Spring (Pat)!!

[spring]

Hi, gang! Today we are beautiful St. Kitts. It's actually a first for me. It's warm, but has a lovely breeze. The houses are very colorful and I'm impressed by the cleanliness of the town. Yes, I miss logging on everyday to visit with all my SR friends. However, I'm toasting you every night. Will be back in a couple days. I guess I'll have a lot of catching up to do. Talk to all of you soon.

[coastalgirl]

Pat-
That sounds just wonderful. Even here it is cold and dreary today. Have tons of fun!!! Can't wait to hear (read) all about your trip!!!

[jl8595]

So how much has Nana raked in at the casino now??

Your dog misses you...sometimes...well...probably not. She's too busy with the kids. Henry loves the pink octopus...it's his now. But Holly stole his stuffed polar bear in retaliation. Heading down to check on your kitties shortly. Glad you're having fun!!!

[spring]

Hey, all! I'm back! I had a great time. I'm not sure which will take longer - doing all my laundry or catching up on SR!

[linanglab]

Welcome back!!!! Sorry your trip is over, but glad to have you back!

[sunshinecindy]

Welcome back. I know it went a lot quicker for you then us. You missed some good contests, but we have more starting. Forget the laundry, it isn't going anywhere.

[spring]

Welcome back. I know it went a lot quicker for you then us. You missed some good contests, but we have more starting. Forget the laundry, it isn't going anywhere.

Great advice! BTW, I LOVE your new picture!

[askomsky]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[lanny76]

Welcome back! Glad you had a good time, and hope you can get all caught up soon - and we'd love to hear more, or see pics!!

[spring]

Okay, I guess I will attempt my 1st TR. I went to so many islands, I'm going to have to do it in installments this week.

Many of you know that DH & I were to fly out of Hartford at 7:30AM Saturday, March 1st. As luck turned out, a snowstorm was forecasted to hit Friday night around 10PM until 12Noon Saturday. Predictions ranged from 4-8inches and up. Since we live nearly an hour from the airport, I booked a room at the airport Sheraton for Friday night. We arrived around 3PM to check-in. The room was VERY nice. Of course, I booked it through SR shopping. The hotel is located between, and connected to, the 2 terminals at the airport. We took a walk down to scope out the American Airlines terminal, then came back and ate dinner at the hotel's restaurant. We just had the cheeseburger platter, figuring we'd have gourmet meals on the cruise ship for the next week.

We turned in around 10:30PM, shortly after the snow began to fall. At 5:30 the next morning, we awakened to the sounds of plows outside our window. We got ready and walked out to the window facing the airport and saw a few of the 6AM flights being de-iced. It looked like there was only around 4 inches of snow, so we were relieved. The runway was being plowed and everything appeared to be "business as usual." I have to mention that it takes a lot for the Hartford airport to be closed.

We ate a light breakfast, checked out of the hotel, then proceeded to the terminal hauling our luggage. The line was short and we checked in at the kiosk and surrendered our two suitcases. A quick call assured me that my 80 year old Mom (to be called NaNa) had no trouble getting to the Philadelphia airport for her 7:35AM flight. She said they only had a little rain there, but was worried about us getting out. The plan was for her to fly out and meet us in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our flight was to get in shortly before hers, so we'd meet her on arrival.

Well, the best laid plans don't always work. The 6AM planes seemed to have no trouble getting out of the airport. Our plane was at the gate from the evening before, so we boarded on time. At 7:30AM, everyone was seated in the plane waiting to take off, except there was about 5 inches of snow on the wings of the aircraft, and the snow was not letting up. The pilot came on and said we just needed to be de-iced and then we would be leaving in about 20 minutes. Yeah.........well, the plane two before us got de-iced too early, and had to turn back around to be de-iced again. Guess which plane got bumped from de-icing? You guessed it. Finally, two hours later, we finally were de-iced and took off. NaNa's plane took off 1/2 hour late, but she still arrived 1 1/2 hours before we did. After an initial panic set in when she couldn't reach us by cell phone (she was borrowing a cell phone and had no idea that we couldn't get calls while in the air), she called my daughter (Lori, jl8595) who assured her that we had taken off late and to just make herself comfortable in a chair for a while.

