Memories on this Date

[Mtn2Sea]

Two years ago today, the Amsterdam stopped at Easter Island.  Although the tendering process was slow and somewhat hectic, the trip ashore was very memorable!

 

[bennybear]

59 minutes ago, Mtn2Sea said:

Two years ago today, the Amsterdam stopped at Easter Island.  Although the tendering process was slow and somewhat hectic, the trip ashore was very memorable!

 

That is SO on my list!  Lucky you could get ashore! 

[rkacruiser]

On this date in 2008, the Amsterdam was spending her second day in Sydney.  I enjoyed another day of HOHO travel with more time spent at Darling Harbor as well as a visit to Bondi Beach.  Returning to the pier area, I spent some time exploring The Rocks area before returning to the plaza area near the terminal, sitting/resting for awhile, while people watching.  The Amsterdam sailed at 11:00 P. M. and it was a beautiful sailaway with the Opera House and the city lighted.  I stayed on deck conversing with a fellow guest until we had passed the Sydney Heads and were on our way out to sea.  It was a really great day!

[VintageGeo]

One year ago we dipped into the bucket list and transited the Panama Canal.

 

Gatun Locks

 

Many thanks to the good people on CC who clued us into Panama Rolls.

 

Gatun Lake

 

 

We got the chance to see what it's like to be in the fishbowl...

 

Panama City

 

Lori & George

 

 

[bcummin]

In 2019 the Maasdam had three Sea Days between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Speakers presented future ports, the history & culture of Malaysia,  China's ancient explorer Zheng He, the future plans of China, and the Digital Workshop.  Ship's officers explained the workings of the ship.  Naturalist Kristy King taught us all about turtles.  Chris Cook presented photographic Images of a Naturalist.

Guest Chef Pearly Kee of Penang, Malaysia was especially inspiring.  Add black pepper to curry powder to increase health benefits.

I delighted in the Gala Dinner's escargot.

Barbara

 

[bcummin]

The Maasdam docked at the Malaysian island of Langkawi in 2019.  

We hired a $40 taxi for a three hour tour.  The driver knew that we needed to visit Eagle Square in Kuah.  We also saw another water monitor lizard.  I asked to see a market and maybe batik?  We were taken to the elegant Alma Alam Batik Art Village and then to his wife's dress shop.  Saw a lovely beach and the airport that they were so proud of.

Then came nap time and packing back onboard.

Our EXC In-Depth lecture by Terry Greenberg was about the Chinese Diaspora in Southeast Asia.

Barbara

 

[bcummin]

In 2009 our ms Prinsendam Grand SA & Antarctica Voyage arrived near Palmer Station on the Antarctic Peninsula.

This was so special for us, because my Old Antarctic Explorer DH had wintered over twice with the U.S. Navy.  Hallet Station 1959 and Old Palmer Station 1965.  DH was one of the first crew of ten men to winter over after the Seabees had built the rustic station.

We had been corresponding with some of the people at New Palmer Station and helped welcome aboard those who arrived on two zodiac boats.

We enjoyed hearing their presentation about the current scientific studies and life at Palmer Station.

Antarctic Cruising the Lemaire Channel SE of Palmer Station was spectacular. 

65 degrees, 2 min. South

Three Palmer people joined us for lunch in the dining room.

The 1 pm Palmer presentation completed their visit.  Cruise Director Thom gave DH a glowing introduction for his talk tomorrow about Old Palmer Station.

More Antarctic cruising was thru Neumeyer Channel and Paradise Bay.  A lively pod of Orca whales entertained us on our way to Dallman Bay.  Spectacular sunset in awesome Antarctica.

DH had finally been able to share part of his Antarctica with me.

More treasured memories.

Barbara

 

Edited February 13, 2021 by bcummin

[bennybear]

Loving these great memories!  

[ski ww]

The Antarctic is on our bucket list it is last last continent for us to visit. 

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, ski ww said:

The Antarctic is on our bucket list it is last last continent for us to visit. 

 

Believe me, it is worth whatever one has to do to experience this pristine, unique region.  

[Dismomx5]

 

6 hours ago, bennybear said:

Loving these great memories!  

Me, too. The pictures are fabulous, and my bucket list is growing. Thanks for starting the thread!

[VintageGeo]

One year ago we were in Costa Rica. We took a HAL excursion to visit Rancho San Miguel, a family owned ranch that raises Andalusian horses. It was quite an interesting show.

