It is hard to believe that this long epic journey is coming to an end - in some ways I am feeling sad - will miss the new friendship which can be renewed via Facebook and in some ways glad - 49 days away from friends, a couple of minor health issues and more than I wanted stress over missed ports and excursions.
On the morning of March 14, 2013 - I got my passport back - there were returned based on your floor - lots of stamps from the countries that were visited in South America.
As is usual on the ship they are trying to sell you everything but the kitchen sink. As I already had a supply of t-shirts and jewellery means little to me the one thing that I did purchase were 4 x 6 photos showing scenes from the ports that I visited - they provided an album for the photos - what I want to do is match their photo with one of my own that in many cases is of the same subject.
Just how soon I get around to that remains to be scene as I will need to transfer those images to my laptop in order to be able to print.
I also have started to pack - I realize with the use of the self serve laundromat that I needn`t have brought so many clothes.
The weather has also turned cooler - back in long pants.
On Thursday night I treated my table mates - Anne, Barbara and Paul to dinner in the Crown Grill - the steakhouse on the ship - while the service was a little slow the meal was delicious - I opted for a rack of lamb and it was a large serving - lamb is not something I would prepare myself so when it is offered I will often order it.
We also by now have received our disembarking details and luggage tags - I opt for a 10 AM or later disembark.
I have been in contact via email with Adele and Cliff - my San Francisco cruising friends about what to do to kill the time until my bus to the train leaves at 9:40 PM. More about that later.
One matter to be dealt with in S.F. is US Customs and Immigration - on previous visits it has been a mess but they are using the following system - based on the time you elected to leave the ship you are given a time to report to a specific lounge where you will wait until you color is announced whereby you will be given a ticket to take to another lounge for clearance. Sounds simple and for the most part it worked.
I said for the most part because it was running about 40 minutes behind schedule - the reason offered and it makes some sense is the large number of early walk-offs that had to be cleared - US citizens went in one line as there process is simpler - they are returning to their country.
Once in line it moved quickly - as all the names would have been cleared before hand it was just a case of presenting our passport and having them stamped.
There was one little glitch in the process - most cruisers were given a green I - 94 tourist visa application - well the American didn`t need them and despite our concerns the ship`s crew told us Canadians that we needed to fill them out - NOT TRUE - Canadians don`t need a tourist visa to visit the US - this was confirmed by the custom agent when I presented mine.
One thing that Princess enforces is being out of your cabin no later than 8 AM - so after clearing customs I head for the International Cafe area to wait for our disembark color to be called - mine was Gold 3.
For those who don`t cruise and who might perhaps be reading this - this process is used because of all the luggage that needs to be unloaded - when it is collected the night before it is then placed by color sequence for off loading the next morning.
I am scheduled to leave at 10:15 AM and was fairly surprised to have my color called only 10 minutes late - so while customs was a little slow at the start the disembark seemed to be pretty much on time.
I had discussed a couple of options with my local hosts - they like me are outdoor types and the weather forecast was sunny after a little morning cloud so they met me and we were off.
Next - my day in San Francisco.
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