irishjim

1 hour ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

When we came home from the Zuiderdam with Covid, DH was feeling mildly ill and we both tested negative. The next day I felt off too, and we both tested positive. The body seems to react to the virus sooner than the home tests do.

Get  well soon.

                         Jim.

27 minutes ago, garlictown said:

We are finally home and now need a vacation from the vacation. 👍Thank you for The Daily, Rich @richwmnand to Roy @rafinmdfor the Care and Celebration Lists.

DH and I flew to Chicago, picked up the car and then the adventures began. ✔️I had some Bucket List items like Graceland and Beale Street, a Cards vs Jays game in St. Louis -plus the Arch, several Civil War battlefields in TN, Springfield and the Lincoln Museum, Pella, Iowa and windmills, etc. 😲We covered 8 states. 🙃 

 🙏Prayers to all in need and especially Ukraine.🙏

Katie

You  both look really  good.

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

We have been to Dover five times, four of which were BHBs and once was on Tahitian Princess.  The fifth time, on Noordam III in 2004 does not count as that was disembarkation day when we flew out of Gatwick.

 

Our first visit to Dover was in 2004 when it was also a port day for Noordam III, and IIRC, it was a turnaround day, too.  That day, we took the train into London, and took the Big Bus Ho-Ho around town.  The pictures from London that day and other of my London pictures were posted earlier, so I won't repeat them.  There are a few pictures I took of Dover as we sailed in and sailed out of port.

 

We saw this sailing ship as we entered the port area.

 

The lighthouse at the port entrance

 

Dover Castle which overlooks Dover.  If you look in the side of the hill below the castle, you can make out a couple of entrances to the tunnels below the castle.

 

Of course, the famous White Cliffs of Dover.

 

Our next visit to Dover was on Prinsendam in 2008.  We had a transfer to London booked, but the ship was very late docking.  It was extremely windy that day and the wind kept pushing us off the dock.  With the help of a tug or two, we finally docked an hour or two late.  We decided to stay in town and tour Dover Castle.  We then walked around town and took a local bus to Canterbury.  The pictures from Canterbury will be in a different post.  BTW, we took a shuttle to and from the castle.

 

Walking up to the castle entrance.

 

Dover from the Castle

 

One of the courtyards

 

Dover Castle has been used to defend Dover and England for centuries.  These two pictures show the contrast in firepower from many centuries ago and from WWII.

 

 

The tunnels under the castle have also been used for defense, especially during WWII.  We were able to go into a couple of tunnels.  This is the entrance to one.

 

Dover from our walk through town to the bus and back to the ship.

 

 

 

 

When we were in Dover on Tahitian Princess in 2009, we did a tour into London, and I didn't get any good pictures of Dover from the bus.

 

The last time we were in Dover was in 2017 on the Prinsendam.  That day we rented a car and drove to Brighton and back along the coast.  We even stopped at the Chunnel, but did not have time to drive under the Channel and back.  These pictures were taken on our soggy walk to the car rental office.

 

 

The final picture was taken in 2008 from Dover Castle of our home away from home.  This was before they enclosed the back of the Lido and added the cabins above the MDR.

 

Lenda

Thank you  for very  nice  photos.

I wish I  knew how  to  space photos  like  you.

                                                                             Jim.

48 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

The island of Rhodes.  

 

These pictures were taken as we drove along the north side of the island.

 

Near the far end of the north shore, we stopped at a small harbor with a café where we had a coke.  There was a Lycean tomb in the hill by the harbor.  Lycean tombs are not normally found on Rhodes.

It is the area of the hill that looks manmade.

 

We saw the runs of Kritinia Castle on the hill near the harbor; so we drove up there but did not go inside.

 

A secluded beach which I think is on the south shore.

 

I'm not sure where these were taken, but I thought they were interesting.  It might have been in Rhodes Town or one of the villages the taxi driver showed us.in 2003.

 

A view of Lindos from an overlook up in the hills

 

Lindos from the parking lot on the main road

 

And finally, our elegant home away from home

 

Lenda

Thank you  so  much for  these beautiful  photos.

