The Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday August 14th, 2024

[richwmn]

 

Today is National Lizard Day, National Navajo Code Talkers Day, and Romance Awareness Day
 

They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning. - Clint Eastwood

Meal Suggestion for today - Caprese Pasta Salad
Drink of the Day - Mai Tai
Wine of the Day - Daou 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
Destination of the Day - Road Town (Tortola), British Virgin Islands

Today in History:
1891 The first petition, containing 9000 signatures,supporting the introduction of Parliamentary voting rights for women in New Zealand is presented to Parliament.
1935 Social Security Act is Signed into Law in the United States
1945 V-J Day, Japan surrenders unconditionally to end WW II (also August 15 depending on time zone)

Ship Locations
 

Eurodam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer

Sitka, Alaska

0800-1600

 

Koningsdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage

Skagway, Alaska

 

 

Nieuw Amsterdam --- 7 days, one-way from Whittier to Vancouver

Juneau, Alaska

1000-2130

 

Nieuw Statendam --- 21 days, round-trip Ultimate Viking Explorer

Grundarfjordun, Iceland

 

 

Noordam --- 7 days, one-way from Vancouver to Whittier

Skagway, Alaska

0700-2100

 

Oosterdam --- 21 days, one-way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Piraeus-Athens

Alanya, Turkey

0800-1700

 

Rotterdam --- 14 days, round-trip Britain, Scotland Ireland

Cork, Ireland

0800-1800

 

Volendam --- 24 days, round-trip Canada, New England Iceland

St Anthony, Newfoundland

0700-1600

 

Westerdam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Explorer

Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, Alaska Juneau, Alaska

0800-0830 1230-2130

 

Zaandam --- 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage

Vancouver, Canada

0700-1600

 

Zuiderdam --- 35 days, round-trip Voyage Of The Vikings

Reykjavik, Iceland

-ovn--2300

 

 

[portofrome]

Thank you for the Fleet Report.

[JazzyV]

Today’s Care List:

Lindaler’s DS with an emergency situation

Heartgrove’s DSIL with fall and tri-malleolar ankle fracture

Safe travels to StLouisCruisers and DH, heading to Dallas

Kochleffel not feeling well

 

Heat, Fires, flooding and Storms across the US

Citizens of Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, hostages still held

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

 

From the Rotation:

Tana with chronic pulmonary issues, weakness, poor appetite

Seasick Sailor’s DSis Bonnie diagnosed with breast cancer

Vict0riann’s DH Pat needing heart valve surgery

 

Celebrations and Shoutouts:

Kazu’s house is on the market, with lots of interest

Dfish post nerve ablation; able to walk longer and without a cane

 

The Daily Gardening Club posting wonderful flower pictures

All the contributors to the Fleet Report/Daily

 

Upcoming Cruises or At Sea:

 

3 days for 0106 (Rotterdam Aug 17 to Aug 31) 14d Best of Norway

6 days for TiogaCruiser (Volendam Aug 20 to Aug 31) 11d Newfoundland & New England Discovery

 

Haljo1935 (MSC Magnifica to Aug 16) 4d Bahamas ski ww (Rotterdam to Aug 17) 14 Night Britain, Scotland & Ireland, Luvteaching (Discovery Princess to Aug 17) 7d Alaska Inside passage w/Glacier Bay National Park, Horizon Chaser 1957 (Volendam to Aug 20) 24d Canada, NE, Iceland, Cunnorl (Zuiderdam to Aug 24) 35d Voyage of the Vikings, St Pete Cruiser (Zuiderdam to Aug 24) 35d Voyage of the Vikings,  RMLincoln (Emerald Princess to Aug 28) 17d Greenland & Canada and Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to Aug 29) 44d Epic Northern Adventure London to London, celebrating 50th anniversary

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning!  I’m ready to go and just waiting for the driver to take us to the airport. 
 

DH and I will be going to Road Town, Tortola, BVI in January. I’ve never done this before and don’t know if it will work but I just copied the url link of the previous posting of Road Town.  I’ll give it a try. 
 

 

oh goodie!  I learned something today. Hope everyone has a great day. Talk to you all later. 😉

[MISTER 67]

Greetings from beautiful Port Charlotte.

