Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Two

[jpalbny]

Only 11, Terry. If cruising through Fiordlands for half a day doesn't count, then 10.

 

3. Machu Picchu (Peru) - did this on our own for 2 days. Stayed in the Sanctuary Hotel overnight. Best part was climbing Huayna Picchu. What a view!

6. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona) - fantastic! Climbed about halfway down the Bright Angel trail then back. Earned a nice lunch and drinks.

7. Colosseum (Rome) - have been twice. Still amazing.

9. Alhambra (Granada, Spain) - drove here while spending a week in Marbella. What a complex! Would love to live here...

10. Aya Sofya (Istanbul) - The size and scale of this building boggles the mind. And I loved how you could get up close to the artwork, icons, etc.

13. Petra (Jordan) - Breathtaking. Hiked all the way up to the treasury. Would have stayed longer if possible.

15. British Museum (London) - spent hours here. Didn't want to leave! Can't believe it's free.

16. Sagrada Familia Cathedral (Barcelona) - visited in 2008. Will we be back there for Christmas? Maybe...

17. NZ's Fjordland National Park - cruised here with Oceania. Misty, foggy, rainy, and magical.

18. Santorini (Greece) - cruise stop. Definitely need to return, stay a few days, and get off the beaten path.

19. Galapagos Island (Ecuador) - wildlife. Scenery. Tortoise shells that you can crawl into comfortably. Incredible!

 

All - your suggestions for Christmas weekend have been most welcome! They are all so good that it may just come down to the easiest flights and the cheapest. They are so different that it's impossible to say which is "better" than the others.

 

**

 

Painful day at work today so we had to go shopping before we could make dinner. Picked up a sirloin steak and Chris found a new recipe to try. Grilled sirloin with a paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper dry rub. Topped with a "sauce" of thiny siced garlic and shallots, sautéed in olive oil, with capers, mustard, and piquillo peppers until soft. Delicious with a glass of Malbec, salad, and grilled corn on the cob:

 

 

Good night all.

[mysty]

Your meal looks awesome JP! So sorry about the painful day at work!

[MJN1]

[ATTACH]359956[/ATTACH]We'll be at one of the stalls ... close to the Cathedral

Are you Austrian and born and brought up there?

 

Jeff,

single malts beat valium any time!

 

We will keep an eye out for Wifey! And watch out for guys like him....

 

 

You may also consider the Xmas market at Hellbrunn (Bus 25 gets you there and back): http://www.hellbrunneradventzauber.at/

 

Yes, yes, yes, but left over 30 years ago. Last stop was Surrey and then the ? was "where do we want to spend the rest of our lives" and LHR, BA and "the train to Waterloo is delayed by 30min due to leaves on tracks" (plus a lot of other criteria) lost out against SZG, LH, buses, etc. so we ended up here a few years ago.

[UKCruiseJeff]

I perfectly understand how SZG gets under your skin.

 

Our first visit was work related and I spent three weeks there in a the Oster Hof! For a while there were direct LHR flights and wifey and I use to go mostly in the winter with some longer summer trips, but then deffered to VIE when direct flights stopped. My wife still suffers from a fall she had in the snow in the castle. In the early days the markets sold lovely wooden Bavarian Christmas tree decorations and we spent a packet on our tree. The ornaments then became Chinese sourced and the seemed mostly replaced with garish cheap plastic shiney things. I hate to think how much we spent on ornaments!

 

I love the access to the lakes which are magical all year. I cannot forget my very first beer and that first bozna which seems inadequate when I try at home. Although our December trip is only less than a day, presuming BA keep the direct flights Over winter then I have a feeling that we may be restarting our annual markets visits as we our all Viennered up! Perhaps we'l chat closer to the trip .... we'd love to buy you a punch and a nut if you happen to be around if practical.

 

JP, my advice would be to go to Barcelona as there is an odds on chance you will love it and it is easy. I am mindful that my views on these things are often at odds with others. For example very few understand our love of Singapore and are utterly mystified by it. So our size certainly doesn't fit all. Whatever you choose you will undoubtedly have fun.

