April 6, 2018
Before I turn the keyboard over to the wife of my youth to let her tell you of her evening, let us pause for a moment because it was today 72 years ago that Melvin and Elizabeth said, “I do.” Okay. Moment’s over.
There was something strange going on last night from 1 a.m. until after breakfast. Either there were alien creatures, or maybe whales, crashing into the sides of the Crown Princess, or there was some maintenance going on down on Deck 4 because there was clanging and banging and scraping almost constantly. There would be several large noises, then a few moments of silence – never longer than a minute – and then it would start up. Some how I slept through most of it, but it kept Bon Bon awake, all night she said. Must have been true because she took a 2 hour nap. Hopefully that late night entertainment will not be repeated!
I guess the other cruisers are home. We are anxious to read their blogs.
Okay, I need to rehearse and speaking of late night entertainment, She is waiting for the keyboard.
TTFN
Okay, having had no sleep, I rose at 6 am and dressed for walking. My goal was to walk before my bath and breakfast. Though tired I quietly dressed and left the cabin heading for deck 7 and the promenade for my walk. However, when arriving at the door to exit onto the promenade, I could not get it open because the wind was so strong. The deck was wet and it was cold. We were in rough cold seas. Later in the day the captain said the winds were at 35 miles per hour. It pretty much stayed like that all day. So being unable to walk outside I walked around deck 7 on the inside. There were a few others also walking. It took about 45 minutes to get my mile+ in weaving in and out of the bars and around the tables and down the corridors on the deck. I returned to the cabin at 6:45 to find him still in bed. He was supposed to rise at 6:30 because he had to meet the computer people at 8:45. He had set his watch incorrectly and I got him up and we started our day. After bathing it was off to the Lido for breakfast. After breakfast he went to the room and I went to the theater to wait for the destination lecture at 9 which was followed by an hour long video of the history of Europe. Then his talk was only a few minutes late getting started. He did manage to see the tech guys at 8:45 and he is having to use our backup computer because the system won’t work with the new computer. UGG!!
At 11 am in the middle of his talk the ship turns the clocks ahead one hour so by the time his talk is over it isn’t 11:15 but 12:15. So we head to the lido deck for some cards and lunch. We opted for a hamburger from “The Salty Dog” and went inside to eat because it was very cold. After finishing our second game of cards so far this cruise, score tied 1 to 1, we headed back to the room to try and nap. By putting a pillow over my head I managed to sleep. This time someone was rolling something across the floor back and forth while I tried to sleep. As I am getting ready to go to bed tonight I can hear the ship plowing through the waves and the noise is LOUD! Sounds like another pillow over my head. I can’t use earplugs because they make the ringing in my ears from the tintinitus (?) Louder inside my head. Oh well.
We went to supper and our table mates had called earlier and said they were not coming so we had the table to ourselves. He had fish, orange roughy, and I had a rib eye. I ate half of it. A sugar free Mousse for dessert.
The show tonight was a comedian and impressionist. He was very funny. He did impressions of Paul Lynde, Redd Foxx, Jack Nicholson, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Stallone and Arnold. He also did a Tom Jones impression and sang the song she’s a lady and while singing went in to the audience unbuttoning his shirt as he sang. Well, we always sit back so we don’t get involved when they come into the audience. Well, he came into the audience saying now for all the people who set away from the stage, and came up to our row. Well, when he got close I whipped out my cane and unfolded it. He stopped and said, “Whoa”. He asked me my name and where I was from. He said “ Bonnie like Bonnie and Clyde and said that it was another button he needed to unbutton on his shirt.” It was funny and I had a good laugh. I deliberately got out the cane so I could try and be funny and it worked. Lots of fun.
Well, I walked over 4 miles today and over 10,000 steps and 56 flights of stairs. I typically walk down from deck 15 when ever we go up there to eat. I don’t walk up because that is pretty hard. I only ride the elevator if we are going to the Lido. Every other time I walk the one or 2 flights that we need to move from our room to the theater or supper and back.
I hope when I get up to walk tomorrow it while be quieter seas but so far tonight it doesn’t sound like it. And we have another medical emergency on board. As we were going to supper tonight the Captain came on to ask for O+ and O- blood donors. So far we don’t have to try and take them somewhere, I don’t know where we would go we are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This has been some cruise. Well, tomorrow will be our third clock change and then there are two more to go. 5 in all. We are to get to Funchal on Wednesday.
Well, he is fading fast so I need to stop and take my pills and head to bed.
Love Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Friday, April 6, 2018
Thursday, April 5, 2018
AN OBSERVATION OR TWO
April 5, 2018
Someone named Humphrey made a reservation to one of the ship’s speciality restaurants and the rez was delivered to our state room. I took it up to Deck 6 to Guest Relations and got in line to await my turn to hand it in and be sure that our name was correctly entered for our room. I was at the head of the Que when a woman walked up beside of a couple who had just been called forward and said to the crew member behind the desk, “I have a question that will only take a minute,” and turning to the couple asked, “Do you mind?” The man snapped, “Yes, I do! Get in line and wait your turn just like the rest of us!” For some folks, it’s going to be a long cruise.
