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3月31日 Tuesday March 31 - San Juan, Puerto Rico We awoke early again, and this time both Dad and I headed to the gym. After a one hour workout we returned to the cabin, showered and relaxed with coffee and books. At 10am we went to the Grand Epernay Dining Room for a special brunch buffet. It was pleasant, very busy, and frankly not all that special. The menu wasn’t very broad, but all the basics were available – from salmon to eggs, beef to ham. Fruits, cheeses, shrimp, pastries, and petite deserts. I will compliment Celebrity on their scrambled eggs. They were perfect! - moist but not runny. The beef stroganoff was also tasty. I had to wait for a fresh tray of Eggs Benedict. I wish they had been prepared fresh like the omelets. Just as I settled down for a post brunch nap at about 1pm, it was announced we were arriving in San Juan early. Damn! Coming into the old city is very beautiful, so I climbed out of bed and the two of us proceeded to the upper decks to watch the ship enter San Juan harbor. Soon, we were both walking down the gangway and along one of the small cruise docks situated on the harbor side of Old San Juan. Dad and I strolled along El Paseo de la Princessa (named for Derek no doubt). There were art and ecology exhibits along the seaside promenade. The walkway is outside one of the few remaining sections of the old city wall. Then we entered the city through the San Juan Gate – the only remaining gate of the original five. We walked up hill past the old convent and cathedral to the northern edge of the city and the Museum of San Juan. For about 90 minutes we wandered through exhibits about San Juan history. Most of it was in Spanish, but I could often understand the gist of the written comments. We also had English summaries in a brochure. Between the brochure and my Spanish translations for Dad, we were able to glean a surprising amount of historical commentary. When we finished perusing the museum, we walked toward El Morro, the 500 year old fort that guards the entrance to San Juan bay. It’s quite a distance out on a promontory, and as we neared the half-way point, showers started. At first we walked at our regular pace, but as we got closer to the fortress the rain became heavier and heavier until it assumed downpour status when we still had fifty yards to go. By the time we crossed the moat and entered through the large arched gateway, we were soaked to the skin – looking like a couple of drowned rats. We went to the bathroom hoping to find some paper towels. There were none. Instead we found electric hand dryers – which was fortuitous. We both ducked under the blowers and managed to dry off partly in about 10 minutes of constantly using the hot air on our shirts and hair. By the time we were no longer soggy, my enthusiasm for touring the fort had diminished dramatically. We did walk through some exhibits while the rain continued to fall. At about 5pm when the museum was closing, the rain finally stopped. Dad and I headed back toward the ship and bravely decided to skip the free (and covered) shuttle tram, choosing instead to see more of the old city. We stopped at the cathedral just prior to it closing. We wandered through the shopping district and caught a view of La Fortaleza (the governor’s palace) down one of San Juan’s balcony lined thoroughfares. We followed a zig-zag course through the blue cobblestone streets, working our way downhill and finally ending at the cruise ship dock three and a half hours after our starting time. Dad was tired and so was I. We were still a little wet, and combined with fatigue we chose to skip dinner in Blu – the Aqua Spa dining room. Instead we had a cocktail and our usual hors d-oeuvres that are delivered every night. Then we went to Cellar Masters, the wine bar onboard Solstice. There we enjoyed a flight of French and Spanish white wines along with bread and cheese. Finally we headed up to the Ocean View Café (the buffet). There we enjoyed salad, fresh pasta, and some tasty Chinese dishes. I’ve learned the service in the ship’s buffet isn’t very good – but man oh man the food sure is delicious. Celebrity buffets have the Princess ships beat without question. The pasta bar alone is singularly impressive. On this night, half the buffet was closed, but the remaining stations included fresh sushi, Chinese dishes, many different salads, tempting deserts, a pizza bar, and bread, meats and cheeses and of course four types of pasta with veggies, meats and four sauces available. Now it is 10pm and we are in bed, tired and with full tummies. Tomorrow we land in Saint Martin and take our only official Celebrity excursion – snorkeling and a BBQ lunch aboard an old schooner called the Lord Sheffield.     Monday March 30 - On the Deep Blue Sea Today was a day to do nothing – or more accurately, nothing much. I got up at 6:30 and went to the gym. A one hour workout was followed by coffee. I was back in the room by 8 and breakfast was delivered at 9. Reading and relaxing in the shade on deck soon followed. The afternoon included lunch from the buffet and a nap. Before I knew it, dinner time was upon us. Dad and I dressed for dinner then walked down to Blu, our regular dining venue. We met our tablemates – a mother and daughter team from Florida and a couple from South Carolina. Conversation was pleasant, even touching on the hot potato topic of immigration and assimilation. As usual, I disagreed with just about everybody at the table. I added my two cents worth but mostly kept my mouth shut. As is normal for my cruise vacations, I was not the only teacher at the table. A relatively new middle school science teacher was traveling with her mother – a girls only trip. I enjoyed a salad and crab bisque. Dad and I had rack of lamb. The meal was good, though I didn’t think it was quite up to the standard set in the Murano restaurant. Still, it was pleasant enough. After dinner we walked forward to the Solstice theater. Along the way we stopped for a portrait in front of the main atrium stairs. Once we reached the theater and grabbed a couple seats in the second row, the show started with a free glass of Champaign and a toast by the captain, including an introduction of the senior staff. The show was called "Ghost Light" - a review of Broadway favorites. Music and dance included selections from Hairspray, Chicago, Wicked, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, and My Fair Lady. The performances were good – ranging from adequate to outstanding. We both enjoyed it, and soon after were back in the cabin. Reading in bed ended the evening and I was asleep before Dad. 3月30日 Sunday March 29 - The Solstice Dad and I woke up somewhat late on Sunday. By the time we were showered, dressed, and downstairs for breakfast it was 10am. While we were dressing I discovered the bill for the room had been placed under the door of our hotel room. Much to my surprise, I had been charged for the mysterious bottle of Champaign. Rather than stand in line for the hotel buffet, we decided to find a local restaurant for breakfast. On the way out to the car I managed to clear up the Champaign issue. Apparently I had booked a hotel room rate that included a bottle of sparkling wine. That cleared up the unknown origin of the bottle, and made it a simple matter to credit my bill. Of course I kept the bottle for later consumption onboard the ship. Once breakfast was complete, we drove around central Ft. Lauderdale to view the beach and neighborhoods - then headed to the airport. We returned the car to the agency and hopped on the free shuttle to Port Everglades. Soon, we arrived at the berth to which the Celebrity Solstice was docked. It was 1:00pm. I thought we would be part of a crowded terminal, but there were no lines and therefore the security and registration process was quick and painless. I estimate from the time we walked into the terminal until we walked up the gangway was less than 10 minutes – perhaps a new record. Anyone who knows me well knows I abhor standing in line. There was no line and I was a very happy cruiser. Once we stepped inside the Solstice, I was duly impressed with the new ship. It has been sailing the seas for only four months. Of course it is very clean and looks new, but just as importantly it is very beautiful. The décor is modern with touches of classical elements. There are definitely decorative themes including art deco that blends with a sort of retro modern motif. The crew greeted us with a glass of Champaign. When we reached our cabin on deck 11, another full bottle of bubbly was iced and waiting with two fluted glasses. I was sensing an unexpected trend. Our cabin proved to be of decent size and somewhat unique. The beds have curved ends that make walking around the cabin easier. There is a six foot long couch with a small oval cocktail table. Storage is at a premium in the room, but it’s enough for us since neither of us over pack. The bathroom is commodious, and since we are in an Aqua Spa cabin we have special upgrades. The bath towels are extra soft, extra thick, and extra large. We have a fresh caraf of iced tea and bottled water. There are special aromatherapy oils we can use and a set of binoculars as well. The balcony is well sized with nie furniture including reclining chairs and two ottomans as well as a small teak dining table. I would favorably compare this cabin with a Princess Cruise Line mini-suite. The bathroom and desk area have marble countertops. The shower is large with a glass door and with a tower of six specialty nozzles. Cleaning off is rather like going through a car wash – without the rotating brushes! I love it. I was especially impressed with the TV. You can make restaurant and excursion reservations as well as check your cabin portfolio and order on demand movies all through the interactive television. Music playlists can be programmed as well and our course can be monitored. It’s