TLCOhio

Yes, we are in the "excited over photography" category. But, I might be violating the "rules" a little to express Happy Birthday Mick!! Is age 80 being old? Or, just "Middle Aged" like many of us? From the French AFP newswire this morning, they had this headline: “Greatest rock'n'roll showman Mick Jagger turns 80" with this sub-headline: "Mick Jagger once sang 'what a drag it is getting old' but the most senior swinger in town shows little sign of slowing down as he turns 80 on Wednesday.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The Rolling Stones frontman is still strutting and gyrating in front of packed-out arenas, most recently touring Europe to mark the band's 60th anniversary. The icon of 60s counterculture underwent a heart valve replacement in 2019, but his regime of running, kick-boxing, cycling and yoga has maintained his svelte figure and longevity as an energetic showman.” Any herer have experienced Mick and the Stones doing an in-person, live concert? We have done three concerts with the Rolling Stones. Below are some of my picture files illustrating that they put on "one hell of a show". These four pictures are from a summer of 2015 concert when Mick was only age 72. Even at his advanced age then, he moved all around a big, big stage set-up in this football stadium that could seat up to 100,000. Great tunes and excellent showmanship. Right? Full story at: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230724-greatest-rock-n-roll-showman-mick-jagger-turns-80 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 248,033 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ From the summer of 2015 in Columbus at the giant football Ohio Stadium, Mick and the Rolling Stones put on a spectacular show for the massive crowd. All of the great hits, including "Satisfaction", "Time Is on my Side", etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Happy Birthday Mick!! Is age 80 being old? Or, just "Middle Aged" like us? From the French AFP newswire this morning, they had this headline: “Greatest rock'n'roll showman Mick Jagger turns 80" with this sub-headline: "Mick Jagger once sang 'what a drag it is getting old' but the most senior swinger in town shows little sign of slowing down as he turns 80 on Wednesday.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “The Rolling Stones frontman is still strutting and gyrating in front of packed-out arenas, most recently touring Europe to mark the band's 60th anniversary. The icon of 60s counterculture underwent a heart valve replacement in 2019, but his regime of running, kick-boxing, cycling and yoga has maintained his svelte figure and longevity as an energetic showman.” Any here at the Cooler have experienced Mick and the Stones doing an in-person, live concert? We have done three concerts with the Rolling Stones. Below are some of my picture files illustrating that they put on "one hell of a show". Even at his advanced age then, he moved all around a big, big stage set-up in this football stadium that could seat up to 100,000. Great tunes and excellent showmanship. Right? Full story at: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230724-greatest-rock-n-roll-showman-mick-jagger-turns-80 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,700 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ From the summer of 2015 in Columbus at the giant football Ohio Stadium, Mick and the Rolling Stones put on a spectacular show for the massive crowd. All of the great hits, including "Satisfaction", etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

Was asked by a Toronto-area resident these above questions. YES!! Super enjoyed on Saturday morning going to the busy and fun market in Kitchener. Wonderful!!! See below some visuals. Agree that Kitchener is larger in population, but I listed Waterloo first as its name/Europe connections has more "history". Plus, Waterloo is where our son and grandson were staying for their July adventure in Canada. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 244,521 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ Here are a couple of visuals from our fun exploring around at the Market in Kitchener on Saturday morning.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here are our two grandsons, ages twelve and ten, enjoying the Kitchener Market. Like the big, red tomatoes?: At the AP Bakery from Brantford, this kind lady at their booth was super helpful and friendly to my wife. We wanted a loaf of their sourdough bread. My wife did not have Canada currency and was going to pay by credit card. But, their machine was broken. Solution? Super kind! She gave us the loaf of bread as a gift. Wonderful bread. Very enjoyable. Second below is the Light Rail transit that what took down from Waterloo to reach the Kitchener Market.:

YES!! Super enjoyed on Saturday morning going to the busy and fun market in Kitchener. Wonderful!!! See below some visuals. Agree that Kitchener is larger in population, but I listed Waterloo first as its name/Europe connections has more "history". Plus, Waterloo is where our son and grandson were staying for their July adventure in Canada. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 244,521 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/ Here are a couple of visuals from our fun exploring around at the Market in Kitchener on Saturday morning.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here are our two grandsons, ages twelve and ten, enjoying the Kitchener Market. Like the big, red tomatoes?: At the AP Bakery from Brantford, this kind lady at their booth was super helpful and friendly to my wife. We wanted a loaf of their sourdough bread. My wife did not have Canada currency and was going to pay by credit card. But, their machine was broken. Solution? Super kind! She gave us the loaf of bread as a gift. Wonderful bread. Very enjoyable. Second below is the Light Rail transit that what took down from Waterloo to reach the Kitchener Market.:

Agree about "Newbies" being vital for lots of things. Us "Seasoned Citizens" are slowly running out of time and money. Right? But, not too quickly!! From the Wall Street Journal early afternoon, things are looking rather "ROCKY" for the cruise stocks during the first two days of this week. See below. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Was up in friendly Canada this past weekend. Visiting the Waterloo-Kitchener areas about an hour west of Toronto. Nice!! With our two grandsons, son and daughter-in-law, etc. Enjoyable area, friendly folks, great food, nice parks, etc. Skies pretty clear and none of that pesky sky smoke seen. Need proof and evidence? See below. Kitchener was originally settled by many from Germany and was called Berlin (until WWI caused a change). THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 248,033 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ In this Waterloo-Kitchener area, here is a small sample from Victoria Park named after the famed Queen. Yes, they have her statute there! Lots of flowers, water, etc. Nice!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) At this park in Waterloo, Ontario, they were playing . . . what else, but . . . cricket!!:

Was up in friendly Canada this past weekend. Visiting the Waterloo-Kitchener areas about an hour west of Toronto. Nice!! With our two grandsons, son and daughter-in-law, etc. Enjoyable area, friendly folks, great food, nice parks, etc. Skies pretty clear and none of that pesky sky smoke seen. Need proof and evidence? See below. Kitchener was originally settled by many from Germany and was called Berlin (until WWI caused a change). THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 248,033 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ In this Waterloo-Kitchener area, here is a small sample from Victoria Park named after the famed Queen. Yes, they have her statute there! Lots of flowers, water, etc. Nice!: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) At this park in Waterloo, Ontario, they were playing . . . what else, but . . . cricket!!:

Here are some more "signs of the times" at various dining locations. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Yes, a little "hijack" is fun, especially during this hot summer period. We used georgestaxi.com and we toured around the Peloponnesus area during this one-day "adventure". This included: Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Nafplio. Very interesting!! Need proof and evidence? See below. Always good to share visuals of super scenic and historic locations. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,531 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337 Historic Roman ruins are in Ancient Corinth, including this Temple of Apollo. This historic area is 48 miles southwest of Athens. It was a city-state on the Isthmus of Corinth that joins the Peloponnesus to mainland Greece, roughly halfway between Athens and Sparta. In classical times, Corinth rivaled Athens and Thebes in wealth, based on the Isthmian traffic and trade. Apostle Paul first visited the city around AD 51-52. He lived here for eighteen months, including writing two of his epistles on the difficulties of maintaining a Christian community in such a cosmopolitan city with so much sin and corruption existing in this city.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) The Corinth Canal is right on the route as we were circling the Peloponnesian Peninsula and nearby to the famed, ancient, historic city of Corinth. This canal is a unique engineering job carved through about 260' of rock. The canal is four miles in length, 75' wide and was built between 1881 and 1893.: Looking down upon Nafplion from the historic Palamidi military fortress that overlooks the town and its harbor. This fortress is on the crest of a 216-metre high hill. It was built by the Venetians during their second occupation of the area (1686-1715).: Epidaurus is the famed outdoor theater with super great acoustics on the Peloponnesian Peninsula. Their local prosperity enabled Epidaurus to construct civic monuments including this huge theater that had dramatic performances, ceremonial programs, etc. It was designed in the 4th century BC. The original 34 rows were extended in Roman times by another 21 rows. As with many Greek theaters (and as opposed to Roman ones), the view on a lush landscape behind the performing areas was an integral part of the design. It seats up to 15,000 people. The acoustics permit almost perfect intelligibility of un-amplified spoken word from the proscenium. A 2007 study by Georgia Tech scholars indicates that the amazing acoustic properties are either the result of an accident or the product of advanced design . . . rows of limestone seats filtering out low-frequency sounds and amplify/reflect high-frequency sounds from the stage.:

