We have husbanded our minutes very well. From 220 to 9 at this moment. Great cruise. Great time. I'll text from the US of A tomorrow. Shutting it down here, boss!
LOTS OF LOVE!
TTFN
Monday, December 19, 2016
Sunday, December 18, 2016
HERE WE GO STEELERS!
December 18, 2016
Google told me. My regular sports reporters have not shared the news yet. Way too close against the Bungles. But a win is a win!
And now on to a day at sea. The Cabaret Lounge was full for my Bermuda Triangle talk at 2 p.m. today. That talk always draws the best crowd. I tweaked it a little today that I think added to it. Some family night soon we will do “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle” instead of Wheel and Jeopardy.
Weather is much nicer west of Bermuda. A little motion of the ocean – it is December after all – but much smoother than in recent days. Tonight was the Captain’s Farewell Party. I introduced myself to him (he had not been to any of my talks, although I have had captains come in) and thanked him for the good cruise, for his skillful navigation, and for his brisk sense of humor. I really appreciate that every day at noon he gave a full position report, plus the weather, and kept us updated on what he was doing to avoid the worst seas. He has a couple more legs to sail before he gets vacation he said. Unlike his enrichment lecturer he won’t be home for Christmas. I’ve had several people ask if we were doing the next leg, and I told them, Nope! Gotta get back to 233. Christmas is coming.
Tomorrow is out last day at sea and traditionally the day that we give tips to people on board who have helped us have a great time. Our assistant waiter has been top notch, and we agree, she will get the biggest tip. We’ve had great servers all around, and our cabin steward has been super as well. It’s always fun to give them an envelope or a money handshake, but sad too because we’ve really had a good time together. It’s neat because every once in a while we will see someone again (Juanito, our waiter from April on board this ship for example).
Well, my last talk, “Alexander Selkirk: The Real Robinson Crusoe,” is tomorrow at 11 so I need to cut my blogging short to do a rehearsal before bedtime. I will turn the keyboard over to my traveling companion for her news and views.
TTFN
Well, where to begin. Up at 5 am. Seems that is as long as I can sleep no matter how late we go to bed. Part of it is the oxycodone. I have stopped taking it and there is always withdrawal. Oh well, what can you do as your father says.
After Dad got up at 7 we showered, dressed and headed up for breakfast. Usual stuff. I had a fried egg this morning. Then, off for my walk. It was not very cold and a nice breeze blowing. After walking, I took my bottle that I carry distilled water in down to the medical center to get it refilled. I had used all I brought and I hadn’t been able to find any in Bermuda. They told us it is always available on the Princess’ ships. Good to know. So I dropped off the bottle on deck 4 and then went port side on deck 5 to sit and crochet. They were working on one end of the deck. Oh my word what a noise! I thought I was in the dentist office. They were grinding and drilling. It sounded just like the dentist drill. I sat for about 30 minutes and said that was all I could stand. So I returned to the cabin and waited till Dad was ready to go for lunch. We had lunch and then, because I was antsy and it was really nice out I went and walked a second time. I walked 2 and ½ miles today.
Let me tell you about this old lady (older than me) skinny and knobby kneed who was walking in front of me. She had on these little tiny red shorts. Oh my! What a sight.
I wasn’t going to go to Dad’s talk but changed my mind and arrived just as he started.
He was being followed by an auction of some kind of sea charts at 3 and then bingo at 3:15. So I knew he would me to help close up stuff so he could talk to people.
After the talk he napped, I did not. I took my shower tonight and washed my hair and dressed for Formal night after he had slept about an hour. He got dressed and we headed up at about 5.
The singers and dancers did a show called “Let’s Dance” and it was fabulous. There are only 6 dancers and 2 singers but they are really good. This particular production we have seen on larger Princess ships with more singers and dancers but they weren’t any better than this group. They have a really small stage and area to preform in but they work really hard and are so much fun to watch. If only I could move like that. WOW.
Well, we are back in the room. I am going to get my back scratched and go to bed while Dad practices. His talk tomorrow is at 11am. So tomorrow will be an early day as will the next day as our scheduled time to get off the ship is at 8:20. So hopefully we will be to our car and on our way home by 10 or so.
Goodnight.
Google told me. My regular sports reporters have not shared the news yet. Way too close against the Bungles. But a win is a win!
And now on to a day at sea. The Cabaret Lounge was full for my Bermuda Triangle talk at 2 p.m. today. That talk always draws the best crowd. I tweaked it a little today that I think added to it. Some family night soon we will do “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle” instead of Wheel and Jeopardy.
Weather is much nicer west of Bermuda. A little motion of the ocean – it is December after all – but much smoother than in recent days. Tonight was the Captain’s Farewell Party. I introduced myself to him (he had not been to any of my talks, although I have had captains come in) and thanked him for the good cruise, for his skillful navigation, and for his brisk sense of humor. I really appreciate that every day at noon he gave a full position report, plus the weather, and kept us updated on what he was doing to avoid the worst seas. He has a couple more legs to sail before he gets vacation he said. Unlike his enrichment lecturer he won’t be home for Christmas. I’ve had several people ask if we were doing the next leg, and I told them, Nope! Gotta get back to 233. Christmas is coming.
Tomorrow is out last day at sea and traditionally the day that we give tips to people on board who have helped us have a great time. Our assistant waiter has been top notch, and we agree, she will get the biggest tip. We’ve had great servers all around, and our cabin steward has been super as well. It’s always fun to give them an envelope or a money handshake, but sad too because we’ve really had a good time together. It’s neat because every once in a while we will see someone again (Juanito, our waiter from April on board this ship for example).
Well, my last talk, “Alexander Selkirk: The Real Robinson Crusoe,” is tomorrow at 11 so I need to cut my blogging short to do a rehearsal before bedtime. I will turn the keyboard over to my traveling companion for her news and views.
TTFN
Well, where to begin. Up at 5 am. Seems that is as long as I can sleep no matter how late we go to bed. Part of it is the oxycodone. I have stopped taking it and there is always withdrawal. Oh well, what can you do as your father says.
After Dad got up at 7 we showered, dressed and headed up for breakfast. Usual stuff. I had a fried egg this morning. Then, off for my walk. It was not very cold and a nice breeze blowing. After walking, I took my bottle that I carry distilled water in down to the medical center to get it refilled. I had used all I brought and I hadn’t been able to find any in Bermuda. They told us it is always available on the Princess’ ships. Good to know. So I dropped off the bottle on deck 4 and then went port side on deck 5 to sit and crochet. They were working on one end of the deck. Oh my word what a noise! I thought I was in the dentist office. They were grinding and drilling. It sounded just like the dentist drill. I sat for about 30 minutes and said that was all I could stand. So I returned to the cabin and waited till Dad was ready to go for lunch. We had lunch and then, because I was antsy and it was really nice out I went and walked a second time. I walked 2 and ½ miles today.
Let me tell you about this old lady (older than me) skinny and knobby kneed who was walking in front of me. She had on these little tiny red shorts. Oh my! What a sight.
I wasn’t going to go to Dad’s talk but changed my mind and arrived just as he started.
He was being followed by an auction of some kind of sea charts at 3 and then bingo at 3:15. So I knew he would me to help close up stuff so he could talk to people.
After the talk he napped, I did not. I took my shower tonight and washed my hair and dressed for Formal night after he had slept about an hour. He got dressed and we headed up at about 5.
The singers and dancers did a show called “Let’s Dance” and it was fabulous. There are only 6 dancers and 2 singers but they are really good. This particular production we have seen on larger Princess ships with more singers and dancers but they weren’t any better than this group. They have a really small stage and area to preform in but they work really hard and are so much fun to watch. If only I could move like that. WOW.
Well, we are back in the room. I am going to get my back scratched and go to bed while Dad practices. His talk tomorrow is at 11am. So tomorrow will be an early day as will the next day as our scheduled time to get off the ship is at 8:20. So hopefully we will be to our car and on our way home by 10 or so.
Goodnight.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
DID YOU THINK THAT WAS FUNNY?
December 17, 2016
The ship’s entertainment schedule is different tonight. Instead of our after dinner show being at 7:45, it is at 8:15, so we got to the Cabaret Lounge before the performer had finished his first act. We waited just outside the door because we knew he would finish soon, the theater would empty out, and we could get out regular seats. As we listened, he went on and on without a single laugh, setting up his grand finale. Finally he hit it, to a smattering of laughter – his cousin wanted to be an astronaut and go to the sun, but when told he would burn up he said he had rectified the problem because he would go at night – Bonnie looked at me and said, “Did you think that was funny?” I replied in the negative. She said, “Do you want to stay and hear the whole act?” I replied in the negative. So you get the blog an hour earlier.
The captain got us into Hamilton on time this morning. There was some question with the rough seas last night whether or not he would be able to do it, and he warned us that our visit might be cut short because we could not extend our stay. We had to sail in daylight conditions. As I said, he was on time, and we had breakfast and then wandered off into Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, to shop and sight-see. We’ve been here often, and so we did not have to search for the few things on our list. We found a store that sells electronic games, but the owner told me he had not gotten any of the coveted games in – so Santa’s helper has struck out. Sorry. Bonnie found a store that sold yarn, about which I am sure she will regale you. And we bought a couple of drinks and a can of Pringles. We bought Tate a Christmas present, but I can’t tell you what it is so as not to give away the secret.
We ate lunch back on board, and then I napped. We played cards and she is now ahead 9 games to 7. I am so sick of hearing her say, “Yes, but when I win it is only by 5 points and when you win it is by 200!” I told her the New York Yankees scored 22 more runs than the Pittsburgh Pirates did in the 1960 World Series, and lost the championship of the world 4 games to 3. She still whined. From now on, no mercy. The score will be a gozillion to 9 before we get back to 233!
The day in Bermuda started out very overcast, but by the time we sailed it was a perfect Irving Berlin day, nothing but blue skies! As we sailed out we passed the British entry in next year’s World Cup sailing competition. She was doing practice runs against the U.S. boat, but the U.S. had her sails down at the moment. Very striking craft – catamarans which, our captain said, can bend the wind. It was the first time we have ever sailed away from Hamilton (few ships dock up there because most of them are the colossal size anymore). We sailed down around the Royal Naval Shipyard and up around the eastern side, circling around the top and then heading for Fort Lauderdale where we are scheduled to dock Tuesday. Tuesday before the photon torpedoes are installed, or the tractor beam, or the medical staff.
Speaking of science fiction movies, the little restaurant in Hamilton where we usually eat lunch is also a theater and guess what feature was playing today at 2:15! Yes! “Rogue One”! If our original all aboard of 4:30 had been kept, instead of the change to 3:30, we could have seen it. I wanted to bribe the theater owner for a private showing, but my companion wouldn’t allow me to do so. So close, but yet so far!
Tomorrow my schedule of talks has been changed. I’m on at 2 instead of 1 p.m., and instead of “Alexander Selkirk: The Real Robinson Caruso” I am doing “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle.” Several of the which of which there is no whicher asked if I had such a talk, and then they went to the cruise director and asked if he would make it possible for me to give it. And he did. It is a fun talk, and I like doing it. So Selkirk will wait for the last day. And Magellan will not sail. That’s life. A magazine. 39 cents!
Well, I know there is at least one yarn story coming, so I will turn over the key board for a session of hunting and pecking.
TTFN
Well, at least I didn’t get up till 7 am but I was awake at 4, 5, 6,and 7am. These times were interspersed with sleeping and crazy dreams!! I was awakened at 7 by my bed buddy screaming CRAMP!!. which meant rub my leg I am dying. After rubbing out the cramp we soon got up. Oh my what a beginning.
After showering, dressing and having breakfast we retrieved our going ashore stuff and headed off the ship. We visited a mall area we had been to before but didn’t find any of the stuff we were looking for. Going out on a street parallel to the one we had started on we found a really neat store with books, Christmas decorations, toys, clothes ,etc scattered on about 4 levels up and down staircases galore. A fun store. I did find something for young Tate and my first item of the list: a newspaper!! Hurrah.
There was another store directly across the street that looked interesting and we crossed and found more toys, snacks, drinks and a small pharmacy. We asked about distilled water and was told we could find it in the supermarket on the front street.
We would go later.
After looking through that store, we came out and proceeded up to the street where the museum, church and the little restaurant is located. We did not eat there but took pictures of the movie marquee. We decided to go to the museum to have a look. But sadness it was closed. The old guy was tired so we sat on some benches outside to rest. I wasn’t in the mood to sit so I saw a store called Gibbons across the street that looked like fun so I left him to go look. It was a department store having just about everything. Kids, adults clothes, toys, etc. There was a sign up that said they had craft materials downstairs. So I went down the steps to find more clothes, etc. There was another sign that said the craft stuff was in the basement, so I asked a young lady how to get to the basement. The steps down to the basement were just to the left of the back door just before you exited. Actually the steps went up to another floor and on the way up there was a set of stairs that went down to the basement. Much to my pleasure down there was a whole wall of Yarn! Same kind as Joanns. Amazing. Many colors and styles to choose from. Do I need to say I was in hog heaven. I purchased 3 skeins (cherry red, green and white). When I went to check out the lady asked me if I was in their system, I said no ma’am but I was in them all at home. She smiled. I guess I qualified for something because I got 40% off my yarn. Wow. I wound my way back up the steps and finally found my way back to David, sitting where I had left him [and where else did she think I’d be – off with the dancing girls?].
We then went off to buy our drinks, Mountain Dew , is plentiful. Then we headed to the main thoroughfare and the supermarket. But sadly they did not have distilled water , lots of other kinds of water, but no distilled.
We had passed a yogurt store on our way to look for the supermarket and decided some good froyo would taste good. So we walked back the way we came and up the hill to where we had seen the shop. But very sadly it was closed until further notice. Oh well, at least I got some more good walking. Disappointed we headed home and to lunch in the buffet.
After lunch, he needed a nap. Me I wasn’t sleepy so I played scrabble. About 3 we got up and dressed for supper and went down to deck 5 to watch the sail away. We had never sailed from Hamilton, though we have rode ferries into it often. It was neat seeing all the houses on shore and the small sailboats and fishing boats. The British racing catamaran was cool. It could really sail through the water at a swift pace. We sailed all the way down the island past the dockyard pier where we usually dock and saw the mall where we usually shop.
It was neat in Hamilton shopping. Because it was Saturday a lot of people many with children were out shopping and many where Christmas shopping. Santa was in some of the stores and even riding around town in a convertible being driven by one of his helpers. It reminded me that Christmas is almost here and I still having shopping to do. It was a absolutely beautiful sunny day. All we had on were sweaters.
Well, tomorrow is the next to last sea day and I still have crocheting to do. So I will try and use my time wisely. I have loved all the ports we have been to and it has been great fun.
