The McSparklesons are BACK and they are CRUISIN! COMPLETE 10/4

[MEK]

I can't even begin to remember what to comment on. Just loved all your last few updates. The crazy cab ride back to the boat had me laughing my you know what off (well - I wish!)

Glad that Ally made out in all the jewelry stores!

Dinner at Palo looks unbelievably amazing. If I ever cruise I am so having dinner there. Your second dinner sounds almost as good.

 

[karajeboo]

Let me just quickly post that we recreated some of our Palo dinner tonight.... Sea bass and chocolate souffle - both recipes we asked for and Francois dropped by our cabin. Tasted just as good but the view was not the same - and there was some little person begging for more.......

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Let me just quickly post that we recreated some of our Palo dinner tonight.... Sea bass and chocolate souffle - both recipes we asked for and Francois dropped by our cabin. Tasted just as good but the view was not the same - and there was some little person begging for more.......

My mouth is watering now. We had left over BBQ pork steak, which i just couldn't stomach - and seasoned fries. So I'm just enjoying my glass of wine and skipping dinner!

 

[cherokeemamma]

Great Updates!

The cab ride pics and story was quite amusing and scary all at the same time. I remember being in Jamaica several years ago and being terrified from a trip in a multi passenger van. I think I saw my life pass before me, thankful I survived and lived to tell about it.

Palo looks and sounds delicious. Being the chocolate lover that I am, which sauce for the souffle' do you recommend ...chocolate or vanilla?

I am also adding a must try of the Guava berry Colada to my list. Do you recall how much they cost? Also, do you pay for everything on the islands with cash?

Can't believe you trip is half over.... Thanks for sharing!

TTFN
Darlene

 

[karajeboo]

My mouth is watering now. We had left over BBQ pork steak, which i just couldn't stomach - and seasoned fries. So I'm just enjoying my glass of wine and skipping dinner!

It turned out sooooo good! I can't believe I made my first souffle!

Great Updates!

The cab ride pics and story was quite amusing and scary all at the same time. I remember being in Jamaica several years ago and being terrified from a trip in a multi passenger van. I think I saw my life pass before me, thankful I survived and lived to tell about it.

Palo looks and sounds delicious. Being the chocolate lover that I am, which sauce for the souffle' do you recommend ...chocolate or vanilla?

I am also adding a must try of the Guava berry Colada to my list. Do you recall how much they cost? Also, do you pay for everything on the islands with cash?

Can't believe you trip is half over.... Thanks for sharing!

TTFN
Darlene

I liked the vanilla sauce - Jeff liked the chocolate...... I thought the chocolate was too rich.....

Most places in the islands take plastic, but we kept cash with us for the little out of the way places. And on St Maarten, I bought a wrap for my swimsuit, so I used cash for that since it was a little lady walking around selling it....... but the shops almost all take plastic, ESPECIALLY when they are right by the port.

 

[karajeboo]

Here are pics from our BTS dinner last night.....

Ally zesting....

Cheese fondue for an appy....

Branzino in Cartoccio.... sea bass from Palo!

And chocolate souffle created by yours truly.... my first attempt EVER!

 

[KristiMc]

The dinner looks awesome. Can you come up here and make it for me??? BTW - I love your kitchen!

So did Ally get off to school ok this morning? Are you doing ok - kid free? Matt and Shawn go back on Wednesday. Shawn is counting down the days till 2nd grade - Matt not so much for 5th.

 

[karajeboo]

Yes, Ally got off just fine today - she is riding the buss 3 days/week this year - it's just such a pain for me to drive 20 minutes to school, wait in line for 20 minutes, then drive home - it's a full hour round trip. So we made a deal - there are two other kids on our street (one boy is in her class!) so I told her she really needs to get over this fear of the bus and give it a shot.

So.....

But here's my 5th grader!!! This was our last first day of school at the elementary!

 

[WannaBeADisMom]

Yes, Ally got off just fine today - she is riding the buss 3 days/week this year - it's just such a pain for me to drive 20 minutes to school, wait in line for 20 minutes, then drive home - it's a full hour round trip. So we made a deal - there are two other kids on our street (one boy is in her class!) so I told her she really needs to get over this fear of the bus and give it a shot.

