DAY 12--COSTA RICA

        As I mentioned yesterday, we were to dock here at Puntarenas this morning at 7:00am but due to a passenger having a medical emergency we arrived last night at 10:00pm.  Today is a beautiful one with sunny skies and 82 degrees.  Most passengers left at 7:00 this morning on all day tours to see a volcano, rainforest, or the capital, San Jose.  We have been here several times on other cruises so no tour for us.  I did walk in town this morning for about 45 minutes.  HOT!!!!

Background/Historical:
        Puntarenas means “sandy point” in Spanish.  It is the capital and largest city in the Province of Puntarenas.  This province makes up most of the western coast of Costa Rica.  Costa Rica was discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus but it was Ponce de Leon in 1519 who laid claim to it for Spain.  It was not developed until 1840 when coffee production in the inland highlands reached exportable volumes.  Initially the coffee beans were transported to the port on ox carts but later a railroad was built from here to San Jose.
        There are some 100,000 people living in and around Puntarenas.  The white, sandy beaches near here attract many tourists.  Caldera is the name of the port we are docked in today and is the main and oldest port in Costa Rica.  It is the port for cruise ships wanting to visit San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, which is just a two hour bus ride away.
        Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s I few to San Jose from Miami as a check pilot on the Boeing 727.  Due to the mountainous terrain down here, a check pilot had to fly with Captains on their initial flight into the airport.  Costa Rica ranges in elevation from sea level on the coast to 13,000 foot mountain ranges.  Costa Rica has quite a large expatriate population (Americans who reside here now).  This is because of the economical cost of living, availability of excellent, low cost medical care, and security.

        Costa Rica is relatively small at 19,700 square miles, or roughly the size of our state of West Virginia.  It is bordered on the north by Nicaragua and south by Panama.  The country’s population totals nearly 5 million with over 300,000 of them living in the capital city of San Jose.  

        Costa Rica is known for its stable democracy and relative security, unlike Nicaragua to its north.  It has a highly educated workforce, most of whom speak English.  Its economy used to rely heavily on agriculture but now has diversified  to include sectors in finance, services to other countries, pharmaceuticals, and ecotourism.  However in the past couple of years their Treasury was starting to have a hard time paying its debts.

        It is the most visited country in Central America with nearly 3 million foreign visitors back in 2016.  Of those, 1 million were Americans.  Costa Rica was a pioneer of ecotourism with its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas.  It is a very beautiful country for sure!  Around 25% of the country’s land area is in protected national parks.  The abundance of fruit trees bearing year round is very important to the over 840 species of birds that have been identified in Costa Rica.  Our hummingbirds in Durango may even be migrating here during the winter months.  They spend winters in Mexico and Central America.

        The country has a 97% literacy rate, and as I said,  English is widely spoken here due to the tourism industry.  The life expectancy of Costa Ricans is 79 years which is higher that the United States.  This is probably due to its healthcare system that is ranked higher than that of the United States.  Sadly!!!!  It has become a popular destination for “medical tourism” because of the high quality and low cost of their medical services.  I flew with several flight attendants who came down here for “boob jobs” and other cosmetic surgeries.  I remember one was so proud of her new boobs that she showed them to the copilot and I right there in the cockpit.  Don’t tell the FAA!! 

What We Did Last Night:

                                              Sunset from window in the Meridian Lounge

                      My entree last night in Compass Rose was a filet with some pan seared scallops.

                                               We enjoyed Linda Lavin's show after dinner

What We Did Today:

 I had ordered this smoked salmon with bagel from room service for breakfast but salmon not smoked enough.

         So I went up to La Veranda buffet and had this cook make an excellent omelette for me.

                                                  Views from upper deck this morning

                                       View of pier jutting out from town from the upper deck.

                                                           View of pier from our balcony.

Today is a big provisioning day as several semis have unloaded all day long.  Let's hope they get some decent tomatoes.

            At 9:00 this morning I walked down pier into town for about 45 minutes.  Very HOT!

                                                                    Beach next to pier

    I walked down the street running parallel to ocean.  Lots of restaurants but not open this early.

                                                            I thought this tree interesting!

 Ostensibly, I had walked into town to find some tomatoes as the ones on the ship were half ripe and tasteless.  I did find some in a small store but they would not take dollars so returned to ship without any.  On my way back I ran into Terry Breen, Regent's expert lecturer on South America, Central American, and Alaska.  We know her well as have cruised several times with her.  I told her I had been looking for tomatoes.  After getting back to the ship, we went to the gym to do our workout.  When I returned to the suite I found these in bag hanging on our door.  Thank you Terry!!

                                                   I took one to lunch with me and enjoyed it.

                                                           Fisherman's Platter for my lunch.

        This morning the ship's crew was exercised in their weekly crew emergency drill.  A different scenario is run each week.  As passengers we all appreciate this dedication to training in case the need ever arises.       