Love Mom
The ship’s entertainment schedule is different tonight. Instead of our after dinner show being at 7:45, it is at 8:15, so we got to the Cabaret Lounge before the performer had finished his first act. We waited just outside the door because we knew he would finish soon, the theater would empty out, and we could get out regular seats. As we listened, he went on and on without a single laugh, setting up his grand finale. Finally he hit it, to a smattering of laughter – his cousin wanted to be an astronaut and go to the sun, but when told he would burn up he said he had rectified the problem because he would go at night – Bonnie looked at me and said, “Did you think that was funny?” I replied in the negative. She said, “Do you want to stay and hear the whole act?” I replied in the negative. So you get the blog an hour earlier.
The captain got us into Hamilton on time this morning. There was some question with the rough seas last night whether or not he would be able to do it, and he warned us that our visit might be cut short because we could not extend our stay. We had to sail in daylight conditions. As I said, he was on time, and we had breakfast and then wandered off into Hamilton, the capital of Bermuda, to shop and sight-see. We’ve been here often, and so we did not have to search for the few things on our list. We found a store that sells electronic games, but the owner told me he had not gotten any of the coveted games in – so Santa’s helper has struck out. Sorry. Bonnie found a store that sold yarn, about which I am sure she will regale you. And we bought a couple of drinks and a can of Pringles. We bought Tate a Christmas present, but I can’t tell you what it is so as not to give away the secret.
We ate lunch back on board, and then I napped. We played cards and she is now ahead 9 games to 7. I am so sick of hearing her say, “Yes, but when I win it is only by 5 points and when you win it is by 200!” I told her the New York Yankees scored 22 more runs than the Pittsburgh Pirates did in the 1960 World Series, and lost the championship of the world 4 games to 3. She still whined. From now on, no mercy. The score will be a gozillion to 9 before we get back to 233!
The day in Bermuda started out very overcast, but by the time we sailed it was a perfect Irving Berlin day, nothing but blue skies! As we sailed out we passed the British entry in next year’s World Cup sailing competition. She was doing practice runs against the U.S. boat, but the U.S. had her sails down at the moment. Very striking craft – catamarans which, our captain said, can bend the wind. It was the first time we have ever sailed away from Hamilton (few ships dock up there because most of them are the colossal size anymore). We sailed down around the Royal Naval Shipyard and up around the eastern side, circling around the top and then heading for Fort Lauderdale where we are scheduled to dock Tuesday. Tuesday before the photon torpedoes are installed, or the tractor beam, or the medical staff.
Speaking of science fiction movies, the little restaurant in Hamilton where we usually eat lunch is also a theater and guess what feature was playing today at 2:15! Yes! “Rogue One”! If our original all aboard of 4:30 had been kept, instead of the change to 3:30, we could have seen it. I wanted to bribe the theater owner for a private showing, but my companion wouldn’t allow me to do so. So close, but yet so far!
Tomorrow my schedule of talks has been changed. I’m on at 2 instead of 1 p.m., and instead of “Alexander Selkirk: The Real Robinson Caruso” I am doing “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle.” Several of the which of which there is no whicher asked if I had such a talk, and then they went to the cruise director and asked if he would make it possible for me to give it. And he did. It is a fun talk, and I like doing it. So Selkirk will wait for the last day. And Magellan will not sail. That’s life. A magazine. 39 cents!
Well, I know there is at least one yarn story coming, so I will turn over the key board for a session of hunting and pecking.
TTFN
Well, at least I didn’t get up till 7 am but I was awake at 4, 5, 6,and 7am. These times were interspersed with sleeping and crazy dreams!! I was awakened at 7 by my bed buddy screaming CRAMP!!. which meant rub my leg I am dying. After rubbing out the cramp we soon got up. Oh my what a beginning.
After showering, dressing and having breakfast we retrieved our going ashore stuff and headed off the ship. We visited a mall area we had been to before but didn’t find any of the stuff we were looking for. Going out on a street parallel to the one we had started on we found a really neat store with books, Christmas decorations, toys, clothes ,etc scattered on about 4 levels up and down staircases galore. A fun store. I did find something for young Tate and my first item of the list: a newspaper!! Hurrah.
There was another store directly across the street that looked interesting and we crossed and found more toys, snacks, drinks and a small pharmacy. We asked about distilled water and was told we could find it in the supermarket on the front street.
We would go later.
After looking through that store, we came out and proceeded up to the street where the museum, church and the little restaurant is located. We did not eat there but took pictures of the movie marquee. We decided to go to the museum to have a look. But sadness it was closed. The old guy was tired so we sat on some benches outside to rest. I wasn’t in the mood to sit so I saw a store called Gibbons across the street that looked like fun so I left him to go look. It was a department store having just about everything. Kids, adults clothes, toys, etc. There was a sign up that said they had craft materials downstairs. So I went down the steps to find more clothes, etc. There was another sign that said the craft stuff was in the basement, so I asked a young lady how to get to the basement. The steps down to the basement were just to the left of the back door just before you exited. Actually the steps went up to another floor and on the way up there was a set of stairs that went down to the basement. Much to my pleasure down there was a whole wall of Yarn! Same kind as Joanns. Amazing. Many colors and styles to choose from. Do I need to say I was in hog heaven. I purchased 3 skeins (cherry red, green and white). When I went to check out the lady asked me if I was in their system, I said no ma’am but I was in them all at home. She smiled. I guess I qualified for something because I got 40% off my yarn. Wow. I wound my way back up the steps and finally found my way back to David, sitting where I had left him [and where else did she think I’d be – off with the dancing girls?].
We then went off to buy our drinks, Mountain Dew , is plentiful. Then we headed to the main thoroughfare and the supermarket. But sadly they did not have distilled water , lots of other kinds of water, but no distilled.
We had passed a yogurt store on our way to look for the supermarket and decided some good froyo would taste good. So we walked back the way we came and up the hill to where we had seen the shop. But very sadly it was closed until further notice. Oh well, at least I got some more good walking. Disappointed we headed home and to lunch in the buffet.
After lunch, he needed a nap. Me I wasn’t sleepy so I played scrabble. About 3 we got up and dressed for supper and went down to deck 5 to watch the sail away. We had never sailed from Hamilton, though we have rode ferries into it often. It was neat seeing all the houses on shore and the small sailboats and fishing boats. The British racing catamaran was cool. It could really sail through the water at a swift pace. We sailed all the way down the island past the dockyard pier where we usually dock and saw the mall where we usually shop.
It was neat in Hamilton shopping. Because it was Saturday a lot of people many with children were out shopping and many where Christmas shopping. Santa was in some of the stores and even riding around town in a convertible being driven by one of his helpers. It reminded me that Christmas is almost here and I still having shopping to do. It was a absolutely beautiful sunny day. All we had on were sweaters.
Well, tomorrow is the next to last sea day and I still have crocheting to do. So I will try and use my time wisely. I have loved all the ports we have been to and it has been great fun.
Love Mom
Friday, December 16, 2016
TOMORROW IT’S HAMILTON
December 16, 2016
But we’re not sure at what time. The seas are quite rough, as the Captain said they would be once he turned directly towards Bermuda. We are pitching about 15 feet on the ocean swells. It’s not too bad because the ship is sailing directly into them and we are getting no side to side roll. Because of that, we have had to reduce speed, and our 9 a.m. arrival in Bermuda may be a tad bit late. We have to sail by 4 p.m., because where we will dock, the berthing is controlled by daylight hours. Folks who are going to take ship’s excursions may have them compressed slightly, but at least they know the Pacific Princess will be waiting for them at the time of all aboard. Your favorite cruisers are staying in Hamilton. There is a lot to see and we are going to stroll around, enjoy the day, have lunch, and buy a few more Mountain Dew. I just opened my last can to salute the writing of this blog. Sallllllllll-ute!
It was interesting at supper tonight. Bonnie and I arrived at Table 33 first, as is our habit, and she sat with her back towards the window, but she was constantly turning around to watch the waves and the motion of the ship. Kathleen was sitting two chairs up from Bonnie’s left where it was almost impossible for her not to watch the sea, and she was not enjoying it. Bonnie offered to trade and Kathleen immediately accepted. Both ladies enjoyed their evenings much more with the new seating arrangements. “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a chair like this?”
As part of my “Barbary Pirates” talk today I played a clip from one of my all-time favorite movies, “The Sands of Iwo Jima,” starring John Wayne. The Duke, as Sgt. Stryker, gets shot in the back by a Jap sniper, and as the men are gathered around their dead platoon leader the Marines raise the American flag over Mount Soribatchi. It is interesting to observe the crowd when I give that talk, because the former Marines in the audience always stand while the film plays the Marine Hymn. Semper Fi!
Totally uninteresting supper tonight. I hate to complain, but Linguini Alfredo for the third night on this cruise is failing in the culinary delights department. I enjoy L.A., but they really can do better. Bonnie had some kind of pasta – she said it was penne, the menu said it wasn’t – but it had a marinara sauce, the first of the cruise. So one of us really enjoyed the meal. She had sugar free cheese cake which she said did not taste like cheese cake, and I had a vanilla Sundae with caramel sauce which tasted exactly like a vanilla Sundae with caramel sauce. So one of us really enjoyed dessert.
So, how about “Rogue One”? We received three reviews. Two first hand and one second hand. Mike said, “Fantastic movie!” Matt said, “Wow!” And Luke said, as reported by his mamma, “I have found a new favorite movie!” No spoilers, please! We’ll see it as soon as we get back to Augusta.
As I mentioned above, the seas are really rough tonight, but we decide roll down to the theater for the evening’s entertainment, the ventriloquist’s second show. No sooner had we gotten seated than we came into the strongest wave of the evening. I looked at my cruise buddy and said, “I’m not sitting here for this.” The front is where the swells react the most, and we came back to our room where I am blogging and she is bowling on her Kindle. Cards in a few minutes. She is leading game 7.
Well, that’s it for now. Hopefully some good reportage tomorrow from Hamilton, Bermuda.
Until then,
TTFN
Well, today started at 5 am. Had been up 3 times in the night to pee and then at 5 couldn’t go back to sleep. So I sat on the couch wrapped in 2 blankets and played scrabble. Oh well. He got up at 6 and we got ready and headed to breakfast at 7. Had some cheese and a fourth of a piece of French toast. Some hot chocolate to finish my breakfast. Still having trouble eating.
After breakfast I bundled up and went out to walk around deck 9 which is the pool deck. As the ship went up and down, I walked in amongst the deck chairs and dodging the guys washing windows and squeegeing the water off the deck. It was amusing as fast as they moved the water off he deck, the water in the pool would slosh out onto the deck. Finally after about 2 hours of the in and out they came and lowered the pool. Funny. After my 13 laps I went to the room to pick up my crocheting and headed back to deck nine to sit outside. It was not really cold and I enjoy the sea air better than stuffy inside. I worked till 11:30 then went back to the cabin. I was tired so I laid down and fell asleep. He left me asleep and went to his talk. I enjoyed the nap.
Went up to lunch which consisted of a piece of pizza and a chicken fajita ( I just ate the vegetables not the chicken). He had a naked hamburger in a bun. We returned to the cabin where he napped and I played games.
He got up at about 4 and we got ready for supper and went to the coffee bar and played some cards. Supper followed shortly afterwards. The seas were magnificent. There were at least 15 foot swells. We sit in the back window of the dining room at the very back of the ship. It was light outside for most of supper and the waves were absolutely wonderful to watch. I had a Italian pasta with a very heavy garlic tomato sauce. The sauce was excellent. I ate all the sauce and a little of the pasta. I used a spoon to get the sauce. I also had a blackberry smoothie, oh my word there must have been a thousand seeds! Tasty but the seeds!!
After walking all the way to the lounge he says no way and we walk all the way back. We did take the elevator up. It was way to rocky to try the stairs. Looking forward to Bermuda, I am almost out of yarn and I am going to look for yarn. Fat chance of finding any.
By the way Jennifer and Ivy you are invited over on the 23 to help bake cookies and make fudge if you would like to come. That is my day to make cookies for Christmas. Also, if anyone wants donuts for Christmas, I need you to TEXT me on the 20th or 21 st and tell me your order. I will deliver them on the 24th. We will be getting off the ship on the 20th and driving home.
Well, that is all for now.
Love Mom
But we’re not sure at what time. The seas are quite rough, as the Captain said they would be once he turned directly towards Bermuda. We are pitching about 15 feet on the ocean swells. It’s not too bad because the ship is sailing directly into them and we are getting no side to side roll. Because of that, we have had to reduce speed, and our 9 a.m. arrival in Bermuda may be a tad bit late. We have to sail by 4 p.m., because where we will dock, the berthing is controlled by daylight hours. Folks who are going to take ship’s excursions may have them compressed slightly, but at least they know the Pacific Princess will be waiting for them at the time of all aboard. Your favorite cruisers are staying in Hamilton. There is a lot to see and we are going to stroll around, enjoy the day, have lunch, and buy a few more Mountain Dew. I just opened my last can to salute the writing of this blog. Sallllllllll-ute!
It was interesting at supper tonight. Bonnie and I arrived at Table 33 first, as is our habit, and she sat with her back towards the window, but she was constantly turning around to watch the waves and the motion of the ship. Kathleen was sitting two chairs up from Bonnie’s left where it was almost impossible for her not to watch the sea, and she was not enjoying it. Bonnie offered to trade and Kathleen immediately accepted. Both ladies enjoyed their evenings much more with the new seating arrangements. “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a chair like this?”
As part of my “Barbary Pirates” talk today I played a clip from one of my all-time favorite movies, “The Sands of Iwo Jima,” starring John Wayne. The Duke, as Sgt. Stryker, gets shot in the back by a Jap sniper, and as the men are gathered around their dead platoon leader the Marines raise the American flag over Mount Soribatchi. It is interesting to observe the crowd when I give that talk, because the former Marines in the audience always stand while the film plays the Marine Hymn. Semper Fi!
Totally uninteresting supper tonight. I hate to complain, but Linguini Alfredo for the third night on this cruise is failing in the culinary delights department. I enjoy L.A., but they really can do better. Bonnie had some kind of pasta – she said it was penne, the menu said it wasn’t – but it had a marinara sauce, the first of the cruise. So one of us really enjoyed the meal. She had sugar free cheese cake which she said did not taste like cheese cake, and I had a vanilla Sundae with caramel sauce which tasted exactly like a vanilla Sundae with caramel sauce. So one of us really enjoyed dessert.
So, how about “Rogue One”? We received three reviews. Two first hand and one second hand. Mike said, “Fantastic movie!” Matt said, “Wow!” And Luke said, as reported by his mamma, “I have found a new favorite movie!” No spoilers, please! We’ll see it as soon as we get back to Augusta.
As I mentioned above, the seas are really rough tonight, but we decide roll down to the theater for the evening’s entertainment, the ventriloquist’s second show. No sooner had we gotten seated than we came into the strongest wave of the evening. I looked at my cruise buddy and said, “I’m not sitting here for this.” The front is where the swells react the most, and we came back to our room where I am blogging and she is bowling on her Kindle. Cards in a few minutes. She is leading game 7.
