Thursday - 12 February 2015 - On Board Statendam

We turned the clocks back last night another hour -- we are now on Pacific Standard Time.   At 6:00 am I'm walking.  As I meet Phil for breakfast with my place all set with water -- the daily program and newspaper -- I wondered what will happen when we get home --- I think I know.

Today will be a "getting ready to disembark day" and thinking about our week in California.   After packing and writing for several hours -- I decide to attend Wallis's  session on San Diego even though we aren't staying there.   I learned things I did not know about the California Gold Rush in 1849 -- just one year before California became a state in 1850 -- and that the oldest Otis elevator has resided in the Hotel Coronado since 1888.   I'll miss her talks -- she is very good.

The day starts to drag in the late afternoon --- seems like 8:00pm will never arrive.

Dinner is festive with an international menu to celebrate the multi-nationalities of the crew --  and a parade of wait staff providing a very nice finale to this cruise.

The Statendam -- Fort Lauderdale

The cruise log delivered to our stateroom has the following statistics for the Statendam:

  

On this voyage 1211 passsengers were served by 574 crew members --- we used 500 tons of potable water per day.    Our voyage consumed 65 tons of fuel per day to travel the 4,556 nautical miles.

This portion of our trip is over -- but the next chapter starts tomorrow.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

The Statendam!

Wednesday - 11 February 2015 - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Up and walking by 5:40 am -- had the place to myself for about 20 minutes.  Soon  other walkers, the sunrise-photo-taking-set, and the crew readying the tenders arrive.  We are scheduled to be in Cabo from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Fishing Boats Leaving Port in Early Morning!

Phil and I are off the tender in port by 7:20 am on a beautiful morning -- just as the place is waking up.   Cabo San Lucas is a haven for eating, drinking and fishing.   We come to Captain Tony's -- with wifi and coffee -- looks good.  After an hour of checking and responding to e-mails we feel the need for a walk. 

Pat in Cabo -- early morning.

By the time we leave -- everything is open.  Strolling around the harbor we pop into some of the shops -- all the same stuff.   Pharmacies are plentiful here -- selling drugs that need a prescription in the U.S.   Amidst all the boats in the marina we notice a  sea turtle popping his head up periodically.   The pelicans are everywhere waiting for the fishing boats to come back with their catch.

Phil with an Amigo!

Walking back towards the tender dock -- we again stop into Captain Tony's where we sample their homemade guacamole -- Phil gets a Margarita.   The guacamole is delicious --- the young man who makes it tableside is delightful.   A traveling troupe of musicians stops by to serenade us -- all very touristy but fun.

Guacamole at Barside -- Tony's in Cabo!

The tender ride back to the ship brings us through a very active harbor of fishing boats returning to port  -- sea lions are following the boats, some even snag a ride on the back swim platforms.

Sea Lion Catching a Ride on a Swim Platform!

Back on the Statendam by 12:30 pm -- no lunch today.  I work on the blog, download photos and read.   By late afternoon -- I'm not feeling great so I decide not to go to dinner.  Phil brings me some cheese and crackers from the Lido -- perfect.  I think my body is telling me I need a rest from all the food I've been eating.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

  

Tuesday - 10 February 2015 - Onboard Statendam

Awake at 5:00 am -- read for a while then to deck six -- breakfast with Phil at 7:00.

This morning we have been invited to the Mariner Award Ceremony at 10:30 am followed by the Mariners lunch.   What we didn't expect was to be recipients of a bronze medal commemorating more than 100 sea days on Holland America.  This is another loyalty program -- separate from the star system.     

Phil and Pat Receiving Bronze Medals -- Captain on right -- Hotel Manager on left.

The luncheon, held in the Rotterdam Dining Room, included anyone who has previously cruised with Holland America.   We sat at a large table for eight --- with Joyce and Rob (our American Express Mariner Hosts) and others.   The lunch was alright but a bit early --- especially since we have dinner at eight.

At 3:00 pm I attended Wallis' lecture on Baja California in Mexico.  I always learn something from her presentations.  Afterwards, I had a nice chat with a British woman who sat next to me.  

By 4:30 pm -- as predicted I was starving so up to the Lido I go where the salad bar is available all day -- figured it was better than a hot dog at the grill.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

Monday - 09 February 2015 - Onboard Statendam

Enroute to Cabo San Lucas!

Woke up this morning feeling lazy so I did not walk.  Had breakfast with Phil at 7:30 and spent the day organizing photos from the last few days --- and some from years ago that I came across.  Later in the day we did our laundry -- It was a very quiet day.

