Eastern Blue Bird

Not as intensely cobalt blue or neon orange as I've seen but I was glad I was able to snap this photo.  These opportunities are rare.

Wendy's - Port Huron, MI

It use to be many years ago when Wendy's was considered a cut above McD's and BK. The burgers were juicer, bigger, and fresher tasting than the competition. That applied to the patty, the toppings, and the bun. It was a treat compared to the competition. But somewhere along the line Wendy's lost direction and that distinction.  The food quality dipped and it became just another burger fast food joint giving no reason for the consumer to drive an extra block to get to when a McD or BK was present.

This Wendy's didn't change that perception. The buns were dry and the patty tasting like a microwave retread.  Thanks but not thanks to this one just a quick stop before crossing over the border.

Cosetta's Italian Market and Pizzeria - St Paul, MN

Cosetta's has a deli/pasta line and a pizza line. Each time I've been here for lunch, the deli line has been long. Today, the deli/pasta line was outrageous at about 40 plus people deep from the counter snaking around one side of the restaurant, turning 90 degrees and ending just inside the door.

Maybe one day I'll know if a wait in the deli/pasta line is worthwhile but today it would be pizza again - a slice of thin crust Sausage pizza ($3.65). The pizza was well balanced and good not because of what if offers but rather for what its missing - excess grease, cheese, and salt. The crust near the center was a little too soft most likely wilted from its own steam. The crust around the rim was chewy and satisfying, offering a nice textural change from the soft center. The sausage was just right in amount, texture, and taste. In terms of size, if you follow the advice of eating slowly, it's the right amount.

Cosetta's pizza is steps above the chain restaurant pizza and it's one of the better pizzas around the cities.

Restroom Rating:  7.0

211 West 7th
St Paul, MN
651-222-3476

Zebra Finches

At the store they make a pleasant soothing chirp. At home, it's an altogether different and annoying story.

Cheng Heng Cambodian Restaurant - St Paul MN

 

Panama City, Panama

Ship going through a lock

In the taxi, taking photos.

Church

Reportedly the President lives down this way

City street. Not one of the tourist areas.

Fish market and a restaurant upstairs.

Colon, Panama - RC Enchantment Day 9

We had breakfast and disembarked around 9:30 AM in Colon. It's a rough city. Our cab driver took us out of town and told us repeatedly in his broken English that we were going through the ghetto and gesturing with his hand about guns and gangs going pop, pop, pop.

The trip was a brief respite from the real world although the excursions into the poorer areas often reminded us of how blessed we were. The cruise was decent as you would expect them to be but they seem to be losing their magic.

Royal Caribbean seemed to be running lean. When we engaged in a trivia contest, the winning prize was a key chain. Nonetheless, food was plentiful and much of it good. The one meal that still sticks out in my mind is the lamb shank. The Enchantment has one pay restaurant, a chop house, and no others. To a foodie, the limited options was a disappointment.

The Enchantment was small compared to other ships we've been on. The entertainment was decent and what comes to mind is the guitar player who did a version of the Scottish bagpipes on his electric guitar. The Ship's female dancers looked large on stage. Speaking of females, there was a passenger who seemed to relish showing off more of her body than most. It was the first time I'd seen someone wear a thong in public. Maybe I live too sheltered of a life...Service was good to slightly above good. The toilet in these ships always stink and this one was no exception. I wonder if there's some backwash. If there was a exhaust fan, it wasn't working. The bathroom would always be steamy even with the shortest shower. The room was missing a set of curtains separating the beds from the TV and couch area.

And so it ends another cruise. The taxi driver was taking us to Panama City. It would be about a 2 hour drive.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica - RC Enchantment Day 8

Banana Plantation

Various fruits. We stopped here for banana and pineapple. These were the sweetest banana and pineapple I've ever had, without a hint of tartness!!! Most of us back in the US don't know what we're missing.


NY Strip Steak.  This was the Last Supper and it was OK at best.  Steaks need focused individual care and this one was mass produced.

Tortuguero (?) Boat Tour - Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

We cruised down this river or canal but I don't remember if this was the Tortuguero or not. Two toed sloth. The gentler version

Bats

Unfortunately, we didn't see any caymen.

At Sea - RC Enchantment Day 7

The cruise was winding down. There wasn't much to do today except eat. It's the second formal night of the cruise and it's lobster tail and shrimp. The one good thing about stateside originating cruises is that they offer lobster. None of the European originated tours have lobster. Our waiter offered us two tails. Yummy.

Cartagena, Columbia - RC Enchantment Day 6

A tour of the Old City

This was my favorite port of call. The city is beautiful and filled with culture. The people and especially the women are beautiful, with their honey brown complexion.


Hoisin Duck. Nothing else was of note.

Santa Marta, Columbia - RC Enchantment Day 5

Hot. That's what I distinctly remember about this port of call. The streets here were jammed with people, vendors, and traffic.

There wasn't much in the way of outstanding food today. This is a look at My Fair Lady, the main dining area.

 

At Sea - RC Enchantment Day 4

Another day at sea and it couldn't come soon enough as I needed more time to acclimate to the heat and humidity. This was another day of discovery on the Enchantment. It really is small. There is only one specialty restaurant. The ship has a bungee jump and a rock climbing wall.


Terrine of duck foie gras...or something like that.

T-Bone Lamb. It was good but not as good as last night's Lamb Shank.


A variety of cheesecakes were served. If I recall correctly, this was a leche or milk cheesecake. It had a lighter texture that was welcome after eating all the heavier desserts.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica - RC Enchantment Day 3

It was sweltering hot. I suppose the residents acclimate. No, we didn't try any of the local food like the Jerk chicken as tempting as it was.


Lamb shank. This was my favorite meal of the cruise. The lamb shank was fork tender, the meat falling off the bones. One thing I don't understand is why people eat lamb with mint jelly. Seriously, it's like eating toothpaste.

Lamb shank where I reside costs a small fortune if I am fortunate to find it. So when I go on these cruises, I very seldom pass on lamb.

At Sea - RC Enchantment Day 2

The Windjammer is show above. It the buffet area where breakfast, lunch, and dinner is self serve.

Breakfast on the ships all tend to be the same. The only difference here was that they served the best smoked salmon so far with no hint of sliminess.

This was food discovery day. While lunch can be eaten at the Windjammer, sit down lunch is also served at My Fair Lady.

Chicken Yakatori with wakame. Surprisingly good.

Strawberry Napoleon


Dinner:

Escargot. The sauce was too frothy.


Duck. I forget exactly the preparation but it was yummy. So far the food is better than on the previous cruise.

Ft Lauderdale, FL - Embark Royal Caribbean (RC) Enchantment Day 1

From Florida, the Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas would take us to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. It sounded as if the majority of the passengers were Spanish speaking and we were in the minority.

The Enchantment is the smallest of the ships we've been on, lacking many of the extras we have come to expect. Notice the central area below.

It may appear large but for a veteran cruiser, this is tiny.