The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday August 10th, 2023

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info. 

[durangoscots]

Good morning. Sunny and dry today.... same old, same old. Temperatures are ok.... not quite as chilly this morning. The way Mother Nature is acting these days I am almost afraid to ask for rain. My prayers are going out to those facing disasters or illness and my cheers to those improving healthwise.  Like all, I am absolutely devastated with the news from Maui and especially sad to hear of the loss of life. 

 

I would love the shrimp broil and admire lions in the wild. S'mores... I have never been a fan but will usually eat one if offered.

 

Little from here right now. @cruising sisterI want to tell you that I have booked two tours at the same destination in the past. At least right now we have plenty of time to make adjustments and changes. I am starting to make lists of things that need to be done before I leave for that long. That organization in itself is leaving me going in circles. "Lists... got to make lists."

 

Take care all.

 

Susan

[JazzyV]

Good morning. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

Maybe I'll be lazy later today. I've never had a s'more. Lions are wonderful animals. Maybe on the meal, as I do eat shrimp (although usually away from home; rarely cook it at home). Pass on the drink and wine. I haven't been to George Town Harbor. I think I was at the Royal Observatory many years ago.

 

We had rain overnight and this morning, but now it's stopped and looking brighter out. I have a Cardiology appointment this afternoon, with a lipid specialist. I can't take most of the statins due to muscle pain, so I'll see what he says. I'll also get some bloodwork that's due, so I'm still fasting.

 

So sad about the wildfires in Maui, with the loss of life and property. Prayers for them. I see the military has been sent to help.

 

@rafinmd I hear Friday Eve here. 

@mamaofami Good news on Sam's release from the hospital, going to rehab. I'm sure you're relieved. Take care of yourself too.

@Mr. Boston Enjoy your time with your DM. 

@aliaschief Safe travels. I used to work near Venetia, in McMurray.

@StLouisCruisers Thanks for the photos from Georgetown and Seydisfjordur.

@Seasick Sailor I know how worried you were about @DeeniEncinitas and I'm glad she's ok. I hope your tests come back with good results.

@GTVCRUISER Nice photos.

@Heartgrove Safe travels to see Lilly and enjoy the celebrations.

@grapau27 Condolences to you and Pauline on the loss of her cousin. Yummy looking lunch.

@RMLincoln Prayers for good news at DH's eye appointment today. 

@1ANGELCAT Good to hear that Barb was discharged home. 

@cruising sister Continued prayers for Baby Murphy. 

@marshhawk I hope Chuck's treatment goes well.

@Nickelpenny Good luck. You'll do great!

@ger_77 Prayers for a smooth procedure for DH. 

@dfish Thanks for sharing photos from Seydisfjordur.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers to those with something to Celebrate.

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all!   I’d love to try a shrimp boil, and that chicken caprese sounds great.   Special thanks to @0106 and @summer slope and @cat shepard for yummy food and drinks!  

@mamaofami glad to hear some good news!

@ger_77 hope all goes well today! 

@Tbay happy birthday!  
 

I too like others have spent a lot of time on Maui over forty years so my heart is broken for the devastation and loss.  

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

Today won't be a lazy day for me, although most of them usually are.  I love s'mores and lions (not together) 😉  The last time I had s'mores was a few years ago with the DGSs.  Joy @Seasick Sailor my marshmallow would be #3.  Lightly toasted on the outside, but enough that the insides are oozing.  Funny, I don't like marshmallows otherwise, only in a s'more melted over chocolate.  Has anyone else ever heard them called Angels on Horseback?  That's what my parents called them, I never heard the term s'mores until I was an adult.

Love the funny quote, and I had the meal once while visiting my Southern DMIL.  Can't say I'm a fan, but probably because I never have potatoes and corn together (too many carbs).  Both the drink and wine sound good.  

 

Yesterday we were very excited because we got our first packet from HAL about the Grand Australia.  It had the choices for our free excursion, and choices for our in-stateroom liquor set up.  Funny thing, we spent a long time last night choosing everything.  It said "call World Cruise Reservations right away to let them know which excursion you want"!  So DH called this morning.  They hadn't gotten any information about it, or the code # they need to do it.  Surprised?  No 😂  Said to call back tomorrow or Monday.

