Jim_Iain

Sure glad I rushed and arrived exactly at 7:00 I dig get group 1. Which moment we were first called at 7:30

My tour had instructions to go to theater by 7:00 AM. Yikes. At 6:30 my only choice was OVC Stumbling down the hall at such an ungodly hour I was happy I didn’t have Iain in tow. The tour was to Litchfield Park a good 2 1/4 hour drive to the furthest point. For a 9 hour tour it was reasonable at $95, I think I booked it on a sale. sun was just coming up as I headed to OVC Took a Quick Look and settled on a light continental. Just some random food station pictures. my my. This they labeled Biscuits and Sausage. Hmmm. 🧐

I do like it but I think I need to go slow. After my first glass of Hydrate my tummy is a little upset gut of course I never follow directions - instead of 2 tablets in a glass I took 3 and didn't sip it. I'm sure all of you can hear Iain--- no sympathy - READ THE DIRECTIONS AND FOLLOW THEM. Good news is my resting heart rate has slowed to 81 and has been running 100-110 for the past couple days. I think I'm on the mends. Iain also picked up some buffered salt tablets.

Will be interesting to see if it comes to be. I hadn't thought to look at the Feel Like Temperature. Where we live in Sunnyvale - Our Feel Like and Actual are usually the same. I would hate to see what it was on our tour. The actual temps was around 97F and UV Index - EXTREME.

I guess that is also true that the Ships always shrink your clothing when you send them out. You gave us a good laugh.

I will try to hold my tongue. of Course None that I've seen in Retreat - our butler has been wonderful in getting some for me. I also picked up a couple at al Bacio just before my 7:00 AM tour. While it did the trick I think the Hydrate may be a better choice. They are like AlkaSeltzer - drop two in water and sip. They aren't design for flavor By the way - shhhh... our friends from Sydney not getting their water replaced picked up the phone and called room service and ordered 4 bottles of water. They didn't have the two bottles of Evian that is usually in the room. I warned him that he might be charged. He of course said if they do they will hear back strongly. He mentioned to head butler and he said they would not be charged and would deliver water to them. They were a bit cranky as they have a really Stateroom Attendant that is barely so-so.

We just departed Darwin - I got back from our Ships excursions 45 minutes before sailing. Thank the Lord we have 2 sea days. I will try to catch up today. I did a Solo tour today and the boys weren't up for a 9 hour tour They went out to a nice lunch. Good news is even with the 100+ temperatures I kept myself hydrated by sipping on VitaminWater (3 bottles) and feel a little dry but much better than the past couple days. Iain picked up some buffered salt tablets and some Hydrate - I still have to look at what's in it but I noticed that the Bus Driver had a tube of them in his side compartment.

Thank you.... you stated that so nicely. I swear the older I get the emotional I get. Reading Sherrill's message I broke down in tears, feeling her loss and had to rapidly change my thoughts. We need a Group virtual hug? We are here fou you Sherrill.

He said originally he could make a similar one but didn't have the dried raspberry powder. Last night he said that with permission he looked through the galley an found some.... Ohhhhh I'm looking forward to it.

Sherrill - So sad to hear of David's passing you must be devastated. Wish I could give you a big hug. I know it must still be raw and, your heart is broken, but remember he will always be with you in your fond memories. He is still there in your heart and talk to him. I do with the loss of my first live, somehow I feel he still hears me and he comes back in my dreams. I'm not sure if you met Marcha. She was also on the cruise and lost her husband just after the end of the cruise. She is Top cruiser on the the last 3 sectors of the Edge. When I heard I texted to her and discovered she is two doors down. We met up a couple days ago in Edge and caught up. Was so nice to hear.

Yesterday they had the $5 bonus free play. Iain broke the machine and bells and buzzer sounded. Good news they fixed it. We left up $55 in free play.

Dinner last night - I BECAME THE GUINEA PIG AND AM ORDERING 2 OF THE 3 DANIEL B ITEMS. Daniel B - Soup - Fond that you need to get a little of all of the increments in the coup. The soup is cold and has a very creamy smooth texture with a nice fresh corn flavor. Interesting.... Would I order it again No but I did enjoy it. Braised Ribs -- Kumar told David it is small so will bring another for the table. Prosciutto covered Chicken Preast OK - Now we present the PILL. hmm.. Robert suggested it looks like something his dog left behind. Presentation 100 Texture s a very smooth chocolate and covered with a dark chocolate the inside is a Creameux of milk chocolate very smooth in texture. Robert gave it a 6-7 I give it an 8. Would I order it again no. Coconut Cremeux - 10+ they have had the same Item but are changing the ingredients. Good news is that the Pastry Chef came to visit last night and let me know that he had contacted Danial B and has permission to make me a Raspberry, Pistachio Desert on the day before we arrive in Sydney.

Be warned if you have Kumar. He pushes food on you and likes to bring an extra plated meal - For the table. Some how most get consumed.

