The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday April 12th,

[kazu]

Today is Big Wind Day, International Day of Human Space Flight, and International Day for Street Children
 

I close my eyes to old ends. And open my heart to new beginnings -- Nick Frederickson

Meal Suggestion for today - Lentil Curry
Drink of the Day - Stone Raft
Wine of the Day - Quinta da Pacheca 2021 Reserva Vinhas Velhas Red (Douro)
Destination of the Day - Cozumel, Mexico 

Today in History:
1961 Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person to orbit Earth (Vostok 1)

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 08:00 - 14:00 
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island eta 04-16
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Cartagena Colombia 07:00 - 13:00 
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Brest, France eta 04-17
 

Oosterdam

Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel Island Azores Portugal 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Rotterdam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 04-13
 

Volendam

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala 10:00 - 18:00 
 

Zaandam

At Sea Destination San Diego, California eta 4/13
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Maputo, Mozambique eta 4/13

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Savusavu, Vanua Levu Island Fiji 08:00 - 17:00 
 

Westerdam

Yokohama, Tokyo, Japan Kanagawa 6:30-20:00

[rafinmd]

Today's maps:

 

 

 

Roy

[aliaschief]

 Visited Yalu National Park in Sri Lanka.Saw lot’s of wildlife. Water Buffalo, Land Monitor, exotic birds, deer, wild boar, crocs, elephants and a long distant sighting of a leopard sleeping in a tree.

Just a great day. Bruce

 

Edited April 12 by aliaschief

[MISTER 67]

Greetings from beautiful Port Charlotte.

67 this AM heading up to a cooler but sunny 78.

Don’t have a clue what Big Wind day is about but living in Florida we know all about big winds with a chance of being hit by them in hurricane season.

Pretty good quote.

I’ll pass on the meal.

Bryson DeChambeau is leading the Masters shooting a 7 under 65 but they weren’t able to finish the first round because of the rain delay, Scottie Scheffler finished at 6 under and will probably be in contention to tournaments end. Tiger Woods is 1 under through 12 holes, he’s going to have a tough day today as he has to finish the first round and then has an early tee time in round 2, not sure if his body can hold up.

I’m back to the golf course in a few minutes after taking Monday and Wednesday off with a cold.

Have a great day and stay well.

 

Edited April 12 by MISTER 67

[Haljo1935]

22 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

 Visited Yalu National Park in Sri Lanka.Saw lot’s of wildlife. Water Buffalo, Land Monitor, exotic birds, deer, wild boar, crocs, elephants and a long distant sighting of a leopard sleeping in a tree.

Just a great day. Bruce

 

WOW @aliaschief once again, your pictures are amazing - thanks for sharing.

[aliaschief]

Start the day off with some food porn. Our Chefs Table Indian Dinner last night. Chef Sri is from India so it was extra special.

 

[summer slope]

Stone Raft cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces amontillado
1/2 ounce jalapeño tequila
1/2 ounce Del Maguey Vida mezcal
1 barspoon agave nectar
2 dashes Bitter Truth celery bitters

Directions
Add all the ingredients to a mixing glass, add ice and stir.
Strain into a coupe glass.

Jalapeño Tequila:
2 fresh jalapeños
1 1/2 cups silver tequila

Cut the jalapeños lengthwise and extract the seeds and membranes; add them to a glass bowl. Discard the rest of the pepper. Add the tequila to the seeds and membranes and infuse for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the heat of the peppers. Finally strain and bottle. Keep at room temperate for up to 1 month.

