Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Two

Terry....all l can remember is a very small canal transit with literal jungle on either side....quite amazing for a 19 year old to witness at the time and l wish l had taken pictures....what l do recall is that the ship broke down in Panama for three days during which time orders from the captain forbade us female crew from going ashore....and then asking the pax to choose between visiting LA or Acapulco as we couldn't do both....Acapulco won.....quite wonderful again in those days....l have no wish now to re-visit.

jpalbny: Hi all. First reliable Internet in a long time. Loving it here. Wildlife amazing' date=' food surprisingly good, great guides. Roads are miserable and hotels variable. But it's been [b']great so far[/b] and looking forward to sharing some of it with you when I get all the pictures and trip report organized. Off for an afternoon hike if our guide shows up...

Great to get the wonderful update and details from JP. We all look forward to hearing more and seeing lots of pictures when things settle out better.

Wow!! Good to get these additional "jungle" aspects related to the Panama Canal. From pictures today, the area looks just wide-open and tamed. Clearly back a hundred years or so, it must have been quite a task to build that engineering marvel. Fascinating story/experience about the ship breaking down and the burdens placed on the female crew, passengers, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro? Check these postings. Have had over 32,089 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and commented.:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

Greetings Coolers!

Back home today to warmer temps and NO SNOW. :)

JP...Glad to hear that you are enjoying your trip!

S... Chilli luncheon sounds wonderful! Enjoy!

Spns... Glad to hear that you survived Matthew!

Enjoy your day all!

Just had my last groping in the airport here in Antananarivo a few minutes ago...I seem to trigger their metal detector every time, despite wearing the same travel clothes that I always do. The resulting pat-downs are pretty thorough! No issues in any other airport here.

Hanging out now in the lounge, waiting for our flight to JNB. Then on to CPT for almost a week in wine country... :D

It was an amazing place to visit here. And my bad high school French came in very handy! But it will be nice to be able to brush our teeth with tap water again, and eat something besides zebu meat. I will miss the lemurs, though. They are adorable, and so fun to watch in person.

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Just had my last groping in the airport here in Antananarivo a few minutes ago..

The Donald certainly gets around.

A nice joke on BBC's Have I Got News For You - - 'Having voted for a black president why would Americans vote for an orange one?'

JP, go abroad for a grope .... and what did you buy to bring home!?

Looking forward to hearing about Chris and your adventures ... and all the eatings and drinkings.

Fletch ... that is terrible. :D

It really is the weirdest scariest thing. Watched all three so called debates. Unbelievable that after all those billions it produces these two. Still onward and upward.

Jeff

The resulting pat-downs are pretty thorough! No issues in any other airport here. Hanging out now in the lounge, waiting for our flight to JNB. Then on to CPT for almost a week in wine country... It was an amazing place to visit here. And my bad high school French came in very handy! But it will be nice to be able to brush our teeth with tap water again, and eat something besides zebu meat. I will miss the lemurs, though. They are adorable, and so fun to watch in person.

Appreciate JP's wonderful Africa update and a few of those travel details. Pat-downs?? They were free, right? No extra charge?

Look forward to seeing and reading more from your Madagascar adventures. Hope things work well in South Africa's Wine Country. We only had a day there earlier this year, but super loved the charm, character and scenic sights in that region near Cape Town. Plus, great food and wonderful wine there.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 218,006 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Terry, we had a really fun time with Glenn today, and looking forward to another day with her tomorrow. Lots of great wine to taste, and she was a fantastic guide. Glad that you posted the information that led me to booking her services for today!

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Terry, we had a really fun time with Glenn today, and looking forward to another day with her tomorrow. Lots of great wine to taste, and she was a fantastic guide. Glad that you posted the information that led me to booking her services for today! ]

Great to hear from J.P. and that your day with Glenn went so well. Tell her that both my wife and I extend our best greetings and wishes. She is very classy and knowledgeable!! We were lucky to be able to spend this day with her and gain from her experiences in this area.

