Miami and beyond

 

 Tuesday, 21 January

 

 We were already tied up at the docks when we awoke this morning.  Never felt the slightest bump!  The pilot must have done a good job bringing us in.

Our pre-ordered breakfast arrives and it is quite good considering.  I should have taken a picture for posting, maybe next time. 

We take our time since we aren't leaving until 5:30 which gives us plenty of time.  The ship provides a shuttle service to the Bayside Marketplace where there are all kinds of shops.  We are looking for an electronics store where I can purchase a new power cord for my computer.  I seemed to have left mine plugged into the desk outlet at our Bronx hotel.  That is why I had to use Sue's computer for the last couple of blogs.  There is a store here and they do have a Universal Power cord with about 15 different barrel type connectors which I require.  Sue has a Type C connector which is why we couldn't share hers.  The owner is kind enough to open the package and make sure one of the connectors work.  Would you believe none of them did!  He couldn't believe it.

Bayside marina area.

Sue had done some searching for a Best Buy near our dock and there was one in South Beach.  Now how to get there.  We googled and found out the No. 100 city bus would take us within easy walking distance of a Best Buy.  The bus stop was not far away and we did not wait long before one came along.

Miami Bus Stop

  Our fare is paid by touching our debit card to the sensor, which turned out to be $2.25 each. We boarded and there was standing room only.  I commented on that to the young man standing next to me and he said it was always like that.  A younger women did offer her seat to Sue which she gladly accepted.  It was about a 20 minute bus ride with several stops along the way, over the causeway to South Beach.  We could follow along on the Bus App on Sue's phone so we knew where to get off.  

We saw the Best Buy sign high up on the building across the street.  We had a little trouble finding the entrance which turned out to be a parking garage!  Best Buy was on the 3rd floor along with three other stores.  We took the elevator up to the 2nd floor but that is all the further it went.  Another set of elevators would take us to the 3rd floor or higher, but it wasn't working!  So we had to walk up the ramp where the cars drive.  Other people were in the same predicament.  There were stores on the 5th floor also.  We finally find the store and the young man was very helpful and provided us with another type of universal power cord that had fewer options but did indeed have my connection.  Wallah!  So that was a $65 dollar mistake corrected with some difficulty.

We did other shopping at a nearby Walgreens before finding the 100 Bus back to downtown Miami and the Bayside Marketplace.  This time our debit cards would not work on the machine and the driver just waived us on and off we went.  Thank you driver!  The drivers are all enclosed in plastic barriers for their protection and cannot do any transactions.

Back at the marketplace Sue can't pass up the Gelato counter. 

There are many flavors to choose from.  We have one of these aboard ship as well that can be purchased.  We go through security to get back on board and head for our stateroom.  We have a couple hours before dinner so I work on this blog and Sue does her puzzles.  

We dress for dinner and are seated in a line of tables for two.  A Canadian couple is on our left and after our orders are taken, an elderly woman and what I can only assume is her granddaughter, are seated on our right.  They are speaking German and probably boarded in Hamburg. The Canadians are veteran cruisers and are disembarking in San Francisco.  Sue orders the Roasted Pork Belly and I do the Grilled Sea Bream since I am in the mood for fish tonight.

  As usual, I also order a couple of appetizers and a salad.  I'll post the menu for those that are interested.  Sorry about the quality of photos...I'll try and do better.

This was my Bream, very good!

Sue's Pork Belly

 Wednesday, 22 January

We slept in a little this morning and didn't open the balcony curtains until around 8AM.   We were a little surprised to see land.  Turning the TV to the Navigation page, we see that we are off the coast of Cuba. 

The #'s 3 & 4 are our next two Port Calls

We did bring a small set of binoculars and I can see that there are quite a few tall buildings that look like apartments or condos.  I think we are seeing a group of islands just off the Cuban coast.

I think we will try the buffet for the first time for our breakfast.  We do our morning chores, dress casual and head to the Artisan's Foodhall - Buffet on Deck 9, amidships.

The buffet is wonderful in the respect you could get most anything you could imagine if you could just find where on the stations to get it.  Nothing was self service.  You told the person behind the display case what you wanted and they plated it for you.  I had striped bacon (this is what the British call our bacon), corn beef hash and steamed eggs.  English bacon is a thin slice of ham that doesn't even looked smoked.  I also had them toast an English Muffin for me.   Sue was happy with some assorted fruit plates and cranberry juice.

After breakfast we toured the two pool areas.  It was a wonderful day with calm seas and partly sunny skies.  There were quite a few sun worshipers about the desks on different levels.

   I am tempted to run back and change into swim trunks and take a dip myself.  However, I do need to work on this blog and Sue wants to take part in a Scavenger Hunt, so we head back to the stateroom.

After a couple hours, Sue comes back from the Scavenger Hunt and she has found 9 out of the 10.  She will work on the remaining one tomorrow.  I put on my gym clothes and head for the treadmill where I do a fast walk for 3.5 miles over about 70 minutes and climb the equivalent of 500 feet.  I also burned about 400 calories and earned what feels like a blister forming on my right foot.

We dress for dinner get seated by two single ladies from California traveling together. Sue spies one of her favorite meals on the menu, Seared Calf Liver.  I choose the Roasted Turkey.  The ladies both order the roasted chicken that looked very good.  It is always on the menu along with the steak and fries and salmon.  Our entrees were both very good and we leave after desserts of Dark Chocolate Fondant for Sue and Carrot Cake for myself.  Excellent.

We work off our dinner by taking a lap around the ship enjoying the evening and calm seas at 19 knots. Tonight I will update this blog and listen to Iowa women's basketball game at Washington.

Our position this evening