Day 3 - Disney’s Animal Kingdom

So today we had the thrill of doing something for the first time!  The day was all about visiting the brand new incredible ride “Flight of Passage” in the land of Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It is the reason we changed hotel rooms from Universal to Disney. You see Disney patrons had early admission to Animal Kingdom today. Early admission was at 7 am and the general public wasn’t allowed in until 8 am. 

And in heeding the advice of all my friends (thank you Gail and Susan) they warned me of the lengthy standby lines to get on this ride if you didn’t have fast passes or arrive early in the morning.   I tried getting fast passes for this ride about 50 days in advance and they were already sold out. So the friends were right, it was the star of the show at Animal Kingdom - and there are some pretty stellar rides there too ( African Savannah and Expedition Everest are family favourites in addition to Dinosaur)!

In getting up at 5:15 am again (remember this is like 3 am our time and this is our third day in a row getting up at this hour), we ate breakfast in the room, checked out of the hotel and left our luggage with luggage services.  We drove ourselves to Animal Kingdom knowing the shuttles would get us there later (since we got lost driving in the dark and the mist and the lack of a GPS for this drive that may not have been the case). We arrived at the gates st 6:40 and followed the crowds of people walking to the land of Pandora, the new section of park based on the James Cameron movie named Avatar. J wanted to stop and ask for directions and I told him there was no need - that EVERYBODY in the park would be walking directly to this ride. And I was right - everybody was walking towards the Flight of Passage ride. We arrived at the end of the line about 7:05 am - and by 8:30 we had finished the ride. The fact that we arrived in the dark with mist hanging in the air added to the mystery and beauty of the vegetation surrounding the ride! The actual thrilling part of the ride where should are sitting in fancy bicycles and looking out over the land of Pandora, much like Disneyland’s Soarin’.  By the time we walked off the ride, the standby line was 270 minutes long. That would have been more than 4 hours in line for us had we been arriving with the rest of the non Disney hotel guests about that time.   So we were very glad for the early start and the experience!

Of course we enjoyed the African Savannah (J & L) Expedition Everest (not J, he gets too motion sick on that ride), and Dinosaur a couple of times.  The boys rode Kali River Rapids when Expedition Everest broke down as they were in line using their fast passes, so Disney gave them another fast pass loaded on their Mickey wristbands that work as room keys, fast passes and charging machines!

We ate lunch at Flame tree Barbeque sitting overlooking the water.  By 1:30 the park was really busy and we had seen what we really wanted to so we returned to Port Orleans French Quarter to retrieve luggage and hit the road for Fort Lauderdale. By the book Orlando to Ft Lauderdale is 3 hours. Add in traffic and toll roads and that drive became 4 hours without any pit stops. 

Once at the Hampton Hotel North Airport we moved all our luggage into the room and happily walked across the street to Winn Dixie for the usual road trip supper of going to a grocery store to buy exactly what you want to eat for supper. Healthy,  not too expensive and interactive to shop for - we enjoyed our shopping expedition!  With a microwave and fridge we were all set to enjoy supper!  Good thing we brought our own cutlery from home!

Must go to bed and sleep as long as necessary tomorrow morning!

Day 2 - Universal Studios

The alarm at 5:15 am was rather startling considering that felt like 3:15 am our time. Hmm , two days in a row with a 3 am alarm!!  But we were on a mission. We knew that our hotel room key at Cabana Bay allowed us early admission into Universal’s two parks at 7 am this morning.  And that meant getting up, eating hot oatmeal in our room (because the restaurant didn’t open till 6 am - maybe 7 am, I am not sure), checking out of our room, leaving luggage with luggage services and catching a 6:15 am shuttle to the parks. 

We were rewarded with a spot fourth in line at Universal Studios Florida by 6:35 am. They actually opened the gates shortly after 6:45 am. And so we were first in line to ride Despicable Me at 6:55 am!  We immediately headed to the World of Harry Potter and walked right up to ride the amazing Escape from Gringotts ride. That ride is a combination of technology with green screens and an old fashioned roller coaster so it doesn’t make me motion sick. After that we caught a train ride at King’s Cross Station to go to the other park “Islands of Adventure”. We caught the train ride by  by 7:45 - three major rides under our belt in the first hour when the park was just opening to the general public. By the time we left the parks about 1 pm we could see Escape from Gringotts had a 120 minute wait and Despicable Me was a 70 minute wait! 

