Memories on this Date

[whogo]

44 minutes ago, bcummin said:

I thought that Otway Sound was north of Punta Arenas, on the Straits of Magellan?

Barbara

Otway sound connects to the strait well west of Punta Arenas. Somewhere the strait switches from being in the Atlantic to being in the Pacific and the claim was that Punta Arenas is on the Atlantic Ocean and Otway Sound is part of the Pacific.

[VintageGeo]

In 2020 we awakened to the last full day of our cruise. It started with a lovely sunrise over Baja California.

 

The skies soon went very gray and dreary, and stayed that way the rest of the day. It seemed to match the atmosphere onboard, as most weren't happy to be reaching the end of our cruise.

 

But as we neared the end of the day we noticed some colors peeking through on the western horizon that quickly began to spread across the sky.

 

 

 

Then, as we were admiring the pastel beauty we hadn't expected, the sky exploded into one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

It was a magnificent exclamation point to what was a wonderful 17 days onboard the Oosterdam.

 

Lori & George

 

[whogo]

Veendam cruisers lined the rails on February 22, 2011 for the views of Glacier Alley in the Beagle Channel.

 

Low overcast for our visit, my usual luck, I was impressed by the blue of the ice, the size of the glaciers and the waterfalls.

 

 

[bcummin]

2009 - "I woke to the lights of Valparaiso with a sliver of the moon in the sky.  DH brought me coffee at 6:30 am, and I met him later in the Lido for breakfast."  In December, 1964 his U.S. Navy ship had stopped in Valparaiso, Chile for four days on the way to Antarctica.  He knew that we wanted to take the train to nearby Vina del Mar.  While waiting for our train, two local ladies easily identified us as tourists and became our guardian angels.  "?A donde va?"

     In Vina del Mar we walked through a lovely park.  It was a beautiful tree-shaded resort city.  Saw lots of snoozing dogs.  Crossed a bridge and eventually found the museum for Easter Island.  Fascinating.

     The Handicraft Market had lots of bargains and interesting merchandise.

Back at the Valparaiso waterfront was more shopping.  I was honored to help the Rabbi's wife get a better price for the necklace she liked.

     Back onboard ms Prinsendam, our Folklorico show was at 3:30 pm.  Enthusiastic dancing and singing.  They even included a Polynesian song & dance from Easter Island.

Barbara

 

 

 

Edited February 22, 2021 by bcummin

[bennybear]

Loved the sunrises and sunsets and more easter island💕

[VintageGeo]

In 2020 the Oosterdam pulled into San Diego and brought us to the end of our Panama Canal cruise. The weather left something to be desired, as it was pouring rain and even some hail as we left the ship. We had booked a city tour with  transfer, and it started out quite wet.

 

 

The rain abated as we visited LaJolla Cove.

 

 

We stopped in Old Town for some sightseeing and lunch before being taken to the airport.

 

 

We had a great 17 days on the Oosterdam and thoroughly enjoyed this bucket list trip. Our gratitude to Holland America, and to the Captain and crew. Hopefully we will have the chance to do scratch more off of that list, soon.

 

Lori & George

 

[rkacruiser]

On 2/21/2021 at 8:42 AM, whogo said:

Rub the foot on the Magellan monument

 

Been there and done that!  A great memory of an excellent cruise!

[whogo]

Veendam, February 23, 2011, we circled Cape Horn. Overcast, of course, seas were disappointingly calm. We skipped the Ammolite: Birth of a Gem lecture, Explorer's Lounge, deck. Photo is wonky, maybe the seas were rougher than I remember.

 

[bennybear]

7 hours ago, whogo said:

Veendam, February 23, 2011, we circled Cape Horn. Overcast, of course, seas were disappointingly calm. We skipped the Ammolite: Birth of a Gem lecture, Explorer's Lounge, deck. Photo is wonky, maybe the seas were rougher than I remember.

 

I should be SO lucky,  calm seas!   So far I’m avoiding this area!  
I am giggling about the Ammolite,  it’s found in Canada, nowhere near where you were🤷‍♀️

[whogo]

We were able to tender in to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands on February 24, 2011, overcast skies, of course. We survived a bone jarring 4X4 visit to the gentoo penguin colony at Bluff Cove. Feathers were coming in nicely on the chicks.

*

Feathers everywhere.