79 this morning heading up to 95 with PM showers, it was miserable on the course yesterday with a real feel of 107 with nothing coming close to a breeze.

Interesting days but I’m not wild about lizards. 
Clint with a pretty funny quote.

I would give the meal a try.

I’ve never had a Mai-Tai.

We have been to Road Town quite a few times.

I call it Socialism Security.

Have a great day and stay well.

 

Edited August 14 by MISTER 67

[summer slope]

Mai Tai cocktail:

Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron is often credited with inventing the drink at his Trader Vic’s bar in the 1940s, though it’s likely that Donn Beach laid the groundwork for the famous recipe during the 1930s at his Don the Beachcomber bar. The original Trader Vic’s recipe featured Jamaica’s J. Wray & Nephew rum. Once Bergeron ran out of his supply, he moved to blending rums in an attempt to create a similar flavor profile.

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces white rum
3/4 ounce orange curaçao
3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce orgeat
1/2 ounce dark rum
Steps
Add the white rum, curaçao, lime juice and orgeat into a shaker with crushed ice and shake lightly (about 3 seconds).
Pour into a double rocks glass.
Float the dark rum over the top.
Garnish with a lime wheel and mint sprig.

[grapau27]

Good afternoon and thank you for today's daily reports.

3 interesting days and funny quote.

I will pass on today's food and drink.

I hope everyone is safe and well and y'all have a wonderful day.

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Report.

It's cool again this morning, only 11c (52f) when Bertie and I went for a walk.  But, it's supposed to warm up to 28c (82f) this afternoon.

Three interesting days.  I know lizards are important, a big salute to the Navaho Code Talkers and I'll have to remind my dear hubby about the importance of romance.

Good quote.

I'd like to try the meal, drink and wine.

I haven't been to today's port.

Prayers for our world.

Have a pleasant day.

[Heartgrove]

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

 

Stay Safe, and prayers for those in need.

 

- Jack

[ottahand7]

Good morning everyone. A cool morning here this morning with it at 53, cabin cooled off well for another hot day ahead.   

 

Thanks for the daily and maps @richwmn. I'll celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers and a funny one from Clint Eastwood.  Thanks for the reminder of today's date in history with the SS Act enacted and important safety net for the working poor and others who have had companies drop their promised pensions.   I have not been to today's port so look forward to Road Town.   I like caprese salad minus the pasta, love a good Mai Tai and the Daou Cabernet should be good.  Thanks for researching these for us each day @summer slope @dfish and at @cat shepard.  

 

Thanks for the Cares and Celebrations reports @JazzyV.  Chuck and Annie I was sorry to read Chuck's immunotherapy had to be delayed and your friend's pool was damaged.  Prayers for Tana and Terry and that you have had the aide during the week.  Sounds like the teenager loved his first football practice.  Safe travels today Sandi.  @kochleffel Paul I hope you are feeling better today.  Prayers for Bonnie, Ann and whoever else who are ailing or grieving.  Good luck with the interest in your home Jacqui, I hope many offers come in.  

 

We had a nice visit to town and it was 87 in Iron Mountain.  We head right back out again this afternoon.  John won a call in contest from our local radio station.  Someone won the prize last week and called that they couldn't attend the dinner tonight.   First veteran to call the restaurant wins tonight's dinner for two. He was killing time waiting for me in the truck.  It is a chef's special dinner at a tavern where they specialize in BBQ. The chef likes to be creative so comes up with a special four course menu that is not BBQ once a week during the summer.  We we went last year and it was worth the drive to " the fun bar in Dunbar" Wisconsin.   Have a wonderful Wednesday.  Nancy 

 

Edited August 14 by ottahand7

[cat shepard]

Thank you for today’s FR&D, Rich! Another lovely morning in the neighborhood. Yesterday’s humidity culminated in a whopper T-storm that totally surprised the painters touching up the building that houses my favorite local wine bar. The storm passed quickly and was done by the time I left. 
 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping up with us. Praying that the maneuver helps, and you are able to build up your strength and endurance. 
 

