April 18, 2017
Well, one last Italian pizza for this trip. One last gelato. And perhaps the last good deed for this trip.
We went back to the pizza place where we grabbed a couple of slices on Friday night, and ordered Margaretta pizza – yummy tomato sauce and cheese. The proprietor understood that we did not want a kilogram of pizza and said we could buy it by the slice. One bottle of water and 8 slices. 5 euro.
Then we went on down the street to where we had last purchased gelato, and I had a cone of coffee flavor and she had chocolate. 4 euro.
Heading back to the flat, because it suddenly turned cold, we noticed a line of coax cable hanging from somewhere up above (do they have Kodi in heaven) and it was tangled in the front license plate of a parked car. The line was being jiggled by hands out of sight, but no progress was being made. I stepped between two parked cars and looked up. A face peered over the edge, and hands were trying to free the cable. I pulled it out from where it was held fast, and let it slide through my fingers as it was pulled up. When the last of the cable went over the top of the balcony railing, the head reappeared and waved me a thank you. Priceless.
We are mostly packed. Bonnie fixed one suitcase for the baggage hold, and the other will be completed with today’s clothes when we chuck them off for pajamas later this evening, and our toilet kits in the morning.
Our driver comes at noon to take us to Leonardo da Vinci Airport for an 8 p.m. flight to Lisbon. A driver will meet us in Lisbon to take us to a hotel (for our 12 hour layover) and then take us back to the airport Thursday morning where we’ll fly to Miami. A third driver will take us to Fort Lauderdale where we will reclaim “Frank,” and head north. We’ll stop for the night and return to Augusta on Friday. It’s been a good trip and we’ve had a good time, but we are ready to be back at 233 (if someone will stop by the house Thursday afternoon or Friday morning and set the A/C at 75 degrees please – it is 57 here and I turned the radiators on).
I shall now turn the keyboard over to Bonnie for the last installment from Westerdam 2017.
TTFN
Well, our day started whenever we woke up. I sat the table for breakfast, got out bread for his toast, put pans of water on to boil so I can do dishes, got out his egg, butter and jelly and sliced a piece of sweet cake for me. I know. Don’t you love run on sentences. I also made some oj for me. He made his cup of coffee and then I plugged in the panini maker to do his toast. After he fried his egg, we sat down to consume our breakfast. After that he showered while I did dishes. Then, I showered. We had to go to the Pam store before venturing out. We got another 30cent large bottle of water and a couple of cokes for tonight. We wanted the water to get cold so we purchased the drinks and walked back to the apartment. I went upstairs to put them in fridge because I can open the door and he can not.
Then, we headed off in the direction of the train station which is the way we had to go to get to the church of the Japanese martyrs. As we walked down the sidewalk I spied a euro penny in the street. I used my cane to pull it closer because the cars were speeding by. Yes I got my cent. It looked like rain as we walked back to the apartment from the Pam store, so I had picked up our umbrellas. It took about 25 minutes to get to the church and low and behold the doors were open. As all the churches we have visited on this trip, it was very ornate and beautiful. It had high domed ceilings and beautiful art works. The lilies from Easter were still in the church and you were greeted with a wonderful fragrance when you entered. He took pictures and I sat and enjoyed the quiet. I put a euro in their poor box. I always try to do that when we visit and take pictures.
After we came out of the church and started back, it began to rain. So we put up our umbrellas and walked on. It was not a hard rain just light rain. We put them down before we got to the café for lunch. After the church before the café, we did a little bit of shopping in a couple of stores. We stopped in the book store again and they actually had some books in English. They had a group books to help teach kids to read that were interesting. They had books on Sherlock Holmes, Phantom of the Opera, Jane Eyer, Scarlet letter and lots more. We stopped in a store and bought a purse I had seen and liked. Then, went to a small toy store called Maga Mogo. Picked up some stuff for grand for the grand kids.
Then we headed to the café where I ordered a chicken breast sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes and mayo. He had a double cheeseburger. We had fries, onion rings, pepper rings (deep fried lightly) and mozzarella sticks. The chicken turned out to be processed chicken, so I ate the bread , tomatoes and lettuce. Very tasty. The FF were very hot and very good. So were the other things. After lunch we enjoyed a small cup of gelato. Then, back to the apartment
It was about 1 and nap time. We napped then I worked on my suitcase. I swapped purses so I could carry my new one home. Then, I sat down to write all my post cards, which I plan to mail from Ft Lauderdale. I figure I will still beat them home. I had thought about mailing them from here but it is really expensive and we haven’t seen a post office anywhere.
Well, after that it was almost 6 and the pizza place we wanted to eat at was supposed to be open. So we put on shoes and jackets and headed out. It was 6:30 when we got there and it looked like they had just started. We sat down and ordered our pizza and a bottle of water. It took about 10 minutes or so and it was ready. It was very good and very inexpensive. I loved every bite. Then, back for more gelato. By the time we started to walk home the wind had picked up and it was very cold.
When we got into the building and got to the stairs a young couple was standing at the elevator with their suitcases. We walked on up the stairs. In a few minutes we heard them arrive on our floor and they started knocking on the door across from us. No one answered even though they knocked for several minutes. Then, they knocked on ours. We did not answer. They did not speak English and we don’t speak Italian. They had tried to talk to us when we met them at the elevator. They left. Several minutes later someone was ringing our doorbell from outside. We didn’t answer that either. If it would have been our landlord, he has a key. So someone was ringing the bells trying to get someone to leave them into the building.
Well, it is time for nightclothes, some cards, (don’t ask) and a drink before taking the nighttime pills and heading to bed. It will be a long 2 days ahead traveling. I will try to be patient. Our driver should be here at noon and off we will go.
Love you all. See you soon. Hugs and kisses to everybody. Hope everybody likes their postcards they are all different. There are 13 in all.
Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
PICTURES -- WE'VE GOT PICTURES!
 |
| Fisherman's Chapel in Funchal, Madeira. |
 |
| Over the bridge ... |
 |
| Cathedral in Malaga, Spain. |
 |
| Roman Theater in Cartagena. |
 |
| Part of the 1500s wall in Civitavecchia, with resident. |
 |
| Fort Michelangelo in C'town. |
 |
| Sitting along the Mediterranean in C'town. |
 |
| Chain your bicycle for security. |
 |
| Church of the Holy Japanese Martyrs in Civitavecchia. |
 |
| Along C'town's waterfront. |
 |
| Cruise Buddy striking a pose. |
 |
| Looking into St. Peter's Square, Easter Sunday. |
 |
| I'm going to do a collage of photographers. |
 |
| We did our selfie. |
 |
| One of Civitavecchia's cathedrals. |
 |
| Along the Palletine Hills in Rome. |
 |
| No place to park? Make one. |
 |
| Inside Holy Japanese Martyrs Cathedral. Art work shows Jesuit missionaries being crucified. |
Monday, April 17, 2017
ONE COIN IN THE FOUNTAIN – EACH
April 17, 2017
Today’s excursion saw your favorite cruisers walking 8.6 miles to see the Trevi Fountain, and a beautiful fountain it is. Closed for almost 2 years and refurbished at a cost of over $24 million, it is a sight to behold. If you can get close to it.
The last two days we have assembled with masses and multitudes. 80,000 on Sunday, and who knows how many today. There are 4 levels of standing or seating around the Fountain, and barely an empty place to place a tourist’s boat. Finally, Bonnie spotted an opening and I skirted in, turned my back to the pool and threw a coin with my right hand over my left shoulder.
Bonnie photographed the event, and the recreation, in case she missed it the first time – no way I was going to fight, a second time, those huddled masses yearning to breath free at water’s edge. Then she hurled her coin over the top of everyone to a perfect kerplop in the water. Authorities say they take $750,000 in coins out every year and use every cent for local charities. We did our bit.
The song speaks about three coins in the Fountain. Well, the legend is this: one coin if you want to return to Rome someday (we do), two coins if you want a new lover (we don’t), and three coins if you want to get married (we are, and that one time will be sufficient).
Today was a continuation of the Easter Holiday, and so the Trevi Fountain stop was rerouted for the Hop On Hop Off Bus. If I had followed the map instead of the signs along the road, we would have saved about a mile on our walk. Don’t believe the signs when you are looking for the Trevi Fountain. Walk straight down Via Barberini until you come to Via Vittorio Veneta and turn right. There you are! Not on top the hill where the Italian presidential palace is located (with an impressive fountain of its own, I might add). Not down, or rather up, some incredibly steep side street (with not even a refreshment stand selling small bottles of water for 2 Euro). Signs lie!
Speaking of prevarication, the woman who sold us the tickets, said it would only be a five minute walk from HOHOB stop #8 to the Fountain. She must be related to the tour guide we had in December in Sicily who said, “It’s only a few steps.” It is, if you are capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Oh well.
We got back to the bus, and tried to go on through the open back door. An officious little snit said, “No! You must use the front door!” So off, and back on. But a good ride back to where we started near St. Peter’s Square.
Back at San Pietro train station, it was another story of adventure, weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth (since we couldn’t gnash the snotty ticket seller who assured us that the train to Civitavecchia had always been scheduled to leave at 16:32 on Track 5 – and it had been posted electronically on Track 3 and the Track 4 and then taken off the board and a handwritten sign posted – we made it with two minutes to spare! But I will let my traveling companion regale you with that, and more from our day.
Heeeeeere’s Bonnie!
TTFN
If I can stay awake. Well, the day started at 6:30 with baths, breakfast, etc. I made the bed, washed the dishes and then swept the floor before getting my bath. I also got the trash ready to carry out. Hey, am I not supposed to be one vacation! Oh well somebody has to do the dirty work.
We headed toward the train station and made the walk in about 30 minutes. Purchased our tickets and had a 30 minute wait till the train left. We got on the train about 20 minutes prior and waited patiently. Soon after we got on , a man and his dog boarded. These people take their dogs everywhere. There were 3 in the McDonalds yesterday. These are not service dogs. Soon we were off. Unlike our earlier train rides they did not announce the stops, so we had to watch to be sure we got off at St Pietro. That should have been a warning to us that all was not as it should be. The army and police, with their machine guns hanging across their bodies, fingers on the triggers pointed toward the ground, were still out. We finally found the hoponhop bus ticket office and purchased our tickets. We had to walk across a bridge and up a street to board a bus. There was a lot of car and people traffic. Finally on a bus we headed to the first stop for us, stop 8, so we could walk to the fountain. Walk a horrendous walk. We walked down here, then there was a sign and then up a huge incline only to have to walk back down and we still weren’t there. When we finally arrived and were walking toward the mass of people and the fountain a man pushed the wheel of his baby carriage in front of my foot and I almost fell face forward. People just go and don’t look. I am constantly watching people and my feet. There have been more people shoving, pushing and being just generally rude these last two days. I tell, them someday they too shall be old.
The fountain was beautiful but I had no chance to get close so I threw a coin from where I could. It did make it. But I guess I will get no wish because I didn’t throw it over my shoulder.
Well, you know how ever far you walk out you must walk back so back to the bus stop we headed. After boarding the bus we had to ride to the end of the route before it would start over again and we could get out at the Palentine hills. But by the time we finally got there our minds were willing but our bodies weren’t. So we took pictures from the bus and rode back to stop 6 where we had gotten on near the Vatican. As we started our trek back to the train station, we stopped at a food truck. We purchased one salami pizza panini and 2 bottles of coke for 13 euros. We found a wall nearby and sat down to consume our food. Then, off we trekked to the train. After we arrived we thought the worst of our day was over, but of no. Following the posted signs we went to track 5 for a train at 15:32 ( it was just 3) , that 3:32 for all you Augustans. Well we sat and no train came. I walked down to read another posted sign and now it said the train was at 16:32 on track 3. So we moved. Now the train is coming at 4:32. Well, were sitting there and the dude comes on and says something about Civi... on track 5 at 16:32. The sign still said track 3. Then, they flashed it up on track 4. By this time we were very frustrated so we hurried over to the ticket window, and a note taped up said that at 16:32 on track 5 for Civi... We explained to the lady that the signs outside said 3 and she just about said we were crazy it had always said 5. UUUUGH!! We went rushing back out because it was 16:30. We got up and down 3 long sets of stairs and just I time to board. It was super crowded. People we taking 2 and 3 seats with their luggage also. We found 2 seats facing two young women, who in that hour train ride talked unending. The one woman would say eeh about every fifth or sixth word. Kind of like Americans will say like...
They did not stop at all the stations going home and did not announce them at all, so we had to be careful and watch. We got off safely and were heading back looking for some place to eat. Everything was closed. WE finally after walking almost home headed back to McDonalds. I finally got to go to the bathroom for the first time in 8 hours. We did find an ice cream store and had an ice cream cone. He got coffee chocolate and I got mint chocolate. You had to pay first and show the receipt before you could order your cones.
We made a quick stop at Pam and I got a coke. Then home and up the steps, he took the elevator , unlock the door and we are in for the night.
No more hiking tomorrow except to the Japanese martyr church.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Today’s excursion saw your favorite cruisers walking 8.6 miles to see the Trevi Fountain, and a beautiful fountain it is. Closed for almost 2 years and refurbished at a cost of over $24 million, it is a sight to behold. If you can get close to it.
The last two days we have assembled with masses and multitudes. 80,000 on Sunday, and who knows how many today. There are 4 levels of standing or seating around the Fountain, and barely an empty place to place a tourist’s boat. Finally, Bonnie spotted an opening and I skirted in, turned my back to the pool and threw a coin with my right hand over my left shoulder.
Bonnie photographed the event, and the recreation, in case she missed it the first time – no way I was going to fight, a second time, those huddled masses yearning to breath free at water’s edge. Then she hurled her coin over the top of everyone to a perfect kerplop in the water. Authorities say they take $750,000 in coins out every year and use every cent for local charities. We did our bit.
The song speaks about three coins in the Fountain. Well, the legend is this: one coin if you want to return to Rome someday (we do), two coins if you want a new lover (we don’t), and three coins if you want to get married (we are, and that one time will be sufficient).
Today was a continuation of the Easter Holiday, and so the Trevi Fountain stop was rerouted for the Hop On Hop Off Bus. If I had followed the map instead of the signs along the road, we would have saved about a mile on our walk. Don’t believe the signs when you are looking for the Trevi Fountain. Walk straight down Via Barberini until you come to Via Vittorio Veneta and turn right. There you are! Not on top the hill where the Italian presidential palace is located (with an impressive fountain of its own, I might add). Not down, or rather up, some incredibly steep side street (with not even a refreshment stand selling small bottles of water for 2 Euro). Signs lie!
