Monday, February 19 2007
Monday, February 19 2007
Grand Princess
near Costa Maya, Mexico
10:14
Half-slept from 7:30 to 9:45. Nice w/ the door open. Some sort of annoying hammering sound started at 9 though. Off to breakfast now.
11:43
Just docked at Costa Maya. A local pilot came on board about 30 minutes ago – a skiff came around and approached from port, didn't see the actual transfer but I think he basically stepped right off the bow onto a landing. Then the ship stopped, swung around, and backed in to the pier. A Carnival ship (Liberty) is next to us. Another is nearby, not sure where they will park though.
It's warm in the shade, and hot in the sun. Called M and R, they're getting breakfast, will call back in a few minutes, then we'll figure out a plan. Feeling sleepy / low-energy today so far.
16:15
The hammering outside this morning was new carpet going down in the hallway. Wow.
Disembarked, with M, R, C, and K. The "shops" area off the pier was gross and annoying. Signed up for a snorkel trip – one hour, leaving at 2 PM. Got some tacos – overpriced, under flavored. At 1:45, realized we had to be in Mahahual (a few miles down the road) by 2, and we wouldn't make it because the bus just left. So we got there at 2:15 ($3/person bus ride), and they said to come back at 2:50 for the 3 PM trip. Walked along the "strip" – the down is a long dirt road w/ beach on one side and stuff on the other, mostly shacks. Lots of vendors coming up to advertise their wares / food / drinks / beach space. Went into a taqueria, R got some chicken tacos. Not appetizing apparently, she fed them to a stray dog.
Back to the snorkel place (after changing into my trunks in the "bathroom" at the restaurant – and I came back out to an empty table w/ my backpack sitting under it, unattended – they were all out in the street waiting. Thanks!). Got fins and life jackets. Small little boat, with just room for driver and 10 people. The "reef" was just a bit south. Nervous about dropping into deep water (10-20 feet), but it wasn't too bad. Still had 5 minutes of slight panic. Not many fish – some blues, some dragon colors, one big charcoal angelfish. The coral didn't look in too good shape. not much of it. Started getting some cramps after a bit (30 minutes?) got back on board. The ladder was broken and wobbly, very hard to get into the boat. Sat and talked w/ R (she wasn't feeling well enough to go in the water). The "signal" to the people to get back in the boat was the driver starting the engine up. While people were nearby. There was some discussion about getting food after we got back to shore, but we ended up coming back to the ship (via two taxis, $2/person). Took a shower.
Right as we walked into the "town" at Mahahual, we passed a table full of some other people from the group. I was distracted by being late and all that, so I don't think I even waved. Felt self-conscious about that all day.
19:34
The ship is underway again. Dark outside. Sat outside near the back of the ship for around 20 minutes after sunset (just missed it). Went in to get something to drink – lots of folks eating at the buffet. Ran into a few people. Lots of talk about how "bad" the dinner food has been. I thought it was OK to very good. Still looking forward to it tonight. The food could suck and that'd still be true however.
24:47
Hmm, good food tonight. Italian theme. Preoccupied w/ something, but what else is new. Sat w/ another table for a bit. Went with them to the comedy show. It was so horrible that we all ran out after 5 minutes. Went to the Promenade bar. No pianist thankfully. Got a 007 Martini. Some of the folks from the table I didn't wave at earlier in the day walked by, so I gave a big wave. Got one smile but another didn't seem to notice. We got up in a few minutes and went to the karaoke contest, Heat 2 - D was in heat 1 and got a spot in the finals. Some standard stuff, some good, some bad. A girl got up and did "Bust a Move", it was awesome and I was tempted to shout "Marry me!". Then AH did "Shoop", badly but funny. AB asked for a random song, and got Angels? painfully bad song and rendition. Then the two of them did a duet, "Time of My Life". Good stuff. We didn't get ballots, but the Bust a Move chick was one of two winners. This was around 12? We all split up. I wandered around for a bit.
Preoccupations came to a head, convinced myself that something would happen in regards to them tonight. Stood on the deck outside looking at stars for a bit. Went down to the Promenade deck outside and walked around. Checked a few of the bars, empty. Damn. Back here. To bed now. SHIT.
No idea what I'm doing tomorrow.
