"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report # 3 The Journey Begins............January 2, 2016 Saturday Still cold in the high 20"s

Sent: Sunday, January 3, 2016 5:39:59 AM
Subject: FW: Report # 3 The Journey Begins............January 2, 2016 Saturday Still cold in the high 20"s

From: Bill and MaryAnn Barry [mailto:mojomajorspooky@earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 3, 2016 5:40 AM
To: 'abdbea@ix.netcom.com' <abdbea@ix.netcom.com>; 'bobminkel@hotmail.com' <bobminkel@hotmail.com>; 'Greg & Amy Lamoreaux' <gregamylamoreaux@yahoo.com>; 'mcreteur@aol.com' <mcreteur@aol.com>; 'piazza6@comcast.net' <piazza6@comcast.net>; 'VISTAPAY@aol.com' <VISTAPAY@aol.com>
Subject: Report # 3 The Journey Begins............January 2, 2016 Saturday Still cold in the high 20"s

Report # 3 The Journey Begins……….January 2, 2016 Saturday Still cold in the high 20's

Ready or not, here we go! The day began early, with a 6:30 am pick-up with a local shuttle company from our home to the San Francisco Airport. Since our flight with Jet Blue was around 10:30am, we did not have to leave in the wee hours of the morning. Usually, the flights leave around 8am, so that means hardly sleeping at all the night before in order to be picked up at 5am.

The good news was that it was a non-commute day, and the traffic was very light. Our biggest concern this time of year is fog, which can delay flights. Today there was none. The skies were cloudy, presenting us with a beautiful orange sunrise. It was obvious that rain would be on the way, probably by tomorrow. Great……….we need it, lots of it.

This was our first experience flying with Jet Blue, and we were impressed. There was no line at the desk, and within 10 minutes we had checked in and offloaded the luggage. Because we booked this flight back when each of us got one bag free, there was no charge. That would be the last time, because they charge now like all the other airlines. One of our bags was a tad over the 50# limit, but the nice agent let it slide. Unlike the last time we flew from San Diego, and had to remove socks and underwear to lighten the bags a few ounces.

Now the good news was that we both got the pre TSA check, where we did not have to remove shoes or small liquids from our carry-ons. However, one of us has to wear a back brace, so that merited a double check on the side. In hindsight, it could have been removed and put through the xray machine. It all checked out OK, but while I was detained, the agent thought it was a good time to do a swab test for chemicals or whatever. Came up negative, of course. Always a new experience when you least expect it.

We had enough time to grab a bite for breakfast. You would probably never guess what we had? A margherita pizza! The terminal had a place called Firewood, and they had a real honest-to-goodness wood-fired oven. Couldn't resist it, since they offered it 24 hours. The Peet's coffees sure tasted good too.

To satisfy the sweet tooth, we went across the terminal to Il Fornaio for a frosted cinnamon bun….equally as good. And just in case there was absolutely no food on the plane, we picked up a couple bags of cornnuts and chips. The flight time would be over 5 hours, getting us into Ft. Lauderdale at 6:45pm. Dinnertime for us.

The agents filled the plane from back to front, with the exceptions of babies and wheelchairs, and perhaps business class, which, truthfully, we did not see. It wasn't a huge plane, maybe 150 passengers, but it was straight through, hard to find on the major carriers these days.

A nice thing was that we had unlimited sodas, waters, and a selection of small packages of snacks. Pretzels, chips, popcorn chips, and cookies were the choices. It was enough. And for the first time ever, there were no carts pushed by the attendants, blocking the aisles. They took your order, then walked back with it. More exercise for them, and much more convenient for the guests.

Just so we remember, there were small TV's in the seat in front of us. Movies cost $5. each, but you could also access a large number of familiar stations. You would have to had to know that you needed earphones to hear it, however. They would supply them for $5. Do you know how many of those ear things we have at home from previous flights? A lot of good they do sitting in a drawer. They are small enough to leave in your purse, just in case. Of course, if you have that equipment with cell phones and the like, then maybe they work as well. Reading an old-fashioned book also works well to pass the time.

Except for a few bumps from some turbulence, the flight was uneventful. Great. The fun would start when we got off the plane and went to the baggage area. People were still getting their luggage from a previous flight, so we had to wait. Just as well, because there was no sign of the HAL reps anywhere to be seen. Eventually, our two pieces appeared, always good to see. No one likes to have to put in a search for missing bags, as we have done on some past trips.

So we waited, then began to worry that HAL forgot us. We were about ready to hail a taxi, when we thought to ask the airport people to page the reps. Lo and behold, two reps did show up, although they said they never heard the page. At this point, they were close to an hour late. Their excuse was that they were helping other people get their rides from earlier flights. Hmmmm, now their problem became ours. And we weren't alone, since another couple from another flight ran into the same problem we did. They were not happy campers.

We remember the days when the HAL reps were waiting for you, with huge handcarts to take your luggage, then lead you to a waiting transport of some kind. Today, it was like the blind leading the blind. Two reps simply were not enough to handle four or more flights coming in around the same time. So we guess this is a sign of a cutback? Someone at the cruise lines needs to know that it adds stress where there should be none. We don't mind waiting for the van or bus, but at least be there on time to greet us and give us directions. From what we could gather, this couple of employees had to take orders from someone else, before ordering our rides to the hotels. By now, our group had increased to about eight or ten people, all going different places.

Finally, a bus pulled up, and the driver agreed to take four of us, thinking we were all going to the same hotel. We were not. Once our luggage was stored, we all boarded the bus, only to find out the other couple had to get off and go on another bus. Boy, they sure were not happy about that. They just looked at us, sighed, and shrugged their shoulders, limping off the bus. We wished them luck. So off we went, just the two of us for a 20 minute ride up the freeway to the Renaissance Plantation Hotel.

It turned out to be a good time to check in…….there was no line, no crowd. Since we have stayed here before, we knew the lay of the land. Hungry by now, we dumped our stuff in the room, and headed off for a sports bar/restaurant, a short walk from the hotel. We ordered cheeseburgers and sodas, and were served rather quickly, considering it was after 9pm and the place was busy.

Anyway, we are here safely, and will look forward to a couple of days to kick back and get acclimated to the slightly muggy, warm weather. Heard on the news there may be showers. Of course, the umbrellas are in the shipped luggage, duh.

To be continued………….

Bill & Mary Ann

Yes, a margherita pizza for breakfast