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The weather was great as we boarded our cruise ship
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There were a few lines, of course
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On board, the giant chess set never did draw many players
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But the pool and sun deck was crowded right from the start
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The kids enjoyed the water slides
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There was almost constant entertainment somewhere on the ship - this guy sang to the swimmers and loungers
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Judy was disappointed to find all these flowers were artificial
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The Grand Atrium - with glass elevators and everything . . .
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The atrium from above. The crane sculptures were cool . . .
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The Carousel Bar was most attractive, but we didn't care for their entertainment
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Up top, up front as we prepare to leave the harbor at San Pedro
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If you pick the right direction to look, the view exiting the harbor is quite nice
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Doesn't that look nice? Ignore that smog layer on the horizon . . .
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There are many nice decorative panels on the ship . . .
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Ahhh - that's the life . . . .
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The graphics on the promenade deck are also attractive
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Norwegian's ships seem to be more graphically decorated than most
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It's always neat to spot another cruise ship. That one's the Holland American Oosterdam (we think)
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Some nights, our cabin had a guest. This was the best of them
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Approaching Cabo San Lucas, condos and the beach
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We were shuttled to shore in the ship's lifeboats
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We were in Cabo same time as the Celebrity Mercury
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There were several yachts at anchor along the beach
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As lifeboats, they supposedly hold about 100 people. As shuttles, they were crowded at about 60 . . .
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Nice scenery. Love the water color
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An excursion boat leaving the harbor as we pulled in. Probably a whale-watching cruise
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Secluded beaches all up and down the coast
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On the dock, we like the pun . . . .
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We were inundated with offers to spend . . . .
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Most every open-air restaurant had strolling musicians, not always appreciated
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The Cabo San Lucas harbor is very attractive
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There's even a faux lighthouse
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That's a shopping mall beside the harbor
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Cabo initially gained fame as a sport fishing village, as this statue commemorates
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We like the Happy Hour sign . . .
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Fun sculpture outside the Hard Rock Cafe
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At the Hard Rock, all the food's upstairs
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Along the harbor walk, lots of vendors of things Mexican.
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Silver was big, as were hats and photos taken with iguanas
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Ahhh - somebody from back home
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Cruise ships anchor outside the harbor. Ours is on the right . . .
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Time to go back to the ship
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One of the numerous prints tempting us toward the art auction
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Another work of art - Judy liked the musical ones
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Seems like every port has somebody offering parasailing rides over the water
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Now we're on a tour outside Mazatlan, at a local brick factory
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Earthen bricks are all handmade
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The brick mix - sand, water, straw and cow manure - is packed into molds by hand
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At this point, the unfired bricks are adobe, and must dry for a few days before being fired
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Adobe bricks drying in the sun
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Once the adobe has dried, the bricks are then baked for two days in wood-fired kilns like this
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Brick works tend to be in river bottoms because the sand is finer and more consistent
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Next stop, this bakery in the village of Malpica. The dog is an accomplished beggar
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Our guide, Gilberto, describes the various goodies we can sample
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They bake their breads and pastries the old fashioned way . . .
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It's a family business, located behind the family living quarters
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Not all family members are completely enthusiastic about the business
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The bakery dog followed us to the tile factory across the street, still negotiating for treats
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Tiles are made of compressed sand, cement and marble dust. The process starts with paint in the mold
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A slurry of marble dust is added, and then the slurry is manipulated into a pattern
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The high-tech decorating tool is the eraser end of a No 2 pencil
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Layers of cement and sand are carefully poured into the mold
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And after it's been compressed, the final design shows up
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These tiles are all air-dried. No kiln is used.
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They grow their poinsettias big around here
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It's a small, friendly village . . . .
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Next stop was at a roadside craft market outside the town of Concordia
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Somebody's been very busy . . .
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Lots of pots and planters
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A woodcarver was creating some wonderful pieces from ironwood
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Lots and lots of frogs
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He helps too . . .
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Plenty of silver and turquoise was offered
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In the open-air furniture factory, woodworkers make chairs, tables and decorative items
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Pretty dishes
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Happy sun
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We liked the papier-mache fish
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Judy found a serene place in the sun . . . .
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Next stop, the town square in Concordia . . . lots of activity, probably for our benefit
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The bandstand was popular with kids
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There were vendors of all kinds of stuff . . .
