Queen Victoria Cruise March 10-13, 2011
Thursday March 10, 2011
Guatemala aka “Guacamole” was fun. We rode inland and up altitude (5000 ft) to a coffee plantation nestled among three volcanoes. From that point we rode in jeeps up another 1500 ft to get roped and harnessed up for a swing through the trees. Don’t tell anyone but I think Granny was the oldest in the group but she performed like the youngest! I may have heard a Tarzan yell come from her direction on the longest zip line….. We toured La Antiqua and ran the gauntlet of street vendors before ride back to the QV.
Friday March 11, 2011
“At sea” today, which means full activity schedule on board. Frank missed another line dancing lesson- it really is a “girl thing.” So here is the schedule: eat, exercise, eat, dance lesson, snack, lecture, eat, read, snack, play bridge, tea time, harp concert, snack, pool time, dinner, casino, after dinner snack, cruise performance, bedtime snack, bedtime. Betty’s schedule is similar with a few more casino stops thrown in : )
Saturday March 12, 2011
Panama City (still on the Pacific side) is a thriving large city and it should be from what we were told they charge to transit The Canal. Hay mucho dinero! The PCA (Panama Canal Authority) has a “pay before you go” policy- cash up front, no credit cards, no IOU’s - and we complain about Georgia 400 tolls! Panama has a long and interesting history from it’s new world discovery by Chris Columbus to it’s assuming control of the Panama Canal Zone in 2000.
Sunday March 13, 2011
Panama Canal transit- WOW! What a construction wonder. We have been through three locks with two more to go. We are traveling with container ships, yacht transport ships and other cargo ships. This is a busy busy place. No problem for the QV- we have six (yes that is SIX) inches to spare on either side. And these locks don’t have any of those rubber bumpers in case you get a weeeeeee bit too close to the sidewall. We will be in the Atlantic Ocean in about five hours.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March 6-9, 2011 Queen Victoria Cruise
Queen Victoria Cruise
March 6-9, 2011
Cabo San Lucas to Puerta Vallarta to Zihuatinejo, Mexico
Perfect weather, great cruise ship, attentive staff, delicious food, beautiful ports of call. Betty and I are having so much fun. It is just like having Sarasota on a boat… one or two old folks if you know what I mean. (Hot tip: Buy hearing aid stock)
We both agree that Frank would have really enjoyed the cruise too. He has missed out on some awesome line dancing lessons. Betty was “too tired” to go to dinner night before last and as I was returning to our stateroom after the theatre performance I found you know who at the blackjack table in the casino!
We arrive in Guatemala tomorrow. Have an all day trip into the jungle planned.
Hasta luego. Adios.
March 6-9, 2011
Cabo San Lucas to Puerta Vallarta to Zihuatinejo, Mexico
Perfect weather, great cruise ship, attentive staff, delicious food, beautiful ports of call. Betty and I are having so much fun. It is just like having Sarasota on a boat… one or two old folks if you know what I mean. (Hot tip: Buy hearing aid stock)
We both agree that Frank would have really enjoyed the cruise too. He has missed out on some awesome line dancing lessons. Betty was “too tired” to go to dinner night before last and as I was returning to our stateroom after the theatre performance I found you know who at the blackjack table in the casino!
We arrive in Guatemala tomorrow. Have an all day trip into the jungle planned.
Hasta luego. Adios.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
March 3-4, 2011 Queen Victoria Cruise
Thursday, Mar. 3
Queen Victoria, Embarkation Day
Betty and I cleaned up(sort of) and checked out of Frank Jr.’s UCLA married housing apartment aka Johnston B&B. Frank drove us over to Long Beach to the cruise terminal where the lovely Queen Victoria was docked. We unloaded the bags, gave Frank a hug of thanks and goodbye and checked in on the Queen. Betty has special status since she has been on these cruises so many times so WE get to enjoy some extra perks. The stateroom is excellent and after the emergency drill we pushed off from the dock at 5pm. We explored the QV and learned that the average weight gain on this cruise is 1-2 pounds per day. Yikes! I better go buy some big elastic waist pants. Short stop by the blackjack table-Cardshark Shepard won a lot, Johnston won a little. The after dinner show was excellent.
Friday, March 04, 2011
7am Room Service-Coffee and fruit
7:30 Exercise Room-Tredmill 30min, Bike 30min
8:45 Breakfast
10 Watercolor Art Class
11 Detox and get healthy seminar
12 Finish a book
1 Lunch
2 Duplicate Bridge- Betty really is a GOOD bridge player
4 Afternoon tea (we just looked at it but restrained ourselves from chowin’ down again so soon)
Queen Victoria, Embarkation Day
Betty and I cleaned up(sort of) and checked out of Frank Jr.’s UCLA married housing apartment aka Johnston B&B. Frank drove us over to Long Beach to the cruise terminal where the lovely Queen Victoria was docked. We unloaded the bags, gave Frank a hug of thanks and goodbye and checked in on the Queen. Betty has special status since she has been on these cruises so many times so WE get to enjoy some extra perks. The stateroom is excellent and after the emergency drill we pushed off from the dock at 5pm. We explored the QV and learned that the average weight gain on this cruise is 1-2 pounds per day. Yikes! I better go buy some big elastic waist pants. Short stop by the blackjack table-Cardshark Shepard won a lot, Johnston won a little. The after dinner show was excellent.
Friday, March 04, 2011
7am Room Service-Coffee and fruit
7:30 Exercise Room-Tredmill 30min, Bike 30min
8:45 Breakfast
10 Watercolor Art Class
11 Detox and get healthy seminar
12 Finish a book
1 Lunch
2 Duplicate Bridge- Betty really is a GOOD bridge player
4 Afternoon tea (we just looked at it but restrained ourselves from chowin’ down again so soon)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Los Angeles,CA and Keystone,CO
I am visiting with Frank Jr in LA for a week and we have made a 4day trip to Keystone, CO where he is attending an Emergency Medicine meeting. We rendevoused in Colorado with Margaret(San Jose,CA) and Frank Sr(Atlanta,GA). The airlines should send us a thank you note for making them profitable this year.
People say that it takes about 5-7days to get over the jet lag. Sure hope that is the case or it may be that Frank Johnston's(you know which one I am talking about) schedule is part of the slow recovery. Frank wants to be at the lift line when it opens, make the most ski runs and get the price per run/ride down to a penny. I twisted my knee a little yesterday and am taking the day off from skiing. Plus I wouldn't want to slow down the man in the Superman ski suit....
We will ski tomorrow and head back to LAX, SFO and ATL tomorrow.
Oh.... it has been snowing like crazy for the last two days.
March 4, 2011
Jan’s Journey 2011
Monday, Feb. 28 –Wednesday, Mar. 2
Returned from Keystone, Colorado with Frank Jr. while Margaret headed back to SF and Frank Sr. flew back to Atlanta. We went by Frank’s favorite donut shop for a warm just made buttermilk donut. Ummmmm! I think by blood sugar shot up to about 350. It was definitely a glucose tolerance test. We were the only ones in the donut store because the rest of the town was somewhere over in Hollywood picking up their Oscars. We did not realize it was Academy Awards night until Monday morning. What nerds we are. Jamie Monk and I got together for dinner at the beer and burger place, My Father’s Office.
Granny arrived from Florida on Tuesday. We bought Frank and Margaret a birthday present and drove up to north LA(Sherman Oaks) to pick up Frank from school. He then escorted his sainted mother and sainted grandmother to dinner at Chicken Café.
Wednesday- In anticipation of the big cruise we went all out and found a combo mani-pedi for $20. Then the “girls” went to the Getty Museum for the afternoon. It was a little embarrassing and mildy uncomfortable wearing flip flops with a ski jacket, but a girl’s gotta do what a girls gotta do to make those nails look good. OK the feet went into shoes after the museum and we found a cute little natural organic lo-cal no-fat no carb trendy café by Rodeo Drive. I really enjoyed the piece of arugala with a light mist of dressing. We did not see any leftover movie celebs while we were there.
People say that it takes about 5-7days to get over the jet lag. Sure hope that is the case or it may be that Frank Johnston's(you know which one I am talking about) schedule is part of the slow recovery. Frank wants to be at the lift line when it opens, make the most ski runs and get the price per run/ride down to a penny. I twisted my knee a little yesterday and am taking the day off from skiing. Plus I wouldn't want to slow down the man in the Superman ski suit....
We will ski tomorrow and head back to LAX, SFO and ATL tomorrow.
Oh.... it has been snowing like crazy for the last two days.
