Memories on this Date

[ski ww]

The Amsterdam was in Barcelona for an over night stay. We did a private tour the first day & the second day we did the hop on / off bus. The ship that did the first trans Atlantic cruise and started it all.

 

[bennybear]

April 15/19.  Shimizu,  great views of Fuji San, teafields and a temple. 

[bcummin]

     Shimizu, Japan was such a special port.  Mt. Fuji was out in all her glory the first time that we docked.  We also visited a temple and the remains of a castle.  The adjoining gardens had a magnificent cherry tree in bloom.  It looked like an office party was enjoying a picnic under the branches of multi-layered blossoms.

     Mt. Fuji was hiding the second time that we docked.  The picturesque  port offered dockside shops, the opportunity to try on kimonos, and a shopping mall, all within walking distance.  It turned out that my favorite kimono saleslady had a husband who was an incurable clown.  Good memories.

Barbara

[bennybear]

April 16/19. Osaka

 

[bcummin]

    The first time we docked in Osaka, Japan, we took a tour to Nara.  We had already been to Kyoto, so really enjoyed bennybear's good photos.  Nara was different, but so full of history and culture.  I enjoyed feeding the deer.

    America's Test Kitchen offered us a cooking demonstration during our second visit to Osaka.  Terrible timing, but memorable.  We learned to make ravioli and were served some to eat.  Afterwards we had just enough time to enjoy the nearby Osaka Aquarium and shopping mall.  Maybe next time we could visit beautiful Osaka Castle.

Barbara

[bennybear]

April 17/2019. Kochi

[kazu]

2 years ago we were on the lovely Prinsendam and in Ceuta - Spanish Morocco.  

 

 

Lovely spot and rarely visited.

 

DH was even interviewed for the news station that night!

 

 

It’s a beautiful spot full of statues everywhere!

 

 

It’s not visited as often as the rest of Morocco.  It you see it on an itinerary, it’s well worth the visit.

 

[rkacruiser]

19 hours ago, bcummin said:

Maybe next time we could visit beautiful Osaka Castle.

 

Worth a visit, Barbara.  

[bennybear]

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Worth a visit, Barbara.  

Yes, it is very interesting and there are actually elevators!  We went in another one and had to climb slippery ladders in stocking feet! 

[ski ww]

The Amsterdam was in Cadiz were we visited a Spanish riding school a did a cherry tasting.

 

[bcummin]

We were blessed to live in Jerez de la Frontera near Cadiz, Spain for three years.  DH was serving in the U.S.Navy, and we loved living as honored guests in Spain.

Barbara

[bennybear]

April 18/19 at sea Japan

 

Edited April 18, 2021 by bennybear

[rkacruiser]

2008, the Amsterdam was sailing on this date between Funchal and Bermuda.  The ocean was active, but there were two highlights of the day.  At Noon, it was time for the Grand Show Buffet in the MDR and it was a "GRAND SHOW BUFFET".  (Now, a relic of past cruising.  Note to the bureaucrats at USPH:  I am unaware of any of the Amsterdam's guests suffering miserably (other than, maybe, a case of having eaten too much) or being in a life threatening condition because of participating in this event.  Not quite a Covid-19 situation.  

 

The other highlight was the performance of The Osmond Brothers in the Showroom.  Great show; great talents!  

[bennybear]

April 19/19 Sakaiminato

 

[St Pete Cruiser]

4 hours ago, bennybear said:

April 19/19 Sakaiminato

 

Thanks for sharing your pics from the Westerdam's Japan cruise just 2 years ago.  One of our favorites!

 

[bennybear]

2 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

Thanks for sharing your pics from the Westerdam's Japan cruise just 2 years ago.  One of our favorites!

 

You’re very welcome,  we absolutely loved it too and hope to return in the fall in the next year or so.  

[bennybear]

April 20/19 the port  of Kanazawa and the lovely mountain village Shirakawa-go 

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by bennybear

[YXU AC*SE]

Apparently seven years ago today was Easter Sunday. And the weather was good, b/c I barbecued an entire ham.     🙂      Scott. 

 

 

[bennybear]

April 21/19 was Easter Sunday at sea, we enjoyed a Pinnacle grill lunch! 
April 22/19. Vladivostok, Russia was a very different experience to St Petersburg.  And what a surprise to see the BBC news that evening, showing our ship the  SS Westerdam in port as the North Korean leader was arriving the next day at the end of the transsiberian railroad where we had been docked beside! 

 

Edited April 22, 2021 by bennybear

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, bennybear said:

Vladivostok, Russia

 

Have not visited Vladivostok, but have visited Petropavlovsk.  Eastern Russia is a totally different experience than Western Russia.  During my visit, much of the buildings reminded me of what I saw in photos during the Stalin era.  The people were warm and welcoming.  I would enjoy a return visit.  

[rkacruiser]

On this date in 2008, the Grand World Voyage of the Amsterdam anchored in the port of Bermuda with ferry services provided between the ship and Hamilton.  Ship's tenders not permitted to be used.  That reduced the amount of time that I could visit the island.  The Bermuda tenders would not leave ship nor shore until full and that often took quite some time for that to happen.  

 

A very pleasant visit walking around a couple of the streets of Hamilton.  Found the Post Office and was able to mail some post cards.  

 

When we sailed, I found the channel leading out to see interesting to view.  Rather narrow, markers present, but, I don't think the channel had any lights on the markers.  I wonder if that is still the situation.

 

New York was on our horizon.  The Grand World Voyage was approaching its conclusion with those disembarking in New York.  Guests for the next cruise would be embarked there while I still had the pleasant two day voyage along the East Coast to disembark at Port Everglades.  

[farawaygal]

Thanks for all your memories. The 2008 world cruise was our first world cruise and have truly enjoyed your perspective. Since 2008 we have done 4 more world cruises and hope to do more.

[rkacruiser]

9 hours ago, farawaygal said:

Thanks for all your memories. The 2008 world cruise was our first world cruise and have truly enjoyed your perspective. Since 2008 we have done 4 more world cruises and hope to do more.

 

Thank you very much for your kind words.  I have enjoyed "reliving" that Grand Experience.  

 

But, the cruise has not yet ended!  More to come!  

[ski ww]

In 2012 the Westerdam has on it's way to Ft. Lauderdale the crossing was nice & another adventure was coming to an end.

 

[ski ww]

That last post should read the Amsterdam, not the Westerdam. I was typing one thing & thinking about another.