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Around the World

January - July 2023
If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary ... We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us! Read more
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  • 377footprints
  • 41countries
  • 180days
  • 5.8kphotos
  • 316videos
  • 65.6kmiles
  • 38.3ksea miles
  • 2.7kmiles
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  • Around the World
    Day 3

    Ensenada, Mexico

    January 17, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Yes, We are STILL in NORTH AMERICA: Mexico: "the belly button of the moon" (many interpretations), 3x the size of Texas & 127 million people, and the 4th largest movie making place in the world.

    Just like old home week, as we get on the ship we are greeted by old friends, entertainers that remembered us (and stayed in touch) from our trip to Alaska. Casey and Robbie said its so nice to have family aboard and then called us mom and dad (good to have family everywhere). We also know the Food & Beverage manager, and the wonderful musicians that play the cello and the viola of the string quartet!

    What have we been doing for 5 days? Exercising, eating, lectures, eating, learning bridge, eating, book club, eating and lots of music. We finally arrived in Ensenada (1/17) and walked around town, chatted with locals about traveling around the world. They thought I was a scientist.

    So who knew we could find Mexico interesting. Here’s what I found out: Mexico is the 15th larges country in the world, with 122 million people and the median age is 28, lots of industry and agriculture but more than 20% of its revenue comes from oil, US second largest export market and third largest source of imports, and two beloved Aztec emperors were names Montezuma (so why do they call bathroom issues his “revenge”).

    The Mexican Riviera became popular because of the Love Boat and refers to 8 areas we are going to the first six (Ensenada, Manzanillo, Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Cabo, Mazatlán, PV, Huatulco). Mescal comes from Oaxaca from 5 different types of agave, but Tequila (first Don Pedro in 1600, Cuervo was 1795) is from Jalisco and has to be at least 51% blue agave. Tequila became very popular in the U.S. during The Depression since it made its way across the border.
    Current challenge: the agave plant (40-70 lbs), takes 15 lbs to produce 1 liter of Tequila and because of weather and disease, there is just not enough of it.

    Ensenada is the 3rd largest city in Baja California, 78 miles from SD and known for fishing, tourism, aerospace center, naval base and for wine and olives. Spanish, Russian and American influences. Known for tacos, margarita, and ceviche, all “invented” here.

    After our day in Ensenada, walking around town, in the rain but meeting a few interesting store owners that wanted to chat about our itinerary ... it was quiet, except for those early risers that wanted a Margarita in the town it was invented. I waited for Mexican night!

    Funny story, you know how when you give US dollars in a foreign country, they usually give you back local currency that you don't want? Well, my wonderful wife had little baggies with local currency we have accumulated from traveling. I gave the bus driver pesos, he gave me a strange look, and after consulting with other drivers, he gave me change in US dollars!!

    Money grows on the walls in Mexico (photo 3)
    Look who was in a store in Ensenada (photo 5)
    Old Friends (photo 6)
    Must Be the Blue Agave (photo 7)    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 6

    Manzanillo, Mexico

    January 20, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    In the "sailfish capital of the world" we went on a catamaran and about an hour from the ship anchored in a very secluded cove where we had some great snorkeling (we saw guitar fish and some other beautiful fish and coral). Of course on the trip back we had the obligatory 3 rum and cokes each .. and a local beer. Manzanillo also takes claim for inventing the Mariachis, Sombrero and Tequilla ... maybe. That evening (Friday) we led Shabbat Services for a wonderful group of 19 shipmates and really enjoyed the interesting stories in a game of Jewish Geography.Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 7

    Zihuatanejo, Mexico

    January 21, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    Went to both Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa.

    Maybe you remember this place from the movie Shawshank Redemption (when Andy Dufresne says that he would like to get away from it all and go to his dream home in Zihuatanejo). A coastal fishing town of 70,000 people, very quaint and laid back and known for their invention of the bandana. We drove all over this city and took in views of the Sierra Madres but really focused on our visit to Ixtapa, a beautiful resort town a few miles away built up in beginning in the 70's with many hotels on incredible beaches. We listened to music and had a few margaritas at the Hotel Dorado Pacifico on the beach. We may be back (if you are tracking places we may move to in September), pickleball is coming here (really) and furnished apartments on the beach are only about $1000/month!Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 8

    Acapulco, Mexico

    January 22, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    A very large resort city on the Pacific with 2 beautiful bays with calm waters, is 200 miles from Mexico City (and at the end of the San Andreas fault). With 2 million people with incredible views and Mexico’s largest beaches and most beautiful hotels. What made this place so popular? Not the A 1616 fort protecting the Spanish from pirates that still stands (opposite our ship) as a historical museum although closed due to recent earthquake damage. The success of Acapulco- the Hollywood people that visited and had homes (and hotels) here in the 50’s (we visited the El Flamingo now a "shrine" to all the stars that stayed there). Also, the Love Boat visited every week and probably didn’t hurt. We visited all 3 areas in a highlights tour, the old town with quaint hotels and restaurants (and of course shopping, which we always avoid). The newer area with large hotels, resorts and taller apartment buildings and the up-and-coming area where there are entire little villages of homes (all with beautiful pools) being built (we could live there if it wasn’t almost as expensive as NB). I had been in Acapulco in 1980 and then in 1995 before the drug and gang wars and corruption that killed tourism from 2007ish until very recently. Finally the area and crime has been cleaned up and they are trying very hard to get tourist back to the area. (photos 1-6)

