Barbara J. Hamby

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Roseau, Dominica--Friday

We docked in Roseau at approximately 6:30 a.m. Since Floyd’s cold persists and I had a bad night with digestive problems, we slept in. We hadn’t planned to take a shore excursion anyway, and decided not to go ashore. We could see a large part of the town from the ship, so I took a number of pictures.

After breakfast, we had a long conversation with an interesting woman who has homes in Arizona and New Mexico. She took information to buy my book, so maybe I sold one. She is 65 and has been single for 29 years and traveled all over the world. She regaled us with stories of her dating experiences.

She could write her own book. She did mention she’s writing her life story.

We lounged by the pool, reading, until nearly lunchtime. I swam and did some of my exercises before lunch. Foolishly, I thought sun shining on a boardwalk would not burn the bottoms of my feet. When I jumped into the pool, a man told me he thought I’d invented a couple of new dance steps.

At 2:30, the gangplank came up and we sailed out of the harbor at approximately 3:00 p.m. A small jazz combo played and drinks were served around the pool, so we stayed, listening to the music and talking to a young man we met yesterday. He complained that the musicians started with a sad song (Yesterday--All My Troubles Were so Far Away), although he admitted it was difficult to discern the melody. Next, they played Brazil, quite recognizable, with a fast tempo.

At dinner, over Dover sole and lobster bisque (yum) we talked about whether this might be our last cruise. For the same amount of money, we could spend time at a resort closer to home, with less difficulty. Not to mention there would be fewer temptations to overeat the wrong food.

After dinner, Floyd went to the casino to kibitz for half an hour or so, while I returned to the cabin to write in this log. At 8:30 we met and went to the theater lounge for the main show. The performer, Joel Mason, impersonates Elton John, in a show dedicated to Elton. Despite a slight case of bronchitis, he kept us entertained for over an hour with songs, jokes and general tomfoolery. At first, he claimed to be from Canada, but later said he’s from Portland, Oregon, to my surprise. I’ll have to check that out.

We opted to skip the later show, an adult comedienne. We must get up early tomorrow as we dock on St. Thomas and will be greeted by immigration and customs officials. We will need to line up with our passports when our names are called.

I didn’t book a shore excursion in St. Thomas thinking I had been there before, but now realize I was on St. Maarten, instead. We may consider going ashore briefly. We’ll only be there about seven or eight hours.