Thread: Live from ms Ryndam - Sea of Cortez/Mexican Riviera 13-23 FEB 09

Enjoyed reading your review! Love reading the menu's it reminds me why I diet in between cruises. lol I have a cruise planed for Thanksgiving week in the Mexican Rivera.

WED 18 FEB 09 – Day Six – Topolobampo, Jalisco


We were on a shorex tour called ‘Bay, Birds & Dolphins Cruise’ and had picked one (11:00 AM) of three (the others being 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM) departure times.

Waiting for us at the end of the concrete dock was medium-size motor yacht named ‘Yate Fiesta’. El Capitan soon fired up his engine and we took off on a 2-hour, or was it a 3-hour? tour in the Bay of Topolobampo. We basically wound up rounding the spit of land on which the cruise dock and adjoining yacht club/coast guard/navy base was located, past the Ryndam and towards the town of Topolobampo. On the way, we watched gray herons, cormorants and pelicans.

Passing the town, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle of a pod (not pot) of approx. twelve to fourteen Pacific Bottle-nosed dolphins of various sizes. According to Mark, one male was at least a six-footer but their also were several smaller females, some with off-spring. When our little boat picked up speed, at least two dolphins would immediately position themselves in front of the bow of Yate Fiesta to ‘ride it’ until the boat would slow down again. While riding the bow, they would periodically come up for air for great viewing. We stayed there, along with a smaller boat from ‘Topo’, for close to 30 minutes enjoying the playful dolphins. The captain then set a course for ‘Bird Island’, a government-protected bird sanctuary located in the adjoining Bahia Ohuira. After arriving there, we cruised its eastern shore line and watched the hundreds of pelicans, cormorants, herons, turkey vultures, boobies (my personal favorite) and other species for about twenty minutes.

Awrighty then, the next order of business for us was a dinner reservation at 8:00 PM in the Pinnacle Grill.
The current PG Menu, changed last year, is as follows:

The Beginning:
French Onion Soup King Louis XV
Lobster Bisque
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad
Caesar Salad
Dungeness Crab Cakes
Pinnacle Ocean Platter

The Grill:
Filet Mignon (petite -7 oz- or Pinnacle -10 oz- Cut)
New York Strip Steak
Bone-In Rib Eye Steak
Porterhouse Steak
Rib Eye Steak
Colorado Lamb Chop
Gilled Veal Chop
Chicken Breast
Filet Steak Diane
Filet Mignon Burger

Side Dishes:
Creamed Spinach
Sautéed Button Mushrooms
Sautéed Onions
Asparagus
Basmati Rice
Scalloped Potatoes
Whipped Potatoes
Jumbo Baked Idaho Potato
Shoestring Potatoes

Seafood:
Broiled King Salmon
Broiled or Poached Lobster Tail
Cedar Planked Black Cod with Shrimp Scampi

The Intrigue:
‘Land And Sea’ (filet mignon and jumbo prawns on whipped potatoes with garlic rosemary beurre blanc)
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
Roasted Vegetable Tower

Maria chose the Dungeness Crab Cake, followed by Grilled Veal Chop and a side dish of Asparagus. I had the Caesar Salad, followed by Fillet Steak Diane and a side dish of creamed spinach. We shared a side dish of scalloped potatoes as well as a bottle of Cold Creek Cabernet Sauvignon. Maria had Creamy Coconut Pie for dessert (she had seen that on the regular dining room menu and, although not on the regular PG menu, the PG staff was able to accommodate her to her delight) while I had two scoops of chocolate chip ice cream. The service fee is now back at $20 per person. Back to the cabin we went to change from a suit and tie for the PG to some tropical wear for the Lido Pool Party.

You see, since today was the aforementioned “Copper Canyon Day”, there was no other formal entertainment planned in the show lounge. Instead, we had something still relatively new on HAL, called “The Lido Pool Party”. This took place on, you guessed it, Lido Deck (mid-ship) Pool side from 9:30 until 11:00 PM. This pool party is not to be mistaken by the ‘Deck BBQ’ which has been taking place for years.

