TLCOhio

Appreciate from Colleen this follow-up. You mentioned Istanbul and that brings up a book that I just started reading by history author Roger Crowley. Am doing now Crowley book titled "City of Fortune" about Venice's rise to become a super important trading and maritime power. Venice's history was closely tied to and intertwined with Constantinople and trading to the East. Trading and sea power?? That connects with another book called "Conquerors" by New York Times bestselling author Roger Crowley. For those planning to visit for the first time or those seeking to dig deep on their history, this "Conquerors" book share details for the emergence of Portugal. This small, poor nation rose up to experience a century of maritime supremacy thanks to the daring and navigational skill of its explorers. This was an advantage no other country could match at the time. I checked and obtained both of these history books from our local Central Ohio library. Portugal’s discovery of a sea route to India, campaign of imperial conquest over Muslim rulers, and domination of the spice trade would forever disrupt the Mediterranean and build the first global economy. According to reviews, this book reveals the splendor and the personalities of the enterprising and fanatical house of Aviz. Figures such as King Manuel “the Fortunate,” João II “the Perfect Prince,” marauding governor Afonso de Albuquerque and explorer Vasco da Gama merged their private ambitions and the public aims of the empire. Also central to the story of Portugal’s ascent was its drive to eradicate Islamic culture and establish a Christian empire in the Indian Ocean. Portuguese explorers went after Indian port cities in their attempts to monopolize trade. The discovery of a route to India around the horn of Africa was not only a brilliant breakthrough in navigation but heralded a complete upset of the world order. As they say, "the rest is history"!! Look forward to reading this book after completing his Venice book. These empires involving trading dominance are both connected and fascinating. Any other books to suggest about Portugal for better understandings of these unique and dramatic histories affecting both Lisbon and Porto? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 101,204 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 Here is the cover of an interesting book detailing how Portugal created its global trading empire that fueled its power and wealth.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

From Yahoo News and this stock analyst earlier this week, they had this headline: “Will Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH) Report Negative Earnings Next Week?” with these highlights: “Norwegian Cruise Line is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended December 2022. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price. The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on February 28. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower. For Norwegian Cruise Line, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -3.93%.” Coming next week will be more details on the Norwegian finances and for analysis to ask detailed questions of the cruise company's top executives. Full story at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-nclh-report-150003618.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Dubrovnik! Visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this super scenic and historic location. Over 49,400 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

As of this morning late, all three cruise stocks are down more than 3%. That is a much deeper slide than what is happening with the overall stock market. More later today when NY Stock Exchange closes. From the Reuters newswire this morning, they had this headline: “U.S. travel companies experience high demand but economic worries cloud outlook” with these highlights: “Fears of recession and the impact of inflation on consumer budgets could curb a rebound in travel demand reported by U.S. travel companies in the fourth quarter, although bookings are holding up so far this year, analysts said. Several big names in the travel and leisure industry, including Airbnb Inc, Hilton Worldwide Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises are reporting faster rates of bookings in 2023 than in 2019 prior to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. travel spending in December 2022 totaled $97 billion, 3% above 2019 levels and 7% above 2021 levels, according to the U.S. Travel Association.” Here is more from their story: "The demand contrasts with declining home improvement sales and other discretionary purchases that have hurt furniture stores and retailers like Home Depot." Full story at: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-travel-companies-experience-high-145506309.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Kotor/Montenegro: Various visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 50,359 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

To prove that many locations and things around London have not changed too much, below are a few of my photos from our first visit to London and England in 1977. As I re-call that was during the Queen's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Time flies by fast!! Will post later a few more newer visuals to help folks consider the wide variety of many options there in London and nearby. Yes, the full story is at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/22/travel/things-to-do-london.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,051 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ The British do their bands, uniforms, etc., super well!! Here was a part of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Prior to today's newer London double-deck buses, here is how this form of transit looked back in 1977. This picture was taken at Trafalgar Square in front of the National Gallery that houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. Love visiting this popular art collection. This high column in the middle bears a statue of Admiral Nelson commemorating his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.: Here is the Tower Bridge, built between 1886 and 1894, that crosses the Thames River near the Tower of London.: Hampton Court Palace is a little out of the way from central London, but it is well worth a visit for its size, many historic buildings and rooms, plus its large gardens and grounds. Located 12 miles southwest and upstream of central London on the Thames River. The building of the palace began in 1514 for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, but is most known for its connections and use by King Henry VIII.:

