A voyage to the Caribbean Islands December 17, 2024

Dear Reader:

Welcome back you two. I've been waiting in the wings of Air Canada, so to speak. I believe you settled on this Azamara Cruise about six months ago when Sandy and Cathy from Scotland dropped the hint. I'm glad you did, and when Ray and Christian decided to get on board we all knew that the party was on.

Terryl looks very fine and you don't appear to age either. 

[The above is written by Alexander McPope. Every once in a while he'll open the computer and write something, but, most of this copy will come from me. Thank you for your interest in this story and others supplied by InRefinement Inc., and Gary L. McDonald.]

**Please take note that the post below - this explanation - will gradually appear after the next, and the last post will become first. Confused? Whenever I start a new post it will begin directly under this underlined copy. Therefore, when you read this you'll be starting at the end and finishing at the beginning of this voyage. Agreed?

On January 8, we fly MIA to YYZ: Au revoir les amis; il faut retourner. Hasta pronto amigos, volvamos al trabajo.

Bezel, Pudster, Sandy and Cathy Aitken

Christian, Sandy, Cathy, Ray, Terryl, Gary

Our last day on board Azamara January 6, begins when we meet Paul and Maeve from Northern Ireland at breakfast. Terryl had finished and was about to rise and leave, but stopped and took this:

This pales by comparison to the one of her in the same window just a few years ago. 

Am I right?

We enjoyed a fine meal with Ray, Christian, Sandy, Cathy, Malcolm and Jenny, followed by well intentioned Hugs and Kisses, the last Cabaret show, the last sunset prior to the above, and then we hit the rack at 23:00. 

It’s January 7. We have left the ship in a seamless and routine disembarkation with luggage in hand. The taxis were waiting for our ride to the Secret Garden Hotel on Collins Ave. in Miami Beach. The checkin is at 15:00. Our luggage is with the hotel and we are doing what one of us does best: Shop. The other one is typing and enjoying an iced coffee at Rosinella in front of The Link Hotel on Lincoln Ave. 

This vacation is not finished yet. Gary purchases a compact, rolling carryon bag and quickly fills it with important stuff. He’s at ease once again as Terryl prowls the waiting opportunities for bargains in Miami Beach on this lovely last day of the holiday. 

The guard at the hotel

On January 5 we sail north toward Miami for two full days and nights until docking on January 7th at around 7:00. Today the highlites are Professor Okulewicz's talk on Strange Creatures from the Deep Caribbean, John Johson's penultimate presentation of piano and songs by Irving Berlin, the comedy of baldness and magic by Fred Moore at around 20:15.

Today I’m hitting the gym and the sun for some fitness and tan as well. 

At 16:30 I’m loath to admit failure regarding the Strange Creatures lecture and the Gym, but I was there for Irving Berlin’s music provided by John Johnson. Does anyone know that Berlin lived one hundred years and died in 1989? His song writer friends Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart were dropping like flies 30 and 40 years earlier. Berlin lived to see his music trampled by Rock and Roll in the 60’s which must have hurt him to the quick. He became reclusive just like Porter and others whose body of work had been loved around the world. 

Sandy, Cathy, Malcom, Jenny, Terryl and I arrived for dinner at 19:30 and I asked for the Centre Round Table with great wing backed chairs and was told yes if we would accept four other guests. Certainly I said. We then had a United Nations gathering of 2 from Scotland, UK (now living in Spain), USA, Germany and Canada who had a lively conversation on numerous subjects until 21:30 and went our separate ways. 

It's January 3 at St. Martin with very agreeable weather at 82F; we’ll spend the day on board with our books in our favourite places, eating delicious food served by polished waiters, and in general winding down just a little from the excessive entertainment and many many drinks at many different bars. When speaking with a staff member about future cruises I found myself using an incorrect word three times in 60 seconds: "How many seats are available on  this cruise?" When Terryl interrupted and said "He means cabins." This is food for thought. I was very tired or very affected by some overuse of some kind. What do you think?