So.....

But here's my 5th grader!!! This was our last first day of school at the elementary!

Ally is such a doll! I have tears in my eyes remembering my kids being that young (and me being young too!). I hope all goes well with the bus.
For some reason, the pictures of your meal at home aren't there....is it me or you? I know, I know....it's got to be ME doing something wrong!!!

 

[karajeboo]

Where did my pics go???? They were there this morning! Joan, what did you do to them!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ally is getting so grown up! It seems like just yesterday she was starting Kindergarten. She looks stylin' for sure! I love the pic of her looking through the window at your dog!

Your dinner looks really delicious!

 

[WannaBeADisMom]

Here are pics from our BTS dinner last night.....

Ally zesting....

Cheese fondue for an appy....

Branzino in Cartoccio.... sea bass from Palo!

And chocolate souffle created by yours truly.... my first attempt EVER!

YUM!!!! Everything looks amazing!

 

[JKSWonder]

Ally looks adorable in her first day of school clothes...love the boots!

My Al has her last first day of elementary school in a few weeks. I can't believe I am old enough to have a fifth grader.

 

[WannaBeADisMom]

BTW, Can I get the souffle and sea bass recipes? Everything looks sooooo good!!! (Can you tell I'm hungry?)

 

[karajeboo]

Ally looks adorable in her first day of school clothes...love the boots!

My Al has her last first day of elementary school in a few weeks. I can't believe I am old enough to have a fifth grader.

I'm only old enough because i gave birth at 14.... or something like that....

BTW, Can I get the souffle and sea bass recipes? Everything looks sooooo good!!! (Can you tell I'm hungry?)

I will try to post them tomorrow! Waaaaay easier than I ever would have thought!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Great job on those souffles! Ali is so cute, kids sure grow up fast anymore.

I had these dreams of seeing the GDs in Disney princess dresses, but the 8 year old is dressing like Indiana Jones! So much for my sweet little girls.

 

[Beth D]

Souffle - yummo!

Love the pics of Ally for school. She's stylin! We've got two more weeks before they start up here.

 

[dvc4life]

Wow does that food look delicious! I could go for that right now!

Crazy school has started already. Mine daughter starts on Thursday. And my other daughter who is starting college this year starts next Monday. Where did the summer go?

Ally looks so cute in your pictures.

 

[nenner1]

We left Magen's Bay, and when I look at the photos now, I can sort of see why it's one of the world's most beautiful beaches, but I was glad to leave nonetheless.

Too close for comfort that day for sure!!!

We headed back to our designated meeting spot, and there was Alexander Awesomely waiting for us!


We were first on! I didn't want to take any chances of missing this shuttle and then having to wait. So we got on and just waited a couple of minutes before we were on our way!

That's a good thing!!

The ride down was so pretty, and as promised, we stopped for a few minutes at a scenic overlook.

Again, you got to look around during the ride??? LOL! The pics are gorgeous!

The main port (Havensight) is to the left, and the "others" get the port to the right. You can see the Magic and the HAL ship all alone over there.....

The "others" HA! The special! I say...

Apparently Captain John did NOT tell the port authority that the McSparklesons were on board.....

In just a couple of minutes, Arthur Awesomerelli was calling us to leave.

He asked if anyone wanted to be dropped off at Havensight, the main shopping area, other that going back to the ship.

Since it was only 1:00 and all aboard was not for another three hours, we decided to get off and do a little shopping.

This is where Ally had fun.

If you remember I had gone to a St Thomas Shopping Highlights presentation by "Flash" Gordon. During this presentation I got lots of "free" coupons that Ally was intent on collecting.

So off we went. She became quite a pro at walking into a jewelry store, flashing her coupon, and following the associate to her treasure.

She got a sterling silver dolphin charm, a blue gem, a gold charm bracelet, a "pearl," and we even sprang for a $20 sterling silver chain for her to keep all her collectibles around her neck!

By the time she was done she looked like the gansta that she tried to be in St Maarten!

Word.

Wow, sounds like she really got the goods! The only time we tried to redeem one for the free coupons was in St. M last year at DI for the bracelets and charms. I thought the kids would enjoy getting the different charms at all the ports, but nah...they aren't in to collecting.

