Dawn to the West

[jollyjones]

26 minutes ago, spinnaker2 said:

I may have missed this but is that huge board with the antipasti presented at the beginning of dinner in LaT?  We requested that it not be brought since we could not do justice to it and then have anything else. 

The current menu is beyond abbreviated when compared to the prior one. 

 

Yes, and I used to always refuse it too, but it has occurred to me that I may need it sometime in the future if the menu doesn’t offer anything much that I like!

 

[canderson]

Those flowers I mentioned earlier...

 

Spent a low key day here.  Tomorrow will be the silk museum and national park, two things we haven't done on previous stops at La Palma.  If @Port Power doesn't post from the silk museum, I'll add a few photos.

[canderson]

3 hours ago, Port Power said:

Wednesday, 29 November, 2023.  Las Palmas, Grand Canaria, Spain.

 

I went for a walk off the ship this morning, but didn’t find much worthy of being photographed.  Next to the ship there appears to be a building (cruise terminal?) being built, and we are being regularly serenaded by the pile driver.  It is amazing how much of the metal pillars end up underground!  About one-third remains visible.

 

Opposite us again is the P&O UK “Ventura”, so there are lots of Brits in their shorts and summer clothes out and about.  Some children too.
 

 

Hard to imagine being over on the Ventura with that pile driver right outside all of the port cabins!

 

 

[Port Power]

Las Palmas is warm and sunny and on the ocean.  It has some lovely and colourful old houses.  But, gee!  Look at the housing sprawl  it is pretty dense.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Port Power

[Catlover54]

10 hours ago, jollyjones said:

Yes, and I used to always refuse it too, but it has occurred to me that I may need it sometime in the future if the menu doesn’t offer anything much that I like!

 

 

It is way too big an offering for a ship full of mostly seniors with lower caloric needs.  But young and/or well-muscled men who spend a lot of time on sports or in the gym likely appreciate it, especially if service is slow. 

 

Those antipasti  can be a nice source of midnight snacks for the suite after the show.  We/I sometimes picked a few things out for a small plate (especially the charcuterie options ) to send back to the suite to nibble on on the balcony, with a special midnight wine.

 

But back to Port Power and others who are doing a much appreciated trip report.  Thank you!

[Port Power]

Thursday, 30 November, 2023.  Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands.

 

Our luck with weather has finally run out, although it is not a totally miserable day.  Still 23C.  The morning started with heavy, dark clouds and progressed to light showers and a strong wind.  Lamp posts on the pier were swaying.  Many passengers abandoned their tours and remained on board the ship.

 

 

 

Midday:

 

 

 

If you look closely, there are two tunnel entrances through the closer hill.  There are three roads going through tunnels.  I don’t think I captured any.

 

Behind Silver Dawn today is “Mien Schiff”, a German ship.  I saw couples with prams passing by and for a moment wondered where they had been hiding on the ship?  Then I realised they were from the other ship.  
 

 

 

Edited November 30, 2023 by Port Power

[Port Power]

Okay.  I wrote two posts on my iPhone, added photos, and submitted.  They seem to have disappeared into the ether?

[canderson]

@Port Power

We had a MOST unusual excursion today.  It was for two stops up in the mountains and a trip to the silk museum.  Full size intercity style bus ... and only 5 pax!  And being an older bus, it had the 'elevator' in the rear which was perfect for Mrs. canderson and here bum knee.  

 

Needless to say, no big bunch-ups at the silk museum, and since we all agreed to bail on the last 'picturesque' stop (would have been OK if you were interested in looking down at clouds! 🤨 ) but that afforded us extra time at the museum and then we headed back to the ship.  It was raining right proper in El Paso where the silk museum is located!  They're still also demonstrating the 'old way' of dealing with silk, the last of what used to be a large industry in the Canary Islands.

 

[Before I post a few silk museum pictures, would note that a fellow and his wife showed up just ahead of us at Atlantide this evening, it's 'informal' night, and he had no jacket.  He seemed surprised that the waiters at intake were insisting that he wear one (mind you, this is day 6 of the cruise), and they couldn't come up with the 52R that I suspect he was going to need.  He left in a huff.  Anyway, just to report that they're unapologetic about holding the line on Dawn.]

 

 

[Port Power]

Friday, 1 December, 2023.  At sea, Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

 

I’ll just repost these for the next six days. 🤣

[canderson]

@Port Power

What part of the ship is 'home' for you?  We are forward, and while the seas weren't all that high last night (at least they didn't appear to be in the dark), I had to grab the door stop from the front door and jam it under the door to the head from the main bathroom area last night to keep it from slamming open and closed.  It doesn't latch properly.  They'll work on that today.  How was it where you were?

 

Today Mrs. C anderson will see if the newly unbraced knee bends enough to reach the "foot bowl" for a much anticipated pedicure.  Massages tomorrow.  Time for 6 days of serious relaxation!

[canderson]

21 hours ago, Port Power said:

Behind Silver Dawn today is “Mien Schiff”, a German ship.  I saw couples with prams passing by and for a moment wondered where they had been hiding on the ship?  Then I realised they were from the other ship. 

This pic of Dawn vs. Mein Schiff 1 certainly puts 'smaller ship' sailing into perspective!  111,500 tons vs. our 40,844!

