Welcome to the Chronicles of

~ the Second Noordam Adventure ~ the 15th Anniversary Cruise ~
12/06/2008 - 12/17/2008

12/17 - Ft Lauderdale

6:28am - In the channel

As our barefooted singing hero would say, "Its been a lovely cruise." And it has. But at 6:02am, the ship's horn blew for the last time on this trek, as we entered the Ft Lauderdale harbor channel (the locals have got to love that!). Here is the view from the balcony this fine morning:

We are about to be tied up to the pier, and this shot was taken in the channel, looking seaward.

Last night was great. Drinks in the Pinnacle Bar with Grace & Chuck and Trish & Greg. The waitress in the bar gave us a souvenier - a minature chair made from the wire cap of a champagne bottle. Something she made "in her spare time" - something you can't help but think this crew doesn't get a whole lot of. Then dinner, which was great. Clay & Dennis were back, and it was just the sort of laughing and conversation one hopes for on a cruise.

We went to the final show of the cruise, which was okay - not fabulous or anything, but it was very entertaining. Then it was time to say good night and go back to the rooms to pack. I think we were all putting it off. But by midnite, we had put our luggage in the halls for the trip to the pier, and were all snuggled in our beds enjoying the rocking of the ship, swearing we needed to hang a hammock when we got home and knowing it would never be done.

So, this phase of the adventure is coming to a rapid close. Luckily for me, the adventure just rolls into a new phase - a different chapter. It'll be fun, but I wasn't quite done with this part yet. I suppose that is the best way to end it, right? Wanting just a little bit more.

As I said at the start of this entry - Its been a lovely cruise. And you know the cruise is over when Carol is wearing Christmas socks with little bells on them. I am not so sure I want to walk next to her for fear of it being thought that they are on my feet!

Regardless, you guys should join us next time! I need someone else who they can think has bells on!

I'll write more later, after the trip north.

See you soon, Mom!

Til then....

Keep Smiling!!!

Your Intrepid Servant, the Timethief Beachbum