Travels of Jackie and Randy

12/11 Chacchoben Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya

Today was our first day off the ship so we met in the Windjammer for an early breakfast, then went to the Orpheus theater to await our turn to leave. We were headed out to see some Mayan ruins and we had to sign a waiver; I didn't really read it but fortunately that didn't matter - the jist of it was don't be a destructive jerk, and I don't need a document to know that.

Coming ashore we looked across the water to see a picturesque town. So picturesque that I know it was built to please the tourists. They did a great job - it does look charming!

And then, just like that, the touristic section was over. Welcome to the real town.

Although they do have a very clean and tidy gift shop.

Our guide was Vladimir and our driver was Sergio. Sergio didn't have much to say but Vladimir made up for that. He started out by saying the Yucatan peninsula has no mountains. It has a flat limestone layer and underground rivers which creates sinkholes (aka Cenotes, which is a Yucatec Mayan word that has survived to our time). He said the peninsula is where the meteor that killed the dinosaurs landed.

The path to the ruins was smooth and walkable, even with the young trees growing randomly in the middle.

Just off the path was an absolute jungle. I like it that way, and nobody was tempted to go off path.

That encompassing jungle works wonderfully to hide the ruins from sight until the last minute for maximum impact!

I think he said this one was an observatory.

A local joke is that the pyramids are only still here because they were too heavy to steal. Probably true. And when someone asks where the Mayans disappeared too, the answer is that they are still here, too - they are these local people. Also, the Mayan calendar included Leap Year!

About this time I got very distracted by the amazing trees. Vladimir said that much of this land had been cleared to access the pyramids and the forest near it was replanted as late as 1995! But not all the pyramids have been excavated and surely some of the trees nearby are older - they are so interesting!

As we walked to another pyramid, Vladimir mentioned that many ruins have not been excavated yet. All along our walk the trees and rubble hid or camouflaged pyramids or walls.

To our surprise (and joy) there were several pyramids. We'd walk on a path cleared through a bit of jungle, and there would be another beautiful pyramid. I like my ruins to look their age and not be too spruced up, so I thought these were perfect.

We'd climb the steps and peer into openings, wondering what they were really used for. Probably nothing good.

Vladimir had more information for us, such as the fact that the Mayan calendar included leap year. And he passed around some local spice leaves that smells like cloves, although if you bite it, it will numb you a bit, like a mild pepper.

And one of these pyramids was where women and children were sometimes sacrificed for rain.

And local trees produced the stuff used in the original Chiclets. The trees release a latex-like substance when their bark is damaged and locals would use it to clean their teeth. Somehow businessmen decided to use it for Chiclets. So the trees would be hacked with a machete to make the sap flow into containers at the base of the tree. Vladimir also mentioned that the machete guys would pee on the sap to speed the sap flow - that fact didn't make it into the brochures.

Nearby was a special stone that Vladimir said was used to offer alcohol, fruit to the dead. It points east and west to help dead out of this world and into underworld.

He kept sharing information with our group but I didn't hear because I was dawdling behind to admire the trees.

Vladimir had hired Luis, a local guy, to help keep us together, like a sheepdog hearding up the strays. That was me. I was always behind everyone else because I was loving those trees! He never hurried me; eventually he understood I was strangely interested in unusual trees and starting pointing out the interesting ones!

I missed the entire conversation about this interesting stone with writing on it. Too bad, I would have enjoyed that.

More ancient pyramids! This one might be the temple of the sun.

I lost track of what their names are. Just admiring them.

Luis was so nice. Besides making sure I didn't get lost, he took photos for us.

Selfie!

At the last pyramid people were looking up so we did too. And there were several small monkeys playing around in the branches. They were too fast to photograph clearly so we just enjoyed watching them.

Then it was time to get back on the bus and head to the ship. Vladimir talked the whole ride but I didn't hear anything except that Yucatan either means I understand you or I cannot understand you (not really helpful). We drove through the town again.

We were dropped off at that touristic shopping area near the dock.

One thing I would have done if I felt we had the time was the "fish pedicure". You put your feet into big fishbowls full of tiny fish who will nibble on your toes.

