Back on Solid Ground

Well the ship arrived  back in Fort Lauderdale Port at 0700 and we had received notification that our disembarkation time would be 09.20, so time enough to have breakfast on the balcony even though it was overlooking the port and not some beautiful Island.
We received a notice from the Bridge that we had travelled 2591 miles, the crew of 851 was made up of 44 Nationalities, and all together we consumed 25200 eggs, of which Jennifer and I claim we had about ten.
It would appear that on last nights dinner pre-ordered to avoid GARLIC something went wrong and their must have been garlic on either the salmon carpaccio or the Lamb Shank as later in the evening I started getting some problems. I will be taking this up most strongly with the Shipping Line when I return to the UK. This unfortunately impacted on my sleep patterns so I was not in the best condition first thing in the morning.
Anyhow they called our code at dead on 0920 and we left the ship down the gangplank (not quite) and in to the customs hall to find our bags. It was clear to us we would need some help as we had two large suitcases, two roller bags, a large NEW sports bag, and two backpacks and a camera bag, nothing like travelling light?? and we waived over a porter with his large trolley. I must add at this point that Noel was using his walking stick to aid movement and so we followed the baggage porter and he went direct to the US Customs Channel via the disabled route and so we did not have to join the 200 other people patiently waiting in line to pass through customs. So this was amazing, so from leaving the cabin and back in US outside the terminal loading a cab was not more than fifteen minutes, amazing, so I gave him an extra tip. From there we went to the Airport to collect our Thrifty Rental Car which again only took a few minutes and a very relaxed receptionist upgraded our car and we ended up with another Kia Sportage which was great as Noel did not have to learn all the knobs and levers again.

Hyatt Place Hotel Fort Lauderdale

We had originally planned to perhaps go shopping or a drive up the coast but we were both a bit tired and so we went to the Hotel to see if we could check in around 10.45 AM instead of after 15.00 which we could after a small additional payment for what turned out to be quite a large room. After a couple of hours rest and the all important cup of tea, yes we bring our own teabags and mini kettle with us, we were beginning to get a bit hungry but did not want a huge meal. Next to the Hotel was a nice and expensive Italian Restaurant (probably stuffed with Garlic) but a bit further, thirty paces away, was an ‘Outback’ Steak House which are not perfect but still we have used them several times and so in we went. We explained to our rather large male waiter my problem about garlic etc and he really took this on board and after discussing the menu he pointed all the dishes that had garlic or may have garlic in it and so I decided upon a house salad and a rib eye steak. The salad arrived via another waiter who deposited the salad with garlic croutons on it, I could live with that as I could remove them, and so started eating the salad. A few moments later our waiter appeared and said ‘Oh No’ that not right and whipped my salad away and returned moments later with anew one devoid of croutons.
The main course arrived and he said that he had instructed the Chef to get a new clean pan to do my steak and not use one that had garlic in it, most thoughtful this guy and so I gave him an extra tip for his interest in my issues, pity he was not our steward on board. To be frank we spent the afternoon relaxing and in the evening watching a couple of films on HBO. However Noel was also busy organising a meet with an ex colleague who live South of Miami in Coral Gables and fixing a taxi to meet us at Gatwick Airport on Saturday lunchtime. We had a ‘What's App’ call with Joanne and Katherine who were in Dunster.
Tomorrow will be a much busiier day as we have a little shopping to do and then head slowly down the coast to Miami where we will have a light lunch in the main drag overlooking the sea with all the old classical style buildings and then visit a few other places before meeting for dinner in Coral Gables.  Should be a nice day.

Of course there has been another shooting at a Florida School by an ex student armed with a fully automatic weapon on St Valentines Day (Massacre)
The USA must DO something to stop this happening.

NB Will next week update blog with additional photos.