Speaking of prevarication, the woman who sold us the tickets, said it would only be a five minute walk from HOHOB stop #8 to the Fountain. She must be related to the tour guide we had in December in Sicily who said, “It’s only a few steps.” It is, if you are capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Oh well.
We got back to the bus, and tried to go on through the open back door. An officious little snit said, “No! You must use the front door!” So off, and back on. But a good ride back to where we started near St. Peter’s Square.
Back at San Pietro train station, it was another story of adventure, weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth (since we couldn’t gnash the snotty ticket seller who assured us that the train to Civitavecchia had always been scheduled to leave at 16:32 on Track 5 – and it had been posted electronically on Track 3 and the Track 4 and then taken off the board and a handwritten sign posted – we made it with two minutes to spare! But I will let my traveling companion regale you with that, and more from our day.
Heeeeeere’s Bonnie!
TTFN
If I can stay awake. Well, the day started at 6:30 with baths, breakfast, etc. I made the bed, washed the dishes and then swept the floor before getting my bath. I also got the trash ready to carry out. Hey, am I not supposed to be one vacation! Oh well somebody has to do the dirty work.
We headed toward the train station and made the walk in about 30 minutes. Purchased our tickets and had a 30 minute wait till the train left. We got on the train about 20 minutes prior and waited patiently. Soon after we got on , a man and his dog boarded. These people take their dogs everywhere. There were 3 in the McDonalds yesterday. These are not service dogs. Soon we were off. Unlike our earlier train rides they did not announce the stops, so we had to watch to be sure we got off at St Pietro. That should have been a warning to us that all was not as it should be. The army and police, with their machine guns hanging across their bodies, fingers on the triggers pointed toward the ground, were still out. We finally found the hoponhop bus ticket office and purchased our tickets. We had to walk across a bridge and up a street to board a bus. There was a lot of car and people traffic. Finally on a bus we headed to the first stop for us, stop 8, so we could walk to the fountain. Walk a horrendous walk. We walked down here, then there was a sign and then up a huge incline only to have to walk back down and we still weren’t there. When we finally arrived and were walking toward the mass of people and the fountain a man pushed the wheel of his baby carriage in front of my foot and I almost fell face forward. People just go and don’t look. I am constantly watching people and my feet. There have been more people shoving, pushing and being just generally rude these last two days. I tell, them someday they too shall be old.
The fountain was beautiful but I had no chance to get close so I threw a coin from where I could. It did make it. But I guess I will get no wish because I didn’t throw it over my shoulder.
Well, you know how ever far you walk out you must walk back so back to the bus stop we headed. After boarding the bus we had to ride to the end of the route before it would start over again and we could get out at the Palentine hills. But by the time we finally got there our minds were willing but our bodies weren’t. So we took pictures from the bus and rode back to stop 6 where we had gotten on near the Vatican. As we started our trek back to the train station, we stopped at a food truck. We purchased one salami pizza panini and 2 bottles of coke for 13 euros. We found a wall nearby and sat down to consume our food. Then, off we trekked to the train. After we arrived we thought the worst of our day was over, but of no. Following the posted signs we went to track 5 for a train at 15:32 ( it was just 3) , that 3:32 for all you Augustans. Well we sat and no train came. I walked down to read another posted sign and now it said the train was at 16:32 on track 3. So we moved. Now the train is coming at 4:32. Well, were sitting there and the dude comes on and says something about Civi... on track 5 at 16:32. The sign still said track 3. Then, they flashed it up on track 4. By this time we were very frustrated so we hurried over to the ticket window, and a note taped up said that at 16:32 on track 5 for Civi... We explained to the lady that the signs outside said 3 and she just about said we were crazy it had always said 5. UUUUGH!! We went rushing back out because it was 16:30. We got up and down 3 long sets of stairs and just I time to board. It was super crowded. People we taking 2 and 3 seats with their luggage also. We found 2 seats facing two young women, who in that hour train ride talked unending. The one woman would say eeh about every fifth or sixth word. Kind of like Americans will say like...
They did not stop at all the stations going home and did not announce them at all, so we had to be careful and watch. We got off safely and were heading back looking for some place to eat. Everything was closed. WE finally after walking almost home headed back to McDonalds. I finally got to go to the bathroom for the first time in 8 hours. We did find an ice cream store and had an ice cream cone. He got coffee chocolate and I got mint chocolate. You had to pay first and show the receipt before you could order your cones.
We made a quick stop at Pam and I got a coke. Then home and up the steps, he took the elevator , unlock the door and we are in for the night.
No more hiking tomorrow except to the Japanese martyr church.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Sunday, April 16, 2017
BLOGGING BONNIE LEADS OFF
April 16, 2017
Well, I get to go first.
I forgot to tell you about our good deed yesterday. As we walked back from the church for the Japanese martyrs, we saw a young man pulling his suitcase with all kinds of shoe boxes and a big bag tied to it. He had a case that contained a guitar over his shoulder. I told David I bet he is a musician from one of the ships and his bags had on them Holland American tags. Well, just after he past us heading toward the train station we heard this crash. His large shopping bag tied to the suitcase split apart and everything went on the ground. We turned around to see if we could help and asked if he was from the ship. He was and he was on his way home. We couldn’t do much but I had carried a large bag from the grocery store in my purse and I gave it to him to put some of his boxes in. He said he would be okay and we wished him a safe journey.
Now, last night I had a strange dream. Michael (and he was a grown man), me and my mother were in a church in a service. The service had ended and we were getting up to head out. It was a very large church with many people. Michael said, “Don’t let your mother get away, you know how she goes off.” Well before that was out of his mouth, she was gone. So I put him in doorway at the exit and I went to look for her. I had to potty and I had passed one so I turned around to go and then couldn’t find it. That was when I woke up. Don’t know if we found my Mom or not. Really crazy.
So on to today. We arose at 6:30. David got a bath and I brushed teeth, washed face and hands and combed my hair. When he finished and made his coffee I made him toast. I had oj and a piece of my sweet cake. We were out of the house and headed to the train by 7:30. We made good time and got to the station before 8. There was a train leaving on track 2 at 8:30 but there was one on Track 1 leaving at 8:01. After making sure that was correct, we boarded the train on track 1 and off we went. It stopped at all the stations on the way so it takes longer. As we approached one stop there must have been 50 or more priests standing on the platform. They all boarded our train. As we approached St Pietro, our stop, they announced that if you were getting off you had to exit from one of the first four cars. We had no idea what car we were in, so we walked forward into the next car and asked the lady in there what car we were in now. She said 3 so we were good. Right after one of the young priests came into the car asking what car we were in, we said we thought it was 3. So he said good and sat down. We conversed and found he was from South Africa but had been in Florida and Texas. He spoke perfect English. He was young and white.
Well, we arrived at the station and exited. As it had been a long ride we needed to use the bathrooms. Now in the terminals it cost 1euro each to potty. They have a machine at the door where you can change your euros for coins. We changed two 5 euro notes for 10 one euro coins. Then, inserted our coins and proceeded through the turn stills to the appropriate one. Now this was a nice restroom. The toilet after you used it and flushed it pushed out from the back over the seat and the seat rotated all the way around and it cleaned the seat. No kidding. I just stood and watched. After washing my hands, the towel rack had a cloth towel which you waved your hand in front and it extended a towel. You dried your hands then it rolled up the dirty piece and put out new. Never seen anything like this restroom.
Well, leaving the station and going down the hill toward the Vatican on our usual path, we finally came to the ramp that went down and under the street and came out onto the edge of St Peter”s square. There were barricades and many police and military people. They said we could not go through but we could walk around back up the street and to the left to the other side. So off we went. We had to go through a tunnel, with very busy fast traffic in it and a very narrow sidewalk. Many people walked out into the street and passed us because we were so slow. We finally found our way around and after passing through a wand and search barricade we walked up to just in front of the square. There were some ledges on the side and we found a couple of seats where we could see the balcony where the Pope was to speak from and had a seat. The service was to start at 10 and it was quarter till. It actually started at 10:20 and the Pope was doing a full Mass inside and it was being displayed on a large TV and broadcast over speakers. We could not see the screen but could hear. At about 11:30 we were tired and it was probably going to be another hour or so before he came out. So we took a quick look into a shop right behind us. Well, we had no sooner walked into the shop and everybody came crowding into the overhang area. It had started to rain. One of those showers with the sun shining. It lasted about 20 minutes. We finally fought our way through the crowd and headed back the way we came to the station. At the station there were some soldiers, yes armed with automatic rifles, machine guns, and we asked what track the train for Civi... was located on. It said track 5 on the sign but we wanted to make sure. So we went down the steps to go to the track and validated our tickets on the way. Going to St Pietro the ticket checker had validated that we had the correct tickets. But when we got on the train coming home the guy never asked to see them. We were on a faster train coming home because it only stopped at some of the stops.
Getting home and spending 2 more euros we used the facilities. They were not near as nice as the ones in St Pietro. Then, we headed down to the apartment . We tried to stop some places to eat but they were full and had no room for us. So we stopped at the Pam store and bought bread and chips and then went back to McDonalds for lunch. Then home where he took a nap and I did not.
Well, he is ready for me to be finished so good night to all.
Well, two-fingered Granny is finally finished. She typed for 90 minutes and left me almost nothing to say.
However, there are two things I wish to point out.
First, Granny Carter was lost because of a potty break.
Second, I only needed one euro to go to the bathroom, she took the other 9.
Now, she is telling me what I can write that she left out over an hour and a half.
I took our McDonald’s fries back to the counter and told the woman they were cold. Cold. These fries are cold. She glared at me, and I said, “These are cold.” She took them, snatched them would be more accurate, and threw them in the trash and got us fries right out of the cooker. I think the cooks were chasing cows, because it took forever to get my double cheeseburger and her Big Mac. We ate the fries before they got cold again. We each had a milkshake, and they were very good.
Back in the flat we played two rounds of rummy and I lead 11 games to 10, having won the last one in only 4 hands – a veritable stomping!
We stayed in for supper, Bonnie making grilled cheese sandwiches on the apartment’s Panini maker. Very good. Our side dish was Lay’s Original Potato Chips, also very good.
I don’t think she told you that we walked almost 7 miles today, and I am beat. Off to post this, and then an early night.
TTFN
Well, I get to go first.
I forgot to tell you about our good deed yesterday. As we walked back from the church for the Japanese martyrs, we saw a young man pulling his suitcase with all kinds of shoe boxes and a big bag tied to it. He had a case that contained a guitar over his shoulder. I told David I bet he is a musician from one of the ships and his bags had on them Holland American tags. Well, just after he past us heading toward the train station we heard this crash. His large shopping bag tied to the suitcase split apart and everything went on the ground. We turned around to see if we could help and asked if he was from the ship. He was and he was on his way home. We couldn’t do much but I had carried a large bag from the grocery store in my purse and I gave it to him to put some of his boxes in. He said he would be okay and we wished him a safe journey.
Now, last night I had a strange dream. Michael (and he was a grown man), me and my mother were in a church in a service. The service had ended and we were getting up to head out. It was a very large church with many people. Michael said, “Don’t let your mother get away, you know how she goes off.” Well before that was out of his mouth, she was gone. So I put him in doorway at the exit and I went to look for her. I had to potty and I had passed one so I turned around to go and then couldn’t find it. That was when I woke up. Don’t know if we found my Mom or not. Really crazy.
So on to today. We arose at 6:30. David got a bath and I brushed teeth, washed face and hands and combed my hair. When he finished and made his coffee I made him toast. I had oj and a piece of my sweet cake. We were out of the house and headed to the train by 7:30. We made good time and got to the station before 8. There was a train leaving on track 2 at 8:30 but there was one on Track 1 leaving at 8:01. After making sure that was correct, we boarded the train on track 1 and off we went. It stopped at all the stations on the way so it takes longer. As we approached one stop there must have been 50 or more priests standing on the platform. They all boarded our train. As we approached St Pietro, our stop, they announced that if you were getting off you had to exit from one of the first four cars. We had no idea what car we were in, so we walked forward into the next car and asked the lady in there what car we were in now. She said 3 so we were good. Right after one of the young priests came into the car asking what car we were in, we said we thought it was 3. So he said good and sat down. We conversed and found he was from South Africa but had been in Florida and Texas. He spoke perfect English. He was young and white.
Well, we arrived at the station and exited. As it had been a long ride we needed to use the bathrooms. Now in the terminals it cost 1euro each to potty. They have a machine at the door where you can change your euros for coins. We changed two 5 euro notes for 10 one euro coins. Then, inserted our coins and proceeded through the turn stills to the appropriate one. Now this was a nice restroom. The toilet after you used it and flushed it pushed out from the back over the seat and the seat rotated all the way around and it cleaned the seat. No kidding. I just stood and watched. After washing my hands, the towel rack had a cloth towel which you waved your hand in front and it extended a towel. You dried your hands then it rolled up the dirty piece and put out new. Never seen anything like this restroom.
Well, leaving the station and going down the hill toward the Vatican on our usual path, we finally came to the ramp that went down and under the street and came out onto the edge of St Peter”s square. There were barricades and many police and military people. They said we could not go through but we could walk around back up the street and to the left to the other side. So off we went. We had to go through a tunnel, with very busy fast traffic in it and a very narrow sidewalk. Many people walked out into the street and passed us because we were so slow. We finally found our way around and after passing through a wand and search barricade we walked up to just in front of the square. There were some ledges on the side and we found a couple of seats where we could see the balcony where the Pope was to speak from and had a seat. The service was to start at 10 and it was quarter till. It actually started at 10:20 and the Pope was doing a full Mass inside and it was being displayed on a large TV and broadcast over speakers. We could not see the screen but could hear. At about 11:30 we were tired and it was probably going to be another hour or so before he came out. So we took a quick look into a shop right behind us. Well, we had no sooner walked into the shop and everybody came crowding into the overhang area. It had started to rain. One of those showers with the sun shining. It lasted about 20 minutes. We finally fought our way through the crowd and headed back the way we came to the station. At the station there were some soldiers, yes armed with automatic rifles, machine guns, and we asked what track the train for Civi... was located on. It said track 5 on the sign but we wanted to make sure. So we went down the steps to go to the track and validated our tickets on the way. Going to St Pietro the ticket checker had validated that we had the correct tickets. But when we got on the train coming home the guy never asked to see them. We were on a faster train coming home because it only stopped at some of the stops.