We stopped for a photo op, then headed back to the ship.

The first thing to do was take a nap! Then the group went to play Trivia but I kept napping. I got up in time for dinner, though and I'm glad I did - my spaghetti was excellent and our wine tonight tasted like Christmas in a glass!

The group went to see the late show while I headed right back to bed. Maybe I'll catch up on my sleep on this trip.

12/10 Day at sea

We met for breakfast in the Windjammer. As expected, there was a lot to choose from so everyone got something they enjoyed! Then we spent a little time figuring out how to use the Royal Caribbean app for texting. For something that is for the guests' convenience, it's not very user-friendly, but Randy got sorted out.

Then we went our separate ways. The ship was rocking but not too bad, and the weather was nice so Randy and I went for walk around the ship. I started out OK but had to go back to the cabin to put on my knee brace.

At 11 we all met for movie quote trivia. We are pretty good guessers but they had some strange questions. So after not winning at trivia, we went to the upper deck for sun-tanning and drinks. I got Randy the drink-of-the-day and got myself a Bahama mama - that was really good!

By then it was time for lunch so back to the Windjammer, followed by a relaxing nap.

We spent a little time looking at the shops and then, what do you know, it was time to eat again! Dressy dinner tonight. While trying to get ready, we kept struggling with the small size of our cabin - there isn't room to move around and it's very hard to get on the bed on one side. Finally I moved the small couch around, piled the luggage and a small chair on it, and it was at least functional.

Dinner was good and everyone looked great! We talked about going to the evening show (a hypnotist) but Randy was a bit overheated and I like an early bedtime when cruising, so we headed back to the cabin and let the others enjoy the show.

2/9 First day at sea

Our hotel offered a small breakfast, which was enough since we are planning on hitting the ship's buffet soon. After breakfast Randy and I went for a small walk. We went into one of those cigar shops; no ladies rolling cigars on their thighs but lots of quality cigars, including Davidoff, which we first encountered year ago in Europe.

Further on we found a craft sale set up. They had some great quality items but nothing we wanted to carry on a cruise.

The roosters had apparently cuddled together overnight in the shrubs because now they were waking up, ready to start their day as protected ambassadors for Ybor.

It was here that I saw the perfect representation of Ybor: a cigar smoking rooster!

Nearby was the James Joyce Irish Pub. It wasn't properly open for the day yet but we were welcomed inside to look around. It looks very good and has the requirements of an authentic Irish pub: a cheery fireplace, tv for sports, and lots of beer on tab.

This one also had a Christmas tree/tower of whiskey.

Too early for whiskey so back to hotel to play cards with Aaron and Glenda.

Randy and Krissy joined us to wait for the bus that would take us to the port. And the bus picked us up on time but then it had to turn around and go back to pick up someone who wasn't ready on time. They added lots of luggage in an already full luggage area. When we got to the cruise line we found that the back door wouldn't open because the excess luggage had slid around and jammed the lock. The driver spent 5 minutes or more trying to get it open; at one point Glenda slide her slender self through the narrow open area near the door to try to clear the lock from the inside. Eventually a nearby cab guy told our driver how to do it.

We are once again surprised how easy it is to get onto the cruise - just go through a couple of lines, then up to the 9th floor and the Windjammer for lunch. We can't get a regular dinner seating until 7:15 which is a bit later than we wanted, but it will work.

We all went to find our cabins even though the luggage wasn't there yet. Randy put on the swim shorts and went out. I went out later, couldn't find him, and enjoyed the hot tub for awhile by myself.

We all met up in Schooners for trivia. Didn't win, but it was fun.

Later we joined Randy R and Aaron on the front of the ship, dolphin-spotting and bridge-watching.

Ahead was the Sky Bridge - a bridge that was build extra tall in the center so ships could go under it. But there won't be much clearance.

It's a pretty bridge, too.

Closer and closer...

Until we were directly under it.

I am sure the man on the right was looking up with binoculars, but it really looks like he is gesturing in horror at how close they are!

As expected, the ship sailed under the bridge and out into the gulf. Now it was time for dinner! Everyone's dinner was pretty good, I just didn't care for mine.

