**Near-Live Blog of Zaandam Inca and South America Cruise 24 Sep - 3 Nov 2018**

[ski ww]

Your write up of the Midway brings back memories. I could of spent the whole day there, my wife finally said it was time to go & see other things in San Diego.

[TiogaCruiser]

Regarding internet: if things get sketchy, try connecting by the FCC desk. In March I was able to connect and “do business” there better than anywhere else. That was the only cone I could find visible, and consistently got the job done. I walked off the ship having only used 50 minutes over 14 days.

 

And that could be because I couldn’t see other antennas to get near them.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just got caught up.

Enjoying your reports and pictures.

I love HAL's rotisserie chicken in the Lido.

On one of our many stays in San Diego, we did take a tour of the Midway. Very enjoyable.

[0bnxshs]

Your write up of the Midway brings back memories. I could of spent the whole day there, my wife finally said it was time to go & see other things in San Diego.

 

There were other things to do in San Diego? LOL :D

 

I agree Alan, a whole day plus would be necessary to see everything on Midway. I'll post a few more photos of the ship too. It was a very enjoyable way to spend time in San Diego, among many different ways.

 

Thanks for reading.

[0bnxshs]

Regarding internet: if things get sketchy, try connecting by the FCC desk. In March I was able to connect and “do business” there better than anywhere else. That was the only cone I could find visible, and consistently got the job done. I walked off the ship having only used 50 minutes over 14 days.

 

And that could be because I couldn’t see other antennas to get near them.

 

Thanks for the tip. I've found a nice spot right on deck 3 forward where the Atrium organ sits flanked by the hotel director's and his managers' offices has a wireless hotspot that works well. There are a couple of desks and chairs there so it's a good place to work with little interruption.

 

They seem to have gotten rid of the old cones that used to populate the ceilings as I've not seen any so far. They've been replaced, I believe, by the square, flat wireless access points instead. There is a "wireless hotspot" placard on the wall near the FCC desk too, and in several areas of the ship. I have had no trouble with access from anywhere on the ship so far, including the cabin or promenade or Sea View pool area.

[0bnxshs]

Day 8 (9/30)

 

Didn't think I was going to have to cruise in the Pacific to experience a tropical system this year. I've been focused on the weather since hurricane season began in June, hoping that I wasn't going to be gone during another hurricane. Between Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017 I was hoping we were due a break and my fingers have been crossed. So sad what Florence has done to the Carolinas and I'd never wish such a thing on anyone.

 

Hurricane Rosa. We started the night last night with very calm seas and little wind. Sometime during the night we were awakened by the pitching and rolling of the ship, the wind howling down the promenade out the window and the crashing of waves against the side of the ship. I think Rosa wanted us up! I rolled over and slept, glad for the rocking that reminded me I was at sea. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I do enjoy it. Neither Roger or myself have ever gotten seasick (except that one time when my DW brought a plate of steaming hot stuffed green peppers to the table in the Lido but that's another story....)

 

By 8 AM in the morning we had crossed the expected track of Rosa even though there was still plenty of movement and wind. I think at their worst the crew said the waves reached 4 meters and the wind about 25 to 28 knots. Both of us have cruised in worse weather conditions. The crew never did put out doggie bags on the railings or even lock the promenade down. I did come across one effect of all the movement though which you'll see in a photo below. Maybe they should have locked the outer doors after all.

 

During the night we also were notified that due to continuing reports of civil unrest in Managua, Nicaragua, any tours to the city have been cancelled. Tours to Corinto and Leon are still on as these areas are deemed safe for now. I've heard various passengers mention that they'd be happy to skip Nicaragua altogether but, so long as it's safe to do so, I say "let's stop". In 2015, thanks to "kazu"s wizardry in organizing private tours, we had a wonderful day's visit to Leon.

 

Later in the day, we received even more mail directing us to turn in our passports tomorrow between 2 and 4 PM to guest services. They'll be set up in the mid-ship elevator lobbies of all decks with cabins for this purpose. All guests on board must do this, regardless of nationality. This is in order that they may all be presented at the same time when each country's immigration officials board the ship to clear it while having a nice breakfast at the same time. They'll be returned to us towards the end of our voyage. We've done this on a couple of our cruises and it's never been a problem but does necessitate having a copy of it to carry when onshore, at least in my opinion.

 

Our tireless room stewards have been doing a great job with our cabin. We have zero issues with anything in regard to their work. They even figured out that the mini binder clip that Roger just today realized he had (for our travel documents and notes) and placed on the windowsill under the drapes was meant for clipping them closed and did it for us last night. We had forgotten to pack a chip clip or clothespin and have spent a week with the lights from the promenade lighting our cabin at night. I think it was Roger's job to remember one, but I don't remember for sure. Roger remembers it the other way around. Anyhow, he remembered the binder he used for the stack of paper and we found it clipping our drapes closed when we entered the cabin last evening. Many thanks to Wahoo and Tofa for their unintrusive and perceptive work; we are very happy campers.