 

Rainy day here .... and we're off down to Seaside on Tuesday night for some balcony food and delivered curries, and an outing for the SL.

 

:)

 

Jeff

[TLCOhio]

Only 11, Terry. If cruising through Fiordlands for half a day doesn't count, then 10.

All - your suggestions for Christmas weekend have been most welcome! They are all so good that it may just come down to the easiest flights and the cheapest. They are so different that it's impossible to say which is "better" than the others.

 

YES, agree that sailing through the NZ fjordlands counts. Wonderful that you have been to those eleven locations, especially at a young age where you can keep working towards accomplishing more great locations on that excellent listing. Impressive!!

 

Agree that letting "easiest flights and the cheapest" be the key, deciding factor for your upcoming Christmas weekend decision. It will work fine, especially having so many great options to consider.

 

UK Air Tragedy/Crash: Really sad on the deaths from the Cold War-era Hawker Hunter jet crashing during the Shoreham Airshow in SE England. Is its location near where any of the Coolers know and/or live?

 

From CNN, have those in UK and elsewhere followed this story with this headline: "Dismaland: Banksy's new grotesque art theme park"? Here are a few of the story highlights: "The seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in south-west England is gray and gloomy when we arrive. 'Welcome to Dismaland,' a dead-eyed girl in Mickey Mouse ears greets us. We're hassled by testy security guards at metal detectors before we catch sight of the main attraction: a decrepit fairytale castle in a moat of murky water and a crashed police van. Surrounding it: an upside down slide fashioned from a battered old truck, an old-school carousel, a Ferris wheel. Inside, Cinderella's coach has crashed. Here it is: the latest exhibition from Banksy, the art world's favorite agent provocateur. Billed as a 'bemusement park' and modeled after Disneyland, it's a warped vision of the so-called 'happiest place on Earth'."

 

Full story at:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/arts/banksy-dismaland-art-exhibition/index.html

 

Added insights and reactions from those who know more on what is up with this Banksy display, etc.??

 

NBC's Today Show is having a major TV news feature on this location right now. Seems rather sad and silly.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 184,191 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Edited August 23, 2015 by TLCOhio

[TLCOhio]

Was doing some "visual grazing" in the UK Daily Mail this morning. Know that Jeff does not always trust the Daily Mail and its style. BUT, they have lots of interesting "eye-candy", etc. And certain stories you do not always see in other locations.

 

Of key interest was this item: "On September 9, at about 5.30 pm, the 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth will have been on the throne for 63 years, seven months and two days, equalling the record held by her great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria."

 

This story has details on a book coming out soon by Prince William on his grandmother. The story also notes: "The Queen has insisted that no special celebration be held to commemorate the day. Instead, three photographic exhibitions are to be held at royal palaces. On the day itself, the Queen will be opening a new railway line in Scotland and riding in a carriage pulled by a steam engine."

 

Full story at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3207673/William-praises-grandmother-s-sense-calm-perspective-Queen-month-break-record-longest-reign.html

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 27,210 views for these postings.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi Terry,

 

Yes the air accident is indeed terrible but I guess we all have to be aware that some of these planes are quite complex and vulnerable. Robert Pleming was a work colleague of mine at The Corporation (a computer engineer turned salesman who I trained ... the best of all wolds for plane restoration ...) and I was startled when he decided he wanted to rebuild and maintain a vulcan bomber and I understand he has had to give that fight up!

 

http://www.vulcantothesky.org/faq-contact/operating-company.html

 

Can you imgaine what it must be like to raise that type of cash and expertise!

 

A beer out in The Beer Garden today! Even though it was raining ... we were dry!

