WEEK 2 NEW YORK - BERMUDA
WEEK 2 : 23 APRIL 2022---MIAMI
I got off the ship at 8 in Miami then we got onto the bus for our tour to the Everglades on an airboat just outside of Miami. These guys are organized, alles loop klop, dissel, boom, they are qualified for the jobs they are doing, alles loop glad en presies op tyd.
Took us about 30 minutes to get the Gator Park, is the 3rd largest National Park in USA or so the guide told us, I really enjoyed every minute, was amazing. Loved the boat ride, plants, animals, water ways and the guide who did the alligator show was very entertaining and had us eating out of his hand, was very witty and funny. Everything was a first for me, so was groot ogies en wou niks mis nie!
Die boot wat so oor die water gly en oor alles ry was vir my vreemd ,heeltyd skrikkerig, ons tref iets en daar vlieg ons.Was not too hot and I was very glad about that for think can be unpleasant sitting in the hot sun. The water was clear and you could see many different fish,so a healthy eco system that was great to see. We were lucky to see 2 alligators and they were quite big; I would say about 1.5 m long.
The guide was so funny when he described the different alligators in the holding pens that he works with every day, said they all have different personalities and compared them to people husbands and wives, gentle soul, angry, grumpy always angry, lazy etc. Both alligators that he worked with and had in his hands decided to have a wee in the middle of his talk, says that happens a few times a day, they have no manners haa haaaa.
Really a nice feeling speeding over the water in these boats, the noise of the engine did not worry me, they even gave you ear plugs, but I did not use them. Moet bieg die gidse lyk vir my bietjie kwaai ,taai, ouerig en wild,regte hill billys! Die son het hulle al verrinneweer.
Op die een video wat ek gepost het kan jy sien hoe die gids lyk met sy 2 wilde snor baarde. Daai tipe ooms wat my bang gemaak het as kind.Het ook vertel dat as n mamma gator eiers gele het soek jy nie moeilikheid nie, sy sal daai nes en eiers beskerm met alles wat sy het.
Na die toer is ons by die lughawe afgelaai en daarso het ek toe eers vir my n eet dingetjie by Starbucks gaan kry en natuurlik free wifi gebruik.Then it was time to check out the covid center that I had to visit for my covid test before I can board the ship in New York and got the free shuttle bus to the hotel.
I got off at the wrong hotel but thank goodness my one was just around the corner from where I got off, it’s very confusing for the names are similar like Comfort Hotel and Comfort Inn Hotel. Could only check in after 15h00 so just sat in the foyer while enjoying some coffee. Supper was going to be junk food for the night, that I could buy that at the front desk. Tomorrow I am going to be more organized.
24 APRIL 2022--- MIAMI
Well, I slept for a good few hours and only woke up after 8 for the first time this morning, that was great. The hotel is close to the airport, but the planes don’t worry me at all, outside at the pool it is a bit noisy. Then it was breakfast time and after that I took the shuttle bus to the airport for my covid test. The Covid test site is well marked, very professional and well organized like most things in America.
Did pass a free covid testing site along the way under a tent next to the road but decided to rather keep to something legit, just in case. Had the test done and while waiting for test results started chatting to a guy from the UK that also works on the cruise liners as a entertainer and was on his way home, told me about his girlfriend who was autistic and who was only diagnosed in her 20 and the challengers that go with it but it works for them and what works and what to avoid, I thought wow that is amazing and what an example to others with the same challengers, it can be done.
Another lady arrived with her son who was about 4 and started sharing her story about her son who was born prem with a heart defect and also seems to have autism and how she deals with it, can you believe it 2 in the same day, anyway then my results came, said goodbye and off we went each in our own direction. Was I glad and very thankful to see NEGATIVE!! Even felt a bit tearful because I realized if this result was positive, it would have caused a lot more challengers en hoe dan gemaak.
Once back at the hotel I decided to visit the Easy Way shop to get food for tonight but ended up going to the gas station that had a lot more to choose from. Supper was going to be a turkey salad with a glass of white wine,nogal in n plastic glass maar never mind.
Also got a light beer to drink at the pool and was brave to get a margarita but what a disaster!! was too sweet and did not like the taste so that got tossed out and the beer was very nice on this hot day in Miami.
So spent the afternoon lying at the pool area and can say felt like a fairy with all the other bodies that were rather large and in bikinis and covered in tattoos. Tomorrow I have an early day so need to get the shuttle at 6 and then it’s time to get to New York my favorite city, just love it.
25 April 2022--- NEW YORK
Did not have a good night’s sleep because I was scared, I would oversleep and miss my shuttle, that is typical me, so at 5 o clock I was up and ready.
