FRMPEI

Kevin,

 

Looking forward to hear and see your Panama Canal experience. We did that tour as well.

Very impressive camera collection you will be toting. My back and shoulders ache just looking at the list.

Please chime in with your comments on your canal excursion as I get going here.

Actually my camera bag is quite manageable. It is the Think Tank Mirrorless Mover 30i designed especially for the small form factor of a mirrorless cameras. It took me quite a bit of research to finally decide on this bag. Love it! Purchased it on-line from B&H Photo.

Picture of bag on the couch in our stateroom.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 5 - COLON, PANAMA - TOP O' THE MORN

For the last few years we seem to be celebrating St Patricks Day aboard Celebrity. Yes! I am of Irish descent and a proud descent of the great Irish Potato famine that brought some many Irish immigrants to eastern Canada and the NE United States. My celebrating is usually limited to wearing something green. Don't drink so no green beer for me.

When planning this trip we were figuring that the Panama Canal would be the highlight of the entire trip. I think we can say that we were not disappointed. Thru the CC boards we learned that the Panama Canal ship excursions are your best bet but, they do fill up. We booked our excursion pretty early on-line. It was a wee bit expensive but worth every penny and actually took the whole day.

So what do I know about Panama? Sad to say not very much and disappointed I did not do some research before I left. I knew that the French had tried to build the canal... failed. With the US coming in behind them and getting it done. Gee! I think this happened again in the late 50's for the US when the French bailed out of one of their colony called Vietnam. Sorry I digress. What else do I know about Panama? I remember in 1989 when President George HW Bush invaded Panama to arrest their president General Manuel Noriega. Since my return I have watched quite a few documentaries on the canal. Especially liked the one which documented the story of the transition of the canal from the US to the country of Panama. Also did some research on the fees charged for the Panama Canal that I will share later.

Up pretty early to catch the sail into Colon. We were traveling pretty slowly as we approached the Colon pier with many other ships around us. Gee! I see two half sunk small ships right close to were we are docking. Not a good first impression. I would have liked to gone down to deck 5 to capture our arrival but, our early excursion did not allow enough time. I captured some video from our balcony from my Sony Handycam that was not making the trip with me today.

Some early morning photos of our sail into Colon.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 5 - COLON, PANAMA - CELEBRITY TODAY & INSERTS

CELEBRITY TODAY Friday March 17, 2017

Front Page #1

Inside Left page #2

Inside Right page #3

Back page #4

Celebrity Today Insert

Celebrity Today Insert

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - GOODNIGHT

What a great day we had in our very first visit to Costa Rica. Our guide Humberto has left a lasting impression on me and will be the gold standard I will compare others to. Weather cooperated fully for our excursion but, we lost the beautiful blue skies for most part of the afternoon. Big thumbs up to Celebrity and Puerto Limon today!

The clocks go back one of the two hours this evening. Coming up tomorrow is our Panama Canal excursion and we have to gather in the Equinox Theatre at 7:45 AM. I set the alarm for 6:00 AM. Tomorrow I am going to take my Think Tank Camera Bag with me. Normally I would never lug a round a camera bag. But with the cameras I am taking my fanny pack would not hold it all. So my job before hitting the hay was to figure out what gear I would take with me. Here is what I packed in my camera bag:

1) Sony a6000 with Ziess 14-70 f4 & 55-210 lenses

2) Two Go Pros

3) Sony HX50V Point & Shoot

4) Extra batteries

5) Joby Mounts

6) Go Pro 3 Way ext Pole

With the gear all picked out it was time to sync all the camera clocks up to the the new time. Wrong camera times create a nightmare in Lightroom and Final Cut Pro.

UP NEXT:

Panama Canal Excursion with tons of photos.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DINNER & PETE

Dinner Cont'd

Ken and I had the Turkey Parmesan

Donna - Grilled chicken breast

Folks getting their grove on after dinner

A quick stop at Cafe al Bacio before tonight's show

Comedy Juggler Pete Matthews:

At the end of last evening show the CD announced that Pete Matthews would be tonight's performer. We have seen him twice before and we loved him. I not sure if I would ever get tried of him. The show is basically the same show but it is different because he interacts with the audience so much. Pete is so natural with the audience unlike the 3Divas from the previous night.

Pete's Axe trick all set up.

The Reid loving Pete Matthews.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DINNER

Tonight we are dining in the Silhouette Main Dining room. Same table with the same great excellent wait staff. Donna and Norma Jean are always the first to strike up a conversation with our nearby table mates. If our nearby table mates are from the US the conversation usually gets around to Politics and "the trump".

Tonights menu. Left side of menu does not change so I will not repeat that photo. Starters Left Side top.

