Coralc

Don't let me discourage you Greg! We have been there twice, once on one of our Panama Canal cruises (when it was too hot), and the second on Southern Caribbean. I think last time was shortened by a medical emergency. Sometimes we just get port fatigue in the Caribbean. We are not cruisers that have to get off and do anything. And we sleep late on vacations. My live reviews would be very boring. Our delightful and very sarcastic room attendant on Serenade was so funny. He has worked for RC for 22 years. We had to get up early for the turnaround. He saw us come out of the room and said, "OMG. Did I miss the alarm? Do I need to get my life jacket? What are you doing up so early?" 😄 We are not Caribbean port experts. And we have been going to them for many years. You probably can't just go by my opinion. Although we (personally) missed a couple in Europe, too. On a Transatlantic, because of the stupid kennel cough, that seems to go around on such cruises.

Thunder vests. They are supposed to be helpful for dogs. Cats? Probably not so much. 😊

Thanks! I think I would put a cutting board over it. It could be moved out of the way. They even sell those flexible ones now.

I think we have been to Cartegena twice...and never got off. The first time I went out on the balcony and felt the massive heat and humidity, and just said no. It is too hot. I would just melt. I'm sure it is a nice port, and I would like to see the animals. Maybe one of these years. ☺️We just borrowed the tour photos our friends took for the photo album.

The prices are insane for a few hours on the beach, in a cabana, or at the Beach Club for lunch. But people must be paying the prices. I feel really sorry for people that booked BC on our cruise in March. It was freezing cold, really windy and rainy, and red flag warnings for the water.

Sue, It looks very nice and luxurious. I don't know anything about RV's. So, I have a question. Why is the sink like that with a grate over it, and how do you use it? I understand about water tanks, but I don't get it. Thanks. ☺️

My mom and I went to a family reunion, maybe 40 years ago, for her side of the family. Beautiful home and acreage. I didn't know who anyone was. There were probably 50 people there. Catered. They had a Schipperke, which I thought was a cool dog. And some distant cousin named Paris, was doing genealogy research and for $10, he would send me what he had learned. Scam. I never heard from him. My mom's family had arrived in North America, 20 years after the Mayflower. She was always fascinated by this mythical book that detailed her family's history. The Family Book. (Hint. Aquarium in Chicago) In the age of the internet, I was able to track down a (not inexpensive) print on demand copy of it. I also have a free copy on my e-reader. So, I gave it to her as a Christmas present. Great grandparents, grandparents, some aunts and uncles, parents and her much older (21 years) sister...but not my mom were mentioned. She kind of gave it a cursory look but lost interest after that. And I never had much to begin with. And I am the last of my line. So probably no more reunions. Interesting question though, it made me think. 😊

Bill has a wonky name and I always call him Bill and sign him up for things with his real name. And then he undoes all my work and confuses people, when he says his name is Bill. 🙄

LOL. 😀The A's and Giants had a Bay Bridge Series in 1989, as well. No one really cared until a large earthquake interrupted the first game. 😊 And now the A's are off to Las Vegas, too. To join the Raiders. And except for very dedicated fans, again, no one really cares. It is an annoying situation, because here the owner wanted a new stadium, hotels, retail, residential and public money, which no one was willing to give him. In Las Vegas he is satisfied with just a new stadium and public money. Good for him. 🙄

I don't think you will find one if it is deadheading. LOL 😀

Unfortunately, we have a couple of native ones and the Indian Walking Stick, which this one is. Which is not native, and an invasive species. They are mostly illegal pets that got away, when their owners cleaned out their cages. And since they reproduce by parthenogenesis, they just start new colonies, mostly in Southern California. There is no way to get rid of them really, and since they seem to like feed on English Ivy (which is also invasive) no one does anything about them. 🙄Stock photo from UCIPM

If you go to your County Fair every few years, they usually have great jewelry cleaning products in the vendor building. ☺️ We have purchased several times, there is usually a paste you can apply with an old toothbrush and a liquid for cleaning diamonds and jewelry. We clean our rings and such before we go on vacation. We don't even worry or wonder about what they are selling. ☺️

Thanks! Bobby is on too much medication for a regular pet sitter. We haven't had success with that without a very expensive cost. Plus, he has anxiety. We have decided to forgoe it. And we can just give him a tranquilizer and take him up to the other house while we are working on that one.

Gosh I wish we could book one of these long, we're retired cruises. I keep looking at all of these fabulous itineraries. But we can't until Bobby is gone, the house is finished and sold, and we are moved. We love Bobby, even though he is obnoxious. I keep thinking all those things will happen by some future date. 🤔 And then Bill is quick to remind me that I said the same thing about Polly, the cockatiel. "He won't be around forever." Polly went on to live 19 years. We love our pets. But we would like to travel more. ☺️

It was near the Bar. And way aft of Johnny Rocket's. Nowhere near the restaurants. I haven't yet had a big black 'S" tattooed on my forehead, but it is about at that point.

That sounds like a pretty awful place for smokers. It is really windy up there.

Heat Wave! We're getting a heat wave, supposedly. It is supposed to start on Friday and last over the weekend. Thank goodness, because it is still freezing at our house. Maybe I can finally switch to shorts instead of sweats for a few days.☺️

Where the License plate goes, maybe? (should have read further, apologies)

The condition is fine. I love the location. It is close to the pier and the free trolley stop is right in front of the hotel. You can take it into Ybor City. Publix is a short walk away. It was our first and last cruise in March during Spring Break. The ES was $300+/ night at that time. The airfare was also ridiculous. But we wanted to sail with our friends. ☺️

Thank you! That's really interesting. We definitely have to plan a cruise to that part of the world. ☺️

How cute! Are those just regular old feral sheep? They don't seem to be pastured or anything. I love all your beautiful photos. ☺️

I keep forgetting to tell you Sue. Tampa Hotels: We stayed at Embassy Suites in March. It was very expensive. You mentioned Home2Suites in your post. We were booked there on one of our cancelled cruises. But also check the Hampton Inn pricing. Home2Suites and Hampton are in the same building/complex and have the same amenities, free breakfast, etc. It is kind of weird, they are in the same building.

That's disappointing Greg. But better to know, than not know. And it is wonderful to have a diagnosis and opinion from someone you trust implicitly. I love my orthopedic surgeon. I wanted to have hip resurfacing instead of a full hip replacement. He is young, and very engaged. He pursed his lips and shook his head, and said, "No can do. Not a candidate. You need a full replacement." ☺️ We don't always get what we want. And maybe this one will go better. Ask @NHProud who her husband's surgeon was?

Sorry. I am still thinking about cold, and sheets. All the folks in sweltering climates are probably not thinking about them. We started off with flannel sheets during the winter, because they were a lot warmer than our usual Percale. And then we discovered CuddlDuds sheets! Which are light-weight fleece sheets. Oh My Gosh! They are so warm and cozy and comfy! Our utility bills are insane here during the winter. We have usually switched out by now. But we still have the CuddlDuds on. I don't usually recommend products, but we were amazed by how cozy these are. Kohls carries them and I bought another set on clearance when our Kmarts closed. I think if anyone in cold weather climates tries them, they might be pleasantly surprised.

I would drop it if we could quit booking cruises. Next time we book, I think I will try to use up most of the points and switch to the BofA general travel card.