“Live From the Explorer” or Z and TB Mambo in the Caribbean

[bebop bonnie]

[crusin7]

Ha Ha I love it!!  All 4 of you look great!

[Travelcat2]

36 minutes ago, bebop bonnie said:

 

 

LOVE that photo!  You two look like you're having a blast!

[grumpyathome]

Hi!  Sounds like a relaxing cruise. We join the Explorer on March 12th.  I’m just curious if you have noticed anything being done differently or if it is just general sanitizing that has been stepped up due to Coronavirus?  I have noticed that a lot of cabins have opened up in the last day or two.  Not sure if that is because folks can’t board due to where  the have passports or have traveled from or if they are running scared.  
 

[Mudhen]

Love the photo!!!

Can you tell us if the ship is full?

[Zqueeze1]

5 hours ago, Mudhen said:

Love the photo!!!

Can you tell us if the ship is full?

I will check. But I remember seeing some categories opening up a week prior to sailing. 
Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

9 hours ago, grumpyathome said:

Hi!  Sounds like a relaxing cruise. We join the Explorer on March 12th.  I’m just curious if you have noticed anything being done differently or if it is just general sanitizing that has been stepped up due to Coronavirus?  I have noticed that a lot of cabins have opened up in the last day or two.  Not sure if that is because folks can’t board due to where  the have passports or have traveled from or if they are running scared.  
 

As of two days ago, the crew is enforcing hand sanitizer use prior to entering La Veranda. 
Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

Good morning!!  We are currently sailing to Harvest Caye, our destination of the day which is the Norwegian Cruise Line-owned private island in Belize. We are planning on going out into the lagoon on a kayak, a first for me. The Boss was on a kayak a year ago with our youngest daughter and she totally freaked out thinking there was a gator int the water. It turns out that she was in a salt water lake so chances are she may have seen a salt water croc 🐊.  
0540 in the morning from the Coffee Connection:

We spent most of yesterday outside by the pool. After walking for an hour, it was too hot, so I opted for the passageways, while TB soldiered on and walked another hour in the heat. She is an animal!!  I am starting to turn various shades of red due to a little sun burn. But, the news of the day is that I was walking towards our lounge chairs and I stubbed two toes on my left foot. I hit another lounger with my foot and I can attest that those things are built solidly.  Before I realized it, I cursed out loud in three languages. I have a pic of my little black and blue sausage toes, but I don’t think it’s a smart idea to publish it.  Needless to say, I may not be doing my morning walk for a few days. 
some folks that went on tours yesterday in Santo Tomas, Guatemala were disappointed due to the poverty and all the trash. Some folks were caught in a public demonstration and were escorted to the ship by the local cops. 
We had a delightful visit with Bonnie and her sister, Deb before dinner last night. Those two are the life of this ship. They have a million stories and can make crossing the street sound very interesting. We can’t wait to see them again. 
Dinner was another success story. However, we were in and out in forty five minutes since we only had an app and a main course. We started with some wonderful pork dumplings:

TB has beef tenderloin:

I had the Thai pork rack with rice:

Both dishes were very flavorful and the meat was melt in your mouth tender. 
After dinner, we tried our best to stay up and watch the show, which was an evening of songs by our CD David Nevin. But, I opted for elevating my foot and icing down my toesies. So far, we have missed every show opting for early bedtime. Damn, I’m getting old. 
Z and TB

[Mudhen]

Oh No! Those poor little piggies!! Hope you didn't break them....maybe they'll feel better if you pour alcohol on them.....giggle!

Have you tried the Ob Lounge? Who's tending bar up there? The last time (last summer) we were there we didn't especially care for the young lady taking care of it. Mario, whom we love, was most definitely second in command at that time. He was always smiley and fun and she....well....was't. Is Mario on board?

Take care of your footsie and have a good day.....hey, and I've only had a short report about the BM&M society...what gives? haha!

[jimbri]

Great review and photos!

[ronrick1943]

Really enjoying your post, the photos and the way you tell the story outstanding.  About your feet, sorry but you really need to make sure you watch them and take care of them-don't mess around.

[Hambagahle]

Ronrick is right Zqueeze -- some years ago I did something very similar.  Hobbled around for a week or so (maybe more) and then forgot about it.  Subsequently my doctor noticed the toe and said it was broken.   That I should have used a splint for a couple of weeks but that it was too late and I am now stuck with it!   I don't suggest you see the ship's doctor which would probably cost more than the cruise but do get it checked when you get home.

[Zqueeze1]

Ronrick/Hammie:  I am a firm believer in the school of thought that calls for self-medication:

My doctor, Dr Vinnie Boombah recommended one of these every fifteen minutes until someone passes out, then one every ten minutes. 
Z and TB

[jeb_bud]

16 hours ago, drib said:

 

jeb_bud, you have some splainin to do.

 

The Ricardo's were on Explorer, Deck 9, in March 2017, when I took the same photo as Z.

 

https://bigdogfoto.com/bdfoto/onepingonly/?path=bf76a90107fb8ae

 

So I expect they are a permanent fixture there.

 

It will be interesting to see if they have new Hollywood glamour photos on Splendor.

Just call me “Mr. Observant”. 

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Hey Z

Did you deliberately bang your foot? so you would not have to keep up with Pam exercising? 
sheila

[Hambagahle]

2 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

Ronrick/Hammie:  I am a firm believer in the school of thought that calls for self-medication:

My doctor, Dr Vinnie Boombah recommended one of these every fifteen minutes until someone passes out, then one every ten minutes. 
Z and TB

This drink is FULL of citrus.   Citrus is good for you.  I think it also has Tequila.  Which is a known pain killer.  So why not?  

