rafinmd

Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit, Thank you Sandi, Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie, and Ann. Temperatures will be warm but with rain and strong winds (but tornadoes should miss us). I'll pass on the days today and hope nothing destructive for April Fools Day. Interesting quote by Burgess. I have not been to Hammerfest, and will pass on the Taco. My alternative is Papaya with Rainbow of Fruit, Balil Crusted Veal Medallion with Morels, Tiramisu, and Devils Food Cake as served on MS Zaandam April 1, 2017: Roy

Sadly, no. In fact you just reminded me to update my signature, I had cruises booked for late April and mid summer but have cancelled both. I still don't feel like I have the strength for cruising, and the sudden onset of the latest problem reminded me that It may not be a good idea to be overseas when things happen. I still maintain hopes for an early October New England/Canada on QM2 (and hate to give it up because it would be my first Grills experience and was booked with credit from the cancelled 2020 World Cruise so I probably get nothing back if I cancel. I'm also booked on a November Panama Canal voyage through the new locks although my cruising days may now be great memories. Roy

As I recall we sat so they could clean the bottom of our boots. Have you been? What ship? Roy

You should be at the Iberville cruise terminal pretty close to the center of town: It appears there are several rental companies close to the port but the question is will they be open to a one way rental to the US. I would suggest starting with your favorite rental company and trying a mock booking from a central Montreal location to see what they come up with, Roy

I'm thinking the Zuiderdam must be in a wifi dead zone. I saw yesterday that one of the bloggers (either @tennisbeforewine or @The Inside Cabin had indicated that some people were supposed to go ashore in Dakar for medical treatment, some to stay and others for tests and to return to the ship. The only one I've heard from today is @WCB that they had made it ashore but don't know if any were able to get their tests done and return to the ship. I also hope the fuel level is ok and they aren't short on too many fresh supplies. Roy

It was a very easy copy and paste the Crusoe pictures. I had actually thought about going off script and posting about a port that will never be Port of the Day. In 2018-19 I was fortunate to visit three places far from the beaten path. In 2018 on the Crystal Symphony I visited in order Pitcairn, Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island. On the 2019 Prinsendam Grand South America I returned to Crusoe and one even more isolated place, so isolated that we didn't actually get permission to visit on such a large ship until a few days before arrival. Before we were allowed to go ashore we were required to take training, have all our gear inspected, and given tender tickets to make visits limited to 2 hours per person. The place is Grytviken, South Georgia Island. Crew had been sent ashore in advance to be sure we didn't stray past our allowed paths. Some of the buildings we saw but were not allowed to enter. My first destination was the cemetery but there was a lot of wildlife to pass carefully on the trail including these molting penguins and an elephant seal. Some graves that interested me. Shackleton's grave is top left: The waiting Elegant Explorer and the grave of Shackleton's right hand man: : The dorm where whalers stayed. It was not open but looked great: The church. It was originally Lutheran but now more associated with the Anglican Church. It is occasionally used for weddings, funerals, and cultural events. It is in excellent condition and the balcony is open with ropes for the bell at the back of the balcony. Many of us rung the church bell. There was a pump organ near the pulpit: The museum with a lot of equipment out front: Biosecurity was critical and we were required to have our boots cleaned before returning to the ship. This is pretty much the most isolated place I have ever been, One can visit Pitcairn for a stay via the mail boat, it is possible but difficult to get to Robinson Crusoe by air, modern air service to Easter Island but except for very opportunities like mine South Georgia is only accessible by Expedition Ship or private boat. Roy

My second visit to Crusoe was on the Prinsendam Grand South America in January, 2019. I actually took fewer photos the second time around even though the weather was nicer. First, here's the tsunami damage almost a year later. The building in the container is the post office: One of the obvious sites in town is the "Patriot Caves". The first 2 photos (caves and trail to them) were from my first visit. The weather was nicer in 2019 and I went into one of the caves: There are almost no cars on the island and this is a typical "street": The town clinic is one of the nicer buildings: Finally, if you take a right turn leaving the tender pier there's a nice little park type area with benches and play fields. There are a couple of pretty strenuous hikes on the island and this would be a great place to relax afterwards: Roy

