10/02/04 Antigua Cruise

[Sarah'sMomfrom PA]

Ok...time for me to vent...third day that our email system at work is not operating plus internet access is very spotty! What did we do without email???

Marianne...got your pm but I can't email you back but I will pm you my email address and phone # in the hope that we might get email back today.

Cloudy and rainy today and supposed to be the same tomorrow.

Kim..haven't had a chance to check anything out on car situation so maybe I can do it while the boss is at lunch. We had a major plumbing problem here at work since 2 weeks ago and he actually had to go over the other day and get on his hands and knees and get dirty. Needless to say, he is not a happy camper and even less so when he has to get down and dirty...strictly a suit and tie kind of guy...hey Jim...maybe I could borrow a tie from him for you!!! So it has not been a pleasant experience having him back from vacation. But guess what...after I get back from the cruise, he is on vacation for a week. Boy, did I time this cruise right!!

And Jim...please remember to leave the candy with the fuzz on it at home.

This time in 2 weeks, we will be leaving for the airport!!!

 

[piglet33]

Mary Jo,

I just sent you a PM.

Reneé

 

[two-foxes]

Just cancelled the eastbound repo for next year! Hard phone call to make. Just can't justify having two huge DCL vacations two years in a row (I always have to remember we work for the county...we like to think we can live like rock stars sometimes!)

I was checking out all inclusives to Mexico...with airfare we can go for just under $2000, and get lots of dives in.....see, I am already planning next years vacation and we haven't even done this years yet!!



Lastly, I hope all are doing well in the areas that Ivan has turned upside down. I finally have fully caught up with the news and it puts our little "where will we cruise to?" dramas in perspective. My aunt and uncle who live in NY, but snowbird to Florida have hooked up with Catholic Charities to let a family whose house we destroyed by Charley live in their Florida home in Englewood until November. Just a reminder there is lots we can do from far away. Denver Dumb Friends League (a pet shelter) has already gotten unclaimed pets from the storms back east. I would love to take in one, but as I type this Macy the cat is laying across the keyboard and Copper and Orion are barking like maniacs in the back yard at our neighbors cats (surpised the coyotes haven't gotten them yet!) We live in a zoo!

 

[padisneyfan]

So glad that Ave and family are safe and sound. I also saw pictures from the area and so much destruction. I have been through a tornado and they are so scarey. For years my oldest son ran to the basement when ever we had thunderstorms carrying a bookbag of his favorite things. When we moved into our current house, he took the bedroom on the lower lever because he felt safe there.

Went last night to the Great York Fair the longest continous fair in the US. It is one of the largest fairs and gets big name entertainment. Saw Clay Aiken last night along with 10,000 other screaming fans. He gave a wonderful show and what a great voice. He sounds even better live than on his CD and TV shows. So I am on a Clay high today. It's going to be a "Perfect Day". That one of his songs from his CD. Will have to watch Miss America on Sat as he is singing on that show.

In 2 weeks will probably still be packing and running around like crazy before leaving for BWI.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Nancy

 

[@GoofyNut]

When I started this job many years ago, there were 8 of us -since then we have added more territory and are now down to 3 in the office ... except for this next month when my co-worker is off on vacation to WDW and when she comes back, a day later I leave. Needless to say I'm going

with work. Just had 4 people walk in without appointments - the boss took one and I had the others at the same time the 4 phone lines decided to ring off the hook. CAN WE SAY UGH!
(OK I feel better now - still crazy, but better!)

Seems the German branch of our tree is having a wonderful time with our SC tree branch!

Ave .. stay safe and I hope you had a good supply of batteries.

Had our SantaFe to the dealer for it's first check-up yesterday .. now I think I'm going to start packing and putting the suitcases in it as I get them done. I'll leave our formal and dressy stuff hung up till the last minute but there is a lot that can get packed now. I use my older car to get to work every day so it'll work out.

Right about now I'm wondering if we may get to go to some really new ports with all the storms in the Atlantic ... Hey maybe we can ask the Captain to try a run at the Panama Canal

Well enough of this stress relief ... have a mound of work to do.

 

[jeanneg]

Marianne: Hang in there, kiddo......I have some friends going through the same process and it gets so ugly and painful. I really feel for you, but you must tell yourself that you will survive and will all the stronger for it. And of course you can hang with us! I'm sure there will be lots of us engaged in all sorts of different activities and no one is gonna leave you all alone. I'm positive a week with this group will do wonders for you and the kids.

Nancy: I'm so glad you enjoyed the Clay concert. My girlfriend got us tickets on the internet for his concert here in Raleigh on Oct18th (19th?). They were only $15 and sold out in about 7 minutes! I've also never been to the state fair, which is where he's performing, so my 3 girlfriends and I are looking forward to eating carnival "junk" like fried twinkies and the like! And if you ever come to Raleigh I will show you where Clay lives (not very far from me) but I will NOT post his address on the internet, so you'll have to visit me! Did Norm go with you, or was it a chick thing? John would probably do it, but wouldn't be too happy about it!

And just in case anyone is wondering, it's a beautiful sunny day here in this part of NC......although I would think that jeanniec might be feeling some effects right now. The trees outside my window are blowing quite a bit, so we could get something soon.

 

[jeanniec]

Can't believe we will be on our way to Florida two weeks from today. And I was going to be so organized and packed well ahead of time. Looks like it's going to be the same crazy last minute rush. But I still have 2 weekends to get organized -- need to stop being so lazy or busy with other things. Clothes aren't so much a problem as are "other miscellaneous items" that go in the tote bags.

Called MS today and found out that the VB DVC resort is going to re-open this Monday (9/20) so we can still plan to go there after the cruise. That is good news!

