{"id":1554,"date":"2012-01-01T03:34:37","date_gmt":"2012-01-01T07:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/2012\/01\/01\/my-first-cruisethe-western-caribbean\/"},"modified":"2012-01-01T03:34:37","modified_gmt":"2012-01-01T07:34:37","slug":"my-first-cruisethe-western-caribbean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/my-first-cruisethe-western-caribbean\/","title":{"rendered":"MY FIRST CRUISE\u2014THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN"},"content":{"rendered":"

I decided I needed to get away since I have not taken a trip for years that did not center around dogs, shows, judging, or dog people. For the most part, I have traveled the world alone. Al went with me in the beginning to Australia, New Zealand, dog shows in this country, and to England and Europe.\u00a0 In fact it was on a trip with our kennel club to Windsor dog show in the UK that we discovered Cavaliers in 1989.\u00a0 The rest is history!\u00a0 As I said, I am quite used to traveling alone as Al just never wanted to go after his series of different cancers started, but I knew I had to go and with his blessing I did with him knowing that when he needed me home, I would be there.\u00a0 I have not had a chance to renew myself since Al died and I needed this respite. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"pix<\/a><\/p>\n

I chose a Carnival cruise to the Western Caribbean featuring Mass and the rosary every day said by Msgr. Michael Patrick Aloysius Flanagan.\u00a0 An Irishman right up my alley!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DSC00493\"<\/a> \"DSC00491\"<\/a><\/p>\n

So many people have acted astonished when I said I was going alone or found out on board that I was alone.\u00a0 I have become my own best company and I am never am alone as God is with me. I took this cruise as part of my spiritual journey to concentrate on my relationship with God without all the distractions of home. I have the dogs and home base covered and am on a great adventure sitting on my balcony reading or praying, taking excursions which I will describe and for which I will display photos, or hanging out with new friends who will stay friends forever I believe. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

These are the pictures leaving Miami.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC00315-25%\"<\/a>\"DSC00316-25%\"<\/a>\"DSC00317-25%\"<\/a>\"DSC00322-25%\"<\/a>\"DSC00325-25%\"<\/a>\"DSC00326-25%\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Carnival Valor is a wonderful ship; so many amenities and such wonderful service.\u00a0 I got a balcony room so I could sit out, look at the sea, and pray and meditate which worked well the first couple of days. Food was great, but I kept trotting (oh, alright, walking!) around the ship so I would not roll off the ship disembarking. I am probably one of the few cruisers to lose weight on a cruise;\u00a0 since I have been gluten free for several months now, I stayed away from all the yummy desserts.\u00a0 The name of the Valor honors many valiant men and women from every country: Churchill, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks,\u00a0 several of our Presidents, authors, scientists and so on. <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC00476\"<\/a>\"DSC00477\"<\/a>\"DSC00476\"<\/a>\"DSC00480\"<\/a>\"DSC00478\"<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The staff of the Valor is made up of people from every race and country.\u00a0 I had several discussions with staff about how all of them get along in such close proximity and for seven to nine month tours.\u00a0 From what I understand, the staff gets along extremely well with no segregating into different races or cultures.\u00a0 I was amazed at all the positive interactions that I witnessed between staff members no matter the hierarchy of their jobs. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We left Miami on December 4 with the first stop being Grand Cayman Island on the 6th.<\/strong><\/span> <\/span>
\n\"Carnival<\/a>\"The<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Pix of my stateroom.\u00a0 I had a wonderful balcony!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC00308\"<\/a> \"stateroom\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The tender boat leaving the Valor for shore adventures<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Grand Cayman<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Our first port of call was Grand Cayman, a very busy port with several cruise ships disembarking at the same time causing crowded conditions as the cruisers met their excursions or began shopping in the many duty free shops. Jewelry stores were everywhere.\u00a0 I resisted and went on an excursion to kiss dolphins and stingrays.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DSC00328\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Stingray City!!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Kissing a stingray was a new experience.\u00a0 They seem to congregate around a reef a distance away from the Grand Cayman Island shore.\u00a0 The the early 1900″\u2019s, the fishermen cleaned their fish on the reef which has only waist high water. Over the years the reef became a stingray feeding ground. They have grown very tame in the ensuing years; it is strange to feel them brush against one\u2019s legs.\u00a0 I have kissed a lot of frogs in my life, but never a stingray.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"kissing<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DSC00354\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"DSC00352\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My new friends Gary and Judy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"gary<\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n

