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

[helen haywood]

I love Springsteen.  However, as I get older I find myself having to consciously ignore his politics and just enjoy the music.  I was impressed when I read recently that Dolly Parton has turned down presidential honors more than once because she wants to remain totally apolitical.  How refreshing!

 

In a similar vein, do I never watch The Hunt for Red October now that Baldwin annoys me no end?  Even though I bought the movie before his true colors showed?  
 

I’ve just decided life is too short for these philosophical conundrums…😉

[lenquixote66]

A small word happening from this afternoon.My Parkinsons Support group met this afternoon by Zoom.A new person joined.He looked considerably younger than me but he was older.Through the course of his introducing himself to the group I found out that he taught at both the high school I graduated and a college that I attended.

[jagsfan]

3 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

Thanks Graham... I sent it to my wife as well.  We both loved it.

I’m way behind again, do I just saw it. 
It’s very likely a true story!

Edited May 18, 2023 by jagsfan

[jagsfan]

40 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

I love Springsteen.  However, as I get older I find myself having to consciously ignore his politics and just enjoy the music.  I was impressed when I read recently that Dolly Parton has turned down presidential honors more than once because she wants to remain totally apolitical.  How refreshing!

 

In a similar vein, do I never watch The Hunt for Red October now that Baldwin annoys me no end?  Even though I bought the movie before his true colors showed?  
 

I’ve just decided life is too short for these philosophical conundrums…😉

Years ago, I was driving from Florida to Cincinnati to visit a longtime friend. Another friend invited herself to go with me, although she had never met Nancy. 
I put a Barbra Streisand CD in and my friend immediately said she wasn’t going with me if I played that  CD. 
She said “I despise her” and  when I asked why, she said because of her politics. 
Rather than have to drive her back home, I took the CD out. 
Looking back, I’m sorry I caved. I should have dropped her at the nearest Greyhound station!

Talented people have a gift to offer. I’m not going to let their personal opinions keep me from enjoying their gift. 

[jagsfan]

3 hours ago, dani negreanu said:

DH very much wanted to sample a "local" paella, keen to know what are his "competitors" up to...

 

So we went to a very hipped paella place, reservations ahead required, and touted as "made to order", 40 mins wait. At the beginning we thought he would order his paella and I'll order another dish, since rice doesn't agree with me. Well, the minimum order was for 2 persons, so I've sampled some of the langoustines.

 

He was quite disappointed with the quantity and variety. The rice was very good.

 

That's the "made to order sea food paella" (52 Euro) --

 

 

 

and that's DW version, with plenty of sea food, including stuffed calamari 😉

 

 

I rest DH's case ...

 

He was so right. I’ve always had chicken legs included, but I have only had paella made by an Ecuadorian. 
Did you get to Queen Sophia’s museum?

I was awed by Picasso’s Guernica there. 
Madrid is so different from Barcelona. 

[bobmacliberty]

11 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

He was so right. I’ve always had chicken legs included, but I have only had paella made by an Ecuadorian. 
Did you get to Queen Sophia’s museum?

I was awed by Picasso’s Guernica there. 
Madrid is so different from Barcelona. 

 

We enjoyed Madrid almost as much as Barcelona.  In addition to what you mentioned, we were awed by the Royal Palace and greatly enjoyed El Retiro Park.  We did a fantastic walking food tour (Madrid Tapas, Taverns, & History tour).  I previously mentioned to Dani the gourmet "food court" on the top floor of the El Corte Ingles store on the Gran Via.  Here's the sunset view from that floor.

 

[Sea Dog]

2 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

While they're digging up the front yard, maybe you should put artificial turf there as well.  Then, no mowing anywhere!

I would consider it except this is a expensive addition. It would be nice!

[dani negreanu]

40 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Did you get to Queen Sophia’s museum?

 

It was closed... Major disappointment for DH. See below.

 

11 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

I previously mentioned to Dani the gourmet "food court" on the top floor of the El Corte Ingles store on the Gran Via. 