terrific. Once we had explored our stateroom, at 4pm we slogged through the required lifeboat drill. Celebrity Solstice uses the same sort of drill process as Princess does. By the time we returned from muster, our bags had been delivered to the room. We took glasses of our now infamous Champaign up to the pool deck and enjoyed our departure from Ft. Lauderdale despite cloudy skies and an occasional light sprinkle of warm rain. By 5pm we were unpacking and soon complimentary canapés were delivered (they are part of Aqua Spa service). We finished off the bottle of Champaign just in time for dinner in one of the specialty restaurants: Murano. Our meal was delicious. The appetizers we ordered included sweetbreads and a pate de fois gras. I had a salad - spinach with bacon and dad chose a goat cheese follow-up. Both of us enjoyed the venison entrée in a berry demi glace. We finished the meal with desert; apples prepared in four ways for Dad, and a tableside prepared ice cream filled crepe with a strawberry and brandy reduction sauce for me. The entire meal was accompanied by a wonderful Mondavi Carneros Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir. I hope my brief descriptions indicate how spectacular the meal was. It ranks as one of the best meals I have had onboard a ship. Dad and I spent a lot of time talking about our lives and our family. It was a good old sappy time - like crying at a supermarket opening. My family will understand what that means. After all that wonderful food and conversation we were soon in bed and asleep by 10pm. 3月28日 Something Old, Something NewDad and I are on a trip together. I've been on many cruises out of Florida, but this is a new experience for Dad. In the past I've cruised mostly on Princess and once on Carnival, but this time we will be sailing on Celebrity Cruise Lines - their newest ship: Solstice. We flew to Miami today in first class. All flights went well, the food was good, the service was pleasant enough, and we landed in Miami about 10 minutes late but otherwise without problems or delays.
I must say, I really dislike the Miami airport. Parts of it are nice, and others are especially trashy looking. The baggage claim area is awfully dingy. Once we picked up our bags, we had to fight through the overcrowded arrivals area, and wait 25 minutes for the rental car shuttle (which you would think would pick up passenger at the arrivals level, but no! Not in Miami). The signs are very confusing. All went well once I picked up our car at National. We drove away in our black Nissan and followed the signs to Hwy 112 and then I-95 north to Ft. Lauderdale. Things got a little bizarre when we checked in at the Renaissance Hotel. The desk clerk said "You have an amenity waiting. Do you want it sent up to your room now?" I looked at the clerk with a puzzled expression. "I have a what?"
She indicated a bottle of champaign had been ordered in advance. I thought that was strange because I didn't think I had told anyone where we would be staying except for Derek, and I doubted he would remember my passing comment. I certainly knew I had not ordered champaign. But, I told them to send it up to our room. I assumed someone had chosen to surprise us and I suspected a card would be attached. We waited more than 30 minutes when the bottle, AND THE BILL! finally showed up. It was a miniscule little bottle and the hotel was charging me $20. I told the room service waiter I had never ordered champaign, the desk told me someone else ordered it, and I wasn't interested in paying for it - take it away. He said he would check with the front desk and left. 30 second later he was back and remarked, "Here is your champaign. It's on the house." There was no further comment.
I accepted the bottle and we will save it for consumption on the ship. It's midnight local time and we are going to try going to bed now. Adjusting to EDT always takes a couple days for me. My first night on a trip is seldom restful. 3月14日 One Fine DaySeattle was sunny and cold for most of this week. I really enjoyed it. But now, it's raining again and I'm stuck at home finishing report cards for my class. The video below reminds me of how beautiful Seattle is on those sunny and special days. The guy that created it is an artist, and it's hard to find high quality amateur video artists on YouTube, so enjoy this rare example of the art!
3月13日 Vision of the FutureWake up America. A new transportation future is on the horizon. It's already happening in the Northeast corridor. Amtrak's Acela Express travel up to 150 mph. Washington state has our Amtrak Cascades train which reaches 80mph. But recently California passed the funding for a high speed rail corridor which will outstrip the moderate speeds of our Seattle to Portland Cascades train. Global warming, increasing urban density, and the needs of dynamic commerce demand we do more. I hope Obama will be the high-speed rail president. |
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