Good day one and all.  This is my last blog for this trip.  It is Monday and I am at sea heading to Florida.  I will disembark tomorrow and spend the day at the Riverside Hotel before flying home Wednesday.  I am due in Newark around 8:40pm.  I intend to spend Tuesday with Karen and Bob Kelly, friends who live on the west coast of Florida and are coming to see me in Ft. Lauderdale.  This will be a great way to end a fantastic vacation.

Yesterday, I was on Grand Turk.  The island is a flat sandy cay and only 7 miles long and 1 mile wide at its greatest width.  It struked me as a replica of LBI, except the entire island is sandy with beautiful beaches and crystal clear water.  There are a couple islands that make up Turk and Caicos with a total population of 4000 residents. Small to say the least, rustic, welcoming and a beautiful place to veg out, snorkel, swim, rest, read and love the sun.  There are a few hotels, but not very large.  I have a fear someone will come along and build a comfortable resort and then the tourist gang will be there.  There is a beautiful port for docking.  At the end of the pier is a beautiful gathering of great shops.  The area is new well  designed and comfortably laid out.  There is also the largest Margaritaville there, complete with a beautiful pool on the edge of the Caribbean.  It is magnificent with palms swaying gently in the breeze.  While small, with no mountains to conquer, it was a great place to visit and a nice place to relax.  I had a rum drink that was tasty at Jimmy Buffet's, please don't ask what was in it.  All I know is that it was great.

Today will be spent packing, paying my bill, packing and relaxing.  This has been a great experience and I would do it again.  The ship is small and comfortable.  The suite is fantastic and the service outstanding.  I breakfast on the veranda, again, it is a little warm, but the breeze was comforting.  This is the good life.  I am thrilled, happy and fortunate to be able to enjoy it.   Remind me of this when I start complaining.

Take care.  I'll see some of you in a few days.  Bon Voyage ! ! !

       Love,
              Bill 

Good morning one and all.  I am alive and well.  I got called up in life on board and did not take time to write.  Sorry.

I celebrated Mass on the first at 10am.  I then listened to a speaker, whom I have gotten know.  He lives in Jersey City and is a Broadway producer.  Very interesting person and good speaker.  The latest presentation was on Bob Fosse, informative,and enjoyable.  I spent the rest of the day relaxing, we were at sea for the day.  A great day to loll around and that is what I did.

Yesterday we were in Tortola, one of the British Virgin Islands.  I went ashore and took a tour of the island.  The island is very mountainous and extremely scenic.  The tour took three hours.   Had some time to visit a beach and put my feet in the water.  Beautiful beach, very much like Magens Bay on St. Thomas.  As we toured we could see a number of islands including St. Thomas, St. John, Virgin Gorda and lots of little islands including those own by individuals - nice life.  We left Tortola at 6pm and began our trip to Dominican Republic.  We are due to arrive at Samana at 12 noon, and are scheduled to depart at 6pm.  I intend to disembark and take a "walk about."

I may have not told you about my New Year's dinner.  I began with a cold lobster tail, champagne sorbet, Dover sole, and a plate of chocolate goodies.  I also had a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - absolutely delicious.  I actually felt like royalty engaged in a state meal

Enjoy your weekend.  It is difficult to believe that this adventure is drawing to a close.  But as I firmly live and believe, I take one moment at a time.  Yesterday is history and tomorrow may not happen as one may dream.  Do not rehearse life, live it to the fullest now.  It is the only moment we have.

    Love,
          Bill