Saturday, December 29, 2012


Bahamas – Another Ho Hum Week in Paradise  

 
Pretty enough to be a post card picture
Clouds are perfect

December 15 -21, 2012

Monday went to scuba refresher with Grand Bahama Scuba (Fred and Melinda). It was fun and it all came right back to me. Just wasn't sure after a year, but looks like the old brain is still working. I talked with Fred about his little scuba school and with all the equipment (many sets of diving gear, space rental, 3 boats he has, air tank compressor) his investment is over $1M. That is amazing to think about. John couldn't go because he just can't breath well enough now to snorkel or scuba. He did lots of scuba in his late teens, so at least he hasn't missed out totally on the underwater. He kindly took shuttle and did our grocery shopping. Weird how the store has things one week, but not the next even when it was fully stocked.

Went to Marketplace and had a gyro for lunch. So delish I could eat one every day. Walked around and then went to Casino. No cruise ships in so it was extremely quiet in there. Weird to see the poor workers standing behind their game tables with nothing to do but stand there. Played a few slot machines, lost our money and left. Back at the resort and walked on the beach, watched the fantastic sunset. Met a lady who said the sunset reminded her of one she had seen with her dad over 50 years ago. It brought back so many memories for her and tears. I went over and hugged her and said that we never do forget our dear parents. She thanked me for the hug and said it meant so much to her.   Made us both feel good.
 
Beautiful Bahama Sunset


Spent part of day on the beach, in and out of the water, reading, had a beer. A beautiful day, calm water, just a few clouds. At 2:30 I was picked up for my scuba dive. Went out with about 8 other divers about one mile off shore to Silver Reef.   First time I scubaed with a group, but our dive master was great and we had two of their team along watching over us.  My greatest fear is being lost or left, so I'm careful about the company I scuba with.  I watched that movie where the two divers were left behind and eaten by sharks.  It was horrible so I'm probably lucky that I will even go out.  What a neat reef. So many beautiful fish. Fred said there are over 400 types of fish there. I got to hold a big sea cucumber, and a brittle star fish. Very good time and I had lots of fun. 

Gena with a Sea Cucumber
 
Lots of fish
 
 Woke up Thursday at 6:45 a.m. and wonder what is wrong with me being up so early.  It is probably that I don't stay up as late as I did before (1:00 or 2:00 a.m.).  Spent half day on the beach, finished my book. We had four books we'd read and gave them to some people we met. That will cut down on our return luggage. Went to office and picked up my scuba pictures on a thumb drive from yesterday's dive.
 

12/21/12 (Mayan end of world day) woke up to howling wind at 7:00 a.m. and a bit later got some pelting rain. Hope we get through the day and see the sunrise tomorrow. Took a walk on the beach, took a few more pictures and then came back to the room. Spent the rest of the day here due to the high wind. Read and took a nap.

I've been surprised at how little stuff a person can live with. I took one small suitcase and a carry on (computer, of course, and Rx, toiletries) and managed to do fine for four weeks. I actually didn't even wear all the clothes I took. Two pairs of shoes, tennis and flip flops unbelievable. Of course, we were in a tropical place and made up our minds that we were not going to get dressed up.   How simple.

I finally got this loaded onto my computer on Saturday, Dec. 29th.  Had all kinds of connection issues.  We're at the library in Ormond Beach to look up stuff and get this posted.  It is time to post my new blog today too.

Bahamas – Another Ho Hum Week in Paradise  

 
Pretty enough to be a post card picture
Clouds are perfect

December 15 -21, 2012

Monday went to scuba refresher with Grand Bahama Scuba (Fred and Melinda). It was fun and it all came right back to me. Just wasn't sure after a year, but looks like the old brain is still working. I talked with Fred about his little scuba school and with all the equipment (many sets of diving gear, space rental, 3 boats he has, air tank compressor) his investment is over $1M. That is amazing to think about. John couldn't go because he just can't breath well enough now to snorkel or scuba. He did lots of scuba in his late teens, so at least he hasn't missed out totally on the underwater. He kindly took shuttle and did our grocery shopping. Weird how the store has things one week, but not the next even when it was fully stocked.

Went to Marketplace and had a gyro for lunch. So delish I could eat one every day. Walked around and then went to Casino. No cruise ships in so it was extremely quiet in there. Weird to see the poor workers standing behind their game tables with nothing to do but stand there. Played a few slot machines, lost our money and left. Back at the resort and walked on the beach, watched the fantastic sunset. Met a lady who said the sunset reminded her of one she had seen with her dad over 50 years ago. It brought back so many memories for her and tears. I went over and hugged her and said that we never do forget our dear parents. She thanked me for the hug and said it meant so much to her.   Made us both feel good.
 
