"Beach Party"!

Got up early to go to our "Beach Party" in Freeport. It was frigid. Very, very cold. But we wouldn't be denied, so we wrapped ourselves in fleeces and started drinking to stave off the boredom. A lot of credit should be given to the DJ (despite his playing the same miserable CD over and over) because he tried to get everyone up & into it by playing games like the Egg Toss & Tug of War. Charity's team beat my team in the Tug of War because they had a 350 pound anchor from Alabama who said, "I've been drinking whiskey all day." It was 11:00am.

Saw the strangest t-shirt I've ever seen. "Southern by birth, Coon hunter by the grace of God." So very disturbing...

Got back to the ship and Charity & I did some work for a few hours, then napped. Got up, showered & dressed to head into town. Went to the (beautiful) Westin and the concierge recommended a FANTASTIC restaurant - Iries. INCREDIBLE food. We had baked oysters to start, then I had lobster tail with mashed potatoes w/ red beans in them, perfectly seasoned vegetables and Charity had salmon with a tastefully & lightly done crab sauce & brie. Bottle of red wine & a STUNNING banana chocolate cake dessert finished it perfectly.

Wandered around after dinner & went to the "Prop Club" which reminded me of Amelia Island's "Falcon's Nest" in that manufactured-aviation-resort bar way. Had a couple drinks, watched the Winter X Games on TV and immediately left when the PAINFULLY loud hip-hop started.

Wandered aimlessly and nearly got attacked by a dog as we tried to get out of the grounds. Found our way in to the World's Most Depressing Casino. I hate casinos as a rule, but this was particularly painful. But at least it was tiny. Caught a limo back to the ship for the same price as a taxi cab. Went up to the Faculty Lounge and found Randy Teetz & the Loves. Stayed up WAY too late... All in good fun. Until Charity pulled the "Irish Goodbye." I met a Frenchman named Christophe who worked in the ship's management and who loves Formula 1. Had a great conversation about F1 and he offered to show me around Monaco. Went to get his business card and stumbled into a party in the cabin of the ship's photographer. Good times...