Month: January 2017

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St. Lucia with The Colorado Traveling Ducks

First time for all of us in St. Lucia.   Here is the plan for humans and ducks in St. Lucia.

St. Lucia. Beach time.

St. Lucia. Beach time.

Add a little shopping, enjoying the scenery and sunshine, and stop for lunch somewhere Caribbean.   But, it is a drizzly day.   We wait a couple hours, but the sun shows no sign of emerging.   OK, no beach, no sunshine, so what now?   The humans leave the beach bags, head off the ship and hire a taxi.   Peter, our driver, leaves the capital city of Castries.

Passing Derek Walcott Square on our way out of Castries

Passing Derek Walcott Square on our way out of Castries

Then we drive through the hills.   That is our ship, Carnival’s Fascination.

Our ship

Our ship

We love the waterfalls, or fast steam.

Waterfall

Waterfall

Next stop is outside the Residence of the Governor General.

Residence of the Governor General

Residence of the Governor General

Behind us we see the venders protecting their merchandise from the light rain.

Vendors protecting merchandise while raining.

Vendors protecting merchandise during rain.

Maybe it will stop raining soon?   The calabash tree is fairly common in St Lucia.

Calabash tree

Calabash tree

Peter says you cannot eat the fruit, but the hard shell of the fruit is used as a vessel to carry things.   Wikipedia says that sometimes the fruit and leaves are used for treating respiratory problems.   Here is a salmon tree.   It is at least 450 years old.

Salmon tree

Salmon tree

The University of the West Indies has a campus in St Lucia.

University of the West Indies

University of the West Indies

These buildings are now part of the University.

Former fort now part of the University

Former fort now part of the University

This was an old fort used during the many fights between the French and British.   Both countries ruled St. Lucia, with power changing countries several times.   We ducks think the foliage here is beautiful.   This was another stop to view the harbor.

Panorama

Panorama

There is a little shop up here, and it is open.   So humans and ducks do some shopping.

Let's look. Maybe get something to take home?

Let’s look. Maybe get something to take home?

Continuing through the mountains, we see this steep path to a house.

Steep path to get home

Steep path to get home

Built on the side of a mountain, the back of the house touches the ground, but the front of the houses have stilts.    A very good way to build houses here.   Aren’t these cute Christmas decorations?

Christmas decorations

Christmas decorations

We like them.  It is still mostly rainy, but we are in St. Lucia.   The humans and ducks really want to see the beach.

Finally on the beach in St. Lucia

Finally on the beach in St. Lucia

We love beaches.   After this photo, mom moves to the other side of ducks to take a photo looking the other direction.   Hey mom!

Are we swimming alone? Mom!!

Are we swimming alone? Mom!!

We, Zeb, Soapy, and Bucket, are being washed out to sea.   Fortunately Bucket’s mom rushes in to save us.   Thanks!   Peter was right.   He told us the waves were rough today.

Rough waves

Rough waves

But, we are all safe and back to the shopping area by the ship.

Safe, dry and hungry in St. Lucia

Safe, dry and hungry in St. Lucia

Now we are just waiting for our snacks.

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National Rubber Ducky 2017

It is exciting!   It is our day!   Today, January 13 is National Rubber Ducky Day.   In 1970 Jim Henson, as Ernie, sang Rubber Ducky on Sesame Street.

Ernie, Bert and Rubber Ducky from Sesame Sreet

Ernie, Bert and Rubber Ducky from Sesame Sreet

We have been famous ever since that day.   That rubber duck is cute, but we, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, think we are cuter and have better personalities.  Today we celebrate us, the Colorado Traveling Ducks, and all the rubber ducks everywhere.   We hope you see a rubber duck today and smile.   Celebrate our day.

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A Day in Barbados with Zeb, Soapy Smith and Bucket Duck

We step off the ship in Bridgeport, Barbados.   And the sign said we were welcome here.

