I wish I could say that today started out as a great day since it was
warm, the seas were calmer, the sun was shining, almost all was
good with the world but I realized I couldn't find the card from my
camera with 500 pictures on it that hadn't been downloaded to my
computer yet. So the only thing to do was to panic, get hysterical,
go ballistic, take xanax, feel sorry for myself, wonder how I could
be so stupid and proceed to tear the cabin apart methodically until
it was found in a very logical place (not to be named). Poor Enid, I
didn't make it easy for her.
Today was another day that wasn't very restful, especially after that
start. At noon we had made an appointment with the future sales
person to book future cruises which we did and from there we
went to lunch with Rita and Jules. At 3 we went to the Newleywed
Game (they really do things at odd times on this ship) and we were
going to go to High Tea at 4 but changed our minds so got ready
for dinner and then met Sue and Steve for drinks and then had
dinner.
The show tonight was Dave Cameron, a violinist and was very good.
Monday, November 16, 2009
DAY 11 SEA DAY # 3
We got up this morning to dark skies and rough seas again but anything else would have been a big shock. Had a relaxing morning on the pool deck under cover (at least it was warm), and at noon we had our Cruise Critic luncheon in the dining room and we had at least 150 people showed up. It was quite a turn out. We had a special menu and I embarrassed to say that I wouldn't eat either entree (Enid wouldn't either) so we asked Adrian (our evening ass't maitre de) if we could have a hamburger for me and a veggie burger for Enid and he got them for us and we had the rest of the courses from the set menu.
From there we went to the Sky Lounge where they were having a special party to celebrate some couples that were on their 100th cruise and another on their 117th cruise. They were serving free drinks, sushi, crepes,lots of other things, but we had just finished lunch so there was no way we could even think of it. From there we went to a 3 PM performance of the pianist from last night who did a different show today. We are supposed to be resting these 6 sea days but no one got the memo. I give up. I think tomorrow will be a fun filled day also.
Got ready to meet Sue and Steve and just had a diet soda as something disagreed with me at lunch. Had a fun filled dinner as we laughed almost as much as the last cruise with Ivy at our table.
Tonight's show was Gregg Bonham who we saw on the first cruise. He looks like Dustin Hoffman. This time the airlines lost his luggage so he was wearing borrowed clothes. After the show we went up to the Sky Lounge to watch a Jump, Jive show that the crew put on. It was good.
From there we went to the Sky Lounge where they were having a special party to celebrate some couples that were on their 100th cruise and another on their 117th cruise. They were serving free drinks, sushi, crepes,lots of other things, but we had just finished lunch so there was no way we could even think of it. From there we went to a 3 PM performance of the pianist from last night who did a different show today. We are supposed to be resting these 6 sea days but no one got the memo. I give up. I think tomorrow will be a fun filled day also.
Got ready to meet Sue and Steve and just had a diet soda as something disagreed with me at lunch. Had a fun filled dinner as we laughed almost as much as the last cruise with Ivy at our table.
Tonight's show was Gregg Bonham who we saw on the first cruise. He looks like Dustin Hoffman. This time the airlines lost his luggage so he was wearing borrowed clothes. After the show we went up to the Sky Lounge to watch a Jump, Jive show that the crew put on. It was good.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
DAY 10 SEA DAY # 2
Today we got up to sea that were not as calm as yesterday but
since we are seasoned travelers by now, this is a piece of cake for
us. We decided to get deck chairs outside but under cover
because of a strong breeze and we were there until noon when we
left to meet Sue and Steve for lunch. Jules wasn't feeling good so
he didn't join us and after lunch we had the Cruise Critic slot pull
where we all put in $15.00 and had 5 pushes. We got back $11.00 each but we had some fun doing it.
The show tonight was was a pianist Stephen Kane and he was very
good. After that we went to the sky lounge where they had a 50's
and 60's trivia and we got 18 points but 23 won. That's the breaks.
Tonight we turn the clocks back again. Only 3 more hours to catch
up after tonight.
since we are seasoned travelers by now, this is a piece of cake for
us. We decided to get deck chairs outside but under cover
because of a strong breeze and we were there until noon when we
left to meet Sue and Steve for lunch. Jules wasn't feeling good so
he didn't join us and after lunch we had the Cruise Critic slot pull
where we all put in $15.00 and had 5 pushes. We got back $11.00 each but we had some fun doing it.
The show tonight was was a pianist Stephen Kane and he was very
good. After that we went to the sky lounge where they had a 50's
and 60's trivia and we got 18 points but 23 won. That's the breaks.
Tonight we turn the clocks back again. Only 3 more hours to catch
up after tonight.
Friday, November 13, 2009
DAY 9 AT SEA
Water, water, everywhere, except in the solarium pool. This might
sound strange but the seas were relatively calm compared to what
we have had for the past 3 weeks and yet the water was going in
and out of the pool against the wall as if it were the pacific coast
highway and the floors and the chairs were all wet. So after hours
of sweeping the water off the floors the higher echelon finally
decided to drain the pool and the silence was almost deafening.
We had a relaxing morning, went to the Corning Glass show and
sat through it twice and relaxed some more.
Met Sue and Steve for drinks before dinner and went to Tuscan
with Rita and Jules and Tony and then to the show which was
Limelight. It was standing room only because we got there late.
No other news to report.
sound strange but the seas were relatively calm compared to what
we have had for the past 3 weeks and yet the water was going in
and out of the pool against the wall as if it were the pacific coast
highway and the floors and the chairs were all wet. So after hours
of sweeping the water off the floors the higher echelon finally
decided to drain the pool and the silence was almost deafening.
We had a relaxing morning, went to the Corning Glass show and
sat through it twice and relaxed some more.
Met Sue and Steve for drinks before dinner and went to Tuscan
with Rita and Jules and Tony and then to the show which was
Limelight. It was standing room only because we got there late.
No other news to report.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
DAY 8 TENERIFE, CANARY ISLANDS
Today we got up early again so we could be ready at 8 AM for our tour. Tenerife is the largest of the canary Islands at almost 800 sq. miles. We went to Mt Teide which is about 12,200 feet high and we were above the clouds we were so high up. The roads going up were so narrow if the buses had an extra coat of paint one of them would've gone over the cliff as we were passing one another. It was really frightening. There were also volcano eruptions on this island too so there is lots of lava fields here. Our guide kept on telling us the next eruption is scheduled for tomorrow after we leave.
From there we went to a place called Rocks of Garcia and what a photo op that was. From there we went to the resort part of the island to a town called Puerto de la Cruz with lots of hotels, beautiful beaches, tourist traps, restaurants, car rentals, normal vacation stuff where we had an hour and a half to wander the streets and do whatever we wanted. All in all it was another very nice day. We got back to the ship at 3:30.
Met Sue and Steve for our pre dinner drinks after showing our camel picture to Bianca and half of guest services and then went to dinner and showed everyone at the table and they also got a kick out of it.
The show tonight was Jeff Stevenson, a comedian, but i had taken so many benedryl for my itching that I was falling asleep so I can't say if he was good or not.
From there we went to a place called Rocks of Garcia and what a photo op that was. From there we went to the resort part of the island to a town called Puerto de la Cruz with lots of hotels, beautiful beaches, tourist traps, restaurants, car rentals, normal vacation stuff where we had an hour and a half to wander the streets and do whatever we wanted. All in all it was another very nice day. We got back to the ship at 3:30.
Met Sue and Steve for our pre dinner drinks after showing our camel picture to Bianca and half of guest services and then went to dinner and showed everyone at the table and they also got a kick out of it.
The show tonight was Jeff Stevenson, a comedian, but i had taken so many benedryl for my itching that I was falling asleep so I can't say if he was good or not.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
DAY 7 LANZAROTE
What a fantastic day today was; weather and sightseeing. We were on a private tour arranged by a lovely lady named Bev and she did an unbelievable job putting this package together. Joy, you have some competition here. The ship docked a little early but we got off a little after 12 as planned and boarded our bus to take us to the National Park of the famous Fire Mountains created between 1730 and 1736 when more than 100 volcanoes devastated this part of the island. The last eruptions were in 1824, however due to the low rainfall (and therefore lack of erosion) this area appears much the same as it did just after the eruptions, somewhat like a moon or martian landscape. We actually saw a few different demonstrations of how how the area is. While we were standing in a circle on small red pebbles a worker dug some of the pebbles up and placed some in everyones hand and we dropped them very fast. We were told they were up to 180 degrees. Then there was a deep hole and they put dry brush on the top of the hole and it caught on fire from the heat below. Next they poured water into a bore hole and in seconds steam came out like a mini geyser.
Driving around the island seeing all the different formations of the lava for miles and miles and miles was absolutely amazing. It was even better than Hawaii. I couldn't get enough.
Next, hold on to your hats, Enid and I took a camel ride. We went on a double seated camel. It had a seat on either side of the hump and you're probably wondering how the heck it even get off the ground with the 2 of us on it. Well it did, so there. It didn't complain once; at least not in English. His name was Manuel and the other 6 camels in the caravan were his girlfriends but we know he was going to be too tired to service them tonight. The ride lasted 20 minutes and if you are doubting that this happened we even have pictures to prove that this really took place. By the way you are lucky the pictures don't smell like the camels did.
From there we went to a wine tasting in a gorgeous fairly new wine vineyard called Bodega Stratus and there was a white wine I liked called Diego. Enid actually liked the same one too. The place was gorgeous. One of these days I'm going to learn how to add pictures to this blog and then I'm going to bore ya'll to death.
From there (we were ready to cry uncle--but no, there was more) we went to Jameos del Agua, a cave resulting from volcanic activity. It's a salt water lagoon and home to tiny blind albini crabs which are only found here. It is also a museum and has a swimming pool which is no longer used but is something not to be missed. Of course Enid can't miss a bathroom and came out and told me I have to go in and see it because it was beautiful. She was right so we both took pictures. You have to be out of your mind to take bathroom pictures so here we are.
Got back to the ship a little before 7 so we missed dinner and went to the buffet and went to the show to see Jamie Allen and David Copperfield perform for the last time before they get off the ship tomorrow.
Driving around the island seeing all the different formations of the lava for miles and miles and miles was absolutely amazing. It was even better than Hawaii. I couldn't get enough.
