Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Four

[TLCOhio]

I think most people, perhaps many Americans, will not appreciate that without Americans, Impressionism would never have broken through in the way it eventually did and if anything was in spite of the French and not because of them. The French couldn't progrees from neo-claccisism, and impressionism was too much of a shock. Impressionism was first used as a term of abuse and the French sneered and laughed at it. impressionism was conceived in France, nurtured in England and blossomed in America but the greatest force that enabled us to see it all today was Paul Durand-Ruel.

 

Super appreciate, Jeff, this great background and follow-up on Impressionism. Yes, I learned something important today!! Great history and a share of "the rest of the story". Very helpful and interesting. I was giving the French way too much credit for Impressionism. Now I know much better!!

 

Below are a few of my visual samples and examples from the program we saw this afternoon in Ohio from Bilbao, Spain. Great learning experience today at our museum and from Jeff. Many of the items displayed were poster/advertising art as done by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

 

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 193,975 views for this posting.

 

Here are a few visual samples, include one poster as created by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. The second picture features my wife with a famed poster in the background. Fourth is a water lily (what else?) by Monet. The fifth items is a painting done of the scenic coast at St Jean De Luz in SW France. We visited this location in June 2017 while sailing on the Silver Spirit up from Lisbon to Rouen.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

 

 

 

Edited January 14, 2018 by TLCOhio

[Bill B]

I'm now retired and just killing time until I leave China. Tomorrow, I'm going to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Army. Only two hours by bullet train from here. Three nights there should be good - one day to visit the Terracotta Army/Emperor's Tomb, and one full day to explore the city. It'll be cold (but no snow or sleet). Another one off the bucket list. :D

[UKCruiseJeff]

Louis Anguentin with Inside Bruants Mirlitin, and Georges Lacombe's pointillism with "Some Waves". Nice.

Edited January 14, 2018 by UKCruiseJeff

[TLCOhio]

How is our winter looking here in Central Ohio?? Below are three visuals to provide as "evidence" for what happens when the sun shines. It makes the snow look better and the temperatures not seem quite as cold. See and like, Spins? Get out of that boring warm weather in South Florida and come up north!!

 

Congrats to Lois!! Jacksonville has won in a thrilling finish against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Final score? 45-42!!

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.):

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

Now at 54,830 views for these postings.

 

First is the view from our family room this morning. You see the yellow sign marking the bridge crossing for our yellow lab, Rudy. Second is the view mid-day from our front door down towards our driveway and ravine area. Third as I was driving to the art museum of eight deer next to the roadway looking for their Sunday brunch meal.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

Bill, happy retirement. This week I finally triggered wifey and my UK state pension to start next tax year ..... a few more kebabs will be possible.

 

I was once in Valletta on an SS cruise and to our complete surprise there was a Terracotta exhibition. No real adverts or fanfare and when we went in we had them to ourselves.

[TLCOhio]

Louis Anguentin with Inside Bruants Mirlitin, and Georges Lacombe's pointillism with "Some Waves". Nice.

 

WOW!! Super impressive knowledge and skill by Jeff on knowing so quickly the names/details for these art work items. Much appreciated!!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

[Lois R]

Hi Terry, thanks:D.........if anyone had said we would score 45 points? I would have said they were NUTS LOL.......

I think the Pats will win but I am very proud of our team:)

[silkismom]

Wow, Terry, we live in the CO mtns and don't have any snow, Pikes Peak had more snow last June, than now. Even some ski areas that don't have snow making are really hurting so far. It could be a rough spring if a crazy throws their cigarette out the car window!.

[spinnaker2]

Our ski place is in Beaver Creek.

They finally got some snow...

We rented it out.

Hope to go in March.

:-)

[Bill B]

Bill, happy retirement. This week I finally triggered wifey and my UK state pension to start next tax year ..... a few more kebabs will be possible.

 

Thanks. I have to wait four more years until I get my Canada Pension (I could have taken it at 60... but at a reduced rate).

 

Time to kick back, lounge around and do a little travelling.

[UKCruiseJeff]

Thanks. I have to wait four more years until I get my Canada Pension (I could have taken it at 60... but at a reduced rate).

 

Time to kick back, lounge around and do a little travelling.

 

We were fortunately able to delay ours and get an enhanced rate. :)

 

 

Where do you plan to travel to?

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good luck and best wishes for Tuesday Lois. All your Cooler friends are rooting for you. Everything will be fine so just relax. Think of all the things you want to do when it's all over and behind you.

 

:)

[Bill B]

Where do you plan to travel to?

