2018-03-01 to 03-03 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - Cruising to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas and Aruba

2018-03-01 to 03-03 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - Cruising to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas and Aruba.  We departed Fort Lauderdale at 4:00 pm and arrived 8:00 am at private island Half Moon Cay, Bahamas and departed 2:30 pm so we decided we would just stay on board the ship and relax from our driving and visiting trip from Denton.  

2018-03-02 was a day a sea


Enjoying an Americas Test Kitchen Cooking Demonstration

2018-03-03 Arrived at Oranjestad, Aruba at 1:00 pm then departed at 11:00 pm.  We had just been to Aruba November 2017 and we took an excursion then so we just did our own walking tour of the town.  

   
Arrived Aruba
   
Edward in Aruba -Paardenbaai (Horse Bay)  Meet the beautiful mare Rosalinda, a Gentle creature, able to transform difficulties into opportunities.

   
Oranjestad, Aruba marina and main shopping street.

  
Elaine and Edward taking a break and catching up on emails and Facebook.

2018-02-28 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - boarded ship

2018-02-28 we boarded the HOLLAND AMERICA MS ZUIDERDAM and had some lunch.  After lunch we decided to check out each deck to located all the necessary places on the ship.  Entertainment: BB King's Blues Club; Lincoln Center, Billboard Onboard, Gallery Bar, Vista Show Lounge, Piano Bar, Casino, Ocean Bar, Pinnacle Bar.

Others:  Microsoft Windows class room; America's Test Kitchen cooking demonstrations; and a Pickleball Court.


 
Edward relaxing after boarding the ship.  Nice cruiser going by the ship.

A few cargo ships passed us before departing.

2018-02-27 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - The Villages, Florida, visit Dave and Linda

2018-02-24 to 02-26 We stopped to visit our friends Linda and Dave Haag in THE VILLAGES in Florida.

We went to a wine tasting nearby at Whispering Oaks Winery, Oxford, Florida.  We got flights of wine to taste and a snack.  It has a nice outside eating area and live music.  A great atmosphere and facilities.  Service was not so efficient but we had a pleasant time visiting.

  

 
Mural of the area.                                    View of the vineyards.

2018-02-26 We went on an airboat ride at Wild Bill's Airboat Tours in the swamps on the Withlacoochee River.






 
Elaine with baby Alligators and on the airboat

 
Looking for alligators - there is one.

 

 

 



 
Edward with me and Dave having refreshment while waiting on Linda to return from Doctor appointment regarding progress on her x-rays of her broken foot.  The streets in the Villages are always filled with golf carts.

2018-02-27 - Departed for our drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida to depart on 02-28 for the Cruise to Panama Canal.

Thanks Linda and Dave for a great time visiting with you!

2018-02-24 to 02-27 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - stop at The Villages, Florida

2018-02-24 to 02-26 We stopped to visit our friends Linda and Dave Haag in THE VILLAGES in Florida.

We went to a wine tasting nearby at Whispering Oaks Winery, Oxford, Florida.  We got flights of wine to taste and a snack.  It has a nice outside eating area and live music.  A great atmosphere and facilities.  Service was not so efficient but we had a pleasant time visiting.

  

 
Mural of the area.                                    View of the vineyards.

2018-02-26 We went on an airboat ride at Wild Bill's Airboat Tours in the swamps on the Withlacoochee River.






 
Elaine with baby Alligators and on the airboat

 
Looking for alligators - there is one.

 

 

 



 
Edward with me and Dave having refreshment while waiting on Linda to return from Doctor appointment regarding progress on her x-rays of her broken foot.  The streets in the Villages are always filled with golf carts.

2018-02-27 - Departed for our drive Fort Lauderdale, Florida to depart on 02-28 for the Cruise to Panama Canal.

Thanks Linda and Dave for a great time visiting with you!

2018-02-22 and 23 Panama Canal Cruise Trip - start trip

02-22-2018 We began our drive to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a Panama Canal Cruise at 11:30 am.  It is 39 degrees and light rain after yesterday with 30 degrees and freezing rain.  Trees are loaded with ice all yesterday and many broken tree limbs in our yard and neighbors.  Roads are wet but no ice today.

We stopped the first night in Jackson, Mississippi. It was a long day so we had dinner then went to bed.

02-23-2018 We had breakfast and started driving.  We stopped for the second night in Panama City Beach, Florida.  Had a nice dinner at a Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant right on the beach.


   
Elaine at Sharky's Beachfront Restaurant in Panama City Beach, Florida