Well, that’s it for now. Hopefully some good reportage tomorrow from Hamilton, Bermuda.
Until then,
TTFN
Well, today started at 5 am. Had been up 3 times in the night to pee and then at 5 couldn’t go back to sleep. So I sat on the couch wrapped in 2 blankets and played scrabble. Oh well. He got up at 6 and we got ready and headed to breakfast at 7. Had some cheese and a fourth of a piece of French toast. Some hot chocolate to finish my breakfast. Still having trouble eating.
After breakfast I bundled up and went out to walk around deck 9 which is the pool deck. As the ship went up and down, I walked in amongst the deck chairs and dodging the guys washing windows and squeegeing the water off the deck. It was amusing as fast as they moved the water off he deck, the water in the pool would slosh out onto the deck. Finally after about 2 hours of the in and out they came and lowered the pool. Funny. After my 13 laps I went to the room to pick up my crocheting and headed back to deck nine to sit outside. It was not really cold and I enjoy the sea air better than stuffy inside. I worked till 11:30 then went back to the cabin. I was tired so I laid down and fell asleep. He left me asleep and went to his talk. I enjoyed the nap.
Went up to lunch which consisted of a piece of pizza and a chicken fajita ( I just ate the vegetables not the chicken). He had a naked hamburger in a bun. We returned to the cabin where he napped and I played games.
He got up at about 4 and we got ready for supper and went to the coffee bar and played some cards. Supper followed shortly afterwards. The seas were magnificent. There were at least 15 foot swells. We sit in the back window of the dining room at the very back of the ship. It was light outside for most of supper and the waves were absolutely wonderful to watch. I had a Italian pasta with a very heavy garlic tomato sauce. The sauce was excellent. I ate all the sauce and a little of the pasta. I used a spoon to get the sauce. I also had a blackberry smoothie, oh my word there must have been a thousand seeds! Tasty but the seeds!!
After walking all the way to the lounge he says no way and we walk all the way back. We did take the elevator up. It was way to rocky to try the stairs. Looking forward to Bermuda, I am almost out of yarn and I am going to look for yarn. Fat chance of finding any.
By the way Jennifer and Ivy you are invited over on the 23 to help bake cookies and make fudge if you would like to come. That is my day to make cookies for Christmas. Also, if anyone wants donuts for Christmas, I need you to TEXT me on the 20th or 21 st and tell me your order. I will deliver them on the 24th. We will be getting off the ship on the 20th and driving home.
Well, that is all for now.
Love Mom
Thursday, December 15, 2016
UP, UP, UP TO THE HEAVY SIDE LAYER
December 15, 2016
We begin today with homage to the first cat I slept with at 103 Valley View Avenue, PJ. He actually might have been the second. Cyrus could have been first. A couch was opened up to a comfortable bed and those two cats joined me. From a rescue collection of as many as ten, the population at Valley View is now down to one. Only Jasmine patrols the hall. Two days ago PJ went to the Heavy Side Layer. He could have been named “Bustopher Jones,” for he was not skin and bones, in fact, he was remarkably fat, he didn’t haunt pubs, he had 8 or 9 clubs, for he was the Valley View Avenue cat. So up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel. Up, up, up, past the Jellicle moon. Up, up, up to the Heavy Side Layer. The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity.
Today was a good day on the Pacific Princess. Rainbows this morning. A few blue skies in the afternoon, and the rain held off long enough for mom to make 13 laps, completing her nautical mile.
With four straight days at sea, the entertainers who got on at the last stop are with us until Bermuda. That means that Mark Preston, an excellent singer and former member of The Lettermen did a second show today, and the ventriloquist will do a second show tomorrow night. Hopefully the Celine Dion tribute act will not be repeated. If it is, your favorite cruisers will skip tht one – last night was the second time we’ve seen her; the first on another ship, and if we never see her again, that is okay. I know there were folks who liked her, but we did not. One of our table mates, who likes Celine Dion, said that other than the performer twirling her fingers there was nothing she recognized. Take that!
I think my crowd today was the largest for my talks. I did “Captain Kidd” today and will do the “Barbary Pirates” tomorrow. Someone asked me if I had a Bermuda Triangle talk, I said I did, they asked the cruise director if I could do it. I told him I would if he wanted me to. Haven’t heard back yet. It will be the day after we sail from Bermuda and are actually in the Triangle. Spooky!
All of the ship’s wait staff and bartenders are wearing Santa Claus hats for the duration. Tis the season. Some of the head waiters add dongly things to theirs and the matre d added antlers to his. As I said moments ago, “Tis the season.” It is fun.
Everyone was back at Table 33 tonight and it was a pleasant evening. I wasn’t crazy about the menu, in fact, I haven’t been crazy about many of the menus and I eat almost everything. Tonight it was veal cordon blue. That wasn’t too bad, but the Japanese chicken dumpling soup wasn’t much. And neither was the fresh made Caesar salad, for that matter. Last night while Carol and Stan went to the fancy restaurant, which they graded maybe a C+, Kathleen and Charles went to the buffet for supper. They had never done that before and wanted to do it. They graded it lower than the fancy restaurant. Breakfast and lunch area always good there, but supper evidently is lacking.
Well, it’s getting close to bedtime so I will say TTFN!
We begin today with homage to the first cat I slept with at 103 Valley View Avenue, PJ. He actually might have been the second. Cyrus could have been first. A couch was opened up to a comfortable bed and those two cats joined me. From a rescue collection of as many as ten, the population at Valley View is now down to one. Only Jasmine patrols the hall. Two days ago PJ went to the Heavy Side Layer. He could have been named “Bustopher Jones,” for he was not skin and bones, in fact, he was remarkably fat, he didn’t haunt pubs, he had 8 or 9 clubs, for he was the Valley View Avenue cat. So up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel. Up, up, up, past the Jellicle moon. Up, up, up to the Heavy Side Layer. The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity.
Today was a good day on the Pacific Princess. Rainbows this morning. A few blue skies in the afternoon, and the rain held off long enough for mom to make 13 laps, completing her nautical mile.
With four straight days at sea, the entertainers who got on at the last stop are with us until Bermuda. That means that Mark Preston, an excellent singer and former member of The Lettermen did a second show today, and the ventriloquist will do a second show tomorrow night. Hopefully the Celine Dion tribute act will not be repeated. If it is, your favorite cruisers will skip tht one – last night was the second time we’ve seen her; the first on another ship, and if we never see her again, that is okay. I know there were folks who liked her, but we did not. One of our table mates, who likes Celine Dion, said that other than the performer twirling her fingers there was nothing she recognized. Take that!
I think my crowd today was the largest for my talks. I did “Captain Kidd” today and will do the “Barbary Pirates” tomorrow. Someone asked me if I had a Bermuda Triangle talk, I said I did, they asked the cruise director if I could do it. I told him I would if he wanted me to. Haven’t heard back yet. It will be the day after we sail from Bermuda and are actually in the Triangle. Spooky!
All of the ship’s wait staff and bartenders are wearing Santa Claus hats for the duration. Tis the season. Some of the head waiters add dongly things to theirs and the matre d added antlers to his. As I said moments ago, “Tis the season.” It is fun.
Everyone was back at Table 33 tonight and it was a pleasant evening. I wasn’t crazy about the menu, in fact, I haven’t been crazy about many of the menus and I eat almost everything. Tonight it was veal cordon blue. That wasn’t too bad, but the Japanese chicken dumpling soup wasn’t much. And neither was the fresh made Caesar salad, for that matter. Last night while Carol and Stan went to the fancy restaurant, which they graded maybe a C+, Kathleen and Charles went to the buffet for supper. They had never done that before and wanted to do it. They graded it lower than the fancy restaurant. Breakfast and lunch area always good there, but supper evidently is lacking.
Well, it’s getting close to bedtime so I will say TTFN!
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
IF THIS IS WEDNESDAY, YOU MUST BE CELINE DIONE
December 14, 2016
Our entertainer tonight was Tracey Shield from somewhere in England who was pretending to be a French Canadian singer. We have seen her before on another ship, and we didn’t understand her words that time either. I reckon she hit the notes, and she did a lot of wiggling with her fingers, but it didn’t do much beyond that for your favorite cruisers. Just goes to show, you can’t please ‘em all. Not everyone’s cup of tea. You win some, you lose some. And other cliched remarks.
Our table for six was occupied tonight by only two of us. Our table mates were at one or the other of the speciality restaurants tonight, leaving us to be cared for in a romantic setting for two. The moon is beautiful out here in the ocean. It comes up from beyond the stern and slowly rises into the sky. Good light show our Lord puts on. I had Linguini Alfredo and Bonnie had a baked potato, plus the usual appetizers and ice cream for dessert.
There was a good crowd for the first of my “Pirates and Sailors” talks, “The Pirate Democracy.” It gave me a chance to tell the audience that one of the most famous Pirates of all time came from Puerto Rico – playing right field, number 21, Roberto Clemente! The Great One got a good reception. And in relaying the history of Hog Island (now Paradise Island) in the Bahamas, I was pleased to announce that it was owned at one time by now President-Elect Donald Trump. Sweet. I think I heard a couple of Hillaryites gag. Tomorrow I will hang “Captain Kidd.”
We have set our watches back another hour, so we are only two hours ahead of you. One more time change before Bermuda, and one after, to get us back on Augusta time. It sure is the way to beat jet lag.
Well, that’s it from Excitement at Sea Land. See yinzs tomorrow.
TTFN
Our entertainer tonight was Tracey Shield from somewhere in England who was pretending to be a French Canadian singer. We have seen her before on another ship, and we didn’t understand her words that time either. I reckon she hit the notes, and she did a lot of wiggling with her fingers, but it didn’t do much beyond that for your favorite cruisers. Just goes to show, you can’t please ‘em all. Not everyone’s cup of tea. You win some, you lose some. And other cliched remarks.
Our table for six was occupied tonight by only two of us. Our table mates were at one or the other of the speciality restaurants tonight, leaving us to be cared for in a romantic setting for two. The moon is beautiful out here in the ocean. It comes up from beyond the stern and slowly rises into the sky. Good light show our Lord puts on. I had Linguini Alfredo and Bonnie had a baked potato, plus the usual appetizers and ice cream for dessert.
There was a good crowd for the first of my “Pirates and Sailors” talks, “The Pirate Democracy.” It gave me a chance to tell the audience that one of the most famous Pirates of all time came from Puerto Rico – playing right field, number 21, Roberto Clemente! The Great One got a good reception. And in relaying the history of Hog Island (now Paradise Island) in the Bahamas, I was pleased to announce that it was owned at one time by now President-Elect Donald Trump. Sweet. I think I heard a couple of Hillaryites gag. Tomorrow I will hang “Captain Kidd.”
We have set our watches back another hour, so we are only two hours ahead of you. One more time change before Bermuda, and one after, to get us back on Augusta time. It sure is the way to beat jet lag.
Well, that’s it from Excitement at Sea Land. See yinzs tomorrow.
TTFN
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
YO HO HO AND MY LAST CAN OF DEW
December 13, 2016
Three more sea days until we reach Hamilton, Bermuda and I have the opportunity to purchase some more Mountain Dew. This time I don’t have to go searching for it. We will dock one block from Church Street and a source of the yummy yellow drink. But for now, I must make one can last three more days. Rationing is in effect!
Today I finished the “Food, Glorious Food!” series with “Spice: KTMB.” It was a good crowd and a good response. It is more free flowing than a couple of the food talks and very easy to give, especially if the audience is with my cornball humor. Oh, the KTMB is not a radio station west of the Mississippi (that is the way radio stations are named with a “K” west of the Mississippi, except for KDKA Pittsburgh, and with a “W” east of the Mississippi, except for WLS Chicago). It is the places you find spice in my talk: Kitchen, Temple, Mortuary, and Bedroom.
The seas have been pretty smooth today, but there have been some 9-10 foot swells. For one of them, I was sitting here rehearsing when the ship went into one of those and the can of Pringles fell off the shelf followed by Bonnie’s two stones from Pompeii. We have searched the room over, and one of the stones is missing. Strange.
Not much else going on here, and since Bonnie didn’t write yesterday, I will turn the keyboard over to her for her take on things.
TTFN
Here goes!
Amy don’t read this part!! Last night at the show I coughed and spit–yuck–and one of the things that has been gagging me for the last four weeks come out. It was a stitch that has been hanging at the back of my throat. Its two buddies are still there. Ugg!! I told you not to read this Amy!!
Well, now about today. I had one of my nights last night. Awake at 12, 2, and 5. Finally I woke him at 7 and we got up and went to breakfast. Breakfast was a bust– they had no good cheese and no baked beans. After eating a piece of toast and some peanut butter with a cup of hot chocolate, I went up top to walk. It was quite windy and rocky but I made it around 13 times. Then, I went and sat on the starboard deck for about an hour and crocheted. But it was pretty rocky so I came inside and went to the room till time for David’s talk.
I left for the talk about 12;30 and at about 1:15 I knew I was not going to make it till the end. With my head pounding and feeling yucky I headed to the room and crawled under the covers. When he got back at about 2, we got up and went to lunch. I had a cheese quesida and salsa and a piece of pizza. I felt some better but we returned to the cabin and I went back to bed till 4. I got up then and dressed for supper. We went to the coffee bar outside the restaurant and played some cards till supper at 5:30.
After supper we went to the show. It was a ventriloquist. He was quite good and did a very different kind of show. So now I have had my pills and have my pjs on and bedtime is no far away. Ship is rocking but hopefully sleep will come quickly. Maybe some cards if he wants. I am losing badly lately.
Love Mom
Three more sea days until we reach Hamilton, Bermuda and I have the opportunity to purchase some more Mountain Dew. This time I don’t have to go searching for it. We will dock one block from Church Street and a source of the yummy yellow drink. But for now, I must make one can last three more days. Rationing is in effect!
Today I finished the “Food, Glorious Food!” series with “Spice: KTMB.” It was a good crowd and a good response. It is more free flowing than a couple of the food talks and very easy to give, especially if the audience is with my cornball humor. Oh, the KTMB is not a radio station west of the Mississippi (that is the way radio stations are named with a “K” west of the Mississippi, except for KDKA Pittsburgh, and with a “W” east of the Mississippi, except for WLS Chicago). It is the places you find spice in my talk: Kitchen, Temple, Mortuary, and Bedroom.
The seas have been pretty smooth today, but there have been some 9-10 foot swells. For one of them, I was sitting here rehearsing when the ship went into one of those and the can of Pringles fell off the shelf followed by Bonnie’s two stones from Pompeii. We have searched the room over, and one of the stones is missing. Strange.
Not much else going on here, and since Bonnie didn’t write yesterday, I will turn the keyboard over to her for her take on things.
TTFN
Here goes!
