December 25, 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011 CHRISTMAS DAY

Woke up to a Merry Christmas kiss, how sweet is that?  I brewed up a pot of perked coffee decided to make French toast for breakfast.  We had no syrup, guess I could have made some but we decided grape jelly would do just fine.  Fred and I exchanged Christmas gifts and tears came to my eyes when I opened it and saw a beautiful white gold charm of a sailboat attached to a fine chain.  Gorgeous!  He liked the palm sander I gave him.  He had been talking about redoing the teak on Casa Mare’ and needed one.  The sheets bedspread and cushions were hung on deck to dry out which certainly had us looking like the sailing Clampet family in the middle of the beautiful harbor on Christmas day.  Some things never change.  I cut Fred’s hair and off we were to shore to walk around.  As soon as I jumped in the dinghy, Fred said, “you are driving”.  “I am not, not with all these boats around us”.  He explained it was the perfect time to practice again.  I did a little better at starting it this time but made sure we were going slow enough not to catch some wind and waves along the way.  There was nothing between Casa Mare’ and the cruise ship harbor so Fred said to go around to the other side of the ships.  There was one left, smoke coming out of the smoke stack and people all over the decks.  I thought to myself, “they look like they are having a great Christmas and probably going home...to their family.  Sigh...I still miss my family and it is what it is.  I haven’t even been able to get an internet connection to even send them Merry Christmas wishes”.   Slowly cruising the “Liberty” I felt so tiny as I cruised under their bow.  Then I said to Fred  “wow they must be leaving because they are pulled from the dock just floating there...and floating...and floating.   I was just taking in the size of her from under her bow.  As soon as I was clear of them on their port side, the “Liberty” inched her way out of the harbor.  Fred said “She is leaving and you were holding her up”.   Looking back I saw he was right.  They were slowly leaving and I indeed held up a cruise ship with a little ole inflatable dinghy.  I was so grateful that they didn’t push the big boat rule this time, and let me pass.  Heck, they didn’t even blow the horn at me.  But...it’s Christmas and this was certainly a gift not to have a huge loud horn blow me out of their way.  Probably would have given me a heart attack anyway and held them up even longer.  Yes, it was funny.  A story not many could tell, but I could.  Just part of the adventure.  I quickly realized I was still the inexperienced dingy driver and we are approaching a wall with a bar on it.  I strongly suggested that Fred take it from here, after all, I already held up a cruise ship, no telling what may happen next.  He took my place without any hesitation and it was only then I could relax.  Yes, blessings of abundance!

We found a small floating ramp under a bar called “Senior Frogs”  I wasn’t sure this was really a proper entrance to land but it looked good enough to me.  As we approached closer I noticed a bunch of conch shells, live I may add,  suspended in the water waiting  to become someone’s dinner.  It was at least 10 feet from the dinghy to the small extended deck above with a ladder to climb.  Probably their fish and conch surplus no doubt .  We decided it would be okay but just in case, went into the bar and had a diet coke and let them know that was our dinghy down below.  They were okay with that.  Most places were closed, for one of three reasons or perhaps all three.  It was (1)-Christmas day, (2) the last cruise ship left or three, tonight is Junkanoo a type of festival/celebration that starts at midnight December 26th  A very colorful parade and it lasts for a few days here.  It must be something because there are bleachers all over the place to watch.  We have been told to come early tomorrow morning, otherwise it will be too crowded to even see anything if you don’t get a seat.  We opted not to go.  They were putting fences up everywhere and the police were at nearly every corner, getting ready for what looked like would be a pretty rowdy crowd.  As we walked the town, it became clear to me that this town thrived on the tourists.  It is definitely dripping with history.  We walked up to the Queens staircase and wow how interesting.  The fort was old and cut through rock creating a wall around the steps to the fort.  You just have to see it.  There were few sidewalks and even then were mostly single file walking.  They drive on the wrong side of the street here also.  Fred asked me how I knew it was the wrong side and I told him to look, they were not on the “right”.  The people here are pretty friendly,.  We were warned that crime is high here and actually suggested to pull the dinghy up on the davits at night.  We didn’t and no one took it.  We are anxious to go to Allen’s Cay so we plan to leave tomorrow.  Nothing there except a beautiful key and lots of Iguanas and privacy!  I did get to talk to Mom and Dad this evening,

This has been a great Christmas.  Merry Christmas to all!