Then walking down the hall to our cabin, I overheard a man berating our room steward. I have no idea what wasn’t working, but the guest was very upset. He said, “Well, maybe I will have to call security to get this taken care of.” And then, “I’m no dummy! I have an MBA from Yale!” I guess if he’d had an MBA from Harvard he might have known not to end a sentence with “of.” And he would have known a little patience and courtesy.
People!
Well, my computer still wouldn’t play nice with the ship’s system – or maybe it is the other way around – so I contacted the ship’s production manager and we are going to meet in the morning at 8:45 and see if we can figure out what is going on. I am going armed with my backup computer. This is really strange. Works one time, and then not the next two times.
Tonight was the first formal night of the cruise and so sporting our best bib and tucker we headed for dining and the evening show. Our two dinner companions, Dee and Dean, whom I introduce to you last night, were back and we had a very pleasant evening and a great meal. I had my first creme brulee of the cruise, and it was scrumptious. You have to ease up on the diet at least once for creme brulee!
As we sail towards Europe it will be necessary to set our clocks ahead 5 hours, and we started today, not at 2 a.m. like we’ve done on each Eastbound Transatlantic we’ve taken, but at 11 a.m. I like it. It doesn’t feel like we’ll be losing an hour of sleep. And we’ll be on the proper time when we reach Madeira.
One other interesting note for today. The captain came on early this morning and told us that we had a guest in sick bay who needs more intensive medical care than the shipboard staff can provide, so we are diverting to Bermuda where the guest will be tendered ashore to local medial care. And the Holland America Line’s Oosterdam had a similarly ill passenger. Our two ships met at 6 a.m. and the Oosterdam’s passenger was brought about. The transfer to the tender took place at 9 o’clock tonight and both passengers are well on their way to intensive medical care.
I did my “Water: It’s Universal” talk today, starting with the mostly true, partly true, hardly any of it true story about Aunt Gussie Wonderly and her 1951 blue Dodge. Raise your hand if you’ve heard it. If not, I’ll regail you when next we meet. It’s always my second “joke” and was well received. As, it appears was the talk. Tomorrow is “Yes, We May Have No Bananas,” one of my favorites, which ends with a serenade by the Minions.
Well, my beloved is fit as a fiddle and raring to blog. So hereeeee’s Bonnie!
TTFN
Hi everyone. I am sure you have missed my aimless chatter. Well, here goes. Where shall I start. Getting on board took forever as he has told you. But was prolonged when are cards were rejected! Fifteen minutes and three people later they finally figured it out. I guess they thought we were trying to sneak on.
Our cabin is the lowest level on which they are cabins. It is deck 5 and is right next to the atrium and the piazza. It is quiet and a nice room with a large window, though the bunk beds hanging on the wall are a bother. So far I have hit them with my head 3 times. I have put up a piece of paper with tally marks to keep track of how many times I hit it.
I walked over 5 miles yesterday and almost 5 today. Easy to understand when the lido deck is deck 15. That is 11 flight up, well there is no 13, so only 10. I usually only walk down them, and not up. The old knees don’t like it. We do usually walk up when we only are going to the theater or supper. I have been walking on the promenade deck 7 everyday. 2.8 times around is 1 mile. I usually walk around 4 times in the morning and 3 times in the afternoon. Your Dad joins me in the afternoon. There are two long flights of stairs on each round as at the front of the ship you have to go up to deck 8 to go around the bow area and then back down to 7. It is nice except for the idiots who insist on jogging on a deck that is about 5 feet wide and has many obstacles along the way. Some of them are very rude when they go pushing by those of us who are slower. They need to go up to deck 17 where there is a jogging track. Oh well!
So far I haven’t found anything that I have enjoyed for breakfast. Am going to try some hot chocolate and toast tomorrow. Suppers have been good. My desserts have been the sugar free offering each night, and I have found them very good. Tonight’s fare was a chicken breast and some vegetables and fruit kabobs for an appetizer.
The show this evening was the singers and dancers production called “Sweet Soul Music”. It was good and there wasn’t an empty seat in the theater at about 8 and the show didn’t start till 8:30. We go early about 7:30 so we can get a seat where I can see.
Not much going on during the day that I want to do, but I have my crocheting and walking. I do enjoy the walking outside, the weather has been fantastic. Each day the high is a little lower. The first day was in the 80's but today it was low 70 and is supposed to be the same tomorrow.
I go to the other speakers talk in the morning that is right before you Dad’s. His talks are destination talks. He is okay. An older man but he has a very soft, sing songy voice. Of well, they can’t all be your Dad. I do hope they get the computer thing figured out tomorrow.
Well, nothing much going on now. Hopefully there won’t be any more emergencies and we can get to Funchal on time. Looking forward to visiting it and all the other spots on our journey.
Love you all.
