ALMOST HOME

Flew into Austin Thursday night and took a little convincing that we had a car in the Cargo lot, but there was Monte's little Escape all alone. Then had to wait for a cashier and the guy that opened the lot parked his car across the road like we would make a get away. Finally, only to run into construction around Waco. They were working and had those BRIGHT lights on. Made it to Arlington in time to fall in bed. Lots of football people in this hotel. 

Football yesterday was good and today is one 4A and two 5A games. 

Tomorrow we get home for the first time since the day before Thanksgiving. Don't know what we will find. My sub has been in the shop. Think we had a water leak, so had to have the water shut off. Weather has been wet, so don't know if leak or snow. 

So, if we or our clothes stink fir awhile, you will know the laundry still needs to be done......

And yes, of course, I am already dreaming about the next trip. The biggie I would like to take will probably have to wait until 2015. 

So for the ones who stuck by us, we are signing off for now, so until later.............

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

CHRISTMAS WITH THE "KRANKS"

Read the book several years ago "Skipping Christmas", even own the DVD, and only yesterday watched the movie with some of my new friends.......and last night, Monte watched something about War Z........

Today is very relaxed, even some rain! 

Then-------some luggage is to be out by dinner time. Well, that is a problem as we don't have a set dinner time. Rest of luggage out before 10:00 PM. The first cruise we ever took-luggage out by 2:00 AM, then later got moved to midnight. Pretty soon, all you will be able to do is sit in your cabin on the last day with the clothes you will wear off...........

will keep checking e-mail and FB and will check in with y'all again tomorrow night. We fly from Florida to Texas tomorrow............so until then

UPDATE

We are looking for a little plastic life raft some where in the ocean???????? Even turned around and found a fishing boat, but he was okay........on our way, so why will we find? 

ARUBA

I am so proving how I need to go to school for this blog and Ipad. Some pics posted that I did not mean to hit. Oh well, I have taken over 1500 pics but most are not good as the bus driver was a speed demon. So I just hope for a few.....

Well, Aruba is Aruba. Too commercial. One side of the island is raw. Nothing but looking, and for sure no swimming. We came into port between the pier and a sand bar. Left between that sand bar and another one. Here are mostly high rise hotels with every one having it's own casino. Lots of lottery. Rooms are 450 - 600 a night. Gas is about 6.00 gallon US money, but go 18 miles to Venasuela and it's .15..........

Aruba was not for me, still like Bonaire. Just posting some pics and if I don't post for a day, you know I ran out of internet minutes........will pits again after we hit Texas land, so keep checking back! 

so until later.........

BONAIRE

Was just too tired last night, so hope you have checked back today........we are at our last port and our time is almost over...........

Oh WOW, this island is fantastic!!!!!!! It's Dutch, modern, friendly, clean and sellers don't bug you. A cute street with stores send open air market that we enjoyed walking around. We rode around in a tuk tuk. With us was a couple from Israel. Our driver is a prison guard in his other life. About 80 ships come herd a year, so they depend on the divers that come for 1-2 weeks. A guy on the ship even checked into owning a home, but he would have to live there 10 months out if the year, so he was going to buy in Belize. 

Watched football all day with me taking a break for a singer Bobby Brooks Wilson. 

Another ship was at Bonaire which was a Scientology ship. Just cruises between 3 islands. Was interesting as 90% of the island is Catholic. 

So until later"...............

GRENADA

Grenada was a great island. Hilly.......so, how do you go from one side of town to the other?? By tunnel of course.......

The town is colorful, paved streets and clean.......

We have liked the islands so far and are looking forward to the next two days. New places are always exciting..........

Singer tonight - Lovena B. Fox. She was good and sang different styles of music. Captain said we would rock and roll tonight, but he has said that before and it was nothing, so will see how right he is tonight. 

so, until tomorrow night.......

DOMINICA

These bushes were in the Botanic Gardens. They look like trees. Going inside was cool as it was really hot and the humidity was 85......

This sign just struck me funny........

Hey,look, we found Mickey and Minnie.......

Train we rode around in. With a breeze, you could do pretty good, but man, was it hot.......

This is theview from the ship. Nice paved roads even if they were small. Things seemed pretty modern.

The show tonight was one we has seen, so I am on the top deck in the breeze and listening to music. Gotta get to bed pretty soon as we get off in the morning at 7:30......no, the man is not too happy..........

so, until later ..........

ST THOMAS - YES, AGAIN

How can you not want to sit and read and this be your backdrop? Since we had already been here, we let everybody else get off and we enjoyed our choice of seats. That is always nice!! Tonight's show got changed due to singer being sick. We had already seen the show replacing it, so just getting to walk the ship and read some more. Will try to watch gage football game, however, we are 2 hours ahead, so makes for a late game......

Tomorrow we are at a new island, so stay tuned.........

DAY OF NOTHING

Today was a sea day, so rested up........just about the only thing we did besides lay around was go to eat and see a hypnotist, Kelly Karl! Thought she was going to put Monte under, and he was not on stage!!!!!!!!!

Went by the big screen to get some pop corn, have a coke, so now it's back to reading! 

so until later.........

REPEAT

Today was another day at Princess Cay. Beautiful day and was thankful for the clamshell. Kept me by the water, in the breeze and in the shade. Good time for reading. We did not stay long after lunch. Came back to sit on top deck.......

On the tender back from the island, we were visiting with a couple from Alaska. He ask me where I am from and when I say Texas, he asks " are you from Muleshoe?" Okay, he has caught me off guard and I am afraid I am suppose to know this man. After I take a deep breath, I answer Yes.......It was just the name of the town that he was fascinated with after driving thru at one time! Also Clovis NM. They were interesting to visit with after the shock of Muleshoe.........

Now we have repeat of some shows so just listen to music in different places on the ship. Just about any kind you want.........

gotta run the clock up an hour, so until tomorrow........

WHAT D DAY

Ft Lauderdale - our turn around day......customs officials decided to make this day a day to remember......We don't really know what was going on, just people could not clear customs. We were to get off the ship at 10:30 and back on in about 15 minutes or so. Did not happen until almost 12 and then "officials" did not know how to put us in a line to get back on the ship!! About 200 of us going for a second 10. 

Did not have to attend the safety drill, so had our choice of deck chairs. 

Talked to Jason and found out we had been using too much water while we have been gone, guess a busted pipe. City said they will turn off the water, so that should be quite a bill......

Preview of a comedian tonight, and will not return to see him.......

I left the top deck watching the Cowboys (or Bears) on the big screen. Had a blanket and was pretty comfy! But for now? Bed

so until tomorrow night

SEA DAY

This has been another beautiful day of inches...........know we are going a different route due to weather, so guess he made too many miles somewhere, cause today, we are crawling......nice! 

T Shirts on sale today, so got new clothes........some of the stuff is true junk...

Had a piano player tonight and he was great. If you ever go to Vegas, go to Planet Hollywood and hear Ryan Ahern.......worth it

Tomorrow we are called "In Transit". They will take us thru customs with our old and new room keys, with passports, and then bring us back on the ship.......will see how this all goes......Then, our new adventure starts.......excited as we will go to 4 islands we have never been to. FUN FUN

so until tomorrow night.......

FINALLY -------- A DAY AT SEA

Finally, a day of "nothing'. You all know how much we like those days. The SkyWalker is where I like to read and catch up on FB while sitting here watching the day go by.........

Really? You need that much "equipment" on your belt?????????

Ice carvings today ------ dolphin and swan......

We really have done nothing today.........Andrew tells me there is no such thing as "nothing".......maybe he is right, but do seem rested after so much walking and riding buses......

Singers and dancers tonight and now to read some more......and kids, y'all will be proud of Poppa. He finished "Bleachers" in 4 days. Gotta get that man some books for home------might have to have his own Kindle.

Tomorrow is another sea day------so, how much can we find to do? Catch us tomorrow night.....

ST KITTS

Train ride today was great. Rode in the upper deck and you could see everything. We were served drinks, sang to and told about everything on the way. School is out for Christmas break and all the kids were running out it wave to the train......the day started out with about 10 minutes of rain, just as we were sitting down to eat breakfast (outside). Then the sun came out and was sunny until just before we made it to the gangway of the ship. The wind hit and started sprinkling. Could hardly walk, getting wet, and everybody laughing.........saw an illusionist Michael Grasso tonight and he was good.....we even had seats real close. Later we will go see singers and dancers. 

So until later........

BARBADOS #2

Two ladies waiting for the funeral.......

BARBADOS

Barbados is pretty modern and the island I would most likely want to return to to stay. Beautiful beaches. 

T And see, I am on this cruise. Just usually on the other side of the camera........this was a stop for great views and the oh so famous rum punch........just punch mostly! 

We went to visit a real old church, but visit was cut short because they were about to have a funeral. These people dress to the nines for church events.......

HOW'S THE WEATHER?????????

Keep reading things on FB that make me think you may be a little cold and having trouble getting around........football games postponed, and Eric, your paper may be late! 

ST LUCIA #2

If you ever come to St Lucia, this is the place to come........

This is the open air gonadal we rode to the top of the rain forest. Was soooo much fun.......

This is when we were on top of the trees!

And never fail, they always get us back "home"......

We really did have a good day and had singers and dancers tonight. Doing disco, which was really never our thing. It's hard for us to remember that we are 2 hours ahead of Texas, so we get tired before y'all do........and so, 

Until tomorrow--------

ST LUCIA

St Lucia is really green and beautiful.........

Never knowwhat brand of cruise line we will find in port!

ANTIGUA # 3

Last night we had a comedian Phil Tag. He was okay, but not worth a second show. Tonight we had Mark Preston--------one of The Lettermen. He was good and might be worth a second show.

I thought after I got the app for my blog for the IPad, thought it was going to be great for the trip as the size was great. However, every time I change from FB, e-mail or other blogs I want to read, I get disconnected from the server. So it gets tiring trying to get back on. BUT, I will keep on keeping on and get the blog done first each night. Next trip might go back to the old computer......

Tomorrow is one of the excursions I have been sooo excited about, so hope I am not disappointed.

We have had almost perfect weather and Monte is already RED. 

So until tomorrow night.......

ANTIGUA # 2

You figure this one out for yourself............

This is a sugar tower. They have turned them in to apartments........it was for rent and thought it was pretty neat until I saw the stairs.......

ANTIGUA

Rich side of town.......

Poor side of town.......

This is food trucks and food booths across the road from the college. 

This is a view of Antigua.........

STAY WITH ME

I am having lots of problems staying connected and getting posts to publish........so maybe things will get better because we have some really neat things coming up! So until later........

ST THOMAS

Just what we wanted - Texas BBQ........

Went to the Mountain Top for a banana daiquiri..........

ST THOMAS

St Thomas from the Mountain Top. They even gave a baseball field.......just for me!

Monte with his new friend.........

Leaving St Thomas.......