Now I've started to catch my breath and get back into the swing of real life... Whew! Relaxing is really hard work!
We had a wonderful time. We sailed on Holland America's Zuiderdam, and she's really beautiful. We flew into Ft. Lauderdale and spend a day exploring that beautiful city. (So clean! So many yachts! So many people with tons of money!)
Our room was lovely, and very spacious. The food- yummmmmy. There's this warm Chocolate Volcano Cake served with whipped cream- to die for. I had it twice! The food- lobster, caviar, escargots, incredible steaks, salmon, great coffee, pastries and desserts and hors d'ouvres every time you turn around. And, of course, cocktails! Definitely not WISH menus, so I have some penance to do this week.
We sailed to Key West. I took a flight in a WWII vintage biplane- awesome! I felt like the Red Baron- the wind in my hair, incredible views of the water, the town, the ship. I could even spot sharks and stingrays in the water from the plane.
Here we are after the flight. It took me hours to wipe the grin off my face. I LOVED this little plane!
A couple of things I love about cruising- the chance to meet new friends at dinner, and to get dressed up and treat dinners as really festive occasions. It's like you have a little party every evening!
We got really lucky with our tablemates- we all had a great time together, lots of laughs and fun every night. Here's a photo of me, uncharacteristically cleaned up and sparkly for a formal dinner:
We shopped in Cozumel (we honeymooned there 13 years ago, so we reminisced some, too.) We swam with the stingrays in Grand Cayman. (They're really gentle, and so silky-smooth and soft!) We sunned and snoozed on a private island in the Bahamas.
The staff on this ship is Filipino, Indonesian and Dutch. Everyone was very friendly and gracious, and really makes you feel like a welcomed guest. You'll feel pretty spoiled at the end of a Holland America cruise.
Exercise? Bev, I thought about you, but I never did exercise! I strolled the decks leisurely, but I never power-walked. I brought my WATP DVD, but I always opted to chill out to Jimmy Buffett tunes rather than sweat with the walkers.
Are you disappointed? Can you forgive me?
It looks like I'm up two pounds. I did LOTS more than two pounds worth of drinking and partying and desserting, so I'll happily attack it and try to get back in the groove this week.
Thanks to all my sweet loser friends for the warm welcome back! You make me feel all warm and smiley inside!
(update.......)
Here are a few more photos from the trip...