Smooth seas, warm weather, lazy days and lots of food, who could want for more!!

We have listened to talks about the islands we are going to visit, watched guest Chef Liandro Diaz (Dominican Republic) cook up some yummy food, been to some great shows of an evening, music, dance and comedy. I have even met up with some other stitching and knitting women, a group of about 20 for an hour each sea day.

Today we arrived in the port of Curaçao. A small island in the Caribbean and after breakfast we were off to do a food tour of the area. Our driver/tour guide Irwin was full of information as we drove past the Queen Emma floating bridge and then on over the Queen Juliana Bridge with views out over the industrial, naval and port area on one side and housing on the other. Curaçao is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has many historic buildings some very quaint architecture and lovely colourful homes. The island was formerly governed by the Netherlands and still has many Dutch influences. The Dutch West Indies founded the capital, Willemstad and in 1662 made Willemstad the centre for the Atlantic Slave Trade. The city itself is a blend of cultures from the food eaten to the languages spoken. The island has 38 beaches

Our first stop was the Curaçao Chobolobo Liqueur Distillery where we got an overview of how the liqueur is made. Then had a taste test. Not too bad really! Probably not good at 10.30 in the morning but what the heck you have to try these things. After this we drove to a handcraft market which overlooked several beaches and marina before travelling to another beach resort area where we had lunch. A chicken (Galina Stoba) or beef (Karni Stoba) with rice and beans. Quite tasty, then for a walk along Mambo beach. Not my sort of beach and not like our beaches at home. This one is man made with hundreds of lounges and grass shelters (P- which you rent for an arm and a leg), bars, restaurants etc. all protected from the elements by huge limestone rocks. After lunch and our walk we were back on the bus and returned to the ship via the city area.

Back to our cabin for a few minutes before heading back out for a walk across the floating pontoon “Queen Emma Bridge ( a most unusually designed pontoon bridge hinged at one end) and through the city centre. The bridge is continually opening to allow cargo and tanker vessels through the narrow channel from the sea to the industrial port.

We found the ice cream shop that Joanne and Tristram and the kids found last year and had an ice cream for them, then a wander along the floating market before heading back to the ship. We had to wait for about 15 minutes as the floating bridge was open to let a container ship out.

Back to the ship for a swim, a relax, dinner and the late evening show.

(P- one is never too old to learn a new skill. Today I learnt the art of LIMING – I am well informed it is “The art of doing nothing whilst eating, drinking and generally just hanging out!” A local Caribbean lady informed me of this so I guess it’s correct – sounds good anyway!)

February 4, 2019

After another restless and sleepless night we are headed out for breakfast and then back to return our hire car before heading to Port Everglades to board our cruise. As we unloaded our bags at Hertz Car Return, Joe, the guy that checked our car offered to drive us round to the cruise terminal, so we loaded our bags back into the car and took off for the short ride. (Saved us about an hour and a few dollars not having to head into the terminal and find a taxi). Joe our driver was a great big friendly, black, American guy. Very talkative and happy and amazed at the tour we are about to embark on. He also informed us that it was an easy day at the Cruise Terminal today as there were only two ships in port, unlike Sunday which was frantic with 9 cruise ships in. He delivered us straight to bag drop, lifted our cases out of the car and wished us a great cruise. Made our morning. We are boarding the Holland America MS Veendam for the next few weeks. We checked in and had a short wait before we boarded. Once on board we went straight up to the Lido deck for lunch as our cabin wasn’t ready. After a very relaxed light lunch by the pool we wandered around the ship before heading back to our cabin, room 069 on Deck 10. Our bags haven’t been delivered yet so back up to deck 11 to enjoy a cocktail as we sail away. We met a lovely older couple from France who spoke very good English, Nellie and Victor, who we shared a table with as we left Fort Lauderdale. It’s a beautiful evening as we watch land slip away and the sun set over Miami.

Key West

This morning we berthed in Key West as we enjoyed breakfast on the Lido deck. Then it’s back to our cabin to ready ourselves for our tour today. We are not doing a ships tour but one Philip organised. This is a Food Tour and doesn’t start until 11 o’clock so we have a couple of hours to wander first. I love the architecture here, cute white homes set in lush surroundings, palm trees, hibiscus, bougainvillea and orchids amongst many others plants. Tiny narrow streets, tiny shops and food outlets, rum distilleries and cigar factory’s all crammed into a 2 mile by 4 mile island. We walked for several hours before arriving at our starting point for the tour.

El Siboney Cuban Restaurant was our first stop and here we met the other 12 guests and our tour leader Shannon. We enjoyed a Cuban meal of slow cooked pork, onions, rice, black beans and plantains and finished off with a small Cuban Coffee. Shannon told us the history of this typical Cuban meal as we ate. It was all delicious, except the very strong sweet coffee.

