You Are Not Forgotten

Happy Holidays Everyone

Who would have thought

Before we left on our trip, there was the possibility that the cruise portion of the trip would be cut short because of 100 year lows on the Rhine River. Eight days later, we were unable to go to the final port on the cruise because the river was so high that the ship could not get under a couple of the bridges.
All n all the cruise was great, in spite of the rain, we made it to all the markets along the way. Colmar was closed due to high winds, but we still went shopping and toured the city.

The trip to the Basel airport was a a little longer ride since we didn't make the final port, but it wasn't bad. The bus dropped us off in front of the terminal and when we entered we were in France, but the time we got to the ticket counter to check in, we were in Switzerland. The airport has three entrqnces, one in Germany, France and Switzerland.

We left Basel 30 minutes late, but still managed to make all our connection, so after about 12 hours of airports, layovers and connections we made it home.

The next adventure is Scheduled for Feb we we do our winter trip to Mexico.

Black Forest & Colmar FR

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This morning we started with a drive to the mountains and the Black Forest. Once we got to the right altitude it was snowing and continued the whole morning. The trees and hills were beautiful. On the way back we stopped at an older inn that now has exhibitions of glass blowing and cuckoo clocks. Of course, ours will arrive in Feb or Mar.

Lunch was back on the ship with a brief rest and then we were off to Colmar France to see our last market and drink the last of hot gluwein.

Kehl DE / Strasbourg FR

Another overnight sail ending in Kehl Germany, upon leaving the ship we drove 5 minutes crossing the riverand entering Strasbourg France. Once we finished the city tour on the bus we walked into the city centre only to find that the whimpy french had closed the christmas market due to expected high winds. We walked the shops near the market (in the rain again) and returned to the ship at 2:30, spending a restfull afternoon relaxing.

Tomorrow is the last full day before the flight home.

Rudesheim

We arrived in Rudesheim just a little after 4 and by the time the gangway was set people were waiting to head to the market. The way things are goung, it is going to be extra suitcase time on the way home. We have been out two days and I have come back with two full backpacks, of course I have yet to get anything for myself.
We were happy campers by the time we got back to the ship, we found a stand selling the chocolate dipped strawberries on a stick that we like, milk, or dark chocolate.

Tonight is a glass blowing demonstration on the ship, we are hoping it is our friend from white Wertheim.

Heidelberg

Today the visit was to Heidelberg. It started off with a tour of the castle and then it was on to the markets. We spent the better part of 5 hours in the three christmas markets there, of course it was still raining today, so by the time we returned to the ship we were happy to be warm and dry.

We rejoined the ship in Speyer around 3:30 for a late lunch and then walked into Speyer for our 4th market of the day.

Back at the ship during dinner we surprised Martha with a birthday cake and everyone in the dining room and kitchen sang Happy Birthday.

Rudesheim

We arrived in Rudesheim just a little after 4 and by the time the gangway was set people were waiting to head to the market. The way things are goung, it is going to be extra suitcase time on the way home. We have been out two days and I have come back with two full backpacks, of course I have yet to get anything for myself.
We were happy campers by the time we got back to the ship, we found a stand selling the chocolate dipped strawberries on a stick that we like, milk, or dark chocolate.

Tonight is a glass blowing demonstration on the ship, we are hoping it is our friend from white Wertheim.

Lunchtime

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This morning , after another overnight sail, we left from Koblenz for a short bus ride to Marksburg Castle, the only one in the area thar was not damaged during the war.

We are now cruising again on or way to Rudesheim, scheduled for a 4:30 arrival. once we are docked it will be market time again.

Whike we are cruising they have set up a lunch in the lounge consisting of regional food and FREE BEER. Greg is upset cause I get free beer and he has to pay for his coke. He wasn' t willing to accept my solution to that problem.

More from Rudesheim later

Christmas Markets Galore

Today was our first day of the markets, of the 7 in Cologne we have been to 5 so far. We may go back out after dinner for #6, but we have been told that #7 is very far away and in mostly local artisi items, so we decided to pass on that one.

As luck goes the first market was fine and then the rest of the day there was anything from a light drizzle to rain, being the die hards we are it didn't matter, we still made our contributions to the local economy.