Some signs from a couple of different dining places. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Is going to Europe in 2024 going to get a little more complicated? From CBS-TV News two days ago, they had this headline: “European Union to require U.S. travelers with passports to fill out visa application” with these highlights: “New requirements are on the horizon for travelers with a U.S. passport looking to get to Europe. The European Union continues to plan the rollout of new travel document requirements through its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). It would require travelers with U.S. passports to fill out an online visa application before being granted entry into the EU. 'It won't be complicated, it's just an annoyance,' said CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg. 'Most Americans are not used to doing this to go to Europe so there's going to be lots of surprises at boarding gates with people being denied boarding over the first couple of weeks, if this goes into effect.' Greenberg was quick to point out this new system is not a done deal. Currently slated to roll out in January of 2024, the idea has been delayed before and is expected to be delayed again. ” Full story at: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/european-union-american-travelers-fill-out-visa-application/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 33,606 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

From MSN News and CBS-TV this past week by Simrin Singh, they had this headline: “Singapore's passport dethrones Japan as world's most powerful” with these highlights: “The Southeast Asian country's citizenship document officially ranks as the most powerful in the world, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. According to the index, Singaporeans can travel to 192 out of 227 travel destinations in the world without a visa. In a 'major shake-up,' Singapore beat out Japan, which has ranked No. 1 on the index for the last five years. In comparison, the U.S. was quite a bit lower on the index, dropping down a spot from last year to eighth place, tied with Lithuania, with 184 travel destinations without a visa.” Interesting to see Singapore in the news and being ranked so high. Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/singapores-passport-dethrones-japan-as-worlds-most-powerful/ar-AA1e6dGn THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Live/blog, June 2017 from Portugal to France along scenic Atlantic Coast on the Silver Spirit. Now at 33,606 views. Many pictures, details for history, food, culture, etc.: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Appreciate these great comments and follow-up from Host Bonjour. YES, it is fun and interesting to do all of this research and planning in preparing for such an "adventure". The history, architecture, culture, food, etc., from this region are so totally different and completely amazing. Lots of consider!! Like in the United States, one trip cannot cover it "ALL". We wanted to be sure that we were able to do the "Golden Triangle", including Agra and the famed Taj Mahal. But in what Silversea originally offered, it did not include a pre-cruise option for Jaipur. We have been able to arrange a private tour option that makes the "logistics" easier and including colorful Jaipur. Below is a little added background for this "star" for this nation. From the Times of India by Precious Rongmei, they had this headline: “Reasons Why It's Impossible Not to Love Jaipur” with these highlights: “The city of Jaipur is a vibrant and culturally rich tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the world. It is one of the major tourist destinations in India. The city, also popularly known as the Pink City due to the distinctive colour of the pink sandstone monuments and buildings, is not only visually pleasant, it also offers a unique blend of ancient heritage. Jaipur has beautifully incorporated architecture, colourful bazaars, and the royal Rajasthani culture into one stunning travel experience for all visitors.” One of my key personal interests is for their "Grand Architecture", including this background cited in this profile: "Jaipur's pink sandstone structures have earned the city the nickname Pink City. These beautiful and iconic structures showcase a harmonious blend of Rajput and Mughal styles. Monuments like the iconic Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Amer Fort, with their impressive architecture, are every photographer's delight." YES, excellent photo opportunities are a key objective for me on this trip. Full story at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/reasons-why-it-is-impossible-to-not-love-jaipur/photostory/101927621.cms THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