Mom, Granny, Bonnie
Someone named Humphrey made a reservation to one of the ship’s speciality restaurants and the rez was delivered to our state room. I took it up to Deck 6 to Guest Relations and got in line to await my turn to hand it in and be sure that our name was correctly entered for our room. I was at the head of the Que when a woman walked up beside of a couple who had just been called forward and said to the crew member behind the desk, “I have a question that will only take a minute,” and turning to the couple asked, “Do you mind?” The man snapped, “Yes, I do! Get in line and wait your turn just like the rest of us!” For some folks, it’s going to be a long cruise.
Then walking down the hall to our cabin, I overheard a man berating our room steward. I have no idea what wasn’t working, but the guest was very upset. He said, “Well, maybe I will have to call security to get this taken care of.” And then, “I’m no dummy! I have an MBA from Yale!” I guess if he’d had an MBA from Harvard he might have known not to end a sentence with “of.” And he would have known a little patience and courtesy.
People!
Well, my computer still wouldn’t play nice with the ship’s system – or maybe it is the other way around – so I contacted the ship’s production manager and we are going to meet in the morning at 8:45 and see if we can figure out what is going on. I am going armed with my backup computer. This is really strange. Works one time, and then not the next two times.
Tonight was the first formal night of the cruise and so sporting our best bib and tucker we headed for dining and the evening show. Our two dinner companions, Dee and Dean, whom I introduce to you last night, were back and we had a very pleasant evening and a great meal. I had my first creme brulee of the cruise, and it was scrumptious. You have to ease up on the diet at least once for creme brulee!
As we sail towards Europe it will be necessary to set our clocks ahead 5 hours, and we started today, not at 2 a.m. like we’ve done on each Eastbound Transatlantic we’ve taken, but at 11 a.m. I like it. It doesn’t feel like we’ll be losing an hour of sleep. And we’ll be on the proper time when we reach Madeira.
One other interesting note for today. The captain came on early this morning and told us that we had a guest in sick bay who needs more intensive medical care than the shipboard staff can provide, so we are diverting to Bermuda where the guest will be tendered ashore to local medial care. And the Holland America Line’s Oosterdam had a similarly ill passenger. Our two ships met at 6 a.m. and the Oosterdam’s passenger was brought about. The transfer to the tender took place at 9 o’clock tonight and both passengers are well on their way to intensive medical care.
I did my “Water: It’s Universal” talk today, starting with the mostly true, partly true, hardly any of it true story about Aunt Gussie Wonderly and her 1951 blue Dodge. Raise your hand if you’ve heard it. If not, I’ll regail you when next we meet. It’s always my second “joke” and was well received. As, it appears was the talk. Tomorrow is “Yes, We May Have No Bananas,” one of my favorites, which ends with a serenade by the Minions.
Well, my beloved is fit as a fiddle and raring to blog. So hereeeee’s Bonnie!
TTFN
Hi everyone. I am sure you have missed my aimless chatter. Well, here goes. Where shall I start. Getting on board took forever as he has told you. But was prolonged when are cards were rejected! Fifteen minutes and three people later they finally figured it out. I guess they thought we were trying to sneak on.
Our cabin is the lowest level on which they are cabins. It is deck 5 and is right next to the atrium and the piazza. It is quiet and a nice room with a large window, though the bunk beds hanging on the wall are a bother. So far I have hit them with my head 3 times. I have put up a piece of paper with tally marks to keep track of how many times I hit it.
I walked over 5 miles yesterday and almost 5 today. Easy to understand when the lido deck is deck 15. That is 11 flight up, well there is no 13, so only 10. I usually only walk down them, and not up. The old knees don’t like it. We do usually walk up when we only are going to the theater or supper. I have been walking on the promenade deck 7 everyday. 2.8 times around is 1 mile. I usually walk around 4 times in the morning and 3 times in the afternoon. Your Dad joins me in the afternoon. There are two long flights of stairs on each round as at the front of the ship you have to go up to deck 8 to go around the bow area and then back down to 7. It is nice except for the idiots who insist on jogging on a deck that is about 5 feet wide and has many obstacles along the way. Some of them are very rude when they go pushing by those of us who are slower. They need to go up to deck 17 where there is a jogging track. Oh well!
So far I haven’t found anything that I have enjoyed for breakfast. Am going to try some hot chocolate and toast tomorrow. Suppers have been good. My desserts have been the sugar free offering each night, and I have found them very good. Tonight’s fare was a chicken breast and some vegetables and fruit kabobs for an appetizer.
The show this evening was the singers and dancers production called “Sweet Soul Music”. It was good and there wasn’t an empty seat in the theater at about 8 and the show didn’t start till 8:30. We go early about 7:30 so we can get a seat where I can see.
Not much going on during the day that I want to do, but I have my crocheting and walking. I do enjoy the walking outside, the weather has been fantastic. Each day the high is a little lower. The first day was in the 80's but today it was low 70 and is supposed to be the same tomorrow.
