gsrunyan
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Posts posted by gsrunyan
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Before you purchase a DSLR, you might want to consider a "bridge" camera. A Canon 50SX or the Sony HX400. They cost about half of your budget and can produce excellent results. For example:
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/116744117
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154203615
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/144012394
After using a bridge for a while, then you can try a more expensive DSLR.
Glenn:cool:
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Fishing Boats in Funchal, Madeira
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154203615
15th Century buildings in Northern France surrounding the boat basin originally shelter for fishing boats
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154211910
The not so white cliffs of Dover
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154223925
Amsterdam and perhaps Rembradt's best know painting "Night Watch"
http://www.pbase.com/gsrunyan/image/154254010
Glenn:cool:
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We celebrated by selling our house to escape the heat, humidity and cockroaches of the South and moved to Colorado to be with our daughter and her children.
Cockroaches don't survive the winters here and we have 4 seasons here compared 1 in the South.
Glenn:cool:
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The gates to the old Jewish Ghetto are still there. The main, largest, synagogue has police has police in front to discourage bomb attempts and admission is carefully controlled. There is a kosher restaurant as well as a kosher pizzeria(!) in the old ghetto.
Glenn:cool:
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200
Glenn:cool:
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I'm not the only one who objects to selfies:
http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150121-the-scourge-of-the-selfie
Glenn:cool:
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Selfie sticks are so dangerous (people swinging them around without care for others in the area) that they have been banned from several sites in both the US and Europe. Should they be banned from cruises as well?
Selfies are a different problem. Folks with their cellphones blocking access to views that photographers wish to use. Equally bad is the ignoring of photo rules: no flash or no photographs (e.g., the Hermitage, the Sistine Chapel). Should they be banned as well?
I have a cell phone. I have taken a few pictures with it. Photographs by my mirror less camera are so much better.
Glenn:cool:
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We are also on Verizon. They say they have an international add-on to your account for $40 a month. Calls from home are the same for the caller as if you were at home and your calls are not limited by number for the price.
Check with your local Verizon store.
Glenn:cool:
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On our first night on Maasdam, we joined a group of 6 we didn't know. Our service was terrible. We complained to the Manager and the next night we were in the Pinnacle. Our waiter from the previous night sought us out to apologize and so did the MDR manager. He bought us a bottle of wine.
We did not eat in the MDR the rest of the cruise.
Glenn:cool:
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I don't know where you'll be stopping but I would pack sweaters and/or sweatshirts and a rain slicker. Temperatures will be in the low 60's (except for Miami!)
Glenn:cool:
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1) Take lots of memory cards, none bigger than 16gigs (this way, if you lose one you haven't lost all you memories);
2) Try a Canon SX60. While it won't fit in a pocket, it takes outstanding photos and has an excellent zoom.
Glenn:cool:
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There is a tour of Brugge. It is CityTour, 50 minutes every half hour. Visits all the sights but is not hop on hop off. Price is 20 euros per adult- the web site says 16 euros but I am apprised by a representative that it will be 20 euros next year.
The web site is http://www.citytour.be.
Glenn:cool:
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When I retired 7 years ago, we moved. I left all my ties and dress shirts behind.
Now, when a tie is required, I wear a turtle neck shirt. Comfortable and still acceptable.
Glenn:cool:
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I was born in 1943, in the middle of WWII. My father made tanks and did not serve. Most of his friends who served are long dead.
Why do so many cruisers want to visit the Normandy beaches and/or the military cemeteries? My war was Viet Nam and so was my brother's.
I look forward to visiting cultural sites like Bayeux and the Bayeux tapestry. When in Paris, I have visited more than just the Louvre but the obscure Picasso museum or the military museum at Invalides.
So, why visit Normandy beaches?
Glenn:cool:
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HAL specifically says that you can't bring food on board. I am seriously addicted to Hershey's kisses and my wife is addicted to Werther's caramels.
Our transatlantic cruise next spring is 17 days plus 4 days in Copenhagen. Can we bring our sweets on board without being sent off or giving them up to confiscation?
Glenn:cool:
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The last time we landed in Copenhagen, we used a car service. I may have been showing off to the wife.
Are there plenty of taxis at the Copenhagen cruise Port?
I don't want a situation like our experience in Amsterdam: 5 porters for 2000 passengers and taxis only 3 at a time.
Glenn:cool:
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Anyone know or stay in the Hotel Danmark?
Glenn:cool:
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We were there 2 years ago and had a wonderful day browsing and shopping. During the summer, the boat basin is surrounded by local artisans and shopkeepers. We bought our grandson a carved wooden train where the cars spelled out his name. We had a nice lunch at one of the permanent restaurants. The houses surrounding the basin are all of medieval origin and LaSalle's retirement manor is at the base. The merry-go-round is gorgeous.
Glenn:cool:
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Two years ago, my wife broke her leg (had to be surgically repaired) and was still healing when we boarded our transatlantic cruise. She was not able to climb into the buses used for ship excursions.
At each stop, we took either a local auto tour (prearranged) or a taxi. We got to see what we wanted and the drivers generally were proud to tell you about their communities. The cost was the same or less than ship excursions.
If you ship doesn't offer a tour you would like, check local sources.
Glenn:cool:
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1) Have some idea of what you want to see and/or visit so you don't waste your time.
2) We like to bring back souvenirs for ourselves and gifts for friends and family.
3) Try some of the local foods.
Glenn:cool:
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In Tallinn, I bought a wool sweater for 1/10 the price of the same design in Norway. In Helsinki, bought an art egg (painted, not gilded). In St. Petersburg we bought a fur hat and painted box. In Holland bought cheese, Delft (at the factory) and cards at the Rijksmuseum. Tulip bulbs must have certificates or customs will seize them.
In the past we have bought souvenirs for friends: rosaries from Rome, mantillas in Spain and Salmon in both Alaska and Iceland.
Glenn:cool:
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Stayed there two years ago. Unfortunately the weather was ugly. I found the enclosed mall was busy but trashy by US standards. Our cruise ends there next year and we will stay at one of the many hotels near downtown (Tivoli). If you stay at the Crowne, take the executive option that puts you on the top floor (or near it) and gets you access to the executive lounge.
Glenn:cool:
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Depending on the time of day and day of the week, IA to the port is 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Rush hour in Miami is evil!!
Take a cab: fee is fixed by local ordinance.
Glenn:cool:
Stockholder OBC again
in Holland America Line
Posted
If you don't use all of your stockholder credit on a cruise, do you get a cash refund of the unused amount? And if you credited your account ahead of the cruise?
Glenn:cool: