Tbay

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes . DGS (not the one with Covid) wanted ice cream for his birthday, so his Nana and Papa took him out on their boat to get the ice cream. At 3 years old, he has no idea how special that boat ride was, thru the heart of the 1000 Islands. Lucky boy.

I have now joined the other members of the family with Covid. None of us are very sick, and most are now feeling much better.  DD dropped off lunch today, from Rib Fest, as we couldn't go.  Yummy.  

@kb4683Belated birthday wishes for your DH

@dfishGlad to hear the suitcase arrived.  Exciting plans in your future.

Thank you to all who help keep this site running. And special thanks to those who post port pictures.  Nice to remember ports we have been to, and to see places we haven't been to.

Have a great rest of the day,

6 hours ago, 4966and556 said:

   I've been to Ponta Delgada as part of a TA in the spring of 2014. (I think that's when it was.)

Me too. And I know it was 2014, as my pregnant seasick daughter was with me!

@cunnorlHappy Anniversary! Enjoy your meal out.

@smitty34877Glad to hear most of you are doing well.  Hoping Tana will feel better soon.

@kazuI am sorry to hear about your fridge.  My less than 3 year old fridge needs repairs, and he isn't sure when the part will be available. Thankfully,  it is still working.  Meanwhile, the 30 year old fridge in the basement has never needed a repair.  You are doing a wonderful job with Shadow.  I was worried when I read about the Canadian ban, and relieved when Shadow arrived so quickly.

Prayers for all who are having medical issues, and safe travels for all those who are travelling.

Haven't posted much recently.  We have been renovating the 2nd floor.  Had all the ceilings reboarded as the stipple was falling off in chunks, as it wasn't properly installed.  Did 3 spare rooms, ceilings, paint and new carpet,  and then moved all the furniture again, and had the master bedroom and hallway ceilings done.  When the painter came back he found flaws in the drywaller's work, and wouldn't paint it.  And then ended up quitting.  We have finally found another painter, who is fitting us in when she finds herself with a day between booked jobs. We have been sleeping in a spare room since the beginning of June.  Sure would like to get back in to my own bed.

Last weekend we looked after our DGS's border collie pup.  They were here on Sunday to pick her up, and Monday tested positive.  Dh is now positive, but thankfully has only bad cold symptoms, and I am still feeling fine. And, of course, the painter had a day to give us, but we couldn't have her come.

Tomorrow was to be a joint birthday party for DGS and me, but that too has been put on hold.  Just grateful that no one is really sick.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

@JazzyVHaven't read the daily today. so I don't know if you got any replies.

Try     www.parksleephotels.com    

There are several hotels listed where you can leave a car.

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I'm not sure.  Is Vizcaya in Miami?  She and her two siblings go on an annual vacation with their Dad (parents divorced) and sometimes it's at the beach somewhere in Florida.

Vizcaya is in Miami.  Beautiful old home, on Biscayne Bay.

@StLouisCruisersCould the picture of your DGD be at Vizcaya?

12 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I'd better get those compression socks fast since those drives are long and that car doesn't stop until it needs fuel!  Bad for legs!

15 years ago we drove two, 8 hour days to go to see my Dad, who was not very well and in the hospital.  We had done this drive every year, for many years, with our kids, and always drove it in one very long day, and because of the kids we had to stop fairly often. Doing it in 2 days was easy.  And we only stopped for gas.  A few days after our arrival, DH couldn't catch his breath.  On the 2nd visit to Emerg, where my Dad was, conveniently,  in the closest room to Emerg, DH was diagnosed with 2 blood clots in his lungs.  He was very lucky.  The doctor told us to never drive more than 2 hours.  Get out and walk around the car.  DH was in the hospital for 9 days, and when he was admitted, DD was transferred to a hospital on the other side of the city!

@cowmilkerThank you for your input.  Not sure that we would do any other cruise we would need the vaccination for.

Thank you so much dawei.  This is what we plan to do. Our doctor said he would not get it himself. And is willing to write us an exemption letter. But when I read what regulations are in place for certain countries I got nervous. So thank you for your experience. We are looking forward to this cruise and have our fingers crossed that it isn’t cancelled. 

5 hours ago, cowmilker said:

We were also on Volendam for the Grand South America 2020 trip.

6 hours ago, dawei said:

We sailed on the Volendam (first time) for 2-1/2 months in Jan., 2020 ( around South America and Antarctica),

We are booked on the GSA 2023.  Did you have the yellow fever vaccination? If not, did you have any trouble? Thanks

8 hours ago, travelers07 said:

Everyone seems appropriately dressed- except for the robes in the Lido early morning. But to each his own.

Did this cruise in 2019. one man said he forgot his suitcase at home. Wore the same clothes for the entire cruise. Every day. Everywhere.  Black shirt with dragons and black jogging pants. First stop was Bar Harbour  and the second was Sydney, where there was a shuttle to WalMart. Could have picked up another outfit!

@StLouisCruisersMy condolences to Amy and the family. May their memories keep Buddy close in their hearts.