There are a few pictures I will add later after I get them imported from the camera.

Don't count us out

Just because we are on the river doesn't mean we are out of touch. Lynn has to satisfy her little sisters need to communicate and Greg is trying how to figure out how to communicate with the locals. Really he is working on the phrase MORE GLUWEIN PLEASE.

Day 1- Kinderdyjk

After sailing overnight we ported at Kinderdyjk at 7 AM. Kinderdyjk is a UNESCO site preserving 19 of the remaining windmills left in the Netherlands. There are currently only 1000 remaining of the original 10,000.

We will be sailing all afternoon to Cologne for the first of the markets.

The sun has come out and it is about 50 degrees, not what you would expect for the North Sea.

We have arrived

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After a very smooth overnight flight from Pittsburgh, we are now in Amsterdam. Our flight was great, very smooth and no screaming kids.

The Viking Helvetia will be our home for the next week, the ship is approx 340 feet long and 35 feet wide. She has three decks, we are on the top, and she carries about 150 passengers and 60 crew.

The weather in Amsterdan is partly sunny with a temp of about 38. It is not to bad until the wind starts to blow then you realize how cold it is.

It is now time for lunch, so bye for now.

FINALLY, it's time

After months of planning and anticipation, we are off today. Our flight this afternoon will get us to Amsterdam at 9:20 tomorrow morning, that's 2:20 AM Eastern time.

Greg and Lynn are already in Amsterdam and will meet us at the ship. Todays report from them is nice weather, clear but chilly. At least the rain has abted for awhile, but I am sure we will see some while we are there, if not some snow.

We will try to make a post daily, but they may come a couple at a time due to the ships access to satallite based internet access while cruising. We have learned, look for a Micky D's they always have wifi.

Good News

Mother nature has cooperated, In the update from Viking this morning it stated DUE TO RECENT RAIN THERE WILL BE NO INTERRUPTIONS TO OUR CRUISE. Not only does that make up happy, but I am sure all the bargemen who lively hood depends on the river are thankful to go back to normal loads also.

The adventure starts Sat for us and our friends are leaving this evening for a couple extra days in Amsterdam. I think they really just want to smell the air coming out of the coffee houses. We will meet up with them on the ship Sunday.

Latest update

In the latest letter from Viking, they are saying that due to the rain in Germany this week there may be only minor or no alterations to the tour schedule.

We have been watching a few web sites that report the river levels and those show a considerable rise in the water level in the last couple days.

The rain is continueing, so we are hoping all will be back to normal by the time we join the ship.

Another update

In the latest letter from Viking, they are saying that due to the rain in Germany this week it there may be only minor or no alterations to the tour schedule.

We have been watching a few web sites that report the river levels and those show a considerable rise in the water level in the last couple days.

The rain is continueing, so we are hoping all will be back to normal.

One More Week, Still Low Water

By this time next week we will be on our way to Amsterdam.

Our friends are leaving on Thursday, so they can get in and rest up for

the adventure. I guess they plan on being worn out from so much shopping.

 

The Rhine is still low, as noted in previous posts, however is is now raining in Germany.

It will take a lot of rain to bring the river back up in a week, but we can still hope.

If the water is still low we will make the best of it and just drink more gluwein to make up for the

inconvience.

 

The suitcase is about ready, it is ever harder  to figure what to take since rain is forcast and we will

be spending some of the nights in a hotel, that lessens the chance of being able to get things laundered. On the ship you can drop them in the AM and they are usually back in your room before you are.

 

Stay tunes, the posts start next weekend, unless Greg puts something up Thursday or Friday.

It gets even more interesting

Now in addition to the cruise being changed, the water levels so low that WW II ordanence is being found in the river bed. Read the attached article. This weekend, half of Koblenz, where the ships are docked, will be evacuated so a 1.8 ton bomb can be delt with.
******************

This weekend, a large section of the German city of Koblenz will come to
a standstill as bomb experts gingerly defuse a massive World War II bomb
that recently emerged from the Rhine River due to low water levels.
Almost half of the residents will be evacuated, the largest such
operation in the city's history.