        Love this menu for tonight.  Tough choice between the roast turkey and veal liver.  Ok, both!!

                                           Some noisy entertainment on pier this afternoon.

        Tonight's show is featuring David Klingberg, a violinist.  Not sure I will attend as usually don't care for the instrumentalist type shows.

        We sail this evening at 6:00 as will be docking tomorrow morning at 7:00 in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua.  May not be anyone left there as they have all marched north to our border and trying to invade the US.        

DAY 11--AT SEA

        I know this is repetitive but again we experiencing smooth sailing.  Today we are cruising abeam Panama and Costa Rica in the Pacific Ocean.  There are a few clouds floating above but skies are sunny again today also.  Temperature outside is 82 degrees.

                                   Ocean smooth like this ever since leaving Santiago on 17th.
What We Did Last Night:

        We both chose the Chateaubriand as our entree last night.  I had to complain about the tomatoes on our salads.  They were half green and tasteless.  I told the Assistant F&B that we had just sailed to three countries:  Chile, Peru, & Ecuador, where they produce really good tomatoes.  Not sure where these came from but not acceptable!
        Other than this instance, the food served on board has been EXCEPTIONAL.  Sean, our executive chef, relies on his staff of 64 chefs/cooks and 23 utility cleaners who continually wash down and clean the dishes and pots in the 6 galleys on the ship.  Each of the 4 restaurants has its own galley plus galleys for the crew mess and officers mess.  Food is prepared 24 hours a day.  Bread is baked fresh for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, three times a day.  As an example of the size of this operation, over 1800 eggs are used daily.
        Here is the link to several photos that I took during the production show last night.  It was a very good show performed by an excellent cast of the ship's singers and dancers.  Cut & paste it to a "new tab" on browser then click on first photo.  Arrow through rest.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/5tWTjF2EGWGvRznH9

What We Did Today:
        During his noon PA the Captain said we would be docking in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, at approximately 9:00 pm tonight instead of tomorrow morning.  There is another passenger who needs medical attention in hospital.  Then I received an email from Marge (remember her husband, David, was admitted to hospital in Lima).  Her brother and sister-in-law were on board cruising with them.  Now her brother has pneumonia and heart attack and they are ones going to hospital in San Jose when we arrive tonight.  They were suppose to take Marge & David's luggage off in LA so now Marge asked me to take it off for her.  I have been setting this all up with the second purser who is in charge of coordinating customs and immigration with ports.  She has contacted the Regent port agent in LA and everything is set for me to take their one piece of luggage through US Customs for them.  I went to Marge & David's suit where Linda (sister-in-law), Rose Mary (head of housekeeping), and a housekeeping supervisor had just finished packing the bag so I took a photo of it which will help me recognize it when I get in cruise terminal in LA.  It will be offloaded with everyone's luggage and I will have to get it in the terminal and take it through Customs.  Marge will be waiting for me after leaving Customs.  Once again, the ship's staff has been fantastic and very helpful.  Regent crew members are THE BEST!!!
        Whew!!  What a crazy day so far.  I walked up on jogging track this morning while Rebecca went to the gym.  When talking with the second purser this morning she said everyone, even us back-to-back passengers, will have to get off ship and clear US immigrations on March 9th in LA.  Then we can come back on board AFTER everyone has cleared and TSA oks reboarding.  Should not take long as ship is not nearly full so anticipate reboarding around 10:00 am.  So taking Marge's bag through Customs is really not a problem.  So glad we could be of help.  BTW, she said David was doing ok now.

             Mid afternoon now and already thinking about dinner.  Here is tonight's daily specials. 

                             Some nice looking rum drinks during lunch time by pool.
        Tonight's show if featuring Linda Lavin.  Remember her from the old tv show, "Alice"!  She is also a Tony and two time Golden Award winner from her later on Broadway shows.  She will be accompanied on piano by Billy Stritch with her husband on drums.

DAY 10--AT SEA

        Another smooth night and day cruising.  Ocean basically calm and hope it stays that way.  Today we crossed over the Equator off Ecuador coast.  Not sure exactly how many times we have crossed it, but over 10 times at least.  The ship's position display on channel 3 of the tv is not working now.  I don't like it near as well as on the other Regent ships anyway.  I bring my own maps!  The walls in suites are metal covered with wallpaper so I bring magnets to put stuff on walls.

        The Captain's noon position and weather PA advised us we had crossed the Equator and that it was sunny and a pleasant 79 degrees with the usual 75% humidity.  This afternoon we are sailing off the coast of Colombia.  Weather forecast is for more nice weather and smooth sailing.  Another sea day tomorrow!

What We Did Last Night:

At 6:00 pm there was a party in the theater for the Seven Seas Society "top tier" members.  This is ice carving at entrance.

           This is Sean, our executive chef.  We have sailed with him before.  Very good!!

