VagabondMaverickHeart in Miami and on a Cruise

You know guys now I am grinning ear to ear as a Cheshire cat.(the other two of me in black with red horns and in white with an angelic white wings too ) 

When I said I would have laughed my head off if someone  said I would meet Nicholas Sparks, well  I would have stared them down if anyone had  told me I would work on my bucket list (ohh I am so smiling and happy doing the jig)and actually check them out.

Last couple of months I have been really getting opportunity to do just that:checking out few things from my bucket list, that I am scared why are all my wishes being granted.  I know, I know you all are wondering why all this preface: "I just am back from a 'cruise' " ( My eyes still sparkling with stars, still feeling the movement under my feet which i don't want it to go as it is the reminiscence of my soooo wonderful trip. By the way now I know (my evil grin on) why Captain Jack Sparrow is all wobbly.(wink)

My group consisting of eight of us including my cousin and her family, flew from Denver to Miami. Kids were all excited more than them me and my cousin were.

But before the cruise I did get to check one more item off the bucket list.... Jet skiing.

Someone like me with severe fear of water and an issue with speed was given a jet ski with my younger daughter behind me. Yes she was behind me and I was the first to be let into water in our group of four skis. I was not able to control it and I was panicking as I had expected it to stop like my Yamaha Ray in india. (It's a gear less motor scooter.) Instead the acceleration was different the breaking meant stop but the ski still moved according to the water.(Duhhh... I know it is stupid of me to even think the vehicle to stop with just a break. Stupid me!) Finally with my 6 year old's back seat driving and and our guide MJ's instruction without barging the brand new Yamaha jet ski into the closer boats of varying sizes I reached back to him where he could get hold of the unruly vehicle(Of course unruly under my guidance... I shrug).

"Do you want some else to take the ski for you?" 

"Please!" My voice squeaked though I was smiling hard. " But all those who can are already having one to maneuver." I told still shaking and my six year old clutching me and muttering why I didn't listen to her guidance how to ride.  

"If it's fine by you I can ride with you and your daughter." That was the nicest thing I had heard. I was beaming.

"Pleaaaase! Yes please." 

"That would be safer." He said

(Now thinking of it I roll my eyes. I was literally being a complete idiot but I didn't mind I wanted to enjoy it, and (in desperate voice) It's in my bucket list.)

I smiled and agreed. So with my daughter sandwiched between our Guide and me he started to lead the group. Clearing the crowded port where speed limit is supposed to be dead slow, he gave more gas to it. With the salt water spraying crazy on me and my daughter we moved into open water. She shrieked and complained of burning eyes. I could feel too as I didn't wear my glasses. (I can see almost fine except reading becomes a strain no longer can I see in HD clarity.) He gave my daughter his glares. She accepted the gesture thanking him. A sweet gesture indeed. (Pity no starry eyes teenage girls amidst us. The red horns shining with a naughty smile.)

We were going into the open side of the sea. It was amazing feeling. The wind gushing at you, your hair. You find it hard to keep your eyes open. When he noticed the group was actually keeping up with his speed he just floored it. It was crazy, I who was trying not to shriek just did that when he took the curves with the ski with the same speed. 

He showed the star island where the Hollywood stars have their Houses(Mansions to be precise) and told that to reach the island you should be taken by air or boats(luxury/ private). A private island where each apartment costs about fifty million dollars. We saw a ferry carrying cars to the said island where the residents went in Helicopters. They have a private golf course for their use. (I smirk. A world like that too... )

Then out of the blue he stopped the ski and was getting down I was wondering, 'Is this a part of the ski tour to jump into the sea. Am I up for it? Then I saw he landed firmly on his feet. He explained if you don't look for it, you never see the sand ridges: there are spots near to Miami coast with such sand ridges and it seems we are standing over the water(actually in the water without drowning, the water touched mid calf of mine.) It was amazing water all around and unobstructed sea breeze(pretty strong should we call it breeze or wind I am still pondering.) With the private apartments on one side the ship loading containers on one side and a little away an island seemingly untouched by the hubbubs of human with dense growth of shrubs taller than me. A moment of bliss of having experienced something new and fun. I told MJ I would never have made it this far and still enjoyed it.  I would have been a nervous wreck. 

"That wouldn't have been fun." He said. Yes it wouldn't have been. We stopped in a small beach amidst the tour we took and got few snaps and were zooming back. Loved every minute of the drive. MJ purposefully chose a the ripples to ride as a speed boat passed. It was fun as the ski just crossed the ripples or should I say waves bouncing with the speed and against the wave. A great experience to cherish.