Jeff was checking out all my shopping highlights, and making sure Ally didn't miss any of her freebies, when he started really looking at what St Thomas was known for.

And he found ammolite. It is the newest "rock" to achieve gemstone ranking and he was adamant that his lovely bride would be taking home some ammolite jewelry this trip.

See, Jeff's birthday was April 2, the day we debarked this cruise, and I told him to look for a watch in St Thomas, since it is THE jewelry shopping capital of the world. He needed a new watch anyway.

I really didn't need anything.... except apparently for ammolite.

Way to go, Jeff!!

Now all I can figure is that with the Magic in port, there was pixie dust all over the island, because Jeff was trying to get Ally some special earrings, too. We tried to find her a nice set of ammolite earrings to match mine, but it didn't quite work out.

We looked for aquamarines, her birthstone, but couldn't find the "deal" that we needed.

We must have hit 10 jewelry stores in Havensight.....

The last shop we walked into, at about 2:30, had the ammolite earrings I wanted. So they rang us up quickly and asked us when our ship left.

We told them 4:00, and the gal said, "Oh no! We'd better hurry!"

We couldn't understand what she was talking about, it was only a 5 minute cab ride to the port......

But there was rush hour.

Yes. Rush hour. In St Thomas.

Oh yes. And it is all they say and more. We were trapped in it. Behind a SCHOOL BUS no less. I am proud to report we did not have to make the WOS!

So she walked us outside, and flagged down the first cab she found. They were going the other way. So she directed us to a cab stand and told us we HAD to get one right away!!!!!

By now, we were freaking out! I didn't want to fly home from St Thomas!!!! I wanted to get on that big beautiful ship and sail away!!!!

So Jeff said, let's walk! Everyone told us it was only about 20-30 minutes by foot. And it's not even 3:00 yet.

So we started walking, and right then I saw him.

Our eyes met...... I think I heard "Some Enchanted Evening" in the background, but I'm not sure.....

All I know is that the cabbie asked me if we needed a ride, I asked him how fast he could get us to the Disney Magic, and he yelled, "Get in!"

So I yanked Ally up into the cab, Jeff tried to stop us because this guy was going the opposite direction from what the gal in the jewelry store told us we needed to go to avoid rush hour traffic.

But he got in behind us, and right then, the bottom fell out. I mean, it POURED!!!!

Jeff sat there quite smug, however, saying, "I hope we make the ship."

And 5 minutes later, we were getting out of my new favorite cab, driven by Speedy McSpeedster, to bright sunny skies, and an hour to kill before all aboard!

Awesome job by Speedy!

Now who's lookin all smug? Hmmmmm?????

Jeff overtipped Speedy, and we were on our way. We even had time to shop at the port for some overpriced sunscreen, which Ally STILL uses sparingly this summer, and every time she smells it, she says, "This is St Thomas sunscreen."

I love that- smells are so powerful! Like the H20 bath products. Just a whiff takes me right back to the cruise!!!!

We never did find those earrings for Ally, but we did learn to ALWAYS give ourselves plenty of time to get to port!

If not, this is what happens......

This is what happens when you are late for all aboard! - VIDEO

Ride of shame!!!!

But it didn't bother us to wait on them. We had more time to enjoy the St Thomas Sail Away!


It was like the Port Canaveral sail away all over again! Well, except for the part that our vacay was more than 1/2 over with by now!!!

Learn something new every day..I had no idea the characters came out for a mini sailaway from the ports!!! 4 Disney Cruises I've been on, however many ports I've been to and not once did I see this?

And after our "close" call getting to the ship, it was time for one of these while we enjoyed the Sail Away party.....[/quote[

It's ALWAYS time for one of those!!!

Up next, PALO!!!!

The real Palo AND the Karajeboo Palo!!!

As we pulled out of St Thomas, we said goodbye to our good friend HAL, and then it started to rain. Not a downpour, just a slight drizzle.

It was just enough to send us down to our cabin, where we began to get ready for our much anticipated dinner at Palo!!!

But first..... Goodbye to St Thomas!

