Wonder of the Seas - Day 6, Puerto Plata

Sailing into Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Wonder of the Seas
January 12, 2023

 The day began rainy and overcast. It was the first rain we had experienced on the trip. We did not tie-up until 11 AM and could not get off the ship until about 11:30 AM. Chris and I did leave the ship to visit a place we had not before visited. 

There is not much in Puerto Plata, yet. We explored the cruise terminal area and there are a number of shops and it is clear that the locals are trying to turn the cruise port into a shopping Mecca. There is a lot of construction in the terminal area and based upon the portion that has been completed, the end result is going to be very nice. 

Now for conditions outside the terminal area. We were confronted with a Cozumel-like commotion. Lots of taxis trying to drag Chris and me off to unknown locations. We walked along the street to the edge of the town, there was not much to see and we decided to return to the ship, running the gauntlet in the opposite direction. 

Back on the Wonder of the Seas we were treated to a relaxing afternoon in the Solarium hot tubs enjoying multiple conversations with other travelers. The ship provided an afternoon parade which was more of a show. It was one of the finest parades I have experienced and it surpassed Disney in creativity. 

Dinner was at a specialty restaurant called the Mason Jar. It is a southern style restaurant and the country band was playing live music to accompany our meal in the adjoining bar. It was a great meal and a fun time.

Exhausted, we collapsed into our bed at the end of another full day. 

Today we are in Labadee, Haiti! And the cruise is rapidly coming to a conclusion.

-- Bob Doan, Wonder of the Seas, Labadee, Haiti 

Wonder of the Seas - Day 5: Return to the USA

Castillo San Felipe del Morro
from Wonder of the Seas
Sailing into San Juan Harbor
January 11, 2023

Well, we returned to the USA yesterday although not where we began the voyage. We set foot in Puerto Rico and enjoyed a full afternoon in San Juan. 

Chris and I headed off on our own and visited the two forts and spent time walking through Old Town San Juan as we returned to our trusty ship. It was another busy port day as well. The Wonder of the Seas was the 4th ship that entered the Port of San Juan as we arrived, but a 5th ship arrived while we were exploring the town. I do not enjoy having so many ship in port simultaneously. The lines represented were Oceania, Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, and the late arrival was Norwegian.

Exploring the forts was a lot of fun and reminded me of the Spanish history of the region. We had been to San Juan before and enjoyed the forts, but we took our time yesterday and really immersed ourselves in the historical period to better understand the difficulty that faced the Spanish soldiers assigned to San Juan. 

Upon returning to the ship we enjoyed some time with Patrick and Jen sharing dinner and evening Adult Comedy entertainment. We closed out the day listening to a country music band. Yes, there was a country music band performing live outside of a southern-style specialty restaurant called the Mason Jar. 

Today Chris and I are making our first visit to the Dominican Republic when we land at Puerto Plata. Sadly, I am told it is much like the Mexican port of Costa Maya. Having been to Costa Maya, I understand the possible comparison. 

Tomorrow we head to Haiti! Isn't there unrest there?

-- Bob Doan, Wonder of the Seas nearing Dominican Republic 

Wonder of the Sea - Day 4, Sea Day

Brown Booby
Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic
January 10, 2023

 Day 4 was an at sea day. 

I enjoy at sea days because there is less stress about what are we going to do or where we are going to go. Such was the truth yesterday.

I spent some time trying to image the brown boobys flying next to the ship. That was fun. They are beautiful seabirds who gracefully navigate the winds and surf. I managed a few good images. They were flying in formation with the ship and they were so close. It's was inspiring to watch them fly, dance, and dive into the ocean to gather breakfast. 

Chris and I managed a 2-mile walk around the ship, just for fun. Later I called my Dad and wished him a happy 95th Birthday. Thank goodness for Wifi calling!

Looking Down on a Brown Booby
North Atlantic Ocean
January 10, 2023

The day was punctuated by spending time in the hot tubs and learning the game Magic - The Gathering. I am truly a novice, but the game is very interesting and as complex as one deems it necessary to be. 

