Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Two

[specialcruisegirl]

Good Day Coolers.....

 

Jeffers..that beer looks very inviting....my favourite beer (not that l drink much of it) is either San Miguel or the Portuguese Sagres, both quite acceptable for elevenses :D

 

I'm just having a very nice glass of Merlot before my carbonara lunch..Bank Holiday = staying in!

 

Do hope you get to see the Vulcan today....don't imbibe too much and miss it will you....;)

 

Booked up our favourite river restaurant this morning for Christmas Day lunch...the whole family will be together this year so it makes life easier as l no longer have the room to fit us all in...or indeed the energy!

 

Happy Weekend To All...

 

Sophia :)

[TLCOhio]

Good Day Coolers.....Jeffers..that beer looks very inviting....my favourite beer (not that l drink much of it) is either San Miguel or the Portuguese Sagres, both quite acceptable for elevenses

Happy Weekend To All... Sophia

 

YES, wonderful-looking beer as posted by Jeff! Below is one of my summer favorites that I might have posted earlier. BUT, this is a new Cooler Board, so I am somewhat re-cyling it here.

 

Been busy with work and other project during the past few days, but will be doing some catching up today on several items.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 117,608 views for this posting.

 

 

From earlier this summer, this is my favorite of Summer Shandy from a family brewing company in Wisconsin. Plus, a little Asian food, etc., at no extra charge for viewers here.:

 

[mysty]

Happy Weekend Sophia! Brilliant idea to have Christmas Day Lunch in your favourite river restaurant! It's so nice to have the whole family together! My family is too spread out across the country for that to happen. Weather at Christmas in Canada makes flying so unpredictable and, of course, the crowds are massive. Daughter is within driving distance so that will probably be our destination. Enjoy the bank holiday!

[TLCOhio]

As detailed on my live/blog below, earlier this year we enjoyed experiencing for the first time a nice range of Caribbean islands before and after our sailing up and down the Amazon River. One of top favorites?? It was Dominica!!

 

Sadly, this unique island has been in the news during the past few days. For all of the wrong reasons!! And, with no fault on their end. From the BBC this morning within the past hour, they have this headline: "Tropical Storm Erika devastates the island of Dominica" with these summary highlights: "A tropical storm has devastated the Caribbean island of Dominica causing floods and mudslides. The damage caused by Tropical Storm Erika has set the country back 20 years, its prime minister said. According to officials, the storm has killed at least 20 people, with at least 31 people reported missing. Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a televised address late on Friday that hundreds of homes, bridges and roads had been destroyed. About 80% of Dominica was without power and the water supply was cut off."

 

In the story, their leader noted: "The extent of the devastation is monumental. We have, in essence, to rebuild Dominica." In the US News story linked below, they noted that his storm "dumped some 15 inches (38 centimeters) of rain on the mountainous island" and "The island's airports remain closed, and authorities have not yet been able to reach some communities cut off by flooding and landslides."

 

While there in February, we noticed that aspects of this island were a little "third-worldish", but the people and its rainforest aspects of this area were so absolutely, totally wonderful. Amazing, in fact!! After getting back from breakfast this morning with my wife, I will share some special visuals from Dominica. Such a wonderful and meaningful part of the world!! Not commercial and over-developed as has happened in certain other places in the Caribbean.

 

Full BBC story at:

http://www.bc.co.uk/newsround/34095426

Added story at:

http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/08/28/tropical-storm-erika-to-lose-steam-but-death-toll-rising

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 27,412 views for these postings.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good afternoon all ..

 

yes SG, Robert did do his flypast in the Vulcan .. and it made a huge noise ... but was a bit high when he got to us. Still only an ipad piccy I'm afraid.

 

Jeff

 

 

Edited August 29, 2015 by UKCruiseJeff

[mysty]

Cool beans Jeff! Glad you got to see that!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi M,

 

We're hoping to see some fireworks tonight from the balcony ... but it will be a touch distand.

 

SG! good to hear Xmas lunch is sorted. Beer wise yjou might want to try Tiger if you haven't. Didn't expect to like it but it is a worthy substitute for Paulaner.

 

Nice shandy Terry,

 

Jeff

[TLCOhio]

Hi M, We're hoping to see some fireworks tonight from the balcony ... but it will be a touch distand.

Nice shandy Terry, Jeff

 

Good luck on the fireworks and really liked the earlier picture of the aircraft doing their fancy flying in the sky. Wonderful bread and lunch pictures. Making me hungry!!

 

On Dominica and its tragedy during the past few days, have any others been there? As noted, we super enjoyed this island that has such great history and super scenic settings. Below are some visuals that I have not previously posted on my live/blog to offer an idea on the island's beauty and city development situation.

 

Here is more background on Dominica. It is pronounced Do-min-EE-kah. From the Cruise Critic website, they say this island promised to be unlike any other stop for our itinerary. They say to "prepare to slow down, take in the scenery, breathe fresh air, sample fruit right off the trees and experience nature in a way unique to few places on earth."