From MSN News and skilled travel guru/writer Gene Sloan earlier this past week, they had this headline: “5 reasons you might not want to book a brand-new cruise ship” with these highlights: “There’s nothing quite like the thrill of being on the maiden voyage of a new cruise ship. The crew is excited. Passengers are excited. It’s almost always a festive affair, often with lots of extra pizazz like fireworks over the ship and deck-top parties with free-flowing Champagne. Plus, you might spot a celebrity or two — or, at least, the top executives of the line. Among hardcore cruise fans, it also can bring the ultimate in bragging rights, even years later. Still, booking a maiden voyage (or any of the first few sailings of a brand-new ship) isn’t without risks.” Silversea has been bringing on many new ships in recent years. "New" can be exciting! BUT, there are potential down-sides, including: "sailing might be canceled", "not everything will work right", "some venues might not be open" and "some of the crew is still learning". One of his wise cautions is: "don’t tie the cruise into a bigger trip that includes lots of other travel arrangements with hotels, airlines, tours, car services and private guides. That way, if the cruise is canceled at the last minute, you won’t find yourself scrambling to unwind many other elements of your trip." Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/5-reasons-you-might-not-want-to-book-a-brand-new-cruise-ship/ar-AA1dYPg5 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,531 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Is there a "War" happening against cruising? Is the "Ban Bandwagon" growing? From the New York Times this morning, they had this headline: “Amsterdam to Cruises: ‘Party Time Is Over’ " with this sub-headline: "The Dutch capital will stop cruise ships from docking in the city center as part of a campaign to curb pollution and reduce the flow of tourists.” Here are some of their reporting highlights by Isabella Kwai: “Amsterdam will bar cruise ships from docking in the city center as part of a broader effort to curb pollution and reduce the large numbers of tourists who visit the Dutch capital. The City Council passed a proposal on Thursday to close a terminal where more than a hundred cruise ships dock each year. 'The motivation of the proposal from the City Council was to reduce the number of tourists, but also for environmental reasons,' Amsterdam’s deputy mayor, Hester van Buren, said. The municipality has not yet determined when the change will take effect. The cruise ship measure was the latest attempt by Amsterdam to cap the number of visitors and crack down on bad behavior as the tourism industry has rebounded, addressing residents’ longstanding grievances linked to overcrowding and rowdy tourists.” For added background, here is more: " 'Amsterdam prides itself on being a very open and tolerant city,' said Ko Koens, a professor of new urban tourism at Inholland University of Applied Sciences in Amsterdam. But residents felt that the open attitude was being abused by tourists. Covid showed residents how quiet the city could be, he said, adding that Amsterdam wanted to send a message: 'Party time is over.' " Could cruise lines face these limits or curbs in other popular cities and locations? Part of the "attack" against in Amsterdam is about "environment' opinions that cruise ships pollute too much and are not "green" enough. Reactions? Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/world/europe/amsterdam-cruise-ships.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 55,153 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008

From the London/UK Express last month, they had this headline: “Gorgeous Grenada - everything you need to know about the family friendly Caribbean island" with this sub-headline: "From paradise beaches and tranquil waterfalls, to flavourful food and an underwater sculpture park, stunning Grenada has it all. Here's why it's time to add the Spice Isle to your bucket list." Here is one of their reporting highlights by Hannah Britt: “The Belmont Estate is a plantation that dates back to the 17th century, around an hour’s drive north of the capital, St Georges, that welcomes guests into the world of tree-to-bar chocolate making. It’s a brilliant place to spend the day, inspecting cocoa pods, crushing them underfoot, peeking into the on-site factory, and sampling its wares. Locally made food, served buffet style, is served at its restaurant, too, and is delicious.” A wide variety of options, visuals, etc., are featured in this profile that brings back nice memories from this charming island. Full story at: https://www.express.co.uk/travel/beach/1776543/grenada-caribbean-everything-you-need-to-know THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour. Visual Summary: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

