San Diego to Montreal in 134 Days

[JohnCoffield]

8 hours ago, richwmn said:

December 25^th, 2023

 

It is late in the evening on what has been a very full Christmas Day. In addition to being Christmas Day, it was also the first port day on this cruise. Today was Cabo and I did tender ashore for just a bit. The area around the marina was active with only a few businesses closed. The weather was comfortable and the tender ride fairly short.

 

The 4:00pm trivia was challenging for two oldies. We got 8 points out of a total of 17. A couple of the questions I know most younger people would have been able to answer. Speaking of younger people, I know we have a bunch aboard but they are being kept busy and I haven’t really noticed them.

 

After trivia I grabbed a bit to eat and relaxed a bit. Trivia again at 7pm with the full team I have had for many of the sessions so far. We did better with four people and a span of ages, but still didn’t come out on top. It was still enjoyable, for the company as much as the competition.

 

Shortly after trivia ended I headed to the World Stage. Tonight’s show was Cantare, a four piece vocal group. They did an active show of group songs featuring the Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Abba, and others. The show was very good and kept the audience.

 

 

 

After Cantare I walked the full deck and listened to the band playing in the Ocean Bar for a bit. The Ocean Bar had a good crowd with a lot of people dancing. The five piece group had a good sound and the lead singer had a good voice. Everyone appeared to be having a good time.

 

 

Like many others, I am enjoying your posts & look forward to reading more as your trip progresses. Cheers 🍻 

[Lido deck main]

Rich, do you know who the entertainment host will be for the grand?  Also do you know who the cruise director will be?

[richwmn]

December 26^th, 2023 – Pichilingue (La Paz), Baja California Sur, Mexico

 

We are just pulling in for an expected 8am chance to visit this port. During the run up to Cantare last night we were told that the port has absolutely nothing to do, and it is an industrial port. We do have free shuttles to La Paz, which is the capital of this Mexican state.

 

Our position at breakfast, about 30 minutes ago --

 

 

Today’s activities, unfortunately no port map for today.

 

 

 

[Cruising-along]

Hi Rich, do you know if the Lectures in the World Stage are being televised for in-cabin viewing?  

Thanks for letting us all know how your cruise is going and we'll see you on the 3rd!

[richwmn]

December 26^th, 2023 -- Pichilingue (La Paz), Baja California Sur, Mexico

 

It is a beautiful day in Baja California Sur. The sky is clear, the temperature moderate, and the sun isn’t too bright. It is a great day for all kinds of outdoor activity.

 

As mentioned earlier, today our stop is in an industrial port. HAL and / or the locals are providing a shuttle that takes about 20 minutes to get to the nearby ‘big’ city which is the capital of the Mexican state we are in. The bus dropped us off at the city’s bus terminal, along with everyone traveling by bus to distant places. The bus station is, however, located across the street from the beach in an area with lots of shopping and many restaurants. I was enjoying the day when I got a call that sent me back to the ship to try and take care of a couple of things. The downside of being away, but at least it can be handled from here, thanks to T-Mobile and the ship’s internet.

 

Here are some photos of the port and La Paz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by richwmn

[Seasick Sailor]

Rich, beautiful commentary. I have a tough time reading your script, as others have mentioned previously.  Are you able to use the common script for those of us who follow many of your posts?

 

We enjoy every minute of your Daily and Fleet Report.  @kazu is doing a good job while you are away.

[Cruise Suzy]

Font is very readable on CC's Website.

[Cruising-along]

40 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Font is very readable on CC's Website.

Looks very good to me too, on both my phone and desk top.  

[sterling2]

I am enjoying your blog and the font is very readable for me. Happy sailing!

[superoma]

1 hour ago, Cruising-along said:

Looks very good to me too, on both my phone and desk top.  

Very readable on my iPad and my phone. Am happily following along 

[Cruisercl]

Hi Rich,

Thanks for this review; it should very extensive being the long vacation you are on!

Looking forward to it all.

It won't be long before the GVAUS/NZ cruise starts and I will join you for a portion of your adventure.

I will follow along here and post occaisionally if you don't mind.

I may even have some questions for you as you have GV experience. 😊

 

So far your cruise looks relaxing and the ports beautiful.

Safe travels; see you next week! 😎

Caron

[kazu]

11 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Font is very readable on CC's Website.