Next, hold on to your hats, Enid and I took a camel ride. We went on a double seated camel. It had a seat on either side of the hump and you're probably wondering how the heck it even get off the ground with the 2 of us on it. Well it did, so there. It didn't complain once; at least not in English. His name was Manuel and the other 6 camels in the caravan were his girlfriends but we know he was going to be too tired to service them tonight. The ride lasted 20 minutes and if you are doubting that this happened we even have pictures to prove that this really took place. By the way you are lucky the pictures don't smell like the camels did.
From there we went to a wine tasting in a gorgeous fairly new wine vineyard called Bodega Stratus and there was a white wine I liked called Diego. Enid actually liked the same one too. The place was gorgeous. One of these days I'm going to learn how to add pictures to this blog and then I'm going to bore ya'll to death.
From there (we were ready to cry uncle--but no, there was more) we went to Jameos del Agua, a cave resulting from volcanic activity. It's a salt water lagoon and home to tiny blind albini crabs which are only found here. It is also a museum and has a swimming pool which is no longer used but is something not to be missed. Of course Enid can't miss a bathroom and came out and told me I have to go in and see it because it was beautiful. She was right so we both took pictures. You have to be out of your mind to take bathroom pictures so here we are.
Got back to the ship a little before 7 so we missed dinner and went to the buffet and went to the show to see Jamie Allen and David Copperfield perform for the last time before they get off the ship tomorrow.
DAY 6 SEA DAY
Today we were at sea and thought it would be relaxing and it was, sort of. We got up at 6 AM to see the Rock of Gibraltor off one side of the ship and the coast of Africa off the other side of the ship. It might have been a little more exciting if the Rock had blinking lights that said "rock" since it was still dark out and all we saw was the outline. How special was that? We did see the coast of Africa because they had lights on (it must have been the home fires burning to welcome us) and then we went back to our cabins and back to sleep until 10 AM. Since it was a sea day Celebrity was having a brunch from 10 to 1 in the main dining room which they had twice on the previous cruise and we hadn't gone so we decided it was time. Bad choice. It was packed, I didn't think it was anything special, the food was cold, dirty plates lay on the table for a long time after we finished; I'm sure you've gotten the drift by now.
Then we went to the pool deck where we rested on deck chairs using towels for blankets (it's better than freezing our you know what off) and went to a cooking demonstration (like I'm going to cook) but it was the same thing we had already seen last cruise.
Rested before dinner and I special ordered a hamburger for tonights dinner. It was very good. They put raw onions and fresh garlic in the burger which made it very tasty. I might order it again.
Tonight's show was a variety show again and it was okay. Went to the casino and then upstairs for coffee. Tonight we turn the clocks back 1 hour. Only 5 more hours to go.
Then we went to the pool deck where we rested on deck chairs using towels for blankets (it's better than freezing our you know what off) and went to a cooking demonstration (like I'm going to cook) but it was the same thing we had already seen last cruise.
Rested before dinner and I special ordered a hamburger for tonights dinner. It was very good. They put raw onions and fresh garlic in the burger which made it very tasty. I might order it again.
Tonight's show was a variety show again and it was okay. Went to the casino and then upstairs for coffee. Tonight we turn the clocks back 1 hour. Only 5 more hours to go.
Monday, November 9, 2009
DAY 5 CARTAGENA, SPAIN
Today we got up to beautiful sunny skies (what a surprise) and
after breakfast we started to go for a walk around town but I wasn't
feeling too good so I decided to go back to the ship and left Enid,
Jules and Rita to trek on their own.
They came back around lunch time (no one ever misses a meal on
a cruise) and we all went back out after lunch to a street they had
found earlier with a lot of stores and of course I was the only one
that shopped.
Dinner was okay and our waiter showed us what he could do with
napkins and I took pictures of it. I had to buy another pashmina to
try and keep a little warm since I'm tired of being cold. As usual
Enid and I sat in the first row of the theater and tonight might have
been a mistake. The act tonight was David Copperfield (not who
you are thinking). This is a different one. This one is either Welsh
or Scottish. He is a comedian, singer, ventriloquist, everything
rolled into one and absolutely hysterical but he decided to take a
liking to picking on me. First he said he had a headache and would
I kiss his head and he did that twice and then he pulled a crocodile
out of a Harrod's bag and was walking past me to another lady and
stopped in front of me and had the croc grab my arm and Enid and
I jumped about 5 feet. It was very funny but I was embarrassed.
When he was singing his last song he came to the edge of the
stage and put out his hand and shook mine.
Then Enid and I went to the casino and as we were leaving I
spotted him at the bar with the magician from the other night so we
went over and told him how good the show was and when he saw
us he thanked us for putting up with his schtick.
after breakfast we started to go for a walk around town but I wasn't
feeling too good so I decided to go back to the ship and left Enid,
Jules and Rita to trek on their own.
They came back around lunch time (no one ever misses a meal on
a cruise) and we all went back out after lunch to a street they had
found earlier with a lot of stores and of course I was the only one
that shopped.
Dinner was okay and our waiter showed us what he could do with
napkins and I took pictures of it. I had to buy another pashmina to
try and keep a little warm since I'm tired of being cold. As usual
Enid and I sat in the first row of the theater and tonight might have
been a mistake. The act tonight was David Copperfield (not who
you are thinking). This is a different one. This one is either Welsh
or Scottish. He is a comedian, singer, ventriloquist, everything
rolled into one and absolutely hysterical but he decided to take a
liking to picking on me. First he said he had a headache and would
I kiss his head and he did that twice and then he pulled a crocodile
out of a Harrod's bag and was walking past me to another lady and
stopped in front of me and had the croc grab my arm and Enid and
I jumped about 5 feet. It was very funny but I was embarrassed.
When he was singing his last song he came to the edge of the
stage and put out his hand and shook mine.
Then Enid and I went to the casino and as we were leaving I
spotted him at the bar with the magician from the other night so we
went over and told him how good the show was and when he saw
us he thanked us for putting up with his schtick.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
DAY 4 T/A IN PALMA DE MALLORCA
We had to meet our group at 8:15 this morning which meant a 6:30 wakeup call and the forecast was for 69 with a chance of rain. The part that was left out was winds that would knock you off your feet and drop the temperature at least 15 degrees.
The tour today was horrible and I swear it will be the last Celebrity tour I'm going to take. We had a tour to Valldemossa but we made (what they called an impromptu) a stop in Palma at a Mallorcan Pearl store for 45 minutes so we wouldn't get to Valldemossa too early. Enid and I were standing outside the store with a lot of other people complaining this wasn't in the tour description when I noticed a man from the shore excursion desk across the street so I excused myself and caught up with him and asked him about this unscheduled stop and he also said we would've
gotten there too early. I asked why we just didn't leave later and I wanted to know who to complain to. He said we had to go to the desk and write up our complaint and it would be forwarded to corporate and they would investigate. I went back and told the others and they will also write complaints. Then we get to Valldemossa at 10 AM and the guide says we will meet the bus at 12:30. They were taking us on a tour of the monastery where Chopin stayed, we were going to hear a piano concert (10 minutes) and get back on the bus to return to the ship. Being as cold as it was we sat in the concert hall for an hour waiting for the concert (it was too cold to do anything else) and got back on the bus. This entire tour could have been 1 1/2 hours total.
Then we got back the same time as the rest of the ship there were no tables to be had in the buffet so we had to go to the dining room for lunch. There were so many people they were overwhelmed there too. It was hectic and we finished lunch about 3 PM. Tonight is formal night so we're in the cabin getting ready.
Tonight we had rack of lamb for dinner and it was yummy but there is nothing good on the menu for tomorrow so I ordered pecan crusted chicken which we had near the end of the last cruise and it was very good. Before the show tonight Captain Apostolos Bouzakis made a toast to welcome everyone and to thank everyone for spending their
vacation with Celebrity (he's a pretty funny guy) and introduced us to the senior officers. The show was Remix which was the second production show we saw on the first cruise. Went to the casino for about 15 minutes and am getting ready for bed. We're exhausted and tommorow we're in Cartagena and not the one in Columbia.
By the way Lauren, I forgot to tell you who won the 3 games of Bananagrams we played. I'll give you one guess and it wasn't your Dad. If you didn't guess me, you were wrong. He even challenged me on a word and had to go to the library to find a dictionary to try and prove me wrong and that didn't work either. Girls rule.
The tour today was horrible and I swear it will be the last Celebrity tour I'm going to take. We had a tour to Valldemossa but we made (what they called an impromptu) a stop in Palma at a Mallorcan Pearl store for 45 minutes so we wouldn't get to Valldemossa too early. Enid and I were standing outside the store with a lot of other people complaining this wasn't in the tour description when I noticed a man from the shore excursion desk across the street so I excused myself and caught up with him and asked him about this unscheduled stop and he also said we would've
gotten there too early. I asked why we just didn't leave later and I wanted to know who to complain to. He said we had to go to the desk and write up our complaint and it would be forwarded to corporate and they would investigate. I went back and told the others and they will also write complaints. Then we get to Valldemossa at 10 AM and the guide says we will meet the bus at 12:30. They were taking us on a tour of the monastery where Chopin stayed, we were going to hear a piano concert (10 minutes) and get back on the bus to return to the ship. Being as cold as it was we sat in the concert hall for an hour waiting for the concert (it was too cold to do anything else) and got back on the bus. This entire tour could have been 1 1/2 hours total.
Then we got back the same time as the rest of the ship there were no tables to be had in the buffet so we had to go to the dining room for lunch. There were so many people they were overwhelmed there too. It was hectic and we finished lunch about 3 PM. Tonight is formal night so we're in the cabin getting ready.
Tonight we had rack of lamb for dinner and it was yummy but there is nothing good on the menu for tomorrow so I ordered pecan crusted chicken which we had near the end of the last cruise and it was very good. Before the show tonight Captain Apostolos Bouzakis made a toast to welcome everyone and to thank everyone for spending their
vacation with Celebrity (he's a pretty funny guy) and introduced us to the senior officers. The show was Remix which was the second production show we saw on the first cruise. Went to the casino for about 15 minutes and am getting ready for bed. We're exhausted and tommorow we're in Cartagena and not the one in Columbia.
By the way Lauren, I forgot to tell you who won the 3 games of Bananagrams we played. I'll give you one guess and it wasn't your Dad. If you didn't guess me, you were wrong. He even challenged me on a word and had to go to the library to find a dictionary to try and prove me wrong and that didn't work either. Girls rule.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
DAY 3 TRANSATLANTIC IN BARCELONA
Today we took a tour from Celebrity called Panoramic Barcelona
and we were the grandchildren of the rest of the people on the
bus. That should tell you how old the people were. Our guide was
a joke; very animated and he kept on repeating himself which
might have been a good thing since he was very hard to
understand. There's not much to say about the tour but when we
got back to the port I did buy a duffel bag to be able to bring home
the candies since my bags were stuffed before I left the states.
