Busy
day today. Elsie arranged for a group of mostly motorcycle riders to
go to Chen's Chinese restaurant in Fountain Hills for lunch. There
ended up being about 30 people and the little restaurant did a good
job of getting the food out. We rode back via the Bush Hwy and made
a brief stop at Saguaro Lake.
I
hemmed some pants – including a pair for Bob Casperson! - and had
time to join Terry for some line dancing to Midnight Moon at MCY.
A
quick dinner and then a dance with Junction 87 in the ballroom. It
was billed as a line dance dance so a lot of non line dancers did not
attend which gave us lots of room to line dance.
Jan 23rd –
Sat
A lot
of the day was used doing laundry and packing for the cruise.
Otherwise uneventful.
Jan 24th &
25th – Sun & Mon
We
picked up Bob & Sandi and Dennis & Gloria at 6 for the drive
to Los Angeles. Good drive in light Sunday traffic until we
encountered an accident on I10 east of Quartzite which stopped
traffic. We sat for nearly an hour until the semis involved were
pulled off far enough to allow one lane of traffic through. Luckily
we had allowed extra time so we weren't late getting on the ship –
Norwegian Jewel. Last year was our first cruise – out of Houston –
and oddly enough it was on the same ship. The ship left on time at 4
for our big adventure with 18 friends.
Monday
was an “at sea” day and we could relax after our drive.
Jan 26th –
Tues – Cabo San Lucas
We
docked around noon with nice sunny skies. We had to tender in to the
docks where it was just a nice walk around the harbor to lots of
shops so that is where we headed. While we were heading in we saw a
seal (sea lion?) hop up on the back of a fishing boat for a ride and
a snack. We wandered/shopped, met up with friends at Cabo Wabo for a
drink and then some of us ended up at Senor Frogs where we sported
balloon decorations on our heads/hats while we watched people try to
drink a whole beer poured down a tube from the balcony. Back to the
ship by 4:30 and heading southeast again.
Jan 27th –
Wed – Mazatlan
We
docked at 7 and disembarked around 9. We and Dennis & Gloria got
a “pulmonaria?” (cross between a golf cart and a small car) that
holds the driver and 3 passengers to take us to the main shopping
area. When the driver pulled up in front of a jewelry store in an
iffy area we decided to take the driver up on his offer to take us
anywhere we wanted to go for 3 hours for $80.
The
driver was very nice, proud of his city and happy to show it off. We
saw old town, new areas, cliff divers, the dock & ship from a
high hill where there were also vendors and stopped for a drink by
the water. When we got back to the dock area, we joined friends at a
bar and had way too many margaritas!! Terry & I had to have a
nap before going to the evening show!
Jan 28th –
Thurs – Puerto Vallarta
Once
again we disembarked around 9 and Rick & Vi (have stayed in VVV)
and Vi's sister Helen were waiting for 6 of us to be our tour guides.
They are staying in PV for a few weeks. We got on a local bus and
experienced “rapid transit” Mexican style. We stopped at the
hotel where Rick & Vi are staying and then continued on foot to
the market area which is right on the water. We had a great time
wandering around. We were heading back towards a bus stop when we
saw the rest of our friends having lunch so we decided to have a late
lunch as well. Then we all took the bus back to the dock. Another
fun day including the usual dinner, drinks, show, etc on the ship.
Jan 29th/30th
– on ship
We
had 2 sea days heading back – including 2 time changes as we headed
northeast. The first day was sunny & warm so everyone enjoyed
activities on deck. The second day was cool & windy so only the
brave found outside areas sheltered from the wind.
Jan 31st –
Sun
It
was drizzling slightly when we left ship at 8. While Terry walked to
get the truck, Dennis & Gloria and I stood outside and got wet as
we were not allowed to remain inside the building where we cleared
customs. Terry was forced to park on the opposite side of a median
so we carried our bags across the lanes where others could pick up
passengers and waited for Bob & Sandi. When they came out, Terry
ran across to get them. A female official said they could not cross
there but had to go down to the crosswalk! Terry said “no thank
you” (yeah right!!) and crossed back to the truck and then stopped
to get Bob & Sandi.
We
had rain all the way out of the LA area. We stopped for lunch in
Quartzsite and then drove through a lovely dust storm. We had a
wonderful surprise when we got back – a group led by Elsie, Terri &
Dar had arranged dinner for all of us in Ron & Terri's carport.
We didn't have to do a thing! A great ending to a super trip!