Only a few souls were around at that time of the morning but just as well I left early, the airport was buzzing, and the rows were long. Did go pretty quickly at the scanning machines, you don’t have to take anything out of your bags which was great.
Our flight was full with lots of kids so that was hectic for they were crying and all over the show, the airhostesses had their hands full, looks like the Americans are building a nation for 2 couples had3/4 kids each. The poor dads were caring 4/5 bags and bumping everyone in the isles and that did not go down well with a few passengers.
Think traveling with such small kiddies can be very challenging, not something I would have coped with. The poor dads were looking after the kids and the moms just chilled, must be on holiday, haa haaa.
Had Wi-Fi on the flight, which was great and went quickly ,2 hours 30 min then we landed in New York. At the airport I decided to take a taxi to my hotel but first some other skollies tried to get me to use their very smart black cars, but I kept my cool and said I will use the yellow cabs thank you!
The ride was nogal wild and fast, but he got me to my hotel. At first cost was 41$ but going through the tunnel cost extra so ek het maar oe toegesnyp en betaal tot by hotel was 62 $ and I was very impressed when I checked in, my room was ready so I could drop my things and hit the streets straight away.
This city is one of my favorites, it just has another vibe to it, not that I would like to live in it but visiting for a short while is amazing. I walked to Central Park, and it took my breath away, just beautiful and was a typical tourist, so many beautiful things, so took lots of photos.
Next week I just want to sit down and take it all in and enjoy the park, no rushing around trying to see and do as much as I can. Walked to Levian,s Bakery in 74th street to buy their famous cookies and boy were they to die for, absolutely delicious can recommend them for sure. Bought one for hubby to try too, a surprise and spoil.
While sitting in the street enjoying my coffee and cookie a taxi driver popped in and just there, I asked him to take me to the Blue Gallery in 46th street where Raymond Westraadt a very talented artist from Port Elizabeth South Africa, had 2 of his paintings in the EMERGE Art Exhibition that opened today in New York, how amazing is that, so had to go and look for myself.
Congratulation we are very proud of you, Raymond, a South African,een van onse mense, al die pad tot in New York,dit is n groot eer,well done.
Then it was time to look for the Virgil’s Real BBQ in 44th street, so off I went and decided to walk for you experience more by walking. The taxi is just too fast and things go spinning past you, no time to really look and take things in.
I ordered a nice cold beer want teen die tyd het ek n lelike dors aan my and ordered the BBQ Combo Memphis Style Pork Spareribs and sliced Texas Beef Brisket and 10/10 was so tender and tasty did not even touch my other side foods just ate all the meat, so vanaand is dit vleis jorries of gal vir my!!
On my way back to my hotel I passed Time Square where there is always a buzz.
Has been a long day so was glad to be back at my hotel and is perfect, room is small but clean and comfortable all you need is here. Close to everything and great staff so this will be my hotel of choice if I ever come back or have to recommend a place to stay in New York, COMFORT INN MANHATTEN 548 W
48 TH STREET. It is 6 minutes’ walk to the cruise terminal; Pier 88 were I must get the ship tomorrow.
WOW, what a day it has been, loved every minute and realized, such a huge blessing and privilege, so thanks to hubby that makes all these trips happen, without him none of this would have been possible. I am lucky to be your wife dankie, my liefie. So tomorrow I join the ship again for our trip to Bermuda.
26 April 2022--- New York
Loved sleeping so close to the cruise terminal and was on the 6th floor so had a view over apartments across the road and just being in downtown Manhattan.
Had a good night’s sleep but tried to post all my photo’s last night, so that kept me busy and write my blog daily, otherwise I get behind and don’t feel like playing catch up or might forget some things.
The breakfast was not that great, the beef patty was as flat as a pancake and all dried out, had to go and ask for a spoon for things were finished and not well organized, seating was also a problem, so not good marks for the breakfast but I would stay here again because the room was clean, comfortable and close to everything.
I went looking for sweets supplies for hubby, so quickly ran into a local café where I got everything I was looking for, then I walked towards the docking area where I had to get onto the ship. Was good to see our home for the next 4 weeks right in front of me, docked at Pier88 at the Cruise Terminal in downtown Manhattan.
Really looks like the ship is parked/docked on the street, is very very close to the street, even took a photograph to show you.
The checking in took a while for Bermuda has all these rules and regulations and took longer than usual but had lots of time so I was in no hurry. Then hubby appeared, he was just checking to see if I had arrived at the terminal and was good to see him again, so think he did missed me!
We leave port at 16.00 and then I am going to the open decks to watch the sail away out of New York, which is always spectacular, sailing past the Statue of Liberty and looking back over the Hudson River
Was overcast today so no sunshine but will be just as good. Tomorrow we are at sea and then we arrive in Bermuda on Thursday, stay overnight, and leave again on Saturday to return to New York on Sunday. So, until tomorrow, bye.
