Live from ms Zaandam on her 15-day roundtrip to the Hawaiian Islands 07-22 NOV 09

[Copper10-8]

FRI 06 NOV 09 - Leaving for San Diego

Left home around 12 noon and got on the 405/I-5 southbound. Traffic was surprisingly light for a week day and before we knew it, we were passing Pendleton and stopped in Del Mar for a quick lunch at an El Pollo Loco (the Crazy Chicken – think they are only found in Calif.). From there we had a little bit of stop and go traffic but made it to the Airport/Lindbergh Field off-ramp in San Diego in about 35 minutes. Pulled into the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego (driveway/Valet park in front, not the hotel itself) and got us a nice room on the 10th floor overlooking San Diego Bay. We usually stay in the Holiday Inn right smack across from the cruise terminal but I mallingered too long and they were booked solid. Embassy Suites, located across the street from Seaport Village, still gets you a descent view but there’s a series of three large Navy buildings in the way that obscure the view of the northern most berth were the dam ships are usually tied up. We do have a great view of the USS Midway CV-41 and at the south berth, Carnival Elation was in town (she backed up around 1750 hrs on her way to Mexico). Across the bay at NAS North Island, the USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 was tied up.

So around 6:30 PM we decided to head out for dinner with Old Town San Diego being our destination. For those who have never been there, Old Town is a state protected historical park which preserves and recreates the old town of the city, from shortly after the Mexican War of Independence beginning in 1821. Five original adobes are part of the complex which includes shops, restaurants and museums. We decided on Casa de Reyes Mexican restaurant inside the Fiesta de Reyes, a semi-enclosed large outdoor area with about fifteen shops, selling everything from hot sauce to decorated tiles, lining the exterior of the courtyard. Last time we were here the restaurant was still called Casa de Pico (an Old Town landmark but since moved to La Mesa) and we had a long wait. This being Friday night, we expected the same but we were seated right away at a table for two. The casa offers several different Margaritas in several different sizes – we picked two medium Margarita Especiales – lots of ice cubes, salt on the rim; tequilla, didn’t taste the cointreau though. Service there was good and very fast and while we were consuming it, three guys were jamming away on Mexican-jazzy-flamenco music including some Gypsy Kings classics (we like Gypsy Kings – Have seen them in concert several times back home – muy bueno/tres bien!). Did some shopping afterwards and Maria came away with a Christmas present for her mum. Then on the way out of the park, her radar went off again, and she was drawn to the El Centro Artesano, were they have all kinds of “cutesy” hand crafted pottery, giftware from Mexico, wind chimes, you name it! One large and one medium flower pot plus a tile to hang on the wall later, we exited Old Town and the El Centro. After some driving around – those Garmin GPS units are great – we arrived back at the hotel and called it a night! Life is good!

[Marion B]

John,
Welcome to our fair city. Always enjoy your postings and looking forward to more.
Wishing you and your child bride a most fabulous cruise.
Marion

[NorthPhoenixGuy]

john...i agree. your postings are maaarvelous! glad you're safely on the ship and i look forward to reading more about the voyage. have a wonderful cruise and enjoy.

thanks.

[sassyredhat]

I live here, and I know exactly where you are !!

Took this cruise last year and loved it. Zaandam is my favorite ship. I'm anxiously awaiting our next HAL cruise.

I know you always enjoy your cruises, but I'll say it anyway--enjoy.

Pat

[kakalina]

Hi John, glad to hear you and the child bride are having a good time. We love staying in SD. BTW, we have El Pollo Loco here in Arizona also. Say Hi to Michelle for me when you get on board.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thought I would do a little Police work here and with my surveillance camera I just happened to spot Copper aka John and Child Bride Maria droppping off their luggage at the pier

Watch the Red Explorer







That could be the Copper wear what appears to be a yellow shirt and shorts

Now he is driving away to park hmmmmm wonder what other camera pics I can get.

[prescottbob]

Have a WONDERFUL CRUISE (I know you will) and see if you can get the Daily Program changeover 'flap' settled for us once and for all.

Be well.

I look forward to your unique observations. Now get off the computer and go and have another Wang-wang!

Mahalo!
Bob

[LAFFNVEGAS]

John and Maria have been spotted again, this time out on the Bow of the Zaandam for the FIRST Web Cam Wave of the Season.

Can you spot them in this first pictures ?


