Rare dickinson Posted November 17, 2021 #326 Share Posted November 17, 2021 15 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: Yes, indeed, a familiar name and I am glad to have you aboard. Any cruises taken or planned? Norris Only one... next October in Europe. I am not confident that will happen (either us or Princess cancelling). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserRob Posted November 17, 2021 #327 Share Posted November 17, 2021 2 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: Robert you sound like Odysseus! Don't fly too close to the sun! (I told you all I was terrible with names) So much cruising in a month! The passenger loads are great for the pax, brutal for the lines but it's a start and I'm thankful for it. Panama Canal on our bucket list. Any difference between PCL and X in handling Covid? Did you get the song title I laid at your feet? Norris Norris, you mean ABBA, yes I saw that right away. PCL was quite different in their handling of Covid. Masks were required indoors everywhere unless you were eating or drinking. Once you were seated at your table in the restaurant you could remove your mask, but most bars were "sip and cover" and the staff frequently reminded people of this. We hung out mostly at the Wheelhouse bar because we enjoyed the duo playing there and you could remove your mask at the table. There was no explanation about the reason for different requirements in different bars. Celebrity on the other hand, had staff as you boarded the ship saying that "you can remove your mask as they aren't required on the ship at all". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #328 Share Posted November 17, 2021 1 minute ago, CruiserRob said: Norris, you mean ABBA, yes I saw that right away. PCL was quite different in their handling of Covid. Masks were required indoors everywhere unless you were eating or drinking. Once you were seated at your table in the restaurant you could remove your mask, but most bars were "sip and cover" and the staff frequently reminded people of this. We hung out mostly at the Wheelhouse bar because we enjoyed the duo playing there and you could remove your mask at the table. There was no explanation about the reason for different requirements in different bars. Celebrity on the other hand, had staff as you boarded the ship saying that "you can remove your mask as they aren't required on the ship at all". Damn you Rob you are too good at this song lyric Malarkey! Curses. Foiled again! I sent you a dozen eggs in the mail. The "sip and cover" thing makes me laugh-they announced it on our flights. I imagine that if you have Covid your first breath will introduce it into the air and every sip after that likewise. On the Quest everyone was vaccinated and wearing masks indoors but not out of course. Walking around the Med towns masks were off but we breathed the same air as Italians 2 feet away. Presumably the vaccines saved us as there were no cases during the cruise. There were 3 extra nurses onboard, members of my smoking circle and they did the tests in Civitavecchia and Barcelona. We had temperature checks before reaching Spain. Any Covid tests on your cruises, before or during? Norris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #329 Share Posted November 17, 2021 18 hours ago, Jellifer said: Hi Norris (if I may be so familiar?) Long time lurker and admirer of your GSJs, I’ve enjoyed many over the years. I’m loving your recollections and pictures of the Quest, I was on her ‘Myanmar Mysteries’ trip Halloween 2019 and you’re bringing back some lovely memories. I thought about you back in September when I was on a U.K. Staycation cruise on the Celebrity Silhouette. Not just because of your excellent review but also as we stopped in Belfast. Really pleased to have found this review! As you were.... Myanmar Mysteries- Azamara sure gets around and now that they have twice as many ships as they had 5 years ago they'll cover more of the globe with Country Intensives. I'm glad you liked my Silhouette reviews. She was my favorite eye-candy ship but of course she got an Edgefication which means more toss pillows on the beds and probably in the lifeboats. I am glad we added Azamara to our list of lines. Something different and unique. I haven't stopped in Belfast in 18 years but I look forward to going back to visit and for the first time take a camera and capture what is only in my head from memory. I am beyond glad that cruise lines added Belfast to their schedules-the scenery of County Antrim and County Down-the only two I have much experience of is eye-popping in an understated non-Hanging Gardens of Babylon /Krakatoa way. The quality of the produce meats and fish is memorable even if the cuisine is not (but I love it). I hear there are some Chefs in kitchens in Belfast and not just line cooks so that aspect has changed over the many years I have been gone ( I left for good in 1974) I will say unbiasedly as I am an honest kind of guy that there may be no more open and friendly folk than those in Northern Ireland. You'll get someone's life story and an ear interested in yours if you sit beside one in a train or a bar. I say to all lurkers-thank you for reading but come out into the sun and be recognized. Your voice counts! Welcome Jellifer! Norris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserRob Posted November 17, 2021 #330 Share Posted November 17, 2021 34 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: Any Covid tests on your cruises, before or during? Norris, everyone had to be tested before each cruise. On the Canal cruise PCL also tested everyone twice onboard (since it was a 15 day cruise). Since I was cruising immediately afterward, PCL was kind enough to test me at the port when I disembarked. Celebrity did not test anyone onboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LT Hambone Posted November 17, 2021 #331 Share Posted November 17, 2021 57 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: I am beyond glad that cruise lines added Belfast to their schedules-the We will be in Belfast next August on the Emerald Princess, and have a day trip scheduled to the Gobins Cliff Walk. Wife and I were in Belfast a few years ago for a day trip, did a Black Cab tour (awesome, but intense, tour), Giants Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Also saw the Titantic museum, but did not visit. Looking forward to returning to NI! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norn iron Posted November 17, 2021 #332 Share Posted November 17, 2021 22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: DINNER IN DISCOVERIES Tonight's World Cuisine is Indonesian We both started with the Soto Ayam-chicken, ginger and lemongrass soup Carol followed with a mixed greens salad and I had the escargot/snails we both enjoyed the Daging Rendang-beef in ginger and lemongrass with Nasi Putih which is steamed Jasmine Rice and we both had the Sarang Semut for dessert-Caramel Cake and Cocos Cream with coconut flakes Another very interesting and satisfying dinner from the Discoveries galley! Kudos team. Alex was our waiter again. The Beef Rendang was wonderful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norn iron Posted November 17, 2021 #333 Share Posted November 17, 2021 (edited) 22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: NORTHERN IRELAND IN THE HOUSE? I notice Belfastman and Laganlady02 "thumbing up" some of my posts and of course my niece Treacle Scone (her married name) has just joined us. All we need is CC member and Az sailor Norn Iron to join and we have a 5 a side football (soccer) team! Welcome all of you who know what an Ulster Fry and a Pastie Supper are. Feel free to comment or ask questions if you haven't already. "'Bout ye?" Norris from Portavogie I have been following. We have just returned home from Quest, having boarded in Barcelona when you disembarked. I was hoping you would have dropped into the Eurostars Grand Marina to say hello🙋♀️ Not sure bout the footie team, the ball is the wrong shape for me😜 We spent Saturday afternoon in an Irish bar in Lisbon watching NZ come a cropper in the Aviva Stadium. Ngawhira Fleet took bit o'banter as the resident Kiwi on board Edited November 17, 2021 by norn iron update Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laganlady02 Posted November 17, 2021 #334 Share Posted November 17, 2021 It wasn't the shape of the ball I was worried about - it was my high heels! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #335 Share Posted November 17, 2021 2 hours ago, norn iron said: I have been following. We have just returned home from Quest, having boarded in Barcelona when you disembarked. I was hoping you would have dropped into the Eurostars Grand Marina to say hello🙋♀️ Not sure bout the footie team, the ball is the wrong shape for me😜 We spent Saturday afternoon in an Irish bar in Lisbon watching NZ come a cropper in the Aviva Stadium. Ngawhira Fleet took bit o'banter as the resident Kiwi on board Welcome aboard Sir! I played rugby in High School in Newtownards and scored a few wickets I might add (but I won't). I used to watch rugby on TV until Eddie Waring stopped doing commentary. LOL! You did Barthelona to Lithbon. Hope to see Portugal some day from the deck of an Az ship. Cheers! Norris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #336 Share Posted November 17, 2021 3 hours ago, LT Hambone said: We will be in Belfast next August on the Emerald Princess, and have a day trip scheduled to the Gobins Cliff Walk. Wife and I were in Belfast a few years ago for a day trip, did a Black Cab tour (awesome, but intense, tour), Giants Causeway, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Also saw the Titantic museum, but did not visit. Looking forward to returning to NI! I've seen the Causeway several times but non of those others. I'm glad there is plenty to interest you! Don't forget some fish and chips-there's a pub/restaurant at the Causeway that is good for lunch. Guinness the perfect pairing. Norris 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LT Hambone Posted November 17, 2021 #337 Share Posted November 17, 2021 5 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: Guinness the perfect pairing. And for some good reason, the Guinness in Ireland tastes so much better than Guinness we have in the States. Especially when it's a fresh pint! Now - no more distractions! Can we please, please return to the cruise? What happened in Mareille ?!?!?!?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medeba Posted November 17, 2021 #338 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Am enjoying your blog very much, Norris. Keep up the good work! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #339 Share Posted November 17, 2021 So its already November 2 and today is Marseille which for us means a tour to Avignon and then a wine tasting in a place called Chateauneuf du Pape. My usual routine is alarm goes off 5.30. 6a.m I have got my coffee and am the sole occupant of the smoking section on deck 9 (pic taken in Nice) The Buffet sets up a coffee and tea station by 7 a.m. That's typically sunrise time this cruise. I have a list; 1 sunrise 2 breakfast buffet 3 temperature check 4 tour muster SUNRISE OVER MARSEILLE Breakfast I have plans to eat lunch in Avignon so no need to stuff my face now Up to the Living Room for temperature check in the Living Room my temperature is normal as is Carol's.Good to go! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #340 Share Posted November 17, 2021 DEDICATED TO MY GOOD FRIEND JASPERDO John has appeared in all 17 of the epics I have written on CC and like me isn't just interested in getting from A to B, he's keen to know what joins the two. Road signs, traffic, shop windows, mountains is our jam. So buckle up for some sketchy photos taken on the fly from a big yellow coach as we head from Marseille docks to Avignon. I'll use the camcorder for the bus in future to avoid the traffic blurs. I'll next be on a coach in May 2023 when I hope y'all can join me again. So, On The Road Again when I return... Norris 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserRob Posted November 17, 2021 #341 Share Posted November 17, 2021 58 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: On The Road Again Willie Nelson I'm looking forward to your Chateauneuf du Pape (easy for you to say) pictures. We did a tour their 3 or 4 years ago during a Southern France river cruise. Robert 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchell810 Posted November 17, 2021 #342 Share Posted November 17, 2021 (edited) I, too, am eagerly awaiting information on your tasting at Chateauneuf du Pape. It is on my list of wine regions to visit so I will be sure to open a bottle of something nice to drink while I read along (but unfortunately not C du P since I haven't any in the house now.) History and wine are my 2 greatest interests so I often my plan trips accordingly. 🥂 Edited November 17, 2021 by mchell810 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted November 17, 2021 #343 Share Posted November 17, 2021 On 11/12/2021 at 6:30 PM, Bimmer09 said: Bus-this is for you Jasperdo! This put a smile on my face. You know exactly what I like! I've been off of CC for a few days. My wife's out of the hospital now and doing good. So I'm catching up on your Gentleman's Journal. A vacation through your eyes is just what I need right now! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #344 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Sitting on the dock of the bay, the bus pulls slowly away. Camille our guide and Crystal our lady driver. 30 souls onboard. Sunny morning. AIDA VITA NORWEGIAN PEARL having work done soon after passing through the dock gates we were approaching the motorway and after a merge up to speed the highway cut through the massive rocks 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baynanno1 Posted November 17, 2021 #345 Share Posted November 17, 2021 18 minutes ago, Bimmer09 said: Sitting on the dock of the bay, the bus pulls slowly away. Camille our guide and Crystal our lady driver. 30 souls onboard. Sunny morning. AIDA VITA NORWEGIAN PEARL having work done soon after passing through the dock gates we were approaching the motorway and after a merge up to speed the highway cut through the massive rocks Otis Redding . . . spiralling into oblivion . . . did the recording foretell the fatal plane crash a few days after recording "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay?" First posthumous single to reach #1 on the Billboard Charts. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #346 Share Posted November 17, 2021 After a half hour or so we passed through a turnpike on the other side of which was a rest area with shops including a patisserie-so French. It was only a 15 minute bathroom stop. solar panels on the turnstiles roof. If you've got sun use it! The bus is parked and watched by Crystal who is having a smoke the excellent coffee machine outside the men's room the bright, clean well-stocked shop I didn't have time for a coffee and a visit to the Patisserie. I didn't have time to use all the exercise machines in the well-kept grounds. There were things for kids to play on as well. We have been touring around Germany and Austria since 2003 and are aware how amazing ALL the rest stops are there. In the midwest USA we pull off the highways at the T.A brand where there will be a Popeyes and a Subway, a crowded dimly lit shop and some neglected toilets that need a refurb. Europe can show us the way as they are ahead of us. I recall Chicago getting rid of their individual parking meters in favor of the single point machine and a ticket-that was 8 years after I was using the new systems in 2006 in Berlin. If you are ever driving through Germany and see a rest stop with a restaurant/shop called AXXE-stop! They have a great hot food buffet. I am drooling over the memory. Also-superior coffee which is not a strong suit in the USA. I will always pass a Starbucks in Europe-you can do way better. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #347 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Let the sun shine! Let the sun shine in! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #348 Share Posted November 17, 2021 After an hour since leaving the docks we are taking the exit for Avignon. Hooray! The beauty parlor's filled with sailors-the circus is in town The yellow bus reflection Gas at 8 Euro or $9.50 a gallon, more than double the U.S. price 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Bimmer09 Posted November 17, 2021 Author #349 Share Posted November 17, 2021 The bus parks. Those road signs make me want to rent a car and visit Nimes (birthplace of denim) and Arles for its Roman Amphitheater . Van Gogh and the Gipsy Kings! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasperdo Posted November 17, 2021 #350 Share Posted November 17, 2021 (edited) 3 hours ago, Bimmer09 said: DEDICATED TO MY GOOD FRIEND JASPERDO John has appeared in all 17 of the epics I have written on CC and like me isn't just interested in getting from A to B, he's keen to know what joins the two. Road signs, traffic, shop windows, mountains is our jam. So buckle up for some sketchy photos taken on the fly from a big yellow coach as we head from Marseille docks to Avignon. Norris, you're making me blush. I'm all caught up now and looking forward to your road photos up to Avignon. We spent a day in Avignon back in 2007 during our 2 week road trip around France. Arles was our base for Provence. A wonderful, historic town. Put it on your list if you haven't been there yet. Edited November 17, 2021 by Jasperdo 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now