Below is one picture of my wife with Glenn as we visited the La Motte winery. Great location in a very scenic and dramatic part of South Africa.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from my latest live/blog at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 21,585 views for this reporting and visual sharing that includes Cape Town, all along the South Africa coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

Here is my wife on the left side with Glenn as we visited the La Motte winery. So many nice locations in this scenic area of South Africa. And, this historic region is also so close and handy to Cape Town.:

Hi Coolers [emoji4]

Lovely to see that JP and Chris are having a fun time on their travels......on the final countdown here to leaving for Barcelona in just twelve days time.....time seems to have flown!

Have been doggy sitting this weekend for a friend who left her gorgeous spaniel with four paws and my good self.....such fun but quite tiring so its a rest day today before the pre cruise pampering begins!

Looking forward to some sea air and sunshine!

Happy Day

S [emoji5]

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Hi Coolers [emoji4]

 

Lovely to see that JP and Chris are having a fun time on their travels......on the final countdown here to leaving for Barcelona in just twelve days time.....time seems to have flown!

 

Have been doggy sitting this weekend for a friend who left her gorgeous spaniel with four paws and my good self.....such fun but quite tiring so its a rest day today before the pre cruise pampering begins!

Looking forward to some sea air and sunshine!

 

Happy Day

S [emoji5]

 

 

 

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Soapy,

You enjoy Barcelona and remember to take your flamenco kit for a quick fandango with those fit blokes in tight trousers and big black castanets. I hope you get some seafood at one of the drinking and eating stalls in the main market and some tapas in the evening. Don't ask for a schooner of sherry though! Compredeznon.

Envious of the spaniels ..... we miss dogs.

Had our first chestnuts last night and looking forward to punch mit schuss and wurst in Vienna followed by Singapore. The rest from flights has been the longest it has ever been and we're fit and ready. :)

Jeff

Jeffers....you are wicked....[emoji6][emoji23]

As if l would dress up to attract ........castanets or not....not even thinking about the tight trousers........for now [emoji16]

We don't arrive until early evening so may just stay put in the hotel as I've done all the sights and indeed sites!!

Good to know that you and Mrs Jeff are looking forward to your next flight away to Vienna......l used to be terrified of flying, would never ever board a plane unless well oiled, but over the many years coupled with security measures now l bite the bullet and be brave....but I'm still told I've often been seen staggering out of the lounge.....[emoji6]

S [emoji5]

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Greetings Coolers!

2017 will be Canada's 150th birthday! We are a youngish country compared to many others in the world. We do have some charm though. Lonely Planet has picked Canada as the number one country to visit in 2017. :)

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/canada-tops-lonely-planets-list-of-2017-destinations

Come and help us celebrate our 150th birthday!

Have a great day all!

Happy 150th birthday Canada! Thanks for sharing that with us Mysty.

I remember being in Quebec City for a deposition in February. The word glacial does come to mind. The witness, who was ostensibly my client, showed up very drunk, it was a travesty but brings a smile to my face now.

Sophia...not long now. Have you packed all your glittery frocks in tissue paper?

Jeff,

Loved the image you conjured up for Sophia's time in Espana.

Speaking of images, have you given up cooking? Or perhaps just food porn?

Your holiday trip sounds magical.

Terry,

Have you recovered from that OSU loss? Or immersed in the political maelstrom?

Eagerly awaiting JPs travelogue report.

Twenty days til we sail but who is counting.🚢

Spins....it might be a good time to re-visit Calgary. :) Our official birthday is July 1. The Calgary Stampede runs from July 7 - 16, 2017. You could take a side trip to Banff and Lake Louise. Here is the link to the Stampede website:

http://www.calgarystampede.com/stampede

And J.... might be a good time to make your first visit to Canada. :)

I heartily agree with your feelings about Quebec City in February, spins! I wouldn't suggest a visit to Canada in the winter unless you really like cold and snow! I spend most of the winter bundled in multiple layers with my nose pressed to the frosty glass hoping that we somehow escape -35 to -40 C.

