In my last post I shared that I tested positive for Covid while onboard the Queen Elizabeth voyage. During my 10 day isolation I filled my days with many things. The first thing I had to come to grips with was not being with Grayden. I was so thankful that we could chat whenever we wished using the internal phone in each of our staterooms.
Every day at home Grayden and I enjoy little moments when we connect with each other. We always observe Elevenses and Afternoon Tea. It's usually nothing fancy, just a cup of tea for me and coffee for Grayden. We usually have a square of dark chocolate for Elevenses and maybe some strawberries for Afternoon Tea along with our drinks. So Grayden decided we would still keep up this tradition, though we were separated. At 11am each morning he called me and we would talk and enjoy Elevenses. Grayden had chocolate from the daily turndown each evening. I would save some cheese from breakfast. We toasted each other and kept our tradition and our sanity! The same thing was practiced for Afternoon Tea. Though we couldn't go to the Queen's Room, we did talk at 3pm and shared some nuts or cheese left from our lunch tray.
The two photos above were taken when we could go to Afternoon Tea in the Queen's Room. It's a wonderful afternoon indulgence!
Grayden had the Librarian call me and had books sent to me. I had bought a book already that I quickly finished while in isolation. There is a quite extensive library on Cunard ships. It was so nice to name favorite authors and have them sent to me. Grayden also sent the camera to me as he thought I would enjoy photographing from my balcony. He was right!
As the Queen Elizabeth approached Costa Rica is was nice to be able to at least photograph the island before me.
The Pilot Boat with the Harbor Pilot came to let him off to guide the Queen Elizabeth into the port of Puntarenas (Sand Point).
As you can see it's a lovely, beautiful, sunny day. We have been to Costa Rica before. It's a lovely place to visit if you get the chance. This time we will enjoy seeing it from afar as we had to cancel our onshore excursion.
Costa Rica (rich coast) has a wide variety of plants and animals. Being tropical you can imagine such diversity. Costa Rica is known for their coffee production in the highland areas. Puntarenas was not developed as a port until 1840 when coffee production reached exportable volumes. Oxcarts were originally used to bring the coffee to the port and then railways were constructed as a more efficient means of transporting goods.
In the afternoon, I enjoyed my view and the glorious sunshine as I sat on the balcony and read.
It was also a good time to do my nails and look for sea life and birds.
The sky began to darken quickly, but never reached the ship with its rain. It did afford some lovely skies, though.
Don't you love seeing the golden hour after a storm?
I certainly did that first day of isolation!
It's important to me to record this time as difficult as it was. I am not a very social person and one would think this would be an easy time, but alas that was far from the truth! Thank you for coming on this journey with us. Next up we will be visiting Manzanillo, Mexico, if you'd like to see my views from my balcony.
I wondered what you'd find to occupy your time. It would be bad enough at home, but on a cruise ship without familiar things, or a hobby within reach. Still, it seems everyone went above and beyond. As for you and Grayden keeping up with your Elevenses by phone, how sweet, you darling pair of lovebirds! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhen I began to feel poorly, resting was more on the agenda, Deb. If it weren't for our phone visits my mental health would have suffered more. Little chats were life savers during these endless days of isolation. And Elevenses and Afternoon Tea chats were the sweetest! xoxo
DeleteHow good that you and Grayden were able to keep in touch during the day! Disappointing to have to view Costa Rica from your window, even though you’ve been before. This was a trip you had looked forward to taking for such a time, and I’m sorry you had to spend 10 days in isolation!
ReplyDeleteMissing traveling for the past couple of years, we certainly thought by now we would be safe, but we were wrong, Nellie! Life is full of experiences, but this was one we could have done without.
DeleteGlad you could find the good in your hard 10 days of isolation. I'm also glad you had a good window and balcony!!
ReplyDeleteLooking for "the good in our hard" was a challenge, Ellen. I'm so thankful to have a balcony to get fresh air and enjoy the lovely ocean views.
DeleteIt's clear you both made the best of it, but it had to be terribly difficult to see them trot off to Costa Rica while you stayed behind. (I'm glad you'd been there before.) I love that you kept your tea and elevenses tradition and that you had good books and the camera. I'm like you -- not particularly social and yet knowing I COULDN'T go out would be so very disheartening. I'd say you did very well.
ReplyDeleteJeanie, I did the best I could considering the circumstances. When Grayden suggested we continue with our "at home traditions" I was all in! As much as we enjoy ship life, doing it in isolation was not what we intended. I did know it was best for me and my fellow travelers, still....