    The highlight was the world-famous cliff divers of La Quebrada that have been diving there since 1934. It might have been the pina colada AND margarita that be both had before 10am while watching a folklore show (maybe that’s why they have siestas) but it was incredible. There were many divers that dove from different heights of the rocky cliffs based upon their skills with the climax being a diver at 140’ above the 42' wide inlet and shallow water, less than 15’ deep. (photos 7-9 and 1 video)

    The day’s highlight was back on the ship after a very detailed interesting lecture on coffee production and evolution, with Karen dancing with the Mariachis. (photos 10-13)    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 8

    The Ship!

    January 22, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌙 70 °F

    The Insignia was built in 1998 and totally refurbished in 2018. It holds 684 passengers. Currently there are 394 passengers going ATW plus about 200 that are getting off in Chile. There are 403 crew from 52 countries (ratio of 1.5:1)! It has 11 decks (although all there is to do on the top deck is mini-golf, shuffle board, corn hole, and ping pong. I have not improved even though I’ve played all of them almost every day (very competitive)… I may have to go back to pickleball).

    Insignia length is 593.7’, beam 83.5, draft 19.5’, gross tonnage 30,277 (before Bruce), and max speed 18 knots (let me know if you want to know more about the propulsion, bow thrusters, stabilizers or number drinks I have per day).

    Most days we go about 16 knots but “what’s the rush”?    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 8

    Lunar New Year

    January 22, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ 🌙 70 °F

    Some refer to it as Lunar...others Chinese...others Asian. What ever you call it, the food was DELICIOUS!

    I promised that I would NOT become one of those blogs where I post what I ate each day … because no one cares, BUT I did have to show you a few of the delectable from Chinese New Year.

    And Karen's favorite - the famous Bounty Cake made with coconut, chocolate chips and vanilla! (last photo)    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 10

    Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

    January 24, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    This town right on the border of Mexico and 8 miles from Guatemala is sadly the poorest town in Mexico and it is quite evident. In addition, many immigrants that have been walking from neighboring Countries of Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Haiti to get to this town that accepts them as they continue their journey of 600 more miles to Texas or 1600 miles to San Diego. Of course all of this has been made worse by the recent end of Title 42.Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 11

    Peru ???

    January 25, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    Are we going to Peru 1/30 - 2/2?

    If you are following the craziness in Peru, you will not be surprised that this morning they cancelled our 3 days in Salaverry, Callao, and Pisco Peru. Sadly, over 50 people have been killed since protests began in early December 2022 following the ousting of President Pedro Castillo. Most of the current rallies and marches are to demand his replacement, Dino Boluarte, step down and call new elections. Yesterday, local newspapers reported a “national strike” as many cities were closed down, with major roads blocked.

    For those that had planned 3-day trips to Machu Picchu this is very disappointing. Karen and I would have loved to go back to Peru (we were in Machu Pichu doing the Inca Trail on February 15, 2020 when Covid started to explode), so we understand and feel very lucky to have been there and experienced its wonder when we could. Not to mention we now make and love drinking Pisco Sours at home (if you never heard of them or tried one, give it a shot, most liquor stores have Pisco). https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pisco-sour

    Instead of Peru, we will be extending our trip to Ecuador for 2 additional days (and going to Guayaquil, Ecuador 1/31-2/1 with another day in Callao, Peru a protected area, just to pick-up fuel ..somewhat important).

    “There are only two times in life, NOW and TOO LATE”!!    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 11

    Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

    January 25, 2023 in Guatemala ⋅ 🌧 50 °F

    “Seek and you will find. Don’t be willing to accept and ordinary life.”

    Our motto: Experience ... Explore ... Enrich ... Enjoy

    The Pangaea supercontinent existed until about 200 million years ago where there was ONE Continent, a continuous land mass until it broke up to what we know today.

    Note: Worth researching if you're into that type of history and geography.

    Now, moving from North America to Central America:

    What is Central America? Not a continent. Most consider it part of North America (geographically) although it is the section of land connecting North and South America.

    It includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaraqua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Some (including the United Nations) would say it includes Mexico (I thought that was N.A.), Belize and Honduras. The Mayans lived here for centuries and are known for their writings, art, development of the calendar and extensive math. Conquered by the Spanish in 1500’s, who were looking for territory and treasures. Today there are still 6 million Mayans that speak 52 languages living here. We stopped in two ports in Central America. First, Puerto Quetzal.

