Day 5 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic

After we had our breakfast at the Marketplace, it started raining. But, by the time we got to deck 3 to get off the ship, the rain had stopped, for the moment. We got off and explored the circular shops there.

We did get our passports stamped, which was an added treat. After some shopping, we went to Coco Cana to get a taste of how meals are prepared in the DR. 

We ordered a sample platter of coconut shrimp, calamari, chicken thighs and ham croquettes served with yucca sticks. 

They also gave us three dipping sauces to try. The staff was friendly and the food was good. I hadn't tried yucca or ham croquet so it was good to taste some new flavors.

While we were eating the "bottom fell out" again. For those who don't know, that means it started raining hard. So we ate more slowly to see if the rain would stop so we could head back to the boat. 

When we finished, the rain had stopped and we headed back to the ship. 

When we got back, we headed to the room to drop off purchases and regroup for what was next.

Vaughn went off to another trivia while I stayed in and rested my back. It was interesting that there was a pharmacy on the island that sold some items we need to have a prescription for as over the counter items (Tylenol 3 with codeine, flexoril, 800 MG Tylenol and other drugs). 

As I write this post, I am on the balcony and it is raining yet again. There are extended balconies below me that would get rained on if they were sitting out. So I am thankful to be located where we are. I am looking out at balconies of a Holland America ship. I spoke to a lady that was sailing and she said it was her absolute favorite line to sail on and she had tried them all! Since I haven't sailed on them, I will have to check them out and see if I like them.

There are some things I do not like about this ship. Making dinner reservations is one of them. But as Vaughn and I discussed, when you have 6,000 people on a ship, you have to do things differently. It's just different from other cruises I have taken. 

Another thing I do not like, and this is not the first time this has been a Carnival design, if you are on the deck near the casino and need to get to something on the other side, you have to walk thru the casino. For one who does not like cigarette smoke, I was not happy to have to do that. Maybe they should have the casino on the side, with its own door, so you won't have to go thru it or can walk around another way to get to your destination. 

So, here on the balcony, the rain has stopped, oh wait, it just started again! And harder this time. Hopefully it will be better weather tomorrow in Grand Turk. If not, I brought rain gear for just-in-case. Looks like that was a good call.