Day 13, Sat., Oct. 1 Colombia

After breakfast and stretch class, we took a tour in Cartagena, a city of 1.5 million people, considered the most beautiful in Columbia. (Bogota, the capital, has 8 million people.)

We first went to the Old City of Cartagena. We saw the original wall to the city and then viewed the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas. This magnificent fort was built by the Spanish in 1533 to protect their new territory. It was the largest fort they built -- larger than the fort in Puerto Rico-- one of the greatest Spanish Military engineering constructions in South America.

From there we went to the Inquisition palace, where they now have on display the gruesome apparatus to torture and kill the witches, disable, Jews and any infidels. It was interest but hardly a happy place.

We walked around the streets of the Old City where we saw picturesque narrow streets and buildings in various stages of remodeling,(begun 14 years ago) making way for trendy shops, expensive apartments, and chic restaurants.

Along the way we visited the Church of San Pedro Laver. We learned about Pedro who took in slaves who were sick when they arrived from Africa. He then housed them permanently, rescuing them from slavery. He was later sainted. His skeleton is buried in a glass casket in the cathedral. (Slavery was ended in 1811 the same year as independence from Spain.)

The we went to las bovedas (the dungeons), which is a former jail now converted to 23 little shops where small businesses sell handicrafts.

A short dry away took us to one of the three islands off the new city. We stopped at Pierino Galllo Mall (for, whatever? Mor shopping) where we viewed beautiful high rises, condominiums and hotels with lovely beachfront.

When we returned to the ship, it felt good to sit and watch the day's movie, "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" a comedy/documentary about branding, advertising and product placement.

Evening entertainment was provided by James Stephens III, a very talented comedian. He has a law degree and PhD theology, plays the piano with great skill, and does marvelous impersonations, including Sammy Davis, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash and Bill Cosby, whom he will impersonate in an upcoming movie. He sells a DVD and a children's book he wrote with the revenue going to a foundation he founded to support needy children. He is someone to watch for.

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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Day 14, Sun., Oct 2 at sea

After stretch class, we had a formal breakfast in the dining room (instead of the cafe) with Pat's friends, Barb and Olive. Then I went to my final Bootcamp workout (thankfully--it was quite challenging. I was congratulated for sticking with it!)!

Pat went to a talk on climate change and biodiversity in the tropics. The bottom line--the future is scary!

It was a beautiful day (sunny and 95 degrees) so we were. In and out of the pool a lot today -- until the end-of-the-day stretch class.

Dinner was formal, and we invited our new young friend from Ireland, Dani, to join us. Since she's traveling along she doesn't like to go into the dining room without a seating partner, and we have thoroughly enjoy her company.

The cruise song and dance troupe put on a fabulous show entitled "iBroadway". The lighting, costumes, music and dance was top quality. Quite a show!



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Location:At sea - after leaving Columbia

Day 12, Fri, 9/230/11 Panama City

From the port in Colon at the north (Caribbean) end of the canal a bus took us to "colonial" Panama City. Amidst a downpour (this is the rainy season from Feb to Nov.) we walked around the a promenade known as Las Bovedos and the French Quarter dedicated to the French who tried and failed to dig the canal between 1880 and 1900.



As the rain stopped we took a fascinating walk looking to the canal on one side and on the other side walking thru an area of buildings dating from the 17th century. The government has supported stimulus for private investment and so there are now beautifully renovated buildings next to those that were neglected for years. I would love to return in a few years to see the renovated area.

We then rode along a causeway that connect several islands, passing the construction of a museum designed by Frank Gehry (architect of the Guggenheim), ending at a resort hotel with a great view of the new Panama City. Among the skyscrapers (which were built mostly from 1960 or 1980 onward) is a condominium built by Donald Trump in 2001.

Our tour ended with a visit to the Miraflores locks observation center where we could see the ships going through from a different vantage point and enjoy a video of the history of the construction. It's hard to imagine what a monumental undertaking it was, requiring great vision, courage and faith in the future. I hope we can have leaders today who will build for our children's future!