 

I didn't do it!! A door left its pins while Rosa was knocking:

 

A vestige of the former (and much missed) HAL logo (it took forever to get this photo as the door kept opening at my approach):

 

Another lovely sunset.... (we must have been going downhill at the time as it had nothing to do with happy hour!):

[Overtime4me2]

Thanks for the tip. I've found a nice spot right on deck 3 forward where the Atrium organ sits flanked by the hotel director's and his managers' offices has a wireless hotspot that works well. There are a couple of desks and chairs there so it's a good place ....

 

Yes, I found the same place by the desk there that worked great! Although I had good connection in our cabin, I had tried that area during the first couple days out and the last couple days (when the connection was bad) it seemed to be better by the atrium then. [emoji846]

 

I'm really enjoying your posts!

 

Sue

http://www.suebees.wordpress.com

 

 

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

[0bnxshs]

More photos of the USS Midway Museum on our day in San Diego. Enjoy.

 

Static display in the Maintenance hangar (the audio devices where free to use):

 

Roger providing perspective to the starboard catapult steam accumulator tank:

 

One of the ship's "Geedunk"s, it doesn't refer to (the manikin of) Seaman Apprentice Thompson but the store itself and may be slang of a Chinese word meaning "place of idleness" or possibly a German word for dunking bread in gravy or coffee:

 

Enlisted bunks:

 

Part of the CIC (Combat Information Center):

 

A long list of aviation history:

[ski ww]

Thanks for the pictures. I miss the old HAL logo, the new one is so plain, don't know why they ever replaced it.

Allan

[kazu]

Wow on the door, Rich :eek:

 

Glad the rocking and rolling didn't bother you two. I don't mind it at all if I am in bed ;)

 

Wizard? LOL - NOT. But, glad you had a great tour in Leon.

 

Hope your seas stay smooth from here on in (yn) and you are through the worst of it (sounds like you are).

[erewhon]

Thank you for you report and photos.

Very good to get the photo of the door with the old HAL logo

[0bnxshs]

Thank you for you report and photos.

Very good to get the photo of the door with the old HAL logo

 

Thanks, erewhon! I think the door might be camera shy as it's been hidden in the walls for 2 days now and won't come out. :D

[0bnxshs]

Day 9 (10/1)

 

First day of October... one can feel the chill in the crisp morning air, see the blaze of color in the trees and there's that sensation of anticipation for another year passing, the harvest underway.....

 

Except here we are off the coast of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean, running from a tropical storm called Rosa that is chasing after us in an oblique fashion with her swells and waves, making walking around the ship difficult still. The air turned noticeably warmer and more humid once we passed south of Cabo San Lucas, more like the weather in Florida that we left behind more than a week ago. I prefer the cooler weather; Roger has broken out his shorts again.

 

Laundry services have been outstanding so far this cruise. We've sent out 3 bags full of it so far and 2 of those 3 times it's come back the same evening of the day it was turned in, all nicely ironed, clean and hung on hangars. Even Roger's shorts are on hangars. How's that for service! As you'll note from the photo below, Zaandam is still using the iron-on tags to identify the owners of the clothing.

 

Over the last couple days we keep seeing a head at the windowsill in our cabin. Just the back of it. We suspect it is attached to a body in a lounger but haven't yet investigated.

 

2d Gala Night of the cruise tonight. Surf and turf is on the menu, lobster and filet in the MDR and shrimp and filet or lamb in the Lido. I looked at the oven baked chicken too and it looked pretty good. Roger has chosen something other than chicken last night and tonight. I think it was lamb yesterday and filet and shrimp tonight. He enjoyed the lamb and mint jelly and liked the shrimp but was indifferent on the filet. I've been trying to eat lighter in the evenings with a more substantial meal at lunchtime. Have to keep an eye on my figure! Also, we lose another hour tonight which is causing meals to get closer together. It's getting hard to keep up.

 

Happy Hour has been just that, happy. Noel is the bartender in the Ocean Bar along with Jocelyn and Lizell serving. Our order is automatically placed the minute we walk in (double bird on the rocks and 2 bird and gingers) and is promptly delivered with a smile and often hors d'oeuvres. If one is observant, or at least hasn't gotten a head start on drinks, one can see the re-purposing of previous meals in the fixin's of the hors d'oeuvres. Not a bit opposed to this: waste not, want not!

 

I caught the Captain on his way to dinner tonight and introduced myself. We share a common name as my surname and one of his is the same. I thought we might catch up sometime on family news from the late 1800s. He graciously declined the invitation saying he wasn't too familiar with my side of the family. ;)

 

I think we had the most beautiful sunset so far this cruise tonight. Maybe you'll agree.