A stingray!!!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Now kissing my dolphin friend was a wonderful experience. The best action I had in a year and a half!!! Dancing with a dolphin was one of the happiest experiences I have had in a long time. Dolphins are so very very bright. They have their own language and are so easily trained.\u00a0 They are thinkers and communicators, easily establishing relationships with humans and other dolphins. While at the Dolphin sanctuary, rehabilitation\u00a0 and training center, I talked to the staff about my hesitancy to see Dolphins and whales trained for tourist attractions; as demeaning in my book as using the other extremely bright family and social animal, the Elephant, in run down circuses and side shows.\u00a0 The director explained that by attracting tourists, education about Dolphins and the need for the preservation, protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of\u00a0 Dolphins could ensure the welfare of Dolphins to oppose the wholesale slaughtering of Dolphins as depicted in the horrendously upsetting movie of a couple of years ago, <\/strong> The Cove<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/strong> If not for zoos, sanctuaries, and and rescue centers, many of our endangered species would be gone forever due mankind\u2019s greed, selfishness, and shortsightedness. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"dance<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DSC00344\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Now after my great Dolphin experience I have finally seen Dolphin Tale which I thoroughly enjoyed watching. I am in love with Dolphins and their almost human understanding and communication skills. I also enjoyed seeing the many beautiful Island birds.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Don't<\/a> Don\u2019t even think of biting me!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cozumel<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cozumel is a rather large and lovely\u00a0 Mexican port of call.\u00a0 My friends Linda and Everetto from Chicago and I spent the time together exploring a bit. After doing all our \u201cshopping\u201d we went to Carlos\u2019 n Charlies restaurant with a lot of local color and good authentic Mexican food.\u00a0 The staff was not very cordial when we first arrived until my \u201cBrooklyn\u201d tone began with my limited Spanish vocabulary. We were then seated in another table by the head waiter, manager, or owner\u2014we did not know which. We were treated royally and had lots of fun with the nicely \u201ccrazy\u201d waiters.\u00a0 The atmosphere of the restaurant was lively to say the least. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Typical<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Typical Historical Cozumel Indian Dress<\/strong><\/span>\"the<\/a><\/p>\n

Carolos\u2019 n Charlies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Carlos<\/a>\"DSC00373\"<\/a>\"Everetto<\/a>\"Ambiance<\/a>\"DSC00377\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Cozumel mode of transportation!<\/strong><\/span>\"common<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Belize<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Belize City was my favorite port of call although the tourist area was much more limited than in Grand Cayman or Cozumel. Belize is fighting its way out of third world status although there is almost no employment. Belize shares its problem with homelessness and unemployment as do many countries even we who should be dealing with unemployment, homelessness, lack of life insurance for so many of our citizens, our massive number of foreclosures, and hunger especially in our children. Belize is a developing country while we our the richest nation in the world with wealth and a high standard of living unattainable by most of our citizens seemingly ending the \u201cAmerican dream.\u201d\u00a0 (Okay, okay soapbox over.) <\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n