Amy don’t read this part!! Last night at the show I coughed and spit–yuck–and one of the things that has been gagging me for the last four weeks come out. It was a stitch that has been hanging at the back of my throat. Its two buddies are still there. Ugg!! I told you not to read this Amy!!
Well, now about today. I had one of my nights last night. Awake at 12, 2, and 5. Finally I woke him at 7 and we got up and went to breakfast. Breakfast was a bust– they had no good cheese and no baked beans. After eating a piece of toast and some peanut butter with a cup of hot chocolate, I went up top to walk. It was quite windy and rocky but I made it around 13 times. Then, I went and sat on the starboard deck for about an hour and crocheted. But it was pretty rocky so I came inside and went to the room till time for David’s talk.
I left for the talk about 12;30 and at about 1:15 I knew I was not going to make it till the end. With my head pounding and feeling yucky I headed to the room and crawled under the covers. When he got back at about 2, we got up and went to lunch. I had a cheese quesida and salsa and a piece of pizza. I felt some better but we returned to the cabin and I went back to bed till 4. I got up then and dressed for supper. We went to the coffee bar outside the restaurant and played some cards till supper at 5:30.
After supper we went to the show. It was a ventriloquist. He was quite good and did a very different kind of show. So now I have had my pills and have my pjs on and bedtime is no far away. Ship is rocking but hopefully sleep will come quickly. Maybe some cards if he wants. I am losing badly lately.
Love Mom
Monday, December 12, 2016
THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD ...
December 12, 2016
... is tied at 6 games all. In our spare time we play a few hands of rummy. Sometimes complete games. Sometimes just a few hands. But the Championship of the World stands tied as of this moment, Day 10 of our cruise. Your humble scribe has come roaring back, down 4 games to 6 to tie the score. Will my luck stand? Will she recover and snap back? Stay tuned!
You might tell from this opening that it was a slow day at sea. And a smooth day a sea. Our thanks to the Captain as he found water almost mirror-like today. Bonnie went up early to get me some coffee and an English muffin covered in peanut butter so I could rehearse for my 9:30 a.m. talk and she said it was one of the most beautiful sunrises at sea she’s ever seen. The sun played tricks and the clouds looked like islands on top of the water.
Michael, my audience loved your joke. Kindly send me another.
With the early talk we were able to enjoy the full pleasures of the buffet for lunch instead of just a hot dog outside by the pool. There were some Chinese offerings today and I enjoyed a particularly tasty spring roll. The ice cream today was something nasty sounding that I don’t remember, plus espresso, and the espresso ice cream was yummy.
We got in an early nap and then just laid around. I worked on talks for an upcoming cruise while Bonnie played Scrabble on one of her electronic devices. Then we went downstairs and played game number 6 (see above) while we waited for the dining room to open. Charles was back, having recovered from his chocolate induced migraine. He brought along a bottle of champagne which he won in a lawn bowling tournament, and we toasted each others’ good health and fortune, some with champagne, and some with ice water. I finished off my roasted cod dinner with a very good creme brulee.
Mark Preston, formerly of the Lettermen, was the headliner tonight and he put on a great show, singing songs that we knew the words to. He included a couple of Christmas classics: “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Grandma Got Run’d Over By a Reindeer.” It really was a fun show by a real professional.
Tomorrow’s talk is at 1 p.m., and “Spice” finishes up the food series. “Pirates and Sailors” starts Wednesday. We set our clocks back another hour tonight, so you will only be three hours behind us tomorrow.
And with that, I will say TTFN!
... is tied at 6 games all. In our spare time we play a few hands of rummy. Sometimes complete games. Sometimes just a few hands. But the Championship of the World stands tied as of this moment, Day 10 of our cruise. Your humble scribe has come roaring back, down 4 games to 6 to tie the score. Will my luck stand? Will she recover and snap back? Stay tuned!
You might tell from this opening that it was a slow day at sea. And a smooth day a sea. Our thanks to the Captain as he found water almost mirror-like today. Bonnie went up early to get me some coffee and an English muffin covered in peanut butter so I could rehearse for my 9:30 a.m. talk and she said it was one of the most beautiful sunrises at sea she’s ever seen. The sun played tricks and the clouds looked like islands on top of the water.
Michael, my audience loved your joke. Kindly send me another.
With the early talk we were able to enjoy the full pleasures of the buffet for lunch instead of just a hot dog outside by the pool. There were some Chinese offerings today and I enjoyed a particularly tasty spring roll. The ice cream today was something nasty sounding that I don’t remember, plus espresso, and the espresso ice cream was yummy.
We got in an early nap and then just laid around. I worked on talks for an upcoming cruise while Bonnie played Scrabble on one of her electronic devices. Then we went downstairs and played game number 6 (see above) while we waited for the dining room to open. Charles was back, having recovered from his chocolate induced migraine. He brought along a bottle of champagne which he won in a lawn bowling tournament, and we toasted each others’ good health and fortune, some with champagne, and some with ice water. I finished off my roasted cod dinner with a very good creme brulee.
Mark Preston, formerly of the Lettermen, was the headliner tonight and he put on a great show, singing songs that we knew the words to. He included a couple of Christmas classics: “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Grandma Got Run’d Over By a Reindeer.” It really was a fun show by a real professional.
Tomorrow’s talk is at 1 p.m., and “Spice” finishes up the food series. “Pirates and Sailors” starts Wednesday. We set our clocks back another hour tonight, so you will only be three hours behind us tomorrow.
And with that, I will say TTFN!
Sunday, December 11, 2016
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN FUNCHAL
December 11, 2016
Because of the fickle weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, or maybe it is because of the regularity of the weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, we are detouring south before we turn west towards Bermuda. Instead of going to Ponta del Gotta in the Azores we went to Funchal on the island of Madeira, a Portugese island. The weather was spectacular. We wore our jackets off, but before we got back on the shuttle two hours later, I was carrying mine, and Bonnie had hers unzipped all the way. When the Captain gave his sail away report he said it was good to feel the sweat on your skin. If it wasn’t like that where you are, we enjoyed a bit of it on your behalf.
The streets in the major shopping part of Funchal (which was largely closed, it being Sunday) are either cobbled or mosaic. The mosaic being random black and white shapes making fascinating walking places. And as we walked along we saw a miniature village built on a hillside, much like the cities on Madeira, with a miniature nativity, and later a full-size nativity complete with camels, wisemen, shepherds, sheep, an angel, and of course, the Holy Family.
There were no signs of protest. No Uncivil Liberties Union hollering “separation of church and state.” Just signs of Christmas.
And there were lots of decorations, and even two different sleighs with Santa and 4 of his reindeer, plus Rudolph. There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitson were missing. But it looked like the Jolly Old Elf was doing all right in spite of himself.
We bought a few souvenirs. I bought a can of Pringles for myself. Bonnie bought a purse made out of cork. It is very nice, and very Bonnie-like, she bought the cheapest one. That way I could afford my Pringles :-) Oh, she also bought a 9 euro chocolate bar, which features a wrapper made out of cork with a removable section complete with a magnet.
Back on board we ate lunch out on the stern deck. She had mashed potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, half of a Mexican chili beef wrap, and ice cream (honey yogurt and mint chocolate chip). I had a piece of pepperoni pizza, two peanut butter cookies and two scoops of ice cream, plus coffee. A yummy lunch indeed!
One of our table mates, Charles, was missing tonight. He is allergic to chocolate. It gives him major migraine headaches, and he consumed some ice cream, hazel nut Kathleen said, that was supposed to have no chocolate in it. Whatever it was, it laid him low. He missed the lobster dinner tonight. And the lobster was very good.
Tonight’s show featured the ship’s singers and dancers and the ship’s orchestra in a production number, “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Well done, indeed. We really enjoy the production numbers. There is a three time Grammy nominee coming up tomorrow that we have never heard of.
My talk is at 9:30 in the morning, so my bed buddy will deliver room service so I can rehearse. Ain’t she sweet!
Well, she clobbered me in cards this afternoon, so I am going to close and get a little revenge.
TTFN
This was a short port. We were still lying in the bed when they came on at 7 to say we could go ashore. We got up, went to breakfast ( there was a beautiful rainbow out over the harbor) then donned our coats and collected our euros and headed out to town. They said it was a short 15 minute walk ( I am not sure whose 15 minutes it was) but we opted for the shuttle and were very glad we did.
After leaving the shuttle, we started walking down the beautiful streets. As it was Sunday most stores were closed and there was only a little traffic. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful island. The houses are built all the way up the mountains from everywhere you look. Just amazing. I am glad we came here instead of the Azores.
We visited 2 souvenir shops that we came to. They were actually very nice. They had lots of things that were made in Portugal. I was frivolous and did buy a purse, no it wasn’t the cheapest one, it was the one I liked best. It has short handles and a long detachable strap. The candy bar that I bought has a cork wrapper and part of it comes off and is a magnet showing a-frame houses. There is a town on the outside of Madeira that has homes built like this.
As we walked down the street we passed a group of locals dressed in native costumes, carrying accordions, small stringed instruments, drums, etc. We thought they might be getting ready for a performance. We watched for a while then walked on some more to take a picture of a cannon for Mac, some Nativity scenes, a huge Santa Claus and some smaller sleighs and reindeer. We also took pictures of lovely streets and the surrounding hill sides covered with towns.
After a while we heard some music and we were headed back and the group had grown larger and they were playing the instruments, singing and dancing. We couldn’t understand any of the words but it was great fun watching and enjoying their noticeable pride in their songs and dancing. We stopped and watched for about 10 minutes. Then, headed back to where the shuttle was to be. But before we got on we walked on in the other direction and found a park on the top of a hill overlooking the water and the other end of the town. It was beautiful. Your Dad took some pictures and I sat on a wall and watched a lizard running along the wall.
We headed back down to the street and to the shuttle.
Coming back on the shuttle we saw that there were quite a few people in the harbor in kayaks. There must have 20 or more. There were a couple that had 2 people. There was even a guy standing on a paddle board. It was such a bright and sunny day and very much enjoyed by us.
After lunch we rested and when it was 1 pm I went on deck to watch all on board and the sail away. He came up to join me at 1:30. After we sailed out of the harbor he went back to the cabin to work and I sat on deck 5 to crochet. My favorite time on ship, just sitting outside on the deck and watching the waves. Most enjoyable. At about 3, the spray was getting pretty strong and I was getting wet, I went to the cabin. Tonight was formal night and I wanted to wash my hair before supper. So I got washed and sat and crocheted till time to go to supper.
It was lobster night but I had a cold fruit soup and tried to eat some beef and potatoes. It was okay. Well, he is accusing me of writing War and Peace so I had better go.
Amy, if you want to make fudge with me, plan for Dec 23. I am going to be making fudge and baking cookies that day.
Love Mom
Because of the fickle weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, or maybe it is because of the regularity of the weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, we are detouring south before we turn west towards Bermuda. Instead of going to Ponta del Gotta in the Azores we went to Funchal on the island of Madeira, a Portugese island. The weather was spectacular. We wore our jackets off, but before we got back on the shuttle two hours later, I was carrying mine, and Bonnie had hers unzipped all the way. When the Captain gave his sail away report he said it was good to feel the sweat on your skin. If it wasn’t like that where you are, we enjoyed a bit of it on your behalf.
The streets in the major shopping part of Funchal (which was largely closed, it being Sunday) are either cobbled or mosaic. The mosaic being random black and white shapes making fascinating walking places. And as we walked along we saw a miniature village built on a hillside, much like the cities on Madeira, with a miniature nativity, and later a full-size nativity complete with camels, wisemen, shepherds, sheep, an angel, and of course, the Holy Family.
There were no signs of protest. No Uncivil Liberties Union hollering “separation of church and state.” Just signs of Christmas.
And there were lots of decorations, and even two different sleighs with Santa and 4 of his reindeer, plus Rudolph. There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitson were missing. But it looked like the Jolly Old Elf was doing all right in spite of himself.
We bought a few souvenirs. I bought a can of Pringles for myself. Bonnie bought a purse made out of cork. It is very nice, and very Bonnie-like, she bought the cheapest one. That way I could afford my Pringles :-) Oh, she also bought a 9 euro chocolate bar, which features a wrapper made out of cork with a removable section complete with a magnet.
Back on board we ate lunch out on the stern deck. She had mashed potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, half of a Mexican chili beef wrap, and ice cream (honey yogurt and mint chocolate chip). I had a piece of pepperoni pizza, two peanut butter cookies and two scoops of ice cream, plus coffee. A yummy lunch indeed!
One of our table mates, Charles, was missing tonight. He is allergic to chocolate. It gives him major migraine headaches, and he consumed some ice cream, hazel nut Kathleen said, that was supposed to have no chocolate in it. Whatever it was, it laid him low. He missed the lobster dinner tonight. And the lobster was very good.
Tonight’s show featured the ship’s singers and dancers and the ship’s orchestra in a production number, “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Well done, indeed. We really enjoy the production numbers. There is a three time Grammy nominee coming up tomorrow that we have never heard of.
My talk is at 9:30 in the morning, so my bed buddy will deliver room service so I can rehearse. Ain’t she sweet!
Well, she clobbered me in cards this afternoon, so I am going to close and get a little revenge.
TTFN
This was a short port. We were still lying in the bed when they came on at 7 to say we could go ashore. We got up, went to breakfast ( there was a beautiful rainbow out over the harbor) then donned our coats and collected our euros and headed out to town. They said it was a short 15 minute walk ( I am not sure whose 15 minutes it was) but we opted for the shuttle and were very glad we did.
After leaving the shuttle, we started walking down the beautiful streets. As it was Sunday most stores were closed and there was only a little traffic. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful island. The houses are built all the way up the mountains from everywhere you look. Just amazing. I am glad we came here instead of the Azores.
We visited 2 souvenir shops that we came to. They were actually very nice. They had lots of things that were made in Portugal. I was frivolous and did buy a purse, no it wasn’t the cheapest one, it was the one I liked best. It has short handles and a long detachable strap. The candy bar that I bought has a cork wrapper and part of it comes off and is a magnet showing a-frame houses. There is a town on the outside of Madeira that has homes built like this.
As we walked down the street we passed a group of locals dressed in native costumes, carrying accordions, small stringed instruments, drums, etc. We thought they might be getting ready for a performance. We watched for a while then walked on some more to take a picture of a cannon for Mac, some Nativity scenes, a huge Santa Claus and some smaller sleighs and reindeer. We also took pictures of lovely streets and the surrounding hill sides covered with towns.
After a while we heard some music and we were headed back and the group had grown larger and they were playing the instruments, singing and dancing. We couldn’t understand any of the words but it was great fun watching and enjoying their noticeable pride in their songs and dancing. We stopped and watched for about 10 minutes. Then, headed back to where the shuttle was to be. But before we got on we walked on in the other direction and found a park on the top of a hill overlooking the water and the other end of the town. It was beautiful. Your Dad took some pictures and I sat on a wall and watched a lizard running along the wall.
We headed back down to the street and to the shuttle.