Had lunch in the buffet and we had planned to go back into
Barcelona by shuttle but it looked like it might rain so we thought
we would play it safe and stay on board. We took naps and then
got ready to go to the Sky Lounge and meet up with Sue and
Steve, and Rita and Jules. I also ran into Joanie and Norm which
was a pleasant surprise. I hadn't seen them since the Hawaii
cruise.
Dinner was okay but it seems like the asst. maitre de's flock to us
along with Lorenzo. We got a new tablemate tonight; a single
woman whose name is Daisy and she was amazed at how many
big shots came over to see how we were doing. We had key lime
pie for Jules again tonight and will have it again tomorrow. Bruce
and Gail stopped me on the way out of the dining room to ask how
come we're so popular and I had to explain about the key lime pie
and promised them 2 pieces tomorrow night.
They have started something new on this cruise. They are not
opening the doors to the theater until 8:30 for some reason which
is a real pain in the neck. I'll find a way around that somehow.
Tonight's entertainment was a magician named Jaime Allen and
might have been good but Enid and I kept on falling asleep in the
middle of his tricks. We just couldn't keep our eyes open.
I need a vacation.
and we were the grandchildren of the rest of the people on the
bus. That should tell you how old the people were. Our guide was
a joke; very animated and he kept on repeating himself which
might have been a good thing since he was very hard to
understand. There's not much to say about the tour but when we
got back to the port I did buy a duffel bag to be able to bring home
the candies since my bags were stuffed before I left the states.
Had lunch in the buffet and we had planned to go back into
Barcelona by shuttle but it looked like it might rain so we thought
we would play it safe and stay on board. We took naps and then
got ready to go to the Sky Lounge and meet up with Sue and
Steve, and Rita and Jules. I also ran into Joanie and Norm which
was a pleasant surprise. I hadn't seen them since the Hawaii
cruise.
Dinner was okay but it seems like the asst. maitre de's flock to us
along with Lorenzo. We got a new tablemate tonight; a single
woman whose name is Daisy and she was amazed at how many
big shots came over to see how we were doing. We had key lime
pie for Jules again tonight and will have it again tomorrow. Bruce
and Gail stopped me on the way out of the dining room to ask how
come we're so popular and I had to explain about the key lime pie
and promised them 2 pieces tomorrow night.
They have started something new on this cruise. They are not
opening the doors to the theater until 8:30 for some reason which
is a real pain in the neck. I'll find a way around that somehow.
Tonight's entertainment was a magician named Jaime Allen and
might have been good but Enid and I kept on falling asleep in the
middle of his tricks. We just couldn't keep our eyes open.
I need a vacation.
Friday, November 6, 2009
DAY 2 TRANSLANTIC AT MARSEILLES
We got up this morning to great news; it wasn't going to rain today. The bad news was the high was going to be 55 and we were to expect high winds. The crew started to joke that we had signed up for an Alaskan cruise but it wasn't this cold when I went to Alaska.
This morning we had our official meet and greet from cruise critic and there were over 400 of us. It was quite hectic but I did get to see Sue and Steve. The cruise director (Gary Walker) and hotel director (Simon Weir) were there to welcome everyone and I thought that was very nice.
Enid and I took a Celebrity tour to Cassis which left at 12:15 PM so we didn't have to rush ourselves and we were hoping it would be a little warmer by the time we left. We were both pleasantly surprised by Marseilles and would love to go back and spend some time walking around that city. We drove through the town and went high on one of the mountains (400 meters-don't know what our eqivalent is) to overlook the town of Cassis and got a magnificent view and some great pictures. By the way there were no railings at the edge. Then we got close to town and took this cute little train (but no tracks) into town and we were on our own for 1 1/2 hours. Enid and I picked a bar to have lunch in and that was an experience. We asked for menus and the man said, "No menus" and walked away. Then he came back with another gentleman and said, "cooker, he cooker, I eater". Enid said, "I cooker and I eater too". We all laughed. We ordered burgers and fries and wow, did we get burgers and fries. He brought us on one burger roll, 2 big burgers with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup and I have no idea what else was on it and a humongous portion of fries. We could have ordered 1 plate for the 2 of us and would not have been able to finish that plate. The bill was less than 12 euros each which wasn't too bad. Enid bedazzled them with her French. After lunch we just walked around and went into every patiserrie (not sure of spelling) and drooled over the pastries on display but stuck to our guns and didn't buy a thing.
Got back at 5 and raced to change and go the the Sky Lounge and that turned into a disaster. There are now 800 Elite members on this cruise and they will no longer make special drinks (only what's on the menu) and there was no place to sit and it was noisy and disgusting. I told Enid I'd rather go to a bar and pay for a drink and sit around and talk where you can actually hold a conversation.
Went to dinner and Skip and Elsie were there and the maitre de brought another man to the table and told us one of the couples changed tables so it had to be Gayle and Jerry. Jules and Rita probably didn't get back from their tour in time to make dinner. Actually Skip and Elsie made conversation tonight. We think that they'll be okay.
The show was David Meyer again. The audience went wild for him and Enid and I were just bored and tired. Tomorrow we're in Barcelona.
This morning we had our official meet and greet from cruise critic and there were over 400 of us. It was quite hectic but I did get to see Sue and Steve. The cruise director (Gary Walker) and hotel director (Simon Weir) were there to welcome everyone and I thought that was very nice.
Enid and I took a Celebrity tour to Cassis which left at 12:15 PM so we didn't have to rush ourselves and we were hoping it would be a little warmer by the time we left. We were both pleasantly surprised by Marseilles and would love to go back and spend some time walking around that city. We drove through the town and went high on one of the mountains (400 meters-don't know what our eqivalent is) to overlook the town of Cassis and got a magnificent view and some great pictures. By the way there were no railings at the edge. Then we got close to town and took this cute little train (but no tracks) into town and we were on our own for 1 1/2 hours. Enid and I picked a bar to have lunch in and that was an experience. We asked for menus and the man said, "No menus" and walked away. Then he came back with another gentleman and said, "cooker, he cooker, I eater". Enid said, "I cooker and I eater too". We all laughed. We ordered burgers and fries and wow, did we get burgers and fries. He brought us on one burger roll, 2 big burgers with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup and I have no idea what else was on it and a humongous portion of fries. We could have ordered 1 plate for the 2 of us and would not have been able to finish that plate. The bill was less than 12 euros each which wasn't too bad. Enid bedazzled them with her French. After lunch we just walked around and went into every patiserrie (not sure of spelling) and drooled over the pastries on display but stuck to our guns and didn't buy a thing.
Got back at 5 and raced to change and go the the Sky Lounge and that turned into a disaster. There are now 800 Elite members on this cruise and they will no longer make special drinks (only what's on the menu) and there was no place to sit and it was noisy and disgusting. I told Enid I'd rather go to a bar and pay for a drink and sit around and talk where you can actually hold a conversation.
Went to dinner and Skip and Elsie were there and the maitre de brought another man to the table and told us one of the couples changed tables so it had to be Gayle and Jerry. Jules and Rita probably didn't get back from their tour in time to make dinner. Actually Skip and Elsie made conversation tonight. We think that they'll be okay.
The show was David Meyer again. The audience went wild for him and Enid and I were just bored and tired. Tomorrow we're in Barcelona.
Day 1 of the Transatlantic
Today we are docked in Civitavecchia and all but 340 passengers got off the ship and started on their way home. We were able to stay on and all we had to do was go down and swipe our old cards out and put our new cards in the machine to have our pictures taken again. They knew we had such a hard cruise that we all had aged at least 50 years and wanted to see the difference. The crew is amazed at so many things that happened on that cruise that had never happened before and of course we had to be the ones that were blessed with these calamities.
We had a relaxing morning but it flew by almost as fast as the first 13 days and we had received a notice that there was going to be a special lunch for the back 2 back folks in the dining room between 12 and 1 while all the newbies were going to have lunch in the buffet. While we were booking our shore excursions for the cruise Rita told us a few people were walking out of the dining room because they weren't pleased with the menu so Enid and I went to check it out and there were very smart people before us. The menu was gross so we decided to go to the buffet too. We met a lot of back 2 back folks up there too.
This is something no one hears from me too often. I have been freezing and can't warm up. I didn't bring warm clothing, no long sleeves and went to get something on the ship and can't find anything here either. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have better luck or I'll wind up with pneumonia. Tomorrow the high is going to be 57. Ain't that sweet?
We played Bananagrams with Rita and Jules and it seems like a fun game. We thought the unofficial meet and greet was to be at 3 PM on the lawn but we must've been mistaken since no one else was there except Jules. Even Rita didn't make it 'cause she had a headache.
Dinner time has now been official changed to 6 PM and our new tablemates are Jerry and Gayle and Skip and Elsie.
I'm sure we'll have a great table once we get to know them better but nothing will ever beat Ivy, Charles, Gayle, and Alf.
Our waiter is Edwin and he seems on the ball. He asked us for our names and remembered them already before the end of the meal.
Simon, the hotel director, sent invitations tio all the back 2 back passengers inviting them to a party in the sky lounge at 8 PM tonight for drinks and cocktails. He had a lot of officers there to greet us and thank us for staying on, a fantastic band, and it was really a great party. I told him he missed out on a great money maker by not getting all the same people together and taking a group picture. He would've sold soooooo many and at 19.95 would've made him look great. Maybe I should come out of retirement. Yeah, like that'll be the day.
We had a relaxing morning but it flew by almost as fast as the first 13 days and we had received a notice that there was going to be a special lunch for the back 2 back folks in the dining room between 12 and 1 while all the newbies were going to have lunch in the buffet. While we were booking our shore excursions for the cruise Rita told us a few people were walking out of the dining room because they weren't pleased with the menu so Enid and I went to check it out and there were very smart people before us. The menu was gross so we decided to go to the buffet too. We met a lot of back 2 back folks up there too.
This is something no one hears from me too often. I have been freezing and can't warm up. I didn't bring warm clothing, no long sleeves and went to get something on the ship and can't find anything here either. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have better luck or I'll wind up with pneumonia. Tomorrow the high is going to be 57. Ain't that sweet?
We played Bananagrams with Rita and Jules and it seems like a fun game. We thought the unofficial meet and greet was to be at 3 PM on the lawn but we must've been mistaken since no one else was there except Jules. Even Rita didn't make it 'cause she had a headache.
Dinner time has now been official changed to 6 PM and our new tablemates are Jerry and Gayle and Skip and Elsie.
I'm sure we'll have a great table once we get to know them better but nothing will ever beat Ivy, Charles, Gayle, and Alf.
Our waiter is Edwin and he seems on the ball. He asked us for our names and remembered them already before the end of the meal.
Simon, the hotel director, sent invitations tio all the back 2 back passengers inviting them to a party in the sky lounge at 8 PM tonight for drinks and cocktails. He had a lot of officers there to greet us and thank us for staying on, a fantastic band, and it was really a great party. I told him he missed out on a great money maker by not getting all the same people together and taking a group picture. He would've sold soooooo many and at 19.95 would've made him look great. Maybe I should come out of retirement. Yeah, like that'll be the day.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
DAY 13--FINAL DAY OF CRUISE NUMBER 1
Today when we got up at 5:30 again it was cold and the seas were rough once again. This is getting to be boring. We left the cabin to go for breakfast and ran into Jules and Rita waiting for the elevator so the four of us had breakfast together. Then when we went back to the cabin for our things we met them again at the elevator so we joked that we are definitely in synch with each other.
While we were waiting to disembark Enid and I went over tours for the next cruise to chose what we wanted to do and decided to pick mild tours.
We got off the ship about 7:15 and had trouble finding our driver but we prevailed and got on the road about 7:30. We were 8 people; Rita and Jules, Enid and myself, Dan (fishdoctor) and Jean, and Joan and David and our driver was Salvatore.
We went to Sorrento first and had an hour to walk around and I have to admit that nothing about the town looked familiar. I also looked there for the lemon candies I had to buy for Joy and was unsuccessful. Enid had a problem with her ATM card and it still has not been resolved.
Next we went to Positano and we walked around there for 45 minutes and yes, I did buy 33 bags of lemon candies (30 of them are for Joy) and they wouldn't even give me a break. They have no more bags in the store. I almost got a hernia bringing them back to the van so I have to feel sorry for the guy that picks up my suitcase. I forgot to mention that along the way we made several picture stops and also that it was freezing outside. I was wearing 3 layers and I was still shivering. My mistake was wearing capris instead of long pants. The natives were wearing winter coats, down jackets with fur hoods, etc. and there I was with a thin nylon jacket with a sweater and tee shirt under that.
Last stop was Amalfi (which is my favorite) and we walked around there for a while and then we went to a restaurant nearby Ravelle that is family run and owned. Had pizza and for dessert they gave us lemoncello which I needed to warm me up but it didn't help. And then it started to rain for a change but we were on our way back to the ship.
Got back about 4 PM, changed and went to the Sky Lounge. Dinner was okay. The show was poor but after the show Ivy (our tablemate) was in a dance contest and we went to watch. One of the employees asked me if I would be a judge and I readily agreed (earlier I told Ivy I was going to be a judge as a joke) and I knew I'd put in a fix for her. Then they were looking for more judges and Enid volunteered and I knew Ivy was going to be a shoo-in. Guess what. She won by 2 points. We really lucked out with our tablemates this cruise. We had more laughs and so much fun every night that we really looked forward to dinner.
While we were waiting to disembark Enid and I went over tours for the next cruise to chose what we wanted to do and decided to pick mild tours.
We got off the ship about 7:15 and had trouble finding our driver but we prevailed and got on the road about 7:30. We were 8 people; Rita and Jules, Enid and myself, Dan (fishdoctor) and Jean, and Joan and David and our driver was Salvatore.
We went to Sorrento first and had an hour to walk around and I have to admit that nothing about the town looked familiar. I also looked there for the lemon candies I had to buy for Joy and was unsuccessful. Enid had a problem with her ATM card and it still has not been resolved.
Next we went to Positano and we walked around there for 45 minutes and yes, I did buy 33 bags of lemon candies (30 of them are for Joy) and they wouldn't even give me a break. They have no more bags in the store. I almost got a hernia bringing them back to the van so I have to feel sorry for the guy that picks up my suitcase. I forgot to mention that along the way we made several picture stops and also that it was freezing outside. I was wearing 3 layers and I was still shivering. My mistake was wearing capris instead of long pants. The natives were wearing winter coats, down jackets with fur hoods, etc. and there I was with a thin nylon jacket with a sweater and tee shirt under that.
Last stop was Amalfi (which is my favorite) and we walked around there for a while and then we went to a restaurant nearby Ravelle that is family run and owned. Had pizza and for dessert they gave us lemoncello which I needed to warm me up but it didn't help. And then it started to rain for a change but we were on our way back to the ship.
Got back about 4 PM, changed and went to the Sky Lounge. Dinner was okay. The show was poor but after the show Ivy (our tablemate) was in a dance contest and we went to watch. One of the employees asked me if I would be a judge and I readily agreed (earlier I told Ivy I was going to be a judge as a joke) and I knew I'd put in a fix for her. Then they were looking for more judges and Enid volunteered and I knew Ivy was going to be a shoo-in. Guess what. She won by 2 points. We really lucked out with our tablemates this cruise. We had more laughs and so much fun every night that we really looked forward to dinner.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
DAY 12 -- SEA DAY
We got up this morning to rough seas again and high winds but troupers that we are we got dressed and went to the solarium and had breakfast at the AquaSpa there. At 10 AM the Captain made an announcement that we were having 50-60 mile an hour winds and 12-15 foot swells and they would continue until about 2 PM. It came as no surprise to us as we were watching the water slosh in and out of the pool. It was so bad I saw someone who was in the pool but near the side, wind up sitting on the side when the water went out and took him with it.
We went to the dining room for lunch instead of the buffet because we didn't want to carry our own plates taking the safe way out. The dining room menu for lunch is extremely Unimpressive. I can say I'll starve before I go there again at lunchtime. Not a bad idea. That's one way to lose weight.
At 3 we met Mornay (the store manager we became friendly with) for coffee and sat around and chatted for an hour and found out a lot about him. We told him whwn he's in Ft Lauderdale in February he should contact us and we'll get together. He said he's looking forward to it; now we'll see if he's all hot air.
Went to the Sky Lounge again at 4:30 for drinks and relaxation (even on sea days we seem to be busy) and then dinner where we surprised Jules with key lime pie and it was delicious. Branco (our asst. maitre de) has developed a personality over the last 3 days and we're trying to figure out if it's because it's almost tip time or because he knows we have an in with Lorenzo (his big boss).
Our tablemate Ivy (she is such a lively person) was going to be in a dance contest so we raced through dinner and because of the weather (the ship is rocking so badly it is hard to walk---forget about a straight line) was postponed until tomorrow night. Everyone looks drunk. Probably only drunks are walking straight. You have to hold on to the walls in order to get anywhere but it's just another experience.
I still haven't figured out how to download pictures so be patient until we can get this worked out. Tomorrow we go to Naples and we're taking an Amalfi Coast tour and by now you must know that it will probably rain or maybe there will be a landslide or a windstorm or a tornado or even a rockslide or martians landing.
We went to the dining room for lunch instead of the buffet because we didn't want to carry our own plates taking the safe way out. The dining room menu for lunch is extremely Unimpressive. I can say I'll starve before I go there again at lunchtime. Not a bad idea. That's one way to lose weight.
At 3 we met Mornay (the store manager we became friendly with) for coffee and sat around and chatted for an hour and found out a lot about him. We told him whwn he's in Ft Lauderdale in February he should contact us and we'll get together. He said he's looking forward to it; now we'll see if he's all hot air.
Went to the Sky Lounge again at 4:30 for drinks and relaxation (even on sea days we seem to be busy) and then dinner where we surprised Jules with key lime pie and it was delicious. Branco (our asst. maitre de) has developed a personality over the last 3 days and we're trying to figure out if it's because it's almost tip time or because he knows we have an in with Lorenzo (his big boss).
Our tablemate Ivy (she is such a lively person) was going to be in a dance contest so we raced through dinner and because of the weather (the ship is rocking so badly it is hard to walk---forget about a straight line) was postponed until tomorrow night. Everyone looks drunk. Probably only drunks are walking straight. You have to hold on to the walls in order to get anywhere but it's just another experience.
I still haven't figured out how to download pictures so be patient until we can get this worked out. Tomorrow we go to Naples and we're taking an Amalfi Coast tour and by now you must know that it will probably rain or maybe there will be a landslide or a windstorm or a tornado or even a rockslide or martians landing.
Monday, November 2, 2009
DAY 11 SEA DAY
Today was a sea day with extremely rough seas for at least half of
the day. I don't know how high the swells were but we were sitting
in the solarium and watched the water go in and out of the pool with
each surge. It carried the people that were crazy enough to go in,
from one end to the other.
Tonight was our last formal night of this first cruise and they served
rock lobster tail with shrimp and scallop in the dining room as one
of the choices for dinner. The show was another production with
the singers and dancers and the last number was a take off of
Stomp and that was great.
We turn the clock back tonight for the first night of 7 since we are
now 7 hours ahead of the easr coast. More time to sleep; now if I
can only take advantage of that hour it will be fine.
the day. I don't know how high the swells were but we were sitting
in the solarium and watched the water go in and out of the pool with
each surge. It carried the people that were crazy enough to go in,
from one end to the other.
Tonight was our last formal night of this first cruise and they served
rock lobster tail with shrimp and scallop in the dining room as one
of the choices for dinner. The show was another production with
the singers and dancers and the last number was a take off of
Stomp and that was great.
We turn the clock back tonight for the first night of 7 since we are
now 7 hours ahead of the easr coast. More time to sleep; now if I
can only take advantage of that hour it will be fine.
DAY 10 CAIRO, EGYPT
After an early wakeup we went for breakfast and ran into Rita and Jules in the restaurant. We found out later we were in the wrong place because they started turning people away and sending them somewhere else. I have no idea where we were supposed to go.
We paid our dinner bill which was 33 for the 2 of us and met the rest of the bus at 7 and got on our way.