 

I'm moving from China to Vietnam at the end of the month. I don't plan on travelling (much) for the first year, but in Feb. 2019, I'll fly to Lima (or perhaps San Diego... and cruise to Lima on the Volendam if the price drops) and go see: Cuzco, Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley etc. Then make my way to lake Titicaca, La Paz and perhaps the Unui Salt Flats... across the Altiplano to San Pedro de Atacama, then fly to Santiago arriving March 6 (or before) to start my Silver Cloud Expedition cruise with a night there before flying to Ushuaia and the 21-day cruise to Cape Town - seeing South Georgia is my main reason for the cruise (and the whole trip). In Africa, I want to go to Victoria Falls and spend some time 'on safari' - much like TLCOhio's post-cruise adventures (although, I don't know if I can afford Belmond's Safari camps). From Africa, I'll fly back to Vietnam.

[Tothesunset]

Well that was chaos getting off the Spirit in Cape Town. A MSC ship was docked before the Spirit which meant we were half an hour late docking.

 

Once off the ship - no taxis! They were all at the MSC. One cab appeared and I ran faster than Usain Bolt to nab it otherwise we were looking at being late for the flight. Tense times.

 

Now in the lounge looking a bit the worse for wear but hopefully Qatar Airways will see us safely home.

 

Thought some photos of fellow passengers might be apt:

 

 

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Forums mobile app

[Lois R]

Good luck and best wishes for Tuesday Lois. All your Cooler friends are rooting for you. Everything will be fine so just relax. Think of all the things you want to do when it's all over and behind you.

 

:)

 

Hi Jeff, thank you:).........gotta work today as usual........lol.....will check in here this evening...........just an FYI, I don't

own a smart phone or an IPAD and I am not taking my laptop to the hospital so I won't be posting till later in the week

(after tonight).

[Camillus112]

We are all rooting for you, Lois!

 

Yesterday was supposed to be Cap Cana (Dominican Republic) but the sea was too rough for tendering and the captain opted for a sea day and an early start for the island’s capital. There is less activity on a sea day in SB vs SS. However, I did enjoy a dance class by the SB dancers - the jive. This dance was popular in the US in the early 50’s, after the jitterbug. It was a lot of fun to learn, except my shoes had a rubber sole and you can imagine the awkward twirls! I was doing this solo... no way of getting DH to dance. At night there was a deck party - Opera and Caviar - which was entertaining. Mid morning we will step out to stroll Santo Domingo’s colonial zone and then to the pool!

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good Afternoon Coolers,

 

Cams , in the UK over 60's can get immunisation against the jitterbug. :)

 

Today's Monday lunch of a steak square pie with veggies .

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[spinnaker2]

Ahhhhhh

Bruxelles sprouts,in honor of JP and Chris!

[TLCOhio]

Well that was chaos getting off the Spirit in Cape Town. A MSC ship was docked before the Spirit which meant we were half an hour late docking. Now in the lounge looking a bit the worse for wear but hopefully Qatar Airways will see us safely home. Thought some photos of fellow passengers might be apt.

 

Enjoyed these charming and wonderful visuals from TTS of the great African creatures. Fun!! Good luck on your flight home. Would love to hear more for your experiences with Qatar. Are you going back from Cape Town on a nice, new Boeing 787?

 

Excellent continue updates and details from Cams. Too bad about missing that tendering stop. Nice food shot from Jeff. Too bad that Lois won't have electronics for giving us quick post-op updates.

 

More snow coming today in Central Ohio. Have not heard from Spins that she is coming up to enjoy the sights and excitement here in our cold weather. It will be down to 3F tonight here. We have a nice guest suite and would be happy to host her and DH to enjoy these scenic weather views in our sunny ravine setting.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting, dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 36,522 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

[spinnaker2]

Terry

Thanks for the invite.

We have house guests coming this week!

Then more visitors in February.

Right now it's 50 F here. But sunny, bright and green.

Orchids are getting ready to bloom.

DH put on heat to get chill out of house.

 

Imagine you are busy with final preparations for your super trip.

 

Our next cruise isn't until April.

A long way off.

TA from Lauderdale to Dublin.

[TLCOhio]

Terry, Thanks for the invite. We have house guests coming this week! Then more visitors in February.

Right now it's 50 F here. But sunny, bright and green. Orchids are getting ready to bloom. DH put on heat to get chill out of house. Imagine you are busy with final preparations for your super trip. Our next cruise isn't until April. A long way off. TA from Lauderdale to Dublin.

 

Kind of figured that Spins was way too smart and savvy to come up to Ohio to "enjoy" the snow and cold. YES, we are being busy, getting packed and ready for our Mekong River/Southeast Asia adventure. Today am getting a "shot" for my iffy knee. Lots of other loose ends to do and clean up. Plus, packing with only one main suitcase allowed at a maximum of 44 pounds. Challenging??!!

