After almost three weeks away, we have arrived home safe and healthy. We flew to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and then boarded a cruise ship which stopped at Curaçao, Aruba, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatamala, Mexico, and then on to San Diego, California where we disembarked. Flew from San Diego to Toronto – missed our connection due to a delay – then flew on home to Nova Scotia.
We traveled a total of 5,050 nautical miles on our cruise and flew approximately 4,827 miles before and after!
Despite the world’s worries and concerns about the deadly Corona virus, we encountered no delays because of it. Scarily, in San Diego airport, no one asked us if we had been on a cruise ship, or where we had traveled. There were no signs or warnings about the virus, and no ‘Purell’ stations with which to disinfect our hands. (luckily we travel with our own supply). In Toronto, where we went through customs, no one made mention of the virus, or our previous destinations. The same in Halifax.
Willemstad, Curaçao waterfront
The Queen Emma Bridge is a pontoon bridge across St. Anna Bay in Curaçao
above ground cemetery in Aruba
a natural bridge in Aruba
aloe farm in Aruba
Our cruise was a marvelous experience where we discovered many different cultures that were new to us. We had lovely weather the entire time (sometimes too lovely – it was 97F / 36C degrees for three days straight). We went on several interesting excursions. We saw Mayan antiquities, famous cathedrals, beautiful monastery ruins, live volcanoes, ethnic dancing and crafts, scary critters such as crocodiles etc., beautiful birds, and experienced the Costa Rican rain forest close up (we crossed three hanging bridges and the views were nothing short of incredible!) We visited an aloe farm and a jade factory. We sailed through the magnificent Panama Canal – one of the seven wonders of the world.
view from high up in the rain forest – Costa Rica
crossing a hanging bridge in the Costa Rican rain forest
fruit vendor stalls on a Guatamalan street
we went on a tricycle ride through the streets of Corinto, Nicaragua – In 97 degree heat, our driver worked hard pedalling us around
Nicaraguan craftswoman making sturdy baskets out of pine needles
going through the first lock of the Panama Canal. Our large ship had only two feet of clearance on each side!
We visited the UNESCO heritage site of the antique city of Antigua. Wow!
Santa Catalina Arch, Antiqua
the ruins of the Iglesia del Carmen
we saw many Tuk-Tuks (peculiar little three-wheeled motorized vehicles)
Santo Domingo Church and Monastery is a ruined monastery in Antigua Guatemala
Mayan street vendors – Guatemala
interior and exterior views of the cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Peurto Vallarta, Mexico (everything you see that is gold is REAL GOLD!)
within the cathedral they were making a beautiful carpet made of sawdust! They do this on the streets during their feast days only to have the people walk on them and destroy their beautiful work!
We did experience two days of rather rough seas, but I was unfazed. I well and truly had my ‘sea-legs’. Here are a few photos taken aboard our ship:
I took literally hundreds of photos, but just had to share a few of them with you.
All in all, it was a wonderful and memorable trip. We arrived home just in time to evade the new restrictions on international travel. Whew! Although we feel absolutely healthy and fine, we are self-quarantining ourselves for the recommended fourteen days, just to be safe.
I managed to read four books while I was away and will post my reviews sometime soon.
Fictionophile 
I was scheduled to make that trip in late March, but of course it got cancelled. Maybe it is for the better, because your post has given me some ideas on what to see when I finally go. Thanks.
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It was a fabulous trip. Probably our last one in quite a while… Hope you get to go some day.
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Oh, it all looks gorgeous! Glad you managed to squeeze it in before the whole world shut down (but kind of bonkers how little attention was paid to it at the airports you visited!). Stay healthy and safe! ❤️
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Thanks Sheree. I believe that we got home at exactly the right time, just before stringent restrictions were put in place.
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Sounds like a lovely trip. Glad you guys are safe and healthy! 😊
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Thanks Lorilin. 😍
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Wow what a wonderful trip! I’m glad you didn’t encounter any corona induced problems but I do think it’s a bit scary that nobody said anything!
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I find it troubling too Kelly. Thankfully now they are becoming more stringent in their cautionary measures. I guess we got home “under the wire” before restrictions came into play.
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Welcome home and stay healthy. My son and his partner are in Mexico now – Playa del Carmen. No virus there!
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I hope they come home soon and safely Davida. The restrictions are getting stricter every day.
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They’re not coming home. They’re “digital nomads” and they’re living there right now, combining work with discovering the world. With the way things are going right now, they’d be smart to stay where they are until this blows over! Or… they can trot off to somewhere else that has even less of the virus.
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It looks amazing, so many happy memories. Just back at the right time, before all the real panic and shut downs are starting to kick in. Some places do seem to have been worrying lax about vetting where people have been. Our own airports being a case in point. Still, safe home, sit back, relax and take care xx
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Thanks Jill. We made it home just under the wire I think. 😍
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I enjoyed the photos of your travels and am glad that you made it home without quarantine!
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Only a self-imposed quarantine, which is much less stressful. Thanks Joyce.
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Looks like you had a wonderful trip. Lovely to see pictures of Aruba and Curacao, amongst others, as I’ve also visited both those islands on cruises in past years. Also Costa Rica. Makes me want to book another one…although perhaps not just at the moment LOL.
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Ha Cathy… wait until they create a vaccine. ❤
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Those are some fantastic photographs. Looks like an amazing trip! Look forward to reading your reviews of those books you read.
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Thanks Aiden. 👍
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That looks amazing! Glad you got back before restrictions though. We’re hoping to go on a cruise next year.
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Hopefully by then this recent nightmare will be over and they will have developed a vaccine. Where are you planning to go Sheila?
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Undecided between Europe and Norway x
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A tough decision. We would like to do a Baltic cruise when the world settles down.
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A beautiful trip. I’m glad you arrived home healthy.
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Thanks so much Neil. 👍
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Some lovely photos, Lynne. Glad you had a wonderful time x
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I really enjoyed it. Thanks Gemma. ❤
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Fantastic looking holiday. I am pleased it all went went and you have enjoyed the travel.
I spent six days in Aruba in May 2018 and enjoyed the sunshine, and the visit to the Aloe factory.
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Thanks James. It was a ‘once in a lifetime’ trip which I will always remember.
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Looks wonderful Lynne. Gorgeous photos!
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Thanks Mairead. 😘
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Wow looks and sounds amazing!
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It was Nicki, but it is good to be home. Thanks. 😍
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Looks absolutely lovely Lynne. Glad you had a great break and that you arrived home safe. Happy self isolating. 14 more days to read!!
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Exactly Jen. Thanks 👍❤
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Wow! What a terrific trip! I’m so glad you had a wonderful time and stayed healthy!!! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Carol. It was amazing on many levels.
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Amazing pictures Lynne. It looks like you had a wonderful time. I am shocked that there were no questions about where you were. I am returning home next week and will also self-isolate as per the recommendation from Canadian Health.
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Thanks Carla. I hope you have as easy a time returning home as we did. Safe travels.
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I am driving home, so don’t anticipate too much trouble crossing the bridge.
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Glad you had a great time and enjoyed yourselves.
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Thanks Joanne. As it will probably the last time we’ll travel for a while, I’m glad it was special.
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