The first place we went was the Citadel where Mohammed Ali is buried in the Mosque that is all made of alabaster. I am sure there is so much that I have forgotten that will come to me at odd times and I'll just toss it in. There are 97 pyramids in Egypt; the first one was built by King Josep and he is buried either in the temple or next door in the pyramid in Sakkara. My mind is jumbled and Enid isn't around to straighten it out.
Then we went back to the great pyramids of Giza which are 2600 years B.C. The biggest was built for King Cheops, it took 130,000 slaves, 2,3000,000 blocks weighing 2 1/2 tons each and took 20 years to complete. It is made of limestone and there is nothing holding the blocks together. It encompasses 33,000 acres of space. While we were there some people were able to take camel rides and those of us that just wanted to take pictures got caught in a sand storm that had the sand slamming into our faces and eyes. The people that were wearing contact lenses were affected the most.
Before I forget, Islam, our accountant after collecting all the money for the tour got off at one of our stops holding his briefcase in one hand and brass knuckles in the other hand. This is a serious place. When the street vendors became too aggressive the bodyguards had to chase them away. I feel like I've spent my life traveling in a bus or van.
Then we went to the Sphinx but to be honest I was too tired to even get out of the bus so Enid got out and even picked up 2 Egyptian head dresses.
Then we finally went for lunch in a restaurant called Caviar which thankfully is not what they served. We had a choice of fish (fish, shrimp, and calamari) or chicken and beef. Everyone at our table except Enid and I chose fish and it came with french fries and fried rice. The shrimp were prawns with the heads, eyes and shells still on and not very appetizing. We waited and waited and waited some more and they finally came over with white rice and french fries and then we waited some more. We were due to board the bus at 3 and it was 2:50 when they finally brought over skewers of chicken, peppers and onions which happened to be delicious. Some of the fish people even had some of the chicken. They must have run out of beef by the time they got to serving us but that was okay.
Then we went to the Papyrus Institute to see how it is made and to purchase some if we wanted. Some of the things were magnificent. We also got the cartouches that we were able to order this morning after seeing how the first ones came out and realized what a bargain they were.
Finally at 4:30 we got on the bus and headed back to Alexandria to get back on the ship for 2 glorious restful sea days. We got back close to 7:30, tired, weary and maybe even a little grouchy and the nicest thing that happened was in that beautiful building when our bags (very heavy bags) went through the x ray machines they (the crew) asked if we wanted them to bring the bags to our cabin.
That was the best part of our day. The only thing that would've been better was if they would have carried us to our cabin instead of the bags.
All we did was drop our jackets off in the cabin, race up to the buffet and grab a fast bite. We couldn't wait to jump in the shower and get the sand off our bodies and out of our hair.
We paid our dinner bill which was 33 for the 2 of us and met the rest of the bus at 7 and got on our way.
The first place we went was the Citadel where Mohammed Ali is buried in the Mosque that is all made of alabaster. I am sure there is so much that I have forgotten that will come to me at odd times and I'll just toss it in. There are 97 pyramids in Egypt; the first one was built by King Josep and he is buried either in the temple or next door in the pyramid in Sakkara. My mind is jumbled and Enid isn't around to straighten it out.
Then we went back to the great pyramids of Giza which are 2600 years B.C. The biggest was built for King Cheops, it took 130,000 slaves, 2,3000,000 blocks weighing 2 1/2 tons each and took 20 years to complete. It is made of limestone and there is nothing holding the blocks together. It encompasses 33,000 acres of space. While we were there some people were able to take camel rides and those of us that just wanted to take pictures got caught in a sand storm that had the sand slamming into our faces and eyes. The people that were wearing contact lenses were affected the most.
Before I forget, Islam, our accountant after collecting all the money for the tour got off at one of our stops holding his briefcase in one hand and brass knuckles in the other hand. This is a serious place. When the street vendors became too aggressive the bodyguards had to chase them away. I feel like I've spent my life traveling in a bus or van.
Then we went to the Sphinx but to be honest I was too tired to even get out of the bus so Enid got out and even picked up 2 Egyptian head dresses.
Then we finally went for lunch in a restaurant called Caviar which thankfully is not what they served. We had a choice of fish (fish, shrimp, and calamari) or chicken and beef. Everyone at our table except Enid and I chose fish and it came with french fries and fried rice. The shrimp were prawns with the heads, eyes and shells still on and not very appetizing. We waited and waited and waited some more and they finally came over with white rice and french fries and then we waited some more. We were due to board the bus at 3 and it was 2:50 when they finally brought over skewers of chicken, peppers and onions which happened to be delicious. Some of the fish people even had some of the chicken. They must have run out of beef by the time they got to serving us but that was okay.
Then we went to the Papyrus Institute to see how it is made and to purchase some if we wanted. Some of the things were magnificent. We also got the cartouches that we were able to order this morning after seeing how the first ones came out and realized what a bargain they were.
Finally at 4:30 we got on the bus and headed back to Alexandria to get back on the ship for 2 glorious restful sea days. We got back close to 7:30, tired, weary and maybe even a little grouchy and the nicest thing that happened was in that beautiful building when our bags (very heavy bags) went through the x ray machines they (the crew) asked if we wanted them to bring the bags to our cabin.
That was the best part of our day. The only thing that would've been better was if they would have carried us to our cabin instead of the bags.
All we did was drop our jackets off in the cabin, race up to the buffet and grab a fast bite. We couldn't wait to jump in the shower and get the sand off our bodies and out of our hair.
DAY 9 ALEXANDRIA/CAIRO, EGYPT
We were supposed to meet on the dock at 10 AM but we were late in docking and when we finally got off there was some confusion as to where to meet the group and we finally all got together at 11AM when we left the port to start our trek to Cairo. It was almost a 3 hour ride and out guide Mortman didn't stop talking for the entire time. We had an accountant called Islam and a security guard with an automatic and a hand gun on his other hip so we felt extremely safe at all times. I forgot to mention that when we got off the ship we had to go through a port building that was the most impressive building I've ever gone through. It was gorgeous. I was going to take pictures when we came back but we were too tired and I forgot.
Cairo is the most populated city in Egypt with 20,000,000 inhabitants. When we finally got there we had lunch on a river boat on the Nile. Lunch was a buffet and it was just okay. There are million dollar apartments on the Nile with wash hanging out of the windows. We got our first view of the pyramids and it was very exciting. We were thinking they were far from everything and were surprised they were so close to the city.
Then we went to the Egyptian Museum that has 120,000 artifacts. It was very crowded and very warm and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I forgot to mention that we were able to order cartouches on the bus and they will be ready for us tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see what it looks like.
From the museum we went straight to the sound and light show and we thought we were going to check into the hotel first so we weren't prepared clothing wise and had to dig into our bags to get sweaters for the show (but we didn't even need them). The show was amazing and I even got part of it on my camcorder. For those of you that know me you won't be surprised that I cried from the beauty of it.
We finally went to the hotel after the show (Le Meridien Pyramids) and checked in. The hotel was very nice and our room was big. The lobby was decorated for a wedding and it looked gorgeous. We had dinner at the hotel and everyone had burgers except me and Rita. I had weinerschnitzel which was very good and Rita had a thai salad which didn't agree with her.
We were exhausted and slept great as we had to leave a 5:30 wakeup call again.
Cairo is the most populated city in Egypt with 20,000,000 inhabitants. When we finally got there we had lunch on a river boat on the Nile. Lunch was a buffet and it was just okay. There are million dollar apartments on the Nile with wash hanging out of the windows. We got our first view of the pyramids and it was very exciting. We were thinking they were far from everything and were surprised they were so close to the city.
Then we went to the Egyptian Museum that has 120,000 artifacts. It was very crowded and very warm and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I forgot to mention that we were able to order cartouches on the bus and they will be ready for us tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see what it looks like.
From the museum we went straight to the sound and light show and we thought we were going to check into the hotel first so we weren't prepared clothing wise and had to dig into our bags to get sweaters for the show (but we didn't even need them). The show was amazing and I even got part of it on my camcorder. For those of you that know me you won't be surprised that I cried from the beauty of it.
We finally went to the hotel after the show (Le Meridien Pyramids) and checked in. The hotel was very nice and our room was big. The lobby was decorated for a wedding and it looked gorgeous. We had dinner at the hotel and everyone had burgers except me and Rita. I had weinerschnitzel which was very good and Rita had a thai salad which didn't agree with her.
We were exhausted and slept great as we had to leave a 5:30 wakeup call again.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday Oct. 30, 2009 Day 8 Ashdod, Israel
Today we got up again at 5:30AM to be ready for our 6:45 group gathering so we would get off the ship at the same time. Today we were only 16 people in our group. We had some confusion when we got off (we couldn't find Zac our tour guide) so we walked to the end of the port and waited there. We had other cabbies call Avi Tours (we didn't have Zac's phone number) to find out where he was and it turned out that he was waiting for us to get off the ship (maybe by another gangway) but we finally connected with the driver and guide. In the interim Sharyn (realized she lost the money that we had all paid for the tour) and was very upset. She ran back to her cabin, retraced her steps, all to no avail. Later on she thought she might have been pick-pocketed.
We had almost a 2 hour ride before we stopped at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We were given some time to shop there also but the prices were outrageous.
From there we went to Masada and took the cable car to the top. Since I had already been there I waited under a tent on top with a lady in our group that is in a wheelchair while everyone else went to explore with our guide. When they returned we all went to the bottom and we were given 15 minutes to shop but once again everything was overpriced.
Then we went to the Spa at the Dead Sea for lunch and afterward some folks wanted to swim in it or just put their feet in it but for the first time (this is from our driver) they closed the Dead Sea form anyone going in. We witnessed an unbelievable wind storm and the sand (what else is there in a desert) was blowing all over the place and the normally calm Sea had huge whitecaps and the lifeguards closed the beach. Oh, and I forgot to mention that even though it never rains there, we also had some of that today too.
The four of us (Joan, David, Enid and myself felt so sorry for Sharyn losing the money we decided to start a fund to help her out. We each gave her $25.00 and figured if the rest of the bus would follow suit she would get most of the money back to pay for the tour. The 4 of us were strangers to the group; they all live in the same community in NJ but no one else would help their friend out. I'm glad they're not my friends.
We left there for our 2 hour ride home where most of us slept and we got back to the ship about 5:30 burt it seems like everyone else got back at the same time so the line to get back on was quite long and of course it was raining.
Tomorrow we dock in Alexandria, Egypt where we are doing an overnight in Cairo so I probably won't blog until Sunday night.
Happy birthday to Rose Marie and Carol and many more healthy ones.
We had almost a 2 hour ride before we stopped at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We were given some time to shop there also but the prices were outrageous.
From there we went to Masada and took the cable car to the top. Since I had already been there I waited under a tent on top with a lady in our group that is in a wheelchair while everyone else went to explore with our guide. When they returned we all went to the bottom and we were given 15 minutes to shop but once again everything was overpriced.
Then we went to the Spa at the Dead Sea for lunch and afterward some folks wanted to swim in it or just put their feet in it but for the first time (this is from our driver) they closed the Dead Sea form anyone going in. We witnessed an unbelievable wind storm and the sand (what else is there in a desert) was blowing all over the place and the normally calm Sea had huge whitecaps and the lifeguards closed the beach. Oh, and I forgot to mention that even though it never rains there, we also had some of that today too.
The four of us (Joan, David, Enid and myself felt so sorry for Sharyn losing the money we decided to start a fund to help her out. We each gave her $25.00 and figured if the rest of the bus would follow suit she would get most of the money back to pay for the tour. The 4 of us were strangers to the group; they all live in the same community in NJ but no one else would help their friend out. I'm glad they're not my friends.
We left there for our 2 hour ride home where most of us slept and we got back to the ship about 5:30 burt it seems like everyone else got back at the same time so the line to get back on was quite long and of course it was raining.
Tomorrow we dock in Alexandria, Egypt where we are doing an overnight in Cairo so I probably won't blog until Sunday night.
Happy birthday to Rose Marie and Carol and many more healthy ones.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday Oct, 29, 2009 Day 7 Haifa
Today was quite exhausting to say the least. We got up at 5:30AM to meet our group at 6:45 and start our day trip to Jerusalem. I think after this weeks tours we will be ready to run the NY Marathon. Today we walked over 4 miles and now would love to crawl on our hands and knees like an infant.
We boarded our mini bus at 7:00AM and started the ride to Jerusalem with our guide Zak (originally from the states) and Chaim (our driver). Zak pretty much talked all the way (about 2 hours) to prepare us for how we were going to spend the day.
When we got to Jerusalem we made a pit stop (bathroom break) and looked around the gift shop we were in but they were outrageously expensive. Then we had a picture stop where we overlooked the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall and basically the entire city.
Then we got off the bus (he said for about 3 hours) and went to the Tomb of King David. Then we went to the Zion Gate that is riddled with bullet holes from the war in 1948. From there we went into the Cardo and we had 15 minutes to shop. That was a little to hectic for me. Next we walked down a million slippery steps (it was drizzling and I might be exaggerating a little) to the Davidson exhibit where they are uncovering ancient walls.
After that we went to the tunnels under the Western Wall and when we came out of them we walked back to the Western Wall for everyone to see and put their prayers in the wall. Now mind you we have already been out of the bus for over 3 hours. Then we walked through the muslim quarter with all the stores (but no time to shop) and stopped at several Stations of the Cross. That also included walking up and down another million steps. HELP!!!!!
We finally got back to the bus.
We had lunch on the bus that we had brought from our breakfast buffet. We headed for the Israeli Museum but caught up in a tradffic jam due to the 14th anniversary of Itzak Rabin's assasination. David and I stayed in the bus at the Museum since we only had 15 minutes there before heading off to Yad Vashem.
Got to Yad Vashem at 4:20 and we were to meet again at 5:40. It has changed completely since I was there 21 years ago. I personally think the old one had much more impact than the way it is now. We all boarded the bus and left Jerusalem at 6PM and started our trek back to Haifa.
We got back to the ship at 8 PM and went straight to the buffet for our dinner. If we went to the cabin first we'd never have left it again. It is now 10 PM and we have to be up at 5:30 again. Who says this is a vacation? I know I'll need one when I get home.
We boarded our mini bus at 7:00AM and started the ride to Jerusalem with our guide Zak (originally from the states) and Chaim (our driver). Zak pretty much talked all the way (about 2 hours) to prepare us for how we were going to spend the day.
When we got to Jerusalem we made a pit stop (bathroom break) and looked around the gift shop we were in but they were outrageously expensive. Then we had a picture stop where we overlooked the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall and basically the entire city.
Then we got off the bus (he said for about 3 hours) and went to the Tomb of King David. Then we went to the Zion Gate that is riddled with bullet holes from the war in 1948. From there we went into the Cardo and we had 15 minutes to shop. That was a little to hectic for me. Next we walked down a million slippery steps (it was drizzling and I might be exaggerating a little) to the Davidson exhibit where they are uncovering ancient walls.
After that we went to the tunnels under the Western Wall and when we came out of them we walked back to the Western Wall for everyone to see and put their prayers in the wall. Now mind you we have already been out of the bus for over 3 hours. Then we walked through the muslim quarter with all the stores (but no time to shop) and stopped at several Stations of the Cross. That also included walking up and down another million steps. HELP!!!!!
We finally got back to the bus.
We had lunch on the bus that we had brought from our breakfast buffet. We headed for the Israeli Museum but caught up in a tradffic jam due to the 14th anniversary of Itzak Rabin's assasination. David and I stayed in the bus at the Museum since we only had 15 minutes there before heading off to Yad Vashem.
Got to Yad Vashem at 4:20 and we were to meet again at 5:40. It has changed completely since I was there 21 years ago. I personally think the old one had much more impact than the way it is now. We all boarded the bus and left Jerusalem at 6PM and started our trek back to Haifa.
We got back to the ship at 8 PM and went straight to the buffet for our dinner. If we went to the cabin first we'd never have left it again. It is now 10 PM and we have to be up at 5:30 again. Who says this is a vacation? I know I'll need one when I get home.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY OCT 28, 2009
Today was a sea day and we were able to rest, rest and then rest some more. When we got up for breakfast (8 AM even though it was a sea day) it was raining for a change.
There really isn't much to report. We had terrible service at dinner and Jules and I were trying to get the asst. maitre de but he never showed, so we asked to speak to the head maitre de. He finally showed up after everyone left the table except for Enid and myself. We were surpised to see that he was the one that Enid hugged and kissed this morning in the solarium. When I saw him I could only hope that Enid was a real good kisser. We told him how unhappy we are with Branco (the asst. maitre de) and all the primises he has made and not fulfilled. At dinner tonight 3 people ordered steak and they said it was like shoe leather and wouldn't eat it and wouldn't order anything else because they knew it would take forever. Lorenzo (our new best friend) said he would speak with Branco and he would make sure from now on that our dining room experience would be much better. He also told us when we get back to the ship tomorrow (it will be around 9:30 PM we should go to the Bistro on 5 and we would be comped by him so we would not have to pay the service charge. We thanked him profusely and Enid and I kissed him to thank him. It doesn't hurt to butter them up.
We left and when we got to the elevator Branco came running after us with Friday nights menu for Enid to chose her low sodium meal from. We had asked him for it 45 minutes before that and we said it had already been taken care of.
The show tonight was good even though it was a one man show and it was the cruise director.
Well we are getting up at 5:30AM tomorrow so I'd better get to sleep.
LAUREN---Thanks so much for the compliment about my writing. It feels good to know that some people are reading it and enjoying it. Yes, I already know about your dad skipping meals to sight see but he was outnumbered and had no choice. You and your Mom outnumber him too so it should be easy.
There really isn't much to report. We had terrible service at dinner and Jules and I were trying to get the asst. maitre de but he never showed, so we asked to speak to the head maitre de. He finally showed up after everyone left the table except for Enid and myself. We were surpised to see that he was the one that Enid hugged and kissed this morning in the solarium. When I saw him I could only hope that Enid was a real good kisser. We told him how unhappy we are with Branco (the asst. maitre de) and all the primises he has made and not fulfilled. At dinner tonight 3 people ordered steak and they said it was like shoe leather and wouldn't eat it and wouldn't order anything else because they knew it would take forever. Lorenzo (our new best friend) said he would speak with Branco and he would make sure from now on that our dining room experience would be much better. He also told us when we get back to the ship tomorrow (it will be around 9:30 PM we should go to the Bistro on 5 and we would be comped by him so we would not have to pay the service charge. We thanked him profusely and Enid and I kissed him to thank him. It doesn't hurt to butter them up.
We left and when we got to the elevator Branco came running after us with Friday nights menu for Enid to chose her low sodium meal from. We had asked him for it 45 minutes before that and we said it had already been taken care of.
The show tonight was good even though it was a one man show and it was the cruise director.
Well we are getting up at 5:30AM tomorrow so I'd better get to sleep.
LAUREN---Thanks so much for the compliment about my writing. It feels good to know that some people are reading it and enjoying it. Yes, I already know about your dad skipping meals to sight see but he was outnumbered and had no choice. You and your Mom outnumber him too so it should be easy.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Day 5 Oct. 27, 2009
This morning we had to get up at 5:30 AM in order to have breakfast and meet for our 7 AM tour of Kusadasi and the surrounding area. Some people might call this a vacation but I call it torture.
We got off the ship at 7:05, met our guide (Ali) and started out on a long days journey into night. There were only six of us; Rita and Jules, Joan and David, Enid and myself in a 14 passenger van so we had plenty of room to stretch out and relax.
Our first stop was Milet where there are the remains of an ampitheater that is approximately 2,000 years old and is still in fair condition. It was built next to the Agean Sea and over all those passing years it has filled in with silt and is now 7 kilometers from the Sea.
Next we went to Didma where we saw Apollo's Temple (or what is left standing of it) and then we headed for Ephesus or Efes as the locals call it. Even the road signs are spelled (is that a word?) with both names. Our guide was absolutely fantastic and I am going to send an email to his boss telling him what a great job Ali did. We were all impressed by him and rewarded him accordingly. When we got to Ephesus we stopped along the route for Ali to explain what part of the ruins we were at and he was so good people stood around to listen to him and then went back to their friends to tell them too. Ephesus was amazing. It is still an archeologist's dream to dig and uncover more of the city. To date only about 30% has been unearthed. The first two Ephesus' were destroyed by earthquakes and the Roman warriors. Each time it was destroyed they changed the location and rebuilt by using a lot of the previous materials.
Then we went to a Turkish restaurant for lunch. You didn't expect us to miss a meal, did you? The price was $10 US and we got what they call a 3 course lunch. We all got a salad, then some kind of soup, and some of us got meatballs (they weren't round but were rectangular chopped beef with rounded edges. They were strange looking but tasted okay. Someone had shish (that means stick) kabob with chicken. Now isn't this informative? For dessert we had what Turks call Halavah but was more like Wheatena with honey made into a square piece of "cake".
