M Bowlan 2004 click to enlarge
The Bahamas! No problem mon!

We woke up in the Bahamas this morning. We got off to an early start (6:15am) to have breakfast (my sampler plate in the photos) and get off the ship for our day excursions which started around 8:30am. Gary and I had booked in a 4-hour fishing trip while the girls had planned a tour of Freeport with stops for shopping and the beach. Due to the wind, all boat type excursions were cancelled, so the fishing was off. Gary wasn't too happy... The girls had already left on the first tour bus, so we ran to the second bus and they said we could switch buses and meet up with them at the first shopping stop. We used this to our advantage when they thought that we were fishing. We ran up behind them and as Rhonda says "I couldn't even scream!". Fun! We had a great tour of the town of Freeport, and stopped to shop a couple of times. On the second stop, Gary and I took off to the marina (with fishing rods in hand that he brought from home!) and fished while the ladies shopped. We didn't catch anything, but saw many fish and had a great time trying. From there we headed to "Tranquilty Beach" where we had about and hour of R&R. Gary and I took to the water and had a blast in the large waves. The water wasn't very warm, it felt like PEI in the summer, OK after you get in and got used to it. The color of the water and the fine sand was beautiful. We then headed back to the ship around noon for lunch (Hamburgers, fruit, desserts, etc). Too much food! We spent most of the afternoon on the upper deck sun-bathing, hot tubbing, and napping. Rhonda found it kinda' rough with her lounger, the sun and a strawberry-daiquiri in hand! :) We are starting to get used to the service and being waited on hand and foot; food, drinks, room cleaned, etc. 24-7! Around 5:00pm the horn blew and away we were off from the Bahamas to our next port of call - Jamaica!

Tonight was the first "Formal Dinner", which reqired suits or tuxes and dresses for the ladies. We had a nap around 6:00pm and woke up with a "start" at 8:00pm with only 45 minutes to get ready.. Go, Go, Go... I must say the ladies looked beautiful and we all looked pretty sharp! The dinner was fantastic, our waiters are very nice and add spice to the meal. They spend quite a bit of time getting to know you. After dinner we headed to the "Dreamscape Show" starring the Royal Carribean Singers and Dancers in the three-story "LaScala" theatre. The show was full of amazing lighting and special effects. You need to see it to appreciate it! We went back to our rooms (midnight) and dressed down. We took a walk on the (very windy) deck and stopped in at "Johnny Rockets" for some rootbeer and onion rings before they closed down for the night. Anything you want! Checked our e-mail, now time for bed.!

Tomorrow is a day at sea, so will sleep in some. We will take in the rock wall, the ladies are headed to the spa, and will spent some time swimming and eating! Over and out...