Watery Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday - The Colorful Fountains on the Oasis of the Seas - December 8, 2010

Watery Wednesday & Wordless Wednesday 

 The Colorful Fountains on the Oasis of the Seas,

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line -

  December 8, 2010





I am participating in Watery Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday.

Click on the links for some wonderful photography!

Wordless Wednesday & Watery Wednesday - Sunset, Oasis of the Seas- September 1, 2010

Wordless Wednesday & Watery Wednesday

Sunset, Oasis of the Seas - September 1, 2010

I am participating in Wordless Wednesday and Watery Wednesday.
Join in the fun.

The Efforts of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in Haiti

Many of my followers may be aware that, prior to the loss of my job of 21 years as a forensic nurse with the city and county of San Francisco, cruising was one of my favorite pastimes.  In fact, it was a way I was able to unwind from the stress of working in the field of interpersonal violence.  As soon as I walked up the gangway of a ship, my cares and worries seemed to evaporate,  I loved being completely pampered by the wonderful crew on board and, sitting for hours, mesmerized by the ocean, was just wonderful.  In the past fifteen years, since I discovered Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, I rarely sailed with any other company.  With my birthday trip this past October, I was up to 77 cruises with this company.  I had not, however, sailed into Labadee, Haiti.

Labadee is situated on Haiti's northern coast and is a port visited by several of Royal Caribbean's megaships, including the newest, Oasis of the Seas.  Royal Caribbean developed the port for use as a tourist spot with water sports, beaches and a native crafts market . It is completely isolated from the rest of the island,  by mountains and passengers are not allowed to leave the area which is guarded by private security.  To accomodate the new Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean spent more than $50 million. 


For almost twenty-five years now, Royal Caribbean has provided the largest amount of tourist revenue to the island of Haiti.  For every ship that ports there, the Haitian government receives $6 per person.   Royal Caribbean also employs three hundred Haitians at its Labadee site and has two hundred local artisans who sell their wares at the Labadee crafts market.

When the earthquake hit Haiti, Royal Caribbean was immediately in touch with the authorities to offer aid and to make decisions as to whether to resume cruise service to Labadee.  For details of Royal Caribbean's contributions in that area, see Humanitarian Relief in Haiti
 

Immediately, food, water, and medical supplies were transported in the holds of Royal Caribbean ships - over 120 pallets to date.  Beach chairs were given to be used as makeshift
hospital beds.  According to Chairman and CEO, Richard Fain, the company also fund agencies who specialize in emergency assistance such as Food For the Poor, the Pan American Development Foundation and their own Solano Foundation. 

Mr. Fain thought about whether having the ships return to Haiti would be insensitive but, after being asked by the government not to stay away, their cruise schedule was reinstated.  It was felt that bypassing Haiti would do more financial harm to a country already deprived of most of their essential income.  Passengers were informed that all revenue from Royal Caribbean sales on Labadee ( drinks, water sports, etc ) would go to earthquake relief and some activities on board the ships are geared toward projects for children on the island.  Donations for Haitian earthquake relief can even be added to passenger ship's charges.

I appreciate that Royal Caribbean, a company that has been a huge presence in Haiti, has done so much to help in the relief effort.  It is as it should be.

A Vist in West Sacramento, California

This past Sunday, I decided to drive the hundred miles up to West Sacramento, CA to visit my middle son, Alex Vukasinovic, his lovely bride-to-be, Laura Winterhalter, and my two granddogs, Bucky and Taffy.  I hadn't seen them in a couple of months and, though they will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time in their new home, I was missing them.  It was actually a nice drive, for a change.  Somehow, I picked a time when there wasn't much traffic and I made the trip in a little under two hours and enjoyed a book on tape.

I had taken up a piece of my china and one of my mother's to see if Laura might like to have the set of either.  She took mine.  I am pleased since I rarely entertain anymore and I still have eight place settings of Wedgewood Wild Strawberry as well as my mother's china if the mood hits me to pull out all stops. I'll haul up the entire set of the china she chose when I go up the day before Thanksgiving.  Also, I offered Laura either my set of sterling silver or my mother's service for eight.  She chose my mother's.  I think it is wonderful to have these special pieces continue in our family.

Since it was such a lovely day and both of the children were off, they decided to take me to Scribner Vineyards which is where they are going to be married in May.  It is about fifteen miles from their home, along the Sacramento River.  As luck would have it, a wedding was taking place so we couldn't visit.  Instead, I suggested we go to Bogle Vineyards, nearby, whose wines I enjoy.  We were able to do some tasting and had a nice afternoon.

The vineyards are turning brown now

There are very few leaves left on the trees 

Hanging on till the bitter end

 Laura Winterhalter and Alex Vukasinovic

The Bogle Winery cat

The Bogle tasting room and some of its awards

Lovely reflections in the Sacramento River

Another river scene

A modern day pirate ship!

Late afternoon shadows

Back at my son's house, we played with the dogs for awhile.  I  just love them now since they are not at all shy around me and seem to know I'm family.  Taffy always jumps right up and sleeps with me and Bucky sleeps on his pillow by my bed.  Of course, if the door to Alex and Laura's room is open, they abandon me in an instant!

Alex and his dogs

Miss Taffy

Taffy and Bucky, wrestling with the ball

Bucky

 

Pensive puppy

Whose ball is it, anyway?

 

Bucky

Feeding frenzy

For dinner, we decided to try out a new restaurant in downtown Sacramento - Tapas the Town.  We opted to share assorted tapas, rather than have a main course.  All of them were very good but the wine prices were really outrageous!  The corkage fee to bring your own was fifteen dollars so we just drank water and went home to drink our wine!  It kills me that so many California restaurants charge such high prices for wines that are grown right in their own back yards.  There was a very good Spanish guitarist which really added to the ambiance.

Me with Chris Rumble, Alex and Laura's delightful housemate

Some of the decorations at Tapas the Town

Laura and Alex

Carmen Henesy, Laura Winterhalter, Alex Vukasinovic

This gentleman played wonderful Spanish guitar for our enjoyment

I might not be online for the next few days!  I fly out of San Francisco at 6AM tomorrow.  Will spend tomorrow night at the Hyatt Regency Miami so I can eat at one of my favorite spots in the world, Tutto Pasta, a great little restaurant, with an Italian flair.  The chef and owner, Joao Carlos

Olivera is actually from Brazil and his creations are unbelievable.  I discovered this place years ago when I was cruising out of Miami and we've become friends.  I never miss a chance to eat here!  I'll have dinner there Wednesday night and probably lunch and dinner Thursday - though I must try his new restaurant and club, Zuccero, as well.

Friday, I am going to be the guest of Royal Caribbean in a balcony cabin on a two day cruise to nowhere on their new ship, the Oasis of the Seas.  I was allowed to take one guest with me so a forensic nurse friend will be joining me.  Its national debut will be on Good Morning American from 7 - 9A on Friday, November 20, 2009.  We board a few hours later!  It is very exciting to be among the first guests to sail on this mega ship, and for free!  Even our drinks and gratuities are included.  Thank you, Royal Caribbean.  I have loved every one of my cruises with this company the past 14-1/2 years and this one proves to be just as wonderful!

Will let everyone know about it when I get back!