After lunch we went to a pottery factory and watched a craftsman make a sugar bowl and cover from raw clay on a potters wheel in about 2 minutes. If was fun to watch and he was so talented I could've stayed there all day. Then we went to look at the finished products in their showroom and I picked up a plate and asked for a price. The salesman told me I had very good taste and I knew I was in trouble. With 30% off and an end of season discount the plate was over 1200.00 dollars. When I stopped choking I said I'll continue to look around for something in my price range.
From there we went to a Rug Factory and got a spiel about carpets, saw how they are made and the most interesting part of the tour was watching the silk they get from cocoons. In the same building was a huge jewelry store but it was high pressure sales. I felt like I was in a car dealership. We then went to a leather factory but didn't buy anything there either. I was going into spending money withdrawal.
Then we headed back to the ship and got here about 4:30 so you now know what kind of long day we had. I bought some things from a street vendor after I got it for the price I named. I thought he wouldn't accept it but when he did I wondered if I should have gone lower. Before I left FL for this cruise I was 66 and I now feel like 85. We walked close to 4 miles today and have absolutely no idea how far yesterday but I bet it was close to today, if not more.
Tonight we had dinner reservations at the Tuscan Grill with Joan and David and except for a few (and slight) problems the meal was excellent. It was long so we missed the theater show but went to the comedy theater to see Uber Rossi and laughed for a solid hour. If I could only remember some of his jokes I would be a happy camper. Through the grapevine we heard the service in the dining room was once again terrible. Our table waited 25 minutes for their appetizers and 1 hour for their entree. We're sure they had those problems because we weren't there; why else would it have been slow.
We got off the ship at 7:05, met our guide (Ali) and started out on a long days journey into night. There were only six of us; Rita and Jules, Joan and David, Enid and myself in a 14 passenger van so we had plenty of room to stretch out and relax.
Our first stop was Milet where there are the remains of an ampitheater that is approximately 2,000 years old and is still in fair condition. It was built next to the Agean Sea and over all those passing years it has filled in with silt and is now 7 kilometers from the Sea.
Next we went to Didma where we saw Apollo's Temple (or what is left standing of it) and then we headed for Ephesus or Efes as the locals call it. Even the road signs are spelled (is that a word?) with both names. Our guide was absolutely fantastic and I am going to send an email to his boss telling him what a great job Ali did. We were all impressed by him and rewarded him accordingly. When we got to Ephesus we stopped along the route for Ali to explain what part of the ruins we were at and he was so good people stood around to listen to him and then went back to their friends to tell them too. Ephesus was amazing. It is still an archeologist's dream to dig and uncover more of the city. To date only about 30% has been unearthed. The first two Ephesus' were destroyed by earthquakes and the Roman warriors. Each time it was destroyed they changed the location and rebuilt by using a lot of the previous materials.
Then we went to a Turkish restaurant for lunch. You didn't expect us to miss a meal, did you? The price was $10 US and we got what they call a 3 course lunch. We all got a salad, then some kind of soup, and some of us got meatballs (they weren't round but were rectangular chopped beef with rounded edges. They were strange looking but tasted okay. Someone had shish (that means stick) kabob with chicken. Now isn't this informative? For dessert we had what Turks call Halavah but was more like Wheatena with honey made into a square piece of "cake".
After lunch we went to a pottery factory and watched a craftsman make a sugar bowl and cover from raw clay on a potters wheel in about 2 minutes. If was fun to watch and he was so talented I could've stayed there all day. Then we went to look at the finished products in their showroom and I picked up a plate and asked for a price. The salesman told me I had very good taste and I knew I was in trouble. With 30% off and an end of season discount the plate was over 1200.00 dollars. When I stopped choking I said I'll continue to look around for something in my price range.
From there we went to a Rug Factory and got a spiel about carpets, saw how they are made and the most interesting part of the tour was watching the silk they get from cocoons. In the same building was a huge jewelry store but it was high pressure sales. I felt like I was in a car dealership. We then went to a leather factory but didn't buy anything there either. I was going into spending money withdrawal.
Then we headed back to the ship and got here about 4:30 so you now know what kind of long day we had. I bought some things from a street vendor after I got it for the price I named. I thought he wouldn't accept it but when he did I wondered if I should have gone lower. Before I left FL for this cruise I was 66 and I now feel like 85. We walked close to 4 miles today and have absolutely no idea how far yesterday but I bet it was close to today, if not more.
Tonight we had dinner reservations at the Tuscan Grill with Joan and David and except for a few (and slight) problems the meal was excellent. It was long so we missed the theater show but went to the comedy theater to see Uber Rossi and laughed for a solid hour. If I could only remember some of his jokes I would be a happy camper. Through the grapevine we heard the service in the dining room was once again terrible. Our table waited 25 minutes for their appetizers and 1 hour for their entree. We're sure they had those problems because we weren't there; why else would it have been slow.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Oct 26, 2009 Day 4
Today we woke up to cloudy skies again knowing it was going to
rain on our parade. We (Joan, David, Jules, Rita, Enid and myself)
had made plans to meet at 10:15 and walk to Old Town in Rhodes
but it had started to rain so we changed the meeting time to 11
AM. Thankfully it stopped raining by then but Joan and David said
they were going to wait a little longer before getting off so the 4 of
us schlepped off with our umbrellas and rain ponchos.
Old Town was really very nice with lots of stores and streets made
of small rocks that are treacherous when wet. Amazingly we all
survived without a fall but there were a few slides along the way. Rita
and I liked Rhodes better than Tallin. We walked for 2 1/2
hours and got lost somewhere along the way but we just made
believe we knew where we were going and in the end we found our
way. While we were at the Synagogue I heard thunder and said
we'd better head back and no sooner did we get on the ship than
the skies opened up.
We went directly to the buffet and had lunch with Rita and Jules
and decided to meet in the concierge lounge at 4:30. I might not
be able to send or add to this blog later because my feet hurt so
badly I'm gonna (I know it's not correct) get drunk.
I didn't lie about getting drunk; but it doesn't take much. I did have
3 drinks before dinner and once again swervice was very slow.
The bright side is that we had more time to sit around and laugh.
The show tonight was a bunch of variety acts like the first night.
Celebrity is cutting down on their entertainment too by using the
onboard singers and dancers doing lots of different things. The
cruise director is Nick Weir and I have taken a steong dislike to
him. He comes across as such a phony that it's driving me crazy.
BETH---No I haven't found my pills or my curling iron but Gayle
(our tablemate) gave me hers to use for the entire cruise. We
really lucked out with our mates.
GAIL H---What is happening with Sandy? Did her brother talk to
the Dr. and did she make an appointment with the gastro man?
LAUREN--Your Mom and Dad say hello and so do I. Looking
forward to meeting you when you come to FL for your cruise in
Feb.
rain on our parade. We (Joan, David, Jules, Rita, Enid and myself)
had made plans to meet at 10:15 and walk to Old Town in Rhodes
but it had started to rain so we changed the meeting time to 11
AM. Thankfully it stopped raining by then but Joan and David said
they were going to wait a little longer before getting off so the 4 of
us schlepped off with our umbrellas and rain ponchos.
Old Town was really very nice with lots of stores and streets made
of small rocks that are treacherous when wet. Amazingly we all
survived without a fall but there were a few slides along the way. Rita
and I liked Rhodes better than Tallin. We walked for 2 1/2
hours and got lost somewhere along the way but we just made
believe we knew where we were going and in the end we found our
way. While we were at the Synagogue I heard thunder and said
we'd better head back and no sooner did we get on the ship than
the skies opened up.
We went directly to the buffet and had lunch with Rita and Jules
and decided to meet in the concierge lounge at 4:30. I might not
be able to send or add to this blog later because my feet hurt so
badly I'm gonna (I know it's not correct) get drunk.
I didn't lie about getting drunk; but it doesn't take much. I did have
3 drinks before dinner and once again swervice was very slow.
The bright side is that we had more time to sit around and laugh.
The show tonight was a bunch of variety acts like the first night.
Celebrity is cutting down on their entertainment too by using the
onboard singers and dancers doing lots of different things. The
cruise director is Nick Weir and I have taken a steong dislike to
him. He comes across as such a phony that it's driving me crazy.
BETH---No I haven't found my pills or my curling iron but Gayle
(our tablemate) gave me hers to use for the entire cruise. We
really lucked out with our mates.
GAIL H---What is happening with Sandy? Did her brother talk to
the Dr. and did she make an appointment with the gastro man?
LAUREN--Your Mom and Dad say hello and so do I. Looking
forward to meeting you when you come to FL for your cruise in
Feb.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Day 3--Celebrity Equinox
Today we docked in Piraeus which is a port 7 miles from Athens. We were scheduled to meet our group led by Glenys at 10AM and we were all there except for Joan and David. When I called their cabin they thought it was only 9:00AM (their watches were wrong) and they rushed like heck to hurry down and not keep us waiting too long. It was overcast with occasional showers but we were a hearty group and would not let them slow us down. That is until we were on the way to the Acropolis and it really started to pour but so hard that the road we were on looked like a running river. A sign outside of a restaurant came swimming by us with the owner holding an umbrella running after his sign. It was so bad the water was above the curb abd onto the sidewalk.
So instead we went to the new Acropolis Museum which is built on excavated land so the building is on stilts so you can see the excavation. That was neat.
After that when the rain let up we went to the Acropolis and walked up a lot of marble steps (which were very slippery after the rain and I was wearing crocs to make matters worse) and when I got 3/4 of the way up, I gave up. Joan, David and Enid continued all the way to the top and took lots of pictures so I'll have to settle for seeing it that way.
After that we headed back to the ship annd got back about 5:30; changed our clothes, went up to the concierge lounge for 1/2 hour and then went to dinner where we had such a good time and so many laughs that we were worried we'd be thrown out of the dining room. We were kind of loud. Jules told us a story that made us roar about the nude beach in St. Marteen. Remind me when I get home and I'll tell you all about it. We have such a great table. The rest of our tablemates are Ivy, Charles, Alf, and Gayle, plus of course Jules and Rita.
