Georgetown - Caymen Islands

With nothing planned we took the tender over to Georgetown,  we popped into cafe to check our emails. We stroled through the town which was very clean and manicured.

We stopped off at a bar for a quick beer, but the prices we extortionate,  so after a couple of hours we jumped on the tender and returned to the ship.

Down on the pool deck some of the crew took to the stage for a well deserved cheer and a round of applause. 

 Saw Dem boysz and the the collective music show bands in the Squid and Anchor. 

A day at Sea

It was a cloudless sky and a very calm sea that saw us sail over to our next port. Mandy sunbathed and Rob relaxed in the Indigo lounge with views heading forward.

In the evening we enjoyed a pre dinner drink on Flutes and our evening meal at Latitude 45. We then strolled over to the Indigo lounge where we were entertained by Elton John tribute performed by Lucss and then Dem boys cranked up the lounge with a high energy set.

Cozumel - Mexico

We were both still quite poorly as we berthed in the Mexican port of Cozumel. Rob managed to struggle ashore to get some medicine and check a few emails.

Bus tour of Havana

 The following day we were both in good spirits as we took the tourist bus around the City, for 10 US dollars we thought it was a good price.

We left right outside the cruise terminal  and headed into the city.  Our first stop was outside the Anglettera hotel and beside it the very impressive Grand Theater of Havana Gran Teatro de La Habana “Alicia Alonso”

We then headed down the Malecon, this was a beautiful part of the ride, right along the seafront with the hair whipping through our hair and splendid views of the skyscrapers in the distance.

We then drove onto Revolution square, with its  huge monument and large murals of the revolutionary leaders.

Sadly this was about as good as the tour got as we then proceeded driving through the suburbs and residential areas and there was not much too see. We thought that the tour was well over an hour too long, plus the commentary is only in Spanish.

At around 3.00pm we left Havana's harbour and set sail for Cozumel in Mexico after enjoying a couple of days in this fascinating City.

That night we went to the show lounge to see the comedian  Scotty Miller.

A walk around Havana

Havana  - Cuba

We arrived in Havana and sadly Mandy felt poorly, so while Mandy stayed onboard, Rob explored the streets of the old town.

The usual array of brightly coloured classic American cars were doing a roaring trade with the visitors on the main street next to the cruise terminal.

The first street was "Obispo", which started close to Plaza de Armas and stretched in a straight line to Pot due Marti.

Turning left he came upon the impressive Capitalo building with its golden dome and well kept gardens.

From her Rob explored the streets around La Vitrola and stopped for a refreshing beer.

In the evening Mandy was well enough to sit on the Aft deck and watch the sun go down as the lights of the city came on.

 

A day at sea

 Our first day was a sea day, so we spent the morning Sunbathing on the after deck. We also took time out to listened to talk about our visit to Cuba. Had a light lunch in the Market place buffet.

We went over to the pool deck to watch the highly entertaining, Dem boyz band.

Later on in the afternoon we moved onto the "Squid and Anchor "pub  for a quiz followed by a few rounds of Bingo.

In the evening we dined at Latitude 45 formal restaurant. This was a beautiful dinning g room with with huge window panels at the Aft end of the ship. Both the food and service we very good.

After dinner, we encountered some rough weather. 

A to flight Jamaica

 It was an early start for us on a very cold morning as we made our way to Manchester airport for our Dreamliner TUI flight to Montego bay in Jamaica.

The flight took around nine hours and was a bit bumpy but the complimentary food and drink helped.

We landed at Montego bay and passed through immigration pretty quickly. We then boarded a coach and with the escort of a Police outrider. We were whisked through the streets of the port, sometimes driving on the wrong side of the road with a lot of horn blowing as the local drivers took avoiding action.

We pitched up at the port and boarded the Marella explorer 2 cruise ship. It was good to be back to warm temperatures after our brief stay in Manchester. First stop was the pool deck for a refreshing cold Red stripe beer. 

Flying to Manchester UK and visiting Hale

 On a cool, calm evening, we flew with Ryanair from Paphos to Manchester (UK.) The flight took 4 hours 40 minutes and it was a pleasant flight back to England. 

We then made our way over to  Hale to stay with Tina and Mike who were once our neighbours in Pissouri. 

Mike and Tina live in a beautiful, traditional house that is 130 years old and is set in it's own grounds. 

With temperatures hovering just above zero we certainly noticed the colder weather and it was good to indoors and see out old friends once again.

The next day we did a little shopping and Mike and Tina showed around the surrounding areas of Wilmslow, Wythenshawe and Hale Barnes.

We then popped into the Morley tea rooms for a warm drink and a scrumptious slice of cake.

The cafe is run by Emma Gleave, the wife of actor Simon Gregson who plays the character of "Steve McDonald " on the popular British soap opera, Coronation street. 

New Year' Day 2024

 A very Happy and healthy New Year to all our family,  friends and visitors to the Blog.

To blow away the festive "cobwebs ", an early morning walk around Pissouri gave some wonderful views of the sunrise.