Caribbean Capers- Part Deux

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Trip start
February 18, 2023
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Day 2
Sunday, February 19, 2023 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Claughton Island 25.76232, -80.18373925°45’44” N 80°11’1” W
Day one- Checking in
February 19, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Picked up kids at the airport yesterday and stayed at Tru in Miami. Dinner was at the Greek restaurant where Wayne & I had lunch yesterday.

Julianna and I drove our luggage to the port and checked it in to make room for people. We returned to the hotel, and headed for the port. The original plan was to drop the kids and go to the garage where I reserved space. The Royal Caribbean garage costs about a hundred dollars more for the week.

The traffic to the port was dreadful. It took a really long time to get to the port. The best $100 decision was to just park at the terminal.

Check-in and boarding and muster station went smoothly. The same could not be said for the dinner reservation line later that evening. It. Took. Forever.

Dinner was good- liked our waiters.Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 25.870227, -78.85372525°52’13” N 78°51’13” W
First Sea Day
February 21, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
We had a lovely day at sea. Started out with coffee in the Solarium-- little kids outside the cafe in the adult area. C'est la vie. I guess there's nowhere else in this huge ship where the parents can find food for kids, and no way they can eat inside. Luckily it was just coffee. We had lovely brunch in the MDR.

Lunch was at the barbecue place on the 15 the deck. It was yummy- and well worth the $.

We had some trivia time- Beatles, and we did well. (Note: the ballad of John & Yoko is NOT a Beatles song.)

I did some stitching, and everyone found things to do and places to be.

Love me a Sea Day.Read more
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Day 5
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Caribbean Sea 18.511422, -72.83228118°30’41” N 72°49’56” W
Labadee
February 22, 2023, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Julianna and I were up early for kayaking. We caught a bite at the Central Park Cafe, then headed to Columbus Cove to sign in. We were assisted by Nelson who made sure that we got our life vests and paddles, and got us safely into and out of our kayak.

We paddled around the point, and stopped in a small village where Joseph helped us and wanted us to buy his goods. I got a small jute bracelet for $5 (he wanted $15).

We hung out on the beach, did a little swimming, had a little lunch, and then back to the ship with a stop in the marketplace shop (to avoid being accosted by all the people trying to sell stuff).

Dinner in MDR, then the Aqua Theater showRead more
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Day 5
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 1:00 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Puerto Rico Isla San Juan 18.46545, -66.10348818°27’56” N 66°6’13” W
San Juan, Puerto Rico
February 22, 2023 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
We had a VERY active day in San Juan. We started out at the Fort of San Cristobel- compliments of our National Parks Senior passes. Then into town, with a stroll(!) along the Paseo de la Princesa which took us to the very long coastal walk toward the Fort of San Felipe del Morro. We got there just after it closed, and had to retrace our steps to the Red Gate- the gate of San Juan Bautista.

Greg and Megan found a restaurant they wanted to eat at- wait was 1 hour, so W, JC and I continued on-- turned out that with a party of 2, their wait was 10 minutes. We came upon a restaurant near the dock that had local food- we had xxx with shrimp and crab, empinadillas, beans and rice, and Wayne had fries and plantains. He went back to the ship, and Julianna and I went for more walking. We happened upon the Peragua Man, and got peraguas- passion fruit for me, and raspberry for Julianna.

Apparently, we clocked at least 15,000 steps for the day.

We were pretty wiped out.

Last thrill of the day... The pilot boat picked up the pilot directly below our stateroom.Read more
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Day 6
Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Altitude: 11 m
U.S. Virgin Islands Bakery Square 18.341145, -64.93278918°20’28” N 64°55’58” W
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
February 23, 2023 on the U.S. Virgin Islands
Greg & Megan set off in the morning to see Magen's Bay. We three took a 2-hour taxi ride to see the island. At the mountaintop, we came upon G&M, and enjoyed Banana Daquiris. Our driver let us out near Gladys' Cafe. Guess who we were seated next to? Greg & Megan!

