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

[lenquixote66]

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

Dinner tonight.

The foods that you eat and show us in your pictures are truly beautiful and to a degree exotic.I have a good friend who is a Chef and Cooking Teacher .Some of the foods that he cooks have been featured in magazines.

[xpcdoojk]

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

I assume you aren't  in Chicago during the winter then, because I don't think leaving the windows open in the winter time in Chicago is possible  and turning off the heat in less you want to freeze some pipes.

I remember going to a hockey game in February  at the old Chicago Stadium, which was near the old projects.  There was snow piled two feet high on the sides of the streets and it was about 15 degrees F.  People were out on their patios yelling down to people below and on the streets with their  doors open.  Pretty sure they didn’t pay for the heat.  I will never forget it, nor the organ player doing the star spangled banner and the noise of the crowd.  I will, also not forget the 5 or 6 fights in the first period in the crowd.  Jeremy Roenick had a hat trick too.  BTW, I hate the Blackhawks.  Let’s go Blues!

[TravelGirlinDallas]

31 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Unlike Greg, I do let my wife have a turn at the wheel. 😁

On road trips, I always offer to take a turn driving, but I am secretly always glad my husband prefers to do it all. 😄

[h20skibum]

12 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

I remember going to a hockey game in February  at the old Chicago Stadium, which was near the old projects.  There was snow piled two feet high on the sides of the streets and it was about 15 degrees F

Got to love winter hockey.  I just got an email that tickets are available for the Winter Classic on January 2, 2023 at Fenway Park.  A matchup between our Pens and the Bruins.

 

My son made the first Winter Classic in 2008 at Orchard Park between the Pens and Sabres.  That was a memorable game with the snow, plus a Pen’s win with Sid getting the game winner in a shoot out.  He was there with some of his grad school buddies.

 

I took him to the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field between the Pens and Caps. Unfortunately, we saw our Pens have a loss in that one.  The Pens had their new arena open that season, so I had a package that included the home opener to christen the new arena, and the Winter Classic.  
 

So we were supposed to be the first event at the new arena, then they decided to bring in a singer earlier to open it.  I know it was just a ploy to make me spend more money, but I did it.  Paul McCartney put on one of the best concerts I ever saw.

 

Sorry, but talk of winter hockey took me down memory lane.

 

 

[h20skibum]

17 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

On road trips, I always offer to take a turn driving, but I am secretly always glad my husband prefers to do it all. 😄

Susan hates driving in the larger cities, so I usually drive those parts of our trips.  Plus, I would be too nervous with her driving those places. 

[bobmacliberty]

30 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

On road trips, I always offer to take a turn driving, but I am secretly always glad my husband prefers to do it all. 😄

 

I used to do all of the driving, no matter how long the trip.  It's not that I don't trust Micheline's driving, it just somehow seemed like my job.  A few years ago, she drove for a couple of hours partway through a long trip.  It felt SOOOO much better being able to relax for a bit.  I wasn't nearly as tired or stressed at the end of the trip.  I'll still do most of the driving but she will usually take the wheel for a bit to give me a break.

[jagsfan]

6 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

Woke up to 48F in this part of Florida.  Not a fan.  High temps will be back in the 70s tomorrow and 80s early next week.  I'll suffer through.

Just a little cold snap! They never last long!

[aussielozzie18]

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Dinner tonight.

Your dining this week has been impressive and every dish of this meal looks superb.

[akcruz]

41 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

On road trips, I always offer to take a turn driving, but I am secretly always glad my husband prefers to do it all. 😄

 

22 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Susan hates driving in the larger cities, so I usually drive those parts of our trips.  Plus, I would be too nervous with her driving those places. 

 

7 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I used to do all of the driving, no matter how long the trip.  It's not that I don't trust Micheline's driving, it just somehow seemed like my job.  A few years ago, she drove for a couple of hours partway through a long trip.  It felt SOOOO much better being able to relax for a bit.  I wasn't nearly as tired or stressed at the end of the trip.  I'll still do most of the driving but she will usually take the wheel for a bit to give me a break.

 

Jim is not a good passenger with anyone but on our long trips I do drive some so he can nap.  It's about the only way I can drive with him in the car.  As soon as he wakes up he starts asking a out stopping to switch.  I do prefer when he drives for lots of reasons, but am fine driving, have done the drive on my own more than once.

[jagsfan]

1 minute ago, akcruz said:

 

 

 

Jim is not a good passenger with anyone but on our long trips I do drive some so he can nap.  It's about the only way I can drive with him in the car.  As soon as he wakes up he starts asking a out stopping to switch.  I do prefer when he drives for lots of reasons, but am fine driving, have done the drive on my own more than once.