We closed out the night at a Karaoke Bar singing. Or attempting to sing. Adult beverages made the event seem even better than it was. 

-- Bob Doan, Wonder of the Sea, North Atlantic headed for Puerto Rico

Wedding on the Sea

Patrick and Jen
Coco Cay, Bahamas
January 9, 2023

 

It was a total surprise. 

Patrick and Jen told Chris and I, as we were enjoying some adult beverages on the first night of the cruise, that they would be getting married while we were visiting Coco Cay, Day 3.

And it happened! 

The assembly, of seven people, gathered around the happy couple at a preselected spot on the Cay and witnessed the joyous union of two of the greatest and most deserving people on the planet. 

The Newly Married Couple
giving a Shout-out to Jeremy
Coco Cay, Bahamas
January 9, 2023

Both Chris and I were honored to be among the small number of people present at the ceremony. There were many more people who could not be present physically, but who were there in spirit.

Congratulations to the newly united couple!

-- Bob and Chris Doan, Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic

Wonder of the Seas - Day 3, Coco Cay

 

Wonder of the Seas
Coco Cay, Bahamas
January 9, 2023

They call it a Perfect Day at Coco Cay. Chris and I had never been to the island before even though we had sailed on many Royal Caribbean ships before. Turns out that the saying is true. It was a perfect day. 

We enjoyed ourselves immensely during the roughly eight hour sojourn to the Royal Caribbean playground. Mostly, we enjoyed being with friends and family exploring the island and its offerings. 

The water slides are many and varied. I did the tallest and the fastest. I even did one where the floor drops out beneath me. I also did one the Chris and I could enjoy together. The wave pool was nice and the swim-up bars was better, but the water was a bit cool for the day. 

Chris enjoying a hammock
Coco Cay, Bahamas
January 9, 2023

For the evening we enjoyed a fabulous dinner at 150 Central Park. A speciality restaurant right off the park in the middle of the ship. 

Today is a sea day. I wonder what exciting adventures we will experience. 

Tomorrow we land in Puerto Rico for some enjoyment and fun.

View of Coco Cay Water Slide Tower
January 9, 2023

Bob Doan, Wonder of the Seas, North Atlantic Ocean near 23.75904° N, 73.44760° W

Wonder of the Seas -Day 2, Nassau

Nassau Port from Popcorn II
Nassau, Bahamas
January 8, 2023

 The cruise continues. Chris and I spent a day in Nassau, Bahamas, and actually found something different to explore. 

We visited the Queen’s Staircase.

 

But before we were able to get there we had to navigate the 20,000 or so people who were getting off the 6, yup count them, cruise ships in port. Three of which were Royal Caribbean ships. Patrick was able to fly his drone and obtained this really cool image of the port with all 6 ships. You have to look close because only the very stern of one can be seen. It is a stunning image. 

Patrick, Jen, Chris, Me
Base of the Queens’s Staircase
Nassau, Bahamas
January 8, 2023

 The Queen’s Staircase was built in the late-1830s by freed slaves as a tribute to Queen Victoria. It comes down the hill from the fort and was carved out of solid limestone. It is impressive. We took a short taxi ride to the top of the stairs, walked down the stairs and then, stopping only to fly Patrick’s drone, Popcorn II, walked back into town. Total cost was $5.

After that we enjoyed some time in a local establishment and then returned to the ship to watch the final week of the NFL season. 

For the evening, Chris and I enjoyed the aqua show on the whip which is titled, Intense. And it is. Very enjoyable and worthwhile  it was good to be on a ship with real entertainment.

— Bob Doan, Wonder of the Sea, Coco Cay, Bahamas

Wonder of the Seas Vacation - Day 1

 

Midnight Party 
Wonder of the Seas
January 7-8, 2023

Writing from aboard the largest cruise ship in the world this morning finds me nearing the Bahamas and struggling, as usual, to master the internet service being provided. 