Beautiful Bahama Sunset


Spent part of day on the beach, in and out of the water, reading, had a beer. A beautiful day, calm water, just a few clouds. At 2:30 I was picked up for my scuba dive. Went out with about 8 other divers about one mile off shore to Silver Reef.   First time I scubaed with a group, but our dive master was great and we had two of their team along watching over us.  My greatest fear is being lost or left, so I'm careful about the company I scuba with.  I watched that movie where the two divers were left behind and eaten by sharks.  It was horrible so I'm probably lucky that I will even go out.  What a neat reef. So many beautiful fish. Fred said there are over 400 types of fish there. I got to hold a big sea cucumber, and a brittle star fish. Very good time and I had lots of fun. 

Gena with a Sea Cucumber
 
Lots of fish
 
 Woke up Thursday at 6:45 a.m. and wonder what is wrong with me being up so early.  It is probably that I don't stay up as late as I did before (1:00 or 2:00 a.m.).  Spent half day on the beach, finished my book. We had four books we'd read and gave them to some people we met. That will cut down on our return luggage. Went to office and picked up my scuba pictures on a thumb drive from yesterday's dive.
 

12/21/12 (Mayan end of world day) woke up to howling wind at 7:00 a.m. and a bit later got some pelting rain. Hope we get through the day and see the sunrise tomorrow. Took a walk on the beach, took a few more pictures and then came back to the room. Spent the rest of the day here due to the high wind. Read and took a nap.

I've been surprised at how little stuff a person can live with. I took one small suitcase and a carry on (computer, of course, and Rx, toiletries) and managed to do fine for four weeks. I actually didn't even wear all the clothes I took. Two pairs of shoes, tennis and flip flops unbelievable. Of course, we were in a tropical place and made up our minds that we were not going to get dressed up.   How simple.

I finally got this loaded onto my computer on Saturday, Dec. 29th.  Had all kinds of connection issues.  We're at the library in Ormond Beach to look up stuff and get this posted.  It is time to post my new blog today too.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Bahamas - Week 3


Bahamas   -   Week  3

12/8/12 12/14/12

Still Rock'in Out
Grand Lucayan porch

Saturday night we went to Taino Beach with Curtis and Shelby for the local fish fry. This was the first time I ever had a deep fried whole fish and it was served with typical Bahamian rice and peas, and cole slaw. I'm picky about cole slaw and I think theirs was a little bit better than mine. I had a Kalik beer, Curtis had a Sands beer, both are brewed in the Bahamas and quite good. It was fun to sit outside at tables on the beach and talk. I don't think I realized that when you are away from home you don't have friends. You have service people to talk to, but usually not about normal, life things. It was a pleasure to sit and laugh and have fun with our new friends.

Saturday Night Fish Fry
w/our CS friends, Curtis & Shelby
Taino Beach


John and I came back to the room and played a game of Gin. I brought cards with us and decided that we could learn some new card games and watch a little less of night time TV. I started out so strong, but then John got the hang of it and it was all over. We used to play cards together a lot, so it is fun to get back to doing this.

Sleepy Sunday. Spent a few hours at the beach. I managed to get into the cold pool for the first time and it was OK after submersion.  Hot tub. A beer for me, rum and Coke for John.  We took a walk down the beach, visited with several couples, and then stopped at a little beach-side hut and got a fresh coconut with its coconut water and rum. Not my favorite, but fun to have a drink from a real coconut. Went back to get a rum and coke, and the guy, Anton, was out of rum and had to go to the store (hard to believe). So he took off and was back in about 15 minutes. Took some fun pictures and had a good time sitting on the beach drinking rum. What's not to like about that. 

I'm one cool jelly coconut
Sip slowly, I'm full of rum 

Monday, shuttle to the store day. Need milk and may have to make a trip just for that. Sure makes one appreciate having a car and just going to the store. I made pancakes this morning and they tasted so good. I didn't want to buy syrup, so got some cinnamon and made the old favorite cinnamon sugar. Yum.

On Tuesday we got cleaned up and were going to hop the shuttle and John's back went out on him. We had just gone down our 3 flights of stairs. He stood on walkway a few minutes, slowly turned around the luckily was able to get up the stairs slowly. Thank goodness because I sure couldn't carry him. Put him to bed with an Advil. He rested awhile then got up and moved around slow the rest of the day. Bedtime another Advil and a good night's sleep.

John got up and said he felt alright. Not ready to run a marathon, but much better. This aging can be unpredictable. I twisted my knee somehow (only turned the wrong way I think). You never know what part of the body is going to act up next. We just keep plugging along. There are days when all is well and you sure appreciate the body. It is 12/12/12, so we're hoping to make it through the day.  Took shuttle to Lucaya Marketplace, looked around, ate lunch, John bought my Christmas present.  Also tried the famous Bahamian dessert, Guava Duff.  A sort of course, heavy cake that has Guava in dough, that is topped with a sweet, whipped, fluff that has guava in it.  I could not taste any guava or anything, just sweet.  Heavy cake, too sweet, so glad I tried it, but I'll pass next time.  I don't think we are into Bahamian food at all.  Walked over to the big hotel downtown, Grand Lucayan, to look around.  What a beautiful hotel and at around $200 a night it should be.
 