Getting home and spending 2 more euros we used the facilities. They were not near as nice as the ones in St Pietro. Then, we headed down to the apartment . We tried to stop some places to eat but they were full and had no room for us. So we stopped at the Pam store and bought bread and chips and then went back to McDonalds for lunch. Then home where he took a nap and I did not.
Well, he is ready for me to be finished so good night to all.
Well, two-fingered Granny is finally finished. She typed for 90 minutes and left me almost nothing to say.
However, there are two things I wish to point out.
First, Granny Carter was lost because of a potty break.
Second, I only needed one euro to go to the bathroom, she took the other 9.
Now, she is telling me what I can write that she left out over an hour and a half.
I took our McDonald’s fries back to the counter and told the woman they were cold. Cold. These fries are cold. She glared at me, and I said, “These are cold.” She took them, snatched them would be more accurate, and threw them in the trash and got us fries right out of the cooker. I think the cooks were chasing cows, because it took forever to get my double cheeseburger and her Big Mac. We ate the fries before they got cold again. We each had a milkshake, and they were very good.
Back in the flat we played two rounds of rummy and I lead 11 games to 10, having won the last one in only 4 hands – a veritable stomping!
We stayed in for supper, Bonnie making grilled cheese sandwiches on the apartment’s Panini maker. Very good. Our side dish was Lay’s Original Potato Chips, also very good.
I don’t think she told you that we walked almost 7 miles today, and I am beat. Off to post this, and then an early night.
TTFN
Saturday, April 15, 2017
WHEN IS A ROMAN BATH NOT A ROMAN BATH
April 15, 2017
Well, we went to a Roman Bath today. LOL!
I emailed our taxi driver Thursday night and asked him if he could take us to Trajan’s Bath, also called Taurene Bath, more than 20 centuries old, built by Emperor Trajan in 107 BC, three miles outside of Civitavecchia. Yes, he said. How much, I asked. 30 euro, he said. What time do you want me to pick you up, he said. 10 a.m. Saturday, I said. Okay, he said.
And we were standing on the corner (watching all the girls go by – it’s a song – and there were 4 ships in today, so lots of people dragging suitcases to the train station, a 15 minute walk from the ship that could only be made by a member of the Justice League of America, in 15 minutes). Anyway our driver, who was not our driver, but a substitute for our driver was on time, and asked some questions in Italian to which I looked effectively blank. He made a motion for a hole in the ground and said “water” and “bath.” I said, “Yes.” And off we went.
Boy were we wrong!
He delivered us safely, we paid our 1.50 euro each entrance fee, and he told us his wife would be back at 11:30 to collect us, and we should pay her. His wife, Katerina, was there, and we were introduced all around (I still don’t know the sub driver’s name).
We set off to visit beautiful historic ruins, and encountered pools of warm, sulphur water filled with people bathing. These are not the historic ruins, but a modern bath (some of the people may have been around in 107 BC). So we watched large and small – mostly large – get in and out of 3 pools. One guy we called “Mr. Sex Pot,” another “The Godfather.” Just from those names, you could pick them out of a crowd.
Another man wore a small, blue Speedo (small and Speedo mean the same thing, sorry). He had the body for it, in contrast with the 37 other men wearing Speedos who shouldn’t have been. If you can’t see the top of your Speedo, you shouldn’t be wearing one. We also saw a collection of women who had lain too long in the sun and were brown and wrinkled – like raisins.
We walked out early, hoping Katerina would be early. She speaks less English than we do Italian, but conveyed that we had a sunny day. I’m not sure what she thought of her American passengers who carried no sign of towels or bathing gear. But she delivered us safely, and with a smile, back to Calamatta’s House.
Holy cow!
Yesterday we went to the Good Friday parade. Someone said that the parade started at 6 o’clock, so we got to our spot at 5 o’clock – based on our experience of two years ago, one needed to claim one’s spot. At 6, the parade hadn’t started. At 7, the parade hadn’t started. At 7:30 I went into a store and asked what time the parade started.
The lady and I figured out each other’s language enough for me to learn that the parade began at 8 hours plus 30 minutes. So we went across the street to a pizza shop, ready to buy only pieces, not a whole kilogram pie. The young lady behind the counter spoke perfect English and sold us 4 pieces of “Marinara Pizza.” Yummy. She did not explain that marinara did not mean just tomato sauce, but tomato sauce with anchovies. I like anchovies, so I ate the two pieces that had them. She ate the two pieces that did not. Then we ran back across the street and reclaimed our spot.
The parade started almost on time – once traffic was blocked from both ends of the busiest street in town. It went on for almost an hour with hundreds and hundreds of people taking part, reenacting the Good Friday events. A most powerful experience.
The last group I videoed for 2 minutes as they rounded the corner and passed us. I stopped the video, but the full length of just that one part would have been close to 10 minutes with several hundred people in it alone. They were dressed in white robes with pointy hats (think KKK, but not KKK). The robes are marks of repentance. And they each had chains secured around their ankles which dragged behind them. The sound was erie. And most of them carried crosses – they looked heavy (how could you carry the cross of Christ and not feel its weight).
The last “float” was of Mary, dressed in black, with a sword through her heart. Bonnie said it would have been nice if the last float had been dealing with the resurrection, but that this was correct for Good Friday. It was worth standing there for 4.5 hours to witness the reenaction.
At the train station today we bought tickets to go to Rome tomorrow for church, and the ticket seller wished us a Happy Easter. I told her, “Easter is the best day of the year.” She said, “Why is that?” I said, “Because it is the day Jesus rose from the grave.” She said, “You are right.”
And since we are 6 hours ahead of you, and I won’t be doing it in the morning, I will close my portion with “Kristos Voskrees!”
TTFN
Well, I see he didn’t tell you I am behind in cards again. I think he has me by 2 games. I haven’t even come close to winning. Oh well, glad I don’t gamble. Because “if it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all” as they used to say on hee haw.
Well on to other things. Yesterday we started out the day walking towards the spot were we had boarded the shuttle bus to go the cruise ship in December. It is where we walked from on Wednesday. We went right at the round about and headed up the hill to a supermarket, we had found it last time we stayed, and passed a gas station on the way. Their gas stations are very different from ours. There are two or three pumps and they are just set up in a small area along a street. Gas is more than $4 a gallon.
The same begger was standing with his hat in his hand outside the door that was there the last time we visited this store. It must be his spot. We did not put anything into his hat but we had the last time. We did a little bit of shopping, some scrunges so I could wash dishes, some cheddar cheese and a sweet cake (that is very good).
Then, we proceeded to walk up the street to a roundabout then turned right and walked on until we finally found ourselves in the open market again. David wanted to look in the flea market area. So we started walking up and down the aisles just looking usually being bothered by the venders if you stopped to look at something. They would sell more if they just let me look. I did find some nice pants and I bought to very colorful pairs at 6 euros each. Your Dad tried to get them for 5 euros each but the guy said 6 was best price. So we bought them. The store I bought yarn from 2 years ago is located in a building beside the flea market and I had remembered it was there. I looked but did not buy. It is rather expensive. They sell all kinds of material and sewing supplies as well. Very small shop but stuff from floor to ceiling. After leaving the open market, we headed back down to the main street and to the little more modern grocery store. We purchased some caffeine free cokes for your Dad and water. I also bought one roma tomato for 48cents for our salad. If you ask for a bag to carry your stuff in, it costs 15 cents. Then we went home for a nap before going to the parade. We ate some of our left over pizza for lunch.
We went out after our nap and walked down by the Mediterranean Sea and picked up some interesting rocks at the waters edge. It was windy and very beautiful. In the distance we could see people who were sailing small sailboats or sailboards. It was a great day for that.
The parade was very moving but it did not seem to me as if there were as many people out as last time. It is a yearly thing and I guess they just take it for granted and they are not as caring.
While we were standing and waiting, we watched the traffic. They are crazy drivers. They park anywhere, double park and get out of their cars and go into the shops. Police will drive by and don’t even slow down. The cars weave in and out around the parked cars and people. They will park in the crosswalks which you aren’t supposed to do. The scooters and larger motorcycles run between the two opposing lanes of traffic weaving in and around the cars. It is wild. Outside the pizza store that was across the street from where we were standing an old man and woman had sat a chair in the parking spot right in front of the store. We thought they were setting their chair to view the parade from. Boy were we wrong. After about and hour or so a big fancy car pulled up, they moved the chair so that man and woman could park. Then, kissing the cheeks and they all went into the restaurant. The couple was still sitting in their eating when we went in to get our pizza. The old couple I had seen come out about 20 minutes after the car arrived carrying a pizza. They crossed the street and went into an apartment house to our left.
Now, to today. Got up decided not to shower but just wash off and have breakfast. Toast and juice for me. We met our driver , he was right on time and headed to the “ancient baths”. The only thing ancient about these baths were the bathers. After we bought our tickets and walked into the bath area, all there was were pools with people soaking. One of the pools not as big around as our pool and maybe 3 feet deep had about 30 or so people in the water sitting around the edge. We “toured” the baths then sat at a table for over an hour watching the people. I used the time to study my Italian dictionary that I had brought with me. I learned some stuff and amused David.
Fortunately our driver was early. After getting back to our house, I went up and used the bathroom. Not possible for me to use the one at the baths. Then, we headed to the train station to purchase our tickets for tomorrow. After said purchase, David wanted to visit a church that was famous because it was erected in the memory of Japanese missionaries who had were murdered (actually crucified)in Japan by one of the shoguns. The church was started by a Japanese man who moved here. We found the church but it is only open on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:30-11:30. So we will come back on Tuesday next week. We decided to walk on down toward the sea and then started back toward home. We hadn’t walked along this area and there were about 20 or so restaurants all open the sea. It was a nice walk. When we got back behind the train station we went back up and onto the main road. We stopped and had hot dogs, fries and a coke at the little café. Then, headed home. We had one more stop to make at the little grocery store called Pam to pick up our necessity, toilet paper. There was only two part rolls in the apartment. Oh, well.
We came home and he proceeded to nap and about the time he got up, I napped. Then, it was supper time. We had a salad and I used our tomato and I toasted a piece of bread. He had some cheese, too. Now, I am done so I will go and take a shower for our foray out tomorrow. Pray we don’t get lost. “What does it mean exact change?” (For all you Star Trek fans) Hope we have enough when we get on the bus from the train station to the church. We spayed the lock with some more WD-40 and I have still been able to get the door unlocked. Yeah!!
Happy Easter to all. Hope everybody enjoys their Easter “baskets”.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Well, we went to a Roman Bath today. LOL!
I emailed our taxi driver Thursday night and asked him if he could take us to Trajan’s Bath, also called Taurene Bath, more than 20 centuries old, built by Emperor Trajan in 107 BC, three miles outside of Civitavecchia. Yes, he said. How much, I asked. 30 euro, he said. What time do you want me to pick you up, he said. 10 a.m. Saturday, I said. Okay, he said.
And we were standing on the corner (watching all the girls go by – it’s a song – and there were 4 ships in today, so lots of people dragging suitcases to the train station, a 15 minute walk from the ship that could only be made by a member of the Justice League of America, in 15 minutes). Anyway our driver, who was not our driver, but a substitute for our driver was on time, and asked some questions in Italian to which I looked effectively blank. He made a motion for a hole in the ground and said “water” and “bath.” I said, “Yes.” And off we went.
Boy were we wrong!
He delivered us safely, we paid our 1.50 euro each entrance fee, and he told us his wife would be back at 11:30 to collect us, and we should pay her. His wife, Katerina, was there, and we were introduced all around (I still don’t know the sub driver’s name).
We set off to visit beautiful historic ruins, and encountered pools of warm, sulphur water filled with people bathing. These are not the historic ruins, but a modern bath (some of the people may have been around in 107 BC). So we watched large and small – mostly large – get in and out of 3 pools. One guy we called “Mr. Sex Pot,” another “The Godfather.” Just from those names, you could pick them out of a crowd.
Another man wore a small, blue Speedo (small and Speedo mean the same thing, sorry). He had the body for it, in contrast with the 37 other men wearing Speedos who shouldn’t have been. If you can’t see the top of your Speedo, you shouldn’t be wearing one. We also saw a collection of women who had lain too long in the sun and were brown and wrinkled – like raisins.
We walked out early, hoping Katerina would be early. She speaks less English than we do Italian, but conveyed that we had a sunny day. I’m not sure what she thought of her American passengers who carried no sign of towels or bathing gear. But she delivered us safely, and with a smile, back to Calamatta’s House.
Holy cow!
Yesterday we went to the Good Friday parade. Someone said that the parade started at 6 o’clock, so we got to our spot at 5 o’clock – based on our experience of two years ago, one needed to claim one’s spot. At 6, the parade hadn’t started. At 7, the parade hadn’t started. At 7:30 I went into a store and asked what time the parade started.
The lady and I figured out each other’s language enough for me to learn that the parade began at 8 hours plus 30 minutes. So we went across the street to a pizza shop, ready to buy only pieces, not a whole kilogram pie. The young lady behind the counter spoke perfect English and sold us 4 pieces of “Marinara Pizza.” Yummy. She did not explain that marinara did not mean just tomato sauce, but tomato sauce with anchovies. I like anchovies, so I ate the two pieces that had them. She ate the two pieces that did not. Then we ran back across the street and reclaimed our spot.
The parade started almost on time – once traffic was blocked from both ends of the busiest street in town. It went on for almost an hour with hundreds and hundreds of people taking part, reenacting the Good Friday events. A most powerful experience.
The last group I videoed for 2 minutes as they rounded the corner and passed us. I stopped the video, but the full length of just that one part would have been close to 10 minutes with several hundred people in it alone. They were dressed in white robes with pointy hats (think KKK, but not KKK). The robes are marks of repentance. And they each had chains secured around their ankles which dragged behind them. The sound was erie. And most of them carried crosses – they looked heavy (how could you carry the cross of Christ and not feel its weight).
The last “float” was of Mary, dressed in black, with a sword through her heart. Bonnie said it would have been nice if the last float had been dealing with the resurrection, but that this was correct for Good Friday. It was worth standing there for 4.5 hours to witness the reenaction.
