Our next stop was Nicaragua - we were able to get our Passports stamped here. We were told it was just a few blocks away from the port entrance. Well after going around and down and across, it seemed like 10 scary blocks, we found the place. Then we walked over to the shopping area. It was really hot now and humid. Ryan was really bugged because all the children kept staring at him and following him around. Ryan told me that it was rude and to ask them to stop. I explained to him that I didn't know how to tell them this since I didn't speak Spansih! So sorry. We purchased a few items shirts, pins, hats, noah's ark minature, 3 little Mayan guys (Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil, and See No Evil), a bird whistle and a miniature clay pot. Back on board the ship we had mentioned the children staring and following Ryan, they told us that no one that has a disability in Nicaragua goes out. And that they probably had never seen a motorized wheelchair that was able to give Ryan such independence. Then it made a little more sense. To be continued. . .

What a day! Can you believe it Ryan got invited to visit the bridge of the ship. Of course we got to go with him. What a view we had you could see forever. We could see Acapulco from the ship. We got to see all of the controls, how they operate the ship, navigate, meet the Captian Mariano Manfuso and his crew. This was a chance of a lifetime. Ryan thought that it was the best thing ever and truly appreciated the opportunity to visit the bridge. We also meet Rebeca from Mexico who was the lady that helped this dream come true. We meet Molly the photographer who took the pictures. They became great friends of ours from there on. To be continued. . .

Day 2 and 3 were at sea days, checked out the people at the pool (Lyman and Ryan were looking for hot babes, found none. There were a lot of Senior Citizens on this cruise) we played bingo, ate, watched movies, ate, went to production shows, ate, checked out the rest of the ship, ate.

On Day 4 we docked in Huatulco, Mexico and did a shore excursion. We had rented a wheelchair accessible van, that could hold Ryan's wheelchair and 4 other people. They kept saying 3 other people and we found out why. The van driver only spoke Spanish so that they had a other gentlemen that gave the tour in English. He did not have a seat to sit on, but was a good sport and just knelt the whole time. The van was a typical Mexican car with a big crack in the windshield, the passenger side window could not roll down because it was plastic. But, the tour was great and they went out of their way to do what ever they could for us. We toured the city and got this great picture of the cruise ship. We went shopping in the city and it was great to have the other gentlemen with us who spoke Spanish. I bought a woven blanket there, that we watched the people making them. We went to a fun beach. Then the day was over and we returned to the ship. To be continued . . .

Day 1 of the Cruise (actually day 2) - Today was an at sea day. We had received a notice about a virus going around and to be sure and wash your hands and if you were sick to call the doctor. Linda's husband Dan got sick last night and threw up 3 times. They had to call the ships doctor and advise them that he was sick. Well this meant he was then quarantined to their room. Fun for him. But Linda did come out and eat with us, and play bingo. She did go back and check on him several times. This was our first formal dinner night. Hey, were is your tie? To be continued. . .

Our cruise begins in Los Angeles, as you can see Ryan was doing so good. He was so excited to be getting on the ship. We had flown from Salt Lake to LAX and then traveled to San Pedro in a wheel chair accessible van. We including, Linda and Dan, then took the van over to the eating and shopping area near the Harbor. We had dinner there and walked around through the shops. We returned to the hotel and got up the next morning, on to the cruise ship terminal to check in. To be continued. . .