Phil and I are amazed at what is happening in Boston with the weather.  It has been snowing there ever since we left on January 26.   We have seen reports of from 60 to 77 inches in two weeks.   We are well aware that our timing on this trip has been spot on -- even though we just plain lucked out.   We were scheduled on a trip to the Amazon on Oceania's Insignia.   There was a fire onboard Insignia the week before we were to leave so our trip was cancelled.   Phil found this trip on Holland America -- so here we are and feeling very lucky. 

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

The Sun on the Water is always Beautiful!

Sunday 08 February 2015 - Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

About 8:00 am as we arrive in Puerto Chiapas we see a large gathering on the beach across the harbor from where our dock is located.  There is a stage and someone speaking with a microphone -- not sure if he is a preacher or a protester.   Come to find out it is Sunday Mass.    A large Celebrity ship is also docked nearby.  On our side of the harbor --- there is a pool/restaurant complex and a large enclosed area with shops -- a manicure/pedicure place, a band with dancers and lots of festivity.

Sunday Mass in Chiapas, Mexico

We are taking another tour today -- to Tuxtla Chico, a small town about 45 minutes away to learn about how chocolate is made.  Our second stop on the way back will be to the Izapa Ruins  --- predecessors to the Mayans. 

Made by Young Residents -- they called it a Carpet!

Our Guide is Rosalea and our Driver is Julio.  Immediately we are told that this is the hottest place in Mexico and it sure feels like it.   Rosalea tell us about Chiapas -- the state we are in -- which has an economy that runs on agriculture with lots of family farms. 

Pat Watching the Chocolate Demonstration!

Julio who is very good at maneuvering the narrow roads in this small town gets us as close to the center as possible.  We get off the bus, walk through a carnival until we come to a square with a large outdoor stage and several booths around the square perimeter selling packages of chocolate.    

Booths in Tusxtla Chico selling Chocolate!

 Everyone is giving out generous samples of their chocolate.   On the stage is a demonstration area where we learn what happens once the pod from the cacao tree is picked until it becomes edible chocolate.   The yellow/orange pod is broken open revealing lots of white seeds covered with a white film -- tasting very sweet.    The seeds are roasted allowing the outside skin to break easily presenting the cocoa bean.  These cocoa beans are mixed with sugar and mashed together on a large stone using an implement that looks like a fat rolling pin also made from stone.

Phil and I get carried away with the chocolate -- buying four packages but it is so good.   There is no milk in it -- just pure chocolate and sugar.

The Dancers!

After the chocolate demonstration -- we have the dancers.   They wear traditional Mexican dresses which we learn are given to young girls with one row of flowers embroidered in various colors.  As the girls grow a layer is added each year until they have a long dress with several layers of embroidered flowers -- these dresses last a lifetime.   The music is wonderful and the dancers come into the audience to get people up and moving -- it is a lot of fun.

Chickens anyone?

Rosalea takes us on a walk through the marketplace  -- passing booths selling raw chickens, fruits, vegetables and other edible items.   We arrive at the Church -- another very simple but large structure -- where we witness a mass baptism - not an unusual occurrence here. 

Close by the Church we meet Julio and our bus --- once Julio maneuvers the small streets we are on our way to the Izapa ruins.  

Church in Tuxtla Chico, Mexico!

This is a small archaeological site -- with a ball field --- stone implements used in daily living and a sacrificial altar as well as a number of mounds.   It is brutally hot --- I need to stay in the shade so I do not hear some of Rosalea's talk but I do get the gist.   This site is thought to bridge the gap between the two most important Meso-American cultures -- the Olmecs and the Mayans.

Phil by a Sacrificial Altar at the Izapa Ruins!

Overview of Izapa Ruins!

 Back on the ship by 2:45 pm -- we drop our stuff in the room and head upstairs to the grill for a hot dog and hamburger --- tastes so good.

I go to Mass at 5:00 pm --- then at 5:30 we have another American Express cocktail party -- this time many more people come.

Dinner at 8 is uneventful --- no sign of our friendly Sommelier.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

Saturday - 07 February 2015 - Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Walked at 6:20 am -- breakfast at 6:55.  Today we are going on tour -- 8 hours.  Everything is at least 90 minutes from the dock -- so we chose a visit to a coffee plantation -- Finca Filadelfia --- then to Antigua -- an old colonial town -- both are 5,000 feet above sea level.

Phil Picking Coffee Beans!

