Cruising-along

Good idea to hang onto that fan.  At the beginning of the Grand Australia we had the same problem with our cabin (Vista Suite deck 7).  It took them at least 3 times before it finally was a comfortable temperature (and that was only when we had the setting at the coolest possible setting).  We hung onto that fan until the end of the cruise LOL.

Good morning all!

Another good selection of days.  I'll pass on the drink and red wine, but would like the first recipe and will make it tomorrow. Thank you Tina @0106! We love basil pesto and I have all the ingredients.  We've been to Juneau several times and will be there again next year on the 28-day Alaska Solstice cruise. Not sure what we'll be doing this time, probably rent a car and drive to Mendenhall Glacier again...

Today I'm driving up to Bellingham to see my BFF Barbara.  We usually meet in Mt. Vernon (half-way) but because of her busy life lately and having the grandchildren staying with her while Amber is hospitalized, I said I'd come up there this time to make it easier for her. It's always nice to go to my hometown anyway. 🙂   I hope to learn more about Amber's situation and how this all happened.  The last I heard, the doctors were baffled too.

On our first Alaska cruise in 2004 we went kayaking in Juneau and Ketchikan. This was from Juneau.

One time we rented a car and drove to Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center and walked to the glacier and Nugget Falls.

A short stop on our drive

Our last Alaska cruise was last year and we had a drizzly day in Juneau.

We would have taken the Mt. Roberts tram but the visibility would obviously be bad at the top.

And we wanted to get a drink at the Red Onion Saloon, but it was packed wall to wall with people and a very long wait.  So we passed.

Some wild flowers in Alaska

37 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

Meanwhile, there's a report about runaway zebras on I-90 in Washington.

 

https://wapo.st/4bhvaeh

 

Oh no!  I hope the missing zebra is found soon.  Definitely there are cougars and bears in that area. 

Yes I saw it this morning.  Now you have to go to "Daily Program" under Experiences, then you'll see across the top "Day 1, 2, etc.".  Click on the day you want and then click on My itinerary.  Your bookings will show up.  A change for the worse, IMO. 

Bruno @atexsix sending hugs. 

Good morning all!

I'm all for animal advocacy, I like Bugs Bunny, and will pass on Beltane.  I see that @kochleffelcaught the April 31 date too. 😉 Will pass on the drink and wine, but might like the 3rd recipe -- although I'm sure it's too high in sodium for me, it sounds tasty.  We still have a Mr. Potato Head here for the grandsons to play with.  Have been to Maui but not Kaului.

Yesterday's weather was a surprise, we actually had sunshine all afternoon!  I did get some more annuals and got them all planted.  The yard is looking very colorful now. 🙂  The rain came back last night, but the forecast for today shows a low chance of the wet stuff.  

Happy 31st Anniversary @lobsternight!

Maureen @RMLincoln I'm glad your DH's eye pressure is somewhat lower this morning and hope the trend continues.

Sandi @StLouisCruisers Love the graduation tree!

Vanessa @JazzyV How wonderful -- almost 9 hours!!  This is what we've all been praying for.

Susan @durangoscots I was sorry to hear you were ill, but glad you're feeling somewhat better.  I know it takes awhile to get our stamina back!

Annie @marshhawk I'm so sorry to hear your news.  Praying for Chuck and for you.

I got the latest update about Amber a few minutes ago -- a big step forward -- she was moved from ICU to the PT floor yesterday!  She's continuing to show slight movement on her left side too.  The swelling continues, giving her headaches and in turn raising her blood pressure again.  So they're working on that.  But all in all, steps forward. 🙂  

31 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

The dummy mostly picked on Mike calling him a loser but there was a gentleman from the audience chosen for the card trick.  

I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a very long time.

Yes, "loser" seems to be the dummy's word of choice. 😂 He also flirted a lot with the man's girlfriend. 😉  

2 hours ago, kazu said:

Portland night our entertainer was Mike Robinson from Halifax.  My understanding is he was called in when one of the dancers had passport issues.  

