TUESDAY FROM THE SEA

Tuesday Feb 3, 2009 – Our scheduled 7AM arrival at our first port stop at Dominica was delayed as a result of our delayed departure out of Ft. Lauderdale.  We arrived at 12 noon, amid typical Caribbean weather conditions of clear skies and warm muggy weather.   Ken and Marvis rushed ashore while Bob and I waited with Bill and Diane for a more "shore friendly" debarkation.  Those of us who stayed behind decided that we had made the better decision inasmuch as debarkation with 3,000 "scurrying passengers" is not very desirable.  Bill decided to stay aboard and another couple (former fellow travelers of Diane and Bill from Colorado) joined us for our "trek" ashore.    According to our daily "blurb" from the ships staff, "Dominica is halfway between Guadeloupe and Martinque and is the most mountaineous of the Windward Islands.  Abundant with rushing rivers, cascading waterfalls and lush rainforests.  Dominica is a treasure test of hidden natural wonders. "  I am afraid I will have to take their word all this because as we departed the ship, my foot acted up and my big toe began to hurt leading Bob to suggest that I might be experiencing the beginnings of "gout".  I assured Bob that was not possible because "gout" is supposedly a rich person's dilemma and "rich I ain't:".  Nevertheless, we returned to the ship, watched for the return of our respective spouses and had a nice visit.    Ken and Marvis returned after their venture downtown and "out and about" and pronounced their afternoon a success insofar as exercise and common exploration.  Oh – Ken bought another "cheap" island painting for his collection of art that serves to remind him where he has been and what he has seen.    In the meantime, I am "cooling my heels (or toes as the case may be) in the stateroom awaiting a quick recovery from a "peeved" toe.  For the record, I am fairly confident that the foot malady is a result of some shoes that may not meet the comfort level of my feet.  Time will tell.   Our stop tomorrow is Barbados.  Will let you know how it goes.     Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

It is Sunday on the high seas after an unbelievable day of events leading to our embarkation.     We (Bill and Diane, Ken and Pat Burns) left Sarasota Florida at 8A and stopped for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant near Naples.  We arrived at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale a little after 12 noon and checked our luggage.  Ken and Bill returned the rental car to Alamo while Diane and I stood in line to board the ship.  By the time we reached the boarding area, Ken and Bill should have been back but alas, they got lost, forgot to gas up the car and had to go back to the station to "top off" the tank so we had to wait approximately 20 minutes for them.  Our boarding process was delayed approximately 20 minutes as a result of these events.  This is important because by the time we got to the registration desk, another couple had cut in between us and separated Ken and I from Bill and Diane.    As we were completing the registration process, everyone was ordered to evacuate the building.  Bill and Diane and the couple who had cut in front of us were able to board the ship but we were about 30 seconds short of completing the registration process and had to evacuate the terminal.  Diane saw the couple who cut in between us this morning and sometime during this trip, I intend to have a drink on them.  My misery, thanks to their "pushy" bad manners, shall not go unrewarded.    We do not know the details but we understand that a suspicious item of luggage was found during the check in process which brought the FBI, the police and the Coast Guard on a full scale search of the terminal.  We understand that two passengers may have been removed from the ship as a result and you may in fact know more about the details than we do aboard ship.  At any rate, approximately 1,000 passengers were assembled in a terminal across the street until an all clear was ordered at 7PM (approximately 6 hours later and 3 hours past our departure time). Needless to say, we were not happy campers but alas, what can one do?    Our friends, Bob and Marvis Gersten were also caught in the melee but the other two couples who are among our "group", along with Bill and Diane, escaped our challenge.  As we boarded the ship, I refused to pose for the usual "photo op" on the grounds that I did not have a smile left to give.    We are still exploring our home at sea and the ancillary amenities.  As the days come and go I will try to keep you abreast of our "fun" ship experiences aboard the Carnival Splendor.   .     Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea just as happy as can be