Keeping the Blues Alive V

 Late February, 2019, our 5th Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise with Joe Bonamassa and many other performers.  For the second time this cruise left from Tampa Fl. instead of Miami and what a change in climate; from the 30's in Camas to the 80's.

We  had a couple days in Tampa, before the cruise left so we spent the time eating some very good food, and seeing some of the sights.  Since we had been here before we knew that the best place for food, was the old part of Tampa called Ybor City.  Here is Marlene in the middle of the street in that part of town (a street fair was going on).  We had dinner at a great Greek Restaurant that night.

The next day we had a very enjoyable visit to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg.  Martin was here years ago, but it's in an entirely new building and location.  The building itself is a work of art.   We got around both Tampa and St. Petersburg this time by Lyft.  We had used Uber before, but found Lyft to be better.

                                           

On Monday we got on the Norwegian Pearl for the beginning of the cruise.  As usual the cruse starts with a big performance on the pool deck, and it continues almost non stop from there in venues both big and small all over the ship.

   

Of Course Joe Bonamassa is the big draw, and he gives two major shows during the cruise, plus joins in with other entertainers at various times.  This year there was a special guest ; Paul Shaffer, David Letterman's former band leader.  Paul hosted a large performance that included Joe, plus several other of the bigger name acts.

Our port of call on this cruise  was the Grand Cayman Island.  We enjoyed our time there a great deal.  We took a tour of the Island which included a stop in a tiny village, called "Hell"  It got its name because of some strange rock formations that are there.  It has a little post office where you can send a postcard from Hell, and a couple little souvenir shops.

Another stop was at the Cayman Island Sea Turtle Rescue facility.  They have breeding pounds and an artificial beach where the turtles lay their eggs, and then the babies are raised and eventually released into the wild.  As seen below Marlene got to hold a young one.

All in all a very enjoyable cruise, and we are looking forward to Keeping the Blues Alive VI next year , as well as Keeping the Blues Alive Mediterranean, this summer!