I've been to Robinson Crusoe Island twice, both times within a year. Otherwise, it isn't an easy place to get to. My first visit was on the Crystal Symphony in 2018: https://www.leeabbamonte.com/south-america/getting-to-robinson-crusoe-island.html There is also a supply ship that comes twice a month and carries 12 passengers, with priority given to citizens of Chile: Even on a cruise ship, the tender landing is not the easiest The first step off the tender was to grab a rope hanging from the rusty framework of the dock: This is from the town as seen from the harbor: The town was hit by a tsunami in 2017. Recovery was apparently quite slow. I hope to post photos similar to this from my 2019 visit on the Prinsendam in my next post: The main street runs uphill from the dock: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. March 31 was a sea day from Ushuaia to Puerto Montt. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. March 31 was a sea day from Ushuaia to Puerto Montt. Roy

@Seasick Sailor I hope you feel better soon. For myself improvement has been too slow to see a change from day to day but I have recently noticed some changes. Last Sunday I went to church in person for the first time since around Halloween I found it very difficult to breathe with a mask on after leaving the hospital and even a few weeks ago found it difficult just while sitting in a doctor's waiting room. While in church it was actually fine and although I've been slow to go back I wore it today in Wegmans and it was fine there. Now I need to break my recent bad habits, but there is improvement however slow. Luggage Forward's active role with the bags is getting it to and from the ship, a regular shipper (usually Fedex or UPS does the actual shipping. Was yours Fedex, UPS, or someone else? They are probably responsible but I think you need to report it to Luggage Forward as they are the shipper's customer of record. There sure has been a rash of damaged luggage lately. Roy

Happy Friday. Thank you Rich, Sandi, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie, I think I posted all my Crusoe photos last time. I haven't seen a Bunsen Burner or used a crayon in decades. I love the Osler quote but will pass on both the snapper and the clam broth. My alternative is Pineapple, Kiwi, Strawberry Passion Fruit Cup, Prime Rib of Beef, and Peach Crisp as served on MS Zaandam March 31, 2017. A chilly day with rain overnight but at least holding off until I am back from Wegmans this morning. Roy

I don't know of any other webcams but was hoping she would dock at Mallory Square which is less blocked. She's in Miami tomorrow (hoping for Terminal J and overnight in Nassau April 1 and 2. Roy

Just a quick not that the Elegant Explorer is currently arriving in Key West: https://www.keywestharborwebcam.com/ Roy

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from the 2018 Crystal World Cruise. March 30 was the first day of a 2-day stay at Easter Island: Roy

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from the 2018 Crystal World Cruise. March 30 was the first day of a 2-day stay at Easter Island: Roy

Wow! Roy

Happy almost Friday. Thank you Rich, Sandi, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. I love walks in the woods but have not been since my fall. I'd like to be in control but it seems more unlikely, and am very indebted to a number of Doctors. I have not been to Katakolon but love the Einstein quote. It's cold again today. I'd prefer the ham without the asparagus. My alternative is Chilled Apricot Soup with Snow Egg, Blackened Chicken Caesar Salad, and Mango Blueberry Crisp as served on MS Zaandam March 30, 2017: Prayers for calm and peace in Dakar and Senegal. Sad that the Zuiderdam hod to make the stop just for supplies today. Roy

Bon Voyage Rotterdam Roy

Our friends and toots: Roy

I definitely see the stacks Roy

One of my favorite destinations in Honolulu is Diamond Head but I'm not sure I could handle it now. In 2020 I got there on "The Bus" and the trail first takes a tunnel into the crater: Diamond head served as an outlook in WW2 but the trail to the top is difficult and there's a hoist to get equipment up to the outlook point: Diamond Head Light from the top: The view from the summit: And some of the steps: Roy

@Vict0riann you might also want to go to a pharmacy to get vasoline just in case it wasn't packed. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2014 stay in Cape Town when I spent a few days between the Crystal Serenity and MS Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale. On March 29 I walked to the end of the jetty for the sunrise.. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2014 stay in Cape Town when I spent a few days between the Crystal Serenity and MS Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale. On March 29 I walked to the end of the jetty for the sunrise.. Roy