Panama Canal 2

San Diego

On the road again! As if earthquakes in Santiago were not enough, we continue to seek out new adventures...

We had an uneventful flight from Dallas to Santa Ana, where we picked up a rental car and began our 90 mile drive south to San Diego. The direct flights from Dallas to San Diego were all really full! We divided our ride between "the 405" (California's notorious interstate) and Highway 1, along the coast. We did some sightseeing along the way, but rain showers eventually sent us back to the 405 for the fast tract to San Diego. We checked into the Holiday Inn on the Bay, which is directly across the street from the pier, where our 12th floor view was facing the city! We decided to spend the afternoon driving around town and after dinner Jack returned the rental and took the shuttle back to the hotel.

We slept late, skipped breakfast and then made our walk across the street to the pier. Boarding was immediate, but it was VERY hot and HUMID! Finally, we were home for the next 17 days!

After leaving San Diego, we spent the first day at sea and we took advantage of the sea day by resting!

Cabo San Lucas

We arrived in Cabo San Lucas at 10:00am. As we rounded Lands End we were treated to the view of the small city nestled at the base of the surrounding hills. We had booked a Lands End Tour via the internet, so we waited for a tender and made our way to the meeting place. Another very hot day! We were picked up and taken on a short tour of the city. There really is not too much to see! Next, we were taken to a shop where Tequila is sold and were given some history about the brew! We decided to make a small purchase! Next stop was in the Marina to board a very small Glass Bottom boat for our trip to Lands End! There was just one other couple with us on the boat. Off we went, bobbing and waving, into the surf.... The boatman took us along the coast, then on to the Lands End (El Arco) and finally around to the end to view the whole Lands End. The waves were getting much bigger, and being the sea-lover that I am, I began to "white knuckle" the seat, as the waves dipped and swayed us in the swells! Just when I was telling Jack that I was ready to go back to shore, the boat stopped! We looked at the boatman, who informed us that we had run out of gas! But "no problem" he said, "I have more"! So he dragged out a red plastic tank of gas and switched out the tanks and then tried to start the engine...no go! After priming the engine, off we went and I could finally loosen my grip...a little... We did get safely back to shore and we made our way back to the tenders for another joyful ride back to the ship.

Terry and I