Lobby Grand Lucayan
Palm Trees


It pretty much rained all day long Thursday. Hard, tropical rain. It stopped for awhile and John and I went down to the beach to read. Rained again but we were under a palapa, so we waited it out. Went into the ocean, swam around a bit and did some snorkeling. Visited with some people on the beach including a kite surfer. Went into hot tub and it was the first time we had more than a total of 4 people in there. It was a full house and we had fun visiting. Decided today that I better go scuba diving while here, so sent an e-mail to a dive shop to set something up.

Enjoyed day at beach and pool.  Pool is very cold, but I've managed to get in it twice.  Ocean is much warmer than the pool.  Nice to relax, tan, read, swim.

In the pool
Under the water fall
  
Went to beach at 11:30 p.m. for an hour to look at the meteors.  Saw lots of stars, but I guess the show will start later.  We'll see if we can get up at 2:00 a.m.??
 
 
Learned today of the shooting and deaths of so many people.  This breaks my heart when I think of those little children.  Crazy times we live in and I won't go on and on - though I could.  God Bless all the families involved.
 
The sun sets on a sad day
 


This somehow got pretty long – with not much activity. John's back is better, my knee is better so we'll just keep on keeping on.

*  I thought this was interesting since I had not had "coconut water" before and the guy referred to a jelly coconut that I'd never heard of......so if you care, see below.

The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word.[3] The term is derived from 16th century Portuguese and Spanish cocos, meaning "grinning face", from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features.

Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. The endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut "flesh".[4] When dried, the coconut flesh is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

 

Bahamas - Week 3


Bahamas   -   Week  3

12/8/12 12/14/12

Still Rock'in Out
Grand Lucayan porch

Saturday night we went to Taino Beach with Curtis and Shelby for the local fish fry. This was the first time I ever had a deep fried whole fish and it was served with typical Bahamian rice and peas, and cole slaw. I'm picky about cole slaw and I think theirs was a little bit better than mine. I had a Kalik beer, Curtis had a Sands beer, both are brewed in the Bahamas and quite good. It was fun to sit outside at tables on the beach and talk. I don't think I realized that when you are away from home you don't have friends. You have service people to talk to, but usually not about normal, life things. It was a pleasure to sit and laugh and have fun with our new friends.

Saturday Night Fish Fry
w/our CS friends, Curtis & Shelby
Taino Beach


John and I came back to the room and played a game of Gin. I brought cards with us and decided that we could learn some new card games and watch a little less of night time TV. I started out so strong, but then John got the hang of it and it was all over. We used to play cards together a lot, so it is fun to get back to doing this.

Sleepy Sunday. Spent a few hours at the beach. I managed to get into the cold pool for the first time and it was OK after submersion.  Hot tub. A beer for me, rum and Coke for John.  We took a walk down the beach, visited with several couples, and then stopped at a little beach-side hut and got a fresh coconut with its coconut water and rum. Not my favorite, but fun to have a drink from a real coconut. Went back to get a rum and coke, and the guy, Anton, was out of rum and had to go to the store (hard to believe). So he took off and was back in about 15 minutes. Took some fun pictures and had a good time sitting on the beach drinking rum. What's not to like about that. 

I'm one cool jelly coconut
Sip slowly, I'm full of rum 

Monday, shuttle to the store day. Need milk and may have to make a trip just for that. Sure makes one appreciate having a car and just going to the store. I made pancakes this morning and they tasted so good. I didn't want to buy syrup, so got some cinnamon and made the old favorite cinnamon sugar. Yum.

On Tuesday we got cleaned up and were going to hop the shuttle and John's back went out on him. We had just gone down our 3 flights of stairs. He stood on walkway a few minutes, slowly turned around the luckily was able to get up the stairs slowly. Thank goodness because I sure couldn't carry him. Put him to bed with an Advil. He rested awhile then got up and moved around slow the rest of the day. Bedtime another Advil and a good night's sleep.

John got up and said he felt alright. Not ready to run a marathon, but much better. This aging can be unpredictable. I twisted my knee somehow (only turned the wrong way I think). You never know what part of the body is going to act up next. We just keep plugging along. There are days when all is well and you sure appreciate the body. It is 12/12/12, so we're hoping to make it through the day.  Took shuttle to Lucaya Marketplace, looked around, ate lunch, John bought my Christmas present.  Also tried the famous Bahamian dessert, Guava Duff.  A sort of course, heavy cake that has Guava in dough, that is topped with a sweet, whipped, fluff that has guava in it.  I could not taste any guava or anything, just sweet.  Heavy cake, too sweet, so glad I tried it, but I'll pass next time.  I don't think we are into Bahamian food at all.  Walked over to the big hotel downtown, Grand Lucayan, to look around.  What a beautiful hotel and at around $200 a night it should be.
 
Lobby Grand Lucayan
Palm Trees


It pretty much rained all day long Thursday. Hard, tropical rain. It stopped for awhile and John and I went down to the beach to read. Rained again but we were under a palapa, so we waited it out. Went into the ocean, swam around a bit and did some snorkeling. Visited with some people on the beach including a kite surfer. Went into hot tub and it was the first time we had more than a total of 4 people in there. It was a full house and we had fun visiting. Decided today that I better go scuba diving while here, so sent an e-mail to a dive shop to set something up.

Enjoyed day at beach and pool.  Pool is very cold, but I've managed to get in it twice.  Ocean is much warmer than the pool.  Nice to relax, tan, read, swim.

In the pool
Under the water fall
  
Went to beach at 11:30 p.m. for an hour to look at the meteors.  Saw lots of stars, but I guess the show will start later.  We'll see if we can get up at 2:00 a.m.??
 
 
Learned today of the shooting and deaths of so many people.  This breaks my heart when I think of those little children.  Crazy times we live in and I won't go on and on - though I could.  God Bless all the families involved.
 
The sun sets on a sad day
 


This somehow got pretty long – with not much activity. John's back is better, my knee is better so we'll just keep on keeping on.

*  I thought this was interesting since I had not had "coconut water" before and the guy referred to a jelly coconut that I'd never heard of......so if you care, see below.

The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which, botanically, is a drupe, not a nut. The spelling cocoanut is an archaic form of the word.[3] The term is derived from 16th century Portuguese and Spanish cocos, meaning "grinning face", from the three small holes on the coconut shell that resemble human facial features.

Found throughout the tropic and subtropic area, the coconut is known for its great versatility as seen in the many domestic, commercial, and industrial uses of its different parts. Coconuts are part of the daily diet of many people. Coconuts are different from any other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" and when immature they are known as tender-nuts or jelly-nuts and may be harvested for drinking. When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and coir from the fibrous husk. The endosperm is initially in its nuclear phase suspended within the coconut water. As development continues, cellular layers of endosperm deposit along the walls of the coconut, becoming the edible coconut "flesh".[4] When dried, the coconut flesh is called copra. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying; coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics. The clear liquid coconut water within is a refreshing drink. The husks and leaves can be used as material to make a variety of products for furnishing and decorating. It also has cultural and religious significance in many societies that use it.

 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Bahamas continued


Bahamas
 
John & Gena
Freeport, Grand Bahamas


12/2/12 - 12/7/12

Not much going on. It is quiet here and we're staying pretty close to “home”. Cabs cost a fortune, so not lots of running around. They do have a Monday shuttle to the grocery store. We went and restocked. Again, spent over $100 for the week.

Tuesday, we used our “time share presentation” (2 hrs. of listening to someone try to talk you into buying a time share here) gift – a choice of certain activities – and went on the glass bottom boat tour. It appeared to be calm water, but once we got out past the breakwater, to open water, it was rough. John wasn't feeling too hot, and I was OK up until the very end when I was starting to feel it.  It think this "bad stomach feeling" comes with age, because we were never bothered before.  Saw an old sunken 50 foot yacht, along with an old 200 foot cargo ship they purposefully sank for fish habitat.  It was in 100 feet of water and I really couldn't even see anything but a shadow. Saw and fed some fish. Boated around the marina and saw some million dollar homes.

Look at that sky
The Bahamas has the most unbelievable clouds
 
Thursday, went to Paradise Cove, about 45 minutes from our resort. I snorkeled there at Deadman's Reef, but really didn't see anything but some pretty ordinary fish. Others there saw some type of ray and a turtle. I was sad I didn't see the turtle. John read and had a Bahama Mama. After snorkeling not much to do, so we took their transportation back.

I snorkeled out to the reef


Thursday night we had a neat thunderstorm with lightening. I tried to take some pictures, but my camera isn't good enough to have fast shutter speed, so no success. Lightening knocked out lights out at the resort, but John had two flashlights so we were fine (my prepared Eagle Scout).   I was curious if it would be a day before they got the power back, but it was just about 20 minutes and the light came on. That made me happy.

Curtis and Shelby, Couch Surfers that I'd been communicating with on the Island, took us to Butler's Market Friday afternoon. It was great because we got out of the store without spending over $100.00 (unusual). We just replenished some stuff since we'd just been to the store on Monday, but it was fun to talk to people and see a new store.  We may go to a fish fry with them Saturday night. 

Besides the above, we've been reading (both have finished a book), hot tub, beach, naps, eating, walking on the beach. I think we're getting lazy.

We'll try to have some adventures to report next week. Who knows?  Signing off......

Bahamas continued


Bahamas
 
John & Gena
Freeport, Grand Bahamas


12/2/12 - 12/7/12

Not much going on. It is quiet here and we're staying pretty close to “home”. Cabs cost a fortune, so not lots of running around. They do have a Monday shuttle to the grocery store. We went and restocked. Again, spent over $100 for the week.