Jan’s Journey 2011
Monday, Feb. 28 –Wednesday, Mar. 2
Returned from Keystone, Colorado with Frank Jr. while Margaret headed back to SF and Frank Sr. flew back to Atlanta. We went by Frank’s favorite donut shop for a warm just made buttermilk donut. Ummmmm! I think by blood sugar shot up to about 350. It was definitely a glucose tolerance test. We were the only ones in the donut store because the rest of the town was somewhere over in Hollywood picking up their Oscars. We did not realize it was Academy Awards night until Monday morning. What nerds we are. Jamie Monk and I got together for dinner at the beer and burger place, My Father’s Office.
Granny arrived from Florida on Tuesday. We bought Frank and Margaret a birthday present and drove up to north LA(Sherman Oaks) to pick up Frank from school. He then escorted his sainted mother and sainted grandmother to dinner at Chicken Café.
Wednesday- In anticipation of the big cruise we went all out and found a combo mani-pedi for $20. Then the “girls” went to the Getty Museum for the afternoon. It was a little embarrassing and mildy uncomfortable wearing flip flops with a ski jacket, but a girl’s gotta do what a girls gotta do to make those nails look good. OK the feet went into shoes after the museum and we found a cute little natural organic lo-cal no-fat no carb trendy café by Rodeo Drive. I really enjoyed the piece of arugala with a light mist of dressing. We did not see any leftover movie celebs while we were there.
Visit to China February 12 - 20, 2011
We had a delightful week in China with Larry and Monica Wang. We divided our time between Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou- three large and flourishing cities. We caught the last part of the Chinese New Year period so we experienced some impressive fireworks displays. We met four of Larry and Monica's childhood friends from Taiwan who now live in Shanghai. I am pretty sure that the delicious Peking duck dinner was authentic. I spent the last day shopping with Monica and her friend Patricia at Pearls City. That is where I saw the most tourists-me included. Frank and Larry headed out to see if Frank could purchase an electric scooter! Turned out that the scooter doesn't cost much but the shipping will knock your socks off. Stay tuned re: The Scooter Project...watch out GM, Ford and Harley-Davidson.
We met the Wang's brother in law, CH, for our last night dinner-great meal. We headed back to the US on Sunday.
Now I am still trying to figure this out- I left Shanghai, China at 11am on Sunday morning and got into Los Angeles, CA at 9am Sunday morning!! How does that happen??? And by the way, where is that Thursday that I lost two weeks ago on the way to the Philippines?? Final tally- one missing Thursday and one extra Sunday. My poor camera and computer are still confused....
We met the Wang's brother in law, CH, for our last night dinner-great meal. We headed back to the US on Sunday.
Now I am still trying to figure this out- I left Shanghai, China at 11am on Sunday morning and got into Los Angeles, CA at 9am Sunday morning!! How does that happen??? And by the way, where is that Thursday that I lost two weeks ago on the way to the Philippines?? Final tally- one missing Thursday and one extra Sunday. My poor camera and computer are still confused....
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
February 16, 2011, Suzhou, China to Hangzhou, China
Wednesday-
First site to visit was the Lion Grove, a famous rock garden where the rocks are said to resemble lions. It takes quite an imagination to see the lions so our guide said that actually the monk that inspired the garden had a middle name of Lion. That makes a lot more sense. Lions are a favorite animal since they are the King of the jungle. We had a boat ride on the Grand Canal in Suzhou- kind of like Longboat Key….Chinese style.
In the afternoon we visited a silk factory and saw the process of making silk from silkworm eggs to weaving looms. Frank the Senior and Monica engaged in hard bargaining for a silk tie. The vendor had tears in her eyes as they walked away with the tie in hand. Tears of sadness or joy?? The rain picked up but fortunately we were on the way to Hangzhou in the van.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February 15, 2011, Shanghai, China to Suzhou, China
Tuesday-
After breakfast we checked out of the “Wang Hotel” and boarded our minivan for our out of town journey. With seatbelts fastened we sped off to Tongli and visited the ancient water town- a World Heritage Site. The town was quaint and we enjoyed walking and snacking on chestnuts and peanut brittle. The afternoon tour included a visit to an early 16th century garden- our third rock garden. The Ming dynasty folks were really “into” rocks(big ones found in nature) while DaVinci was chipping away on those marble slabs. Both are unique and beautiful. Ah yes-- beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
We stayed at the Garden Hotel of Suzhou- Five star- very nice.
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