 

Ditto. 🙂. Easy to read on my Ipad.

[richwmn]

December 27^th, 2023 – Loreto, Mexico

Greetings from Loreto, another tender stop on the way back to San Diego. According to the HAL weather information, it is currently 63°F/17°C with few clouds. The humidity is 82% and the winds are from the NNW at 10.4 mph. My phone tells me to look for a high of 80°F.

 

In about a half hour tendering will begin and it looks like there might be some things to do within walking distance of the tender dock.

 

Here are today’s activites. I guess the port map from two days ago was a one time deal, we don’t have one again today.

 

 

 

And some pictures from the ship this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Rich - when / if you have time - I believe the Volendam’s Crow’s Nest is still the old set up with the nice Captain’s Corner?  Could you confirm if I am correct please?  Thinking of the location for our Meet and Greet 😉  Thanks so much 🙂 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Rich, after a busy few days, I've caught up on your blog.  I've enjoyed it very much, and after you adjusted the spacing, easy to read.  It sounds like you are having a wonderful cruise.  Thank you for taking us along.

[richwmn]

Just to get it out of the way, and take full credit – I did take a spill on the Lido Deck leaving the Taco Bar a few minutes ago. I am fine. Medical came quickly and gave it more attention than I would have myself. I have a small skinned area on my leg that will heal nicely, most likely before the Grand starts. Nothing else hurt but my pride.

 

[richwmn]

December 27^th, 2023 – Loreto, Mexico

 

Ship’s Officers for the Grand Australia / New Zealand

 

Captain – will be changing 1/3

Chief Engineer – will be changing 1/3

Hotel General Manager – Leonie Henry

Environmental Officer – Neda

Cruise & Travel Director – Daniel Edwards

Food & Beverage Director – Ali Sahin

Executive Chef – Javier Carpio Arevalo

Future Cruise Consultant – will be changing 1/3

 

I did tender into Loreto, Mexico for a short while today. It is a very pretty town with a nice walking path by the water. It has been a very clear, temperate day, and it was very nice sitting on a chair near the water. Here are some pictures of the area between the tender dock and downtown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2023 by richwmn

[dfish]

33 minutes ago, richwmn said:

Just to get it out of the way, and take full credit – I did take a spill on the Lido Deck leaving the Taco Bar a few minutes ago. I am fine. Medical came quickly and gave it more attention than I would have myself. I have a small skinned area on my leg that will heal nicely, most likely before the Grand starts. Nothing else hurt but my pride.

 

Glad it was a minor spill and that you are ok.

[durangoscots]

Glad it was no worse. I usually hate all the attention more than the fall.

 

Susan

[cunnorl]

Rich ,

     Glad you are ok.  Take care

[kazu]

1 hour ago, richwmn said:

Just to get it out of the way, and take full credit – I did take a spill on the Lido Deck leaving the Taco Bar a few minutes ago. I am fine. Medical came quickly and gave it more attention than I would have myself. I have a small skinned area on my leg that will heal nicely, most likely before the Grand starts. Nothing else hurt but my pride.

 

 

Yikes! 😱. So glad there’s no serious damage and hope you are all healed before the Grand 🤞 

[richwmn]

I just realized that I didn’t post the evening menu for the MDR earlier, here it is

 

 

[POA1]

6 hours ago, richwmn said:

Just to get it out of the way, and take full credit – I did take a spill on the Lido Deck leaving the Taco Bar a few minutes ago. I am fine. Medical came quickly and gave it more attention than I would have myself. I have a small skinned area on my leg that will heal nicely, most likely before the Grand starts. Nothing else hurt but my pride.

 

I admire your candor. Now, every time someone asks if you are okay, you can say, "I'm fine. It's just the old taco bar injury. It flares up from time to time."

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

6 hours ago, richwmn said:

Just to get it out of the way, and take full credit – I did take a spill on the Lido Deck leaving the Taco Bar a few minutes ago. I am fine. Medical came quickly and gave it more attention than I would have myself. I have a small skinned area on my leg that will heal nicely, most likely before the Grand starts. Nothing else hurt but my pride.

 

 

Rich, I'm glad the spill did not result in anything more serious than wounded pride.

 

Lenda

[SUESEABE]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Rich, I'm glad the spill did not result in anything more serious than wounded pride.

 

Lenda

+1