It was quite a process getting about 6,000 passengers on board, but it went smoothly and once on board the immensity of the ship really hits home, especially after traveling on a smaller ship just two months ago. 

Sunrise over the Atlantic
Wonder of the Seas
January 8, 2023

We enjoyed a solid dinner and adult beverages while finding time to actually unpack our suitcases and then head to the Promenade Deck for the midnight balloon drop. I videoed the balloon drop, but it seems streaming video is blocked by the internet service and so I can't load it to YouTube for use on my blog.

Today we get to enjoy Nassau. I believe we will be arriving about 9 AM. And then it is off for fun and adventure.

-- Bob Doan, Wonder of the Seas, at sea

Banyan Tree

Banyan Tree
Tequesta, FL
January 6, 2023

 On one of my biking routes there are a couple of Banyan Trees. 

One, in particular, is very large. Not as large as the banyan tree in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, which covers a whole city block, but large for this area. It takes up a significant area and provides a natural rest stop in the shade. 

The tree, on a corner, is where I usually pause to take a water break and just enjoy the day. Yesterday, although a bit cool when I was riding, it was only in the mid-60s was another perfect South Florida day.

Sadly, the image does not really provide the true sense of just how big this tree has grown until you notice the house next to it on the right.

I enjoy recording sights from my rides. I only did 16 miles yesterday because of the cool weather, but it was another great ride. I have to admit, I actually wore a long-sleeved fleece-lined hoodie to keep warm.

Today--Chris and I are off to Port Canaveral to begin a week long journey on Wonder of the Seas, the biggest, baddest cruise ship in the world. Chris believes that size matters!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Friday-eve

North Fork Loxahatchee River
Tequesta, FL
January 5, 2023

Thursdays remain special days for me. 

I remember when I was working that I had a countdown to the weekend beginning on Wednesday--which is Hump Day. Thursday is Friday-eve, and Friday is simply the last day of the workweek and I was hoping to get out of work on time or a wee bit early to get a start on the weekend with our friends at Happy Hour.

Friday-eve, yesterday, was a very busy day and it needed to be as Chris and I are preparing to sail off on another Caribbean adventure beginning on Saturday. 

We began the day with a 15-mile bike ride which helped ensure that we would appreciate yet another glorious South Florida day. The image posted above, taken while as we paused on the Loxahatchee River Bridge in Tequesta for a water break, says it all. The day was glorious. The ride was gentle and enjoyable. 

Upon arriving home, however, Finnegan made it clear that he needed a walk--right now! And so, we headed out on a 1.5 mile walk to make the dog happy. I made a small tactical error in deciding to break in a new pair of sandals on the walk.

What happened next? A trip to Costco. It is about a 30 minute drive to Costco and so we do not make the trip until we are desperate.

Wait! We had an early lunch before going to Costco because we never go the the store on an empty stomach!

By the time we returned from Costco, it was 2:30 PM and we started packing for the cruise. I watched some of the Republican insanity in the House of Representatives, but we began packing and then enjoyed had an evening full of friends, including some former neighbors from Elkridge who were passing through. 

What a full day! And it was Friday-eve. I wonder what fun we will enjoy today. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Through the Screen

 

Through the Motorized Screen
Tequesta, FL
January 4, 2023

Chris and I made a minor, but significant upgrade to the patio. We had a motorized screen installed. The screen keeps the leaves and debris off the patio, but more importantly, it allows me to sit outside without being covered by bug spray on beautiful evenings. I wrote briefly about it yesterday, but decided to expand on the item a bit. 

Last evening after the sunset, I looked out at the moon rising above the senior citizens living center next door through the screen. It actually reminded me of Elkridge and looking out through the screens on the porch during the nighttime hours. It made me happy.

I actually have an image to post with this item, but Blogger is having problem this morning and will not let me add the image to this blog. Hopefully it will resolve itself later in the day. I added the image to the Facebook and Twitter items. 

The screen added a surreal look to the scene!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL