An early night tonight due to an early morning tomorrow. But this morning we had the opportunity to sleep in some. We were both up around 8am, however. We went to Horizon Court for breakfast and sat with a nice young man from California. I had two eggs over easy, toast, hash browns, pineapple, and bread&butter pudding. (And skim milk.) Had to get food for energy for our hike!

The ship docked around 10am and we disembarked soon after. We wandered around the tourist traps at the dock, then returned to the ship for a potty break. But then it was 11am and time to start gathering for our shore excursion, the Scenic Coastal Hike. Once everyone showed up (around 11:30, the official start time), we walked to our open air bus and it drove us to Guana Bay to the start of our trail. (The weather, BTW, was HOT, but thankfully breezy. Lots of humidity too.)

Our guide took us along the coast on a very uneven, rocky, undulating trail. It was scenic. And despite my camera telling me the batteries were dead, I managed to squeeze out all of the shots I wanted for the day. (I swapped places for the batteries and that seemed to help.) I had done so well the night before getting my purse ready for the hike, then deciding to switch to my fanny pack. And remembered everything EXCEPT extra batteries, knowing full well it was running low! Stupid me.

The start of the hike. Scenic & coastal!

The trail was rough-going. We were given a water bottle & granola bar. We ate the granola bar at the turn-around point. Poor mom wasn’t sure she was going to make it, but she did. She’s a trooper. We had a lady in our group who was wearing flip flops, though the rest of us were in gym shoes. She didn’t have any troubles, she said. Good on her.

The only supports for the hike were cactus & acacia – we avoided those at all costs!

Mom and I on the return part of the hike, grateful we’d survived thus far.

We got a bit behind the pack toward the end!

We returned to our starting point, then went a little further on to a secluded beach. We removed our shoes & socks and walked the length of the beach, relishing the warm sand and water on our tired feet. We reached the bar where we were promised a refreshing beverage. The only beverage that would refresh me was ice water, and they obliged. Mom was sad to discover the beverage wasn’t alcoholic (unless you wanted to pay the difference) so she settled on diet Coke. We chatted with a couple from Montreal (the flip-flop lady and her husband.) They were also surprised by the intensity of the walk, and they are seasoned Princess Cruisers.

At port, the ship gets an anchor repaint. (It had been quite rusty when we left the ship for our hike, but was pristine white afterward.)

Originally we had pondered going shopping after the hike, but we decided on lunch then spa/swimming. It was nearing 3 when we returned, so we decided on a lighter lunch from the International Cafe. I had a small prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich and some Greek salad. Mom had roasted veggies and a shrimp salad. She liked my Greek salad so much, she sent me up to get more. Then the magical Milk and Cookie lady showed up and gave us milk and a cookie. I had peanut butter, mom had oatmeal raisin. Both very tasty. I also decided on a fruit tart, too.

We started in the spa on our ceramic sofas, then I also went into the sauna and the eucalyptus steam room. Next, swimming and sunning. Later I went to check the time and saw that Judi and Elsa were in one of the jacuzzis. They had a nice time on their tour. We arranged to have supper at the Da Vinci at 7pm.

A little after 6, we returned to our stateroom to change for supper. Then decided to head down early for more shopping. They were having a 2-fer $20 t-shirt sale on shirts for our different destinations. We both wound up buying 2 shirts. Then mom and I were curious to know how our bills were going… So they printed them off at the main desk. And we discovered a discrepancy. A phone charge (for $69.30!!) from a direct call made the day we arrived. But at 7am!!! I spent more time in line and then talked with Karla from Peru about the discrepancy and I hope she can get that refunded!

We got into the dining room a few minutes later than originally intended. The theme for the night was Italian. I had eggplant Parmesan for appetizer, chilled peach soup as my soup/salad, and veal scallopine for the main. All was very tasty. I finished with the chocolate mousse on cake (the Love Boat special) which was also yummy.

Although we were late for the start, we made our way to the Explorer’s club to hear the Polonia Quartet perform some classical pieces, including opera tunes. It turns out that Mike, the man in charge of the quartet and the lead violin, is the orchestra leader for an opera in Poland. His wife, Anna, plays the other violin. I had thought there were 3 violins and a cello, but the other was a viola. Terrific music. Blue Danube, Carmen, the Can Can, etc.

The ship at night.

Mom & Elsa headed for their rooms while Judi and I explored (looking for the promised leis, which we never found. Maybe she was successful at getting lei’ed after I went back to my stateroom). Now I’m here finishing up while mom sleeps. Sleep sounds good, I think I’ll give it a try, too.

Today was our first day totally spent on the ship. Mom and I slept in (or tried to at any rate) until 8:30am. We decided to go to the talk about the Captain’s Circle (AKA the frequent cruisers club for Princess). I had tea and a jelly donut. It was interesting and lovely to think of being able to be a frequent cruiser. Probably will come to naught. We then went to Horizons for buffet breakfast. Egg over easy, toast, bacon, pineapple, banana, and French toast for me. Oh, and I found the milk, so milk too.