Our bus is very nice with good air-conditioning and bottled water.    As we drive up into the mountains -- Edgar, our guide, tells us about his country.  Guatemala is a democracy -- with lots of corruption.    The population is 20 million people in 22 states --- products include sugar cane and coffee -- only 42% of the people are literate.  As we climb Edgar points out the three volcanoes  -- one is active with black smoke spewing from its crater

Pat Inspecting Coffee Beans as they Dry!

Our arrival at Finca (meaning farm) Filadelfia is through a guard gate and then a long driveway -- reminiscent of a California vineyard.    Carlos -- our guide at the plantation  -- boards the bus at the gate to give us a brief review of the schedule for the next few hours.  

Phil in a hairnet before entering the Roasting Room.

This is a resort -- with a hotel -- residences -- pony rides -- zip-lining, etc.   Carlos takes us to the "nursery" an outdoor area where some of the coffee plants live.  He explains the varieties -- has us pick the red berries -- a sign of ripeness -- open the berry and find two beans in each.     From the nursery Carlos takes us through each step in the process of beans becoming a cup of coffee.  It is a wonderful education especially for a coffee-lover like me.

After our tour -- we have a delicious lunch -- food I never would have ordered but all really tasty -- including a cup of coffee.  

Antigua is about 10 minutes from Finca Filadelphia -- it is a very old town with some buildings in ruins and narrow cobblestone streets.   We stop at a Jade Factory (not in the tour description) -- and hear from the owner who came to Guatemala from the U.S. in 1974 as an archaeologist -- she stayed when she discovered Jade.  She and her husband run two Jade factories and showrooms.   Of course -- we are encouraged to buy.  I told Edgar that this was not on the schedule and we would just like to walk to the center of Antiqua and where should we meet the bus.   He was not open to that suggestion -- and would not tell me where the bus would be. 

Ruins in Antigua.

Edgar was not a good guide -- he was a nice enough fellow but insisted on treating us as if we were in the 3rd grade.   He was hell bent on giving us all the information in his head whether we wanted to hear it or not --- he knew not when to stop talking. 







Finally we are out of the Jade Showroom (where people were buying as I overhead one couple discussing their $800 ring purchase) and walking the four blocks to the park in the middle of Antigua.    Vendors are everywhere selling shawls, jewelry and souvenir stuff -- pesty but not obnoxious.   Edgar positions himself in the middle of the park and begins pontificating about something or other.  I tuned him out a while ago --  the appeal to me is watching the show of vendors and tourists.

Pat Investigating a Purchase in the Antigua Park.

Wall Clumbing in the Park.

Several of us notice thick black clouds rolling in with a concern that we will be rained on.  However, we now know the clouds were due to volcanic eruption.  Edgar seemed oblivious and just continued to talk.  Back on the ship is when we heard that the volcano had erupted raining debris on Antigua -- luckily were on our way back to the pier by then.

My take on Guatemala is a place in turmoil --- just about every structure is surrounded by a wall topped with barbed wire --- residences and commercial buildings alike.   Graffiti is everywhere and all establishments have guards including the coffee plantation and the jade factory --- but I never felt unsafe for a minute.    People seem happy and accepting of their lifestyle -- even the pesty vendors.

It was a good tour --- even though our guide was a bit too full of himself.  We enjoyed the day -- the weather was spectacular -- no humidity with a temperature around 75 F.   We visited a new country and learned about how their people live.

This evening as we enter the dining room -- we notice the Sommelier and our Wine Steward tete-a-tete near our table.    As we approach the Sommelier starts to head in the opposite direction -- Ruel, our wine steward, calls to him so he stops, comes back says "hello" and pours our wine which is sitting on the table --- then he is gone.

this entire situation is very strange.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

Black Clouds from Erupting Volcano!

Friday - 06 February 2015 - Corinto, Nicaragua

When I woke at 5:00 am -- Phil was up and just leaving the room.  I walked at 6:30 -- we met for breakfast in Lido just after 7:00.  

The Statendam will dock in the small town of Corinto  -- we are going to town to find an  internet café.   Leaving the ship about 10:30 am --- our route is through an industrial dock area -- and voila a town appears. 

Corinto from the Statendam

Main Street in Corinto

 It is a poor town with very friendly people who are delighted to see us.   Pedi-cabs of all sizes seating from two to six passengers are abundant.   We find the Internet Café just where the man on the dock told me it would be -- charge is $2 for one hour.   I am able to post a few days of the blog -- but the photos take a very long time.   After an hour we are ready to leave and wander through town.  It is brutally hot here -- the Internet place has fans -- no air-conditioning.

The Dancers!

