Costa Rica

My first time in Costa Rica! We docked in Puntarenas, one of several towns by the same name in Costa Rica, this one sort of on the northwest side of the country.  It is less than two hours drive to San Jose, the capital.  I went on a tour that took us out into the rainforest, as where we docked was surprisingly dry.  I learned that this country has quite a bit of diversity for all its small size (about the size of West Virginia, around 4 million people), over 900 species of birds, and even has a 12,000 foot mountain from the top of which it is actually possible to see both the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean to the east at the same time.  My tour took us about 45 minutes away and into one of the nature reserves (about 25% of Costa Rica is protected land), where we went on a walk through the rainforest and across a few "skyway" bridges suspended in the forest.  It was beautiful.  We spotted some interesting birds, iguanas, leaf-cutter ants (straight out of the Discovery Channel, I know!!) crocodiles and even monkeys (howlers and white faced monkeys, from quite a distance).  The air was full of the sounds of cicadas.  My find of the day was a lucky spotting of a poison dart arrow frog, this one was small, black and green.  My guide was so excited he hugged me and said he would kiss me if he could.  He also said he used to see dozens of them every time he visited the forest, but they have been disappearing as more land is developed, and a day where he sees even one is a really great day.  So it was a great day! Glad I could help.  After our walk we stopped in Hotel Villa Lapas, a small hotel out in the rainforest on private land, where we had some wonderful fresh tropical fruit.  It was a really nice afternoon, and gave me a nice introduction to this new country.  Back on board as twilight fell and we started to spillway, we sat out on deck 4 on the bow and listened to the sounds of so many birds floating in from shore.  

The Panama Canal

I finally got to transit the Panama Canal! I made a point of getting up early so I didn't miss anything.  I was outside by 6:30, in time to watch the sunrise as we made our way toward the entrance.  Just before we entered the canal, we spotted a crocodile swimming along the banks.  We had heard they could be sometimes seen, but weren't really expecting to see one.  We entered the first lock around 8am.  We had taken on (by way of little boats coming alongside) our official Panama Canal crew, who have to be present on every ship that goes through the canal.  The ship is tied up on either side to "mules", little train-car contraptions made by Mitsubishi that help to stabilize the ship and keep it centered in the middle of the canal, avoiding scraping the sides.  We did bump the side once that I felt, there is only a few feet of clearance on either side.  Our ship is nearly the absolute maximum size allowed in the canal, and as such paid a hefty fee to transit - around $350,000.  Cruise ships are charged per berth, so per possible passenger capacity, whether the berths are full or not.  Before you enter, you wait in front of a huge set of gates, that are holding back the water as the ship in front of you is raised up.  While you wait a bridge is opened right in front of the ship to allow traffic to cross the canal, then just as you are about to move, they stop the traffic, retract the bridge, and clear the way.  Once the water level has returned to normal, those gigantic gates slowly open (A la Jurassic Park) and you can pass through.   On top of every gate is a narrow walkway used by crew carefully timing their crossings before the stairs and guardrails disappear as the gates open.  Once inside the lock, you wait and wait while the water level is raised enough, then another set of gates open and you pass into the next one.  There are actually two parallel canals, so we were watching several ships ahead of us and to our right slowly making their way through the locks.  After the first set raises you up, you then sail through a river that was widened to form a sort of man-made lake through the countryside for a few hours, then two more sets of locks slowly lower you back down to sea level.  At the end is a hotel where crowds gather to cheer the ships as they clear the final lock.  It was really a fascinating day - incredible that the system works so well and was created nearly 100 years ago.  The genius behind it is amazing.  It was hot!! And I have half a dozen bug bits to show for my trouble, but it was worth it! 

