Tuesday  4/14/09 11:45pm PDT

Speed: 16.0 kts, Temp: 54.1 degrees, Humidity 63.1%

32 degrees 34’ N 117 degrees 32’ W

Sailed 49.49.9 nautical miles from LA

Sailed 82.2 miles from Ensenada, Mexico

67 nautical miles to LA

Seas: .3 – 1.5ft wavelets, wind: Force 9 Strong Gale

Sea temp 73.4 degrees

This morning we were greeted by barking and they weren’t dogs, sea lions in the waters in Ensenada, Mexico. The weather has held true, it’s overcast and cool, about 65 degrees, so much for having any type of suntan from this trip. We took a short bus ride into town and spent the afternoon soaking up the culture and shopping. We made our first stop at a Starbucks and Marlene said her treat. We all placed our order and the register showed a total due of $162.57 – wish you could have seen Marlene’s eyes pop as she turned to Kim and asked her what the heck she ordered. The total was in pesos (divide by 13), and Marlene relaxed just a little bit. There were two women in Starbucks who were starring at Kim’s ankle, we thought it was her turtle tattoo, but they were admiring her sandals. There was a discussion related to were they comfortable, what kind were they, where did you get them, and where can they be found. Kim referenced e-Bay and they both smiled! A universal techno geek understanding. There were lots of children and women up and down the sidewalk selling small trinkets and they really don’t take “no gracias” for an answer. Kathy stopped in a store, we all followed behind her. She started conversing in Spanish with the storekeeper. Marlene found a fleece jacket that she liked, and then the bargaining began. Kathy did a great job; we should remember to take her with us more often! Bonnie was telling the storekeeper assistant that Marlene was Mom and Kathy was sister, and the assistant asked Bonnie “you are?” Bonnie responded that she was the bad, Cinderella type sister. About then Marlene and Kathy made their purchases and as they walked to the exit, handed Bonnie the sack with the purchases. The assistant smiled “that” kind of smile as Bonnie followed the girls out of the store. We made our way up and down the street window shopping. We by passed the McDonald’s and Burger King and went to El Corralito for lunch. No one had a hamburger, rather choosing from the local foods and of course that included a few peach margaritas!! Kim had a celebration margarita and the rest supported her. A mariachi band came through the cantina and asked Kathy if they could play for us, Kathy responded in her perfect Spanish, that we would enjoy hearing their playing, but her Mother’s ears were broken and it would be very selfish if we were able to enjoy and she wasn’t. They smiled a little smile at Marlene and walked away. Kathy sure comes in handy!! After a “few” servings of fruit, and a few conversations with some of the locals thanks to Kathy, we needed to make our way down the street heading towards the ship. There are lots of liquor stores, pharmacies, souvenirs and then repeat that over again. A stop into a liquor store was on our list and we believe we picked the best. The storekeeper, Victor (yes, we are on a first name basis), was very wise and shared his knowledge regarding Agav (the tequila plant). He brought out four small shot glasses and filled them with a brand of tequila for us to try. Before we had completely finished, he had disappeared around the corner and came back with another bottle, opened it and filled the glasses again. This was a 5 year old cured tequila, and we raised our little shot glasses and toasted to Victor. That was all he needed, once again, back around the corner, and a silver and blue bottle was brought to the counter, this one would be very smooth, said Victor, as he filled up the glasses again. Please remember that we had already had each had at least a “cinco” (translated is 5) Margarita with a floater on top (for a total of 6 shots-5 too many). Marlene started talking in Spanish “bueno, mucho gracias”, Kim asked if there was another brand we should try, Kathy finally started to feel warm and Bonnie was ready for a nap. We saw a few other cruise ship folks and introduced them to our Mexican sommelier Victor. More shot glasses appeared and it started all over again (ever have a feeling of déjà vu?). Finally we made a decision on the type of tequila to purchase and both Victor and his partner sang us out the door, waving as we wobbled down the street. It was time to get to the ship. We boarded our return bus and were waiting for it to fill. The entertainment was a man with a guitar that also thought he was a comedian. He talked to Marlene and asked if she was married, she responded no, and then he said “Sugar Momma, for you, I work for green card”. Then Kathy was responding to him in Spanish and all we could make out was a few of his words, “Barbie”.  After contributing to the comedy show, getting through security at the port and finally on board, we needed to pack. All of our suitcases needed to be outside in the hallway to be transported to the dock in San Pedro for us to pick up. We had to strategize what we need to carry off to ensure that everyone has their “necessities” (undies and makeup). After a couple hours doing the big pack, we had our last dinner with our favorite purring waitress and said our goodbyes. We took in the karaoke finals in the theater which is located at the very front of the ship. The ship is still bouncing around and it was a real challenge to walk down steps. Some trivia for you. What happened 90 years ago today? The Titanic sunk. What happened today in 1865? President Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth. What goes from aft to forward on the starboard side and forward to aft on the port side? This is of course one of Kim’s trivia questions – stumped us all. Did she stump you? The answer is the ship’s name. We heard the groan from here.

On a quick side note, one of the memories we have that was forgotten to blog about when it happened was a hot tub story. Kathy talked Bonnie into going to the top deck to one of the hot tubs late in the evening. No one would be around, it would be relaxing and finally talked Bonnie into going. They got there, got into the tub, and were enjoying the star filled sky, and noticed a technician working by the band stand area, then another. They were talking and it was fairly dark on the sides of the walk way, then the lights came up a bit and they noticed what had been empty chairs and tables were now filled with people and a full band was coming in to play. It seems that the deck area that Bonnie and Kathy were at was the site for late evening music and dancing. After another 30 minutes, Kathy was sitting on the edge of the tub and telling Bonnie that it smelled like something was cooking and it was Bonnie! Kathy wanted to go, Bonnie did not want to get out during a Beach Boys song or any other. Finally, about 45 minutes later, Kathy talked Bonnie into getting out, throwing her towel around her waist and running like mad down the hall to avoid being on the video tape.

We have had other great memories that we will cherish always. Time with family and close friends are special and one should always treasure those moments, tuck them away into the corner of your heart and keep them always. Until we travel again, aloha!!