November 12, 2005 RETURNS

[STB ON THE BEACH]

Hey Guys!!!!!!! How the he!! are ya????

It appears everyone is doing well! YEA!! And,,, I see we have a new home! Glad I found ya'll - thanks for posting the link! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted - see that's what happens when you're in the beach rental business - time evaporates!!!!

It's been busy here, thus preventing communicado! Been on a few adventures - DH and I sailed with friends on the Carnival ship that leaves from the port right beside our house. We were on board and sipping those umbrella drinks less than 2 hours after we pulled out of our drive way (over an hour was spent going through security - yuk). Too cool!! When we sailed by our house as we left port - it was sooo neat!! Plus we got the whole enchilada for only $612 TOTAL - and yes, that was an outside gorgeous cabin with a huge picutre window for 5 wonderful nights! We will be doing that again!

Also, made several Disney trips - what can I say,, when you're hooked,, you're hooked!! Went back to our little island off of Mexico for a week and recovered from a looooong summer. Now,, I've blinked and a new summer is right around the corner. But,,, I honestly think my favorite trip was with my 3best friends to NYC. We were all turning 40 - so 4 girls, spending 4 days, celebrating their 40th b'day in NYC!!

Barkley,, I take it your dd is doing well?? PrincessHailey's Mom - a new name,, huh?? Well, DS can't quite read yet.. right?? So you have a little more time to think of a new name I saw JayPD was still alive - cool!!! Awol - you're still just as handsome as ever!! CD&F how is your mom?? I remember you were taking care of her,, right?? 4Campers - Kaui is soooo my favorite island - can I go????????? And,, finally,, my good buddy -DisNurse!!! I'm suprised you and DH haven't climbed Mt. Everest by now! I can't wait to hear about your recent trip!

The reason I logged on tonight was in hope of finding a place to stay near Seaworld - we're doing Discovery Cove - soooooooo excited about that next month. I know Disney like the back of my hand,,, but the seaworld area is a newbie to me. Anyone have suggestions??

It's so awesome you guys are still out there!!

 

[barkley]

Hey Guys!!!!!!! How the he!! are ya????

It appears everyone is doing well! YEA!! And,,, I see we have a new home! Glad I found ya'll - thanks for posting the link! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted - see that's what happens when you're in the beach rental business - time evaporates!!!!

It's been busy here, thus preventing communicado! Been on a few adventures - DH and I sailed with friends on the Carnival ship that leaves from the port right beside our house. We were on board and sipping those umbrella drinks less than 2 hours after we pulled out of our drive way (over an hour was spent going through security - yuk). Too cool!! When we sailed by our house as we left port - it was sooo neat!! Plus we got the whole enchilada for only $612 TOTAL - and yes, that was an outside gorgeous cabin with a huge picutre window for 5 wonderful nights! We will be doing that again!

Also, made several Disney trips - what can I say,, when you're hooked,, you're hooked!! Went back to our little island off of Mexico for a week and recovered from a looooong summer. Now,, I've blinked and a new summer is right around the corner. But,,, I honestly think my favorite trip was with my 3best friends to NYC. We were all turning 40 - so 4 girls, spending 4 days, celebrating their 40th b'day in NYC!!

Barkley,, I take it your dd is doing well?? PrincessHailey's Mom - a new name,, huh?? Well, DS can't quite read yet.. right?? So you have a little more time to think of a new name I saw JayPD was still alive - cool!!! Awol - you're still just as handsome as ever!! CD&F how is your mom?? I remember you were taking care of her,, right?? 4Campers - Kaui is soooo my favorite island - can I go????????? And,, finally,, my good buddy -DisNurse!!! I'm suprised you and DH haven't climbed Mt. Everest by now! I can't wait to hear about your recent trip!

The reason I logged on tonight was in hope of finding a place to stay near Seaworld - we're doing Discovery Cove - soooooooo excited about that next month. I know Disney like the back of my hand,,, but the seaworld area is a newbie to me. Anyone have suggestions??