At the train station today we bought tickets to go to Rome tomorrow for church, and the ticket seller wished us a Happy Easter. I told her, “Easter is the best day of the year.” She said, “Why is that?” I said, “Because it is the day Jesus rose from the grave.” She said, “You are right.”
And since we are 6 hours ahead of you, and I won’t be doing it in the morning, I will close my portion with “Kristos Voskrees!”
TTFN
Well, I see he didn’t tell you I am behind in cards again. I think he has me by 2 games. I haven’t even come close to winning. Oh well, glad I don’t gamble. Because “if it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all” as they used to say on hee haw.
Well on to other things. Yesterday we started out the day walking towards the spot were we had boarded the shuttle bus to go the cruise ship in December. It is where we walked from on Wednesday. We went right at the round about and headed up the hill to a supermarket, we had found it last time we stayed, and passed a gas station on the way. Their gas stations are very different from ours. There are two or three pumps and they are just set up in a small area along a street. Gas is more than $4 a gallon.
The same begger was standing with his hat in his hand outside the door that was there the last time we visited this store. It must be his spot. We did not put anything into his hat but we had the last time. We did a little bit of shopping, some scrunges so I could wash dishes, some cheddar cheese and a sweet cake (that is very good).
Then, we proceeded to walk up the street to a roundabout then turned right and walked on until we finally found ourselves in the open market again. David wanted to look in the flea market area. So we started walking up and down the aisles just looking usually being bothered by the venders if you stopped to look at something. They would sell more if they just let me look. I did find some nice pants and I bought to very colorful pairs at 6 euros each. Your Dad tried to get them for 5 euros each but the guy said 6 was best price. So we bought them. The store I bought yarn from 2 years ago is located in a building beside the flea market and I had remembered it was there. I looked but did not buy. It is rather expensive. They sell all kinds of material and sewing supplies as well. Very small shop but stuff from floor to ceiling. After leaving the open market, we headed back down to the main street and to the little more modern grocery store. We purchased some caffeine free cokes for your Dad and water. I also bought one roma tomato for 48cents for our salad. If you ask for a bag to carry your stuff in, it costs 15 cents. Then we went home for a nap before going to the parade. We ate some of our left over pizza for lunch.
We went out after our nap and walked down by the Mediterranean Sea and picked up some interesting rocks at the waters edge. It was windy and very beautiful. In the distance we could see people who were sailing small sailboats or sailboards. It was a great day for that.
The parade was very moving but it did not seem to me as if there were as many people out as last time. It is a yearly thing and I guess they just take it for granted and they are not as caring.
While we were standing and waiting, we watched the traffic. They are crazy drivers. They park anywhere, double park and get out of their cars and go into the shops. Police will drive by and don’t even slow down. The cars weave in and out around the parked cars and people. They will park in the crosswalks which you aren’t supposed to do. The scooters and larger motorcycles run between the two opposing lanes of traffic weaving in and around the cars. It is wild. Outside the pizza store that was across the street from where we were standing an old man and woman had sat a chair in the parking spot right in front of the store. We thought they were setting their chair to view the parade from. Boy were we wrong. After about and hour or so a big fancy car pulled up, they moved the chair so that man and woman could park. Then, kissing the cheeks and they all went into the restaurant. The couple was still sitting in their eating when we went in to get our pizza. The old couple I had seen come out about 20 minutes after the car arrived carrying a pizza. They crossed the street and went into an apartment house to our left.
Now, to today. Got up decided not to shower but just wash off and have breakfast. Toast and juice for me. We met our driver , he was right on time and headed to the “ancient baths”. The only thing ancient about these baths were the bathers. After we bought our tickets and walked into the bath area, all there was were pools with people soaking. One of the pools not as big around as our pool and maybe 3 feet deep had about 30 or so people in the water sitting around the edge. We “toured” the baths then sat at a table for over an hour watching the people. I used the time to study my Italian dictionary that I had brought with me. I learned some stuff and amused David.
Fortunately our driver was early. After getting back to our house, I went up and used the bathroom. Not possible for me to use the one at the baths. Then, we headed to the train station to purchase our tickets for tomorrow. After said purchase, David wanted to visit a church that was famous because it was erected in the memory of Japanese missionaries who had were murdered (actually crucified)in Japan by one of the shoguns. The church was started by a Japanese man who moved here. We found the church but it is only open on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:30-11:30. So we will come back on Tuesday next week. We decided to walk on down toward the sea and then started back toward home. We hadn’t walked along this area and there were about 20 or so restaurants all open the sea. It was a nice walk. When we got back behind the train station we went back up and onto the main road. We stopped and had hot dogs, fries and a coke at the little café. Then, headed home. We had one more stop to make at the little grocery store called Pam to pick up our necessity, toilet paper. There was only two part rolls in the apartment. Oh, well.
We came home and he proceeded to nap and about the time he got up, I napped. Then, it was supper time. We had a salad and I used our tomato and I toasted a piece of bread. He had some cheese, too. Now, I am done so I will go and take a shower for our foray out tomorrow. Pray we don’t get lost. “What does it mean exact change?” (For all you Star Trek fans) Hope we have enough when we get on the bus from the train station to the church. We spayed the lock with some more WD-40 and I have still been able to get the door unlocked. Yeah!!
Happy Easter to all. Hope everybody enjoys their Easter “baskets”.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Thursday, April 13, 2017
CALAMATTA’S HOUSE
April 13, 2017
It started out so smooth, and went south so quickly.
We got off the ship early and walked to Calamatta Piazza to wait for our host. I arranged to be able to use my cellphone in Italy on an as needed basis, and lo and behold, the email wouldn’t work. Just by chance, I sent a text to Amy and she was awake (at 3 a.m. Georgia time). She emailed Ernesto and told him we were here. A few minutes later his assistant came and let us in.
We headed out to make arrangements for next week to get to the Rome Airport (a taxi driver at the port gave us his card and we decided after checking at the train station, to use him). We ate at a restaurant we enjoy near the train station and headed back for an afternoon nap.
We have had problems with the door on the apartment before, so we practiced before we left, and yes, you guessed it, the door wouldn’t open. After about 15 fruitless minutes, I again texted Amy to email Ernesto. Before they made contact, one of our neighbors came in and I asked him if he could get our door open. It took him two tries, but he opened the door. I told Amy to tell Ernesto get someone out here to fix it, and a man came in about 30 minutes. There is no secret to the lock. You just have to have great hand strength, which typing 100 words a minute does not generate, but crocheting minions, potholders, afghans, hats, etc., does. Bonnie is the official door unlocker of this group. And a great job she does.
I will let her pick up and tell you the rest of the story.
TTFN
Getting off the ship was relatively easy and then we waited in line for a shuttle, boarded said shuttle and he dropped us at the same place we had boarded a shuttle when we cruised from here is December. It was a not to long of a walk up to the piazza and we were sitting in the piazza on a bench watching all the people from the other 2 cruise ships and out fellow passengers walk up the street toward the train station and other places. After getting into the apartment it wasn’t long before we ventured off to go to the train station to check out our future excursion to Pisa. It will cost about 80 Euros for the train. It is a 3 hour train ride. We will try and leave about 7. No luggage just us. After checking about a taxi to Rome to the airport, they wanted 140 euros if we booked in advance, we decided to try the cab driver who gave us his card as we got off the ship. He wanted 90 euros including our luggage.
We headed back to the apartment and decided to have lunch. We stopped at a little shop we had been to before. We had a hot dog, fries and a coke. 3.50 euros each. Very good and hot fries. No mustard but they had ketchup. Then, we decided to check out the nearby supermarket and then made our way to the open market at the top of the town. It is open outside stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, and little kiosks with some having meat and cheese, some have bread, there is one with flowers and some have canned and jarred food. We found eggs, cheese, pancetta, bread, jelly, and butter at the market at the top of the town. Then, we went to a little more modern market down nearer our apartment and got oj, water, paper towels, lettuce and salad dressing. So we have everything we need to have breakfast tomorrow and a salad for lunch or supper. We will eat out one meal.
After the kindness of the young strong neighbor man, we got into the apartment after a very frustrating time. We have solved that problem for now. Then, we laid down and took a short nap. After getting up we decided to go out and walk around. It is still light and not very cold. Needed a jacket but it is nice outside. We wandered up the streets behind our place and down to the major shopping thoroughfare and walked up to where there is a roundabout and then back down. We were headed back down to the street that goes to the train station to go to a restaurant for a pizza. But on our way down the street we saw a sign for a wood fired pizza place. It was down a side street so we decided to check it out. It was just a half of a block down and we stopped and we read the menu outside 1 kg pizza for 12 euros. We went inside. No one else was there but we decided to try it. We tried to order just a half of a pizza but they thought we wanted a half each, Oh my there were at least 18 pieces. We ate half and brought the rest home for lunch another day. It was good but had no tomato sauce . It was like a hot sandwich on pizza dough. Very good dough it had ham, cheese and another meat.
Got to learn the word for one half. Well, we came home and I wrapped up the pizza and put it in the fridge.
Today we walked 16,480 steps (not counting steps inside apartment) which is 7 miles.
Well, we are attired in out pjs and I have been crocheting. We will probably play cards again and he forged back into in the lead last night before supper.
P.S. I got the door open on the first try. Yeah me.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
It started out so smooth, and went south so quickly.
We got off the ship early and walked to Calamatta Piazza to wait for our host. I arranged to be able to use my cellphone in Italy on an as needed basis, and lo and behold, the email wouldn’t work. Just by chance, I sent a text to Amy and she was awake (at 3 a.m. Georgia time). She emailed Ernesto and told him we were here. A few minutes later his assistant came and let us in.
We headed out to make arrangements for next week to get to the Rome Airport (a taxi driver at the port gave us his card and we decided after checking at the train station, to use him). We ate at a restaurant we enjoy near the train station and headed back for an afternoon nap.
We have had problems with the door on the apartment before, so we practiced before we left, and yes, you guessed it, the door wouldn’t open. After about 15 fruitless minutes, I again texted Amy to email Ernesto. Before they made contact, one of our neighbors came in and I asked him if he could get our door open. It took him two tries, but he opened the door. I told Amy to tell Ernesto get someone out here to fix it, and a man came in about 30 minutes. There is no secret to the lock. You just have to have great hand strength, which typing 100 words a minute does not generate, but crocheting minions, potholders, afghans, hats, etc., does. Bonnie is the official door unlocker of this group. And a great job she does.
I will let her pick up and tell you the rest of the story.
TTFN
Getting off the ship was relatively easy and then we waited in line for a shuttle, boarded said shuttle and he dropped us at the same place we had boarded a shuttle when we cruised from here is December. It was a not to long of a walk up to the piazza and we were sitting in the piazza on a bench watching all the people from the other 2 cruise ships and out fellow passengers walk up the street toward the train station and other places. After getting into the apartment it wasn’t long before we ventured off to go to the train station to check out our future excursion to Pisa. It will cost about 80 Euros for the train. It is a 3 hour train ride. We will try and leave about 7. No luggage just us. After checking about a taxi to Rome to the airport, they wanted 140 euros if we booked in advance, we decided to try the cab driver who gave us his card as we got off the ship. He wanted 90 euros including our luggage.
We headed back to the apartment and decided to have lunch. We stopped at a little shop we had been to before. We had a hot dog, fries and a coke. 3.50 euros each. Very good and hot fries. No mustard but they had ketchup. Then, we decided to check out the nearby supermarket and then made our way to the open market at the top of the town. It is open outside stalls with fresh fruits and vegetables, and little kiosks with some having meat and cheese, some have bread, there is one with flowers and some have canned and jarred food. We found eggs, cheese, pancetta, bread, jelly, and butter at the market at the top of the town. Then, we went to a little more modern market down nearer our apartment and got oj, water, paper towels, lettuce and salad dressing. So we have everything we need to have breakfast tomorrow and a salad for lunch or supper. We will eat out one meal.
After the kindness of the young strong neighbor man, we got into the apartment after a very frustrating time. We have solved that problem for now. Then, we laid down and took a short nap. After getting up we decided to go out and walk around. It is still light and not very cold. Needed a jacket but it is nice outside. We wandered up the streets behind our place and down to the major shopping thoroughfare and walked up to where there is a roundabout and then back down. We were headed back down to the street that goes to the train station to go to a restaurant for a pizza. But on our way down the street we saw a sign for a wood fired pizza place. It was down a side street so we decided to check it out. It was just a half of a block down and we stopped and we read the menu outside 1 kg pizza for 12 euros. We went inside. No one else was there but we decided to try it. We tried to order just a half of a pizza but they thought we wanted a half each, Oh my there were at least 18 pieces. We ate half and brought the rest home for lunch another day. It was good but had no tomato sauce . It was like a hot sandwich on pizza dough. Very good dough it had ham, cheese and another meat.
Got to learn the word for one half. Well, we came home and I wrapped up the pizza and put it in the fridge.
Today we walked 16,480 steps (not counting steps inside apartment) which is 7 miles.
Well, we are attired in out pjs and I have been crocheting. We will probably play cards again and he forged back into in the lead last night before supper.
P.S. I got the door open on the first try. Yeah me.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
AS WE’VE SAID A TIME OR TWO BEFORE
April 12, 2017
All our bags are packed and we’re ready to go ... la la la ... I forget the rest of the song. But our suitcases are packed, and all that remains is to put our carry off together in the morning and go to the apartment.
We will see tomorrow if we can arrange transportation to the airport for next week, so that will be done and my traveling companion can sleep comfortably. We know we can take the train, but with our suitcases, we prefer to hire a shuttle or a taxi. Then we can play tourists for several days.
I led off the speakers this morning with a 10 o’clock talk. I have been very grateful for the response. Lots of nice things said. Lots of folks coming. Very much appreciated.
Well, short and sweet, since we have one more early up – shower, put on the feed bag and then head off. Y’all be sweet. Talk to you from Civitavecchia.
TTFN
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
INTO CARTAGENA
April 11, 2017
A short stop today – docked at 0800, all aboard at 1430, and sail away at 1500. It would have been nice to have stayed longer, but we were back on at 1300.
