Trainman-2

Our driver also drove us through the two different shopping districts, one for the islanders and one for the tourists.

On our tour yesterday we drove by a memorial to the Black Slaves, know as "Salt Pickers", brought to the Island from Africa many years ago.

The memorial is in the center of a "Round-About" and our driver circled it while I shot photos.

The Island does not have good soil for plantations but for awhile salt was manufactured by allowing high tides into a contained area and then allowing the sun to evaporate the water. The slaves picked up and bagged the salt for use on the island and export.

Today, the remnants of the old salt pond are slowly being filled in to create more dry land on the island.

I had some sad memories awakened yesterday when we walked by the Freedom of the Seas. The "little balcony" in the photo is the one that I scattered my last Wife, Carol's, ashes from.

I have kept a subscription to the thread I wrote during my only solo cruise book marked and from time to time I re-read it, especially on her birthday and the anniversary of the day she died.

Judith and I both lost spouses to cancer but we are lucky that we are able to easily talk about our past relationships with each other. They were part of our individual pasts and we are constantly reminded of them and able to share past experiences and memories with each other openly.

Here is a link to the thread. I re-read it again last night! Caution, it you decide to read it have some Kleenex handy.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1268384

I was right!

There was another ship in port with us yesterday. It was a smaller one and was hiding behind a bigger ship.

Yesterday Judith tripped on the ramp to the balcony door. I was too far behind her to help and she sort of slammed backward into a closet door and the handle. Her back, which always gives her problems, is really sore today, So she is taking it easy today!

I brought her breakfast but she was on the computer, not in bed.

Ally sent me the comments on the Adventure Ocean program below by email. I am posting them with her permission.

Well the evening was a bust. Some idiot in adventure ocean insisted I bring Lyric her shoes (she went barefoot) even though they make them take their shoes off when they arrive and put them into a cubbie.

 

I asked, Can't I just bring them when I pick her up?

 

Nope,she insisted I bring them right then at 9:20.

 

I interrupt my evening, go down there and Lyric isn't even there. She's in the movie theatre with the kids so I stand there for 25 minutes (they first told me 10) waiting for her.

 

In the meantime, it was absolute chaos with the 9-11 ages havingbeen brought over to her room. Over run, little to no aware supervision. Total chaos.

 

When she came in at 9:50 I pulled her out for the 2ndtime this week. So much for my movie and casino trip. Adventure Ocean isway understaffed. The kids have fun, the ones who aren't being ignored orhit and kicked. Earlier today I saw another little girl (with downsyndrome) crying in a corner and when she approached the worker to talk theworker shoo'd her back to the table to color because she was too busy checkingkids in and out to have time for her. The only other worker wasorganizing a game with the other 20+ kids. Tonight there were 3 workersfor the 30+ kids and still they were oblivious to the violence going on amongthe boys in the room.

One boy, probably 10, that was being picked on was so stressed when his parents arrived that he left there shouting at his shocked and confused mom and dad all the way out the hallway. I knew he was upset and embarrassed to have been bullied but they hadn't seen it and rather than telling them he took out his hurt and frustration on them. What I did hear was his mom asking, What happened THIS time??? That spoke volumes!

 

I made a complaint to guest services for all I've witnessed in 3 days and them wrecking our evening plans over needless shoes.

All of the "spiffy" ashtrays on the Pool Deck are in the process of coming apart and re leaning over, some more thanothers. I suspect there is a nut on the bottom that can be tightened up.

These two photos are staged but note the red handle in the middle of the seat. All I have to do is lift upon the handle and the Rollator "skinnys up." It is certainly less stable like this but it still provides some stability for walking. When through the obstruction I can pull the handles apart and push down on the edges of the seat and it snaps back into the wide open position.I have had a bunch of people ask me about them! Judith's is available on Amazon but mine, which is the big guy version, has to be purchased from an authorized Drive Distributor.

NEWS FLASH! - Mother Nature Punishes Chair Hogs!When I went up onto the pool deck is was misty but the Chair hogs were setting up their mini empires so I shot the photo below.

I turned off my camera, dropped it into my pocket, and took one step and the skys opened up and it started to pour. By the time I got my camera out of my pocket and turned on the Chair Hogs had fled the area!

The Bar and the nearby areas are all non-smoking!

Day 6 - Thursday, February 23, 2017 - At Sea

We have two Sea Days until we return to Fort Lauderdale. I plan to spend some time exploring the ship and taking interesting photos.

Here are two info sheets on the Harmony. I hope you can read them. When I get home I will scan them and post better copies.

I like the colors on this one, but, you're right, Liz, that knob on the top is a little off-putting!Jim,

You were so lucky you got a cabbie to take only 4 of you around. We tried that in Bonaire and couldn't find anyone to take less than 6, preferably 8! Great price, too. Hope you got a good tour of the island.

I checked in with the "Head Bus/Cab Guy" and told him what we wanted. Judith & I are both hard of hearing so one of the many 15 passenger vans full of screaming kids was unacceptable.

I was prepared to pay for every seat even if many of them were empty but the "Head Bus/Cab Guy" came through for us. He hooked us up with two other women to share the cost and we all piled into a cab which could only have seated 5 people max.

The driver was great and knew her island.

In addition to the $30 each I gave her a $20 tip. It was money well spent!

We were able to stuff our Rollators in the back of the cab.

The Hilton Marina on 17th Street, just north of the bridge, has a stop for the Water Taxi.

The Water Taxi will show you how the very rich people live.

http://www.watertaxi.com

Judith & I went to Sabor by ourselves tonight and really enjoyed it!There is NO Cover Charge!

Everything is individually priced. It cost the two of us $17.50 plus tip. (No Booze)

Everything was excellent although some of it was different from the Mexican Restaurants we are used to at home.

I hope you can read the menu (limited) and the prices.

The complementary Salsa and the Guacamole were excellent!

I had the Chicken Tortilla Soup which was more spicy than I expected but still excellent.

Judith was not verry hungry after the Salsa and Guacamole so she had three tortillas and rolled Charro PInto Beans up inside of them. (The manager started up his tortilla machine and made 3 fresh ones just for Judith)

I had 3 Chicken Quesadillas which were excellent

This morning we took the long walk from the forward gangway to the shore and then up and around to the bus/taxi area,

Even with our walkers it was tiring but we stopped to rest a few times.

We hooked up with two other ladies and hired a cab for an island tour that lasted about 2 1/2 hours for $30 per each. When we got back we hired a guy in an extended golf cart to ride us back to the ship.

Details & photos later...

I am really starting to notice more and more hand washing stations near the entrances to the eateries.

This one is by the entrance to the Solarium Bistro.

I am not a trained art critic but I know what I don't like!

I shot this earlier of the Pilot Boat bring us a Pilot.

I had an excellent breakfast in the Solarium Bistro this morning. It is sort of like a mini Windjammer.

The scrambled eggs were excellent, cooked just right!

The Windjammers scrambled eggs have been dry and crumbly every morning so far.

There are a bunch of ships in port this morning. Because of the way they are docked I am not sure if it is 5 or 6.

There are two nice boats / yachts that I like in the harbor.