 

 

Jeff

[mysty]

Your gazebo is turning into a multi-cultural hang-out Jeff! It really was a brilliant idea as it seems to be giving you and your lovely wife so very much enjoyment! And it is keeping your dry. Hopefully your winter adaptation plans will also keep you warm! :)

 

As an aside, in reference to your training of Robert Pleming and mentions of others of note from previous postings- is there anyone you do not know?????? :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Your gazebo is turning into a multi-cultural hang-out Jeff! It really was a brilliant idea as it seems to be giving you and your lovely wife so very much enjoyment! And it is keeping your dry. Hopefully your winter adaptation plans will also keep you warm! :)

 

As an aside, in reference to your training of Robert Pleming and mentions of others of note from previous postings- is there anyone you do not know?????? :)

 

It isn't really a gazebo more a restaurant without walls .... so ot ismLa Cucina one day and Zorbas the next and it is wonderful. Much better and more used than I expected.

 

Are you taking the pith!

 

I can't help it if I have failed so miserably at so many things I have had to move about a bit. :eek: There was a time when working for The Corporation when I couldn't get on a plane or sit in an airport lounge and not recognise someone. And the time in the music industry meant I met a lot of ne're do wells! To me the world feels very much smaller than it once did. I can't help having been about a bit.

 

:(

 

Jeff

[mysty]

It isn't really a gazebo more a restaurant without walls .... so ot ismLa Cucina one day and Zorbas the next and it is wonderful. Much better and more used than I expected.

 

Are you taking the pith!

 

I can't help it if I have failed so miserably at so many things I have had to move about a bit. :eek: There was a time when working for The Corporation when I couldn't get on a plane or sit in an airport lounge and not recognise someone. And the time in the music industry meant I met a lot of ne're do wells! To me the world feels very much smaller than it once did. I can't help having been about a bit.

 

:(

 

Jeff

Oh Jeff! I don't think I was "taking the pith" (although I really don't know what that means). :) I was just thinking that you seem to know most of the world. Nothing nasty was being suggested!!!!! I think that is really quite an accomplishment! And you have obviously not failed as your known associates will demonstrate! :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Oh Jeff! I don't think I was "taking the pith" (although I really don't know what that means). :) I was just thinking that you seem to know most of the world. Nothing nasty was being suggested!!!!! I think that is really quite an accomplishment! And you have obviously not failed as your known associates will demonstrate! :)

 

Taking the pith is the way that someone with a lisp would express it.

 

:)

[mysty]

Taking the pith is the way that someone with a lisp would express it.

 

:)

If Wikipedia is accurate (taking the piss is a Commonwealth term meaning to take liberties at the expense of others, or to be unreasonable. It is often used to mean (or confused with) taking the piss out of, which is an expression meaning to mock, tease, ridicule, or scoff), then I was absolutely not taking the pith!!!!! And I would be horrified if you really thought I would! No pith here! :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

I've not started you off apologising again 'ave I? :eek:

 

In the UK pith taking is an integral part of our daily humour amongst mates and given the natural reserved nature of Brits generally is a sure sign of friendship and affection. :)

 

It is a core part of Ozzy humour and would be one of the reasons to live in Ozland. Ozzies size people up by pith-taking and if you can "take it" you "are in" but if you take yourself seriously you'll never make friends. I think it is also a pretty major difference to Brits and Americans.

 

:)

 

Jeff

[mysty]

I've not started you off apologising again 'ave I? :eek:

 

In the UK pith taking is an integral part of our daily humour amongst mates and given the natural reserved nature of Brits generally is a sure sign of friendship and affection. :)

 

It is a core part of Ozzy humour and would be one of the reasons to live in Ozland. Ozzies size people up by pith-taking and if you can "take it" you "are in" but if you take yourself seriously you'll never make friends. I think it is also a pretty major difference to Brits and Americans.

 

:)

 

Jeff

OK. So where do Canadians fit in the span between Brits and Americans? Or do we apologize too much to fit on the spectrum? :) And I do like the idea of being considered a "mate" Jeff! I'll go with that!

[UKCruiseJeff]

OK. So where do Canadians fit in the span between Brits and Americans? Or do we apologize too much to fit on the spectrum? :) And I do like the idea of being considered a "mate" Jeff! I'll go with that!