At 19:15 most of us left the ship to get settled dockside for some entertainment. The champagne greeted us when we approached the bottom of the gangway and the appearance of people who appeared to be 12 feet tall. It must be the water and the sunshine assisting these talented people.

Only a few feet away from the ship the above pictures of men and women on stilts, others in bands, and several singers and dancers where on stage plying their craft for an hour of fun and another good time was had by most of the 700 passengers on board Amazon Journey.

I woke on January 4 at 9:00 to Cappuccino and pastries served and gathered by Terryl from our Mosaic Cafe. Nice start Pudster.

We are in Road Town, Tortola, in the British West Islands. This place is immaculate and we are on land by 10:00 with an order to be back on ship by 13:00. We are greeted with a wonderful small sized shopping experience, well swept streets line with Palm trees and benches to take a breather. Here's a yellow chair and blue table that caught my eye and then used by our bums for just a few minutes.

I purchased a really fine white cotton shirt to wear tonight for the Captain's Loyalty Party at 17:00. Prior to that at 15:00 will be at Mr. John Johnson's piano and songs of Rogers and Hart. Then of course will be dinner at 18:00 and finally Scott Harris a comedian at  20:15 or 21:30 in the Cabaret Lounge.

We almost purchased a $7,000.00 necklace for me at Infinity Jewelry but then, it never got close to my neck or wallet at all dear reader. 

As you see we are back on board and now sail away until we dock in Miami.

I'm sitting in the Cabaret Lounge and see Mr. Johnson walking in carrying his music. Today he's doing Rogers and Hart, So far he has given us Ira and George Gershwin, and Cole Porter which were professional and thoroughly entertaining. He starts:

With a song in my heart...This can't be love...Blue moon you saw me standing alone... were at the top of their game when Hart died in 1943.

She gets to hungry...that's why the lady is a tramp...

Rogers was the sedate one

Hart laughed easily and by 1919 wrote We'll go to Philadelphia or…

Rogers wrote Oh what a beautiful morning...Rogers and Berlin wrote waltzes of their time...Love when I'm near you...Falling in love with the most beautiful girl...

It's a grand night for singing...

Hart's interior rhyming like Will have Manhattan...gently riding by...In out mountain greenery... 

Hart hated outdoors...1927 wrote Me thinks yon damsel is a lovely broad...in a Paris taxi car ride Hart wrote I took one look at you...a not a single word was spoken...my heart was broken.

Simple writing with one syllable per word was a style he used...My romance doesn't need a blue lagoon...It seems we've looked likei this before...Somethings that happen for the first time seemed to happen before...

In the 1930's they lived in Las Angeles. 

Hart's alcoholism and Gayness was difficult for Rogers who ended up with Hammerstein...

It's easy to remember but so hard to forget...Be witched bothered and be wildered am I.

These guys used dummy lyrics too.

Hart died at 47

Rogers died in 1979

Last tune in Hart's life about a royal married...I married a man, and many of them...when I feel at ease I kill to keep my love alive...I tossed him off my balcony to see if he could fly.

The End

At 17:00 The Azamara Loyalties (that's us) gathered in the Cabaret Lounge where we were honoured with a champagne toast and entertainment for the next 45 minutes: 

Fake photo where he didn't sing Nessun Dorma

At 18:00 in the Discovery Dinning room the six of us enjoyed another very fine meal and at 20:15 we were back in the Cabaret Lounge for Comedian Scott Harris to regale us was with stories about our childhood compared with the kids today and ended with a song by Simon and Garfunkel "Sounds of Silence." The evening ended in the Living Room with more music and some of us danced, but not me this time. 

Sailing north to Miami

We've landed in Antigua this beautiful morning of January 2. After breakfast we headed for shore with Sandy and Cathy and hired a Taxi for two hours. Thomas, our driver was introduced and off we went through the very busy town and out into the country. We visited a recently built stadium designed for cricket, and a few other notable buildings. 

