The mixing of the ocean waters results in a rocky ride at night.
Mazatlan, is just across the mouth of the Sea of Cortez or the Gulf of California as it spills into the Pacific. This mixing of the two waters must result in changes in the water temperature or something. In the four times we have made this crossing at night each night was a rocker. This trip was no exception.
The NCL Star rocked an rolled all the way to Mazatlan. In the morning we entered the harbor with the Isle of Piedra on one side of us and the busy industrial dock of Western Mexico on the other. We pulled right up to the dockside and there was to tendering. The dock is a busy industrial dock with many imported cars and business shiping in and out all of the time. So how do you cross the dock to the city and shops and the tours.. elephant buses (or at least that is what we used to call them after the trailer connected trams that are used in zoos.) We all boarded one of those and we were off.
Just outside the dock is a rather rough part of Mazatlan so you better know where you are going if you are doing it on your own. This year we took a careful evaluation of all the outside excursions that we had done in Mazatlan in the past and decided to do the little shope with mom, drink a great margarita on shore and call it a day. In the past we have done bird watching, colonial tours to the foothills and watched the Indians come down the 75 foot pole. So what more was there left to do? We all had a great time low keying it and Mom made another stop to the shops which pleased her immensely. We even worked some bargins and got some great deals.
Mazatlan was in the low 80's and after all of the rain and close to rain and cold we had experienced in Nor Cal recently.. it was fun just to be outside and in in a different enviornment.
Besides after a couple of top shelf margaritas it didn't much matter anyway.
Ole
Pat
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Back with Kate
Last night (Wednesday) we started back with Kate Jackson the painting instructor. This was the first night class she has had for awhile.
The classes emphsis will be the new media. Yuppo paper and watercolor canvas. It should be fun. There are a number of new members attending the class. We were introduced as the "groupies" I guess we fit that title.
A mother and son are taking the class. There are many teachers in the group. There is also a graphic artist, and a teacher's aide.
We started out with a progressive name tag. Each name tag got handed to others to embelish and eventually return to the person it is supposed to name. That way we could start to learn each other's names. I started with with Leslie's and she did Trisha's, Sue started off with mine. I ended up with Charlie's. it was a great mixer.
Most people don't have the equipment yet to do the class so it will be interesting to see what it will be like when everyone has a good brush or too and some decent paints. We are fortunate to have many of both. The new paper will be supplied by the teacher via a lab fee.
Sue had a good time and so did I. We got out in the community and had a few laughs with strangers.. can't get much better than that.
: ) Pat
The classes emphsis will be the new media. Yuppo paper and watercolor canvas. It should be fun. There are a number of new members attending the class. We were introduced as the "groupies" I guess we fit that title.
A mother and son are taking the class. There are many teachers in the group. There is also a graphic artist, and a teacher's aide.
We started out with a progressive name tag. Each name tag got handed to others to embelish and eventually return to the person it is supposed to name. That way we could start to learn each other's names. I started with with Leslie's and she did Trisha's, Sue started off with mine. I ended up with Charlie's. it was a great mixer.
Most people don't have the equipment yet to do the class so it will be interesting to see what it will be like when everyone has a good brush or too and some decent paints. We are fortunate to have many of both. The new paper will be supplied by the teacher via a lab fee.
Sue had a good time and so did I. We got out in the community and had a few laughs with strangers.. can't get much better than that.
: ) Pat
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
NCL Star
The NCL Star was made 2001 and refrubished for freestyle dining in 2004.
