Day 530 - Atlanta, Georgia

Arriving at our hotel at 0200, I wasn't sure I was going to see the day come to pass. When we arrived in Atlanta, we had so much luggage & the trolleys weren't free. I'm not about to pay $4 per trolley when they aren't even big enough to carry our luggage. So, after much manoeuvring I had things rigged up & we could delicately balance our load through the Atlanta airport to try & find a shuttle to our hotel. 


Just our luck the shuttle stopped running at 0130. It was, at that time, 0140. So, we found a cab. There was a long line of taxis & naturally, they send us to the guy in front. He had his seat reclined & couldn't get up to let us in the cab. When he did get out, he wasn't impressed at our luggage & didn't make a move to put it into the back of the van. After Jaco started to pack it in a way the driver didn't like, he then attempted to help us. Only he had the worst gas in the world. Seriously. This guy must have eaten pickled eggs & garlic for the past three months. It was awful! We then climb into his smelly, smoky cab & he proceeds to crank the heat on max. I finally said something when I felt like I was going to pass out from the heat & the smell. 


According to the hotel, we were about 8-10 minutes away from the airport. 30 minutes later, we arrived. The cab driver couldn't find out hotel. He tried to tell us the hotels in the area always change their names & that's why he couldn't find it. He was honking at buses & reception areas trying to find someone who could tell him where to go. He nearly ended up on the freeway & had to do an illegal u-turn to put us back on the road. Best of all - he turned on his GPS & punched in the address. The GPS said, '0.1 mile to destination. Turn left.' Yeah. Welcome to Atlanta!


Needless to say, we went to bed right away. We were beat! We didn't get up & get going until nearly noon. We were going to go on a tour of the city, but instead, wound up riding the local train to the downtown area & checking out the Underground area. It was a nice downtown area - busy with people & pleasant. It would have been worthwhile to explore the area a bit more - especially the Olympics area, but alas, we had to return to leave for our flight. A train & shuttle back, we were frantically trying to pack up the rest of the stuff. Or at least I was. Jaco decided to go for a swim. 'Honey, we don't really have time for that' means NOTHING to him. He enjoyed a swim, shower & all the while, I hauled the stuff downstairs, out to the shuttle & begged the driver not to leave for a minute or two more. Thankfully Jaco showed up just as the driver said he couldn't wait any longer. We were already 20 minutes late at this point! Argh!


We made it to our check-in area & dropped off the luggage. No overweight fees! Yes! Business class has it's perks! We went through the security area & I experienced my first thorough pat-down. Wow. There is nothing on this body that hasn't been touched. Firmly. It was rather gross. Violating. Uncalled for. I don't understand how the Government can get away with this. I have NEVER given anyone a reason to suspect that I might be harmful to the general public & I do NOT deserve to be treated this way. Nor do I need to be subjected to anymore radiation than what I will already receive during the flight. I feel like I've been molested. Dirty. Yuck.


After the sexual abuse was over with, we proceeded to our gate. We took the train & then walked a distance. We were just approaching the gate when someone called out Jaco's name. It was Reuben! Jaco & him worked together on their previous contracts! Ha! Small world! Reuben was flying home after visiting his girlfriend in America. Crazy! The guys had a quick catch up visit & then it was time to board. 


Wow... A bed. I get a bed for 15 hours. I can't believe it. How lucky am I? Whoo hoo! See ya later Atlanta! I'm off to Africa!


xxxxMaria

Train ride 

 Tall building

 Coke!

 Jaco!

 Checkers anyone?

 Downtown

 Hey! Take my picture!

 Reading spot.

 Life imitates art!

 Underground

 Heading back to the hotel

 At the hotel

Our room!

Day 470 - Late Cab & No Dessert = Cranky Me.

This morning was another morning of goodbyes. It’s down to the last week & this time next week, I’ll be the one rushing around getting in the last hugs & collecting addresses from the wonderful people I’ve met so far.

I decided to take the chance & go to the mall with the shuttle. There is a Whole Foods nearby & I wanted to get as many of the organic spices & ingredients as I could to take with me to the ship. Gurunam was kind enough to drop me off at Whole Foods after leaving the rest of the group at the Mall.

I managed to spend enough time at Whole Foods that we finished at the same time & she took me to the mall! I found some soap for Jaco & I hope he’ll be pleased with it. He had a favourite licorice kind in Canada, but the factory burned down. Hopefully this will suffice! I found all the spices I wanted except for the chipotle. I’m hoping to find it back home. I do love Whole Foods! That place rocks!

I did buy one bad thing. Raw truffles. Cacao & agave. They were divine. They melted in my mouth. Wow. Don’t tell. They were so good.

I managed to find a Valentine’s Day present for Jaco at the mall. It was some sort of menswear from Cuba – or something like that. A lot of linen fabrics & really classy dress shirts, linen pants, etc, etc. I think he’ll look incredible in the outfit I chose for him! It was also ½ price! Bargain! I also stopped by Victoria’s Secret & found one other present for Jaco/Me for Valentine’s Day.  And that’s where that story ends!

After I had circled the Mall, I decided it was time to head back. I knew I could take the local bus, but since it was getting dark, I didn’t want to take a chance walking the road to Hippocrates from the main road, so I opted for a cab. I had the Customer Service desk call one for me. I asked them to call a cab at 1810. I couldn’t see any out front, but I stood outside & waited nonetheless. Tonight was dessert night at Hippocrates & I didn’t want to miss it, seeing as I’d missed it last week. Supper was from 1730-1900 & dessert was served at 1900. At 1850 I called & asked them to save me a plate of food, as I was STILL waiting for the cab. At 1915 the cab driver finally showed up. I was furious. How could it possibly take THAT long to drive to a shopping mall?!? And to make matters worse, he took some backwoods route to HHI & expected me to pay him more! I told him he had to give me some sort of a discount for taking FOREVER to pick me up. I think he knocked off $4 or something. It should have been free, I tell you what!!!

