Jim_Iain - Summit Live Post B3B Greenland / Iceland / Canada Aug 7, 19 and 31, 2022

[calicakes]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

We  selected the date that we chosen to live together as our Anniversary and had a Celebration of Union in Mendocino, CA. 

We go to Mendocino every year.  We bring our standard poodles who love the beach.  Where did you have your union?  When is your anniversary date? 

 

Julie and I have been together for 14ys, but we actually met in 1993 and had a brief "affair" as I was with someone else.  It took 16yrs for us to find each other again.  We'll be celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary on our Reflection cruise next month. 

[Ex-Airbalancer]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

One of my favorite showing of Pride was in Malta  they have a huge crosswalk painted painted in the colors of the Rainbow.    We have been together for 32 years and been Domestic Partners, Married and Revoked,  Married when California Legalized and then Grandfathered when struck down.   We  selected the date that we chosen to live together as our Anniversary and had a Celebration of Union in Mendocino, CA. 

 

Even though we had been together many years when we got married in San Francisco City Hall I never imagined how emotional it was and how I finally felt whole.     I had to skip down the Harvey Milk Stairway (that's what I call it from the movie). 

Our little town has was been paint the crosswalk for a number of years 

https://kawarthanow.com/2019/06/03/cobourg-rainbow-crosswalk/

Edited August 13, 2022 by Ex-Airbalancer

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Jim what are you doing for cash ?

are you just using your CC or did you get local currency? 
Mark

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Hello!  Really enjoying this thread!!

 

Are the Retreat hosts leaving on the 11th?  Would prefer to not have new folks as they are just getting up to speed on the ship and the other personnel.  I’ll be fine either way, just curious. 

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Alex was able to perform his magic and found a Tea Kettle for Iain.   I did my part and brought back a lemon tart. 
 

 

 

I loved Alex's response to anything:  I will make it happen.

[Jim_Iain]

Lunch 

 

We didn’t make it to lunch until 1:10. To our surprise everyone was on our Late schedule.  We had to wait for a table and 4 couples were behind us.  
 

 

Iain had the Salmond Salad

 

 

I had the Cobb Salad

 

 

Luminae was jammed. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Desert. 
 

Lava Cake - 

 

Cheese Cake

 

 

[Arizona Wildcat]

1 hour ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Jim what are you doing for cash ?

are you just using your CC or did you get local currency? 
Mark

Been here in Iceland for 2 weeks.  Have yet to use ANY cash.  None.  Everywhere accepts cards.   Several stores did not take cash.  Also busses and taxis are cards only. 

 

[Jim_Iain]

20 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

Been here in Iceland for 2 weeks.  Have yet to use ANY cash.  None.  Everywhere accepts cards.   Several stores did not take cash.  Also busses and taxis are cards only. 

 

Fantastic.   All I have used except for tipping excursions have been ApplePay with Chase CC

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, calicakes said:

We go to Mendocino every year.  We bring our standard poodles who love the beach.  Where did you have your union?  When is your anniversary date? 

 

Julie and I have been together for 14ys, but we actually met in 1993 and had a brief "affair" as I was with someone else.  It took 16yrs for us to find each other again.  We'll be celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary on our Reflection cruise next month. 

Our first union was at the Heritage House in Mendocino  in the Gazebo at the point.  We had just picked up our Wedding Rings from Mendocino Gold -   July 12

 

We went back for our 25th Anniversary. 

 

 

Such a beautify place to stay.

 

[Jim_Iain]

For any of you have never heard of Heritage House it's a lovely place with private cottages on the property.    The Movie - Same Place Next Year with Alan Alder and Ellen Burstyn was filmed there.  They have two cabins attached --- Same Place and Next Year  which were used for the filming. 

[Jim_Iain]

1 hour ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

Hello!  Really enjoying this thread!!

 

Are the Retreat hosts leaving on the 11th?  Would prefer to not have new folks as they are just getting up to speed on the ship and the other personnel.  I’ll be fine either way, just curious. 

 

Just Mar as far as I know.    I believe Lyle will be her replacement.    He is a nice guy but tries far to hard and comes across insincere.    I'm sure he will learn the ropes.   I will say if you ask him anything and he doesn't know he will find out.