 

Today I'll be baking cookies and we'll have the DGSs here tonight while DD has a night out with some high school friends.  She went to high school here and has remained close friends with them. Then tomorrow we'll pick up our 8-year-old DGS and have him for his weekend here.  We did the same for his older brother a few weeks ago.  A chance to have us all to himself and do fun things of his choosing.  There will be a movie, pool time, and museum.  He also has a birthday party on Saturday, DH and I will use that time to revisit the Rick Steves center in the same town and do some research for a European cruise later next year.

 

Prayers for Maui and very relieved that @DeeniEncinitas and her DH are safe.

My BFF's DH has children there and they are very worried. I hope they've heard from them today.  They have a home and business there.  

 

 Thoughts and prayers for Gerry @ger_77's DH that he gets an appointment soon for the pacemaker and as he has his angiogram today.  Also for Chuck @catmando as he begins immunotherapy today.  Carol @mamaofami great news that your DH leaves the hospital today.  Prayers there are no more falls!

Happy Birthday @Tbay!

Vanessa @JazzyV I hope your cardiology appointment goes well and a solution can be found without using statins.

 

We've been to Grand Cayman once, in 2017.  We went to some gardens and had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.

 

Cayman Sand Gardens map

 

Bromeliad

 

Cashew plant

 

 

 

Plumeria

 

Weird trunk

 

water lilies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RMLincoln]

@JazzyV I’ve had GI issues with some statins. I use generic Psyllium (Metamucil) daily and Red Yeast Rice supplement tablets as per my doctor’s advice. Might be worth asking. Hoping you find a path forward. m—

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon from a hot and getting hotter central Texas.  At least the wind made it bearable when I took the golf cart to check the mail.

 

A short update on the sparkplug saga.  Yesterday afternoon, DH disconnected the battery on the car and it reset the codes.  This morning, we took it out for a test drive, and we could tell it was missing.  After driving for a while, the check engine light came back on.  The engine tester was finally able to read the code.  One of the cylinders is misfiring, and DH is pretty sure it is the coil.  A new coil will be here tomorrow, and 🤞 fingers crossed that solves the problem.  It should be a relatively quick job, at least relatively quick for me, since we know what tools we need, and what to take off or loosen.  I now know more about changing sparkplugs and engines than I wanted to know, but it is probably a good thing I learned.

 

BTW, we are tackling the sparkplug job because the soonest we could get an appointment at any of the auto shops in town was two weeks off.  A plus, is we've probably saved a ton of money except for the cost of Advil.  😉

 

4 hours ago, ger_77 said:

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  I've never been a huge fan of s'mores; it's the graham cracker that I don't care for.  Lions are beautiful and I love seeing photos of them in their natural habitats.

 

Today is and isn't going to be a lazy day for us - DH won't have to do anything in particular except lie still for his angiogram.  I'm going to be in the waiting room a couple of doors away during the procedure and will be listening to a podcast and working on a new blanket, so kind of lazy.  Thank you all for your care and prayers, they are greatly appreciated.  We'll be leaving the house in a couple of hours, so we'll see what the day holds.   I hope the cardiologist's request gets processed quickly so DH can get the pacemaker implanted sooner rather than later.

 

I'm astonished at the devastation of the beautiful island of Maui; unbelievable that an entire town could be wiped out, and the loss of so many lives, businesses, homes, and pets is mind boggling.  My prayers have been going out to all who are affected by the fire.  I'm so glad @DeeniEncinitasand her DH are safe!

 

@marshhawksending prayers for Chuck today as he begins his treatment.

@Tbay Happy Birthday to you!

@mamaofamiI'm so glad to hear that Sam is being released from the hospital.

@aliaschief safe travels today.

 

I'd like to try the drink of the day, won't be doing a shrimp boil any time soon, but would like to try one some day.  After DH's procedure, we'll head home where I've got some frozen tempura shrimp that I'll be cooking in the air fryer; they'll be served along with stir fried veggies for a light dinner on the deck tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, especially those affected by the fires all over the world.  Cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry

 

Gerry, I hope your DH's procedure is problem free and show no surprises.  I also hope the appointment for the pacemaker is soon.

 

3 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update and General Info from all contributors.