Bindi walks, HIIT, my departing neighbor comes over to hang out while her place is being cleaned & I return her spare house key 😞. She signs her closing papers this afternoon and flies out to Utah tomorrow. 
 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Tana, Terry, Chuck & Annie, Pat & Ann, Bonnie, Terri & Jim, Jacqui and all of our caregivers. 
 

Cheers to all who are celebrating. Safe travels Sandi & Dennis. 
 

May we each find a reason to smile today. 

 

***********

Daou 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)

In some Countries this would be a red blend, not a Cab. But this blend makes me really want to try this one! Easy to find. Priced to try. And drinkable now! Online prices start at $12.99. 

Winemaker Notes

The 2022 DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies Paso Robles. The nose is highly perfumed, showing aromas of black cherry, cassis, plum, desert sage, sandalwood and dusty minerality. Secondary aromas reveal notes of cigar box, leather, bay leaf and black olive. The palate is rich and weighty, offering generous flavors of black raspberry, spicy currant and blueberry compote with impressions of Bing cherry, boysenberry, fig and baking spices. Ripe, fine-grained tannins carry into a structured finish with lingering accents of cherry, espresso and vanilla.

Blend: 77.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15.6% Petit Verdot, 6.5% Merlot, 0.4% Cabernet Franc

Professional Ratings

• 91Wine Enthusiast
  It's amazing that the Daou brothers can produce a formidable Cab that is this accessible at such a young age. The palate combines rich blackberry sauce with espresso bean and cocoa, as lingering, sappy tannins extend through the finish.

[LambKnuckles]

Salutations and Thank You!!

 

I love lizards that eat the pesky bugs!!  And the ones who won't bite me!  The smaller ones, I guess!

My child and I were talking about Code Talkers yesterday.  How Native Americans used the Navajo language to talk, out in the open and on air, plans and positions.  In this day of internet and "we have the right to know everything" I doubt there's any code that would be successful!

Romance Awareness...  Yes, I know there is romance out there, I'm aware.  I'm just not worrying about finding that, right now.  I have a wonderful life, as a widow and person!

 

Great quote Clint!!  Maybe that's what is balancing the Romance Day...

 

I love Caprese Salad, so adding pasta shouldn't matter!

I've had many a Mai Tai, but don't think I've ever created one!  Thank you @summer slope for the recipe!!!

@cat shepard, the wine sounds perfect!!

And, when I've been to our selected port of the day -- it's fun to be able to share photos!!!

 

I hope that each of us has a blessed and wonderful day!!!

[grapau27]

We had a lovely lunch today.

[0106]

Happy Wednesday! Thank you for the FR & D.  I have been to Road Town, Tortola several times, pre-digital photos.  We used to sail on Windjammer cruises and left from there several times.  The BVIs are beautiful and the snorkeling is fantastic.  
 

We leave today for our cruise. Flights from Baltimore to Atlanta to Amsterdam. Train to Rotterdam.  I will be doing a LIVE thread so you can find me there for the next two weeks.

 

Positive thoughts to those who need them.  Cheers to those with something to celebrate.

[smitty34877]

Good morning. It is pleasantly cool and going to the mid eighties later. I have not been to the port and the recipe sounds interesting. I like  lizards and salute the Navajo code breakers. My DD DH was quite a romantic and I have many nice memories.

 

@kochleffel, Paul, I hope you are feeling better this morning and that the medication helps soon.

 

@Heartgrove, I was so sorry to read about your DSIL and her ankle fracture.i hope the repair can be done soon. 
 

Dinner tonight will be cooked on the grill by DSIL: both veggie and regular burgers, fresh corn and other vegetables grilled and pasta salad. We usually eat inside so that Tana has some company. She has trouble eating still but continues to try. The teenager is also learning the art of cooking on the grill from his uncle. He comes home from football practice very hungry and hot.

 

Enjoy the day everyone.

[dfish]

Good morning, everyone!

 

It is a chilly start to the day, but we will have another beautiful summer day here in mid-Michigan.  Sue and River had a great time at the fair yesterday.  Things have changed greatly from when we were kids and went to the fair.  It is $20 just to park.  Then you have to buy tickets for the rides.  A pack of 20 tickets costs $10, but most rides take 12 tickets, so the other 8 are wasted unless you buy more.  Gets kind of expensive when you have a family.

 

I have a dental appointment today that I am dreading.  I'm breaking in a new dentist.  I have a crown that fell off and I know they are going to want to put a new crown on that tooth.  I see the dollar bills floating away.   

 

@0106 Bon Voyage, Tina!  Safe travels and I'll look forward to following your live from thread.  

@kazu I think it is difficult to wait to find out if you got any bites yesterday.  The first few days are the best for interest.  Your realtor is smart giving a deadline for offers.  

@StLouisCruisers safe travels for you and Dennis.  Enjoy your time with Ren.  

@JazzyV I hope your exercises help with the dizziness.  After everything you've been through with the pain, you don't need this.

@kochleffel Paul, I hope the meds help and that you are quickly feeling better.

@smitty34877 I hope the aide continues to come.  You need the help!  Tonight's dinner sounds really good.  We're having chicken that I made a while back and froze.  

 

Today's meal is a good summer time accompaniment to your dinner.  Caprese salads are nice and fresh tasting.  If you are counting carbs you can leave out the pasta or cut down on the pasta.  Best Caprese Pasta Salad

 

 

This next recipe is very similar but has slightly different preparation.  It uses a whole wheat pasta and slightly cooks the cherry tomatoes.  Caprese Pasta Salad

 

 

Again this next one is very similar, just a slight variation in the dressing.  Caprese Pasta Salad

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

 

[Sir PMP]

Road Town, Tortola:

 

[St Pete Cruiser]

Greetings from Reykjavik. This is our second day, leaving at 11pm tonight. Yesterday, Regent was here. They left and now Norwegian Prima is docked in front of us. Reykjavik is busy! The road from the port to the old city was so open in 2009 and now there are buildings all along it.

Sorry that the church is on its side, but there has been considerable volcanic action nearby!

We meet our friends in the Gallery Bar on Deck 1 most evenings. The Ocean Bar 🍸 trio along with the Legendary Band continues to play afternoons along with the Classic Trio who now have Alex the violoist occasionally. 

[GTVCRUISER]

Have a good day 🙂 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a warm 77F central Texas where it will be sunny again today.  We have a 5mph wind from the SSE with 91% humidity and a dew point of 74F.  Like most days, the humidity will drop as we warm up, and yesterday afternoon it was about 34%.  It looks like we'll have a high of 99F but feeling like triple digits, and there is a heat advisory.  I'll be inside cleaning house and then trying to stay cool until it's time for our golf cart ride about sunset.

 

Lizards are important for the environment, and we see a lot in Arizona and some here.  The Navajo Code Talkers were very important in helping win the war in the Pacific in WWII.  Sadly, there are very few still alive.  Romance is good.

 

Interesting quote today.

 

The first Caprese salad looks good, but we usually have it without pasta.  The best place to enjoy a Mai Tai is at the outdoor bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel looking at Diamondhead at sunset.  Today's wine looks like a good one to try, especially since the price is good.

 

We visited Road Town twice in 2006 on the old Royal Princess on our b2b Amazon River cruises.  That way we didn't have to fly either to or from Manaus.

 

A good day for women in New Zeeland in 1891 with the petition to allow them to vote.  The introduction of Social Security helped many people throughout the years.  The end of WWII is a great day to celebrate.

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, have a safe flight to Dallas today.  I was ready to post the link early, but saw you found a way to do it. 

@grapau27  Graham, thanks for sharing the information on the Code Talkers.  The Navajo language is an interesting and hard to learn language for outsiders.

@ottahand7  Nancy, enjoy the special dinner tonight.  Congratulations to John for winning it.

@cat shepard  Ann, I hope your neighbor has a safe flight to Utah tomorrow.

@0106  Tina, safe travels to Rotterdam today.  Looking forward to your live thread.

@dfish  Debbie, I hope the crown is not too expensive.  I'm glad Sue and River enjoyed the fair.

@smitty34877  Terry, I hope you and Tana have a calm day.

 

Today is the first day of school in our area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lenda

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

On April 10, 2006, we arrived in Road Town, Tortola, BVI, for our first visit on the Old Regal Princess.  We were on our Amazon River cruise, but would be returning later that month as we headed back to Florida.  That was easier and more fun than flying home from Manaus.  If you were not a charter flight, you would have to fly to another city in South America and then to FLL or Miami, and a final flight(s) to your home airport.