I prefer to drive, but so does Dick 

He will let me drive only if we’re going downtown. 
I can’t nap when he drives because I don’t dare take my eyes off the road. 
 

[HBE4]

Back home from my first trip to Atlantic City in almost 3 years. Was there for 3 days/2 nights at the Hard Rock Casio, with the 2 nights being "free". The reason for the quotes is  they still charge a resort fee + tax on the resort fee.  Still, it was only $35 per night vs $200 night it would've been. Complimentary drinks were plentiful on the casino floor so the only things I needed to pay for was food, gas & tolls. Oh, and I came home with the same amount of money I left with. Breaking even at a casino is as good as winning to me.

 

I didn't realize yesterday Yankee game was a day game so when I went to the hotel bar early to grab a good seat, I was surprised that it was the 8th inning. At least I go to see them win at the end. Much is being made of how the  long Cleveland series and rain delays will leave the Yankees "exhausted" and they will just roll over for the "well-rested" Astros.  I don't get it, position players usually play 6 days a week for 6 months.  Continuing to do so for another 2 weeks in October should be not be a concern. The Astro's played 3 games in the last 2 weeks. I'd be more concerned about their players being rusty. And while the Yankees won't have their best pitchers available for for the first 2 games, tonight's starting pitcher for the Yankees  - Tailion - last started a game on Oct 4th, so he will be "well-rested". Yes, the Astro's have a better overall pitching staff and are the heavy favorites but if the Yanks can steal a game or two, it's anybodies series.  This is the year of the upsets!

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by HBE4

[aussielozzie18]

@ReneeFLL You asked about P-platers.  After  learner drivers have logged 120 hours of supervised driving (including 20hrs of night driving) and been driving for at least 10months, they do their driving test in their car and if they pass, they are then P-Plate drivers (Provisional drivers).  They can drive unsupervised but max speed is 100km/hr (even on freeway) and they cannot have more than 1 passenger in the car (except immediate family) between 11pm and 4am and there is a zero alcohol limit.  Initially they have white & green p-plates they must display on front and back of car when driving then they progress to red P plates (white square with red P).  It’s usually the red & white p-plates drivers that are reckless and known for speeding.

[A&L_Ont]

38 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Sorry, but talk of winter hockey took me down memory lane.

Do not be sorry for hockey talk.  It sounds like you had a great time at the games.
 

Below is a screen shot of my iPad right now. I thought I’d investigate what to do in Fort Lauderdale, in December prior to our NYE cruise on Harmony. We land at 4:10 Thursday afternoon and the game starts at 7pm. Sounds like a great way to spend the night. Think I might be buying tickets later tonight. 🤷‍♂️
 

The day after we will either go to Los Olas and A1A for part of the day if the weather is good.  If the weather if poor Sawgrass Mills or the movies could be a back up.

 

Time will tell. 
 

[h20skibum]

1 minute ago, A&L_Ont said:

Below is a screen shot of my iPad right now. I thought I’d investigate what to do in Fort Lauderdale, in December prior to our NYE cruise on Harmony. We land at 4:10 Thursday afternoon and the game starts at 7pm. Sounds like a great way to spend the night. Think I might be buying tickets later tonight. 🤷‍♂️

That sounds like a good plan. 

[ownedbypets]

3 hours ago, Jimbo said:

I assume you aren't  in Chicago during the winter then, because I don't think leaving the windows open in the winter time in Chicago is possible  and turning off the heat in less you want to freeze some pipes.

I have been in Chicago in December and February. Hotel windows do open.

[HBE4]

I used to be one of those guys that would wait until Nov 1st before turning on the heat, no matter the outside temperature. Then as time went on, it became anytime after Oct 15th but only at night. After a few more years, it became anytime after Oct 1st to just take the "chill out" of the house and once warmed up, would shut it off right away.

 

And I love to drive so I'll do most, if not all, the driving. Makes the time go by faster. I'm a poor passenger, get bored easily.

 

Edited October 19, 2022 by HBE4

[aussielozzie18]

Last night son & I went to the “Radical Reels” movie festival.  I think I’ve mentioned these movie festivals before.  Well, last nights series of short adventure films were the best ones we have seen in all our years of watching these annual screenings.  Some of the highlights:
- solo bike ride down the vertical slabs of Dubh Slabs in Skye in Scotland (amazing footage but I had to close my eyes in parts). he was riding vertically all the way down.  The sheer drops were stomach clenching.  Scenery stunning.

- skyline  walking on a harness stretched across two iconic mountains high up in the French Alps. awe inspiring and amazing scenery.   DS gave the heights in this one a hard no.