As Thomas drove along on roads two cars wide with parked cars on both sides he regaled us with his version of a politician whose picture was on a large advertising banner under these words, "In Loving Memory." When I spotted the poster I asked, who was this fellow? Thomas spoke for a few minutes about the quality of work from Mr. Michael the politician. Then he followed up with the inside stuff that didn't make the headlines. This politician was a very wealthy man because he inherited tons of money from his deceased parents, and he liked to give some of it away to the needy, as well as introduce measures in parliament to improve the lot of all the Antiguans. 

What Thomas said afterward was where Mr. Michael fell down. You see he was a single man and he liked to be served his meals by beautiful young ladies, who just happened to be naked. Of course this man had other, shall we say, unusual habits of a sexual nature that I'd rather not write. All of which lead to a serious crescendo of hate, anger and finally a lead bullet took Mr. Michael's life. Thomas then told us the shooting took place six weeks ago and the police are still investigating.

During Thomas's story he laughs and we laugh with him while continuing on our tour of the island. There are some incredible estates and resorts that are built on the island's 12 inches of soil covering solid rock below. There are plenty of sandy beaches to enjoy. Terryl asked which one was his favourite? He took us to his favourite: Pigeon Point Beach. 

Many of the rich have these properties, and sometimes they are on vacation here. For example Eric Clapton has built a Rehab Facility for the rich as well as the poor. 

Thomas told us he is a telephone technician when he is not driving his taxi, or on his two month annual vacation. The workman never see the owners; they only see the guys who work on their homes all year long.

Antigua is solid rock beneath twelve inches of soil. And then Thomas asks us, "how difficult do you think it would it be to build any sizeable structure on that type of base?" He also claims the twelve inches of soil has limited value to grow many typical vegetables. Therefore their vegetables must be imported making them expensive, and their building costs are high due to the rock being only twelve inches below the surface. However, the beauty of what they have is duly noted:

Thomas, a good man who is father to four beautiful daughters drove us around for three hours

It’s Hogmnie (spelling?) today December 31 New Years Eve with plenty of action on board celebrating the arrival of 2025. Most of the fun will take place around the pool bar and dining areas until the ball drops at midnight.

Some people who know me, have noticed my gait is somewhat slower and unsteady at best these days. One thing I can do about this is walk more and drink less. YES THAT'S IT. Now is the time to get started, and I'll do it starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile the temperature is 87F in Bridgetown, Barbados where we have docked for the day. This city is the capital of Barbados and is a lively city rich in history and culture with streets lined with colourful shops, local markets and eateries serving Bajan cuisine. For most, the climate is perfect for swimming, snorkelling in turquoise waters and boating. For me, this kind of direct sun is not to my liking these days. I avoid it when I'm dining or relaxing with cool breezes encouraged by shaded nooks that abound on board Azamara Journey. However, I will do about 15 - 25 minutes in direct sun, but no more to keep my tan moving slowly in my direction.

The New Years Eve party was a blast, complete with another buffet that was to die for, music from local musicians and dancers, a guy who was 12 feet tall, and a lady dancer with the largest butt you may ever see made for a wonderful Hogmnie celebration. We danced until midnight when Terryl proclaimed she wasn’t kissing all 400 people present as the drinks found their way to all of us as if by magic. 

January 1, 2025 started with a few hangovers I’m sure but most of us struggled to another buffet breakfast in the Discovery dining room. Of course the staff served a fantastic meal with a fabulous ham golden glazed over the outer skin and a succulent and moist inner. Fruit, eggs, pasta, and anything else you might imagine were on display after you walked into trays of Mimosa to get started.

At 11:30 I was in the Cabaret to learn about the Caribbean's many Volcanos and resulting carnage over the last 25,000,000 years with one erupting in 2019. Professor Okulewicz was at the podium for 45 minutes.

We are enjoying another sea day where once again it's sunny and warm with calm waters in the Caribbean.