 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[seagarsmoker]

Good morning Dailyites and thank you for the Daily Report.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

 

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

RMLincoln’s DSIL now in hospice care

RMLincoln and her DH heading to see DSIL

StLouisCruisers seeing ENT for cough

JazzyV with R leg pain, numbness

 

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, hostages; Haiti unrest

All Dailyites going through worries and stress, whether mentioned or not

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues, on maximal oxygen

Summer Slope and her DH recovering from golf cart accident

StLouisCruisers’ nephew Alex’s in-utero identical twins

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Cunnorl traveling to Boston for her niece’s bridal shower, meeting family

Cruzin Terri’s DH Jim getting a good report from the Neurologist

Welcome Home USN59-79 from Taipei

Kazu stepping up to keep the FR/Daily going while Rich is cruising

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

2 days for LAFFNVEGAS (Norwegian Joy Apr 14 to Apr 21) 7d Bermuda from NY

 

Ocean sounds (Zaandam to Apr 13) 14d Solar Eclipse & Mexican Riviera, SusieKIslandGirl (Discovery Princess to Apr 13) 10d Mexican Riviera with Total Solar Eclipse, Heartgrove’s DW Sue and DSIL (Rotterdam to Apr 13) 6d W. Caribbean, Vict0riann (Nieuw Statendam to Apr 21) 14d Bermuda, Brittany & The English Channel Expedition, Lobsternight (Koningsdam to April 27) 22d Solar Eclipse & Circle Hawaii, Richwmn (Volendam to May 4, Apr 6 15d PC Cruise + Apr 21 The Atlantic Coast), Sailingdutchy (Nieuw Statendam Apr 7 to May 5) 28d Bermuda, Brittany & Canary Island Allure, for Overhead Fred (Nieuw Statendam to May 5) 28d Bermuda, Brittany & Canary Island Allure, Cat in my lap (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage), Gail & Marty sailing away (Zuiderdam to May 11, 128d Grand World Voyage) and Aliaschief (Azamara Onward WC to June 9, 156d World Voyage)

[Haljo1935]

I know someone will let us know about Big Wind Day💨 & Street Children. Big day in space.

 

Pass on the meal & drink, would try the wine if the price is right, been to the port several times, but no pictures to post - they're on my computer. 

 

Thank you everyone for DH birthday wishes 🎂 he was touched by how many people he's not met thinking of him. This is the best group of people 🤗

 

@aliaschief pictures are wonderful - today's look like they're from the pages of National Geographic. 

 

Yesterday work was B2B calls w/several double booked; today is 0 calls so maybe I can get some work done.

 

I really enjoyed seeing all the fur baby pictures yesterday - we sure have a lot of cute "kids." Wouldn't they make a nice calendar?🤔

 

Currently 48° headed to sunny 81°. If we hit that today and tomorrow is as windy as forecast, maybe the backyard will dry enough it can be mowed. Have a fan blowing under the kitchen sink and it's not dry yet.

 

Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all. 

Edited April 12 by Haljo1935
Typo

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  It is 50F now and we should have a sunny but windy day with a high of 68.  Yesterday was quite windy with the winds howling.  The next several days should be sunny as well so I hope these winds calm down.  

 

Thanks to Jacqui @kazu and Roy @rafinmd for posting the Fleet Report and Daily as well as the fleet location maps for Rich @richwmn today.  How appropriate that we are recognizing Big Wind Day after mentioning how windy it's been here lately.  Human space flight is being held on the same day as the first person to orbit the earth back in 1961.  Anytime you think of homeless children is a sad day.  No comment for that quote, a lentil curry doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy, another questionable cocktail, and I'd say that is a red wine from the description.  So I'll pass on all the food and beverages today.  Thanks anyway to our dear F&B Department ladies Debbie @dfish, Dixie @summer slope, and Ann @cat shepard.

 

Prayers said on the treadmill for all here on our Care list, DB, the twin baby boys, friends Scott, Susan and Sandy, the people of Ukraine and Israel, the poor hostages still held, and our troops in the region.  Hurray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, those cruising and all our friends here on the Celebration list.  Good luck to @Mr. Boston selling his home and good luck to Dixie @summer slope and George in getting reimbursed for the totaled golf cart.  I hope you are both fully recovered soon.  Thank you Vanessa @JazzyV for the great lists, and I'm counting down the days with you for that surgery.  

