Bit Of A Blog : Vision Of The Seas, Nov 29th 2018 : Panama Canal eastbound

[Clarea]

31 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Just played progressive trivia. We're doing ok. Hate this venue for this though. Many teams.  I have to keep getting up to see the screen. I'm sneezing a lot this morning. Air con.

The Centrum.

We are not alone....screenshot from a video I took. 

 

 

 

Really, progressive trivia in the Centrum?  I would not think there would be enough seats.  Wonder what's going on in the aft lounge.

[NorbertsNiece]

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Really, progressive trivia in the Centrum?  I would not think there would be enough seats.  Wonder what's going on in the aft lounge.

There's a large quilters group on board. They may have it.

[NorbertsNiece]

Have been around delivering meeting point / time reminders for the excursion I've organised in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, tomorrow. Plate of antipasti for lunch.

They have taco bars out on both sides of the pool deck.

Currently watching Officers v Guests volleyball. Holding the ball on the left is Steve our Cruise Director.

 

[heatherb1958]

We went to the exact same place you did in Guatemala but not with the lunch, just coffee . Our tour was called Coffee Close to Nature . We enjoyed it very much , had an excellent guide . In the morning we could see plumes of ash from the active volcano from the upper deck of the ship. As our mini bus was driving towards it the plumes got larger , the driver slowed so we could take pictures .On the return journey the volcano spewed even more and the driver stopped completely so we could take photos.

 

Enjoying seeing your photos, brings back lovely memories of a fab cruise . 

 

Edited December 6, 2018 by heatherb1958

[NorbertsNiece]

Wow @heatherb1958

[heatherb1958]

Thank you so much Linda for posting this picture. My ‘adopted’ daughter is in it . Her mum is my very good friend and so is Sheenagh. I have copied it and will send to her mum, there were tears on the gangway when we all had to say goodbye last Thursday. 

Don’t know what you have planned in Colon- we took a taxi tour from the terminal with another couple , this was before we went through the locks so was fascinating as we drove over the new locks and old ones . Be prepared to see a lot of poverty there , was the worst place I have ever seen.

Cartagena is stunning - don’t get ripped off by the shared taxis. Mistake we made was not turning left when we exited the menagerie. It is $10 for a yellow taxi regardless how many in it to the old city.

[NorbertsNiece]

How lovely! If you want me to pass on a message let me know.

 

In Colon I'm with a CC excursion to the Embera Village and in Cartagena another CC organised excursion.

[NorbertsNiece]

I was supposed to be meeting friends for a meal in Giovanni's tonight but this has been postponed so am back in the MDR tonight. Best starter I've had so far. Gravadlax with a bit of a kick. As they weren't expecting me I asked for either ice cream or berries. Waiter brought me both!

Then came the really loud music and the waiter parade. Then waiters dancing the Macarena with guests. 

Compass day 9.pdf

[NorbertsNiece]

These just delivered to me in my room.....from the dining room. No explanation. THANK YOU!! 😍 😘

[NorbertsNiece]

I needn't have bothered setting my alarm this morning......the noise of ropes being belayed or whatever that racket is did the job!!

[NorbertsNiece]

I've had a wonderful day. I'd organised a CC group to go to a coffee plantation with Charlie Soto from Okeydokey Tours. Was perfect. 15 of us in an a/c van and we had a blast!

My first attempt at taking a panoramic picture.....decided not to share it here....taking way too long.

The weather was perfect for most of the day. Drove through a downpour of rain on the way back.

It's a fairly long pier.

[NorbertsNiece]

We are guided by Charlie Soto whose company this is.

On the way up to the plantation we stop to see some capuchin monkeys.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We have a long drive ahead of us. We climb steadily but then get caught in a traffic hold up for quite a while. Our itinerary is changed so that we can get to the plantation for our scheduled 11a.m tour.

[NorbertsNiece]

Wifi playing up last night sorry about that!

To continue....

Naranjo is 1,000 metres above sea level. That's a little over .6 of a mile.

The terrain is very uneven at this altitude and our guide at the plantation, Luis, tells us we are in fact standing on an extinct volcano!

We first get to handle the berries and see the equipment which starts the process of sorting then peeling them to reveal the raw bean inside. The darker berries are the ripest.

The abacus is to count the number of basketfuls of berries loaded into the bin.

 

Edited December 8, 2018 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

The beans on this plantation are dried, roasted and packaged mechanically.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Luis demonstrated how the pickers wear the baskets used for coffee berry picking. If a tranch is all ripe the darker berries can be pulled off, however the berries typically don't ripen altogether so the picking appears to be quite arduous. 

 

Unlike the farm in Guatemala these Arabica beans are grown in the open. There are many other plants.

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Inside a plantation home in simpler times.

How to make coffee. First add hot, not boiling, water to just cover the ground coffee. Rest for a bit then top up.

[EeyoreRN]

I'm reading your report as I sip my morning coffee and it's just awe inspiring to me how much work goes into that one cup.  How did humans design this process and share it across cultures?  So amazing!  

 

Will continue to follow your wonderful report.  Thanks so much for sharing!

[NorbertsNiece]

Initially the grounds rise to the top and are relatively smooth. Cover and wait a couple of minutes. The grounds are now clumping together much more thickly. The oils from the beans are now released; so flavourful. Stir. Strain through a cotton cloth. Drink.

You know what the best coffee in the world is? The one you like the best!

I like mine with milk or cream and sweetened. We get to try a small cup and instructed how to taste....similar to wine without spitting! I want to say it's not my cup of tea but decide not to! 🤦‍♀️

Edited December 8, 2018 by NorbertsNiece
Added a pic

[NorbertsNiece]

Luis recommends using the leftover grounds as face and hand scrub. I thought he was a student. Turns out he's mid 40's!! There's a gift shop, of course. Packed with cruise tour bus passengers.

 

We go for lunch in a sports bar. We are pretty much the only customers. Iced tea. Choice of fish, chicken or beef. All served with a fried egg. 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We go to Sarchi which is famous for its painted ox carts and artisan crafts. This purports to the biggest ox cart in the world.

Templo Católico de Sarchi Norte.

Then a gift / souvenir shop. I send 3 postcards to the UK for $4! A decorated ox cart a bit too bulky for me to ship! The rocker was very comfortable.

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

We should have stopped at a gardens and butterfly enclosure on our way up to the plantation but due to the traffic hold up earlier we go now.

There are some  butterflies flying and a few stationary enough for me to picture capture.

[NorbertsNiece]

We head back to Puntarenas. It's rush hour and despite a sudden downpour and heavy traffic we arrive back at the pier in plenty of time before all aboard. The tour is normally charged at $89 but $79 for CC members. Extremely good value for money when you consider the plantation entry is $25, lunch and garden entry also included. Wonder how muxh the cruise tour passengers were charged. 

Strict security back at the pier.

There is a little train now running on the pier to assist people back to the ship.

[NorbertsNiece]

Whilst at dinner, around 6pm, the captain announces that sailaway has been delayed as a couple of cruise tour busses are still awaited.....

 

Compass day 10.pdf

Edited December 8, 2018 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Clocks went forward an hour over night. I am having down time. I have a cold and have used up my supply of being out in public and sociable tokens. Am something of an ambivert at heart. Will venture out later for supplies and return to my lair. Missed progressive trivia unfortunately. Requested turkey for dinner tonight, have no idea why as I don't like it!!!! 😂 🤣🦃