scubacruiserx2

Next up was a quick stop at the oldest part of San Diego - Old Town

Balboa Park Air and Space Museum Spreckels Pipe Organ is hidden in the building and is more than 100 years old

In 1972 when Vietnam was still going hot and heavy I thought that the Navy would be a better option than being drafted into the army . I was told by the recruiter in Miami that I would go to boot camp in Orlando and go to school in Pensacola to be a Photographer's Mate if I signed with them . On the day that I left Miami in December it warm and I wore a short sleeved shirt . I was the only one given a ticket on an evening flight to San Diego and it was near freezing when we arrived there at about Midnight Pacific Time . We spent Christmas and New Year's Eve in Boot Camp and I was assigned to be the Recruit Chief Petty Officer which meant that I stood next to the Company Commander at photo time and I was in charge of the company when the CC wasn't around . https://www.dvidshub.net/news/293835/rcpo-position-offers-leadership-experience-recruits-boot-camp It was perhaps the longest 3 months of my life and when I finished Boot Camp I was assigned Hospital Corp School in Balboa Park , San Diego . After completing Corp School I was assigned to The Camp Lejeune Marine Base in North Carolina and finished with the Navy in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . This was like where we stayed in in the seventies And this is where we hoped to stay - The Del Coronado Some like it Hot

When our color was called we went into the room with the agents and they took a photo of our passports and vax cards and placed a pink polka dot on our cards which we showed to exit the ship after picking up our carry on luggage . Exiting the ship we got our checked bags and crossed the street to meet our waiting guide Marcus . We first took a quick ride to the Midway tied up near us . The local Fire Department was out for some exercise A drive through Little Italy where this restaurant was a old as my wife

Time for a final walk around ship It has been almost 50 years since I first and last set foot in San Diego and some things like Naval Air Station North Island look similar while others like this boat look radically different

Between courses at breakfast I took a quick clip as we came in We just had to wait our turn We prefer to walk around or stay in our room and avoid logjams . It got very crowded here as we were leaving . A little look while we wait The port of San Diego The Regatta in the foreground , the Midway is midway in the photo and the Coronado Bridge is in the distance The USS Makin Island heading out to sea https://www.navysite.de/ships/lhd8.htm

It sure was . After a 19 day day cruise there was a lot of excitement and change in the air .

Is this "The End"? Boy I hope not ! Although some people think that this would be an appropriate ending photo .

First time sailing into San Diego ( 05:32 ) We booked 3 days and nights on Coronado Island Fog for the sail in Last breakfast Sail in at Point Loma A Coast Guard welcome

Last day at sea towel animal parade

A final day and lunch at the Pinnacle

Dinner was the Pinnacle Gala

We did do some walk around time and window shopping These sculptures were made from nuts and bolts and washers and screws The Navigator of the Seas had pulled into port when we were in the city

We were thrilled to be headed back to shore and a Taxi - shore based visit Our driver was close to our age and had a lot of experience in the area and as we spoke we realized that there had been a lot of growth in the area - mostly Americans . We asked for an overview of the area and wound up in a Costco parking lot . He then took us to an area that he said was the Mexican area for a recycled glass blowing exhibition . I 'm always amazed at how much skill that some people have

We have been on many small dive boats with many people of differing swimming levels and boatmanship levels but these ladies we up , down and all around and not obeying the Captain . We had hopped to keep everyone safe but we had our hands full in the moving sea . A clear boat We were relived when they got to go ashore safely After letting them off we had to pick up another couple at a different beach . The lady moved very rapidly toward the boat that was riding a wave to the shore and fell under the bow . Her waist and chest stopped the boat as the next wave pushed it over her . Fortunately she was okay and the husband only cut his foot . We were really glad to land safely and move on to the land portion of the tour with no one hurt .

The people here were the most aggressive that we met in Mexico and were all around us try to sell and rub cologne , sunscreen and heaven else knows what both legal and illegal on and to us . We tried asking several people to phone our guide but most seem to ignore what we were saying and asking and just kept try to sell us . We waited almost half and hour before the first tender from HAL to arrive and they seemed to be in no hurry to come ashore . This guy phoned our guide several times and the message box was full . We phoned the Tours by Local number and spoke to someone in Scotland to try to reach our guide or a replacement guide without success . We finally committed after about an hours wait and he walked us to the marina to board a glass bottom boat . The narrow pier was blocked by a group of ladies dressed alike trying to figure out what to they wanted do . When they finally moved we saw this covered boat and grabbed a couple of seats with a couple of more people and prepared to shove off in the small blue boat . As soon as we started to leave the ladies decided to go and we had to board them and the 10 of us squeezed into the boat for a bumpy ride to the beach near El Arco .

We were up early ( After moving the clocks back an hour ) for room service . This would be our only tender service this trip and it was a long ride to shore . We had requested a phone call from the concierge to let us know when we were clear to go ashore and so down we went . We were the only people waiting for about 15 minutes and they sent us ahead alone on a local tender . We were the first ones from our ship on the dock

Watering the parking lot The beach at sail away After dinner dance

We had only tried the MDR on the first day for lunch . On this day they had a Prime Rib that my wife had wanted to try . They also had a Caribbean Lobster on the MDR menu for an upcharge and so we went to the Club Orange mat when we were hungry . We had wanted to see the dance company for the first time after dinner so that was the plan . French Onion Soup and Escargot to start . Things were fine until the Prime Rib which was tough and chewy . And the Caribbean Lobster was half a cold water lobster that was mushy and soft . It was prepared with Plantains and some rice and a few beans Caribbean style that was also mushy . We did enjoy the desert but hot the main courses at this service .

The view from the retreat A dog , a brat and some fries

A stop for a beer and a band out front

There was a John Steinbeck short story about a pearl diver in La Paz who finds a giant pearl before greed turns it into a human tragedy The water was so shallow here that people just waded to some small boats Jesus and the Seashell Mermaid and a dolphin We saw this in a parking lot near the tourist information and grab a cab near here for less than half price to return Return to the ship

The paved side and the ocean side Breaching Humpback Whale shark

We requested to be dropped at the Cathedral of La Paz to try to beat the crowds On the ocean

We were in bright , early and cool in Pichilingue We were on the edge of the desert about 12 miles from La Paz near a cement plant that seemed to work 24/7 . The Free bus to the beach or the city came about every half an hour and were loaded with handicap people first and filled in empty seats that were left . The bus was going to be full And this was the 2nd line for the bus . We asked if any of the people wanted the cab or wanted to share and there were no takers . The driver offered to be our guide for 3 hours and we told him that we just wanted a ride . He didn't want to change and I asked Pat to stand in the bus line while I tried to convince him to just drive us . After the other bus left he changed his mind and we agreed on a price and we off . We passed the bus after about 5 minutes and enjoyed the 20 minute ride .