 

[jeanneg]

Kim and Bette: check your personal email.........I tried to PM you and your box is full! (Somebody needs to do some "housekeeping".....)

Correction to my previous post: it's sunny here and RAINING!

 

[Zapp1213]

Okay, I can't find it.

I know there are a couple of you that can track the hurricanes & see exactly where they are in relation to CC & the Bahamas.

Where can I see that? Is there an "easy" website? I'd like to follow the track of Karl, and possibly Lisa or Matthew, if necessary (oops! did I say that outloud?)

Marianne

 

[jeanniec]

Jeanneg -- We must have been posting at the same time. Just read yours which is right above mine. Crazy weather here. I thought I was driving thru a lake on my way to work this morning -- heavy rain, wild wind, could hardly see anything in front of me. Ten minutes later, there was no wind and blue skies with white clouds. Really weird. It's been doing the same thing all day so far. Torrential storms and wind and then blue skies with no wind. That's due to the concentric bands of storms that are fanning out from Ivan and which I have been seeing on the Weather Channel. Feel sorry for the flooded areas in the mountains altho I could never quite understand how the mountains will flood more than the lowlands. Never did like geography altho I taught it for a while in one of my many lives and careers. South American geography and the kids (grades 7 & 8) went crazy when I mentioned Lake Titicaca, the world's highest lake (in Peru, I think). Had to discuss it because there was a big picture in the geography book.

 

[Auntmeme]

sounds like everyone is packing and getting ready it's so exciting only 2 weeks need to get little ds dress shoes that he'll probably wear once

Still have not decided on what to do on Antigua. Tour group wants $25 pp for a 3 hour, it's got everything I want except a restuarant that was recommended. could also do the kayak paddle tour,reasonable price but I'm worried about our 3 year old on a kayak Do you think I can trust to find a reasonably priced taxi to take us exactly where we want to go? we've never been there so I'm not sure what to expect with their taxis. any suggestions?

For those going to Jetty Park on Friday at 4:30 - I've called the office and they are closed due to damage till today with power being restored tomorrow. I'll call again next week to confirm and then I'll confirm with all of you

for hurricane info/tracking try www.noaa.com.

And I forget who asked - Yes we are in Bucks County PA near where Washington crossed the delaware river on christmas day. Have you seen the Christmas stuff at the stores already
can't we get to halloween first

 

[papa]

Hope that Ave and everyone gets their power restored soon. Several electric utilities are sending crews down to Alabama and Florida to help with power restoration. Kathy is doing cruise laundry so that we can start packing soon. Mike

 

[jeanneg]

Bette:
I sent it to the mcbridekj.......address. Let me know if you don't have it.

 

[Zapp1213]

Hey, I have a question for anyone who's sailed more recently. I sailed 9/7/02--two years ago. Back then, we had to buy mugs to get unlimited soft drinks between meals.

Is it still that way, or have they wised up & made wristbands available?

I remember worrying about putting the mug down. Anyone could have picked it up & taken it--and we had no recourse.

Marianne

 

[jeanneg]

Good news, Marianne, soft drinks are now free at the Deck 9 beverage station. Of course you can still always get them at any table service restaurant. They will, however, charge you if you order a soft drink from room service or one of the many bars/lounges. My girls didn't realize this and ran up a tab at Outlook on deck 10 while sunbathing! Had they realized there was a charge, they would have just gone down to the beverage station on 9.

 

[Zapp1213]

Originally posted by jeanneg
Good news, Marianne, soft drinks are now free at the Deck 9 beverage station. Of course you can still always get them at any table service restaurant. They will, however, charge you if you order a soft drink from room service or one of the many bars/lounges. My girls didn't realize this and ran up a tab at Outlook on deck 10 while sunbathing! Had they realized there was a charge, they would have just gone down to the beverage station on 9.

So they no longer require you to spend $35 once & get them free?

 

[jeanneg]

Nope, they're totally free. I think you can still get the mug, but it's basically a souvenir and much less expensive.

 

[usetheforceluke]

could also do the kayak paddle tour

Personally, I wouldn't put a three-year old anywhere near a kayak, especially if it's on the water, but that's just my opinion. If you've had a lot of experience with kayaks you might consider it... if you haven't had experience with them, I found them difficult to control and the paddling aspect of it requires a lot of upper body and arm strength. You're almost sitting in the water whereas in a canoe you're much further above it and you can use all of your body to paddle.

Tour Lunch: Take a couple of large Baggies in your luggage. Order from room service early in the day and put the sandwiches in the Baggies.

Jim.

 

[padisneyfan]

Jeanne-- How lucky that you get to see Clay in his hometown. I'm sure there will be alot of screaming that night. That may be his final show of the tour. Sent you a pm.

I am taking my old Wonder mugs with me to use at the beverage bar. I have taken them each cruise and used them to fill up with lemonade and ice tea. I'm not a big Coke fan and all that sodium just helps to contribute to my swollen ankles. However, will have diet Pepsi if I can find it on the islands. Whenever we cruise, I always end up with huge swollen ankles by the end of the cruise. I think some of it is related to the filtration of the salt water that there still must be some sodium left and then add the heat and swollen ankles by day 2 or 3. One year on the second formal night I couldn't even fit into my black shoes my feet were so swollen. Could be my age also? But will blame it on the salt.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Nancy

 

[twhipple]

Nancy, I have heard that when they desalinate the water it takes the salt out, but not the sodium and there is a lot of sodium in the water. Don't know how true this is, but I do know that a couple days after I get back home, I drop a few pounds right away (good thing, because I'm always up right after the cruise).