One downside was waiting in line at Forbidden Journey at Hogsmeade - we waited in line for about 15 minutes when they announced they expected the delay to be significant so we left the lineup. That was shortly after 8 am in the morning so if you had just lined up for that ride first thing in the morning you would have felt you wasted your precious early morning riding time!  

We left the parks, feeling fulfilled but exhausted and headed over to Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter to join J about 2:30 pm. J isn’t that big a Universal fan so he didn’t want to spend the money on a day pass. Once at the French Quarter we relaxed in the room for an hour. P stayed in the room but JG , J and I walked along the path along the river to the Riverside resort. JG was hoping to see an alligator but the most we could hope for was a few lizards!  It was a lovely walk!

We returned to the room and collected P for supper. You could take the boat transit to Disney Spings and that says “vacation” to take a boat rather than a bus for transit!  With a boat ride on both ends, supper ended up taking 4 hours. Dinner at Planet Hollywood was very well received. Dessert at Ghiradelli ( a banana split for the other three and a Starbucks Chai tea latte with soy for me!

Another early start tomorrow so I need to get to bed!  One minute re busy day before calmness and serenity will reign supreme!

Our Adventure Begins Christmas Day!

Christmas Day 2017 has arrived!  We have been planning this vacation for so long I cannot believe it has actually arrived!  So this may be the last year where our family of four has similar vacations so we thought it was a good one to celebrate. In the first half of 2018 our eldest, JG, will graduate from University with a degree in geology.  Our youngest, will graduate from high school and my husband, J, will retire from work so lots of changes on the horizon!  Hence why this vacation has been in the planning for a couple of years now!

The plan is to board a cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale, but to spend a few days in Orlando before that happens. In boarding the ship on the 28th, we counted backwards to work in a day at Universal and a day at Disney so that meant flying out Christmas Day!  We were able to have a fairly ordinary Christmas Eve eating a Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner with great family friends and going to church. We were in bed by 10 pm but the alarm went off at 3 am!

So Christmas Day we ordered a taxi for 3:45 am and because we wanted a van to manage 4 grownups and all the associated luggage they were a little behind schedule. We were picked up and left the house at 4 am, arriving at the airport at 4:15.   Once we cleared security and customs (5 am) we had time to have everybody open their gifts of a new t-shirt and a small selection of chocolates!  Clearly the trip is the gift this Christmas!  We flew to Houston Airport, arriving a bit ahead of schedule at 11 am. With a four hour layover we each chose our preferred food for lunch. JG chose Mexican burrito ( Papacittos) I chose salmon, rice and green beans (Landry’s) and P and J chose smoked brisket and chicken. 

The flight to Orlando was uneventful and had us arriving at 6:15 pm. We picked up our luggage and Hertz rental car without incident. Hertz even gave us a Starbucks gift card as a gift!  Traffic proved to be quite busy even on Christmas Day!  JG, P and I are staying at Universals Cabana Bay to take advantage of early admission into Universal studios tomorrow morning at 7 am. J is enjoying the peace and solitude offered at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter. Dinner at The Hard Rock Cafe was memorable for the effort to get there as opposed to the turkey dinner I thought it offered. Pretty sure we were directed to the wrong restaurant!  We will all be reunited at the Disney hotel tomorrow night. 

Mom st get to bed!  What a wonderful start to the vacation!

Disembarkation

Today I awoke at 5:30 am and by 6 am there was lots of action next door in the room stewards work area. 

LC and I went for one final breakfast in the Lido and it was very busy. Mom ordered breakfast in the room. 

On Holland America you can stay in your own stateroom while awaiting your time slot to disembark. I cleared out of my room and waited in Mom and LC's room so they started stripping down my room. At 8:15 we left our room and then sat in the Oceans Bar awaiting a porter and wheelchair for Mom. Those porters know the operation and the quickest way to move. By the time a porter pushed Mom we were probably through immigration in 15 minutes. 

