We're only in port today until 2 pm. Decided to take the shuttle into town - the shuttle was provided by the community Acajutla. Unfortunately our bus arrived at the Botanical Gardens and many onboard wanted to go to the city Centre instead. The city centre was two stops away and the 
poor shuttle driver tried her best to appease everyone - my first experience this trip of toxic tourists. Adrian and I got off the bus and walked around, as much to get out of the environment as anything else. The Botanical Gardens weren't what we 're used to but you could certainly see the potential. The ocean and waves were lovely and we had an early lunch of grilled shrimp and beer before returning to the ship. Love to come back someday and get to see more! This particular location isn't one we'd return to but we also didn't want to take the longer ships tours so we made that choice.
After we sail at 2pm we have 2 days at sea - so posting will likely be intermittent, and we lose another hour - on Sunday we'll only be 1 hour behind NS.

Today we docked in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. As often happens when cruising the port is primarily a container port and there's nothing right here to see. We ended up sharing a cab with a couple from England and making the 1 1/2 hour drive to Antigua, a heritage community.
The drive was pretty bumpy and long but the community was lovely. Very much in Mexican style you can't really tell what's there by the street facades - beautiful ornate doors behind which are often hidden lovely courtyards surrounded by shops or homes.
We had a wonderful lunch - shrimp tacos for me, and some local beer! We enjoyed walking the cobble streets and the town square where everyone gathers to socialize. . Shout out to my niece-in-law Shannon who loves tacos and immediately came to mind at lunch and also to Norman and Sara - couldn't resist a shot of the Why Not? Hotel!
Adrian and I decided today that we should rate our ports (places we visit) as much for our own ability to remember where we'd like to return to as anything elseWe'd both return to Guatemala and visit Antigua and similar communities again - not from a port though.
Adrian and Lynn  3 stars

Today is 90 degrees and sunny! We docked in Puerto Chiapas, but which actually turned out to be Tapachula. Adrian had some work to do this morning after our gym so we didn't leave to see the port until after 1 pm. Seems that there was no community to walk to from the port, only a shuttle to Tapachula. The lovely shuttle operator tried to tell us that it was a 40 minute ride to town and the last shuttle back was at 3pm - but we decided to go anyway and maybe take a taxi back - turns out Tapachula wasn't interesting enough for us to get off the bus - we ended up just coming back!
Today is Tuesday though - and we with fingers crossed we went to afternoon tea. last week we went to afternoon for the first time on Tuesday and they had the most delicious macaron style treats, coffee flavoured that we went back to tea the next two days looking for them. I finally remembered that ship menus rotate and that maybe Tuesdays were always the day for our treat - and I was right!! Had 2 today but now I know when to show up I'm hoping one will be enough next week. It's rare for me to find a treat that's worth the calories but this one definitely is.  We followed it with a 30 minute walk hoping we may be hungry in time for dinner...tomorrow Guatemala.

We've decided to add a rating to each port - because the ship docks sometimes a long way from anything interesting that may influence our score!
Adrian  - * star 
Lynn - * star

Today is a sea day and also a very special day for us! While we met in November of 2020 our relationship really began when we self-isolated together on Adrian's return to Mahone Bay after spending Christmas with his family in Calgary.
Saturday night, January 23, 2021 Adrian arrived on my doorstep to self-isolate during the pandemic - the invitation to self-isolate with me was a huge, largely out of character, move for me and we were both pretty nervous! Prior to Christmas we'd only seen each other a few times! Needless to say we've never looked back and now here we are just 2 years later, going around the world together, spending 180 days in a 200 sq foot cabin! I'm one of the few people for whom the pandemic was a blessing. Full of gratitude!
What a great day - we started by spotting sea turtles from our balcony as we enjoyed our morning coffee! This was followed by dolphin sightings at lunch, more turtles, flying fish and birds. Fabulous sunset and a lovely dinner in the dining room. 
Today the ship announced we wouldn't be stopping in Peru - we've been waiting for them to finally say something as it's been pretty clear, based on the news, that we wouldn't be stopping since before we left home. This change will give us an extra overnight stop in Guayaquil, Ecuador. 

Almost forgot - finished my second book today - loved this one but I am a thriller fan. Lots of twists and turns and I didn't guess the ending!

Fabulous day today in Acapulco, beautiful 31 degree weather! After a late start we had a great lunch on the beach, followed by a walking tour of the waterfront and more beer! Both of us got lots of sun - maybe too much! Adrian's practicing his guitar and I'm reading my book. Off to the gym next and then we'll be on our deck to watch us sail away at 5:30 pm. Tomorrow we have a sea day! 

Today we anchored at Zihuatanejo, which the the less touristy side with Ixtapa the better known tourist area. We started the day with our first room service breakfast - likely not our last!
This was our first chance to use the tenders to travel to shore and my first excursion. Adrian's already swum with dolphins but this was a new adventure for me. The dolphin swim was in Ixtapa and although very disorganized I had a fabulous time, lots of photos in the gallery.
In the afternoon Adrian and I walked the beach Zihuatanejo, had a lovely very late lunch and returned to ship on the last tender. Enjoyed a late dinner, given our late lunch and went to our first show in the Insignia Lounge - Matt Marcy Comedic Magician - he's part comedian and all magician! Neither of us loved the performance - maybe just too tired from the day!

Lovely day in Manzanillo! Weather is warming up everyday and today was beautiful. We didn't arrive until 11 am and Adrian's still working so it was a tad after that when we went ashore. We had a few errands to do but had a fabulous lunch by the water followed by a walk on the beach and some beer!! Oh and a wonderful view of the pelicans diving for food. I finished my first book today - great read - "Looking for Jane"

Sunset from out cabin - starboard side. We've lost an hour both of our sea days so we're not only two hours behind NS. Getting warmer and sunnier everyday - we're enjoying lazy days, sleeping in, exercising in the gym and meeting a few people. We've tried the Italian specialty restaurant, Toscana, twice so far - okay but not better than the main dining room. We haven't joined in any cruise games/events yet, although we're thinking about relearning Bridge. We both used to play, many moons ago.
Internet is spotty at best - we both can't be online at the same time so Adrian and his work trumps me - he's napping so I have snuck in some online time! Tomorrow is our second port Manzanilla - looking forward to it! Below are a few more pics of the ship, not much else to take picture of while we're at sea, gym, cards room, internet cafe and the quartet that plays for afternoon tea!

Our first stop in Mexico is Ensenada - weather was cool, wet and windy so we just did a quick port walk - both Adrian and I have been here before. 

View of our ship!

Amazing first day - weather still a bit iffy but lot of time to begin exploring the ship. We spent a few minutes on our balcony enjoying the sea and managed to see a seal and then magically a whale. In all my cruising I have never seen a whale - I am enjoying Adrian's beginner's luck. The ship isn't full - somewhere in the 500+ passenger range with over 300 of us doing the full 180 days. 
We occupied ourselves by exploring the ship - more pictures to come. We've only eaten in the Grand Dining room so far - great food, small portions so no worries eating more than one course! I had the best macaron ever at afternoon tea - may need to be a new daily habit. The weather's been a bit cool but the sun came out in the afternoon so we tried the hot tub. From the pictures you'll see hardly anyone was out and about. The ship gave us hats - which we modelled as you're not  likely to be seen in them!
The evening was capped off with the Captain's welcome party - Tuesday we stop in Ensenada Mexico and then 2 days at sea. Internet on the ship has been terrible so our communication will be spotty...