From Travel+Leisure magazine yesterday, they had this headline by Alison Fox: “Venice's Beloved Canals Are Drying Up" with this sub-headline: "The city's smaller canals have been affected by Venice's current drought.” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Visitors heading to Venice may not see as many of the city's picturesque canals, or potentially enjoy a gondola ride, as the waterways have dried up due to a high-pressure weather system sitting over Italy. The dry weather has led to a stretch of ebb tides — or a receding current — that has left several of the city’s smaller canals dry and unable to support boat traffic, AP reported. That, in turn, has meant tourists can’t explore many of the beautiful secondary waterways by gondola as the canals often serve as Venice’s streets in the car-less city. The weather problems are multifaceted, blamed on a combination of lack of rain, a high pressure system, a full moon, and sea currents, Reuters reported.” Hopefully, this is only a temporary situation for a city that faces, at times, flooding. This story also noted: "Venice also plans to implement a fee for day trippers, but the start has been postponed and it was not immediately clear when it would go into effect." Full story at: https://www.travelandleisure.com/venice-italy-drought-canals-7112387 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Panama Canal? Early 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through Panama Canal. Our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Now at 31,790 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Having had a few events with kidney stones, YES, great point and added reason for me to avoid that Kale stuff. Great medical wisdom/warning. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Sorry for my goof on the link. Appreciate your getting the correct one posted. Very helpful. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From the New York Times Travel Section in December, they had this headline: “36 Hours London” with these highlights: “To the casual observer, London may present itself as a capital wedded to traditional and, at times, perplexing institutions, particularly over the past year, from the rotating cast of prime ministers to the choreographed schedule of mourning following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. In actuality, London is a complex knot of old and new. It is also an almost insurmountable task to try conquering the city in one weekend. This itinerary — which traverses an 1800s wine bar loved by a new generation, a night out in South London’s Caribbean heart, centuries of British art under one roof and riverside strolls — is here to help you unlock some of the city’s sprawling, youthful and diverse nature.” This lengthy profile has a wide range of ideas and options for restaurants and bars, attractions, shopping and markets, getting around, where to stay, etc. Many interesting visuals are also included. Have visited London and/or the area in 1977, 1997, 1998, 2006 and 2010. Might share later some of my visuals from our love of London, its history, character, style, people, food, architecture, etc. In this summary report, here is an example of one "hidden gem" they shared: "Bloomsbury is the heart of literary London — it was once home to Oscar Wilde and Charles Dickens, whose former home on Doughty Street is open to visitors — and there is no better place in the city to go book shopping. Visit Gay’s The Word, a small but mighty bookshop founded in 1979. Other highlights in the area are the secondhand bookshops Skoob Books and Judd Books. A 15-minute walk away is the bookshop for the London Review of Books. It has a beloved cafe where you can pore over your spoils with coffee and cake." Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/09/travel/things-to-do-barcelona.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 246,202 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/ Here is the NY Times graphic for this detailed profile about London.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

From the New York Times Travel Section in November, they had this headline: “36 Hours Barcelona” with these highlights: “In the 30 years since the Olympics turned Barcelona into a tourist magnet, the pull of the city’s architecture and food culture has only grown stronger. So much so, that the Catalan capital has become a key battleground in Europe’s fight against overtourism. Not all initiatives to lessen the crowds have triumphed: A moratorium on hotel construction survived only a couple of years. But in other areas, the balance has shifted in favor of locals: tighter restrictions regulate Airbnb rentals and the size of groups allowed to visit the Boqueria market. The restored Sant Antoni market is again bustling with fishmongers and butchers. Most strikingly, Barcelona’s 'superblock' initiative has turned chunks of the city into car-free, pedestrian playgrounds.” This lengthy profile has a wide range of ideas and options for restaurants and bars, attractions, shopping and markets, getting around, where to stay, etc. Many interesting visuals are also included. Have visited Barcelona in 1998 and 2011. Might share later some of my visuals from our love of Barcelona, its history, character, style, people, food, architecture, etc. In this summary report, here is an example of one "hidden gem" they shared: "With its undulating exterior, Casa Milà — better known as La Pedrera — is one of the city’s most iconic structures. Located in the Eixample district, it also offers a crash course in the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s astonishing design, from the botanically inspired elements he adored to the ingenious physics at play in his work." Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/09/travel/things-to-do-barcelona.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,051 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ Here is the NY Times graphic for this detailed profile about Barcelona.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