Grand Princess
near Costa Maya, Mexico
10:14
Half-slept from 7:30 to 9:45. Nice w/ the door open. Some sort of annoying hammering sound started at 9 though. Off to breakfast now.
11:43
Just docked at Costa Maya. A local pilot came on board about 30 minutes ago – a skiff came around and approached from port, didn't see the actual transfer but I think he basically stepped right off the bow onto a landing. Then the ship stopped, swung around, and backed in to the pier. A Carnival ship (Liberty) is next to us. Another is nearby, not sure where they will park though.
It's warm in the shade, and hot in the sun. Called M and R, they're getting breakfast, will call back in a few minutes, then we'll figure out a plan. Feeling sleepy / low-energy today so far.
16:15
The hammering outside this morning was new carpet going down in the hallway. Wow.
Disembarked, with M, R, C, and K. The "shops" area off the pier was gross and annoying. Signed up for a snorkel trip – one hour, leaving at 2 PM. Got some tacos – overpriced, under flavored. At 1:45, realized we had to be in Mahahual (a few miles down the road) by 2, and we wouldn't make it because the bus just left. So we got there at 2:15 ($3/person bus ride), and they said to come back at 2:50 for the 3 PM trip. Walked along the "strip" – the down is a long dirt road w/ beach on one side and stuff on the other, mostly shacks. Lots of vendors coming up to advertise their wares / food / drinks / beach space. Went into a taqueria, R got some chicken tacos. Not appetizing apparently, she fed them to a stray dog.
Back to the snorkel place (after changing into my trunks in the "bathroom" at the restaurant – and I came back out to an empty table w/ my backpack sitting under it, unattended – they were all out in the street waiting. Thanks!). Got fins and life jackets. Small little boat, with just room for driver and 10 people. The "reef" was just a bit south. Nervous about dropping into deep water (10-20 feet), but it wasn't too bad. Still had 5 minutes of slight panic. Not many fish – some blues, some dragon colors, one big charcoal angelfish. The coral didn't look in too good shape. not much of it. Started getting some cramps after a bit (30 minutes?) got back on board. The ladder was broken and wobbly, very hard to get into the boat. Sat and talked w/ R (she wasn't feeling well enough to go in the water). The "signal" to the people to get back in the boat was the driver starting the engine up. While people were nearby. There was some discussion about getting food after we got back to shore, but we ended up coming back to the ship (via two taxis, $2/person). Took a shower.
Right as we walked into the "town" at Mahahual, we passed a table full of some other people from the group. I was distracted by being late and all that, so I don't think I even waved. Felt self-conscious about that all day.
19:34
The ship is underway again. Dark outside. Sat outside near the back of the ship for around 20 minutes after sunset (just missed it). Went in to get something to drink – lots of folks eating at the buffet. Ran into a few people. Lots of talk about how "bad" the dinner food has been. I thought it was OK to very good. Still looking forward to it tonight. The food could suck and that'd still be true however.
24:47
Hmm, good food tonight. Italian theme. Preoccupied w/ something, but what else is new. Sat w/ another table for a bit. Went with them to the comedy show. It was so horrible that we all ran out after 5 minutes. Went to the Promenade bar. No pianist thankfully. Got a 007 Martini. Some of the folks from the table I didn't wave at earlier in the day walked by, so I gave a big wave. Got one smile but another didn't seem to notice. We got up in a few minutes and went to the karaoke contest, Heat 2 - D was in heat 1 and got a spot in the finals. Some standard stuff, some good, some bad. A girl got up and did "Bust a Move", it was awesome and I was tempted to shout "Marry me!". Then AH did "Shoop", badly but funny. AB asked for a random song, and got Angels? painfully bad song and rendition. Then the two of them did a duet, "Time of My Life". Good stuff. We didn't get ballots, but the Bust a Move chick was one of two winners. This was around 12? We all split up. I wandered around for a bit.
Preoccupations came to a head, convinced myself that something would happen in regards to them tonight. Stood on the deck outside looking at stars for a bit. Went down to the Promenade deck outside and walked around. Checked a few of the bars, empty. Damn. Back here. To bed now. SHIT.
No idea what I'm doing tomorrow.
posted by taylorsherman at 10:42 PM
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