The Open Water

Our full day onboard was crossing the Gulf of Mexico. So this was a day of participating, exploring and meeting. A theme that would develop in interesting ways over our vacation was the issue of structured, organized (expensive) tours versus spontaneous and do-it-ourselves (and in some ways risky) touring.

We had done ship-organized tours on our first cruise, but I was determined to avoid them this time. Each evening before a port-call they would announce that paid tours would cease being sold at 7 p.m. Tonight would be the first of a few conversations about this. The wife politely enquires (slightly anxious) about buying a tour before the deadline. And I firmly refuse (also a little anxious).

Tomorrow will be our first exercise in spontaneity.