The 400million dollar vessel can carry as many as 2240 passesngers that are serviced by more than a 1095 support personnel. From the info section:
Cabins aboard the Norwegian Star are finished in rich cherry wood and outfitted with tea and coffee makers and larger bathrooms. Innovative and eye-catching are the ultra-luxurious garden villas -- multi-room accommodations featuring panoramic ocean views, private sun terraces and whirlpools. Dining options are wide and varied with 12 restaurants on board, including Pacific Rim, Japanese, French, Spanish, Hawaiian and Italian restaurants, as well as the main dining room serving the traditional six-course Continental menus. Also available are an indoor/outdoor buffet, grill, food court and other casual eateries. With all these tempting culinary choices -- plus 24-hour room service -- it's nice to have access to a 24-hour fitness center, plus a sports deck with an outdoor jogging track, and sports court. Relax at the Barong Spa, with rejuvenating treatments utilizing both Eastern and Western techniques. The 1,150-seat Stardust Theatre, cinema, karaoke rooms, and 14 different lounges and bars offer an entertaining nightlife. This ship is particularly family-friendly with a recreation center just for younger passengers; a child-sized serving counter, tables and chairs in the buffet restaurant; computer rooms; an arcade; and entertainment with Kid's Crew.
We had a great time once we figured out that not all elevators will get you to all floors. Also we had to remember that our cabin was in the aft or backend of the ship. It was right over the dining area entrance for the main dinning hall, the Versailles and under the floor that had the buffet, the 12th floor. The 12th floor also had the library, game room and the workout area/spa. The best walking track was on the 7 floor and the the best quiet area to sit/lie in the sun or shade was the 13th floor.
You could get lost or have difficulty with getting your room open if you were not familiar with modern hotel like lodging. I came across an elderly lady that was very perplexed. She wanted to get into her room but couldn't figure out how to use her card. Just like many new hotels, the ship had credit card id entry. The passenger puts in the card, waits for the card to register (as indicated by a small green light lighting up and then removes the card, and presses down on the handle to let get into the door. The elderly lady was embarrased to ask anyone to help her. I guess I looked harmless so she asked me. I showed her and she was happy to figure it out.
Such is life. I think that we all think that everyone knows about these things. There are still many who don't.
: ) Pat
The 400million dollar vessel can carry as many as 2240 passesngers that are serviced by more than a 1095 support personnel. From the info section:
Cabins aboard the Norwegian Star are finished in rich cherry wood and outfitted with tea and coffee makers and larger bathrooms. Innovative and eye-catching are the ultra-luxurious garden villas -- multi-room accommodations featuring panoramic ocean views, private sun terraces and whirlpools. Dining options are wide and varied with 12 restaurants on board, including Pacific Rim, Japanese, French, Spanish, Hawaiian and Italian restaurants, as well as the main dining room serving the traditional six-course Continental menus. Also available are an indoor/outdoor buffet, grill, food court and other casual eateries. With all these tempting culinary choices -- plus 24-hour room service -- it's nice to have access to a 24-hour fitness center, plus a sports deck with an outdoor jogging track, and sports court. Relax at the Barong Spa, with rejuvenating treatments utilizing both Eastern and Western techniques. The 1,150-seat Stardust Theatre, cinema, karaoke rooms, and 14 different lounges and bars offer an entertaining nightlife. This ship is particularly family-friendly with a recreation center just for younger passengers; a child-sized serving counter, tables and chairs in the buffet restaurant; computer rooms; an arcade; and entertainment with Kid's Crew.
We had a great time once we figured out that not all elevators will get you to all floors. Also we had to remember that our cabin was in the aft or backend of the ship. It was right over the dining area entrance for the main dinning hall, the Versailles and under the floor that had the buffet, the 12th floor. The 12th floor also had the library, game room and the workout area/spa. The best walking track was on the 7 floor and the the best quiet area to sit/lie in the sun or shade was the 13th floor.
You could get lost or have difficulty with getting your room open if you were not familiar with modern hotel like lodging. I came across an elderly lady that was very perplexed. She wanted to get into her room but couldn't figure out how to use her card. Just like many new hotels, the ship had credit card id entry. The passenger puts in the card, waits for the card to register (as indicated by a small green light lighting up and then removes the card, and presses down on the handle to let get into the door. The elderly lady was embarrased to ask anyone to help her. I guess I looked harmless so she asked me. I showed her and she was happy to figure it out.
Such is life. I think that we all think that everyone knows about these things. There are still many who don't.
: ) Pat
Bob Dylan Quote
Money dosen't talk, it swears. Bob Dylan.
Dear Blogger readers.. what do you think of that one!