I go to the other speakers talk in the morning that is right before you Dad’s. His talks are destination talks. He is okay. An older man but he has a very soft, sing songy voice. Of well, they can’t all be your Dad. I do hope they get the computer thing figured out tomorrow.
Well, nothing much going on now. Hopefully there won’t be any more emergencies and we can get to Funchal on time. Looking forward to visiting it and all the other spots on our journey.
Love you all.
Mom, Granny, Bonnie
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
TALKING AND WALKING
April 4, 2018
Good crowd this morning in the Princess Theater for “History: It’s What’s For Dinner.” We are guessing an audience of 300. I thought the talk went well, but it didn’t get started well. I went to the theater at 9 a.m. to have a sound check along with the Ken, the Port Lecturer, and all went well. At 10:30 when they hooked my Lenovo up to their system the picture rolled like an old time TV with the horizontal hold broken (you youngsters will have to Google that). Restart, and it did the same thing. So I copied the file onto a flash drive and loaded it onto their computer and off we went. Tomorrow I will take both computers. This is crazy!
After lunch, which was a British Pub Lunch, featuring Steak and Kidney Pie, Plowman’s Lunch, Bangers and Mash, or Fish and Chips (we opted for the fish and a few chips), we went to the Plaza to enjoy music by X-Trio, a violin, guitar, and accordion.
Then it was off to 334 and the afternoon nap, after which was the “walking” part of this title. Bonnie had already done a mile or so in the morning, promenading around the Promenade Deck while I rehearsed, and then we went back out and did another mile. It was beautiful weather toodling around the deck, accompanied by gentle sea breezes and an audio book of a Hammish Macbeth mystery (Hammish is a Scottish policeman – his stories are highly recommended).
Our lost table mates, Dee and Dean, from Kansas City, MO, arrived. An enjoyable couple who are members of a Methodist Church. Good dinner of chicken pot pie for me and Schezuan shrimp for Bonnie. Tonight’s Spotlight Showtime was piano virtuoso Ryan Ahern who played rock and boogie woogie and show tunes to a standing ovation.
And now your friendly neighborhood travelers are back in the room, clothed in bedclothes and ready for lights out. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures and high jinx at sea tomorrow.
Until then, TTFN
Good crowd this morning in the Princess Theater for “History: It’s What’s For Dinner.” We are guessing an audience of 300. I thought the talk went well, but it didn’t get started well. I went to the theater at 9 a.m. to have a sound check along with the Ken, the Port Lecturer, and all went well. At 10:30 when they hooked my Lenovo up to their system the picture rolled like an old time TV with the horizontal hold broken (you youngsters will have to Google that). Restart, and it did the same thing. So I copied the file onto a flash drive and loaded it onto their computer and off we went. Tomorrow I will take both computers. This is crazy!
After lunch, which was a British Pub Lunch, featuring Steak and Kidney Pie, Plowman’s Lunch, Bangers and Mash, or Fish and Chips (we opted for the fish and a few chips), we went to the Plaza to enjoy music by X-Trio, a violin, guitar, and accordion.
Then it was off to 334 and the afternoon nap, after which was the “walking” part of this title. Bonnie had already done a mile or so in the morning, promenading around the Promenade Deck while I rehearsed, and then we went back out and did another mile. It was beautiful weather toodling around the deck, accompanied by gentle sea breezes and an audio book of a Hammish Macbeth mystery (Hammish is a Scottish policeman – his stories are highly recommended).
Our lost table mates, Dee and Dean, from Kansas City, MO, arrived. An enjoyable couple who are members of a Methodist Church. Good dinner of chicken pot pie for me and Schezuan shrimp for Bonnie. Tonight’s Spotlight Showtime was piano virtuoso Ryan Ahern who played rock and boogie woogie and show tunes to a standing ovation.
And now your friendly neighborhood travelers are back in the room, clothed in bedclothes and ready for lights out. Stay tuned for more exciting adventures and high jinx at sea tomorrow.
Until then, TTFN
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
IT’S BEEN A LONG DAY
April 3, 2018
I have been told that my recent blogs have not been as funny as some earlier ones. After tonight, I will try to do better. But being as I am tired, and it is almost 11 o’clock, this is what you get.
The day started at 7 a.m. in Fort Pierce where we packed and headed for Walgreen’s because I had forgotten to bring my Silicone Glove – again. We purchased a product, and then went to the Waffle House for breakfast. Said breakfast consumed, we headed for Fort Lauderdale and Gold Coast Parking. We were at the ship by 11 a.m., but not on board until almost 4 p.m. (as She Who Must Be Obeyed predicted) because contracters were disembarking, machinery was being put away, and those good folks had to clear customs. The Crown Princess has just come out of an extensive dry dock, and all of that delayed our embarkation (to make up for it, the Captain ordered that all dinner guests be offered a complimentary glass of wine – if it is free on board, don’t drink it!).
