Cruisin' on the Edge! (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1, click HERE


When folks heard I was going on a cruise, their first

question was usually, "Where are you going?"

When I made the reservation I paid no attention

to the ports. Just let me on the Edge!
However, I learned I needed to stop saying,
"I have no idea," and at least start replying,
"the Caribbean!"

Our first stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I got a great picture of El Morro as we cruised in.

 I fondly remember the first time I ever saw this

old fort was with my travel buddy many years ago

at night.  We tried to take a picture and only

got streaky lines of light.

I toured it fairly recently, so I just stayed on the ship.

Lucky that I did, cause I got spectacular wildlife

shots from my infinite verandah.

My photos aren't usually this good, but just look

at those porpoises!

I could have zoomed in, but it wasn't even necessary!

(I just tickle myself to death, you know.)


After dinner I did get off the ship to take a
nighttime picture of the Edge and go across the
street to the Walgreen's I remembered to get
some Dr. Peppers.
The picture isn't all that good, and that crazy
Walgreen's had NO DR. PEPPER!
I thought it was downright un-American.

Next stop: Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.

I understand this island is very pretty, but I never
got around to reserving an excursion.
So...I shopped instead and bought way more 
than usual for moi!
Pictures later.


Next up: St. Martin or St. Maartin, depending on
whether you are on the Dutch or the French side.
I'm getting ready to be the first person to board 
that little water taxi to go shop.

I only bought one thing. Can you guess what it is?
It's for the little girl I mentor.

(And burgundy is her favorite color!)


On the return water taxi trip, I got my postcard
shot of the ship!

This may be even better than my wildlife shot!


This is at Little Switzerland on St. Martin.
They took a picture of the necklace and earrings 
I had bought at Little Switzerland on Tortola.
I know--you can't see them very well here.
Trust me, I'll make you look later.

So that was our last stop. Just one more day at sea.
Here I am back on the ship with a sea faring vessel
made entirely of pearls.

And now...one of my many favorite things
about cruising.
Getting my hair done with a view!

And...a different kind of bird watching
from my verandah...

Near the end we had "High Tea at Sea."
It was lovely as my British friends would say.

This ship does pastries spectacularly!


But the best dessert, bar none, to me was:

the old fashioned bread pudding with vanilla sauce.
The best I have ever gained 5 pounds on!

I knew to look for this special spot from reading
Cruise Critic before I left home.
It is an area where you can see the hull, the bare bones 
of the ship, intentionally left exposed. 

You look through these louver like partitions!
No telling how many people I pointed this out to,
since I was so knowledgeable (and humble.)

Jack would have loved to see this!



This beautiful coral was in my stateroom. 
I had the bright idea that I should try to find a piece
of coral to bring home as a perfect souvenir.
After attempting to purchase pieces that were store
displays (!) someone finally told me it is
illegal now to sell coral!

I haven't mentioned the entertainment on the cruise.
It was certainly not my favorite.
There was a very funny, clean comedian, Fred Klett, 
I know I've seen before but enjoyed thoroughly.
There was a singer/dancer named Marcus Terrell 
who was well received by the audience but not
my kind of music.
There was a singer named Jordan Bennett who
would have been my kind of music, but...
I was busy getting off the ship to take a
mediocre picture and NOT get Dr. Peppers!
There was a very popular show featuring 4 young
guys doing Frankie Valli and Jersey Boys music.
Mark Oristano was onboard as a lecturer for
football fans of which I am not one!


The best show on the ship, IMHO, was The Liar's Club.
Three of the ship's most personable crew members
(one was the funny comedian this time)
are given words which lend themselves to
hilarious definitions--one honest and two
side-splitting lies. Then the audience votes. 
For instance, one of the words was "fullfart."
I laughed until my sides hurt at the comedian's
definition, but this one I knew!
Remember the boat I took into the fjord on my
last cruise? It was called the Fjordfart.
And the fart part meant "speed" in Norwegian! 
So "fullfart" means "full speed ahead."
But the lies were hysterical, as you might imagine.
Never miss a Liar's Club show if you have 
the opportunity!


So here you go.
X marks the spot where I had the time of my life.

Tomorrow I'll tell you a bit about my table mates!
Always an experience for this single cruiser!