And to top it off, there was no dessert left. Good thing I snuck in those truffles! Gurunam, bless her heart, shared some of her ice cream with me. It was only a few spoonfuls, but it was delicious! I was very grateful!

John gave me a ride home, as I had a few bags to carry & it was raining off & on. I was very thankful that he did! I mentioned that I hadn’t made it to the beach & it didn’t look like I would, seeing as the rest of the days were busy. He kindly offered to take me on his day off! I was flattered that he would do such a thing! So, it looks like my time in WPB will be complete! I can’t wait! We made arrangements to go on Monday afternoon. I didn’t have a lot happening that day, so it would work well for both of us! Yay!

On that note, I’m dipping into the sauna for my usual sweat. Sweet dreams & see you tomorrow!

xxxxMaria

Eagle with wheatgrass. I didn't notice the wheatgrass in his talons until today. Whoops.

Day 194 - Aruba

Sniff, sniff. Today was the last port day. All that lies ahead are sea days & then it's home to face the music. 


Thankfully, I made the most of this precious day! Jaco was able to come off the ship today, but not until 1230 or 1300. I went off early in search of WIGS!!! Today was the day! Or so I thought! I had asked the Port & Shopping Guide on the ship, but unfortunately her advice didn't take me far. She sent me to a hair salon. Well, that works just fine for people who HAVE HAIR! I need a place for people who don't!


I asked a fellow on the street & he sent me to Bon Bini. After walking & walking & walking forever, I finally found it. Do you remember the old store chain, I think it was called 'Robinson's'? Well, it was a like an expensive dollar store with fewer aisles. AND NO WIGS. They sent me to another hair salon. 


I walked & walked & walked back to the main mall & asked the cab drivers if they could take me to a beauty supply store. They new the area, but had no clue where the shop was located. After 2 cabbies managed to successfully frustrate me & unsuccessfully help me, I gave a good 'ARGH!' & marched over to the concierge desk. Thankfully the lady working there new the address & told the cabbie where to take me. I just get into the cab & he decides he doesn't like a live animal in his cab. (Valentina was trying to keep cool in her little bag) Are you kidding me? Last time I was here, I was told I HAD to take a cab, as animals aren't allowed on the bus. Another 'ARGH!' moment. So, he drives me out of town & into another business district. As we turn off onto a deserted dirt road with no other cars, I begin to worry. Oh dear, where is he taking me & is there really a wig shop around here? Sure enough at the end of the road, there is the shop. He tells me to see if they will call a cab for me, as he doesn't want to wait. I hop out & run to the door. Locked. Closed for lunch. Missed it by 10 minutes. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!???? ARGH! ARGH! ARGH! NO!!! I am near tears! 


I return to the car & tell him they are closed. We go back to the mall. That was the easiest way I have ever lost $18 in my life. Cabbie driver did soften up a little - he called his daughter & she gave him the name of another place to try for wigs, but they were also closed for lunch. I had to meet Jaco, so there wasn't enough time. No wigs from the Caribbean. Sigh.


Valentina & I walked back to the ship, she'd had a good walk this morning & we saw a lot of Oranjestad! I walked into the terminal & the first person I saw was Jaco! He asked if I was ready for the beach & I told him I had to get my swimsuit, but otherwise, yes. Oh dear. The queue to return onto the ship was long & not moving. They have a power outage. Crud. 


We waited about 25 minutes to get back on the ship. Then we waited another 15 to get off. We asked at Information for a good beach & away we went. We ended up at the Hilton. The amenities were nice, but the water wasn't near as nice as the previous visit. The sand was almost muddy & there was plenty of seaweed, neither of which I encountered last cruise. 


We did, however, manage to score some loungers for free from a lovely family who was just leaving. They offered them to us & we jumped at the chance! Valentina made friends with a couple from Boston this time. The mother of the couple took Valentina away for awhile & cuddled & cooed over her. She was missing her dog something fierce! 


We played in the water for a bit & then lounged in the shade/sun. Jaco & I shared a fruit smoothie & Valentina cleaned the glass afterwards. It was wonderful to spend some time with Jaco & Valentina & have such a beautiful place to spend it in! None of us wanted it to end! 


We shared a taxi back to the ship with a couple from the UK. Jaco had to return to work & I was wiped from a full day of walking, heat & sun. (That's not a complaint, either, btw!) I went up on deck to watch sailaway & grab a bite to eat. My heart began to get heavy again - thoughts of packing & eventually goodbyes creeping into my mind.


But, there are still a few sea days ahead. I will take every chance I get to soak up the sun & spend every free moment Jaco has with him!


Lekker slaap,
Maria, Jaco & Valentina
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Valentina scores some cuddles from Boston!

Back in the water with Papa

Great family photo, minus the shake!

That's better! Although someone is missing a smile!

Not sure where this face came from! Salt water?

Forget the wind in your hair, there's nothin' like the breeze in your ears!

Refuge on Papa's back! (Papa looks handsome here!)

Going out on a limb.

I think she's longing for snow here?!

Swimming for shore!

Excuse me, but you're blocking my sun! And you're on MY lounger!

Now this is the life!

Workin' on her tan!

I love palm trees & blue skies!

Sailaway

The runway

Sea Princess & Oranjestad

Valentina charms the spa girls. She wanted a pedicure, but they were booked.