 

And we were treated to a different show as we sailed out that evening.

[bennybear]

2 hours ago, Dismomx5 said:

 

Me, too. The pictures are fabulous, and my bucket list is growing. Thanks for starting the thread!

Thank you!  I just wanted a place where we could share our wonderful memories!  

[VintageGeo]

Happy Valentine's Day!

The crew of the Oosterdam got the day started last year...

 

A look at our day in Nicaragua...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori & George

 

[iflyrc5]

A year ago today we were on the Volendam Grand South America Adventure in Montevideo, Uruguay.  The ship had a Grand Valentine Dinner and we got a box of candy as a pillow gift that evening.

[VintageGeo]

3 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Now there's a sparkly feller! And then you add the jacket...

[bcummin]

I have also been enjoying all of the past ports that have been shared.  The exquisite Andalusian horses especially brought back fond memories for our family.

Barbara

[Roger88]

The photo of the mountain (or Volcano) is amazing. I wonder if anyone ever climbed it and if there are photos from the top of it. I also want to know how hard it is to go by those places and not see them up close.. sometimes I wish I had  enough time to visit every place I see from the ship 

[bcummin]

Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia was our final 2019 port to visit.  Our tour made the 1 1/2 hour drive to Kuala Lumpur, stopping first at their royal palace.  (The nine Sultans from the nine states routinely vote to choose which one will be the king.)  Then we visited their patriotic National Monument, the National Mosque, and a viewpoint for the Petrona Twin Towers.

When we returned to the remote cruise port, a huge Chinese cruise ship had joined ms Maasdam.

Tomorrow was to be departure in Singapore after 68 days onboard.  We had watched the EXC In-Depth program change and evolve through the days and weeks.  We had delighted in our exotic voyage.  Sadly, it is no more.  The program deteriorated, and the Maasdam has been sold.

Barbara

 

 

[bobpatj]

Last year on Valentines Day, we disembarked the Westerdam in Cambodia, to find our way to Seattle, and visit our family there.  We first flew to Kuala Lumpur, then to Korea and at last arrived in Seattle on the 16th. Whew!

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, bcummin said:

We had delighted in our exotic voyage.  Sadly, it is no more.  The program deteriorated, and the Maasdam has been sold.

Barbara

 

Understandably, your report ends with a note of sadness.  I know it is difficult; it surely is for me.  But, I think I "know" you.  Both of us are "the glass is half-full" type of persons.  We need to maintain that mind set.  

 

I frequently need to keep in mind the song The Morning After.  It was written for The Poseidon Adventure.  It's message reminds me that the Sun will again arise tomorrow.  Being able to sail the seven seas will again become possible during some future tomorrows.  

[VintageGeo]

7 hours ago, bcummin said:

Y'know, if he told me to move...I would believe him. 😲

 

And BTW, thank you for all the wonderful pictures and memories you share.

 

George

 

[VintageGeo]

Last year we sailed into Guatemala, and our day started early with a mountain that was having a bad hair day...

 

As we headed inland we passed several volcanoes, including one that appeared to be to some extent active.

 

 

We embarked a passenger ferry to cross Lake Atitlan, a very scenic mountain lake surrounded by dormant volcanoes and small villages.

 

 

We enjoyed lunch at a lakeside resort in the village of Panajachel and some time wandering the shopping and dock areas.

 

 

This is Lucy. She does not like to take no for an answer...

 

We then made our way back across the lake and back to the ship.

 

 

 

In all, this excursion consisted of around 4 1/2 hours on a bus on roads that were sometimes good and 1 hour each way on the boat with just over an hour ashore. It totaled approximately 8 hours and we got back just before all aboard. It was a tiring day, but Lake Atitlan is worth seeing.

 

Lori & George

 

[whogo]

Loved the view of rugged, snow capped Andes peaks as we flew to Santiago, Chile, for our 16 night Veendam cruise to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Horn in 2011. Toured our way to the port, preferred quirky old Valparaiso the modern, glitzy Vina del Mar. Mrs. Whogo could live there because of all the cats, I could live there in spite of all the cats.

 

Glitzy Vina del Mar

 

Quirky Valparaiso. That stairway goes on forever.

 

Stairs too much? Take an elevator. Couldn't believe the steepness of the hills our driver climbed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ski ww]

In 2016 on the Maasdam we started our three day 1200K cruise up the Amazon to Manaus.