We didn’t mind the delay as we each had books to read. The worst part was missing lunch, but for we dieters, we held out. Supper at 5:30 was welcome, however, and enjoyed by one and all – at least by the two of us at our four person table, with the other two not showing up. Who needs them? Ricardo and Maribell are great waiters.
Very good welcome aboard show. The singers and dancers were followed by George Casey, an Irish comedian from Florida. We may tell you more about that tomorrow, and then maybe not – I just wish I had been recording Mr. Casey. Very funny. Very clean. And he told them faster than my pea brain could take them all in.
Now we are in our very comfortable stateroom. As the Bro said, they are trying make up for the last one. If you want to know how small that one was, over the door was a sign reading “For One Person” (I have a photograph). This one has a queen size bed and a large window to the outside world. And two overhead bunkbeds, which are raised, and could be lowered, if we had guests, and upon which my wife has crashed her head twice. She is keeping score.
Okay. I’m tired. We have to get up early so I can rehearse for my first talk – “History: It’s What’s For Dinner” – to be presented at 10:30. I will let BonBon blog tomorrow night.
Oh. Upon unpacking I found my Silicone Glove. Just like last time. Holy cow.
Until then, TTFN
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
WHO HAS THE SALT?
December 5, 2017
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. It is a wonder we went this long without doing it. You see, we are traveling with salt substitute – our doctors having told us to limit our intake of NaCl. Food has enough in it naturally, we were told, without adding more, so Bonnie found a salt substitute and put some in a small container which we carried with us from 233.
This morning, back in our room, after breakfast, she asked me, “Do you have the salt?” No, I told her, but I thought about picking it up from the table – did you pick it up? She did not. So we decided when we went up to the Lido for lunch we would ask if anyone found it and if they kept it for us. It might have been thrown away, we thought, and with only a couple of more days, we could survive. But there it was! Waiting for us on the table where we ate breakfast. One of the waiters had found it, saved it, and put it out for us. Good job! And many thanks!
I did my “Space: The Final Frontier” talk today about the early days of America’s manned space program (with a few Russian touches thrown in – after all, they put up the first satellite, put the first living creature into space, put the first human being into space, put the first woman into space, and on and on). After introducing the Mercury 7, I tell the story about the Mercury 13. “The Mercury 13?” you say. Yup. Thirteen woman who wanted to become astronauts, but the social morays of the 60s and the attitude of NASA kept them out of space. It was not until 1983 that Sally Ride became the first woman to fly into outer space, 21 years after Valentina Vladimirovna Tereskova went up in a Vostock capsule.
I always enjoy the comments after this talk (I enjoy the comments after all of my talks) because I’ve never done it that there wasn’t at least one former NASA engineer in the audience, and I get some insight into the early days of our space program. Two engineers today, and a documentary maker who did the story of the Mercury 13 for PBS (she met and interviewed all of the women).
Well, tomorrow is “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle.” I’ve never met anyone who was a victim of the Bermuda Triangle, but after one talk two people told me they had seen a UFO. I asked them if they had pictures, and they allowed as how they’d left their camera in the car. Oh well.
As I suggested last night, this will be the final blog for this cruise. I know there is one more day at sea and then the private island, but posting this one will use up almost all of the megabytes I have left. I will have enough to check email and respond, so keep those cards and letters coming in.
And so it is Bon Bon’s turn.
TTFN
Well, here goes my last blog for the trip. Tomorrow and Thursday I will write my tales in my book and we can post them when we get home.
Just a note to Kyle and Cathy, whose blog we haven’t been able to read because of our data supply, how you liking that 30 and 20 degree weather that the Times says Salt Lake City is having.
Well, today started as all my days here on the Veendam. I was awake at 5 and up at 6. He slept on. We did have the alarm set for 7 because of an early talk. We got up, showered, dressed (heard this before haven’t you) and headed to breakfast. They had put out the multi grain cherrioes yesterday and I had decided if they were out today I was having some. They were and I did. They were good. I tried hot chocolate again this morning but it just tastes like dirty water. My beloved asked how I would know what dirty water tasted like. He is so helpful. After consuming our breakfast we headed to the room, he to study and me to collect my kindle and headphones and head outside to walk. The Captain has still not found any smooth water so my walk was a little bumpy but I made it around four times. It was breezy out but not to cold.
After walking I headed to the theater to get my seat. There was a UNESCO trivia at 10 so I listened to that and learned some stuff. Dad’s talk was good and he stayed around talking for about 20 minutes.
Then, off to lunch. He ate the soup a purred vegetable soup. I had a tuna fish sandwich. It was really good. Then, we headed to the theater to get out seats for the last talk by Dave Russell on the battle for Midway and the end of WWII. It was followed by a show put on by some of the Filipino crew at 3. I have never seen the theater so full. There was standing room only for the crew show. They were good and it was fun to watch.
Then, back to the cabin for a rest before supper. Tonight was formal night so we went to the lido for supper. It was not good. Oh well. They had lobster tails and people were getting 2,3,4 or more. Yuck. I don’t like them. I tried a NY strip steak but it wasn’t good. And why would you put ham chunks in twice baked potatoes. Oh well, the ice cream was good.
