The WESTERDAM - HOLLAND AMERICA -
FEBRUARY 5 - FEBRUARY 12, 2012
CAPTAIN HENK KEIJER
Our view from our hotel room in Fort Lauderdale - The Sheraton
ONE OF THE FIRST FLORIDIAN NATIVES TO WELCOME US:)
We had a great room with large windows and great views on the 10th floor.
It was cool and windy the first day.
Pelicans
We enjoyed a good visit (lunch and dinner) with Jean and Reggie.
Dan, Jean, and Reggie
Brynn, Seth, and Diane
We embarked Sunday, February 5, and spent Monday, February 6 at sea.
Partly cloudy skies, 72 degrees F.
Our Room ~ 8115 ~ 8TH Deck Aft
We had a balcony which we enjoyed. Also went to the casino where I won $90. First couple of days at sea were a little rough on Brynn and me....as we experienced seasickness until we finally got our "sea legs"....it was a rock 'n rollin boat! Over 24 hours later here at home today I still have some equilibrium "squirreliness". Probably the the last cruise for this lady:) One evening the four of us discussed what it would take to get back on board on a turn-around cruise. The tally was:
Our first port of call was Grand Turk Island.
Our Room ~ 8115 ~ 8TH Deck Aft
We had a balcony which we enjoyed. Also went to the casino where I won $90. First couple of days at sea were a little rough on Brynn and me....as we experienced seasickness until we finally got our "sea legs"....it was a rock 'n rollin boat! Over 24 hours later here at home today I still have some equilibrium "squirreliness". Probably the the last cruise for this lady:) One evening the four of us discussed what it would take to get back on board on a turn-around cruise. The tally was:Seth= $40,000, Dan would go as long as someone paid his ticket, Brynn & I first of all said $10,000, but admitted we would probably take $5,000...as a final bid along with a "barf bucket".
Our first port of call was Grand Turk Island.February 7, 2012 - Partl cloudy skies, 77 degrees F.
We rode bikes around the island and to one of the beaches and then went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for nachos and cold drinks.
Diane & Dan at Margaritaville
Brynn & Seth
My Enjoyable Traveling Companions on Grand Turk
Seth & Brynn ~ Grand Turk ~ They said the water was "cold"
Margaritaville after our Bike Ride--I was a bit frazzled, but my fellow travelers were very patient with me as we rode against the wind and awarded me with a delicious Pina Colada:)
We rode bikes around the island and to one of the beaches and then went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville for nachos and cold drinks.
Diane & Dan at Margaritaville
Brynn & Seth
My Enjoyable Traveling Companions on Grand Turk
Seth & Brynn ~ Grand Turk ~ They said the water was "cold"
Margaritaville after our Bike Ride--I was a bit frazzled, but my fellow travelers were very patient with me as we rode against the wind and awarded me with a delicious Pina Colada:) My hair also grew wilder each day as the humidity rose:)
Our next port of call was San Juan, Puerto Rico
We thought we spied Tom on board, but never did catch up with him:)
Ponce de Leon statue -- undecided whether it was de Leon or Columbus who discovered Puerto Rico
The Fort at San Juan
Blue Brick Road
The streets of Old San Juan are paved with adonquines, small blue-gray glazed bricks cast from the residue of iron furnaces in Spain, and brought to the Americas as ballast in the Spanish galleons. The Spanish used gold and silver from the Americas as ballast on the trip home.
Streets of San Juan
While sitting in a park by the ship in San Juan we saw 2 dolphins playing around in the water.
Diane & Dan - San Juan
A uniformed/badged police lady offered to take our picture---we had a "European Vacation" moment as she kept stepping back and back, taking several shots. Fortunately she wasn't a thief and was just giving us some optional shots:)
We spent a lot of time on our balcony where we were able to read in the shade and enjoy the peace and quiet. I finished 3 books in one week--a record for me.
The other side of our room with a TV of limited channels, but it did have channels that showed the actual bow and aft of the boat/ocean in real time.
Philipsburg, St Maarten
On the beach is St. Maarten where we were inundated with ladies wanting to massage our feet with actual Aloe leaves for $20 and selling dresses, bags, etc.
Sunset
Westerdam Smokestacks
One of the interesting staircases on the way to the Crow's Nest Bar and Library, where Matt Murphy was their mellow guitarist/singer.
The Neu Amsterdam - another Holland America ship almost the same as the Westerdam, which followed us to all ports throughout the trip.
We had 2 medical emergencies during our week at sea where a guest and one of the crew members had to be removed from the ship and flown to hospitals in Miami. These diversions which were necessary cut short our visit to St. Maarten and that along with rough seas kept us from visiting Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.
"UNFORTUNATELY CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER" as stated in ship's brochure.
Our next port of call was San Juan, Puerto RicoFebruary 8, 2012
Partly cloudy skies, 77 degrees F.
We thought we spied Tom on board, but never did catch up with him:)
Ponce de Leon statue -- undecided whether it was de Leon or Columbus who discovered Puerto Rico
The Fort at San Juan
Blue Brick Road
The streets of Old San Juan are paved with adonquines, small blue-gray glazed bricks cast from the residue of iron furnaces in Spain, and brought to the Americas as ballast in the Spanish galleons. The Spanish used gold and silver from the Americas as ballast on the trip home.
Streets of San Juan
While sitting in a park by the ship in San Juan we saw 2 dolphins playing around in the water.
Diane & Dan - San JuanA uniformed/badged police lady offered to take our picture---we had a "European Vacation" moment as she kept stepping back and back, taking several shots. Fortunately she wasn't a thief and was just giving us some optional shots:)
We spent a lot of time on our balcony where we were able to read in the shade and enjoy the peace and quiet. I finished 3 books in one week--a record for me.
The other side of our room with a TV of limited channels, but it did have channels that showed the actual bow and aft of the boat/ocean in real time.
Philipsburg, St MaartenFebruary 9, 2012 Partly cloudy skies, 77 degrees F.
Vessel undocked at 3:10 -- so Dan and I both enjoyed some spa treatments--
Dan had a massage, and I had their special for the day, a massage--best one ever--a facial, and a pedicure. Pampered we were!
On the beach is St. Maarten where we were inundated with ladies wanting to massage our feet with actual Aloe leaves for $20 and selling dresses, bags, etc.
Sunset
Westerdam Smokestacks
One of the interesting staircases on the way to the Crow's Nest Bar and Library, where Matt Murphy was their mellow guitarist/singer.
The Neu Amsterdam - another Holland America ship almost the same as the Westerdam, which followed us to all ports throughout the trip.
We had 2 medical emergencies during our week at sea where a guest and one of the crew members had to be removed from the ship and flown to hospitals in Miami. These diversions which were necessary cut short our visit to St. Maarten and that along with rough seas kept us from visiting Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas."UNFORTUNATELY CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER" as stated in ship's brochure.
Earlier at breakfast time, a whale was sited by the diners in the restaurant--quite a distance away--but we were able to see each time he came to the surface and "spouted".
On Satuday the whole crew gathered on stage for our "farewell" mtg.
Our Last Evening in the Dining Room -- Fresh Flowers all week!
Pulling into the port at Fort Lauderdale early Sunday Morning. After rough seas and heavy winds through Saturday night, it was a joy to disembark.
Sunrise Sunday Morning - February 12, 2012
On Satuday the whole crew gathered on stage for our "farewell" mtg.
Our Last Evening in the Dining Room -- Fresh Flowers all week!
Pulling into the port at Fort Lauderdale early Sunday Morning. After rough seas and heavy winds through Saturday night, it was a joy to disembark.
Sunrise Sunday Morning - February 12, 2012
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