A Cookie in Ft Lauderdale

"Each Ritz Carlton Resort has its own signography. Ours is the Endless Wonder of Water."

I roll my eyes. 

Adam Marcy, Senior Sales Manager of the Ritz Carlton Ft Lauderdale, gestures towards a large mural above the bar in the Via Luna Lounge. At first glance it seems only to be a large wave at sunset.

"If you focus on the crest you will see more than just a wave. . ."

Connie and I squint for a few seconds. Connie: "Oh yeah, horses!" Me: "Huh?" I finally see them.

There's a scene in one of the Lord of the Rings movies where some elvin magic causes a river to charge down a gulch in the shape of magic water horses. The aqueous equines block Orcs or some other evil from devouring Tolkein's clan of vulnerable do-gooders.

I wonder if Peter Jackson's effect guys stayed here. 

I'm jet lagged from a red eye flight from Salt Lake. This morning, when I landed, I took a taxi in to town to meet Connie on a tour of the Ritz Carlton before boarding the Allure of the Seas. 

We tour guestrooms. The standard rooms are huge, blond woody, blue and green ocean glass accented,  with views of the canals of Ft. Lauderdale or the Atlantic. There is a surprising amount of meeting space.

"Ft Lauderdale is known as the Venice of North America." Adam pushes the chiffon curtain aside. "I much prefer the views of the canals and city to those of the ocean. At night the ocean is black; but he city is full of lights and color."

The Ritz Ft Lauderdale was opened as a St. Regis in 2007. For whatever reason the Reg backed out and Ritz Carlton now manages the property.  I ask if there were any changes when the Ritz took over. Apparently, there were not. The ballrooms still carry the St Regis name plates of "John Jacob Astor Ballroom," and the "Astor Boardroom." It's a detail I have a hard time forgetting.

At the end of our tour Adam points to three glass and silver water coolers in the lounge: "As a continuation of our Endless Wonder of Water signography we have lemon, berry, and ginger infused water for our guests. Would you like to try one?"

I ask Adam how to spell "signography." I'm not sure if he ignores me or thinks I am talking to Connie. I get the idea he is uncomfortable with the subject. We shake hands. He gives me a sales packet.

I choose berry. Connie tries the lemon. We say goodbye and then buy a juice and a cookie in the lobby shop before ordering a taxi. I ask the cashier if he has heard of the word, or if he knows the Endless Wonder of Water thing.

He cracks a joke. And then in true Ritz fashion: "I'm not sure, but it would be my pleasure to find out for you."