The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday February 23rd, 2024

[smitty34877]

Good morning. I will salute  those standing up to bullies  and once knew a man who found a curling club somewhere  In our county. DD made oatmeal cookies last week and told her sister they were good for breakfast. It reminded me of when they were growing up and as teenagers developed interesting eating habits. I always left early for work and DD DH was in charge of breakfast. I found out years later what constituted breakfast!

We rented a car at the Kona port stop and had a great day exploring beautiful beaches. I am sad that pictures are unavailable now . It is great to see all the other pictures.

Enjoy the day everyone.

 

[kochleffel]

I had to check whether Curling is Cool Day honored the sport or hair styling. It's the sport, and since that's played on ice, I think that curling is probably cold. Graham made a good point about cyber-bullying and it makes me glad that social media didn't exist when I was growing up.

 

I wouldn't mind an oatmeal cookie, but probably won't have one. Pass on the drink (too complicated). Reading that the wine is a blend of Rhone varieties, I wanted to know where the winery is. The answer: Milton-Freewater, Oregon. We grow Syrah in the FL but not Mourvedre or Grenache, so I'll suggest Hector Wine Company's 2020 Sawmill Creek Estate, a blend that is 40% Syrah.

 

 

 

[RMLincoln]

It is solid gray/grey here today… either way you spell it it’s dreary looking out there.  Rain overnight but not cold! A good day for us to start taxes!  We are still missing one pair of statements - our volunteer firefighter state pensions which are minuscule as pensions go but I’m glad we get some acknowledgment for our 19 years of service, and we still must report it. So that’s an early hurdle to chase. 
 

Happy Birthday @lindaler 🎉

Condolences @bennybear to you and your friend in such a heartbreaking loss. 
 

Coronado camped for 2 years starting in 1540 just north of where Albuquerque is now, along the Rio Grande. While we were working in Albuquerque we lived just up the hill from the encampment site which is now Coronado State Park, part of the Town of Bernalillo now the county seat (and center for the county fire department we served in in the rural area after we retired and moved into our mountain cabin home). 1540 was the beginning of the European invasion of lands that had been lived in for a thousand years.   As in much of history, invasion became brutal and the many puebloans in the region suffered atrocities. Coronado is not celebrated by everyone. But he picked a beautiful site at the foot of the Sandia mountains and, of course, the river was the lifeblood of the arid region. 

Viewing east from the top of the hill, the dark area at in the bottom would be the trees along the river banks. We often camped at the state park with our 5th wheel trailer (caravan to some) the night before our return home so we could arrive in daylight rather than what I came to describe as “cold, dark, hungry”. Getting the mountain home restarted took several hours and a lot of energy to get fires going to heat the structure before starting water pumps etc. It was good for them, not for now!  
 

Blessings sent to all in need, especially our care list. Thank you Vanessa!   DH had a good checkup at eye doctor yesterday!  Return in 2 weeks. The surgery eye is coming along slowly but well. I am thrilled that they seem to have found us a path to save his vision and save him from the misery of the itching caused by the meds. Wishing for relief too for Vanessa, Jane, Chuck, Maurice… all our daily friends who are suffering!  No updates last night about my DSIL, I didn’t ask, they all need some rest. 
 

🛳️ Smooth travels to all our very many cruisers! Yay for Kangaroo Island!  May you all stay well and safe.
 Cheers to all celebrating, Life is Good 🌈

 

Thank you all for being here with your caring support, heartfelt sharing and beautiful pictures!  Enjoy something today!  

Maureen

 

 

[ottahand7]

@lindaler   Happy birthday!  🎂🍰

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

@lindaler  Linda, I hope you have a great day on your birthday.

 

 

Lenda

 

[ottahand7]

Good morning.  Contrary to the Daily fleet locations we are in HMC until 2:30 today.  It is mostly overcast and the glass bottom boat shorex is cancelled again.  I think that is 4 out of 5 times here it was cancelled.

I visited Kailua Kona in 1988 at a national sales meeting.  We stayed at the brand new Hyatt Regency hotel, it is now a Hilton.  The place was massive with three buildings and a train and boats to get around the buildings.  It had gorgeous artwork.  I did two helicopter rides, one thanks to a colleague who preferred to stay in their room and watch movies.  We went north into the valley, not the volcano.  Another trip there was deep sea fishing in very rough seas, the seas were so high that the other boats disappeared behind swells.   There were 6 of us, the first lady barfed when we hit the first buoy leaving the port. Before we began fishing I looked at my friend and he was turning green and puked.  My other three friends were enjoying box lunches and I thought I would grab something.  As soon as I got near the inside it started to get to me.  I turned around and sat on a box and studied the horizon and read a newspaper.  I was fine after that.  About 20 boats went out and only one fish was caught, a 500+ pound Marlin.  Not in our boat.  I loved the area and can't wait to go back again in 2025. 

