LIVE LIVE LIVE from the MARINER with MERION MOM for 53 DAYS!!!

[Merion_Mom]

I wonder if Abe's mom is reading this thread. He said that she reads CC.

 

Hey, Abe's mom, are you there????? :) Your son is adorable, and does a very good job in the face of a lot of chaos and some marginally unpleasant and hard-to-satisfy passengers.

[IBookHePays]

I really need to know how to do this...hope it works...

 

Probrably too much information...and not enough about postage stamps...sorry!

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_War

[tinkerme1]

I need someone to research a war for me.

 

It was between Paraguay and Bolivia, and supposedly it was over a postage stamp.

 

That's all the info I have.

 

Go to it!

 

"Some wars have been started by pretty trivial things (like when Saddam didn't like Kuwait's attitude back in 1990) but it's hard to come up with a more petty reason than a postage stamp. Yet, that was one of the factors leading to the Chaco War.

 

Both Paraguay and Bolivia claimed an uninhabited desert region called the Gran Chaco. Bolivia, landlocked after war with Chile, wanted the territory in order to give it river access to the Atlantic. Paraguay, having lost most of its territory to its neighbors during the War of the Triple Alliance, needed the Gran Chaco just to stay on the map. Both sides believed there were rich oil reserves in region as well.

 

The dispute heated up considerably when Bolivia issued a stamp featuring a map of Bolivia... a map that included the Gran Chaco, now marked as Chaco Boliviano. Paraguay didn't take this sitting down, and soon issued even bigger stamps than Bolivia, with an even bigger map of the Gran Chaco, but this time marked as Chaco Paraguayo.

 

Bolivia had no intention of allowing Paraguay of getting away with this postal raid, and so moved forces into into the Gran Chaco. And Paraguay, for its part, couldn't wait to get it's licks in as well and did the same. Soon, Philatelic Warfare gave way to the real thing and in 1932 both sides were shooting at each other in earnest.

 

The Chaco War saw the use of armor and aircraft on both sides. British, American, French, and Italian arms makers took the opportunity to export some of their newest weapons to the combatants. German and Russian veterans of the First World War were on the staffs of both sides, advising the armies of Bolivia and Paraguay

 

In the end the Paraguayans won. It was just as well... the Paraguayans got the Gran Chaco but it turned out that the oil everyone thought was there didn't exist." (Courtesy of Delta210, International Military Forum)

[MavisMarie]

The stamps of Paraguay, issued in 1932, show the Gran Chaco as "Chaco Paraguayo" with the slogan "Has been, is, and will be." Shortly after this the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay began. An armistice was signed in 1935, and arbitration resulted in the Treaty of Buenos Aires. Most of the Chaco was awarded to Paraguay, but Bolivia retained navigation rights on the Pilcomayo River to the coast. In 1939 Paraguay issued a stamp showing the newly agreed-to border. An inscription on the stamp is "An Honorable peace is worth more than all military triumphs."

[The Big Booper]

<<snip>>..Does anyone out there know just how low the prices dropped on inside cabins? They probably dropped even lower in Chile. ..<<snip>>

 

Cruise prices are falling thru the floor all over. I got an internet ad today for an 18 night cruise from Valparaiso to LA on some NCL ship for $1099.00 inside including open jaw air from LA to Valparaiso. Knowing how expensive this air ticket is, that means NCL is getting $25-30 per day on a cabin pp. A balcony is $1899.00. This offer was capacity controlled for 30 bookings but still, a giveaway, even by NCL usual fares.

 

I wonder what RCI was getting for the 3rd Mariner leg. Gotta fill the ship.

[rubrrick]

Looks like Carol has filled everyone in on the doings since I boarded. She was kind enough to invite me to the RFS for sailaway from Valparaiso. What a beautiful evening, and since then nothing but calm seas, and partly cloudy skies!!

 

Paul has won..............somewhere around $4,000.00 And the machines are tight.........so this must be HIS cruise.

 

There is a bit of coughing and fellow passengers that are not feeling that well. Bobbie and her parents are fine.

 

Tomorrow is Arica, and we are off with a private group for a full days tour.

 

At $.55 per minute..........I'll be keeping my messages short.

 

By the way.......it was a good drive to critterchicks home........and then a very long day......starting at 1 AM on Saturday morning from LAX, and arriving at just after 8 PM in Santiago. I must say that flying over the Andies......is a wonderful experience. They are absoulutly beautiful.

 

Santiago is a very large city......the largest in Chile. I joined up with a couple of others that were also staying at the Hotel Kennedy.