@marshhawkI understand what you are saying about Rick Steves. I checked in to his tours at one point, but limiting luggage to carry on, and all the walking.....not for us.  But, he does have good information on visiting sites. Giving you information on what there is to see, etc. An idea of the prices. You can also download his tours and listen to them at the site.  We did this with the Colosseum.  We also found his Mediterranean Cruise ports useful.  I always check the library to see if they have the books I want. Your cruise will be amazing.

24 minutes ago, HAL Sailer said:

Another tip: One of our banks provided us with a separate ATM card tied only to a separate, permanent Travel Account.

That's a great idea.  Will check with our bank. Thank you.

4 hours ago, kazu said:

The book is better than the movie - but that is true for so many movies made from books

Just borrowed the ebook from our library. Anxious to read it.

Thanks everyone for the pictures of today's port.  One for the bucket list.

I live in a city named after Sir Isaac Brock.

If you like blueberries......nothing like wild blueberries from Northern Ontario.  Yummy

7 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

We have a New England Canadian cruise planned for next year and I think Corner Brook is on the itinerary.  Looking forward to lots of photos today.

When we visited Corner Brook, at the Legion in Sandi's pictures, you could be 'screeched in".  A fun Newfie ceremony.  It's just up the street from the city hall.  

There was also a small tour train to tour around the city.  It was $2  in 2019.

16 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

I think to do the toboggan you need a helmet.

No helmet needed.  It isn't a scary ride.  They have full control over the sled, and how fast it goes.  Simply a ride, but very unique and fun.  The toboggans are taken back up on a flat bed.  The cable car is interesting too.  Goes over a neighbourhood.  Great views. 

@StLouisCruisersPrayers for Buddy and his family.

@marshhawkThe wicker toboggans are lots of fun.  The Terrace Homes at Ephesus are also very interesting  to see, but there are many stairs.

I have taken the train from the port to Rome, twice.  Going that direction, you have to walk down stairs, under the tracks, and back up the stairs, to get to the platform.  Hauling your luggage. Not sure if you have to do that coming from Rome. And, my husband had his backpack stolen getting off the train. So I would definitely recommend taking a car service.  It is worth the money.  When we did the Vatican we booked a tour.  They picked us up at the hotel, and we got to skip the line in to the Vatican. Past the very long line.  Sounds like a wonderful cruise. Enjoy.

It has been several years, but Alaska is the only cruise I have been on where they had 'loaner'  jackets/sports coats for those men not wearing one.  I know you wouldn't see that today.

2 hours ago, dfish said:

The only problem with next year's itinerary is that it doesn't do Prins Cristian Sund.  

That's too bad.  It was beautiful.  On our way back the ship sent a boat over to a small village with fresh produce and pizza and ice cream, and donations from the passengers and crew.

@JazzyV Please be very careful with your leg. A 'cruising' friend of mine who lives in NZ has had 2 bouts of cellulitis recently.  She was VERY sick the second time, and was in the hospital for over a week. 

We just paid for the Grand SA  2023  to get the discount.  Not as much as yours will be but will buy a few bottles of wine. We too, are in  a uxury inside cabin. Don’t spend much time there anyway. 

Happy Birthday Roy!

Thanks to RIch and Roy and all the others who contribute to this site.

@dfishYour recipes always look delicious.  Sweet babies. Is there a name yet?

@StLouisCruisersSending positive thoughts for negative tests.

@smitty34877I am sorry to hear Tana has had another set back. She has been through so much.

Have you ever thought about getting an Instant Pot?  I know you use your 'crack' pot. They are so quick, and make clean up easy. One pot.   Soups ready in about 1/2 an hour.  Just a thought.

As for gout.....someone else suggested cherry juice. My DH used to have gout attacks.  The doctor told him to drink black cherry juice, and it seemed to work.  Now he takes cherry concentrate tablets and hasn't had an attack in years.  They can be found in health food stores.  So much better than taking the gout drugs. 

I will celebrate International Yoga Day.  My DD recently opened a yoga studio, and had the ribbon cutting ceremony last Saturday.   @ger_77 There are chair yoga classes.  @rafinmdThe studio is in a building that originally housed a fire company.  It is on the historic building registry, near the city hall in Brockville.  Honouring the building, it is Engine House Yoga.

Heading out to pick up DGS from school, and meds for his sister, who has pneumonia.  Of course, DS is out of town, so we try to help DDIL.

Yes. Cannonballs or other offerings from the Dive in are a must try.    The $7 or $9 fee is per cabin.  Another choice is 'by the bag'.  It was $20 or $30 per bag, depending on where you are cruising.  They are cloth bags and you can stuff a lot in them. Roll larger items and then stuff smaller items like socks and underwear in.  Never had anything ruined.

7 hours ago, HAL Sailer said:

Prayers are asked for my DH's nephew (age 68) who was mowing his mother's lawn yesterday and going up a hill when the tractor tipped over on him. He has multiple injuries – fractured vetebra from mid-back to waist, broken ribs, fractured sternum, bruised lung, He has had surgery and rods, pins and screws were inserted to stabilize his spine. 

Sending prayers and positive thoughts for a full recovery.