You can download the complete article over the Internet at the following
URL:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,800947,00.html

More about this issue
---------------------------

War Leftovers in the Rhine: Low Water Levels Lead to Explosive Finds
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/0,1518,799226,00.html

Change of plans

Read the article below, Viking is still operating as much as they can on the parts of the river that is navigable, where it isnot they are using busses and alternate hotels. In the true Viking spirit they are taking the best care of there customers that is possible.

*****************
Rhine, Danube shipping troubled by lower water
Wed Nov 16, 2011 10:39am GMT

* Shallow water still hampers Rhine, Danube sailings

* Some vessels sailing under half full

* Length restrictions in southern sections of river

HAMBURG, Nov 16 (Reuters) - A further fall in water levels this week is hindering freight shipping on the Rhine and Danube rivers in Germany and many vessels are sailing only 50 to 20 percent full, traders said on Wednesday.

Rhine water levels have fallen because of dry weather in Germany and Switzerland, continuing a period of shallowness which started in late October.

Water levels are so low that the maximum length of vessel permitted to sail in some southern sections of the river has been reduced to 116.50 metres from 135 metres normally, a spokeswoman for the German inland navigation agency said.

"Vessels over this length have to apply for a permit and undertake a test sailing," she said.

The river is too shallow to allow vessels to sail with full loads on the river from Duisburg in the north to Switzerland, traders said.

Water is so low on the Rhine from Cologne to southern regions around Koblenz that vessel owners have a contractual right to refuse to sail if they think their vessels will be damaged.

Low water means vessels are unable to load to full capacity and surcharges are added to freight rates, increasing costs for cargo owners.

More vessels are also required to ship the same freight volume. Some cargo owners have to pay for the full vessel even if it sails half full.

Low water is hindering shipping on the entire German section of the Danube river, traders said. The Danube has also fallen to the level at which vessel operators can decline to sail for safety reasons although their had been a slight increase in water levels in the past two days, traders said.

River catchment areas in Germany and Switzerland are forecast to be mostly dry up to Sunday, so no immediate improvement is in sight, traders said.

The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities including grains, minerals, coal and oil products such as heating oil. It is a major route for Switzerland's commodity imports.

The Danube is a major route for east European grain exports to west Europe. (Reporting by Michael Hogan; editing by Keiron Henderson)

Amsterdam to Basel

Here is the schedule for our next adventure, GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS, we will be posting to www.goviking.posterous.com. They should also appear on my facebook page.

Deciding on the clothes to take has been the hardest, it could be anywhere from mild to winter snows.

I guess go with the old addage LAYER, LAYER, LAYER

 

Amsterdam_to_Basel_-_2011_Cruise_Itinerary(2).pdf Download this file

The deliveries have started

It is getting closer now, the first of the deliveries from Viking arrived yesterday.
Our Viking pins and journal arrived in the mail, along with an email notification in the afternoon that the rest of the documents should be delivered on Friday via UPS.

The delivery of the documents means that it is 6 weeks and we are off to Holland and Germany for the christmas markets.

Why did we come home ?

Well, after spending 12 hours traveling yesterday for what normally is less that 5 hours (what can you expect with mileage tickets) we made it back to Cleveland at 11:30 PM , by the time we got our luggage, could they get any slower, and the car it was almost 2 till we got home.

The worst part was, after spending 2 weeks in near 90 degree sunny weather, it was raining and 43 degrees. I guess we will never learn that it doesn't always pay to expect good weather when  you come home to dreary ol Ohio.

We are just kickin back today resting up cause vacations are so tireing.

 

A friendly touch

Well, after. getting up at 3:15 to get to the airport 2 hours early, as suggested, we had to wait for the check-in counter to open. So why do they tell you to come early!

Security is another matter. When traveling, I have always worn nylon trousers and belt, the new scanning machine is now so sensative that it did not like the velcro fasteners on my pockets. So at 4:15 I had an up close and personal encounter experience with a TSA inspector, at least he didn't expect a kiss after our triest.

We are off for Miami at 6:10 then breakfast , leaving for Cancun at 12:05

On rhe way

We are on the way, due to having a 6:00 AM flight we are spending the night in Cleve. By noon tomorrow we will be at the pool, with the temp in the upper 80's

Another Adventure

Starting Friday we are off on another adventure. We are going on a short visit to Mexico. The timeshare company was offering special rates this fall, so who are we to turn down a good deal.

My step-daughter (Marcie) and her husband (Derek) will be joining us the first week, I let you know only because I don't need and questions of who the blonde bomb is. Marti will be there to keep me in line.

Posts will be made to "www.goplaya.com" but will link to facebook and twitter also.

Packing Day

Today is the last day for packing, the suitcases will be closed and ready to go tomorrow afternoon.

With an EARLY morning flight from Cleveland we go up the night before to eliminate that middle of the night drive.

By noon Friday we will be greasing up and basking in the sun.

 

Weather looks good for next week, mid to upper 80's with no trpoical weather warnings.

Less than a week

The piles have been made, stacked in the ONE SMALL SUITCASE and are ready to go. The carry-on is ready with a bathing suit for arrival and those last minute things. Was going to take an additional scuba course this trip, but decided to wait until the Feb trip, stilllplanning on going diving though.

Will try to start posting on Sat.

Two More Weeks

Only two weeks left, then the Playa Express is headed south again, short trip this time, only two weeks.

Time to start making the piles for the suitcase, one for swim trunks one for shorts.

Lets hope the weather stays favorable.

Can't wait to see our friends there.

Final Confirmation - a relative expression

Well, yesterday we received the FINAL CONFIRMATION for our December Rhine Getaway. That was only final until this morning when the email delivered a schedule change from Lufthansa. Stay tuned they only have three months to make up their minds.

All done except packing

Air reservations have been completed, now it is just wait and anticipate.

Will need to figure out what clothes to take since this will be a winter trip

Christmas Markets

Talk about expensive ice cream, went for a cone with friends tonight and within 3 hours we have confirmed reservations for 8 days of christmas markets in Holland, Germany and Switzerland in Dec.

It looks like it is going to be another busy fall, winter and spring ( Mexico-Europe-Mexico-France). Who would like to adopt me and keep me in the manner to which I have been accustomed?

Expensive Ice Cream

Talk about expensive ice cream, went for a cone with friends tonight and within 3 hours we have confirmed reservations for 8 days of christmas markets in Holland, Germany and Switzerland in Dec.

It looks like it is going to be another busy fall, winter and spring ( Mexico-Europe-Mexico-France). Who would like to adopt me and keep me in the manner to which I have been accustomed?

Everything is Ready

Today is the last day at home for awhile.

 

Suitcases are packed and weighed, BOTH UNDERWEIGHT !

Friends are picking us up in the morning for the trip to the airport,

today at coffee, it was mentioned MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE GONE ALONG.

 

Watch the Viking River Cruises blog for trip updates, it can be reached from this site or directly

at http://www.goviking.posterous.com.

 

Akron Canton Bonsai Society Exhibit

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Stop by and visit the bonsai exhibit at the Italian Festival, in downtown Cuyahoga Falls this weekend. A variety of trees in all sizes will be on display during festival hours.

Photos online

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Just uploaded some additional pics of our latest adventure to "http://www.picasaweb.google.com/2bratt"
I haven't had time to caption them yet, I will keep working on that. ENJOY!

Keukenhof Gardens

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Here are a couple pics, see the previous post for a brief narrative.

Tulips Tulips Tulips

This morning, on our last day, we went south of Amsterdam to see the tulip fields and the Keukenhof Gardens.

The gardens, nearly 100 acres, are a collaberation of the tulip growers, each having their own area to plant a display of their product.

While there are many varities, not all can be ordered, the agent in the sales shop said that the reason for this is that specific varities are not ready for release and may still be in developement.

This is the last night aboard ship, tomorrow at 9:15 we start the journey home. It will be a long day considering we leave here at 3:15AM EST and arrive in Cleveland at 6:25 PM EST

Storm Surge Gates

The Netherlands has built a series of storm surge gates across their Delta Basin where their three rivers enter the North Sea.

When criteria dictates these gates are dropped to shut out the North Sea from flooding inland.

We were told that on average the gates are closed at least once a year, but thay have not been need for the last four.

After our return to the ship, lunch was served on the sun deck as we continue our journey back to Amsterdam.

The Bunny Cometh

What a pleasent surprise, tonight while everyone was having dinner, the bunny stopped by everyones cabin.