41 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  I've been trying to keep up here with our ship Wi-fi while I still have it.  Congrats to @AncientWandereron that new little GS.  The parents are probably happy he was in such a big hurry, as long as they made it to the hospital on time. 

 

Debby @dfishI'm hoping to hear some good news from you later, that all went well and you're feeling okay.  While I was typing I see you posted.  Good luck!!

 

Last night I WhatsApped my twin and asked how Buddy was doing because last I heard he had a bone scan that showed "something".  She said he had a biopsy which showed the same cancer as his throat cancer.  He's been in so much pain he hadn't slept in forever.  Yesterday the oncologist said take him to to Mercy Hospital about 50 minutes from her house and the ER would be ready for him.  They have tried morphine, Dilaudid, and Valium with a pain patch which finally let him sleep.  A Neurologist was coming in to see him and possibly do back surgery.  No new reports this morning.  I'm worried to death about him. 

 

Dining has been a real issue onboard.  They might not have enough crew to handle this many guests.  Long waits in line to get into lunch in MDR or even dinner.  Lucky for us we arranged a certain table at a set time so I'm thankful for that.  But I see so many people waiting in line for a table each night.  Yesterday at lunch we waited 40 minutes to get into the MDR to eat.  They were running around like crazy trying to get us all fed.  Food has been only average too.  At least we don't have to prepare it and clean up afterwards, though.  Hoping they work out the kinks as we go along.

 

Take care everyone!

I will pray him that  he gets  free  of  pain.

  and  gets  better

                               Jim.

2 hours ago, Cat in my lap said:

Thanks for the Daily!

 

Debbie @dfishbest wishes for a successful surgery!

+1

3 hours ago, Mr. Boston said:

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit and thanks for the daily report.  Dare day a d flip a coin day sound like perfect childhood summer pursuits. I’ve actually seen the Heimlich used successfully on someone choking in a restaurant so it definitely deserves a day.  I love the quote.  No to the meal and yes to the drink.  I haven’t been to Rhodes and look forward to seeing the photos. Prayers for everyone on today’s prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events. 

I saw  this  move  used   in  they dining  room on MS  Koningsdam.

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

As the crew would say:  "Lovely couple".  

 

What are the first two photos?  We "foodies" have inquiring mind.

 

A couple slices of an Olive on a Birthday treat?  That's a creative thought on the part of a pastry chef.  

My  Wife asked  for  a   desert. 

And  they  are  not  olives  on  the cake

could  be  figs.  If  they  had been  olives it  would have gone  back.

1 hour ago, Cruising-along said:

How exciting, congratulations!  (you know we expect to see photos, right?)

 

 

+1

so  sorry I got  the  wrong cruise  we  left  Amber  Cove on  our  way  to

our  next  port in  the  Caribian.  

9 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

This wheelchair will have a new home this afternoon with someone who needs it very badly.  The best part is that I don’t have to send it and we will meet and make the switch in about three hours.

Terri

That  is  great  news it  will  help.

                                                       And thank you  so  much for  the photo.

                                                                                                                   Jim

9 minutes ago, wandrr said:

Where were these taken?

 

There might be two different birds, both boobies.

 

One is a Brown Booby (with the totally black head) and the other is probably a Masked Booby or Red-footed Booby (with the white head). Knowing the location will help.

 

Can't help you with the "chicks" in the middle pictures.    😉

I took  them  on  the

prom deck  on  MS Koningsdam  some  where on  the  way  to Hawai.

13 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Question for Canadian Dailyites.  I know Victoria Day was last week but have a feeling it is not the same as our Memorial Day.  When do you honour your war dead.  I think in the UK it's in November with poppies always sold on QM2.   Same for you?

 

Roy

November  11th  and  wear  a  red  poppy the  same  as  uk.

52 minutes ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Thank you for your suggestion.  However, I put this out to this group because I feel very comfortable here.  I do not want to put it out to a group of people with whom I am not familiar and may not be able to trust.  Cruise Critic is just too big for me to do that.  

No one here has taken me up on the offer.  

I hope you understand my reasoning.