Colorado Traveling Ducks are in Barbados

Colorado Traveling Ducks are in Barbados

It is so nice and warm here.   We walked to the shopping area.

Shopping area for cruise passengers only

Shopping area for cruise passengers only

This shopping area is just for us and other cruise passengers.   Bucket is leaving us to go with his parents for another shore excursion.   Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck are browsing with our moms.  Oh no.   We ducks have seen these stores before.   Inside we go.   After a long time, to ducks it was long, we came out.

Maybe this bag is new traveling bag for ducks. Humans get the emeralds.

Maybe this bag is new traveling bag for ducks. Humans get the emeralds.

We are bringing another emerald back to Colorado.   Our human moms love Colombian Emeralds, International.   The emeralds here are beautiful and the humans just have to go inside to purchase at least one item.   OK, shopping is done.   Now two ducks and two humans get a taxi and we head for the beach.

We made purchases at building behind us.

We made purchases at building behind us.

Beverages are sold here and we purchased several diet Cokes.   So cool and refreshing.   We love this beach.

Beautiful beach in Barbados

Beautiful beach in Barbados

The humans take turns walking along the beach, one of their favorite activities.   Here is Soapy’s mom strolling on the sand.

Soapy's mom walking on beach

Soapy’s mom walking on beach

There were a few other humans here, but there was another visitor to our beach.

We are not alone here. Sand crab in Barbados

We are not alone here.   Crab in Barbados

Actually, this is his beach and we are the visitors.   This curious crab has the tallest eyes we ducks have ever seen.   Our moms have been to Barbados before, so they just wanted some lazy, quiet beach time today.   Bucket and his parents took the Jolly Roger Pirate Party Cruise and Snorkel trip.   They are on a pirate ship for about 4 hours.   One stop is here in a beautiful protected area.

Great area for fun on pirate ship

Great area for fun on pirate ship

They swim in the Caribbean.

Bucket's mom snorkeling

Bucket’s mom snorkeling

Bucket’s dad will walk the plank.

Bucket's dad. Soon to be landing in Caribbean Sea

Bucket’s dad. Soon to be landing in Caribbean Sea

Bucket's dad jumping off pirate ship

Bucket’s dad jumping off pirate ship

 

 

 

 

 

The water is so warm and swimming is perfect.   Back on the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, the captain heads around the island of Barbados.   Soon there is another stop for snorkeling.

Caribbean water is so blue

Caribbean water is so blue

Bucket’s dad is in the beautiful, blue water.   The humans have GoPro cameras, so they can show us what they see underwater.

What you can see snorkeling in Barbados

What you can see snorkeling in Barbados

Wow!  A sunken ship wreck.   Bucket was there, but snorkeling equipment did not come in his size.  After swimming and snorkeling, they have a great lunch on the deck of the pirate ship.   After lunch there is dancing, laughing and visiting with other pirate ship passengers.   Bucket said this was a great trip.   But he wants snorkeling equipment in his size.   Sorry Bucket, but that is probably not going to happen.  We ducks and humans all meet for dinner to share our adventures.   Cruises are fun.

 

 

 

 

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Exploring Carnival Fascination with Colorado Traveling Ducks

We do not stop at any port today.   This is our at sea day, so let’s explore our cruise ship.   When we got on this ship, every human and traveling duck attended the safety drill.

We went to the safety drill

We went to the safety drill

Nobody thinks we will ever have a problem, but if something happens, we now know where to go for a life boat.   But, today will be fun on Carnival’s Fascination cruise ship.   Ducks like water, so we went to the water slides first.

Water slides

Water slides

Near the swimming pool we watch ice carving.   This piece of ice was brought here.

Beginning block of ice

Beginning block of ice

Then he began carving.

Quickly sculpting

Quickly sculpting

In about 10 minutes this Indian head, complete with carved feather head dress was finished.

