31st Anniversary Cruise – Aruba, Curacao, Panama Canal and Costa Rica

March 2023

Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay is a privately owned island by Holland America in the Bahamas. We have been many times and always look forward to it. It is an afternoon of relaxing, swimming, reading a book in our own private clam shell, tropical drinks and a wonderful BBQ. Sometimes, depending on your itinerary, it is the first stop or the last stop. We prefer the first because you can ease into a week or two of being in the lap of luxury. (Big Sigh) Nothin’ better.

Aruba

Our next port is Aruba. We wandered around the town and stopped into a place called Lucy’s by the harbor for a Taco and a beer. We had been here once before and this time we wanted to do something a little different. We saw an excursion that was of interest to us. When we were researching it for some reason all we saw was BBQ on the beach. Well, that sounded good to us. Turns out it was a Party Bus. This bus pulls up and we get on (we are almost always up for anything) and it had holes in the side of where windows would be…….there were no windows…..and instead there were maracas. The music was very loud and we were encouraged to sing as loud as possible and we did. Songs like Celebrate and Margaritaville for example. We went to a beach, got off of the bus and we all had a champagne toast. (liking this so far) Then the bus took us to a Beach Resort where we had a very nice dinner on the patio beside a pool. Wonderful meal which included Aruba Arribas a tropical drink. After dinner the bus went back into town and we stopped at three bars. More Aruba Arribas and some Macarena dancing and trying on of Carnival costume headwear. (Pandemic be damned !) Anyway, we had a fabulous night and would do it all again.

https://caribbejan.tumblr.com/post/34376520321/aruba-arriba

Curacao

The next stop was Curacao. We had also been here before, but one of my favorite things to do is research, so I set about finding things to do there. We love to eat where the “Locals” eat and I hit the jackpot on this one. The place is called Plasa Bieu. It is an old Food Market with stalls where you can buy local dishes. It is a nice walk across the Williemstad floating bridge and past the flea market. We both wanted to have the Red Snapper and it was amazing. Near the floating bridge are the Locks of Love, similar to the now-illegal locks in Paris on the Seine. After lunch we crossed back over the bridge and the alarm sounded because a ship needed to pass and the bridge was about to open. We jammed through to the other side (as fast as old people can jam anyway) and watched as it opened and the ship passed. Technology is amazing, yes?

After lunch we decided to stroll back to the ship. The stroll was longer and hotter than we expected so we stopped into a resort on the water for a beverage. We ordered two Chi Chi’s. The bartender had never heard of them so we offered up our help. We told him to pretend you are making a Pina Colada and instead of Rum use Vodka. He did and it was delicious. On our way to the resort rest stop, we came upon what we thought was going to be a beautiful photo op and instead it looked like a place where we jokingly say “Dis is where I kill you!”

Our next port of call was the Panama Canal but before I tell you and show you all about that 8th wonder of the world, let me tease you with photos of Food from the restaurants and Dining Room aboard the ship the Eurodam.

Tamarind, Canneletto, and The Pinnacle Grill – Restaurants on board the Eurodam

Tamarind

Canneletto

Pinnacle Grill

Dining Room

With so many venues of restaurants to choose from you just can’t go wrong on a Holland America Ship. I sound like a commercial but I can’t speak highly enough for the meals in the Dining Room, the Lido and all the specialty restaurants on board.

One afternoon we decided to go to the Ocean Bar and we ordered two Espresso Martinis. On board we met a lady named Lola and we introduced her to said Martinis. Then two turned into four……..Well, that was a fun afternoon!

https://preppykitchen.com/espresso-martini/

Panama Canal

From Wikipedia:

The Panama Canal is an artificial 82 km waterway in Panama that connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean and divides North and South America. The canal cuts across the Isthmus of Panama and is a conduit for maritime trade. 

When we woke up the morning we were going to go through the locks of the Panama Canal, I looked out the window and saw lots of ships lining up to claim their spot. Our cruise director was speaking to us and telling us bit by bit what was happening or about to happen. We found a spot starboard side and set up shop. The bow of the ship was where you could see the most but it was packed. We got a couple of good photos from there but the pictures you will see are both interesting and spectacular. We went through three locks going from the Caribbean Sea into Gatun Lake. One story that we heard was fasinating. It seems the French wanted to build a canal there too but only dug in about 11 miles and gave up. It would not have worked in that area. What an experience. Enjoy the photos.

Costa Rica

Our first time to Costa Rica. We docked in Limon. We chose to do the “Sky Walk” in the Costa Rican Rain forest. We walked through the jungle and every so often we had to cross a suspension bridge. I have a fear of heights but decided to just GET OVER MYSELF. It was very cool. There were hand rails of a sort to hold on to but beware, our guide said,……some times the Bullet ants walk on them and they sting. They can be poisonous too. In fact just about everything in the rain forest is poisonous. The Red Frogs are toxic and poisonous. The flora was beautiful and we did see two sloths and heard multiple howler monkeys. It was quite an experience.

So at the end of the Sky Walk excursion, we went back to the Port Area. There is a local Park called Park Vargas. We heard that from time to time you can see sloths in the trees and the local children will point them out to you…….for a fee…. We walked over to the park and this little boy came running over to us saying “Sloth, Sloth, Sloth” I said “Where, can you show us”. “Si Senora.” As we walked over to him his dad said “Yes, it is a sloth but it is plastic !” The little boy was dismayed that his dad would call him out. We had him take us to the tree and we just played along. “Wow, look at that! Thank you!” We gave him a US Dollar and he was so happy.

There are many beautiful statues in this park and a view of Costa Rica’s only island.

These were some of the highlights of our trip. There is something about being “at sea”. This is where we find our bliss.

On land its family and friends. Thanks for taking the time to read and look at the photos.

Bless you all.