Day 3

What a great night of sleep. I am impressed with the Sheraton Hotel in Old San Juan. The rooms are very clean, modern, the bed are very comfortable. I would not mind staying here again. Mari was excited early this morning. She woke up and was at the window a little past 5am and tried to get me up to look at the ship, Carnival Victory as she docked. She just cannot believe that the ship is so big. I just stayed in bed.

When I did get up a snapped a couple of pictures, Mari buried in the blankets and of the cruise ship. I guess the game plan this morning is to get up, get cleaned up, packed and go have breakfast. Hotel check out is at 10am, so we will have to find something to do until we can boarding at 2:30am but Mari says that she hotel desk persons said there is an gentleman's agreement to allow the hotel quests on at 12:30pm. Then I guess we will find out.

Before going down to breakfast the hotel provides service to store our luggage while we wait to board for our cruise. Then we went back up to the 2^nd floor to the dining hall and had a buffet style breakfast. We sat outside on the patio since it was 09:30am and it is very nice out. Marissa complained that it was too hot. Her whining did not stop us thou. After breakfast, we walked to some of the shops within five blocks from the hotel. David & I decided to split up from Marissa, Mari and Carolyn and go exploring. We headed to another San Juan National Historic Sites, the Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

David and I walked through the streets of old San Juan. The area reminds me of New Orleans with the buildings built so close to each other and the streets mostly one-way and narrow. We made it to the grassy knoll just before the Castillo. Late Sunday morning, you would not believe the number of kites flown. It was just the perfect wind, not many clouds, and the temperature just right for flying a kite. As we walked to the Castillo, a kite came crashing down near. David said he did not want to walk through the field after we visited the Castillo in fear of being stricken by a kite. This made me think of cartoon of Charlie Brown being attacked by his kite while he was trying to fly it, good grief!

We made it to the fort. We told Mari that we would meet up with them about 12:30pm so we could pickup our luggage and head to the ship. David and I spent about two hours exploring the area and the fort.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro was built on a headland (entrance to the bay). Construction began on El Morro in 1539 as a simple tower. This fortress is a part of a massive defensive system built by the Spaniards in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Spanish Empire spent over 250 years fortifying this prized location since through it, Spain could control access and commerce in and out of the New World. El Morro protected this rich port from sea going enemies. Castillo San Cristobal, about one mile southeast of where you are now, protected the city from land-based attacks. I went to Castillo San Cristobal yesterday. The fort has many levels we went from the top all the way down to the sea level area. After the fort, we head southeast and found a small private cemetery that took a couple of pictures from above from a cannon alcove. From here, we headed back to the hotel. Yes, we were about 20 minutes past our time to get back to the hotel. As we getting close to the hotel Marissa texted David to see where we were. We were less than a block away so David text her back telling her we were lost and to send out a search party. She did not think it was very funny as we walked up with her condescending ha, ha!

We got our luggage and headed to the ship and worked our way through 3 or 4 security check points to check our passports, get our Sail & Sign card, and to take our souvenir picture and security photos. We headed up to the Lido Deck for lunch. No sooner on the deck and waiters were surrounding us asking if we wanted alcoholic beverage. Yes, I did get one, a pina colada. It hit the spot and tasted so good; one could defiantly taste the alcohol in the drink. Heck, a ten-dollar drink had better taste well, huh? We found a shaded area, had nice lunch, and then walked around the ship. About 2:30pm we made it to our cabin. The cabins are right next to each other with a balcony. Our cabin has a king size bed. The kids and grandmother have same size cabin but the only difference is that there is three twin size beds, two on the floor and the 3^rd pulled down from the ceiling just above the couch to make a bunk bed. From here, everyone did his or her own thing. I went exploring and walking every floor of the ship from the front to the aft and top to bottom. I used the stairs a lot while I was out. I did make it back to the cabins and found David passed out on his bed, lush. When we were at lunch, he had two alcoholic mixed drinks. I do not think he realized how much alcohol was actually in the drinks. He was not drunk but it was enough to make him sleepy.