 

JC........when I get home, I'll give you the names of the winerys that we visited. I bought a few bottles of some of the best wine that I have experienced!! :)

 

Rick

[CAC104]

Carol...I hope you get over your crud soon and that Rick, Bobbi and all the others stay healthy for the rest of the trip.

[nlcentralchmps03]

Awesome. I'd appreciate this very much.

 

Thank you Carol. Hope you have a great 3rd leg. It would be hard not to.

[Sheila56]

My sister and BIL are on the trip. She said one of the passengers said he paid $650 per leg and booked on December 25th. He already had his visa for Brazil.

 

Sheila

[critterchick]

Hey, Rick, they were having a special at the car wash this week. I had some flames painted on the side of your car. I think Bobbie will love it!....:p:D

 

<jk>

[wolfcathorse]

I have a question for Carol, or Wolf, or anybody that would know.

When is Captain Johnny starting his vacation? And will it be the normal 10 weeks off?

I'm sailing on the Mariner June 7th, and even though this will be my 5th time on her, I've yet to experience Captain Johnny. Also, how long is Abe on for?

 

Thanks ;)

 

Well by my count the 10th week is around Feb 19th

[nlcentralchmps03]

Well by my count the 10th week is around Feb 19th

Cool. Just looking at it, we should have a pretty good chance of having Captain Johnny on June 7th, even if they give or take about 3-4 weeks either way ;)

[Lionesss]

Carol

Just wondering, how did you pack for this voyage.

(weekend get-away) that lasted weeks.

Just curious.

Did you wear everything 8 times?

Later

[RNSANE]

Just penned this poem today...thinking of you guys drinking from dawn till dawn!!

 

 

Bars at Sea

 

Belly up to the bar, here we all are,

Hoisting a glass or two,

Vacationing cruisers, fun on our mind,

Friends made when the sea days are through.

 

Sail away parties, steel band is playing,

Umbrella drinks served all around,

The scene is the same, all over the world,

Wherever cruise ships abound.

 

Mornings start off with spiced bloody marys,

Or mimosa bubbles that tickle our nose,

And, next thing you know, the menu we’ve sampled,

Grows and it grows and it grows.

 

The captain is driving, so we are imbibing,

And tasting concoctions at sea,

You are never too far from a fabulous bar,

With bartenders superb as can be!

 

Sip incredible potions, on the world’s oceans,

And escape from all of your woes,

From the best dry martini to a tasty bellini,

The crew love their work and it shows.

 

To the final nightcap, as “last call” resounds,

Bars at sea hold a special appeal,

It’s a combination of so much that’s hard to describe,

That gives this experience such a wonderful feel!

 

Carmen Henesy

 

Copyright © 2009 Carmen Henesy. All Rights Reserved.

This poem is dedicated with great affection to all the wonderful

bar staff – at all levels, bar cleaners, bar severs, bartenders,

bar managers and their assistants, at Royal Caribbean.

I have spent many happy hours sampling cocktails on many

wonderful ships and hope that I continue to do so for years

to come.

[tahoemc]

Nicely done Carmen - made my morning:D

 

Now back to my lousy job:(

[jandjfun]

Good morning! We are waiting, not so patiently I might add, for the Mariner to arrive so we can have our turn:D! Feb. 22 and then again on March 1st.

Happy cruising and great job!:D

[unberwoob]

What is the general way people are dressing? Are there flowery shirts like on a Caribbean cruise, or is is more subdued? Are dinners more dressy or just as casual? We need to know how to pack for our upcoming around the horn cruise (already know about layering, etc.)

Thanks.

[Merion_Mom]

"Some wars have been started by pretty trivial things (like when Saddam didn't like Kuwait's attitude back in 1990) but it's hard to come up with a more petty reason than a postage stamp. Yet, that was one of the factors leading to the Chaco War.

 

Both Paraguay and Bolivia claimed an uninhabited desert region called the Gran Chaco. Bolivia, landlocked after war with Chile, wanted the territory in order to give it river access to the Atlantic. Paraguay, having lost most of its territory to its neighbors during the War of the Triple Alliance, needed the Gran Chaco just to stay on the map. Both sides believed there were rich oil reserves in region as well.

 

The dispute heated up considerably when Bolivia issued a stamp featuring a map of Bolivia... a map that included the Gran Chaco, now marked as Chaco Boliviano. Paraguay didn't take this sitting down, and soon issued even bigger stamps than Bolivia, with an even bigger map of the Gran Chaco, but this time marked as Chaco Paraguayo.

