January 9, 2006 Archives

Aboard the Norwegian Star

I just heard the captain's voice over the P.A. system. We're about to get underway, leaving the dock at Puerto Vallarta. We were already here when I work up this morning.

I just can't figure out how this happened - Wal*Mart and Sam's Club are both, literally, across the street from the marina where we're docked. There is something terribly wrong with this picture (though I'll bet there are passengers who've come back with discount supplies, now stashed in their staterooms)

I want this cruise to be special. Maybe I'll be spoiled. Maybe I'll be pampered. I don't want to dock across the street from Wal*Mart! Wal*Mart is the antithesis of why I'm cruising (and this has nothing to do with any controversy that already surrounds Wal*Mart).

Helaine and Steffie had a surprise planned for me, so we were awake on a schedule to shower in turn and catch the tour bus. We'd left a continental breakfast order last night, and it was delivered to the room right on time.

We got off the ship and headed into a bus. At the front was Cervander, our guide. He said it was an unusual name... somewhere between Cervantes and Cervesa. He was very personable and pointed out many of the sights along the way.

No one in the states knew Puerto Vallarta until "Night of the Iguana" was filmed there. Richard Burton and Ava Gardner was enough to pique our curiosity.

Puerto Vallarta is loaded with beach front property. Some of it is rugged, with cliffs rising from the water's edge. In other spots there are white sandy beaches with 'surfer size' breakers.

This was to be a tropical jungle tour. On the one hand, that sounds spectacular. On the other hand, it implies a lot of rain! Luckily, we're in the dry season, so this was a somewhat subdued jungle.

We headed to a restaurant, site of some scenes from "Predator," with Governors Schwarzenegger and Ventura. Other that the shell of a prop helicopter, you'd never know.

We left the bus, made our lunch orders and, as a group, headed on a nature hike.

This area is lush with all sorts of flora and fauna. Today there was much more flora around. It was interesting to see the unusual vegetation and walk through a narrow, twisty, climbing trail.

Among other trees we saw bamboo growing. That surprised me because I didn't think bamboo was indigenous to Mexico. Helaine looked for a koala. I'm putting the photo here,in case I've totally screwed up and misidentified what I saw.

We returned to the restaurant and I had an OK chicken fajitas. Nothing special, but we weren't here for the food.

The restaurant was built adjacent to a river, with a waterfall just upstream. Some from the group waded in a flowing pond of cold water.

After lunch it was into Puerto Vallarta proper. The tour was supposed to take a half hour shopping break before continuing back to the docks. We decided we needed more than thirty minutes, so we told Cervander and ventured out.

The shopping area of Puerto Vallarta was a mix of US tourists and local families (this is, after all, Sunday). I have been in foreign ports where I felt unwelcome or even threatened. Not here.

The shopping area is built along a seawall. At the base are large smooth stones, which take the brunt of the Pacific's waves. Every once in a while, white spray will rise as a particularly vigorous breaker strikes.

I didn't go into too many stores, but it looked like jewelry and crafts from local artisans were the dominant force. Right along the beach front a few artists had set up paintings for sale.

Between a large church (it had that stately feel of a church that was probably the focal point of the city at one time) and the water was a plaza area. Within that plaza were a few large statues, including one with a mermaid.

Two young Mexican girls - the older might not have been 5 years old, were playing on the statue. When they saw my camera they playfully smiled.

There's a line when it comes to photographing 'strange' children. Normally, I wouldn't have taken the pictures, but under these circumstances it seemed right. They were so beautiful, in such a beautiful place.

Helaine and Stef were shopping as I continued to snap off some shots. When they came to meet me, there was a problem.

Helaine had tripped on a step and hurt her ankle. The pain was really bad at first, but she was able to walk on the leg. She didn't want medical assistance.

Tonight, after a few hours, the leg is really hurting. She can still walk on it, but not easily. Even taking weight off the foot doesn't bring relief. It is swollen, though not enough that I'd worry about a break.

I hope her leg won't put too much of a damper on the vacation. We'll have to see what develops over time.

At the moment we're in the middle of our 'showering by shift' routine. We have a 7:30 reservation at Le Bistro, the French restaurant aboard the Norwegian Star.

Though food is included on our cruise, there are a few restaurants that have 'special' meals for a moderate surcharge. This is one. Helaine has read lots about their chocolate fondue. We're all looking forward to trying it.

As further proof it's not Helaine's day, while she was in the shower we ran out of soap! Soap is dispensed as a liquid from a device on the shower's wall. Things have been pushed behind schedule a little.

As she stood, dripping and shivering, we waited for the cabin steward to respond to my call to housekeeping and refill the dispenser.

As I write these entries, I realize there are small tidbits, usually peripheral to the main story, that I can't include. The same goes for photos - neat, but not part of the written narrative.

When we get back, I'll figure a way to integrate them into the blog, because I'd rather not leave anything out. Certainly, I'll be posting dozens of photos in my online gallery.

We will wake tomorrow in Mazatlan, about 215 miles up the coast. Having a (mostly) great time. Wish you were here.

Blogger's note: Because of the awkward Internet access on the Norwegian Star, some entries refer to the day before they are posted... like this one.

Aboard the Norwegian Star

I'm not a light sleeper, so the captain speaks up when he comes on the P.A. early each morning we're in port. This morning he addressed us at 7:30 AM.

In spite of being in Mazatlan, the spa will be open. He will be there. Too much information.

I assume the captain is Norwegian. Should I meet him, he will be the first Norwegian I've run into! Same thing goes for the United States and Mexico.

