Blogs from Atlantic, Oceans and Seas - page 66

Geo: 19.2869, -81.3671... read more

20 January 2012 - Today has been a hugely restful day at sea as we've sailed our way down to Florida and into wonderful warm weather. 71 degrees today and 75 degrees forecast for our day in Miami and the Everglades tomorrow. Our tally of wildlife increased slightly today with more dolphins sighted and 2 flying fish. Two excellent lectures this morning: another fascinating insight into life in the White House under the Nixon and Ford administrations then an excellent and well illustrated talk from Gerald Scarfe. His cartoons really can be very cutting but always exquisitely drawn. Like his wife's talks last week, he attracted a huge audience and the theatre was really packed. Not bad for a place that seats over 1100 guests! This evening has been very leisurely with a lovely dinner and ... read more

DRAKE PASSAGE REVISITED Well I was right; the passage is rocking as expected. Had a great night’s sleep and am just chilling, so to speak. I spent the morning catching up on my blog, checking out the pictures and listening to the wind howl outside my door. It’s grey and wet out there but since there is virtually nothing to see, I’m just enjoying the ride. This is just the second real “sea day” of this voyage. All the others were scenic cruising days with lots to see. There are so many things I usually do on board that I haven’t done; team trivia competition is always fun, the piano bar in the evening, just hanging out at the pool. It’s almost brunch time. Skipped breakfast. Eating in the main dining room for most meals as ... read more

Sometimes you just need to get away to put things into perspective. Solution: A girls trip with one of my childhood best friends! We left for Jacksonville around 3:30pm from Atlanta and had a pretty uneventful drive down - if you don't count the minor detour and being the victim of some type of suicidal bird. Maybe an owl? It wasn't until an hour after something large flew in front of our car, hitting the antennae, before we realized the 45 degree angle it bent into the metal! Thank goodness it was considerate enough to spare our windshield! We arrived into Jacksonville in time to grab dinner at Urban Flats. The decor is modern and the food is good. I was pleased with the prices and got the chicken salad croissant with their house specialty salad. ... read more

Geo: 20.4816, 99.9383As I have to be up early to be picked up I do the breakfast run to the market first. I leave Jai in bed not feeling too well and wait outside the guest house for the minibus to arrive. A full bus of punters and quite a mixed bag enthusiastically set off northwards. I give a quick 'wai' at the spirit houses by the side of the road as we climb up into the mountains. I figure that any chances of good luck whilst having to spend 10 hours on a Thai road with MIchael Schumacher at the wheel were worth trying for. We stop at the usual hot springs for a toilet break after an hour or so and if anything it looks even more developed than last time I was here. ... read more