Sharon in AZ

Good afternoon from the sunny Santa Catalina Mountains where it’s very breezy. We are enjoying watching the birds, chipmunks and squirrels. We are having steak and baked potatoes for lunch, although a bit late. Tonight I think it’s just leftovers. DGD has asked for cheese tortillas and beans. Later….. Have a great day everyone!

Recently on the Volendam there was an Orange Party about once a week. I was on three segments, a total of 32 days. As others mentioned there was no advance notice but it was posted on the Daily program. In the early evening tables were set up with displays of orange drinks and some decorations. The shops had orange items for sale. The parties had a good turnout and were a huge hit. Many enjoyed the line dancing. Sometimes it was hard to find a place to sit. The bars were hopping. I had my DH but an orange tie and I had an orange top and an orange feather hair clip. Lots of fun!

The senior community residence that my DM is in takes small pets. I see a few dogs every time I visit.

Good morning and Happy Thursday from the Santa Catalina Mountains where it’s chilly—at least for us it’s chilly. My nature picture was taken from the back deck of a bluebird, not sure what kind. Yesterday we had ribs that I had premade at home along with baked beans and potato salad. Sandwiches were for dinner. Today we are having pizza, I made the dough last week and froze it, it’s now on the counter getting warm and cozy. I hope it comes out good on the grill because this is the first time I’ve done pizza here. I pre make about 90% of our meals when we come to the cabin because there is only a grill and a tiny microwave/convection oven that blows hot air and I have to sit on a stool to use it and use a flashlight to see the dials. Craig will be going down the mountain tomorrow to pick up DGD Summer for the weekend and she might stay with us for the week depending upon internet connection. She is in online Summer School. I’ve brought extra food for her and we hope she can stay. Have a great day everyone!

Graham, yes the heat and humidity are a big consideration, however don’t let that stop you from going. There are many ways to avoid it, like just viewing from inside the ship especially the Crow’s Nest. I just went out for a bit once in a while and also went out on the shaded side of the ship on walk around deck which was great. There are many excursions in the hot and humid area that are only in buses like scenic drives. It’s a spectacular cruise! Your description of your Mother’s retirement community sounds exactly like my own DM’s. Hi Jane! Yes that’s exactly what I’m hoping about the pool. Wish we had solar. Thank you for the well wishes, yes I’m feeling much better. I’ve been on my meds full dose for 3 weeks now and yesterday was the first day that I wasn’t nauseous. Again, I’m sorry I had to bail out of our planned excursion to Butchart Gardens. I think some people in customer service feel the need to be pushy about “stuff”. It makes them feel powerful. Having worked in that area for my entire working years I always made sure that I treated others like I would want to be treated.

That or she’s jealous that you are navigating it so well.

Good morning and Happy Wednesday from beautiful Tucson. The high today will be 98F. But our pool is still too cool for us, it’s hovering at 78-80. We prefer it 85 or above and it doesn’t get there until we have a few days over 100. That is supposed to happen this weekend but we won’t be here to enjoy that. We are heading to Mt Lemmon for a week where it will be in the high 70’s. I am going to really need my nap today because I don’t have time to get my “second sleep” in, like Maxine @AncientWanderer calls it. We need to be on the road by 10:00 to get up the mountain. Thank goodness it really isn’t that far but I make Craig drive about 5 miles an hour under the speed limit, yikes I don’t like the twisty road, aka the Hitchcock Highway (not that Hitchcock though). If you are interested this is what Wikipedia has to say: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Lemmon Have a great day everyone!

Graham, actually this isn’t true, IMHO. I have never experienced bug problems during my two previous Panama Canal cruises, the most recent one was just last month and April. And trust me, bugs know how to find me. It’s possible that what you heard were people who went on land excursions and I think that those are only offered for partial transit cruises, I’m not sure though. After our transit one of the ports was Costa Rica and I went on a scenic bus tour. On the bus one lady told me she had doused herself with bug spray and had gotten some near her eyes and was rubbing them and had almost used up the entire bottle. I scratched my head over this one because I never saw more than a stray fly.

