Day 14 --- Land Ho in Ensenada at 4pm

Day 14 LA to Hawaii January 29, 2013
Ensenada Mexico 4-8
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Ukelele Hula Show

At 11:15 we had a rehearsal for the big ukulele hula show on the big Princess stage. They filmed it for the events DVD. The show was set for 2pm for the passengers to see. At rehearsal we all signed releases since there were a lot of mechanical on the ship's stage that need to be pointed out and we needed to be reminded on how to avoid injury. There was a particularly low spiral staircase right by the entrance to the stage. There were trap doors and uneven spots on the stage floor that could make it difficult for the hula dancers. The ukulele players were all positioned on the risers in the back of the stage. music stands were set up so that we could see our music. The ukulele players were 3 to a music stand.

We practiced the show. My position was in the back with 35 to 40 year old blonds Denise and Tammy with a husband Chuck. The women were into getting the sway going with the music. I was glad that I brought my big timberline black shoes for the formal night on the stage as they were the perfect counteraction to the sway of the ship on the platform risers when the ship started rocking.  After the practice, I had time to go back up to the room, take a shower and eat some lunch and go to the show.

All our dinner mates showed up to see the show. Sue was there too. The theater was packed with people.  It was so nice for all of my friends to come. David shot a movie of the ukelele players . When the show was over, I went up to the top deck to watch as come into Ensenada.

Ensenada has a large bay in front of the city. Many islands way out in the sea predict the bay to come. They were visible 2 hours before we got to the dock. They were there to let you know that the city was not far away. The islands got bigger as we headed to port.

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 The Ensenada Sailors

Ensenada is a Baja California town that is 86 miles for San Diego. In driving time since the toll road has been made is about 1 hour and 32 minutes away. From Newport Beach California to Ensenada is a 125 mile nautical venture. Every year a huge race with about 200 sailboats compete. This year's race was sponsored by Lexus. The overall winner received a two year lease of a brand new Lexus car.

I was up on the 14th deck near our cabin as the Golden Princess pulled into the port of Ensenada about one hour earlier than planned. Its a really beautiful bay to sail into and we were all hungry to see some land after so many days at sea from Hawaii. The Baja mountains rise up from the sea and a bay view from the houses was not missed from the  houses with big picture windows.

As the ship was throwing lines and securing itself to the docks I talked to a couple who was watching out the view windows beside the pool on the smoker side of the outdoor deck.

She was about my age, smallish with black close cut haircut... sort of what we used to call a pixie cut. Her husband was there with dirty blonde mustach and a full beard. He was about the same size as her.
 As we talked, I found out that they raced sailboats on the race from Newport to Ensenada. They told me of how the town had changed since they were active in the races. They said that during their time there were very few boats used to be in the harbor. How the winners limited their partying the night before the race but partied strong into the night when they arrived in Ensenada.

The husband claimed that at one time they had won three of the classes in the single race. He drank champagne from each of the trophies.

She told of the tale of the boat that in the middle of the night ran headlong into one of the islands. The boat exploded an all the sailors perished. The only reasonable explanation was the skipper and the navigator had fallen asleep. Usually the crew on the sailboat included enough people so that a 3 hour watch could rotate through the night and day. Some crews were less vigilant regarding sleep.

Later on the internet I pulled up the story. It seems from published story, it was the first fatality in 65 years. Their take on it was the smaller sailboat was smashed by a tanker of some sort and the they looked for the sailors in three miles of debris.

It was nice to be around when memories are discussed. Thier sailboat had three masts which means it could have been a ketch or a yawl.

We also had a conversation about the America's cup. They said that those new catamarans could not make turns. It was sure amazing that they could sail faster than the wind that was blowing.

The wife was not feeling so good. she had not been up on deck since we had left Hawaii. She though that she had motion sickness. Her friends looked at her quizzically. She explained that when racing she was always on the deck or the very highest spot on the sailboat. She was not used to spending time down below. If they take a cruise again, I bet they will be up with us on the top passenger stateroom deck.

I asked Sue if she wanted to go ashore and shop the mexican shops by the port. This a mile of walking distance from teh ship to the town. The causeway could be crossed by series of buses that designated just for cruise passengers. The ship said that it would cost 2 dollars each way to take the buses into town. When I got on the bus they wanted 3 but it covered going and coming a round trip.
There was a significant group of Mexican store right beside the ship in the port. Many people from the ship decided to do their shopping right there. I found two of our Mexican souvenirs right there even though I went into town looking for more variety.

I love the Mexican tin. On the walls were a red heart with wings that were silver and hammered. Heather collects Dia de Muerta (Day of the Dead) stuff. I found a cross that had a skelaton in the middle of it... homage to Dia de Muerta.

I got on the bus to go downtown. It let us off at the top of the hill of the tourist section. This is where 8-10 blocks down the hill were the shops for the Mexican crafts/ beer bars and food.

The massive halls/bars along this road are some of the famous. Papas and Beer bar/restaurant, Senior Frogs was also there. Non of the showed any action as we were there between 4-6pm... way to early for the action to start at these bars/

The craft shops had a couple of guitar shops, lots of leather products and just a few clothing and pottery shops. I found a place thta sold little purses that had classic needlepoint designs. I bought 3 for 3.50 each.

As for the pitch so common in Mexican shopping areas, I was touched 3 times on the arms and shoulders on my path up and down the blocks. This is way too much for Sue's safety so I was glad that she was not with me for this run.

As the sun went down over the Pacific Ocean in the East, a dramatic sunset spread across the sky. It was time for me to get back to the ship.

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 Elisabeth Celebrates her 75th Birthday with Us

It was one of our dinner table's seat mate's 75th birthday. She did not want the waiters to come sing her happy birthday. They have been doing that at least 4 times each night in our  sitting.

Sue made her a beautiful blue necklace and earrings set. She also made Deb, the other table mate an orange set made with some of the free beads that we all got when entering Hilo Hatties...they look like little conch shells.  She added some pretty orange glass pieces to it too.

I made her a home made watercolor card with fish on it. Elizabeth was crazy about going to the Maui aquarium The words on the inside said, "We are all schooled up to wish you a happy 75th birthday." I got Deb and Dave (the others at our table) to sign the card earlier in the day when we ran into them in the Piazza.
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Round the up and Head them to the Hall

When I got back to the room, we went over every inch of the stateroom to get it all into the luggage to put out in the hall for the porters to take away. It was important to leave out the clothes that were to be worn the next morning as we left the ship. We had four bags for the porters to take out of the hall to our disembarkation slot. This also included the manual wheelchair as Sue was to drive through the ramps with her power chair. So it was as always is a challenge. Every time we say to ourselves at this spot in the cruise that we will never take so many clothes on the next trip.There are 8 laundromats on the ship.
The sail up the coast was pretty uneventful. The Pacific Coast from Ensenada to San Pedro was pretty calm and smooth.