I
We will travel again, what a shock!!
It was too early to look at clock.
The night was very short.
Then drive to the airport.
But then our breakfast was chips and guac.
II
On board we met our traveling crew:
Raisa, Penna, Kelly, and then Sue.
We had a great dinner,
Which won’t make us thinner.
Then, to a bar for a drink or two.
III
Today we started drinking at two.
A Mixology class for a few.
Gin, spirits and mixers,
Liquors, fruits and bitters.
We six, were a very lively crew.
IV
Wow! What an exhausting vacation.
We’re sailing from nation to nation.
Some days we rest and rest,
Or party with the best.
It is always a great sensation.
V
Big surprise, Grand Caymans sells no booze.
Even on board, there’s none to choose.
But we found a loophole,
Which was good for the soul.
Only three bars onboard had good news.
VI
Fun Mexican cooking tour today.
Main course was tilapia filet.
First course was a shrimp,
On a sope we crimped.
Dessert was plantains. Yea!!
Tag: Caribbean
Surace Anniversary Cruise
I
We fly to the East for a party.
The cell service may be somewhat spotty.
We will not be on land,
Because that is the plan.
We’ll be at sea to party hearty.
II
While we wait to board, we tour the town.
With no car, it’s too far to downtown.
We’ll visit Hoboken
Where Sinatra is spoken
With reverence and hollowed renown.
III
We board after the 4th in Jersey
For our wonderful 7 nite journey.
Florida the first stop,
Bahama the next hop.
We’ll have lots of fun, don’t you worry.
IV
Go for an anniversary cruise,
Janet and Richard sing 50 year news.
I was there at the start,
They have nothing but heart.
The Caribbean will have great views.
We sail with the family Surace.
The ship is huge so we’ll have the space.
Aunts and Uncles are there.
And grandchildren to be fair.
The memories will be hard to erase.
V
The first day at sea was igniting.
For slot pull, family was inviting.
We all put in our cash
And we didn’t lose our ash.
We won double our bet. How exciting!
For dinner we dined on great sushi.
We dressed up but my tie is goofy.
Tonight was formal night,
But my pants were too tight.
Went to bed instead of a movie.
VI
We took a Port Canaveral tour,
Seafood tasting, Space Museum and more.
It was too hot to walk.
It was too warm to talk.
The best part was the NASA Gift Store.
VII
Jersey to Florida, now day four.
We finally made it to Nassau.
Our first stop was Rum cake.
Paradise gave us a break.
Then the Queens Steps if you wanted more.
Chocolate factory was the next stop.
John Watling’s Distillery the last hop.
Back to ship we desire,
To leave this hell fire.
Then long walk to the ship where I drop.
VIII
Last night while we slept and dreamt and snored,
We cruised to Coco Cay where we moored.
We relaxed by the pool,
Cause we are no one’s fool.
To the beach, 6000 guests were lured.
Dinner at Wonderland was quite grand
There were surprises from sea and land.
The Mad Hatter was there
And so was the March Hare.
Not one of the ten dishes was bland.
IX
There was no one to see at the pool,
Yet all the big tubs were chuck full.
We each had an ice cream
Then back to room to clean
For a great dinner with better fuel.
Scallops were first, sliced thin, hard to see
Then lobster, a treasure from the sea.
Tomato soup had smoke.
My crustini bridge broke.
A total of appetizers three.
Branzino is a wonderful dish.
A delicate and tasty white fish.
If that was not enough,
The filet was the best stuff.
A chocolate dessert my last wish.
Did I mention the various wines.
Most were from delicious white vines.
The red was for the steak,
Of which we did partake.
After, an Espresso Martini shines.
X
We left the ship with no great fan fare.
On the Newark bus without a care.
The airport was empty.
Two delays were plenty.
It’ll be late before we reach our lair.
Birthday Cruise
I
Ft Lauderdale
Last week in Scottsdale.
Now, Ft. Lauderdale.
Here we go again,
For a birthday 7 times ten.
On the plane, first a cocktail.
II
We traveled en masse
This time, in First Class,
To Florida for 3 days,
Leaving behind the thick haze,
In hopes it would pass.
III
We came to the sun.
No surprise to anyone
To get on a cruise ship.
For a 21-day trip
Of Caribbean fun.
IV
We did check out the lobby, then pool.
It was inviting, shady, and cool.
We saw a gecko or two.
On the deck it was true
Don’t feed the animals, is the rule.
V
Otherwise, we didn’t do much,
With great friends, we got in touch.
Before dinner, Tad bought drinks
And we shared our old hijinx,
But for dinner, we went Dutch.
VI
We met Sue and Tad,
Of this I am glad.
We first met in Germany.
Friends forever certainly.
A great time we had.
VII
We’re excited; left hotel sleepy.
Waited in the lobby with sweetie.
Transfer to ship was fast,
Though terminal was vast,
We were on the ship quite speedily.
VIII
On Board
Priority: our cabin we’re bound.
Corner room, and deck that wraps around.
Then we stopped for some food,
And I drank something brewed.
Then pool, bar, and cabana, all found!
IX
We dined early at Club Orange.
The menu was great, no challenge.
Roses finally came;
I was about to go insane.
The ship I was prepared to scavenge.
X
Bahamas
Fortunately, our sleep was great;
Conversely, our breakfast was late.
Room service called to check.
I said, “What the heck!”