Good morning! As usual I’m awake in the predawn hours but might be able to get a couple more hours of sleep. Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for posting the links to the previous threads for the port of the day. Makes it so much easier to post pictures. This is what I posted on June 26, 2021: We were in Key West January 10, 2015 on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We just walked around and visited a few places. It must have been a Saturday: We had to see the Hemingway House and the cats, although we didn't really get a good picture of the cat's toes: We went to eat at an outdoor cafe/bar and had friends join us: And had to get the obligatory key lime pie dipped in chocolate on a stick: Edited June 26, 2021 by Sharon in AZ travelingbums, smitty34877, sailingdutchy and 22 others 25

Happy Belated Birthday to Chuck @catmando! Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking— you can do it! I’ve never smoked but my DM did for years and quit during the shutdown because she couldn’t get anyone to buy her cigarettes and deliver them, her senior citizen community where she lives had strict guidelines on deliveries and visitations.

Really loving your reports and pictures. And no, you are not posting too many pictures! Absolutely beautiful!

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier—Several different HAL excursions, some are short, some longer giving you time to do some hiking, and one that also includes a salmon bake lunch that’s really good. Skagway: The train! Best Alaska excursion I’ve been on. Several versions, one goes up and back—no getting off, and some go up on the train then getting off with a variety of different things to do and bus back down. We also enjoyed walking around the quaint small town. Ketchikan: We usually just walk around, making sure to walk past Dolly’s house and shop. Great shopping and I usually purchase my gifts and souvenirs here. We also eat lunch here. Just make your friends know that one cruise won’t be enough!

Is this your cruise? If so then it is the Rotterdam. The Koningsdam is in the Pacific, doing Hawaii, Mexico, Coastal, and Alaska. Enjoy! It looks like a great itinerary.

🐰 🐰 🐇 Good morning and Happy Thursday from sunny Tucson. I have been under the weather for a few days, having some side effects problems from restarting my Otezla. I had stopped taking it during my cruise (long story). But hopefully the side effects will tapper off and I’ll be back to normal soon. I read the Daily but missed some milestones. Happy Belated Birthday to Ann @cat shepard and Jacqui @kazu. Happy Belated Anniversary to @Horizon chaser 1957. And Belated Birthday wishes to Pat @Vict0riann’s DH. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. If I did it isn’t intentional. The Heimlich maneuver is a lifesaver and hits close to home. While packing for our New England/Canada cruise in 2009 I was in too much of a rush and swallowed a vitamin wrong. I ran downstairs to Craig, who was in the shower, and told him the best I could that I needed help. He didn’t quite understand and said he’d be a few more minutes. I persisted and he finally realized the problem I was having. It took a few tries but he saved me. Very scary. I promptly threw away those big vitamins! For those who don’t like tilapia you might try swai. It’s a great substitute and we prefer it’s flavor. Debbie @dfish, those spring rolls look amazing! We had a great time with the family on Sunday evening. I was just disappointed that DGD didn’t come because she wasn’t feeling good. DGS wore a tie and we all enjoyed the spectacle when the cowbell rang and the tie was cut. Somehow we didn’t get a picture. But they stayed for the show. Have a great day everyone!

Bob Voyage! Enjoy your cruise. ⛴

Wow, all the flower pictures are beautiful. And the memes are really funny today. It holds a special place in our hearts, sort of corny but true. Yes, they still cut the ties. Once, back in the day, probably about 1983 or so, DH wore a tie to work every day and we had a routine of going out to eat on Friday nights when our kids were young. He was rushed that evening so just wore his work clothes. Thank goodness the server realized he had come straight from work so whispered asking him that he might want to take his tie off. I also had a first date there back in high school before the fire. Plus many family and friends get togethers. So lots of fond memories. Ann, I love this! RIP Tina.

Bon Voyage!! ⛴⛴⛴

Good morning and Happy Sunday from beautiful Tucson. Our pool is still too cold to use. Maybe someday we can get solar for it. I love couscous and used to make it frequently. I need to make it soon because Tina’s recipes reminded me how much I love it. My favorite is from Ina Garten. You could definitely change the nuts and currants for what you like and add chicken if you want. I’m actually not a big fan of curry but in this it’s very subtle. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/curried-couscous-recipe-1951578 I also have made this one which uses pearl couscous aka Israeli couscous. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/israeli-couscous-and-tuna-salad-recipe-3381642 I invited our family out for dinner tonight. I wanted to have them over but I just don’t like cooking for 10 people anymore. It will be fun seeing everyone all together and it should be enjoyable because we are going to Pinnacle Peak. @Nickelpenny will know what restaurant that is. Even DM is going to come! I hope everyone has a great day and for those celebrating also enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend, and not forget what the day is for.

