Panama Canal Cruise--Continued
Mexico to San Diego
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| Mexico! Huatulco--a new resort due south of Oaxaca. | Look how far we've come --from Miami, through the Caribbean, past Cuba, down to the Netherland Antilles, then through the Canal to the Pacific, and now we're in Mexico! |
The ever-eager camerman catch a a glamorous couple leaving Mercury for a day at the beach. |
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| The good ship Mercury offered 16 days of luxury, fine foods, pampering service, high class entertainment, and a computer center where I made this panorama. | We can keep an eye on the ship from here and see that it doesn't leave without us. | |
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| The t our boat to visit the many beaches--next time. | Jose, Andros, and Jessica became our pals. | May Huatulco prosper; it has great location, beaches and people. |
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| Goodby, Huatulco. Glad to know about you. | We are heading for Fort San Diego, right across from where the ship docks. | There's the fort, right across from the cruise terminal. |
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| Acapulco Bay | A panoramic view of Acapulco Bay from the ship, a bit distorted perhaps? | |
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| At the fort, after a steep climb. | Ah, there's our ship, right across from the Fort. | Among other remnants of Colonial times, there is this carriage in the Fort's Museum. |
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| The Fort's Chapel is intact. | Sit there, while I try to get the fort and the bay all in one. | A better view of Acapulco looking south. |
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| St. Francis, probably. | All we have to do to return to the ship is cross the bridge over the highway. | A market where there were pearls that I couldn't resist. |
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| A very old banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe. | Goodbye, Acapulco. I'll be back. | Ah, another day at sea before we get to Puerta Vallarta. |
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| Another heavenly dessert! | Puerto Vallarta. How did we manage to fit in here? | And look how close we are over on starboard. |
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| What is going on here? | I'd better take a look. (Actually, I've been here before, but never on a cruise ship.) | A sand sculptor has welcomed the New Year. |
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| Sea nymphs riding the waves. | Familiar scene to all who walk the Malacon are the quirky sculptures. | A Nativity Scene in the Cathedral |
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| La Soledad | Looks like the Spanish are back. | Another relaxing day at sea. |
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| Watch the moon rise. | Or go dancing in the disco. | Ah, sunrise at sea! |
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| The Arches at Lands' End, Cabo San Lucas, seen from the Mercury's deck | ||
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| And from the Sunderland | Built in 1885, The Sunderland is "the Pirate Ship of Cabo San Lucas" | The Mercury looks small from the deck of The Sunderland |
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| This is the best! | Sailing buffs: Peter and I hauled up the foresail together |
Is that line the downhaul or the outhaul? |
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| Does it remind you of Rum Tum Tugger? | Do you see the whale???? | Indian dancers welcome arriving passengers at the marina in the traditional way.. |
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| Virginia enjoyed her day too. | Has anyone ever cruised on Chrystal Symphony? | Last Mass of the cruise |
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| Lighthouse in the marina of Cabo San Lucas | Last night: Fezy and Rosaria arrive with baked Alaska for our last dessert. | Final show--extravaganza |
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The last night's midnight buffet--I missed it... |
The sweets... | The cheeses... |
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| The ice sculptures. . . | The chocolate dragon. . . | The sushi table. . . I missed them all, but John Harrison kindly gave me his pictures. |
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San Diego, January 7, |
We pull into the cruise terminal, near the aircraft carrier Midway. | There's The Star of India at the Maritime Museum, and Anthony's Restaurant next to it. |
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| "What took you so long?" San Diegan classmate Lynn Ambrose met our ship. | After lunch at Anthony's, I visit the San Diego Maritime Museum and The Star of India, the world's oldest active ship. |
The Mercury is preparing to sail at 5 p.m. I can hear the fire drill. |
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| The Russian B-39 submarine | The Surprise, the ship used in Master and Commander | The Oakland Ferryboat, Berkeley |
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| Mercury left at 5 p.m. promptly. . . | and next morning Monarch of the Seas took her place. | |