I loved St Maarten so much more than St Thomas. STT was centered around the Havensight shopping district which was.... dirty is not the right word, because it was actually clean. It just didn't offer anything "Caribbean" for me. It just seemed a lot more touristy than St Maarten?

Yep I'll agree with you there. We didn't go to the little market in St. Maarten though. We spent most of our time in a little shop where a lady kept feeding us rum samples. Who can complain about that???

So after enjoying the Sail Away from St Thomas, we were getting ready for our early dinner at Palo. Now I scheduled it early so that we could still possibly make our regular dining time at 8:15 so we could still eat with Ally in Lumiere's for the French menu. So we were eating at 6:30 at Palo.

Wow. That seems like not a lot of time and a whole lotta food!

And Jeff begged me not to lug my Nikon to Palo, so I took my little point and shoot, and I regret it! Next time, I may just bring all my lenses AND my big ole camera!!!!

Oh Jeff! You're a DisDad, start acting like it!!

I should have stopped in during the day to get better shots, but suffice it to say that it is so nice to sit on Deck 10, and look out and "watch the sea go by." Ah, yes......

That is the upside of the early ressie times. That way you are actually looking at the sea go by and not a reflection of your mug!!

Technically, I guess we were sitting on our afts, and watching the sea behind us, as there was nothing behind us but blue sea!!! So pretty!

Nothing better than sitting on yer aft, I always say!

But I did feel the motion of the ocean, dining up so high (as opposed to the other dining rooms on Decks 3 and 4). It left me a little unsettled at times, but once the wonderful food showed up, they could have tipped us on our side and I'd have thrown my life jacket aside to grip my plate instead!!!!

We began with the antipasti that they bring to your table on a little cart and prepare before you.

Oh, they did not do this when we wee onboard, they just brought the antipasti out already plated. This is nice, a slight carryover from Remy maybe?

Jeff and I both opted for the Grilled Portobello Mushroom and Polenta — with a Roasted Shallot Sauce and a Parmesan Crisp as our appetizer, and I must say I did not care fore it. I loved the portobello, but the polenta not so much.....

Fave! Love it!!! Even, yes the polenta!!!

For his entree, Jeff was really looking forward to the Osso Buco di Vitello — Slow roasted centre cut Veal Shank with Gremolata and Risotto Milanese


And I couldn't decide between the Lobster and Mascarpone Ravioli — with a light Truffle Burro Bianco

OR

the Branzino in Cartoccio — Sea Bass Papillote with Spaghetti Vegetables and Ginger Orange Glace

So what's a McSparkleson to do?

Duh....

ORDER BOTH!!!! Actually, Francois, our server, told me he would bring me a small portion of the lobser ravioli, but he actually brought me a full serving.

And ya know what?

I ATE THE WHOLE THING!!!!!

Go on girl!

Let's just say that the sea bass may be the best thing I have ever tasted! It was like buttah! I mean really, it just melted in my mouth! Jeff tried it too, and we have the recipe just waiting for him to make it...... me? No way could I attempt that.

Oh but methinks you will prove us wrong, no?


(In all honesty yours looked better!!!!!!)

It was incredible. But we weren't finished yet.

Chocolate souffle anyone?

Still waiting for the mailman to bring me mine. You do have my address right?

Jeff ordered his with chocolate sauce....


And I ordered the vanilla sauce.....

Ohh I like both sauces together!!! Who cares about the extra 1,000 calories?!?!?!?

Palo, is worth every bit of the $20 surcharge. And being on a Disney Cruise is wonderful, but having a couple hours with no children is icing on that wonderful cake!!!!

^This!

Dinner took much longer than we anticipated, and I really don't think Francois was into us. He seemed to be paying a lot more attention to the couple behind us, so we waited quite awhile in between courses, so our dinner was over 2 hours.

FWIW that is typical for Palo though. I think the quickest we have ever been out of there is 2 1/2 hours. The one reallllllllly long time we were there I think over 3.

Not that I complained at all, because we were able to relax and enjoy some adult time before heading back down to the Oceaneer's Lab to pick up Ally for dinner.

We came in late to Lumiere's and I felt so bad, especially since we came in for one thing and one thing only......

ESCARGOT!!!! We knew it was the French menu tonight, and it would be our only chance to have those little snails..... so Jeff and I each ordered some, while Ally got her usual burger......