Appreciate this quick follow-up from Sue Ellen right here in Columbus, Ohio. Small world??!! Happy to share more and answer any and all questions. As a warning, Rome has such a wide range of great options that you need to research and prepare accordingly. Am I understanding correctly that your time for Rome will be limited to a net of only two days or maybe a little less in "net" time? Is St. Peter's Basilica high on your priority-so-see list? Also, the Vatican Museum? Tell us more!! Happy to hook up directly if that works for your interests and provide more background. What else are your interest for seeing and exploring in Rome? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 101,204 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 From my 1970 slides, below are two examples of the spectacular exterior of and around St. Peter’s. First is the front with one of the spectacular fountains in the foreground. Has it changed much in 60+ years? Second is a “high shot” from the top of the dome. St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world, holding 60,000 people. It was “built to impress” and it does! Construction of the present Basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. The dome of St. Peter's rises 448 feet from the floor of the basilica to the top of the external cross. It is the tallest dome in the world. Michelangelo redesigned the dome in 1547, taking design ideas from Florence’s famed church. St. Peter's Square is vast, 1,115 feet long by 787 feet wide. As you tell, my visuals are from back in history when cars were allowed to park in the massive square. Not allowed these days.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) The ruins of the Roman Forum offer a glimpse for what was the social and political center of Imperial Rome. There is a large collection of remains from temples to Roman gods, public baths, imperial arches, basilicas, the Roman senate, where Caesar’s funeral happened, etc.: Piazza Navona is an elliptically-shaped area on the site of an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium. Now, it is one of modern Rome's premier gathering points with its famous Baroque fountain, Fountain of the Four Rivers (1651), by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It has a notable baroque church, Sant'Agnese in Agone, plus many dining places and areas to walk around, soaking up the great sights and amazing history.: Trevi Fountain might be Rome’s most celebrated fountain and one of world’s most famous. It took about 30 years to build (from 1732 to 1762) and depicts Neptune, the god of the sea. Visitors toss coins into the water in hopes to guarantee a return to Rome. It is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and at a terminal point for one of Rome's ancient aqueducts. It was designed by Nicola Salvi, with influences from Bernini. This fountain famously appears in the films Roman Holiday, La Dolce Vita, etc. The second picture shows its large front, but the first shows how this fountain sits much below street level and is surrounded by a close mix of large buildings. It is 85’ wide by 66’ high. In person, this tight physical site has a very different "feel" than what you might expect.:

From the New York Times Travel Section in December, they had this headline: “36 Hours Rome” with these highlights: “Rome, usually a city on the verge of an urban breakdown, suddenly seems on the cusp of getting it together. A refreshing breeze of possibility, not just this summer’s burning garbage, is blowing through the city. The city is hoping to host World Expo 2030, a potentially transformative prize that could improve infrastructure and reimagine Rome’s rugged eastern neighborhoods — though even now they percolate with energy. Whether it be sumptuous palaces or new restaurants eager to break free of the carbonara yoke, Rome seems eager to stop resting on its wilted laurels.” This lengthy profile has a wide range of ideas and options for restaurants and bars, attractions, shopping and markets, getting around, where to stay, etc. Many interesting visuals are also included. Have visited Rome in 1970, 1999 and 2011. Might share later some of my visuals from our love of Rome, its history, character, style, people, architecture, etc. In this summary report, here is an example of one "hidden gem" they shared: "Rome is a city of secrets. Behind beat-up facades are sprawling gardens and sparkling palaces. Palazzo Colonna may be the most well-managed and jaw-dropping of them all. Rooms drip with art, and the private apartments of Princess Isabelle are packed with treasures. Polyglot staff members will tell you about the room Michelangelo hung out in; the bored princess who took the (visitable) secret passageway when she escaped dressed as a man; the rare ancient marbles; and the 18th-century insomnia clock." Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/12/01/travel/things-to-do-rome.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 256,051 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ Here is the NY Times graphic for this detailed profile about Rome.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this week, they have this headline: “36 Hour Miami” with these highlights: “The pandemic’s onset roused people to flock to Miami for the beaches, low taxes, limited public health restrictions and its year-round summery weather. That resettling brought a business boom to South Florida, which included a flurry of restaurant openings and new public art displays. But some locals attribute rising rents to this new migration, and describe sudden changes to the cultural fabric as a 'New Yorkification' of Miami. This guide is designed to give you the best of both new and old Miami, with a focus on its Latin American and Caribbean cultures. Here you’ll find a salsa club in Little Havana, interactive art in Allapattah, a rooftop bar with striking views of downtown, and a remarkable meshing of Cuban and American cuisine that defines how this city eats.” This lengthy profile offers a wide range of options in the Miami area for restaurants and bars, shopping and galleries, where to stay, etc. Plus, many colorful and interesting pictures!! Here is an example for one of their suggestions: "South Beach, Miami’s most popular destination, can feel tacky and chaotic. A better place to swim in the warm, turquoise ocean and sunbathe on wide swaths of sand is at Surfside Beach. There are miles of bike and running paths along the town’s beaches. Parking is much easier here, too." Earlier last year after nearly two weeks in the Florida Keys, we had two days in the Miami area, including visiting Little Havana. Here is what this profile shares for this popular location: "The Little Havana neighborhood has been the heart of the Cuban exile community since the 1960s. Its demographics have changed, but the area is still the hub for Cuban culture, food and political protests." Might share later some of my Little Havana visuals and experiences. Feel free to post here your suggestions and secrets for enjoying and experiencing the wide variety of options in and around Miami. Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/02/23/travel/things-to-do-miami.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,033 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