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The local church dominated the town square
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The church is a couple hundred years old, and quite ornate inside
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On the other side of the square, the town hall, gleaming in the sun
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Big chair. The little sign says "Please Care for the Lawn"
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Tour guides like ice cream just like everybody else
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On the way back to Mazatlan, the road was blocked by a herd of cattle
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We gave them the right of way. They didn't even thank us
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In downtown Mazatlan, a native Indian priest accompanies the Papantla Flyers
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The costumes are quite intricate
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We suspect that these guys have to be about the same size
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The main act of the Flyers begins with a circling of the flying pole
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They then climb 80+ feet to the top
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The priest joins the flyers and continues making music
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He even dances atop that pole - on a 9-inch platform
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And then they fly - spiraling down as the ropes unwind
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They each make 13 revolutions
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And then take their bows
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In Mazatlan's Golden Zone, lots of shops and stores
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Probably a tourist hotel. Spiffy looking . . .
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Mazatlan is in the state of Sinaloa, abbreviated "Sin". Lots of signs get stolen during spring break
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Back at the cruise terminal, more opportunities for souveniers
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Across the channel from the cruise ship, away from the tourist areas, things look quieter
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Somebody brought this huge band to the quay. Some folks took pictures with them
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The bright painted colors are really quite nice, once you get used to them all
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We finally identified this as a Frigate Bird. Never seen them before
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Across the rooftops, the local cathedral stands tall
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On the dock, lots of new cars, either coming or going . . .
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Back on board, we happened upon these folks, just a pickin' and a grinnin'
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Now we're docked in Puerta Vallarta, with the tour buses all ready for the tourists
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One of the more popular destinations, especially for the ship's crew, was right across the street
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Talk about a place with a view . . . .
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The Attessa is reportedly the 14th largest yacht in America at 225 ft. It's from Montana (yeah, right).
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Later today, we'll ride that boat to a secluded beach for dinner
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You've got to admire being able to maneuver into spots like that
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Outside the local bar: Senor Frog
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Judy's found her own frog
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Pretty - but also part of Senor Frog
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Hate to have to clean that boat
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That's a frigate bird up close
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The bird shows little respect for the spectacular artwork
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The beach along the Malecon is largely deserted. But wait until spring break!
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We'd love to know the symbolism behind this piece of art . . .
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They were mixing cement to make a sidewalk. Don't need no stinkin' mixer!
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It's going to be a really nice walk when it's finished
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The Malecon is very pretty
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A store was selling bullwhips. Most tourists couldn't crack them.
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She's discovering how to pour things down the drain! She was so proud . . .
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We like the sign - and the philosophy
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Suppose Tom Hanks gets a commission?
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The Malecon is lined with statues, many of them mermaids
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Another mermaid-ish sculpture
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Decidedly not a mer-anything
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Very accessible art
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And then we spotted these magnificent sand sculptures
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Some of them were quite new
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Not quite Michelangelo, but pretty close
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Some of the sculptures had been painted
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Now that's just strange . . .
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Nope. It's a kite, and that's a plastic Batman doll (sans cape)
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The cobblestone streets were very pretty, but not much fun to walk on
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Our evening's entertainment awaits
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Other folks have other entertainments in mind
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Aboard the catamaran, the bartender prepared the rum punch. LOTS of rum punch
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Puerto Vallarta was the largest of the cities we visited
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On route to our destination, some of the crew entertained by dancing. Not sure why
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The bartender even tried a pole dance. The ladies liked it . . . .
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That's where we're headed . . .
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We have been welcomed . . .
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Alongside the docks, colorful crabs patrol the rocks
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Somehow, the face paint doesn't really lend itself to smiles.
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The walk toward our dinner tables
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But first, it's showtime - in a wonderful hillside amphitheatre
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We couldn't take pictures during the show. But this was how it ended . . .
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And then, dinner - a seaside buffet of all kinds of wonderful things
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Are we happy or what?
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And that's just dessert . . . .
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But then it's time to head back . . . .
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We never expected fireworks. If we hadn't lost an engine and slowed down, probably would have missed them
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Cruise ships are pretty well lit at night . . . .
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We were five days into the cruise before Judy noticed that the dinner table flowers were real . . . .
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Keeping kids amused for two days at sea ain't easy . . . .
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Fun with mirrors in the elevator
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Judy liked the shirt
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The young Russian lady selling them demonstrated very well
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Chocolate Buffet! That's quite a sculpture . . .
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We suspect the chocolate sculptures get reused week after week
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But they are really spectacular
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Even the ones with ads
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The ice sculptures are fresh each week . . .
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The whole setup was very impressive
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And, of course, all the edibles were chocolate.
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Overload, really, But we labored valiantly on . . .
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Heading toward Los Angeles, we were passed by the Sapphire Princess, also headed for LA
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The last day out, the ship rolled and pitched quite a bit, making for 2 ft waves in the pool
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Back on shore, one last look at our floating resort . . .
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Finally, as we drove home, the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas were very pretty. And then it rained. Hard.