He wasn't very quite though, can you imagine a little for legged creature scurring around with wooden shoes on

Ghent - Brugge

Today at 2 am we ported at Ghent, the problem is Ghent is primarily catholic so it is pretty well shut down for Easter. Thay did however make up for it by staying in Brugge, primarily protestant, for an extra 3 hours and added a beer tasting to the schedule.

All of this was a non issue for me since Mr Murphy came to visit last night and I have been not feeling well all day.

We are in Ghent till midnight then sailing to Middleburg, for our next to last night of sailing.

Antwerp

Today is Antwerp, after an afternoon cruise yesterday, we ported in the Antwerp harbor yesterday evening allowing us to get an early start this morning.

Today we had the obligatory city tour on the bus, with a walking tour to follow. After all the touring, we have this afternoon at leisure (free) to do what we want. Martha and I stayed in the city centre, had a great waffel lunch then went chocolate and beer shopping. They have over 500 varities of beer in Belgium.

We leave Antwerp at 8 this evening on route to Brugge, finally a city I have not been to before.

The trip is nearing it's conclusion, after Brugge, it back to Amsterdam to see the tulip gardens before returning home.

Poor Gail

Gail had a very eventful trip thus far. First her phone would not work, after she had called AT & T to set it up for Intl service,they DID NOTHING. Luckily I was able to text a friend in wireless and a couple of text messager later it started working.

This morning she tell us her hair curler started smoking and melted in her hand. Yes Gail, they will do that when you plug a 110 appliance into a 240 outlet. BUT I HAD AN ADAPTER ON THE PLUG, there is a big difference between an adapter and a converter.

Stay tuned, I will keep you posted of Gail's future adventures.

Kinderdijk (Windmill Central)

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After another late night/early morning cruise we ported at Kinderdijk. This is a UNESCO site designate such because of the 19 windmills from as far back as the 16th century that were used to control flooding and reclaim land in Holland. They are still run, but primarily just to maintain them and keep them from drying out, most are made of wood and thatch. The original canals are still used but by a modern diesal electric plant that drives archimaedes screws to lift the water.

Paleis Het Loo

This morning was an excursion to the old palace of the dutch royal family. The eesidence was used until the mid 20th century, but is now a museum. Each room is set up in a different time period to cover the era's that the pacale was active. The magnificent gardens have been restord to their original layout with drawing discovered from when they were first created.

I will add some additional photos on my return when I get them off the camera

Hoorn

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After a short (4 hrs) overnight sail, we ported in the small town of Hoorn. This is near Amsterdam and is one of the ports that the Dutch East Indies Company used to sail out of. There was a walking tour this morning and we will be going back in this afternoon to do some shopping.

The weather continues to be beautiful wit temperatures in the mid 70's and clear sunny skies.

Poor Gail

Gail had a very eventful trip thus far. First her phone would not work, after she had called AT & T to set it up for Intl service,they DID NOTHING. Luckily I was able to text a friend in wireless and a couple of text messager later it started working.

This morning she tell us her hair curler started smoking and melted in her hand. Yes Gail, they will do that when you plug a 110 appliance into a 240 outlet. BUT I HAD AN ADAPTER ON THE PLUG, there is a big difference between an adapter and a converter.

Stay tuned, I will keep you posted of Gail's future adventures.

Amsterdam

This morning was spent boating through the canals of Amsterdam, followed by a city tour and a stop at theFloating Flower Market. We had been on the tour before, but we saw a few things this time we had not seen before.

This afternoon we are off to a diamond factory, I wonder if they have samples !

The Adventure Begins

here we are setting at the Cleveland Airport waiting for the flight ti Washington. From there it is overnight on a 767 to Amsterdam arriving at 7:05 and transfering to the ship for a week of sights, fun, food and flowers. Stay tuned all you folks in cloudy and overcast Ohio.

I'll see what I can find for you Gus

Everything is Ready

Today is the last day at home for awhile.

 

Suitcases are packed and weighed, BOTH UNDERWEIGHT !

Friends are picking us up in the morning for the trip to the airport,

today at coffee, it was mentioned MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE GONE ALONG.

 

Watch the Viking River Cruises blog for trip updates, it can be reached from this site or directly

at http://www.goviking.posterous.com.

