Flat Corgi Friday - Bird Watching

When we saw this bird wall on the Disney Magic, we couldn't resist posing our resident bird hater in their midst.

This is the closest she will ever get to a bird.

Heading to those white cliffs of Dover

We woke early on Sunday morning, partly excitement and partly not wanting to miss the Disney bus. We spoke to the Disney representative in the lobby and she confirmed that our luggage would be picked up from our room and brought down to the bus.

Mike and I headed to breakfast in the Gatwick airport terminal and checked out the shops - we were looking for Worcestershire flavored chips for a friend of ours. Alas, no chips. This became a recurring theme across our trip.

We returned to the lobby and saw our luggage sitting with the rest of the group's luggage waiting to be taken to the bus. It was a short wait until we were told we could head to the bus. Waiting for us was our little reserved sign.

A short time later, we were off heading to the port of Dover. Other than a brief stop on the side of the road to double check that the baggage doors beneath the bus were properly locked, the trip was uneventful.

The highway into Dover

Dover harbor and Dover Castle in the distance

We disembarked the bus and left the cruise line staff to handle our baggage, much like at Port Canaveral. Check-in was uneventful, they gave us our boarding number and released us into the terminal. At this time, the building was packed and was standing room only.

Finally boarding began by number, ie 1... 2... etc. There was a few rowdy people attempting to jump the line by pretending to pass off a card with #10 as #1, but the people in charge were not having it. Must be a British thing... mind the queue and wait your turn.

After several groups had been called, Mike and I were allowed to jump the line. How? We made our way into the loading room and waited in the corner. There was a lull in the passengers and the person in charge of the queue called us over and allowed us to board. Your mileage may vary, but it helps if you don't act line a moron, calmly wait your turn, and don't feel entitled to anything extra... you know, act like a decent human being.

We headed to Cariocas for our buffet lunch. I had only eaten in Parrot Cay, (the restaurant that was in place before the change over to Cariocas), a few times before, but I quite liked the new decor. It had been reimagined in a Rio/Brazilian theme. Alas, I didn't take any pictures of it on this trip, but you can see some of the pictures from other travelers here: Cariocas on the Disney Magic/Wonder.

After lunch, we explored the ship and took some of these pictures:

Not long after these pictures were taken, the Disney Magic left port and headed north to Newcastle.

Flat Corgi Friday - Port of Entry

Tonight, we leave for our British Isles cruise on the Disney Magic. Naturally, the Flat Corgis will be with us, while the real corgis remain at home.

This time it's a little different, the corgis are staying in our house and pet sitters are stopping by to spoil them.

Naturally, I'm sad to leave them and worried about the flight, (nervous flier), and worried how they'll behave, so it's the usual par for the course going through my brain at this time.

Flat Corgi Friday - A girl and her corgis

the Disney Fantasy - May 2014

I had a lovely day with the doggies today - early morning snuggles in bed, a crazy play session, and a nice walkies.

On today of all days, that makes an excellent present.

Flat Corgi Friday - Grand Cayman

We didn't leave the boat while she was docked in Grand Cayman. This is as close as we got to the island. One of these days we'll go back to it for a longer stay.

Cozumel Regatta

Have you ever watched those America's Cup races on television? They are split up by country and consist of each team racing a large boat or catamaran across a track. These boats have no engine and rely on the winds, the sails and good old elbow grease to take advantage of the conditions to accelerate and maintain speed, and change direction.

The boats look something like this:

or

One of our stops on our May cruise was Cozumel, Mexico. In preparation for our cruise, we searched through the various shore excursions available and we hummed and hawed over the Regatta. On the one hand, it was something neither of us had done, but the big factor for us was the accessibility aspect of it. Mike can transfer from his wheelchair and walk, but he's only ever had to do that on solid ground. Throw a big blue ocean into the mix and all bets are off!

We searched Youtube and looked for reviews and we decided to throw caution to the wind and book the excursion! What's the worst that could happen right?

On Cozumel day, we met with our Disney guide, who took the group down to the pier. We met up with our local guides who took our tickets and led us to the small steps down to the tender boat.

Mike handled the steps well, but then we had to place the wheelchair and Mike himself onto the tender boat. I boarded the boat first and accepted the wheelchair, which I firmly locked into place. It would do no good if the chair went for a swim off the coast of Mexico! Then, it was Mike's turn. He waited for a lull in the tide and slowly made his way onto the boat.

We took our seats and our little tender boat headed around the Disney Fantasy and out to sea. We had to travel to another Carnival boat, who was tendered a ways off. The passengers from that boat would join us on our Regatta.

After we picked up our fellow cruisers, we made our way to the America's Cup boats, currently moored on the open water. There were two boats for us to use and they used the non-existent rivalry between Canada and the US. :) We were assigned to the Canadian boat - True North IV.

These boats were actual boats used in past America's Cup races back in the 80s. Comparing the pictures, from more recent races to these, it's amazing how much has changed!

Normally, I worry a little bit. At the same time, I'm a realist and a thinker, so while I'm worrying, I'm thinking of ways to get out of the situation. I didn't realize the Regatta boats would be moored on the water. So, as we're approaching the boat, I'm seeing the waves and feeling the movement and I start thinking of how to safely get Mike across.

Our tender boat pulled up to the US boat first, so we were able to see the other passengers board their boat. This didn't make me feel any better, in fact, I felt a little more nervous.

We approached our boat and the rest of our tour boarded first. I went to double check the brakes on the wheelchair - it had to stay on the tender boat - and in the time it took me to to check it and turn around, Mike made it safely over to the boat!

After some introductions, we were ready to begin. We'd been given our assignments while on the tender boat. Mike and I were to be cheerleaders. There was no way I trusted myself to handle the ropes or anything of that nature! We found a spot to lean and hold onto the ropes, just on the side of the boat, and away we went!

I'm no sailor and I have no idea of the terms we used during the race... but at some points, we were moving! And, the boats would be level one minute and then as we had to turn, the boat tilted to the point where the tip to the stern was in the water.  If I had the guts, I could have reached over and touched the water!  Then, the boat would tilt again and if Mike and I didn't brace our feet on the mooring in the center, we'd have fallen across and into the water.

Speaking of water, in some places, it wasn't the nice light blue water.  Oh no, this was deep blue, almost black water. We were in open water!

After the race finished and we waited for our tender boat, there was a large splash off to the side of the boat. I didn't see what it was, but our captain remarked, "Wow, something big just came up there!"

This was my face because I wanted to see what it was and didn't.

So, who won? Canada did, of course!

This was an excursion of a lifetime. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we highly recommend it!

Unfortunately, no Flat Corgis on this trip, it was too unsafe for them. It would have been cool though!

Here's the YouTube video for the company:

Flat Corgi Friday - Hitchin' a Ride

Flat Corgi Friday - Map

Flat Merida, meet Merida.

Wordless Wednesday - Waving

Flat Corgi Friday - Hallway Rolling

The next set of Flat Corgis will be from our trip on the Disney Fantasy.

Wordy Wednesday - Stacks at night

Disney Fantasy smokestacks lit up

I was playing around with taking night pictures on my point and shoot camera and managed to take this one. I'm sure it's not great in terms of composition or lighting or anything, but I'm pleased with it.

It's the first time I've ever been able to take a picture at night, without the flash, and without a shaking arm to make everything blurry.

Wordless Wednesday - Ready for Take Off