It's so awesome you guys are still out there!!

thank you for asking-dd is doing well. she had to have a second round of surgery in november but the great staff at our local shriner's hospital was awsome (although i must note-if you ever have someone whose been under general anesthisia get sick in your car don't bother trying to clean the carpets-just accept that it will have to be replaced ).

 

[4campers]

We sail Sunday

I'll be thinking of my Nov. 12 crew

 

[awoltoday]

We sail Sunday

I'll be thinking of my Nov. 12 crew

Have a great trip!

 

[chip&dale&fun]

we JUST RETURNED FROM THE PC CROSSING....NO WAY TO STAY AND WAY AT 4 CAMERS, BUT LOTS OF MAGICAL MEMORIES TO POST LATER....

 

[awoltoday]

we JUST RETURNED FROM THE PC CROSSING....NO WAY TO STAY AND WAY AT 4 CAMERS, BUT LOTS OF MAGICAL MEMORIES TO POST LATER....

Welcome home! Can't wait to hear the stories!

Did anybody catch the number on that Submarine? It looks like the number was on it when it was in the canal, but I haven't seen a picture where you could tell what it was

 

[awoltoday]

4campers and chip&dale&fun,
There must be something wrong with my eyes because I DON'T SEE ANY PICTURES!!!

 

[4campers]

4campers and chip&dale&fun,
There must be something wrong with my eyes because I DON'T SEE ANY PICTURES!!!

Ok you asked.....

There she is

Just had to show this one

The sail away party

My first cup of coffee on our veranda

The Character breakfast.

Our view from our room in Cabo

We did the fish extender this trip and we had such a great time with it!

Mazatlan (Royal Villas Hotel) We had a taxi take us and he arranged for a boat ride to Deer Island as well. You can just make out the island in the picture. Then we just hung around the pool for a bit. Very nice place and the girls LOVED the slide

We took a nice long walk up the beach...

To Tony's on the beach Had a great lunch.

In Puerto Vallarta, we rented a condo for the day!! Really a great idea, and it was the nicest pool, resturant and swim up bar

Eight wonderful years

Our two DD's

Just had to post this one too

 

[awoltoday]

That's what I'm talking about! Those are great pictures!

Looks like you had great weather and a great trip!

 

[awoltoday]

Our turn! We fly to Seattle tomorrow and board the (anything but black) Pearl on Sunday.

 

[4campers]

Our turn! We fly to Seattle tomorrow and board the (anything but black) Pearl on Sunday.

YO HO!

Awesome

Have a wonderful time

 

[chip&dale&fun]

OK you got me - no pictures...no pictures posted anywhere...no pictures printed.....The magical cruise was wonderful, the return trip to reality, well, let us say I am behind...I do promise pictures, I do promise a trip report....I am just not sure when.....sorrrrrry........

 

[awoltoday]

We made it back! We had a great trip. We had fantastic weather for Glacier Bay, ultra smooth seas the whole trip, and a really fantastic ship. Processing pictures got interrupted by a shoulder surgery (SLAP lesion). But, I'll get the rest done soon and maybe post a few more. This is the best I can do for now!

Margerie Glacier Calving

John Hopkins Glacier with Mount Orville (L) and Mount Wilber (R)

People using the uncovered pool IN Glacier Bay

Butterfly in Glacier Bay

 

[4campers]

We made it back! We had a great trip. We had fantastic weather for Glacier Bay, ultra smooth seas the whole trip, and a really fantastic ship. Processing pictures got interrupted by a shoulder surgery (SLAP lesion). But, I'll get the rest done soon and maybe post a few more. This is the best I can do for now!

Margerie Glacier Calving

John Hopkins Glacier with Mount Orville (L) and Mount Wilber (R)

People using the uncovered pool IN Glacier Bay

Butterfly in Glacier Bay

Hey scarey one!! Hope your feeling better by now! Love your pics! LOVE the slide. My DD's would have loved that!

