It's Been a Lovely Cruise

So off we sailed on Monday, with a group of dear friends, and a cargo hold full of rum and vodka.

Dr. Eric set the tone as soon as we boarded by ordering a couple shots of tequila, and off we went.

Drs. Eric and Barry and their families, as well as Wifey's dear friend Edna, her husband and delightful daughters, and our neighbors and friends Charlie and Diane and their boy --we packed the ship it seemed.

Tuesday we docked in Key West, one of my favorite places, and most of us toured the newly renovated Truman White House. Eric and Mark (Edna's taciturn husband) shot some great photos, and then we split up for lunch.

There was another day at sea, and then on Thursday we called on Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The Ds swam with dolphins, and we took a public bus back to the port. The impression of Grand Cayman was very positive --Bahamas with much friendlier folks, and less poverty.

We met at the ship with the others, and compared our Caymanian (Caymaniacal)? adventures.

Friday was Wifey's birthday, as well as some other holiday folks make some sort of fuss about, with trees, and lights, and carols, and I woke her at 7:30 to show her a glorious Caribbean sunrise. It was something to behold: red streaks coming up from the East. The rest of the day Wifey was treated like a queen by her family and friends , including a serenade by the shipboard a capella group, in four part harmony.

We returned this morning, after hearing tragic news about one of D2's friends. It was almost as if the Big Guy upstairs wanted to make a point about how we'd better damn well savor the good times...

So -- if there is a better way to spend the waning days of 2009, I can't imagine what it is.

Now I'm off to bed, sans the motion of the ship, but still, maybe, to dream of sea turtles and pirates.