Well, NaNa, being resourceful, found a sign pointing to the Hotel/Casino. She made her way in, picked out a slot machine, and won over $250 on a nickel machine while waiting for us to land!

We finally landed at 1PM and, while DH waited for the checked luggage, I went looking for NaNa. I finally found her 1 terminal over outside the Casino. We walked back to my terminal just as DH came out with the luggage. We hailed a taxi, then made our way to Hotel Miramar in San Juan, close to the Condado Beach area.

The Hotel had mixed reviews in Trip Advisor. Either you loved it or hated it, but the price was right. The hotel was old, but very clean. The rooms were big and included a mini fridge and microwave. A little restaurant was tucked in next to the lobby. A drug store was almost across the street and a food store called "Pueblo" was 1 block away. The Condado beach area was about 5 blocks away. After getting settled in the room, it was about 3:30PM. The small restaurant didn't open until 5:30PM and we had didn't have anything to eat in the 6 hours we were on the plane (yes, American "sells" food, but they hardly had anything on board. Everything sold out way before they got to our seats.) We ventured up the street and found a Domino's Pizza joint. Seeing no other option, we ordered a large pizza and drinks and took them back to our rooms to eat. Afterwards, we went to the Pueblo to buy two bottles of wine for the cruise. Most cruiselines will let you bring on 2 bottles of wine only as long as you consume it in your cabin. If you make the mistake of taking it to the dining room, they charge a "corkage" fee of up to $25 per bottle to allow you to drink your own wine! We also bought some bottled water to use at the hotel and take with us on the cruise.

We didn't do much the rest of the evening and turned in early, tired from our flights and the temperature change of 50 degrees in one day. The next morning, we went to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and got there soon after it opened. We were told to sit anywhere by the cook, then just sat there and sat there and sat there. I spied a coffee urn at the bar and helped myself. DH and NaNa couldn't believe I did it, but after a while, they, too, decided it was the only way they were going to get any. After 20 minutes of not seeing a soul to give us a menu or take our order, we got ahold of the fellow at the main lobby desk. He made some excuse about somebody being late. Five minutes, that same fellow came over and asked us what we wanted to eat. I asked him what they had. He was shocked we didn't even have menus! After that was all taken care of, he took our orders. Breakfast came out fast and was very good.

After breakfast, we decided to take a walk out to the Condado beaches. It was absolutely gorgeous! We walked about 2 miles or more before coming back to the hotel. During our walk, we had our first view of our cruise ship, the Carnival Destiny. We were all impressed with her size, even from a mile away! When we got back, NaNa had to make a mad dash over to the drug store to buy some souvenirs, then we came back, repacked our luggage, and checked-out of the hotel by 10:30AM. Since it was NaNa's first visit to San Juan, I haggled with a cab driver to get a good price for a tour of Old San Juan, then drop-off at the cruise terminal, also in Old San Juan. We lucked out with our driver. He gave us an excellent tour, reciting much of the history of the area. While driving on the main shopping area, Forteleza Street, NaNa (who, for whatever reason, has vivid dreams that sometimes come true) suddenly stated she had dreamed about this street at least four times in the past. That sent chills up my spine! After the tour, the cab driver dropped us off in front of the cruise terminal. A porter immediately grabbed our luggage and we had to run after him to keep up! He deposited it on the belt taking it to the cruise ship and pointed the way for passengers to go (after a tip, of course). It was 12 Noon by now, and boarding wouldn't commence until 1PM. We had an easy check-in process, then sat down and waited for boarding. At 12:45PM, they started the boarding process. We got on almost immediately and had to drag our carry-on luggage with us to the buffet - nobody could get into their staterooms until 2:30PM. After a leisurely lunch and a look around, it was 2:30PM. DH and I had a balcony cabin and got in right away. NaNa had an oceanview cabin two floors below, looking out the front of the ship. I went with NaNa to help her into her room. Her key did not open the cabin. We went to the pursers desk, only to find a LONG line, many having the same problem. 1/2 hour later, NaNa had a new key and was able to get into her cabin to deposit her carry-on bag.

Upcoming installment: our first evening on the Carnival Destiny!