Rainy Panama City Beach

Success

Boat Ride Pictures

Flying High......

LAX - Easy Access Right Outside Our Hotel

The end of our trip...

-------------------------------
Frank DiCosola, Esq.
www.frankdicosola.com
Ph: (727) 528-1114
Fax: (727) 528-1124

Sent from my iPhone

Americana - Glendale, California

Backyard at Poiley's

View from Vicki and Shawn's Front Yard

Crumbs Cupcakes!

Cha-Ching!

Anthony cutting the rug!

Photos of Mariner of the Seas

Yum! Yum! Yummmm!!

So much food!!

Two Monkeys!

More of the Impressive Promenade

Inside the Savoy Theatre - Looking Back From the Stage

Puerta Vallerta | Swimming with the Dolphins

Hello Everyone! Just thought I'd better check in with everyone, and
let you know how things are going.

Yesterday we had an amazing day in Puerta Vallerta. Initially, I was
under the impression that this would be a smaller port of call, and
not too congested. Boy, was I wrong.

If you haven't been, Puerta Vallerta is larger than both Matalazan and
Cabo San Lucas combined. Even more, it is much more modernized than I
expected. From the Port of Puerta Vallerta you could see a full blown
Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, right next to each other. There was also a
high end shopping mall, and some folks we sat with at dinner dropped
their daughter off at the airport, and said it was also very nice and
modern. There was lots of traffic on the highway, clearly resembling
any medium sized city in the U.S.. Everyone we met, however, was very
pleasant, bilingual, and made us feel welcomed and safe.

The best part of Puerta Vallerta was our only Royal Carribean
excursion - the Swimming with the Dolphins encounter. Honestly, at
first I was going to just have Donna do it with Anthony, and was
going to observe. Thankfully, very thankfully actually, Donna signed
all three of us up. I am so glad she did! This was one of the most
unique experiences I've ever had, and that goes for Donna & Anthony too.

We were transported in a large air-conditioned bus with about 30 other
folks to the dolphin encounter location. On the ride we were able to
take in about a 25 minute, or less, sampling of Puerta Vallerta.

Once we got to the location, it was very clean, and the trainers were
organized and helpful. We were broken up into groups of 10, and paired
up with two dolphins.

Once in the water (they put you in life jackets so you can float,
since the pool is 20 feet deep or so), the dolphins play with you, and
you get to touch them, and interact for about ten minutes.

Next, each person gets to hug, kiss, and feed the dolphin. The
experience of being in the water with them, and appreciating their
size, strength and intelligence is second to none.

We each played with them for a few minutes, which up to that point,
had us in the water with them for about half an hour. But wait,
there's more! Next was our favorite.

Each one of us got to ride on the dolphin's belly, while holding onto
their pectoral fins. They go really fast, and you hang on. It's like
an awesome personal water device! This was very cool and extremely fun!

After everyone got a ride, we all lined up on the side of the pool
(still in the water), and were entertained by a ten dolphin show,
right next to us.

The dolphins jumped, twirled, spun, walked across the water with their
tails, and raced back and forth, all just literally inches away from
us. It was a little intimidating at first, but then you were just in
awe. This was, by far, the best family thing we've done together, and
if you ever have the opportunity to do it, spend the money, you won't
be dissappointed.

We did get suckered into buying the photos/cd, but again, it's a
wonderful memory for all of us. I'll post the dolphin encounter photos
to the blog when I get back to town.

After the dolphin experience, we were fed well there, as part of the
package, and enjoyed some time with a friendly sea lion, and a pack of
Iguanas (photos below).

At the conclusion of the dolphin excursion, we were taken back to the
port, in the clean, air conditioned buses, and strolled through an
outdoor souvenier market.

We bought only one thing - some Oakley sunglasses for Anthony (which
were clearly knock offs @ the cost of $10.00), but hey, what does he
know? :-)

There's lots of stuff(junk) you can buy, like all the Carribbean
ports, but the big thing seemed to be fakes.

From sunglasses, to Rolexes, all kinds of pursues (Louis Vutton,
Coach, etc.,). I did speak with one local who confirmed for me the US
tourists were buying considerably less of their souveniers, and that
business was very slow for them. I guess everyone is feeling the
recession.

Once we returned back on the ship, it was business as usual. Nap time,
shower, dinner, and a show.