 

The island has impressive national parks and Dominica ranks as one of the top sites for ecco-tourism and scuba-diving in the Caribbean. Its beaches are mostly rocky. The island features no chain hotels or big-box mega-stores, though there are a Pizza Hut and KFC in Roseau, the capital city. This was a big change for us compared to what we experienced too much in the Dutch ABC islands.

 

Dominica was originally populated by the Carib tribe of Indians. The island gets its name from Christopher Columbus, who first spotted the land in 1493 on a Sunday. (Domenica means "Sunday" in Italian.) Understand its naming?? In the 1800's, the French and British fought for control of the island. If you glance at a map of Dominica, it's clear by the town names that the French populated the South (Roseau, Soufriere), while the British occupied the North (Portsmouth).

 

Eventually, the British conquered the French portion of the island and maintained control until 1978, when Dominica gained independence. Dominica has survived with a predominantly agricultural-based economy that includes bananas. Tourism also remains strong, with Dominica attracting a stream of naturalists who flock to the island to see 172 types of birds, 12 major waterfalls and peaks that rise up to 5,000 feet.

 

Whale-watchers also come in hordes to explore the waters that plunge to nearly 6,000 feet right off the coastline, providing a base for seven types of whales that can be seen nearly year-round, including a resident population of sperm whales. Weather on the island averages 77F degrees in winter, 82F in summer, although it's cooler in the mountains, humid in the rain forest and warmer on the coast. The driest months are January through April, but Cruise Critic warns to not be surprised if you experience a brief downpour every day.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

If Venice is one of your future desires or past favorites, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 53,832 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

 

 

From Dominica, here are a sampling of pictures from Feb. 2015, that I have not posted previously. First, is a general coastal view giving an idea for how much forest or rainforest is there, plus the main mountains and dramatic terrain. Next are some examples of a rocky river and other sights as we did a "tubing" adventure in Dominica along one of their scenic locations.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main town/capital of Dominica is Roseau. Here are two of my visuals from their main part of town. This give you a sampling of its "infrastructure" and the wide variety of buildings there. We loved its "character and style", but clearly their wiring and other aspects there are not all modern, strong and 21st Century. That will make fixing and re-building there to be so much harder. The Commonwealth of Dominica had a total population of 72,301 from their 2014 Census:

 

 

 

 

Edited August 29, 2015 by TLCOhio

[mysty]

Hi M,

 

We're hoping to see some fireworks tonight from the balcony ... but it will be a touch distand.

 

SG! good to hear Xmas lunch is sorted. Beer wise yjou might want to try Tiger if you haven't. Didn't expect to like it but it is a worthy substitute for Paulaner.

 

Nice shandy Terry,

 

Jeff

What's the occasion for the fireworks Jeff? I hope you get to see them!

[UKCruiseJeff]

What's the occasion for the fireworks Jeff? I hope you get to see them!

 

Thanks,

 

Dartmouth Regatta

 

http://www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk/

[mysty]

That looks like great fun! I love fireworks! We don't have them very often here. Canada Day (July 1) and Victoria Day (the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday). One for us and one for your lot! :)

[specialcruisegirl]

Thanks for the Vulcan pic Jeff.....her shape always reminds me of concorde...another great aircraft and one that l had the pleasure of flying on back in 1995.

 

Your lunch looks tasty....I'm off the crisps at present trying to cut down for the cruise....says she who had fries with lunch today..:rolleyes:

 

Thanks for the good wishes Mysty...so sad your family are so far apart but I'm sure you'll make the most of it.

I would have loved to have cooked for them all but it would be a crush, l will do an evening buffet though so l can 'tart' a Christmas table up!

 

Very sad news about Dominica Terry, it's hard to imagine how those people are feeling and also coping.

 

S:)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Thanks M, I adore fireworks but tonight it will just be a distant view on our balcony.

 

Not long to your cruise now Soapy Gal, .......

 

We just had a noisy RAF Typhoon do a bit if a display ...

 

You may like some of the piccies of Robert's Vulcan on this page .. one of them with the Red Arrows who were here yesterday. If you click on the piccies they enlarge.

 

http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2012/airshows-avro-vulcan-xh558-update-with-dr-robert-pleming/index.php

 

An interesting thing about Robert is that he was based in IBM Hursley for a while which was one of IBM's main research laboratories, and it was also coincidentally where the Spitfire was developed, prototyped and first produced. Who knows how WW2 would have turned out without the Spitfire. I often wonder whether this nudged him towards giving it all up to save and fly the vulcan.

 

Glad you like the baguettes!

 

Jeff

[TLCOhio]

Very sad news about Dominica Terry, it's hard to imagine how those people are feeling and also coping. S

 

Appreciate so much your above comments and understanding. My wife and I have have talked so many times about the unique experience and visit we were fortunate to have had there. Dominica was right up there with Barbados and San Juan for being our top "Best of the Best" experiences while doing the ten different locations during our first visit to the Caribbean.