 

Two Weeks

Two weeks from today and we join the Viking Europe for 10 days in the Netherlands and Belgium

Everythings Ready

Tickets and vouchers arrived yesterday, everything seems in order. A few more weeks and we are off to see the "Windmills and Tulips" while cruising along the north coast of The Netherlands.

Doc's R Comin'

Just received an email, the doc's for Amsterdam are on the way and should be here by the end of the week. Five more weeks and we are off again.

Home again

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We are back home and wouldn't you know, it started with freezing rainnon Sunday and we now have 6 inches and it is still coming down.

We miss everyone in Playa and look forward to the next trip.

Last Hurrah

Went out for our last evening, a quick dinner and a drink then back to pack.
It's all over till next year.

Ula Gula

Last night was Ladies night at Ula Gula 8-10 FREE MARTINI'S for the girls (wheres Jodi when you need her), Martha and Patti had 3 each strawberry and Mango Mac and I eachvhad a couple beers. Everybody ended up very happy. In the end 6 martinis, 3 beers and 2 baileys $20 plus tip.

Ahh, the good life

Pictures later

La Bumba Jaroche

Went to a new restraunt last night, it was recommended for good fish. The choice was right on, we had a sea food casserole for starters and then a fish filete for the entree. Prices were good dinner for two with beverages only came to $24, and they even had menus in english although it takes a little imagination when they offer "broyled filete." It was definately a local place, we were the only anglos there for the longest time, then we saw some other folks looking in and they must have gotten braver when they saw us.

All in all, a good meal and a new place to add to our list.

Good Eats

Don Marios is one of our favorite places to eat when we are in Playa, he has a nice varied menu , reasonable prices and excellant food. We have never been disappointed and no one we have recommended it to has not liked it.
Last night we had scallopini with pinapple sauce and penne pasta with sun dried tomatoes all for about $25

dia de St Valentin

Let's see, Valentines Day in Mexico?
Does that mean you get Chocolate covered fish tacos with jalepenos ??

Happy 

Happy 

Bright and clear

The rain has gone and it is bright and clear again, although a little cool but that will change later in the morning.

Breakfast, then back to the beach

RAIN !!!

We are having rain this morning, what's this ! It is supposed to rain at night so we can play during the day.

The sun is back

After a few showers last evening the sun is back, the sand is dry and the umbrella is doing it's shade thing. What more could you want ?

Cooler today

It rained overnight, so it was a bit cooler today, upper 70's, and overcast se it was a nice break. Still needed an umbrella by afternoon though, hazy sun will do you in

HOT HOT HOT

Watched the SB last nitr on a 12 ft jumbotron on the beach with a nice breeze.

Today it was hot hot hot 84 with a heat index of 97, thank goodness for those off shore breezes.

More sun tomorrow

Superbowl Sunday

Who said football had to be a cold weather sport. Everything is ready here except for the drinks

Another week

This ends another beautiful week. Temps were in the mid 80's all week and the sun was shining.

This sunday it will be crazy, they have the signs up, SUPER BOWL BIG SCREEN ON THE BEACH and they mean big screen last on I saw was about 10 ft diag.
Guess it will be a good time to stay inside away from all the craziness.

Road Trip

Today was the day for road trips. We picked up a car in the morning and headed south to Tulum. This is the ruins that you see in the adverts for Mexico, built bet 600-900 AD and on a small cliff overlooking the ocean.

Not being ones to waste opportunity we then came back to Playa and stopped at the ceramics shop, you can't believe how much they have, probably 10,000 sq ft and stacked waist high. Everything from ashtrays to 6 foot vases.

From there we went on up the street to the glass blowers to pick up some art glass. The shop isn't as big as it used to be due to the economy, but he still supplies to most of the souvenior shops in town.

To finish up we went about 20 miles north to a little fishing town for a fresh seafood dinner.

New Friend

The girls found a new friend tonight, problem was he was kinda stiff and didn't talk much

To Much Shopping

Remind me not to go on vacation with three women again. Dinner, then 3 hours of wandering the shops, and they didn't even xover a third of the area. I may develope a sudden illness after dinner tomorrow night.

Moving Day

Today was moving day. We are now right in downtown Playa del Carmen on the beach, for the next three weeks.