The show tonight was the singers and dancers. They did the music from the Beatles up to today. They were very good. It would have been better if the guy sitting beside us didn’t sing all the songs out loud with the singers. Oh well, at least he wasn’t off key.
Well, back in the room. Getting ready for bed and maybe a game of cards.
Love you all. Mom, Granny, Bonnie
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. It is a wonder we went this long without doing it. You see, we are traveling with salt substitute – our doctors having told us to limit our intake of NaCl. Food has enough in it naturally, we were told, without adding more, so Bonnie found a salt substitute and put some in a small container which we carried with us from 233.
This morning, back in our room, after breakfast, she asked me, “Do you have the salt?” No, I told her, but I thought about picking it up from the table – did you pick it up? She did not. So we decided when we went up to the Lido for lunch we would ask if anyone found it and if they kept it for us. It might have been thrown away, we thought, and with only a couple of more days, we could survive. But there it was! Waiting for us on the table where we ate breakfast. One of the waiters had found it, saved it, and put it out for us. Good job! And many thanks!
I did my “Space: The Final Frontier” talk today about the early days of America’s manned space program (with a few Russian touches thrown in – after all, they put up the first satellite, put the first living creature into space, put the first human being into space, put the first woman into space, and on and on). After introducing the Mercury 7, I tell the story about the Mercury 13. “The Mercury 13?” you say. Yup. Thirteen woman who wanted to become astronauts, but the social morays of the 60s and the attitude of NASA kept them out of space. It was not until 1983 that Sally Ride became the first woman to fly into outer space, 21 years after Valentina Vladimirovna Tereskova went up in a Vostock capsule.
I always enjoy the comments after this talk (I enjoy the comments after all of my talks) because I’ve never done it that there wasn’t at least one former NASA engineer in the audience, and I get some insight into the early days of our space program. Two engineers today, and a documentary maker who did the story of the Mercury 13 for PBS (she met and interviewed all of the women).
Well, tomorrow is “Flight 19 and the Legend of the Bermuda Triangle.” I’ve never met anyone who was a victim of the Bermuda Triangle, but after one talk two people told me they had seen a UFO. I asked them if they had pictures, and they allowed as how they’d left their camera in the car. Oh well.
As I suggested last night, this will be the final blog for this cruise. I know there is one more day at sea and then the private island, but posting this one will use up almost all of the megabytes I have left. I will have enough to check email and respond, so keep those cards and letters coming in.
And so it is Bon Bon’s turn.
TTFN
Well, here goes my last blog for the trip. Tomorrow and Thursday I will write my tales in my book and we can post them when we get home.
Just a note to Kyle and Cathy, whose blog we haven’t been able to read because of our data supply, how you liking that 30 and 20 degree weather that the Times says Salt Lake City is having.
Well, today started as all my days here on the Veendam. I was awake at 5 and up at 6. He slept on. We did have the alarm set for 7 because of an early talk. We got up, showered, dressed (heard this before haven’t you) and headed to breakfast. They had put out the multi grain cherrioes yesterday and I had decided if they were out today I was having some. They were and I did. They were good. I tried hot chocolate again this morning but it just tastes like dirty water. My beloved asked how I would know what dirty water tasted like. He is so helpful. After consuming our breakfast we headed to the room, he to study and me to collect my kindle and headphones and head outside to walk. The Captain has still not found any smooth water so my walk was a little bumpy but I made it around four times. It was breezy out but not to cold.
After walking I headed to the theater to get my seat. There was a UNESCO trivia at 10 so I listened to that and learned some stuff. Dad’s talk was good and he stayed around talking for about 20 minutes.
Then, off to lunch. He ate the soup a purred vegetable soup. I had a tuna fish sandwich. It was really good. Then, we headed to the theater to get out seats for the last talk by Dave Russell on the battle for Midway and the end of WWII. It was followed by a show put on by some of the Filipino crew at 3. I have never seen the theater so full. There was standing room only for the crew show. They were good and it was fun to watch.
Then, back to the cabin for a rest before supper. Tonight was formal night so we went to the lido for supper. It was not good. Oh well. They had lobster tails and people were getting 2,3,4 or more. Yuck. I don’t like them. I tried a NY strip steak but it wasn’t good. And why would you put ham chunks in twice baked potatoes. Oh well, the ice cream was good.
The show tonight was the singers and dancers. They did the music from the Beatles up to today. They were very good. It would have been better if the guy sitting beside us didn’t sing all the songs out loud with the singers. Oh well, at least he wasn’t off key.
Well, back in the room. Getting ready for bed and maybe a game of cards.
Love you all. Mom, Granny, Bonnie
Monday, December 4, 2017
THE NO NAME BLOG
December 4, 2017. A day like all days. And you were there.
Now how many of you are old enough to remember that introduction? Walter Cronkite doing his history show, “You Were There.”
