San Diego, California....

 Well, here we are back in San Diego…. Got up this morning and was a little bit discouraged about my plans for today as the weather was very overcast and chilly….  So much for spending the day in the Retreat soaking up some rays.  Got my weekly COVID test out of the way, studied all night so I’d be sure to pass it.  Once I went through Immigration for my Passport check, as luck would have it, the skies cleared and the weather was just brilliant.  We had decided to skip going ashore in San Diego this week so the great weather was just perfect….  We had a fabulous day in the Retreat.  I went to the sail away feeling a little guilty about not taking photos today.  It was a beautiful sail away as we followed the Disney ship out of the harbor.  Dinner tonight was in the Canaletto Restaurant…  It was just fabulous!!!!  Perhaps the moist enjoyable meal I’ve had yet and I’ve had a lot of fabulous meals onboard the Koningsdam.  Just a perfect day!  Now I’m off to see the Halloween costume contest, I’m going as a old doddering cruise ship passenger… I think I can pull this off! Maybe I’ll win!!!!  Tomorrow, Ensenada, Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...

Based upon my last week’s experience, going out for our sail into Puerto Vallarta and finding complete darkness, I did not get up early to photograph the sail-in to Puerto Vallarta….  Nice to sleep in for a change.   Cathy and I got off the and took a taxi to downtown Puerto Vallarta. Ann chose to attend a crew reunion at the Puerto Vallarta Walmart today so Cathy & I pressed ahead into Puerto Vallarta. . . Today, we were pleased to see the Westerdam docked next to our ship, nice to see a couple of Holland America Line ships together. They aren’t back into service yet but their turn will come.  Of course, not much has changed in Puerto Vallarta since our last visit with the exception of decorations being erected for celebrating the Day of the Dead and Felice Navidad (Christmas). We had a relaxing walk along the Malecon taking in the sites. We stopped to photograph the many sculptures, lovely views and walked to the Steel Bridge and back to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Just before noon we returned to the ship and went to the Retreat. It was another hot day with a heat index of 98°F. For the next two days we are at sea making our return to San Diego….  Still loving every day aboard the ms Koningsdam