After breakfast, mom and I headed for the pool/spa. We’d arranged to meet the girls for lunch at the Wheelhouse bar for the pub lunch at 12:30pm. So we swam, laid out, thermaled out in the spa, etc, until a little before noon. Then we changed into actual clothes and headed for the “pub.” I ordered fish & chips (without the mushy peas) and water. It was very yummy. They had bread & butter pudding for pudding, but I had my heart set on a fruit tart from the International cafe. And I talked the other girls into it. Heh.

The ceramic beds at the Thermal Spa. Ahhhhh!

The sanctuary that was the sauna.

At the International Cafe, I got a fruit tart (as did mom & elsaf, with judiang getting the tiramisu glass) and then followed it up with a peanut butter cup (the cup being a demitasse with peanut butter mousse & whipped cream in it). I shall partake of the International Cafe several more times this trip, I think.

The Polonia Quartet began played. 3 violins & 1 cello from Poland. [As will be noted in a future blog entry, it’s 2 violins, a viola, and cello.] They did a nice mix of classical and contemporary music. Quite lovely. Mom stayed the whole time while I directed Judi and Elsa to the Library by what turned out to be a convoluted way. Ooops. I returned to mom and the concert (which was being held by the main elevators/giant staircase in the center of the ship), leaving again later to get my camera. I caught their final piece and took plenty of photos. Then purchased their CD. The quartet are very nice people and we chatted with them briefly.

The Polonia Quartet in the Piazza.

Mom and I then went to the ring sale on deck 6. She found two rings for $35 the pair. They were all very sparkly and pretty, which although a fun distraction, just isn’t for me to be wearing. Mom also purchased a t-shirt with fun facts about the ship. She says she’ll wear it tomorrow on our hike.

We had a wine tasting to attend at 3pm, so we got into the Michaelangelo dining room around a quarter till and were seated with two men from Newfoundland. They were fun to talk to. Their wives weren’t much for wine, so it was just them. We had fun tasting the wines and appetizers. I didn’t find any wine which I liked (no surprise there) but several of the appetizers were tasty. We had enough fun that we signed up for the wine tasting on Saturday (with cheaper wines, thus for less moolah). As with the original wine tasting, this one will be on my tab. Go figure!

Lots of glasses! And just for me!

Mom and I decided it was Spa Time. So we returned to the adult deck and sat out sunning ourselves and reading. Then we swam for a bit, seeing Elsa & Judi in the pool before they headed for their Spa Treatments (massage for Judi, pedicure for Elsa). Mom and I returned to the deck. Which I later left to get an ice cream. Then it was down to the spa for more ceramic sofa, sauna, and shower. Heh.

Around 7pm, we returned to the room to get ready for dinner. It was formal night in the dining rooms, so we dressed up. As I told the girls before the trip, I don’t do formal, I do dumpy. But apparently I was good enough to be let in when our 8:15 reservation was ready. (Before dinner, however, we watched them fill a champagne fountain. People could pour stuff in and get photos taken, and Judi decided to do that. Mom was sad that no one came and gave us complementary champagne. They’d given us some of that earlier today as they seated us for the wine tasting, and she’d really liked it.)

Even more glasses! And none for me! (Yes, that’s Judi pouring!)

They had escargot for appetizer, which Judi, Elsa and I ordered. And it was very tasty. Snails are a perfect medium for butter & garlic, apparently. Mom liked it too (and the shrimp cocktail she ordered). I didn’t opt for the cold soup this time, instead going for a won ton soup that was quite yummy. (They did have a cold soup, which I might have gotten if this other soup hadn’t been offered.) For the main course, I had mignon medallions (medium rare) with almond croquettes. Very yummy.

Tonight was officially Judi’s birthday. So she had balloons outside her room and they brought out a fun cake wrapped in solid chocolate and topped in 3” of whipped cream. (Elsa was glad she didn’t have a birthday!) I had the chocolate/hazelnut soufflé and some of the gourmandises (aka, cookies) the waiter brought out for all of us to try.

Stuffed to the gills, we sat around a bit and then headed off to our respective evening entertainment. Mom and I opted for the comedian/juggler, Phil Prudhomme. Judi and Elsa opted for the Motor City musical extravaganza. Phil was quite fun and funny. And we got to see a member of the audience crack a raw egg on his own forehead (he was certain it was hard boiled). Heh. I think Phil was surprised the guy went that far. One of the neatest things Phil did was juggle a bowling ball, a machete, and an egg. And even threw the bowling ball around his back. (He’d started that particular set by claiming he’d kick the ball up and land it on a little girl in the front row. The girl thought he was serious and cried into mom’s arms and then dad’s. Phil apologized, said he was kidding, and that he’d toss the machete over instead. Heh.)

After he finished the show (with flaming batons, quite impressive), mom and I headed back to the room. Only we saw that the Motor City revue was still going on. So we popped into the Princess Theater and watched the final number. And noticed there wasn’t a single black person in the revue. Sure enough, we had a knock on the door once we were back in the room and Judi and Elsa were there, still laughing from the performance. It was the whitest tribute to Motown Judi had ever seen. She was too amused to be offended.

So now we’re in bed. Mom’s asleep and I’m finishing this up. Tomorrow we have a big hike ahead of us. So we intend to sleep in a bit. Hope we’re up to the challenge!