Now for Professor John Johnson singing Ira’s lyrics and tickling George Gershwin’s ivories in the Cabaret;

January 1, 2025

Professor John Johnson gave his lecture playing a piano and singing Cole Porter’s music: Got Rhythm: The Gershwin Brothers at 15:00 in the Theatre. This time I’ll sit closer to the stage and provide better photos of his considerable talents.

He starts with Porgy and Bess played in Stage Theatres in1935

A more lawful style of George Gershwin “They're writing songs of love but not for me..."

“Embrace me my embraceable you..."

‘I love Gershwin music, and Ira's lyrics...'

‘A Musical play, I’ve got rhythm...'

1919 a banner year for George, he loved to play at social gatherings when Jolson heard him do, ‘I’ve been away from you. For a long time…Swannie how I love you..." George Gershwin was off and running in the music business

1920 he scores, “Rhapsody in blue..."

“Lady be good…"

Ira’s lyrics played second fiddle’s to George’s music

Pentatonic scale invented by the Chinese was a staple for George

Most popular :Someone to watch over me…’

“I’ve got rhythm…"

Dummy lyrics to start with to get the feel of the music , John gives us examples of dummy lyrics used to the get the rhythm of the music and then worked long hours to get the lyrics right.

What is smaller can be stronger in Lyrics according to song writers and all kinds of writing for real affect.

“Blah Blah Blah... a song that no one liked, but John played and sang it tonight.

Ira had a wife and George stayed single. The three of them lived in one big house in New York for quite awhile.

“For you say either and I say either..."

George didn’t like Hollywood but Ira did and he lived there for years.

“Foggy Day in London Town”

Fred Astaire sang "Shall we dance to Ginger Rogers or keep on moping..." and also “Our romance will end on a sour note…The way you wear your hair..”

George started having headaches in 1937 and surgeons removed a brain tumour but sadly he died in 1938. Ira died 45 years later in 1983. George Gershwin was only 44 years old.

Ira’s feelings about losing his brother are clearly written in the lyrics of his song, “It’s very clear our love is here to stay,…”

He concludes with a piano version of Porgy and Bess.

The End 

On December 30 we hopped on Azamara's tender and floated into Port Elizabeth, Bequia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s a pleasant 15 minute ride with the land activity of shops, restaurants, taxis virtually bumping together within a few yards of their beach. Of course it was 85F and sunny. As we walked a police man casually approached us after a car beeped us to move over or move on. He quietly asked where we wanted to go. Mario’s Cafe we said. He said two doors to the right in a polite manner and pointed his finger at Mario’s.  

Mario’s Cafe is on the second floor with tables and chairs and a fast WiFi enabling our Happy New Year’s greetings to be sent. The two Carib beers went down real fine.  

I made it into the gym for a workout—first one on this journey—that I had promised to do regularly!

December 28th’s highlite was in the evening when Gracie, our entertainment director let it all hang out in the Cabaret Lounge. She tells us that her position on board Azamara is always held by a performer. We have seen plenty of them in our day, but, in my opinion this little lady from Australia has been the best. 

Of course she started very young and was hooked on ‘the life’ when her mom took her to see and hear ‘Chicago’ the musical play seen around the world. Gracie and Roxy are a match; and so she is to Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton John, and Adelle as soloists. Then Gracie began belting out songs made famous by Queen and Abba too. 

December 29 we went ashore with Sandy and Cathy Aiken in St. Lucia, a place I had visited 60 years ago with Vic Farnoli a tennis buddy from Kew Gardens who had planned the trip and stay at Halcyon Days Resort. Unfortunately tennis lost its priority due to courts with many cracks in the concrete surface and tears in the net. Additionally, we were the only ones there to play our tennis that was organized by a company back in Toronto  named Tennis Travels International. [I’ve never heard their name again.]

On shore we were approached by tour guides and settled with Joseph who spoke well on the history and geography of St. Lucia. The four of us especially me in the front seat enjoyed the comfort slightly more than the three of them in the back seat of a nice air conditioned vehicle that ascended and descended the many hills and switch backs of this tropical island. He pointed out the Gross and Petite Pitons from a significant distance and asked, “Can you see the face of a man looking skyward?”  