Finished ice sculpture

Finished ice sculpture

This carver just used chisels.  It was really hard to get a photo with so many people here.  And the ice is melting fast.   It really did look great; much better than mom’s photo.   In some areas we have seen ice carvers begin with chain saws, but not here.   These spiral stairways look interesting.

Let's go up the spiral staircase

Let’s go up the spiral staircase

Mom said we can go up later, but let’s see what is being served for lunch on the deck.

Lunch served on deck. Let's try some of everything.

Lunch served on deck. Let’s try some of everything.

We took some of everything.   We wanted to try it all and then next time maybe only take our favorites.   This one of our favorite places to eat outside.

Favorite outside dining area

Favorite outside dining area

This area is sheltered, so not too windy, but we love to watch the water.   About deciding on our favorite foods, that didn’t work.   We love it all.   Everything is our favorite.   Because we eat so much on the ship, the humans never take the elevators.   We climb several flights of stairs every day.   They think it helps.   We did climb those curved stairs and we found the ping pong table.

Ping pong

Ping pong

Again a protected area so the wind isn’t strong here.   Near the ping pong table we looked down at the pool area.

From ping pong area looking at main pool

From ping pong area looking at main pool

Earlier there was a fund raiser with music on the small stage.   Money was raised for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.   There were many activities on the ship today.   Also many people lounging, swimming in the pool, visiting, and just enjoying watching the beautiful Caribbean Sea.   Dinner in the dining room is always so nice.   After a delicious dinner, we had these desserts.

Great desserts tonight

Great desserts tonight

Three humans had melted chocolate cake with ice cream.   Mom preferred the raspberry dessert.   We ducks prefer all of them.   The waiters saw us posing for a photo, liked us, and wanted a photo with ducks and waiters.

Waiters liked Colorado Traveling Ducks

Waiters liked Colorado Traveling Ducks

Everybody is so friendly here.   After dinner an announcement was made.   Our ship would be stopping in the Caribbean to give aid to a ship in distress.   Of course, we ducks wanted to see what was happening.   This sailboat had problems.

Sailboat in distress

Sailboat in distress

Our ship, The Fascination, sent a small crew with supplies to the sailboat.   None of the humans on the sailboat wanted to come to our ship, they just needed supplies and did not want to leave their sailboat.   We were glad to help and the captain told us we would be a little late arriving at our port the next morning.    That is OK.   We could have been the ship in distress and we would want someone to stop for us.   In the center of the ship is the atrium.

Atrium

Atrium

We ducks love the openness and all the lights here.   Cruising is definitely something we like. This was our only Day at Sea and we enjoyed exploring our ship.   Next stop is Barbados.

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A Day in St. Thomas with the Colorado Traveling Ducks

We love our ship.   We are aboard Carnival’s Fascination.   After dinner our first night, we found this in our room.

This was in my room

This was in my room

Soapy Smith Duck had one in his room.   Bucket Duck also had one in his room.   We feel like we are really on vacation now.   Today our ship, the Fascination, is docked in St. Thomas.   The capital, Charlotte Amalie, is a great shopping place and a major cruise ship destination in the Caribbean.   This is one of the shopping streets.

Charlotte Amalie

Charlotte Amalie

There are also several open market areas.

Love outdoor markets

Love outdoor markets

Soapy and I, Zeb, did a little shopping with our moms.   Naturally we want to visit with this pirate.

Another new friend

Another new friend

This is a cute place for a snack.

Lunch?

Lunch?  Refreshment?

The harbor area is home to many private sail boats.

Sail boats in harbor

Sail boats in harbor

We took the Skyride to Paradise Point.

Let's go humans

Let’s go humans

The sky ride is like a gondola at our ski resorts.   We go 700 feet above sea level.   At the top, we pass through this doorway.

Welcome to Paradise

Welcome to Paradise

What a great place for lunch.

So many places to eat, drink and enjoy the views

So many places to eat, drink and enjoy the views

That is our ship, Fascination.