 

The first day in Road Town, we rented a car and drove around the island.  This first picture is from the ship as we approached Road Town.

 

The boardwalk in the small boat harbor.  I seem to get a lot of pictures of DH from the back.  This time he was heading to the car rental place.

 

A nice beach close to the harbor

 

The view from a high point of the island, the observatory, and Road Town in the distance.

 

 

 

We didn't do the swim with the dolphins or see their show, but we did see this one interacting with one of the trainers.

 

We found a lovely place on the beach to have a beer or a coke.

 

Some of the locals at the bar

 

Our final view of Road Town as we sailed toward Dominica.

 

Lenda

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We returned to Road Town on April 28 on our way back to FLL.  That time, we took a tour to Virgin Gorda, another island in the BVIs.  This was on the recommendation of DFIL who along with DH's stepmother, and others had rented a catamaran and sailed around the islands. 

 

Our destination was The Baths, an area of large boulders and caves.  We snorkeled and swam through one of the caves.  Since we didn't want to fight the current to swim back to the starting point, we walked through another cave.  In hindsight, I think the swim would have been easier since there was one steep point where we had to climb over a boulder and use a rope "handrail" to help pull yourself up the boulder.  I didn't get any pictures in either cave because the camera was not waterproof, and I needed both hands walking through the second cave.

 

The view of Road Town as we headed toward Virgin Gorda.

 

The Baths from the parking lot from our open air bus.  Tortola is in the background.

 

The area of The Baths at sea level.  This is just a small portion of the area.

 

 

 

The restaurant at the top of The Baths and the views from the restaurant.

 

 

 

Our final view of Road Town and Tortola as we headed to sea and FLL.

 

I wish more ships that sail from the US would call at the BVIs.

 

Lenda

[rafinmd]

Happy Hump Day. 

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann and Dixie for the FR&D     I like all 3 days.  .    Special prayers fo rBonnie,  Terri, Katherine’s friend, Sandi’s brother, Scottie,  Chuck, Annie and Tana with  Annie and Chuck at the top of the list.

Interesting that the Eastwood quote came up on Romance Awareness Day..

I’ve been to Road Town twice, Blount Small Ship Adventures in 2008 and 2013 on the Elegant Explorer..

Three great days in history, especially the Social Security Act since my 42 years there have financed my life since 1965.,

 

I’ll pass on the meal.  .My alternative is Classic Caesar Salad, Prime Rib of Beef  au jus, and Baked Alaska as might have been served on SS Rotterdam V August 14, 1997

I’ve been out for my walk.. Followup this afternoon with my primary doctor’s practice on my neck.

Roy

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Dailyites 

 

It's 78 at 7:30 now, rising to 99. The rest of the week is 100's. Looks like Ernesto is possibly going to hurricane status today.

 

OK Dailyites, we have GOT to stop these falls! I'm sorry for those who are ill right now. I'm praying for each of you on the cares list. Paul, I hope the meds kicked in and you feel better soon.

 

Bon Voyage Tina! Looking forward to your live thread.

Safe travels Sandi and Dennis. Big hug for Ren.

 

I'm hoping @richwmn will do a live thread for our Japan Cruise. I'm too chicken to do one on my own.

 

I make caprese salad all the time. No pasta. I use burrata cheese and Campari tomatoes. My basil plant gets a workout. 

 

Thank you for prayers for my dear sis. There's complications due to her scleroderma and the surgeon and plastic surgeon will need to determine the course of action when they start the surgery. Other scarey stuff, but enough shared.

 

Graham your lunch looks so good. I miss the wonderful fish and chips in the UK. Hello to sweet Pauline. 

 

Seems like our friends have all decided to take holiday at the same time. We have friends leaving today for Greece (hoping the smoke doesn't waft) friends leaving for Alaska cruises, a couple taking a 1 month motorcycle trip and visiting friends and family from Texas to Canada. And our friends closing up their Montana home and heading south.

 

Wishing each and everyone of you a blessed day! Be kind.