Weather was beautiful in Cartagena. We went into the Roman Theater which we had visited the last time here. They have done more work on it, and it was even more magnificent. We were standing on one of the upper levels – didn’t feel like trying the stairs down and up – and were listening to a man down on the stage talking to his wife who was standing near us. Speaking in a normal voice, we heard every word. Incredible acoustics. Modern electrical equipment couldn’t do better. We rode the elevator back down the museum lobby – a museum has been cleverly built around the ruins – hoping there would be a passage out into the theater floor, but there was none.
There was evidence in the city that they are getting ready for the Good Friday parade. We saw it two years ago in Civitavecchia, and are looking forward to seeing it again. Spectacular display of the events of Good Friday which features what we would call floats, marchers, and actors, and a couple of bands.
I think you probably heard me complain that the man we had reserved the apartment with had not contacted me while we were in Augusta, so I reserved a hotel, just in case. Lo and behold, yesterday he emailed me and asked me if we were still coming. I told him we certainly are (because it is $30 a day cheaper to stay with him than in the hotel, and 3 rooms instead of one – plus a kitchen to do some cooking). That was a pleasant surprise. He told me that there is someone currently in the apartment, but they will be out at 11 and we can have the keys at 11:30. We will have a bit of a wait after getting off the ship, but it will work out well.
The Westerdam Singers and Dancers did a show tonight called “Enchantment” which was a mash of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. Very good.
Well, I need to rehearse for my last talk tomorrow for this cruise, so I will turn the keyboard over to She Who Must Be Obeyed for the next chapter of War and Peace.
TTFN
Well, good evening one and all. It is 9:30 and our next to last night. Tomorrow we must pack. We sent out our last bag of laundry this morning and should get it back hopefully in the morning tomorrow.
Today we arose at 7 and showered and dressed. By the time we were up and ready we were docked and the all ashore speech had been given. We went to breakfast and I opted for a bowl of frosted flakes and tomato juice. After breakfast we headed out to the town. It was a short walk. We headed to the Roman theater first because he wanted see it again. They have added some stuff and it is a nice spot to see. Unfortunately the steps inside the actual ruin are very steep and there are no hand rails. There are probably 15 or so steps down to the stage area and I knew I could not make the trek. So we stayed up top and enjoyed the view from there.
After leaving the theater, we decided to walk down the street into the middle of the town. As you walk there are side streets that go off every couple hundred feet or so. It would be impossible to see everything so we stayed on what appeared to be the main walking street. We stopped in some shops and picked up some post cards and other stuff. I bought a new wallet in a store called “Ale-Hop” that had a large black and white cow standing in the door way. We took a picture. The store had all kinds of stuff and was fun to look around inside. We walked on down and found a church that was open, it was a very old church that had been there since the 1400's. It had beautiful paintings and statues. A lot of the statutes that are usually high up in places on the walls were down on the floor and I am sure it was because they would be used in the parade on Friday.
David found a wi-fi spot and checked the emails because he had not been able to get on the internet before we left. (Poor Mac! didn’t like the spaghetti and there was no one there to make him some soup rice.) Again there were numerous shoe store. We looked in one store that had every style and kind of phone and tablet covers imaginable. There must have been over a thousand. He was looking for a mouse pad because he had forgotten his. I checked out a candy store where it was 13.90 euros for a kilogram, that is about $7 a pound. Didn’t see anything that struck my fancy.
We had walked pretty far, and remember how ever far you walk out you must walk back, so we finally turned around and headed back. At the end of the day today we have walked about 5 miles. I had my pedometer on today.
Here are some other things we saw as we walked. At the very beginning of our walk there was a man dressed up that had no head. He is one of the people that stand like statues, but he waved when we waved to him. It was funny because right behind where he was standing laying on the ground was a large model of a head. We also passed a table outside one of the innumerable cafes along the street where a large company of the ships crew was seated, Officers and such. We asked them who was tending the ship and they said they left the captain in charge. Funny.
When we got back to the theater we were going to go see the model of the first submarine that was made in Cartegena but it was a pretty far way off and we were both tired. It was after 12:30 and we were ready to go back on board. As we walked back we passed one our fellow passengers, a young woman in an itty bitty pair of white shorts, taking a picture of her young daughter , about 3 or so, with the ship in the background. David offered to take a picture of the lady with her little girl and she accepted. The little girl was sitting in a small stroller and on the first picture was sitting like Maggie Rose often sits and her Mom asked if he could do another picture with her sitting like a lady. I had to laugh. We have seen her and the little girl on the ship before.
We made it safely back on the ship, went to our cabin to deposit our stuff and headed for the Lido deck. He had a hamburger and I had a taco salad. We both enjoyed some ice cream afterwards. Then, we went to deck 3 to play a hand of cards. After he beat me again, we went to the room as it was approaching 2 and naptime. WE napped and totally missed the all aboard and sailing away. After we awoke we dressed for supper and headed up to deck 2 to check out the evening menu because if we didn’t like it, we were going to the Lido deck. It seemed to be okay so we sat down and played some cards. Finally I am in the lead, 7/6. We will see where I am when we get home.
We went to supper and were seated at a table in the front of the dining room beside a window. It was a table for ten, not our favorite size, but there were only a total of 7 and the waiter was very good. We sat with one couple we already knew and 3 new people. It was a good table and enjoyable conversation. The gentleman seated beside me had been drafted back in 68 and had been sent to Fort Gordon to train. He had been a military police man. He said when he was there that the fort was not very much. I told him he wouldn’t recognize it now.
Supper was pasta and tomato sauce with turkey ( I didn’t eat the turkey).The pasta was good. I had cauliflower soup and marinated vegetables for appetizers, then pineapple crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Off to the show which was really good.
It is interesting that this ship going into dry dock for a complete over haul. They have actually started doing some of the work as we travel. There is a stateroom at the end of our hall that they have removed all the furniture, torn down inside of the walls and removed the carpet and are fixing it as we travel. We were told there will be all new carpet and furniture all over the ship.
Well, I had better go so he can send this. Looking forward to being in Civi??? soon and touring around Italy.
Love, Mom,Granny and Bonnie
A short stop today – docked at 0800, all aboard at 1430, and sail away at 1500. It would have been nice to have stayed longer, but we were back on at 1300.
Weather was beautiful in Cartagena. We went into the Roman Theater which we had visited the last time here. They have done more work on it, and it was even more magnificent. We were standing on one of the upper levels – didn’t feel like trying the stairs down and up – and were listening to a man down on the stage talking to his wife who was standing near us. Speaking in a normal voice, we heard every word. Incredible acoustics. Modern electrical equipment couldn’t do better. We rode the elevator back down the museum lobby – a museum has been cleverly built around the ruins – hoping there would be a passage out into the theater floor, but there was none.
There was evidence in the city that they are getting ready for the Good Friday parade. We saw it two years ago in Civitavecchia, and are looking forward to seeing it again. Spectacular display of the events of Good Friday which features what we would call floats, marchers, and actors, and a couple of bands.
I think you probably heard me complain that the man we had reserved the apartment with had not contacted me while we were in Augusta, so I reserved a hotel, just in case. Lo and behold, yesterday he emailed me and asked me if we were still coming. I told him we certainly are (because it is $30 a day cheaper to stay with him than in the hotel, and 3 rooms instead of one – plus a kitchen to do some cooking). That was a pleasant surprise. He told me that there is someone currently in the apartment, but they will be out at 11 and we can have the keys at 11:30. We will have a bit of a wait after getting off the ship, but it will work out well.
The Westerdam Singers and Dancers did a show tonight called “Enchantment” which was a mash of Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. Very good.
Well, I need to rehearse for my last talk tomorrow for this cruise, so I will turn the keyboard over to She Who Must Be Obeyed for the next chapter of War and Peace.
TTFN
Well, good evening one and all. It is 9:30 and our next to last night. Tomorrow we must pack. We sent out our last bag of laundry this morning and should get it back hopefully in the morning tomorrow.
Today we arose at 7 and showered and dressed. By the time we were up and ready we were docked and the all ashore speech had been given. We went to breakfast and I opted for a bowl of frosted flakes and tomato juice. After breakfast we headed out to the town. It was a short walk. We headed to the Roman theater first because he wanted see it again. They have added some stuff and it is a nice spot to see. Unfortunately the steps inside the actual ruin are very steep and there are no hand rails. There are probably 15 or so steps down to the stage area and I knew I could not make the trek. So we stayed up top and enjoyed the view from there.
After leaving the theater, we decided to walk down the street into the middle of the town. As you walk there are side streets that go off every couple hundred feet or so. It would be impossible to see everything so we stayed on what appeared to be the main walking street. We stopped in some shops and picked up some post cards and other stuff. I bought a new wallet in a store called “Ale-Hop” that had a large black and white cow standing in the door way. We took a picture. The store had all kinds of stuff and was fun to look around inside. We walked on down and found a church that was open, it was a very old church that had been there since the 1400's. It had beautiful paintings and statues. A lot of the statutes that are usually high up in places on the walls were down on the floor and I am sure it was because they would be used in the parade on Friday.
David found a wi-fi spot and checked the emails because he had not been able to get on the internet before we left. (Poor Mac! didn’t like the spaghetti and there was no one there to make him some soup rice.) Again there were numerous shoe store. We looked in one store that had every style and kind of phone and tablet covers imaginable. There must have been over a thousand. He was looking for a mouse pad because he had forgotten his. I checked out a candy store where it was 13.90 euros for a kilogram, that is about $7 a pound. Didn’t see anything that struck my fancy.
We had walked pretty far, and remember how ever far you walk out you must walk back, so we finally turned around and headed back. At the end of the day today we have walked about 5 miles. I had my pedometer on today.
Here are some other things we saw as we walked. At the very beginning of our walk there was a man dressed up that had no head. He is one of the people that stand like statues, but he waved when we waved to him. It was funny because right behind where he was standing laying on the ground was a large model of a head. We also passed a table outside one of the innumerable cafes along the street where a large company of the ships crew was seated, Officers and such. We asked them who was tending the ship and they said they left the captain in charge. Funny.
When we got back to the theater we were going to go see the model of the first submarine that was made in Cartegena but it was a pretty far way off and we were both tired. It was after 12:30 and we were ready to go back on board. As we walked back we passed one our fellow passengers, a young woman in an itty bitty pair of white shorts, taking a picture of her young daughter , about 3 or so, with the ship in the background. David offered to take a picture of the lady with her little girl and she accepted. The little girl was sitting in a small stroller and on the first picture was sitting like Maggie Rose often sits and her Mom asked if he could do another picture with her sitting like a lady. I had to laugh. We have seen her and the little girl on the ship before.
We made it safely back on the ship, went to our cabin to deposit our stuff and headed for the Lido deck. He had a hamburger and I had a taco salad. We both enjoyed some ice cream afterwards. Then, we went to deck 3 to play a hand of cards. After he beat me again, we went to the room as it was approaching 2 and naptime. WE napped and totally missed the all aboard and sailing away. After we awoke we dressed for supper and headed up to deck 2 to check out the evening menu because if we didn’t like it, we were going to the Lido deck. It seemed to be okay so we sat down and played some cards. Finally I am in the lead, 7/6. We will see where I am when we get home.
We went to supper and were seated at a table in the front of the dining room beside a window. It was a table for ten, not our favorite size, but there were only a total of 7 and the waiter was very good. We sat with one couple we already knew and 3 new people. It was a good table and enjoyable conversation. The gentleman seated beside me had been drafted back in 68 and had been sent to Fort Gordon to train. He had been a military police man. He said when he was there that the fort was not very much. I told him he wouldn’t recognize it now.
Supper was pasta and tomato sauce with turkey ( I didn’t eat the turkey).The pasta was good. I had cauliflower soup and marinated vegetables for appetizers, then pineapple crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Off to the show which was really good.
It is interesting that this ship going into dry dock for a complete over haul. They have actually started doing some of the work as we travel. There is a stateroom at the end of our hall that they have removed all the furniture, torn down inside of the walls and removed the carpet and are fixing it as we travel. We were told there will be all new carpet and furniture all over the ship.
Well, I had better go so he can send this. Looking forward to being in Civi??? soon and touring around Italy.
Love, Mom,Granny and Bonnie
Monday, April 10, 2017
ARE YOU FROM PITTSBURGH?
April 10, 2017
We were back on board and heading for lunch when a woman stopped and asked the question (I was wearing one of my Pirates t-shirts). No, I grew up in Oakland, Maryland which is 2 hours south of Pittsburgh and we had two TV stations, half of them was KDKA ... blah, blah, blah.
Well, the lady’s husband’s uncle was a photographer for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in the 1960s and 70s and he shot the iconic picture of Bill Mazarowski rounding second heading for home waving his arms, hat in hand as he celebrated the game winning home run, beating the New York Yankees (yes, they did, my brother) 4 games to 3 with the only 7th game walk off homer in World Series history. I told her we had bought a leaf for the Mazarowski statue – I think she was impressed. Interestingly she said her uncle-in-law’s photograph was admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame before Maz was.
I’m not sure what it means when you ask your traveling companion, “Have we been in this cathedral before?” and then when you walk out of the gift shop you look to your left and recognize the toilet area and say, “Yes! We’ve been here!” Ancient toilets! Ancient travelers!
I had bought tickets before we left to see the Picasso museum here in Malaga, and when we came out, we were glad we had – the line to buy tickets was 40 minutes long, and we just walked in. His early paintings are incredible, but then he got into the Romulan Ale (why bless me, Bones, you know this stuff is illegal) and created cubism. The museum provided an audio guide and some of the buffalo biscuits that they said about his stuff is as weird as some of his paintings. You can tell the women from the men because Picasso drew exaggerated biffies, sometimes both on the same side. Beyond that, who knows? Glad we saw it however.
However, the marble floors really made my hips and back ache. I had to stop several times and rest, but when we got into the above mentioned Cathedral, in less than 5 minutes, the pain was gone. Coincidence? Different flooring? Miracle? I’ll go with Door Number 3, Wayne.
Excellent entertainment tonight. Bonnie remarked that one of the things she likes best about cruising is the outstanding entertainment we get to see that just never comes any where close to Augusta (even if you count Atlanta close – sorry Karen and Frank). Vincenzo Gentile is a violin maestro. What an incredible talent! He received a very well deserved standing ovation.
We arrive in Cartagena at 8 in the morning and sail at 3 – not sure why, except maybe we need the time to make Civitavecchia on schedule. So I will turn the keyboard over to She Who Must Be Obeyed.
TTFN
Well, ouch!! My leg is bad tonight. Which one you say, well take your pick!
