Southern Landmarks
Mexican Riviera Cruise
Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico
April 1, 2005 - April 8, 2005
This year's cruise was a iffy at best. As many of you know I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January, 2005. I have been on chemotherapy since January 19, 2005. As I have gone through chemotherapy I have faired better than most people, and I consider myself extremely fortunate. As we were planning our vacation this year we considered many options. We cruised to the Bahamas two years ago and loved every minute of it. Mike had suggested a seven-day cruise, and given my current medical situation, I felt a shorter cruise would be in order in the event that I ran into any difficulties. Mike got busy scouting out cruises, and found a Carnival cruise leaving from Mobile, Alabama, going to the Mexican Riviera with destinations of Costa Maya and Cozumel. While I have been to Mexico before, I've never been to the Yucatan Peninsula, and Mike had never been to Mexico at all.
April
1, 2005, we left Augusta rainy and late. Naturally, we got
to Atlanta just in time for rush hour! The church on the left in
Atlanta has a beautiful stained glass window.
Try as I might, this was the only picture I was able to get of the State Capital! Certainly not detailed enough to me to sketch. Hank Aaron Stadium on the right.
From
Atlanta, we traveled I-85 into Alabama. Still with
intermittent rain. As we crossed the state line into Alabama, this
Fireworks store caught my attention. It looks like what used to be
an old drive-in movie theatre.
As you can see it was still cloudy and rainy. As we neared Montgomery, we rain into heavy showers with lots of thunder and lightning.
We finally got to Mobile around 11:00 PM. With all Mike's planning ahead, he did not make a hotel reservation for us in Mobile--and needless to say neither of us remembered what Spring Break is like outside of Georgia! <G> After Mike stopped at six different hotels and could not find us a room, the last one we came to, he told me to go in--and I came out with a room! <G>
The
next morning after leaving out hotel, we had several hours before we had
to be at the ship's terminal. So we spent a little time seeing
some of the sights. We traveled West on I-10 into
Mississippi. The Welcome Center there is a little deceiving for
what is inside. Some of the local artisan's have displayed some of
their artwork there. What I would have given to be able to take
some of those pieces home for souvenirs!
What trip to another state is complete without the tacky pictures in front of the state's welcome sign?
Personally I think these turned out much better save and except that Mike always gets me with my eyes closed or my mouth open!
Before
we left, there were several reports about the rain that had come to the
Gulf Coast and the flooding. Two nights before, we heard reports
of tornadoes in and around Montgomery, Alabama.
As we drove along, even though much of the rain was gone, there was evidence of flooding. These were taken in Mississippi before we crossed back into Alabama.
We
stopped at the Welcome Center as we crossed back into Alabama for
directions to the ship's terminal and some local attractions. This
is one of the prettiest welcome centers I've ever visited.
As
far south as this center is most of the azaleas were in full bloom, and
nearing the the end of their blooming season.
The Live Oak were something to see too!
The one on the right had such an unusual trunk. It looks like for many years the wind blew and and gave the trunk it's shape.
Battleship
Park was on our way to the ships terminal. And the U.S.S. Alabama
was open for public tour. As much as I would have liked to stop
and tour the ship, climbing stairs and ladders is out of the question
for me. On the left is the Vicker's Bridge.
U.S.S. Alabama
The bridge on the right takes us back to the ships terminal.
As
we near the ship's terminal traffic is at a standstill. It took
over an hour to get into the terminal. We learned that out ship
was late from it's last cruise and passengers will still disembarking.
This is a view of the Mobile skyline from our parking deck. On the
left is Mobile's Municpal Center. Quite Impressive!
When we finally got to the parking deck, this is the view of our ship. The Carinal Holiday is the oldest sailing cruise ship, and also the smallest. After we boarded and met some of the crew members we were told that the Carnival Holiday will be going into drydock in September 2005.
How much food does it take to feed passengers and crew for 5 days? This is only part of what we saw loaded on board.
On the left is just fresh produce being brought aboard. On the right, canned sodas.
After
making our way to our stateroom, we made our way to our home away from
home for the next five days. The Lido Deck! These two fellas
were our bartenders throughout the entire trip! I now have a
service of 10 "Funship" glasses with all the little umbrellas to go with
them! (We drank more on this cruise than we probably have in the last
three years! There's something about their rum punch!)
Muster Station. This is the only mandatory activity on any cruise. Knowing where your life jacket is and where you meet to get into a lifeboat in an emergency.
While this safety drill is going on, the ship is being fueled.
The Holiday leaving Mobile Bay.
The Mobile skyline behind us.
Our Photographer!
Originally this cruise had been planned for my children to go on with us. My daughter said she wanted to stay and work, and my son said there wasn't anything on a cruise that interested him. Anyway, Mike took this picture for my son, who is now VERY upset that he didn't get to go!
All existing works are available for purchase at the prices quoted on this site. All original works are shipped via Federal Express or Airborne at the prevailing shipping rates which are subject to change. For purchase and shipping details contact the Artist at:
PinkMagnoliaGallery@hotmail.com
All works will be available here for viewing upon completion.
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Site update: 01/06/08 |
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