I can just feel your love at going back in time and remember all the amazing people,the scenery t and the tranquil life in Bali. I have read all about it but being here was amazing. I would really like to spend more time her. Ah a Fumarole --- One of my majors at University was in Geology. I still find it interesting when traveling to look at the the exposed rock formation. I was pointing out to our guide the upward curving layers of earth with layers of Coral in it. Obviously the Java had at one time been below the sea and uplifted. We weren't near the Volcano. That would be amazing to have the experience you had.

Thanks for the advise. I read VitiminWater and really low in electrolytes - but at least some. I put them on a list of things to pick up today It has been a slow process and each day has been better My go to at home is Gatorade but of course they don't have that aboard. I've been taking it easy and adding fluids with fruits Yesterday at Seas the Temps were about 95 and HUMID Even the Australians were complaining and many lobster red. It was actually hotter yesterday than when in Bali.

Interesting story.

Now you really make me feel like the Ba$tard child. We never received an invite, a call or nada from Captain's Club since we have been on the ship. I just looked through our room and confirmed. Gerry we need to meet one of these times. How about our next sea day we set up a time for coffee or something. If I recall we live different hours - We are always on this cruise in Retreat at 9:00 AM near the door to the deck and at 7-8 in Retreat usually forward. Besides that we are either out walking or hanging out in our Cabin or eating. If you send me an email at the link in my signature I will do my best to coordinate. I feel like a long lost friend that never met.

Nothing new on the every day menu - While they publish it on the MDR menu they don't show it on Luminae Menus. Some have reported the Escargot were not available in Luminae but from the pictures you can see that it is .

As many of you know that have followed me I can be a little direct. I thought I would share with all of you the Attention To Detail form I just sent. Good news the Electronic Form for has been fixed since I manually wrote last time. ******************************************************************************************************** I appreciate my previous requests were quickly resolved. I like to always write at the mid-point of a cruise to commend some of the staff that are making our cruise memorable. Retreat Camilla - Hostess in Luminae. Top notch and has made us feel welcome since day one. Alarm MD is doing a great job of managing Retreat and has addressed all of our request. Kumar our Luminae waiter is incredible and always has taken care of us both her on Edge as well Apex. He is a perfectionist and takes great pride in his job. Wanzy - Really efficient, ever present and warmest of personality. She has great table side manners and also keeps us entertained. Now our stateroom attendant Akib, top notch and since day one we have agreed is the best we have ever had. Last but not least is ANU. He is the crown jewel and the best in the fleet. While we have very few needs he just seems to know what we need and delivers far above. I feel compelled to share with you a couple observations. This is not meant as criticism but an observation and also shared with me, either privately or publicly on my current live post on Cruise Critics. The Retreat has a very impersonal and as cold as United Airlines Business Class Lounge. You check in with an agent who never leaves their counter and get up and go back to the front counter to have issues resolved. The Hosts are being referred to as Robots. After 7 days aboard, at least when we are in the lounge, we have only once had a Host cone over to interact, with the exception of Danny, when he came over to say he fixed the problem. Maybe the staff is new and untrained but in all of our cruises I have never felt like I was in an impersonal lounge. The wait staff and bartenders are an exception. They are very friendly and engaging. I do need to point out on one of the first days of the cruise my draw dropped when a friend asked the bartender for some chips and was told to get the himself. I was embarrassed as they are regular Ponant cruisers and were on board for us to convince the to sail Celebrity more often. Finally, the im-personality seems to trickle down. When I last wrote of a problem, I was surprised to get no acknowledgement. Every other ship I have sailed I would at least get a form letter acknowledgement, a ring from Customer or a personal acknowledgement. I have heard the same complaint from at least 10 people. In my past life as a Managing Director, I always had my support staff acknowledge a problem and resolve it within 24 hours. As I say this isn’t necessarily a complaint, but things like this pushed us to decide to sail a different line for the first time in 23 years. Regards, Jim ******************************************************************************************************** After Iain listen to me read it he said - It won't make any difference. I replied - At least I feel better getting it off my chest.

They are on the Anytime Menu that isn't printed - Starters - Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Escargot a la Bouguigononne French Onion Soup Classics - Grilled Chicken Breast Broiled Salmon Grilled New York Steak Deserts - Cream Brulee Cheese Cake Apple Pie Al a Mode. Just another - ahum ... missing item is the deserts are missing from all the menus .

Thanks -- all great idea but can't get anything like that until at least tomorrow We are hoping Hobart will have supplies. At least traveling with Australian's they will recommend local alternatives.

I was amazed by Bali - Costs are very favorable to the USD. Many spent the night ashore renting Villa's with private pools for as little as $100. Our first guide had asked how much I paid Tours by Locals and I told him $140 for 10 hours for Guide, Car for 6 and Driver. He said he had to hire the driver and car and was paid $70. Some said. The average wage in Bali is $13,000 a year.

The 1/2 day we had with him was like visiting a good friend. It was like a good friend picking your up and taking you out to lunch. We learned so much just chatting with him and just casually strolling the Cultural Park. He explained so much about the God, the guards and lots of mythology.

We have a combination of Dharnisha and Wadzy. Wadzy is a character and always amuzing. Her Sister is in Eden and her brother is somewhere on the ship.

Interesting. I had not heard of it but just read about it after a google search.