[Travelcat2]

"Z", so sorry to hear about your toes.  Hope that the drink helps the pain.  Really enjoying the posts on this thread.  In my opinion, it is just what we all need - humor!

[Zqueeze1]

In regards to the BM&M Society I am holding the fort down with a Margarita around 1100 and another one around 1500. I am a one-deep member but think that I can convert Bonnie and Deb. 

Since I’m not walking today due to my boo boo, I am rewarding myself with morning Margaritas. No drink limit today. Last time onboard, I drank so much that my blood test came back with an olive. 

Things overheard at the pool bar:

-A lady asked the bartender if they could make sure her lounger stayed in the shade (I hope the captain can accommodate her)

-I want a margarita with 75% ice (what the heck is that?)

-The food is on par with Carnival (must be eating in the crew mess)

-Iwant a virgin piña colada with rum. 
As one of my favorite humorists once said:  First get your facts straight. Then distort them at your leisure. - Mark Twain. 

Z and TB

 

[bebop bonnie]

1 hour ago, Travelcat2 said:

"Z", so sorry to hear about your toes.  Hope that the drink helps the pain.  Really enjoying the posts on this thread.  In my opinion, it is just what we all need - humor!

And when it comes to humor, I think that Z surpasses Lucy and Ricky!!

[Zqueeze1]

We are at the pool. Come by!

[Zqueeze1]

Here’s a pic of The Boss bossing me around in a kayak. 
 

[grumpyathome]

Thanks for the hand sanitizer info. The US is going nuts over Coronavirus.  We are hoping no one comes on with it or has been exposed, cause we are planning on boarding on Wednesday.  We took an offered upgrade and plan on hunkering down in our cabin if needed and let the butler take care of us.  Our house in Orlando is ready for us to self quarantine when we get back except for fresh produce ( our daughter can pick that up for us and leave it at the front door).  
 

it would be interesting to hear how disembarking in Miami goes.  Enjoy the rest of your trip, cause it’s crazy here.  Many folks who can are telecommuting, if someone coughs or sneezes near you.... schools are being closed in some states.  So far Orlando area is okay but with Disney and Universal it is just a matter of time

[RachelG]

Love your  medication for stubbed toes, Z.  It also helps kill viruses, so take to prevent coronavirus.

[Travelcat2]

2 hours ago, grumpyathome said:

Thanks for the hand sanitizer info. The US is going nuts over Coronavirus.  We are hoping no one comes on with it or has been exposed, cause we are planning on boarding on Wednesday.  We took an offered upgrade and plan on hunkering down in our cabin if needed and let the butler take care of us.  Our house in Orlando is ready for us to self quarantine when we get back except for fresh produce ( our daughter can pick that up for us and leave it at the front door).  
 

it would be interesting to hear how disembarking in Miami goes.  Enjoy the rest of your trip, cause it’s crazy here.  Many folks who can are telecommuting, if someone coughs or sneezes near you.... schools are being closed in some states.  So far Orlando area is okay but with Disney and Universal it is just a matter of time

 

While this is none of my business, I think that it may be better to allow the people on Explorer to enjoy their vacation and not have to think about anything happening in the world or the U.S.  Your post would be very appropriate on the general board.  I know that when we are on Splendor next week, the last thing we want to think about is this subject.  

 

Today CC put a notice out not to post about the Coronavirus on Roll Call unless you are sailing on that cruise.  I think that this should extend to "Live From........." as well.

Besides the above, isn't it fun to see pictures of the food, etc.?  Reading this thread makes my mouth water and I'm getting quite a few chuckles from it as well!

 

 

Edited March 7, 2020 by Travelcat2

[Zqueeze1]

No worries on the Corona virus. Actually, very little talk about it on board. However, I tend to be sneezy in the mornings and get the stare down from my fellow passengers. 
Since I was off my feet yesterday due to my boo boo, I splurged for breakfast and had an omelet all to myself. It was delicious:

 

Harvest Caye, Belize was a beautiful little place. We tendered for about a mile and a half (a little over two clicks) to reach the island.

 

 

Once there, it was a quick walk to a gorgeous and tranquil lagoon for our kayaking experience. It was a total disaster. We could not get ourselves coordinated to go in a straight line. We looked like a couple of rubes our on the water. To make it worse, my pudgy thighs started cramping up and TB was bossing me around as to how to row. She can sometimes drive me half way to crazy town.
Afterwards, we returned to the ship so Pam could her her steps and I could get my “medication.”

We had a block party last night before dinner where we met our neighbors, but never saw the Captain come by. 
Dinner last night was with new friends from California who invited us to a superb Filipino dinner. Sorry, but I forgot to take pics. We had chicken adobo (pass), lumpias, pansit, and garlic rice. It was a nice experience for us and brought back memories of our days when we lived in the P.I.s for almost four years. 
We actually did something different after dinner. We did not go to bed for once. Instead, we headed to the Explorer Lounge for some great music by a husband and wife duo. 

 

 BTW, a couple of days ago, I mentioned and posted the pic of Ricky and Lucy Ricardo. If you walk decks six through ten you will see that they are decorated with hundreds of themed black and white pics. While doing my steps recently, I stopped in my tracks because I found three pics in color on deck eight in front of suite 807. My OCD kicked into high gear and I wanted to replace them with black and white pics:

Z and TB

Edited March 7, 2020 by Zqueeze1