Well, anyway. We got up at 7:30, washed and dressed and went to breakfast. Had baked beans and butter bread for breakfast and again bacon that was as hard as a rock. Can’t they do bacon right. Oh my. Then, back to the room, get some more euros, load up the bag, get a jacket, and a hat and head to deck 2 today , buying a bottle of water as we leave. Oh course we are docked out in the boonies and MILES from where anything is. So it is 4 euros a piece so we can ride the shuttle, because I am not up to walking about 2+ miles into town. No exaggeration there. The shuttle drops us off and we head to the information booth to find our way to the Picasso museum. We have to cross 2 very busy streets, but there are walk lights. They have a timer up to show how long till it changes to walk and then until it changes back. We were patient and made it safely across. While we waited I watched a large ferris wheel like the London eye, that was on our left. Maybe next time we come we will ride it.
Got to the info center, he asked directions and we purchased two magnets for the two
the 2 young people who cook his omelet in the morning because they weren’t going to be able to get off today and the young lady said she always bought a magnet when she got to a new port. So you know your Dad he got her one and one for the young man that works with her. I on the other hand purchased a small ruler to add to my crocheting bag, it said Malaga. Oh by the way we got the directions wrong and had to stop and ask a young lady outside a shoe store, who was sweeping, for more directions.
(Amy you would love these ports, there are more shoe stores than anything. I mean big stores one after another with hundreds of shoes. You would need 3 suitcases to carry them all home. )
Oh well, on with our walk. We found the museum and went right into it since we already had our tickets. After figuring out how the recorders worked, we headed off. Of course your Dad started taking a picture in the first of 12 rooms of paintings, sculptures , etc. And the young lady guard (there was one in every room) came over and said no pictures. There were no signs up telling you not to and the recording we were listening to said nothing. The first couple of rooms had some nice things but after that it got weird. He painted on old doors, pasted stuff of wood etc. Every woman had big bosoms. You always knew it was a she. A lot of his stuff looked like he may have taken a minute to paint it. Some looked like he forgot to paint some of it. There were two works that look like he had use crayons. Well, he worked until he was 90 and everybody says he is a master.
When we left as Dad said the line was well out the door and we talked to someone from the ship a few minutes later and he said that they said it would be 40 minutes till you could get into the museum. Glad we went early. Both cathedrals we visited had beautiful art works and statues. One had a huge pipe organ. It took up 2 whole rooms. They had a lot of stuff blocked off because they are getting ready for Thursday and Friday services. There are always large iron bar walls separating you from all the stuff. There was one huge painting , probably 30 feet by 20 feet, of the beheading of Apostle Paul. It was a magnificent painting, even though the subject was sad. Large statues and portraits of Mary and Jesus. Along the street there was a man dressed as Jesus holding a large cross (he never moved or blinked an eye) and you could take his picture which many people did. He had a open case at his feet for a donation.
The streets are extremely narrow and mostly only pedestrians on them, though every once in a while there was a car driving through the people. One woman was trying to make a turn and missed it so she backed up almost running over a man pushing a load of boxes up the street. She looked like she might have been lost. There were large groups of people riding bicycles on tours and oh course the segways were out and about.
As we walked back we visited some of the tourist shops, stopped to look at the menu of a restaurant called Sherlock Holmes, and bought some little stuff in the shops. Not much. Won’t have a lot of room in the suitcases coming back. We stopped in one store and they had snickers ice cream bars and guess who bought one for 3 euros. I did get a couple of bites.
Arriving back at the shuttle place we waited with other weary cruisers and boarded the bus when it arrived. It takes about 15 or 20 minutes to get back to the ship. There is a very long gangway that we have to go up but first you have to go through Malaga security. Unload your pockets, take off your jacket, your hat, put your cane on the belt and walk through the scanner. For whatever reason today I did not set it off but I did in the one in Cadiz. Then pick up your stuff and walk onto the ship. Since it was almost 2 and we wanted lunch we went straight up to the Lido deck and to Dive in for hamburgers and hot dogs. I had some chips, salsa and cheese dip, too. Then, of course ice cream, back to the room and a nap.
After dressing for supper, we headed to deck 2 to paly a game of cards, he beat me miserably, and then we went off to supper. We sat at s table with a couple and their teen age autistic son whom we have sat with before. Nice people. I only had a cold fruit soup, french onion soup and a baked potato for supper. Nothing looked good. I got apple struddel for dessert but it wasn’t much.
The show was very good though I could not understand most of what the gentleman said because of his very thick Italian accent.
Well, we are getting ready for bed and I have been reminded that I am not writing a great masterpiece so I must stop.
Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Sunday, April 9, 2017
HOPPING OFF AND ON IN CADIZ
April 9, 2017
We were late risers this morning. Almost 9 o’clock when I got up and headed for the shower. It was after 10 when we got to the buffet for breakfast and it was already closing. It did not make my traveling companion very happy. I got freshly scrambled eggs and coffee. She had bacon and hash browns. And then we headed off.
As indicated in the title, we bought tickets (18 euro each) for the Hop On Hop Off bus and rode it around twice, hopping off and on – which is, after all, what one does on a Hop On Hop Off bus. Great way to see the city and to get acclimated. They have similar service in many cities. We did the one in Rome last time and are going to do it again. That’s the beauty of it.
Our first hop off was at the Cadiz Cathedral, an incredibly beautiful house of worship that was filling up with Palm Sunday guests when we got there. Palms were being passed out, but we didn’t take any, looking around instead and slipping out before the service started.
I have a tourist suntan from the bus. We sat up on top in the fresh air, and my neck, on this beautiful Irving Berlin Day, is quite red.
There was a tower we wanted to see, but even with a map and directions, we couldn’t find it. The streets are narrow and winding and we just walked along. An outdoor flea market was in effect on several streets. There were a number of vendors from Africa set up with blankets on the ground and Adidas shoes piled on top (ready for a quick getaway should the local constabulary appear – but none did). “Of course, Mrs., these are genuine first quality Adidas shoes, or my name is not Hassim Al Kaboobie.”
Back on board we each took a two hour nap. Very refreshing after a night of tossing and turning, and one quick trip to the loo for your correspondent – must have been the double serving of steak tartar.
Well, tomorrow is Malaga and we have tickets for the Picasso museum. Looking forward to that.
Are the Pirates still beating up on the Braves?
Okay. Heeeeere’s Bonnie
TTFN
Well, here I am having hobbled over to the stool to write my part. I have consumed my two small packages of graham crackers from the buffet and am enjoying some diet ginger ale which I brought from home.
Well, a rest less night but we did sleep in late. Awoke just in time to watch some as the ship moved sideways into the dock. Yes, I was not happy at breakfast, all I could get was 2 cold hash brown patties and bacon that was as hard as a rock. I did manage to get a tomato juice and a chocolate milk before they cleared all of those out. It was only 10:15 not 10:30 when the buffet is supposed to close. Grumpy start to the day.
Back to the room to pick up some euros, a hat, a jacket and our carry off bag. The ramp to get off was very steep and no rail at the end and the steepest part. But I managed to disembark. We stopped to do a photo for the photographer and he pointed and said that way out. Well, we must have misunderstood be cause there was no way out they way we headed so we turned around and a sign pointing way out was right behind where the photo guy was standing. As we were trying to maneuver to go out my hat went flying off my head and David had to chase it, so the hat went into the bag for the rest of the trip. We finally got out onto the street, got in line for the bus, paid our 36 euros and got on to the bus. Riding on the top. The only way to ride. The wind was very strong today without the bus so it was even more so on the moving bus. One time the wind took David’s hat blew it off his head toward the back of the bus. Fortunately it went down the steps on the bus and not out into the traffic.
We did indeed ride around twice. Hey it was as much as you want all day. The bus was equipped with a narrator accessed by a headphone set they handed you when you got on. Turn to channel 2 and you heard it in English. It was quite interesting and since the first time around the hookup in my seat didn’t work part of the time I got to hear what I missed the second time around. It was scarey walking down the narrow streets with some many people but I made it. There were many people in the shopping area we went through and part of it was even an old fashioned flea market. We stopped in a little shop and bought a couple of things and a second shop where I got some postcards and made a smashed “penny” , though you had to use a 5 cent euro piece and a one euro coin. We got one of the church we visited.
At the church they were getting ready for the noon mass. It was very crowded but the church was beautiful. They had nets stretched across the building under the ceilings because much of the facade was falling. I do hope they repair it. There were many beautiful statues and paintings. In the very back was a huge pipe organ. It took up most of the back on the sanctuary. There was a fence surrounding the area and inside the choir was getting ready to sing. There were only seven singers, a keyboard player and a director. They all appeared to be young people in their 20's. I hope the keyboard was connected to the pipe organ but I doubt it. They started to sing as we were leaving.
When we got back to the beginning of the bus ride the first time we stayed on the bus. But the driver came up and said we had to get off and get on a different bus. I guess he was going to lunch. So we did, and off we went. We passed a huge bridge with immensely high cables holding it up. Sadly we did not get to cross it.
In the port was a large Costa cruise ship and 2 warships with guns and all. We watched and as we sat at supper one of the war ships was towed out of the harbour.
Our dinner companions this evening were an elderly couple who often cruised as the on board bridge instructors. Great fun talking to them and hearing about their adventures. They are sailing on Victoria 2 when they get back home to Florida from this cruise. What fun.
The show tonight was a comedienne and he was very funny in a clean way. He told jokes and sang using a kind of electric guitar. Well, the old man said I must be writing War and Peace so he must be ready to go to bed. We left port about an hour late so we won’t get to see Gibralter lit up when we go by at about 1 am.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
We were late risers this morning. Almost 9 o’clock when I got up and headed for the shower. It was after 10 when we got to the buffet for breakfast and it was already closing. It did not make my traveling companion very happy. I got freshly scrambled eggs and coffee. She had bacon and hash browns. And then we headed off.
As indicated in the title, we bought tickets (18 euro each) for the Hop On Hop Off bus and rode it around twice, hopping off and on – which is, after all, what one does on a Hop On Hop Off bus. Great way to see the city and to get acclimated. They have similar service in many cities. We did the one in Rome last time and are going to do it again. That’s the beauty of it.
Our first hop off was at the Cadiz Cathedral, an incredibly beautiful house of worship that was filling up with Palm Sunday guests when we got there. Palms were being passed out, but we didn’t take any, looking around instead and slipping out before the service started.
I have a tourist suntan from the bus. We sat up on top in the fresh air, and my neck, on this beautiful Irving Berlin Day, is quite red.
There was a tower we wanted to see, but even with a map and directions, we couldn’t find it. The streets are narrow and winding and we just walked along. An outdoor flea market was in effect on several streets. There were a number of vendors from Africa set up with blankets on the ground and Adidas shoes piled on top (ready for a quick getaway should the local constabulary appear – but none did). “Of course, Mrs., these are genuine first quality Adidas shoes, or my name is not Hassim Al Kaboobie.”
Back on board we each took a two hour nap. Very refreshing after a night of tossing and turning, and one quick trip to the loo for your correspondent – must have been the double serving of steak tartar.
Well, tomorrow is Malaga and we have tickets for the Picasso museum. Looking forward to that.
Are the Pirates still beating up on the Braves?
Okay. Heeeeere’s Bonnie
TTFN
Well, here I am having hobbled over to the stool to write my part. I have consumed my two small packages of graham crackers from the buffet and am enjoying some diet ginger ale which I brought from home.
Well, a rest less night but we did sleep in late. Awoke just in time to watch some as the ship moved sideways into the dock. Yes, I was not happy at breakfast, all I could get was 2 cold hash brown patties and bacon that was as hard as a rock. I did manage to get a tomato juice and a chocolate milk before they cleared all of those out. It was only 10:15 not 10:30 when the buffet is supposed to close. Grumpy start to the day.
Back to the room to pick up some euros, a hat, a jacket and our carry off bag. The ramp to get off was very steep and no rail at the end and the steepest part. But I managed to disembark. We stopped to do a photo for the photographer and he pointed and said that way out. Well, we must have misunderstood be cause there was no way out they way we headed so we turned around and a sign pointing way out was right behind where the photo guy was standing. As we were trying to maneuver to go out my hat went flying off my head and David had to chase it, so the hat went into the bag for the rest of the trip. We finally got out onto the street, got in line for the bus, paid our 36 euros and got on to the bus. Riding on the top. The only way to ride. The wind was very strong today without the bus so it was even more so on the moving bus. One time the wind took David’s hat blew it off his head toward the back of the bus. Fortunately it went down the steps on the bus and not out into the traffic.
We did indeed ride around twice. Hey it was as much as you want all day. The bus was equipped with a narrator accessed by a headphone set they handed you when you got on. Turn to channel 2 and you heard it in English. It was quite interesting and since the first time around the hookup in my seat didn’t work part of the time I got to hear what I missed the second time around. It was scarey walking down the narrow streets with some many people but I made it. There were many people in the shopping area we went through and part of it was even an old fashioned flea market. We stopped in a little shop and bought a couple of things and a second shop where I got some postcards and made a smashed “penny” , though you had to use a 5 cent euro piece and a one euro coin. We got one of the church we visited.
At the church they were getting ready for the noon mass. It was very crowded but the church was beautiful. They had nets stretched across the building under the ceilings because much of the facade was falling. I do hope they repair it. There were many beautiful statues and paintings. In the very back was a huge pipe organ. It took up most of the back on the sanctuary. There was a fence surrounding the area and inside the choir was getting ready to sing. There were only seven singers, a keyboard player and a director. They all appeared to be young people in their 20's. I hope the keyboard was connected to the pipe organ but I doubt it. They started to sing as we were leaving.
When we got back to the beginning of the bus ride the first time we stayed on the bus. But the driver came up and said we had to get off and get on a different bus. I guess he was going to lunch. So we did, and off we went. We passed a huge bridge with immensely high cables holding it up. Sadly we did not get to cross it.
In the port was a large Costa cruise ship and 2 warships with guns and all. We watched and as we sat at supper one of the war ships was towed out of the harbour.
Our dinner companions this evening were an elderly couple who often cruised as the on board bridge instructors. Great fun talking to them and hearing about their adventures. They are sailing on Victoria 2 when they get back home to Florida from this cruise. What fun.