27 April 2022 ----- @SEA
Had plans to get up early and go walking on the open decks but they went out the window when the alarm went off at 6. Hubby is on duty for the day so he will be busy, then got ready to visit the gym when I was informed there would be a cabin inspection so had to make sure, alles is netjies en op sy plek.Moes hom eers terg en se gaan bed nie opmaak nie en sommer lekker deurmekaar los,hy se party kamers lyk vreeslik,kan glad nie verstaan hoe mens leef in so n deurmekaar klein spasie nie.
The gym only had a few people for I think the overcast weather and rain kept people sleeping late and in their beds, they had the whole day at sea so lots of time to explore the ship and all it has to offer. Does take a day or two to get your bearings and rigting! It is starboard side, portside, aft en voor ,skip lingo!!
The ship is rocking and rolling, the sea rough so for those that get seasick I think it will be challenging, am sure once we get to Bermuda, we will have better weather and sea conditions. Hubby is busy so went to our cabin to shower and then I came up to the observation lounge where I sit and write my blog with a view over the sea and can get myself something to drink, toilet close by, haa haa.
Sail away yesterday afternoon out of New York was breathtaking and overcast took some nice pics, so hope to post them once I get to Bermuda. At one stage I was standing all on my own on deck 8 with the most beautiful view leaving this great city, that was a special moment.
The statue of Liberty is just so impressive, the other buildings in the financial district stand tall, was not sure which were the new buildings after 9/11.
The last thing to see before we sail into the deep sea is passing under a double decker bridge not to sure what its name is but praat van close call, flip the ship just just makes it under the bridge, will post video passing under it to show you.
Die week se gaste is vir my rustiger,but only time will tell. The temperature in New York was cool but not as cold as I expected with 6 degrees and Miami was 24 degrees.
Hubby was going to be off tomorrow but now they are talking about no shore leave for crew, so we will see what tomorrow brings. I am used to doing things on my own but just so much nicer when we can do things together. People that see my posts don’t realize that most pics hubby is not with me and working, so don’t assume!! not a holiday for him, as some people seem to think.
Emergency Medicine moet jy in jou slaap kan doen, soos intubeer,ventileer, van die ander goed wat jy behandel is been breuke, arms ,bene, klavikel ,skouer ontwrigtings,onderwater dreins insit,hartversaking,diabete,steke insit,beroertes,hipertensie, noem maar op en natuurlik braking ,diaree en daai lelike woord was ons kom besoek het,naamlik covid!
Deesdae baie meer admin agv covid en elke land het sy eie protocols, reels en regulasies.
Ook geen swanger vrouens bo 24 weke word aanboord toegelaat nie as jy sou praat van selfmoord of oor boord spring is dit weg met jou en dan word jy in die skip tronk opgepas/toegesluit tot hulle aan land kom, so dit is soos vliegtuie en lughawens sekere woorde se jy nooit op n skip nie.
So tot more,bye
28 April 2022---- Bermuda
We picked up the pilot at 6 in the morning and arrived in Bermuda at 8 but had to wait for the Carnival Ship to dock before we could dock, so that took a bit of time and had us running late. All looked the same after our last visit and the 2 tugboats old FAITHFUL and POWERFUL were still in their old spots, at Kings Wharf. Must admit the TUG & RESCUE boat looked a bit rusty and old! Weet nie so mooi van rescue nie,haa haa
After breakfast I left the ship for a walkabout on my own for the crew have not been granted shore leave due to covid, so that is a big disappointment but hopefully next week,with our second visit to the island.
I got myself a 1-day pass for the busses and ferries so that I could use all day and all over the island. Then I went back to get onto the ships ferry that is free and takes you to St Georges on the far side of the island or should I say the opposite side of the island.
There was a bit of a swell and the rocking got a few of us that were sitting outside on the open decks very sleepy and relaxed, so we had to fight to stay awake. I giggled for when I looked around there were about 6 of us that were very close to sleeping.
Was a beautiful day, wanted to visit a place I had been too before where I bought an antique teaspoon, but it has closed down, so that was a huge disappointment, little did I know a lot of shops were closed due to Covid, so that was sad. Went looking for buttons to work onto hubby,s white coat and I found a shop with wool and those types of things, I could not believe my luck.
Walked past an ice-cream shop and decided to give it a try, got my 2 scoops and off I went to a little park where I sat and enjoyed it,after that I passed a pub with beautiful music playing the song,Islands in the Sun, thought how special is that!!
