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The first two days took us down the coast of Cuba, then between Cuba and Haiti, south past Jamaica to our first port of call, Aruba, not far from the coast of Venezuela. As the ship tied up we had a great view of the main street of Oranjestad, Aruba's Dutch capital. After the ship and being at sea, Aruba was very hot -- in the high 90s -- and humid. Even my camera fogged up! We were glad to get aboard an air-conditioned mini bus for a two hour drive around the island. Our lady driver was a real character and as we drove she gave us a run down on the island from its sights to its politics to its religion. What a bargain for $15 each!
Late that afternoon we set sail for Costa Rica and the next morning we docked at Puerto Limon, another hot, humid but very colorful port. This day we set off in a bus for a jungle resort where we boarded a flat bottom pontoon boat for a trip down a tranquil river. We saw birds and animals in their natural habitat as well as glorious tropical flowers. Once back in Puerto Limon we shopped in the crowded market and walked around the small village very near the port. Later we were off toward the Panama Canal.
The next morning started early and we were on the deck at 5:30 am as we approached the Gatun Locks; however, traffic from the opposite direction slowed our progress and we didn't reach the locks until about 7 am. We did see the sun rise over the jungle of Panama. There are video cameras setup at the locks so anyone interested, can watch ships going through the locks at www.pancanal.com.
The next two days were relax "at sea", swimming, sunning, playing bridge, and generally enjoying the ship's activities, while the ship moved up the coast of Central America and to our first Pacific Ocean port of call, Huatulco, Mexico. Once a haven for pirates, today Huatolco is a relatively undiscovered little village with a jagged coastline and pristine beaches. We wandered around the scenic streets and little shops. Then is was off again to a 2nd Mexican port - Acapulco. A very vibrant and bustling city very different from little Huatulco but just as hot and humid! Here, we walked over to the nearby Fuerto de San Diego and Museo Historico de Acapulco, a fort built to protect precious goods from the Far East being sent to Spain, from pirates. That evening before sailing were were entertained on ship by Mexican Folklorico.
Another day at sea, and then on Day 13 we sailed into the harbour of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to join four other large cruise ships. The ship's tenders took us ashore where we enjoyed a coastal highlights tours, including views of the rugged coastline and inland desert, a glass blowing factory, San Jose del Cabo and Cacti Mundo, a cactus botanical garden. Cabo and San Jose were beautiful, while hot they were not humid and there was a pleasant breeze from the ocean. That evening we sailed out past the natural rock formations and arches of Land's End, a dramatic monument at the end of the Baja Peninsula.
Day 15 we docked in San Diego and disembarked to catch an airplane home. What a wonderful two weeks.
- Claire Kermacks
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