 

I'm seeing the ENT this afternoon and hope he has some answers to my cough.  I'm not that optimistic but gotta give it another chance.

 

The port today is Cozumel, Mexico.  This was the port before on Dec.10, 2022 and June 28, 2023.  Here are the links for you.  My photos will follow.  We've visited Cozumel and the environs 3 times.

 

 

 

We will probably get some groceries this morning and then later today that appointment I mentioned.  I hope this doctor is an on time physician since the appointment isn't until 3:15. I probably won't get a lot done on the Christmas stocking work, but got quite a lot done yesterday.  I am pretty much finished with the first lamb and kitten.  Hope everyone has a good day today.  Stay safe and keep well!

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.  Happy Friday.

Windy and rainy here today, I think I'll stay in.

I like the quote.

I'll pass on the meal.  I'd like to try the drink.  I'm sure the wine is terrific.

Prayers for everyone on the Care List.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful day.   Stay safe.

[grapau27]

Good morning.

It is cloudy and 55°F here in North East England.

Thank you for today's daily reports.

3 interesting days and Quote.

I will give today's food and drink a miss.

We visited Cozumel on Royal Caribbean Oasis of the seas in February 2023.

I hope everyone has a lovely day.

 

[summer slope]

I have been to the Mount Washington Observatory in New Hampshire in summer and the wind was over 60 MPH that day.  Had to hold on to things.

[StLouisCruisers]

I was on the Amazon River cruise December of 2022 and did not post photos due to internet incompatibility with Shutterfly.  We were there on Dawn Princess in 2004, Regal Princess in 2015 and Sky Princess in February of 2023.

 

In 2015 we took a tour to see Chichen Itza Mayan ruins.  We took Flat Stanley along with us!

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Good TGIF everyone and thank you Roy, Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie & Ann.

 

Important day in history for space and it makes sense it is Human Space Flight day to match it.  Street children need our help and as much as can be given every day.  A good quote - not sure I can live up to it though, yet.  Loved Cozumel the first time I visited on a BHB.  In fact, I loved it so much DD DH and I went there for our honeymoon.  We took a little plane to Chichen Itza and toured it in the morning before it was too hot.  Magnificent.  We were done by the time the hot, tired tourists on the buses had arrived.

 

 

Another rainy day here and a few things to get done today.  Ivan is off to be groomed & once he’s back I’m off to see the foot nurse specialist.  I’m hoping she can help or give some advice.  The podiatrist sure doesn’t 😞  And, I have discovered that the IOS update for my Ipad had mucked up my copy and paste.  GRRRR.  It took far too long to get the FCL up 😡 

 

 

Prayers for those on the Care list, those suffering losses, grief, pain, health problems, worries & those that need them 🙏 Cheers to those celebrating & cruising 🥂 

 

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning from a rainy Boston.  Thanks for the daily updates.  Wow, 231 mph, that’s some serious wind.  Today we recognize street children and making sure they have basic human rights met.  I wonder how many people are in space right now.  I really like today’s quote.  I’d try both the meal and drink suggestions.  I haven’t been to today’s port.  Prayers for those on our prayer list.  Happy _______ to those who are celebrating today!

[Denise T]

Happy Friday! Thanks for the Daily and Fleet reports. 

Expecting wind and rain today. As my daffodils finish flowering, my roses are leafing out. They survived the winter. I may have to cut the grass again this weekend. At least it will get me outside. Not a lot of work to do today except some business consolidation stuff. 

Thinking of all on the care list. 

Celebrating with all who are celebrating. 

Have a safe and healthy day. 

[grapau27]

Cozumel February 1st 2023 on Oasis of the seas.

 

 

Edited April 12 by grapau27

[Heartgrove]

Thank you Jacqui, thank you Roy, thank you Debbie, thank you Vanessa, thank you Ann, and thank you Dixie for all your work.  And thank you everyone for being here!

