Ensenada, Mexico

Hello from Ensenada!

It was another great day, even with the fog rolling in during the afternoon.

Morning view from my balcony

Afternoon view from the balcony

They say fish tacos were invented here. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but if I’m in Ensenada my day is going to be about tacos. Specifically those at Tacos Lucero. 

But first I had to get there. Once off the ship there’s a walkway down to the security booth by the bridge.

After the booth take a left and cross the pedestrian bridge.

Keep walking along the waterfront past the huge flagpole. Usually there are tents set up here, but not today.

Keep going! If you get tired there are plenty of benches along the way.

You’ll eventually run into these archways. The ship will still be in view. 

Go under the arch. I always take the left arch where the tent is because it’s the one with a ramp. Once through the archway you’ll see the fish market in the blue building.

I usually take the path outside the fish market because I don’t like my scooter tires on the wet fishy floors, but today I took one for the team and went through it to get some pictures.

Once through the fish market the sidewalk takes a right and then a left.

But don’t stop at the first taco place. (Where the blue shirt guy is standing.) Keep going to the corner taco place and you’ll be at Tacos Lucero.

Made it!

Scooter parked? Check.

Table full of condiments and sauces? Check.

Three distinct and different tacos - fish, shrimp, and cheese/beef - ordered? Check, check, and check. 

Tacos fully consumed? Check.

They were all so delicious and the price couldn’t be beat with the meal costing just $7 and some change. Then, not wanting the day to end, I headed back to the flagpole and went outside the gate and across the street for…

churros, of course. They make them fresh when you order them.

I went back to just before the bridge and sat on a bench and ate myself a few churros. I have plenty of leftovers, for sure.

A nice afternoon nap rounded out the day. We have one more sea day until we’re back in San Francisco where this Ruby Princess adventure of mine ends. See you in a couple days!

Five More Sea Days

Hello from my fifth consecutive day at sea!

Tonight’s sunset

I’ve used these past five days to do exactly what I wanted to do. While everyone else was keeping busy with inside activities, I spent almost every waking moment outside listening to the ocean and soaking up the sun.   On my balcony. On the promenade deck. And out behind the buffet by the Terrace pool. Taking pictures all along the way.

There’s nothing else I need more than days like these.

Tomorrow we’re in Ensenada, Mexico. See you there!

Hilo, Hawaii

Hello from Hilo!

At 6:23 AM today the Mauna Kea summit and observatory were showcasing themselves in the early morning sunshine. What a sight.

As we pulled into the dock, we had a tugboat on standby. Moana is her name.

It was another glorious day - even though I never left the ship. I was here in the spring (I wrote about the visit here) and thought about whether I wanted to make the trek back down to the farmers market again today, or go get shave ice again. I didn’t. So I opened the mini muffins I picked up at Whole Foods yesterday and ate them for breakfast. In the shade, on the balcony, while watching the clouds show and hide (and show and hide) the summit.

As I stayed and watched commercial and military planes landing, minutes turned into hours and before I knew it the noontime phone call from my daughter rolled around.

By the time the call was over, the sun started coming around to my side of the ship.

When I’d get too hot I’d come back into the air-conditioned cabin until I cooled down. And then back out I’d go. All day long. It was a wonderful way to spend the last day in Hawaii.

I spent my last evening in Hawaii outside at Movies Under the Stars watching Bohemian Rhapsody. A great way to end another great day.

We have five sea days in a row until we get to Ensenada, Mexico. See you then!

Kahului, Maui

Hello from Maui!

This morning’s photo yet again was from my balcony. Another early start to the day for me. 

6 AM view

I thought about going back to sleep, but when a day like this awaits you it’s hard to climb back into bed.

Although I didn’t go to a beach I did have a good day, even if it wasn’t exciting. Today I repeated what I did in Kahului earlier this year.

First up, Guri Guri. For a 10 AM breakfast? You betcha.

Then to Round Table Pizza for a pepperoni and garlic pizza for an 11 AM lunch.

A noon phone call with my daughter as I people watched - and sky watched.

A stop at Whole Foods for some browsing and snack purchasing.

Can you imagine walking out of your Whole Foods and seeing this view?

Then it was time for the long haul back to the port. Kahului is a working port so it’s complicated to get in and out of. I took pictures of the path on the way back to the ship. I did forget to take the first picture, but after the first turn here’s where you’ll be going to get back. If it looks like a lot of turns and narrow paths, it is. 

This part of the path was new.

It was a very warm day today so I was happy to be tucked in my nice air-conditioned cabin for the afternoon and evening. I even caught the sun slipping behind the mountain. 

Tomorrow we’ll be in Hilo, our last port in Hawaii. See you there!