The first time I managed to get into the town of Cartagena Colombia, we went to the Old town, built by the Spanish.
It was one of the richest cities in South America, and one of the ports that the Spanish assembled the gold and other stuff taken from South America and put it on the Galleons to send back to Europe.
I was able to go to a place that sells one really good Colombian coffee, I got to try some, and bought a few bags to bring home.
The town also has a huge fortress that apparently cost trillions of today's equivalent money to build. I wasn't able to see it that day, But I am on a tour tomorrow to see it. So more on that later.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Snorkeling in Hutulco
I went snorkeling again in Huatulco again, but this time with a underwater camera. And my own snorkel gear.
We also found a huge school of fish while we were out there, hundreds of large fish that didn't mind us swimming right in close to them.
We also got some good pictures from inside a small cave that you have to swim into to get to.
We also found a huge school of fish while we were out there, hundreds of large fish that didn't mind us swimming right in close to them.
We also got some good pictures from inside a small cave that you have to swim into to get to.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Cliff Divers of Acapulco
In Acapulco, cliff diving by the locals is a big attraction.
Apparently its something that spans generations, with fathers giving way to sons.
The Cliff they dive from is about 130 feet, and is surrounded by a large viewing platform.
We decided to walk to the viewing area the day we were there, and were told it wasn't far. The person we were going to go with who had been there before bailed before we left, so we had to find our own way.
We decided to follow the waterline, and look for a sign as we got closer.
A little way into the walk we were thinking we might have missed the street we needed. Then we saw a sign with a stick person that looked like it was diving. Following that sign we ended up in a beach that wasn't were we wanted to go. Turns out that sign is just to indicate a beach. Not very helpful to us.
We did get some directions from a local who told us it was still a bit of a walk, but at least we were in the right direction.
We did arrive to the cliffs, an hour longer then it should have taken to walk there, but just in time for the show to start.
They can only dive at specific times due to the shallow landing area, and the tides. The divers seemed to know what they were doing, and would stand waiting for the right wave to come in and time it so they had the most water to land in.
The divers were good, and we got some nice pictures, but next time I think I will go watch from a boat.
After the show was done we took a taxi back. It was sad how close the cliffs were to the ship, just on the other side of the hill, but also the road that led to the site, was so non-descript I don't think it would be possible to find without know where to look, no signs or anything.
But the walk made the day more interesting in the end.
pictures to come
Apparently its something that spans generations, with fathers giving way to sons.
The Cliff they dive from is about 130 feet, and is surrounded by a large viewing platform.
We decided to walk to the viewing area the day we were there, and were told it wasn't far. The person we were going to go with who had been there before bailed before we left, so we had to find our own way.
We decided to follow the waterline, and look for a sign as we got closer.
A little way into the walk we were thinking we might have missed the street we needed. Then we saw a sign with a stick person that looked like it was diving. Following that sign we ended up in a beach that wasn't were we wanted to go. Turns out that sign is just to indicate a beach. Not very helpful to us.
We did get some directions from a local who told us it was still a bit of a walk, but at least we were in the right direction.
We did arrive to the cliffs, an hour longer then it should have taken to walk there, but just in time for the show to start.
They can only dive at specific times due to the shallow landing area, and the tides. The divers seemed to know what they were doing, and would stand waiting for the right wave to come in and time it so they had the most water to land in.
The divers were good, and we got some nice pictures, but next time I think I will go watch from a boat.
After the show was done we took a taxi back. It was sad how close the cliffs were to the ship, just on the other side of the hill, but also the road that led to the site, was so non-descript I don't think it would be possible to find without know where to look, no signs or anything.
But the walk made the day more interesting in the end.
pictures to come
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Two tours in Cabo san Lucas
I am a bit behind on my posts, but I am going to try and catch up a bit here.
We have stopped twice in Cabo san Lucas, and I have gone on a tour both times.
The first time we were there I went on a zip line tour to an area a hour outside of the town.
The tour included many zip lines, some rock climbing, and rappelling, and a few other interesting ways to cross rivers and canyons.
It was a fun trip with a more active group then we usually get on tours.
The last zip line was the best, at over 1600 ft. and about 45 seconds long it gets up to 40mph.
The second tour, was a Catamaran and snorkeling tour.
A friend of mine was cruising for the week, and we were able to get on the tour together, thanks to the helpful shore excursions manager.
The tour started by passing by the rocky outcroppings and arches called Lands End, at the tip of the harbour, a nice area with beaches only reached by water taxi.
After that we cruised to an area a short ways away with lots of coral and many different types of fishes.
I got some good underwater pictures, but unfortunately the water was a bit wavy so it make the water a bit cloudy.
After snorkeling we cruised back to the port, and the catamaran had a open bar, and some snacks.
After we got back to port we had lunch and went to the beach.
pictures to come.
We have stopped twice in Cabo san Lucas, and I have gone on a tour both times.
The first time we were there I went on a zip line tour to an area a hour outside of the town.
The tour included many zip lines, some rock climbing, and rappelling, and a few other interesting ways to cross rivers and canyons.
It was a fun trip with a more active group then we usually get on tours.
The last zip line was the best, at over 1600 ft. and about 45 seconds long it gets up to 40mph.
The second tour, was a Catamaran and snorkeling tour.
A friend of mine was cruising for the week, and we were able to get on the tour together, thanks to the helpful shore excursions manager.
The tour started by passing by the rocky outcroppings and arches called Lands End, at the tip of the harbour, a nice area with beaches only reached by water taxi.
After that we cruised to an area a short ways away with lots of coral and many different types of fishes.
I got some good underwater pictures, but unfortunately the water was a bit wavy so it make the water a bit cloudy.
After snorkeling we cruised back to the port, and the catamaran had a open bar, and some snacks.
