Today we are at sea headed for Los Angeles, we arrive early on Thursday, and disembark. Sixteen days is quite long, a bit too long for me. Here are what may be the last two pages of my sketching journal for this trip. I plan to print it up into a spiral bound book.
An early sunrise was quite stunning on Sunday – Groundhog Day and the birthday of a friend who prefers to keep it low key. We went into the old part of Peurto Vallarta where we had a lunch of ceviche and fish tacos by the ocean.
The pool area is a never ending series of people to sketch. Cabo San Lucas was quite stunning from the ship.
We had four excursions booked at the start of the voyage. Two were quite disappointing so we cancelled the one to Guatemala City. There was one amazing excursion: a visit to a sea turtle sanctuary where we each released a newly hatched turtle into the sea, and then they gave Tricia a second turtle to release.
We have had a few good memories from our large-ship cruises, and the one small-ship cruise in the Croatian islands was wonderful. Yet the convenience and entertainment of cruising is overshadowed by the frequent waiting in lines, the crowds, the noise, and often a Las Vegas vibe.
We are not done traveling, and are already pondering the next trip, or two, but they will be the independent travel style we enjoy the most. It will be good to get back to Portland and our new apartment. Thank you for coming along for the ride.
I hope you are sketching a bit, and remember to check out Tricia’s posts, this week it is about the 18th and 19th arrondissements of Paris.
theTravelsketcher 
Seeing the baby sea turtles as they made their way to the ocean was an incredible experience.
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The little turtles must have been great to see. People watching must be fun on a cruise?
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People watching and sketching are fun, for sure.
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The sea turtles are amazing. We did the same thing but in Grand Cayman.
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It was the best excursion for sure.
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Hi there, just a note about size of ships…I almost always use LIndblad N
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Thanks for info, if we ever consider cruising again we may check it out, it is more the style of travel that draws me away fro cruising and tours.
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Portland Oregon or Maine?
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Oregon of course, perchance are you from Maine ?
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NH
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Ah, so we both live in the “real” Portland,??
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Yes
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Your sketches continue to delight, my friend, from the color charged sunrise to the poolside sunbathers with limbs akimbo. Your travel journal of our cruise together sparks wonderful memories. Thank you.
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Thanks, the people were interesting, good sketch material.
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