 

Grand Cayman. Another cruise story. Great place if you know where to go. One of my favorite self snorkel tour cost $5! Once you are tendered ashore go right down street along water. Approx. 200 yards you will see a Dive Shop and a Restaurant. They have lockers for rent for $5 where you can put personnel items. On the water side of the buildings are ladders into the water. This is where you snorkel what I believe is called Eden Roc. Stunning and plenty of fish. Water is deep so wear a vest.  Twice a day the Restaurant throws food scraps into the water which attracts fish, mostly tarpon. One time when I was there I was in time for the feeding. I was surrounded by 30-40 Tarpons, 3-5 feet long. What an experience!

 

RNB, I'm pretty sure that is where we snorkeled the last time we were in Grand Cayman in 2002.

 

3 hours ago, dfish said:

Greetings from Seydisfjordur, Iceland!   No organized excursion today.  We went out and walked around town.  Sue found a gift for granddaughter River and we sent off a postcard to Ellamary.  We hiked up to a waterfall and then had some great fish and chips from a food truck near the public pool.

 

@Tbay  Happy Birthday!

 

 I am happy to hear that @mamaofami’s DH will be released to rehab and that @DeeniEncinitas and DH are safe.  Such a tragedy on Maui.  Good wishes for @catmando and @ger_77’s DH.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debbie, thanks for the pictures.  That is one port we've not visited.

 

2 hours ago, durangoscots said:

Good morning. Sunny and dry today.... same old, same old. Temperatures are ok.... not quite as chilly this morning. The way Mother Nature is acting these days I am almost afraid to ask for rain. My prayers are going out to those facing disasters or illness and my cheers to those improving healthwise.  Like all, I am absolutely devastated with the news from Maui and especially sad to hear of the loss of life. 

 

I would love the shrimp broil and admire lions in the wild. S'mores... I have never been a fan but will usually eat one if offered.

 

Little from here right now. @cruising sisterI want to tell you that I have booked two tours at the same destination in the past. At least right now we have plenty of time to make adjustments and changes. I am starting to make lists of things that need to be done before I leave for that long. That organization in itself is leaving me going in circles. "Lists... got to make lists."

 

Take care all.

 

Susan

 

Susan, I am also a list maker, and I got tired to recreating the lists for various trips, cruises, etc.  I finally made some generic lists that are on the computer and that can be tailored to each trip without much revision.

 

2 hours ago, JazzyV said:

Good morning. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

Maybe I'll be lazy later today. I've never had a s'more. Lions are wonderful animals. Maybe on the meal, as I do eat shrimp (although usually away from home; rarely cook it at home). Pass on the drink and wine. I haven't been to George Town Harbor. I think I was at the Royal Observatory many years ago.

 

We had rain overnight and this morning, but now it's stopped and looking brighter out. I have a Cardiology appointment this afternoon, with a lipid specialist. I can't take most of the statins due to muscle pain, so I'll see what he says. I'll also get some bloodwork that's due, so I'm still fasting.

 

So sad about the wildfires in Maui, with the loss of life and property. Prayers for them. I see the military has been sent to help.

 

@rafinmd I hear Friday Eve here. 

@mamaofami Good news on Sam's release from the hospital, going to rehab. I'm sure you're relieved. Take care of yourself too.

@Mr. Boston Enjoy your time with your DM. 

@aliaschief Safe travels. I used to work near Venetia, in McMurray.

@StLouisCruisers Thanks for the photos from Georgetown and Seydisfjordur.

@Seasick Sailor I know how worried you were about @DeeniEncinitas and I'm glad she's ok. I hope your tests come back with good results.

@GTVCRUISER Nice photos.

@Heartgrove Safe travels to see Lilly and enjoy the celebrations.

@grapau27 Condolences to you and Pauline on the loss of her cousin. Yummy looking lunch.

@RMLincoln Prayers for good news at DH's eye appointment today. 

@1ANGELCAT Good to hear that Barb was discharged home. 

@cruising sister Continued prayers for Baby Murphy. 

@marshhawk I hope Chuck's treatment goes well.

@Nickelpenny Good luck. You'll do great!

@ger_77 Prayers for a smooth procedure for DH. 

@dfish Thanks for sharing photos from Seydisfjordur.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers to those with something to Celebrate.

 

Vanessa, I hope the cardiologist can help you and that test shows some good results.

 

5 hours ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Good cloudy and humid morning. Rain is expected later today. 
Just had an email from Barb’s husband. She is home from the hospital and tired. They had to do a second minor surgery but it went well. Thanks for all the prayers for her.

I have been to Grand Cayman several times, really enjoyed it there.

@Crazy For Cats, safe travels, it’s supposed to be a nice weekend, hot and sunny with a chance of thunderstorms Saturday afternoon.

Blessings and prayers to all on our lists.

 

That is good news that Barb is home.

 

The pictures from Maui are just heart breaking, and the loss of life is so very sad.  We've enjoyed exploring Maui many times.  Here are a few pictures of Lahaina in better times.  The first is the historic courthouse and banyan tree.

 

A market under the banyan tree

 

The booths for the boat excursions

 

Lenda

Edited August 10, 2023 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[cat shepard]

[Denise T]

Hello everyone. It is a rainy Thursday here. Thank you for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

I am celebrating Lazy Day by working from the office seeing clients. I would absolutely love to try the shrimp boil. 

I continue to hold those who have been devasted by the fires in Maui in my prayers. 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with those who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[aliaschief]

Thunderstorms backed up some flights this morning but we are onboard for our final leg to Pittsburgh.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

9 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

 

Ann, thanks for the pictures.  The difference is even worse than what you can see on TV.  Looking at the bottom picture, I noticed the shell of the historic courthouse and what looks like the banyan tree behind it.  I just hope if that is the tree it can overcome the damage from the fire and regrow.

 

Lenda

[puppycanducruise]

54 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

So sad.

[Sharon in AZ]

Good morning and Happy Thursday.  The reports and pictures about Lahania are horrific.  We are supposed to go there in February but that won't happen now.  I've never been and I was really looking forward to it.

 

The meal suggestion today is one I regularly make in the summer and especially when we go the cabin on Mt Lemmon, also one of Craig's favorites.  I've made a version that includes clams but wanted to try something different this time so made Joanna Gaines version and it was very good.  https://magnolia.com/blog/recipe/3fe2d9a7-d719-4a94-a795-b3ba1842c244/shrimp-boil/

I par cooked the potatoes and corn and I'm sure you could just use Cajun or Creole seasoning for all the spices.  It's really easy!  I didn't use the oven method because the oven up there is hot and hard to reach sitting on the floor so I put it all in foil and cooked it on the grill.  Thank you for your recipes Tina.

 

Craig had dental work done yesterday for an implant and he didn't feel well the rest of the day but today is fine.

 

We have been to Grand Cayman twice.  I don't really remember what we did the first time, back in the late 90's, but I remember eating at a British Pub.  The last time was January 2015 on the Nieuw Amsterdam, the same cruise we went to Rio Secreto on the ferry from hell and Key West for the key lime pie on a stick.  I'm going to look for pictures from Sandi's links to post separately.

 

Prayers to all and happy celebrations!  Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

[Sharon in AZ]

From March 1, 2021:

**************************************************************************************

 

@richwmn I love the idea of Port of the Day!  We’ve been to Grand Cayman twice. The first time was around 1999 and we ate lunch at a British restaurant and I don’t have a clue what else we did. We like to search out local restaurants. The second time was January 2015 and we went to a little cafe for coffee (me) and coke (DH) and pastry. We were really just interested in their WiFi.

 

 

After walking around a bit we went to a restaurant DH had scoped out for lunch. 

 

 

 

[Sharon in AZ]

This is from my post on January 19, 2022:   (sorry for the repeats)

*****************************************************************

 

 

We have been to Grand Cayman at least twice. Most recent was January 2015 on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We just walked around and then had lunch on an outside patio with views of the ships. It was a nice relaxing day. 
 

 

 

 

 

Have a great day everyone!

[kplady]

My pictures from Cayman aren't beautiful scenery or flowers....we were supposed to have a tour to a beach, but the wind was too high so the cruise cancelled it.  Instead, we left at 8:30am for a drinking morning...Cayman Brewery, Tortuga Rum Cakes, and then Cayman Spirits Distillery.  Everything was very tasty!!

 

 

 

Praying for healing for those in need, with extra prayers for Maui. We were there in April, can't imagine what it will look like now.Cheers for those celebrating, and those cruising now.

