DAY 23---SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA

 

                                

We anchored off from downtown Santa Barbara at 10:30 this morning.  We will be using tenders (ship's life boats) to go the about 2 miles to shore.  Most of the tours will be departing around 11:30 but they may be delayed while the gangway is set and life boats lowered.  So far it is overcast, hazy skies and 64 degrees.  Hopefully the sun will burn this off later this afternoon.  Well, no sun in afternoon either!

LAST NIGHT:

                                                                      Flight of three

                                                           Shrimp cocktails to start with.

This beef Wellington melted in our mouths.

                                            "Christmas tree" with petit fours after dinner.

                   Pecan pie cheesecake for my dessert.  I could only eat half of it however.

TODAY:

        At 9:15 this morning we ran into a big school of dolphins.  They were right below our balcony and seemed to be swimming along with the ship.  They followed us for a half hour. There were hundreds playing.  I recommend you click on these photos to enlarge them for better viewing of them.

                                                   This is the best photo of one in the air.

      It was difficult to catch them in the air as back in the water before I could click the photo.  Mahi mahi better not be on tomorrow's menu!!!  LOL

        We hit the fitness center this morning.  Lunch in Compass Rose at noon.

                                          Mary Rose served us today.  She is very sweet.

We were surprised to see this young man, Komang.  He just got on in San Francisco.  His wife is also a bar waitress and on board with him.  They were both on our world cruise earlier this year and will be on our world cruise beginning in January next year.

I had this appetizer, roasted and sliced veal loin with a tuna-caper cream sauce.  Ok, but not award winning.

Lasagna bolognese for my entree.  Kind of small so I ran up to La Veranda and grabbed a slice of pizza.

        At 1:30 I went down to take the tender ashore.  It was just a 15 minute ride and not that rocky.  My mission was to get some spiced cherry bitters for my Manhattans.  I prefer and brought half a small bottle of Woodford Reserve spiced cherry bitters on board with me but ran out last night.  I had found two liquor stores on Google Maps so headed for them when on shore.  I walked a total of 2 1/2 miles (I have a walk app on my phone) and returned with this.  Walk took me 45 minutes and I was back on board Mariner at 3pm.

        Not exactly what I wanted but hopefully it will do.  Way too much for just 9 days.  Jeff will be bringing a bottle of WR spiced cherry bitters with him for me.  I will donate the above to Viktoria, our favorite bartender.

        Here are some photos I took in town.

                                    The coastline was lined with small hotels and restaurants.

This is State Street which seemed to be the main one as it was lined with restaurants and bars.

                                                                 Interesting looking tree

           Further down State St it was blocked off for traffic.  Just pedestrians and restaurants.

         Tried to frame our ship between the palm trees but hazy day messed my photo up.

                                                           Beach along the coast.

        I wore a t-shirt with flannel shirt over it this afternoon.  Way too much as I was sweating so now another shower is required.

        Siva will be bringing our pigs at 6pm.  I will have a Grey Goose martini or two, and of course, chardonnay for Rebecca.  I am about to kill the Goose.  Will have Siva bring me another bottle when it is gone.  Dinner in Compass Rose.  Again we call this The Last Supper as this segment ends in LA tomorrow.  Anatoli, our general manager, says 36 of us will be staying on for the next segment.  Rest will be newbies.  We have made a special order for panko coated tiger prawns as our entrees tonight.

        Big game tomorrow on CBS 12:30 west coast time.  Tennessee Vols vs Alabama Crimson Tide.  Alabama is #3 in country and Tennessee is #6.  Rebecca loves both teams but will be routing for the Vols.  We should be able to stream the game with our Paramount + app.

        We sail at 8pm for a short trip down the the Port of Los Angeles where we will be docked by 7am.