Entrees - Right Side bottom.

Everyone loves the basket of bread.

This was my Pasta Fagioli Soup. I always had a full glass of Coke with ice.

Norma Jean had the Slow Braised Lamb Wrapped in Phyllo

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - SUNDOWN

Before getting ready for our dinner in the main dining room noticed the crew was taking this zodiac type boat for a spin. It looked like fun.

Puerto Limon at Night

Donna checking out the beautiful night sky.

Our normal meeting spot is the Library. Waiting for Ken and Norma Jean to go to dinner.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Deck 5

I think that deck 5 is the best spot to watch other cruise ships leave or your ship leaving its dock. Usually not many people down here with you. You are looking at the ships rather than looking down when you are up on the higher decks. I feel pretty comfortable setting my cameras up on the rails here.

Bow ropes being slackened off from the Zuiderdam.

Zuiderdam on her way out.

My good friend Ken talking it all in.

Gone!

Regards,

Kevin Reid

I just saw this. So glad you are back!

Also glad that you came back to the TR.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

I remember seeing DH there and warning him!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

So I am not the only one who has noticed this possible peep show?

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - EQUINOX

Well I did have more than a couple of minutes to get back. A few photos of Equinox on the way back.

Not sure what this is. But I think it makes a nice photo.

Yeah! I know this is not Equinox.

Lost my bright beautiful blue sky and sun.

Back home!

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 -PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - ZUIDERDAM

Please indulge me as I share some photos from HAL's Zuiderdam and Equinox. I really enjoy taking photos of cruise ships wether it be in different Caribbean ports or my home port of Charlottetown.

When I was walking out of Zuiderdam's dock with cameras in tow an officer from the ship asked me "Are you on this ship?". I Guess he could not figure why someone would be going the opposite way when the ship was going to leave in the next few minutes. So I rushed back to Equinox to get Ken and I set up on Deck 5 to watch Zuiderdam leave.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - PUERTO WANDERING

With lunch out of the way the women and I decided we would check out the shopping around the port. This being a commercial dock yellow tape was up every where to keep Equinox's passengers out of possible harms way. The rather large covered shop had a nice selection of souvenirs set up by the different vendors. Much nicer than your typical Caribbean made in China put your "name here" type of stuff. Donna was attracted to a rather neat bracelet that was made from defunct Costa Rica coins. Donna and Norma Jean spent a few more minutes going up and down the aisles before they figured they were done and went back to the Ship. Not me I was going to take this time and capture some photos and Videos of HAL Zuiderdam.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Lunch

I heard someone saying that it was already past lunch time. Or as we call it here in the maritimes... dinner with the evening being... supper. Let's eat!

A typical buffet lunch for Kevin.

Norma Jean taking her 100 photo challenge very seriously.

Norma Jean's subject.

Pretty nice entrance to this commercial port

I always like taking pictures of this Flag. (Malta Naval Ensign)

HAL Zuiderdam. The first ship I saw in port on our very first cruise abroad the 2005 Celebrity Century. It was docked along side us in USVI. Back in 2005 I thought it was huge with it dwarfing our Celebrity Century. Zuiderdam actual made its maiden voyage in my home port of Charlottetown this summer.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

When we were finished with our plant tour we took a very short drive over to a recreation center in Bananito town. There were a few vendors set up selling souvenirs.

I even tried a sip of this banana liquor. We bought a small 250ml bottle. I put this in my fanny pack and it was not seized at security. We still have not yet opened it.

I liked this plant. I think it might be called a "trumpet plant". Correct me if I am wrong. I believe I saw one once before on the island of Dominica.

We got back to the port around 1:00 PM. This was a very fun and informative excursion highly recommended by the Reids. Must be time to eat again?

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

The stock is treated like a baby. Putting diapers between to prevent any bruising. Because we all want that perfect banana at the grocery store!

Humberto giving the tour of the processing facility.

Bananas everywhere.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

Before arriving at the Dole Banana Plantation the bus driving stopped one more time along the road because he had spotted Howler Monkeys in the trees. I remember Howler Monkeys from a season of Survivor Costa Rica.

Photo taken from bus through window. Monkey in the middle of the photo.

When we arrived at the banana farm and processing plant we first had to disinfect our footwear by stepping onto this spongey wet mat.

We were greeted by a senior farm worker who gave us a background story of the banana and the industry in Costa Rica. He opened the floor to question from the arrivals. When questions were finished it was our tour guide Humberto who took us into the "packaging" facility and led the tour.

I did not have to cover my hair with a hairnet because I had a hat.

Their "babies" as the senior worker referred to the stalks of bananas.

