Shebba

Oh wow. I'm so excited to be thinking about this. First thing we do once we get on the ship is head to our cabin, drop off our carry-ons, and head out to "explore" the ship and grab some lunch. Can't wait to be doing this is just a few short weeks!! :)

This time, since it is a much longer cruise than we have ever taken, I may make a point of reserving some spa days and secure some internet time. Want to take advantage of those embarkation sales prices.

That's ALWAYS good news!! Enjoy!!

TLCOhio - We were at the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary last December - it's not very big but you should enjoy it. They had a baby, orphaned wombat when we were there. Also very interesting watching the very powerful jaws of the Devils at work at feeding time. The roos and wallabies are tame and you can hand feed them.

Dh and I plan to visit Bonorong when we are in Hobart this November. I'm quite excited! It's fun to read a little about it from you. Can't wait!!

Love this thread. I'm pretty much a lurker here, being such an amateur myself. The discussion on ISO, f/stop, aperture has been interesting and informative for this addled brain!! So much to remember!! I like that "bucket" analogy!

June, 1990, dh and I sailed out of Miami to Western Caribbean aboard a beautiful, old ship Britanis of the cruiseline Chandris. She had a fascinating history. Launched in 1931, maiden voyage 1932, then served as a personnel transport during WWII. It was a small ship, by today's standards, but was elegant. One thing I remember most about her is the beautiful mahogany paneling throughout the ship. We had a VERY small cabin with two twin beds (not very romantic ). Near the end of our cruise, we learned that some passengers had to share a public bathroom with other cabins. We then considered ourselves very lucky! LOL

In her cruising days, pre and post-war, some of her passengers included Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, the Rockefellers, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and other dignitaries. There was a guest register book on display, opened to where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had signed.

I looked up this ship to see if she was still sailing. Sadly, she was being towed to the far East to be scrapped when she sank, just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa in 2000.

Wow! A bear AND eagle in the same shot? Amazing!!

HAL Zuiderdam in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

LOVE this one!

I love this thread and check it every day. You are all so talented.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. DH and I will spend turkey day flying from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale to start our S. Carib cruise. Woohoo!!

Those are awesome. LOVE the special effects in the second pic!

Some of the sweet people we encountered:

It's been rather quiet in this thread lately. Thought I would share some pictures from one of my all-time favorite ports--Kirabati. It was a fascinating little island, very remote, quite primitive. The people there were so humble and grateful to have us visit their homes. It was wonderful and we hated to leave.

Clickable thumbnails:

My feet won't wear heels any more, so that cuts the list WAY down. I plan to take:

1. Black dressy shoes

2. Brown-ish dressy shoes

3. Brown sandals

4. Black sandals

5. Athletic shoes (for walking, excursions)

6. One pair of flip flops just to knock around the ship

Shebba,

So sorry, I can't be gentle about your plumeria.

 

IT'S FANTASTIC!!!

Thank you so much!

framer, great "stage shot". Love the lighting!

I've thoroughly enjoyed spending the last few days looking through your amazing photos. I'm a novice wanna-be photographer :p and trying to learn more about settings, lighting, etc. I am in awe of many, MANY of your pictures.

Here are a few of mine taken on a wonderful Hawaiian cruise in 2007. These were taken on Kauai.

Be gentle! ;) It's my first picture posting!

Plumeria

Kinda windy. Heh!

Blowhole

Breathtaking? We are very lucky!! :)

DOH!! Did not intend to pose that as a question. Meant BREATHTAKING!! ;)

Y'all have inspired me to get out and "learn" my new camera and learn how to use other than 'auto' setting. Made a breakthrough (for my little peabrain!!) today. Very excited!!

Breathtaking? We are very lucky!! :)

Welcome to the thread, neighbor!

Thank you! I've really been enjoying your lovely pictures of our beautiful area. Don't you just love when the "mountain is out". I never tire of it!!

Thanks! I've got the kit lens (18-135 mm IS) and 55-250mm (which I haven't tried out, yet). Any recommendations for lens?

Just discovered this thread and I am working my way through the pages. I just purchased my first DSLR, a Canon ESO 60D. I'm very excited to get out and use it, trying to learn the ins and outs before our upcoming cruise.

Just wanted to pop in and say how much I'm enjoying your AMAZING photos. Spectacular shots. I wanna be you when I grow up! :)

Suzyed and Scecy - check out amazon.com - I have a difficult to find size as well and have ordered from them and they are great. I had a look and if you go under shoes, womens, sandals and then dressy there are all kinds of dressy flats and low heels in many sizes including size 9. I take a size 4 in women's. They will also have great deals on here - The last low heeled dress sandal I bought on there was originally $250 and I got them for $40. I love them! Also, many of the shoes will have reviews so if you have something to watch out for (I have a high instep) you can usually see if the shoes are right for you.