Back on the ship we ended the day with a seminar on foot Reflexology, a stretch class, and an evening of entertainment with comedian juggler Barry John.

Tomorrow we will dock in Columbia -the last one before home! (I will be ready to come home!)
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Location:Panama City

On deck photo of Pat & Carolyn

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Location:Celebrity millennium

Day 11, Thurs, 9/29/11 passing through the Canal

Besides our Stretch class, swimming and eating, this day was totally devoted to the main reason we came -- to see and learn about the Panama Canal.

* At 7:00 am we went under the Bridge of the Americas - entering the Panama Canal from the south.
* Off to the east we saw the high rise buildings of Panama City
* We passed through the Miraflores locks - raising 85 ft. Amazing engineering! (The largest concrete project of it's day...until the Hoover Dam).
* The water used to raise and lower the vessel in each set of locks is obtained from Gatun Lake by gravity and poured into the locks through a main culvert system that extends under the locks chambers from the sidewalls and center wall.

* The top users are USA, China, Japan, and Chili.
* 14,000 ships past through each year.
* The canal was not used 'round the clock until 1963 when fluorescent lights were introduced.
* The canal saved travelers from NY to San Francisco 8100 miles by not having to go around South America.
* The cruise line paid $375,000 to go through the canal - $35,000 more this year than last.
* After passing through the Pedro Miguel locks and under the Centennial bridge we cruised along viewing lush rain forests on both sides.
* It took us about 10 hours to pass through Gatun Lake (manmade), Gstunlocks to arrive at the city of Colon.

Along the way we saw early activity building a third set of locks which will be open in 2014 (which is the 100th anniversary of the opening of the canal).
This construction is observing environmental factors that were not taken into account in 1914. For example, water-reutilization basins require less water than the current locks system, thus saving 60% of the water actually used.

It is being paid 1/2 from past fees collected and 1/2 from loans from 5 nations (which will be repaid from fees).

By the way, did you know that in 2000 Panama took over full operation, administration, and maintenance in compliance with the treaties negotiated with the US in1977. It is neutral, open for use by all countries.


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Location:Panama canal

Day 10, Wed. 9/28/11 at sea

This was a relaxing day with the usual  - stretch class, exercising in the gym, lectures ---plus.

The highlight was a viewing of the NOVA film "A Man, A Plan, A Canal" based on McCullough's study of the history of the construction of the canal. What an engineering marvel! We learned:

* French effort in 1880 failed
* Roosevelt launched the project 1905, finished in 1914
* $350,000 - the largest government project up until that time (only government can build something like this)
* it was the "moon landing" of it's era
* it is 50 miles long - twice the length of the Suez Canal
* the building resulted in 5000 deaths
*most of the workers were from Barbados, paid $.10/hour

The evening program was a pianist, "divalicious" Amy Abler. She was a terrific musician, but it seems that musical talent isn't enough; she had to also do a lot of theatrics!

We're going to bed early, so that we can get up early and watch the ship pass through the Panama Canal.


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Location:En route to Panama

Day 9, Tues. 9/27/11 Costa Rica

85 degrees and sunny. What a great day to visit a little piece of Costa Rica.

We docked at Puntarenas and traveled by bus southeast for about an hour to the mouth of the Tarcoles River.

We passed mangos trees and structures (all with metal roofs which are lighter than traditional clay tiles, making them safer in the event of earthquakes). Our guide gave us some background on Costa Rica:

* it is a little bigger than Switzerland
* population: 4 million
* tourists: 2 million
* 25% of population live in the capital, San Jose
* 1/3 of the land is protected (principally rain forests)
* 60% are considered middle class
* there is no military
* the country invests in education, health and water
* education is mandatory and free. Uniforms are required and subsidized by the government
* the government offers socialized healthcare
* the president is a woman

The bus took us to a jungle crocodile safari. (Costa Rica has protected crocodiles for 20 years.) We boarded a boat which took us slowly along the river. En route we viewed numerous beautiful crocodiles. Our guide tempted them out of the water with raw chicken. Once on land he fed them, managing got get them to open their huge jaws, drop the chicken into their teeth and jumping out of the way in time!