DeleteThat was so nice and thoughtful of Grayden to try to make you feel as comfortable as you could since you had to be isolated. Sometimes alone time can be nice, and we get to catch up and do special things for ourselves, which in turn, makes us refreshed again. Your photos from the balcony are very nice, and those clouds! They are beautiful. Yes, after the storm, the clouds seem to be stunning. Looking forward to your Mexico trip. Our family took a trip to Mexico many years ago and had a wonderful time.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
ps.....it's nice to have alone time, but when we're sick, that's a different story. I was just wondering, did you feel symptoms before the trip or start feeling them afterwards? That must have been hard for you to be isolated on a trip that was planned, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDeleteSheri, I did not have any symptoms before our trip. A few days into the trip I did get a cold, but tested negative. On the eighth day I tested positive and had to go into isolation. On the third day of isolation I was running a fever and feeling quite poorly. I then began to loose my sense of taste and smell. I'll be writing more about it all soon. Have a nice weekend!
DeleteOh my goodness!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that you and Grayden were able to keep in touch during each day.
Not an easy situation but you coped well.
I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
Sending lots of good wishes to you.
All the best Jan
It was difficult, Jan, but we made the best of it we could. Thank you for your wishes. Happy weekend to you and Eddie!
DeleteThat is such a sweet tradition and keeping it up even when you were separated, applauding here. You certainly made the most of this situation. It must have been very difficult at times and a big hug from me for all of that. I have never been to Costa Rica and hope to one day. Your views from the balcony are spectacular.
ReplyDeleteDenise, I appreciate your sweet comments. I know you would enjoy Costa Rica. It is a beautiful country full of unique flora and fauna along with lovely residents. We found it to be one of our favorite Central American countries.
DeleteThank you Martha Ellen, it's on our bucket list and I hope we can get there one day :) Take good care of yourself and Happy September!
DeleteWhat an awful thing to have happen but looks like you two made it special just the same.
ReplyDeleteIt was awful, Latane. We tried our very best to see it through.
DeleteThank you for your encouragement to Nel on her book. I just read the third chapter, and it's getting interesting. She's always wanted to write a children's book, so it's nice that she finally released some chapters on the podcast. At first I wondered who was talking on the sound link, cause it didn't sound like my Nel, but she said, "that's me!" On the post when she showed the picture of the book and the flashlight - she really used to do that when she was little. I'd tell her it's time for bed, and she would read a little longer under the covers with a flashlight. It's like she always loved those mystery stories haha. Thank you for stopping by. I know Nel will appreciate that, Martha Ellen.
ReplyDeleteGood evening, Martha Ellen, just wanted to tell you that Nel has a post scheduled for tomorrow morning on her London trip. I know how much you love England, so you might enjoy looking at her pictures of all the things she did while visiting there. She stayed in a castle the whole time, which was set up by the school she works and teaches at. You may even be familiar with some of the places she mentions in her post. Just thought I'd let you know because I remember how much you love England.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Thank you, Sheri! I will try to visit soon, my friend. I've been crazy busy the last couple of weeks. It was so sweet of you to think of me.
DeleteI am so sorry to hear that you had to isolate on your cruise because you had Covid, Marth Ellen! It sounds like you were not too ill with it? Did they give you Paxlovid? My husband and I have not had Covid as yet--knock wood-- but we knw one of these days I'm sure it will happen for us. You seemed to make the best of a bad situation.
ReplyDeletePat, we did make the best of our situation. Of course, we had no choice. Though I felt quite sick, I was lucky to just rest. I was not offered Paxlovid. They did check on me daily to see if I was okay. Hopefully you can dodge the Covid bullet.
DeleteMartha Ellen, I am catching up from my blogging break . . . and, oh dear . . . I am so sorry to read that you had Covid while on your trip! It seems that you made the best of a bad situation . . . taking lovely photos, reading, doing your nails, and of course, having Elevenses and Afternoon Tea with Grayden every day remotely! That warmed my heart! ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl. I was just visiting your blog and saw where Covid made an unwelcome visit to your home. I'm so glad you all are doing well. I really enjoyed seeing the summer fun at the Pineapple House.
DeleteMartha Ellen, I wanted to thank you for making it known to me that Bigfoot is one word. I just changed it. I was spelling it with two words, as I'm not familiar with him, but I do know family members who are very interested in the legend of Bigfoot. Thank you for stopping by. I know you haven't been well, so I appreciate it so much. : )
ReplyDelete