*

There was a lone pair of king penguins successfully raising a chick (not pictured). I imagined the female criticizing the male for not asking for directions to Volunteer Point, they did not know a soul at Bluff Cove. The highlight of the tour was the tea served by bustling local women, also saw my first cut peat. Toured Port Stanley afterwards, saw Christ Church Cathedral, the whale bone arch, a red phone booth and more. The Globe Tavern, full of war memorabilia, was conveniently located near the tender jetty. I had a mediocre pint.

 

 

 

[rkacruiser]

Grand World Voyage of 2008 on this date, the Amsterdam docked in the country of Brunei.  This proved to be a favorite port for me.

 

Entering the harbor:  trash and debris littered the water as we approached the dock; we passed a small naval vessel.  

 

During a rainy morning, my tour visited the Brunei Museum and a large Mosque where we had to remove our shoes (and walk on slippery marble floors) with cameras being placed into individual lockers.  One gentleman slipped on those marble floors, hit his head causing bleeding, that required our ship's escort to administer first aid when we got back on the tour bus. A visit to the Royal Regalia Museum was next followed by a visit to a family who lived in a home in a water village.  Refreshments were offered by the family; a very pleasant connection with locals.  

 

It was a  strenuous tour; we heard much about the wealth of the country and what were so many amenities provided to the citizens that were "free" thanks to the oil/gas wealth.  As we sailed that evening, many views of the oil drilling platforms off the coast verified that their natural resources are significant, indeed.

 

A souvenir of that visit that remains in use today as an object on my desk as a favorite of my cruise is a small clear plastic cube encasing a capsule that supposedly has some of the oil that the country produces.  The seal of Brunei is on its top.  It cost me little at the time; but the memory whenever I see it is priceless.  

 

February 24, 2008 was a memorable day for me.  

 

 

[geocruiser]

I don't remember what ship, but during the winter  (3 to 5 cruises per winter) we were in the Caribbean.  We enjoy the warm sun shine, the island and the people there.

 

But one of the funniest thing that has happen to me while on land vacation. We were in Gaeta Italy, visiting family.  My DH's aunt made a squid tiella (pie).  It was really great.  Our aunt knew that I loved it, so she wrapped up the left overs and gave it to me to bring back to the apartment where we were staying.  We were walking back to the apartment and after a while I heard the meows of cats.  I turn around and there are about ten cats following me, all meowing for the pie.  I could not believe that I had such a group of cats following me.  It was really funny, the meows, and people looking at me!! 

[Mtn2Sea]

On this day in 2019, the Amsterdam was in Auckland, which was our first visit to New Zealand.  We enjoyed the day by just walking around the city.

[whogo]

We were at sea on February 25, 2011 on the way to Montevideo from the Falkland Islands. The  Explorer described the HAL logo with the "beloved Nieuw Amsterdam II (1938-1973)" and the olde de Halve Maen. No answer as to the burning question of why the big ship was about to run over the little ship.

 

I skipped "Spa Secrets: Eat More to Weigh Less", Greenhouse Spa, deck 11 and attended the Life at Sea program in the Showroom Lounge with Captain Marco Carsjens (C), Hotel Manager Robert Versteeg (R), and Chief Officer Robert Fronenbroek.

 

I know it's a lousy photograph. What can I say? I'm a lousy photographer. I recognize Robert Fronenbroek from a number of episodes of the German Language TV show Verrückt nach Meer as captain of a Phoenix Reisen cruise ship.

 

[HAL4NOW]

2 hours ago, geocruiser said:

I don't remember what ship, but during the winter  (3 to 5 cruises per winter) we were in the Caribbean.  We enjoy the warm sun shine, the island and the people there.

 

But one of the funniest thing that has happen to me while on land vacation. We were in Gaeta Italy, visiting family.  My DH's aunt made a squid tiella (pie).  It was really great.  Our aunt knew that I loved it, so she wrapped up the left overs and gave it to me to bring back to the apartment where we were staying.  We were walking back to the apartment and after a while I heard the meows of cats.  I turn around and there are about ten cats following me, all meowing for the pie.  I could not believe that I had such a group of cats following me.  It was really funny, the meows, and people looking at me!! 

Did you share the pie with the cats?

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, Mtn2Sea said:

Auckland,

 

A city that I never get tired of visiting!  New Zealand as well!

[geocruiser]

6 hours ago, HAL4NOW said:

Did you share the pie with the cats?

