On The Hard Jan 21 -Feb 1, 2013

We did the usual routine, Mom, Wendy and Elmer drove us to the airport and we landed in St Thomas late at night and crashed at the Caribe, Grabbed a spot at the Petite Pump room, with a view of the harbour as we waited for our Ferry to Virgin Gorda  the next day.

Our

Ocean Wings was in great shape, no mold, mildew, leaks or critters ( big or small). Now comes the hard on the hard. The hot, dusty work of putting her together and testing her systems so we can get into the water.

Bottom Painting

Nasty nasty job

Startng the varnishing process



Happy 63rd Birthday Sue

Now it's Birthday Time and oce again I am celebrating my birthday in the Sunny Caribbean, only this time we are still on the hard. So, it's up to the Mine Shaft for dinner with Bill and Marianne of "Seminole Wind" for great painkillers and an amazing view over the south side of Virgin Gorda.



There I discover that my knowledge of chickens is saddly lacking, as there perched in a 30 ft tree staring back at us is a family of tree roosting chickens. Will wonders never cease!





Tree Roosting Chicken family



Then it's back to Fishers Cove for the band and some Funnnnnnnnn!

                                                                   THE LAUNCH


ready to drop in

Aquarius, our friend Carl and Judy’s catamaran is sad to see sitting there, knowing that Carl will never return. There is a For Sale sign and apparently a young couple , his name is Jack, are looking at it and plan to go around the world. Now we hear it's SOLD




On the Water  - and worth the work











The Cruisers go a Cruising

Wendy and Elmer were smart enough to fly down, so they have already been soaking up the sun and chilling by the pool.


However Bealls for a marathon shop is on the to-do list and we do our credit cards proud

No, not in Ocean Wings, but on the Carnival Legend. Seven days of being waited on hand and foot, before we go and start the hot, grueling task of getting Ocean Wings launched.








Our Ship

 

Checked In



Lets get going










Deck Stroll



The Girls

 

What should we do first


Wow , talk about palatial. This boat is so ornate it’s almost hard on the eyes.



Onboard Elevators



Getting Lucky

Dinner

Elmer just can't Believe what those Waiters will do for a Tip



Pool 1



Tuckered

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2600passengers and 1000 crew, 3 swimming pools, multiple bars , nighclubs and theatres.





Our first stop .. Cozumel, Mexico.

Cozumel Swingers







Our 2nd stop was to be Belize, which is the reason we took the cruise. It’s not a very safe area, so we will probably never take Ocean Wings there, so it’s a good way to safely see this port. But at the last minute the captain cancelled Belize due to some dispute over landing fees. Then, announces that we will go to Costa Maya instead. So it’s full speed ahead. But, when we get there, our sister ship Carnival Glory has been unable to dock due to the high winds, so our captain aborts without an attempt and we are back out to sea for another sea day.

Oh well, lots to keep us happy and entertained on board.



Slip



Sliding



They are picture crazy here on these cruises, snapping your picture with every sort of pirate, mermaid, sunset setting and tropical paradise, then of course selling you the gorgeous pictures at crazy prices. But memories are fleeting , so seize the moment.

Greeters

Our Gang

Next stop Roatan, we rented a car here and toured the island. What a beautiful place. Looks very much like the Virgins, with its tree covered hills. The people seemed really nice and we would love to bring Ocean Wings back here

Rest Stop

Gord Bribing the locals

Last stop is Grand Cayman. This island is flatter with beaches that stretch a long long way.



We did the underwater submarine “Atlantis “ and cruised along about 100 ft down along the ocean bottom and along the shelf that drops thousands of feet and out of sight.

Subbers

More subbers

104 ft down under

Arriving in HELL

We also took a cab to the beach and had our driver take us to hell. Crazy place with the blackest, sharpest inland coral field.

Then on to the beach for a swim and a beer

Grand Cayman

Beach Boy

We were sad to leave our singing/dancing waiters and head back to that place where we have to cook and clean for ourselves.

Singing/Dancing Waiters



Bon Voyage to our waiters



Waiting to Leave



Marian, George and Marie were there to pick us up at the end of our cruise. It was a great week and nice to be pampered just before heading to the BVI for work on the hard.









The Cruisers are Heading South- Twice

Nov 2013

Time to make a quick trip south so Mom can get back into the swing of things in Florida.
And, It was an uneventfull trip down. Which is what we want, but is not necesarily exciting.

We are hopping over to see Judy in Naples and then Rud and Gabi in Ft Myers, looping back to Mom's and flying home.

Judy and Sue on the Beach at Naples

Rudi and Gabi's New Beach front Condo in Ft Myers

Dec 31/2012-Jan 2/2013

Were off to a quick start, or so we thought. Driveaway car is packed, fridge is empty, heat is turned down and coffee is in the to go cups. But one look at each other says we better not cross the border until we visit a walk in clinic. We are both suffering from the flu , the one with the nasty sinus infection, ear infection and sore throat.

After a 2 hour wait and antibiotics we are finally on our way at the crack of noon.

I know it’s New Years Eve, but have they closed the border? There are NO cars and No trucks lined up. We’re the only ones, so guess what? We breeze through in 5 minutes.

Must be something about Buffalo because no sooner do we cross than we hit the ice fog, all the way through to Morgantown , These 2 New Years Eve party animals stop by 5:00 pm, grab dinner and crash for the night with out dose of antibiotics. Totally missed 2013 arriving, but I’m sure for the rest of you, it arrived just fine.

A couple more days of cloud and rain and we are in Sunny Florida, where the antibiotics have kicked in and we both feel better.