We wander around town through the park and come to an area with a stage and several young dancers --- they are terrific.   We pop into the Church across from the dancers --- it is simple but so lovely.   In many ways it is prettier than some of the great cathedrals of Europe.   There is also a market nearby where I purchase a small velvet purse for $4.00.     The heat has become oppressive so we head back to the ship for lunch.  

The Church -- so simple!

After lunch -- our intention was a return trip to town but the heat is too much --- it must be 100 degrees and so very humid.

We have a leisurely afternoon on board ---

During dinner -- I see our friendly Sommelier come into the dining room -- but he never comes to our table--- kind of anti-climatic after the flourish with which he arrived and departed last night.  

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

Thursday - 05 February 2015 - Puerto Caldera (Puntarenas), Costa Rica

It was very windy on deck six so I walked just one mile before meeting Phil for breakfast.   The Statendam arrives in Costa Rica about 8:00 am.

We are going on a tour with the American Express Mariners group -- the same group that had the cocktail party last Sunday.  Our destination is Pura Vida -- named the #1 garden in Central America. 

We meet our group of twenty on the dock at 8:30 am -- where all the buses are waiting.  Our Guide is Minor and our Driver is Caleb.   The bus is nice, big and air-conditioned.  Minor tells us all about Costa Rica on our 75 minute ride up a narrow, winding dirt road to Pura Vida which is 1500 feet above sea level -- luckily Caleb is an excellent driver.

Phil with Pacific Ocian in Distance!

Costa Rica's population is 4.2 million with 60% in the middle class-- 20% each in the upper and lower classes.  It is a very literate society.  In 1949 their army was abolished and the money was added to education which is obligatory for all citizens country-wide.

See the "Fan" Palm!

 We arrive at Pura Vida which is an area of nature with flora, foliage and waterfalls like no other place.  The views of the Pacific are spectacular and the lushness and variety of plantings is outstanding.  The Cicadas are deafening and the air is hot and humid even at this elevation.   Minor takes us on two walks:  the first is through the forest pointing out the varieties of  plantings -- the second is a more open space to see the waterfall which is more like a trickle because it is the dry season.

Minor Demonstratng a "banana" plant!

 After our walks we enjoy, in the restaurant, water, cold drinks and delicious fresh fruit:  pineapple, mango, papaya, watermelon, banana -- the best I've ever tasted.

We are back on board the Statendam by 2:00 pm --- so Phil and I are able to grab a quick bite before going back out to see what's doing at the marketplace near the dock.   We don't find much but it is fun to see what these folks are selling --- it's probably all made in China.

Back on board for good --- we spend the afternoon reading and downloading photos before dinner at eight!

Pat in Pura Vida!

Bird of Paradise!

 During dinner we were approached by the Sommelier -- dressed in a tuxedo with a silver "wine taster" around his neck -- he looked like Don Cheadle, the actor.   He said he was in the middle of a wine pairing dinner in the Pinnacle (their steak house) but wanted to discuss what happened in Canaleto --- he was under the impression they were out of one wine -- we corrected him.   He said he would stop by our table tomorrow evening to discuss the issue -- then he was gone.

We'll see what happens tomorrow.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat

 

Wednesday - 04 February 2015 - Onboard Statendam

Sunrise from the Statendam!

We turned our clocks back one hour last night -- as we ease into Pacific Standard Time.   I was on deck six by 6:15 am and having breakfast with Phil about 7:00am.

At 10:00 am Wallis, our Location Guide gave a talk on two upcoming ports:  Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala and Puerto Chiappa, Mexico.  She basically told us that there is nothing close to any of these ports so my sense is that we will take tours in both places.  

At 11:00 am Sheryll, our Future Cruise Consultant, presented Holland America's future cruises through 2016.  What came through to me is that the company is very flexible about putting cruises together as well as pulling apart the grand voyages into segments.   Another thing that came out was there will be more cruises leaving from US ports since people don't want to fly long distances anymore.  They seem to be targeting the retirement age group.

Then I attended two seminars:  one on acupuncture which I have been curious about for some time, and the other on skin care around the eyes.   The first was interesting -- the second was a waste time.  

Tonight our dinner is at 7:00 pm in Canaletto (a dining alternative restaurant).  We arrived, were seated and asked about drinks.  We requested three different wines from the "by the glass menu"  --- each time the waiter said they did not have that wine.  So -- we left.   We went to report what happened to the front desk to be sure we weren't charged and then went to the Dining Room to let our wait people know we would there at 8:00 pm.   I have never been a fan of the alternative dining options on Holland America particularly since they charge extra for food that comes from the same kitchen.    

We had a wonderful dinner in the dining room -- and a very good day at sea.

Thanks for reading!

Pat