 

Queen Sophia was closed -- May 1st. Had now idea it is so thoroughly celebrated in Spain.

 

Since we had to postpone our original trip, I had trouble finding new dates which will work for us.

 

When I've booked last October, the flight from Marrakech to Madrid was 62$ pp and now, the cheapest was 250$ pp, the hotel in Madrid was 861 Euro and now 1375, not to mention the flight from Tel Aviv to Marrakech which "jumped" from 909$ to more than 1600$ pp.

 

So I managed to find the Tel Aviv to Marrakech at the original rate just for April 25th, and adjusted accordingly... Turns out that we arrived in Madrid in time for May 1st celebrations, "bridged" to May 2nd, a very long WE and the city was packed.

 

You practically couldn't move on Gran Via... At least, it left us with a taste to return 😉

[Lionesss]

Hello again. 
 

I have been so busy lately, my RCI time reading has been limited to a quick look. 
I am only 70 pages behind on this site. 
 

Between babysitting 4 1/2 hours from home 4 days a week, having the Baptism here And planning all aspects of it, our home remodeling, and a new adventure soon to happen, as well as a cruise on Allure in a few weeks leaves me little time. 
 

Hopefully will be able to do a live review of that getaway. 
 

Just one quick picture now from the Baptism. 
Hope all are well, take care. 
 

 

[QueSeraSera]

12 hours ago, grapau27 said:

I hope everyone is well and y'all have a great day.

 

5 hours ago, HBE4 said:

Did you just say Y'all?

I didn't even notice...sounded perfectly natural 😉

Edited May 18, 2023 by QueSeraSera
clarification

[Luckynana]

4 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Great photos Dani.

+1 @dani negreanu

[Luckynana]

25 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Hello again. 
 

I have been so busy lately, my RCI time reading has been limited to a quick look. 
I am only 70 pages behind on this site. 
 

Between babysitting 4 1/2 hours from home 4 days a week, having the Baptism here And planning all aspects of it, our home remodeling, and a new adventure soon to happen, as well as a cruise on Allure in a few weeks leaves me little time. 
 

Hopefully will be able to do a live review of that getaway. 
 

Just one quick picture now from the Baptism. 
Hope all are well, take care. 
 

 

Congratulations to Grandparents Sue and Rich on your granddaughter Zoey's Baptism!!

 

[derorim]

44 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Hello again. 
 

I have been so busy lately, my RCI time reading has been limited to a quick look. 
I am only 70 pages behind on this site. 
 

Between babysitting 4 1/2 hours from home 4 days a week, having the Baptism here And planning all aspects of it, our home remodeling, and a new adventure soon to happen, as well as a cruise on Allure in a few weeks leaves me little time. 
 

Hopefully will be able to do a live review of that getaway. 
 

Just one quick picture now from the Baptism. 
Hope all are well, take care. 
 

 

You have been missed!  Glad to see you posting again. That’s a great picture from the baptism.  You have been very busy and I bet you really need that upcoming cruise. Eager to hear what your new adventure is.

[dani negreanu]

8 minutes ago, derorim said:

You have been missed!  Glad to see you posting again. That’s a great picture from the baptism.  You have been very busy and I bet you really need that upcoming cruise. Eager to hear what your new adventure is.

 

+ 1  Sue, and congratulations 🌹  @Lionesss

[Ozark_Kid]

I think this is the earliest I seen larger, not cherry, tomatoes popping out before mid June.  So far I noticed 1 Pineapple tomato and 4 Cherokee Purple.   

 

[Sunshine3601]

9 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

1 degree here or about 34 degreees.  Shorts, jacket and toque to walk Merlin this morning.  Once the shorts come out for the first time I refuse to go back to jeans.

Once I bring out flip flops I refuse to go back to other shoes😃

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I think this is the earliest I seen larger, not cherry, tomatoes popping out before mid June.  So far I noticed 1 Pineapple tomato and 4 Cherokee Purple.   

