Tony
05-18-2005, 03:55 AM
It is an early, and stormy Wednesday morning - 7:30am local time.
I was up at 5:30 to get ready, and head for Deck 10, to watch us pull in to Curacao. It was still dark out, and you could see the flames from the local refinery. The lights of the city and the island twinkled in the distance. We were sitting offshore, only making about 4 knots - just enough to maintain steerage ability. Flashes of lightning lit the distant sky.
At about 6:30, the harbor pilot arrived, and the signal flag was changed from 'G' to 'H' as a much more savey person explained, indicating that he had arrived. The sun crept over the hills, and we finally could see the city in all its glory. So bright and colorful. My first thought was how many smokestacks were visible. Between the Desalinization plant and the refinery, they dominate the skyline. The bridge crossing the channel makes a beautiful centerpoint.
As we started to make our way into the harbor, three tugs came alongside, with firehoses spraying a beautiful salute to the ship. To the surprise of many, we headed into the main harbor, rather than to the dock on the edge of downtown. We were getting the royal treatment today.
A helicopter buzzed overhead, and circled the ship. When examined closer, you could see Police emblazoned on the side, but cameramen were hanging from the doors, filming our arrival. Along the harborway, probably a hundred people lined the rails, to wave at us as we sailed in. I watched as a car pulled up, and out jumped a Mom, with two young boys in tow - dressed in their school uniforms, and they raced to the rails waving and cheering as they ran.
As we reached out dock, they let out three consecutive blasts of the ships horn. For those who have never heard it, it plays the first seven notes of When You Wish Upon A Star. The most distinctive horn in the world. At 7am, it also makes a very unusual wakeup call. A banner spans the dock, welcoming the passengers and crew of the Disney Cruise Line.
Not many photos for anyone. We are all struggling with cameras fogging up. Mine didn't clear up until just as we pulled up to the dock.
We have now pulled into the dock and are waiting for clearance from the authorities. The threatening lightning has arrived, and we are receiving a nasty thunderstorm.
Ahh - they just announced that we are cleared to disembark. Forecast is occassional showers, but 89 degrees. So a nice steamy day. Off to find Adrienne, and we are heading out to explore.
Tony
I was up at 5:30 to get ready, and head for Deck 10, to watch us pull in to Curacao. It was still dark out, and you could see the flames from the local refinery. The lights of the city and the island twinkled in the distance. We were sitting offshore, only making about 4 knots - just enough to maintain steerage ability. Flashes of lightning lit the distant sky.
At about 6:30, the harbor pilot arrived, and the signal flag was changed from 'G' to 'H' as a much more savey person explained, indicating that he had arrived. The sun crept over the hills, and we finally could see the city in all its glory. So bright and colorful. My first thought was how many smokestacks were visible. Between the Desalinization plant and the refinery, they dominate the skyline. The bridge crossing the channel makes a beautiful centerpoint.
As we started to make our way into the harbor, three tugs came alongside, with firehoses spraying a beautiful salute to the ship. To the surprise of many, we headed into the main harbor, rather than to the dock on the edge of downtown. We were getting the royal treatment today.
A helicopter buzzed overhead, and circled the ship. When examined closer, you could see Police emblazoned on the side, but cameramen were hanging from the doors, filming our arrival. Along the harborway, probably a hundred people lined the rails, to wave at us as we sailed in. I watched as a car pulled up, and out jumped a Mom, with two young boys in tow - dressed in their school uniforms, and they raced to the rails waving and cheering as they ran.
As we reached out dock, they let out three consecutive blasts of the ships horn. For those who have never heard it, it plays the first seven notes of When You Wish Upon A Star. The most distinctive horn in the world. At 7am, it also makes a very unusual wakeup call. A banner spans the dock, welcoming the passengers and crew of the Disney Cruise Line.
Not many photos for anyone. We are all struggling with cameras fogging up. Mine didn't clear up until just as we pulled up to the dock.
We have now pulled into the dock and are waiting for clearance from the authorities. The threatening lightning has arrived, and we are receiving a nasty thunderstorm.
Ahh - they just announced that we are cleared to disembark. Forecast is occassional showers, but 89 degrees. So a nice steamy day. Off to find Adrienne, and we are heading out to explore.
Tony