JULY 8TH 2006 - Eastern Magic - 070806 - 07082006 - 20060708

[K&Z Cruizers]

You probably can't miss my kids..they will be the two fighting. AHHHH

Oh wait till you see the kids that are in our lot. Sometimes it's like cats and dogs. This is going to be an interesting trip!

Alright, so we are going to be at the terminal around 10-1030am for sure. I will have a red baseball cap on and a red shirt - that should make me fairly easy to spot. If anyone sees me, feel free to say hello. Provided it's not raining, DW and I will make our way back to the deck 7 verandah around 3 and if anyone wants to meet there, fine and dandy too. So, hopefully we'll see a few people! Also, we're staying in 6524 with the rest of our party in 6526, 6528, and 6530.

Martini tasting does sound like big fun. Any ideas when it is exactly? I think www.castaway club.com (remove the space) has recent navigators.

Also, has anyone heard about special 4th of July menus that they have? I know it's not on our sailing however I'm hoping to snag one of the leftovers. My travel agent, Dana, at MIC DAN.COM wanted one.

 

[ljql_5969]

If everybody has cell phones they can call me when they arrive at the terminal and i will tell you where everybody is hanging out. You probably can't miss my kids..they will be the two fighting. AHHHH

954-907-6893 is my #

I saved your cell #. I would love it if my son could meet your son as soon as we got there after check-in.

 

[MBFergie]

hope to hear from you on 7/8..hopefully our ds will hit it off.

i wanted to share with everybody this info on orient beach, bikini bay. I think this is where we are going to go in the morning, then head to ship for lunch, son in clubs, DH to a casino and then some shopping for me and DD. this was a reply from the tapas bar and grille on bikini beach http://www.sxm-restaurants.com/orient/bikinibeach/index.html

Lockers are at Bikini in front of the Snack bar deck (Monokini).
We also have towels and boueys for rent.

Watersports doesn't belong to me, but they have jetski, boogie boards, jetskis, parachute boat, bananaboat, etc.rea.

now what is a boueys for rent?? here is a link to orient beach showing all the different sections http://home.carolina.rr.com/photos2005/LargeOrientPanorama.htm
the club orient section is where the unclothed hang out, even though you may see some others thru out other areas. orient beach is really long (over 1 mi) and many say the bikini bay area is very nice and good for families.

 

[agirlinflorida]

Bikini Beach looks awesome. Thanks for that info. Our crew has been checking out St. Maarten sites all week trying to figure out what beach to go to. Even though my family lives in Florida near the beach we never get sick of it. Does anyone know if buses or taxis will take you to the French side of the Island? And what are their fares?

 

[MBFergie]

Cabs will go to French side. Somebody posted that a family of 3 was $15 or $16 each way and said to try to negotiate. If I learn more, I will share. Did you find out about car rental? I saw one of your post on that.

 

[shanfl]

Hi MBFergie, I saved your cell # too. Here is mine as well 561-427-3317 my son is 8 so I am hoping that he gets along possibly with your son and the others sons as well in that age group. Hope to meet you

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

One week from right now and we'll be at port and checked-in. Crazy.

 

[linnied]

One week from right now we will just be getting on the shuttle from the air port to the pier. we'll get there eventually

 

[MBFergie]

Great Minds must think alike..at 10ish this morning I was smiling (I think the car next to me thought I was up to something) thinking about how in 1 week I would be entering the terminal. I've been running crazy all morning getting all the errands done for the week, getting the landscaping trimmed up and pool balanced so I don't have anything to do for the next few weeks. Now I get to start packing on Monday..YEAH! (anybody have any elves that unpack and do laundry for sale for 7/16)

Leanne I see you do Pampered Chef. I use to it many years ago and have lost one of my favorite recipes. It was a PC Jambalya. I think it was in PC More Stoneware Sensations, since that book is missing from my collection. It was great! Always a big hit at Madri Gras theme shows in February/March. Anyway, can you see if you have a copy of it or can track it down if you are part of any groups. Thanks..I have a friend watching the dog and wanted to make it for him.

