Our Target: Purchase a Car

Aloha Everyone,

Too tense and too excited. We were prepared to purchase a car. Went to the Toyota dealership. The saleswoman was too aggressive, too hungry for her commission, and their final price reflected items that are unnecessary like window tinting and floor mats. These extras were for a used car.

We went to Hertz Car Sales next to the Enterprise Rental. They were all smiles. J.J. had explained to our salesman what our plan is. When his supervisor sat with us and started to explain, their story changed. Either they are incompetent, or this is how they hook potential clients. 

J.J. signaled for us to walk out. Back to Enterprise Cars for a one-month rental. Very disappointed. A frustrating experience.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our Granddaughter’s Tang Soo Do Medal

Aloha Everyone,

According to our daughter-in-law, the latest Tang Soo Do Medal was a huge achievement. Our granddaughter won a silver medal in her division in forms.

But what she (and her teacher) was proudest of was her sparring match against the reigning female world champion. The score was tied and went into OT! While our granddaughter lost by one point, it was a really her best sparring match ever.”

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Aloha -- Cathi

Supermarket to Purchase Filipino Food

Aloha Everyone,

Filipino food is mostly Chinese, Spanish, Thai and Malaysian origin. J.J. loves these dishes. For me, it is an opportunity to get some good photos to make our blogs more interesting.

Aloha -- Cathi

Arrival at San Pedro, CA

Aloha Everyone,

Smooth reentry process. We were one of the first to get off the ship. J.J. and I had our luggage moved to the port area, so we just carried our back packs off the ship.

The slowest part was the elevator that took us from the 3rd floor to the ground floor. Our reentry back to the USA included using facial recognition technology.

Too early to check in to ESA after getting our rental car. We went to Olive Garden as our standard lunch to enjoy the first meal back on the terra firme. Spoke with our family. Great to be back.

Aloha -- Cathi

Distributed Our Gratuity Money

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I distributed gratuity money. Top on the list was Rey, our cabin steward. Others included those who were particularly gracious and helpful in the various restaurants.

Victoria from Ukraine showed her surprise as she had not expected to receive our envelope. Essam is from Egypt. He came by our table multiple times to express his appreciation.

The two of us are likewise grateful that we are able to be help make some people happy.

Aloha -- Cathi

Puerto Vallarta

Aloha Everyone,

78.8 Fahrenheit, 78 percent humidity, we are getting 5.3 miles per day of walking.

Interesting English usage. While we say, “scattered clouds,” in some other cultures they say, “broken clouds.”

Aloha -- Cathi

Huatulco, Mexico

Aloha Everyone,

Tex-Mex Theme night, Brazilian Churrasco & Nachos & Tacos.

Menu printed sounds a lot better than the reality. We didn’t get off the ship but were able to enjoy our port day.

Our stateroom attendant, Rey made us a new towel animal.

Aloha -- Cathi

Pope Francis Dead at 88

Aloha Everyone,

Pope’s failing health has worsened for the last 2 months. However, on Easter Sunday, he gave his annual Easter blessings plus rode in his Popemobile around Saint Peter’s square waving to his adoring crowd and even giving his personal blessing to a baby and a special needs child.

Pope Francis, the first Pope from a Latin country, made a big impact on the Catholic Church. Now the selection process of choosing his successor begins.

J.J. and I recently watched the film, Conclave which showed how it is done. According to BBC News, new guidelines for choosing the next Pope is that the Cardinal must be under the age of 80. This would give a minimum of 10 to 20 years to serve. At present among 243 Cardinal only 108 are qualified. Among 10 top candidates, Philippines Cardinal Tagle is 67. He has been appointed by Pope Francis to liaison in Vatican and outside media. For political reasons, J.J. believes that next Pope will be chosen from Latin America, Africa or Asia. Stakes are high for the Filipino Cardinal.

Aloha -- Cathi

Happy Easter!

Aloha Everyone,

Wishing you all who are celebrating this special day, thinking of you and sending you unorthodox decorated Easter Eggs prepared by Crown Princess young pastry chefs.

Aloha -- Cathi

Puerto Chiapas, Mexico

Aloha Everyone,

Today it is 90 degrees temperature with 75 degrees humidity. We decided to remain on board.

Decorated Easter Eggs are on display in the Piazza. Many of them are imaginative Easter eggs. One can see strong influences of younger generations of pastry chefs.

Trophy and the facsimile of a $20,000 check by the corporate office of Princess are proudly displayed near the guest services desk. Perhaps management feels this is the safest place. The ship crew won the price during an annual contest be Princess ships.

Aloha -- Cathi

Special Italian Dinner at Sabatini

Aloha Everyone,

Tonight, J.J. and I enjoyed our special Italian dining at Sabatini. Ambience was better than our Crab Shack dinner.  Food was good while service was slow.

J.J. as usual enjoyed the dishes as they were brought out. After the first course of salad and their complimentary appetizer, I was already full. I skipped soup. Skipped the prima dish of pasta and waited for J.J. to finish his selections.

Our comments: Italianni chain restaurants in the Philippines, compared to Sabatini is not much different. Italianni’s service includes freshly toasted bread with EVO & vinegar. Refills available without asking.

Desserts were superb compared to Italianni. Their Chefs Special included 4 different cups were wonderful. Our server offered me one with chocolate. It was a wonderful treat to celebrate my sister’s birthday.

Aloha -- Cathi

Horizon Court Service Staff

Aloha Everyone,

At least twice a day, we are greeted by friendly faces on the Horizon Court service staff. Some know our names from taking previous orders at our table. These multinational staff not only learn to work together but also seems to establish genuine friendships that extend beyond Coral Princess work contracts.

While Napan from Thailand, Amalin from the Philippines have regional familiarity, it’s difficult to find areas of commonality with Hassan from Egypt. He was very happy to learn that we’ve visited Egypt, pyramids and the Spinx and appreciated when we mentioned that we are aware of the recent discovery of another cave where there are expected to find more antiquities never had been seen before.

J.J. and I with Hassan had a good laugh when most recent news reports of which that were thought to be some heads of important people turned out to be decorative items used to hold up parallel bars.

Aloha -- Cathi

Panama Canal Tourism Authority

Aloha Everyone,

The Panama Canal Tourism Authority was a huge disappointment. Princess Cruises and Chris Roberts did a phenomenal job of presenting this project. Like the two of us, most people who took the walkway thought we could get about one mile exercise each way.

No stores, no eateries, once we reached the other end, we were surrounded by people offering their visitor transport services. 

Main interesting thing was to see a USS Coastguard providing protection and rescue to ships.

Panamanian security, they were casual and laid back. No verification of government issued photo IDs required. All they checked was our medallions and we were back on the ship.

Aloha -- Cathi