Last night's show was a magic show - Zeigfred and Roy style, minus the
wild animals, and not the best I've seen, but Anthony was marveled by
the illusions. Like any six year old, he loves magic.

Speaking of magic, I performed some of my own last night, and tonight,
at the Casino's Crap Table.

In fact, I now actually have more money on me than I came on this trip
with, starting in San Diego, more than a week ago! I'm gonna walk
away with my winnings, and kiss the Casino goodbye until our next
trip. Thanks Lady Luck!

The trip has been everything we hoped for and more. Today was a day at
sea, and was very relaxing. We have our last day tomorrow (also at
sea), so we plan to sleep in, and probably hit the pool area after
brunch, like we did today.

I'm pretty tired, so I'll fill you in on tonight's 80s Show, and
Saturday's final day details tomorrow night.

Adios from somewhere off the Coast of California,

Frank

Another Beautiful Sunset

Loving the Balcony

Getting ready for formal night...

Matalazan : Definitely an Adventure!

Good morning!

The wifi is finally back working. It is amazing to me how little the
Internet capabilities have improved on these ships since our last
cruise, over a year and half ago. Oh well.

In any event, let me bring you up to speed on our visit to the very
interesting and concerning world of Matalazan, Mexico.

Initially, we only intended on taking the little shuttle to the
shopping market at the port, and coming right back to the ship, since
were heard this stop was a bit "rough".

However, I figured we were here for some adventure, so we took our
chances on a three hour "trolley" tour ride. And a tour it was!!

This apparently is the largest port on the Pacific side of Mexico. The
claim to fame here is also the Corona/Pacifico Brewery (nope no tours).

To be honest, the brewery was located in some of the worst slums I've
seen (and we saw some sad places on our last trip to Panama and the
Atlantic side of Costa Rica).

Although the area near the port and brewery felt unsettling, the view
improved as we headed out to the coastline shopping district and the
cliff divers. (see photos below).

We then headed to the "new" downtown, which was hustling and bustling,
and somewhat intimidating.

We definitely felt like we stood out, but didn't have any issues. I
just think my brain is warped from watching too much of The National
Geographic Channel's "Locked Up Abroad" show. If you've watched it,
you know what I mean!!

The Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception was right in the heart of
the new downtown, and truly was impressive and gorgeous. See photos
below.

After our visit in new downtown, we were off to the hotel and resort
beach/shopping district.

Again, there's lots of medium pressure sales pitches for all kinds of
typical souvenier junk, but you get really good at declining. My
favorite line was, c'mon amigo, it's so cheap, it's almost free!".
Classic!!

It's hard to describe in words, but visiting places like this really
causes you to appreciate where you live, and what you have, and that
feeling continues and strengthens more and more as you realize that
these folks are going anywhere fast.

All in all, I'm glad we did the three hour Trolley Matalazan tour. It
taught Anthony a few good lessons, and will remind him how good he has
it. Actually, that goes for me and Donna too!

Once back on the ship, we relaxed, but no time for the afternoon naps
we have been so accustomed to. Down to dinner, and then to the Ice
Skating Show.

The show was really good, and rivaled any ice skating show I've ever
seen before, especially since was while were floating in the Pacific
Ocean.

After the show, it was back to our State Room for some rest and
relaxtion.

But I can not tell a lie, and as a result, made a small donation to
the Ship's Casino Craps Table. I don't appear to be the only one either.

All my Craps buddies on board are not feeling the positive vibes from
this particular table. Maybe tonight will be different.

Were actually riding back from our excursion "Swimming with the
Dolphins" - I'll post more on that later.

From Puerta Vallerta,

Frank

Time to Wash Our Hands!

Bananas for Lunch

Iguana Encounter

Dolphin Adventure - Worth Every Penny!

Ahoy mates!!!

Pirates in Puerta Vallerta

Fantastic Ice Skating Show on Board

Ready for Dinner

Another Surprise for Anthony!

A Beautiful Site

Inside The Cathedral

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Enjoying our Trolley Tour & Photo Opportunities

Typical Tourists (Thanks Anthony!!)

Waterfront Monument in Matalazan

Shopping on the Waterfront

Matalazan Cliff Divers

Matalazan Coastline

New Cars Ready For Shipment/Ferry Back to Cabo San Lucas

Outlook Point

View of Matalzan from Our Balcony

Disembarking in Matalazan