 

Now, this damaging storm hits them!! They are clearly not a rich country and/or in having major connections to a "mother country", the powerful, etc. Few, like us, had ever heard much about this island before our visit there. Will keep following their situation there.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 184,754 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

 

Here are four examples for the "action" from our fun during Dominica's Carnival parade and festivities before their current weather conditions hit them. The steel drum band was one of the most entertaining parts from these activities. This parade segment really had that super Caribbean "music feel" to keep the wonderful memories fresh and alive in our minds for the future. I got a great video sampling for this music and fun.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found the architecture and character of Dominica to be totally fascinating. Loved its style, the people, etc.!! Much of this island, as described by our ship's expert destination expert Corey Sandler, is like the Caribbean from three decades back before things got too development and so overly commercialized. Here are two examples for certain of their buildings, balconies, roof lines, a church, etc., from Dominica.:

 

 

 

[mysty]

Lovely photos Terry! Mother Nature can be such a destructive force! :( And we humans tremble at her power and suffer in the aftermath.

[mysty]

Oh and Jeff, I forgot to mention that we got the "my flight" app you suggested for the ipad. It is brilliant! Thanks so much for the suggestion! :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Glad the app is reassuring. It comes into it's own if there is a serious change to a flight .... because you will be the first to know and can then sort things out without much competition. The trivial stuff is quite unimportant though ie minor changes or even if they try to change seats which they sometimes do if there is a machine change it's nice to sort things out.

[mysty]

Did you see fireworks Jeff? In the sky I mean. :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi M,

 

Well .... they were in fact too far, and too cheap and too low .. so a waste of time.

 

BUT, an hour later, would you believe the property next door had a firework display. Not very big ... but very close and exactly what I needed. Really pleased.

 

By the way ... how is Myster getting on with his bread and pizza.?

 

Jeff

[UKCruiseJeff]

JP,

 

When are you "off"?

 

You must be getting really excited.

 

:)

 

Jeff

[mysty]

Hi M,

 

Well .... they were in fact too far, and too cheap and too low .. so a waste of time.

 

BUT, an hour later, would you believe the property next door had a firework display. Not very big ... but very close and exactly what I needed. Really pleased.

 

By the way ... how is Myster getting on with his bread and pizza.?

 

Jeff

Hi J!

 

I'm afraid Myster has gone into remission with his pizza making. :( He got disappointed with his progress and then things got crazy busy at work. He is dragging his arse when he gets home these days. He does intend to give it another go though as he really enjoyed the flavour and consistency of the dough using your suggested approach. I think once the dust settles on the work front, he will be back at it!

 

Too bad about the fireworks being too distant and low but hurray for the neighbours stepping into the breach! :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Shame about Myster and The Dough.

 

I think he may be missing a trick in that it is so therepeutic and escapist ... and rewarding. And with my cheats bigga/poolish version, a few moments in the kitchen doing the starter before he goes t bed, is rewarded ten times over when he feels like a pizza or baguette a day or two later. or it get's dumped if not used after it's been in the fridge for a month or so. A few pennies.

 

His lifestyle is a "bigga"reason to inject some dough therapy into his life .. instead of a reason not to. Just an opinion from me through you to him. That excuse would be poolish! :D

 

Jeff

 

 

Edited August 30, 2015 by UKCruiseJeff

[mysty]

I do agree with you Jeff! And I will pass your nudge on to him! :) He's out for his weekly game of golf today. I thought he was really doing well with the dough. And I was a wee bit disappointed when he stepped back from it. I did give him lots of wifely compliments to encourage him to press on. I think his mind was elsewhere though.

[UKCruiseJeff]

That is such a shame.

 

We must lure him back. Bagels may do it.

 

Almost everyone enjoys a bagel, although 99.99999999% will never experience the joy of a perfect bagel because they have no point of comparison. They have to be made at home.

 

Show him these and promises that if he makes a perfect baguette then I'll help him make bagels and some lovely variants.

 

Tell him that he could do this. For you. A test of his love.

 

Jeff

 

BAGEL PORN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jpalbny]

JP,

 

When are you "off"?

 

You must be getting really excited.

 

:)

 

Jeff

 

Friday!! :D :D We signed the loan paperwork and dropped off the down payment 2 days ago. All the paperwork from Audi's HQ have arrived, so all over but the waiting. We'll get an early train to Ingolstadt next Monday morning, they will pick us up and take us to the factory, then we drive it away!

 

So close... And yes, very excited to get back on the Autobahn with a powerful car, and let it fly! Still thinking about a few laps on the Nürburgring Nordschleife before I bring it home - would be awesome! :cool:

 

Really looking forward also to driving through the Swiss passes - they were still snowed in on our last visit in May. They are open now - I checked!

 

Yummy bagels - think we'll pick up a few for breakfast ourselves.

Edited August 30, 2015 by jpalbny