 

 

[Port Power]

A cute little “train” passed by, but I wasn’t quick enough to capture a full view.  I don’t know which ship it was servicing.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by Port Power
Mysterious return of post

[Port Power]

I am about to give up on posting!  Yesterday’s post mysteriously returned, but captured a photo taken today and posted a few minutes ago.  I have no idea what is going on!  🤔

[Port Power]

It seems someone took notice, so the decorations have been moved a little lower. I actually think it looks prettier.

 

[Port Power]

Sea days don’t necessarily mean lying around the pool or reading in the Observation Lounge.  First of all there was a València paella demonstration by S.A.L.T. Lab and Kitchen in the Venetian Lounge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is finger food using the food items in our paella placed on top of a fried ground rice cracker.  Very tasty as well as pretty.

 

Edited December 1, 2023 by Port Power

[Port Power]

Having eaten, the next demonstration (at midday) was martinis. “Vesper”, “Cosmopolitan” and “Espresso Martini”.  The former was too straight up for me.

 

 

The Cosmopolitan included some fresh lime juice and was just delicious.

 

 

 

The Espresso Martini was good as usual.

 

 

The Dolce Vita bar team.

 

[mysty]

21 minutes ago, Port Power said:

Having eaten, the next demonstration (at midday) was martinis. “Vesper”, “Cosmopolitan” and “Espresso Martini”.  The former was too straight up for me.

 

 

The Cosmopolitan included some fresh lime juice and was just delicious.

 

 

 

The Espresso Martini was good as usual.

 

 

The Dolce Vita bar team.

 

 

@Port Power, is that Verne?  If so, we sailed with him on the 2019 World Cruise.  He used to make me my favourite Silver Spirit cocktail.  I used to wait for him to show up in the Pool Deck bar because  his version was amazeballs! 😁

[Port Power]

58 minutes ago, mysty said:

 

@Port Power, is that Verne?  If so, we sailed with him on the 2019 World Cruise.  He used to make me my favourite Silver Spirit cocktail.  I used to wait for him to show up in the Pool Deck bar because  his version was amazeballs! 😁

It certainly is Verne.  He recognised me when I boarded, which I think is pretty wonderful!  That was from Silver Dawn in Norway in June.

 

What is your favourite cocktail?  Or is it called “Silver Spirit”?  I’ll ask for one.  The bar is going to be overrun with requests for Cosmopolitans at trivia!

[mysty]

2 hours ago, Port Power said:

It certainly is Verne.  He recognised me when I boarded, which I think is pretty wonderful!  That was from Silver Dawn in Norway in June.

 

What is your favourite cocktail?  Or is it called “Silver Spirit”?  I’ll ask for one.  The bar is going to be overrun with requests for Cosmopolitans at trivia!

 

It's called a Silver Spirit.   Gin based.  It's my go-to choice.   Not a heavy drink.  

[jollyjones]

The Silver Spirit cocktail was always my favourite but it is no longer on the cocktail menu and the recipe appears not to be immediately available. Gin, elderflower cordial, lemon juice and white wine (or was it fizzy wine?) were part of it, I think.

I have reluctantly given up asking for it as it causes such consternation for the bar staff and usually a huge delay while they try and find someone who remembers what it was, or can find the recipe.

A person could die of thirst waiting.

So I retreat to other options.

 

And, as mentioned, they have moved the plastic stuff down about a foot on the main stairs, thus returning the handrails to usability.

Agreed it looks better too.

 

Roy continues with his very general trivia questions - better than some CDs who have too heavy a reliance on only a limited number of topics - and my team continues to do quite well; first, second or third every day but one so far.

 

Sadly, the library is extremely diminished. For a while it wasn't too bad, Vicki managed to get it restocked last November (2022) but there's not much left. Ellen, the assistant CD, tells me that it's because people take the books - well, I guess that must be where they go, where else? - and that it will be restocked in Fort Lauderdale. 

I hope so, I disembark in Fort Lauderdale but will be back on the ship in February and will be hoping for some new books. Of course I have books loaded on my iPad but I so much prefer a real book, e-readers are only a final fallback situation for me.

 

[Port Power]

15 hours ago, mysty said:

 

It's called a Silver Spirit.   Gin based.  It's my go-to choice.   Not a heavy drink.  

I did ask about the drink and will try one tomorrow night.  I also gave Verne compliments from a happy guest from 2019, which he appreciated.

[Port Power]

Saturday, 2 December, 2023.  At Sea.

 

This morning the ocean is actually different.  Less swell today and a smoother surface.  From La Terrazza at breakfast, I could see rain falling in the distance.

 

 

[mysty]

1 minute ago, Port Power said:

I did ask about the drink and will try one tomorrow night.  I also gave Verne compliments from a happy guest from 2019, which he appreciated.

 

Thank you for passing on my compliments @Port Power !  🥰

[highplanesdrifters]

SILVER SPIRIT SIGNATURE COCKTAIL

 

2 oz Plymouth gin

2 oz St Germain elderflower liqueur

1.5 oz New Zealand sauvignon blanc

1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice cubes. Shake until very chilled; serve straight up in martini glass with wedge of lime.

 

 

Guess what I'm having tonight?

[jollyjones]

I used to drink mine on the rocks in a tall glass - more refreshing at a hot lunchtime by the pool. 

I seem to recall a long lunchtime on deck with Spins (the Shadow? Maybe the actual Spirit?) and quite a number of Silver Spirits … at least, I think I was there …

 

 

Edited December 2, 2023 by jollyjones