Tuesday, we used our “time share presentation” (2 hrs. of listening to someone try to talk you into buying a time share here) gift – a choice of certain activities – and went on the glass bottom boat tour. It appeared to be calm water, but once we got out past the breakwater, to open water, it was rough. John wasn't feeling too hot, and I was OK up until the very end when I was starting to feel it.  It think this "bad stomach feeling" comes with age, because we were never bothered before.  Saw an old sunken 50 foot yacht, along with an old 200 foot cargo ship they purposefully sank for fish habitat.  It was in 100 feet of water and I really couldn't even see anything but a shadow. Saw and fed some fish. Boated around the marina and saw some million dollar homes.

Look at that sky
The Bahamas has the most unbelievable clouds
 
Thursday, went to Paradise Cove, about 45 minutes from our resort. I snorkeled there at Deadman's Reef, but really didn't see anything but some pretty ordinary fish. Others there saw some type of ray and a turtle. I was sad I didn't see the turtle. John read and had a Bahama Mama. After snorkeling not much to do, so we took their transportation back.

I snorkeled out to the reef


Thursday night we had a neat thunderstorm with lightening. I tried to take some pictures, but my camera isn't good enough to have fast shutter speed, so no success. Lightening knocked out lights out at the resort, but John had two flashlights so we were fine (my prepared Eagle Scout).   I was curious if it would be a day before they got the power back, but it was just about 20 minutes and the light came on. That made me happy.

Curtis and Shelby, Couch Surfers that I'd been communicating with on the Island, took us to Butler's Market Friday afternoon. It was great because we got out of the store without spending over $100.00 (unusual). We just replenished some stuff since we'd just been to the store on Monday, but it was fun to talk to people and see a new store.  We may go to a fish fry with them Saturday night. 

Besides the above, we've been reading (both have finished a book), hot tub, beach, naps, eating, walking on the beach. I think we're getting lazy.

We'll try to have some adventures to report next week. Who knows?  Signing off......

Saturday, December 1, 2012


Bahamas  

Palm trees and
Christmas tree

11/24 - 12/1/12

Darn, had to get up early, 6:00 a.m. , check out and drive over to car park lot by the airport. Hopped on the shuttle and to the airport around 8:15. The airline didn't even have anyone there until around 10:00, so we just sat and watched the clock. Flight to Nassau was at 12:30 p.m., but since we're talking "Bahama Time" we were probably an hour late. Land, get bags, go through immigration and then go through bag check. It was hysterical as the line we got in they just passed every single person through, no questions, no looking in bags, nothing.

Now we try to figure out where to go to get to the Freeport plane. We had to go outside, get a cab ($6 for a 2-minute ride, but we sure couldn't walk it due to construction which seems typical of most airports) and drive over to the departure terminal and the time was 3:07, with our plane boarding at 3:15, great, just great. Zoomed to the curb, guy took our luggage, checked in and we were luckily on time, but now for the plane boarding at 3:15 p.m., it finally started boarding around 4:00. Again, I remind myself this is the Bahamas, chill out, kick back.

We've been to the Bahamas before and it is good to take some deep breaths and remember this is not our fast, totally efficient, society in America. It takes me a few days here, and also in Mexico, to relax and just not worry about time.......here time is just a word, so relax and go with the flow. I think a super type A person could go crazy here. When I think that John and I are at least B- types, we usually adjust pretty well.
 
View from our first room
On the marina/canal


Our typical day:

Get up around 10:00
coffee and reading on patio
eat a little breakfast
internet time
shower, dress
walk on the beach/shuttle to town/snorkel
visit with people we meet
4-6 happy hour
eat dinner
watch a TV show
bathing suits on and hit hot tub
internet/TV
bed
repeat

Monday we took resort shuttle to the grocery store. I should have had some heart medicine with me because the sticker shock almost took me down. Regular size bag of Tostitos was around $5.45; the regular size Rice Krispies that I got was $7.99. It was amazing and I quickly realized that I could not afford to live on an island. A small bag of M&Ms is $1.50, so no candy for this girl, and not a lot of junk food. With the price of food, transportation and then a 35% tax for importing added, you can see that the prices really do go up. No sales tax thank goodness. We bought pretty basic stuff for a week and our bill was around $130.00 for the two of us for a week's worth of food. Luckily, rum is very reasonable.
 
Port Lucaya - Marketplace

Thursday, we took the shuttle into Port Lucaya to the Marketplace. Has some touristy stores, harbor, restaurants. We looked around and had lunch. I'm not big on Bahamian food, so I had a Greek gyro and it was the best one I ever had. Also tried a Bahamian beer, Sands, and it was tasty. All the people we talk to from Canada and U.S. are crazy for conch, a typical island food. When we were here before, staying at an all-inclusive, it seems like they served conch constantly and we did not like it. It was like chewing rubber bands. Maybe they just didn't cook it right. It has to be pounded to be tenderized, sort of like abalone (that we do like). I might be brave and give it another try maybe in fritter form, or breaded and deep fried.

