Day 464 - South Beach

This morning we went to the beach! I didn’t have a lot of time before I had to catch the train, so we went to South Beach & my roomie showed me around some of the fancy Art-Deco hotels. She is studying Interior Design & Fashion Design, so this was right up her alley!

She knew which designers had decorated which hotel, where the parties & get-togethers happened on what days of the week, and of course, the history of the hotels in the area. After the beach & the hotels, we walked down the main pedestrian street. There was a Sunday market in full swing, so we checked out the orchids, cocoa butter, pastries… of course, we didn’t eat any! I took a salad with me for yesterday & tonight I’d be back at the Institute for dinner.

We zipped back to the house, picked up the suitcase & made our way to the train station with a few minutes to spare. I was sad to say goodbye to my roomie. We got along so well last week & had a lot of fun times together. I was worried about who my roommate would be this coming week.

I told her I’d see her in the coming months, as I was certain one of Jaco’s ships would be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale at some point in the game!

The train ride went well. The bus, not so much. I had the address written down & I knew it was a left hand turn after the freeway. I thought it was I-95. Apparently it was the Turnpike. Minor detail! I had half the bus trying to figure out where I was going. One lady was convinced I was headed to a rehab place for alcoholics & drug addicts. I assured her it was not. Finally one gal got on the bus & she knew where Hippocrates was. The bus driver dropped me off in the middle of nowhere & I walked about a mile back to the Institute. The last leg seemed forever away. I was beginning to wonder if I’d taken the wrong road! Suddenly this white Avalanche pulled up beside me, the window rolled down & I cringed as I didn’t know what was about to come…

It was John! My friend from the Institute! He cleans the main hall every night & although it usually closes at 2100, he lets me stay later & use the internet to talk to Jaco. He’s a real sweetheart & tonight his timing was impeccable! He was on his way to work. He gave me a ride home & I was safe & sound by 1730 – just in time for dinner!

I was plenty hungry! Sprouts have never looked so good! Needless to say I had a heaping plate! Yum!

What a whirlwind of a weekend… I won’t forget it anytime soon… That’s for certain!

xxxxMaria

High rise on the beach

South Beach

Pretty water, pretty beach

Ooh la la

Yours truly on the beach

More high rises & hotels

Fancy decor

Funky chairs

Help me out - who is the designer?

Loved the curtains blowing in the breeze

White washed

More creative designs

Crazy designs

Wheel barrow/wheelchair

Pool party anyone?

The 'it' place one day of the week!

Another funky hotel - same designer

I want a bed outside! Thanks!

Hotel

Sunday market

Orchids!

Beautiful!

I've been here! In 2003 with Jenn & the men of the past!

My bus stop. A lot of miscommunication!

Day 220 - And There He Is!!!

Why do mornings always come so soon? I never get enough sleep! Unless I go to bed at 9 or something! I was nice & toasty under the covers, so I wasn't excited to get out! However, Karen & Werner have in-floor heating in the bathroom downstairs, so my tootsies were toastie if nothing else!!! I regret not taking a photo of their bathroom! It looks so awesome! Next time!!! 


The shower even has a corner cupboard to keep shampoos, soaps, etc. What a clever idea! The soap doesn't get soggy that way! And they have a smart flush toilet. I remember I saw my first water saving toilet in Australia. Another ingenious idea. Why doesn't Canada have these toilets EVERYWHERE!


Anyhow, finally out of the loo & ready for the day, I packed up the rest of my stuff, including my hard drive that Werner so wonderfully loaded with movies & shows! Yay! (More Big Bang Theory!)


We hit the road & headed for downtown Victoria. We were stopping at the grocery store for a few items I wanted for the ship & then to Booster Juice for a smoothie. Thank you for the Canadian Colada, btw! Stinkers!


We headed for the ship, but our route was slightly altered. Apparently there was a bike race in town today. No biggie. My heart started to race a little when I couldn't see the ship. I had fleeting moments of panic. Did I get the day wrong? Was he here yesterday? I hadn't checked my emails! What if I missed him!? And then, there it was! I could breathe a sigh of relief! It was the right day & my baby was just a few moments away! Yippee!


Werner parked in his usual spot - they've visited the pier many times before! Either to visit his brother, Nico, or Nico's girlfriend, Talia, or dropping me off to see Jaco... We all hugged goodbye & I told them I'd see them in a few days when the ship was back. They watched from the pier until I'd made it onto the ship. (See photo below & try to find them!) :o) 


Of course, everyone was more concerned about Valentina & her whereabouts than they were me. The disappointment in their eyes when I told them she was at home for training!  Once onboard, I couldn't find Jaco! The paging system wasn't working & he didn't answer his door! He had told me a few days before that he might try & go ashore, but the A-Pass system said he was still onboard. 


Finally he answered his phone. He'd been in the shower! Oh, it was so good to see him again! I swear he gets more & more handsome each time I see him! We had a wonderful visit for the afternoon & then it was clinic time for him. He was VERY busy this cruise & there was no end in sight! I ventured upstairs to find Eddie. 


Oh he has quite the dramas... Apparently US Customs & Border Patrol decided to pick on him when the ship was in San Francisco last. There were a few Argentinian crew members on a completely different cruise line that jumped ship in San Francisco a week or so ago. CBP decided to make ALL Argentinian crew stay onboard for an unknown period of time. Because if all my friends jumped off the bridge, I would too. Oh the lack of common sense drives me batty! To make matters worse, Canadian CBP held him onboard today in Victoria. Why? Because the US CBP told them to! Ridiculous! Hopefully he'll get his I-95 back soon. It sucks to be stuck onboard & he has some good friends in Alaska that he enjoys meeting up with.


I also ventured down to the shops & to my surprise, Maria, a shoppie from Portugal was there! She had joined the day I left in Florida & I knew her from the Dawn Princess a couple years back. We had a great visit & she's been to some amazing places since I saw her last! She was telling me about CAT sized RATS in China. I still shudder at the thought of it! Yuck!


Of course, I saw Daniela. She was so sad when I told her I didn't bring Valentina. Valentina loved her so much. Every time I would go back to the cabin with Valentina, she's smell like J'Adore, Daniela's perfume. And she LOVED Daniela's cuddles! Daniela was heading home to Macedonia in a few days time. She was VERY excited to be finishing up her contract. I know that feeling!!


Jaco was busy with work & I was happy when he finally finished up & we were able to spend a little time together. I told him I'd help him tomorrow with whatever I could... At least that way I could see him - hopefully! He's a hard workin' man these days!


Sleep well & see you at sea!
xxxxx
Maria & Jaco

Can you see Karen & Werner? Thanks for a great time guys!

My hubby, hard at work!

Eddie, 'grounded' at sea

Busy moments at the bar. Can you see the orange elbow on the right hand side? This horribly annoying little kid & his non-disciplining Mom came by for a coke & coffee. The kid couldn't whistle to get Eddie's attention, so instead he squealed. Loudly. High-pitched. One more whistled & he was going to walk the plank!!! :o)