At every port of call was a local humane society booth where one could learn about the activities of the humane society and donate to the cause.\u00a0 Of course, I donated at every one as in developing countries the animals usually fare worse than the people.\u00a0 In Belize I struck up a conversation with the volunteers. After exploring the very limited stores, we took a buggy ride to see most of Belize City which is comprised of a few businesses , new construction, public and private schools, old colonial houses dating back to its being a British holding, and the mostly ramshackle housing for the locals.\u00a0 Unemployment is very high; the Belize dollar or currency is eighteen to one American dollar, but eighteen Belize coins won\u2019t buy a chicken! Belize City is a mix of new construction, old colonial style houses, and rather ramshackle houses or even shacks.\u00a0\u00a0 Many of the houses are built on stilts due to the floods that hit yearly.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our buggy driver, a college student, told us quite a bit about the history, government, and problems in Belize.\u00a0 Belize is developing slowly. It is English speaking. Crime of course is a big problem as where there is great unemployment and poverty, there is crime.\u00a0 The Crips and the Bloods gangs are very active in Belize and the government is making strides in bringing them together. I, as ever the animal advocate, noticed that most of the horses were in okay condition, but there was one very old horse in horrible condition with every bone showing and looking so fatigued and drained.\u00a0 I, ever the animal advocate marched up to the humane society booth and expressed my deep concerns as I know horses and can assess their condition immediately. One of the officials of the humane society, an American ex patriot (there are quite a few in Belize and I am tempted to join them). She asked me to immediately put my thoughts on paper to be published in the Belize City newspaper which I did.\u00a0 She said that the buggy rides and other tourist attractions were controlled by the drug cartels which did not care about animal welfare. Tough sledding there.\u00a0 If I lived in Belize, I would probably be killed by the drug cartels for my aggressive stand on animal and children welfare.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Belize Boardwalk<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas in Belize<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"image\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Belize Harbor<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Belize\"<\/a>\"Belize<\/a>\"Belize<\/a><\/p>\n

Linda and Everetto.\u00a0 Our buggy ride.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"DSC00389\"<\/a>\"Our<\/a><\/p>\n

The Old and the New\u2014Scenes Around Belize City<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"old<\/a>\"Another<\/a>\"typical<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Chinese<\/a>\"Belize<\/a>\"Rehab<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Flowers<\/a>\"always<\/a>\"Belize<\/a>\"Park<\/a><\/p>\n

Iguanas are Everywhere!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Iguanas,<\/a><\/p>\n

Roatan Isla<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mahogany<\/a><\/p>\n

Flowers are Everywhere<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"flowers\"<\/a>\"flowers<\/a>\"flowers<\/a>\"flowers<\/a>\"DSC00426\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Scenes from the Port<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Harly\"<\/a> \"old<\/a>\"fountain<\/a> \"the<\/a>\"lovely<\/a><\/p>\n

A Scene from the Museum Depicting the History of Roatan <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>\"DSC00443\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The display of the history of the Garinagua people of Roatan, Honduras and Belize was fascinating.\u00a0 I photographed parts of the displays to chronicle the history of the Garinaguas:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"history<\/a>\"history<\/a>\"histry<\/a> \"histry<\/a>\"fisherman<\/a>\"cassava\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"frm<\/a>\"garinagu<\/a>\"villages<\/a>\"today<\/a>\"we<\/a><\/p>\n

Roatan Isla is truly a jewel.\u00a0 I intend to return and spend more time in this beautiful island.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I loved the cruise and cannot wait to take another which will not be in the near future as my Wendy, Ch. Rattlebridge Dutch Treat ROM, is now fourteen and one half and mourns deeply when I leave her.\u00a0 She has been my emotional support all her life and every day with her is precious.\u00a0 It is just to hard for\u00a0 both of us to be separated.\u00a0 I may be away a weekend for a dog show now and again, but taking another cruise, the most enjoyable time I have had in years, will just have to wait.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ch.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I decided I needed to get away since I have not taken a trip for years that did not center around dogs, shows, judging, or dog people. For the most part, I have traveled the world alone. Al went with me in the beginning to Australia, New Zealand, dog shows in this country, and to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1554"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1554\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1554"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1554"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rattlebridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1554"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}