Cartagena, Columbia

This morning I had a quick final ship safety training (Induction No. 3 to be exact) and then I skipped off the ship with Nick and Jane, quite excited to be on a brand new continent!! South America, for the first time.  It was a very short introduction to the continent, as I had only a couple of hours, but it was a nice place to visit.  From where the ship docks you can see the skyscrapers of the new part of Cartagena.  Our taxi driver (who patiently worked with my rusty Spanish) told me it is known as the "Boca Grande", or "big mouth".  At least I think thats what he said. Jane suggested maybe its a nickname because the skyscrapers look like teeth.  As good a guess as any, I suppose.  Anyone want to google it for me?? 

We got dropped off by our taxi driver outside the old town of Cartagena, and had a nice wander through the city streets and up on the old wall surrounding the town.  We looked at a couple of the cathedrals and squares, and did a bit of shopping.  We got some great coffee that we took back to make on the ship in Nick's french press, and I got a new flute for my collection back home.  We sidestepped vendors and aggressive taxi drivers at every turn, but it didn't really bother me.  I'm getting better at ignoring people, as bad as that might sound.  It is the only way to be left alone in that regard.  Once the heat and humidity had completely worn us out (it was hot!!), we stopped for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe Cartagena, a desired destination for both Nick and Jane, who have visited different ones around the world and are collecting the pins/shot glasses, etc.  They also had a trusty veggie burger and water that wouldn't make us sick, so it was a safe choice for lunch.  All day I looked longingly at the street vendors with their fresh fruit and baked goods…..but having been warned multiple times that the water it is washed in or prepared with often causes stomach problems with gringos new to the area, I decided on playing it safe this time.  After all, tomorrow is a big day too, transiting the Panama Canal! I can't wait!!   I have a Panama hat and everything.  (Its your size, Dad, its for you when you get here, I'm just breaking it in)  

Florida

As I titled my last post, my goal is to put up a post for every port.  And while Fort Lauderdale isn't particularly exotic, I'd like to use it as an excuse to keep me on task with my posting.  We were in port yesterday, and it was a gorgeous, sunny day.  Immigration is tricky in Florida, likely due to the huge number of ships docking there, and issues with drugs.  We had time windows throughout the day where we were allowed off the ship, and the gangway was only open during those times.  We got off as soon as the first one opened.  We were told we wouldn't even be allowed to take our laptops off the ship, but that proved to be a false rumor.  You get a lot of rumors on ships….glad this one turned out wrong as I wanted to have mine with me just in case.  As we got off US customs officers were there patting down all crew as they left the ship, and we had to take off and have our shoes scanned.  Quite a to-do….but this kind of thing doesn't happen every day.  Just a glimpse into some of the random issues we run into day to day.  

We took a shuttle bus up to the Galleria Mall, and the drive was gorgeous, along the coast, right by the beach.  I remember thinking you wouldn't be able to do that most places in California.  I suppose there is the PCH, but the major beaches have so much traffic around them.  Here it was lovely.  We did some business (Fed-ex for me), shopping, and had some nice lunch and coffee before heading back to the ship.  

Today we're at sea, and we had the excitement of opening up a new show for the world voyage.  The show isn't new, but its the first time this cast has performed it, and first time for me as well.  Its called Jazz, Blues, and Rock and Roll. I like the dancing in it, and the costumes are pretty cool, though sometimes scandalous (typical theatre I suppose).  The only thing that seems a bit politically incorrect is the chorus in the first song, "Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, Hip hop and Soul….these are the sounds of Blackness."  Are they allowed to say that?? I'm pretty sure thats not okay….ha ha….anyway the first show opened just fine.  Only mishap was the lead male vocalist's missing jacket…..which was discovered halfway through the show being warn by one of the girls on stage.  Whoops.  Ha ha.  Hopefully the second show will go well too! 

A Post for Every Port! Thats the goal...

