Royal Caribbean Cruisers -- How Are Things Where You Are? (was "Routine" ​ 😁 ​day in lockdown... how was yours?)

[aussielozzie18]

8 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

Just about to leave Amelia for home.

 

 

Stunning photos 

Edited October 20, 2022 by aussielozzie18

[aussielozzie18]

When I arrived at work this morning, my loyal to Royal colleague excitedly showed me that her and her partner have set up the harbour cam on their computers to watch Ovation sail into Sydney Harbour for the start of Ovation’s Australian summer season (with Renee on board of course).  They will be sailing on Ovation to the South Pacific in a couple of weeks time and then again to New Zealand at the end of our season.

[dani negreanu]

55 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

We then strolled down to the harbour front as I knew the Majestic Princess was due to depart.

 

Aussie, it is amazing to me to see your pictures (at least those around the Rocks, the Bridge and the Opera House) and to say to myself: "Oh, we've strolled here too, or we have the same pic with Ovation in port"...  For us, it was quite an achievement to travel "down under", with such a long, daunting flight.

 

Thank you again for posting, and please, keep them coming.

[Arzeena]

14 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

I also love Wegmans.  We have none in RI but there’s one just outside Boston, about an hour’s drive (yes, I love it so much I sometimes go up there).  There are many around my oldest DD in PA so I always make a visit when we’re there. 

 

Love Wegmans too. There are a few in NJ. Luckily the closest one is 10 minutes from us.

[dani negreanu]

12 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Jack and I were both still fatigued way after we tested negative after our covid bouts so try and take it easy.

 

@Sunshine3601

 

Same here, Debbie, it took me at least 3 months to go back to 100%.... But, after hearing about other, very unpleasant, lingering aspects, I'm OK with the fatigue.

 

Imagine, a foodie like me, loosing her smell and taste... Horrible.

[Arzeena]

12 hours ago, jagsfan said:

Where did you find guava juice?

Publix has Iberia guava juice,  but I want a glass full. I think they still have a guava juice drink, but that’s not the same. 

Seabra brazilian market. I find everything I cannot find elsewhere at that place when in the Kissimee area. You may have one in your area.

(May have spelt it wrong. Just google it)

[xpcdoojk]

5 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Mike and I along with a few others have batched drinks with Jeff Berry at the Mai Kai. It was for an event for the Miami Renaissance Rum Festival back when it was bigger. Mike also has Trader Vic and Beachbum Berry’s books. Have you been to his bar in New Orleans? We haven’t.

No, went to a Trader Vic’s once when we were fairly newly married, been hoping to find another ever since.  My bar, is definitely Tiki themed.  We rarely entertain, any more due to Covid getting us out of the mode.  Kind of sad.  If there is a Tiki Bar and I know of it, I will search it out.  Many have gone the way of Mai Kai which is even sadder!

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

5 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

I learned something new today. Possum wool is the third warmest in the world. With hollow hair shafts it’s incredibly light and warm. Items will keep their shape better and some can be washed in the washing machine. 

When we did our first trip to New Zealand back in 2003, we bought possum and lambs wool sweaters.  I still have mine.  It is warm and scratchy.  🤣

[HBE4]

16 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Welcome home!     Sounds like you had a good trip.     Congratulations on breaking even😃

Did you eat anywhere particular yummy?    Did you have a stroll on the boardwalk?    Do tell or does the "story" have to stay in AC like Vegas?       Is Leonard happy you are home?   No, I do not have 21 questions - LOL!

 

 

 It was a much needed quick, getaway. I was hesitant at first as hitting the casino's was something me & DW would do 4 or 5 times a year, usually split between Atlantic City and the Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun duo in CT.  But DSD (Dear Step Daughter) encouraged me to go, which was no surprise as she was coming with. LOL. And once we were there, everything went fine.

 

Dining-wise was nothing special. Plenty of snacks were packed to graze throughout the day. One night, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which is where I thought I was going to watch the Yankee game. It's typical of a big hotel chain restaurant. Good, but nothing special and a bit pricey for what you get.

 

An interesting place we went to is called The Irish Pub, a 1920s style speakeasy a short stroll down the boardwalk.  It's not designed to look like a 1920's speakeasy, it's an actual bar that hasn't changed since the 1920s.  Check out the video on their home page.

 

https://theirishpub.com/

 

Food was surprisingly good and there is a lot of nooks and crannies to explore.  There is a hotel above it with an old style elevator, the kind you pull a cage door to close and pull/push a handle to go up or down. Some of the rooms don't even have a private bathroom, there is a common one at the end of the hall. Stepping into the place feels like you're stepping back in time.