The Governor's gated home

500 year-old Tree

It's December 28 and The Journey is tendering to the port of Charlestown, St. Kitts where it is 84F with blue skies and little whiteish clouds appearing sporadically. We have decided to stay on board enjoying the tranquility of the Drawing Room and shaded lounge chairs poolside.

At 10:30 Terryl and I visited the sales team to redeem our six no-cost days on a future cruise. We are Discoverer Plus after this voyage concludes on January 7, 2025. Working with a pleasant lady we settled on a 13 day jaunt from September 15 visiting Bordeau, France to Barcelona, Spain with stops in Balboa, Ferrel, Lisbon, Seville, Gibraltar, Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia and we might decide not to finish in Barcelona, but to end in Valencia, and hang out there for a while before heading home. That's a good thought but it needs work getting accommodations and decisions on an airport to get us back to Canada.

It’s Christmas evening (December 24) and Azamara’s dining room service and food was top of the line. Philbert welcomed us to his table in the middle of the dining room (having less movement than the bow and stern areas caused by the 9 foot waves during the first three days). Three of us ordered the filet mignon and asked for a lobster tail on the side, with various starters, soups, deserts and an expresso and scotch to put a fine point on the meal. 

[At home I have two alcohol based drinks per day at the request of my doctor; on this voyage I have taken my foot off the ‘petal to the mettle’ regarding her request.]

There was a nice young man from Colorado playing classical guitar and trying for a laugh or two during his performance in the Cabaret Lounge. He had the goods for a pleasant 45 minutes and then the party hit the living room to dance to some Rock and Roll to wind up the day.

On December 26 we are in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands where it is 85F and sunny all over. It’s a nice time to hang around and write about the trip so far.

Some went on shore via the tender system that works confidently all day until departure at 20:30, but yours truly and Terryl decided against it and left that for tomorrow’s stop at Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Island.

Our day was spent getting revved for the famous White Night Party and BBQ around the 9th floor pool with white tables, white lights, and about 500 guests all parading around in white clothes before and after eating all sorts of barbecued steaks, lobster, chicken, lamb chops and all the other foods that accompany such a feast. The topper was crepe suzettes with a long splash of Grand Marnier poured from shoulder height and carefully passed to many thirsty patron.

The music was continuous from 17:30 to 21:30 with the Azamara singers and dancers performing for the last 90 minutes of merriment had by all. 

Upstairs in the Living Room the band followed by a DJ completed the day with a period of time I call ‘Give me 15 minutes of solid Rock and Roll.’

Off the ship in St. Thomas

Friday December 27 started with brilliant sunshine and a forecasted 85F for the sun seekers. We enjoyed a small breakfast before heading for the Gangway and off the ship. A five person mini-truck (my name for it) asked “Anyone going to town which is about a 4 mile trip for only $6 per person?” We jumped on it and off he goes. On arrival we are given some direction to participate in the shopping and restaurant delights of the island. Terryl picked Shopping; I picked Restaurant; we agreed on one hour and one meeting place, and off she goes with my one condition only that she not stop and speak to any old Italian men and lose track of time. Terryl always agrees with me because it actually happened in Rome when I was about to launch a search-party.

On time and all finished with my beer and WiFi at the meeting place (my restaurant) we were happy with the experience and returned to the ship.

Tonight there will be a guitarist named Andy Hackbarth playing at the Cabaret Theatre to wind up the evening’s entertainment, accept of course, if the party goes upstairs and the Living Room cries out for more of the same.

The End

December 24, 2024

A presentation by Professor Steven Okulewicz, Hofstra University:

“Some Colourful Creatures of the Caribbean Sea”

He’s a mid-sized older man wearing a tan coloured suit and tie waiting a few more minutes to have a few more listeners in the theatre. 

