Birthday Dinner in the Crown Grill

What a treat.  I have never sailed during my birthday. We often are at sea for Bernie's birthday but never for mine. So to get to have a meal in the Crown Grill, served by Mark, our favorite waiter on board and with friends, and with my amazing husband. I just can't ask for anything more.  I feel blessed.


But first here is a run down of what is happening on board:

• North to Alaska Folkloric Show with Steve Hites 8:15
• Evening Game Show - Jeopardize Trivia
• Comedian Rich Shydner 7:00 and 8:15
• Ballroom Blitz - Jive Class
• Stateroom movie is Focus
• 60s Music Trivia 9:15
• Alaskan Midnight Sun Sailaway with Live Music from Will Dickerson - Come and enjoy beautiful Alaskan scenery (blankets provided) Outriggers Bar Deck 15 Aft 9:15 
• Evening Game Show: Fish Stories - about Sharks 9:15
• Cruise Cult Classic Rock n' Roll Night
• Movies Under the Stars - The Longest Ride 10;00 pm 
• The Yes/No Gameshow 10:45

We arrive and are sat at a both that we really like (also called the fishbowl by the staff).  

Earlier Bernie had dropped off the bottle of champagne that I had asked for for my birthday -- Perrier-Jouet, Blason Rose from France.   It was sitting in the bucket beside our table when we arrived. Also a bottle of wine from Stefano and Nelson was a surprise and appreciated.  Oh forgot to say that earlier they called the cabin and on speaker phone sang Happy Birthday to me.  Lovely

Ashwin is joining us for dinner and Tammi too.  We just met Tammi this voyage, she is from Halifax and so it is nice to connect with someone from home and Bernie originally is from Nova Scotia.  And of course we know Ashwin for quite a while now.

I start with the Pan Seared Pacific Scallops

Then I had that amazing Heirloom Tomato Salad with Goat Cheese and Beets - sorry forgot to take a picture.

For my entree I really wanted to try one of the new Alaskan Special Menu items and I chose the Halibut.  It was like butter!

You can see the lovely cheese plate that Mark prepared for us too.  Lovely to munch on in between courses and along with the wine.

Of course the waiters came out and sing Happy Birthday. They even had balloons for me.  

Was so touched too that Riza came down from Sabatinis where she is a waiter to wish me a Happy Birthday.  Here is a picture of Mark and Riza sandwich of all love and kindness. 

After dinner Bernie insists that we head to Crooners to say hi to Red - he hasn't seen us yet today and he wants to see me.  When we arrive he too gives me a gift!  

It is amazing how the world brings such great people into our lives.  I want them to know that they mean the world to us.  They brighten our day when we see them.  We love hearing from them when we are home, and we really love seeing them outside of their work environment whether it is in Vancouver or they home city.  

They are our Princess Family!

Sunday - Puerto Vallarta

We dock early at 8 am and we are at Pier 1 from our balcony I can see the Celebrity Infinity and the Pirate Boat is right beside us as I watch the people from our ship make their way over to it.  The music is playing from the Pirate Boat and the characters are all set for the tour.  I have never done this tour but it does look like fun.

We are not in any real rush to get off, in fact we have arranged to meet up in the International Café with friends at 10:30 to head ashore.

Bernie goes up for breakfast and I finally get my blog posted from yesterday.

We meet up with all our friends and we get off the ship together.  One thing that is noticeable in Mexico at every port we have had to open our bags when getting off to Mexican officials to make sure we are not bringing any fruits or contraband into the port.  The same happens when we get on the ship as well.  So be prepared, do not take any fruit or meat off the ship while in port.

Ian, Claire, Ashwin and Delmarie

We walk out towards the Sam’s Club to catch the local bus to Bucerias.  The cost is around $1.50 each person.  To know if you are on the right bus the name Bucerias is on the windshield.  The ride is - well how can I describe it - “interesting” but we are with all the locals and we don’t mind the ride at all. 

The ride to the town of Bucerias is about 25 minutes and we get off and cross under the highway and head to the main square.  Church is in session and it is lovely to hear the singing.  We walk around the square a bit and check out all the stalls selling their items.  It is fun to hear them trying to get us into their stores “lady, want to buy my crap” “lady welcome to all things from China”.  But we really don’t want or need anything.

We cross over the bridge and stop into a nice restaurant and we grab a table that looks out onto the beach.

Drinks are ordered, appetizers are ordered and we all are laughing our heads off.  We order entrees cause we all need to eat more to absorb the drinks.

It was a great time and I am glad we were able to show them a little more of Mexico that is not like Puerto Vallarta.

Back to the main drag to catch the bus going back (just flag any bus going by as they all go back to the ship).  To get out of the sun I sit right at the back and boy is it bouncy!  In fact I should of worn a sports bra it is so bouncy. 

We get off at the mall and we decide to check out the mall since it is relatively new.  There is even a Starbucks in it, but I resisted.  We did enjoy some ice cream though.

We head back on board around 3 pm and I feel totally out of it.  All I can attribute it to is the two margaritas I had.  But I tell Bernie I feel totally drugged and it just hit me, like I walked on the ship and boom.  I crash right on top of the bed, fully dressed and sleep!   Even when I wake a few hours later I am shocked that I felt so odd, but I guess that was some strong tequila.

Notes:

We have had no problem at all with laundry.  We have put in about three different bags and we put it in at night and we are getting it the next evening.  We really appreciate this and know that technically it is not supposed to arrive the next day but we do appreciate it.  All items have been accounted for and no damage to any item has been noticed.

Drink prices have gone up it seems, now we get two martinis and it works out to be $20 including the tip.  We have really cut down on how much we are drinking.