You would think that would have been enough of a workout walking the streets of Old San Juan and then ship but not for me I decided that I need to use the work out facilities. I got David to go with me but no, sooner than we got started David decided he was not in the mood and took off. Therefore, I did the elliptical for 25 minutes and then leg weights then took nice long shower. While working out Mari & Carolyn and with the help of the kids picked out some shore excursions to take at some of the ports we are going to stop at. I headed back to the room to find them ready to go get supper.

Instead of going to the dining hall, we opted to go to the Lido Deck for an informal meal. From here Mari, Carolyn and I headed to the Caribbean Lounge for the shopping excursion shops recommended by Carnival. Glad I made it, got some good pointers for tomorrow. I guess in the morning we will do some shopping and then in the afternoon we will go to Magen's Bay Beach Getaway.

From there we headed to our cabins to pickup our life preservers and then head down to the Muster Station and deck four stations H for the evacuation/life-boat drill. We were at the location at the correct time but they did not start the drill until 9:30pm and we ended up waiting around another 10 – 15 minutes before we started because of stragglers. The best thing about this drill is that you get to see everyone wear a life preserver so you know that you are not the only funny looking person and you are standing around a bunch of other people looking funny with these huge ugly orange necklaces around your neck. Once we were through the drill, there was a mass exodus from the deck to the stairs and elevators to get the life preservers back to the rooms and to head up to the party up on the lido deck. I stayed in the room to update my blog and watched the dancing on the lido deck on the television.

Mari brought back chocolate covered strawberries and a piece of cheesecake so until tomorrow have a good night.

Day 2

Good morning! We are on day 2 of our excursion. We were up before 3:30am this morning. We took the shuttle to the airport from Econolodge. It was uneventful except Marissa is unable to get a hold of Jessie this morning. Go figure, I probably would not answer my phone at this time in the morning either. Not used to flying. The procedure has changed so much over the past few years. We showed up at the Delta bag check to check in. Trying to deal with a person anymore is obsolete. The woman told us to use the kiosh to check in. It took a moment or so to figure out what to enter. Once I found our ticket number on the documents Mari got from the travel agent it went quick. I got it to print all of our tickets. Within seconds of being entered the woman at the baggage check started calling our names to check the baggage. From there we went through the security checkpoint. The only problems that were encountered there was David or I did not take out our laptops from our carryon bags. Therefore, we had to go over to the screening, the security guard pulled the laptops out and resent the bags, and laptops back through. Carolyn, Mari and Marissa are sitting across from David and me in row 14.

Here I am typing day 2 blog as we fly to Atlanta on Delta flight 1554. The flight is an hour-half and should get in about 8:30 am EST. Then we get to sit around for about an hour until we catch our next flight Delta 419 to San Juan, PR which is about a three and half hour flight.

Sounds like we are ahead of schedule and we are starting to make our descent. I have a few minutes left before I have to put up the netbook. Did not get much for in flight snack, you get a soda and cookie or peanuts. I hope we terminal have a coffee shop so I can get drink and breakfast. David let me sit next to the window this flight with the agreement that he can sit next to the window and the flight to San Juan.

As I look at the window, it is a great view. There were not too many clouds to allow one to see the land below. I always enjoy seeing the quilt like patchwork of the different colors of the land and seeing the different textures from the trees, water, and ground. I hope we have enough time with the layover so I can plug my computer in and get the battery recharged. This netbook is nice for trips. It is small enough that it does not take up hardly any room and it is very portable. I hope I can blog throughout the day. Yes, I know I am rambling so I better put it up for now.

We are now on our second flight, flying out of Atlanta to San Juan. There was not much of a layover in Atlanta. The kids are doing well; they got their smoke breaks in the smoking areas at the terminal. I hope they keep up the good behavior throughout the day and trip. We did have to switch from terminal B to A. Got breakfast from Cinnabon. Turned out not to be very good because they were hard and cold and neither was the coffee. The chairs on this flight are hard and not very comfortable. I would prefer the "green" chairs back at the station to these. Looking at the in flight information on the screen on the headrest in front of me we have 2 hours and 25 minute flight. We are over the water flying at 37,015 feet above the water. In the distance, you can see the peninsula of Florida.

