The Fleet Report and Daily for Monday March 13th, 2023

[StLouisCruisers]

Today is Ear Muff Day, Jewel Day, and Smart & Sexy Day
 

Life loves the liver of it. - Maya Angelou

Meal Suggestion for today - Bucatini all'Amatriciana
Drink of the Day - Lion And The Lamb
Wine of the Day - Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, California
Destination of the Day - Dunedin, Port Chalmers, New Zealand
 

Eurodam

At Sea Destination Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Florida eta 3-14
 

Koningsdam

At Sea Destination Fakarava Atoll, Tuamotus French Polynesia eta 3-14
 

Nieuw Amsterdam

Half Moon Cay 08:00 - 13:00
 

Nieuw Statendam

At Sea Destination Puerto Plata-Amber Cove, Dominicana eta 3-14
 

Oosterdam

At Sea Destination Port Stanley, East Falkland Island eta 3-15
 

Rotterdam

Kralendijk Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles 08:00 - 23:00
 

Volendam

Roseau, Dominica 08:00 - 17:00
 

Zaandam

Huatulco, La Crucecita, Mexico Riviera 13:00 - 19:00
 

Zuiderdam

At Sea Destination Cape Town, South Africa eta 3-14

Eastern Hemisphere
 

Noordam

Burnie, Tasmania Australia 07:30 - 19:00
 

Westerdam

Shimizu, Japan Shizuoka 10:00 - 18:00

 

 

 

Sandi for Rich and Roy

[richwmn]

Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers for the early (for her) morning daily. It is almost lunch time aboard Zuiderdam. Hope everyone has a great day!

[seagarsmoker]

Thanks for the Daily Report and I hope everyone has a great day!

[JazzyV]

Today’s care list:

Roy recovering from pneumonia

Vict0riann and Pat’s loss of 3 acquaintances

Luvteaching’s DH back in the hospital

Cruzin Terri with pain from myofascial strain

Difficult days for Jacqui (kazu)

Citizens of Ukraine/CA deluged by snow and rain

From the rotation:

Cruising sister recovering from hand surgery

Scrapnana undergoing chemotherapy

Marshhawk’s DH (Chuck)’s vision issues

Tana’s pulmonary issues 

Status of St. Louis Sal (6/29/22) and JAM37 (6/20/22)

 

Celebrations and Shout outs:

Happy Birthday grapau27’s Pauline!

StLouisCruiser’s DB’s medication for pulmonary fibrosis being paid for 100%

Smitty34877’s new aide for Tana

Cruzin Terri’s bathroom nearer to completion

Many Dailyites planning cruises

 

4 days for RedneckBob (Celebrity Constellation 3/17 to 3/27)

5 Days for DWAliaschief’s sisters cruise (Rotterdam 3/18 to3/29)

5 Days for Seagarsmoker (N Statendam 3/18 to 3/25)

 

ottahand7 and Lindaler (Volendam to 3/18), Suslor (Zaandam to 3/18), Lady Hudson (Anthem of the Seas 3/19), Seasick Sailor and 57redbird (Koningsdam to 3/25), Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to 4/6), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12) at sea

 

 

[lvhh]

Good Morning to the 'Early Edition' Daily team.  Thanks for the info.

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning, thanks for the daily fleet report.  I’ll be watching the weather reports through the day since we are expecting a storm tonight into tomorrow.  I’ll wait for pictures and recipes from @dfish to figure out today’s meal suggestion.  I hope everyone has a good day today.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

Good morning friends!  This morning is cold, 45F with loads of sunshine predicted but a high of only 57.  This is after last week's pretty consistent 70's.  The next few nights will lower to about 30F so all the lovely new growth on our shrubs will shrivel up and die just like it does every year.  Mother Nature can be so cruel!

 

First of all Happy Birthday Pauline!  May you have many more to celebrate.🎂🎈

 

Thanks to Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and Fleet Report details.  Hope all is well on your World Cruise and you will be enjoying Cape Town before long.  We have some interesting days to celebrate including Ear Muff Day.  I really hope it's not cold enough for anyone to need ear muffs this Monday.  I don't even have any.  Jewel Day sounds very good.  I hope it is referring to jewelry. I can appreciate that though I don't wear my precious pieces very often, at least they are there if I want to.  Last is Smart and Sexy Day.  I'm sure that fits us all to a T, male and female.  The quote by Maya Angelou is nice.  Live your life must have been her motto.  Up next is bucatini all'amatriciana which sounds delicious!  I'm sure Debbie @dfish🥕 has some very tasty recipes to share and I would love a sample of them.  The drink today must be referring to the month of March so that is appropriate.  And the Simi Sauvignon Blanc sounds great.  I'll have a glass.