Coming back on the shuttle we saw that there were quite a few people in the harbor in kayaks. There must have 20 or more. There were a couple that had 2 people. There was even a guy standing on a paddle board. It was such a bright and sunny day and very much enjoyed by us.
After lunch we rested and when it was 1 pm I went on deck to watch all on board and the sail away. He came up to join me at 1:30. After we sailed out of the harbor he went back to the cabin to work and I sat on deck 5 to crochet. My favorite time on ship, just sitting outside on the deck and watching the waves. Most enjoyable. At about 3, the spray was getting pretty strong and I was getting wet, I went to the cabin. Tonight was formal night and I wanted to wash my hair before supper. So I got washed and sat and crocheted till time to go to supper.
It was lobster night but I had a cold fruit soup and tried to eat some beef and potatoes. It was okay. Well, he is accusing me of writing War and Peace so I had better go.
Amy, if you want to make fudge with me, plan for Dec 23. I am going to be making fudge and baking cookies that day.
Love Mom
Saturday, December 10, 2016
JUST FIDDLING AROUND
December 10, 2016
Tonight’s entertainer was fiddle player E. Sarah Carter. She played with Spirit of the Dance, Riverdance, and Lord of the Dance. And tonight played for us. A great talent, and your favorite cruisers enjoyed her.
Captain Lavadera was as good as his word. The seas have been pitching about 3 meters. It was interesting sitting on the pool deck for lunch. We could really watch the bow of the ship come up and down as judged against the horizon. This is a hearty group of sailors because as of this time, the barf bags are not out – and we’ve seen them out on other ships in lesser seas. This really isn’t bad, and it makes for a good night’s sleep because the beds are set 90 degrees from the angle of the ship’s movement, so we roll gently back and forth.
I did my “Water” talk this afternoon, and it was recorded for broadcast tomorrow night on Channel 24 beginning at 8 p.m. (right after “Murder She Wrote” – just kidding – they broadcast it continuously so you can catch up on the “Food, Glorious Food!” series).
Tomorrow is a short stay in Funchal (Madeira) Portugal. We arrive at 7 and all aboard is 1:30, with sail away at 2 p.m. I’ve been trying to determine if we’ve been to this port of call. One minute I thought we had, and then I looked at the map and where we dock and I’m not sure. Well, tomorrow, unless there comes up a rain storm, I will be able to tell you for certain that we have been to Funchal.
Bonnie’s throat has been hurting her today and she’s been dipping into the medical comforts we have brought along. Please say a special prayer for her. It’s been almost a month, and 2-3 weeks was the projected time for feeling better. So far, some better, not much better.
Well, a short blog tonight. We’ll hopefully have some exciting events with which to regale you tomorrow as we set sail for 5 days at sea with our next stop in Bermuda. Until then ... TTFN
Tonight’s entertainer was fiddle player E. Sarah Carter. She played with Spirit of the Dance, Riverdance, and Lord of the Dance. And tonight played for us. A great talent, and your favorite cruisers enjoyed her.
Captain Lavadera was as good as his word. The seas have been pitching about 3 meters. It was interesting sitting on the pool deck for lunch. We could really watch the bow of the ship come up and down as judged against the horizon. This is a hearty group of sailors because as of this time, the barf bags are not out – and we’ve seen them out on other ships in lesser seas. This really isn’t bad, and it makes for a good night’s sleep because the beds are set 90 degrees from the angle of the ship’s movement, so we roll gently back and forth.
I did my “Water” talk this afternoon, and it was recorded for broadcast tomorrow night on Channel 24 beginning at 8 p.m. (right after “Murder She Wrote” – just kidding – they broadcast it continuously so you can catch up on the “Food, Glorious Food!” series).
Tomorrow is a short stay in Funchal (Madeira) Portugal. We arrive at 7 and all aboard is 1:30, with sail away at 2 p.m. I’ve been trying to determine if we’ve been to this port of call. One minute I thought we had, and then I looked at the map and where we dock and I’m not sure. Well, tomorrow, unless there comes up a rain storm, I will be able to tell you for certain that we have been to Funchal.
Bonnie’s throat has been hurting her today and she’s been dipping into the medical comforts we have brought along. Please say a special prayer for her. It’s been almost a month, and 2-3 weeks was the projected time for feeling better. So far, some better, not much better.
Well, a short blog tonight. We’ll hopefully have some exciting events with which to regale you tomorrow as we set sail for 5 days at sea with our next stop in Bermuda. Until then ... TTFN
Friday, December 9, 2016
FINALLY, WE HAVE COME BACK TO THE ROCK!
December 9, 2016
You fans of the WWE would have been so disappointed!
I should never have done it. I know better. There is no questioning it was wrong. It can only cause trouble. But in a moment of weakness, in a moment of overwhelming love and affection, I bought her a newspaper! We’ve been back in our stateroom for 15 minutes and she has already read parts of 3 articles and hasn’t even left page one! Make it stop!
We were ashore on Gibraltar for 3 hours today. Wandered around, did some shopping, came back on. We stopped at a pharmacy to buy some band-aids and some antibiotic ointment, since we are out of the first and didn’t bring the second, and I wacked my hand again. The cash register rang up 4 pounds 13, and she charged us 9 dollars 50. I was pretty sure we were taken advantage of, and when we got on down the street and I saw an exchange offering Pounds Sterling for $1.48, I knew we had been double charged. Bamboozled. Taken advantage of. Cheated. How rude! When I bought the above mentioned newspaper for 2 pounds 50, I paid with 3 pounds and got back change. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We also bought more Mountain Dew and some salted (not nearly salty enough) peanuts and paid the proper price.
We did see something unusual. Come to think of it, we’ve seen a variation of it two other times on this trip, so many not all that unusual, at least not in Europe. People dress themselves in costumes and strike poses and you are welcome to do a selfie with them and drop money in their pot. This fellow stood on the street corner, dressed himself in a white gown, put white makeup on, a white myter hat, white gloves, and stood on his box posing as the Pope. Makes you wanna take a selfie, right?
We shopped unsuccessfully in two electronic toy stores to help out Santa. One proprietor did tell me that he would have some in tomorrow. But Captain Lavadera wouldn’t wait. I told him how important it was. How a doghouse visit would be avoided. But he said, “Sorry! Gotta raise anchor and boogie!” Well, if I had asked him, he might have said that.
Speaking of Captain Domenico Lubrano Lavadera, an excellent skipper he is, and a builder of confidence among his passengers and crew. About a month before we got on the Pacific Princess his successor hit a rock while parking the vessel, and got to go on vacation sooner than expected. The story is that the weather was bad, but he could have done better. Not negligence, just ooops. And there is no ooops in cruise ship parking.
He gives a message every sea day at noon, telling us our position, updating our schedule – Pause: She is now reading me the TV schedule for London! – giving us the weather report, etc. Today before sale away he said that we were changing course, not sailing to the Azores, but rather turning south to Madeira, a Portugese island, to get us on a more southerly course for Bermuda in order to miss the worst of an Atlantic storm that is headed our way. By taking this new direction, we will encounter waves of only 2-3 meters. Well, there’s a blessing.
Tonight’s entertainer was Brenda Cochrane, a lady from Scotland with size 26 dress and a size 50 voice. She was in “Chicago,” won America’s Got Talent, and other awards. Wow, what a singer! Did some Dean Martin, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, BB King, sang Moon River, a Christmas melody, and ended with Edith Piaffe. She got the first standing ovation for this cruise, and well-deserved. Just a great selection and a wonderful relationship with the audience. We hope she does another show.
I am on stage at 1 o’clock tomorrow with the talk about water. I’ll close with Edith Piaffe and see if I get a standing ovation.
TTFN
Thursday, December 8, 2016
THE WHOLE SHIP SANG TONIGHT TO THE WOMAN OF WOODLAND DRIVE
December 8, 2016
There were two shows tonight, a magician who billed himself as a confusionist (very good) and an English Pub Night (excellent). It was during the EPN that the entire audience in the Cabaret Lounge, accompanied by the ship’s singers and dancers, cruise director and deputy cruise director, and the ship’s orchestra played or sang, “My Bonnie lies over the ocean!” She smiled and waved in a queenly fashion.
The pub night was a lot of fun. Lots of corny songs like “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” and “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.” Plus run-in jokes – one performer comes out and interrupts the person on stage saying, “My aunt fell off a volcano.” The second person inquires, “Krakatau?” The first replies, “No, broke her ankle.” Framdumpbump. “Is your uncle Russian?” “No, but he is in a hurry.” Framdumpbump. I guess you had to be over 65 to appreciate it. And 90 percent of us are and did.
I did my second talk today, “History: It’s What’s for Dinner” to a bigger crowd than the first one. That is always encouraging. Tomorrow is Gibraltar, so I am off until Saturday and Sunday. Then depending on the seas, Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.
During the captain’s noon time report today he told us that there was bad weather in the area of Ponta Delgada and that the storm would pass in two days, but another was brewing off the coast of Virginia and Maryland and would be in the area in four days. There is a possibility that the waves will be too high, so he will sail south to get us between the storms, which means we will miss a port and I will have an extra day of work. We’ll let you know. These are not hurricanes. Just winter storms in the Atlantic which could bring 16-18 foot waves. The barf bags will be out, I am sure.
And on that note, I will say TTFN
Hey Mac, Granny understands the itching. Last night I woke up at about 1 am our time, about 7 pm your time, and my whole body itched from head to toe. I scratched for about an hour and then tried to go back to sleep.
Well, your Dad did it again. He lost his coffee cup somewhere on the ship. He remembered to bring it this time and then lost it. He has no idea where he left it and it wasn’t in lost and found. So off he went this morning to buy a new one! That cost $15. Oh my goodness. I on the other hand found a bargain. They were selling chocolate bars with the princess logo for 75% off. They had 3 left at $1.23 each. I bought all three.
I finally got some crocheting done today. I sat on deck 5 outside and watched the sea and land go by as I crocheted some of my Christmas projects. Finished one and started a second. I also walked my 13 times around deck 10, that is another 6070 feet for me.
My throat is really being a bugger, as Heddy would say. Each night my voice is just about entirely gone. Just when I think it is getting better it acts up again. Tried to eat a salad for supper. Big mistake. The lettuce wouldn’t go down. Oh my. Be glad when it is all better.
Well, it is later than our usual bedtime so I will say goodnight. Looking forward to a fun time in Gibraltar. We get an hour back tomorrow night. So we can stay up later if we want.
Love Mom, Granny
There were two shows tonight, a magician who billed himself as a confusionist (very good) and an English Pub Night (excellent). It was during the EPN that the entire audience in the Cabaret Lounge, accompanied by the ship’s singers and dancers, cruise director and deputy cruise director, and the ship’s orchestra played or sang, “My Bonnie lies over the ocean!” She smiled and waved in a queenly fashion.
The pub night was a lot of fun. Lots of corny songs like “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary,” and “Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.” Plus run-in jokes – one performer comes out and interrupts the person on stage saying, “My aunt fell off a volcano.” The second person inquires, “Krakatau?” The first replies, “No, broke her ankle.” Framdumpbump. “Is your uncle Russian?” “No, but he is in a hurry.” Framdumpbump. I guess you had to be over 65 to appreciate it. And 90 percent of us are and did.
I did my second talk today, “History: It’s What’s for Dinner” to a bigger crowd than the first one. That is always encouraging. Tomorrow is Gibraltar, so I am off until Saturday and Sunday. Then depending on the seas, Ponta Delgada, in the Azores.
During the captain’s noon time report today he told us that there was bad weather in the area of Ponta Delgada and that the storm would pass in two days, but another was brewing off the coast of Virginia and Maryland and would be in the area in four days. There is a possibility that the waves will be too high, so he will sail south to get us between the storms, which means we will miss a port and I will have an extra day of work. We’ll let you know. These are not hurricanes. Just winter storms in the Atlantic which could bring 16-18 foot waves. The barf bags will be out, I am sure.
And on that note, I will say TTFN
Hey Mac, Granny understands the itching. Last night I woke up at about 1 am our time, about 7 pm your time, and my whole body itched from head to toe. I scratched for about an hour and then tried to go back to sleep.
Well, your Dad did it again. He lost his coffee cup somewhere on the ship. He remembered to bring it this time and then lost it. He has no idea where he left it and it wasn’t in lost and found. So off he went this morning to buy a new one! That cost $15. Oh my goodness. I on the other hand found a bargain. They were selling chocolate bars with the princess logo for 75% off. They had 3 left at $1.23 each. I bought all three.
I finally got some crocheting done today. I sat on deck 5 outside and watched the sea and land go by as I crocheted some of my Christmas projects. Finished one and started a second. I also walked my 13 times around deck 10, that is another 6070 feet for me.
My throat is really being a bugger, as Heddy would say. Each night my voice is just about entirely gone. Just when I think it is getting better it acts up again. Tried to eat a salad for supper. Big mistake. The lettuce wouldn’t go down. Oh my. Be glad when it is all better.
Well, it is later than our usual bedtime so I will say goodnight. Looking forward to a fun time in Gibraltar. We get an hour back tomorrow night. So we can stay up later if we want.
Love Mom, Granny
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
AH, THE ORDINARY PLEASURES OF HOME!
December 7, 2016
After pausing to remember this day of 75 years ago, and its heroes, we took the shuttle bus into Barcelona to explore a new part of the city. It was amusing tonight at dinner to listen to the folks beside us – not our table mates – saying, “Oh, we didn’t do much. We’ve been here 4 times before.” Or some such as that. With the museums and churches and historical sites, short cruise visits don’t get it done. Ah, the which of which there is no whicher! And other varieties of buffalo biscuits – the bros, on their best day, couldn’t ship it better than those liars next table.
Anyway.
We bought tickets for the Barcelona Aquarium and after wandering around looking for it – the lady at the ticket booth said “It’s just over the bridge behind me,” and we walked over the bridge, and the lady at the refreshment stand said “Go straight to the mall” – and we walked passed the mall and down beside the mall and around the back of the mall and back up the other side of the mall until we found a reliable direction giver – a taxi driver (readers of this blog will recall your favorite travelers trying, unsuccessfully, to get across the Bayonne Bridge until they asked a taxi driver). It was only a Big Ben to AB bomb away. And in we went.
What an enchanting place (a couple of the exhibits need fixing up, and they had a sign up apologizing) but it was great watching the many colorful creatures playing before us. And we found Nemo!
Back outside, as we retraced our steps across the bridge an announcement in three languages – English third – said the bridge would be opening in 5 minutes to let a ship inside. The center of the bridge pivoted on a central axis and a sailing vessel coasted in. We’ve watched the pontoon bridge in Curacao swing completely to one side to let ships in and out, but this was a different movement.