Okay. No one remembers except maybe Karen and Frank.
Listen, it’s hard coming up with something witty and clever every night for your personal reading enjoyment. How many more blogs you receive on this trip will depend on how the ship records Internet usage. There is absolutely no logic to it (whoever said the human race was logical). Some nights the same time and the same exercises use up 2 megabytes, other nights 20. I bought 50 more. There were a couple of times when that would have made one day’s usage, other days, 5. So who knows?
Having said all of that, I really have nothing else to say. Good talk. Good supper. Good show. Good night.
TTFN
Well, our trip is almost over. Sadness. I have enjoyed the trip very much but I also miss you all and am looking forward to seeing you all. That’s all you all since there is more than one of you.
Well, today was a slow day. The ship is rocking a little less. I woke at 5:30. Turning the clocks back makes my body a little crazy. I played on my phone till he woke up a little after 7. He got a bath and I dressed in my walking clothes and we went to breakfast. The sky was blue this morning. He went back to the room afterwards and I retrieved my kindle and headphones and headed out for a walk. ( I have walked 2.1 miles today.) Not a lot of people out so it was a pretty good walk. There was a large cargo ship out on the starboard side and I watched it as I walked . After walking it was back to the room to shower and dress. I decided to sit out on the deck today because it is warm and humid up by the pool. It was chilly but I had my sweater and blanket. I read my newspapers, The Brit, The Canadian and the NY Times, and then crocheted.
He told me to come back at 12 and we would go to lunch. I worked on the baby afghan but I have run out of yarn, so tomorrow I will work on snowmen. We had Mediterrean tomato soup with meatballs. Though it was pretty hard to find any meatballs. I had one, that I gave to him, and he had one. It was good. After lunch he went to get ready and I went to the theater. Bingo had just started and I watched. The other David was first and he talked about Pearl Harbor Day. He was a little long and your Dad was on right after him. By the time we got back to the cabin it was almost 4. So we rested and then, got dressed for supper. Sat at the same table tonight but there was an additional couple and we had met them before also. Nice time. I had chicken noodle soup and the vegetarian dish tonight. Tomatoes stuffed with rice, topped with cheese and put under the broiler. It was actually one of the best meals I have eaten this cruise. Then, there was sugarless cheesecake for dessert.
The show was good and we had the good front row seats in the balcony.
His talk is at 11 tomorrow so it will be a busy morning. Up a little earlier.
Love you all. Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Sunday, December 3, 2017
O DANNY BOY, THE PIPES, THE PIPES ARE CALLING
December 3, 2017
Tonight is the third time we’ve heard the beautiful musical piece that makes the title for this blog. The first was by a skilled violinist, the second by a duet who performed it on piano and guitar, and tonight by a concert pianist. And each time it gets better. What talented performers we have seen!
The seas were rough today for a second day in a row, so much so that the Captain closed off Deck 6, which is the promenade deck that circles the ship. There was too much wind and too much ocean spray he said for it to be safe. Late this afternoon the barricades were taken down as the sea is becoming calmer. And he predicted smooth seas tomorrow. Having said that, do not worry about our comfort. It hasn’t been all that bad – not as smooth as last month – but nothing that made us uncomfortable. We took smaller steps and held onto the railing as we walked. But it is the Atlantic Ocean in December.
Tomorrow the guest speakers are back to back. David Russell is on at 2 p.m. with his talk on Pearl Harbor, and I am doing the last of my pirate talks, “The Pirate Republic,” at 3 p.m.
I am going to have to buy another Internet package to finish the tour. This thing has been strange. Some nights I’ve used 2 megabytes and other nights, doing the same thing, it’s been 20. More a couple of nights. But the price is the most reasonable of any cruise line we’ve sailed for, so not too many complaints here.
Before I forget to tell you, we have set our clocks back another hour, so tomorrow we will only be 2 hours ahead of you. Almost back on Eastern Standard Time. Boy this is the way to travel west! Or east for that matter (although going the other way we lose an hour several nights, but it’s better than doing it all at once).
They had another Black Friday sale on board today and Granny bought a bunch of t-shirts. When she went to ring it up, the computer wouldn’t take her charge, saying she was over her credit limit. Well, that stirred things up a bit, but by the time she called me to pay and we went to Guest Relations, all was well. Computers. Garbage In. Garbage Out. Or as my technical support team says, “The problem is not with the computer. There is a loose nut between the keyboard and the chair.”
My traveling companion has regained her strength and is wide-awake tonight, ready to blog to you and then ready to lose a card game to me. So ...
TTFN
I don’t care if it is the computer or not, it is embarrassing to be told you are over your credit limit when you have not used your card once on this cruise. It makes you feel unwanted. Oh well, what can you do.