S.... hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise! Hope the packing goes smoothly! Safe travels!

Hi All,

M.....what great celebrations to look forward to next year!

Packing is going quite well......even the glitter Spins!! [emoji6]

Had my pre voyage hairdo today so I'm getting into mood now!

Shame we are not on the Spirit tonight as they have Bocelli in concert at 7pm.....

S [emoji5]

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Just booked airfare with a great rate today. This is when it starts to feel real for me. 120 days to go!

Here is a photo of Canada's 100th Anniversary, July 1,1967

The building on the right is the beautiful Chateau Laurier Fairmont Hotel and the buildings towards the top are the Parliament Buildings.

Our family will be staying there for our big Birthday Bash.

Hope you all can attend!

S have a lovely trip and enjoy escaping this gloomy weather.

Still not made it to Chester things a little hairy here with DH and hospital appts and all sorts of frustrations getting treatment.

Back to lurking - little time for internet with the stress going on right now

M

Morning All.....

Just a quick pit stop between trying to cram everything into my cases [emoji15]

SnoBird....lovely photo thank you for sharing with us.

mw....so sorry to hear that you're having a stressful time, l know only too well what it's like with hospitals. Do hope things start to improve for you soon and many thanks for the good wishes.

Happy Day

S [emoji4]

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Good afternoon all Coolers,

From reading between lines here, I guess all of us or at least many of us suffer from those things that catch up with many of us as we get older. For my own part I'm tired of the papers and news and governments and doctors increasing the anxiety that virtually everything I do that I enjoy is harming me and that I need to constantly present myself to check for things that may or may not be the thing that eventually gets me. It just seems to me that the first world has managed to contrive a way that we have all become over-medicated and over-anxious and I'm tired of this if this is what is called progress. I think it might have been better in the "old days" when people died younger but not spent the whole of their lives being anxious instea , than preserving what can be later in life a pretty horrible existance.

I do not know how we break this cycle and become more sensibly fatalistic and simply enjoy our prescribed or randomly allocated time enjoying our time rather than using our time to get an extra month or year.

Today is chicken in tarragon sauce with wild rice and muscadet.

Jeff

Good afternoon all Coolers,

 

From reading between lines here, I guess all of us or at least many of us suffer from those things that catch up with many of us as we get older. For my own part I'm tired of the papers and news and governments and doctors increasing the anxiety that virtually everything I do that I enjoy is harming me and that I need to constantly present myself to check for things that may or may not be the thing that eventually gets me. It just seems to me that the first world has managed to contrive a way that we have all become over-medicated and over-anxious and I'm tired of this if this is what is called progress. I think it might have been better in the "old days" when people died younger but not spent the whole of their lives being anxious instea , than preserving what can be later in life a pretty horrible existance.

 

I do not know how we break this cycle and become more sensibly fatalistic and simply enjoy our prescribed or randomly allocated time enjoying our time rather than using our time to get an extra month or year.

 

Today is chicken in tarragon sauce with wild rice and muscadet.

 

Jeff

Very insightful Jeff! I agree with you. My motto is enjoy things in moderation. I am not one to want to live or prolong life forever. Modern medicine wants to prolong and reduce pain, but we end up with a society that fears pain and death. Both are normal part of life. This is a causal factor for the increase opioid dependence (and recent overdoses) that are sweeping the United States right now. We have taught people to fear pain and avoid it at all cost. The result is a society that takes a pill for everything and becomes addicted and unable to cope with everyday life stressors. It is a shame. (Can any of you guess what field I work in?)

Greetings Coolers!

J....Interesting topic you have introduced here. The information age has had quite an impact and the internet has exploded that impact. Now information and misinformation is available with a few keystrokes. Many "news" stories are not researched to any credible degree and people are not being very discriminating in their acceptance of baseless information. Some medical research projects actually negate other medical research projects. Nutrionists constantly seesaw over the "recommended" dietary intake. Eggs are good...now eggs are bad...now eggs are good again. Don't eat butter...switch to margarine...Oooops..margarine isn't so good..switch back to butter. I really think you have to trust your body.