They said, “Sorry for the long wait.”
XI
Celebrating our lucky number.
Tonight will be a sushi supper.
Next month it will be eight;
Ninety-six will be great.
I love my life with no other.
XII
There is plenty of room in this suite.
Everything is put away. A treat!
Now where did I put it?
I can’t remember shit.
When I find it, we can go to eat.
XIII
At Sea
Today is a quiet day at sea.
We will take in a movie at three,
As we cruise by Cuba,
On our way to Aruba.
By the way, the movie was “Barbie”.
XIV
After movie, we had a smoked drink.
One negroni made a big stink.
Then the Old Fashioned
Was made with passion.
We raised a toast and glasses went “clink”.
XV
Aruba
We could have done a catamaran.
Stay in the room was our better plan.
Room service was great.
I’m telling you straight,
It’s harder that way to get a tan.
XVI
From the cold, rainy days we did run,
Longing for the Caribbean sun.
I think it’s ironic
With a gin & tonic,
One hour in the heat, WE’RE DONE!
XVII
At Sea
You see, the sea is perfectly flat,
And the land, we’re very far from that.
Funny, this may sound dumb,
Where did these bugs come from?
“Why is there a moth and a gnat? “
XVIII
Cartagena
For me, first time on this continent.
Heat and humidity are constant.
Old city walls are coral.
And the people cordial
Cartagena is great in my judgment.
XIX
The old town is very colorful.
Cathedrals, churches, it’s cultural.
We cruised the city bay,
And danced the day away.
The vendors are very commercial.
XX
For sale: rosaries, water and shirts,
Women with fruit hats, colorful skirts.
“No, thank you” won’t matter,
They don’t hear your chatter.
Persistence, each vendor exerts.
XXI
Colon
Panama Canal is not Venice.
The water here is not a menace.
Three locks we take,
Up to the lake.
An engineering feat, in fairness.
XXII
Twenty-six meters from ocean to lake.
Carefully tugged with hardly a wake.
Locks open and shut,
Through the new cut.
Two and a half hours the trip will take.
XXIII
Once on the lake, we cruise around
Lush forests and jungles surround.
We stay here awhile
In luxurious style
Turn about and we’re Atlantic bound.
XXIV
To transit the Canal, it’s not free.
Plan ahead, a date and time, the key.
Just to hold a spot,
In dollars, it’s a lot!
35k is the reserve fee.
XXV
Back to Agua Clara locks we go.
As before we will take it real slow.
A big tug in the rear,
And one in front to steer.
I’m very glad we don’t have to row.
XXVI
Puerto Limon
Supply of bananas, coffee, ample.
Exotic fruit here is pink pineapple.
Where do you buy this fruit?
It could cost lots of loot.
Amazon can provide a sample.
XXVII
The landscape is full of lush trees.
It’s warm, but thanks for the cool breeze.
Here in Costa Rica
They say “Pura Vida”.
It’s a common greeting if you please.
XXVIII
Montego Bay
We made a stop in Montego Bay.
Canceled the dolphins; still had to pay.
Anne hurt her back;
She stayed in the sack.
We’ll come back to swim another day.
XXIX
At Sea
A day at sea after Jamaica
To return to good ole Florida.
This day we’ll dedicate
The time to celebrate
Anne, ‘fore we go to Aruba.
XXX
Ft Lauderdale
After we returned to the shipyards.
The birthday started with gifts and cards,
Flowers for Queen Anne,
A little cash to play.
Everyone else sent their best regards.
XXXI
Post dinner we hit the casino.
We had better odds than Reno.
We played the magic slots,
Winning like hotshots
Enough to buy a cappuccino.
XXXII
Aruba
The crystal water is blue and green.
I got that line from my birthday Queen.
Tonight we have dinner;
It won’t make me thinner.
Kukoo Kunuku Dinner, the scene.
XXXIII
Aruba nightlife is not benign
The isle is colorful by design.
We’ll walk a little bit.
Then, gratefully, we’ll sit
For dinner and a glass of wine.
XXXIV
The Aruban dinner was super.
Drinks after could’ve caused a stupor.
The music was loud,
So we left the crowd,
And they called us the party pooper.
XXXV
Curaçao
Signed up for a scenic cocktail tour.
The Curaçao liquor was the lure.
They were blue, green, and pink,
That’s three, not just one drink.
On board, a gin & tonic, the cure.
XXXVI
Another visit to Curaçao.
Willemstad is colorful and wow.
All the buildings were white.
Ole Mayor said, “Too bright.”
New law: only color they allow.
XXXVII
Colorful buildings are very quaint.
How did they come up with all the paint?
The mayor’s mastery
Hid he owed the factory.
So, it seems he wasn’t a saint.
XXXVIII
The very curious word “Dushi”
Conveys a certain pleasantry.
It is very charming
To call your sweet darling
That word, but not your enemy.
XXXIX
At Sea
We are rounding Cuba once again.
On our way home, Bahamas, and then
The Florida airport.
We may need our passport
To board the Seattle plane. AMEN.
XL
FLL
At the airport, and we are camped out.
We found a seat, more comfy, no doubt.
Wait eight, fly for seven,
With luck home at eleven.
Finally, “HOME!”, I’m sure we will shout.
XLI
We are currently at the Sky Club
For a rest, charge, and a little grub.
We’re waiting three hours,
But this space is ours.
Quieter than the terminal hubbub.