After we got back to port we had lunch and went to the beach.
pictures to come.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A Week in Mexico
We have been cruising to Mexican ports for the last week, stopping at Huatulco, Acapulco, and Cabo San Lucas.
The first two ports we went to were spent the day at the beach, snorkeling and swimming in Huatulco which is a smaller town and very nice because it isn't very overloaded with tourists. The beach we went to was a bit away from the town, and was a more locals beach, which was nice to be away from the regular crowds. There was even a small cave that you could swim into, and you had to watch for the waves as you went in and out.
Acapulco is as touristy as it gets, its a large city, and is full of resorts, and large beaches. And people wanting to sell you anything you could want. We took a taxi to the main beach. The beach was nice and we found a empty area to play Frisbee. And we left our bags at the top of the dry area of the beach and went in to the water to do some body surfing. One big wave came, and i swam under, not thinking about it, but the people who I was with tried to get out of the water, as our bags weren't as safe as we thought. And they were hit by the water. My bag was mostly zipped up and my important stuff didn't get wet, but a bit of sand did get in and some water. My friend who had some stuff in a open pocket of his bag had his cellphone get all wet, and almost lost his sandals and other stuff, as it floated down the to the water. But some locals were nice and managed to grab it all.
Taxi's are interesting in Acapulco, almost all of them are old Volkswagen bugs, and the traffic on the main road can be crazy, especially at the end of the day going back to the ship, so its important to leave the beach early to get back in time. We got lucky and a ambulance was coming down the street and the driver managed to sneak in behind it, so that got us some extra time to hang around town in the ship area.
The first two ports we went to were spent the day at the beach, snorkeling and swimming in Huatulco which is a smaller town and very nice because it isn't very overloaded with tourists. The beach we went to was a bit away from the town, and was a more locals beach, which was nice to be away from the regular crowds. There was even a small cave that you could swim into, and you had to watch for the waves as you went in and out.
Acapulco is as touristy as it gets, its a large city, and is full of resorts, and large beaches. And people wanting to sell you anything you could want. We took a taxi to the main beach. The beach was nice and we found a empty area to play Frisbee. And we left our bags at the top of the dry area of the beach and went in to the water to do some body surfing. One big wave came, and i swam under, not thinking about it, but the people who I was with tried to get out of the water, as our bags weren't as safe as we thought. And they were hit by the water. My bag was mostly zipped up and my important stuff didn't get wet, but a bit of sand did get in and some water. My friend who had some stuff in a open pocket of his bag had his cellphone get all wet, and almost lost his sandals and other stuff, as it floated down the to the water. But some locals were nice and managed to grab it all.
Taxi's are interesting in Acapulco, almost all of them are old Volkswagen bugs, and the traffic on the main road can be crazy, especially at the end of the day going back to the ship, so its important to leave the beach early to get back in time. We got lucky and a ambulance was coming down the street and the driver managed to sneak in behind it, so that got us some extra time to hang around town in the ship area.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
When the Captian ask's you to come to his office.
I received a call from the Captain of the Infinity, to come to his office to fix a problem related to my Interactive TV system.
When the Captain wants you to do something for him you better be on the ball. Thankfully I am awesome, and was able to get everything working fast and professionally.
What it really involved was getting special channels added to his TV, which requires specific equipment that only I have. This thankfully happened a few times on my last ship, so i knew what to do, as its not a request that happens often.
I think I should ask for a raise while my stock is high with the #1 guy on the ship.
When the Captain wants you to do something for him you better be on the ball. Thankfully I am awesome, and was able to get everything working fast and professionally.
What it really involved was getting special channels added to his TV, which requires specific equipment that only I have. This thankfully happened a few times on my last ship, so i knew what to do, as its not a request that happens often.
I think I should ask for a raise while my stock is high with the #1 guy on the ship.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Work is a day at the beach
We were in Costa Rica a few days ago, and although a group of us planned to go ziplining we postponed it because there was a boat drill, and entertainment department meeting in the morning.
Instead we decided to go to the local Hilton Resort, at which you can buy a day pass at.
The day pass gives you access to the beach, the restaurants, the pool, and all you can drink at the bars.
The pool had a swim up bar, which is awesome. We all made good use of that.
Also the beach was very nice fine sand, with big waves that were perfect to body surf in. Spent some good time riding the waves. I wish I had my bodyboard I bought in Hawaii.
One of the good things about the day in Costa Rica, was that we sailed later then usual, 7pm, which gave us lots of time to spend at the resort.
There were many of us in rough shape after coming back to the ship, but luckily I had the night off.
Instead we decided to go to the local Hilton Resort, at which you can buy a day pass at.
The day pass gives you access to the beach, the restaurants, the pool, and all you can drink at the bars.
The pool had a swim up bar, which is awesome. We all made good use of that.
Also the beach was very nice fine sand, with big waves that were perfect to body surf in. Spent some good time riding the waves. I wish I had my bodyboard I bought in Hawaii.
One of the good things about the day in Costa Rica, was that we sailed later then usual, 7pm, which gave us lots of time to spend at the resort.
There were many of us in rough shape after coming back to the ship, but luckily I had the night off.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Panama Canal
Well I have been on the ship for a month now.
Yesterday I crossed the Panama Canal for the 3rd time, 2nd of this contract, and the first time going from Atlantic to Pacific.
One thing that is different from the first time I was on the ship is that the Helipad which is at the very front of the ship was open to all guests and not just crew, so it was harder to get a good front row picture.
Yesterday I crossed the Panama Canal for the 3rd time, 2nd of this contract, and the first time going from Atlantic to Pacific.
One thing that is different from the first time I was on the ship is that the Helipad which is at the very front of the ship was open to all guests and not just crew, so it was harder to get a good front row picture.
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