 

Dailyites are up early today and posting I see.  Must be that time change that has everyone awake.  I slept well last night and hope you did too.  Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyVfor our Care and Celebration lists.  Superb job!  Prayers for our friends and family on the Care list, and those around the globe in trouble or who have lost loved ones.  🙏 Cheers to the lucky ones on the Celebration list (including my DB).  We must all be thankful for our good fortune.🥂🎉

 

Our port is the lovely Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand.  We had that port on Oct. 5, 2022 so here is a link to retrieve your photos, people.  I know I've always enjoyed visiting there.

 

Here are my photos from Dunedin.

 

We first visited Port Chalmers on Dec. 19, 2013 on Diamond Princess.  We took a tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway train which came right to the ship for pickup of passengers.  

 

It was a comfortable ride and some seats had a table at them sort of in a booth configuration which came in handy at lunch.  

 

Four of us ate at the table and they even provided wine with refills if you wanted it.  Made for a crowded table but no one minded.

 

Along the way on our tour of the Taieri Gorge.  The scenery was great and we saw a lot this yellow plant growing there.

 

We saw horses and sheep and either alpacas or llamas.  

 

You could step off the car and take photos between the cars if you wanted to.

 

 

We made a stop or two along the way at tiny little outposts, but the train stopped and reversed course at Pukerangi.  Locals set up tables displaying good for the tourists to buy and enjoy.

 

 

This guy was set for Christmas with his little hat on.  I think he would rather have been at home taking a nap.

 

The train station in Dunedin is famous and they stopped there long enough to let you take a little self guided tour.  It's beautiful as you'll see especially on the opposite side from the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the tour we decided to walk around Port Chalmers.  There is a tall hill near the ship which we walked up, on a residential street, so we could take photos from that viewpoint.  This is the sign along the steep street.

 

Photos of the timber along the shore.

 

and Diamond Princess

 

The view from Upper Port Chalmers as a sign up there named it.

 

And a crazy statue someone placed up there.

 

A local church with scaffolding

 

That's it for that visit in Port Chalmers.  The next time we would do another tour which we also enjoyed.  

 

Hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!!

[StLouisCruisers]

I actually posted photos last time we had Dunedin, of our 2017 visit on Sun Princess.  That was a great cruise!  You will be sick of my photos by the time I finish!

 

Another beautiful day in Port Chalmers on Nov. 30, 2017.  On this trip we were on Sun Princess for 62 days seeing all the sights in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.  

 

I believe I booked a private tour from Good Company, so we waited in this special area for our group to gather.  We would visit Larnach Castle, Speight's Brewery and a Dunedin city tour.

 

Along the way to Dunedin we saw theForsyth Barr Stadium, third largest in New Zealand.

 

We passed a different brewery named Emerson's.

 

One place we stopped at seemed pretty popular for tourists guessing from the number of people already there.  The so called steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street.  I'm not so sure. 

 

I feel like I've been on steeper before.

 

The tour stopped at the Dunedin Railway Station which was nice because I'm sure many on the bus had never been there before. 

 

Out on the Station lawn, you can see the Cadbury candy company across the road.  Some tours actually include a Cadbury tour and it's quite popular.  I know the crew made sure they got a good supply of Cadbury chocolates while in town.

 

That's our bus parked in front of the train station.  Time to head downtown to pick up more passengers. 

 

We stopped near St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral which is right next door to the Town Hall.

 

 

I'm not sure why this statue of poet Robert Burns has an orange cone on his head.  ??

 

We enjoyed a lovely view of the countryside as we headed out to Larnach Castle. 

 

 

That's Dunedin in the distance.

 

We pulled over at this scenic view.  I was enjoying this part of the tour a lot.

 

Beautiful Larnach Castle.

 

This was a residence and is the only "castle" in New Zealand.  We had an extensive tour of dozens of rooms. This is the type of decor we saw inside.  I won't bore you with a dozen photos like it.  I enjoyed the outdoors more.

 

Well, maybe a photo of this floor in the foyer, which proclaimed this home The Camp.  I'd love to see what their city home looked like!

 

There was a rooftop terrace we could enjoy the view from.

 

 

The entrance to their garden.  I used this photo as the cover of a wall calendar I made documenting our Down Under cruise.

 

more for the Garden Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next door was the Ballroom Cafe where we enjoyed lunch.

 

Oh my, I'd better stop this post and continue on for a brief visit to the brewery.  You're probably all sick of Larnack Castle by now.

[StLouisCruisers]

We of course had the same beautiful scenery leaving the Castle and heading back to the city.  We made our last stop at Speight's Brewery, the largest one in New Zealand.  We began our tour in the production area, but evereyone had that tasting room on their mind.  Our guide took us through the history of the company and its place in Dunedin's background.

 

 

Our guide Keith went through the whole process.  I don't remember much he said, but DH could probably give the tour for him with 29 years experience in engineering at Anheuser-Busch.  

 

 

 

 

On to the tasting room!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I don't drink beer I took small sips of lighter beers.  I would never want to waste a whole glass of beer like that.  We had a full day on this tour and enjoyed it a lot.  If I were going back I would check out their tours and no doubt find something new to do in Dunedin.  

 

Well time to get back on that treadmill and sweat it out.  Thanks for indulging me this morning with one of my favorite place to visit's photos.

 

[portofrome]

Thank you  for the Fleet Report.

[grapau27]

Good morning.

Thank you Sandi @StLouisCruisers for today's reports.

It is Pauline's birthday today and 2 of today's days jewel and smart and sexy day apply to her.

Not sure about today's quote.

Not sure about today's food and drink but yes to Sauvignon blanc.

Prayers 🙏 for everyone who need them.

I hope everyone has a great day.

Graham.

Edited March 13, 2023 by grapau27

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

 

Today’s care list:

Roy recovering from pneumonia

Vict0riann and Pat’s loss of 3 acquaintances

Luvteaching’s DH back in the hospital

Cruzin Terri with pain from myofascial strain

Difficult days for Jacqui (kazu)

Citizens of Ukraine/CA deluged by snow and rain

From the rotation:

Cruising sister recovering from hand surgery

Scrapnana undergoing chemotherapy

Marshhawk’s DH (Chuck)’s vision issues

Tana’s pulmonary issues 

Status of St. Louis Sal (6/29/22) and JAM37 (6/20/22)

 

Celebrations and Shout outs:

Happy Birthday grapau27’s Pauline!

StLouisCruiser’s DB’s medication for pulmonary fibrosis being paid for 100%

Smitty34877’s new aide for Tana

Cruzin Terri’s bathroom nearer to completion

Many Dailyites planning cruises

 

4 days for RedneckBob (Celebrity Constellation 3/17 to 3/27)

5 Days for DWAliaschief’s sisters cruise (Rotterdam 3/18 to3/29)

5 Days for Seagarsmoker (N Statendam 3/18 to 3/25)

 

ottahand7 and Lindaler (Volendam to 3/18), Suslor (Zaandam to 3/18), Lady Hudson (Anthem of the Seas 3/19), Seasick Sailor and 57redbird (Koningsdam to 3/25), Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to 4/6), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12) at sea

 

 

Thank you for today's lists Vanessa and for Paulines birthday mention.

Graham.

[Mr. Boston]

Good morning everyone.  Thanks for the daily report.  A fun collection of days although I’m ready to ditch the ear-muffs. Interesting quote.  Not sure what today’s dish consists of so I’ll wait on the recipes.  Same goes for the drink. I haven’t been to today’s port.  Prayers for those on our prayer list.  Cheers to everyone celebrating happy events today. 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  This morning is cold, 45F with loads of sunshine predicted but a high of only 57.  This is after last week's pretty consistent 70's.  The next few nights will lower to about 30F so all the lovely new growth on our shrubs will shrivel up and die just like it does every year.  Mother Nature can be so cruel!

 

First of all Happy Birthday Pauline!  May you have many more to celebrate.🎂🎈

 

Thanks to Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and Fleet Report details.  Hope all is well on your World Cruise and you will be enjoying Cape Town before long.  We have some interesting days to celebrate including Ear Muff Day.  I really hope it's not cold enough for anyone to need ear muffs this Monday.  I don't even have any.  Jewel Day sounds very good.  I hope it is referring to jewelry. I can appreciate that though I don't wear my precious pieces very often, at least they are there if I want to.  Last is Smart and Sexy Day.  I'm sure that fits us all to a T, male and female.  The quote by Maya Angelou is nice.  Live your life must have been her motto.  Up next is bucatini all'amatriciana which sounds delicious!  I'm sure Debbie @dfish🥕 has some very tasty recipes to share and I would love a sample of them.  The drink today must be referring to the month of March so that is appropriate.  And the Simi Sauvignon Blanc sounds great.  I'll have a glass.

 

Dailyites are up early today and posting I see.  Must be that time change that has everyone awake.  I slept well last night and hope you did too.  Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyVfor our Care and Celebration lists.  Superb job!  Prayers for our friends and family on the Care list, and those around the globe in trouble or who have lost loved ones.  🙏 Cheers to the lucky ones on the Celebration list (including my DB).  We must all be thankful for our good fortune.🥂🎉

 

Our port is the lovely Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand.  We had that port on Oct. 5, 2022 so here is a link to retrieve your photos, people.  I know I've always enjoyed visiting there.

 

Here are my photos from Dunedin.

 

We first visited Port Chalmers on Dec. 19, 2013 on Diamond Princess.  We took a tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway train which came right to the ship for pickup of passengers.  

 

It was a comfortable ride and some seats had a table at them sort of in a booth configuration which came in handy at lunch.  

 

Four of us ate at the table and they even provided wine with refills if you wanted it.  Made for a crowded table but no one minded.

 

Along the way on our tour of the Taieri Gorge.  The scenery was great and we saw a lot this yellow plant growing there.

 

We saw horses and sheep and either alpacas or llamas.  

 

You could step off the car and take photos between the cars if you wanted to.

 

 

We made a stop or two along the way at tiny little outposts, but the train stopped and reversed course at Pukerangi.  Locals set up tables displaying good for the tourists to buy and enjoy.

 

 

This guy was set for Christmas with his little hat on.  I think he would rather have been at home taking a nap.

 

The train station in Dunedin is famous and they stopped there long enough to let you take a little self guided tour.  It's beautiful as you'll see especially on the opposite side from the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the tour we decided to walk around Port Chalmers.  There is a tall hill near the ship which we walked up, on a residential street, so we could take photos from that viewpoint.  This is the sign along the steep street.

 

Photos of the timber along the shore.

 

and Diamond Princess

 

The view from Upper Port Chalmers as a sign up there named it.

 

And a crazy statue someone placed up there.

 

A local church with scaffolding

 

That's it for that visit in Port Chalmers.  The next time we would do another tour which we also enjoyed.  

 

Hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!!

Thank you Sandi for Paulines birthday wishes and for your usual excellent photos.

Graham.

[puppycanducruise]

Good morning.  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

It's snowing!  Again. 🙁  Oh well, everything looks pretty, the snow covers up a lot of litter.

 

A wonderful collection of days.  Ear muffs are necessary here.  I'd be happy to receive some jewels today, or any day.  I'd like to think I was smart and sexy but I only want my husband to notice the sexy part.

I like the quote.

The meal sounds good, looking forward to seeing the recipe.

I hope the drink and wine are tasty too.

Thanks for the pictures of today's port.  Someday, I hope to see it in person.

 

@grapau27 Happy Birthday to beautiful Pauline.  I hope she has many more! 🎂

 

Prayers for everyone who needs them.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Stay safe.

[0106]

Here is the rest of Maya Angelou’s quote where she reflects on the meaning of life. She was a very wise women, a fabulous poet and writer.

I’ve always had the feeling that life loves the liver of it. You must live and life will be good to you, give you experiences. They may not all be that pleasant, but nobody promised you a rose garden. But more than likely if you do dare, what you get are the marvelous returns. 
 

Thank you @StLouisCruisers for getting us started and the fabulous pictures.  
 

Several of you have been talking about an Antarctic cruise in 2025.  I just got a Private Fare offer for the 2024 Oosterdam Antarctic cruises that is a really good price.  I am trying to decide if I should begin the cruise in Santiago or Buenos Aires?  Which direction is better?  West to east or vice versa?  I was specifically thinking of the Drake passage. TYIA

[cat shepard]

@grapau27

 

Pauline, may your new year be filled with laughter, love, great health & cruises!

 

[ottahand7]

Good Monday morning from Dominica.  First time here.   Thank you for the Daily Reports Sandi.  Finally Linda and I are at the top of the list at 3/18.  We are sad to see it end.   Prayers for all on our Care list and the people of Ukraine.  @StLouisCruisers thanks for all the lovely photos of Dunedin.  

Our day rather fell apart again yesterday. We shopped the excellent port facility in Barbados then headed out to wait for our tour.  It was supposed to leave at 12:30 but the previous tour same program was not back yet.  Shore excursions rep couldn't guarantee we would have a decent cushion after our tour to clean up for Chef's table so he allowed us to cancel with refund.   Dinner was so so.  Didn't live up to the hype. I did find some of my favorite cologne YSL Paris, at Duty Free.  

@grapau27please tell Pauline Happy Birthday! 🎂🍾🌷

[cat shepard]

Thank you for getting us started, Sandy! Thank you for not forgetting us, while you are touring the World, Rich!
 