 

Wow!  They are producing early.  I haven't even planted yet.  Glad I didn't since we had frost warning last night. 

[jmh2006]

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Hello again. 
 

I have been so busy lately, my RCI time reading has been limited to a quick look. 
I am only 70 pages behind on this site. 
 

Between babysitting 4 1/2 hours from home 4 days a week, having the Baptism here And planning all aspects of it, our home remodeling, and a new adventure soon to happen, as well as a cruise on Allure in a few weeks leaves me little time. 
 

Hopefully will be able to do a live review of that getaway. 
 

Just one quick picture now from the Baptism. 
Hope all are well, take care. 
 

 

So good to hear from you Sue!  What a precious picture ❤️.  Have fun on Allure!

[Coralc]

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Hello again. 
 

I have been so busy lately, my RCI time reading has been limited to a quick look. 
I am only 70 pages behind on this site. 
 

Between babysitting 4 1/2 hours from home 4 days a week, having the Baptism here And planning all aspects of it, our home remodeling, and a new adventure soon to happen, as well as a cruise on Allure in a few weeks leaves me little time. 
 

Hopefully will be able to do a live review of that getaway. 
 

Just one quick picture now from the Baptism. 
Hope all are well, take care. 
 

 

That's lovely. But kind of wet. Poor Zoey. I thought it was just kind of a sprinkle involved. No wonder they cry and get upset. Congratulations! 😊 Hmm.

[A&L_Ont]

8 hours ago, helen haywood said:

I love Springsteen.  However, as I get older I find myself having to consciously ignore his politics and just enjoy the music.  I was impressed when I read recently that Dolly Parton has turned down presidential honors more than once because she wants to remain totally apolitical.  How refreshing!

 

In a similar vein, do I never watch The Hunt for Red October now that Baldwin annoys me no end?  Even though I bought the movie before his true colors showed?  
 

I’ve just decided life is too short for these philosophical conundrums…😉

Thankfully I’ve missed all of this and I’m good with that. 
 

A classic movie line… I’d would like to have seen Montana.

[NHProud]

How many of you have used AI in planning your trips ? I asked ChatGBT to plan my day someplace random like Cocoa Beach.  If you’re visiting someplace with nothing to do it may come in handy. 

Of course it doesn’t take the place of precise detailed research.  

 

[Ocean Boy]

4 hours ago, NHProud said:

I asked ChatGBT to plan my day someplace random like Cocoa Beach.  

 

I've never heard of this.

[QueSeraSera]

12 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I've never heard of this.

Microsoft's Bing search engine offers a similar technology

[A&L_Ont]

4 hours ago, NHProud said:

How many of you have used AI in planning your trips ? I asked ChatGBT to plan my day someplace random like Cocoa Beach.  If you’re visiting someplace with nothing to do it may come in handy. 

Of course it doesn’t take the place of precise detailed research.  

 

I use something more superior than AI.  
 

It helped to plan our 19th anniversary cruise this summer and will be joining me as well. This superior technology is called Lisa. 😂

[Momof3gurlz]

@dani negreanu the photos of your getaway to Marrakech and Madrid are beautiful.  Do you have any other travel plans in the near future?

 

Andy keeps saying he ‘needs a vacation’.  We have two big trips coming up. First is our big family trip to Disney in August.  This includes us taking the two oldest grandsons on a 3 nighter on Independence of the Seas immediately before the family meets up in WDW. 
Then in September we have our Med cruise with additional days in Venice, Rome and Barcelona. 
We’re also not keen on big vacations during the summer months when we have the beaches here in RI and our own pool to enjoy.  So to satisfy his itch to go somewhere, and for his birthday next month, it looks like one of the following:  

a) staycation (ie: do nothing lol)

b) Atlantic City (we have up to 3 free nights at Harrah’s from his casino status) which would include spending days at Ocean City and Cape May. 
c) trip to Cleveland to visit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. This one may win out since the Red Sox will be playing there on the days we’d likely go.  
 

What travel plans do “all y’all”  have coming up in the next few months?