Carnival Cruise, 2003

Carnival’s newest and largest, the Conquest, on a 7-day carribean cruise.  Originally supposed to sail from New Orleans, the location was changed to Biloxi (something about being too big to fit under powerlines).

The ship sailed to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel.  Jamaica was a wild-ride..the bus driver drove way too fast to get us to our tour destination, Ocho Rios, and being forced to exit through the market area after the water falls was irritating.  The marketeers pushed their wares agressively, and when you didn’t want to look or buy, became nasty.

Grand Cayman on the other hand, was the extreme opposite.  High profile stores with high prices, along with snobby salespeople…yeah, so I don’t want to buy the $500 leather bag, but you could acknowledge me in your store… :-p Of course, the smaller local stores were much more reasonable, and friendlier.  Here, the Atlantis submarine tour was the highlight of our visit.

Cozumel…we’d already been there a few years ago.  So, the only thing we did there, was pick up another shotglass (the previous one we had purchased got dropped a while back), and take the people-ferry to Playa-del-Carmen.  There we got on the jeep tour, where we did some light off-roading, and visited a cave and swam in the cave lake, where the water was quite chilly, and the bats were hanging above.  Very cool!

The Carnival Conquest was huge, and a very nice ship.  This was our second cruise, and the only thing missing is a 24-hour soda fountain machine.  Carnival makes you buy soda fountain cards…all that means, is you show your card to a bartender, and they pour you a glass of coke (from a can).  You don’t get cans, or the plastic bottles (unless you buy them), and the cards are $25-$35 (me no remember).  Honestly, fountain drinks are cheap enough, charge more money for the cruise, and set up a 24-hour fountain dispenser…or at least provide 24 hour access – when the last bar closes (1am-ish), you don’t get anything to drink until they re-open (9/10 am-ish).

These pictures were taken with the Sony Mavica CD-1000.

Cruise

Concerts 2002-08

Centennial Olympic Park is the place for the annual On the Bricks concert series.  Here are some pix from some choice performers that were here during the series.  Also, American Cancer Society’s Party with a Purpose.

These pictures were taken with the Sony Mavica CD-1000.

David Perez: Concerts 2002-08 &emdash; Party with a Purpose, 2002

Our Dog, Katie

Katie
Katie

We were so thrilled when we adopted you from the Atlanta Humane Society just seven short years ago. A big part of our lives is missing now, suddenly taken away from us. But we take comfort in cherishing the wonderful memories you have left us with, and knowing that one day we will be together again.

We miss you Katie…

Love Forever,

David & Kevin


Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown

Musings on photography, condo living, life in general, and advice column from Truffles, the chihuahua.