 

I don’t know how to describe Mike except to say he is as funny as heck and a very talenteted ventriloquist.  I was laughing so hard that only after did I fully comprehend the difficulty of what he was doing.

 

If you have the chance to see him - go.  He is very talented and very funny.

Yes, he's so talented -- and funny.  We saw him a few times during the Grand Australia.  Did the dummy pick on and insult someone in the audience?  On our cruise it was a gentleman who throughout the cruise yelled out from the audience at our Cruise and Travel Director Daniel.  It was obvious this gentleman was chosen to be harassed by the dummy, as he was sitting down front instead of his usual seat in the balcony.  We all laughed SO hard!

A quick hello this (late) morning.

Good selection of days, but I'll pass on the meal and drink.  Not sure about the SB, but I'd certainly try it!  Have not been to Japan.

I think I'll head out and get some more annuals....I know, it's a sickness...😂  The sun is actually shining but for how long?

Hoping to hear something from Guest Services soon about the bad video we bought on the Grand Australia.  Very disappointing to get it home and find out it doesn't work. 😞 

Prayers for all on the Care List and cheers for all who are celebrating! 

2 hours ago, Gibbie42 said:

It will stay Smart Casual until you're actually underway, then they'll add in Dressy Nights. 

1 hour ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

Or, as with my most recent past voyages, they may add them before departure, and then supplement, delete, and move them either before and or after departure. All depends on the ship staffs’ personal work flow/style. 

Correct answers.  Just expect 1-2 Dressy Nights per week and plan accordingly.  

Good morning all!

Another rainy day here, even "chance of snow showers" tomorrow....I'll believe that when I see it.  Don't think it's going to happen!

All very important days, I'll pass on the meal but would like the drink.  I'd like the wine too, if it isn't sweet.  We haven't been to the port (thank you Brenda @bennybear for the great photos).

Not much on the agenda today, we need to go to the Commissary for a few things, and then I'll most likely work on upcoming trips.  We have a Yellowstone trip coming up before the next cruise.  

Prayers for all on the care list and cheers for all who are celebrating!

They did this on the Volendam, but it could have been because it was a Grand Voyage.  It would be nice if it was done on all cruises.

I bought one of HAL’s new vases on the Grand Australia.  The tulips in my garden are all done, but here it is with some of my lilacs. 
 

Back of vase

25 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Carolyn, that is definitely good news about Amber.  I hope she can regain full use of her felt side, and can keep her BP down.

Thank you Lenda.  Yes, she's definitely headed in the right direction!  She has a way to go, but this is the best news I've heard since this all started.  

Good morning all!

A good selection of days. There are no small dogs in our extended family, only large spoiled dogs (but well-trained).  I like the quote, will pass on the drink, red wine and meal (love shrimp but I like cauliflower in smaller doses). We've been to Greenland on the VOV, but not to Illulissat.  Thank you Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser and Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the fantastic photos. That glacier -- wow!!   Sandi, we saw those cottony plants all over too.  They're called Eriophorum Angustifolium or Cottongrass or Cottonsedge.  So interesting!  

Yesterday I went to Flower World, my favorite nursery -- but dangerous to go there, it's like a Disneyland for gardeners 😉  I got annuals to fill my many pots, and even got them planted yesterday afternoon.  Good thing, because today looks like we'll get rain most of the day.

Karen @luvteaching Thank you for posting your Chocolate Snickerdoodle recipe last night.  I grew up with Snickerdoodles, but I think I'd like the chocolate version more. 🙂 

Latest update about Amber (sounds good!)

Good morning all!

As Karen @luvteaching said, it's a dreary day here.  I may do a nursery run to my favorite nursery and look for some annuals to plant.