I overhead this comment on the way to work via the radio.
The pluot trees (half plum and half apricot) are in total bloom this morning. The peaches are about to blossom. The idea of frost for this year is pretty moot.
Linzi was asking me about the time to plant the citrus trees. This is it. The trees will get a full year of growth. Frost will not knock them down. The smell of citrus flowers are just an amazing occurrence.
Nice to see Acacia back in the blogging sphere. My sister kelly has got some great additions to her Mr. Potato collection that she is proudly showing off on her blog. I have some new additions to add regarding our trip on NCL to Mexico yet to be recounted here.
Today is the first junior high intake. I hope it goes well. Some teachers are getting some pink slips today. CTA is forming a giant promo on the state teacher's day of pink slips March 13.
Have a great day pilgrims
: ) Pat
Dear Blogger readers.. what do you think of that one!
I overhead this comment on the way to work via the radio.
The pluot trees (half plum and half apricot) are in total bloom this morning. The peaches are about to blossom. The idea of frost for this year is pretty moot.
Linzi was asking me about the time to plant the citrus trees. This is it. The trees will get a full year of growth. Frost will not knock them down. The smell of citrus flowers are just an amazing occurrence.
Nice to see Acacia back in the blogging sphere. My sister kelly has got some great additions to her Mr. Potato collection that she is proudly showing off on her blog. I have some new additions to add regarding our trip on NCL to Mexico yet to be recounted here.
Today is the first junior high intake. I hope it goes well. Some teachers are getting some pink slips today. CTA is forming a giant promo on the state teacher's day of pink slips March 13.
Have a great day pilgrims
: ) Pat
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Finally at Cabo an adventure ashore
In the last three times that we had taken this cruise I had always stayed on ship when we arrived at Cabo. My daughters, however, have found places to be the last thee times and enjoyed the idea of having a margarita on shore at Cabo.
So this time Sue and I decided to get off the ship and get on the little boats and buz into Cabo San Lucas. Sue had her non powered chair to go aboard and the tender (the little boats) were patient. There were only 12 steps out of the big ship to get on the tender. Sue did this very easily. We also picked a time when the excursions were through jamming people on shore and the people anxious to get ashore quickly had done their bit to be on the first tender to the shore.
The weather was great. Even though it was a bit cool and breezy on the way down, Cabo in the afternoon was in the mid 70's with just a wisp of cloud in the sky. The tender dock was set up to provide some shade and easy exit. The waves on the way in were a little bouncy (but not worrisome like Mom had experienced on her trip). There is a long walk from the dock area to the city itself. All along the way there were street merchants with there wares and walking merchants with their wares in there hands. There were many many people trying to sell the silver that makes Mexico famous, There were many walking vendors that were trying to sell ocarinas in the form of little birds. These are clay flutes that easily fit in side a hand and have distinctive whistles. There were vendors on the side that were were pitching tee shirts, and dolls and clothing and trinkets. At times they were a little pushy, One grabed Linzi by the elbow and she wheeled around and told him off.
Linzi was looking for a piece of jewlery for Sean her husband. She found a lovely piece. Sue found a lovely green gauze blouse with ribbons tied through it. She was pretty happy about her purchase. She also found a couple of really nice bunches of seed beads strug together. The girls were looking for the place they had gone before and had a marvelous adventure. This place was not longer there. Heather collects crucifix art and nothing was in the realm of what she was looking for.
Sue and I stopped to dicker with a street vendor and Linzi and Heather plowed on a head. They missed us as we got to the tender.. but we reunited when we got on the ship. Overall it was a great adventure.. I am not sure that I would recommend Cabo as a place to do all of your Mexican crafts shopping if you have Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta ahead. The prices were a bit higher than in the other spots and the chances to bargin for a great price seemed limited.
Cabo seemed like a great place to go ashore and enjoy the day. We did a lot of that and it was rewarding.