Here is Copper and Child Bride


Here is a Great Big Wave



John decided to get down on his knee to be level with Maria or was he proposing again ???



He is definitely multi talented now he is on his knee and waving.

Bon Voyage John and Maria, and Aloha!!!

[Cruising-along]

Oh boy, a live-from Circle Hawaii!! Looking forward to your observations. Thanks Copper!

I remember Casa de Pico from when we lived in SD, those margaritas were fantastic! Great way to start out your vacation by dining in Old Town.

[pipedreams62]

I'm sorry I missed your phone call John. Have a wonderful trip. I just know you're going to have a blast. Say hi to "Dano" for me.

[jhannah]

Bon voyage, John and Maria.

Nice camera captures, Lisa!

[IRL_Joanie]

Originally Posted by jhannah

Bon voyage, John and Maria.

Nice camera captures, Lisa!

First thing is off topic but...

Glad to see you back with us Jim!!

OK second... Have a safe and wonderful cruise John and Maria!!

OK 2 more things I almost forgot about for all you in the SD area... In the old town area, just south by about 3 blocks there is (was a hotel across the street from a school. Question is it still there?

Other thing, and I swear it is the last... On the SD beach there is (or was) a Seafood Restaurant. It was down near what I would call a not so nice area (about 1/4 mile away) The restaurant, if I remember correctly was by itself and had the most exquisite seafood I've ever tasted. What is the name of the place??? It has been driving me nuts for years...I think we had been told it was the one and only place to go for real seafood in SD. This was maybe 15 years ago...

Joanie

[Himself]

I hope you have good weather all the way out and all the way back. Bon Voyage and Aloha!

[CruiserBruce]

Originally Posted by IRL_Joanie

Other thing, and I swear it is the last... On the SD beach there is (or was) a Seafood Restaurant. It was down near what I would call a not so nice area (about 1/4 mile away) The restaurant, if I remember correctly was by itself and had the most exquisite seafood I've ever tasted.

I think you need to be more specific. If you are talking in the Midway/Cruise ship area, it is Anthonys. Good seafood, but mass produced. If you are talking a little further south- what is now called Seaport, there are several restaurants. Joe's Crab Shack is awesome, but that isn't the only one there.

The true "beach area" is further north, and there is a ton of restaurants there, pretty much right on the beach.

[DAllenTCY]

You might be thinking about "The Fish Market" restaurant. It is just south of the Midway and stands alone next to a park and a marina.
David

[jbhcw]

John...thank you, thank you, thank you I have been hoping for a live from thread on the Zaandam...

Have a wonderful cruise...from another former San Diegan...loved all the info about old town...my Dad used to buy our tortillas from the Old Town Tortilla Factory.

We will be staying at the HI on the Bay....love seeing our ship come in.

Lisa, pictures were great

Happy Sailing

[waiting2retire]

Thanks for doing this live from thread John! I am looking forward to reliving my very first HAL cruise through your eyes

Great shots Lisa; almost scary how easy it is to "stalk" someone these days, isn't it? Brought back great memories of using the webcam to see my daughter every 15 days when she worked on the Zaandam during its 2006/07 winter season. She would call me when she got off the ship in San Diego and I would follow her as far as I could with the webcam as she made her way up to Horton Plaza.

Bonnie

[CruiserBruce]

Originally Posted by DAllenTCY

You might be thinking about "The Fish Market" restaurant. It is just south of the Midway and stands alone next to a park and a marina.
David

I forgot about that one. It is excellent- particularly the oyster bar.

[IRL_Joanie]

Originally Posted by CruiserBruce

I forgot about that one. It is excellent- particularly the oyster bar.

Thanks guys, but the names do not sound the same, nor the locations... Doggone it, I hate old age only because the memory goes... This was like I said, 15 years or so ago. The restaurant was all alone on the beach, no other buildings around for maybe 1/4 mile. We sat on the deck facing the water and could see Coronado off in the distance. And there did not appear to be any Life Guard towers, so I do not think it was a swimming beach...

I JUST FOUND IT!!!

It is called Busters Beach House and Longboard Bar. It definitely did not have VW Van in it when we there, but did a search for Beach Restaurants in San Diego and finally found it.

Joanie

[cruznon]

Bon Voyage John and Maria! Looking forward to reading your LIVE thread! I hope to do this cruise next year. Weather in SD looks great.

Lisa, those were great photos!