The show tonight was a comedienne and he was very funny in a clean way. He told jokes and sang using a kind of electric guitar. Well, the old man said I must be writing War and Peace so he must be ready to go to bed. We left port about an hour late so we won’t get to see Gibralter lit up when we go by at about 1 am.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Happy Palm Sunday
Happy Palm Sunday from Cadiz!
Well, we are docked and we fortunately slept through it except the last few minutes. It was a sleepless and restless night on the Westerdam last night. But we are up and getting ready. It is 16 degrees Celsius and windy outside. Looks like a coat and hat day.
Yesterday we were up at 6 and I headed to the gym at 7. I was a little rocky so I only road the bike for 10 minutes. Then, after breakfast since the first talk of the day was at 9 am, Vivianne, I picked up my stuff from the room and headed to the vista. I was taking the pointer for her to use. There were only about 30 people at her talk. It was way too early since it was a late night the night before and we had turned our clocks ahead again. Anthony’s talk at 10 was a little better attended about 100 and your Dad had a full crowd at 11. After his talk we headed up to lunch and then to play some cards. He went back to the room and I went on my walk around deck 3. It was very windy. When I got back to the room we napped and then, got ready for dinner. We ate at the steak house last night. We each had a shrimp cocktail, rib eye steak, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts. He had a lava cake for dessert and I had a baked Alaska with Ben and Jerry Garcia cherry ice cream. Everything was good but the steak was not the best I had ever had. But we were seated at a window table and the view of the sea and waves was fantastic. I even saw a very large flying fish come out of the waves and fly over the waves. WOW! It was something.
After supper off to the show. The singers and dancers were singing all about love. Great show. We really enjoyed it. And yes Amy all of them do sing out loud.
Back to the room and a game of cards. We are tied now 5 to 5.
No time change so off to bed we went.
Love,
Mom
Granny
Bonnie
Well, we are docked and we fortunately slept through it except the last few minutes. It was a sleepless and restless night on the Westerdam last night. But we are up and getting ready. It is 16 degrees Celsius and windy outside. Looks like a coat and hat day.
Yesterday we were up at 6 and I headed to the gym at 7. I was a little rocky so I only road the bike for 10 minutes. Then, after breakfast since the first talk of the day was at 9 am, Vivianne, I picked up my stuff from the room and headed to the vista. I was taking the pointer for her to use. There were only about 30 people at her talk. It was way too early since it was a late night the night before and we had turned our clocks ahead again. Anthony’s talk at 10 was a little better attended about 100 and your Dad had a full crowd at 11. After his talk we headed up to lunch and then to play some cards. He went back to the room and I went on my walk around deck 3. It was very windy. When I got back to the room we napped and then, got ready for dinner. We ate at the steak house last night. We each had a shrimp cocktail, rib eye steak, mashed potatoes and Brussel sprouts. He had a lava cake for dessert and I had a baked Alaska with Ben and Jerry Garcia cherry ice cream. Everything was good but the steak was not the best I had ever had. But we were seated at a window table and the view of the sea and waves was fantastic. I even saw a very large flying fish come out of the waves and fly over the waves. WOW! It was something.
After supper off to the show. The singers and dancers were singing all about love. Great show. We really enjoyed it. And yes Amy all of them do sing out loud.
Back to the room and a game of cards. We are tied now 5 to 5.
No time change so off to bed we went.
Love,
Mom
Granny
Bonnie
Saturday, April 8, 2017
CATCHING UP
April 8, 2017
Well, as I told you yesterday, we had supper with our fellow cruise talkers, Vivianne and Michael, and Anthony. They are all English. Anthony is very refined in his speech – By Jove, and I say. Michael sounds like the Beatles – all four talking at once, but Vivianne, who is the on stage personality (her husband is her support staff), could be the quintessential British lady weeding her flower garden and setting up an afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches, were she not an experienced Egyptologist.
We complained about our agents, and shared war stories of less than acceptable accommodations – I must say (I wrote that very British and with a stiff upper lip) they have had some duzzies, and I’m glad they have the lead in that department. They each described P&O cruise line as “never again” – not very good food, lousy cabins, unfriendly and uncooperative staff, and generally, just not worth the trouble. While Bonnie and I have been in crew quarters on Princess, we have never been in crew quarters below the water line. Fortunately they did not have portholes or they would have felt they were in an aquarium.
Anthony is flying back to Fort Lauderdale and will cruise back to England on the Queen Victoria. Vivianne and Michael are returning to England to paint their house.
Speaking of agents, I have been in touch with Linda, our agent for HAL, and I think we have secured a 21 day sailing in November from Greece, through the Med back to Ft. Lauderdale. I hope she confirms it in the next day or two.
Yesterday – when all my troubles seemed so far away, and I was worn slap out from a 5 hour private tour around Madeira and the late dinner with the above mentioned new friends – we had a wonderful time toodling around Madeira – our second visit there in 4 months (oh what do the simple folk do – thank you Lord!).
We took a taxi from the ship out to the Cable Cars that ascend to the Botanical Gardens (if you want to get some early pictures of the beauty up there, Google it). A young man – Tony – approached us, declaring he was a taxi driver, and asking if we were planning to take the cable car. He explained – good salesman – that the cable car would cost us 30 euros each to ride up and 30 euros each to ride back down, and we would see only a church up the mountain side, and the Botanical Gs. If we would ride with him – and he showed us his cab and license – for only 140 euro, he would show us the 6 most popular sites, take as long as we wished, and take us back to the ship. We have very rarely said yes to local tours, but we did this time, and had a great time. We were in Madeira another time, maybe a year ago, and saw some of the same sites, but the beauty is stunning and worth the second look.
I thought about Cathy/CJ on part of the trip as we drove up a very long switch back road that is very close to the edge of the mountain, and remembered driving up a not too dissimilar road in Chattanooga, TN to the top of another mountain. But the view of “Nun’s Valley” is incredible. I got some great pictures.
We cut out one of the visits – this to the cliff side observatory where you can stand on a glass platform out over the ocean from way, way up the moutain, because it was getting close to supper time – and ended in the Fishing Village, a small port and village where commercial fishermen still ply the waters of the Atlantic. Boats of various shapes and sizes were pulled into a dry dock, but we could see others out in the water. As we circled the village we stumbled onto a small chapel and went inside. Our guide later told us it was the fishermen’s chapel. It was more beautiful, we think, than the big church that all of the tourists flock to at the top of the Cable Car. A number of paintings featured a man in monk’s habit with a tonsure haircut and sailing ships in one distress or another. Tony did not know the stories behind those paintings. I hope I can find them.
Well, it is almost time to dress for our last formal night and go the specialty restaurant – The Pinnacle Grill – for an 18 ounce bone-in rib eye. Tonight’s show is another production number by the ship’s singers and dancers, and we always enjoy them. Next report will be as we sail away from Cadiz tomorrow.
TTFN
Well, as I told you yesterday, we had supper with our fellow cruise talkers, Vivianne and Michael, and Anthony. They are all English. Anthony is very refined in his speech – By Jove, and I say. Michael sounds like the Beatles – all four talking at once, but Vivianne, who is the on stage personality (her husband is her support staff), could be the quintessential British lady weeding her flower garden and setting up an afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches, were she not an experienced Egyptologist.
We complained about our agents, and shared war stories of less than acceptable accommodations – I must say (I wrote that very British and with a stiff upper lip) they have had some duzzies, and I’m glad they have the lead in that department. They each described P&O cruise line as “never again” – not very good food, lousy cabins, unfriendly and uncooperative staff, and generally, just not worth the trouble. While Bonnie and I have been in crew quarters on Princess, we have never been in crew quarters below the water line. Fortunately they did not have portholes or they would have felt they were in an aquarium.
Anthony is flying back to Fort Lauderdale and will cruise back to England on the Queen Victoria. Vivianne and Michael are returning to England to paint their house.
Speaking of agents, I have been in touch with Linda, our agent for HAL, and I think we have secured a 21 day sailing in November from Greece, through the Med back to Ft. Lauderdale. I hope she confirms it in the next day or two.
Yesterday – when all my troubles seemed so far away, and I was worn slap out from a 5 hour private tour around Madeira and the late dinner with the above mentioned new friends – we had a wonderful time toodling around Madeira – our second visit there in 4 months (oh what do the simple folk do – thank you Lord!).
We took a taxi from the ship out to the Cable Cars that ascend to the Botanical Gardens (if you want to get some early pictures of the beauty up there, Google it). A young man – Tony – approached us, declaring he was a taxi driver, and asking if we were planning to take the cable car. He explained – good salesman – that the cable car would cost us 30 euros each to ride up and 30 euros each to ride back down, and we would see only a church up the mountain side, and the Botanical Gs. If we would ride with him – and he showed us his cab and license – for only 140 euro, he would show us the 6 most popular sites, take as long as we wished, and take us back to the ship. We have very rarely said yes to local tours, but we did this time, and had a great time. We were in Madeira another time, maybe a year ago, and saw some of the same sites, but the beauty is stunning and worth the second look.
I thought about Cathy/CJ on part of the trip as we drove up a very long switch back road that is very close to the edge of the mountain, and remembered driving up a not too dissimilar road in Chattanooga, TN to the top of another mountain. But the view of “Nun’s Valley” is incredible. I got some great pictures.
We cut out one of the visits – this to the cliff side observatory where you can stand on a glass platform out over the ocean from way, way up the moutain, because it was getting close to supper time – and ended in the Fishing Village, a small port and village where commercial fishermen still ply the waters of the Atlantic. Boats of various shapes and sizes were pulled into a dry dock, but we could see others out in the water. As we circled the village we stumbled onto a small chapel and went inside. Our guide later told us it was the fishermen’s chapel. It was more beautiful, we think, than the big church that all of the tourists flock to at the top of the Cable Car. A number of paintings featured a man in monk’s habit with a tonsure haircut and sailing ships in one distress or another. Tony did not know the stories behind those paintings. I hope I can find them.
Well, it is almost time to dress for our last formal night and go the specialty restaurant – The Pinnacle Grill – for an 18 ounce bone-in rib eye. Tonight’s show is another production number by the ship’s singers and dancers, and we always enjoy them. Next report will be as we sail away from Cadiz tomorrow.
TTFN
Thursday, April 6, 2017
ET PHONE HOME
April 6, 2017
The pianist tonight closed with a medley from movies. He started with Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars, then threw some slow stuff in (Schindler’s List and others) and concluded with ET. That de de, de de de de de de is stuck in my pea brain. Hence, the title of tonight’s blog. De de. De de de de de de. It’s a small world after all!
Holland America Line is the only line we sail for that takes our passports, as members of the crew, and holds them (I guess until the last port so we can’t jump ship and stay in one of these paradise stops). Well, if I am remembering correctly, and there’s a good chance I’m not, they gave our passports back the last time before the first stop. So "we" went up this morning to get them. You don’t need a photo i.d. one lady told us. Since when, "we" inquired. Well, okay, we’ll make you a copy of your passport. Tonight the printed agenda for tomorrow said you must take a government issued picture i.d. off. Back to the front desk. Yes, your driver’s license will do very well. Okeydokey. But always before it’s been passport. I guess "we" are satisfied.
Two of our dinner table companions were running up charges on their sea pass cards for adult beverages tonight. Two glasses of wine each. And two after dinner drinks each, called “B 52s”. Does that make them B 104s? And they walked away from the table.
After my 11 a.m. talk today, there was a noon movie, and they passed out bags of popcorn. Bonnie gathered up two bags, even though we weren’t staying for the movie, and they have become our late evening snacks. A little cold. A little stale. But it’s popcorn.
Tomorrow we dock in Funchal, Madeira. We were there in December, and enjoyed it very much (we missed Ponta del Gotta because the weather was bad). This time we are going to walk out to the cable car and ride it up to the Botanical Gardens. Not sure what else we will do, but it will be a fun day ashore. The weather is to be in the low 60s, so it’s long sleeve shirt and jacket time.
The internet has been down all day today until somewhere around 5:30 this afternoon. No problem getting the blog posted last night, nor gathering email, but this morning, zippo. One of our sober dinner companions said he had gotten on to check his email just before coming to the table. So, I’ll know in a few minutes.
My companion is not writing tonight, so ...
TTFN!
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
CANALETTO
April 5, 2017
The day we came on board and were exploring the ship, we passed the Pinnacle Grill, one of two speciality restaurants. They were offering both the Pinnacle and the Canaletto, the Italian restaurant, for $44 per guest. We signed up for two of the three nights classed as “gala attire” – and tonight was the Canaletto. We wore our tuxedo and evening ensemble.
Dinner started with bread accompanied by a dip of balsamic vinegar and EVOO. Then we chose two small plates – a fancy salad for Bonnie and a spicy and delicious seafood soup for me. Next was our choice of one large pasta – rigatoni with spicy tomato sauce and sausage, and then one large plate – oven baked potatoes and veal wrapped in prosciuto. For dessert She Who Must Be Obeyed had gellato, and I had tiramisu. Very tasty. We both agreed that the large plate was our least favorite.
The Pinnacle Grill features an 18 ounce bone-in rib eye. That is coming up on the 8th, the final formal night.
The table tonight was decorated with small red flowers of a kind I did not recognize, and a white rose. I asked the restaurant manager if my dinner companion could have the white rose, and he said yes.
Tomorrow is my Picasso talk. If you have not seen it, maybe I will do it one family night soon. It really is one of my favorites.
“The Not Really 3 Tenors” sang tonight, their second show, and it was every bit as good as the first one. Close harmony. Good jokes. Good songs. Tomorrow the pianist we enjoyed so much will do his third show. Very good entertainment on board (Bonnie didn’t like the magician, but then she never likes any magician).
We set our clocks ahead one hour tonight – we are now 5 hours ahead of you.
And speaking of night, the last two nights it has been very difficult doing email and loading the blog. I guess the satellite system is overloaded. Mornings have been a snap, so if it is difficult again tonight, all blogs after this one will come out in the morning.
Well, TTFN. And heeeeere’s Bonnie ...
Well, rolled out of bed at 6am again! I washed my hair this morning so my morning ritual took a little longer. Got to the gym about 7 and rode the bicycle for 20 minutes, then headed to breakfast. I picked up a copy of the newspaper (they put out an 8 page 8x11 condensed copy of the New York Times everyday). I enjoy reading it while I have breakfast. So I read it while I consumed my fried egg, toast and bacon along with tomato juice and chocolate milk. After breakfast I headed to deck 3 for a cold and windy mile walk around the deck. It was very windy. Then, off to the room to pick up the crocheting and head to the lounge. David’s talk was first today. Then, we stayed for Vivianne’s Egyptology talk. Interesting but not as much fun as your Dad’s.