 

Laura

[sailingdutchy]

 

When we went to the Cayman Islands on one of our very first cruises I remember that day very well because we went to Hell !!!!   Tried to find the nice pictures that I had taken but can't find them anymore , they disappeared the Devil must have grabbed them ...........! 

 

Tony 🙄

[grapau27]

@Tbay.

Happy birthday.

[Seasick Sailor]

2 hours ago, cat shepard said:

 

We know exactly where this is. Just sick and depressed over this beautiful island. 

[JazzyV]

Good afternoon. I'm back from my appointment and was still fasting until about 3:15. I'm going off my cholesterol med and see how I feel in the next 2-3 weeks. After that, I may then go back on one that I tolerated pretty well, taking it 3 days a week. There's a new drug that's a precursor of a statin and doesn't cause the muscle aches, but of course it's very pricey. Then when I went for bloodwork, it took 3 sticks to get what was needed!

 

@cruising sister I've been meaning to ask how Molly is doing.

@RMLincoln Thanks. I do use Benefiber daily. I took RYR years ago, and there was a reason I stopped, but I can't remember why! He told me I'm high risk due to some calcium seen in the coronary arteries, so they want the numbers down, but not for me to feel unwell from the treatment.

@Quartzsite Cruiser You and DH are quite the auto team! Many years ago I had a friend who'd been an auto mechanic in his old life, and we used to work on my car. These days I pay someone else to do it, lol.

@Sharon in AZ @kplady Thanks for the photos.

[MrSnuffleupagus]

Thank you for the fleet report.

[quilty964]

Happy Thursday!  It's another warm, humid day here.  I'll take S'mores any day, the grands are good at making them!  Our sons-in-law make the shrimp boil for our 4th of July weekend at our lake house.  It's always good!  The drink of the day also sounds yummy.  It's very sad looking at the Lahaina pictures...prayers for them and all of the people on our cares list here.  Cheers for those celebrating.  Made the Baked chicken caprese last night, it was good!  Our tomatoes are producing well, and I used basil from the garden also!  Have a great rest of the day!  All of the food and travel pics are wonderful today!  

[Seasick Sailor]

I am taking 2 cholesterol meds: Zetia and 1mg Livalo. My bloodwork showed today on my-chart at 279. Last year it was over 350. My nightly leg cramps are so painful, even though the Livalo is 1 mg statin. 

 

My endocrinologist said we have to go thru "the process" to prove I need the Praluent every 2 week injection. Although we have Tricare,  Express Scripts, the Livalo is not cheap. Hoping my appointment next week resolves this. 

[kochleffel]

Back from the Bar Mitzvah. The ceremony went very well, but the weather didn't cooperate and the barbecue they had planned after it in their backyard had to be moved to the synagogue. The young man's mother was a nervous wreck; she was confident that he would do well, but worried about what else might go wrong. The basement of their new home has flooded once, she has had covid for the second time, and an incompetent electrician left them with a bathroom fan that they can't turn on and a light that they can't turn off.

 

On the way home I visited a retired pastor from here who has just moved to a town between here and there so that he and his wife can be near one of their daughters. He is recuperating from Achilles tendon surgery and still on crutches, but plans to preach -- back here, as a vacation replacement -- on Sunday.

 

I'm OK about today's special days but too lazy to do anything about the latter two. No shrimp for me, and the cocktail sounds complicated. I drank plenty of vinho verde when I was in school, but now for the wine, maybe Lakewood Long Stem White. I haven't been to Grand Cayman despite enough Caribbean itineraries that I really ought to have been.

 

Edited August 11, 2023 by kochleffel

[Nickelpenny]

Good Afternoon/Evening!  I made it through the day and I was NOT lazy.  Just to say I have been to George Town but it was an experience.  I was waitlisted for an excursion, boarded the ship and found out I was could go to the excursion, there was a "disagreement" between the tender captain and the ship's crew during the stop.  Long/short of it was:  the excursion left without us.  About 12 of us.  Not a happy camper.  But Plan B went into effect and I decided to walk up to 7 mile beach.  Another long story (humidity!! and other things), I never made it.  But did have a nice walk. 

 

The views of Lahaina are freakin' heartbreaking.  

 

Have a wonderful evening.