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irishjim

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Posts posted by irishjim

  1. 1 hour ago, Trish Traveler said:

    Con’t. CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA  Saturday 3/2   7AM-2PM

     

    From here it was a fairly short ride back to the port (Saturday traffic a bit better than weekday).  We thanked and tipped Dora, her assistant and driver for this amazing tour giving us so much interesting information about the vibrant city of Cartagena, old and new.  We were so glad we took this tour because of the small size, excellent info and pride Dora shared about her home, and the amount of places we were able to visit in a short amount of time (the tour is 3 ½ - 4 hours).  Granted we only touched the surface, but definitely got a wonderful snapshot of the Colombian history, diversity, beauty and culture.  This tour does move fast, so you need to keep up, and although we had brief pauses in the old city as Dora narrated, you mostly have to take photos on the go.  As we may never have an opportunity to return, this was a perfect tour for us.  Thank you Dora the Explorer for sharing your vibrant city.

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    As Dora promised we would be back in plenty of time to view the Ecopark at the port before our 1:30pm all aboard.  What a delight this place is.  It’s a destination in itself.  It’s also like a botanical garden with all the beautiful tropical foliage.  Many of birds are free to roam, whereas some are in screened aviary structures.  One of the first buildings we encountered had an employee with a baby sloth resting on a stuffed animal.  Cuteness overload.  Of course you couldn’t actually hold the sloth, you were able to hold the stuffed animal to snap a photo, for a donation.  Birds, birds, birds everywhere.  So many varieties of Macaws, Toucan, more Peacocks, Flamingos etc.  There is an area where you can purchase sunflower seeds for $2 to feed the Macaws.  After watching for a while, I decided to attempt that.  They will either eat out of your hand or walk onto your arm.  I found their claws painful on bare skin.  Personally wouldn’t recommend that.   Here you will find a large photo op COLOMBIA sign.

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    I never realized that Peacocks could perch in trees!  Look closely to spot them:

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    HI Trish.   Love your photos and review. What type of Camera do you use.

    Thank you in advance. Jim.

     

     

     

       photos

  2. 3 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

    Good morning friends!  It's 32F and it will be a sunny day with a high of 60.  Spring begins at 11:06 pm tonight.  DD took down the St. Patrick's Day tree and put up the Easter/Spring tree.  I'll post photos at the end of this post.🐰

     

    Thanks go to Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for today's Daily and Fleet Report as well as the maps. I recognize the good work of certified nurses, international clients who help make our businesses a success and would love to have someone read to me.  Another twisted Oscar Wilde quote.  I'm sure someone will enjoy the chicken dish with polenta. Long Island Iced Teas are pretty potent aren't they?  Not a fan of chardonnay unfortunately. Good info on the days in history.  Thank you Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard for the great reporting each day.

     

    Prayers for our Care list people and I do like to mention you all by name.  Also for the people at war in Israel and Ukraine, and their hostages still held, plus for the safety of our troops in the region.  And certainly for DB, great nephew Alex's twin boys, my friends Scott and Susan, and for Bob's widow Sandy.  She is struggling with all the paper work for pension problems and the life insurance people.  They all just want you to get frustrated and go away, don't they?  So many prayers and I hope for improvement in all situations!🙏

     

    Cheers to our folks celebrating happy events like birthdays 🎂 and anniversaries and to all who are cruising or preparing to. 🚢 Enjoy!  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the Care and Celebration list keeping.  Wonderful job every day.  I hope your pain issues can be addressed again before things get too bad.

     

    The port of the day is Colombo, Sri Lanka.  It was our port before on June 19, 2022.  I have missed that port before due to various reasons, Covid cancellation being one of them.  Here is the link for your convenience in retrieving your photos.  Thanks in advance!

     

     

    This morning we have our roofer coming over once the frost on the roof is gone to replace the boots around the vent pipes up there.  Apparently they don't last forever so best to get that done before total failure.  I hope you all have a successful day.  Stay safe and keep well.  

     

    Here's the latest celebration tree.  Sorry Debbie about the carrots!

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    Beautiful. Irish Jim.

    • Like 11
  3. 4 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

    Thanks so much to all who post here, and a special thank you to Jacqui @kazuand Roy @rafinmd for your extra work and willingness to help all.

     

    This is a note to tell all of you what you probably already know: the people on the HAL message boards are the most consistently friendly, polite, respectful, and happy posters at sea (or who are at least thinking about the sea). On certain other boards there seems to be a constant battle between those who complain and those who think everything on their line of choice is perfect.

     

    On the HAL boards, even criticisms are reasonable and thoughtful, and usually posted with either the hope of some change, or with some relief just to have others who will listen.

