This will have to happen in chapters. Too much to put down in one setting. Ok-basic impressions. Took off out of Lansing the 17th at 5 am heading to Flint-minus zero temperature so we would totally appreciate it when we got to Florida. Of course contrary to popular advice, we over packed! Who knew you would wear the same shorts and tacky t-shirt each morning until you had to dress for dinner? Where you would graduate to longer shorts and nicer t-shirts? The poker faces of all who served were awe-inspiring. No doubt they attend "how to look at tackily dressed tourists as they may be sitting on a cool million or ten that they may inflict upon you if you ignore their tacky t shirts and shorts?" Aha! simple economics.
Arrived in Ft Lauderdale and found a friendly cabbie to the hotel. Couldn't understand each other, but I'm still guessing friendly. Hyatt Regency-Pier 66 -what? Poison dix? Hyatt. Hey Zeus? Pier 66. Pick up sticks? Here's the f----g address. Oh yes-Hyatt Regency. No - Hotel 6 you crazy cabbie. Come on. The place sports mucho expensive rooms, a marina where God parks his/her yacht and a restaurant on the top of the building so big it has its own lighthouse. Well there's $20 I won't see again. WTF we're on vacation. Go with the flow. Caught up with everyone later in the evening. But first I had a blind date with Marcie's friend Ramah in the bar who knew what I looked like but I didn't know what she looked like. Must have walked up to 14 single women (and men) saying Ramah, Roma, Nemo, Screamo until someone with an infectious laugh finally acknowledged me. As I said this place is where the Supreme Being would park if he/she took a vacation. So apparently I was trying to hit on lesser gods. The bartender was fun though. (see note above about not judging a customer by their tacky shorts and t shirts).
Dinner was a hilarious affair with much noise and exotic cocktails. Dad and I can't hear so most of the hilarity went over our heads. Just smile and nod-works on so many levels. Apparently we all hit our various beds at different times and levels of inebriation. Some, who shall remain nameless, were carried to bed, but all were up and at 'em the next day which is all a vacation asks of us. After silliness with Hispanic named pens (I am Jose by the way), more exotic cocktails and general malaise, we toddle off to the boat. Loading two vans with all of the over packed luggage became symbolic of every venture. 14 people and their various articles of comfort create quite a caravan. Trekking over the alps with elephants would have been simpler, but then I will defend my need for several types of footwear, because, well, you just never know! However I will admit, though I tried to change several times, I did not wear all I brought. Plus I bought more which extended my inability to wear everything exponentially.
Take off Sunday afternoon was dramatic (no, no one fell overboard), romantic and celebratory with glasses of wine and extreme overtures to all those on shore who toasted our high seas adventure. Very cool from the balcony. And I found where my first on board bar was located (to buy the Bon Voyage wine) with my new friend Ramah.
Chapter 2 to follow.
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I think you spell it like Ramah. And WE had to buy an extra suitcase on Grand Turk to carry all WE bought!!
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