I slept till about 6 am and then I was awake. He got up a little after 7. Today’s schedule was screwy and so is tomorrow’s schedule. It makes it hard when the talk is at 1pm. Tomorrow at 3 is a little better. I sat and watched the coffee chat today. They had the guys who are in charge of running the ship plus two cadets that are in training. The third officer is from Scotland and the other four officers where from Holland. They talked about their schooling and their work. It was interesting. Then, the guests got to ask questions. Someone asked who paid for their schooling and 5 of them said, “Mom and Dad”. The guy from Scotland said there had been a program in England that paid for his because England was trying to get ships to use England as their home port.
We just had a bowl of tomato and zucchini soup for lunch because it was 2 pm before we got there. Supper is at 5:30 so we didn’t want to have much. We went to the other talk at 3 so we didn’t get back to the room till 4. Dave Russell had trouble getting his computer to work so he was a little late getting started. Dad took a nap I did not.
The table we sat with last night had asked us to sit with them again tonight. So we did. They are two nice couples, one from Connecticut and Florida (they are snow birds) and the other from Indianapolis. Very enjoyable evening.
The pianist was really good. I enjoyed his music. He was not the performer that was originally scheduled for tonight. It was supposed to be a juggler and balancing act but they felt the ship was rocking too much so he will be on later.
Well, that is all for tonight. Love you all. Hope everybody has gotten their postcard. There was one per family. The t-shirts I bought were on sale for $2. A great buy. You will love them. Great stocking stuffers, haha!!
Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie
Tonight is the third time we’ve heard the beautiful musical piece that makes the title for this blog. The first was by a skilled violinist, the second by a duet who performed it on piano and guitar, and tonight by a concert pianist. And each time it gets better. What talented performers we have seen!
The seas were rough today for a second day in a row, so much so that the Captain closed off Deck 6, which is the promenade deck that circles the ship. There was too much wind and too much ocean spray he said for it to be safe. Late this afternoon the barricades were taken down as the sea is becoming calmer. And he predicted smooth seas tomorrow. Having said that, do not worry about our comfort. It hasn’t been all that bad – not as smooth as last month – but nothing that made us uncomfortable. We took smaller steps and held onto the railing as we walked. But it is the Atlantic Ocean in December.
Tomorrow the guest speakers are back to back. David Russell is on at 2 p.m. with his talk on Pearl Harbor, and I am doing the last of my pirate talks, “The Pirate Republic,” at 3 p.m.
I am going to have to buy another Internet package to finish the tour. This thing has been strange. Some nights I’ve used 2 megabytes and other nights, doing the same thing, it’s been 20. More a couple of nights. But the price is the most reasonable of any cruise line we’ve sailed for, so not too many complaints here.
Before I forget to tell you, we have set our clocks back another hour, so tomorrow we will only be 2 hours ahead of you. Almost back on Eastern Standard Time. Boy this is the way to travel west! Or east for that matter (although going the other way we lose an hour several nights, but it’s better than doing it all at once).
They had another Black Friday sale on board today and Granny bought a bunch of t-shirts. When she went to ring it up, the computer wouldn’t take her charge, saying she was over her credit limit. Well, that stirred things up a bit, but by the time she called me to pay and we went to Guest Relations, all was well. Computers. Garbage In. Garbage Out. Or as my technical support team says, “The problem is not with the computer. There is a loose nut between the keyboard and the chair.”
My traveling companion has regained her strength and is wide-awake tonight, ready to blog to you and then ready to lose a card game to me. So ...
TTFN
I don’t care if it is the computer or not, it is embarrassing to be told you are over your credit limit when you have not used your card once on this cruise. It makes you feel unwanted. Oh well, what can you do.
I slept till about 6 am and then I was awake. He got up a little after 7. Today’s schedule was screwy and so is tomorrow’s schedule. It makes it hard when the talk is at 1pm. Tomorrow at 3 is a little better. I sat and watched the coffee chat today. They had the guys who are in charge of running the ship plus two cadets that are in training. The third officer is from Scotland and the other four officers where from Holland. They talked about their schooling and their work. It was interesting. Then, the guests got to ask questions. Someone asked who paid for their schooling and 5 of them said, “Mom and Dad”. The guy from Scotland said there had been a program in England that paid for his because England was trying to get ships to use England as their home port.
We just had a bowl of tomato and zucchini soup for lunch because it was 2 pm before we got there. Supper is at 5:30 so we didn’t want to have much. We went to the other talk at 3 so we didn’t get back to the room till 4. Dave Russell had trouble getting his computer to work so he was a little late getting started. Dad took a nap I did not.
The table we sat with last night had asked us to sit with them again tonight. So we did. They are two nice couples, one from Connecticut and Florida (they are snow birds) and the other from Indianapolis. Very enjoyable evening.
The pianist was really good. I enjoyed his music. He was not the performer that was originally scheduled for tonight. It was supposed to be a juggler and balancing act but they felt the ship was rocking too much so he will be on later.
Well, that is all for tonight. Love you all. Hope everybody has gotten their postcard. There was one per family. The t-shirts I bought were on sale for $2. A great buy. You will love them. Great stocking stuffers, haha!!
Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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