for a couple of weeks on a tall ship . . .

But, alas, you can only endure so much looting and plundering (not to mention the constant drone of the theme from “Gilligan’s Island” playing in your head) until you must put away your eye patch and cutlass and sail off into the sunset of reality . . .

   Ahoy Mates                                                                    May 2, 2001

Each day, in true pirate tradition, we put the wenches to work raising sails and headed out in search of adventure . . .

In our particular case it meant a return to Orlando and our motorhome.   But . . . after 2 grueling days at “home” we decided we needed another break and booked passage on one of those air-going contraptions for a couple of weeks in . . . California!   So you better watch out, friends and family, cuz we’re closing in on ya!   See ya soon mateys, Chuck and Kalyn

The Mandalay is a 240’ sailing ship with a crew of about 30 and 50 rowdy passengers (including us).   We picked up the ship in Antigua and spent the next 2 weeks sailing south to Grenada along the coast of South America.  In addition to all the tourist-type activities available, such as tours of the various islands and snorkeling, we also participated in pari-mutuel hermit crab races, on board boat races, daily rations of rum every afternoon at 5 pm and even raised the Jolly Roger one evening in honor of our Caribbean Pirate party.  At one point I mounted a one man mutiny, had the captain out-maneuvered and nearly took over the ship (you can see the fear in his eyes) . . .

And in the evening, we would have gourmet meals in fancy dress and tuxedos . . .

Ahoy mates!   Welp, we’re still in Orlando . . . kinda!   After a month visiting all the Disney freebies in the area (Disney Boardwalk, Downtown Disney, Paradise Island) and exploring all the local restaurants, 21 screen movie theater and “theme” shopping centers we decided to take a break from this hectic life and spend some time at sea.  So . . . off we went to the West Indies . . .