Smith's Journey in 2007
Come with us to Tulum, Mexico (click for slide show)
Follow us to Chichen Itza (click for show)
Wonder what we're looking at? (click to show)
The cruise (click for slide show)
- Day One (September 19, 2007)
- Left Austin for Galveston around 9 am.
- Arrived in Galveston at 1:00 o’clock and ate lunch at a restaurant near the Ecstasy, our ship
- Unloaded baggage and boarded the Ecstasy about 2 pm
- At 4 pm all guests were required to attend the safety meeting.
- Attended our first formal dinner at 5:45 in the Windsong dining room. Richard and Kay were seated at our table. Richard is retired and likes to talk.
- Tim & Laurel attended a reception held by Curves International.
- Saw Tim & Laurel for 5 minutes after dinner.
- Attended the 7:45 show in the Sapphire Room – dancing and singing.
- Went to bed early
- Day Two (September 20, 2007)
- Saw Tim & Laurel on deck near the swimming area. Laurel was already in the water at 10:30 am.
- Spent much of the afternoon in the swimming area…in the pool. Sunburn.
- Captain’s Dinner – more formal attire worn for dinner.
- After dinner, attended the Captain’s reception in the Sapphire Room with Tim and Laurel
- Went on deck and watched the sunset.
- Bought hats for our excursions into Mexico.
- Day Three (September 21, 2007)
- Watched the boat dock at Progresso, Mexico around 7 am.
- Left the Ecstasy at 7:30 am for tour bus to Chechen Itza Mayan ruins.
- Bus Ride took an hour and a half. Our tour guide spoke through most of the trip.
- Before stopping at Chechen Itza, the bus stopped for those who wanted to buy souvenirs.
- Laurel found someone who was selling wooden masks “cheap” next to the bus.
- At 10:30 we were at the site and touring the ruins. We were told to be on the bus at 1 pm – if not there, we would be left behind…I think they mean it…
- Surprised how many “locals” were trying to sell something…bought a wooden snake…when we entered the national park, things that were $2 for one item later was 2 items for $1 by the time we were leaving…and even here you could negotiate…as we were told “almost free”.
- Elizabeth attended a reception for guests who previously cruised with Carnival lines at 5 pm.
- 5:45 formal dinner in the Windsong Room
- Tim & Laurel joined the captain and other guests for a cigar (Cuban) at 10 pm.
- Day Four (September 22, 2007)
- Watched the boat dock at Cozumel around 7 am.
- Left the Ecstasy at 7:30 am tour boat to Playa Del Carmine.
- Found our guide (Manuel) who took us to our tour bus
- Bus ride to Tulum ruins took 1 ½ hours.
- Stopped at an artist’s colony. Bought some things.
- After entering the ruins, we were excited to see Iguanas. We soon came to call them Mexican Squirrels as they are not afraid of humans…come up to you…I suspect looking for food. Very sharp teeth.
- Back on board at 3 pm. Didn’t depart until after 4 pm because passengers were arriving late. Only one had an excuse – he was at an emergency ward in Cozumel. We wanted to do some shopping in Cozumel, but didn’t think we had any time.
- Formal dinner at 5:45.
- At 8:45 we attended a show in the Sapphire Room. Cowboy western theme and was very good.
- After the show bought a watch.
- Day Five (September 23, 2007)
- At sea.
- Found Tim and Laurel on deck by poolside. Rain.
- Laid out under the sun for an hour. Careful not to burn.
- Last formal dinner at 5:45. We were the only ones at our table…privacy!.
- Packed our luggage
- Met up with Tim and Laurel for the 8:45 show. The comedian was very good.
- Tim also bought a new watch…Citizen watches were 44% off original price…couldn’t say “no”
- After the show we sought out a few on-board “bars”. I think we were drinking tequila.
- Late night.
- Day Six (September 24, 2007)
- Watched the boat dock in Galveston about 7 am
- Met up with Tim and Laurel about 7:15 for breakfast
- Around 8:30 our “number” was called and we left the ship.
- Waited for Tim and Laurel to leave the ship. Took a picture of the waiting area…the guard scolded me for taking a picture…forgot about the new anti-terrorist rules.
- The bus took us to our car around 10:30. Loaded our luggage and left Galveston.
- Stopped at an antique place between Houston and Austin
- Around dusk we went to see “the bats”. Tens of thousands live under an interstate bypass and it’s amazing to see the swarms of bats leave when night falls.