By this time I had walked around and seen all I wanted to see, so went to the bus stop to catch the bus to Hamilton, just got there when the bus arrived and checked with the driver before I got on and off i went on island sight-seeing ride while on my way to Hamilton.
In Hamilton I visited a few shops and decided you use the free Wifi but that was a mistake for halfway through I realized maybe I must get to the central bus stop and take the bus back to Dockyard before it gets too late and rush hour starts. Well, that was a good call for the bus was packed all the way back and at a few stops we just sailed past because the bus was full.
Remembered with last visit they warned us that rush hour can be hectic and that the locals also use the busses, so give yourself time to get back. Wel ,die bus drywer was n vrou en sy het laat waai, om dinge erger te maak die paaie hier is nou en ek bedoel regtig nou, hier en daar stref die bus die plante groei teen die kante van die pad en jy skuur verby mure en brue,so ek was groot oog en het net gedink ,hoop ek kom veilig by Dockyard uit.
On our way we passed Horseshoe Bay with its stunning pink beach and at that bus stop we left a few passengers behind for the bus was full, so they had to wait and hope that the next bus was going to have seats available. Must say all along this side of the island they have the most stunning hotels and beaches, those you see in the movies and on brochures. Prentjie mooi.
We were dropped off in Dockyard at the Towers and sad to see how many places had closed here too, I assume it is because of covid and no tourists. So really hope they get going again once the tourist and ships come back to Bermuda.
By this time, I was pooped and ready for the ship and a sleep. Was just asleep in our cabin when our cabin door opened and the phone rang at the same time, was hubby phoning to warn me that they were coming to check something in our cabin, think the poor guy could see I had just woken up and looked deurmekaar!!
So, an early dinner and then we hit the bed, had to close our portholes shutter/deurtjie of wat ook al jy die ding noem, to keep the bright light from the dock area from shining into our cabin.
29 April 2022 ----- BERMUDA
We were going to be leaving at 3pm so I decided to just get off to use the free WIFI but big surprise, the free 3 hours WIFI is only for each cruise to Bermuda not per day, so that was the end of that, then I thought I would stop and have coffee and use the restaurant’s WIFI only to discover I had left my money and wallet on the ship! So, end of that plan.
Visited a few shops and also got to a shop with a little library, so I spent some time there looking through a few books and enjoyed that. The one book called My Bermuda Memoirs of an Island Boy by Stuart Hayward I just loved and am planning on buying it with next weeks visit, you can identify with some of his stories like smells and tastes that take you back to places in your childhood.
Also paged through Roland Skinners photographs of Bermuda stunning photographs. Another great artist of the island is Lisa-Anne Rego just love her work. Then I made a stop at Jon Faulkner Pottery studio and could watch him work, what an artist, so inspiring has been doing it for 30 years.
Was time to return to the ship and just before I had to go through the security check point, I had a benoude oomblik when I thought I had also left my ID card on board and then I have a problem to get back onto the ship but thank goodness the ID was still in my holder I hang around my neck from yesterday, was benoude boude!! We left on time and the sea is rough, tomorrow it is time for another covid antigen test,so lyk my ek gaan op getoets wees teen die tyd wat ek huis toe gaan.Tot more,bye.
30 April 2022--- @SEA
Die see is wild en omgekrap,lyk my is maar net so hier oor die gedeelte van die oseaan.Dink die wat gevoelig is vir see siek ,kan dalk n rowwe tyd he.We rocked all night long but did eventually get a bit better towards this morning. Got up at 6 and decided to get our walk in but that did not last long for there was a cold wind blowing outside and it was not very pleasant, so we opted for a chat and a cup of coffee instead.
I had to go for another covid antigen test must admit it is nerve recking for what do they do if I test positive? Gooi my seker oorboord!!
After the test I had to go to our cabin until the test results are out, so when hubby arrived with the good news, negative!! I was very very thankful and good to go for the next week until the next test. When is this craziness going to pass?
Our first stop next cruise is Norfolk just below New York and am so disappointed that I am not going to get off to explore, if I do, I have to go for another antigen test!! Bermuda rules, so have decided to rather give it a miss.
Tonight, is seafood night and they make the most delicious Cioppino soup, so something to look forward too. Forgot to mention just as we were leaving Bermuda yesterday the captain informed us of a whale in front of the ship, but I missed that.
Tomorrow we are back in New York, I need to go through customs and immigration on the ship before I can get off, then want to try and do the High line Park walk, which is on an old railway line, above the city, they say it is beautiful ,30 feet above street level with city and river views.
Another place I want to try and get to is the Ippudo Westside Ramen Restaurant, on 51th St but all depends if I have enough time, otherwise I will do the one this week and the other next week. So, this is the end of my second week, until end of week 3, bye.
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