 

[MBFergie]

Movies that will be playing

Pirates of Caribean-Dead Man's Chest
Cars
Chicken Little
8 Below
Herbie
Narnia
Glory Road
Anapolis
Shaggy Dog
The Wild
Stick It

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

Thanks for that list, Marie.

Some good selections there!

 

[ljql_5969]

Leanne I see you do Pampered Chef. I use to it many years ago and have lost one of my favorite recipes. It was a PC Jambalya. I think it was in PC More Stoneware Sensations, since that book is missing from my collection.

Jumpin' Jambalaya

1/2 cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup celery, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup onion, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Italian seasoned tomatoes, undrained
1 cup sliced kielbasa sausage or cubed ham
1 cup uncooked converted long-grain white rice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 can (14 1/2) ounces chicken broth
8 ounces uncooked, medium fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup frozen peas

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place bell pepper, celery, and onion in baking dish. Press garlic into bowl. Add tomatoes, sausage, rice, and seasonings. Stir. Pour broth over rice mixture. Cover and bake 55 - 60 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed. Remove cover. Stir in shrimp and peas. Cover. Let stand 10 mintues to cook shrimp until they turn pink.

I hope that is the one you are talking about! Enjoy!

 

[ljql_5969]

Well we just had our Disney Cruise party here and discussed all last minute details with all 18 of us!

We are all ready to go now.

After everyone just left just now, I went and finished some more packing. Quick Question?!?! Are you ever really DONE packing?

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

If anyone is wondering, it looks like we have Captain Thord Haugen as the master of the vessel next weekend.

 

[graenert]

MBFergie,

Thanks for the movie list!! Some really good picks available.

 

[graenert]

ljql_5969,

The recipe sounds great! Some very flavorful ingredients in that pot. I'm have to try to put it together sometime. Unfortunately for me, my wife does not like spicey food and I do so I'll have to leave out the grougnd red pepper. Thanks for sharing with us!

 

[MBFergie]

thanks for the receipe..looks like it. i don't remember the peas though.

i wonder if brett is going to be our cruise director. he was awesome!

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

http://homepage.mac.com/momme30/PhotoAlbum47.html

One week and that's where we'll all be!

 

[JimGarth]

Just checking in (lying pretty low just soaking in all of the helpful hints...THANKS!!!).

I can't believe we're almost going...been too long in the planning! My DW and DS (almost 7) and DD (3 1/2) are all packed, and I finally caved in and started packing today. Harsh realization that someone who normally packs only one suitcase for himself has an overstuffed suitcase and a garment bag that is stuffed too (and I still have some shoes that need packing). UGH! I laughed when they gave us 8 luggage tags, but now the laugh is on me (we'll probably be using 7!!!!).

We leave this Thursday and are staying at the Grand Floridian until Saturday. We have dinner in the castle on Friday and Chef Mickey on Saturday before we leave. It's our 10th wedding anniversary celebration, so this better all come together perfectly!

We're doing the Dolphin Encounter on St. Maarten (my DD and I have the observer package), Coral Island and World Drive in St. Thomas and my DW is parasailing her way onto Castaway Cay.

Well, I look forward to the final countdown...hope everyone is packing less than us!

Jim

 

[K&Z Cruizers]

We have dinner in the castle on Friday and Chef Mickey on Saturday before we leave. It's our 10th wedding anniversary celebration, so this better all come together perfectly!

Jim,

All 11 of us have a 5:10pm dinner reservation at Chef Mickeys on 7/7 (Friday). You have a breakfast ressie Saturday morning then?? We're celebrating two birthdays at Chef Mickeys, too, so it should be a lot of fun!

Then, DW and I are taking off and hitting MK until 2am for the extra magic hours!

DW and I are staying at the Swan and the rest of our group are at Boardwalk Inn. We're leaving WDW around 830-845am to go to the pier.