The big take away from this excursion for me. Bananas grow on a plant and not a tree. I love bananas and have a special appreciation for them now when I see that Dole Costa Rica sticker on them in my local grocery store.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - DOLE PLANTATION

Generally when we visit a port for the first time we tend to book an excursion thru the ship. Donna did the research and decided upon a Banana Plantation Tour. Gathering time for this excursion was 9:15 AM Equinox Theatre. After two days at sea we were greeted with a very comfortable air conditioned coach. The tour guide was able to move a few folks around to get us four onto the bus. Ken And I were in the very last row while the women were a few rows of seats ahead of us.

Our tour guide for this trip was Humberto. I must say that he was the best and most informative tour guide that we have ever experienced on a cruise excursion. Humberto was a true professional and you could tell he loved his job. After a few minutes into the tour Humberto put the mike down and went down the entire length of the bus asking each person their name and where they were from. He was very knowledgable of the geography of where people were from. Personally I wish I had know a little more about Costa Rica before our visit.

Humberto "the Great"

The bus driver was also good. He stoped about a half an hour into the drive to hand out a banana to each person cut from a banana stock he was holding. The bus driver then came and collected all the banana peels. Humberto later explained why it so important not to allow a ripened banana peel in the banana plant because of the peel off gas that causes a green banana to ripen to yellow. ( I did not know this.)

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Arrival

Yours truly along with my faithful Sony pistol grip handycam fastened to the rail

Coming along side

Are you ready for the sun?

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - Arrival

Port in sight

The HAL Zuiderdam would be sharing the port with us today. The Zuiderdam was already docked and we would be docking on the side which was a commercial container port.

This island is very close to the port.

Norma Jean taking it all in

The sun beaming down full force on Donna

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA

I never even tried to catch the the sunrise this morning. The alarm was set for 7:30 AM but, we were up at 7 AM. This morning we used one of our two "Elite" laundry coupons. To me this is a real perk with real $ value. This is where the packing tape that was used to stick our flags to glass of the balcony comes in handy with the laundry bag. The supplied Celebrity laundry bags are pretty flimsy and you will want to stuff them to the max. So you get one complimentary laundry bag each. I had no problem stuffing 26 items into the bag for a total saving of $115 USD. Not Bad! If I say so my self. The laundry came back in two bags.

This morning rather than going to the main dining room for breakfast we went up to the Oceanview Buffet for a very nice table outside aft near the Oceanview Bar. This was actually the first time this cruise that we ate something from the buffet.

The sun was shining brightly with a forecasted high of +30. We get use to putting the + or - signs in front of weather temps here in Canada. Scheduled arrival time in Puerto Limon was 9 AM. Lots of time to get back down to the room gather up camera gear and set up on deck 5 forward starboard side. I gave Norma Jean a challenge today... to take at least 100 pictures. She did win the challenge.

But first a few photos from our breakfast.

One of Norma Jean's Challenge photos

A beautiful wake and blue sky close to the equator.

Crew member putting out the Flag.

Lawn Club Starboard side with Puerto Lemon in the distance

Regards,

Kevin Reid

Very nice photos!!

Why Thank You Mr. Mark

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 4 - PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA - CELEBRITY TODAY & INSERTS

Celebrity Today Thursday March 16, 2017

Front Page

Inside Left Page #2

Inside Right Page #3

Back Page #4

Daily Insert

Daily Insert

Regards

Kevin Reid

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - GOOD NIGHT!

Donna and I met up with Ken and Norma Jean in the entertainment court around 8:10 PM and people were already lining up for the 9 PM show in the Equinox Theatre... 3 DIVAS. Without a doubt these three ladies can sign. But, (you should know by now I always have a BUT) the banter between these three women did not seem natural and came off as phony and well rehearsed. Just my opinion. Most of the people who saw the show LOVED it. The generally consensus among the four us was... Nah! No thanks! We would not line up to see them again.

My knee was really continuing to hurt so we stop by the bar at the Fortune's casino and took back four glasses of ice to cool down my knee. We are not much for the late night actives and usually call her quits around 11 PM. Tomorrow is our first port day in Limon, Costa Rica.

Next day's treasures awaiting our return.

Regards,

Kevin Reid

DAY 3 - SEA DAY #2 - TUSCAN GRILLE cont'd

Dessert menu Left side

Dessert menu right side

Donna... Limoncello Cheese Cake

It had the word "gelato" in it. So I got the... Fig Gelato. This trip I also discovered that I like Caffe Latte.

Tonight's visit to Tuscan would be our first of two. During our second visit Ken and Norma Jean join us.

Regards,

Kevin Reid