Don't feel bad for that! That's awesome that you did that for Ally! Well, and for the snails too.

And somehow, I got down almost all of those slimy little buggers...... I have no idea how, with everything else I had eaten this night.......

You are so impressive. I am in awe.....

And I STILL was not finished!!!!

I needed just one more souffle, right? Gran Marnie souffle!!! Yummmmm!


Dobo and Willy asked us where we had been and we told them we had been to Palo.

.....ok now it is full blown creepy worship!!

Willy: "I don't promote Palo."

But Dobo asked us about our experience, and we felt a little guilty for cheating on them, but we told them we really enjoyed it. We told them that of course Francois was nowhere near as good as they were and Dobo said, "Francois? Oh, da French, "

Have you ever heard a Bulgarian do a French accent?

The Dobo sounds like quite the entertainer, even if unintentionally....

We had our share of wine at Palo, and then we kept our glasses full at Lumiere's so it turned into a bit of a gigglefest for Jeff and I throughout the night, while Ally would roll her eyes at us.

I did tell Jeff that I would be glad when I got home and could wear my sweats and stained t-shirts to dinner and he surprised me by saying he actually enjoyed getting dressed for dinner.

Yeah, that's my honey. He thinks he's all stylin but he's really just Jack Dawson in a tux borrowed from Molly Brown......

But he's unsinkable too! Me, on the other hand, would sink like the Titanic if I went overboard...... TWO appetizers, TWO entrees, and TWO desserts!!! I definitely ate my share.

Jeff was so proud of me!!! I definitely made of for the first night......

Up Next.... Happy Birthday Ally!!!!


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I'm so proud of you! I should mention I got on my WiiFit Sunday for the first time in what seemed like years (actually is was, 685 days to be exact)....now I should mention that I only use it to weigh in (DO NO ask about our last scale, mmmkay?) Anyhoo I was terrified that I had gained SOOOOO much weight on each of my last 2 cruises that I did NOT even want to know. On the Independence I was up 10 pounds halfway through for crying out loud. But I sucked it up, sucked it in, and you know what? I'm only 3 pounds heavier than I was 685 days ago! I really shouldn't be so delighted with a net gain since I really do need to loose a big chunk of poundage but at least it isn't as bad as I thought. the diet shall commence Sept. 25th. After I eat my fill of fillets, snails and souffles!

How awesome to come home from my cruise and re-live the Eastern Caribbean on your TR! But we did different things....the day with Thomas was the BEST!! And we are NOT fans of ST Martin- I think I would do it differently there next time- my favorite part was sitting at the Guavaberry Stand at the port and getting YOUR guavaberry booze while drinking a DELICIOUS GB Colada......

You didn't like St. M? Curious to hear that story....?

(you haven't started the TR yet???? Oh, no pressure, remember!)

I hate that you didn't like St Maarten! I just thought it was beautiful, and I loved the people. To me, it reminded me of the "no problem, mon" mentality of Jamaica. Maybe it was just that Pods couldn't read a "map?"

Oh yeah..that's it!!!!!!

Here are pics from our BTS dinner last night.....

This is just stunning! It really does look better than Palo's!!!!! And your home is so lovely. If you return one day to find your front door gone, it might have relocated to Tampa..... just sayin'...it's gorgeous!!!!

 

[karajeboo]

And your home is so lovely. If you return one day to find your front door gone, it might have relocated to Tampa..... just sayin'...it's gorgeous!!!!

Let me just say that I agreed to the house because of the front doors! I was so bitter about moving back here that I got fed up with house hunting. We were getting so discouraged and so I just told Jeff to buy a house. Oh yes I did!

He was already living up here and commuting back to Florida on the weekends. He was going back to look at another house we had seen a couple of times, and our agent pulled up the house across the street which had just been reduced a LOT!

So they checked it out, and the rest, as they say, was history.

Jeff called me to tell me about it and I told him to make an offer. He was like but I was serious. This is our 4th house and we have agreed on the other 3 so I knew that he wanted the same things. He took lots of pics and when I saw the front door, I told him to buy it!

I do love it though, he did a great job!!!!