Australia and New Zealand Cruise – Los Angeles

 

Henry received his antibiotics a couple of nights ago and luckily his ear ache appears to be well on the mend.  He was quite the hit with the Doctor and Nurse on the ship who said he was the youngest patient they had seen in a long long time!  This morning was Grant’s turn to visit the Doctor – also for an ear infection.  Racking up quite the medical bills on board as well as the alcohol bill!

The swimming pools were refilled the day after we left Seattle and we had a fun swim yesterday afternoon – Wind picked up over night though and we’re back to the boat rocking and rolling so the swimming pools are shut again (though still filled so lots of water sloshing around!)

We had 700 more people jin the ship in LA and it will be full for the sailing over to Australia.

Last night Peter and I were seated in the auditorium early for the show.  It started at 8pm and I was exhausted already.  I pulled out my knitting to pass the time.. then had a look down at my flip flops –with great arch support and was hit with the realization that perhaps I fit in with this silver haired crowd more than I cared to admit.  Also sitting next to my Silver Fox Grecian 2000 Guy is probably bringing my perceived average up.  Can’t be the crows feet.. can’t! 

We got off the ship in LA and met up with our friend Gail and her daughter Haley.  Gail’s husband Jared moved from Microsoft down to LA to work for Disney.  We took the last little walk on the last land our feet will be touching for 4 days.  Gail showed up with a workbook for Grant and cough meds for Henry which we much appreciated.  There are some friends that no matter how busy your life gets, when you do actually meet up, it’s like no time has passed.  Gail is one of those friends.  Hoping we can do a cruise with them or see them soon again.  Haley was as silly, charming and cute as ever and made me look wistfully at the girly hat, stroller and mary jane shoes we’ll never buy – not having another one, mom & dad – don’t get excited.

Grant and Henry have been trying lots of new foods as well – So far Grant has discovered he likes Calamari (didn’t tell him it was squid till after) and Duck.  He tried cous cous today and said it was different than he thought it would be..and then started talking about meat.  Took me a little while before I realized he had thought I called it “goose goose”.

Holland America Ships also run Windows training classes onboard – It is pretty cool to see long lines of people wanting to get trained on Windows 8 and SkyDrive.  They are also using brand new Sony Tap 20 systems!  Peter kind of wants to sit in on a few classes but not sure he wants to get dragged into solving peoples problems on vacation!

Holland America just started up their “On Location” program on this cruise so it is filled with region specific activities – Ukulele classes started up today along with Lei and Hula lessons.  Also a good series of lectures on marine life and the history of Hawaii.

Tonight (Fri 10/4) is the first formal night so need go get dressed up! Didn’t bring tuxes or gowns this time though.