Today is debarkation day. I’m taking a tour to the rainforest with drop-off at the airport.
My alarm went off at 5:15 so I could get going and be at the Epic theater by 7:15 am. Yes, I don’t like to rush.
Debarkation Morning
I had a hard time sleeping last night. At first, it was due to the noise of the stewards collecting all the luggage in that narrow hallway and then there was a lot of ship movement. We must have been going full speed.
After getting dressed, and packing away my CPAP I enjoyed a cup of the expresso/cappuccino I’d been making all week in the studio lounge. I then went to the buffet but first stopped to slide an envelope under the door for C with the money for yesterday’s excursion. Forgot to give it to her last night.
I was surprised to find the buffet wasn’t busy at this early hour. My selection was fried egg, corned beef hash (overcooked), and a biscuit with gravy.
After breakfast, I went to my cabin for the last time to brush my teeth and pack up the few remaining items. I put everything that can go into my checked suitcase in the laundry bag so I could easily move it once I get it.
Then I went to the photo gallery to see about my embarkation photo which wasn’t delivered. They made me a new print in about 10 minutes and then I was off to the Epic theater to wait for my excursion.
El Yunque Excursion
The tour left about five minutes late and I was surprised how many people were taking it. I found my bag and went through immigration/customs. They were using facial recognition.
Then I moved the laundry bag to my suitcase and dropped my suitcase at the truck that was taking them to the airport. This was the first time I’ve had my bags travel separately.
I was assigned the first minibus and it was tight quarters and every seat was filled. Our driver was Lisa who was wonderful. She talked the entire time but full of information and a lot of fun.
We got to the rainforest about 8:45. El Yunque is a national park but sure seems to need some funding to open up more trails and oversights.
The first stop was a waterfall.
They hadn’t had much rain so it wasn’t as full as normal. We had 15 minutes here but all were back early.
Our second stop was bano grande where the only restroom break for the trip was found.
After going to the restrooms, we had time to explore the pond, bridge, and other scenery here.
Total time was 25 minutes.
Then we made our third and final stop at a tower.
I climbed two thirds of the way for the incredible view.
I enjoyed the lush forest plants and trees.
These trees with orange flowers are a favorite.
Back on the bus for the trip back to the airport. This sculpture we passed represents the indigenous people, the taino, of Puerto Rico.
This is Roberto Clemente baseball stadium.
Once at the airport we were dropped in front of the baggage. It was all neat in rows except I couldn’t find mine. After everyone was gone it was located off on its own to the side. I think someone grabbed it accidentally and brought it partially back.
Oh well, no harm. Then I went inside and ran it through the agrituculture heck along with my cpap bag and backpack. Purses don’t have to go through.
Debark Afternoon
I can’t check my bags until 2:50 pm and it’s only 11:20. So I decide to get lunch. Luckily I found an open table in the Carls Jr. and bought a famous star combo.
It was messy but good and expensive. The combo cost me $15.93!
After lunch I tried to find somewhere to sit for the next 3 hours. At first I could only find a spot on the floor. Eventually more people could go through security and I was able to secure a seat. There is very little seating in the check in area which is a pity.
Finally it was time to check in bags for my flight and I just had a short line to print the bag tag and get it dropped.
Only had a couple of people in front of me in the TSA precheck line.
Then it was wait again but this time lots of seating.
Debark Evening
Around 5:30 I went to a restaurant for dinner.
I had the chicken pasta and a mojito.
Very expensive but tasty. I had a good view of the tarmac.
Dessert was peanut m&m’s from a kiosk. At least internet was free but you had to resign in every half hour. Eventually it was time to board. I had checked in during dinner last night and was thrilled to have gotten an A boarding spot.
Kudos to this girl dad rocking all the carryons for his family.
I took a window seat so I could rest my head. Two ladies that had been on my sailing sat next to me. Unusual for me was sleeping the entire flight. The plane did land about 5 minutes early in Orlando after a somewhat bumpy flight.
I’m spending tonight at a nearby hotel before taking a shuttle to Daytona Beach tomorrow morning. Once the luggage arrived, I called the hotel and was told where to find their shuttle. It was coming to A4 and I was at A40. Okay.
Got there a few minutes before the shuttle and it was a quick trip to the hotel. I checked in and reserved space on the 8 am shuttle back to the airport. After buying a bottle of water ($3 plus tax) I retreated to my room for a short night.
The room was very nice and I wish I had more time to enjoy it.
Here is today’s disembarkation information. Click the image for the full PDF.
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