LIVE from the 2018 HAL Grand World Voyage!

[Scrapnana]

At Sea – April 26, 2018

 

I had a hard time getting to sleep last night (first time that I can remember this trip). I think it was because I was supposed to elevate my legs and that threw off my normal sleeping position. Finally got to sleep about 2:30.

 

I got up around 9:00 and a few minutes later I received a phone call from the doctor to see how I was doing (which was “fine”).

 

Juice and roll and then Sit and Stitch.

 

Morning trivia was our best yet – we had all 15 correct although we did tie with another team.

1)How many minutes in a week?

2)What is the shape of a piston in a wankle engine?

3)What is the largest rodent in the world?

4)What does a heliologist study?

5)What product was introduced in 1906 as “blibber blubber”?

 

When I returned to my cabin I found my debarkation packet. I am scheduled for 8:00. I also had my bill from the medical center which was $233 (which was better than what I was expecting).

I forgot to mention yesterday that I received a call from the office and that I was going to get a 30% refund on the Cape Verde tour.

 

I finished my blue brushed alpaca stole while waiting for arts and crafts. We made earrings to match the necklace from the day before yesterday. (I packed them before I took a picture.)

At 3:00 it was the Filipino Crew Show. Just as with the Indonesian, it was very enjoyable and there was a packed house. I arrived at 2:15 and could only get a folding chair.

 

Afternoon ice cream while I read before afternoon trivia. We had 13 out of 17 while the winning team had 15.

1)Which country was the first to have Albert Einstein on a bank note?

2)Which cartoon character rode a horse named “Horse”?

3)Who was the first democratically elected president of Russia?

4)What is the largest lake in Britain?

5)Which British royal was dubbed “Fishface” by his wife?

 

More packing before dinner. Everything seems to multiply when I am not looking. Ugh!

 

Tonight was Chef Petr’s Farewell Dinner. I tried the lobster Calypso dip (which was good), watermelon gazpacho, Beef Wellington, and Crème Brulee for dessert.

 

Savannah Jack started playing at 9:30 and continued until 11:30. People were up and dancing and having a good time. I said good-bye to my favorite bar server, Christine, before returning to my cabin.

 

Morning trivia…

1)10080

2)triangular

3)capibera

4)the sun

5)bubble gum

 

Afternoon trivia…

1)Israel

2)Dudley Do-Right

3)Boris Yeltsin

4)Windermere

5)Prince Charles

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am going to miss these wonderful reports and pictures.

Hope your leg is doing better.

Congratulations at winning at trivia -- that is something else I will miss -- all those trivia questions. Thank goodness we have Jeopardy.

Great pictures,

[1of4]

Thank you Kathi for your wonderful blog and dedication to sharing your adventures. All 4of4 will miss our nightly Kathi Questions and I can assure you us parents feel we know more than the kids in most things...a rare thing these days!

 

Enjoy your time aboard and safe journey home.

[Mr. Boston]

Thank you for your efforts Kathi, we'll especially miss the daily trivia questions. Safe travels home.

 

 

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[Rowsby]

I have so enjoyed your perspective, trivia and great photos....looking forward to your next adventure....!!

 

Thanks so much for sharing.....:)

[Scrapnana]

At Sea – April 27, 2018

 

Lots of goodbyes today.

 

I started with my usual juice and a roll and then to Sit and Stitch. Some were missing (still packing) but we all took some pictures.

 

Morning trivia was another tie win for us with 14 out of 16.

1)How many countries border the Pacific Ocean (2 Points for getting the exact number)?

2)The discovery of which Aboriginal is considered to be the oldest Australian known?

3)What is the fastest swimming shark with speeds over 50 mph?

4)What is the dominant language spoken in Hong Kong?

5)Who lost to Ali in 1975 even though he landed 440 punches?

 

Packed a few more things (there seems to be no end to little odds and ends) before going to lunch.

 

In Arts and Crafts we made our last pair of beaded earrings.

 

At 3:00 we had the Crew Farewell Grand Finale. The Queen’s Lounge was packed. Hamish (the cruise director), Barbara (the EXC Guide) and Captain Jonathan all spoke. Barbara is retiring in the autumn and was very emotional. After watching a cute video (including Henk in the bathtub with his rubber ducky) many of the crew came in to a standing ovation. (By the way, we had 637 crew on board.)