The guide also pointed out many of the 58 birds in the area. The herons and egrets reminded me of the estuary in Cabo. The pink Roseate Spponbill was new, as were the mangrove swallows that went past too fast to photograph.

Following our river trip we were treated to a buffet of fruit and opportunity to shop for local handicrafts - Including a lot of objects from local wood (ash and teak).

When we returned to the ship we had time to shop at a huge flea market near the port, boarded the ship in time to enjoy a beautiful sunset, dinner with Dani, and a comedy show with Louis Johnson.

Tonight we have to set the clock ahead AGAIN. Since we are near the equator the sun always comes up at 6:00 - no matter what time we go to bed and even of we plan to start the sea day with Stretch at 7:30!

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Location:Costa Rica

Day 8, Mon. 9/26/11 at sea

We're settling into a routine on sea days: stretch classes at 7:30 am and 5:00 pm, my Bootcamp (I'm keeping up with about 70% of it!), Geneology lecture for Pat, swimming (today we tried out the thalleotherapy pool), breakfast and lunch with Pat's friends, dinner with new friends and lots of walks from deck 2 where we live to deck 10 where we find the pool, the gym, and the cafe.

We are sailing through a storm area which gave us beautiful light show last night and periods of showers today --makes a good environment for reading.

Dinner was with two British couples, one living Fremont CA and the other in the Canary Islands, and another couple from Sacramento CA - all retired. Frankly, we found the group kind of boring - stereotypical wealthy people who don't seem to do much but take care of their house and gardens and travel. One of the couples have been on 40 cruises!

Evening entertainment was Kimika, a unique couple from Britain. He is a skilled guitar player, she a great singer and comedienne. Together they combined great music and lots of laughs- so good for one's health!

Tomorrow we're up early for a day in Costa Rica.

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Location:At sea

Another Guademala photo

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Location:Antiqua

Guademala photo

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Location:Guademala

Day 7, Sun. 9/25/11 Guatemala

From Puerto Quetzal a bus took us north 1 1/2 hours up 5000 feet to the city of Antigua- a city founded in the 16th century, now designated a World Cultural Heritage site. We passed volcanoes, sugar cane plantations, lush green foliage and very humble (no, poor) dwellings. As we went, our tour guide told us bit about the country.

* Population 15 million
* Three groups: 47% are indigenes, 37% Africain-Caribbean, the balance "mixed". (The country's leaders come from the "mixed"; the indigenes live in rural communities - there are 22 different groups/dialects.)
* Education is not mandatory. 2/3 of those in the villages are illiterate. (Guademala has the lowest literacy in Latin America)
* There are 14 eco-systems in Guademala because this is where two major tetonic plates collide.
* The Mayans ruled Guademala beginning in 1500 B.C.; Spain conquered the Mayan Empire in 1528.
* There was 36 years of internal warring, which ended in 1996.

Once we reached Antiqua we visited the great central plaza (park) where dozens and dozens of colorful indigenes people were selling beautiful handicrafts.

Then we went to Casa Santo Domingo which was built as a convent in 1541 and now is a hotel. Built in the "baroque seismic" style, it now houses museums that preserve art and sculpture from the 16th century. We also had lunch there, which included fried plankton, refried beans and stuffed peppers.

Also in Antiqua is the Jade Factory and Museum. The founder and archeologist, Mary Lou Ridinger, spoke. She and her husband came to Guademala 31 years ago to locate the jade deposits - now only found in Burma and Guademala. We learned a lot about this gemstone.