         This is Stephane, our Food & Beverage Manager.  We've sailed with him before also.

Evan, Evan & female production cast singer, and champion ballroom dancers entertained us.

 Cynde was our sommelier last night.  Great service and personality.  Sommelier we had the night before at Captain's table had to fly home on family emergency.  Pray all is well back there.

 Veal parmesan and side of spaghetti.  Of course, I could not eat it all.  Chef Sean stopped by our table to check on how we liked it.  I told him to use spaghetti marinara sauce with veal next time as apparently they used tomato sauce this time and too sweet.  Veal was soooo tender!

                          Chocolate profiteroles for my dessert.  Vanilla ice cream in middle.
        Last night's show featured Billy Stritch as part of the PBS Artful Travelers programs on board this cruise.  He sang and played the piano but I did not recognize any of the songs so left after about 4 songs.  Rebecca stayed to hear his whole show.

What We Did Today:
        The ship's tv map is working again.  We crossed the Equator at 11:00 this morning while we were both in gym working out. 

Rebecca ate her Atkins protein bar but I had chicken quesadilla and Caesar salad in Prime 7.
        At 1:00 this afternoon by the pool they held the traditional "Equator Crossing Ceremony".  If you have not crossed the Equator by sea before you are a "pollywog".  If you have, then you are a "shellback".  Of course, we are shellbacks and done this before long time ago.

King Neptune and Queen Neptuna with their entourage arriving on board the Explorer for the ceremony.

                                        King Neptune beginning ceremony.

To start with a young woman must be sacrificed.  Note blood and guts on deck in front of sheets.  (actually catsup and spaghetti).

 Then passengers crossing for first time (pollywogs) must kiss a fish (real fish) and get slimmed.

                                 This ceremony is always lots of laughs and fun to watch. 
        Another relaxing afternoon at sea.  I have requested the chef prepare a special salad for us tonight. It is:  avocado, tomato, hearts of palm, iceberg lettuce with green goddess dressing.
Here is tonight's specials:

         Tonight's show at 9:30 is featuring our 2nd production show, "My Revolution".  It will be songs and dancing from the British invasion of 1960's with hits from Lulu, The Kinks, and of course, The Beatles.

DAY 9--GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

Background/Historical Info:
        Guayaquil is located on the western bank of the Guayas River which we had to sail up some 40 miles to arrive at our pier to dock this morning at 9:00 am.  It is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador with around 2 million people in the metropolitan area.  Ecuador’s main port is here.
        Guayaquil was founded in 1538, again, by a Spanish conquistador.  Today its economy consists of small and medium businesses.  Agriculture is also important as well as the commercial port here.  The climate between Jan and Apr is hot and humid with heavy rainfalls.  Lucky us!  Rest of the year the rainfall is minimal.  Guayaquil is the gateway for excursions out to the Galapagos Islands, 725 mile west of here in the Pacific.

                                                  Sailing up the Guayas River

                                            Mangrove trees in water along the river.

                                Not sure what they were doing.  Did not appear to be fishing.

                                                   Container ship being loaded

                                           This is used to load and unload containers.

                                                  Pier where we docked today.

                  View right out our balcony is front gate to port and road leading downtown.

What We Did Last Night:

                                                                         Sunset

 My double order of miso-glazed sea bass.  Sorry, I had a bite before taking this photo.  The sea bass is marinated for 48 hours prior to cooking.  Our favorite entree on Regent ships.

 Did not get photo at Captain's table but these are others at it with us.  There were 9 including Captain at the table which was too many as could not hear each other very well.

 All were at table plus one other couple that we knew from several other cruises.  Couple in back was new to Regent and from the UK.

         Ice carving in theater for live broadcast of Academy Awards which we did not watch.

What We Did Today:
        This is our 3rd time to visit this port.  Because it is so hot and very humid out today with thunderstorms forecast for afternoon, we decided to not tour today.  I shall put link to photos taken here in 2016.  You will enjoy seeing the iguanas and their story.
        Tours got off ship a little late due to port authorities being a "PIA" (pain in the ass).  We headed up to the gym after tours left so gym was very quiet.

 Today in La Veranda at lunch they had this salmon in puff pastry.  Was one of our favorites but now MY salmon in puff pastry is much better.

As the tour buses arrive back at pier, here is a short video of band and young dancers greeting passengers.  Taken from our balcony.

        This afternoon I lasted maybe 5 minutes on pier shopping.  Nothing here I had to have. 

              Old Marco Polo cruise ship in front of us.  This line has terrible reviews.
        Ok, here is the link to photos of my tour taken back in 2016.  Remember you will have to cut and paste it on "new tab" of browser.  Then click on first photo to enlarge it and be able to read my captions in upper right corner.  Arrow thru rest midway down side of photo.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/S7LGxDhUSQGNQtBB8