It reads - 'Staff Captain - Nick Boon' & 'Seco (Security Officer) - Jane Boon'. What's so queer about that? Well, Nick was my first 'ship boyfriend'. He's now married to Jane, a former ships Assistant Shop Manager/Former Bobby (Cop) now Security Officer. They are no longer on the ship anymore, but it just seems weird that they were here shortly before I arrived. I haven't spoken to Nick in 3+ years. I thought we were good friends, but one day he emailed me & asked me to never contact him again. Bizarre. I think his fiance/now wife had some control issues. Anyhow… Thank goodness that is part of the past!  

Tonight we watched sports. Yawn. Then we watched The Hangover. Or rather, I watched the Hangover while Jaco & Valentina slept. They are both so adorable when they sleep. Did I mention my husband is a dead ringer for Christian Bale? Only Jaco can save your life too! :o)

Okay, I better stop tooting my horn & get to bed… Love & hugs… Tomorrow is Montego Bay. Man, this cruise is like living that Beach Boys song - Kokomo… 

xxxxx

Maria, Valentina & Jaco (Yaah-ku)

Beach bums catching up on zzz's

Looooooong day at sea!

Papa keeping an eye on Tweet Pea