The Other Tom

From Wikipedia:

Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag) is a public holiday in the Netherlands to mark the end of the *** occupation of the country during the Second World War.^[1][2] It follows the Remembrance of the Dead (Dodenherdenking) on 4 May.^[3][4]

9 hours ago, WCB said:

So we discovered the reason for the seahaze fog that has shrouded the skies the last few days.  It is the sands from the Sahara Desert blowing all the way here.  We did notice that sand was collecting in the ship’s outside gutters and now we know why.

I imagine that did wonders for your lungs.....

14 hours ago, WCB said:

we spotted the KPS Osman Khan – a power ship

Wow!  Learn something new every day.  Thanks for the info.

3 hours ago, WCB said:

Truthfully, we are learning not to trust anything anymore. 

Unfortunately, that's true.

7 hours ago, WCB said:

  For those from Indonesian, durian is a fruit they like and had grown up with.  The guys always say it is really good if you don’t smell it while eating it.  We will pass….thanks.

Yeah, I had durian...once.  Never again. 

thanks for your reports.  the sunrise on Mahe was outstanding!

Nice to have you back.  Following along.

On 3/12/2024 at 5:03 PM, sciencewonk said:

Unfortunately, I outlived the first two.

I think you meant to say "fortunately".  

On 1/13/2023 at 7:57 PM, EngrJones said:

Who are "they?"

The crew members

49 minutes ago, WCB said:

Our buddy, Barb, chose not to go on this world cruise this year.  We are sure she is fine.  Thanks for asking.

 

Yes, the internet is working fine and is Starlink.

 

Bill & Mary Ann

Thanks!

18 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

All the HAL ships now have Starlink installed!

Thanks!  Sounds like it's working well.  

1 hour ago, WCB said:

The Pacific Ocean is so large it is hard to even imagine that we are truly in the middle of nowhere.

Does the ship get its internet through Starlink?

Nice pictures of the turtles!  Thanks for sharing. 

Following

1 hour ago, CDNPolar said:

If you are carrying any food in a bag, I would not expect anyone to stop you with fruit or any food, as on 10 Viking cruises

Yeah, they're probably not going to check your bag but it's most likely against the host country rules.  They don't want bug, bacteria, etc. imported on fruit.  The US is that way as well.  

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

usually the ones being denied are freighters/tankers etc.

I don't think anyone is being "denied", but they have to wait longer than normal to enter.  Depending on the wait time, it might be quicker to go around. 

Really enjoyed the photos.  I know it takes some amount of time and effort to do this, and I appreciate it.  Thanks!

42 minutes ago, WCB said:

Hi Coco39,

 

If you are still reading the blog, can you please tell Barb to check her email.

 

Many thanks!

 

Bill & Mary Ann

Well, I'm not Coco39, but I'd be glad to send a message through your blog if I could figure out how to do it.  I don't see anywhere on your blog to add a comment, etc. 

8 hours ago, WCB said:

Tom - As for the phone chargers we just got as gifts, one of us uses it to charge the Kindle. 

Glad you found a use for it!

8 hours ago, WCB said:

There were two heavy duty canvas bags containing a computer-sized bag, a phone charger,

What are you going to do with the phone charger??

Looking forward to following your journey.  thanks for doing the blog. 

I'm guessing they book consolidator fares, but you should ask on the Cruise Air forum.

Cruise Air - Cruise Critic Community

"Unlimited" means your time on the internet is not restricted.  If you have, say, 100 minutes, then you can be connected to the internet for 100 minutes.  Bandwidth is the issue.  If a lot of people are using the internet, then watching videos will be slow to nonexistent even if you have unlimited internet.  And if you have 100 minutes, it gets used up fast because the internet is so slow (you'll be waiting a long time for the video or website to load).  If not many people are using the internet, like late at night or early in the morning, then you should be able to watch videos.   Same is true for going to any website (or clicking on a link, etc).

Aft because it's closer to the world cafe and restaurant!  Really, though, it doesn't matter.  Mid ship is better for less rolling/pitch in heavy seas, as is a lower deck. What's more important to us is what's below us or above us, for noise reasons.

36 minutes ago, WCB said:

we were greeted by the waiter/waitress? who recognized us from being here often.

Wow!  I'm surprised they recognized you.