Have a great day all!

Good post Jeff. Chris and I are getting frustrated with the direction that medicine is taking. Too much testing and I agree that we're too quick to try to prevent and screen for too many things without better evidence.

Anyhow, greetings from CPT airport. Leaving in (hopefully) 2h and arriving home some time tomorrow. Won't recognize the place and the temperature will be a horrible shock. Bear with me a few weeks until I get organized enough to share.

Best to all who are struggling with health issues.

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Happy 150th birthday Canada! Thanks for sharing that with us Mysty.

Terry,

Have you recovered from that OSU loss? Or immersed in the political maelstrom?

Eagerly awaiting JPs travelogue report.

Twenty days til we sail but who is counting.🚢

jpalbny: Chris and I are getting frustrated with the direction that medicine is taking. Too much testing and I agree that we're too quick to try to prevent and screen for too many things without better evidence.

Anyhow' date=' [b']greetings from CPT airport[/b]. Leaving in (hopefully) 2h and arriving home some time tomorrow. Won't recognize the place and the temperature will be a horrible shock. Bear with me a few weeks until I get organized enough to share.

Best to all who are struggling with health issues.

Appreciate this great updating. Yes, by now or soon, Chris and JP should have returned to USA airspace. It's a long, long flight to return from South Africa. Look forward to hearing all of the details and seeing lots of visuals from JP.

Yes, am recovering from OSU's loss last weekend at "Happy Valley" in Pennsylvania. BUT, if Ohio State wins out, including beating Michigan, the Buckeyes could be in the National Championship Final Four. Michigan could also be in that top four even if they lose in Columbus in late November. Big UM battle in going to visit Michigan State today. Miami is at Notre Dame. Lots of good games today.

Been busy with work this past week, my wife's family visiting from Kansas, plus having a bout with the flu, getting a couple of gas line/leak issues solved, etc. Have visitors coming from Colorado Sunday night to stay at our home for a few nights. Were supposed to go down to Virginia to help with the grandsons Friday and this weekend, but my flu bug scrubbed that trip. American politics now? It's really "Trick or Treat" time!! That can be taken and/or twisted in several different ways right now.

Congrats on Canada's 150th birthday. Freedom from the UK??!!

Love to hear and discuss more on Chris' point about how medicine is changing, having too many tests, etc.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 159,284 views for this posting.

Got home an hour ago...all is well! It was a very long travel day - we spent our last evening on the CPT waterfront moping around, and left for the airport around 7:30 - and we arrived home at 8:30 tonight, 31 hours later!

The flight from CPT to AMS was really nice and I got about 6 hours of sleep. It helped that there was no time change and it left ~11PM. After a quick dinner and some wine, I was out like a light until 6:30. I also napped a little on the flight to Boston, which was good because we finished up the travel day with a 3-hour drive home.

I am also happy to report that all of our wine from South Africa arrived safely as well! We got some "wine checks" which are solid molded Styrofoam containers with tightly fitted lids, all enclosed in a zip-up nylon shell with handles. Each holds 6 bottles. Most wineries sell them, and you can pack them up with wine bottles and check them with your baggage. Since we flew biz, we could check up to 3 bags each so it was an easy thing for us to try. Fully loaded they weighed 9kg each.

The price is variable though; we found our two for ZAR 110 each which is stupidly cheap compared to the cost of shipping wine from South Africa to the US. At current exchange rates that's a whopping $7.95 for each 6-pack. Other places were selling them for ZAR 200 each. Glad we held out for the bargain price! The Styrofoam got a little banged up but should be reusable at least one more time if we want.

Flu? Terry, we have medicine for that nowadays. I brought some along with me on this trip just in case but didn't need it. ;) Hope you feel better soon!

Apologies if some of this is disjointed. Jet lag can do that to me. Good night all!