 

Went for my last afternoon ice cream by the pool before afternoon trivia. We did not do as well as morning trivia but we ended as “Bridesmaids” one last time coming in second with 9 out of 17. It was questions we had before however we did not recognize many of the questions (they must have been from port day trivias).

1)What does zeitgeist mean?

2)Who was the Robin Hood of Scotland?

3)Which Shakespeare play begins with, “Who’s there?”

4)The official languages of the U.N. are English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and ___.

5)How old was Dickens when he started working in a factory?

 

After many sad hugs and goodbyes (and “see you in 2020”) after trivia, I went back to pack more stuff. Had most everything in (except what I was wearing) by 7:15 so I went to hear Jamm in the piano bar one last time.

 

We had lots of wine at dinner and a good meal. The dining room was decorated in orange since today is Koningsdag, the celebration for the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. I had fruit, a huge (23 oz) ribeye steak, and a cherry Pavlov for dessert.

 

I had my 3 suitcases and box out by 10:35. Suitcases have been dotting the hallways all day. This is one cruise where you can put your bags out any time during the day.

 

I know I will not sleep well tonight (up every half hour or so to look at the clock). I have the first disembarkation time (8 am) after those who self-disembark since I am taking a Fort Lauderdale tour and airport transfer. I will have a post for Saturday but likely will not put it up until Sunday.

 

Morning trivia…

1)42

2)Mungo Man (the Australians did not know this either)

3)mako

4)Cantonese

5)Frazier

 

Afternoon trivia…

1)spirit of the times (missed that one both times ☹)

2)Rob Roy

3)Hamlet

4)Arabic

5)12

[ski ww]

Thanks for taking us along on this great cruise. Enjoyed reading your blogs, enjoyed the trivia, I didn't do very good either. Must be hard getting back to reality after a great cruise like that.

Allan

[kazu]

Welcome back Kathi.

 

We so enjoyed your posts and thank you for sharing with us.

 

Hoping that your tour today is a nice one and wishing you a very smooth flight and safe travels.

[Scrapnana]

Sitting in my cabin waiting for “Blue 1” to be called. I can’t believe it is all over!

[summer slope]

Safe travels home Kathi. Thank you again for all the wonderful posts the last few months.

[Stratheden]

Thanks Kathi for taking us on your cruise. I have really enjoyed reading your reports. Looking forward to your 2020 WC.

[Scrapnana]

That was quick and painless. Blue 1 was called as soon as I posted and I was one of the first off. I was able to get a porter right away. Used my global entry and was through in no time. On the bus for my tour at 8:15.

 

 

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[beach bunnie]

Thank you so much for posting. We're planning for the 2019 GWV and your blog is really helpful. After you're home and adjusted to home life, can you do a post on what you would have done differently, items you forgot to take or what you'd leave home next time. Thanks again.

[RuthC]

I can’t believe it is all over!

Me, either! I know reading WC reports has been such a part of my life for so long, that there's going to be an adjustment period without it. How much more so for you, and the others who have been on so long.

 

Have a safe journey home. Thanks, again, for the ride.

[Happily@Sea]

As already noted on sailaway thread - safe journey home and enjoy your tour.

[1of4]

Welcome home! I know I am sad so I can only imagine how you feel. Safe travels.

[travelnap]

Welcome home and thank you for taking us with you around the world. I enjoyed your thread and you did a wonderful job of taking us all along with you. Have a safe trip home.

[Vict0riann]

Kathi, thanks for taking us along on your amazing World Cruise. It has gone by so quickly.

 

Safe travels home.

 

 

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[TJR_0323]

Thanks Kathi for taking the time to write your blog --- most enjoyable!

[bay guy]

Have a safe flight home. Glad to see that The Bridesmaids did win at least one more trivia before the cruise ended.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Wonderful report. Farewells are always sad.

Have a safe flight home.

[boards]

Thank you for the blog reports of your World cruise. I have really enjoyed reading them. I hope I can remember some of the answers to the triva questions and answers if they are used on our next cruise. Please have a safe journey home.

[Love the beach]

Thanks for taking us along....I really enjoyed it! Safe trip home!

[Blue Eyes]

Thank you so much for taking us along on your around the world cruise. I have enjoyed following along with you and seeing all the ports through your eyes....

[Wehwalt]

Kathi, thank you for the log, and I enjoyed meeting you on board. This trip was a very special experience.