The New Year brought something exciting and new to us – a cruise. The only way E was to ever get G on a boat was to include some kind of music – thus a 7 day Jazz Cruise in the Gulf. We departed from Ft. Lauderdale – so our ‘cruising cousins’ Julie and Mike came from Sarasota to spend a few days visiting, giving us cruise tips and to see us off. We had several days of sightseeing, eating, visiting, eating, visiting – you get the drill! One adventure before the BIG cruise was a river boat ride along the inner coastal – –
Thanks to Cousins Julie & Mike for showing us the sights around southern Florida.
With lots more animals – again different from our norm – –
Big time reptiles.
Why would anyone do that???
And LOTS of BIG yachts!!!
Several Magics could fit on this yacht.
Finally it was time for us to board and to be on our way. The cruise was acquired thru a silent auction at a fundraiser for The Musical Instrument Museum. So, you can imagine there was LOTS of music. And there was – Jazz from noon to midnight every day going in three different venues (sometimes 4). One could come and go if trying to see another act at the same time – whether vocals, drums, brass, strings – it was all there.
Leaving Ft. Lauderdale for a week of great music.
Sometimes outside around the pool – –
There was always music – even at the Pool Parties.
And lots of venues inside – –
In the ships theater and many other spots, both large and small..
Although there was plenty of listening to do onboard, we also had the opportunity to see several Mayan ruins on the daily excursions.
Costa Maya was a “Disneyland Port” – an area constructed specifically for the cruise ships. And we suspect specifically because the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins were just opened to the public (in 2002) with no way to get people to them!
Chacchoben was a Mayan settlement that flourished about 350AD, but dates to 200BC. The site was officially reported in 1972 and excavated and restored beginning in 1994 and continuing today. A short bus ride away from the port we saw this ancient history.
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins in the Yucatan.
Even older than us!!
The ruins were something to see – Costa Maya, not so much;-(
Next stop for us was Cozumel and the Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins, which are a UNESCO site. Again – quite an experience. We could have easily spent a day here but, the ship’s schedule did not allow that. In fact – this was the biggest disappointment of the trip as we traveled 7 hrs only to have 50 minutes at this site:-(!!! It was something to see and, as said, a whole day here would have been wonderful.
Chichen Itza was one of the largest pre-Columbian cities and existed from 600AD – 1200AD. It was a major regional capital, centralizing and dominating political and economic life in the northern Maya lowlands. Due to its size, population, and period of existence the architecture here is diverse.
El Castillo – the main Temple at Chichen Itza.
It is amazing how advanced they were in their building and incorporating the sun and astrological calendars into their structures. During the spring equinox the sun hits the right-hand ‘steps’ of the building and create a ‘light’ serpent down the edge of the stairs ending at the serpent’s head at the bottom. AMAZING!!
This site was a HUGE complex! Unfortunately, we only saw a portion of it – and saw that in a rush.
The old marketplace.
Lots of carved images.
The Great Ball Court – one of 13!
If you are ever in Cozumel – do NOT miss this.
As is true of all good things – this too had to come to an end. But, there was still one more day of Jazz, good food and new friends.
One of our favorites – Cyrille Aimee.
A champagne farewell with friends.
The music was wonderful and the Mayan sites were something to see. All in all – G said he would do it again. In fact – we are already signed up for a Panama Canal cruise next April;-) Who knew?!?!
E & G Sailing off into the Sunset
Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour 