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After several ports in the past several days, it was time to rest a bit. Now that does not mean there is nothing to do and today was no different. A few friends I had made wanted to go to one of the art auctions. I cringed. I had been approached several times since the cruise started with different incentives to get me to this show, this seminar, this or that auction. By this time in the cruise, they stopped asking me. They knew I was not falling for their scam. I gave a fair warning to my friends, but they were interested and who was I to tell them no?
So, while cruising is nice, there are things that everyone should consider. You are in a confined space and everyone wants your money. From day one (okay Day two in our case), there have been several “art” functions, displays, auctions, raffles, give-aways, and seminars galore.
At risk of damaging any reputation I might have, I am going to call these “art” folks out as scammers. It does not matter if they are “Park West” (which was on our ship) or some other, run away. As an art collector, I know the value of these works. As a matter of fact, most of these company’s employees are trained to pay attention to those who do not know art and politely excuse themselves from those who do. Why? Cause if you do not know what you are looking for, if you are a newbie, you are a mark and they can scam you out of a small fortune.
For example, the dragon sculpture here is called “Kiko Med” and was created by the artist Nano Lopez, from Columbia. Many of his pieces this size sell for $12,000 – $18,000 (USD) and up. I inquired about this piece and was told that his artwork goes for “30 thousand or more”. Now, the person was not lying. Nano Lopez sculptures can indeed go up to that and more, but this piece in particular retails for about $13.5K-$14K, not the $30+ thousand this guy was implying.
See, you have to listen and you have to research. There was one artist’s work by Ashton Howard that the Park West rep was saying they had exclusively, like Thomas Kincaid. Now, I know that neither are exclusive to Park West. I just rolled my eyes and moved on.
Another thing to look for as you walk the hall with the art on display, look very carefully at two things. First, is the artwork in a cheap frame? If so, it is most likely a reproduction. Secondly, ask the dealer/rep if it is an original or an “embellishment”? Trust me, you will be glad you did.
I went to one of the art auctions (not on this day, but earlier). I saw pieces that sold for WAY more than they should have. I saw pieces that were bid up on just to raise the price (call them shills or whatever, they were definitely put into the auction by Park West to up the bids). And, since all auctions take place in international waters, if you have buyer’s remorse or know you are scammed there is little someone who gets taken can do.
My advice for you if you want original art, find the studio of the artist and deal directly with them, find a local art auction and know your subject before you start bidding. Know what your soft limit is and your hard limit and try to stay close to the first and definitely don’t exceed the latter. *End Rant*
During the morning, I get a text from home. I won’t get into details, but my mom who is elderly, fell and hurt herself. I texted her and when she finally answered, she told me not to worry, that she was just bruised and her back was hurting. However, she was telling my wife other things. We were both trying to get her to go to a an ER or Doctor, but she refused. Since my travel agent was on the cruise and I ran into her husband first, I let him know that something may be up and I was concerned enough that I may need to leave early. A couple of hours later, I got a call from Steph the travel agent to meet her. I did and she let me know that she could get me off the ship the next day, on a plane direct from Georgetown, Grand Cayman to Tampa. I would need to be packed and they would get me off the ship and into the town, then to the airport. I would need to immigrate, then back out on the plane, but I could be home by mid afternoon. Having heard some more news from home, though still mixed messages, I asked Steph if we could hold off on for a bit. She said we could, but would need to know by 5pm so that all the arrangements could be finalized. In the end, I did not need that, but I was SO grateful it (and she) was there when I needed it.
Flashback to a few days ago, I wanted to try to get into Cagney’s but there were not reservations for today until late, like 9:45pm. The person at the desk said I could check for cancelations at the desk if I wanted. I did not want to chance it. I had paid for the four “reservations” and I did not want to lose them. I had heard the “Moderno Churascaria”, a Brazilian steakhouse was just as good. I asked if they had any times and she said they did, so I booked it for today.
I made my way up to deck 13 via the elevators. The lobby here had entrances to both of the steak houses. I went to the hostess and was seated right away.