Then, we went to the room to put our stuff up and go to lunch. Today we went to Dive In for hot dogs and fries. After lunch we played some cards. Guess who lost miserably again. We went to the card room to play because we forgot our deck and they have decks in there you can use. It got crowded and noisy when a majong group and a canasta group came into the small room, so since it was nap time anyway, he headed to the room for a nap and I did another mile. Not as cold but still very windy. There were more people this time so I have to be careful. I go slow.
After my walk I went back to the room and quietly came in and sat on the couch because he was still napping. After naptime, we went to Anthony’s talk on expensive yachts and the people who own them. Interesting but. Then, it was back to the room to get ready for our reservation. It was a nice table, good food and nice waiters.
After supper, we headed to the show with the “Not Really 3 Tenors” . They are great singers and funny. So we are back in the room and have to turn our clocks ahead an hour , again, so we will be off to bed soon. We will be up early again tomorrow because his talk is at 11.
Goodnight. Love you all.
Mom, Granny and Bonnie
The day we came on board and were exploring the ship, we passed the Pinnacle Grill, one of two speciality restaurants. They were offering both the Pinnacle and the Canaletto, the Italian restaurant, for $44 per guest. We signed up for two of the three nights classed as “gala attire” – and tonight was the Canaletto. We wore our tuxedo and evening ensemble.
Dinner started with bread accompanied by a dip of balsamic vinegar and EVOO. Then we chose two small plates – a fancy salad for Bonnie and a spicy and delicious seafood soup for me. Next was our choice of one large pasta – rigatoni with spicy tomato sauce and sausage, and then one large plate – oven baked potatoes and veal wrapped in prosciuto. For dessert She Who Must Be Obeyed had gellato, and I had tiramisu. Very tasty. We both agreed that the large plate was our least favorite.
The Pinnacle Grill features an 18 ounce bone-in rib eye. That is coming up on the 8th, the final formal night.
The table tonight was decorated with small red flowers of a kind I did not recognize, and a white rose. I asked the restaurant manager if my dinner companion could have the white rose, and he said yes.
Tomorrow is my Picasso talk. If you have not seen it, maybe I will do it one family night soon. It really is one of my favorites.
“The Not Really 3 Tenors” sang tonight, their second show, and it was every bit as good as the first one. Close harmony. Good jokes. Good songs. Tomorrow the pianist we enjoyed so much will do his third show. Very good entertainment on board (Bonnie didn’t like the magician, but then she never likes any magician).
We set our clocks ahead one hour tonight – we are now 5 hours ahead of you.
And speaking of night, the last two nights it has been very difficult doing email and loading the blog. I guess the satellite system is overloaded. Mornings have been a snap, so if it is difficult again tonight, all blogs after this one will come out in the morning.
Well, TTFN. And heeeeere’s Bonnie ...
Well, rolled out of bed at 6am again! I washed my hair this morning so my morning ritual took a little longer. Got to the gym about 7 and rode the bicycle for 20 minutes, then headed to breakfast. I picked up a copy of the newspaper (they put out an 8 page 8x11 condensed copy of the New York Times everyday). I enjoy reading it while I have breakfast. So I read it while I consumed my fried egg, toast and bacon along with tomato juice and chocolate milk. After breakfast I headed to deck 3 for a cold and windy mile walk around the deck. It was very windy. Then, off to the room to pick up the crocheting and head to the lounge. David’s talk was first today. Then, we stayed for Vivianne’s Egyptology talk. Interesting but not as much fun as your Dad’s.
Then, we went to the room to put our stuff up and go to lunch. Today we went to Dive In for hot dogs and fries. After lunch we played some cards. Guess who lost miserably again. We went to the card room to play because we forgot our deck and they have decks in there you can use. It got crowded and noisy when a majong group and a canasta group came into the small room, so since it was nap time anyway, he headed to the room for a nap and I did another mile. Not as cold but still very windy. There were more people this time so I have to be careful. I go slow.
After my walk I went back to the room and quietly came in and sat on the couch because he was still napping. After naptime, we went to Anthony’s talk on expensive yachts and the people who own them. Interesting but. Then, it was back to the room to get ready for our reservation. It was a nice table, good food and nice waiters.
After supper, we headed to the show with the “Not Really 3 Tenors” . They are great singers and funny. So we are back in the room and have to turn our clocks ahead an hour , again, so we will be off to bed soon. We will be up early again tomorrow because his talk is at 11.
Goodnight. Love you all.
Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
AHEAD ANOTHER HOUR
April 4, 2017
Yes, you read correctly. We lose another hour of sleep tonight. Probably twice more until we are on time with Rome. Maybe only once, but I’m not sure. Love these 23 hour days. And my talk is at 10 tomorrow, so I will be up at 6 to shower, shave, shampoo, receive room service and rehearse.
Really excellent crowd today for the Madeira talk. Responsive audience. They loved the “I Love Lucy” clip – Lucy stomping grapes. And the Winston Churchill quotes. If you haven’t yet seen it, maybe one family night after we are home.
There was a message on the phone tonight when we got back from dinner and the show. Because we/I are/am service staff, they want our passports in the Front Office to check and make sure we are not illegal aliens or undocumented workers or something. I gave them mine at the pier side. Mom tried to give it over and the woman said, “We don’t need yours.” Tonight the FO called and said, “Yup, we do.” So, having undressed for bed I had to redress for the hall and carry it up. We will get them back before Madeira (our first stop). This is SOP, but it makes one of us uneasy.
I filled out our disembarkation form today. We are taking ourselves off and will leave with the last group. Catch a shuttle to the outside gate and then walk to our hotel. It might be half a mile. Looking forward to doing some Italian exploring.
I was fussed at last night because I did not let my fellow blogger blog, but as I reminded her, she was asleep before I had finished my part. So she is hovering now, and I will turn it over to her.
TTFN
Well, here I am. If I could remember yesterday I would tell you about. All I remember is I only had 3 hours sleep the night before and the show last night, which was a magician was a bust. He was only fair. I don’t like magicians anyway.
Today we got up at 7 and got ready and went upstairs for breakfast. I had a small piece of toast, 2 strips of bacon and a small 50 calorie yogurt. I added tomato juice and watery chocolate milk. Then, I headed to the gym where I successfully got to ride the bicycle for 20 minutes. Then, I proceeded to deck 3, walking down 6 flights of stairs slowly, and walked a mile. The deck was very wet and it was raining. I avoided the rain drops. The wind wasn’t blowing it so I was able to avoid them. After walking,I picked up my crocheting and headed to the Vista lounge to take in the lecture on Egypt and the one on the 50's. Both were interesting. Then David joined me and we headed upstairs for a small lunch. Taco salad for me.
He was off back to the room and I thought I would take a couple more turns around the deck. Well, I got down the port side and around the end of the ship and turned the corner and was met by cold blowing rain in my face. There was no way to avoid it so I headed for the nearest door, getting pretty wet in doing so. So back to the cabin to get dry and pick up the crocheting bag and head to the Vista to wait for his talk. I got there about 12:30 and there was not a sole there but me. But by the time he got there and started the talk the lounge was full. He has had great crowds and response to his talks.
Well, after the talk back to the room for a nap. Then, we dressed for supper and went to deck 3 to play some cards. (Score is now 3for him and 2 for me) Went to supper, sat at the same table as last night in the very back of the ship in the window where we could watch the waves. Outstanding. The only difference was that tonight it was cold and windy outside where last night it was warm and sunny. We both had weinerschnitzle for supper. It was good. Ice cream for dessert. He had creme brulle
Great table this evening a couple from Montana and one from England. The English couple had been cruising for about 2 months and were finally headed home. They had gone from Chile all the way done the coast of South America around Cape Horn and back up the other side docking finally in Ft Lauderdale. Then, they waited 2 weeks for this cruise to leave so they could head home. WOW. That would be fun.
The show tonight was the singers and dancers and it was very good. Lots of energetic singing and dancing. One of the interesting things about this group is that all the kids, singers and dancers have head set mikes and they all sing. Usually it is just the singers. There are 6 that are designated as the singers and 6 that are dancers but they all sing. Great group.
Well, my time is up. We will be up at 6 so it is a short night tonight. Up early to ride the bicycle , have breakfast and walk. Though the captain did say the weather tomorrow was going to be pretty much the same as today. Cloudy, overcast and rainy!
Love you all, Mom, Granny or Bonnie
Yes, you read correctly. We lose another hour of sleep tonight. Probably twice more until we are on time with Rome. Maybe only once, but I’m not sure. Love these 23 hour days. And my talk is at 10 tomorrow, so I will be up at 6 to shower, shave, shampoo, receive room service and rehearse.
Really excellent crowd today for the Madeira talk. Responsive audience. They loved the “I Love Lucy” clip – Lucy stomping grapes. And the Winston Churchill quotes. If you haven’t yet seen it, maybe one family night after we are home.
There was a message on the phone tonight when we got back from dinner and the show. Because we/I are/am service staff, they want our passports in the Front Office to check and make sure we are not illegal aliens or undocumented workers or something. I gave them mine at the pier side. Mom tried to give it over and the woman said, “We don’t need yours.” Tonight the FO called and said, “Yup, we do.” So, having undressed for bed I had to redress for the hall and carry it up. We will get them back before Madeira (our first stop). This is SOP, but it makes one of us uneasy.
I filled out our disembarkation form today. We are taking ourselves off and will leave with the last group. Catch a shuttle to the outside gate and then walk to our hotel. It might be half a mile. Looking forward to doing some Italian exploring.
I was fussed at last night because I did not let my fellow blogger blog, but as I reminded her, she was asleep before I had finished my part. So she is hovering now, and I will turn it over to her.
TTFN
Well, here I am. If I could remember yesterday I would tell you about. All I remember is I only had 3 hours sleep the night before and the show last night, which was a magician was a bust. He was only fair. I don’t like magicians anyway.
Today we got up at 7 and got ready and went upstairs for breakfast. I had a small piece of toast, 2 strips of bacon and a small 50 calorie yogurt. I added tomato juice and watery chocolate milk. Then, I headed to the gym where I successfully got to ride the bicycle for 20 minutes. Then, I proceeded to deck 3, walking down 6 flights of stairs slowly, and walked a mile. The deck was very wet and it was raining. I avoided the rain drops. The wind wasn’t blowing it so I was able to avoid them. After walking,I picked up my crocheting and headed to the Vista lounge to take in the lecture on Egypt and the one on the 50's. Both were interesting. Then David joined me and we headed upstairs for a small lunch. Taco salad for me.
He was off back to the room and I thought I would take a couple more turns around the deck. Well, I got down the port side and around the end of the ship and turned the corner and was met by cold blowing rain in my face. There was no way to avoid it so I headed for the nearest door, getting pretty wet in doing so. So back to the cabin to get dry and pick up the crocheting bag and head to the Vista to wait for his talk. I got there about 12:30 and there was not a sole there but me. But by the time he got there and started the talk the lounge was full. He has had great crowds and response to his talks.
Well, after the talk back to the room for a nap. Then, we dressed for supper and went to deck 3 to play some cards. (Score is now 3for him and 2 for me) Went to supper, sat at the same table as last night in the very back of the ship in the window where we could watch the waves. Outstanding. The only difference was that tonight it was cold and windy outside where last night it was warm and sunny. We both had weinerschnitzle for supper. It was good. Ice cream for dessert. He had creme brulle
Great table this evening a couple from Montana and one from England. The English couple had been cruising for about 2 months and were finally headed home. They had gone from Chile all the way done the coast of South America around Cape Horn and back up the other side docking finally in Ft Lauderdale. Then, they waited 2 weeks for this cruise to leave so they could head home. WOW. That would be fun.
The show tonight was the singers and dancers and it was very good. Lots of energetic singing and dancing. One of the interesting things about this group is that all the kids, singers and dancers have head set mikes and they all sing. Usually it is just the singers. There are 6 that are designated as the singers and 6 that are dancers but they all sing. Great group.
Well, my time is up. We will be up at 6 so it is a short night tonight. Up early to ride the bicycle , have breakfast and walk. Though the captain did say the weather tomorrow was going to be pretty much the same as today. Cloudy, overcast and rainy!
Love you all, Mom, Granny or Bonnie
Monday, April 3, 2017
THE WORLD’S GREATEST MAGICIAN
April 3, 2017
That’s right, the World’s Greatest Magician – in his price range – performed for us tonight. And I don’t think HAL paid too much for him. He was mildly amusing. A variation on tricks we’ve seen a bunch of times, but he kept up a good patter and was funny. So what more can you ask for when you aren’t paying extra for it. One trick that was funny featured a woman from the audience who was asked to remember a card. Then the magician got a sword, and blindfolded himself. He told her to throw the cards on the count of three, but she heard throw the cards, and tossed them into the air. Very funny. He went back stage and got another deck of cards and then speared, or sworded, the proper card – the 6 of Diamonds.
The pianist we heard two nights ago, Paul Pappas, did a matinee show today and it was just as great as earlier. He even did one song by one of my favorites, Tom Lehrer. If you’ve heard me do “Christmas time is here by golly, disapproval would be folly,” you’ve heard one Tom Lehrer song. Paul did “The Hunting Song,” singing, “I went out and shot the maximum the game laws would allow: two game wardens, seven hunters, and a pure bread Guernsey cow.” I sang along with him. It was almost like seeing Cats for the 15th time (14 really, but I sing along every time, since the 2nd or 3rd).
We don’t have to set the clocks up tonight, and my talk isn’t until 1 p.m., so I will be able to go to the buffet. The omelet cooker, Jude, makes a great one, and I shall enjoy another. The day I got the first omelet from her she was humming the intro to the Beatles song, La la la la la la la. Or something like that. Did I already tell you this? And I responded with, “Hey Jude!” And she said, “That’s my name!”
I told my audience this morning, thanks to one of my correspondents, that the Undertaker lost to Roman Reigns and retired, leaving his cape, gloves and hat in the center of the squared circle. I think there were a few fans. Maybe a “mark” or two. Whatever it takes!
Well, that’s today’s story, and I’m sticking to it.
TTFN
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)