 

Laundry tags:

 

Another beautiful sunset:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just got caught up with your reports and all your wonderful pictures.

We got on the Ryndam right after she had done a South American cruise around Cape Horn -- several of her glass doors were broken and quite a few cabin doors had hand punches in them when people lost their balances.

[AKJonesy]

I have been using the Hero Black 3+ since it came out. I'm sure you got some advice on it's settings and how to use. Make sure to actually stop and hold it still once and awhile to capture what you are looking at. That is, don't have the camera in constant motion at all times. That way, when you edit your video, and if you have too much up and down or side to side movement, you will be able to edit that out,. It takes awhile to get to know how to properly use the GoPro. You might not have a chance to look at some video, but if you have some down time and you have some wifi, I suggest you take a look at Kyle Martin Go Pro Tips and Tricks on YouTube. If you don't get a chance during your trip, he will have good editing advice as well when you are back home and editing all of your video.

[1of4]

I have been using the Hero Black 3+ since it came out. I'm sure you got some advice on it's settings and how to use. Make sure to actually stop and hold it still once and awhile to capture what you are looking at. That is, don't have the camera in constant motion at all times. That way, when you edit your video, and if you have too much up and down or side to side movement, you will be able to edit that out,. It takes awhile to get to know how to properly use the GoPro. You might not have a chance to look at some video, but if you have some down time and you have some wifi, I suggest you take a look at Kyle Martin Go Pro Tips and Tricks on YouTube. If you don't get a chance during your trip, he will have good editing advice as well when you are back home and editing all of your video.

 

Thanks for the tip. I will tell my son who wants to master the GoPro for a 40 day canoe trip next summer up north to the Arctic.

[1of4]

Fantastic reports!

 

Colours coming on strong up here! Glad the weather from Rosa wasn’t too bothersome.

[0bnxshs]

Just got caught up with your reports and all your wonderful pictures.

We got on the Ryndam right after she had done a South American cruise around Cape Horn -- several of her glass doors were broken and quite a few cabin doors had hand punches in them when people lost their balances.

 

Thanks, KK, for reading my blog. Glad you are enjoying!

 

We were on Veendam in 2010 on a SA and Antarctic cruise just after she had suffered heavy weather, lost much of her china and glassware, rippled her starboard bow, buckled the decking on the bow and lost a couple of windows in the Crow's Nest. That was the same year Clelia II was disabled by weather in the Drake. We saw her in Ushuaia undergoing repairs.

[0bnxshs]

I have been using the Hero Black 3+ since it came out. I'm sure you got some advice on it's settings and how to use. Make sure to actually stop and hold it still once and awhile to capture what you are looking at. That is, don't have the camera in constant motion at all times. That way, when you edit your video, and if you have too much up and down or side to side movement, you will be able to edit that out,. It takes awhile to get to know how to properly use the GoPro. You might not have a chance to look at some video, but if you have some down time and you have some wifi, I suggest you take a look at Kyle Martin Go Pro Tips and Tricks on YouTube. If you don't get a chance during your trip, he will have good editing advice as well when you are back home and editing all of your video.

 

Thanks for the great tips, AKJonesy! I have some video and time-lapse photography that I'm not sure how to process in Quik the way I'd like so I'll check out your suggestions. :)

[0bnxshs]

Fantastic reports!

 

Colours coming on strong up here! Glad the weather from Rosa wasn’t too bothersome.

 

Happy you're enjoying, 1of4! This has been consuming much of my spare time so not so good on saying hi via email to this point. Thank goodness internet has been steady so far and I've not hit any usage walls. Weather has been great for the most part. Wish you could hold on to the fall colors there so we could see them in November.

[wrahn2002]

Rich,

 

We are enjoying your posts and photos. I'm sure you and Roger are having quite an adventure.

 

Peggy and Wes

[1of4]

Don’t even think about emailing when you are cruising!

 

The colours will be at peak this weekend but I went out on Sunday. I will try to get out again to take pictures. I will try one here to see if I can get it to work from my tablet. If not I will get on the laptop later.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Enjoy reading your posts.

[Overtime4me2]

I'm really enjoying reading your posts and following along with your cruise. Thank you for taking the time and the money to do it! I did that on my past Cruise in July on Zaandam, so I know what you mean by you're using your spare time (and $) to get it done.

I appreciate it, thank you!

 

Sue

http://www.suebees.wordpress.com

 

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

[0bnxshs]

I'm really enjoying reading your posts and following along with your cruise. Thank you for taking the time and the money to do it! I did that on my past Cruise in July on Zaandam, so I know what you mean by you're using your spare time (and $) to get it done.

I appreciate it, thank you!

 

Sue

www.suebees.wordpress.com

 

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

Yours was one of the blogs that inspired me to do this one; I'm glad you are enjoying mine as I did enjoy yours. Thanks for reading, Sue!