Three worthy days to celebrate.  I'll pass on the red wine, would like to try the second drink recipe, and the 2nd meal recipe.  We were in Hobart on February 27 on the Grand Australia.  We had a great tour to the Botanical Gardens and to the top of Mt. Wellington.  After the tour DH and I took advantage of the cooler weather (compared to what we'd been having) and walked into town to pick up some things at a drugstore.  We really enjoyed that day!

Happy Birthday and safe drive Debbie @dfish!

Roy @rafinmd I'm delighted that your PSA numbers are trending down -- great news!

Vanessa @JazzyV Wonderful that you slept 7 hours last night!!  That must be a record, and I'm so happy for you.

Here are some photos of our day in Hobart.

I tried to find photos different from the great photos already posted by Sandi @StLouisCruisers

Botanical Gardens

I was fascinated by this plant "Banksia".  It was all over Australia, different colors depending on where it grows.  Here the flowers were yellow.  Other areas had orange or red.

Our guide in the gardens.  I loved all the huge palms.

View from Mt. Wellington

Our guide referred to this as a "Loo with a view" 😅

The lovely Volendam

Volendam docked in Hobart

Our walk into town after the tour

Hobart wharves

Government House

Maureen @RMLincoln my condolences on the loss of your DSIL.  Even when expected, all loss is hard for those left behind.

I had a nice lunch and visit with my friend, a previous co-worker.  She had some big news since I last saw her.  She's lost 45 pounds, and will be having weight loss surgery in June.  I'm very proud of her! 

In other news, DH and I decided today to watch the cruise video we bought on the Grand Australia.  Hmm...It played the first 45 minutes (almost half) only to get the message that it's a corrupt video 😞  So DH put in a call to HAL, and they will contact Volendam photo.  As he told them, we just want a good video, not our $50 returned. 

Good morning all!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's another rainy morning here in the PNW 😉  

Good selection of days -- DH and I did our DNA a few years ago, it's interesting to have that info.  I have several local hairstylists I use, and on the Grand Australia I got my hair cut and styled 3 times (!).  I had the same gentleman all 3 times, and he did a good job.  But oh boy was I glad we had a lot of OBC!  The prices are so much higher than I pay at home.  

I would like the drink, meal and as I said yesterday, Marlborough SB is my absolute favorite.  We have been to Santorini several times, I'll try to find photos that aren't too similar to the ones already posted.

Happy Birthday Maurice!  @ger_77

Terry @smitty34877 I was sorry to hear that Tana has had a few days of increased difficulty but glad you have extra help right now.

Annie @marshhawk Yay on Chuck's cancer receding! Great news.

@Haljo1935 I was sorry to hear that you had to cancel your cruises, but your health comes first.

Vanessa @JazzyV I think it makes sense that post surgery it would be uncomfortable to sleep in your bed.  I'm glad that the recliner does the trick, and most of all, that it's incision discomfort, not the pain and tingling now. I love that your BFF is there to help you.

@Cruzin Terri I hope you get answers from the doctor today.  Here the pharmacists do a "consult" or whatever they call it.  They are the ones who explain how to take a drug and any information you need to know.  They always ask if we need the info -- (usually we don't, but for new drugs we do).

@Sharon in AZ I was very sorry to hear that your DM isn't feeling well.  Sending hugs and prayers.

@Hogladyrider We have used a PCC at HAL for years.  After 20 years we're now on our 4th PCC.  They've all been very good, some better than others but no problems.

I have an update on Amber -- She is alert, talking, joking, and her personality seems unchanged. 🙂🙂   The downside is she still can't move her left side...they did another MRI, I'm waiting to hear the results of that.  Also still trying to get her blood pressure down.  The doctors are a bit baffled, they're wondering now if it was in fact a stroke or something else.  

Today I'm meeting a friend for lunch, not much else on the agenda other than housework.

We've been to Santorini at least 3 times and have enjoyed every visit. We've rented a car and gone to wineries, a tour to Akrotiri, and just browsing the shops and lunch.   Here are the photos I shared last time.