Footsmart.com is a great source of shoes for those of us with "problem" feet. They have all types of shoes; dressy, casual, sandals, boots, athletic, etc. They also have a terrific return policy if something you buy doesn't work out. They really do have some cute, FLAT styles.

One thing I've learned while traveling, ALWAYS take my camera with me. Too many times I've left it in my cabin, only to wish I had it for a photo op. Now, I take it with me wherever I go!! Never know when those "Kodak moments" will happen.

Moleskin. I never leave home without it. Even wearing well "broken-in" shoes, I can develop blisters. At the first sign of irritation, a little moleskin prevents a blister. I carry it with me (in my camera bag ;) ), already cut to various sizes that I can use at a moment's notice.

We're set sail in exactly one month. I was thinking about it today and one thing that I'm really looking forward to is---chilled soups. Silly, huh? But, I just love them and never get them anywhere else. Yum!

I've spent several days reading this thread. Hilarious!! People are an endless source of entertainment.

I have a story---not nearly as funny as some of these---but one that my DH will never live down.

We had been on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera and had a wonderful time. In one of the ports, we bought this pretty beaded bowl made by locals. It was a little pricey, but we both just loved it.

When the trip ended and we had returned to U.S., of course we had to go through customs. When it came our turn to go through, we stepped up to the little counter and the customs official started asking us the usual question. What was the purpose of your visit? "Pleasure." How long were you in Mexico? "5 days", etc. Then, Do you have anything to declare?

Now, I have to qualify this story by saying, my husband and I are Mr. and Mrs. Conservative. Nothing nefarious about the two of us! ;) Dh is very honest and would declare a postcard if we purchased one. So, when he was asked, "Do you have anything to declare?" He answered without hesitation, "Yes, we bought a little pot."

I nearly fell to the floor. Here's my husband, telling the customs officer that we had "bought a little pot" in Mexico. ROFLOL!! The official took one look at my expression of horror, looked at my husband, and just laughed and waved us through. Thankfully, he realized that my husband meant POTTERY.

This happened ~10 years ago and we still have a good laugh telling this story to family and friends. Well, I do, anyway!!

Thanks for the memories, loved the big white X. Sailed Chandris in the 70's, still one of our best cruise experiences and memories. Older ships, but great food and service, and Takis on the bazooki. Can we turn back the clock, please?

Yes, let's!! I would LOVE to sail on that ship again!

Shebba, thanks for posting the photo of Britanis. She was lovely. Learning she was Lurline's sister made me tear up for some reason. What a wealth of beauty and history in these liners and cruise ships!

 

I hope Copper 10-8 is thinking about that ship history book. Or how about a "Guide to Ships" for us shipspotters?

 

Linda

Glad you enjoyed! It's been fun to look back in old scrapbooks to reminisce. Of course, the Lurline holds a special place in our hearts, given the "family connection". What a moment it was for us when we learned it was the sister of our cruise ship (esp. for my husband).

What a great thread!! So interesting to read everyone's stories.

DH and I had never been interested in cruising. He did some work for a lady that was a TA and she paid him with a cruise. We probably could have sold the cruise, but decided to give it a try. June, 1990, we sailed out of Miami to Western Caribbean aboard a beautiful, old ship Britanis of the cruiseline Chandris. She had a fascinating history. Launched in 1931, maiden voyage 1932, then served as a personnel transport during WWII. It was a small ship, by today's standards, but was elegant. One thing I remember most about her is the beautiful mahogany paneling throughout the ship. We had a VERY small cabin with two twin beds (not very romantic :rolleyes:). Near the end of our cruise, we learned that some passengers had to share a public bathroom with other cabins. We then considered ourselves very lucky! LOL

In her cruising days, pre and post-war, some of her passengers included Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, the Rockefellers, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and other dignitaries. There was a guest register book on display, opened to where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had signed.

I just looked up this ship to see if she was still sailing. Sadly, she was being towed to the far East to be scrapped when she sank, just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa in 2000.

We did have a wonderful time on our first cruise and have enjoyed several cruises since. We were definitely hooked from day one!!

Little sidenote: Her sister ship, the (original) Lurline was the very ship that DH mother sailed to Honolulu on in 1930s where she met DH father. Circles.