Was a bit windy and overcast today. I was going to snorkel, but the waves were a bit rough due to the wind. This was the first day the water was not almost glass smooth. I will try to go tomorrow. Cooked a wonderful pot roast with onions and carrots all day long. Also made scalloped potatoes. Oh the meal tasted like heaven. Nice to make a homey, good meal like that every once in awhile. At 7:00 p.m. met up with two ladies staying here and we played Hearts in the bar area. It was fun and we didn't even keep score. 
 
Beautiful Bahama Sunset

 
 Saturday, 8:53 a.m. the phone rings. I woke up to answer it after several rings. No one there. Now why is my phone ringing? Why is it ringing at 8:53? This is irritating (I went to bed after 1:00 a.m.). This happens at these resorts. In Orlando we got a call every morning before 9:00 to let us know what the daily activities were. We did not care. Oh well, life goes on, and I'm up for the day.

Maybe I'll get to bed earlier. Oh yes, I will. We are going to the time share presentation. We went to one in Orlando, the time share was only$99,999. We didn't buy one, but got free breakfast and $50. Tomorrow we get breakfast, $40.00, 2 bottles of rum and 4 t-shirts, not bad for 90 minutes, just have to be there at 9:00 a.m...........an early day for us. Maybe this can be our new job going to time share presentations. Another lady from a place down the road is bugging us daily to see their presentation and they pay $60.00 for us to share our time with them.

Beautiful day, need to make a grocery list and go to the store, probably snorkel. Today is December 1st, with Christmas close by. The below was posted on Face Book, a great Grinch quote, that I want to share. Make your entire holiday season a good time by not stressing, enjoy the important things and true meaning and don't go overboard:

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons.
It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he
puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of
something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come
from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
 
A deep thinker
I love this movie and The Grinch

Bahamas  

Palm trees and
Christmas tree

11/24 - 12/1/12

Darn, had to get up early, 6:00 a.m. , check out and drive over to car park lot by the airport. Hopped on the shuttle and to the airport around 8:15. The airline didn't even have anyone there until around 10:00, so we just sat and watched the clock. Flight to Nassau was at 12:30 p.m., but since we're talking "Bahama Time" we were probably an hour late. Land, get bags, go through immigration and then go through bag check. It was hysterical as the line we got in they just passed every single person through, no questions, no looking in bags, nothing.

Now we try to figure out where to go to get to the Freeport plane. We had to go outside, get a cab ($6 for a 2-minute ride, but we sure couldn't walk it due to construction which seems typical of most airports) and drive over to the departure terminal and the time was 3:07, with our plane boarding at 3:15, great, just great. Zoomed to the curb, guy took our luggage, checked in and we were luckily on time, but now for the plane boarding at 3:15 p.m., it finally started boarding around 4:00. Again, I remind myself this is the Bahamas, chill out, kick back.

We've been to the Bahamas before and it is good to take some deep breaths and remember this is not our fast, totally efficient, society in America. It takes me a few days here, and also in Mexico, to relax and just not worry about time.......here time is just a word, so relax and go with the flow. I think a super type A person could go crazy here. When I think that John and I are at least B- types, we usually adjust pretty well.
 
View from our first room
On the marina/canal


Our typical day:

Get up around 10:00
coffee and reading on patio
eat a little breakfast
internet time
shower, dress
walk on the beach/shuttle to town/snorkel
visit with people we meet
4-6 happy hour
eat dinner
watch a TV show
bathing suits on and hit hot tub
internet/TV
bed
repeat

Monday we took resort shuttle to the grocery store. I should have had some heart medicine with me because the sticker shock almost took me down. Regular size bag of Tostitos was around $5.45; the regular size Rice Krispies that I got was $7.99. It was amazing and I quickly realized that I could not afford to live on an island. A small bag of M&Ms is $1.50, so no candy for this girl, and not a lot of junk food. With the price of food, transportation and then a 35% tax for importing added, you can see that the prices really do go up. No sales tax thank goodness. We bought pretty basic stuff for a week and our bill was around $130.00 for the two of us for a week's worth of food. Luckily, rum is very reasonable.
 
Port Lucaya - Marketplace

Thursday, we took the shuttle into Port Lucaya to the Marketplace. Has some touristy stores, harbor, restaurants. We looked around and had lunch. I'm not big on Bahamian food, so I had a Greek gyro and it was the best one I ever had. Also tried a Bahamian beer, Sands, and it was tasty. All the people we talk to from Canada and U.S. are crazy for conch, a typical island food. When we were here before, staying at an all-inclusive, it seems like they served conch constantly and we did not like it. It was like chewing rubber bands. Maybe they just didn't cook it right. It has to be pounded to be tenderized, sort of like abalone (that we do like). I might be brave and give it another try maybe in fritter form, or breaded and deep fried.