As we all got down and thanked MJ, I had already thanked him too many times for actually taking up the ski to the sea with me and my daughter, or I would have seriously slowed down the group and we would not have been able to do the complete tour. Before parting i asked him if he ever gets bored with this. You guessed the answer guys, "Never!" We chilled our gushing Adrenalin by having food and then going for a ride in mono rail through the busy Miami.

Soon the D Day arrived and our day for cruise. After our checking in we were guided into the ship.

It was like entering into a big hotel. If you go and look at the center it was an atrium with a bar on the seventh floor which can be seen till the 12th floor. Which hosted the Caribbean Steel drum or steel pan ( a very beautiful sounding instrument which we stood listening once after dinner. It was amazing.), karaokes, DJ etc. 

The food was amazing with so many varied varieties of items and desert was just slurp.....

The dinner was even more special as we met the Maitre di  (who manages the public part or "front of the house " of a formal restaurant) who happened to be from India and to be more precise from Chennai. Chatted in Tamil ( though a little broken) but my Cousin in law could converse fluently. The team an amazing team serving us with two Indian's amongst them. The surprise was the Indian vegetarian food  available as a main course. I was so excited as I had gone resigned I won't get something my tongue would favour.(Winking) 

One more surprise waited for the non vegetarians, Courtesy to Mark we were given one non vegetarian dish specially for our table every evening for dinner. We chose the same table through out our cruise except for the second day. Can't keep from mentioning the team in dining area they made the dining a great experience. 

We stood at the back when the ship started to move out after our emergency safety drill. It drizzled but  soon it cleared. 

We watched with a cup of coffee as just before the ship moved away from the a ship in front of us and behind us a Police boat came bidding us bye and drawing a eight in the water. I heard my elder daughter ask is he showing off. 'Well I don't know about that but I liked the gesture.' 

Soon the ship moved into the canal to turn before we headed into the sea. An amazing experience as we moved into the sea and saw the Pilot. Yes a Pilot but not a plane's pilot but a maritime pilot. He or she would be an ex captain of ship. They know the narrow and shallow waters of the port, they maneuver the ship into the open water and then leave the ship in the hands of the Captain. I had no clue about this. Most of the Port have their Maritime Pilot to whom the Ship Captains give complete control until they reach open waters. I watched the same at Nassau too. 

Now our visit to the top deck of the ship, which had a mini golf course.(My eyes all glittery with excitement) Me and my cousin were more interested at being at the bow of the ship in this top deck. It was amazing we looked around as the ship moved into the open sea. The wind was so strong, it was difficult to stand upright. The wind was crazy. 

The bow in the night was even more mesmerising. 

While most of them enjoyed the night life we got the top deck almost clear with just a couple of people here and there, some necking, some stealing a kiss(wink, yes they did) and some just stealing the quiet of the night with just water around.Now you must be wondering what I did. Me and my cousin just stood there watching in silence as the ship moved on and on and the moon light shone in the night. 

It was amazingly surreal we were happy to be quiet, we stood there for more than half an hour I guess. It seemed very little time yet was getting late. We stood there peacefully once my cousin mentioned "there is no Me or You in the sea." 

Yes I realised, on this vast earth when we went into the sea we notice our insignificance. Yet the sea, the moonlight, the strong wind was all ethereal... actually surreal. We both were so into the moment and then we saw both our husbands just coming below our deck watching the same view as ours. They looked up and saw us and they thought of joining us and went searching the way up. And within five minutes of their arrival my husband asked "lets go". 

"Yes! " He did.( I roll my eyes. Men are always men!) Well there goes our surreal moment. Anyways I guess that moment and its magic shall remain within me for a long long time.

The ship ported at Nassau in Bahamas, Half Moon Cay island and Grand Turk island in Turk and Caico's Island. 

The Nassau trip was wet and rainy we just left for couple of hours and were back. 

The island was badly hit during the Storm Matthew. The trees and plants still were bent away from the wind that would have howled at them. In the drizzly day we saw the Fort Montague and the Atlantis Hotel. 

Also a new hotel going to be open this coming March, Baha Mar- The Reviera by the Cable beach. 

Alllll through rain.(wiping of the imaginary water from my face) I had left the girls in the kids fun: Camp Carnival as they wouldn't have enjoyed the wet touring around the city. Saw a lot of pink and white building followed by blue and white ones. 

The main thing I noticed was the vehicles drove just like in India not just on left, even the way they avoided the puddles almost veering into another car coming from the opposite direction.