Need more "proof" and evidence that Bangkok is worth visiting? I am sharing below some more of my visuals from our three days in this Thai capital. Will share more later. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 101,204 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226 The Emerald Buddha is a meditating religious figure. It is made of a semi-precious green jasper and is clothed in gold, 26 inches tall. It is housed in the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) on the grounds of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. Second is inside another temple in the large complex.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here is the exterior of the Grand Palace that was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) starting in 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. Below is another angle of this Palace, plus a sampling of the changing of the guard at this historic location. The Grand Palace is still used for official events and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.: During our main Bangkok river exploring, here was an example for how some housing is built and people operate along these waterways.:

Appreciate this great follow-up question. When we did Bangkok in early 2018, we flew to the Thai capital from Hong Kong, had three days there and then went by air to Ho Chi Minh City before starting a sailing up the Mekong River to Cambodia's great attractions. For those on most SE Asia cruises, here is the bottom-line challenge. A high percentage of the cruise ships dock at the port of Laem Chabang on the Gulf of Thailand. That location is about two hours south of Bangkok, the nation's capital. There are a few smaller ships that dock at Klong Toey on the Chao Phraya River, near the outskirts of the big city. So the challenge with Bangkok (plus Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) is that there is no close and handy cruise docking location right in or these major cities in Southeast Asia. That means lots of time commuting from the ship and back. Do you have two days for Bangkok with your cruise ship schedule? Maybe you could do an overnight stay in Bangkok to avoid wasting so much time commenting back and forth? Any other questions or info needs? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 246,202 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

Agree, Lois, you summarized the "Kale Challenge" in an excellent manner with your above "too bitter" comment. On the weather, this is hard to imagine. See below our forecast today in Central Ohio from AccuWeather. Yesterday, I was in touch with friends in Texas near San Antonio and they said it was 88F on the way to a high of 91F. Wow!! But, here is what the same service is reporting for the state just north of us in Michigan: "Michigan was one of the hardest-hit states with over 600,000 customers without power at one point Thursday morning. In the Northeast, shoveling snow was like shoveling "cement" in one part of the region." Are those in Canada and the Northeast ready for what is coming? Link for more from AccuWeather: https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/live-news/live-updates-winter-storm-snow-ice-blizzard-warnings/1487091 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio For Central Ohio today from AccuWeather:

How best to process Kale?? Loved Davey's cute suggestion/graphic of using coconut oil to prepare the Kale to make it easier for scraping it into the trash. Seriously, in my mind, the best "prep" might for me would involve having about four or five large margaritas, frozen with salt, to drink before doing any Kale. Would that help prep my body and numb my mind for that experience? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree with Mysty, Davey, rojaan19, etc., Kale and Tofu are not for me. Life is too short to be ruining it with such bad memories and terrible tastes. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Agree on Canadians being great neighbors. Super enjoyed late summer exploring all over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton island, etc. On that graphic, it is not "my map", it was a product of the New York Times, a supposedly very "international" newspaper. Do not know why they blocked out the Canada details. Below is a map this evening from AccuWeather that provides more details for what is coming soon for these parts of Canada, the NE/New England areas, etc. Many areas of Canada and the northern U.S. are going to be getting 6"+ of snow. Burr!!! Watch out, J.P.!! This map shows Albany, NY, and what is headed there soon. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From: https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/waterloo/n2j/weather-forecast/55073