Was a bit windy and overcast today. I was going to snorkel, but the waves were a bit rough due to the wind. This was the first day the water was not almost glass smooth. I will try to go tomorrow. Cooked a wonderful pot roast with onions and carrots all day long. Also made scalloped potatoes. Oh the meal tasted like heaven. Nice to make a homey, good meal like that every once in awhile. At 7:00 p.m. met up with two ladies staying here and we played Hearts in the bar area. It was fun and we didn't even keep score. 
 
Beautiful Bahama Sunset

 
 Saturday, 8:53 a.m. the phone rings. I woke up to answer it after several rings. No one there. Now why is my phone ringing? Why is it ringing at 8:53? This is irritating (I went to bed after 1:00 a.m.). This happens at these resorts. In Orlando we got a call every morning before 9:00 to let us know what the daily activities were. We did not care. Oh well, life goes on, and I'm up for the day.

Maybe I'll get to bed earlier. Oh yes, I will. We are going to the time share presentation. We went to one in Orlando, the time share was only $99,999. We didn't buy one, but got free breakfast and $50. Tomorrow we get breakfast, $40.00, 2 bottles of rum and 4 t-shirts, not bad for 90 minutes, just have to be there at 9:00 a.m...........an early day for us. Maybe this can be our new job going to time share presentations. Another lady from a place down the road is bugging us daily to see their presentation and they pay $60.00 for us to share our time with them.

Beautiful day, need to make a grocery list and go to the store, probably snorkel. Today is December 1st, with Christmas close by. The below was posted on Face Book, a great Grinch quote, that I want to share. Make your entire holiday season a good time by not stressing, enjoy the important things and true meaning and don't go overboard:

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons.
It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he
puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of
something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come
from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”
 
A deep thinker
I love this movie and The Grinch

Saturday, November 24, 2012


Orlando-Kissimmee  

11/18 11/24/12
 
New friends
Great place to see

So cute how they are lined up

So beautiful

This guy was huge

Help!!!!  Gator got me.

Visiting after Thanksgiving dinner
 
Left Cocoa Beach pretty early so we could meet up with some Couch Surfers at Gatorland, in Orlando.

Found our folks and were amazed that instead of paying $24.99 per entry, we got discounts for being from out of state, seniors, a veteran so our total for both of us to get in was around $15.00. That was so nice of them. We had a ball seeing all the gators, some that were just huge. Fun getting to visit with new friends and seeing the various shows such as gator jumping and wrestling, had a little train ride. Enjoyed the birds that were everywhere and the beautiful flamingos.

Monday we just did life stuff, wash, grocery shopping, went to the library to print out some documents we needed. Post office, documents shredded. Just usual life. Cooked, TV and hot tub.

Tuesday we went on a time share 90 minute presentation (which turned out to be over 2 hrs.). This resort is amazing, has restaurants, movie theater with free Disney movies three times a day, about 14 pools and hot tubs, mini golf, paddle boats, etc., etc. The first amount the guy showed us was for a 4 bedroom unit for around $99,900 and an interest rate of 17.99%. I was so shocked, crazy. They came up with about 4 other, lower offers, we had to see guyç—´ supervisor, be signed off by big supervisor all of which tried to talk us into things, but we got away. So we had a free breakfast and got $50, so it was OK since we didn't have anything else to do.

Later we played mini golf at our resort and I beat John by 3 strokes. Last time we played we tied -- we're always competitive with this game and tease each other a lot. In town there are some huge, amazing mini golf courses and we'll try to go to one of those when we're back here.

Wednesday we drove to Orlando to meet up with a new Couch Surfer, Terisa, who we met in Little Saigon for Vietnamese food. Terisa was a delight and we enjoyed meeting her and her friend. Lunch was good and I took home half of mine for dinner. Terisa invited us to her parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We had already planned to go to an Orphan Thanksgiving in St. Petersburg at 6:00 p.m., but that is 75 miles away and we'd be driving in the dark. So we canceled that and said yes to Terisa's invite, earlier and closer. We are looking forward to going. I'm taking some orange/cranberry bread I baked, and apple salad. We are so blessed and appreciate being able to join in on this holiday meal.

There are hundreds and hundreds of things to do here. We've been to Disneyworld before, and Disneyland many times, so we are not interested in mouseland. We will be back to this area after the Bahamas, so we will decide what to do when we get back. We try to limit expensive activities since this isn't vacation, but life. I do think we will go to Universal Studios later. They are having the Grinch as a special feature Dec. 1- Jan 1st, and I love the Grinch. I watch that movie every year.

Friday checked out the city called Celebration, a real little city created by Disney. Nice houses, lakes, parks, school. All owners are required to decorate during certain holidays. Must be neat to drive around in the evening during Christmas. Went to a little area called Old Town, has some shops, rides, car shows on the weekends. Fun sitting in the sun and people watch, temp was 70 and we were totally content and relaxed.