The next stop was Half Moon Cay island where all we did was play in the sea. The sea was calm and very nice, the girls enjoyed being in water and having fun with their cousins. As I did too. 

Then next was the Grand Turks island we hoped the sea would be similar to Half Moon Cay but were disappointed as it was very rough, we did get into water but preferred the Half Moon Cay beach.

Then we were bound home with one whole day in sea. 

Just chilling and relaxing. Few cases of sea sickness started to be noticed thank god not in our group though couple of us in our group didn't want to eat. 

So final dinner day the crew bid us all good bye and it was in a way pretty sad.

The whole cruise was a great experience had a wonderful time there. (I know I am being greedy...  I wish I can go for a cruise once more in this life.) 

The last day before the flight we got chance for a quick visit to Miami beach. 

If nothing else the colours of the sea were mesmerising. 

From the mountains to the sea and back: a vacation to cherish in the memories, to sigh in our old age remembering the tranquil nights and fun filled days. 

What next in the bucket list? (All alert and thinking hard) 

Soon... soon .... hoping to be back with the next of my crazy Vagabondmaverickheart's desires. 

VagabondMaverickHeart Celebrating meeting Nicholas Spark

I have shared my bucket list here in my blog and you must have seen and people who know me know.... I am not a fan type ’ person’ (I have my lips slanted towards one side) neither am I starry eyed about anyone: actor, singer or writer for that matter. I do like couple of them bit never went too gaga over them. So when I saw Nicholas Spark was coming for an event I wanted to attend it just because he is one of my favourite authors... Wanted to see what made him what he is today, what makes his books so special, what makes him one of the favourite authors of women throughout the world including me. But I didn’t feel starry eyed.(rolling my eyes) I was excited of course, (duh) to meet the author in person, to know from the horse's mouth what made him tick in the world of books.

We all sat and waited. The drinks were being served at the bar counters. 

I just took a glass of water. I looked around it was like a women's meet. Then I saw a couple of men here and there. ( I smiled a man of his age with 20 books to his credit including the book released yesterday, he had a crazy number of women admirers around the world. I am an example (my naughty self-winks)
He is introduced by Ms. Brown an author herself. She is the conversationalist today.

As they were introduced and Mr. Spark entered being seated in one corner at the front row I had to  crane my neck then thought it’s better to look at the screen instead directly at the podium.  I would be lying if I say I was mesmerized by his mere presence in the podium, this and that. But as the evening progressed, so many questions were asked to and were answered by Mr. Spark. I don’t remember the order or the verbatim answers but I wanted to share the couple of things spoken by my favourite author. And that, in one hour I was slipping into a FAN mode.  By the time I had reached in queue to get his signature in my copy of Two by Two I was all starry eyed fan looking adoringly at an idol, she never knew she had(all starry eyes hearty sparkle in the eyes)

 

Q:Tell us about your books?
A: It’s love story. It’s set in North Carolina. (With a resigned expression, bringing smile on all of our faces.)
Q: So tell us about notebook and now two by two?
A: Well Notebook …It’s a love story. .. and It’s set  in North Carolina. And Two by Two …errr… It’s a love story. .. and It’s set  in North Carolina (The whole audience erupted into laughter.) He was like isn’t that the basic and rest to be read by you question written on his face. Then he smiled and explained doesn’t want to give spoilers.
Then on a serious note he mentioned... How he doesn't write Romances... He writes love stories... (of course is set in North Carolina winky) (What is the difference? Guys! C’mon! Romance you know what happens. The people end up being together happily ever after…) Here he writes Realistic ones. It can be that they lived happily ever after, or ended tragically with a death or sadly... without fulfilling the romance genres criteria. Some has the thrill element, mystery element, romance element to it.
He said he knows how the story ends before he starts writing. He knows how it will be different from others... How he consciously tries to maintain the element of difference so that all the readers enjoy it. He says every individuals are different, their likes also has the subtle changes so he needs to be on toes to make sure his book caters all readers.

Whatever be the sub theme...he points out the external conflict will overpower an internal conflict hence he says while writing he should make sure the love story stabilises then introduce thrill/mystery/fantasy/horror element.
Ask why? Because when danger element comes in your focus shifts from the tenderness of love story, you get so involved in what is happening, like the bad guys doings the protagonists reactions to it etc.  
Did Mr. Nicholas Sparks just reveal the success funda  of his books?  I guess, yes!  
But for a beginner writer it was a treasure chest kept open.
He chided having been able to work with some handsome men through movie adaptations of his books, it didn’t take even a fraction of a second for the excitement to rise and the excited shouts and howls from the crowd.
Why he kills his characters? He explained how death and sufferings are part of life. It makes the story real. But that doesn’t mean he can go on bumping three or four guy on the way. We do need drama in a book as it is realistic but not melodrama.

