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Updated:
06/04/10 |
San Juan Cruise 2006
In March 2006, Terry, my brother
Bill, sister-in-law Cindy and I all took a 6 day cruise out
of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Bill and Cindy flew out of BWI. Terry and I flew from Richmond. We met up in Atlanta, hit the Crown Lounge... and all four of us then boarded the same flight to San Juan. Our flight from Atlanta ROCKED! Our Captain and First Officer were "Dan and Dan"! They even acknowledged our trip during their welcome announcement. And I got to sit in the cockpit (at 42 years of age!). It was still very cool! We arrived the day before our cruise (just in case of any delays, etc.). Bill and Cindy stayed at a rocking waterfront hotel, and had a great dinner (and just a bit of wine) to cap off their evening. Terry and I stayed at an awesome Embassy Suites with a full casino. I hit the casino... and stayed for over 6 hours until Terry had to drag me out. I played a game I had never tried, a San Juan game I've yet to see in the states, with a bonus option - something along the lines of 4 card poker. The dealer was teaching me the game, and after the 3rd hand I had the general idea. On the 4th hand, I made my initial bet... bumped to $5, added to the bonus field a $1 coin... and took my 4 cards. I was dealt four 5's. I doubled-my bet (the max). The dealer, concerned I didn't know what I was doing started to question my bet... a pit boss started watching and quickly joined. Apparently, raising is highly unusual in this game. The dealer offered me cards... I refused any. Here comes the second pit boss. The dealer, convinced I made a mistake tried to explain I had nothing to lose drawing cards... until I said "I'm done" and flipped over four 5's! Then I started doing this little Mikey dance... a few loud barks... and told the dealer, based on the schedule, I just won $500! I was suddenly swarmed by people... I think most were casino employees and security. My cards were locked under Plexiglas... and they did a full security surveillance review of all videotape... which took about 20 minutes. During this period, I'm ordering cocktails... Terry can hear the barking way over at the slots and comes running over... American's are patting me on the back... the dealer is ecstatic... and the pit bosses just glared. Security personnel stood very close to me while they reviewed all of the tapes. After 20 minutes, they said the play was clean... paid me $500 and congratulated me. During the wait, I discovered I was the only person to ever hit 4 of a kind on the initial draw at that casino. It's not completely unheard of... but it just doesn't happen. Well, unless Mikey's in the room! It was a great night! The next day we boarded the cruise... and had an incredible time! Enjoy some of the pictures!
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-F800x800.jpg "Mike plays slots.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry spinnin' wheels.")
-F800x800.jpg "Mike & Terry after arriving in San Juan.")
-F800x800.jpg "First stop! Pina Coladas!")
-F800x800.jpg "Our favorite bartender... \"Turnip\"!")
-F800x800.jpg "Pool view.")
-F800x800.jpg "Mike gives dance lessons.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry relaxing!")
-F800x800.jpg "Bill enjoying the sun.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry ready for safety drill.")
-F800x800.jpg "My winnings in Puerto Rico from 1 hand!")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry & Mike enjoying a first class trip!")
-F800x800.jpg "Bill, Cindy, Terry & Mike: Crown Lounge, awaiting flight from Atlanta to San Juan.")
-F800x800.jpg "They actually let me sit in the cockpit!")
-F800x800.jpg "Bill starts partying in the plane's aisle.")
-F800x800.jpg "Cindy visits Mike in first class... before she was ordered back to coach!")
-F800x800.jpg "San Juan.")
-F800x800.jpg "A bottle of wine prior to the formal dinner.")
-F800x800.jpg "Cindy and Terry.")
-F800x800.jpg "Bill & Mike.")
-F800x800.jpg "Cindy and Bill at dinner on the cruise.")
-F800x800.jpg "Awesome food carvings!")
-F800x800.jpg "Melon carving.")
-F800x800.jpg "So cool!")
-F800x800.jpg "Towel critters found on our beds! This is Hard Vark.")
-F800x800.jpg "Approaching St. Kitts.")
-F800x800.jpg "More towel critters!")
-F800x800.jpg "Pool view at sunrise.")
-F800x800.jpg "Sunrise and St. Kitts in the distance.")
-F800x800.jpg "A model of our ship.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry... and St. Kitts,")
-F800x800.jpg "St. Kitts.")
-F800x800.jpg "Bill waiting to dock.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry and St. Marteen.")
-F800x800.jpg "Mike & Activity Director in St. Marteen.")
-F800x800.jpg "View of lower decks within ship.")
-F800x800.jpg "Towel swans!")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry wins!")
-F800x800.jpg "Mike & Terry both won at roulette!")
-F800x800.jpg "Our ship in St. Marteen!")
-F800x800.jpg "See, it really is St. Marteen.")
-F800x800.jpg "St. Marteen.")
-F800x800.jpg "Terry and Mike.")
-F800x800.jpg "St. Marteen islands... and crystal clear waters.")
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