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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
............ 
Dec 08, 2013 08:00 PM Everglades on Florida
I love the nature so I took my chance to see another National Park: Everglades on Florida.
What most of the hotels and agencies offer is a standard tour which lasts about 4 hours - they will pick you up from your hotel or agency, then there is 40 minutes bus drive to the park.
In the park you board the airboat. Wow! This was something new to me: can you imagine a noisy flat boat with a big air propeller in the back? They distribute earplugs before you go...
It can sail through the shallow waters and swamps of Everglades. But the standard tour takes only 35 minutes of sailing. We saw alligators, birds, mud turtle and water flowers... Then in the park ranch there is a kind of the show: the ranger is talking about animals showing them (12-years old resident alligator some 4 m long is showing himself). At the end you can have for 3 USD a picture with a young alligator in hands. And there are people who pay!
If you shop around in Miami this tour will cost you 35 USD including airboat and entry fee. Enjoy!
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Dec 07, 2013 08:00 PM Miami after years,,,
At sunrise we already docked in Miami cruise terminal - a big place - there were 6 ships at a time!
Since I decided to spent another two nights in Miami Beach there was a problem how to get there from the cruise terminal. Initially I wanted to walk about 2 kms to the public bus 120. But at the pier there were private minibus drivers offering door-to-door service to Miami Beach for just 10 USD (bus ticket cost 2,65) so decided to go with them instead to carry the pack in the heat.
I booked in advance the room in Tropics Hotel/hostel on Collins Ave. They have free wi-fi, little pool and guest kitchen. It is only 70 m to the beach... Rooms are big, but take care about the excursions they offer - you can get the same trip few dollars less nearby.
Miami Beach is nicer then 20 years ago - many Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive were renovated.
It is lovely 25 deg Celsius, warm sea and sun. Good time to relax...
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Dec 06, 2013 08:00 PM We are close to the end of the cruise!
The sea is calmer today and they opened the promenade on the deck 7 for walkers. We are heading to Miami, Florida. It is the last day at sea. The cruise staff is delivering to the cabins the passengers bills. What do you think - how looks the backpacker's bill. I believe that they are always surprised by my bill: no drinks, no duty-free shopping, no shore excursions...
Balance to be paid: zero I am here not to be milked, but just to see new places on the route.
It is time to pack-up again my backpack. In the evening we had an interesting show in the ship's theatre. Russian artists were the best!!
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Dec 05, 2013 08:00 PM It is rocking in the sea!
Already in the night after leaving Cartagena the Caribbean S Sea gave us a tiring lesson: high waves and strong wind from the east. The anchor was hitting the body of the ship from time to time - I did not sleep well. That's life in the sea...
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Dec 04, 2013 08:00 PM Charming Cartagena - Colombia
As you know I visited all the countries in the Caribbean.
Today, after short visit in the Cartagena I can say - it is the nicest old town in the Caribbean - at least for me. UNESCO World Heritage site.
I am sorry that I haven´t been here before.
Imagine walled old town with old churches and plazas. Painted in bright colors houses with charming balconies, and it is all alive!
The only thing I do not like are street vendors and guides offering souvenirs, water, cigars and many other services.
It is very hot and the sun is strong - I make a lot of pictures and I plan to to publish them soon,so you will know how beautiful is old Cartagena. See my picture at the San Felipe castle :)
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Dec 03, 2013 08:00 PM Great views of Panama Canal
They announced that the pilot will board the ship at 5.30 am. Get up!
Those of us who were on a deck at 6 am were awarded by the nice view of Panama sunrise.
Enjoying the Panama City skyline we sailed under the Puente Americas (bridge connecting north and south America) to the first Lock in Miraflores.
Years ago I was in Panama and visited the canal but the view from the tall ship is completly different!
We passed through the 2 locks in Miraflores heading to the third one in Pedro Miguel. It took the ship to the level plus 26 m. After there were some 13 kms of Culebra Cut -
the most narrow and most picturesque part of 80-kms transit. Hardest construction works took place here - more then 5000 people lost their lifes - mostly from tropical diseases.
Later we sailed through the Lake Gatun with many islands and many ships waiting in the line.
In Gatun Locks in three phases we descended back to the level of the ocean. It was 4 pm when we sailed offthe last lock. I spent almost all day on the deck. It was extremely hot and humid - I was forced again to protect my neck by scarf (see picture). But what a day! One more dream came true!
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Dec 02, 2013 08:00 PM On the way to Panama
The sky is partly cloudy today and the temperature felt down to "only" 28 deg.Celsius.
I went to swim in the pool - it was not crowded today and I was delighted when the band from Jamaica was playing on the steel drums my favorite Carribean piece - "Island in the Sun".
They also serve here unlimited icecream - I like it with fruits and smuggled rum, but how much of the icecream you can eat? :)
In the early afternoon as a frequent NCL passenger I have been invited to the captain's party. The band was playing in the lounge, every guest received free coctail or the glass of wine. The captain had a 10-minutes speach and then escaped. Band was playing two more pieces and they escaped too. Cruise staff encouraged us to pay deposit for the next cruise with the same company
No chance to talk with the captain. Is he so busy? But not busy to pose for the 20-dollars pictures offered by the ship's Paparazzis!
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Dec 01, 2013 08:00 PM Costa Rica
34 deg Celsius in the shade.
I am in Puntaarenas in Costa Rica. The little town is located on the peninsula. You can walk around to see all attractions in one hour. Beaches has black, volcanic sand.
Unspoiled nature is the main attraction of this region. Local operators offer the private tours to the jungle - the cost of transport is 25 USD plus 25 USD for the river boat. -There will be plenty of tropical birds to see from the boat. But they do not guarantee the crocodile.
I have been before to the Costa Rica so I prefere to save this money and to walk around watching the everyday life of the people.
The day after tomorrow we plan to cross Panama Canal!
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Nov 29, 2013 08:00 PM Chiapas - Mexico
This was tiring night, For the first time we experienced heavy storm at sea.
My cabin also for the first time is on the bow. So there was more jumping in my bed than I expected. But in the morning when we reached Puerto Chiapas the see was already quite .
I never been to Chiapas, I recognized before from the map, that the lonely pier of Puerto Chiapas is far from everything. Even nearest beach is far... People from the ship pay for the expensive tours to get to the tourist attractions.
What the backpackers should do? In the stylish terminal shack I found local tour operator. You will recognize his people by orange shirts. For just 25 USD he offered the tour to Tuxtla Chico - Izapa Mayan Ruins - Tapachula. It is like a 1/4 of the cost of the ship tour. I enjoyed this tour - especially the cozy town of Tuxtla where they demonstrated how they made the chocolate. Tuxtla still has authentic atmosphere of the Mexican old provincial town. Volcano Tacana on the border with Guatemala is just nearby...
It was another great day!
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Nov 28, 2013 08:00 PM Huatulco - a little paradise
Huatulco - a little charming port on the Mexican Pacific coast has no airport - that's why it is so quite. Tropical green around. Lazy atmosphere and peaceful people. Add few wonderful beaches and you will have the image of the tropical paradise.
We are in Huatulco today. It is the time for the walk to the distance beach (taking plenty of water because it is hot, hot, hot) Then to climb the hill above the bay for the view. And to spend few pesos for the souvenirs. At the little Plaza there is a open air cafe and they have wi-fi networt - very weak, but spending here an hour you will be able to send few messages. Huatulco is far from the world...
After yesterday's day at sea my neck is red and it was necessary to protect it from the sun today - I used elegant napkin from our restaurant :) Why not? This is emergency situation!
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