Monday January 29 - Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

 What a difference a few degrees in latitude makes.  The balcony was breezy this morning and the temperature only 72.  By the time we dock in Manzanillo it will be noon and the sun may be out and it is predicted to be 82.  Perfect, in my opinion.  

My plan today is get off the ship and stroll around the nearby historic center then have seafood for lunch.  I'm also on a quest to buy an eyebrow pencil.  If you are or know a woman of a certain age, you'll understand my dismay when I realized mine was running out. I love having a quest in ports where I plan to just wander.  I'll get to practice my bad Spanish and see some places outside the touristic parts of the city.  Yo quiero comprar un lapiz de cejas.  

Photos!

The sun is rising later as we head north.  I woke up about 6 to dark skies.  It was about 7 a.m. when I took this, Central Time.  It was too chilly and breezy on the balcony for my taste so I enjoyed the view from inside

The skies were getting lighter when I went to breakfast at 8 a.m.  I had oatmeal and V-8.  Since I have that most days and you've seen it, I didn't take a photo.  If you have a burning desire to see every bowl of oatmeal I consume, just let me know and I'm happy to oblige.  I will privately question your oatmeal obsession, though

If you look very, very carefully there is a tiny boat in the water

I was on the hunt for a lapiz de las cejas - an eyebrow pencil.  After asking a couple of people we found a make-up store just a couple of blocks from the port.  Then I started asking about a good seafood restaurant and was pointed to this place, which I'd seen on the internet.  Close to the port.  There were a lot of people from the ship, which I normally try to avoid, but the food and atmosphere were great

Clamato juice.  With beer.  It was the first time my Canadian friend had ever had one.  Are Bloody Caesar's just an Alberta thing? 

Excellent guacamole with lots of lime

A great octopus cocktail topped with avocado and leche de tigre

Perfectly tender octopus

The port area is clean with lots of statues.  It was 82 and humid.  Lovely in the open-air restaurant but sweaty walking in the sun

A statue for each of the horoscope signs

Manzanillo is known as the billfish capital of Mexico

I want a planter like this

I missed the chihuahua that was standing next to the sleeping cat.  The dog went back into the laundromat

Jodi surprised us with napkin origami.  Cool bird.  The service on this trip has been stellar

Dinner started with peaches and prosciutto

My main was hake with a yuzu sauce and collard greens and gnocchi

Dessert was chocolate cake

After dinner I hung out for awhile by the Sea View pool, enjoying the ideal weather and views

I so want an outdoor shower by my pool at home

The birds were back as we sailed away

How artsy is this?  Manzanillo from my balcony with my cabin reflected in the glass

Sunday January 28 - At Sea

 Every day the Captain gives an update from the bridge at noon.  Today I was playing cards by the Lido pool when he came on.  He started "How'd everyone sleep last night?"  He asked because we hit one heck of a storm in the wee hours.  He said we could blame him for our disrupted sleep.

 I work up at 1:30 a.m.  I was having a nightmare about being in a car wreck.  As I woke up I realized the ship was rolling hard, shaking and creaking and groaning, which no doubt caused the car wreck dream.  I got up to use the toilet and it felt like I was climbing Everest but that quickly changed to rolling in the other direction.  I opened the drapes and saw a lot of whitecaps.  Because the wind sounded so powerful I opted not to try to open the door to the balcony.  Luckily, I rarely get motion-sick but the amount of movement and remnants of the dream kept me awake until almost 6.  I put out the "do not disturb" sign, texted Jolanda that I might not make breakfast, then fell back asleep until after 9.

Mario, one of my cabin stewards said a few passengers were seasick and balcony furniture in the cabins further back was blown around.  I keep my stuff in drawers/closets and had no problems.  Thankfully, we were running at full speed to make up time from leaving Balboa, Panama late so we were only in the storm for about six hours.

After "letting" Jolanda kick my butt at Skip Bo, I met her friend Berndt.  We talked for awhile then they headed off to activities and I enjoyed lunch while watching some sea turtles and either a dolphin or sailfish leaping out of the water.

Now, I'm watching the Baltimore/KC game while contemplating what I want to do in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico tomorrow.  I've traveled quite a bit in Mexico but haven't been here before.  It is known for it's beautiful beaches.  I am known for not hanging out in the sun on beaches.  We don't arrive until noon so I'm thinking a nice sea food lunch on shore and some shopping.  Not for typical tourist knick knacks.  I'm about out of "lapiz de cejas" - an eyebrow pencil.  Mine is running out and I have invisible eyebrows.  

Meanwhile, tonight is "dressy" (formerly "formal") night.  I'll be wearing another sparkly outfit.  Well, I had my outfit planned but opted for room service and the Lions game.  I was hoping the game would be so one-sided at half-time that I could skip the second half and join Jolanda and Berndt for dinner.  Nope.  The Lions were firmly in the lead but as a long-time fan I knew that could change.  And it did.  I'm trying to bear up.  I can't imagine the mood in Ford Field during the second half.  The home of the Lions was packed, even though the game was played in California.

Not a lot of photos today but a few.

Amazing view when I woke up after the very stormy night

I missed breakfast!  But survived.  Here's lunch.  Pepper shrimp with a couple pieces of sushi.  I went back for more sushi

I ate dessert while watching the Raven's QB catch his own pass.  A scone and the bars (I swear, I only asked for one but she gave me two and I hate to waste food so ate it.  I'm noble that way.) The bars tasted like a pecan pie but had macadamia nuts in it. Also had macadamias on the oatmeal yesterday.  I don't know why they've suddenly appeared but I'm all for it 

I'm planning to look for this place for lunch tomorrow in Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico.  Colima, btw, is the state.  I've traveled quite a bit in Mexico but haven't been to Colima

This pulled pork sub with coleslaw has been on the room service menu forever but I'd never tried it.  I ate it without the bun and it was tasty

If you like chocolate cake and you're on a HAL ship, order this from room service.  It is not the same chocolate cake that's served in the Lido or MDR.  It is delicious

I missed the sunset view while watching football but Jolanda shared this photo