Barbara J. Hamby

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Half Moon Cay - Bahamas

We awoke as the ship dropped anchor off Half Moon Cay, an island owned by Holland American Cruise Lines, in the beauteous Bahamas. During breakfast, we talked with a passenger from Canada, a retired schoolteacher, who referees volleyball to supplement his income. He and his wife are accomplished dancers and sometimes can cruise for a small daily “agency” fee, by giving dancing lessons on board. He is not doing that on this cruise however, but strictly vacationing and enjoying snorkeling on several islands on our route.

After breakfast, we prepared to go ashore and enjoy the mile-long white sand beach. We got on a tender right away and were whisked over to the island. We waded out into the chilly waves. I walked right back to my waiting lounge chair, but Floyd stayed to watch a group feed fish a few feet out in the turquoise water.

As soon as the sun began to bite me, I went back to the tender dock and bought a couple of gifts. I boarded a tender and talked to a lady from San Diego on the way back. She remarried her first husband ten years ago and they are very happy, having decided, as she put it, “the grass really isn’t greener.” Each had a marriage or two in between, according to her. She loves living in Southern California.

Lunch back on board the ship was delightful--a seared tuna steak with fruit salsa, mixed squash and tomatoes (cooked, not steamed) and baby scallops in a corn tortilla. For a last-day splurge, I picked up a piece of chocolate cake and asked for one scoop of ice cream. The charming Indonesian server grinned and said, “Small scoop,” as he piled on two mounds. I ate and enjoyed the whole thing.

Back in the cabin, I found Floyd resting. He had a barbecue lunch on the island before he returned. I hope the warm sun baked the rest of his cold out of his system. My throat is getting scratchy now. But we’ll be home tomorrow night. I took a nap and began gathering clothes to pack. Then I went to work on this log.

In late afternoon, we went to a “lip syncing” show. Most of the cast were passengers, along with a few of the cruise staff, and their costumes and antics were hilarious. I took a few pictures.

I returned the second book I’d checked out to the library unfinished. I may or may not bother to find it at home. Not that exciting. While I was there, I sent a final email home. I bought a pocketbook to read on the plane and some mints to suck on in lieu of gum. You cannot buy gum in an airport, on a cruise ship, or in a casino.

We had our last fabulous dinner and went back to the stateroom to pack. We have finished stuffing the suitcases, except for a few items to go in after the evening show.

The last night performance included most all of the ships entertainers, as well as a couple of the headliners who are still on board, after appearing earlier in the week. It was outstanding and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

Later we packed and put our bags outside the door to be moved by ship staff and reunited with us at the dock in Ft. Lauderdale. We will each carry a briefcase, one with my laptop and camera in it and the other with our tickets, passports and miscellaneous odds and ends. A mood of combined sadness at the end of a good trip, and anticipation of being at home again kept me awake for a while. But not for long.