Jan 8, 2011

Hi everyone

You are probably wondering why I haven't written in my Blog yet. First of all, it took a while to get connected to the internet and second of all, there has been so much to do and get used to – like unpacking, finding my way around the ship, deciding what activities to get involved in, attending various meetings and get acquainted things.

Yesterday day we docked at our first port –The Cayman Islands aand I went ashore to buy some panti hose and knee highs which I fogot to bring with me. Cayman is a very small island but it is the location for many banks – but most are well hidden because a lot of people use them to hide their money outside their country. There are the usual numerous stores that sell jewellery and tourist stuff. I visited the small museum to get a feel for the history of the place and then returned to the ship.

Tomorrow we land in Costa Rica. I've already spent a month there on another trip, so I think I'll stay aboard and catch up on things. I still have to book a few shore excursions for future stops and if I don't do that soon, there will be no vacancies left.

This morning I'm off to a dance instruction class at 9:00 and then at 11:30 and perhaps at 1:30 I will attend computer seminars which will teach how to touch up photographs and organize photo albums and do all kinds of neat things. Thursday I attended one that taught me how to use the program “Windows Live Movie Maker” -- the same program I used to make the disk of our family for Christmas. I learned a few more good tricks so the next time I create a slide show, it will be a lot easier.

Everything on board is free except the liquor, the spa and eating in the posh restaurant where you need reservations. The food in the regular dining room and the cafeteria is excellent, so I won't be going posh too often. There are murder mystery evenings there 4 times during the cruise, and I've always wanted to go to one, so I'll give that a try.

There are 5 or 6 gentlemen on board who have been hired by the cruise line to dance with the ladies who don't have a partner, so I've been dancing every night. Lot's of fun! ! !

The seas are smooth and most of the time I don't wear my anti-nausia bracelets. Bonus ! ! !

Tonight we have our first formal “Meet the captain Night” and I'm going to wear my beautiful red chiffon cocktail dress. So far I've had no weight problems. Let's hope that continues – there are so many temptations.

This is such a wonderful adventure! ! ! I wish you were here.

Bye for now
Lucille