We arrived in Guatemala at 10:00 am and immediately went to our tour busses. I went on a 9 hour tour to see a Mayan ruin. This meant at least a 2 1/2 hour bus ride up into the mountains. The roads were good but as in any foreign country the drivers are crazy. We were ascending 7,000 feet up the mountain. 

I am now in Georgetown Grand Cayman trying to remember what we did on land after sitting doing nothing for several days on the ship,  

The trip up the mountain was really interesting because we went thru small towns.  Women walk with huge loaded baskets on their heads, men carry enormous loads of wood on their backs, donkeys loaded with goods and Cowboys riding horses were common sites.  We passed several pavilions with a fountain in the middle and stone basins surrounding the fountain.  We had no idea what these were until our guide asked the driver to drive slowly past one.  There was a woman putting a shirt into the basin – then she added water from the fountain and rubbed the shirt on the stone.  These must be laundromats!! 

 

The wifi on land isn’t that great so I may just have to finish the blog in 2 days when I get home.  Warning I have tons of pictures.  The Panama Canal was amazing.  See you on Sunday!  I actually know today is Friday.

 

  
 

One more day at sea and we have put into port at Huatulco.  Very small place, but we were looking for wifi.  I am trying to send everything to date – so lots of pictures. 

    

  
 

IWe have spent two days at sea and on the third day docked in Puerto Vallarta.  The ship looks like an assisted living facility.  Canes, walkers and mobility carts.  Everyone sits around reading and the bars are empty at 9:00pm.  That said I’m having a great time.  I met a really nice group of people and we kind of hang out together- don’t go to bed at 8:00.

The first day I saw in the program a knitting group, so I showed up.  It was for people who brought their projects with them – so that left me out.  However, one of the women said she had knitting needles and some yarn and asked me if I would make a block for her project.  I’m now in the group and everyone is friendly and nice.  A group of us were going to zip line in Pueto Vallarta – so knitters zip line!

Also on the ship is a quilting group. They have sewing machines and a nationally recognized teacher, Sue Hausman.  We talked to them and got a lot of information and I had my picture taken with Sue Hausman.  My roommate Carla and her friends are great.  I also met Rose and we have been getting into trouble together but having a good time. I’m know this all sounds boring but it isn’t. I’ve played trivia in the Crow’s Nest lounge and met a ton of people.

Onward to the Zip Line.  It was great!!!! Can’t wait to do it again.  I kept spinning on the regular zip lines, but it all worked out.  I did one upside down and it was fantastic!!!! When they caught me at the end they told me to stand up – problem was I was so disoriented I couldn’t tell which way was up.  Then there is rappelling.  I was so scared I thought my heart stopped when I stepped off the platform into nothing.  Five seconds later I was rappelling and it was wonderful.  There was another 90 foot drop.  I knew how to do this now and had such a good time. Sorry we weren’t allowed to take pictures and they were really expensive to buy. 

pAs you can tell I haven’t posted in a while and am getting used to the site again.  Anyway,  we stopped into a hotel lobby to see a concierge.  Since out time was so short he suggested a hop on/ hop off trolley we signed up and had a great tour.

First we crossed the bridge to Coronado.  The skyline in the distance isTijuana. 

  

  

We then toured Coronado.  We got off at the Coronado Hotel which is definitely stunning.  We went in to see the wood room which is entirely made of wood including the chandeliers which are in the shape of a crown. 

  

View of Coronado Hotel facing ocean and view of ocean from the hotel. 

     

We then reboarded the trolley to be taken to Balboa Park, Little Italy and Old Town. There is much to do in each location.  We could have easily spent a day in Balboa Park.  However time was short and we stayed on the trolley.  We got off at the stop before our hotel to walk the promenade back. 

 We then went back to the hotel for some refreshments.  It was a very long day, but we were able to see a great deal of San Diego.  

We board the ship today and I don’t know when I’ll be able to post since wifi is sketchy on cruises.

I’ll leave you with a picture of the sunset from the hotel.