Wayne had his Conch Chowder. I had a friend grouper sandwich, and Julianna had a grilled tuna sandwich. Wayne & I headed back to the ship, while the younger 3 went in search of rum cake.Read more
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Day 7
Friday, February 24, 2023
🌬 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
North Atlantic Ocean 22.334478, -69.84213522°20’4” N 69°50’32” W
Sea Day- The One With All the Trivia
February 24, 2023, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 25 °C
Gotta love a Sea Day. We started out with MDR Brunch- Megan got hers via Greg-service. (Like room service, except that Greg ordered the food and took it to the room.) We met later for lunch, and then did 4 rounds of trivia before dinner.

We had dinner at Chops, to celebrate all the birthdays. It was topped off by a nice sit in Central Park.Read more
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Day 8
Saturday, February 25, 2023
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Bahamas Little Stirrup Cay 25.819811, -77.938825°49’11” N 77°56’20” W
Crazy Day at Coco Cay
February 25, 2023 on the Bahamas ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
There were two ships at the dock- Oasis and Liberty. A day at Royal's island with 10,000 of our closest friends. Our friends, Darla and Greg were aboard Norwegian Prima, which was anchored off Great Stirrup Cay- the next island over.

We found a couple of chairs, and the kids enjoyed Coco Locos. ( I had a sip or three).

After a bit of a swim, Julianna and I headed to the Snack Shack for some eats. I headed back to the ship, and they did some snorkeling.

We had dinner in the Solarium Bistro, and saw a beautiful sunset, then went to Cats. Bags out to the hallway, then some wine on the balcony. It was a lovely, calm way to spend our last evening.Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 8:00 AM
Altitude: 13 m
United States Seamans Park 25.777788, -80.17316225°46’40” N 80°10’23” W
Debarcation Day
February 26, 2023 in the United States
We had breakfast in the MDR, then hung out in Central Park until our number was called. It wasn't too bad- exited the ship, got a porter, took some of the kids' stuff.

They went to the taxi queue, and our porter took us to our car in the garage.

Leaving the port was easy- much better than getting there the previous week. We headed to Sanford, with a stop at Publix for some train snacks. Checked into the hotel-- room not ready, so they gave us a different one- no prob.

W wanted to go to iHop- it was closed, so we went to the Mexican restaurant next door. I had delicious enchiladas en molé. I could only eat one, so saving the other one for breakfast.Read more
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Day 10
Monday, February 27, 2023 at 5:00 AM
☁️ 16 °C
Altitude: 8 m
United States Smiths Subdivision 28.808775, -81.29136528°48’32” N 81°17’29” W
And on the Train to Home
February 27, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Had my enchilada for breakfast- SO good!.

We packed up the car, and went to Jersey Mike's for train food.

Then on to the train station. We were there early, so listened to some 60's music on Sirius. I found the "Peragua Lady," although it was Alaska Shaved Ice, which was actually crushed in a blender. But having had Peragua in Puerto Rico, I liked my version.

Check-in was uneventful, until we went to our seats, which were occupied. The couple had the same numbers as we did- and they were all settled in. I went back to the terminal, and they determined that someone had written the wrong numbers on the other couple's ticket. I said we were fine to move- no problem. They gave us seats across from each other-we each had two seats!!

Had our sandwiches and snacks, and a nightcap. I actually slept pretty well.Read more
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Day 11
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 22 m
United States Lorton 38.70849, -77.2206338°42’31” N 77°13’14” W
And, Home
February 28, 2023 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
First in, last out. Good employment strategy- and apparently it applies to getting your car off the AutoTrain.

I slept as well as I could- got a few good hours in early morning until Mr. Coughing Man behind me got into full swing.

Had some Cheerios and coffee, and prepped for arrival. Although they predicted an early arrival, we pulled in on time at 10 am. Our car showed up at about 11:20.

Hit the commissary for basics- and then home.

For awhile.Read more
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Trip end
February 28, 2023