An uber XL vehicle picked us up and we paid $16.58 for an uber (then added a $5 tip for our luggage)!  Much better than taking a $90 transfer through Holland America!

Our flight through Toronto seems to be on time. It will be good to be home with my family by 9 pm tonight!

What a wonderful vacation. 

Last Day at Sea

I awoke this morning with a phone call from LC advising me we had not moved our clocks back and it was indeed 8 am instead of 7 am. My sister had helpfully reminded me last night that we got an extra hour of sleep - only she was a day ahead of schedule!  I felt particularly groggy because I had taken a gravol to help me sleep - it was particularly rough at midnight last night when the movie ended. 

So off to the dining room we went for one final leisurely breakfast. Today is Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday) so Mom and I had pancakes for breakfast. 

Today there was a rather light offering of organized activities onboard the ship - that allowed ample time to pack up bags getting ready for our impending departure tomorrow. Instead Mom, LC and I went to the Lido deck for a swim and a hot tub in the morning. 

I attended Mariner's lunch in the dining room with Captain Emile de Vries (I and a few hundred other people)!  It was a lovely lunch which offered free champagne if that appeals to you. LC and I then went to a travel presentation entitled Travels with Ian on the World Stage. Our new Port Lecturer shared pictures of sites to see around the world. 

We then walked 3 laps for a mile around deck 3. We then collected Mom from the stateroom to go for a slushy drink around the pool and enjoy our last day!

One last supper in the dining room, a movie around the pool and a duelling pianos set at 9 pm and we were all done!

Our wonderful privileged vacation has come to an end. We are so very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend such memorable family time together. We are blessed. 

Day at Sea

This morning I slept in until 7:30 am and it is the first day that I felt any noteworthy movement on the ship. The Koningsdam, with its 2600 passengers, is a big vessel and with the benefit of calm seas, has felt very stable for the entire cruise. 

Mom and LC joined me in the dining room for breakfast where we got a window seat (after LC requested one)!  Though the Koningsdam is a beautiful ship - the size is a bit big for Mom as our cabins are forward and the dining room is aft so it is always a long walk to go to the dining room for a meal. The Lido is more accessible and central (and one floor up from us) so that is a more manageable distance for Mom. 

LC and I walked the promenade deck - the best views from the promenade deck are at the back of the ship, the stern. Most of the starboard and port sides have views blocked by the lifeboats - so less people walk the promenade than other Holland America ships. There is a very small jogging track about deck 11 and of course treadmills in the fitness centre. It seems many of the fitness classes have a $12 or $20 charge associated with them. 

I spent the morning in the Culinary Arts Centre - at 10 am for a comedic presentation by Cruise Director Carson and at 11am by the pastry chef decorating with marzipan. 

The three of us then ate lunch on the Lido deck. I have chicken Caesar salad - I figure I better have salads at lunch to make up for desserts at dinner!

LC and I attended an "Ask the Captain" session with Captain Emil De Vries on the world stage, where we had a virtual tour of the command centre and engine room. Mom paid $45 to have her hair done for formal night. I then made my way to Lincoln Centre stage for a presentation by the quintet. Cruise Director introduced the artists of Lincoln Centre Stage for a question and answer session. 

The five ladies in the quintet are on the Koningsdam for a 4 month contract. They each auditioned (2 violins, 1 viola, cellist and pianist) and were selected to be a part of the quintet. They practised together 2 weeks on land then came onboard to perform. And they are fabulous. After this 25 minute question and answer session they performed "From Piaf to Peanuts". 

People are committed to this stage - if you wanted a seat for the performance you HAD to be seated for the question and answer session!

The quintet performance was excellent - it moved me to tears. It reminded me that I love to play the piano. I took lessons for ten years and have grade VIII Royal Conservatory in piano and don't play enough anymore. The quintet added on one song at the end in tribute to their colleagues and friends, the dance troupe is performing for the final time tonight as there contract ends with this cruise on March 1st. They performed the song in the afternoon so that the dancers could hear it as both groups would be performing tonight. 