Is the "Ban Bandwagon" spreading in Europe?? From the Washington Post yesterday, they had this headline: “Amsterdam votes to ban cruise ships" with this sub-headline: "A political party cited pollution and crowding as reasons for relocating a cruise terminal away from the city.” Here are some of the reporting highlights: “Amsterdam has already warned rowdy tourists to stay away and cracked down on smoking weed in the streets of its famed Red Light District. Now, city leaders are targeting what they see as another scourge: giant cruise ships, which dock at a terminal near the center of the Dutch capital. Political party D66 Amsterdam said Thursday its proposal to relocate the terminal, effectively blocking cruise ships from the city, had been adopted by a large majority of the city council. An announcement said the proposal is meant to address concerns around air pollution emitted by ships and the crush of tourists during port visits. Anouk Panman, a spokesperson for deputy mayor Hester van Buren, confirmed in an email Friday the city council had adopted the motion. 'The municipality of Amsterdam is going to investigate how this proposal can be implemented,' she wrote.” Overall, here is some added background: "In 2021, Italy’s government said large cruise ships would no longer be allowed to sail directly into Venice. Dubrovnik, in Croatia, took steps several years ago to limit the number of cruise passengers visiting at once. The Cruise Lines International Association said the port and passenger terminal had already pledged to invest millions in infrastructure and shore-based electricity for future use. The trade group said about 1 percent of Amsterdam’s visitors arrive by cruise ship every year and noted that cruise tourism contributes about 105 million euros to the city every year." Full story at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2023/07/21/amsterdam-cruise-ship-ban/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 32,154 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Agree on your follow-up. Will check out the bars, etc., nearby to our JW Marriott Hotel. Fun to research and plan ahead using the Google Maps features to explore and check out options. From Condé Nast Traveler magazine, they had this headline: “23 Best Things to Do in Singapore" with this sub-headline: "The cost of admission is high, but this is one place you'll never be bored.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “It may be the one of the most expensive cities in the world, but Singapore has racked up plenty of other superlatives: cleanest, best planned, and, quite possibly, most entertaining. The Lion City is home to the largest rooftop infinity pool, the world's first safari park for nocturnal animals, centuries-old temples and, of course, some of the best food on the planet. You'll also find extraordinary gardens, impressive architecture, world-class performance venues, and shopping streets. The city-state offers a fascinating melding of the old and new, the historic and the modern.” This is their summary for the high-rated Gardens By the Bay: "This is a hugely popular tourist attraction in Singapore, and rightly so. The breadth of plants and the creative ways in which they're displayed is awe-inspiring. In one part of the conservatory, the Cloud Forest mimics the cool-moist ecology of the tropical highlands. It has a treetop walk and an oft-photographed indoor 114-foot waterfall." Full story at: https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-singapore THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Dubrovnik! Visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 50,083 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

From the Wall Street Journal late this afternoon, below are the charts for the past week. Late in the week, things moved upward nicely for Royal Caribbean. More of a mixed week for the other two major cruise lines?? A major earning report comes out next week. Predictions? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 55,153 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008 From the Wall Street Journal, below are their charts for the three major cruise lines during the most recent five trading days.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) For the past month, here has been the up, upward performance with the overall S&P 500 Stock Index:

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this weekend, they will have this headline: “36 Hours Copenhagen” with these highlights: “For decades, Copenhagen has been lauded for its design, its food, its dedication to sustainability, even the general good cheer of its residents. But this year, architecture is the focus after UNESCO named the city the World Capital of Architecture for 2023. What that means for visitors is a yearlong slate of events, exhibitions and tours of the city’s most innovative architectural projects. To maximize a trip, travelers need a bike to crisscross this dynamic, ever-evolving Scandinavian capital. Because one thing that will never change is the Danes’ devotion to cycling, a true joy in a place as bike-friendly (and flat) as Copenhagen on these blissfully long summer days.” Many options are outlined and detailed for Copenhagen's museums and attractions, restaurants and bars, shopping, where to stay, getting around, etc. Here is more to sample their detailed profile for one of our top, personal favorite cities in the world: "Copenhagen’s once-industrial harbor is today a welcoming public space with an eight-mile pedestrian-and-cycling path looping past swimming areas, playgrounds, the postcard-perfect Nyhavn canal and modern architectural landmarks. Refshaleøen, a former shipyard, attracts crowds with its fine-dining restaurants and street-food markets, contemporary galleries and La Banchina, an idyllic waterside wine bar with a swimming area and sauna. The charming lane Værnedamsvej has been called “Little Paris,” but Italo Caffé, which opened there last year, is resolutely Italian. Stop for a panino — best is the thin-sliced octopus with grilled peppers, crisp greens and pesto on fluffy focaccia (110 kroner). " What are your favorite loves, secrets, tips, etc., for Copenhagen?? Might post some of my tops later. Don't be shy in sharing, asking any questions. Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/20/travel/things-to-do-copenhagen.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 248,033 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Appreciate these great follow-ups and the super helpful kindness from agape01. Wonderfully supportive. Lots going on in Singapore with the National Day upcoming. From CNN, the cable news network, earlier this past week, they had this headline: “Asia’s best bars for 2023” with these highlights: “The winningest city in Asia was Singapore, which had a whopping 11 bars in the top 50. The list is based on the votes of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars Academy, which is made up of members of the bar industry, media and mixology experts in the region.” From this Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 listing, here are the eleven ranked in order for Asia that are from Singapore: 2. Jigger & Pony (Singapore) 7. Nutmeg and Clove (Singapore) 10. Sago House (Singapore) 15. Analogue Initiative (Singapore) 16. Republic (Singapore) 21. Manhattan (Singapore) 24. 28 HongKong Street (Singapore) 27. Atlas (Singapore) 30. Employees Only (Singapore) 32. Stay Gold Flamingo (Singapore) 42. Native (Singapore) Personally, I am not that big of a "Bar Guy", but it is interesting that Singapore does this well. Anyone know these locations, have added details/insights to share, etc.? Full story at: https://www.cnn.com/travel/asia-best-bars-2023-intl-hnk/index.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Kotor/Montenegro: Various visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 51,985 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