No, I ate it !!!!

[ski ww]

In 2016 the Maasdam was in Castries St Lucia.

 

[rkacruiser]

2008 on this date, the Amsterdam was docked in Manila.  That proved to be a special port for a variety of reasons.  Being the home country of so many of our crew, there was a special and secure area created on the dock.  Vendors and areas/tents for crew members to have reunions with their families were memorable.  Many families came aboard for a visit.  The ice cream bar was particularly busy!  Musical entertainment on the dock when we arrived as well as when we sailed.  And, when we sailed, Captain van Zaane overworked the Amsterdam's whistle in farewells!  

 

My city tour was interesting.  Upon returning to the ship for a quick lunch, a shuttle ride to the Mall of Asia with a shuttle seat mate being Presti, one of the Assistant MDR Managers.  Interesting conversation en route to this huge Mall.  Then, while "shopping" at the Mall, I met my Wine Steward Roy with his family.  

 

It was a great day!  (And, my shopping trip was successful:  I found what I was needing.)  

[mightycruisequeen]

A year ago today, we took the 16 1/2 hour flight to Auckland to get on Maasdam, for what was supposed to be 34 days of Fiji islands, French Polynesian islands, and Hawaiian Islands.  The developing pandemic cut our sailing short, but it was still the best possible way to prolong living the good life onboard, while delaying the doom & gloom that hit us in the face once we got off the ship on March 28th.

[bennybear]

Wow, loving these adventures!  Brunei, New Zealand ......

 

@geocruiser giggling about you eating the pie! DH would have too!  We stayed in Gaeta  prior to one cruise,  really enjoyed this town,  although it was surreal seeing some of the ships docked there!  
 

@mightycruisequeenwow!   What an interesting trip!  

Edited February 27, 2021 by bennybear

[geocruiser]

23 minutes ago, bennybear said:

Wow, loving these adventures!  Brunei, New Zealand ......

 

@geocruiser giggling about you eating the pie! DH would have too!  We stayed in Gaeta  prior to one cruise,  really enjoyed this town,  although it was surreal seeing some of the ships docked there!  
 

@mightycruisequeenwow!   What an interesting trip!  

It is a beautiful town.  Most cruise ship don't go there, but some smaller ones have.  What cruise line go there?  We spent a month there.  We did tour around Italy some.  But our family kept us very busy.  The best pizza that I ever ate was in Gaeta.

 

Edited February 27, 2021 by geocruiser

[bennybear]

3 minutes ago, geocruiser said:

It is a beautiful town.  Most cruise ship don't go there, but some smaller ones have.  What cruise line go there?  We spent a month there.  We did tour around Italy some.  But our family kept us very busy.  The best pizza that I ever ate was in Gaeta.

 

We were on a cruise out of Civitavecchia,  we often like to explore an area before or after a cruise.   I worked with a fellow who was also a priest and he told me about the area.   We really enjoy the non touristy areas to see more of the real Italy.  We also remember great pizza and mussels there!
 

We were so surprised  at the view from our hotel window of the Navy ships.  

[whogo]

We arrived in Montevideo on February 27, 2011 under sunny skies, surprise surprise. We walked through the squares and toured magnificent Teatro Solis. I was impressed with the city, Uruguay has earned the nickname "Switzerland of South America" for the way everything works.

 

The highlight of my visit was talking with the man who owned this ca. 1950 Ford Prefect. Really cool car, partly because a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy character took the Ford Prefect name and partly because the car had little flags that pop out from the door pillars as turn signals. UK made, but left hand drive for the export market.

 

Second neatest thing was the Mercado del Puerto with men grilling meat over big wood fired grills. Shame the Veendam fed us so well, would have been fun to tackle a big platter of mixed grill. We had a beer and soda instead.

 

[rkacruiser]

My journal reminds me on this date the Amsterdam was sailing from Manila to Hong Kong.  Guests had to have temperatures taken before arrival in Hong Kong because of SARS.  Also, I wrote quite a bit about the sea conditions as being very, very rough.  In the morning while sitting in the main theater waiting for a presentation to begin, the ship must have experienced a very large wave and very deep trough; the ship's motion was quite unusual and there were some yells from the guests seated in the room.  I noted that I thought this sea was more active than what I had experienced in the Tasman Sea.  (King Neptune must have been having a very bad day.)