Have a wonderful Friday! 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from cloudy Quartzsite where it is 55F.  The skies should clear, and the high this afternoon should be 75F, but I suspect it will be higher.  Yesterday we reached 80F.

 

Several Winter Olympics ago, we started watching the curling events.  That is when we realized there is more to the game than just sending the stone down the ice.  Diesel engines are work horses, but we're glad we no longer have a Diesel pusher motorhome.  I'll also stand up to bullying.

 

The quote is true, but I smiled when @Mr. Boston added the other two constants -- death and taxes.

 

We'll pass on the meal and drink.  The wine sounds nice, but a bit pricey.

 

We were just in Kailua-Kona on February 9, so I have some new pictures to add to those I posted previously.  The area was nice, but the organization of getting the tours off was pure chaos.  We did a HIA tour and saw places we'd not seen before when we rented cars.

 

Three interesting days in history, but being a Texan, I can't really celebrate the siege at the Alamo.  We honor March 6 the day the Alamo fell.  It was a sad situation, but it spurred the Texans to continue their fight for independence from Mexico.

 

@kazu  Jacqui, I hope you can get home before the "mess" arrives.

@ger_77  Gerry, we found the food in the MDR generally better than it was in 2021 and 2022, but the steaks were not as good.  The rustic lasagna was available everyday. 

@Mr. Boston  Please wish your DH a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

[rafinmd]

Wishing @lindaler a great birthday and hoping she's all right.  She has not posted since mid-December.

 

Roy

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

On February 9, we did the Kona Highlights tour as part of our HIA package.   We had a beautiful day for touring.

 

The coast and the Atlantis submarine being towed to it's dive position. 

 

While waiting for our check-in time for the tour, I walked down the main road to the Church and the Palace.  First, the beach and swimming area just off the tender pier.

 

 

 

 

The view from our first stop, a coffee planation.  These buildings were part of their processing facility.

 

Our second stop was St. Benedict Catholic Church in Captain Cook, Hawaii.  It is known as the Painted Church.  The interior was painted by a priest using house paint.

 

 

Part of the grave yard

 

The memorial to Father Damien.

 

The original steeple

 

Our final stop was a National Park which was the Royal Compound and is considered sacred by native Hawaiians.

 

 

The Royal compound and sacred ground

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

My pictures below are from our three BHB stops in Kona,  We were there in 2014 on Veendam, and in 2017 and 2018 on Westerdam.  We rented cars those days and drove north to Kapaau.  I have a few pictures of the area near the tender dock that were taken in 2017.

 

King Kamehameha statue outside the visitor center in Kapaau, and the view across the road.

 

 

A couple of pretty birds on the grounds of the visitor center.

 

For the garden club

 

The rugged coast near the north point of the Big Island

 

Lapakahi State Park

 

A lava tube close the the highway.  We did not venture from the roadside.

 

The area near the tender port

 

 

 

Lenda

[smitty34877]

@Mr. BostonHappy Birthday to your DH!

and @lindaler a very Happy Birthday as well.

[kazu]

@lindaler Linda,hoping all is well and wishing you a very happy birthday

 

[luvteaching]

Good morning, 

 

it's a foggy start to the day here. It's supposed to clear off and be sunny and in the low 50's so not bad at all. Of course it's the precursor to a rainy stretch coming up along with some snow in the mix but the snow isn't forecast to stick around. 

 

Not much going on here. I got the income taxes done and in, have been going to water aerobics, had PT for my stuck hip muscle, paid off an Alaska cruise (Westerdam at the beginning of July) and other fun stuff. Off today to do some errands including Costco and the Hallmark store. 

 

Have a good day!

Karen

[kazu]

@Mr. Boston A very happy birthday to your DH.  