Oh yeah, there were some ‘pool games’ being played also. At one point, both the C/D and the Party Planner were asking for ‘six gentlemen and six ladies’. Some folks jumped right up and volunteered but they needed just three more guys so Jana, the party planner, came looking! Well, I figured I just put my head down and look at the floor for a couple of seconds and she’ll go away. Wrongo dongo! Very flawed theory! She spots me and makes a bee-line to our table, grabs my hand and basically man-handles me to the town square where I joined my five other hapless male folk. So the game goes as follows: six guys and six girls are lined up single file. We each get a deflated but supposedly working balloon. About twenty feet in front of the first lady sits DJ Dave on a chair facing that same first lady and the same distance in front of the first guys sits party planner Jana. Our instructions are to, upon the signal ‘go’, the first lady and the first guy will need to inflate their balloon, ‘the bigger, the better’ we are told. They/we are to then tie off said balloon, place same in between our respective thighs, wobble the distance to our waiting cruise staff, place said balloon on his/her lap, sit down on said balloon/lap and attempt to rapidly deflate and/or pop same. When that joyful event occurs, the next contestant can repeat the same process until the last contestant (me) has successfully completed the process. As added pressure, C/D Drew advises everybody that on the Ryndam, the ladies ‘always win’, nice!

So, the race starts and our first guy is good, very good, plus fast, so we have a lead. #2 through #5 keep that lead. Then it’s my turn so I start blowing (on my balloon). Now, I don’t know if it’s that constant thinking of “Nights in Rodanthe” but for the life of me, I can’t seem to get any air in that #$@% balloon and out of the corner of my eye, I see that last girl, a no doubt lady of an advanced age, gaining on me so now the pressure is on. “You can cheat” is what C/D Drew whispered at me right when I was about to start blowing, obviously realizing he’s got a Mulligan running anchor. For a moment, I contemplated using a leaping open field tackle dumping that rival contestant in the mid-ship Lido pool but somehow I came to my senses and, almost simultaneously, my balloon started filling with helium, or at least, used oxygen. I take off on a hobble with my balloon firmly in place in between my massive thighs, reach Jana, place that balloon on her massive……never mind, better not, and pop that bad boy for more than likely, Capt Smit to hear on the bridge, and the good guys win! Our price is an unopened yet ice cold bottle of Corona. I make a mental note to myself that on our next cruise and during our next Pool Party, I’m hiding somewhere in the back, waaaay back!

Called it a night shortly after the conclusion of that pool party, really a lot of fun! See ya tomorrow in Loreto, BCS!

THU 19 FEB 09 – Day seven – Loreto, Baja California Sur

During the night, Ryndam sailed on a west-northwesterly course across the Sea of Cortez towards the opposite shore and the Baja peninsula. We had some increase of the ship’s movement during the night, enough to wake us up around 4:15 AM and then fall asleep again as a result of the rolling movement. Ryndam then changed course to the southwest and anchored off Loreto, BCS around 8:00 AM. Today will be our first tendering operation of this cruise. Personally, I like tendering. I know it can be a hassle at times having to go get tender tickets and there’s some wait time but once on the tender, it gives you a true feeling that you are on a sea journey. Besides, if you have a chance to sit by any of the door openings, you have a great opportunity to take some descent pics of your ship.

The historic town of Loreto, known as “Concho” (“red mangrove”) in the indigenous language, is the oldest of the permanent European settlement in Baja (“lower”) California. Established in 1697 by Jesuits, Loreto, framed by the majestic Sierra de la Giganta mountain range, was the capital of Baja California (Baja was not yet divided into a North and South state then) until 1830 when the administrative center moved to La Paz where it remains today. In 1829, the town was just about completely destroyed by a hurricane, launching Loreto in obscurity. It wasn’t until 1974 that the Mexican government saw true potential and beauty in the small town. With government funds and a face lift, Loreto was ready to be put back on the map. Her current population is about 10,000 inhabitants.