     

    Although I post on several other HAL boards, I don't often post here; but we have pretty much resolved to stick with HAL for our future cruising. Next: Jewels of the Baltic in May on the Nieuw Statendam. Hope to see some of you at some time! 

    Bill

    I agree with you. Irish Jim.

    • Like 10
  4. 7 hours ago, kazu said:

    HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!!!

     

    The day is worthy of celebration for sure.  I wish I had thought to buy corned beef and cabbage but it really is too much food for one person.  I do love it though.

     

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    LOL on the quote - wouldn’t it be great if it were true?  Raining here and it’s either rain, snow or a mix on St. Paddy’s day normally.  It seems to be a tradition.  I have a hard time recalling when it didn’t.  Lots of tasks to do inside so it’s no biggie.

     

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    Prayers for those on the Care list, those suffering losses, grief, pain, health problems, worries & those that need them 🙏. Cheers to those celebrating and cruising 🥂 

     

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    Love the Irish cat  Irish Jim.

    • Like 12
  5. 33 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

    Good morning and Happy Sunday.  I’m Smiling Golden Balls and Craig is Cheerful Rainbow Lips on this St Patrick’s Day. 
     

    Happy Anniversary to @irishjim and his DW!

     

    Bon Voyage @Scrapnana!
     

    We are having corned beef today but no cabbage with mashed potatoes. I have the corned beef in the crockpot right now, I’ll be adding carrots in a bit, and it will be ready for us at lunch. I always buy the uncured corned beef at TJ’s, it’s a bit more expensive than the regular one but well worth it, and I have a second one in the freezer for next month. I’m also going to make soda bread. I have some Irish butter and Dubliner cheddar to go with everything. 


    Debbie @dfish, can you share your recipe for the Beef and Guinness Stew?  Sounds yummy. I have one but it’s a pot pie recipe. 
     

    Thank you to Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser, Jacqui @kazu, and Debbie @dfish for all your kind words last night when I was so frustrated with my day Friday with my DM. At this point I’m not going to reach out to her PCP. I think she would be really upset and I’m just going to wait and see for now. Part of the problem with this last outing is that we did too much in one day. I know better and plan to not do that again. She gets frustrated and I get stressed and tired. 
     

    Have a great St Patrick’s Day!

    Thanks. Jim.

    • Like 12
  6. 1 hour ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

    🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

    OMGOSH!! Just precious!! look at that smile and such sweet eyes! GOD BLESS HER!

    🌺🌺🌺🌺Aloha Baby Murphy!

    This beautiful little girl has come a long way and mad God keep blessing her.

                                                                                         Jim.

    • Like 12
    • Thanks 1
  7. 5 hours ago, travelnap said:

    Jaqui, I hope your ankle heals quickly and you are able to enjoy the cruise in a few days.  Gerry, I hope your travel problems work out and you are able to make it in time for the cruise.  I think this cruise is haunted with the troubles you both are having before it even starts.  Thoughts and prayers for both of you and I do hope you are both able to enjoy the cruise.  Bon Voyage.

    +1

    • Like 2
  8. 3 hours ago, dfish said:

    Good morning, everyone!   

     

    It is supposed to be cool and overcast today, but that's ok as long as it isn't raining.  I went and got more small boxes yesterday as well as a new coffee pot.  The old one developed a leak.  I also made arrangements for pick up of some bulky items today and got those to the curb.  Scavengers reduced the load a bit.  All the utilities for both houses have been contacted and we will have lights and water in the new house when we move in.  Today's agenda is more of the same.  

     

    We are definitely in soup and stew season.  Soup is wonderful on a blustery autumn or winter day.  Today's soup is full of goodness.   

     

    Arborio rice is a variety of short-grain rice used primarily in the classical preparation of risotto. Named after the area in Italy where it was originally cultivated, today the rice is also grown in the U.S. in states such as California and Texas. Arborio rice is short, fat, and slightly oval-shaped with a pearly white exterior. There are various size designations, of which super fino—the largest grain size—is the one most commonly used in the United States.

     

    Arborio rice is high in amylopectin, a starch present in rice. Because it undergoes less milling than ordinary long-grain rice, arborio retains more of its natural starch content. Cooking the rice releases this starch, resulting in a firmer, chewier, and creamier rice compared to other kinds of rice. Arborio rice is a little less than double the cost of regular long-grain white rice.  https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-arborio-rice-995971

     

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    Our first recipe comes from Taste of Home and is full of good vegetables and protein.  Rice and beans together make a complete protein, so no need to add meat to the dish.   It is a little carb heavy for those watching the carbs.  The good news is the beans really aren't all that bad because of the fiber content.  https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/arborio-rice-and-white-bean-soup/

     

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    The next one uses different ingredients, but I'm sure it is equally tasty and satisfying. https://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/white-bean-and-arborio-rice-soup/

     

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    And this one has a tomato broth.  https://dirtygourmet.com/2010/03/29/arborio-rice-and-white-bean-vegetable-soup/

     

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    Last, but not least, I want to wish Graham @grapau27 a very happy birthday!   Enjoy dinner with your Sarah.   

     

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    Wishing you all a very good day.

    +1

    • Like 7
  9. 3 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

    Good morning friends!  I have exercised, eaten breakfast, said my prayers and need to shower and get ready for our dental appointments.  Not much time to dawdle.  Thanks to everyone for their contributions here each day.  I hope Lenda and Steve will have good reports for us today.  Happy anniversary to @seagarsmokerand the Mrs.   A big shoutout to all on Roy's Celebration list today.  

    Ashdod, Israel is the port of the day and here is the link for the last time we saw it, April 29, 2021.

     

    I went to Ashdod in 2014 on our Holy Land cruise on the Prinsendam.  It was our first voyage on Holland America and it was Black Sea and Holy Land B2B.  We were originally booked on the Ocean Princess to go to the Black Sea and the Holy Land but due to political unrest that year Princess cancelled Egypt ports and most of the Black Sea ports and just substituted Greek Isles ports instead.  So we cancelled them and took a chance on the Prinsendam, and loved it!

     

     

    In Ashdod on October 26, 2014 we immediately left the port for our drive to Jerusalem.  I only have a few photos around the ship of the tugs, etc.  This is about all you can expect from there.  Maybe someone else has spent more time there and can give you an overview of the town.enhance

     

    Arriving at an overlook of the city of Jerusalem we stopped to listen to our guide and take in the view.

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    According to my notes we next stopped at the Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony.  It's a Roman Catholic church located on the Mount of Olives next to the Garden of Gethsemane.  enhance

     

    The church has beautiful murals on its facade.  enhance

     

    The olive trees in the Garden of Gethsemane are many hundreds of years old.enhance

     

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    Seen off to the side and on the hillside slightly above the Basilica of the Agony, is the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.  This is one of Jerusalem's most picturesque sights due to its seven gilded onion domes, each topped by a tall Russian Orthodox cross.enhance

     

    Interior of the Basilica including the high altar overlooking a large slab of rock, which is said to be the very rock on which Jesus prayed in agony on the night of his betrayal.enhance

     

    I borrowed this photo of the rock because mine was blurry.enhance

     

    We got on the bus to move on to view the Catholic Cemetery, but I got this photo of the Basilica and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene from the road next to the cemetery.  Gives you a good perspective.enhance

     

    The Catholic Cemeteryenhance

     

    And here is the Tower of David, Jerusalem's citadel, located near the Jaffa Gate on the western side of the old city wall.enhance

     

    Continuing in Jerusalem, we got off the bus and walked through the Jaffa Gate, walking past stalls and shops.  enhance

     

    Entrance to a convent.enhance

     

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    Very well worn stone pathways.enhance

     

    There was a huge gift shop we were allowed to look around in for some time but I stayed outside most of the time taking photos of fountains and small stalls.  From there we walked to the Holy Sepulchre Church which is believed to be the site where Jesus Christ was crucified and buried.enhance

     

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    Inside the Church we saw the Crucifixion Altarenhance

     

    and the Tomb of Jesusenhance

     

    We continued on with the tour for several more hours and I have a lot more photos but wanted to cut to the end where we went to the Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall). enhance

     

    The area was divided with women on one half and men on the other.enhance

     

    From there we walked back through a different gate to our bus and the drive back to our new home away from home, the Prinsendam.  There really is too much to see and learn about on these tours so it is somewhere we should try to visit again.  It was the same way in Haifa when we went to Nazareth and the Jordan River.  I recommend a Holy Land cruise to everyone.  

     

    Sorry this post is so long!

     

     

     

    The  longer  the better for me.Awsome  photos. Thank you so  much,

                                                                                                                            Jim. 

    • Like 8
    • Thanks 1
  10. 1 hour ago, dfish said:

     

    Thanks, Sandi.  I have made a honey mustard salmon before and a salmon dish that calls for spinach, blistered tomatoes, and heavy cream.  Mmmmm.   The work will all be worth it when the move is completed.  I can take my time unpacking.  

     

     

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    Thank you so much!   I just hope a cat doesn't jump out of one of these boxes. That would mean I stole it from someone!

     

    @Seasick Sailor

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    +1

    • Like 7
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