- Four experienced Alphinists attempt the first ever summit of Link SAR mountains in Central Pakistan.  Amazing footage.  This was son’s favourite film.

- wing suit flyers in Norway (more amazing scenery but a hard no from me for wing suit flying)

- A mother & her trainer high diving  together in winter, in Quebec, into a frozen lake.

Just Wow.

- 3 base jumpers in Utah.  If I was in my 20s again, I would actually want to do this one.  Stunning scenery. 
- Italys best freestyle skier does an “Ultimate Run” - an absolute stunning continuous film of him skiing all his favourite ski runs in the Italian & Austrian Alps - powder turns, rails, cliff drops, skis through a glacier cave and more .  Best short film of the night for me.  It was like watching a James Bond film.
 

Each film short received applause at the end of its screening from the audience that filled the large cinema.

[bobmacliberty]

42 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

Oh, and I came home with the same amount of money I left with. Breaking even at a casino is as good as winning to me.

 

Sounds like a very fun, very inexpensive quick trip.  I always assume that gambling money is an entertainment expense.  If I'm not willing to lose my entire bankroll and still say that I had fun, then I don't gamble.  Breaking even means that you had fun for free!

[bobmacliberty]

4 minutes ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Last night son & I went to the “Radical Reels” movie festival.  I think I’ve mentioned these movie festivals before.  Well, last nights series of short adventure films were the best ones we have seen in all our years of watching these annual screenings.  Some of the highlights:
- solo bike ride down the vertical slabs of Dubh Slabs in Skye in Scotland (amazing footage but I had to close my eyes in parts). he was riding vertically all the way down.  The sheer drops were stomach clenching.  Scenery stunning.

- skyline  walking on a harness stretched across two iconic mountains high up in the French Alps. awe inspiring and amazing scenery.   DS gave the heights in this one a hard no.

- Four experienced Alphinists attempt the first ever summit of Link SAR mountains in Central Pakistan.  Amazing footage.  This was son’s favourite film.

- wing suit flyers in Norway (more amazing scenery but a hard no from me for wing suit flying)

- A mother & her trainer high diving  together in winter, in Quebec, into a frozen lake.

Just Wow.

- 3 base jumpers in Utah.  If I was in my 20s again, I would actually want to do this one.  Stunning scenery. 
- Italys best freestyle skier does an “Ultimate Run” - an absolute stunning continuous film of him skiing all his favourite ski runs in the Italian & Austrian Alps - powder turns, rails, cliff drops, skis through a glacier cave and more .  Best short film of the night for me.  It was like watching a James Bond film.
 

Each film short received applause at the end of its screening from the audience that filled the large cinema.

 

I love doing adventure stuff.  Not so much as I've gotten older, but I don't think I could ever do wing suit flying.  They fly SO fast and get SO close to things...scary to watch.  There always seems to be a small arch that they fly through, or a ledge that they clear within a couple of feet.  Not me.

[Sunshine3601]

1 hour ago, HBE4 said:

Back home from my first trip to Atlantic City in almost 3 years. Was there for 3 days/2 nights at the Hard Rock Casio, with the 2 nights being "free". The reason for the quotes is  they still charge a resort fee + tax on the resort fee.  Still, it was only $35 per night vs $200 night it would've been. Complimentary drinks were plentiful on the casino floor so the only things I needed to pay for was food, gas & tolls. Oh, and I came home with the same amount of money I left with. Breaking even at a casino is as good as winning to me.

 

 

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!

 

[Sunshine3601]

As you all know today was my first day back to work since Thursday.    Overall, it went well.    I was very busy all day.   I found it very difficult to wear a mask while congested so I stayed in my office most of the day with no mask on.    I only put it on when I left my office to go to shared areas or the bathroom.     I hope to be caught up on my work by end of tomorrow.   If everyone leaves me alone like they did today.     No nap was needed but I will definitely go to bed early  tonight.

 

[Keksie]

Arrived in NC for our fun, fiber fest.  Not a bad view from the back yard.  

 

[bobmacliberty]

I got talking about Mai Tais in @Ozark_Kid John's live trip report.  Rather than clutter up his report thread, I'll move that discussion here.  We (again) got hooked on Mai Tais while in Hawaii.  Happens every time we're there. 😁  In an attempt to extend that Hawaiian vacation feeling as long as possible, the Mai Tai will be our drink of choice for a while.  Every bar in Hawaii seems to have their own twist on a mai tai recipe.  The Tahiti Nui bar on Kauai is supposed to have great mai tais, but they weren't open yet when we were there, and their recipe is a secret.  I asked several bartenders how they make their mai tais and there's a common base recipe, with a difference in the juices that they add.  Our favorite Mai Tai was at the Hula Grill on Maui.  The bartender there said they use POG juice but he said pineapple rather than the passion fruit juice that's typically considered to be the P in POG (orange and guava being the O and G).  I'm experimenting to see what tastes best.