Professor Okulewicz starts with an outline of our itinerary. Snorkeling is the way to see these colourful creatures. The Caribbean is approximately 1,000,000 square miles of territory and water with a average depth of 7218 feet.

Approximately 500 species live in these coral reefs.

Snapper fish is highlighted with their many different fins tails with wonderful screen etc. There also many different mouth sizes and shapes.  

Circulai indentify age of fish; which is almost like finger prints   or a sliced tree trunk when seeing across a halved fish.

Fish school when looking for food and to have some protection from predators. In some schools of fish when surrounded one will never see past these fish.

Squirrel fish, long spine, blackball soldier fish, 

Parrot fish produce sand out of their body. They can produce as much as 200lbs of it yearly, where all of comes out of their anus and ends up on the beach, Rainbow Parrot fish, Walking Parrot fish. Butterfly fish comb the coral reef and one of that species has only eye that moves from side to side and back again. 

Great Barracuda are slow swimmers with various sizes and shapes such as Blue Stripe Grunt, French Grunt, and White Grunt that really grunt.

Damselfish are bicolour, yellowtail, sergeant major, jewelfish,. Angel Fish are not very fast. Surgeon fish, Blue Tang have a piece of spine sticking out of their lower body to use as a weapon, and another is named an Ocean Tang. 

Trumpet fish. Snappers, yellow tail, yellow jacks. Palometa. Triggerfish, juvenile, Sargasso fish, Queen. Filefish. Cowfish. Smooth Trunkfish. Porcupine fish. Slippery Disk Sea Wrasse can change from male to female [who would have thought of that?]. Goatfish. Jawfish yellow head clean their living space all day when not looking for food. Redfin and Needlefish. Ballyhoo School fish. Flying Gurnard. Sand Divers. 

Lionfish a new invasive species originally from Asia and now are all over North and South America’s eastern beaches. The Lionfish have a bounty on them because they can produce 50,000 eggs each and as a result are heavily fished, and because they have no natural predators. 

Nassau Grouper is hard to see with their Coptic Coloration—they blend into the background,. Green Moray Eel. Sting Rays, not all rays have stingers, Marine Invertibrates. Sea Urchins, West Indian sea egg, Furry sea cucumbers, Cushion Sea star, have 2 spines sea star. Reef Squid. Sponges, Proifera, Giant Spiny Lobster. Mollursca. Queen Conch Shell, Flame Helmets are alive and well in the Caribbean.

Marine plants, Turtle Grass, Manatee Grass, White Scroll, Sargassum Sea Seed, Bristle Brushes grow and survive in Caribbean waters. 

All of the above can be found snorkelling in the Caribbean. We are in these waters on December 24 for 2 full days at sea. However, I tried snorkelling in 2021 off Bermuda on a cousins holiday and it didn’t work for me then, however, if I give it another go this time it just might.

This is Christmas Eve and a full wonderful meal was served for the six of us in Discoveries and most importantly Sandy Aiken wore his complete Scottish family Kilt. Sandy is an average-sized biggish man who attracted several admirers the entire evening. The Cabaret gave us singers and dancers with a Christmas theme at 20:15 for their 45 minute show that I hope to include a video and single photos when we can access the World Wide Web.  The evening ended in the Living Room with plenty of disc jockey popular music for dancing until we packed in at midnight.

On December 25 there was a nicely organized buffet in Discoveries from 10:30 to 12:30 with music, champagne and so much food, but, the most unusual sound occurred in the middle of last night: the Captain woke us with the announcement that there was an issue in the recycling room. He was calm when he spoke and said there would be an update in 15 minutes. The next call was to not do anything until his next call. When he gave us the final call in 15 minutes and said just as calmly that the fire was now controlled and extinguished. Apparently, the floor lights had been turned on and many of the staff where in position with lifejackets on and ready to move. Bravo, Bravo, Bravo are the key words the ship’s officers used when the problem was first sighted during our meal on Christmas Eve.

Today at 2:00 there will be a lecture on the beaches and another one on Cole Porter’s music at 3:00. I’ll be there with Christmas bells on.