@Denise T — Bon Voyage! Enjoy your cruise. ⛴

I am so sorry about Fluff. I’m sure she knew your loving care in her last days. 💔

Congratulations on your retirement! BTW, I never realized that you were in Tucson until early this morning when I was reading the Daily on my iPad. (Locations don’t show on my iPhone.) You mentioned school nurses and I want to thank you for your dedication and service. The TUSD school nurse at my DD’s elementary school really was a godsend in 1992 when she had several seizures at school. Enjoy your retirement! And I agree with you about the heat! I often go outside to warm up after being in a public place with freezing air conditioning.

Thank you Jake for your cruise review and pictures. I’m really enjoying everything you have posted. For those questioning the wine list, please do not go by the printed bar menu. I just completed 32 days on the Volendam and my favorite wines from the bar menu and/or previous recent cruises were not available, nor was beer from the bar menu. Just ask at each bar for your favorite and see what they have available. I finally adapted after being disappointed that my favorite Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc was no where to be seen. And yes, the MDR and some bars or specialty restaurants have different wines than say the Ocean Bar or Crow’s Nest. I often overheard people asking for certain things from the menu, especially wine and beer, and it not being available. I have to say that my favorite bartenders knew what I wanted and would let me know when something new came along.

Good early afternoon from a wonderfully dry warm Tucson. I love early summer in Tucson, my favorite time of year. Most love the fall or the winter but I love late May and June because usually the wind has died down from spring and the temps are warm and hot but dry. Late June and July it can be humid if it's an active monsoon season. Debbie @dfish, so happy to hear your surgery went well and that you are home. Heal fast and take care. Gerry @ger_77, Happy Mid-calendar Birthday to you!! How fun to have a special day separate from your actual birthday since it is already a holiday to celebrate something else. I loved my 32 day cruise on the Volendam. It actually didn't feel like 32 days. I loved the ship, really forgot how much I love the smaller ships, I actually didn't mind being in an inside cabin but don't think I could do a longer cruise without a window. I loved the ratio of sea days to port days, I prefer sea days with a scattering of port days. I didn't do as many excursions as I had planned, in Victoria the high tea was cancelled due to lack of participation and I missed Butchart Gardens because I just wasn't up to all the walking after Seattle. I loved the cooking class in Costa Rica but hated the drive there, I loved the salsa class in Cabo but hated the steps without a handrail, although I discovered a steep ramp instead, which I used both down and up, the resort was beautiful. I really didn't enjoy Aruba as much as I thought I would but really, really loved Grand Turk--absolutely beautiful. The Panama Canal was spectacular, of course. The Alaska segment felt like a totally different ship and feel. A very different demographic, more children and younger couples. I'm glad that Craig decided to join me for Alaska, and it was worth changing cabins. I loved being able to look outside the glass door to the verandah to view the scenery anytime I wanted. My favorite was the train in Skagway and I really hope to do that tour again without 6 little children in the car, sorry young parents, but it's the truth. Since we had been to the other ports I wasn't too disappointed that we didn't go ashore in Juneau. Glacier Bay was beautiful and I am really thankful that we experienced it early in the season, the first time was late in the season. Of course, there is much more but those are the highlights as they have settled in my mind. Have a great day everyone!

Good afternoon and Happy Tuesday from Tucson where it is hot and dry and lovely. Half Moon Cay is a favorite and we’ve been there too many times to count. First time was shortly after the purchase when not much was there except lounge chairs. Another time we rented a cabana but it was soon after they were built so the price wasn’t too bad. The most recent time was on the Rotterdam Holiday cruise 2021/2022. My favorite picture was taken by the ship photographer. Of course I had to buy it. Someone built an elaborate sand castle.

Good afternoon everyone and Happy Monday. I have been remiss in not posting since I’ve been home to let you all know that we got home safely from Vancouver last week. It was a very long day and we got home late. I’ve been busy ever since catching up with various things, most especially my DM and several of her doctor appointments. Plus we’ve had our DGD for 3 nights and snuggling with Blue. Poor thing never seems to sleep when he’s at the Pet Resort and will sleep all day and night when he gets home. Before all that sleep he ran around the house and checked out every room, then went outside and checked every corner of the yard. Probably just to make sure everything was the same. He seemed so joyous and happy running around. Of course I’m very behind on the Daily but hope everyone is well and either enjoying being on a cruise or planning a cruise. Have a great day everyone!