Travelin' Road Show

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesday Feb 12th 2013 - Roatan

First sight of Roatan 7am

Tuesday Feb 12th 2013 - Roatan, Honduras

Derek, Pat and adorable George

Heading for coffee shop (Mandy on left)

'Downtown' West End, Roatan

Very excited to get off the ship and meet up with our friends Pat and Doug who were in Roatan for a couple of months visiting their daughter (Mandy), who is a dive instructor. She met a Honduran (Rino) and opened a dive shop with him. They have a beautiful baby (George). We went straight to the dive shop to see it and work out a plan to go scuba diving. Went for a coffee at a local coffee bar and then headed back to go scuba diving. After a training session on land, then in shallow water, we got on the boat and headed out into the ocean, stopping at a dive location. We donned our tanks and equipment, flipped backward off the side of the boat and headed down the rope into the sea. It was so much easier than either of us thought it would be. Unfortunately Janice couldn’t get the pressure in her ears equalized and the pain was too much for her to continue down, so she came to the surface while the others went down 40 feet. She was a bit disappointed but still proud that she did it. Later, on land, we went with Pat and Doug to a couple of local bar/restaurants and had lunch at one. Also had a ‘Monkey La La’ (drink)…. Wow…!!! not sure what was in it, but it was white, creamy and delicious. We spent our time catching up on family and learning about life in Roatan. It is a beautiful island and one I would DEFINITELY want to re-visit. Slow pace of life, sandy beaches, palm trees and lots of snorkeling/scuba diving. Mandy took us back to the ship and it was hard saying goodbye to everyone…ESPECIALLY little George, who I wanted to steal!!!
We loved Roatan and would love to go back and stay longer. It is a beautiful place. It is generally poor, and supported by tourism. Because it is an island it is a different community than mainland Honduras and the people who live here consider themselves totally different from main-landers.

Mandy and Doug outside Dive Shop (Scuba Roatan)

Taken from side of dive shop

Derek in his wet suit with Doug

Training on land with Katie our instructor

This is gonna be fun

Tanks are heavy

Heading for shallow water training

And down we go

Fully 'trained' and ready for deeper waters

Heading back in after deeper dive.

Post dive - lunch and Monkey La La's

View from table at lunch

After Monkey La La!!!!!

Little fella climbing out of the beer bottle - just noticed him!!!


Heading into second beach bar. Pat and Doug come here often to watch sunset

Back to ship - Our cabin is second row down at very back .. 3 from left

Leaving Roatan

Sunk in the bay, Mahogany Bay, Roatan

Hanging out on our balcony after a fabulous day

Another great sunset

Sunset from Balcony

Monday, February 11, 2013

Friday Feb 8 - Mon Feb 11 - cruise beginnings

Friday Feb 8^th – Monday Feb 11th- Cruise Begins

On Board - Saturday noon.

On board - Saturday noon

Spent most of Friday packing and we met someone at the site who has an identical unit to ours, so we compared notes. He offered to take us to the ship tomorrow morning. On Saturday we closed up the unit and headed to the ship. Boarding was flawless and we were on-board, eating lunch about noon. Our state-room is at the very back (aft), totally private, with nothing but ocean. The rooms are small but adequate and we do have a lovely balcony. Spent the next couple of days at sea, lounging round the pool, (there are 4 pools on-board) reading, eating and dancing the nights away. There is a great band on-board called ‘Solplay’. The other bands are okay but nothing great. The usual piano bar and a couple of other bar/dance floors and a late night disco. The shows in the evening are either broad-way style shows or acts that are competing for the ‘Princess Cruises Entertainer of the Year”. Mostly comedians. VERY funny. We are lucky to have picked this cruise to get the best of the best acts. There is also a huge outdoor movie theatre and show either films (evening) or music videos (daytime). Once you find your way round the ship it really is quite beautiful.

Champagne glass tower ready for pouring from the top down

Togged-up ready for formal night at sea -Sunday

Head chef - doing the honours

Hanging out on the promenade deck

Me too

The wake caused rainbows -- but I couldn't get them on my photos

This is the life!!

Poser!!!

Feeling very lucky to be here... reading by the aft (adult) pool

The smile says it all

Pre dinner glass of wine on our balcony

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday Feb 7th.. Beach walk and packing

Thursday Feb 7th 2013

Sunrise out of the trailer window 7am

Peeking out my bedroom window at 6:45am

After a very stormy, windy night we woke up to an amazing sunrise at 7am and were walking the beach at 7:30, combing for shells and just enjoying a beautiful sunny morning. We walked for a long way and then decided to have breakfast at MacDonalds... because we can!!!! Sat outside under the palm trees and and tried hard to ignore all the birds that hovered around staring at us, pleading for crumbs. We went back to the 'condo' and sat outside in the sun and read for a while and watched the world go by. It clouded over a little and we started sorting out what we need to clean and pack for the cruise on Saturday. Will I EVER be capable of travelling light??? I think not. I just NEED everything with me... just in case!!!! (my case!!!!!) Derek BBQ'd and amazing pork tenderloin for dinner. MMMMMM! good!! After dinner we hung out with a few people at the RV resort who are down here for Mardi-Gras, then sat up by the pool area where a gas fire-pit was lit. Had a couple of beers with someone else from the resort. Great day.