Our ship in the harbor

Our ship in the harbor

We learned that it is rare for only one ship to be in this harbor.   Tomorrow there are seven cruise ships scheduled to be be in St. Thomas.   We are glad we are here today with less crowds.   As the clouds arrive and the sun is lower in the sky, we enjoy the view.

The day is ending

The day is ending

Bucket Duck took a shore excursion with his parents today.   Their excursion is Boss Underwater Adventure.   BOSS means Breathing Observation Submersible Scooter.  The humans went under water and came up into their helmets.

Underwater scooters

Underwater scooters

Wow!   That is great!   They took a 60 foot yacht to the dive site.   They ride scooters about 8 feet under water.

Underwater scooters

Underwater scooters

The fish are right there with them.   This is Bucket’s dad.

Bucket's dad

Bucket’s dad

Bucket was there, but they did not have a scooter small enough for him.   St. Thomas is a beautiful island with many beautiful, small beaches.

Beach in St. Thomas

Beach in St. Thomas

 

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Happy Chocolate Covered Cherries Day

Dear friends.  I, Zeb the Duck, feel I must warn you.   Mom found a new website that lists over 1200 national days.   Be warned, she found so many crazy national days here.   Today, is National Chocolate Covered Cherries Day, and mom loves chocolate covered cherries.

Yummy chocolate covered cherries

Yummy chocolate covered cherries

We Colorado Traveling Ducks will try to control her urge to tell you about all of over 1200 national days, but she doesn’t always listen to us.   So, today we hope you enjoy some delicious chocolate covered cherries, or as they are also know, some chocolate cordials.

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Things are Happening at My House

It is exciting.   Suitcases are showing up.   Humans are packing.   Dogs are arriving here.   Human neighbors are coming to meet the dogs.   I think we are going on a family vacation.   I, Zeb the Duck, Soapy Smith Duck, and Bucket Duck, are all going with our humans.   I am not sure if you know Bucket.   His human is the son and grandson of the other humans.   Bucket’s human parents like basketball a lot.   His dad and friends shoot baskets, or buckets.   That is how Bucket Duck got his name.   Bucket’s two dogs and Soapy’s one dog will stay at my house while we are on vacation.   This trip did not have an easy beginning.   Our airport transportation was to get us at 3:00 a.m.   When we got up,there was almost a foot of new snow here.   Then at Denver International Airport, over 300 flights, including ours, were cancelled.   Our rescheduled flight was delayed three times.   The news for Denver was a little chilly.

-14 That is cold!

-14 That is cold!   And lots of snow on the ground also.

Then another airline and another flight scheduled.   Soon we were in Philadelphia.   They have a very nice airport.   What is this?

Dogs in airports

Dogs in airports

Dogs come here?  Well, if dogs are now traveling, this is a necessary area.

For dogs

For dogs

We, the Colorado Traveling Ducks have never seen this before.   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a very important city in the history of the United States.   Among other things, the Liberty Bell is here.   This is a replica of the Liberty Bell, crack included, made of Legos.

Liberty Bell of Legos

Liberty Bell of Legos

This airport has museum type exhibits.   This is Transforming Glass by Justin Tyner.

By Justin Tyner

By Justin Tyner

So many humans are now taking photographs, and many photos of themselves.   This is a suggested location for a “selfie”.

Selfies here?

Selfies here?

While waiting for our next flight, we relax on the armrests of a chair,  by the Christmas tree, and look out at a wet, cold, Philadelphia.

Wet and cold outside

Wet and cold outside

We left Philadelphia, flying south.   Now we are in a warm place and the humans say, “ducks, we are going on a boat.”  Oh good!  Let’s try that sail boat.

Sail Boat or Cruise Ship?

Sail Boat or Cruise Ship?

But humans say “No.  Let’s get on that cruise ship”  Can you believe it??  All the times we talked to Santa, we asked to go on a cruise, and Santa said Yes!  The humans have cruised before, but this is the first cruise for the Colorado Traveling Ducks.   We have so much to show you.   See you soon.