Bad weather coming!! Fortunately here in Central Ohio, we will not get hit too hard. BUT, for many other parts of the U.S. and Canada, there will be lots of snow. See the NY Times map below. How are all affected prepared and ready? Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/upshot/snow-forecast-totals-lookup.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Yes, it was smart, savvy marketing to have astronauts drink it and paid to be featured in ads. But, that didn't make Tang taste great like real, fresh orange juice. To be honest, I did like Velveeta cheese. Tasted good to me and my youthful taste buds. We now know the real cheese is much better, but back in those days, we did not have as wide of access to the huge range of real cheeses that we can now access these days. Amazing how many different cheeses are out there these days from all over the world. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate these nice visuals and history from our friend in Brazil. Looked up Sabara. Seems kind of at a distance from any locations we might visit in the future. But, good to know and learn more about this historic background for this part of the Brazil's past. Great sharing!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Sorry, Spins, I am with Mysty and others in saying "No! NO!!" to Tang. Never liked it. After you have enjoyed very good, fresh, cold Florida Orange Juice, why settle for a terrible imitation? Tang was NOT a case of "Better Living through Chemistry". THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Where are are stocks, especially the three major cruise line values, headed for the rest of this quarter and later the year?? Up or down? From the Wall Street Journal late yesterday afternoon, they had this top headline: “Dow Industrials Drop More Than 600 Points on Interest-Rate Concerns" with this sub-headline: "JPMorgan strategists warn this quarter could mark U.S. equities’ high for the year.” Here are a few of their reporting highlights: “U.S. stock indexes and government-bond prices dropped Tuesday, dragged down by a disappointing forecast from Home Depot and growing concerns that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. After rallying sharply to kick off 2023, stocks have stumbled in recent weeks as hot economic data has made investors anxious about the trajectory of U.S. monetary policy. Although inflation has fallen from its recent peak, it remains high.” Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-update-02-21-2023-a7067caf THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 50,560 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008 From the Wall Street Journal late yesterday, below is their chart for the S&P 500 stocks during the past week. Rather downward?.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see this visual larger/better!)

We live about three hours by car from East Palestine, Ohio. That village of a little under 5,000 people is just south of Youngstown and right next to the Pennsylvania border. Yes, this is a real mess and we still do not know how it will all "work out" for the innocent residents/victims there. Did a TV news program Friday afternoon about this situation. Have followed the detailed briefings closely and talked with a number of Ohio experts. The good news? Both political sides and even MSNBC and Fox News have been united in saying how bad things have been. All sides point to a major need for serious legal reforms. From talking with an experienced rail insider, things go back to the 1970's when many eastern railroads went through bankruptcies and various mergers resulted. The Feds took over all regulations. Controls and oversight has been weakened during recent decades. Changes legally are needed!! All agree. Norfolk Southern will not win any PR awards for how they have handled these issues and failed to keep the public properly informed. For people there in that village, their water was been tested and these deeper municipal wells are OK for now. But, homes and farms with shallower, private wells are at at a greater risk and need to be tested individually, plus using bottled water. Longer-term, there are serious questions as to how this all will affect home and property values there in this community. Rail transportation is now realized as a more vital national part of our "supply chain". And do you want too many tanker trucks on our Interstate highways hauling certain of these dangerous materials? Many such high-risk compounds cannot go via the safety pipelines. It all needs serious attention and action. Fortunately, this de-railment did not happen in a highly-populated urban area with a major loss of life. Hope this is not too much background and/or details. Any other questions? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this follow-up from our Canada/Arizona travel friend. Yes, excellent private guides can make a very positive difference. Fortunately when we visited in and around Cape Town and South Africa, the exchange rate was good and we were able to afford different private guides whose expertise fit perfectly for our needs in each different location. My tip on private guides? Look at sites such as TripAdvisor, identify four or five potential guides or tour services, write them individually with specific questions as to your personal needs and interests. See who responds and actually reads and pay attention to what you are asking. Narrow down to those who are reasonable in pricing/value, paying close attention to your needs, etc. I would ignore those who just give you back their bland "formula" offerings that don't or won't customize to your personal style and interest. If you going to do a "private tour", making it work for you, not just the guide's easiest routines. Our personal guides made things super great in South Africa. On such private tours, we love having real "conversations" with our guides to learn more and explore these scenic and fascinating areas. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 71,033 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/