It's all just so beautiful! We are now planning our next cruise. Can't decide on where to go......

Maybe, Alaska again. RCCL has a 14 day that starts up there and ends here in SD. But, 14 days sounds like a long trip for me??? Or, maybe, Europe??

We had a nice (4) day trip with RCCL this week. The food was excellent! Kids club rocked! I had many good hours of pool time and a cold one

Hugs

 

[awoltoday]

Hey scarey one!! Hope your feeling better by now! Love your pics! LOVE the slide. My DD's would have loved that!

It's all just so beautiful! We are now planning our next cruise. Can't decide on where to go......

Maybe, Alaska again. RCCL has a 14 day that starts up there and ends here in SD. But, 14 days sounds like a long trip for me??? Or, maybe, Europe??

We had a nice (4) day trip with RCCL this week. The food was excellent! Kids club rocked! I had many good hours of pool time and a cold one

Hugs

The slide is pretty cool and is NOT restricted to children only. But, I never went on it.

Ah, we're trying to figure out the same thing. We are supposed to go to Hawaii and stay at my Mom's timeshare next year. But, the airfare alone may kill that one. And we are trying to decide if we want to do a cheapo/quickie cruise sooner than later or save up for something really cool. I really want to do the Panama Canal. I also want to do a South American trip - around Cape horn and the glaciers would be really cool. I saw RCL was sending Mariner of the Seas that direction for it's repositioning to the west coast, too. And, NO, I don't think 14-15 days is too long for a cruise!

RCCL's 4 day is the one that hits Catalina, right? Did you bother getting off the ship anywhere? I only ask 'cause I probably wouldn't and I haven't been on a 7 day Mexico recently

 

[4campers]

The slide is pretty cool and is NOT restricted to children only. But, I never went on it.

Ah, we're trying to figure out the same thing. We are supposed to go to Hawaii and stay at my Mom's timeshare next year. But, the airfare alone may kill that one. And we are trying to decide if we want to do a cheapo/quickie cruise sooner than later or save up for something really cool. I really want to do the Panama Canal. I also want to do a South American trip - around Cape horn and the glaciers would be really cool. I saw RCL was sending Mariner of the Seas that direction for it's repositioning to the west coast, too. And, NO, I don't think 14-15 days is too long for a cruise!

RCCL's 4 day is the one that hits Catalina, right? Did you bother getting off the ship anywhere? I only ask 'cause I probably wouldn't and I haven't been on a 7 day Mexico recently

Hi there! Yes, we talked with the woman about the Mariner coming. It looks like a beautiful ship! Just wish is would go to somewhere a bit different, as we have just been there. But it's easy to get to from home and Mexico isn't so bad. There are so many beautiful areas down there. We are looking into renting a Villa next year for 10 days. We may just do it! Comes with kayaks, cook etc!

Yes, we went to Catalina. We love it there. We use to go before children!! Did get off and walked all around and had an ice cream! Didn't get off in San Diego. DH did to meet with a friend and they walked all around. Got off in Esenada and did a tour of the blow hole. Fun and the girls loved it!

Oh Hawaii....yes, we were suppose to have been there this summer, but ATA went belly up. We can stay over there on Oahu on the base and it's not bad. But, like you said the flight would be way tooooooo much now.

The South America trip sounds awesome! Lot's to choose from! We just have to work around doing everything in the summer now. Can't take the girls out from school any more! I got away with it this year. But, that was extra special as it was the Magic

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I promised a trip report and pictures and only 2 months later - here we go. My plan (hah) is to post these one a day following the days of the week we cruised. We will see - I forgot the passwords this morning.

This year I kept a journal and then typed the resulting scribbles for my scrapbook. The posted pics are from that album (not finished yet, so this trip report will be a challenge).