The waiter asked if I had been here before. I said no, and he explained to me how it worked. The first course is the salad bar, which had enough on it to make a meal on its own if you were not careful. Once I’ve had enough, to let him know and he would clear my salad plates and bring service for the main course.
I could also order things off the menu. Since this was a “Brazilian” steakhouse, they had a drink called a caipirinha (kai-purr-REEN-yah) and it is the national drink of Brazil. When in Rome..er… Brazil… I ordered one.
In Tampa, we have a few of these Brazilian restaurants that Teresa and I have gone to. Teresa, being a vegetarian, sticks to the salad bar where there is plenty for her and she leaves satisfied. This salad bar was no different and had salad(s) of course, soups, and even sushi (plus more). Teresa would have easily found enough on here. I made a plate and sat down.
Everything was quite good and soon my drink arrived. It was sweeter than I expected, but I like sweeter drinks. After I finished my plate, I considered going for another, but the gaucho’s were already making their rounds I signaled the waiter and he cleaned the table.
Now it is not JUST meat that comes around to you. Several smaller dishes are brought out, like potatoes, mushrooms, fried yuca, sauces, rice, black beans and more. So, if you leave here hungry, it is own fault. I tried several meats, from beef to chicken to pork and even had seconds on a few. Still, I was careful not to stuff myself (which would have been easy to do). Soon I flipped my card over (from green to red). I was trying to save room for desert. I don’t recall what it was called, some coconut creme dish and it was quite good.
Having had my fill, I left and decided to take a few laps around the ship to “walk it off” before going to the late show at the Stardust.
As I was walking around, one of the ship’s photographers stopped me. Her name was Simone and she was from South Africa. The photography department sets up different backdrops for people to have their photo’s taken on most nights and this was no different. Simone was trying to convince me to have my photo taken, to pose on the stair case. I politely declined, telling her I was cruising alone and just did not feel the urge to buy anything, especially photo’s. She assured me it was okay and that she was normally a restaurant photographer, but she got called down to fill in for someone temporarily.
Being into photography, I started asked her questions and we shared some stories about shoots, about places she had seen, and places my wife and I had discovered. Several times, we stopped while she tried to get some this group or that group to pose. Her boss also kept walking around and a few times gave her a look. I “got the picture” or should I say got in the picture. I asked Simone to go ahead and take some shots and I posed on the staircase.
Afterwards, we shared a bit more before, I looked at my watch. It was almost show time. I bid her good night and thanked her for the conversation. I also took a moment to stop her boss and thank her, making sure Simone was not in trouble for me “monopolizing her time”. She assured me she was not upset with Simone, but worried about whomever Simone was covering for. I thanked her again and headed off to the show.
This show was amazing. The “story” was about the four elements, earth, wind, fire and water and it used so much of the stage, it overflowed into the seating area. It was non-stop and combined the works of the normal cast with the magic of the guest illusionist, the high flying aerial acrobatics of Duo Forte and much more. The theater was filled and some people came back from the earlier show hoping to catch what they missed. I do not want to ruin any surprises, but I will say that the talent from the show flowed through the theater.
The show seemed to end before it started and the crowd stood and cheered as the performers took their bows, twice. If you get the chance to see this show, GO!
Even though it was later in the night, I had no plans in the Grand Cayman’s tomorrow other than shopping. I made my way up back up to deck 12. There was a “Glow Party” amped up and the beats were dropping. (See, told ya I was not cool enough for that lingo.) It was fun to watch the older generation dancing to the EDM tracks, while mixing it up from “classics”. I got up to grab a drink and got pulled into the dance floor by Mary and her sister. Looking around as I bounced, I felt both young and old. Then it hit me as the music switched to a mix from the 80’s, I am part of the older generation.
I excused myself, though I doubt either of them heard me and I danced off to the bar. I ordered a “Painkiller”, which was the drink of the day (another reason to read the dailys, or just ask the bartenders, they’ll tell you) and made my way back to where I had been sitting. People watching is a good activity too.
Maybe an hour passed and I had finished with my drink a while ago. Mary had come by a couple of times trying to get me back out there and failed. I was getting tired, so I went down to my cabin to grab some shut eye.