We picked up a tender at A-Deck around 1:00 PM for the approximate 10-minute ride to the central town pier. We did notice that the wind had picked up substantially as we walked down the seafront Malecon. Took a right on Avenida Hidalgo, another right on Calle Madero, and wound up at the Plaza Civica which is just east of the Mision Nuestra Senora de Loreto Concho. At the corner of Calle Salvatierra and Madero is a quaint moderate-size hotel in deep terra cotta colors called Posada de las Flores. We had lunch in its small open air patio on the roof on our first visit to the Sea of Cortez back in 2002. Nowadays, the roof restaurant is only open for breakfast for hotel guest. There was also a lot of street construction going on Calle Salvatierra so we headed west past the Mission and the adjacent Museo de los Misiones. Went in and out of several ‘artsy craftsy’ stores and basically went around the block doing so until we were back at the hotel. A couple of businesses south of the hotel was a little restaurant called appropriately, Café Ole. Decided to have lunch there which turned out to be tasty.

By this time, it was around 2:50 PM (All Aboard was 3:30 PM) so we headed back to the pier which is an approx. 15-minute walk from the Plaza. Things got kinda interesting when the sailors started zipping up (at least on starboard side) the canvas hatch coverings. I guess, the first clue should have been the fact that the tender’s deck (floor) was wet in several areas from earlier rides. What we didn’t know at the time was that around 2:00 PM, Capt. Smit had made a decision to stop all outbound tender service from Ryndam to Loreto. So, off we went, and as soon as we past the breakwater, the fun really began. Due to the somewhat strong and increased wind from the north, the tender ride in many ways can be best described as ‘Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride’ for those of you Disneyland/Disneyworld lovers. The good news is that no one got sick and the ride only took ten-fifteen minutes. Out on Ryndam’s port-side tender platform, was 3rd officer Walter as well as one of the Beverage stewards, both wearing life vests. Tender #6 was hopping up and down pretty good but everyone got out and back onto Ryndam without any major problems. Great job by those two gentlemen as well as by two security officers who kept going down and back up the platform’s ladder to assist the elderly and less-mobile.


Our pre-dinner show time tonight consisted of the comedy of Elliott Maxx. When he first walked out on stage, I thought without a doubt that Phil Donahue had turned cruise ship comedian. That’s how uncanny the resemblance was. Elliott wound up entertaining us for about 45-50 minutes. He is the author of the ‘Official Cruise Ship Joke Book’, something I must definitely take a look at. Lots of laughing with this dude!

Dinner gave the five of us (Bob and Jan were dining elsewhere but cruise consultant had once again joined our table) a chance the catch up and compare experiences of the day. Dinner selection tonight was as follows:

Appetizers:
Citrus Delight with Amaretto
Italian Prosciutto Ham
Sashimi of Salmon with Wasabi Mayonnaise
Mushroom Chrozo Strudel

Soups and Salads:
Corn and Yellow Squash Soup with Crabmeat
Pistou Soup
Chilled Banana Coconut Soup
Greek Salad

Entrees:
Pappardelle with Chicken Ragout
Prosciutto Wrapped Turkey Tenderloin
Rack of Veal
Wiener Schnitzel
Spice-Rubbed Grilled Swordfish Steak
Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Stuffed Green Peppers Au Gratin

Desserts:
Zuppa Inglese
Warm Chocolate Pudding
Chocolate Crème Brulee
Lychees Arrak
Berry Dream
Sliced Fruit Plate
Assorted Cheese Plate
Assorted Ice Cream

Tonight at 11:00 PM was the always entertaining Filipino Crew Show in the Vermeer Lounge. I don’t know of many Guest Relations Managers who, once reaching that position, stay involved in the crew show but Ryndam’s Melanie is one of them, even performing the ‘Tinikling” or Bamboo dance, sticking her barefoot in between two bamboo sticks as they are being struck together in a rhythmic motion matching the beat of the music. One of the bamboo stick ‘strikers’ was Melanie’s husband, the aforementioned sous-chef from the Lido. All these crew members, the Filipinos as well as the Indonesians who have their show on alternating weeks, practice this in the early morning hours of the night on their own time! Tomorrow is Pinchilingue/La Paz; Buenos Nachos!

