The Adventure of Travel

The HUGE Oasis of the Seas leaves port

Began the day with a wonderful breakfast at the Olympic Café. They are so kind to always make us a special pot of strong coffee when they see us arrive. After yummy food we hit the road for Ft. Lauderdale and Port Everglades. The journey was uneventful. Saw only birds for wild life…unless you count the wild drivers in cars, trucks and motorcycles whizzing along. 

Barron Collier

I was reminded as we rode through Collier County, the country where the town of Naples can be found, of the New York real estate magnate and property developer Barron Collier.  In the late 1800’s Mr. Collier asked the Governor to name the county after him. The Governor busily asked for something in return from Mr. Collier. The Governor wanted a road built from Tampa to Miami in exchange for that name designation.  Consequently Collier County happened as did the Tamiami Trail which is now Highway 41 across the tip of the state. Ever the entrepreneur, Mr Collier continued on to use the trail he built to create another successful business- Trailways Bus Company. The family is still very prominent in the county.

Getting aboard the Prinsendam was simple and quick- except for Jim’s long journey to the parking lot and back to the ship. There were 7 ships in the port and security was tighter than we have seen in ages. Even the Broward County Police force was helping people know where to stop to unload as they carefully looked at people and luggage.

Jim went to the Lido Deck and picked up a couple of sandwiches. You really know the world is connected when the coke he got from the mini-bar was canned in South Africa and drunk in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. You do wonder what stories it could tell. 

Deli Lunch and coke canned in South Africa

The Dreaded Boat Drill  was as to be expected- way too many announcements! At least Holland America does something smart and now you don’t wear your life jacket. Sure makes it much safer as people walk to and from the DBD with no one dragging life jackets or straps.

Luggage arrived and all got unpacked and put away.

We got wine and waited to sail away. At about 5:00 the Captain came on and said “There was a small thing in the engine they were checking and we’d sail in about 10 minutes.” In another 15 minutes he came back on to say he would not make anymore promises like that. He said it hadn’t checked out to his satisfaction and we’d see. We finally gave up and went to dinner. Had a great meal, chatted with a nice couple from north Florida , and headed for the suite.  About that time- 8:30 – we did sail. The wind was really blowing and the ship was really moving. My walk  from the rear of the dining room to the front door as I carried a bottle of wine was not my finest moment. BUT we made it.

We also learned that we would not be going to their private island the next day We hadn’t plan to leave the ship anyway so it didn’t matter to us. The Captain said the manager of the island said the weather would be too rough to get in safely. Now can you imagine having 700 house guests and you expected most of them would be out of your house for most of the day and now suddenly they are ALL staying in your house expecting to eat and be entertained. 

Sunset over the parking garage and the port

Ah YES!!! 

Travel is an adventure.