30 MARCH 2012

 

Our second full day at sea actually gave me a chance for a decent lie-in (and no stickers). This cruising lark is very hard work! I kid you not!
Every day that we dock at a new port means that I have to be up with the sparrow’s fart (maybe that should be the macaw’s fart over here?), about 6.15 in order to be awake enough to receive my breakfast. We have to be on the dockside or at least ready to disembark by 8am for most of the trips. This leaves just enough time to eat, cover myself in suncream (would be quicker if I was a size 6), get dressed and then join the long queue to leave the ship.


However, today was a later start. I trotted off to the self service at the arse end of Deck 14 and ended up with some of that delicious Marathon bread which I wish we could get at home and also the usual fresh fruit salad and yoghurt. I had arranged to meet Ginny so I was looking to find a couple of seats together or alternatively Ginny, who may or may not have managed to finds some seats already. There were plenty of sunbeds out in the sun but it was almost
impossible to find somewhere shady to sit. As the sun in the tropics is very strong, my motto is one day in (in short periods) and one day out. No sign of Ginny and everybody seemed to be on an ‘out’ day. The only seats I could find were right by the stairs to the next deck, adjacent to a fragrant recycling bin.

I had done a couple of tours of the deck and there was no sign of Ginny so I thought maybe she had decided on something else and settled down to read. This was a book from the Equinox library, free to borrow and please return when you’re done - it was quite compulsive reading so I found it quite hard to put down. Before I knew it the sun passed over the yardarm (somewhere) and I felt it was compulsory to order a beer.

Ginny arrived just before lunch, in tears.

It turns out that she is suffering from depression and had a bad morning shut in her cabin. I gave her a bit of a wigging and told her if she feels that crap again to ring me or come and find me. We met a couple of merry widows from the UK, Eileen and Ann, who are next door neighbours and have been coming away together for years.

We then watched a volleyball competition in the pool, guests v ship’s officers. The guests were obviously those who worked out, many bulging biceps and pecs. As they were introduced they leapt into the pool. The ship’s officers appeared in uniform and we all expected them to do an
abbreviated Full Monty and reveal some pretty bathers – as Ginny calls them. But no, they leapt in how they were, epaulettes and all! Very entertaining and well done all you officers for beating three teams of guests on the trot.

We all departed about 3, everyone else for a sleep and me to lose $20 in the casino – not good paying machines -read a little more and make a large dent in another beer on my veranda.

Ginny and I met up again at 6 for a pre-dinner drink. I decided to stick to G&T but Ginny started off with a Caribbean Surprise and then felt the need for something with a pink umbrella which turned out to be a Strawberry Daquiri. During this imbibement the fashion show took place. We
sat there waiting for Julian but there seemed to be just lady guests who were modelling clothes from the onboard shops. What has happened to Julian?? All the ladies were escorted by ship’s officers and Julian would have so enjoyed that!

Ginny came to eat at our table and was made welcome by all my fellow guests. I discovered that Julian had managed to get bad sunburn in Roatan and hadn’t appeared at all at yesterday’s table. This evening, fortified by one of his infamous 5-a-day cocktails, with pink umbrella and two
cherries, he bravely battled his way down to dinner – he has the most infectious giggle!.

Oh yes and Punch got his fish and chips as promised – they even gave him ketchup! No sign of the pie and mash – Judy looked gutted!

Donut was on form, accusing Lennie of being a Cutlery Stealer as he rearranged her dessert spoon and fork and we had a very enjoyable meal, much laughter but for me, no wine, just water.

Respect Thy Liver Jilly!

I returned to my cabin about 11pm to find a vase containing a red rose, three lisianthus and some greenery with an envelope.
 
Oooooh – a hidden admirer? 

 Er No. It was an invitation to The Captain’s cocktail party, all very nice I hear you say? Well yes, except I would have needed a Tardis as it was for lunchtime that afternoon!

Costa Rica in the morning!!