We had talked about going to the movie tonight but it started before we finished dinner. It was really windy outside so we stayed inside, shopping for lanyards to hold our sea cards, since we need to carry those at all times.

Then we watched them light the tall, tall Christmas tree.

Everyone except me went to watch karaoke; I went to bed and was rocked asleep.

12/8 Ybor

We are going on a cruise with the Snyders and the Reddicks - awesome! It sails from Tampa and since we are driving there and they are flying in, we all met in Ybor the day before to relax and still be sure to make the cruise on time.

And we could use the relaxation. Last week we took the truck in for what seemed like a minor fix and it's still not done, so we have no vehicle. We rented a car for a week but don't want to leave a rental at the hotel so Randy arranged for an Uber with Loren and Betsy, some folks we know from church.

Then on Thursday we learned that our Pet Sitter was not feeling well. She offered to take Shorty anyway and have her sister look after him if she's not able, but I didn't think she needed the extra stress. I reached out to Donna who patiently listened to my waffling about what to do (Shorty at our home or at hers?) then let us drop Shorty off in the morning, which we did with the help of our neighbor's car.

Since we would not be parking the truck at the hotel as we originally planned, we tried to cancel the week-long parking reservation. However, the hotel refused to cancel it.

Our Uber friends got us on the road on time although it seemed like their GPS was avoiding highways so the ride took longer than it should.

When we got to the hotel, the staff still would not cancel our parking; I'd had enough and broke down crying in the lobby. Kind of embarrassing but I couldn't help it. Oh, and my Rosacea broke out from the stress. Peachy.

We checked in and shortly the Snyders and Reddicks arrived, which made everything better. We are all staying on separate floors but it's just for one night. We met up in the lobby and walked out to see the city of Ybor. What we found was that Ybor has a lot of Cigar shops. They advertise with posters of ladies rolling cigars on their thighs; pretty sure that's not how it's really done.

And there are a lot of free-range chickens here. They walk around proudly as is they own the place.

This neighborhood reminded me of New Orleans; the wrought iron railings were festooned with lights, which, during the day, looked similar to Mardi Gras beads.

The sidewalks are made with large octagon pavers. People could buy some to help pay for it so some are marked with peoples' names. But Ybor let folks put whatever they chose, like love appeals or tributes to Batman.

We decided to have lunch at Bernini's, an Italian restaurant located in an old bank building.

They served bread with herbed butter and those long thin breads sticks like we had in Venice. Lunch was pretty good - Randy had Fettuccine Bolognese and I had a Chicken Parmesan sandwich. The restaurant name appears to reference Gian Lorenzo Bernini, based on the drawings on the wall and room decorations. He's the dude who created the amazing "Ecstasy of Saint Teresa", which we saw in Rome. They had other stuff here.

Nearby we could get on the little local train. It's a free ride around the area so why not? The train itself is lovely, all gleaming wood and clear glass. The seat backs were switchable; at the end of the line the conductor walked down the aisle, flipping them so the seats faced front without turning the train around. It was almost empty when we got on but got completely full by the end of the line.

At the end of the line we walked around to see where they were setting up for a festival, looked across the river, then took the train back to the hotel.

Everyone decided to walk out again but after a few blocks I gave up and went back to the hotel; I was exhausted from my emotional day. The group caught the train back to dock to see the lights at night. That would have been pretty but there weren't any lights, so they came back and the guys got a big pizza for dinner. Great decision! By 8pm I was beat and called it a day.

Christmas in Leesburg

Leesburg put on their annual Christmas festival this weekend. As usual, there were games, entertainers, good fair food, and tall stilt-walkers. We didn't see the world's greatest Santa Claus; I hope he showed up later for the kids. But as a bonus, this year they had a real ice rink!

And a very, very long parade. We watched for almost an hour before we realized it wasn't going to end soon. Then we walked back along the parade route the length of the the main Street and around 2 more blocks, trying to trace it back to its starting point; eventually we gave up. Lots of unusual and entertaining floats this year. This little town really puts on a great Christmas festival!