November 9 - Miami Redux

Yesterday, November 8th we stopped for three hours at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas and the main reason I think was so they could have Caviar in the Surf, a Seabourn signature event. For sun and sand people it was a great stop.  Since I’m neither and I can get caviar, which I do love, anywhere on the ship I stayed onboard again.  I guess I’m getting to be one of those old ladies you hear or read about who just stays on a ship endlessly. The island is absolutely flat as you can see, but the water looked exquisite and friends told me the beach was beautiful. 

Half Moon Cay

The last eight days haven’t been exciting ones in terms of seeing new places, but I’ve had a lot of fun and that’s more important to me at this stage of my life.  I only set foot on land briefly in San Juan and spent the rest of the time enjoying being on the ship and meeting new people.  In the last 22 days I’ve met wonderful folks from states I’ve never been to like Idaho and Colorado.  I’ve had interesting discussions with people from all sides of the political spectrum and we haven’t gotten angry and  we parted as friends.  I’ve made a new lifelong friend in Linda from Texas.  I’ve had an opportunity to get to know Olga, born and raised in the USSR, and Carlos, born and raised in Castro’s Cuba, who married and immigrated here on a long path that took them years spent waiting in Costa Rica and Canada.  Their perspective on this country is one which many of us who were born and raised here don’t always remember and appreciate.

The upshot is that since my favorite pastime is getting to know new people and learn what they are thinking about, this has been a great three weeks.  Along the way, I’ve spent several nights dancing until midnight.  I’ve been treated like a queen by the staff and I’ve been entertained at a show every night. The most difficult decisions I’ve had to make are where and what to eat every day and I don’t have to fix any of the food.  Life is good!

Now I’m sitting in the shade by the pool watching loading of supplies on the other side of the deck.  I saw a big wheeled pallet loaded with cases of what looked like booze go by.  The group that just got off in Miami today were doing quite a bit of partying for eight days so I’m guessing supplies were low.  In a little while several of my friends will be boarding and I’m looking forward to seeing them. At least two are staying on until Sydney too so it should be fun.

The corridor where my cabin is lined with ice buckets and champagne waiting for the next group to board

Marija from Montenegro with her pretty smile.  She has been the hostess in the Colonnade and I just found out she is leaving today.  She and Patience, the hostess in the Restaurant whose photo I posted the other day, are both leaving and I'll miss them!

I’m attaching this school photo of my grandson  Katie sent me because I think he’s so cute.  I think when he gets to be a teenager he’s going to be a real lady-killer! (Can you tell I’m a proud Oma?)

Just look at those eyes and that smile!