 

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, Mr. Boston said:

Good morning everyone from the sunny Caribbean as we steam towards Half Moon Cay. Today is DH’s birthday and we’ll finally get to dine in Rudi’s Sel de Mer, no cookies for me!  Thanks for the daily report, recipes and lists.  Two great days to celebrate and one necessary evil. Curling is cool, that’s a fact and where would we be without diesel engines.  I got to witness an old man bully this morning berating a barista because he didn’t hear his name called when his coffee was ready all the while scolding with his mouth full of food, disgusting behavior and manners.  Nice quote but he left out death and taxes!  The drink sounds like something I’d have at Halloween.  I haven’t been to today’s port. Prayers for those on our prayer list today, maybe one for the nasty old man so that he’ll change his ways.  Cheers to those who are celebrating happy events today!  Happy birthday @lindaler ! 🥂

Happy birthday to your DH.

[grapau27]

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Interesting collection of days - anti-bullying is important. I would like the cookies but need something more substantial as a meal, pass on the drink, maybe try the wine 🍷 if someone else is buying, was in Kona Dec 30 and will share a couple pictures. Important says in history.

 

Still no call from PT that they've received approval so I will call them. And I'll work today; hope it's easier today - yesterday's outages caused a few snags for us.

Currently 54° headed to sunny 73°, forecast still says 90° on Monday; my calendar says it's still Feb. 🤷‍♀️

Prayers and positive thoughts for all. 🙏

 

Visited Kona Dec 30 2023 on the Christmas New Years K'dam cruise - my first solo cruise.

Bow Cam at arrival

Aft Cam at arrival

No excursion - I walked around the port. I was going to crop the top of this, but decided to leave it so you can see how blue the sky was that day. Later, there were some clouds.

The public beach is right at the tenders.

I saw parasailers and paddle boarders.

 

 

I walked to the right - This is the start of my walk

 

Parks dept office - ship is anchored out between the buildings, across the street is a small market.

 

Shopping list was short - local wine (this did not make the cut due to price)

And a book for the grand

This tree is just across from the beach - pretty and popular for shade

 

View of K'dam as I was walking

Last tender was 5:30, but a special run was made to go get the final passenger. 

 

 

Kona Sunset as seen from the K'dam

 

This is the port map we were given on the ship

 

 

Lovely photos.

[Overhead Fred]

We stopped in Kona in 2017 and will be back again next February!

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

My pictures below are from our three BHB stops in Kona,  We were there in 2014 on Veendam, and in 2017 and 2018 on Westerdam.  We rented cars those days and drove north to Kapaau.  I have a few pictures of the area near the tender dock that were taken in 2017.

 

King Kamehameha statue outside the visitor center in Kapaau, and the view across the road.

 

 

A couple of pretty birds on the grounds of the visitor center.

 

For the garden club

 

The rugged coast near the north point of the Big Island

 

Lapakahi State Park

 

A lava tube close the the highway.  We did not venture from the roadside.

 

The area near the tender port

 

 

 

Lenda

Nice collection of photos Lenda.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Laura, and Dixie for the TGIF report.  I never really understood curling although some of my aunts and uncles in the Montreal area were avid curlers.  Diesels are especially important on ships and fantastic progress has been made in cleaning them up.  Every day should be Stand Up to Bullies Day, whether in person, cyber, or international.

 

Interesting comment by Covey.

 

Three interesting dates in history but I will especially  celebrate the Panama Canal.  I have not sailed to Kona but visited way back on a 1992 land trip.

 

Oatmeal cookies are great although I prefer Oatmeal Raisin.  My alternative menu suggestion is Cucumber, Radish, and Mixed Green Salad, Quince Glazed Pork Chop, and Pear Frangiapone Tart as served on MS Prinsendam February 23, 2019 and I would probably go up to the Lido for an Oatmeal Raisin cookie after dinner:

 

Happy Birthday @Mr. Boston DH.

 

Roy

[sailingdutchy]

 

Today it is nice and sunny in SW Ontario and another day where the temperatures are above 0 Celsius , with no snow on the ground , which is very strange for February .

 

I might even think of starting to prepare my veggie gardens if it stays this way before we get on board the Nieuw Statendam at the end of March than I can hope to come back to leaf lettuce at the beginning in May .

 

We were also on the Veendam in mid January 2014 and had a very nice stop in  Kailua - Kona . Here a few pictures 

 

Tender into port 

 

 

 

 

We had taken along Martha's mom and cousin on this cruise 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the very nice Painted church and beautiful grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on board ship and fell asleep

 

 

This is was we came back to a couple of weeks later , it was almost impossible to get from Detroit airport and drive home . Than this again a couple of days later shovelling 

………. Forgot to put the car in the garage !