[Jim_Iain]

@calicakes   After all this chatting about Mendocino.    At lunch today we started chatting with two ladies at the next table.   Low and behold they are from Mendocino -   really nice ladies.  Small world.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Jim what are you doing for cash ?

are you just using your CC or did you get local currency? 
Mark

Probably just AirPlay.    From what I understand Covid really fueled the shift to cashless payments everywhere.    Tips will probably be in Euros or Dollars.

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Our little town has was been paint the crosswalk for a number of years 

https://kawarthanow.com/2019/06/03/cobourg-rainbow-crosswalk/

 

That is so nice and really makes all feel welcome.   We chatted on a different thread that the Rainbow flag has grown to be almost a movement of inclusion of everyone as a big family.   The latest has also included the BLM movement - Intersexual, Asexual, Asian Life Matters and about everything in-between.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[abbydancer2003]

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Temperatures really dropping quickly. We have about 200 miles to reach Greenland. 
 

we had a late Continental Breakfast in Retreat.  Stuck around for Trivia. 

Speaking of Bianca from South Africa here she is in action. 
 

 

 

 

Mar and Priscilla flanking her. 
 

 

and Lyle. 
 

 

Well attended 

 

 

She was the retreat manager on our 2019 south America cruise.  Glad she's still around.

[Lastdance]

Every time I see a photo of food, I remind myself to stay true to my own diet, knowing that my cruises are coming and being lean allows me to not be very hungry.  However, the gym and track are what keep me in balance.

[Jim_Iain]

So far we have been very pleased in both the quality of the food as well as the preparation and presentation.     

 

There are some shortages and things missing.  One that many have mentioned is that there is no Blue Cheese in OVC at the cheese station.   Just about 3 types. 

[phoenix_dream]

On 8/12/2022 at 12:21 PM, Jim_Iain said:

Zenith Lunch 8/12/2022

 

Really nice lunch Hosted by Zepher the Hotel Director and Bianca Captain's Club Manager.

 

I will have to count when we receive the group photo taken prior to the lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That looks amazing!  As it happens I will finally hit Zenith after my upcoming September cruise on Summit.  Can't believe it is finally going to happen.  Cynical me thought for sure they would change the requirements before I got there (and even as I write this I am getting nervous as I am justhisclose but not there yet LOL).  Wondering - is there a Zenith lunch served on all/most cruises or was this just because there are apparently a lot of Zeniths on this cruise?

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, Lastdance said:

Every time I see a photo of food, I remind myself to stay true to my own diet, knowing that my cruises are coming and being lean allows me to not be very hungry.  However, the gym and track are what keep me in balance.

 

Well as Julia Child is fond of saying.   You can eat anything but the key is moderation and portion control which is very difficult on a ship.

 

A lady at the next table had the Luminae had a Luminae Burger.   She was trying to cut in half horizontally because it was so thigh she couldn't wrap her mouth around it.  

 

I swear it has grown from original size to about 1/2 pound burger.    I've yet to have one.    I like the size of the burgers at the pool bar.   Perfect size and I think I prefer the flavor. 

[Jim_Iain]

2 hours ago, abbydancer said:

She was the retreat manager on our 2019 south America cruise.  Glad she's still around.

I sat next to her at the lunch.   She would have made a great Retreat Manager.   I though she had said she was a Retreat Concierge.    Maybe both.   I'll have to ask her.

[Jim_Iain]

6:30 PM ish  

 

The fog horns have been blowing.   As nice approaches the visibility is dropping by the minute and would guess less than a couple hundred feet at this point.   It does chill you to the bones if you step outside.

 

Definitely going to dress warm tomorrow.   Our tour is also recommending bug repellent.

[abbydancer2003]

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Well as Julia Child is fond of saying.   You can eat anything but the key is moderation and portion control which is very difficult on a ship.

 

A lady at the next table had the Luminae had a Luminae Burger.   She was trying to cut in half horizontally because it was so thigh she couldn't wrap her mouth around it.  

 

I swear it has grown from original size to about 1/2 pound burger.    I've yet to have one.    I like the size of the burgers at the pool bar.   Perfect size and I think I prefer the flavor. 

We always have them split it before cooking.  It's never been a problem.

 

 

[TrulyBlonde]

I have had my eye on a place called Harbor House Inn in Medocino. Just this past week showed DH photos and info on the place. It has a very fine restaurant on site, also.

[Lastdance]

10 minutes ago, abbydancer said:

We always have them split it before cooking.  It's never been a problem.

 

 

I have never tried one, but my DH said he would split one with me!  Now, I know what to do to keep it manageable.

Edited August 13, 2022 by Lastdance