Eager To Get Home

Dolls for sale at a sidewalk vendor's stand - Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

Sunday, December 11, 2011 - a sea day

Today was spent reading poolside on the Resort Deck.  I did take a swim in the pool.  The show I saw in the theater in the bow of the ship was Dave Meyers playing a "zylothizer."  The show was enjoyable.


Monday, December 12, 2011 - a sea day

Strong winds in the morning are causing white caps and some rolling and pitching of the ship.  The sea is calmer by Noon.  Temperatures are in the mid 70 degrees just 13 days before Christmas Day. I read my Kindle for 7 hours today.  At Noon, we are midway between our last stop of Punta Arenas, Costa Rica now 700 miles behind us and have about 700 miles to go to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - a sea day.  

A calm sea. A very lazy day.  I am starting to wish the voyage will speed up so I can go home to Hawaii.  I have been feeling the "pull" of home a bit stronger each day these past few days.


Wednesday, December 14, 2011 - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico arrival and departure

The weather is beautiful with a bit of haze in the air.  I stayed on the ship except to visit the internet cafe on the dock to check my e-mail.  

I have visited Puerto Vallarta several times in the past.  I feel too tired and unmotivated to make the effort to go down town or to go across the very busy boulevard in front of the Cruise Port to visit the CostCo. Warehouse store over there. 

Disney's Magic at Puerta Vallarta, Mexico

The cruise ships Disney Magic and Crystal Symphony are in port docked near the Inspiration.

The photos below were taken during previous visits.

Performance of an Indian rite - 70 feet in the air!

Performance at an open air pavilion.

Dance to tie a knot while dancing

Demonstration of roping skills 

The traditional Mexican Hat Dance.

Another Indian Dance

Thursday, December 15, 2011 - Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico

I waited until 12:30 PM to avoid the crush of people waiting in line to take a tender boat from the anchorage point several miles out in the bay to the cruise port in Cabo San Lucas.

Cabo is a party town for young people, but I am neither young nor a party person, so I only did a little bit of shopping in the cruise port before returning to the ship after just an hour ashore.  I have visited Cabo a number of times in the past.

Carnival Inspiration at Cabo San Lucas from a tender boat

Children helping to earn tips - Cruise Port at Cabo San Lucas

Dawn boats leaving Cabo San Lucas - Photo taken 2003

El Arco - The Arch at Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Photo from 2003

Whale watching - Pacific Humpback Whale near Cabo San Lucas - Photo 2006

Pacific Humpback whale off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - Photo taken 2006.

The weather today was perfect but cool.  The sun was very intense.  The ship left Cabo at 3 PM.

Friday, December 16, 2011 - a sea day

The Inspiration is racing along through the cool weather at 20 and 21 knots an hour to get to Long Beach, California by tomorrow morning.

The day is sad, particularly at dinner when we say good bye to the wait staff and our tablemates.  

Tonight Ken and I pack for disembarkation in the afternoon. 

Saturday December 17, 2011 - Disembarkation Day

The ship's arrival was not until 10 AM several hours later than anticipated.  But, it was a good chance to get a bit more sleep and to make sure of having a good breakfast before leaving the ship.

The first people off the ship are those who much catch airline flights that leave before Noon from LAX and other local airports.  I am in disembarkation group 7 out of the 25 to 30 groups.  I wheeled only one of my 2 pieces of luggage off the ship myself, the other was picked up the night before and then off loaded to baggage claim inside the cruise terminal.

Ken and I said our good byes and I thanked him once again for making the Panama Canal Cruise possible for me by sharing the cost of the cabin with me. 

Ken will stay in Los Angeles to visit friends and I will be picked up by my sister, Vicki and her husband, Marc. 



Stay tuned in for my next travel adventure - an Alaska cruise.  I shall be more timely in getting the posting finished.

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