Then out on the street where we wandered past the Leningradskya of Barcelona. Tent after tent of souvenirs, trinkets, junk, food, and who knows what. It was a double-sided avenue and it just went on and on. We came to a corner and decided we’d seen enough, crossed the street and went into a drug store where I asked the young lady for some cough syrup. She inquired as to my conditions and my allergies and gave me something she guaranteed will work. I’ve developed an annoying night time cough – no fever. It wakes us up, and since we left our good narcotic cough syrup at 233, a substitute was found. I’ll report back on it tomorrow.
Then we went into a shop simply titled “Market.” Bonnie wanted a plain paper notebook, and I am always on the lookout for a beverage not called Coke or Pepsi. And there it was. Ah, the ordinary pleasures of home! The first time I’ve seen it in any European city, or in any Central American city, or in any Caribbean city. Mountain Dew! Makes you wanna kick your shoes off! Truth be told, I would have preferred Mello Yello, but when in Barcelona, do as the Spaniards do. I bought every bottle they had in the store. There were only 4, but they are now mine! Mine! All mine! And I think I can make them last until Florida!
Back on board we went to supper and then to Jose De La Vega’s Flamenco Show. It is a group of locals who came on board to perform, clapping and stomping loudly and with enthusiasm. We saw a similar group in one of the Panama Canal stops. I enjoyed it. My companion said it was okay.
And now it’s blog time. Then a rehearsal for tomorrow’s one o’clock talk. And a few hands of cards.
TTFN
hello all!! From Barcelona
Well the day started late at 8:30. We roused and bathed and then headed up for breakfast. After which he came to the room to work on some new talks and I went up stairs to walk. 13 times around the deck equals 6070 feet. Little more than a mile. I usually lose count and do 14 times. As I walked along the starboard side, you could see land. I returned to the cabin and since he was working went back outside to watch us come in and dock. Fun to watch. We docked at the same terminal we left from in October. The ship sailed in and then did a 180 degree turn and sailed back till it was beside the dock and moved sideways into the dock. I watched them move the gangway in place and set up the way off. It was almost 12 and David wanted to go to the pub lunch so I went back to the room and we went up to deck 10. He had a Ploughman’s lunch (ham, crusty roll, cheddar cheese and some kind of spam pate) and I had a few chips (FF for you Americans). We shared a bread pudding for dessert.
After lunch we went to the cabin to dress for our excursion. As it was in the low 60's we donned out coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Got a bottle of water and our money, cruise cards and passports (as we were told we had to take them according to a message from local authorities, though no one asked to see them). We purchased round ticket shuttle passes and proceeded to town. It was a part of Barcelona we hadn’t been to and it was quite nice and very beautiful. Lots of older ornate buildings as well as many modern sights. The aquarium was a lot of fun. Fish, sharks, octopus, manta ray, clown fish, sea horses, urchins, crabs, eels and to many more to mention.
The walk along the street, window shopping mostly, was nice. We tried to avoid the traffic and soon was headed back to the place to catch our return shuttle.
It was 5 o’clock by the time we got back to our room and dressed for supper. He napped for 30 minutes and I played games.
Supper was open dining tonight because all on aboard is not until 10:30. (Way to cold and dark to be outside for me!) So we sat at a different table, this time for two and enjoyed out supper. We both had a Mexican meat ball soup, I had shrimp cocktail and he had a fennel and scallop soup. He opted for the seafood dish tonight, clams, mussels and Chilean sea bass, and I had a beef with cabbage. Cheeries Jubilee for me and creme brulee for him for dessert.
We stopped at the bar and got a coffee and a hot chocolate before heading into the cabaret to find seats for the show. The show was good, just not my kind of music and dancing.
Well, we are back in our room and in pajamas. He will start to get ready for tomorrow’s talk at one. I will probably go to sleep.
Bye!!
After pausing to remember this day of 75 years ago, and its heroes, we took the shuttle bus into Barcelona to explore a new part of the city. It was amusing tonight at dinner to listen to the folks beside us – not our table mates – saying, “Oh, we didn’t do much. We’ve been here 4 times before.” Or some such as that. With the museums and churches and historical sites, short cruise visits don’t get it done. Ah, the which of which there is no whicher! And other varieties of buffalo biscuits – the bros, on their best day, couldn’t ship it better than those liars next table.
Anyway.
We bought tickets for the Barcelona Aquarium and after wandering around looking for it – the lady at the ticket booth said “It’s just over the bridge behind me,” and we walked over the bridge, and the lady at the refreshment stand said “Go straight to the mall” – and we walked passed the mall and down beside the mall and around the back of the mall and back up the other side of the mall until we found a reliable direction giver – a taxi driver (readers of this blog will recall your favorite travelers trying, unsuccessfully, to get across the Bayonne Bridge until they asked a taxi driver). It was only a Big Ben to AB bomb away. And in we went.
What an enchanting place (a couple of the exhibits need fixing up, and they had a sign up apologizing) but it was great watching the many colorful creatures playing before us. And we found Nemo!
Back outside, as we retraced our steps across the bridge an announcement in three languages – English third – said the bridge would be opening in 5 minutes to let a ship inside. The center of the bridge pivoted on a central axis and a sailing vessel coasted in. We’ve watched the pontoon bridge in Curacao swing completely to one side to let ships in and out, but this was a different movement.
Then out on the street where we wandered past the Leningradskya of Barcelona. Tent after tent of souvenirs, trinkets, junk, food, and who knows what. It was a double-sided avenue and it just went on and on. We came to a corner and decided we’d seen enough, crossed the street and went into a drug store where I asked the young lady for some cough syrup. She inquired as to my conditions and my allergies and gave me something she guaranteed will work. I’ve developed an annoying night time cough – no fever. It wakes us up, and since we left our good narcotic cough syrup at 233, a substitute was found. I’ll report back on it tomorrow.
Then we went into a shop simply titled “Market.” Bonnie wanted a plain paper notebook, and I am always on the lookout for a beverage not called Coke or Pepsi. And there it was. Ah, the ordinary pleasures of home! The first time I’ve seen it in any European city, or in any Central American city, or in any Caribbean city. Mountain Dew! Makes you wanna kick your shoes off! Truth be told, I would have preferred Mello Yello, but when in Barcelona, do as the Spaniards do. I bought every bottle they had in the store. There were only 4, but they are now mine! Mine! All mine! And I think I can make them last until Florida!
Back on board we went to supper and then to Jose De La Vega’s Flamenco Show. It is a group of locals who came on board to perform, clapping and stomping loudly and with enthusiasm. We saw a similar group in one of the Panama Canal stops. I enjoyed it. My companion said it was okay.
And now it’s blog time. Then a rehearsal for tomorrow’s one o’clock talk. And a few hands of cards.
TTFN
hello all!! From Barcelona
Well the day started late at 8:30. We roused and bathed and then headed up for breakfast. After which he came to the room to work on some new talks and I went up stairs to walk. 13 times around the deck equals 6070 feet. Little more than a mile. I usually lose count and do 14 times. As I walked along the starboard side, you could see land. I returned to the cabin and since he was working went back outside to watch us come in and dock. Fun to watch. We docked at the same terminal we left from in October. The ship sailed in and then did a 180 degree turn and sailed back till it was beside the dock and moved sideways into the dock. I watched them move the gangway in place and set up the way off. It was almost 12 and David wanted to go to the pub lunch so I went back to the room and we went up to deck 10. He had a Ploughman’s lunch (ham, crusty roll, cheddar cheese and some kind of spam pate) and I had a few chips (FF for you Americans). We shared a bread pudding for dessert.
After lunch we went to the cabin to dress for our excursion. As it was in the low 60's we donned out coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Got a bottle of water and our money, cruise cards and passports (as we were told we had to take them according to a message from local authorities, though no one asked to see them). We purchased round ticket shuttle passes and proceeded to town. It was a part of Barcelona we hadn’t been to and it was quite nice and very beautiful. Lots of older ornate buildings as well as many modern sights. The aquarium was a lot of fun. Fish, sharks, octopus, manta ray, clown fish, sea horses, urchins, crabs, eels and to many more to mention.
The walk along the street, window shopping mostly, was nice. We tried to avoid the traffic and soon was headed back to the place to catch our return shuttle.
It was 5 o’clock by the time we got back to our room and dressed for supper. He napped for 30 minutes and I played games.
Supper was open dining tonight because all on aboard is not until 10:30. (Way to cold and dark to be outside for me!) So we sat at a different table, this time for two and enjoyed out supper. We both had a Mexican meat ball soup, I had shrimp cocktail and he had a fennel and scallop soup. He opted for the seafood dish tonight, clams, mussels and Chilean sea bass, and I had a beef with cabbage. Cheeries Jubilee for me and creme brulee for him for dessert.
We stopped at the bar and got a coffee and a hot chocolate before heading into the cabaret to find seats for the show. The show was good, just not my kind of music and dancing.
Well, we are back in our room and in pajamas. He will start to get ready for tomorrow’s talk at one. I will probably go to sleep.
Bye!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
FIRST DAY AT SEA
December 6, 2016
And my first talk. A good, appreciative crowd. Laughed at all the right places. Hung around and asked good questions. Tomorrow is Barcelona and then a sea day and “History, It’s What’s For Dinner.”
Today was the first of three formal nights, and my tuxedo jacket fits a little better than it did on the last cruise. Eating soup from cans while nursing a surgery patient paid off. And I’ve been careful so far, not stuffing myself. Except for ice cream at lunch time. They present two flavors every day. The only one I passed on was rhubarb ice cream. I’m pretty sure it would make a bull moose do back flips and beg for mercy. I remember eating rhubarb out of the back yard at 117 Shenandoah Avenue. Nasty stuff. The rhubarb, not 117.
The Pacific Princess singers and dancers put on a 40 minute non-stop show called “Motown.” High energy. Great singing and dancing. We’ve seen the show on other Princess ships, but this crew was tops. The stage is small, and it seems like it concentrates their energy. Very enjoyable indeed.
Tomorrow we arrive in Barcelona at noon and sail away at 11 p.m. The ship is featuring English Pub Lunches tomorrow – fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, Scotch eggs, and such. We always enjoy that so we will drop in before catching a shuttle into town. No plans for tomorrow, just some wandering around. Hopefully see some churches and maybe a museum. Always a good time.
Well, we are both tired from doing a lot of nothing today, so this will be short, and hopefully sweet. See you tomorrow from Spain.
TTFN!
And my first talk. A good, appreciative crowd. Laughed at all the right places. Hung around and asked good questions. Tomorrow is Barcelona and then a sea day and “History, It’s What’s For Dinner.”
Today was the first of three formal nights, and my tuxedo jacket fits a little better than it did on the last cruise. Eating soup from cans while nursing a surgery patient paid off. And I’ve been careful so far, not stuffing myself. Except for ice cream at lunch time. They present two flavors every day. The only one I passed on was rhubarb ice cream. I’m pretty sure it would make a bull moose do back flips and beg for mercy. I remember eating rhubarb out of the back yard at 117 Shenandoah Avenue. Nasty stuff. The rhubarb, not 117.
The Pacific Princess singers and dancers put on a 40 minute non-stop show called “Motown.” High energy. Great singing and dancing. We’ve seen the show on other Princess ships, but this crew was tops. The stage is small, and it seems like it concentrates their energy. Very enjoyable indeed.
Tomorrow we arrive in Barcelona at noon and sail away at 11 p.m. The ship is featuring English Pub Lunches tomorrow – fish and chips, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, Scotch eggs, and such. We always enjoy that so we will drop in before catching a shuttle into town. No plans for tomorrow, just some wandering around. Hopefully see some churches and maybe a museum. Always a good time.
Well, we are both tired from doing a lot of nothing today, so this will be short, and hopefully sweet. See you tomorrow from Spain.
TTFN!
Monday, December 5, 2016
MESSINA, NOT FROM THOMSON
December 5, 2016
Walking through the streets of Messina, Sicily with our guide Chiaria, an attractive, dark-haired 29 year old lady with a thick Sicilian accent overlaying her mastery of English, I wondered how this city, just across the Messina Straits from mainland Italy may be related to the small community of Messina in McDuffie County, Georgia. Someone look that up for me please, and send it back by email.
Our table mates, Charles, and she whose name is not Clarice, as has been earlier reported, nor Catherine, nor Carlotta, nor Constance, but does start with a C – and I will remember it before this cruise is over – invited us to go on a 2 hour walking tour with them. They had found it on the Internet, and the cost was only 30 euros per couple, including cannolli at the end of the tour. For the first 40 minutes or so of the tour, I was thinking, “What an incredible bargain this is, and what a great find! Thank you Charles and She Who Begins with C.”
Then we ventured onto Via S. Paolo, and Chiaria (pronounced Key-Are-Uh) turned to Bonnie, motioned to her cane, and said, “Can you do a few steps?” The next time a Sicilian woman asks my wife if she can do a few steps, I am going to reply, “She’s on her own if she does!” Oh my goodness! Because next we turned onto Eustochia Street, and it still wasn’t bad, but then the journey turned up hill onto Calimechi S Stafano. And I do mean uphill.
The Three Cs are toodling merrily up the hill while we are gamely struggling behind. Huffing was being overtaken by puffing, and I am not talking about your humble scribe and his companion. Breath was ragged. Muscles were tight. Toes were curling under. Feet were shuffling. And that was just the first ten feet.
Then we reached the “few” steps. Eight landings of 25 steps each. Then five slanted terraces covered in loose stones. Then a left turn and more landings. Then one right. And finally one left and we came out on the flat land surrounding Sacrario Cristo, and benches. Blessed, level, flat, unmoving and unmovable benches! Oh thank you, Sacred Christ!
Once my breathing slowed, my heart rate returned to normal and my pupils reappeared, and I could hear something other than my thudding heart and rushing blood, I was almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the church and the scenery across the Strait. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Letter. Paul, the Apostle, came preaching in the area, and two men went back to Jerusalem and visited with Mary, who gave them a letter authorizing a church in her name – hence Virgin Mary of the Letter.
Like much of Messina, the church has been damaged and rebuilt. There have been multiple earthquakes in the area – a 3.8 on the Richter Scale occurred yesterday about 30 kilometers away from where we are right now. Sicily was also the scene of fierce fighting during World War II and the area around Messina was heavily bombed.
Then we descended via a typical Italian twisting road – much easier to navigate than the route described accurately, honestly, and truthfully above – to Piazza Dumou and another beautiful church. This one puts on a musical concert every day at noon. Two soldiers who awakened from sleep just in time to warn local forces of an impending French invasion are featured bell ringers who mechanically strike noon. Then a lion roars and waves a flag. A rooster crows and flaps his wings. The Holy Spirit represented by a Dove descends and flies in a circle, representing the message that came to the local folk as to where to build the Church of the Letter. And finally angels parade around Mary giving honor to her. The whole program takes 12 minutes and includes the bells (much less dramatic than the ones in Salerno I missed recording yesterday) and a beautiful piece of classical music that you will recognize when I play the videos I made. Just before the concert, we went inside to view the beautiful place of worship. They have a life-size nativity set up in the sanctuary.