 

 

Have a great day everybody and Big Thank You  to the all people that are keeping the Daily alive and well so I can dig up all the nice cruise memories ! 

 

Tony 😘

[grapau27]

2 minutes ago, sailingdutchy said:

 

Today it is nice and sunny in SW Ontario and another day where the temperatures are above 0 Celsius , with no snow on the ground , which is very strange for February .

 

I might even think of starting to prepare my veggie gardens if it stays this way before we get on board the Nieuw Statendam at the end of March than I can hope to come back to leaf lettuce at the beginning in May .

 

We were also on the Veendam in mid January 2014 and had a very nice stop in  Kailua - Kona . Here a few pictures 

 

Tender into port 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had taken along Martha's mom and cousin on this cruise 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the very nice Painted church and beautiful grounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back on board ship and fell asleep

 

 

This is was we came back to a couple of weeks later , it was almost impossible to get from Detroit airport and drive home . Than this again a couple of days later shovelling 

………. Forgot to put the car in the garage !

 

 

 

Have a great day everybody and Big Thank You  to the all people that are keeping the Daily alive and well so I can dig up all the nice cruise memories ! 

 

Tony 😘

Nice photos of yourselves and the port.

[JazzyV]

Good afternoon. Thanks for the FR/Daily.

Curling is cool. I don't know much about diesel engines. Bullying is wrong and we should stand up to and end it. Good quote. I like oatmeal (raisin) cookies, I'll have to see what whole wheat ones are like. Maybe on the drink and wine (aroma of bacon fat?). I have been to Kailua-Kona. 

 

It's sunny and in the 50's! But a cold front is coming overnight and tomorrow will be 30's with a 20 wind chill. I slept about 5 hours. When I went to bed I tried laying on my back, and got the leg numbness and tingling in a few minutes (too early, I know). This AM I had symptoms, but definitely less intense. So I'm hopeful. One question I have is if I respond, how long does it last? I can ask the Neurosurgeon when I see her. I did schedule PT to start next week, but had to get a new script for it. Otherwise, I'm going to start working on the drawer in the DR buffet and server, getting rid of some things, before I bring anything into the rooms. The radiator still needs to be fixed, and a cleaning by the restoration people, so I don't want to put much in the rooms anyway. My new replacement area rugs came today, and the truck just pulled up to take away the POD my furniture was stored in while the floors were done.

 

@lindaler Happy Birthday!

@Crazy For Cats I just heard about that cyberattack on the news a few minutes ago.

@kazu I hope physio went well, and good luck with the weather mess (yet again). 

@Nickelpenny Thanks for the photos. 

@StLouisCruisers Nice that DS and DDIL have a week in Madrid together. Lovely Kona photos.

@ger_77 Sorry your friends had the food experience they did in the MDR.

@Mr. Boston Happy Birthday to your DH!

@Haljo1935 @GTVCRUISER @sailingdutchy Nice Kona photos.

@smitty34877 I hope you're doing well and that Tana is having better days.

@RMLincoln Thank you for the interesting history that I knew nothing about.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Great photos! 

@rafinmd That meal looks good. Thanks for the maps.

 

Prayers for the Care List and Cheers for those Celebrating. 

 

I visited Kona in 1992 on a trip to Hawaii. I used to shoot slides back then, but scanned some into the PC. I was at the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. 

 

This  ‘place of refuge’  was a safe haven for those that broke the Kapu laws, which in old Hawaii were punishable by death. If you reached the Puʻuhonua, you would be pardoned by Kahuna and given a second chance at life. 

 

 

 

The Hale o Keawe Temple, guarded by carved wooden Kiʻi.

 

 

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Crystal World Cruise.  On February 23 Crystal Symphony visited Dunedin (Port Chalmers) New Zealand.

 

 

Roy

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks to all for your kind condolences.    I know my friend is very worried about her granddaughters,  so hard to lose a parent so young.  I worked a lot with teens who lost their parents and it is a very difficult time.  
 

On a happier note, Kona has been our winter home for many years so I have literally thousands of photos.   But I will share just a few
 

 

[aliaschief]

Made it through the night and will work on getting through the day. The Tasman Sea is living up to its reputation. Bouncing around like a cork. Captain said yesterday that these conditions would continue until at least 4:00 PM today. First time we forgot duck tape. Could have used to keep closet doors opening and slamming.

I may skip coffee and just stay in bed. 
Enjoy your day. More later. Bruce

 

 

Edited February 23 by aliaschief