I thought Wednesday was the last cruise ship day. And today the Westerdam showed up. It is 833 feet long and with 1800 passengers and 800 crew.
The little boat behind is the Safari Explorer, 145 feet, 36 passengers and 16 crew.
I did “spring” into action. I am starting to break camp. I divided my stuff into 5 piles:
- Trash
- Donate
- Send Home
- Take Home
- Leave Here
Yesterday, I addressed the hardest “trash” issue. What to do with the “Carlton Dust”. Regular readers will remember that Carlton was a “member” of the 2016 Class at Georgetown Medical School. Mr C came back from Georgetown in a heavy plastic bag in a sturdy black plastic box. The plastic box came to Kona via UPS with my wetsuit. I put most of the ashes in the Bay next to a fine fat puhi at 19°38’21” N 155°59’40” W back in November. But, the box and bag were dusty. With “Carlton dust”. The box and bag have been in my room. Waiting on me to “do something”. It didn’t see too respectful to just toss those dusty containers in the dumpster. It didn’t seem right to rinse them out in the bathroom, either. So, yesterday morning, down to the bay.. for one last swish of ocean. Today, I took the label off and pitched the containers.
A friend told me today that he still had those dusty boxes from his Mom and Dad. Grateful, I had the ocean for my little “purification ritual”.
BTW: when I checked on the temperature in Grand Canyon it was 18° at 9AM canyon time. Went to the thrift shop and added a fleecy vest to my travel gear! The Grand Canyon detour might not be the best idea I ever had… Oh well, whatever happens is what I planned.