Hi Everyone! Just returned from a two week voyage that covered almost 5,000 miles. The next couple of days will be filled with a few stories from our journey. Wireless internet was available on our ship, but with a price of about $1.00 a minute, I couldn't justify spending my time and money using the internet except to communicate with my family. Thanks for your understanding during that time.
It was an ordinary day. Our first stop on our Panama Canal cruise. Cabo San Lucas, which is located at the southernmost tip of the 1000 mile long Baja peninsula. After a full day at sea,
eating our way from deck to deck, we arrive at Cabo. We are on the Celebrity Millennium which was at port in San Diego, CA. Cabo lies near the misty border of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. At the point where they meet lies towering rock formations and the famed Los Arcos (The Arches), These arches have been carved out of the jagged cliffs by the pounding surf and they mark the point where the deep blue ocean meets the a
qua-green sea. Cabo San Lucas does not have deep water docking facilities, so we had to utilize the ships life boats to take us ashore. 2,000 people wanting to get on shore instantly. Hey, I’m first! The ship arrived at 10:00 AM and everyone had to check their tour tickets to see where they were supposed to meet on the ship so they could depart in a reasonable amount
of time. Our tour started at 11:30 AM, so we did have some time before we were tendered ashore. Carol and I went on a “Coastal Highlights Tour” of the city which is located in Mexico. We were quickly reminded that we were in Mexico when the ship was met in the harbor by Mexican Border Patrol boats with troops on board that carried automatic rifles. After arriving at the dock, we were greeted by more armed military and local policia, as we met our tour guide and boarded an air-conditioned bus. Air temperature was in the 90s so the bus was welcomed.
We traveled a few miles to “The Glass Factory” where we were given a few demonstrations in the art of glass blowing. Talk about a hot job! We followed the guide into the factories showroom where we could buy what we saw being made. Carol and I passed on this opportunity. Next stop was a few more miles along the coast and up into the hills overlooking
Cabo for a photo opportunity and a free drink. The Sunset Da’Giorgia Restaurant provided us with a great view of the harbor with our ship, the "Millennium" at anchor. Getting really hot now! Back in the bus for a trip to San Jose del Cabo to visit the mission church which was established in 1734, and the town square. Mexico is celebrating their Bicentennial this year so the town is decorated with red, green and white banners. After touring the church and the square, we opt for a Popsicle from the Paleteria Tropical. Hit the spot! After boarding the bus again we traveled to the “Cacti Mundo” to view the over 750 s
pecies of cacti that were on display. Now I can do without this type of stop most times, but this was great. Some ofthe most unbelievable plants you’ll ever see. And sharp! Razor sharp!! Boarded the bus for the final time for our ride back to the pier. Had to naturally visit a few shops on the waterfront and I actually picked out a piece of jewelry that my wife said I could buy for her for her upcoming birthday. A bracelet that had many different types of opals in it including the "fire opal” which comes from Mexico. We were tired campers so we found a tender back to the ship and rested and showered before our evening meal. Only when we walked into the dining room did we realize, we hadn’t eaten anything except a Popsicle since breakfast. We rectified that in the next hour and a half. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - pixs from the top are entrance into the Sea of Cortez, glass blowing and wall showing some of the artwork created, panoramic of the area with our ship off shore, church in San Jose del Cabo, flowering cactus and cross section of fire opal.
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