(P-a bonus Judith doesn’t like coffee, I had hers as well – credit where it’s due tho! She did try it.)

After this we walked to our next destination with Shannon showing us points of interest along the way. Tasting number two was at Bad Boys Burritos, where we enjoyed a fish taco with Red Grouper, tomato, cabbage, crumbled cheese and peppers in a soft taco. Again this was delicious and in a very relaxed setting. Everything was so fresh here. They have no freezers and no microwaves, everything is prepared fresh and replaced every 48 hours. Next stop was the Rum Factory for a rum cocktail. As Philip drank my coffee I suggested I should drink his cocktail but unfortunately that didn’t happen. While finishing our cocktails we wandered along the streets past some quaint old homes and a grocery store, to the highest point on the island. Got to work off those calories. It was a big climb all 14 feet. There is now a lighthouse here that was moved from the outer reef after a storm damaged it. It now marks this high point and can be climbed for great 360 degree views of the area. After this stop we head to Blue Heaven Restaurant where Ernst Hemingway and his wife once resided. At this stop we got to taste the famous Key Lime Pie. Delicious and enjoyable in another great setting. Our last stop was just around the corner in Duval Street at Mangoes. Here we tasted conch fritters. Conch has a texture a bit like abalone and was very tasty served with a key lime aioli dressing. So now after three hours of great food tasting, local history and information and a nice bunch of people we have finished the tour and look forward to receiving some recipes which will be sent to us soon. I’m sure cooking these things at home will not be near as nice as tasting them here in Key West.

(P- the slow cooked Pork shoulder will definitely be cooked along with it’s marinade as it was delicious!) A thoroughly enjoyable day it was indeed! Now we are lost at sea for a few days – next post when we find civilisation somewhere!!!

After 22 hours flight and transit time from Australia to Los Angeles, arriving at 5.30pm and reaching the motel by 7pm, a short walk, dinner and a very restless night, we once again headed back to the airport for our flight to Fort Lauderdale. We had a 10.20 am flight and finally left at 11.45 due to weather delays and no plane. Once in the air we had a quick flight of 4 hours. I must have been pretty tired because I nodded off soon after boarding and don’t even remember them doing the safety briefing. We dozed on and off most of the trip and after crossing numerous time zones we arrived in Fort Lauderdale about 8 pm, we then sat on the tarmac for 30 minutes because our gate was occupied. We finally reached our motel just before 9 pm, checked in and went to find something to eat for dinner. Not much around this area that we can see easily so we resorted to MacDonalds. I HATE MacDonalds even more now than prior to this meal. But it was food in our stomachs before bed. We both had another very restless night. Our bodies and minds are still catching up with all the time zone changes.

After both having our best sleep from 4am until 8am we prepared for the day. We are staying at the Holiday Inn Express just near the airport and look out over Port Everglades where the cruise ships dock. After brunch at Denny’s we headed to the beach for a good long walk and some fresh air. Hollywood Beach was our destination and we walked along the foreshore watching the swimmers and sun bathers enjoying the sun and sea. The water is lovely and we enjoyed walking for about 5 km before turning round and heading back. The area is much like the Gold Coast with high rise accommodation buildings and miles of beachfront. After our walk we found a few shops to pick up some necessary requirements for the next few days. Wine, chocolate, sunscreen etc. then back to the motel for a rest before we find somewhere decent for dinner.

We found somewhere decent for dinner. “The Knife” Argentinian Restaurant. We enjoyed a beautiful buffet meal.

(P- With restaurants like this evening I am pleased I am not a vegetarian! Vegetables played a low priority compared to delicious meat of several species, Salad was even less a priority (I was very pleased about that! Thought to ponder- Cows eat Grass and grain, these are plant products therefore Beef (and lamb ) Must be a form of vegetarian food????)

1 February, 2019

Once again we are sitting at the Devonport Airport ready to embark on another adventure. After a few months planning we are about to fly to the USA with a stopover in Los Angeles and then onto Fort Lauderdale where we will be boarding the Holland America Ship, MS Veendam for a cruise heading south, with some exciting destinations along the way. More details as we travel and experience new destinations, sights and food. (Can’t give too much away just yet). Join us for the adventure as we share our photos and experiences with you.

(P- Cruising, whilst not for everyone suits me as I can do as much or little as I feel like – as I often say even on a bad health day, new scenery and destinations are a great alternative to being at home feeling sorry for ones self. So off we go on another “Dobson” adventure. We hope you enjoy following our trail!)