YES!!! Sad loss. Was fortunate to hear him twice, live in concert. Amazing performer, including just a few years ago at the late stages of his awesome career. Love his "Left My Heart In San Francisco" song. What could be better??? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/arts/music/tony-bennett-dead.html

From the Investor's Business Daily yesterday, they had this headline: “Cruise Line's Profit Expected To Sail Higher; Will It Blow Estimates Out Of The Water?” with these highlights: “Cruise line operator Royal Caribbean is Thursday's IBD Stocks To Watch pick. Travel stocks have outperformed with vacationers eager to hit the roads, skies and seas after the pandemic lockdowns. Royal Caribbean will report second-quarter earnings on July 27. The company has topped earnings estimates in the last several quarters. First-quarter EPS beat analysts' estimates by over 66%, following 16% and 31% upside surprises in the two quarters before that. Royal Caribbean produced only one profitable quarter in the last eight. But quarterly losses have been diminishing, and it posted a profit in Q3 of last year.” Here are more of their reporting details: "Royal Caribbean is now finding support at the 21-day exponential moving average. The growth stock has gained over 100% this year so far. Truist Securities raised its price target to 115 from 85 and maintained its hold rating on Tuesday. Barclays hiked its target to 113 from 100 and maintained its overweight rating Tuesday." Full story at: https://www.investors.com/research/cruise-line-profits-expected-to-sail-higher-will-this-growth-stock-blow-estimates-out-of-the-water/?src=A00619&refcode=aflMarketWatch THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 72,163 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Yes, we have used them three times and things worked well. Definitely check and see what fits your interests, budget, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From this below-connected travel news website, they had this headline: “50 Must-See Singapore Attractions You Need To Bring Your Overseas Friend & Revisit Yourself” with these highlights: “Whether you’re the kind who strays off the beaten paths or hit the biggest tourist traps, you’ve got to admit there’s a lot of must-see attractions in Singapore. The pulsating streets, iconic monuments, historic landmarks, and sandy beaches – the list goes on.” There are a wide range of options in Singapore listed. At the top of their list is Gardens by the Bay – Seasonal flower displays & art installations where they note: "It’s almost illegal to not see Gardens by the Bay while in Singapore." Second they listed: Merlion Park – Singapore’s iconic “mascot” with this details: "The iconic half fish half lion creature spewing water into the waters of Marina Bay at Merlion Park deserves your time and attention." Here are a couple more items on their top list: Marina Bay Sands – Free water & light shows. "You won’t have to wait till Christmas to see dazzling light displays in the city. Outside Marina Bay Sands, there’s the free Spectra water and light show every night." Orchard Road – Mega shopping district of Singapore. "It’s not even fair to think of Orchard Road as just a road. It’s more like a giant maze that also happens to have thousands of stores and eateries attached." Full story at: https://thesmartlocal.com/read/best-singapore-attractions/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,531 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337