Our tour concluded back near where we started at a pastry shop that served us incredibly delicious cannolli. They are so good they’d make you slap your grandma.
Chiaria took another group on a tour. Charles and Mrs. C. went back to the ship – Cathleen, her name is Cathleen. We looked in two toy stores for suggested Christmas presents – with no luck – and then returned to the Pacific Princess for lunch and a nap. After napping, I began rehearsing for “Yes We Have No Bananas” which will be given sometime tomorrow. And now I must dress for supper. And She Who Must Be Obeyed will no doubt give her report, correcting all of my errors and adding many of her own.
TTFN!
Well, today was a beautiful day. Slept till 8 am. Had a leisurely breakfast and left the ship about 10. Went to go on the walking tour. This was not a walking tour, this was a Hiking Tour. Oh my word. Up a hill like you find in San Francisco for about 3 blocks and then flight after flight after flight, etc, of stairs up and up and up. The view was beautiful. But I am old!
The church at the clock tower was beautiful. Part had been destroyed by the 1908 earthquake and then really destroyed by the bombing of WW II. They have a statue of each of the 12 apostles in the church sanctuary. Only one of them is the original that survived the earthquake and bombing. The others are reproductions. They are all made of marble but you can tell that it is St John that is an original one. The marble is quite a different color. There is also one alcove beside the altar area on the left that survived earthquake and bombings. They actually bombed the church twice because they didn’t destroy it the first time. The second time the roof caved into the church and it burned for days.
There are many old churches and buildings and they are just magnificent. They were building a manager scene in the sanctuary while we were there.
We stood in the square outside that was full of people to watch the clock tower show. Just amazing to watch the lion roar and shake his head three times and then the rooster to flap his wings and crow 3 times. Then, the dove flew over the ground in the window and the cathedral for Mary rose up out of the mound. The bells weren’t rung like they were in Sorrento but rather struck.
The cannolli was very good. I couldn’t eat the hard case but the cream inside was amazing.
We got back on the ship and had some lunch and then I took a long nap before dressing for dinner. Dinner was fair the melon fruit bowl with macadamia nuts was so-so and the chicken pot pie with leeks was okay. They forgot to bring me my cold cherry soup. Apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Ate the apples and the ice cream.
Well, it is card time. His first talk is tomorrow at 3 pm. So we don’t have to get up to early.
Bye
Walking through the streets of Messina, Sicily with our guide Chiaria, an attractive, dark-haired 29 year old lady with a thick Sicilian accent overlaying her mastery of English, I wondered how this city, just across the Messina Straits from mainland Italy may be related to the small community of Messina in McDuffie County, Georgia. Someone look that up for me please, and send it back by email.
Our table mates, Charles, and she whose name is not Clarice, as has been earlier reported, nor Catherine, nor Carlotta, nor Constance, but does start with a C – and I will remember it before this cruise is over – invited us to go on a 2 hour walking tour with them. They had found it on the Internet, and the cost was only 30 euros per couple, including cannolli at the end of the tour. For the first 40 minutes or so of the tour, I was thinking, “What an incredible bargain this is, and what a great find! Thank you Charles and She Who Begins with C.”
Then we ventured onto Via S. Paolo, and Chiaria (pronounced Key-Are-Uh) turned to Bonnie, motioned to her cane, and said, “Can you do a few steps?” The next time a Sicilian woman asks my wife if she can do a few steps, I am going to reply, “She’s on her own if she does!” Oh my goodness! Because next we turned onto Eustochia Street, and it still wasn’t bad, but then the journey turned up hill onto Calimechi S Stafano. And I do mean uphill.
The Three Cs are toodling merrily up the hill while we are gamely struggling behind. Huffing was being overtaken by puffing, and I am not talking about your humble scribe and his companion. Breath was ragged. Muscles were tight. Toes were curling under. Feet were shuffling. And that was just the first ten feet.
Then we reached the “few” steps. Eight landings of 25 steps each. Then five slanted terraces covered in loose stones. Then a left turn and more landings. Then one right. And finally one left and we came out on the flat land surrounding Sacrario Cristo, and benches. Blessed, level, flat, unmoving and unmovable benches! Oh thank you, Sacred Christ!
Once my breathing slowed, my heart rate returned to normal and my pupils reappeared, and I could hear something other than my thudding heart and rushing blood, I was almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the church and the scenery across the Strait. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary of the Letter. Paul, the Apostle, came preaching in the area, and two men went back to Jerusalem and visited with Mary, who gave them a letter authorizing a church in her name – hence Virgin Mary of the Letter.
Like much of Messina, the church has been damaged and rebuilt. There have been multiple earthquakes in the area – a 3.8 on the Richter Scale occurred yesterday about 30 kilometers away from where we are right now. Sicily was also the scene of fierce fighting during World War II and the area around Messina was heavily bombed.
Then we descended via a typical Italian twisting road – much easier to navigate than the route described accurately, honestly, and truthfully above – to Piazza Dumou and another beautiful church. This one puts on a musical concert every day at noon. Two soldiers who awakened from sleep just in time to warn local forces of an impending French invasion are featured bell ringers who mechanically strike noon. Then a lion roars and waves a flag. A rooster crows and flaps his wings. The Holy Spirit represented by a Dove descends and flies in a circle, representing the message that came to the local folk as to where to build the Church of the Letter. And finally angels parade around Mary giving honor to her. The whole program takes 12 minutes and includes the bells (much less dramatic than the ones in Salerno I missed recording yesterday) and a beautiful piece of classical music that you will recognize when I play the videos I made. Just before the concert, we went inside to view the beautiful place of worship. They have a life-size nativity set up in the sanctuary.
Our tour concluded back near where we started at a pastry shop that served us incredibly delicious cannolli. They are so good they’d make you slap your grandma.
Chiaria took another group on a tour. Charles and Mrs. C. went back to the ship – Cathleen, her name is Cathleen. We looked in two toy stores for suggested Christmas presents – with no luck – and then returned to the Pacific Princess for lunch and a nap. After napping, I began rehearsing for “Yes We Have No Bananas” which will be given sometime tomorrow. And now I must dress for supper. And She Who Must Be Obeyed will no doubt give her report, correcting all of my errors and adding many of her own.
TTFN!
Well, today was a beautiful day. Slept till 8 am. Had a leisurely breakfast and left the ship about 10. Went to go on the walking tour. This was not a walking tour, this was a Hiking Tour. Oh my word. Up a hill like you find in San Francisco for about 3 blocks and then flight after flight after flight, etc, of stairs up and up and up. The view was beautiful. But I am old!
The church at the clock tower was beautiful. Part had been destroyed by the 1908 earthquake and then really destroyed by the bombing of WW II. They have a statue of each of the 12 apostles in the church sanctuary. Only one of them is the original that survived the earthquake and bombing. The others are reproductions. They are all made of marble but you can tell that it is St John that is an original one. The marble is quite a different color. There is also one alcove beside the altar area on the left that survived earthquake and bombings. They actually bombed the church twice because they didn’t destroy it the first time. The second time the roof caved into the church and it burned for days.
There are many old churches and buildings and they are just magnificent. They were building a manager scene in the sanctuary while we were there.
We stood in the square outside that was full of people to watch the clock tower show. Just amazing to watch the lion roar and shake his head three times and then the rooster to flap his wings and crow 3 times. Then, the dove flew over the ground in the window and the cathedral for Mary rose up out of the mound. The bells weren’t rung like they were in Sorrento but rather struck.
The cannolli was very good. I couldn’t eat the hard case but the cream inside was amazing.
We got back on the ship and had some lunch and then I took a long nap before dressing for dinner. Dinner was fair the melon fruit bowl with macadamia nuts was so-so and the chicken pot pie with leeks was okay. They forgot to bring me my cold cherry soup. Apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Ate the apples and the ice cream.
Well, it is card time. His first talk is tomorrow at 3 pm. So we don’t have to get up to early.
Bye
Sunday, December 4, 2016
THE LAST DAYS OF POM-P-EYE
December 4, 2016
Actually, it’s spelled Pompeii, but that’s the way Mayor McShenn pronounced it in “The Music Man,” in which I took a minor role for the Southern Garrett County Junior Senior High School Senior Chorus.
And we begin in this manner because our shore excursion was to Pompeii, checking that volcano destroyed city off of my bucket list. Not that I really have a bucket list, but it has been one of my “somedays.” We went to Salerno on the early part of the trip and then to Pompeii.
Salerno is a modern Italian town with centuries old roots, like almost every other city in Italy. It is decorated for Christmas with a 50 foot artificial tree in the town square and festive lights strung from street lamps and buildings. The highlight of our visit there was taking Bonnie into a pocket book store and she did not make a single purchase. We actually went in it twice, and still she did not buy. We’ll carry the Euros elsewhere.
The bus ride to Salerno was approximately an hour around very winding, very narrow roads which follow the contour of the hillsides. Our guide, Antonio, said in the summer that drive can take 3 hours or more. When we got to Pompeii, there may have been 300 people in the city. He said in June, July, and August, there are 5,000+ every day, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Glad we were there in December!
Pompeii is fascinating. Buried by a volcano spewing hot mud on August 24, 79 A.D., and uncovered 15 or more centuries later, the thus far uncovered ruins show private homes, government buildings, religious centers, and more than 50 fast food restaurants. McRomans? Chic-fil-Caesar? There is political graffiti – I asked our guide if Hillary’s email is listed there; he just smiled – and a house of ill-repute (which until the 1970s women were not allowed to visit – they worked there centuries before, but couldn’t venture onto the modern grounds).
Divided into 4 quadrants by two major roads, one running north and south, the other east and west, the streets were paved with stone, and many of them show wheel ruts from passing chariots (the deepest ruts are at the above mentioned brothel).
One of the things I had always heard and read about Pompeii was that when the volcano struck, spewing mud and dust, people were trapped in their houses, bodies were discovered sitting at the breakfast table, or at the stable, or crammed inside one city gate or another, trying to get out as they literally suffocated. I was some what disappointed to learn that only 3 bodies, two humans and a dog, are on display, and they are not the real bodies. Over the centuries the flesh decayed and left hollows in the crushing weight of dust and mud that mimicked the original corpse. When these areas were discovered, plaster of Paris was injected into the molds, and what is on display is that near-to-life reconstruction.
Well you can take a look around, because I have at least 100 pictures – many of them producing a fish-eye look from my traveling companion. How can I describe it? Altogether now, raise one eyebrow, frown with the rest of your face, fold your arms over your chest and make a discouraging sound. In Pompeii there was heard a discouraging word, but the skies were not cloud today.
No eight hour long excursion would be complete without at least one nap. There were three. She had two. I had one.
We got back on board 45 minutes before supper (she took a third nap) and I played in my new Sudoku book which we bought in Salerno. I forgot to bring one – I only have a dozen or so – and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do them since they were written in Italian. But a country boy can survive!
The most notable part of my evening’s meal was the haddock and potato chowder. Excellent!
The evening’s show in the Cabaret Lounge was Chris Hamilton, piano player extraordinaire.
And now the blog, a few hands of cards, and then to sleep, perchance to dream.
TTFN
And now, here’s Bonnie!
Arising at 6am for our 8:15 tour and having breakfast upstairs (some cheese and a hard boiled egg still not being able to swallow real well!) We left the ship to board our bus about 8:25 (some people are always late).
We sat in the second row of seats behind a mother and daughter. I really didn’t enjoy the first hour of our journey. Just too much swaying and curving so it was good to get out and walk around the downtown which had been blocked off so you could walk down the very narrow streets. Oh by the way I used to think England’s countryside had the narrowest streets but I think Italy has them beat. Pretty much all the cars are the size of my Spark or the rest of the crazy people drive scooters like “imbeciles” as our tour guide called them. If we had lived in Italy when our kids were small ,we wouldn’t have all been able to fit into a car together. It was really great shopping around the town. It was beautiful. Many old buildings and one church bell tower played their bells, real bells, swinging in and out of the tower. It was beautiful music. Bought a couple of souvenirs and ate at an “English fish and chips” bar. He had a hot dog and I had chips.
After taking another bus ride and this time I slept for part of it, better than watching a bus trying to get down roads that were just as wide as he was. The cars would stop and let us go by, the bus making wide turns and swinging around turns was a challenge, all the while scooters weaving in and out. UGG! Better to be asleep.
When we got to Pompeii we needed the toilet and after paying our .50 euros each, we were allowed to use the facilities. We got a snack of Gelato and then started our guided and narrated 2 hour tour. Very, very difficult walking. Constantly up and down over large stones. I had to constantly watch my feet. Only slipped twice but did not fall. It is hard to look around when you are walking watching your feet. And the guide was constantly talking and walking and turning and I was always trying to keep up. We were a small group of 30 people mixed in amongst several thousand others there also [she always over-estimates size ... of crowds].
But all in all a good day. I was exhausted but supper was fun. We have very nice table mates.
Bye for now.
Actually, it’s spelled Pompeii, but that’s the way Mayor McShenn pronounced it in “The Music Man,” in which I took a minor role for the Southern Garrett County Junior Senior High School Senior Chorus.
And we begin in this manner because our shore excursion was to Pompeii, checking that volcano destroyed city off of my bucket list. Not that I really have a bucket list, but it has been one of my “somedays.” We went to Salerno on the early part of the trip and then to Pompeii.
Salerno is a modern Italian town with centuries old roots, like almost every other city in Italy. It is decorated for Christmas with a 50 foot artificial tree in the town square and festive lights strung from street lamps and buildings. The highlight of our visit there was taking Bonnie into a pocket book store and she did not make a single purchase. We actually went in it twice, and still she did not buy. We’ll carry the Euros elsewhere.
The bus ride to Salerno was approximately an hour around very winding, very narrow roads which follow the contour of the hillsides. Our guide, Antonio, said in the summer that drive can take 3 hours or more. When we got to Pompeii, there may have been 300 people in the city. He said in June, July, and August, there are 5,000+ every day, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Glad we were there in December!
Pompeii is fascinating. Buried by a volcano spewing hot mud on August 24, 79 A.D., and uncovered 15 or more centuries later, the thus far uncovered ruins show private homes, government buildings, religious centers, and more than 50 fast food restaurants. McRomans? Chic-fil-Caesar? There is political graffiti – I asked our guide if Hillary’s email is listed there; he just smiled – and a house of ill-repute (which until the 1970s women were not allowed to visit – they worked there centuries before, but couldn’t venture onto the modern grounds).
Divided into 4 quadrants by two major roads, one running north and south, the other east and west, the streets were paved with stone, and many of them show wheel ruts from passing chariots (the deepest ruts are at the above mentioned brothel).
One of the things I had always heard and read about Pompeii was that when the volcano struck, spewing mud and dust, people were trapped in their houses, bodies were discovered sitting at the breakfast table, or at the stable, or crammed inside one city gate or another, trying to get out as they literally suffocated. I was some what disappointed to learn that only 3 bodies, two humans and a dog, are on display, and they are not the real bodies. Over the centuries the flesh decayed and left hollows in the crushing weight of dust and mud that mimicked the original corpse. When these areas were discovered, plaster of Paris was injected into the molds, and what is on display is that near-to-life reconstruction.
