One sea day, return to land - Vacation days 9 & 10

Well, that took a while to get back here.  Partly because I had a busy couple of days at work and wasn't feeling up to posting and mostly because I woke up Friday morning to a houseful of company.  There's a story behind it, but suffice to say it's been a crazy weekend and I'm grateful for the few hours of quiet since they finally left about 10 minutes ago.  While the bedding is being washed I thought I'd get back to the blog.

For our final breakfast on the Epic, nine of the solos met to go for breakfast in the Taste main dining room.  In an earlier post, I mentioned I had a bottle of sparkling wine in my cabin....as did every other solo.  Three of the nine brought their bottles to breakfast so we could have mimosas to toast our cruise.

I wandered off after breakfast to take my final photos around the ship.  In particular, I wanted to get that final wake shot.

To get there I headed into Spice H20, another adult only area.  This one had a bar, pool, and two hot tubs.  Had we not gotten our Posh passes, this is likely where we would have spent our time.  I did head over there one afternoon for a splash in the pool.  After a cool down, I went back to Posh because the area was packed.  That is generally an issue with adult only areas, the chair hogs show up early in the morning and claim the chairs.  The staff generally don't pick up the towels and other items, even after a few hours, so one has to be there early in the morning.  The price we paid for Posh was well worth it despite the lack of a pool.

I think I have  similar wake shot from every cruise.  It reminds me are heading back to the port.  This time, though I wasn't nearly as sad as I knew I had a couple more days to relax before it would be time to head home.

Speaking of Posh, I met Sandra and Amy there after my walk-about, then we met Sandy at the Garden Cafe (buffet) for lunch.  After our meal, we went to the Atrium where Sandra and Amy played Deal or no Deal (similar to the television show except in addition to the two contestants, the audience plays along on cards (similar to bingo cards).  Sandra won a free photo!  

It was a sunny, hot day so it was back to Posh until late afternoon.  Last day, time to pack!  After a shower, I dressed and met the group in the lounge.  

Our solo cruise director Lester took this selfie with most of the group.  I think there were close to 20 of us.  The lady in the stripes is Helene, I'm next to her, Sandra is behind me.  Amy is to the left of Sandra, Sandy is to Amy's left, and Che is behind the two of them. I've already forgotten who most of the others are, though I have their e-mail addresses so if I took a bit of time I could probably figure them out.  

After a drink, the group headed back down to the Taste main dining room for our last dinner.  We were a group of 20 that night; we had three tables.  Lester joined us towards the end of the meal.  He's quite the character and did a great job of working with us, when he wasn't off leading a dance class or a game show.  The staff on the cruise ship are kept very busy!

The following morning I woke up early, shortly after we arrived in Port Canaveral. I headed up to the one of the top decks to catch the sunrise.  What a beautiful start to the day!

I had a quick bite to eat at the buffet, then it was time for "easy" walk off departure by 7:30 a.m.  I met Amy and Sandra, who were heading off as well and we headed down to the gangway.  We were in quite a line-up in the terminal but they've obviously done this a few times so the entry back into the U.S. was very efficient.

As part of my fly, snooze, and cruise package I was scheduled for an 8 a.m. shuttle.  The volunteers at the terminal exit sent me the wrong direction.  By the time I called the company and discovered the mistake I thought I'd have missed the shuttle.  Ha!

What the company did not divulge was that they use large buses and they won't leave the port until it has reached a certain capacity.  As a result, we didn't get away from the port until 9:15 a.m.  This didn't matter to me as I was merely catching a taxi from the airport to my resort, however it mattered to one young couple.  They had thought 2 hours would be sufficient time to get to the airport, through security, and catch a 10:45 a.m. flight.  I don't know what happened but suspect they missed the flight.  When we arrived at the airport just before 10, we were held up at the gate because the bus was missing the appropriate stickers.  And to add insult to injury, they were dropped at terminal A and told to walk across to terminal B.   If they did make it, they should buy a lottery ticket.

I took the elevator to the 2nd floor, to the departure area, and grabbed a cab to my hotel, Point Orlando resort.  I booked the resort along with my flight, so the only additional cost was a $12USD resort fee. (Oh yeah, and the $50USD cab ride to get there.)

When I arrived, it was just after 11 a.m. and check-in wasn't until 4 p.m.  I thought I would just drop my luggage but was thrilled to learn they had a room available.  I was quickly checked in and given my key card to my executive studio, first floor, poolside!

The room contained a living area, kitchenette with bar fridge and microwave, a Keurig, sufficient dishes and cutlery for four, and everything needed to wash up the dishes.

The bedroom area held a king sized bed, the television and a closet with a safe.  Just as had happened at the Cocoa Beach hotel, the safe wasn't working.  But this time it wa truly was just batteries.  While I unpacked, Tim the maintenance man showed up to make the necessary replacements. 

The bathroom was large with a tub/shower combination.  After a full week of showers I looked forward to a good soak that evening.  But first, it was time to do some exploring.  I checked at the front desk and learned the I-Ride trolley had a stop just a block away.  I took the trolley down to the end of line to the Vinings Premium Outlet mall.  The stores were too frou-frou for me though I did stop in at the Carters (children's clothing) store.  I got three t-shirts and a long-sleeved shirt (clearance) for $20USD. 

On the way back, I decided to get off the shuttle 3 stops before my own.  I quickly learned that Orlando is a bit like the Vegas strip.  Things look close by, but they really aren't.  I walked over from Universal Boulevard to International Drive (about 4 blocks) then up International to Carrier.  (My resort was on the cross street of Carrier and Universal).  It took me about an hour in the heat, the temperature was around 85F, but fortunately I was carrying a bottle of water.  I must admit my feet were killing me by the time I got back.

Time to check out the resort pool!  I took a quick dip, then relaxed on a lounger reading my book for an hour or so. Wow, it was hot out there...without the breeze we had at sea.  Just after 5, I cleaned up and headed out to TGIFriday's, about a 10-15 minute walk from the resort. 

Way back, when I did my research for the this trip, and learned this restaurant was close to the resort, I'd been thinking about these green bean fries with wasabi aoli.  Yummy!  The beer is a Belgian Blue Moon...it went perfectly with the fries.  I should have simply had the appetizer and beer but I also ordered a BBQ chicken salad.  It was great but huge - I barely made a dent in it.  

After dinner, I walked back to the hotel and spent another hour out by the pool (feet in the water - since they were still aching from my long walk.  As the sun went down, I was ready to head back to my room to relax and watch television before bed.

I knew I needed a good night's rest as I planned to visit SeaWorld the following day.  That will be the next post....likely in a couple of days or so.