I collected Mom and LC in their verandah room to head up to the Lido deck. Holland America has a bit of a profiteering idea - they close the ice cream shop and leave the gelato station open. Ice cream is free - gelato is an extra $2 for an 8 oz serving and $2.75 for a 12 oz serving. I did have a small cherry gelato and it really was superb. 

Tonight was the second and final gala or formal night. It seems that fewer people are dressing up for these occasions now. Many men wore jackets with ties but a number were without ties and a few in just shirt sleeves. Women wore long gowns, knee length dresses and even dress pants. 

In the menu tonight was surf and turf and it was delicious!  The flourless chocolate cake was the best dessert I have eaten on the cruise. 

The production called "Off the Charts" on the World Stage wss performed in the round and I chose to take a front seat on the stage!!

We closed out the day with a viewing of the movie featuring Warren Beatty as Howard Hughes!

A full day at sea indeed!  We are so very fortunate to have had this time cruising together!

Aruba

What a busy day this has been. We met up with private tour guide, Frances, whom we found through "Tours by Locals" - they are a Canadian based company and offer tours in a number of countries around the world. In this case, we are in Aruba. Hiring a private guide for just the three of us was a good decision as today is Carnival - and many streets are closed. Frances knew how to manoeuvre around this all!

We started with a tour of sites in Oranjestad.  

 The island measures about 12 km by 30 km and is 25 km away from Venezuela. 

We headed to see the Casi Bari Rock formation near the town of Santa Cruz.   

The town of Santa Cruz has the claim to fame that Betico Croes is from here. He took Aruba out of the Dutch West Indies - they were fed up with the dominance of Curaçao and so separated in 1986. 

There is a desalination plant in Balashi. First time visitors are told they must try a Balashi Cocktail- and that is a glass of water!  Balashi also makes one of the three local beers. 

Frances took us to a beautiful local beach called Mangel Halto Beach near the town of Pos Chiquito. There are mangroves, snorkelling and shadey spots!  I learned the thatched roof umbrellas are called palapas. 

Aruba bus transportation is good - a trip from the ship to the resorts (and common beaches) costs $4.50. A day pass costs $10. 

We headed west and visited Alto Vista Chapel where there was a labrynth in the yard. Mom lit a candle in memory of Dad. We had a chuckle as Mom nearly burnt the church down trying to light the candle!!

We stopped at Tierra Del Sol for a bathroom break and our guide told us that ship's tours will bring guests here for a day trip. Looked like a lovely resort and pool overlooking the ocean. 

Other beaches we passed included Arushi Beach. This was very busy. Boca Katalina offers great snorkelling. San Nicholas has Baby Beach and that is a great place to take kids snorkelling. 

The geology student in our house would have been interested in seeing the volcanic rock that erupted some 80 million years ago and coral remains!  Sorry - I was not allowed to take a sample of what remains!

The California Lighthouse is at the far west end of the island. It is named for the ship California that sank there after reportedly failing to respond to the calls for help sent out by the Titanic. 

Frances then drove us to Eagle Beach area where Mom and I went in for a swim. Mom found the surf a little too strong for her to feel comfortable in the water so I walked her out the floated for a few minutes. Refreshed, we returned to her vehicle and headed back to the ship. 

Just before we stopped at Eagle Beach, Frances mentioned we were passing her local bakery and I asked her to stop!  We all clambered out and bought an individual bun that was fresh and a little something to hold is over until supper tonight!

We enjoyed swimming in a quiet section of Eagle Beach!

Frances dropped us off about 1 block away from pier exit and then walked us across the Carnival parade route - still no sign of the parade so we could safely return to the ship!

After a shower and cleanup LC and I returned to the Aruba wifi zone and paid $5 for an hour of free high speed wifi. $10 for the day. We walked out into the street hoping to see the parade and many tourists and locals lined the streets by no parade yet to enjoy. 

So we returned to the ship and LC showered and I updated my blog!

We enjoyed dinner in the dining room followed by by the BBC documentary called Frozen Earth. The footage was filmed in the Artic and Antarctica over four years and accompanied by live musicians. 

We raced to the big screen over the pool to see the Oscars begin at 8 pm. Fun to watch - we had a cabana on the tenth deck to watch the action. By 11 pm we still weren't through 50% of the awards so we headed to bed. 

It has been a great day!