: ) Pat
So this time Sue and I decided to get off the ship and get on the little boats and buz into Cabo San Lucas. Sue had her non powered chair to go aboard and the tender (the little boats) were patient. There were only 12 steps out of the big ship to get on the tender. Sue did this very easily. We also picked a time when the excursions were through jamming people on shore and the people anxious to get ashore quickly had done their bit to be on the first tender to the shore.
The weather was great. Even though it was a bit cool and breezy on the way down, Cabo in the afternoon was in the mid 70's with just a wisp of cloud in the sky. The tender dock was set up to provide some shade and easy exit. The waves on the way in were a little bouncy (but not worrisome like Mom had experienced on her trip). There is a long walk from the dock area to the city itself. All along the way there were street merchants with there wares and walking merchants with their wares in there hands. There were many many people trying to sell the silver that makes Mexico famous, There were many walking vendors that were trying to sell ocarinas in the form of little birds. These are clay flutes that easily fit in side a hand and have distinctive whistles. There were vendors on the side that were were pitching tee shirts, and dolls and clothing and trinkets. At times they were a little pushy, One grabed Linzi by the elbow and she wheeled around and told him off.
Linzi was looking for a piece of jewlery for Sean her husband. She found a lovely piece. Sue found a lovely green gauze blouse with ribbons tied through it. She was pretty happy about her purchase. She also found a couple of really nice bunches of seed beads strug together. The girls were looking for the place they had gone before and had a marvelous adventure. This place was not longer there. Heather collects crucifix art and nothing was in the realm of what she was looking for.
Sue and I stopped to dicker with a street vendor and Linzi and Heather plowed on a head. They missed us as we got to the tender.. but we reunited when we got on the ship. Overall it was a great adventure.. I am not sure that I would recommend Cabo as a place to do all of your Mexican crafts shopping if you have Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta ahead. The prices were a bit higher than in the other spots and the chances to bargin for a great price seemed limited.
Cabo seemed like a great place to go ashore and enjoy the day. We did a lot of that and it was rewarding.
: ) Pat
Monday, February 23, 2009
Room Size and Handicaps
Linzi was great in getting our first room for the handicapped on the ship. There were a few choices and the choice she made was superb. We were next to the girl's cabin on the nineth floor. We were near the elevator and the room was huge. It was an inside room, but it had plenty of room for the huge powerchair that Sue brought and the push wheelchair that she brought for going off ship. And off ship she went! She got off at each of the docks for a little "shore" shopping. She really has shopping in her blood. The shops of the Mexican Rivera were made just for her.
Our room had a big shower that had a drop down seat. It had a floor drain that encircled the area and plenty of room to maneuver. The only downside to the room was the distance to a 110 plug, I brought a short multi extension cord but I still needed a 25 foot extension cord to reach into the bathroom to connect to the plug. I went down and talked to the reception desk on deck 7. Within minutes a German boy arrived with a hand full of extension cords and a ship's account bill. If I did not return the extension cord by midnight on the last night of the cruise the account would be charged 50 dollars. As I stood in line a 5:30 on the last morning of the cruise, there were others with their extension cords.. many much smaller than mine with the same 50 dollar charge unless they returned the cord. So the mental noted should be made to be sure to take along a 25 foot extension cord so that it will reach the socket and power my breathing machine.
Our room had a big shower that had a drop down seat. It had a floor drain that encircled the area and plenty of room to maneuver. The only downside to the room was the distance to a 110 plug, I brought a short multi extension cord but I still needed a 25 foot extension cord to reach into the bathroom to connect to the plug. I went down and talked to the reception desk on deck 7. Within minutes a German boy arrived with a hand full of extension cords and a ship's account bill. If I did not return the extension cord by midnight on the last night of the cruise the account would be charged 50 dollars. As I stood in line a 5:30 on the last morning of the cruise, there were others with their extension cords.. many much smaller than mine with the same 50 dollar charge unless they returned the cord. So the mental noted should be made to be sure to take along a 25 foot extension cord so that it will reach the socket and power my breathing machine.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Notes from Feb, 14th embarkation day
The day started beautiful in downtown Long Beach. I got out for my walk. I was crisp and clear and there was no sign of the drenching rain that we left in Bakersfield on the way down the Friday night before.