 

One of the keys to winning-by-breaking-even is to budget accordingly and take breaks when slots are not going your way. The best way to do that is taking strolls on the boardwalk & the weather on Monday & Tuesday were perfect weather for that, a bit of an early  autumn chill but plenty of sun and no breeze made it comfortable.  Hard Rock also has free, live music every night at one of the casino bars which also made for a nice, long break from gambling.  I did spend some time by the indoor pool. It's really nothing special but I was feeling a bit fuzzy after one too many mudslides the night before. 😵  

[HBE4]

17 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

 Is Leonard happy you are home? 

 

I forgot to answer the most important question. Yes!  Friends checked in on Leonard while we were away but once home, he was pretty much my shadow. Must've tripped over him a half-a-dozen times as he was always at my feet.

[dani negreanu]

After a hard day of work at the kindergarten.....

 

[BonTexasNY]

Something happened last night that reinforced my thinking that there is an energy surrounding us that shows itself when we least expect it. I think @A&L_OntAndrew knows what I mean.

 

I recently posted that Jack and I stayed at a friends summer home in the Atlantic City area before gambling came to town.  These friends were more than friends.  The husband, Mike, and Jack were business partners for 20+ years.

 

Mike, unfortunately, passed away approx.. 10 years ago and communication with his sons all but stopped. 

 

Why do I mention all of this?  Last night, Jack got a text from one of Mike’s sons, asking how we were and said he was thinking of us and how close our two families were, and the rich history that we all share.

 

So after 10 years, David, the son, chose a time when I had been thinking of his family, to reach out to us.

 

 I firmly believe that a coincidence is a small miracle where G-d chose to remain silent.

 

 

Edited October 20, 2022 by BonTexasNY

[reallyitsmema]

1 hour ago, dani negreanu said:

 

 

Imagine, a foodie like me, loosing her smell and taste... Horrible.

 

I can confirm that it is not fun.  I hope it is back someday...

[jagsfan]

4 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Harris Teeter.  It's the Goya Guava Nectar.  Publix has it on their website.  It was in the Mexican section at HT.

You have the only Harris Teeter in North Florida. Maybe in Florida, period. 
They left Jax more than 10 years ago. 
I miss them. 
I’m check the ethnic food aisle at Publix, but I’ve only seen Iberia in the past. 
Haven’t looked lately. 

[lenquixote66]

15 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Can you say BLIND SIDE.

Would that be Lato Cieco ?

[lenquixote66]

5 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

 

I did too.  

 

The Yankees did not make the first round vote. 😉

I liked the results of both games yesterday.

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

Hotel we stayed at- Palazzo Niccolini al Doumo had very nice breakfast.  Got to get my protein before heading out for exploring.

 

 

 

 

 

Loading up on my protein 

 

 

This was my favorite item.  An amazing almond lemon custard thingy.  So good.

[lenquixote66]

2 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Love Wegmans too. There are a few in NJ. Luckily the closest one is 10 minutes from us.

Whenever we were in NJ we would try to visit a Wegmans and at least one WaWa.

[clochette]

2 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Love Wegmans too. There are a few in NJ. Luckily the closest one is 10 minutes from us.

Also a Wegmans lover and I am lucky to have a few fairly close by, this is where I do most of my shopping.  My older daughters worked there for quite a few years, great company.

[lenquixote66]

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

 It was a much needed quick, getaway. I was hesitant at first as hitting the casino's was something me & DW would do 4 or 5 times a year, usually split between Atlantic City and the Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun duo in CT.  But DSD (Dear Step Daughter) encouraged me to go, which was no surprise as she was coming with. LOL. And once we were there, everything went fine.

 

Dining-wise was nothing special. Plenty of snacks were packed to graze throughout the day. One night, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which is where I thought I was going to watch the Yankee game. It's typical of a big hotel chain restaurant. Good, but nothing special and a bit pricey for what you get.

 

An interesting place we went to is called The Irish Pub, a 1920s style speakeasy a short stroll down the boardwalk.  It's not designed to look like a 1920's speakeasy, it's an actual bar that hasn't changed since the 1920s.  Check out the video on their home page.

 

https://theirishpub.com/

 

Food was surprisingly good and there is a lot of nooks and crannies to explore.  There is a hotel above it with an old style elevator, the kind you pull a cage door to close and pull/push a handle to go up or down. Some of the rooms don't even have a private bathroom, there is a common one at the end of the hall. Stepping into the place feels like you're stepping back in time.

 

One of the keys to winning-by-breaking-even is to budget accordingly and take breaks when slots are not going your way. The best way to do that is taking strolls on the boardwalk & the weather on Monday & Tuesday were perfect weather for that, a bit of an early  autumn chill but plenty of sun and no breeze made it comfortable.  Hard Rock also has free, live music every night at one of the casino bars which also made for a nice, long break from gambling.  I did spend some time by the indoor pool. It's really nothing special but I was feeling a bit fuzzy after one too many mudslides the night before. 😵  

This is amazing.I have been going to AC since 1968 and do not believe that I ever heard of this place.