FRI 20 FEB 09 – Day Eight – Pichilingue/La Paz, Baja California Sur

After leaving Loreto, Ryndam sailed a south-southeasterly course until reaching and rounding Isla la Partida. She then entered the Bahia de la Paz and docked at her berth in Pinchilingue harbor at approx. 7:00 AM. Pinchilingue is referred to as the entry point to La Paz and is a deep sea harbor with a commercial as well as sports fishing fleet. It is also the start and/or termination point of the Pinchilinque-Topolobampo or Pinchilingue-Mazatlan daily ferry service on one of Baja Ferries’ drive on-drive off vessels. The one in port today was the all-white California Star. Seems like a favorite route to Mexico’s mainland for many North Americans judging by the amount of (U.S.) California plates on cars waiting to board as well as some with British Columbia plates. What a drive, eh!

We decided to have breakfast in our cabin this morning and chose a delivery time between 7:30-8:00 AM. At 7:45 on the button, a room service attendant delivered it on a huge tray. Due to it being nice weather outside, I moved the tray to the table on our balcony and we enjoyed our scrambled eggs, toast, link sausages, hash browns, coffee, tea and sliced bananas. Our view across the harbor was that of the brown (desert) colored rolling hills that surround the port of Pinchilingue. Between us and that shore floated a gray colored small patrol vessel of the Armada Mexicana (Mexican Navy) which would stay there for the entire duration of Ryndam’s port stay providing protection.

Our four hour shorex tour this morning was called “Highlights of La Paz”. Our first stop would take us to another ‘artsy craftsy’ store where the ladies in the group were allowed to ‘roam’. Well, we men folk all know what happens in instances such as they ones attempted to be described here! The child bride found ‘a cute wind chime made out of local shells’ so that was pretty much that! The store ladies were nice enough to wrap the entire contraption in local newspapers and then in a white plastic shopping bag with conveniently attached husband handles at the top and the whole thing was pretty much a ‘fait accomplit!’ (Us husbands and significant other individuals of the stronger sex really never stood a chance!

Back in the bus the entire group went for a little drive past the center of La Paz where we drove smack passed the local market or Mercado Municipal “Francisco Madero”. I still wake up screaming in a cold sweat at times when thinking about our visit to said market last time we were here in March 2007, when, after turning a corner, we stood eye to eye with two full-sized hog (pig) heads with both eye balls still in their respective sockets - still smiling when they met their demise, their tongues and livers proudly displayed on either side of their heads. So stop #2 was at the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de La Paz (Our Lady of Peace Cathedral of La Paz). Construction on this historic building was begun in 1861 using the foundation of the original Jesuit Mission. Inside, one will find statues of the namesake Lady as well as the revered Sacred Heart. Across the street is the Plaza Constitucion where local musicians will gather each Monday evening throughout the spring. Still heading in the same direction, across the street from the Plaza is Biblioteca de las Californias with its large interior mural representing ‘Calafia’, the legendary Queen of Golden California. We had some time so did a ‘walk around the block’ to take in the local sounds and sights.

Our next stop was at the Museo Regional de Antropologia e Historia de Baja California Sur (Regional Anthropology Museum of South Baja California). This turned out to be a very interesting approx. sixty minute visit where we learned about the history of the state from early man, through native Indians, Spanish conquistadores, missionaries, Mexican Revolution and Mexican-American war. The three-story building houses more than 1,200 artifacts related to the history of Baja California. Exhibits range from an approx. six inch wide tooth that at one time belonged to an enormous pre-historic shark. There are also dioramas representing pre-Columbian societies, reproductions of Mexican cave paintings and a stone copy of the famed Aztec Sun Stone. Interesting place! We then left La Paz proper and took the coastal route back to Pichilingue but instead of taking a left by the ferry terminal, we continued on past a valley containing cardon and cirios cacti, elephant trees and thorny chollas.