This is Friday - May 9th....enjoy. As you can see, someone is impatient to get started...And is that countdown timer at 00000....This one Barkley - the REAL Barkely, will enjoy.


PRE-BOARDING **** COCOA BEACH
May 9, 2008 - The day began with coffee and the paper in bed. After the last minute packing, Todd drove us to Russo's for lunch and the rental car pick-up. A short time later and we were in Cocoa Beach at Quality Suites. A hastily grabbed coupon saved us $10, thanks to the nice staff. The accommodations were two rooms, a true suite outfitted with Spring Break freebies. We walked to the beach, Ron Jons and the "First Aid Lifeguard Bar & Grill. Our plans of visiting our favourite Irish Pub were scrubbed in favours of a walk and snack nearby. No holiday would be completed without champagne and no sail-away complete without a call from Jim.
TOMORROW THE MAGIC.

PS - Jim is one of the Dissers from our 2006 cruise....

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Well, you cannot post a trip report a day when the home computer acts up and you forget the day one scan...so that I will not get further behind, here is Day 2...Day 1 will be posted later...sorry and all that....

You will note a Cast/Crew member of the day. I started that with this trip so I would remember all the magical staff at the end of the trip. Also, for CC this was the first time we tried the Hike and Kayak adventure.


DAY 2 **** CASTAWAY CAY
May 11, 2008 - After receiving gorgeous set of clear emerald earrings last night, Sam woke me with coffee. We headed to the gym for a work-out (5 mile walk for me) and then the breakfast buffet. Our CC excursion was hiking and kayaking. While we waited we watched Chip & Dale hand out towels to the departing castaways.
Joey was our guide, a good time but you could tell summer is here. We strolled rather than hiked and listed to her explain the history of the island and the native Lucayans. We boarded the kayaks and headed to the mangroves and a stop at a private beach before paddling back through rough at the end of the tour. We made it to Cookies BBQ and a beer at Heads-Up and Conched Out Bars. Before the chow, Chip & Dale entertained the crowd. Tonight was a hypnotist - so funny, paper napkins became dollar bills. Dinner was Lumieres complete with the Beast and Belle. Pieter had hot sauce and milk on the table, ready without asking. His knowledge of classical music is superb. Tonight, time for bed. CAST MEMBER OF THE DAY = Pieter S. Africa - Assistant Server.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

I interrupt this serious chatting to bring you a trip report for Day 1 - Sail Away from the Port to the West Coast through the Panama Canal. A trip of a lifetime! Thanks to those on shore who posted the pics of the Magic sailing.

DAY 1 **** PORT CANAVERAL
May 10, 2008 - The morning began with a call from GaRRy to wish us happy sails. The power outage was unexpected, oh well. After dropping off the KIA, we were shuttled to the gate; checked in and waited to board, #2. We met some new Disney Fans while waiting which seemed to stretch forever. But soon, we heard "Welcome aboard". Side stops to check reservations, wine tasking and tours came next, met more Dis-Fans at lunch in Parrot Cay. Our room was ready at 1:30 so we started unpacking before heading to the gym for a ½ mile walk. The luggage arrived when we returned so we packed between lifeboat drills - "Station T". The first time a station was spot on - no missing folks. A glass of champagne for Capt'n Mickey before SAIL AWAY, complete with red streamers. The Captain did not like the little boats blocking the harbour, such an angry sounding horn. We met Yusep at Quite Cove Bar, he was on the 2005 and 2006 MAGIC. A rush back to the cabin to clean up for the 6:15 show - the entertainment will be a hoot for this cruise. And yes, the mandatory souvenir T shirts and post cards. Dinner was in PC, Pieter and Adrienne are our servers; nice kids and very friendly and efficient. No tablemates yet.
CAST MEMBER OF THE DAY = Ian - Activities.

 

[awoltoday]

Somebody throw a C&D&F a life preserver! I think she's fallen overboard!