Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

We arrived at noon in Cabo in sunshine and clear skies. The bay was full of huge yachts and pelicans resting and flying everywhere. We took our whale watching tour and saw a few whales but not too many. The ocean was very calm for sailing. Saw a few of the humpback tails go up in the air but the whales were way out so we had a difficult time getting to them. Photographer on board said this has been the best year for whales but also commented that Cabo is really suffering from lack of tourists. The malls and tourist shops are empty of tourists.
Met the Irish priest from County Cork in Ireland and had breakfast with the young man. He is very funny and very friendly.
Came back from the tour and had a sail away with a Mexican band from Cabo. Had Mexican appetizers and drinks and sat on top level soaking in the sun, drinking, eating and listening to great music. Sat with a friendly lady who is today’s entertainer from Uraguay and is going to be playing the harp. She was telling us how she flies all over the world catching up with different cruises and entertains once or twice,onboard the ship and then flies to the next cruise ship. She does this for 6 months of the year and then relaxes at home the remainder 6 months. Very lucrative job. She said we were on the best cruise ship of them all.
Walked down our hallway yesterday and the bags were packed beside the room of the gentleman who died. He and his wife are from Surrey BC. So sad. The guest speakers so far, are excellent and the entertainers are excellent too. Our table mates are great so we can’t complain. The Americans at our table are against the bailouts and are very worried. They worked for IBM and loved Canadian workers. The other gentleman is a patent lawyer. We have interesting dinner conversations.
Had our muster station drills and fortunately or unfortunately Mary Anne and Harry are on our lifeboat so if we go down, there is no one left to tell our families. We were laughing about it during the drill.
Have to ask the computer techs how to send photos again. Until the next time.

Crystal Plaza

We arrived in LA at the Beverly Hilton hotel and settled in. Took an afternoon tour of the stars homes up in the Hollywood Hills. Saw the Kodak Theatre where the academy awards are handed out and peeked a look into the room in our hotel where one week ago, the Golden Globe awards were handed out. We dressed for the evening gala reception and dinner which was something else. There are 242 World Cruisers who were all dressed up in their formals. We milled around and tried the different appetizers, drank our champagne and were escorted into this large dining room with tall white roses and orchid centre pieces and elaborate table settings and an orchestra from the ship playing.. We were seated with a dance host, a couple from Sweden and other people at the table. Listened to some speeches from the Crystal Cruise Line and then wined and dined but didn’t dance. Too tired. Service was great. Treated royally.
Next day were met with limos that took one couple at a time to the ship. All these black limos were lined up at the Hilton which was something to see. Arrived at our ship and were processed quickly. Had a latte at the bistro and waited to get into the rooms. Rooms are quite small but organized. Unpacked 5 huge suitcases and then down to the dining room to meet our table mates. One couple are the computer instructors from the ship and the other couple are from Newport Beach California, and our friends Mary Anne and Harry from Edmonton and us. Great conversation and wonderful people so we are glad. Wed. we had our boat drills. Came back to the room and was ready to leave when all this commotion in the hallway. Two doors down and gentleman had a heart attack. All the medical people came running and they told me to wait. They were giving CPR, cleared the hallways, put a white sheet up so no one could see. Our maid was beside me and said this is bad. I had to go. Came back and found out they stabilized him, wife no where to be found, took him down to the medical centre and he died. First death, already. They found the wife, who is devastated. They were from Canada for the entire world cruise. Wow, one death, how many more to go? Our maid was very upset. Another day in our cruise. Took golf lessons today, Doug went to a lecture by Nigel West on American Foreign Policy under President Barack Obama. Talked to the gentleman afterward who answered any questions we might have. He feels our CSISA in Canada are very good. Good to know. This evening we meet the captain of the ship and our second formal evening. Many more formals to go, ugh. Have to go for an hour walk with Doug out on the deck to walk off this food. Only 63 degrees outside. The news is usually there are 400 and more world cruisers on any given year, but because of the economy only half this amount this year. This leg has 300 and some cruisers so total cruisers including those for this leg only and the world cruisers makes it in the 500s which is small considering the ship holds 1000 people. There are 650 staff to take care of us so we can’t complain.