The show tonight was Greg Bonham and he was terrific. He was looking for a crazy lady from the audience and he picked Ivy who was sitting in the middle, halfway back. He asked her name and Enid and I were screaming Ivy and we were sitting right in front of him in the first row. He got off the stage, stood right in front of us and asked Ivy to come down to give her a present and when she saw us sitting there she screamed and he asked if she knew us. She said yes. He asked if there was a man in her life and she said "no". He said are you lying and she said "no". He looked at me and asked if she was lying and I said "yes" and then he made Charles stand up and told him what a lucky man he is. We never realized what an insane laugh Ivy has and it is catching.
Went to the buffet about 11 PM and Ivy and crew were there and now the entire ship knows Ivy. She's a pistol. Wherever she goes now, people are chanting "IVY' IVY" and she is just loving it.
So instead we went to the new Acropolis Museum which is built on excavated land so the building is on stilts so you can see the excavation. That was neat.
After that when the rain let up we went to the Acropolis and walked up a lot of marble steps (which were very slippery after the rain and I was wearing crocs to make matters worse) and when I got 3/4 of the way up, I gave up. Joan, David and Enid continued all the way to the top and took lots of pictures so I'll have to settle for seeing it that way.
After that we headed back to the ship annd got back about 5:30; changed our clothes, went up to the concierge lounge for 1/2 hour and then went to dinner where we had such a good time and so many laughs that we were worried we'd be thrown out of the dining room. We were kind of loud. Jules told us a story that made us roar about the nude beach in St. Marteen. Remind me when I get home and I'll tell you all about it. We have such a great table. The rest of our tablemates are Ivy, Charles, Alf, and Gayle, plus of course Jules and Rita.
The show tonight was Greg Bonham and he was terrific. He was looking for a crazy lady from the audience and he picked Ivy who was sitting in the middle, halfway back. He asked her name and Enid and I were screaming Ivy and we were sitting right in front of him in the first row. He got off the stage, stood right in front of us and asked Ivy to come down to give her a present and when she saw us sitting there she screamed and he asked if she knew us. She said yes. He asked if there was a man in her life and she said "no". He said are you lying and she said "no". He looked at me and asked if she was lying and I said "yes" and then he made Charles stand up and told him what a lucky man he is. We never realized what an insane laugh Ivy has and it is catching.
Went to the buffet about 11 PM and Ivy and crew were there and now the entire ship knows Ivy. She's a pistol. Wherever she goes now, people are chanting "IVY' IVY" and she is just loving it.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
DAY 2 SEA DAY ON CELEBRITY EQUINOX
The seas were a little rough last night so we were rolling a little bit but it wasn't terrible. The weather today is very overcast with showers occasionally. We went to our official meet and greet and met more nice people. Someone mentioned we could order cartouches in the jewelry store so we did that and I think they said we'll have them tomorrow. I got a silver and 18 kt one and can't wait to see it. As I'm writing this we are going through the Straights of Messina and we have Italy on one side of the ship and Sicily on the other. Nice views from either side. Went to the casino, made my daily deposit but found another slot machine that I liked so I'll have to play with it some more.
We haven't seen much of Joan and David and have no idea what they are doing or who they're with. I do know that we'll see them tomorrow when we get to Athens since we have a tour with them.
I haven't mentioned this before but strange things are happening. I took my morning pills from my week 1 zip lock bag when we got on the ship and they have not been seen since. Enid and I searched the entire cabin and they can't be found. Tonight is formal night and I thought I'd dress up my hair and use my curling iron and you guessed it, it's also among the missing. I know for a fact that I definitely packed it (I left my least favorite one home) and the only thing we can figure is that it was in the outside pocket of the ripped suitcase. We went to the concierge club which was being held in the Sky Lounge on the 14th deck. It's a beautiful room. Went to our new table for dinner and met our tablemates from Vancouver and we had lots of laughs. I surprised Enid with a birthday cake after dinner which we all thought was delicious.
The show was a take off on Cirque D' Soilel and it helped me catch up on some much needed sleep. Went back to my new machine and won back what I had lost earlier today so today was a wash money Wish I could be this lucky everyday.
We haven't seen much of Joan and David and have no idea what they are doing or who they're with. I do know that we'll see them tomorrow when we get to Athens since we have a tour with them.
I haven't mentioned this before but strange things are happening. I took my morning pills from my week 1 zip lock bag when we got on the ship and they have not been seen since. Enid and I searched the entire cabin and they can't be found. Tonight is formal night and I thought I'd dress up my hair and use my curling iron and you guessed it, it's also among the missing. I know for a fact that I definitely packed it (I left my least favorite one home) and the only thing we can figure is that it was in the outside pocket of the ripped suitcase. We went to the concierge club which was being held in the Sky Lounge on the 14th deck. It's a beautiful room. Went to our new table for dinner and met our tablemates from Vancouver and we had lots of laughs. I surprised Enid with a birthday cake after dinner which we all thought was delicious.
The show was a take off on Cirque D' Soilel and it helped me catch up on some much needed sleep. Went back to my new machine and won back what I had lost earlier today so today was a wash money Wish I could be this lucky everyday.
DAY 1 ON THE SHIP
Getting onboard the Equiniox
We left the hotel about 10:15 this morning and when we got to the pier we had the form to fill out about not being sick recently and then we went to the check-in counter and 5 minutes later we were on the ship. We found a table in the Oceanview Cafe (it wasn't hard since we were practically the first people in there) and sat around chatting until 11:30 when it opened. Lunch was just okay in my opinion. I forgot to say they collected our passports when we checked in and said they would hold them until we got to Egypt. It seems we have Egyption and Israeli officials on board and they are going over every passport and tomorrow every passenger on the ship has to go before the Israeli officials by times that were given to us by Celebrity.Went to our unofficial meet and greet on the lawn (yes the ship has a lawn of real grass) and met lots of folks from the boards. I was finally able to put faces to names.We only got 3 of our 4 pieces of luggage (the one that had gotten ripped was the missing one) and I was starting to panic (it was 5 PM and we had the lifeboat drill coming up) so I went to Guest Services where they keep the ones without tags. You guessed it; my tag was missing. I showed him my special tag that is a bright yellow with my name embroidered in red. You have to be blind to miss it. I was going to take it but he said they would deliver it my room.After the drill it still wasn't there so I went to get it since all my clothes were in that one and I didn't have a choice if I wanted to go to dinner.Dinner was fine, the show was good and here I am writing this blog which for some reason I still can't get an internet connection so please be patient and since tomorrow is a sea day I will find out what I'm doing wrong.
We left the hotel about 10:15 this morning and when we got to the pier we had the form to fill out about not being sick recently and then we went to the check-in counter and 5 minutes later we were on the ship. We found a table in the Oceanview Cafe (it wasn't hard since we were practically the first people in there) and sat around chatting until 11:30 when it opened. Lunch was just okay in my opinion. I forgot to say they collected our passports when we checked in and said they would hold them until we got to Egypt. It seems we have Egyption and Israeli officials on board and they are going over every passport and tomorrow every passenger on the ship has to go before the Israeli officials by times that were given to us by Celebrity.Went to our unofficial meet and greet on the lawn (yes the ship has a lawn of real grass) and met lots of folks from the boards. I was finally able to put faces to names.We only got 3 of our 4 pieces of luggage (the one that had gotten ripped was the missing one) and I was starting to panic (it was 5 PM and we had the lifeboat drill coming up) so I went to Guest Services where they keep the ones without tags. You guessed it; my tag was missing. I showed him my special tag that is a bright yellow with my name embroidered in red. You have to be blind to miss it. I was going to take it but he said they would deliver it my room.After the drill it still wasn't there so I went to get it since all my clothes were in that one and I didn't have a choice if I wanted to go to dinner.Dinner was fine, the show was good and here I am writing this blog which for some reason I still can't get an internet connection so please be patient and since tomorrow is a sea day I will find out what I'm doing wrong.
FINALLY LEAVING FOR THE CRUISE
This morning my cousins came over to say goodbye and helped avert a major castastrophy. After picking up my luggage and saying it was way over 50 lbs (somehow I had gotten 43) we re-weighed it and it was 68 lbs. I went to pick up Enid to bring her over to my house and got a bigger suitcase and transferred everything from my smaller one and moved stuff from my bigger suitcase to bring the weight down. While we were doing this the car service came 40 minutes early (and I was worried they would get lost and be late) so he had to wait for us to finish before loading the van.To make a long story short, here we are at the airport with plenty of time to spare as the flight is delayed until 5:05 PM and we got here at 1:45. So much for my phobia about being early.We're now on the plane and they have fed us dinner, but please don't ask what it was. We had a choice of beef or fish and Enid and I chose beef and I could see David did too. I had no idea what Joan ordered as she is on the other side of the plane and 1 row back. The roll and the slice of monterrey jack cheese was okay but don't even ask about anything else because I wouldn't even try it. It's good to always carry bagels when you fly. So far we have met 4 other people on this plane that are also going on the Equinox but only on the 1st cruise. It's 7:30 and I figure if I go to sleep now when I wake up I'll be on European time. That sounds great if I can pull it off.Okay folks, Joan and David both enjoyed dinner but didn't like breakfast and Enid and I thought breakfast was better. The flight was not as bad as I was expecting and I did get a little sleep. After waiting almost an hour for our luggage one of my suitcases outer compartments came apart completely so I will probably leave that one on the ship.Our hotel room is like a penthouse. We even have a two person sauna in our dining room. Not too bad for 2 gals from NY.Enid went down to the bar and met more people going on the cruise and they recognized my cruise critic screen name so Enid called and told me to come down and join all of them. They were all very nice. Then we met another couple and they were going for dinner at a restaurant (Aqua) and we decided to join them and asked Joan and David but they declined. So much for departure day as we are exhausted.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Getting Closer-Only 3 More Days
We're leaving on Wednesday; time is running short and I'm feeling the pressure as I wait until the last minute to get everything ready so now I'll really be busy and can't find any more excuses or other things to do instead. I hope I have the strength to update the blog every night before sleep. I'm following my friends blogs (on the Ruby Princess transatlantic right now) and they aren't posting too often. Did you guy get the hint? I hope I figure out how to post pictures too so you can see us on the camels and all the other fantastic places we are going to.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
NEW SHIP--NEW AND EXCITING PORTS OF CALL
I am starting this blog so my friends and family can travel along with me and share in this exciting trip.
We're leaving on Oct 21st and I will continue posting (depending on internet conections) until we return on Nov 19th.
We're leaving on Oct 21st and I will continue posting (depending on internet conections) until we return on Nov 19th.
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