Dateline March 23, 2001 -- SAN DIEGO

When the Crew awoke, what to their wondering eyes should appear... oops, sorry, that's a Santa Claus story.  However, from their Holiday Inn balconies, there she was -- Statendam.  A glorious sight! 

Our intrepid Crew boarded and I was fortunate to catch come of them by cell phone before sailing.  Actually, they were in the midst of one of Holland America's famously thorough boat drills!  I could hear the instructions in the background... how exciting!  Almost as though I was there.  Without a personal floatation device at hand, I did the only thing I could do -- toasted them with a fruity umbrella drink.  And just before they pulled up the last gangway, Judi called again for a final farewell.  Locked out of the Penthouse Suite for the sailaway... hmmm, I wonder WHY!?!  Perhaps bOB hadn't completing the promised "remodeling"?

Back to the San Diego Harbor web cam on my computer, I was joined on the telephone by fellow left-behind ground Crew member, Jacki.  We whooped and cheered from the east and west coasts as Statendam finally slipped from her berth to take a majestic turn around the harbor and then headed out to sea.  Bidding our on board Crew a Bon Voyage, we lifted a toast to their good health and the exciting journey ahead.

Now we await their promised reports.

Photo © 2001 Bob Hoover