Well you can take a look around, because I have at least 100 pictures – many of them producing a fish-eye look from my traveling companion. How can I describe it? Altogether now, raise one eyebrow, frown with the rest of your face, fold your arms over your chest and make a discouraging sound. In Pompeii there was heard a discouraging word, but the skies were not cloud today.
No eight hour long excursion would be complete without at least one nap. There were three. She had two. I had one.
We got back on board 45 minutes before supper (she took a third nap) and I played in my new Sudoku book which we bought in Salerno. I forgot to bring one – I only have a dozen or so – and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do them since they were written in Italian. But a country boy can survive!
The most notable part of my evening’s meal was the haddock and potato chowder. Excellent!
The evening’s show in the Cabaret Lounge was Chris Hamilton, piano player extraordinaire.
And now the blog, a few hands of cards, and then to sleep, perchance to dream.
TTFN
And now, here’s Bonnie!
Arising at 6am for our 8:15 tour and having breakfast upstairs (some cheese and a hard boiled egg still not being able to swallow real well!) We left the ship to board our bus about 8:25 (some people are always late).
We sat in the second row of seats behind a mother and daughter. I really didn’t enjoy the first hour of our journey. Just too much swaying and curving so it was good to get out and walk around the downtown which had been blocked off so you could walk down the very narrow streets. Oh by the way I used to think England’s countryside had the narrowest streets but I think Italy has them beat. Pretty much all the cars are the size of my Spark or the rest of the crazy people drive scooters like “imbeciles” as our tour guide called them. If we had lived in Italy when our kids were small ,we wouldn’t have all been able to fit into a car together. It was really great shopping around the town. It was beautiful. Many old buildings and one church bell tower played their bells, real bells, swinging in and out of the tower. It was beautiful music. Bought a couple of souvenirs and ate at an “English fish and chips” bar. He had a hot dog and I had chips.
After taking another bus ride and this time I slept for part of it, better than watching a bus trying to get down roads that were just as wide as he was. The cars would stop and let us go by, the bus making wide turns and swinging around turns was a challenge, all the while scooters weaving in and out. UGG! Better to be asleep.
When we got to Pompeii we needed the toilet and after paying our .50 euros each, we were allowed to use the facilities. We got a snack of Gelato and then started our guided and narrated 2 hour tour. Very, very difficult walking. Constantly up and down over large stones. I had to constantly watch my feet. Only slipped twice but did not fall. It is hard to look around when you are walking watching your feet. And the guide was constantly talking and walking and turning and I was always trying to keep up. We were a small group of 30 people mixed in amongst several thousand others there also [she always over-estimates size ... of crowds].
But all in all a good day. I was exhausted but supper was fun. We have very nice table mates.
Bye for now.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
SAIL AWAY
December 3, 2016
Well, here we are in Stateroom 8036. Climbing the stairs, turning down the hall to our room, I saw only stateroom numbers on the outside wall which meant a window or balcony. Be still my beating heart. Then I passed a little corridor that cut off to the right and Bonnie broke the spell – not her fault – when she said, “It’s down here.” A nice inside passenger cabin, rather large, including a desk and chair, a couch, two closets, and 14 various shelves and drawers. And hangers galore. Compared to our last cruise, we have a big room. Enough places to put all of our stuff. And we’ve learned, packing as lightly as we did, we’ve brought too much. There is a guest laundromat on board. Oh well.
As I communicated earlier, it was only a short walk, and not too difficult pushing and dragging various pieces of luggage to where we immediately boarded a shuttle. Once inside we were taken to the front of the line – literally the first folks checked in – and were in our stateroom before you could spell Tyconderoga. If you can spell Tyconderoga (an old Three Stooges line). There was one of the which of which there is no whicher who was quite put out that we went before her. Bless her heart.
There was a form letter waiting for me, telling me that my first talk is tomorrow when we are in port, but it is a form letter from another cruise, and I won’t have a talk for two more days. Tomorrow it is Naples and Pompeii.
We are sharing a table with two other couples. Carol and Sam from Florida. Charlie and Clarice from California – love the alliteration. An enjoyable evening and a very good supper.
We went to the welcome aboard show – in the same lounge where I will do my talks. The cruise director is a man with whom we’ve sailed before, and so far we are unable to remember what ship. Sammie, the lady with whom we sailed through the Panama Canal, went on vacation today, so we missed our third opportunity to sail with her (our first Atlantic Crossing back in 2008 or 2010? was with her).
And now to check email, post this, play a few hands of cards and off to beddy bye.
TTFN
Well, here we are in Stateroom 8036. Climbing the stairs, turning down the hall to our room, I saw only stateroom numbers on the outside wall which meant a window or balcony. Be still my beating heart. Then I passed a little corridor that cut off to the right and Bonnie broke the spell – not her fault – when she said, “It’s down here.” A nice inside passenger cabin, rather large, including a desk and chair, a couch, two closets, and 14 various shelves and drawers. And hangers galore. Compared to our last cruise, we have a big room. Enough places to put all of our stuff. And we’ve learned, packing as lightly as we did, we’ve brought too much. There is a guest laundromat on board. Oh well.
As I communicated earlier, it was only a short walk, and not too difficult pushing and dragging various pieces of luggage to where we immediately boarded a shuttle. Once inside we were taken to the front of the line – literally the first folks checked in – and were in our stateroom before you could spell Tyconderoga. If you can spell Tyconderoga (an old Three Stooges line). There was one of the which of which there is no whicher who was quite put out that we went before her. Bless her heart.
There was a form letter waiting for me, telling me that my first talk is tomorrow when we are in port, but it is a form letter from another cruise, and I won’t have a talk for two more days. Tomorrow it is Naples and Pompeii.
We are sharing a table with two other couples. Carol and Sam from Florida. Charlie and Clarice from California – love the alliteration. An enjoyable evening and a very good supper.
We went to the welcome aboard show – in the same lounge where I will do my talks. The cruise director is a man with whom we’ve sailed before, and so far we are unable to remember what ship. Sammie, the lady with whom we sailed through the Panama Canal, went on vacation today, so we missed our third opportunity to sail with her (our first Atlantic Crossing back in 2008 or 2010? was with her).
And now to check email, post this, play a few hands of cards and off to beddy bye.
TTFN
Friday, December 2, 2016
FROM CIVITAVECCHIA
December 2, 2016
Well, as I told you in a brief email yesterday we made it to our flat in Piazza Calamatta safe and sound, and without a lot of stress.
Raise your hand if you’ve heard any of this.
Before we left 233, I asked Ernesto, our landlord, to give me instructions for securing train tickets to get from the Rome airport to here. Based on what he said I did some internet research and had a plan ready. When I went to buy the tickets, the agent told me I had picked the long way and the expensive way. He directed us to another window and for 11 euros and a change of trains we arrived in the Big C. If you are keeping notes, from the airport, take any train on Platform 3 to Roma Trastevere (count 7 stops – those of you who have traveled in Russia with me remember counting stops to Red Square from the Ismailova and back – it’s just another foreign language, but the same fingers). At Roma Trastevere pick any train on Platform 2 and get off at Civitavecchia. I don’t know how many stops because there is a local and an express – we were on the express, so fewer stops.
When we were changing platforms and trains a young man came to our rescue, helping throw our 50 pound suitcases on board, extend a hand to each of us while keeping the doors open, and off we went. I gave him a generous tip. He seemed surprised to get anything, but we were grateful for his help.
Once in Civitavecchia I inquired as to which bus came to our Piazza and was told, not this one, but the one on the other side of the street. Over there, the driver told us he would leave in 2 minutes, after he finished his cigarette, and to get on. He stopped in front of our apartment, an unscheduled stop, and I gave him 5 euros. We were grateful, and he was appreciative.
I may have referred to the above incidents as offering a bribe. I read somewhere that the accuracy of the details is not as important as making the story one’s own. And that is my story and I’m sticking to it,
We ate at McDonald’s, returned home to welcome two men to get the hot-water heater running for bodily cleanliness and the furnace, and then crashed. Bonnie went to sleep while the workmen were here, and as soon as they left, I joined her. We slept 12 hours. Fantastic!
There is a little café just across the piazza and we went there for breakfast. Actually there are cafes everywhere, as well as restorani’s, pizzerias, and other places selling groceries. Bonnie got an orange juice, I got an espresso and we shared a cream filled croissant. The owner added some pieces of chocolate and cookies to our order and we ate at a table outside, joining the locals in the custom. After breakfast I asked him where he had purchased the chocolate. If is almost as good as Kafe S’Molokom. He told me which store he shopped and I bought one bar, unwrapped it after paying for it, took a big bite and went back in and bought 3 more. When we came back by the café I gave him one as a thank you gift.
While we were out we found the dock and learned how to get to the ship. We are to be onboard tomorrow between noon and 2 so we will set out on foot around 11, dragging and pushing our luggage to the spot where we can ride the free shuttles.
After giving the chocolate gift we struck out for the local markets. There is quite an area where people sell all kinds of food stuffs, and we shopped through many – it was almost closing time (1 p.m.) so we missed many. Along the way we bought a bottle of water, a large emory board for smoothing heels, and a dozen olives (the man offered me a sample, it was fantastic, but I didn’t want to buy a kilogram so he sold me a dozen). Bonnie stopped to buy one orange, and the lady gave it to her as a present. One orange in exchange for one chocolate bar. Insert smiley face.
We walked almost out to the train station, shopping in and out of stores, walking along the shores of the Mediterranean, and finally stopping for pizza. It was great. Thin crust, red sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, and red and yellow sweet peppers. We ordered bottles of still water (as opposed to mineral, gassy, water) and enjoyed our feast. Melissa was our young waitress, attractive, and attentive. I asked Bonnie if we could bring her home with us, and she said, “No!” I reminded her that on one of the trains she lost her balance and was swept up in the arms of tall, handsome Italian gentleman. It was only fair. She still said, “No!” I guess there are different definitions of fair.
Bonnie tried to find an orange popcycle and settled for a green one. It was peppermint. I know it was green, but it was still peppermint. She took a couple of bites and pronounced it nasty. I allowed as how I would eat it, saving the money we had spent. I took two bites and pronounced it nasty, and tossed it into a sidewalk trash can. Saving money only goes so far.
Then back to the flat where we decided that we are in for the night. There are a few snacks here and we will consume some of them before a few hands of cards and then retiring for the night.
Hopefully internet will be affordable on the Pacific Princess and I will see you at the blog from the Mediterranean.
Until then, TTFN!
Well, as I told you in a brief email yesterday we made it to our flat in Piazza Calamatta safe and sound, and without a lot of stress.
Raise your hand if you’ve heard any of this.
Before we left 233, I asked Ernesto, our landlord, to give me instructions for securing train tickets to get from the Rome airport to here. Based on what he said I did some internet research and had a plan ready. When I went to buy the tickets, the agent told me I had picked the long way and the expensive way. He directed us to another window and for 11 euros and a change of trains we arrived in the Big C. If you are keeping notes, from the airport, take any train on Platform 3 to Roma Trastevere (count 7 stops – those of you who have traveled in Russia with me remember counting stops to Red Square from the Ismailova and back – it’s just another foreign language, but the same fingers). At Roma Trastevere pick any train on Platform 2 and get off at Civitavecchia. I don’t know how many stops because there is a local and an express – we were on the express, so fewer stops.
When we were changing platforms and trains a young man came to our rescue, helping throw our 50 pound suitcases on board, extend a hand to each of us while keeping the doors open, and off we went. I gave him a generous tip. He seemed surprised to get anything, but we were grateful for his help.
Once in Civitavecchia I inquired as to which bus came to our Piazza and was told, not this one, but the one on the other side of the street. Over there, the driver told us he would leave in 2 minutes, after he finished his cigarette, and to get on. He stopped in front of our apartment, an unscheduled stop, and I gave him 5 euros. We were grateful, and he was appreciative.
I may have referred to the above incidents as offering a bribe. I read somewhere that the accuracy of the details is not as important as making the story one’s own. And that is my story and I’m sticking to it,
We ate at McDonald’s, returned home to welcome two men to get the hot-water heater running for bodily cleanliness and the furnace, and then crashed. Bonnie went to sleep while the workmen were here, and as soon as they left, I joined her. We slept 12 hours. Fantastic!
There is a little café just across the piazza and we went there for breakfast. Actually there are cafes everywhere, as well as restorani’s, pizzerias, and other places selling groceries. Bonnie got an orange juice, I got an espresso and we shared a cream filled croissant. The owner added some pieces of chocolate and cookies to our order and we ate at a table outside, joining the locals in the custom. After breakfast I asked him where he had purchased the chocolate. If is almost as good as Kafe S’Molokom. He told me which store he shopped and I bought one bar, unwrapped it after paying for it, took a big bite and went back in and bought 3 more. When we came back by the café I gave him one as a thank you gift.
While we were out we found the dock and learned how to get to the ship. We are to be onboard tomorrow between noon and 2 so we will set out on foot around 11, dragging and pushing our luggage to the spot where we can ride the free shuttles.
After giving the chocolate gift we struck out for the local markets. There is quite an area where people sell all kinds of food stuffs, and we shopped through many – it was almost closing time (1 p.m.) so we missed many. Along the way we bought a bottle of water, a large emory board for smoothing heels, and a dozen olives (the man offered me a sample, it was fantastic, but I didn’t want to buy a kilogram so he sold me a dozen). Bonnie stopped to buy one orange, and the lady gave it to her as a present. One orange in exchange for one chocolate bar. Insert smiley face.
We walked almost out to the train station, shopping in and out of stores, walking along the shores of the Mediterranean, and finally stopping for pizza. It was great. Thin crust, red sauce, mozzarella cheese, sausage, and red and yellow sweet peppers. We ordered bottles of still water (as opposed to mineral, gassy, water) and enjoyed our feast. Melissa was our young waitress, attractive, and attentive. I asked Bonnie if we could bring her home with us, and she said, “No!” I reminded her that on one of the trains she lost her balance and was swept up in the arms of tall, handsome Italian gentleman. It was only fair. She still said, “No!” I guess there are different definitions of fair.
Bonnie tried to find an orange popcycle and settled for a green one. It was peppermint. I know it was green, but it was still peppermint. She took a couple of bites and pronounced it nasty. I allowed as how I would eat it, saving the money we had spent. I took two bites and pronounced it nasty, and tossed it into a sidewalk trash can. Saving money only goes so far.
Then back to the flat where we decided that we are in for the night. There are a few snacks here and we will consume some of them before a few hands of cards and then retiring for the night.
Hopefully internet will be affordable on the Pacific Princess and I will see you at the blog from the Mediterranean.
Until then, TTFN!
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