    Karen and I were twice previously in Guatemala and had learned and enjoyed from very interesting tours here about these poor but happy, colorful, humble and religious people, so we decided to go out on our own for a walk. Mostly non-eventful since much of what we saw was the beautifully colorful textiles and tourist stuff for sale. Since we are not making purchases, that was an easy walk. For a small Country, barely the size of Ohio, Guatemala borders: Mexico, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador as well as a small piece of coastline on the Pacific and the Caribbean. Old Antigua is a quaint town that was the capital. There are many places where coffee and sugar cane are farmed but the main item you see is the Beautiful Mayan textiles and rum (which a few of our friends stocked up on). For years, I’ve kept my Guatemalan Worry Dolls on my nightstand at home (wherever home is) and carry them with us when we travel.

    The Port (photo 3)
    Karen and Her Friend, Jade (photo 4)
    Impressive straw/bamboo pyramid (photo 5)
    Time for the May-pole (photo 6)    Read more

  • Around the World
    Day 12

    Acajutla, El Salvador

    January 26, 2023 in El Salvador ⋅ 🌙 75 °F

    Next, Acajutla, El Salvador (our first new country!)...

    Only 15 miles from Guatemala, we arrived at the very busy industrial port of Acajutla (that rarely sees any cruise ships and has a lot of industry). El Salvador, a Country of 7.2 million is made up of 14 cities, with a difficult history resulting from multiple civil wars. So much so that over 3 million people have moved from here to the U.S. to get an education and work. The El Salvador diaspora has brought billion to the U.S economy over the years as well as allowed them to send back much need aided to their families here. El Salvador exports a lot of coffee, sugar and balsam (used to make perfumes), fertilizer (maybe it’s the same stuff that makes perfumes) and has a large oil refinery.

    The temperature has slowly increased every day as we travel south. It began in the 70’s, 80’s and now in the 90’s as we are getting closer to the equator. We spent the day in San Salvador, a 2-hour (85+ mile) ride from the port, which was quite a beautiful ride as we passed 3 volcanos (within 12 miles of where we were). These are all still active, with Izalco (last erupting in 1966), Santa Ana (2005) and El Boqueron (1917). In addition to these eruptions, earthquakes have destroyed San Salvador six times over. So what was left to see?

    When we got to San Salvador we saw interesting architecture on the buildings restored and the new buildings. We went to the National Palace (now a museum - see the floor), Metropolitan Cathedral where we heard the detailed story of the beloved Bishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero who dedicated his life to bring social justice to San Salvador and was sadly killed, starting a generation of very corrupt government and inequity in this nation. We walked through the government square and the streets of the city which looked beautiful (although we heard about what used to transpire in this square). We walked and observed the interesting vendors, each with a different product they sell to the locals (packaged food, groceries, fruit, meat, flowers, electronics, tools, etc). We also watched them make the mainstay food of El Salvador, pupusas (stuffed tortillas).

    The area is very active and used to be quite overrun with street peddlers and lots of crime. What happened? The government cleaner it up! There are security, police and soldiers everywhere and the people in the street are extremely nice to meet and speak with. We even walked off the beaten path in our free time and felt very safe. It is a brand new world here and they are trying so hard to get tourism back and increase visitors. We even had paparazzi wherever we went and they wanted to take our picture for local newspapers (El Diario) and magazines to show that American tourists are back. We saw the building of a beautiful new library and many new buildings to bring back art and culture. The only thing that seemed to be a little concerning was the amount of Chinese investment here in everything from renewing the architecture to building new buildings and helping increase commerce. Time will tell.

    Bishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero's Cathedral (rebuilt 3 times after earthquakes) (photo 1)
    National Palace Gardens (photo 2)
    National Palace, Now Museum (photo 3)
    Everywhere we went were police and Military protecting us (photo 4)
    Original Architecture (photo 5)
    Bishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero - Worth reading his story (photo 6)
    PUPUSAS!!! (photo 7)
    3 for a dollar! (photo 8)
    National Theater (photo 9)
    Lunch in the Shadows of a Volcano (thats what I saw after a few of these) (photo 10)
    Believe it or not, the NEW San Salvador Library being built!!! (photo 11)
    The Palace and the Queen (photo 12)
    And I was worried about a haircut! $2.50 was a lot... it was much cheaper in one of the"barber tents" (photo 13)
    The Original 300 year old floor ..what do you see? Blocks or Stars of David? (photo 14)

    A great video that Karen took on our way back to the port from San Salvador. We finished lunch at 1pm (an abbreviated lunch less than half hour) and the ship was leaving at 1:30pm. Try this math: It was a 2 hour (85 mile) ride to San Salvador and we now had a HALF HOUR to do the same trip and there was lots of traffic and construction. We got a police escort along with an insane bus driver (hit 70 mph at times on the curves). We got back at 2pm ... they waited!

    https://youtu.be/O5iuikm1Qqc    Read more

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