I had many wild adventures in AC ,subject for another post.

I am glad that you had an enjoyable time there.

[FromSea2ShiningSea]

Saturday we did a free walking tour.  We walked through a lot of piazzas and saw a lot of cathedrals. 

 

Piazza del Duomo and the Giotto’s Bell Tower

 

 

 

 

 

 

A replica of David

 

After the tour, we walked to the Central Market and then ate at where the locals eat.

 

 

 

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, BonTexasNY said:

Something happened last night that reinforced my thinking that there is an energy surrounding us that shows itself when we least expect it. I think @A&L_OntAndrew knows what I mean.

 

I recently posted that Jack and I stayed at a friends summer home in the Atlantic City area before gambling came to town.  These friends were more than friends.  The husband, Mike, and Jack were business partners for 20+ years.

 

Mike, unfortunately, passed away approx.. 10 years ago and communication with his sons all but stopped. 

 

Why do I mention all of this?  Last night, Jack got a text from one of Mike’s sons, asking how we were and said he was thinking of us and how close our two families were, and the rich history that we all share.

 

So after 10 years, David, the son, chose a time when I had been thinking of his family, to reach out to us.

 

 I firmly believe that a coincidence is a small miracle where G-d chose to remain silent.

 

 

 

 

I can relate to this.

 

One day when we were cruising on the Symphony last October we did not go to the show and I told my husband because I was going to win in the casino.............I did.

 

Sunday night I dreamed the DH dropped his water camera over the balcony at sea.

When I woke up I told him.

 

Monday, he got it out because we use it for everything not just underwater (Using at shower in 2 weeks)  and he informs me it is broke, charged but will not take pictures.

 

He took it to our local camera/repair shop and yup, its done.  Only 4 years old, off warranty.

 

When you see us on board, he will verify.

 

I have had this happen to me on numerous times.

With different case scenarios

 

Take care

 

 

 

 

[Sunshine3601]

3 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

 It was a much needed quick, getaway. I was hesitant at first as hitting the casino's was something me & DW would do 4 or 5 times a year, usually split between Atlantic City and the Foxwoods/Mohegan Sun duo in CT.  But DSD (Dear Step Daughter) encouraged me to go, which was no surprise as she was coming with. LOL. And once we were there, everything went fine.

 

Dining-wise was nothing special. Plenty of snacks were packed to graze throughout the day. One night, we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe which is where I thought I was going to watch the Yankee game. It's typical of a big hotel chain restaurant. Good, but nothing special and a bit pricey for what you get.

 

An interesting place we went to is called The Irish Pub, a 1920s style speakeasy a short stroll down the boardwalk.  It's not designed to look like a 1920's speakeasy, it's an actual bar that hasn't changed since the 1920s.  Check out the video on their home page.

 

https://theirishpub.com/

 

Food was surprisingly good and there is a lot of nooks and crannies to explore.  There is a hotel above it with an old style elevator, the kind you pull a cage door to close and pull/push a handle to go up or down. Some of the rooms don't even have a private bathroom, there is a common one at the end of the hall. Stepping into the place feels like you're stepping back in time.

 

One of the keys to winning-by-breaking-even is to budget accordingly and take breaks when slots are not going your way. The best way to do that is taking strolls on the boardwalk & the weather on Monday & Tuesday were perfect weather for that, a bit of an early  autumn chill but plenty of sun and no breeze made it comfortable.  Hard Rock also has free, live music every night at one of the casino bars which also made for a nice, long break from gambling.  I did spend some time by the indoor pool. It's really nothing special but I was feeling a bit fuzzy after one too many mudslides the night before. 😵  

Excellent.    Sounds like you both had the perfect get-away with some beautiful weather.    😄

 

Back in the day when I had to go to mortgage banker conventions in AC or just go to AC I would stop in the Irish Pub - always a fun place with decent food and drink at great prices.    I haven't been there in years but it probably hasn't changed. 

 

Good to hear Leonard is happy and following you around.      Sparky tends to get under feet on a regular basis.   He's funny because he will smack my foot if he is afraid I will step on him.     

[dani negreanu]

37 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

After the tour, we walked to the Central Market and then ate at where the locals eat.

 

Beautiful pics, Helen, and nice weather too 😘 We had one of the best meals ever at the Market, fresh products and every thing. Bought some excellent parmesan, for a fraction of the price we pay here...

 

Thanks for sharing. More, please 🌷

[TravelGirlinDallas]

40 minutes ago, FromSea2ShiningSea said:

Piazza del Duomo and the Giotto’s Bell Tower

 

Italy is so magical. When I was younger, my friends and I climbed the million stairs to the top of the Duomo's dome there in Florence. I don't think I could do it now!