Jacqui, I'm so glad things have worked out in the MDR for you!  

Also that you're enjoying the PG 🙂  You have a different PG Manager than we had -- the last one left when we did, on the 6th.  It was the only problem we ever had in 94 days on the Volendam -- previously booked reservations for January 24 were canceled (my birthday dinner) for a group onboard.  To say I was disappointed and mad is putting it mildly.  (and yes, I did put in a formal complaint and got a good response).  They admitted it was "human error"....

Also it's great that you have a new Piano Man -- the last one was terrible!  

29 minutes ago, 0106 said:

After comments from @Cruising-along about her favorite Sauvignon Blanc regions and an informative post by @XBGuy, I thought I’d chime in too.  I was amazed by the Sauvignon Blanca I drank in Chile.

29 minutes ago, 0106 said:

have a difficult time describing why I like a wine but there was very little citrus, I would describe it as grassy.

Tina I also have a hard time describing why I like a wine.  I do know that I've found the CA and French SBs never have the "zip" that I like in the NZ and Chile SBs. They seem very bland in comparison.    Whether or not that "zip" is grapefruit, I don't know (I'm not fond of grapefruit, so it would surprise me if it is).  What it boils down to is we all like what we like, and I'm not swayed by ratings.  It's also not popular to like any oak flavor in the wine, and I like it (but just a touch). 🤷‍♀️

Good morning all!

The clouds are rolling in, our sunny days are gone for awhile.  Also will be at least 10 degrees cooler today than yesterday.  I finally have no more excuses and will tackle some indoor chores.  Also have a dental cleaning appointment this afternoon.

I think I've become a SB snob 🤣.  It's my wine of choice but only certain ones LOL.  Choice number 1 is Marlborough NZ, 2nd choice Chile SB.  I don't care much for CA or French SB.  Interesting about St. Mark's Eve, and I hope all lab animals are treated humanely.  Good quote, but I agree with Gerry @ger_77 about the "enormous demands".  😉  

I love salmon cakes (and all fish cakes) and would prefer the 2nd recipe over the others.  It's similar to the way I make mine.  Mimosas are good, will pass on the red wine.  Have been to Norway a few times but never Leknes.

Vanessa @JazzyV I'm absolutely thrilled that you are doing so well and that there's no pain or tingling!!  Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

15 minutes ago, JazzyV said:

Next thing I know, it's 6AM! I slept about 7 hours in the recliner, and had another nap after posting the Cares List, so almost 9 hours of sleep! I'm sure some of that was from the anesthesia. Best of all - NO LEG PAIN! No tingling either.

Thank God!!!!

Prayers that this is the beginning of much, much better days ahead for you. 

Good morning all!

This will be our last sunny day for awhile, so I plan to get outside as much as possible.  The laundry and everything else can wait. 😉 

Good selection off days -- I don't have English muffins often, but when I do I like them with Apricot jam.  I had never heard of Doctor Who before.  Will pass on the drink, red wine and meal (not a fan of ginger) and don't agree with the quote.  We were in Kona in 2010.  

Happy birthday Annie @marshhawk!

Happy birthday Charlene @cunnorl!

Vanessa @JazzyV Thank you for checking in with us last night after getting home from surgery, and I hope every day gets better and better for you.  You're amazing!

Terry @smitty34877 I'm very glad you have family there and that you're getting all that help. 🙂 

Elizabeth @Haljo1935 I hope your eye procedure goes well.

Maureen @RMLincoln I hope your DH's eye surgery goes well.

So sorry about the MDR problems Jacqui!  As Susan @durangoscots said, there was quite a turn-over in stewards before you boarded.  We had excellent stewards (and food) all through the Grand Australia -- I wonder if the chef changed too?!  Hope things get worked out soon for you. 

Loving following, thanks for bringing us along!