 

Bolivia had no intention of allowing Paraguay of getting away with this postal raid, and so moved forces into into the Gran Chaco. And Paraguay, for its part, couldn't wait to get it's licks in as well and did the same. Soon, Philatelic Warfare gave way to the real thing and in 1932 both sides were shooting at each other in earnest.

 

The Chaco War saw the use of armor and aircraft on both sides. British, American, French, and Italian arms makers took the opportunity to export some of their newest weapons to the combatants. German and Russian veterans of the First World War were on the staffs of both sides, advising the armies of Bolivia and Paraguay

 

In the end the Paraguayans won. It was just as well... the Paraguayans got the Gran Chaco but it turned out that the oil everyone thought was there didn't exist." (Courtesy of Delta210, International Military Forum)

 

Thank you, Celia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

XOXOXOOXOOXOXOXOXO

[wrp96]

CAROL!!! How are you feeling today?

[Merion_Mom]

Well, the bad news is that I'm here, writing to you guys.

 

I spent all of yesterday in my cabin, trying to fight off whatever this is.

 

I must say, if you have to be confined to a cabin, the Royal Family Suite is the place to be!

 

Well, anyway, I got up this morning, determined to *shake it off* and go with the group on our 8 hour tour of Arica and the geoglyphs and surrounding area.

 

I got on the shuttle bus from the ship to the exit from the port, and I knew that I wasn't going to make it. I got right back on the shuttle bus - the Chileans were beside themselves with concern! By the time I got back to the ship - all of a minute and a half later - the RC personnel were clustered around, waiting for me to get off the shuttle and to see if I was all right!

 

I re-boarded, and Marc (CD's staff) took one look at me and escorted me to the infirmary. It was 8:30, and they don't open until 9. I waited.

 

I was the first in - diagnosis: Give me all your money.

 

Ok, just kidding. Diagnosis: Bronchitis - what everyone else has.

 

I had a three-dose nebulizer treatment, and they gave me some pill "for pain" according to the package, cough syrup (robitussin), and were going to give me a Z-pack, but I said that I had Levaquin in my cabin.

 

Lord knows how much this is going to cost me............

[Merion_Mom]

So I went back to the cabin, took all of my medicines, and started to feel a little better.

 

I got off the ship again, and walked around in town for a little more than an hour. Arica is a rather gritty little city, but they are getting ready for a huge festival here this weekend, and there was excitement in the air for both the festival and our arrival.

 

I bought 4 Coca Cola lights, and a lapis lazuli necklace. I had been wanting both, and wanted to use up my Chilean pesos, and that took just enough time before I began to feel sick again.

 

I had lunch in the Windjammer, and now I'm going to borrow some of Paul and Judy's DVDs and hunker down in the RFS with books, movies and room service.

 

Tonight is the Beatlemaniacs, so I hope to feel well enough by then!

[wrp96]

Carol, do you need a loan to cover the infirmary bill? I am so sorry you are sick but at least they are taking care of you.

[dirtgirl]

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well, Carol.:( Get better soon! Bronchitis can be nasty!

[chazg]

Well, the bad news is that I'm here, writing to you guys.

 

I spent all of yesterday in my cabin, trying to fight off whatever this is.

 

I must say, if you have to be confined to a cabin, the Royal Family Suite is the place to be!

 

Well, anyway, I got up this morning, determined to *shake it off* and go with the group on our 8 hour tour of Arica and the geoglyphs and surrounding area.

 

I got on the shuttle bus from the ship to the exit from the port, and I knew that I wasn't going to make it. I got right back on the shuttle bus - the Chileans were beside themselves with concern! By the time I got back to the ship - all of a minute and a half later - the RC personnel were clustered around, waiting for me to get off the shuttle and to see if I was all right!

 

I re-boarded, and Marc (CD's staff) took one look at me and escorted me to the infirmary. It was 8:30, and they don't open until 9. I waited.

 

I was the first in - diagnosis: Give me all your money.

 

Ok, just kidding. Diagnosis: Bronchitis - what everyone else has.

 

I had a three-dose nebulizer treatment, and they gave me some pill "for pain" according to the package, cough syrup (robitussin), and were going to give me a Z-pack, but I said that I had Levaquin in my cabin.

 

Lord knows how much this is going to cost me............

 

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. Hopefully the Dr. bill doesn't make you even worse.

 

 

Feel better! :o

[piercetc4]

hope you feel better asap, carol! we are still enjoying reading all your posts-