 

From just yesterday for our Port of the Day, the Rotterdam docked in Cozumel photographed by Sue.

 

Stay Safe, and prayers for those in need.

 

- Jack

 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[kazu]

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Start the day off with some food porn. Our Chefs Table Indian Dinner last night. Chef Sri is from India so it was extra special.

 

Looks delicious, Bruce 🙂. Am I correct to assume that the Chef’s Table is at a surcharge like other lines or is this the name Azamara assigns to special dinners included?  thanks 🙂 

[AncientWanderer]

Greetings friends.  We really love Cozumel.  Usually rent a car and have at it.  We have good Cozumel memories.

 

Now, we are in Yokohama preparing to board Westerdam.  It’s so funny…all the research and reading live threads…nobody prepared us for just how charming Yokohama itself is.  We expected a blah industrial port town.  Instead, we had a delightful day in a vibrant city, full of parks like this…

Right now I’m so jet lagged I barely know my own name, and my dogs are tired from LOTS of walking.  But will  post from time to time as we carry on.   Things have started off really well on this trip.  Walked our legs off and are enamored with Japan.   Hope to share good stuff with our Dailyites in the coming days. @bennybear, I think you nailed it.  Good vibes here.

Sending best wishes to all.  Have a great day!   ❤️

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR & D, Jacqui! Roy, thank you for today’s maps! Another lovely morning here, after a whopper of a T-storm yesterday afternoon. Back in the 50s this morning. 
 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with all of us, in spite of what you are dealing with. Glad to read that your BFF’s MOHS surgery went well. 
 

Gym, Bindi walks, patio cleaning, and chores will keep me busy today. 
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Those suffering from pain, debilitating conditions, the loss of a loved one, trauma. The caregivers. Terry, keeping Tana, her son, you & your families in my prayers. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating! Safe travels Charlene!

 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 

 

*********

Quinta da Pacheca 2021 Reserva Vinhas Velhas Red (Douro)

This red blend from Portugal sounds delicious. A decent number of distributors with online prices starting at $16.47.

Winemaker’s notes 

VITICULTURAL YEAR

The 2014 viticultural year was char- acterized for being an atypical year in terms of climate. It was highlighted by the occurrence of large periods of rain, especially in January, February, July and September, and great climatic instabili- ty in the summer period with thunder- storms occurring during the months of June and July. As a consequence of the evolution of climatic conditions, the grape maturation controls carried out until the beginning of September indi- cated a progression of about two weeks in vine phenology with grapes showing good levels of sugar, acidity and phe- nolic compounds that led to the early starting of the harvest. Quinta da Pacheca started harvesting on September 3rd. In mid-September a new period of intense rain began and lasted until October. However, as the harvest started earlier most of Quinta’s vineyards had already been harvested.

VINEYARDS

This wine is obtained from grapes of the oldest vineyards in Quinta da Pacheca, installed in the mid 50’s. At that time, the vines were planted randomly in the plots and the grape varieties were equally naturally mixed. We still try to maintain this tradition in these old vines, as they result in wines of good ar- omatic complexity and structure. 

VINIFICATION

After careful selection by their best state, the grapes were harvested for chests of 25 kg and sent to the wine- making center where they were fully de-stemmed. Fermentation occurred during 9 days in the traditional 7-ton granitic stone tanks with foot stepping and smooth reassembles for blanket leaching and extraction of phenolic and aromatic compounds. At the end of the alcoholic fermentation the wine was transferred into new and 2nd year French oak barrels where malolactic fermentation occurred and aged for about 18 months.

TASTING NOTES

Pacheca Vinhas Velhas reveals good aromatic intensity, very complex with elegant notes of chocolate and black fruit, such as blueberry and blackberry. It’s very balanced in the mouth with pres- ent tannins and well-integrated wood,long and persistent finish.

BARREL AGING

18 months in new and 2nd year French oak barrels

GRAPE VARIETIES

Field blend

Wine Enthusiast 91