 

Background - The original Mai Tai recipe, as created by Trader Vic, did not have much fruit juice in it.  Only some fresh squeezed lime juice.  Tourists however preferred the addition of some combination of pineapple juice, orange juice, guava juice, and passion fruit juice which made the drink sweeter.  The original recipe was aged rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice.  I've made and like that recipe, but it's not very sweet.

 

So my science experiment started with happy hour today.  I made the original recipe but with some typical tropical twists,  For the rum, I started with a light rum and then added a dark rum floater.  For the juices, I subtracted the lime juice and instead added pineapple juice, orange juice, and guava juice.  It was very good...better than the original for my tastes...but still didn't taste quite like the best versions that we had in Hawaii.  It was a little too sweet, and maybe a little bit too orangey??  Round 2...I kept the same pineapple, orange, guava juice but added back a little bit of lime juice.  Better, the lime juice helped balance the sweetness, but still not perfect.  That's enough science for one night.

 

My next tweak to the recipe will be a change in the dark rum.  I'm not really using a true dark rum.  I'm using Appleton Estate aged Jamaican rum.  A true dark rum usually has molasses or caramel and a different flavor profile.  Off to the liquor store in the next couple of days to see what's available.  I've been told not to use a spiced rum like Kraken since its taste is too strong, but I think I'll try it...in the name of science of course.  If that still isn't perfect, I might tweak the ratio of pineapple juice (more), orange juice (less), and guava juice (slightly less).  If I can find it, I'll also try some passion fruit juice.  Of course, I'll share my results here.

[dani negreanu]

 

DH is experimenting.... made gnocchi from purple sweet potatoes. Very tasty, though some improvement is needed on their appearances 😉. 

 

[Sunshine3601]

19 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

I got talking about Mai Tais in @Ozark_Kid John's live trip report.  Rather than clutter up his report thread, I'll move that discussion here.  We (again) got hooked on Mai Tais while in Hawaii.  Happens every time we're there. 😁  In an attempt to extend that Hawaiian vacation feeling as long as possible, the Mai Tai will be our drink of choice for a while.  Every bar in Hawaii seems to have their own twist on a mai tai recipe.  The Tahiti Nui bar on Kauai is supposed to have great mai tais, but they weren't open yet when we were there, and their recipe is a secret.  I asked several bartenders how they make their mai tais and there's a common base recipe, with a difference in the juices that they add.  Our favorite Mai Tai was at the Hula Grill on Maui.  The bartender there said they use POG juice but he said pineapple rather than the passion fruit juice that's typically considered to be the P in POG (orange and guava being the O and G).  I'm experimenting to see what tastes best.

 

Background - The original Mai Tai recipe, as created by Trader Vic, did not have much fruit juice in it.  Only some fresh squeezed lime juice.  Tourists however preferred the addition of some combination of pineapple juice, orange juice, guava juice, and passion fruit juice which made the drink sweeter.  The original recipe was aged rum, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, simple syrup, and lime juice.  I've made and like that recipe, but it's not very sweet.

 

So my science experiment started with happy hour today.  I made the original recipe but with some typical tropical twists,  For the rum, I started with a light rum and then added a dark rum floater.  For the juices, I subtracted the lime juice and instead added pineapple juice, orange juice, and guava juice.  It was very good...better than the original for my tastes...but still didn't taste quite like the best versions that we had in Hawaii.  It was a little too sweet, and maybe a little bit too orangey??  Round 2...I kept the same pineapple, orange, guava juice but added back a little bit of lime juice.  Better, the lime juice helped balance the sweetness, but still not perfect.  That's enough science for one night.

 

My next tweak to the recipe will be a change in the dark rum.  I'm not really using a true dark rum.  I'm using Appleton Estate aged Jamaican rum.  A true dark rum usually has molasses or caramel and a different flavor profile.  Off to the liquor store in the next couple of days to see what's available.  I've been told not to use a spiced rum like Kraken since its taste is too strong, but I think I'll try it...in the name of science of course.  If that still isn't perfect, I might tweak the ratio of pineapple juice (more), orange juice (less), and guava juice (slightly less).  If I can find it, I'll also try some passion fruit juice.  Of course, I'll share my results here.

I would love to be your guinea pig.    What is your address😁    These all sound very good.    I was never a fan of the Mai Tai until I got older.    It was one of my parents favorite drinks when they cruised or were at the beach.   I remember my Dad liking his on the sour side and my Mom liking her Mai Tai's on the sweeter side (opposites attract).❤️