Montego Bay in … Jamaica … Man

Well what a surprise this was … we were supposed to dock in Falmouth some 30 miles away but “rrrrr dhem dar high seas” and winds made it a bit problematic for the ship to dock there. So a last minute change to the terminal ports and well it’s 

Montego Bay for the day. 

“Come sing me loud,

Come sing me Montego Bay”

Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh, whoa-whoa-whoa!

For us not a big deal, our organised tour for the day was a cooking class up in the hills above Montego Bay anyway. Because we were closer to our cooking classes location the mini bus driver having a hour to kill entertained us via a chatty drive through his neighbourhood in one of the old sections of Montego Bay.

The vibrant colours on buildings certainly was an added bonus for our day in this warm tropical part of the island of Jamaica.

 We were so happy to get a closer look into this colourful world that the usual tours didn't go through.

It certainly was a eyeopening drive through the town and you know that you are now traveling into another world where life has a few more challenges for some of the population. 

But it wasn't long before you start humming again to 

Bobby Bloom 1970 classic Montego Bay or bopping along to a bit of Bob Marley reggae.

The two guys in the dark uniforms pulled up a car at the roundabout with very big guns certainly brings your back down to earth with a thud.

Love people watching, so being in this rickety old rusty mini van ment we were able to get amongst the locals.

Sailing out of Fort Lauderdale in Florida

Well we are back onto the high seas … 

But hopefully not too higher sea’s 🤢 … I have packed all the essentials to keep my sea legs from wobbling too much and while on board to help maintain some sort of dignity! Crawling around the ships long corridors while trying to get back to the comforts of one’s bathroom is not such a good look. I have been know to turn green in a full bathtub 😂 … but maybe that time it had a lot to do with having a few too many Cointreau’s.

 For Sandy & I cruising is such a wonderfull way to travel, for us it’s so relaxing and a place where we can unpack for a period of time and let others look after us for a change. 

As country kids and both growing up in dry inland Australia any chance to be at or on the sea is a good day.

Now that looks like serious $$$$$$ right there! just as we were sailing out we could see a small enclave of very nice houses with what looks like a great private beach. Hard to see on the picture but just under the 🌴’s are two deck chairs … Niccccce.

 

Our room for the next 30 nights is bigger than a postage stamp!

It is as big as two postage stamps + a bonus 1/2 diagonal postage stamp and this section is our seating area viewing onto our diagonal balcony. Our balcony sits about 1/3 of the ship from the back giving us a great view right along the ship.

Hang on to that hat Pete and for goodness sake get some Caribbean sun on those Lilly white 🦵🦵.

 The waters looking so dark blue and teal where the white sands are. 

So my blogging lovelies sit back, grab a 🍸 🍹 or two and let’s enjoy this cruise around the Caribbean seas together.

Super cool cocktail's to sail away with.  💚 💜 

 

Fort Lauderdale

Miami is not know for its vineyards, I’m thinking it’s more known for its weed! but more on that later, so tonight we had to try a drop from Oregon which is the State above California … A to Z …why not, sound perfect! Always up for a challenge to experience wine from other faraway lands, well, the things we have to do! It was perfectly cold on this very hot spring evening and it did the thirst quenching job it was bought to do! Soooooo much cheep after San Francisco so we can drink from A to Z again.

Interesting aprons worn in the cafe.

Later we walked and well let’s just say it was an interesting neighbourhood and one we don't need to revisit …with drugs now legal in some states of the US up to 3 gm per day personal use … but who's counting, it has opened up a lot of new above ground business … but sadly, obvious social issues!

But around the next corner and away from the “new Buisness district” was this Georgian style Russian orthodox church, the Gold Dome reminds us of Saint Petersburg.

And a colourful fun corner Pizza shop … well … after all the WEED … one still needs to eat 😂 

Flying on American Airlines via Dallas to Fort Lauderdale Florida

Well that was a bit of a poopy night!! 

Was supposed to leave San Francisco at 11.59pm … really just call it midnight 🌙 ✨ … & then why are you being so precise with the flight time and then you leave 1 hours & 47 minutes late!!

✈️ 4 ish hours to Dallas and then because they were late out of San Francisco it was some how then our emergency to dash to get our connecting ✈️ into Hollywood Airport in Fort Lauderdale just up the road from Miami. Love that word Miami sounds so🌴.

And tropical it was when we arrived at 11am ish Miami time. Body clock already a bit challenged as well as not a great deal of sleep on the planes even with a recliner seat. However I did manage to get a bit of a sleep …one of my super powers! Sandy however did inform me the next day that at about 4am somewhere at 32000 feet up in the night sky's above America a plane full of apparently still hungry people!!! were served potato chippies … in very noisey bag's, luck for me my super powers had kicked in and in was in complete slumberland 💤.

Coming in over the everglades with the sun highlighting the water.

Fort Lauderdale near Miami in the Florida State.

Welcome to the humidly. 🌴🌴🌴

Goodbye San Francisco

Tooooooooo many more San Francisco stories to tell, but alas at 11.59 tonight we fly to Miami for our next adventure.

  Had an absolute blast in San Francisco and staying 5 nights at the one location ment we could dig that little bit deeper into a community that welcomed us with open hearts. Sometime in a big city you can disappear …  but with that hat not a chance!

And my gift of the gab what chance did they have not to meet me.

San Francisco Street Art

 

In China Town, loved the little referance to the Golden Gate Bridge in the bottom right.

In a small cafe 

Jazz art on the streets of Little Italy 

1959 Loris Diner

Had to do the whole touristy diner thing … so got to try a 

“Hot Diggity Dogs” 

  

I think I've walked up and down enough San Francisco hill to be able to cope with the calories.

We shared the Moon Doggie … not the prettiest plate of food,

 it was described on the menu as, The Classic all beef hot dog, split & grilled, served with relish (gherkin), onion & french fries.

Add your own tomato ketchup & mustard sauce and

 “don't wear white’’ 

Yummy

  

Women’s Murder Club

Is a series of mystery novels by James Patterson about four San Francisco women who use their professional skills to solve crimes. 

Sandy and I had been watching the TV series before we left Australia and as it was set in San Francisco I was hoping to clock some of the sights from the show.

The most iconic building that they keep showing is the Transamerica Pyramid and today it was my target on my  morning walk.

Completed in 1972 the 48 story modernist skyscraper is the 2nd tallest in the city. I was seeing it from a distance over the past few days and today I got to walk around its impressive footprint.

It has such an imposing presence that can been seen from all over the city.

Got to chatting … hard to believe, me … chatting!

 to Miss America this morning in the Redwood Gardens behind this amazing building.

She was such an advocate for the gardens and told me that the location was once where they sold fish to the city people. The Mayor of the time rallied hard to get the Redwood trees planted on the site and today it’s a little bit of the woods in the city.

Thank you Miss America