Most of the moments and interactions between the characters are the reflection of the reality. The dynamics of the relationship so much you find around you. We relate to these characters hence we cry, we laugh, we get excited, get the dose of fear along with the characters.
He said writing The Rescue had really affected him as it brings out through the character a fear of a parent which he himself is.
His goal is to write a book better than "The Notebook". Why? Till date most of the readers favourite book is still "The Notebook" and it was his first book. 20 years later still it is considered his best work. So he believes he has not gone up the hill as a writer instead has climbed down the grade. He says his books have evolved with more complexities than his first, yet he is to create a better one than his first book " The Notebook".
And as the conversation wrapped up e mentioned about the soundtrack for the book. Yes guys you heard it right the book “Two by Two “ has a sound track. The music by JD Eicher, you can check out the music in twobytwomusic.com. The song was played by JD Eicher after the conversation. After hearing from Nicholas Spark the song was the cherry.
He likes Stephen King books. It is through those books he picked a lot on writing he told.
Having got signed my copy of the book putting a word about his fan following in India especially the member s of the book club. I having posed for a picture, walked out in a trance. That was my FAN moment.   
Soon will post my review of the book in http://reshmaranjanbookreview.blogspot.com and I am still flying high, I know I should land, but feeling light and buoyant. A page engraved in gold in the book of my life.

 

Vagabond Heart travelling … ;-)

Here I am after a long gap. Unintentional though!

Had some real good time, Travelling.....Visited some really picturesque and absolutely stunning places, what better than nature to refresh you.  J

I know.. I Know!! This is not  a travelogue but I couldn’t help sharing.

1.        Amazing drive

One thing I learned is every drive leaves a complete new space of 'peace' in my mind. I know.... too dramatic…. My eyes rolling…  But I did feel that. 

The Lariat loop where the spring bloom-ed,  green pines: shrouding the mountains and the road curved right through narrow roads between them. Just leaves you spell bound. 

You want to go on driving through there on and on and on. Ok…ok…ok!!! No more ‘on’s….Next….

The jaw dropping Million Dollar Highway: the roads cut out by the side of the mountains. Absolutely dangerous stretch, no guard rails, no barriers, absolute ‘drop’ by the side. You should have seen my pale face and knees knocking though sitting inside the car. But the view was worth the ride. Spring is already in the air, actually summer… yet these mountains were laden with snow.

 

2.       Spectacular places.

The Switzerland of USA: Ouray, and beautiful Gondola rides in Telluride: An absolute relaxing dip in hot springs. It seriously reminds you of the scenes of Yash Chopra movies, except I wasn’t clad in plain saree. ;-) I know … I know…. I am dramatizing. But am I not entitled to it? A pout then you could see the halo shining over my head with my chin held high…

3.       Stay in an working ranch

Now that was a surprise with horses and cattle. Kids were absolutely enthused by seeing the ranch functioning. I loved every bit of it. Except couldn’t ride a horse. I have the pouted and sulking look on. God! How I had pictured myself in my cow girl attire: Jeans, boots, checked shirts, cow bow hat…. Sob….

4.       Box Canyon falls: 

Just ten minutes’ walk from the car parking you enter into the box amidst the canyons so closed and gallons of water gushes in mere minute with a deafening roar. Claustrophobic, Hydrophobic and Vertigo.......absolutely dumbstruck. An absolute marvel. Just wonder and fear of the nature is what gripped me there. Nothing more nothing less…

5.       A museum of Rocks:  

 

I was surprised to see the variety of rocks and fossils, which lead me to wonder how many of these rocks we might have just walked by and never noticed. Absolutely mesmerizing. A heaven for rock lovers. Here I don’t see myself attired as a geologist but with some great rocks on my fingers and neck ;-) ;-) ha, ha, ha….. Dreams…. Dreams…. Dreams…. But aren’t Dreams to be fulfilled. The smug look on fellows!!!

Ohh…. I forgot to mention I who has a severe fear of heights actually rode the Gondolas in Telluride..... The proud look is on... Scary but loved every second of it. And guess what I did Zip lining, ' yes '.... by god I did… and loved every moment of it. I did fly for few. Eyes wide still feeling the wonder...

Every moment of our life can be beautiful but with such small extra pieces of beauty doesn’t it become closer to perfect. The halo and the aura glowing around me…..But with a twist.... two horns shining naughtily on my head…..