Our final destination was Playa El Tecolote or El Tecolote Beach. Upon arrival there, we were first led into the palapa-covered restaurant-bar where we received either a Margarita or cold Pacifico Cerveza. We then spend about thirty minutes sitting in beach chairs on the sand. Playa El Tecolote faces Isla Espiritu Santo, a fourteen-mile long uninhabited island. The bus then returned us back to Ryndam at approx. 12:45 PM, enough time left to browse the vendors set up outside the small terminal building. Low and behold, Maria found a very colorful wood Toucan plus an even more colorful wind chime (that doesn’t make any noise) consisting of several moon fishes. Life is good! Sure hope I don’t get nightmares about them hogs heads tonight, though!

All aboard was at 4:30 PM and Ryndam shoved off at 5:00 PM on a series of southerly courses in the Gulf of California towards our next, and last, port of call, Cabo San Lucas.
We, along with other guests, were then invited to a cocktail party hosted by Captain Smit and Hotel Manager Wood in the Crow’s Nest from 7:15 until 8:00 PM. It was the usual mingling affair (drinks and hors d’ouvres were served) although this time, we were all seated in a square in the aft portion of the port-side of the CN. Did some chatting with Ryndam’s chief housekeeper (31 years with HAL!) Cecep Sukarna, Security Officer Mike Metrokin and had an opportunity to have the captain put his signature in Stephen Card’s excellent book, ‘The Spotless Fleet’ (nine down, at least nineteen to go!).

Due to the cocktail party, we did miss the (official) entertainment tonight by ‘Livewire’. This was described in the Daily Program as ‘A truly unforgettable evening of outstanding performance and dynamic, musical artistry’. Dinner selection in the Rotterdam dining room tonight was as follows:

Appetizers:
Fresh Fruit with Peach Schnapps
Forest Pate Brioche
Seared Ahi Tuna Carpaccio
BBQ Chicken Spring Roll

Soups and Salad:
Creamy Carrot Soup
Chicken and Corn Soup
Chilled Red Grape and Cranberry Soup
Scottish Delight

Entrees:
Linguine with Scallops and Shrimp
Rotisserie Half Chicken with Louisiana-style Rice
Three Peppercorn Crusted Sirloin Steak
Roast Pork Loin with Caramelized Apple
Pan Seared Flounder with Artichoke and Tomato Confit
Chicken, Papaya and Avocado Salad
Sweet and Sour Tofu

Desserts:
Chocolate Croquant Praline
Mixed Berries in Brandy Snap
Poached Pear
Pineapple Normandy
Hazelnut Cream Pie
Sliced Fruit Plate
Assorted Cheese Plate
Assorted Ice Cream

From 11:00 PM until Midnight tonight in the Crow’s Nest was the ‘Disco Ball’ with DJ Dave. Lots of doing ‘the Hustle’, the ‘John Travolta’ and ‘the Sound of Philadelphia”.
Tomorrow is our last stop at Cabo San Lucas, BCS before heading back to San Diego. See ya then!

You sure did have a good time! Do you have any pictures of you with the balloon?

Tell me, what is a Filet Mignon Burger? I hope they don't gind up a beautiful filet to make a hamburger!

Originally Posted by Char

You sure did have a good time! Do you have any pictures of you with the balloon?

Tell me, what is a Filet Mignon Burger? I hope they don't gind up a beautiful filet to make a hamburger!

If Maria (my wife) would have had a camera with her, it would have been a done deal but, lucky for me, she didn't.

You know we have never tried that Filet Mignon Burger but it sure sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Have to try it next time