 

Are there enough people in Canada to make friends ... or do they just have annual get togethers so they can apologise to each other .....:p

 

The loveliest Ozzy put down I witnessed was during our last stay at Grand Quay in Sydney. It was during the Gay Pride week and one of the "hosts" was staying at Grand Quay and I encountered him/her a couple of times in the lift and we were now on greeting and banter terms.

 

On one morning at around 07:30 the lift door opened and there he/she was all done out and way, way way over the top. I looked a bit startled as his/her hair was so tall he/she was crouching.

 

"Hello darlin' ... don't be alarmed ... it's only me .... off for me milk for me tea".

 

And off we went together as "the odd couple" to the little grocery shop next door - both of us for our daily milk. We wandered in and the look of astonishment on the owners face, hastily recomposed. A bit too much for 07:30 in Macquarie Street.

 

"You two make a LUVVERLY couple! Are you both up from the country for the day with the kids?"

 

:D

[jpalbny]

Jeff - that was almost too much... Dunkelsweißbier out the nose and all! This forum needs a warning.

 

So after blueberry pancakes for breakfast, we decided on an outdoor lunch snack today. Getting into the Germany mindset... Some nice Schwarzwald Bratwurst, along with sauerkraut and some Weihenstephaner. Dunkelsweißbier for me and Hefeweißen for Chris. I can almost taste the trip... soon!

 

 

If you have sharp eyes, the mustard is from France. Can't have everything!

[mysty]

Are there enough people in Canada to make friends ... or do they just have annual get togethers so they can apologise to each other .....:p

 

The loveliest Ozzy put down I witnessed was during our last stay at Grand Quay in Sydney. It was during the Gay Pride week and one of the "hosts" was staying at Grand Quay and I encountered him/her a couple of times in the lift and we were now on greeting and banter terms.

 

On one morning at around 07:30 the lift door opened and there he/she was all done out and way, way way over the top. I looked a bit startled as his/her hair was so tall he/she was crouching.

 

"Hello darlin' ... don't be alarmed ... it's only me .... off for me milk for me tea".

 

And off we went together as "the odd couple" to the little grocery shop next door - both of us for our daily milk. We wandered in and the look of astonishment on the owners face, hastily recomposed. A bit too much for 07:30 in Macquarie Street.

 

"You two make a LUVVERLY couple! Are you both up from the country for the day with the kids?"

 

:D

LOVE THAT!!!!! What a great line! Did you break into peals of laughter? I'm sure I would have! :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

I just said "no ... sadly no kids as of yet, but we're trying!". :D

 

Lovley picture of Manly in today's Times for you. You'll be coming in on the ferry from Sydney at the distant top of the picture and landing at the northern beach, and then walking through Manly to the southern beach and the Market Cafe is around 10% along from the left of the picture. The lovely walk I mentioned is around the headland to the left hand side.

 

 

 

Jeff

Edited August 23, 2015 by UKCruiseJeff

[specialcruisegirl]

Alicante is a lovely city ... in a way it is in my mind as a sort of Spanish Nice ...

 

Have you thought of Palma for a day or two? Cheap as chips with tapas but elegant and walkable, not far from the airport and I can suggest a place or three? Use to be a joke but now posh for heatherns like you and me Soapy gal.

 

Jeff

 

 

Jeff, l love Palma but haven't had the courage to return as it's where hubby and l honeymooned. It did become very tatty so glad to hear they've cleaned up the act!

Alicante to most is just the gateway to Benidorm..:eek: but it is a lovely city to explore with a very classy marina and loads of tapas bars. The Hospes hotel in the centre is an old monastery which is quite beautiful and just a short stroll away is one of my all time favourite restaurants...family run and most probably the best ever Paella l have tasted. I do plan to go back.

 

It maybe a thought for JP and Chris as a less touristy location. For JP also l was thinking maybe Dublin? Direct flights from JFK l believe.

 

Lunch out today at a local Inn with a friend....quite acceptable apart from packet meringues in the Quirky Banoffee Eton Mess!!

 

Sophia :)

[UKCruiseJeff]

JP,

 

Snorting your beer is no good for you .....!

