March 22, 2019

Oranjestad, Aruba

Pat and Tom, Patty, and I met at 10 to walk around and do some last minute shopping.  There were some nice shops in the terminal and some new stalls with souvenirs.  We walked for down the street by the water and did some window shopping of high-end jewelry and some shopping for less prices items.

We were back on the ship by 12:30 and had lunch in the Lido and then did some knitting.

We only had 10 out of 19 at afternoon trivia.  Two teams tied for the win with 14.

1) Who was the author who created Hannibal Lechter?

2) Which jazz trumpeter was nicknamed “The Prince of Darkness”?

3) The first Miss World beauty pageant winner was from which country?

4) What instrument did Marilyn Monroe play in “Some Like It Hot”?

5) How many inches in diameter is an official NHL puck and how much does it weigh?

Our last sail-away was just after trivia and I watched from my deck as Aruba disappeared as we moved away. We tied with one other team with 14 out of 18 in evening trivia.

1) What is the color of mourning in Japan?

2) Which is not nocturnal – bat, mole, or guinea pig?

3) In Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast”, what was the name of the candlestick character?

4) Whose funeral in 2005 was attended by 5 kings, 4 queens, and 70 Presidents and Prime Ministers?

5) What is the only planet not named for a Greek or Roman god?

Pat and Tom, Ann and Pat, Patty, Sherita, and I ate in the Canaletto.  There was a lot of food and we shared.

The show tonight was Jim Curry with a tribute show of John Denver songs.  He was good.

From my deck (morning)

In town

From my deck (sail-away)

the airport

Afternoon trivia

1) Thomas Harris

2) Miles Davis

3) Sweden

4) Ukulele

5) 3”, 6 ounces

Evening trivia

1) White

2) Guinea pig

3) Lumiere

4) Pope John Paul II

5) Earth

Smooth sailing until next time!

March 21, 2019

Willemsted, Curacao

Pat and Tom, Patty, Lance and Sue, and I were on an excursion set up by Sherita.  We met at 8 am and were among the very first off the ship.  There was a bit of a mix-up on where we were meeting the guide but we eventually found him.

Unlike other excursions, this one started out with a box hunt.  Last year the ship sold boxes for sending items home.  For whatever reason (they never told us but I have heard a rumor) there are none this year.  Both Patty and I needed a box or a cheap suitcase.  Our guide, Larry, first took us to a FedEx store but it was not open yet.  We then went to a DHL store and after waiting about ten minutes were told they do not sell boxes.  Back to the FedEx store where we found they did not sell boxes either.  Larry then took us to a movers and we were each able to get a box (for $3 each).  Now the real tour could begin.

We headed to Shete Boka on the north coast.  Shete Boka means seven inlets and it has amazing views along the coast.  We visited the blowhole at Boka Pistol.

The next stop was at Playa Piskado (Fishermans’ Beach) where we saw men cutting fish up and the most beautiful sea turtles.  Many people were snorkeling in the water along with the turtles.

Lunch was next at Rancho el Sobrino.  They had some beautiful birds including some caracaras.  Very interesting items decorated the restaurant including a bed hanging from the ceiling and a Renault parked by the tables.  I had a crabmeat baguette which was very good.

We were going to go swimming at Kenepa Beach but it was drizzling and nobody really wanted to get in the water.  Instead, we took some pictures.

Our last stop was at the Jan Kok salt flats to see the pink flamingoes who all seemed to be snoozing while we were there.

On the way back to the ship we had a drive through the city area and were able to see the Queen Juliana swinging bridge (moves to allow in ships) come back into place.  Three people got out to walk around but since I had a box, I needed to go back to the ship.

It was almost trivia time when we returned.  We only had 9 out of 17 in afternoon trivia.  The winners had 11.

1) What famous guitarist pioneered the solid body electric guitar with Gibson?

2) What was first patented in 1750 with a recipe of mainly fish and fish bones?

3) What letter is used to represent the holes in the body of a violin?

4) What color is a huckleberry?

5) How many eyelids does a cat have?

I ate at my other table and had shrimp bisque soup, crostini with tomatoes, nasi goreng, and a while chocolate sundae for dessert.

In evening trivia we had 10 out of 18 with the winners having 11.

1) Who was the first author to get three books on Oprah’s book list?

2) What nation boasts the most donut shops per capita?

3) Who was the first president to dance onstage with Ricky Martin?

4) What nation is home to the Great Bear Rainforest?

5) What mountain range separates Casablanca from the Sahara Desert?

At 9:00 we had Name That Tune with Stevie.  We won with 20 correct.

All aboard was at 11:30 pm and I was out on my deck watching our penultimate sail-away.

Last port tomorrow.

From my deck

Shete Boka

spot the lizard

Playa Piskado

cutting up fish

beautiful markings

Lunch

caracaras

bed

car

Lance had the iguana stew

Kenepa Beach

Jan Kok salt flats

Street scenes

trupials

beautiful yellow tree (many more on the hillside)

flag of Curacao

My very good dinner

Afternoon trivia

1) Les Paul

2) Glue

3) F

4) Blue

5) 3

Evening trivia

1) Toni Morrison

2) Canada

3) George W. Bush

4) Canada

5) Atlas Mountains

Smooth sailing until next time!