I had a great walk to the beach area. I still remember Long Beach as the Grand Prix site with its race cars creaming down the city streets (well almost). It is now a city of amazaing culture mix in the downtown. Many signs of eithipian and other African conclaves are on the street. We were staying on Atlantic which is a major street connecting the downtown urban areas with the hilly foothill ocean plateau that surrounds the beachfront. Around old churches of the major denominations were the places were store owners had set up storefronts to produce and customize African attire. There were no gangs out on Saturday morning but it was a very decent hike to get a Starbucks.
Our ship had docked in San Pedro which was a decent distance away but reachable via the Terminal Island bridge. before we got on, we had other items to get that we forgot. Heather was interesting in reading War and Peace,since she had finished Crime and Punishment. Sue was after some electrical tape to tape up the arm of her powerchair. So off we went with sometimes dubious help of the Iphone's gps system to find a Barnes and Noble and a Lowes or Home depot. We found them both and Heather and Lizi both learned to use their GPs or the Apple equivalent to track these stores down. It was a little more difficult that I would have thought since we were looking for these stores in an area similar to Carmel or Santa Cruz. Long Beach has a number of stores and tourists feeds that sit just off the beach and offer and ton of fancy restaurants, pizza places and specialty stores. Not exactly what we needed for these items. So we ended up driving up on the next tier of ocean plateau to more residental middle class areas. We found them and even had a go through the local CVS pharamacy.
We eventually worked through the busy part of Long Beach with all the beach traffic and back up through the town and found the proper connector to the Terminal Island bridge. We traveled on the elevated Terminal Island elevated and dropped down to the San Pedro (Port of Los Angeles) where we dropped people off and unloaded the powerchair and parked the car. They are always gracious to get you on board. This cruise lines meets you with a glass of champagne (free) or orange juice. This is a very classy way to take away the anxiety of the embarkation. You may read the previous entry to get a clue about what happened after we got on ship. Sue asked me about the location of my Ipod and the series of events that transpired after that were a bit frenic.
I had a great walk to the beach area. I still remember Long Beach as the Grand Prix site with its race cars creaming down the city streets (well almost). It is now a city of amazaing culture mix in the downtown. Many signs of eithipian and other African conclaves are on the street. We were staying on Atlantic which is a major street connecting the downtown urban areas with the hilly foothill ocean plateau that surrounds the beachfront. Around old churches of the major denominations were the places were store owners had set up storefronts to produce and customize African attire. There were no gangs out on Saturday morning but it was a very decent hike to get a Starbucks.
Our ship had docked in San Pedro which was a decent distance away but reachable via the Terminal Island bridge. before we got on, we had other items to get that we forgot. Heather was interesting in reading War and Peace,since she had finished Crime and Punishment. Sue was after some electrical tape to tape up the arm of her powerchair. So off we went with sometimes dubious help of the Iphone's gps system to find a Barnes and Noble and a Lowes or Home depot. We found them both and Heather and Lizi both learned to use their GPs or the Apple equivalent to track these stores down. It was a little more difficult that I would have thought since we were looking for these stores in an area similar to Carmel or Santa Cruz. Long Beach has a number of stores and tourists feeds that sit just off the beach and offer and ton of fancy restaurants, pizza places and specialty stores. Not exactly what we needed for these items. So we ended up driving up on the next tier of ocean plateau to more residental middle class areas. We found them and even had a go through the local CVS pharamacy.
We eventually worked through the busy part of Long Beach with all the beach traffic and back up through the town and found the proper connector to the Terminal Island bridge. We traveled on the elevated Terminal Island elevated and dropped down to the San Pedro (Port of Los Angeles) where we dropped people off and unloaded the powerchair and parked the car. They are always gracious to get you on board. This cruise lines meets you with a glass of champagne (free) or orange juice. This is a very classy way to take away the anxiety of the embarkation. You may read the previous entry to get a clue about what happened after we got on ship. Sue asked me about the location of my Ipod and the series of events that transpired after that were a bit frenic.
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