We're Back!

[pops6927]

Linda and I are back from our Bahamas Cruise with our son George Jr., his wife Erin, daughter Paige and son George III (Trey.. also known as Bubba), Erin's mom Linda O'Rear and dad Wayne O'Rear.
Below is a link to a Photobucket album I created for the cruise. Pictures are random of the ship, the ports (Key West, Freeport and Nassau). In Key West we went to a butterfly aviary that was great! In Freeport we shopped the colorful little tourist traps.. er, shops. In Nassau we went to the Atlantis where several movies were made, including the famous penthouse suite in 'The Bridge'. Underneath the hotel is a huge aquarium that you can walk exploring thousands of fish, settings, etc. Plus, beautiful gardens. We also spent time at their 'waterworks' fountains where you can swim and relax. The entire LasVegas-style hotel (complete with gambling casinos) was magnificent! Back on the ship are pictures of some of the more interesting areas, including the Lido deck for casual buffet dining, 24 hour pizzarria, formal dining rooms, and a cooking demonstration at 'The Point' - a 5 star dining experience we went to twice! $30 for a 7 course meal; NY Strip, Porterhouse, Tenderloin, Lamb, Fillet of different fishes, etc . And, any meal you can order more of at no extra charge - if you can eat 3 porterhouses (1½" thick each!) they'll serve them to you!
One of the hits of the cruise was their 'Melting Chocolate Cake' - here's the recipe:

Semi-Sweet Chocolate - 11 oz.
Butter - 11 oz.
Fresh Eggs - 7
Sugar - 22 oz.
Flour - 11 oz.

Melt Chocolate and Butter
Mix half of egg and sugar and whisk for a few minutes, then add flour. Then add the balance of egg.
Add egg mixture to the melted chocolate mixture.
Pour the mixture into 4 oz. ramekin cups.
Bake directly in the oven at 200°C (392°F) for 15-20 minutes
Serve with vanilla ice cream in separate 2oz. ramekin cups.

Garnish with sweet chocolate shavings and powered sugar.

Ramekin cups are small, shallow white porcelain cups.

This recipe will make approximately 10 servings.

It is almost like a hot chocolate pudding with a cake-like topping - very, very rich and delicious!



hopefully this works for the cruise pictures:

I made a separate album for the photos on photobucket:

http://s664.photobucket.com/albums/v...tory%20cruise/

The weather was gorgeous for the entire trip. While in Nassau at the pool, a small dark cloud went over and we had a 1 minute shower; that was it for the entire week! I would recommend this cruise to anyone!

 

[fire it up]

Great looking pics, looks like it would be a blast!
What was the deal with that HUGE tv on the ship?
Been a long time since I have been out on the water, and I hate to fly, would be nice to take such an awesome cruise.

 

[pops6927]

That's the best way to watch a football game! Stadium seating around the pool, in your swimtrunks/bikini and people bringing you beer!

 

[bbq engineer]

Hey Pops,

Glad you made it back. Aren't cruises awesome? Looks like you really had a good time, and I bet it was even more enjoyable to be there with a large group of family.

Mrs. Engineer and I have been on a couple of long ones, and made a bunch of stops...Every day is a new adventure. Some of the fun things we have done...Catamaran tours with open bars, hiked volcanos, open air jeep tours of the rainforest (it didn't rain on us that day!), swam through streams and jumped off the rocks into the base of a huge waterfall, rode jet ski's in the ocean, walked on clothing optional beaches (it ain't nothing like you would imagine), snorkeled in the ocean up close to giant sea turtles (and a 6' black tipped reef shark...scary!), Toured giant forts that protected islands, tried beers from every island that had one, and still had time for buying jewlery and eating out. I would also be so hungry when we got back to the ship that I would run up stairs and have the cafe make me a steak before dinner (we had late seating). I also made sure I was top side for every port exit, drink in hand...man that was fun!

Pops, I am jealous at the fun and adventures that you had....

 

[rivet]

Beautiful stuff !!!!

Wow, you all had a first-class tour. One cruise that makes everyone want to cruise~ thanks for sharing. Your experience was perfect ; thanks for letting us know the details on the food

So glad you all had a great time, Pops! Congratulations

 

[ronp]

Nice time I see, thanks for sharing.

BTW how many porterhouses did you eat?

 

[beer-b-q]

Glad you had a great time, thanks for the pics...

Didn't see any smokers, what happened?

 

[the dude abides]

Thanks for letting us vacation vicariously through your picts. I've been on a couple of cruises to work and also worked for a few days at Atlantis. Awesome place for sure. I really liked the colored glass, sun like things that hung in the casino and a few other places in the hotel. Did you do the giant water slide? Or the tube ride? The one that goes through the tubes that go through the shark tanks? That's cool.

The ship looks beautiful. Glad you had a good time. Welcome back.

 

[pineywoods]

Looks like a fantastic cruise glad ya'll got to enjoy it all!!

 

[mballi3011]

Looks like a fine cruise and all. Thanks for letting us all in on your vacation. We are more of the fly and hang out type of folks. I do like that recipe for the chocolate cake it sounds yummy for sure thanks Pops.