The Origin of Caribbean Beach Sands lecture by professor Okulewicz, Geologist and Oceanographer, Hofstra University, L.I.N.Y.

Sediments, longshore currents form beaches

Foreshore, Beach face Backshore are the make up made from fine grained material.

Plankton are small marine organisms—zooplankton 

Some beaches are volcanic origin

Black sand is made of real small glass: obsidian

Pink beaches exist in the Caribbean made from Pink mollusks, 

White Beaches made from coral reefs

Our sand is soft and not very hot because of composition and colour.

There are lots of reasons why coral reefs break down, human garbage and some other natural reasons, like Biological erosion, and kelp and leaves.

18 Hurricanes hit the Caribbean this year 2024 and certain devastation took place like always.

St John Virgin Islands Cruz Bay, Trunk Bay recommended swimming at Macho Bay recommended.

Hawksbill turtle mentioned.

St Thomas island  recommend Coki Beach, Megans beach.

St Kitts, South Frigate Bay, South Friars beach with black sand verges monkeys, Cockleshell beach with lots of shells.

St Lucia, Anse Chastanet Beach, good snorkelling, Rodney Beach, Reddit Beach.

Barbados, Carlisle Bay, Crane beach with pink sand.

St Johns Antigua, Valley church beach, Dark wood beach, Half moon bay with pink sand.

St Maarten,  Friars Bay, Dawn Beach.

Different colours, depth changes color as well as sea grass suspended water.

Iles des Guadeloupe White sand in Aruba.

Fun with Beach sand you’ll need shovels and hair spray to hold the structure in place. He shows many many famous sand castles. The End

A Lecture on Cole Porter (1892 - 1964) was given on a piano and a gifted singing voice by Mr. John Johnson. He who was performer and a College professor in his younger days, and now his work takes him to many different places including cruise ships where his talent is not wasted at all.

He starts by going us a sheet of paper with Cole Porter’s life story and a complete list of his songs for films and singles. On the flip side he has the lyrics for Lets Do it, Night and Day, Brush Up Your Shakespeare.

John Johnson was introduced by the assistant entertainment director Justin.

John performs on his piano and sings beautifully especially with Night and Day and its very popular Chromatic Decent was used many times including Night and Day. Mr. Johnson was on stage for 45 minutes reminiscing with us and playing Cole Porter’s considerable body of music for stage and screen performances  singing Porter’s poetic and sometime heart wrenching lyrics that meant plenty to those living their war torn lives. 

Cole Porter lost his leg when his horse fell on him in 1937. In 1958 (after 30 surgeries) one leg was amputated. His mother died in 1952, his wife died in 1960, Cole Porter then became a recluse and lost his will to live. He died in 1964

Porter never wrote a Christmas song.

The End

Ray, Gary, Sandy, Cathy, Christian and Terryl on White Night 

It’s December 22 at 12:00 and we have boarded Azamara Journey and using Port of Miami WiFi I thought you would enjoy these pictures from the Miami Marriott hotel. 

It's December 21 the day before we board Azamara Journey. We have enjoyed our stay at Marriott Biscayne Bay's hotel. The accommodation has been superb, with a magnificent view from a balcony overlooking the Bay and its water activity. My tan increased by 10% around the pool with this bird taking off just a few (thousand) metres above our heads.

Tonight, we enjoyed PriMos (next door to the Marriott). They have Italian dishes beautifully served and presented with a unique flair. 

Last night, we enjoyed a fabulous meal at Joe's Stone Crab with superb service from Frankie and wonderful food in a busy and pleasing decor where sea-food lovers have dined for decades and decades.

That's Frankie

That's Frankie and Mr. Bush

Oh, and by the way Uber or Lyft is the way to get around. The service is almost instant and always reliable and cost effective. You need WiFi which is on most corners and easily connected. Keep your system on Airplane Mode my friends.