We also learned - and experienced - that this is the rainy season. Our guide told us that there has been more rain this year than usual, with 57 bridges being washed out. (This is beginning to sound familiar!)

Upon return to the port we visited a large bazaar set up for venders to show their wares. What beautiful things!

We enjoyed dinner with new friends from Sonoma, CA and Scanton, PA. One of the men volunteers for Senior Medicare Patrol, which helps seniors spot and report Medicare fraud. He pointed out that when Obama says he is going to cut $xx from Medicare, it is not from benefits but from fraud. He said that the provision in the "Obamacare" healthcare bill to go after fraud has already resulted in huge savings. That was good to learn.

The evening entertainment was a variety show - including a return of Lelani Marrell. She ended with a great rendition of "All That Jazz" from Chicago.

Photos to follow.


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Location:Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Day 6, Sat. 9/24/11 At sea

Now that we are out of the hurricane, we experienced a beautiful sunny hot day relaxing onboard.

The routine was such the same as yesterday -- Stretch class, bootcamp, lectures, swimming, reading and lots of good exercise going up and down the stairs. Today we had the added pleasure of lunch with Pat's friends from her former home in New Jersey.

We also enjoyed a formal dress dinner, joined by Dani, our new young friend from Ireland. She is lovely and we had great conversation.

Evening again with Metropark and a show put on by the cruise dancers.

Internet has been unpredictable but I'm hoping for better now that we are out of the storm.

The captain went 200 miles out of the way, but we are told we will only dock 30 minutes late. We are looking forward to a day in Guatemola!

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Location:En route to Guatemola

Day 5, Fri. 9/23/11. At sea

Hurricane Hilary is showing her face. The captain has changed course to go around her, so we will be late docking in Guatemala. (We don't know yet how late.) We missed the worst but got winds, heavy rain, and a generally dark cloudy day.
But there is plenty to do onboard. We started the day with our usual "hike" up the stairs from Deck 2 to Deck 10 for our Stretch class. Then Pat went to a Geneology lecture and a lecture by a speaker from the National Geographic on the issues around climate change and the coastal ports we are visiting.

I went to the Internet lounge (only to find out that the satellite wasn't working ) and to "bootcamp".

In the afternoon we went to a lecture by the Environmental Manager on the recycling policies and practices on the ship. It is pretty impressive how they reduce, reuse and recycle.

We got in a nice swim - before the downpour - in a wave pool. Although the sky was grey, the air was 80 degrees, so the swim felt great!

Evening included the Metropark - a great a capella quartet of guys that got together only a month ago! No DVD, no website yet -- but a great sound.

In the theater was a performance by Lelani Marrell, who, among other things, played Roxy in Chicago on Broadway. What a voice. She could really belt it out

Tonight we change the time back an hour (??), so look forward to getting a good sleep before another day at sea.



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Location:En route to Guatemola

Photo from Cabo

Dani, shopping in Cabo.





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Location:Puerto Vallarta

Day 4, 9/22/11 Puerto Vallarta - Swim with Dolphins

The highlight of today was the SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS excursion. We really did swim with them!

Since the original destination of Acapulco was replaced with Puerto Vallarta, we were not able to get into the "easy" tours. We had no choice but to do something exciting! We sure did!

We petted dolphins (they loved it!). They kissed us. They took us for a ride on their bellies! I can't wait to send you the photos!

Since the temperature today was 93 degrees, the swimming with the dolphins was a great relief -- as were the iced towels which the crew gave us we were greeted upon our return to the ship.

Evening entertainment was a great comedian - Al Ducharme.

We face two sea days en route to Guatemala. However, we were told that in order to avoid hurricane Hillary we may be late getting to our Guatemala port. We are also told to be prepared for heavy rain and winds. Already the winds have picked up.