The crew is very much like the United Nations with a few critical expulsions.

We are in Mazatlan. I knew there was a city named Mazatlan, but nothing else. Shame on me. It's too large not to know. This is a city of 700,000 (source - cabdriver).

Looking off the balcony this morning, I saw a small city... until I pierced the haze. There in the distance, tall buildings that usually accompany larger populations (I have enhanced the photo which reduces the haze and lets you better see the distant skyline).

I'm not sure if the haze is a product of pollution or the local geography. Some cities can be naturally hazy (Los Angeles), though pollutants can make it much worse.

Steffie was still tired, so Helaine and I headed up to Deck 12 for breakfast. It is cafeteria style up there, but still tasty. And there was no problem bringing a full plate back to our cabin on Deck 11.

Have I mentioned the stairs? I wish I had a pedometer. We have been walking stairs like crazy. Each of us climbs and descends dozens of floors worth of steps. Sure, I huff and puff when I reach our room, but isn't that OK after climbing six or seven flights?

Today was going to be a beach day. We stopped at the reception desk to ask where to go. Hotels and shopping were in the Golden Zone, we were told.

Since we're in an industrial port, with lots of activity, including auto imports, we got on the mandatory, but free, shuttle, which brought us to the main gate. From there we hopped a cab.

The sign said the fare to the Golden Zone was $10, so I never verified it. When we got to our destination, $12! My fault for not asking. Of course I was taken. Was it worth kvetching in a foreign land with limited time?

We got out, walked to the sidewalk, and about three feet later Helaine and Stef walked into a store selling silver and other things you buy in foreign ports. Stef got a few little rings.

We walked down the main drag toward the Casa de Oro, stopping again in an area of small mom and pop shops. Stef bought something else, while Helaine and I bought a ceramic Sun. We have a small collection. This one was 100 pesos - $10.

We had been told on the ship we'd be welcome to use the facilities and beach at the Casa de Oro. We never announced our arrival and they never asked.

Considering this was a mystery resort, what we saw was a pleasant surprise. We walked through the lobby and between hotel buildings, following signs to the "playa/beach."

The pool was built adjacent to a retaining wall at the beach. It was really beautiful and the people there looked to be relaxed and having a good time. Next to the pool were a bar and restaurant.

We made our way to the beach, to a man sitting in his 'office' under an umbrella. Did he have wave runners to rent? You bet!

I rented two, one for me and one for Stef, and we set out to explore the bay. There was just enough wave action and chop to make it an exciting ride.

The bay itself was large and bounded by hilly islands. Criss crossing the water were other wave runners, sail boats and power boats, some towing tourists harnessed into parachutes.

As we began Stef was a little apprehensive and followed me. Before we were done she was leading the way, forcing me to 'gun it' to keep up.

I don't know that much about wave runners, but I do know we went fast and neither of us had the guts to really let them run! I can't imagine.

As we cut across the bay, our little jets would jump out of the water, throwing spray in our faces. Behind us, a tail of water shot high into the air.

This was very cool.

I know it wasn't Steffie's first thought for a good time. That changed by the time we were done.

Helaine, not wanting to ride in the bay, stayed on the shore, looking for shade and clicking away. I had put the longer lens on 'Clicky' and Helaine took advantage.

I'm sure there will be more than a few shots worth framing from a day Steffie and I will long remember.

We headed back through the hotel, looking to find a cab. Here in Mazatlan there is a strange looking, open air vehicle, used as a taxi. If you recognize what this was when it started life, let me know. There are no identifying marks - as if the manufacturer wanted to disavow all knowledge of its Mazatlan usage.

I told the girls I wanted to go back in one of those cabs. No sooner did I say that than Jorge pulled up to the curb.

I checked. Jorge wanted $10 to go to the ship, so we jumped in - Helaine and Stef in the back, me in the front passenger seat.

As we drove, I stuck my body to the right, out of the vehicle, and took photos. It didn't take Jorge long to notice. Before long we were slowing down for anything vaguely resembling a photo op.

We passed the university and headed into the hills. Ships don't dock above sea level, but we didn't question Jorge. Up we drove, until we rounded a curve and Jorge slowed to a stop.

We were at the edge of a hill with an unbelievable view of the buildings below and our beautiful ship.

I'm glad I have this shot, because it is really the first time I've been able to show the ship in perspective. It is a behemoth - and I think you sense that looking at the size of things in the foreground.

The Norwegian Star is longer than three football fields, has fourteen decks I know of, and is carrying 3,000 souls.

Every time it docks, it is as if a small town had floated into town!

Jorge (note the Red Sox hat) asked for $10, but got $15. He is the kind of good will ambassador any tourist town needs. I speak no Spanish and I think Jorge matches me in English.

Stef was my reluctant translator, feeding me the words to ask Jorge for his name. That was the sum of our communication, except for my 'muchos gracias' at the dock.

We're back on board now. The captain says we'll be leaving in a few minutes. No word on his spa treatment. I'll let you know should there be late breaking spa news.

Tonight it's a slow sail northwest to the tip of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas.

Meanwhile, we still have dinner to eat, and another chance to see Dave Heenan, the comedian. Steffie says we should take in both his shows.

Hey, isn't that what vacations are for?

Blogger's note: As I put the finishing touches on this entry, at the computer area, a couple sat down at a nearby terminal. While I typed, he showed her an email - and she went a little nuts.

I suppose having access to the outside world is both good and bad.