Mareblu

My internet is strong on Vista here in the Aegean sea.

Hi Don, and yes, I couldn’t agree more about coffee in Horizons at an early hour. It would make so much sense to be able to enjoy this facility with an open coffee bar. It would spread the Barista crowd, and make full use of the panoramic view from a large, comfortable venue. We were granted full barista service for our M&M the other day, but that was from 11.00am.

We are currently happily settled in PH 11033. Not a peep have we heard since sailing from Civitavecchia on 11 April. The suite is quiet, comfortable, and perfectly situated almost opposite the Executive Lounge for an early morning wake-up tea or coffee. The central elevators are also very near. There is what some may consider “noise” occasionally, as the pool deck above is attended to, but it’s hardly worth mentioning, as the movement is indistinct and distant. My only niggle is the too-soft bed. I recall Oceania beds through our many voyages as being very comfortable. This new bed is not denying us a good night’s sleep, but sitting up in bed or turning over through the night is quite a challenge.

Transatlantico is a term rarely used, and refers more to a “nave” plying a particular route. Nave is the term for all vessels. “Barca” is a boat.

Perhaps, before casting aspersions, you should research the language. The word for ship is “nave”. That applies to all vessels, whether passenger, cargo, etc. I’m sure that just like my Italian (by birth) husband, Fincantieri’s executive staff are educated.

Singapore?

Nor the Scots in🤣

Culloden battlefield site, where the courageous and hopelessly outnumbered Jacobites were defeated, is a haunting and sobering visit experience. Close to Inverness and easily accessible. My ancestor John Fletcher of Inveroran fought there, but survived. His father, my sixth g. grandfather, was Fletcher Clan Chief. I have visited their gravesites at the Fletcher castle cemetery by Loch Tulla, near the Pass of Glencoe.

Hadrian’s wall is an incredible construction.

My friend who admires Lord Yum Yum is a MacLeod by marriage. Her husband finds her infatuation worth a chuckle in his rich brogue🤣

It means she’s a Highlander. Frasers are prominent all through the Highlands, particularly around Inverness and Orkney Isles. Explains Rosie’s beautiful red hair in her photos.

A friend who lives in the Highlands told me the Scots believe that when you visit and feel that comforting, familiar sense of belonging, a mystic cord has been tied to your body. The spirits of the Highlands can gently tug that invisible link at any time, and often, during your life, no matter how far from Scotland you stray. I love these myths and legends. They raise us to their realm.

Campbell is the dominant clan in the Highlands. The Duke of Argyle is Campbell Clan Chief. He’s a delightful, particularly handsome man. My close friend (originally from NZ with Shetland Isles ancestry) calls him “Lord Yum Yum”.

I have Somerset ancestral lines as well. Through all the west country, in fact. My mother’s lines are Scottish, Northern Irish and west midlands. I feel I’m home when I’m in the Scottish Highlands.

Thanks, Leigh. Looking forward to simply walking the landscape they walked.

Oh goodness, Aussieflyer, that certainly trumps our drama. Glad you weren’t more seriously injured, and yes, a miracle the motor cyclist survived. We’ll be in Devon in a few weeks, after Scotland and Wales. Devon will be a week’s stay. I have ancestry, on my father’s side, from Devon and Cornwall. Leigh’s Rob and I share ancestry a few centuries back. Amazing who and what you discover on CC🥰

So very sorry to learn of your accident, Lyle. Falls, like moments of profound grief, happen suddenly and obviously when we least expect them. Different effects for both of course, and I’m sorry for your pain and discomfort, but relieved, as you and Lynn would patently be, that you didn’t suffer more severe injuries. Healing wishes to you both, from us both. Lynn’s grief will last longer; I can tell she was very close to her mum. Yesterday was a rather dramatic cruising day. Our tour bus for our excursion to Aix-en-Provence suffered sudden engine failure on the highway, with the driver finally pulling to the side near a paddock, just as the bus filled with acrid smoke. Tour Leader managed to get everyone off in an orderly manner and we were directed to quickly move away from the bus into the paddock. To do this we had to straddle and swing over a concrete barrier. One frailer gentleman chose to cross instead via the adjoining, lower metal road barrier. He fell heavily and sustained deep gashes to his face and legs. The edge was sharp. We ended up being surrounded by two ambulances, a large fire truck and two police patrol cars, all with sirens blaring. Finally, a replacement bus and driver arrived, and we continued our tour to beautiful Aix. Fortunately, the injured passenger was back on board for sailaway, after treatment in Vista’s medical centre. He declined the offer of suturing at the Marseilles hospital, obviously because he wanted to ensure a timely return to our ship.

Another erudite post, thank you Hank. We are sailing with you, and I concur with just about all your observations, with the exception, of course, of your shore exploits. We have travelled through and stayed in many of the lovely spots in this itinerary (DH is originally from Friuli, in north-eastern Italy) so have been quite relaxed about exploring ashore. So far, since embarking in Civitavecchia, we have been pleased that Oceania’s cuisine is up to the standard we have enjoyed for many voyages. I simply wanted to note that last evening’s Toscana experience was exceptional. The culinary team had sourced local Ligurian mussels, which are smaller and more intensively flavoured than most other varieties. The chefs presented these beauties in an exquisite pasta (made in house of course) dish. So lovely that fresh, local ingredients were presented for our enjoyment. I’m not usually a “foodie pic person” unless a dish is exceptional. I felt on this occasion, an image was warranted.

We may also choose to remain aboard, and the festivities and ceremony will be broadcast live throughout QA. That may be my option, as I would be unable to stand from 2.30 until 6.00pm. We will wait and see.

Little wonder you’re exhausted. Healing wishes to your family. Our DD and DSIL also spend their days in DOHA. We’re currently enjoying the Med with our Canberran friends on beautiful Oceania Vista.

Grazie, Hank, for your marvellous and comprehensive bulletins. We are waiting in our comfortable hotel for our taxi to arrive for transfer to Vista. What a terrible time for a strike! Many passengers from other vessels docked here in Civitavecchia will also have their plans disrupted. Hope all is resolved very quickly. We usually partake of a martini in Martinis before dinner, so hope we run into you. Enjoy your day here in Civitavecchia.

New Orleans? I’m not in Australia😂

Then how come you knew that blowhole was on a coast between rocks?

Okay, whose turn is it?

Then that defeats the whole point.