 

You probably can't get it and I am sorry to post a beer porn picture again but Paulaner (not wheat) is wonderful if you can get some.

 

And a some piccies from the Vienna Christmas markets to tempt you there in December! Think of that punch! You will still get punch in Vienna even if the markets are shut ...

 

Jeff

 

 

 

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

 

Jeff, l love Palma but haven't had the courage to return as it's where hubby and l honeymooned. It did become very tatty so glad to hear they've cleaned up the act!

Alicante to most is just the gateway to Benidorm..:eek: but it is a lovely city to explore with a very classy marina and loads of tapas bars. The Hospes hotel in the centre is an old monastery which is quite beautiful and just a short stroll away is one of my all time favourite restaurants...family run and most probably the best ever Paella l have tasted. I do plan to go back.

 

It maybe a thought for JP and Chris as a less touristy location. For JP also l was thinking maybe Dublin? Direct flights from JFK l believe.

 

Lunch out today at a local Inn with a friend....quite acceptable apart from packet meringues in the Quirky Banoffee Eton Mess!!

 

Sophia :)

 

Hi S,

 

it has completely changed, and if you are tempted I cannot recommend

 

http://www.palaciocasagalesa.com/en

 

..... more highly. They are an extraordinarily expensively renovated old palace in the center of the pedestianised part of old Palma a few feet away from the cathedral. The owner has spent a packet and will never make moeny. Original Miro's on the walls and a lovely Monet kitchen. We have been back a few times.

 

Wifey and I have an evening ritual on the roof. We didn't know how much they would charge us for the Cava and we sat on the roof terrace overlooking the cathedral and every time the quarter of an hour bells went we had a sip and "same procedure as usual .....":D

 

I know this will not be the same without hubby but this really is a place that has changed out of all recognition and the Palace is surrounded by small streets with little tapas bars and restaurants .... all in a pedestrianised area and within lurching of bed and of course the hotel is only 20 minutes in a taxi from the airport.

 

Have a look.

 

Jeff

[mysty]

I just said "no ... sadly no kids as of yet, but we're trying!". :D

 

Lovley picture of Manly in today's Times for you. You'll be coming in on the ferry from Sydney at the distant top of the picture and landing at the northern beach, and then walking through Manly to the southern beach and the Market Cafe is around 10% along from the left of the picture. The lovely walk I mentioned is around the headland to the left hand side.

 

 

 

Jeff

Jeff, thanks so much for posting the picture and the directions for Manly! I can hardly wait! And excellent response to the one-liner! You are a wit! :)

[specialcruisegirl]

Thanks Jeff...I'll take a look. I remember the old cathedral quarter from many many years ago....got rather tipsy on a drink called ' Inbetween The Sheets' ;)

 

S:)

[TLCOhio]

On one morning at around 07:30 the lift door opened and there he/she was all done out and way, way way over the top. I looked a bit startled as his/her hair was so tall he/she was crouching.

"Hello darlin' ... don't be alarmed ... it's only me .... off for me milk for me tea".

And off we went together as "the odd couple" to the little grocery shop next door - both of us for our daily milk. We wandered in and the look of astonishment on the owners face, hastily recomposed. A bit too much for 07:30 in Macquarie Street.

"You two make a LUVVERLY couple! Are you both up from the country for the day with the kids?"

 

UKCruiseJeff: I just said "no ... sadly no kids as of yet' date=' [b']but we're trying![/b]".

 

Super fun and interesting story!! YES, I would love to see the pictures to help illustrate this experience and the various witty comments. Great sharing.

 

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 116,794 views for this posting.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Thanks Jeff...I'll take a look. I remember the old cathedral quarter from many many years ago....got rather tipsy on a drink called ' Inbetween The Sheets' ;)

 

S:)

 

:D

 

I found some pictures of inside the hotel. It has a lovely small Moroccan garden ... a real haven of peace considering you are in the center of Palma. They also put some sherry and nibbles out each evening at 5 so you can meet and mingle the others that stay and sit in the garden. Only a few rooms and suites ..

 

Monet Kitchen, garden etc ...