The Atlantic crossing was pretty rough going almost the entire time.  There was a lot of ship motion, that really didn't stop.  Sometimes you felt like you should be hanging onto the bed to keep in it.  But we made it alright, and sailed into New York on Tuesday around noon.  I managed to run out of rehearsal just in time to catch us sailing by the Statue of Liberty.  Getting off the ship was complicated, first while we waited to dock, then waiting 2 hours for immigration, then a frantic search for a Cunard lanyard for our crew passes, which is apparently required now.  Which actually it isn't, our security were just being a pain in the butt….anyway.    Nick and I finally got off around quarter to 4pm, and made the most out of what time we did have.  We had a quick bite at Chipotle (Nick needed to be introduced) and then made it up to the top of the Rockefeller Center just as dusk had fallen.  It was a breathtaking experience and an amazing sight.  The city lights are incredible. Being up there was definitely the highlight of my New York.   We had just enough time to grab a coffee to warm us on our walk back to pier 90, and got back on board with about 5 minutes to spare before our call time for the shows.  Not surprisingly, the shows were pretty empty, but they went alright.  As soon as they finished we were off again, and had a wonderful dinner at Olive Garden with a view of Times Square.  Our waiter was a drummer, from Costa Rica, trying to make it in NYC and waiting tables on the side.  Very New York.    We were lucky it wasn't colder, we were able to walk everywhere just fine.  It was a great day, despite our limited time.  

The next day I stayed on board to do my IPM, and didn't complain too much about it seeing as how the temperatures had dropped considerably overnight and it was literally freezing outside, despite some sunshine. We had a US Coast Guard drill in the morning, which always takes quite a long time. It was nearly noon when it finished, and we had to be back at 3-ish for another embarkation guest drill, so there really wouldn't have been time for much anyway.  At 6 we attempted to watch the beautiful spillway, but the wind and that 22 degree feeling drove us inside after about 10 minutes.  I do love New York, however much time I have there, and it is overwhelming to think of how much more there is to discover.  

Setting Sail

I arrived onto the Queen Elizabeth early this morning, beating the rush of sign-ons that came a bit later on in two or three busloads. I was able to get everything organized, sign my papers, unpack, snag all the best real estate in the room (aka bottom bunk), and still had time for a quick trip into town. Once there I sorted out my issues with T-mobile and got set up for the world voyage with them. I got to meet Nick's mom over a coffee at Costa and lunch at Nando's. Meeting her was an unexpected treat.

After a full afternoon of safety training and rehearsal, many of us went out on deck to watch this momentous sailaway around the world. The brisk night air was made even more special by the lights of the Queen Mary, who also begins her world voyage today, and by the firework display sent up from a barge to celebrate the passing of the two Queens as we coordinated to sail together out of the harbor. It was a really magic night.


My work here began with the very appropriate Welcome Aboard Show. It went well, though my chops will be adjusting to the work load for a few more days at least. I was greeted today by so many friends glad to see me back, I was overwhelmed by all the friendly faces. I got more hugs and kisses from more people than I can count. It does feel like coming home, in a way. I know this will be an amazing contract!
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Hello, World!

Well its that time again......Andrea leaves for another contract.  "Where are you going this time?" is the question I've been asked the most over the past couple of weeks.  This time its harder, and more exciting, to answer.   Around the world! Literally.  I will include in a future post an outline of our itinerary.  Basically we sail East from Southampton, and don't stop until we get back to where we started from, at the end of April.  Then I'm on the ship until June the 5th, mostly in the Mediterranean.  I have waited a long time to get an itinerary like this one, and I can't believe it is finally my turn.  Its here! I fly out in a few hours from LAX, and then have an overnight in England before joining the ship.  Luckily I'll have several sea days to settle in, sleep my way out of jet lag, and get into playing again before we arrive in our first port of call, New York City.  I have now figured out how to make posts via my blackberry and its international roaming, so my aim is to have shorter posts, but much more often.  (Sounds like a twitter account?? maybe I should think about that....) So, farewell to my bed, pillow, favorite foods, and personal space.....and hello, World!!