Today is December 20, 2024 and I thought I'd start with the last painting by Van Gogh created at Dr. Gaudet's home where Vincent was receiving medical treatment. Here is the self-portrait that had been lost and then found many years after his suicide. His mental condition is clearly evident through his eyes, and of course the ever-present turbulence in his brush strokes:

Just the other day his son Greg Amazon'd the Ann Patchett book 'Bel Canto' to Gary and he brought it with him. Here are a few of her opening words, "When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her. Maybe he had been turning towards her just before it was completely dark, maybe he was lifting his hands. There must have been some movement, a gesture, because every person in the living room would later remember a kiss. They did not see a kiss, that would have been impossible."

Are you intrigued, maybe yes, maybe no, or possibly but he needs more, so he reads for a half hour each day until I get the answers from Ms Patchett.

 Let's get prepared for this trip that starts on AC1198 December 17 at 09:00 departing for Miami, and of course you have requested J seats and will probably get them. I see you have booked Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay with a King overlooking the pool and ocean from your balcony until December 22 when you board the beautiful Azamara Journey for their 16 day voyage from Miami to Nassau, St. John US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas, Charlestown, Castries, Port Elizabeth Bequia, Bridgetown, St. Johns Antiqua, Philipsburg, Road Town Tortola, and back to Miami Florida.

So let's get packing and I'll see you at the hotel on Biscayne Bay.

On December 17 AC delivered them on time in comfortable seats at 12:15 but there was a longish walk to the baggage claim and they were burdened with a month of supplies and clothes so they asked for a lift and the attendees in place delivered the wheels and driver in ten minutes. After the trot to the baggage carousel they were in a taxi in another 25 minutes. The Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay is large and beautiful. At checkin they were asked if they would like a higher suite with a fantastic view of The Bay and its surrounds. They accepted the complimentary upgrade and up the elevator to a lovely room. Terryl was in a hurry to buy some beer and wine for the room and returned in 30 minutes. There is plenty to see and experience, and after a Cleansing Ale and a Chardonnay on their balcony off they went to The Grand for happy hour followed by a tasty Pork Belly and Mussel dinner with Roast Cauliflower at The Gold Coast dining room in the Marriott. It's an early night they tell me, so lights out to a great start on this voyage.

CASABLANCA on the bay menu cover

December 18 and 19 were spent around the hotel, then a Uber trip off the Bay and into Miami proper. The outgoing was with a driver from Detroit, and following a cordial question asked by Terryl he said, "When I had money I really enjoyed living here." This from a very tall and larger man whose knees tucked under the steering wheel almost meeting the dashboard. On receiving his comment I couldn't help myself from asking, "That’s a bold statement, would you mind talking about it?" He then launched into his story that started in Detroit where he was in the financial world of stocks, bonds, mortgages and the like doing quite well. Jordan was his name, his language was complicated and critically described highs and lows of winners and losers in the markets and how they got there, and that he served until he found himself on the losing end. This man spoke clearly and organized about his education and experience. After about 15 minutes, and very close to our shopping destination another driver was making an illegal U turn right in front of us. All the traffic had stopped. Jordan dropped his window and spoke quickly, "there's no u turn here!" But still the opposing driver inched forward. Our driver then opened his car door and roared, "there's no F ing u turns here!" The other guy yelled, "just watch me" and inched forward and made the turn and off he went.

When we got out of the big guy's very clean car I asked if he'd seen the movie Beef. He said no. It's about road rage, I said. Oh I'll look that up and off he went.

Oysters at 50 cents each. 1 of 2 trays today

From the 24th floor of Marriott Biscayne Bay

We hit TJ Max, Marshalls and Target and got the stuff, WiFi'd another Uber and a new clean Hyundai arrived in 10 minutes and off we went.  We introduced ourselves and Marcel, sporting long shoulder-length red hair, bare muscular shoulders, shorts and running shoes, starting talking about video games and their manufacture. He owns most of the games and also its' creator. Another Uber guy whose hobby is tied to the hip. By the end of our ride we knew plenty about him and he knew something about us and Benjamin McDonald.