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Location:Puerto Vallarta

Day 3, 9/21/11 Cabo

What a great day. It began for me with a workout with free weights. At 7:30 by Pat and I attended the Stretch class.
After that we had breakfast at a special "healthy" buffet with great choices - including Swiss muesli. Yum, yum.
At 9:00 I went to a "bootcamp" experience which was said to burn 700 calories in 30 minutes. Well, I doubt that, but I do know that it was a good workout for me! Meanwhile, Pat went to a Trivia game.

After lunch we docked in Cabo.

The temperature was 95 degrees. I had an amazing experience snorkeling in both Santa Maria bay and again in Chileno bay - in wonderful warm water! The trip to the bays in a zodiac was a wild bumpy ride about 20 minutes from the marina. The expedition guide was great, providing us with the snorkel, fins, life jackets and instructions. Once in the water the guide threw out food for the fish and we were surrounded by the most beautiful scene of swarms of fish. We practically bumped into them I took photos with a one-time use underwater camera and hope they come out. The sand on the beach was too hot to walk on, but swimming and snorkeling felt wonderful!

Pat went on a different excursion - a unique semi-submarine that enabled her to see many of the same fish that I saw but from the comfort of a dry vessel.

A bonus for my trip was meeting a couple from Boise and meeting my "buddy," Dani, who is a lovely young woman from Ireland who was also on the excursion alone (long story).

After the snorkeling expedition, Dani and I wandered around the Mexican arts and crafts bazaar at the marina.
When she had to go back to the ship, I went to Soloman's Landing, where John and I have frequently eaten. I got to pick up the Gringo Gazette and catch up on the news - in preparation for John and me going to Cabo next February.

Alas, I had to leave beautiful sunny Cabo to get on the ship before it set sail Puerto Vallarta. I can't wait to return!

On board we enjoyed dinner with two other couples and great evening with comedian and magician Nick Lessar. I don't know when I've laughed so hard-and it's so good for you!

P.S. The Internet is finicky. Sorry the photos did not go through yesterday. I'll try again,



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Location:Cabo, Mexico

Day 2 - Tues. at sea

Too many choices!
The schedule is full of programs - fitness, games, lectures, classes, you name it!
We started the day with a great Stretch class, following a bit with the free weights.
Then it was off to breakfast - deciding among English, America and Asian breakfast foods. Too many choices!
After breakfast Pat went to a seminar on Geneology. I went to the computer lab to set up my account (so I could send you this blog!) and then to reading in a comfortable chair while I watched the water go by.

In late morning we went to a presentation on shore excursions, then to a huge buffet. More choices!

After lunch we went to a lecture on How To Get A Flatter Stomach.
Finally, we had "free" time to relax by the pool and read.
Oh, no. We had to leave poolside in time to get to our 5 pm Stretch class.

Dinner was Formal dress.

After dinner we listened to the a cappella quartet, Metropark.Then a show in the theater. (no photos in the theater!). They billed the show as ballroom dancing. It sure wasn't like any ballroom dancing I ever did! Wow! The costumes, music, lighting, and the dancing were amazing!

Tomorrow we spend the day in Cabo....



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Location:En route to Cabo, Mexico

Day One -Part Two

We were late leaving San Diego due to increased security checking and didn't get our luggage until after dinner.



The big news was that they have canceled the port stop at Acapulco because of drug-related violence. Instead, we will go to Puerto Vallarta.

During the afternoon we had lots of time to tour the ship, sign up for fitness classes and meet Pat's friends, Barb and Olive.



We then had a wonderful dinner with four other interesting passengers - from S.C. and Fresno.
The evening entertainment was great - a sampling of what's to come.

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Location:On board

Panama Canal Cruise - Day 1

My sister, Pat Crane, came from Easton, MD to visit La Jolla for a couple of days before leaving together to embark on our first trip together without parents, spouses or kids.  Just sisters - and 2000 other passengers!

We'll travel onboard the Celebrity Milleneum going west to east through the Panama Canal.  Her friends from "back East," Barb and Olive are joining us, too.