Spent Saturday doing wash, packing what we are going to take to the Bahamas we have to get down to one suitcase, one carry on, not an easy task.

Sunday off to the Bahamas for 4 weeks. Up early, check out, get to the car park, get shuttle to airport. Busy, busy morning. Can't wait to see that turquoise water and white sand. Such a pretty place.

Orlando-Kissimmee  

11/18 11/24/12
 
New friends
Great place to see

So cute how they are lined up

So beautiful

This guy was huge

Help!!!!  Gator got me.

Visiting after Thanksgiving dinner
 
Left Cocoa Beach pretty early so we could meet up with some Couch Surfers at Gatorland, in Orlando.

Found our folks and were amazed that instead of paying $24.99 per entry, we got discounts for being from out of state, seniors, a veteran so our total for both of us to get in was around $15.00. That was so nice of them. We had a ball seeing all the gators, some that were just huge. Fun getting to visit with new friends and seeing the various shows such as gator jumping and wrestling, had a little train ride. Enjoyed the birds that were everywhere and the beautiful flamingos.

Monday we just did life stuff, wash, grocery shopping, went to the library to print out some documents we needed. Post office, documents shredded. Just usual life. Cooked, TV and hot tub.

Tuesday we went on a time share 90 minute presentation (which turned out to be over 2 hrs.). This resort is amazing, has restaurants, movie theater with free Disney movies three times a day, about 14 pools and hot tubs, mini golf, paddle boats, etc., etc. The first amount the guy showed us was for a 4 bedroom unit for around $99,900 and an interest rate of 17.99%. I was so shocked, crazy. They came up with about 4 other, lower offers, we had to see guyç—´ supervisor, be signed off by big supervisor all of which tried to talk us into things, but we got away. So we had a free breakfast and got $50, so it was OK since we didn't have anything else to do.

Later we played mini golf at our resort and I beat John by 3 strokes. Last time we played we tied -- we're always competitive with this game and tease each other a lot. In town there are some huge, amazing mini golf courses and we'll try to go to one of those when we're back here.

Wednesday we drove to Orlando to meet up with a new Couch Surfer, Terisa, who we met in Little Saigon for Vietnamese food. Terisa was a delight and we enjoyed meeting her and her friend. Lunch was good and I took home half of mine for dinner. Terisa invited us to her parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We had already planned to go to an Orphan Thanksgiving in St. Petersburg at 6:00 p.m., but that is 75 miles away and we'd be driving in the dark. So we canceled that and said yes to Terisa's invite, earlier and closer. We are looking forward to going. I'm taking some orange/cranberry bread I baked, and apple salad. We are so blessed and appreciate being able to join in on this holiday meal.

There are hundreds and hundreds of things to do here. We've been to Disneyworld before, and Disneyland many times, so we are not interested in mouseland. We will be back to this area after the Bahamas, so we will decide what to do when we get back. We try to limit expensive activities since this isn't vacation, but life. I do think we will go to Universal Studios later. They are having the Grinch as a special feature Dec. 1- Jan 1st, and I love the Grinch. I watch that movie every year.

Friday checked out the city called Celebration, a real little city created by Disney. Nice houses, lakes, parks, school. All owners are required to decorate during certain holidays. Must be neat to drive around in the evening during Christmas. Went to a little area called Old Town, has some shops, rides, car shows on the weekends. Fun sitting in the sun and people watch, temp was 70 and we were totally content and relaxed.

Spent Saturday doing wash, packing what we are going to take to the Bahamas we have to get down to one suitcase, one carry on, not an easy task.

Sunday off to the Bahamas for 4 weeks. Up early, check out, get to the car park, get shuttle to airport. Busy, busy morning. Can't wait to see that turquoise water and white sand. Such a pretty place.

Saturday, November 17, 2012


Cocoa Beach, Florida

11/11/11 – 11/17/12

Giraffes - up close and personal

Feeding the birds.  Very fun.

Shoot the Curl, John
Last on a board in 1960's
He's still got it.
 
Pretty mellow time here. Hot tub every night. Some beach walking. John went fishing twice, once on the causeway pier and once at Jetty Park. At Jetty, we saw sea turtles and that the my highlight.

Of all the condos we've been to I like this one the most – maybe because we had 2 bedrooms and plenty of room? 3 TVs, good sized kitchen. Just felt comfortable.

On Friday we went to Brevard Zoo and had the best day ever. Fed the giraffes and birds. Wonderful zoo and a day that will stay with me forever.

Saturday night we walked along the beach, went to dinner on the pier, walked out on the pier and watched the fishermen and the surfers.

Sunday John got a haircut and I spent 2 ½ hours at the library doing paperwork. Lots of documents to print out (I miss my printer), copy (I miss my copier).

That's it from Cocoa Beach. Headed to Orlando early to go and visit some alligators.