We made it to San Juan. Ha, no, sooner than we landed and not even off the plane Marissa was on the phone with her boyfriend. She loudly talked to him as we disembark and halfway through the terminal. She finally got off the phone since we in the lower level of the airport to get or baggage and find a taxi to our hotel. We got to the Sheraton in Old San Juan very quickly. Mari and Carolyn got us registered. As they were registering, the kids took off. Who knows were? We went to our rooms without them. We are on the 6^th floor. Very nice rooms with all the amenities one would accept. Tomorrow we just go across the street to get on the boat. Very nice location. Well we have not had a good meal so it sounds like we are going to go search for somewhere near to eat.

Well, we went down stairs to the restaurant in the hotel, Chicago Burger Co. which they had descent food. After late lunch or early supper, depending on how you want to see it we started walking the along the port across from the hotel. Somehow, I had gotten split up from Mari and the rest of the crew. They said they were going to walk in one direction and I turned around and found that they were not around. So, I headed back to the hotel. As I was waiting for Mari I had seen out our window the Castillo San Cristobal just up the hill from the hotel. About the time I was going to go Mari showed up and said they were going swimming. I did not want to go swimming but go exploring so I went up to the old fort. As you can see from the photos, I took several. Got several photos of me using a small tripod and setting the timer on the camera. Got back to the hotel, meet up with Mari, David, and Carolyn, and went out to check out the nightlife of Ole San Juan. We had seen many vendors pedaling their wares. Found the pier where we will get onto the ship. The ship gets in at 5:00am in the morning then we leave port at 10:00pm. I’ll take a couple of pictures of the boat before embarking. Until tomorrow, day 3, good night.

Day 1

First day. I have been dreading this day! Another vacation with kids makes me think back to last year. I really hope that it would be better. Anyway I did not get started packing until late this morning. I let Mari have my suitcase earlier this week when she started packing. She started off with two small suitcases. I decided to let her have mine since she would be able pack everything. I told her that I would just borrow one from my dad or get one from Wal-Mart. So, about 10am this morning I started pulling out clothes that I would need on the trip and laying them out on the bed. Then I got distracted and started cleaning a little. Then worked finding some more clothes. Finally about 12:30 I decided I need to go do some errands. Went to the bank for money for the trip. Then went to TrueValue to get a couple of keys made of the house for dad so he could check on the house. Then USCellular for new phone battery. Then finally to WalMart. Did not find any suitcases I liked so headed over to parents house to borrow dads and to drop of the keys.

After quick stop at parents got home about 2pm to find everyone waiting on me. So, I finished packing. Since I had most of my stuff laid out it only took about 15 minutes to finalize everything. This surprised Mari. Mari had the explorer packed but my stuff. She is pretty excited to get on the road. Took the dogs out one last time. Then hit the road.

Mari talked my youngest brother in staying at our house to house sit and manage the zoo (2 beagles and 3 cats). On the road. Hope all goes well with him and the dogs and cats and the house is still standing when we get back.

Stopped McDonald's in Bethany, MO for lupper (lunch and supper). Started getting a little sleepy about 8 mile north of the Kearney exit. Stopped and let Mari finish driving. Boy I like GPS. Took us straight to the hotel. Made it to the Econolodge next to the airport about 6:30pm. Got two rooms. Mari and I have one and Carolyn (Mari's mom), David and Marissa in the other. Got settled in and decided to find some ice cream for dessert/snack. Found a Wendy's nearby. Marissa already being her grouchy self. She just had to stop at a gas station to buy some minutes for her mobile phone. She just has to talk to Jessie her boy friend. She got whinny because she could not get her phone to take the code for the minutes she just bought. David helped her out. Just a sarcastic thanks. Made it back to our separate rooms. Thank you. Well tomorrow we have to be up by 3:30am to get a ride on the shuttle to airport. We fly out to Kansas City to Atlanta at 5:30. Then on to San Juan. We will stay in San Juan Saturday and board the boat on Sunday.