Going backwards – here is our trip to Tower of London

You will love the pictures (when I get them posted) the place has no personality of its own like Costa Rica, Panama, or Jamaica, it is just a huge vacation spot – but it has the most gorgeous beach. We piled onto a bus for $4 and went down to 7 mile beach where Dawn and I swam in the Caribbean, and got a bit burned . We then went to eat at a Mexican place called Senor Frogs (Like I said no local personality there, all set up for banking and tourists).

I swear we will have some pictures, the last two days have been a whirlwind, and it has been hard to get them done. We went to Rose Hall, and that was interesting (for DAWN), and then we hit the little craft market where Dawn was pulled into a cubicle and actually bargained for some little items (way to go Dawn). We then walked around a little and I got a Jamaica pie – yummy (did not have time to find a place for Jerk this time). And we found Dawn a little vegetarian place where she got Pineapple Tofu, and they ripped me off for a couple of extra bucks by returning the wrong change to me.

We have arrived this morning at Montego Bay. Dawn and I will be going ashore and seeing the famous Rose Hall (it’s in one of her favorite books), then we will spend the afternoon wandering around Jamaica…Pictures to follow soon!

We spent most of our time on the ground here. First we got to see how the Gatun Locks worked – I really enjoyed that – Dawn not so much, then we continued to Portabello to hear and see about the Pirates – however our Tour Guide went more into Panama then Pirates, so Dawn and I broke away for about 20 minutes and toured the real Portabella, and caught up with another guide who told some great Pirate stories. We then were taken back to the docks. The cruise ship and guides were quite adamant that we could not go off on our own, so we were trapped at the stores for a bit, and of course spent money. (their dream come true…)

Wow what a great place – finally got on the ground and into the city. But first we took a canal/river boat through the jungle. Got some great pics of animals and a Croc. Ate some fantastic pineapple, and had some marvelous Costa Rican Coffee. The area is fairly poor – my lunch was like $2.00, thought we went into a place to get authentic Costa Rican food but it ended up being a Chinese/Caribbean mix, so I basically got Chicken Fried Rice J

Well of course being at sea I am lost to day and time, so Panama Canal is tomorrow, today we are in Costa Rica! I will publish more pictures soon. We are going down a river on a boat (talked Dawn out of the zip line) into the jungle. That way I can take more pictures

Last night we had another formal night, but Dawn felt a little “punky” so we left dinner early. She is feeling better today.
We are having a good time, and hopefully the furkids are doing better. Kathy emailed us and told us the furkids were a bit “stressed” the first part of the week. But it sounds like things are calming down.

Not too much going on yesterday or today – pretty much being a beach bum, on my third book and almost done with that. Two people from WGTS just yelled at me for checking work email and copied Dawn on that email so now I better be careful

Went swimming in the salt-water pool which is really neat, you can’t help but float! It also made my knees feel much better!! Remember if you click on any of the pictures it will take you to our gallery from the Cruise, where there are some more pictures. I’ve taken much more then I am posting because they charge by the minute
Tomorrow it is Panama, we haven’t decided what we are doing yet, but most likely will go do a history tour with forts and pirates and such!! I know boring for the rest of you, but sounds cool to me and Dawn!
Then off to Jamaica then the Grand Caymans. So far we thought we might go inner tubing in Jamaca and take a free day down in the Caymans.

Well Cozumel ended up being where we docked and Dawn signed us up for an excursion over near Playo Del Carmen at a place called Xcaret Eco-Archeological Park. So now Dawn is no long allowed to pick excursions. It was a man made park that had some neat things, so we enjoyed ourselves, except it was horribly hot, and while I can take it more then Dawn, she was miserable. I don’t know why she books vacations, I mean she chooses hot places at their hot times of the year, and then wonders why it is hot. Next time it is Scandanavia!! The best time was sitting looking out over the Caribbean Sea! We came back exhausted and I forgot to put sunscreen on my feet so now I have a sunburn in the space between my sandals. Anywho, until tomorrow!

Tonight was formal night at dinner so Dawn got dolled up, and well I got away with my standard suit and tie (pheww I hate tuxes). They mix between Casual, Informal, and Formal. Hal got himself in trouble with the waiter for cracking too many jokes so he had to wear the Dunce cap he made out of a napkin. Dinner was good, then we headed off to a “show”. That word should be used very, very loosely. It was a Broadway review, where only one of the 4 main characters could sing, however we were entertained, it became a comedy for me and Dawn.

Cozamel Mexico is tomorrow – going down an underground river on my back