A Pain in the Whatchamacallit
By Tiny Ruisch
It’s January again! If you know the wife and I, you can probably guess where we are and what we’re doing. We’re out on the ocean again. I hated to go, but my wife dragged me along. I was kicking and screaming. Unfortunately, I was kicking and screaming because I had stubbed my big toe really hard. It hurt almost as bad as when I look at the poor participation on the club website.
This year, I’m going to cut way back on the amount of tech I’ll be taking along. I’ll definitely take my laptop as it just makes it easier to do things like my daily web browsing, the club newsletter, updating my various websites, etc. Of course, I’ll be taking my tablet. I’ve got a lot of book reading to catch up on. I’m sure that I’ll also be playing “The Room”. Finally, my phone is the device I use for magazine reading, audio books and some quick brain games. Of course, I’ll also be taking a couple of sets of Bluetooth headphones, assorted cables and my power banks. One of the most important things to remember is to bring a power strip.
Perhaps more notable is some of the tech that I won’t be taking along. This year, I’m going to leave my camera bag behind. My old Canon still takes better pictures than my pocket computer, but I just don’t take too many photos anymore. I’ll be leaving my cable/adapters bag behind. Other than a couple of USB cables, it just ends up being extra weight. The one thing I haven’t decided on yet is whether I’ll bring my binoculars. Usually, I bring them along and they just sit in the stateroom. I’ll probably take them because of this year’s itinerary.
So where are we going?
• Cozumel, Mexico – this island is a staple for cruise ships. I think they all stop there. I’ve been there so many times that I don’t think there is anything new to see.
• George Town, Grand Cayman Island – the capital of the Cayman Islands. Yawn.
• Ocho Rios, Jamaica – this port is on the north coast of the island. I’ve cruised to Jamaica quite a few times, but I don’t believe I’ve ever visited this town.
• Freeport, Grand Bahama – is another stop for most of the cruise ships. There are some interesting things to see, but I probably won’t see them again.
• Nassau, Bahamas – is on of my favorite ports on the cruise circuit. I think this is because of it’s abundant pirate and Royal Navy History. Every time I visit here, I spend hours at the Pirate Museum. I’m almost always the only one of the group to do so. Last time I was in Nassau, I got a tattoo.
• George Town, Cayman Islands – yes, it is a repeat. Our 28 day cruise is actually two seven day and one fourteen day cruise. Double Yawn.
• Oranjestad, Aruba – is another nice island to visit. I think I like this one mostly because of my Dutch heritage.
• Willemstad, Curacao – has lots of interesting things to see. My favorite is the floating bridge.
• Panama Canal – the day I am most looking forward to this trip. It will be my third time. The first I was much younger on a Navy warship. I didn’t get to see a lot because of having to work. Years ago we took a Carnival cruise for a complete transit from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This was one of the best trips that I have ever taken. This time, we’re supposed to just transit the first set of locks into Gatun Lake and turn around.
• Puerto Limon, Costa Rica – I’ve only been here once and am looking forward to seeing it again.
• Cozumel, Mexico – so that everyone can do some last minute shopping. I wonder if that tattoo parlor I went to about twelve years ago is still in business?
That’s all for this month.
Thanks for reading.