Terri

 

Do  you  have  a  photo  of  the  chair assembled.

                                                                                   Thanks  Jim.

2 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

Today is Memorial Day and my Birthday 🙂 

+1

4 hours ago, HAL4NOW said:

My DW and I will be donating blood today in honor of those who have sacrificed their blood for us.

+1

2 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I am putting this out for anyone who is interested.  I hope I am not breaking any rules.

We have a WHEELCHAIR IN A BAG that we no longer need.  We used to use it for my BIL when he would travel with us, even on a plane.  It is almost new.

it folds up into a bag and is about the size of a golf bag and we have sent it through on a plane and have used it on a cruise.   

We are willing to GIVE IT AWAY to anyone who can use it.  

it is in perfect condition.

If any of you have a need for something like this and are interested, please contact me by clicking on my email link below my name.  We can work out the logistics of getting it to you.

Again.  i am not looking to sell it.  I am offering it free of charge.

i live in South Carolina, near Hilton Head, right by the Georgia border.  If someone nearby wants it, it would be an easy drive to get it to you.  If not we could figure out how to send it.

Again, I hope I am not breaking any rules.

Terri

How  thoughtful I  am  sure someone  could  use  it.

                                                               God  bless you, Jim.

3 hours ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

It turns out, I did not post any pictures on February 19, 2022, when Raiatea was the port of the day.  All my pictures were too similar to what @StLouisCruisers Sandi, and others posted that day.  Instead, the pictures below are Sandi's pictures, and I'll let her explanation, speak for itself.  Her post is in Italics.

 

On April 12, 2017 the Maasdam stopped in Uturoa, Raiatea, French Polynesia.  This is what it looked like from the top deck of the ship that morning.

 

This cheery group played and sang for us as we departed the ship.

 

We went to that little cafe right next to the ship for something to drink and to try their wife but unfortunately it was not working very well. 

 

 

It looked like you get do some type of excursion by taking a boat ride from here.

 

Across the street was this tent with a crowd gathered so we went to see what was going on.  

 

More music and dancing!

 

 

Everyone was having a good time

 

After listening for a while we went into the adjoining building where the marketplace was.

 

 

 

As we left the building we noticed our ship master, Captain van Dreumel had arrived for a Welcome to Raiatea ceremony.  He was dressed appropriately for this island tradition.

 

Where the dancing had gone on before, now everyone was seated and paying attention to the proceedings.

 

It looked like the Captain received a plaque.

 

After the ceremony we walked a few blocks around town just taking it all in.

 

It's always fun to check out a grocery store!

 

 

 

Shopping "kiosks" near the ship

 

 

 

Lovely fabrics were for sale here.

 

Nearing mid day it was getting too darn hot so we decided to board the ship.  No wifi was found that morning, sad to say.  But even worse, we saw an ambulance near the gangway taking a sick passenger away.  This is not something you would like to experience so far away from home.

 

I do hope they weren't too ill and made it back to the ship before we sailed.  

Great  photos  thank  you.

                                             Jim.

3 minutes ago, irishjim said:

Wishing  you  a  wonderful  Birthday and  many more.

1 hour ago, seagarsmoker said:

Thanks for the Daily Report!

Today is my wife's birthday. So, we booked a cruise for next year to celebrate my birthday.  😀 

Wishing  you  a  wonderful  Birthday and  many.

1 hour ago, 4966and556 said:

I agree about the "ignore" feature.  My husband and I went out for burgers for supper.

 

Wife  and  me  had  Burgers last  night Yum.

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Terri, the Daily isn't like many of the other threads.  We have Dailyites who cruise other cruise lines, those who cruse HAL exclusively and those like DH and myself cruise HAL and other lines.  All are welcome on the Daily, and all contribute to the thread.

 

You are definitely part of the Daily family.

 

Lenda

+1

1 hour ago, Cruzin Terri said:

All of a sudden i am feeling less comfortable here.  

I thought we got past this yesterday.  

Terri

Please  will  some  one  change  this they  cant  let  it rest.

                                                                                                     Jim.

I thought the  same.