 

Last Friday, I got a new camera "toy". It works with my iPhone7 to allow smooth video, etc. Kind of like a "Steadicam" as first used in the movies for capturing Rocky as he was running up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Remember that film? It is like a mini gyro mount that allows lots of visual creativity. Gets rid of the "shakycam" that can happen when you are walking, moving, etc. Great technology at an affordable price. Might try to post a video example later. It is called a DJI Osmo Mobile. Now only $199. That firms does a number of drone camera devices. It is a fairly small device. Like a handle with a holder for the iPhone. Allows nice tracking when circling around a subject at the middle of a scene. Maybe even will yield some decent selfies, either as a still picture or in a video with a nice setting in the background. Any interest in seeing some visual examples?

 

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 194,042 views for this posting.

[Mudhen]

I'm a little embarassed to be posting here, as I confess, I've been somewhat of a lurker! I haven't had any lovely food pix to post and we don't know any former passengers very well....BUT we're very excited to have deposited a cruise on the Spirit!! WHOOPEE! We were aboard the Spirit for a Med cruise in April. It was our first time on SS. We're Regent and Crystal repeaters but liked SS's itineraries so much more!

In the little that I can add, I'm sending Lois good wishes for her up coming "ordeal"...will be looking for updates!

To those who cook and report...keep the food porn coming!

Best,

Linda

[MissSophia]

I'm a little embarassed to be posting here, as I confess, I've been somewhat of a lurker! I haven't had any lovely food pix to post and we don't know any former passengers very well....BUT we're very excited to have deposited a cruise on the Spirit!! WHOOPEE! We were aboard the Spirit for a Med cruise in April. It was our first time on SS. We're Regent and Crystal repeaters but liked SS's itineraries so much more!

In the little that I can add, I'm sending Lois good wishes for her up coming "ordeal"...will be looking for updates!

To those who cook and report...keep the food porn coming!

Best,

Linda

 

 

Hi Linda......please don't 'lurk' too much, you are most welcome to join in with the cooler banter anytime...we are a very friendly bunch and the bar is always open!

Will look forward to your thoughts on cruising with SS....

Enjoy.......

 

Sophia 😊

[UKCruiseJeff]

I'm a little embarassed to be posting here, as I confess, I've been somewhat of a lurker! I haven't had any lovely food pix to post and we don't know any former passengers very well....BUT we're very excited to have deposited a cruise on the Spirit!! WHOOPEE! We were aboard the Spirit for a Med cruise in April. It was our first time on SS. We're Regent and Crystal repeaters but liked SS's itineraries so much more!

In the little that I can add, I'm sending Lois good wishes for her up coming "ordeal"...will be looking for updates!

To those who cook and report...keep the food porn coming!

Best,

Linda

 

Hello Linda,

 

So pleased you've nudged yourself from lurking to posting status, and let me add to Sophia's welcome and the hope you stay around and join us. The Cooler was only started because we wanted to have a place where off-topic chit-chat could posted without contaminating other threads and where curt or rude behaviour is unwelcome.

 

Please don't feel that what you post needs to have some sort of significance because it needn't be anything more than one of my brussel sprouts!

 

 

:)

[TLCOhio]

I've been somewhat of a lurker! I haven't had any lovely food pix to post and we don't know any former passengers very well....BUT we're very excited to have deposited a cruise on the Spirit!! WHOOPEE! We were aboard the Spirit for a Med cruise in April. It was our first time on SS. We're Regent and Crystal repeaters but liked SS's itineraries so much more! To those who cook and report...keep the food porn coming! Best, Linda

 

YES, a super welcome to Linda. Agree with the others that you can and should drop by whenever handy. Nothing fancy required to join in. Glad you are trying Silversea. We have done five sailings with them because, like you, for their varied and interesting itineraries. Since you are going to be on the Silver Spirit, you can look at my live/blog blow from just a few months back. We did our first sailing on the Silver Spirit. Enjoyed the experience very much. You can see many, many examples of "food porn" from the ship, plus the entertainment, etc.

 

On the new "device" mentioned earlier for my iPhone, below is an example of what I was able to do from my car as I was driving home late Saturday afternoon with the snow, sunny skies, etc. It was all safe!! Driving and shooting video worked fine with this device.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France on the Silver Spirit along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

 

Here is the YouTube link for my first video posting here at the Cooler. It was creatively captured with the DJI Osmo "stabilizer" for my iPhone. Like this "Snowy Road Home"?:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger!)

https://youtu.be/eIMUVhmIU1A