“How about one of those reggae brunch cruises that you are always talking about?” he said.
I immediately went to the computer and booked us two tickets on the Hornblower. Yeah, it does sound dirty, doesn’t it?
The Hornblower
Sunday morning we got up and went down to the pier where the Hornblower was. We were immediately greeted (Ha! ‘Immediately.’ I use that word in the vaguest of terms) by the parking attendant\inspiring model who I will now refer to as Chet. Parking was $6.00 so I gave Chet a twenty. At a second thought, I offered Chet another dollar thinking he could just return $15.00. Chet’s response? “Yeah, if you don’t mind, I want to keep my change.” Now I’m no parking attendant but one would think that he would want to keep his singles. Tool.
The boat wasn’t ready to be boarded yet so we walked down PCH, shared a drink at the Shamrock, and headed back. By the time we got back there was a line and our buddy Chet was chatting up a Paris Hilton look-alike completely ignoring the fact that he needed to dole out his ‘change’ to other people who were parking. It was at this point that I realized what the people of Newport Beach (the ones the other people roll their eyes about) do on Sunday. *Insert Stereo-Type Here.*
The boat wasn’t ready to be boarded yet so we walked down PCH, shared a drink at the Shamrock, and headed back. By the time we got back there was a line and our buddy Chet was chatting up a Paris Hilton look-alike completely ignoring the fact that he needed to dole out his ‘change’ to other people who were parking. It was at this point that I realized what the people of Newport Beach (the ones the other people roll their eyes about) do on Sunday. *Insert Stereo-Type Here.*
First champagne of the day
Finally we were seated and the champagne began to flow, as well as orange juice and coffee. The brunch was served buffet style, and I’m assuming that the lack of kitchen was the reason all items appeared to be from Costco. Not that Costco food is bad by any means, not great, but not bad either. Kevin really liked the Costco Orange Roughy and I really liked the Costco sausage links and potatoes. We ate, we drank, we kidded with the table of folks next to us, all while watching the harbor float by.
Costco desserts
After brunch we headed to the top level of the ship. There was a group of about 20 twenty-something’s with two bottles of champagne for every person hanging out with their designer jeans and CHIPs style sunglasses. They were really fabulous. It kind of reminded me of One Tree Hill\the O.C. throwing up. Kevin and I aren’t so-very-fabulous and we spent the remainder of the cruise watching birds and making jokes about ‘it’s not really a party ‘til someone jumps in!’.
Fabulous!
Overall, it was a good time. The food was OK, and they never skimped on champagne. The parking attendant was a tool, but our server was really nice and answered all my stupid questions.
Oh. And the reggae portion of this event? I just checked on line and it doesn’t look like they even have reggae cruises this time of year. D’oh.
Oh. And the reggae portion of this event? I just checked on line and it doesn’t look like they even have reggae cruises this time of year. D’oh.
After the cruise and feeling like we just didn't want to go home quite yet, we headed down to Balboa Saloon where I kicked Kevin's butt at pool. He was a good sport about it though.
**Due to unforeseen cash flow issues (read: “Oh my God! I spent HOW much on Christmas gifts?”) this weekend’s new thing almost did not happen. The surprise donation from a not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor (much to my protests) made it possible. So, not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor, this weekend’s new thing is dedicated to you. You shouldn’t have, but thank you so much. It was well used.