It is still dark. We had rain & a T-storm in the wee hours of the morning. And once again Bindi shows no interest in heading out. But we had a lovely bedtime walk last night. 
 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of us so carefully!

 

The pollen has really wreaked havoc with my allergies this weekend. I am actually considering wearing a mask when I head out with Bindi. I took a Zirtec & if it helps, I will go to the gym. If not, I will just stay home. Just another week or so of this pollen. I will survive. 
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating - @grapau27, please wish Pauline a very Happy Birthday!

 

Get well & stay well everyone!

 

**********

Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, California

I used the 2019 vintage info, since that seemed to have the most info available. All released vintages shared similar reasonable prices and consumer opinions. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $12.99.

 

Winemaker Notes

This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, bright, and crisp. The wine opens with complex aromas of lime zest, Meyer lemon, pink grapefruit, lemongrass, freshly cut hay, honeysuckle, and a hint of wet stone. Fresh and forward, zesty flavors of grapefruit and citrus with subtle herbal notes meld beautifully with a vivid acidity. Fresh, full, and vibrant, the finish is long and lingering with lemongrass and mineral. SIMI Winery Executive Chef Kolin Vazzoler suggests pairing this wine with shaved spring vegetables and radicchio with shallot Sauvignon Blanc vinaigrette, Dungeness crab salad with endive and Meyer lemon dressing, BBQ scallops with salsa verde, arugula pesto tortellini, and roasted sole with parsley, capers, and garlic. It’s also a great aperitif with prosciutto and melon, goat cheese, poke salad, or raw oysters.

WW88

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

The 2019 Simi Sauvignon Blanc is smooth and nicely textured. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers delightful aromas and flavors of apple, peach, and melon. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with melon and prosciutto. 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, JazzyV said:

 

Today’s care list:

Roy recovering from pneumonia

Vict0riann and Pat’s loss of 3 acquaintances

Luvteaching’s DH back in the hospital

Cruzin Terri with pain from myofascial strain

Difficult days for Jacqui (kazu)

Citizens of Ukraine/CA deluged by snow and rain

From the rotation:

Cruising sister recovering from hand surgery

Scrapnana undergoing chemotherapy

Marshhawk’s DH (Chuck)’s vision issues

Tana’s pulmonary issues 

Status of St. Louis Sal (6/29/22) and JAM37 (6/20/22)

 

Celebrations and Shout outs:

Happy Birthday grapau27’s Pauline!

StLouisCruiser’s DB’s medication for pulmonary fibrosis being paid for 100%

Smitty34877’s new aide for Tana

Cruzin Terri’s bathroom nearer to completion

Many Dailyites planning cruises

 

4 days for RedneckBob (Celebrity Constellation 3/17 to 3/27)

5 Days for DWAliaschief’s sisters cruise (Rotterdam 3/18 to3/29)

5 Days for Seagarsmoker (N Statendam 3/18 to 3/25)

 

ottahand7 and Lindaler (Volendam to 3/18), Suslor (Zaandam to 3/18), Lady Hudson (Anthem of the Seas 3/19), Seasick Sailor and 57redbird (Koningsdam to 3/25), Norseh2o (Oceania Marina to 4/6), and Cat in My Lap, Gail&Marty, Richwmn and HorizonChaser1957 (Zuiderdam to 5/12) at sea

 

 

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  This morning is cold, 45F with loads of sunshine predicted but a high of only 57.  This is after last week's pretty consistent 70's.  The next few nights will lower to about 30F so all the lovely new growth on our shrubs will shrivel up and die just like it does every year.  Mother Nature can be so cruel!

 

First of all Happy Birthday Pauline!  May you have many more to celebrate.🎂🎈

 

Thanks to Rich @richwmnfor our Daily and Fleet Report details.  Hope all is well on your World Cruise and you will be enjoying Cape Town before long.  We have some interesting days to celebrate including Ear Muff Day.  I really hope it's not cold enough for anyone to need ear muffs this Monday.  I don't even have any.  Jewel Day sounds very good.  I hope it is referring to jewelry. I can appreciate that though I don't wear my precious pieces very often, at least they are there if I want to.  Last is Smart and Sexy Day.  I'm sure that fits us all to a T, male and female.  The quote by Maya Angelou is nice.  Live your life must have been her motto.  Up next is bucatini all'amatriciana which sounds delicious!  I'm sure Debbie @dfish🥕 has some very tasty recipes to share and I would love a sample of them.  The drink today must be referring to the month of March so that is appropriate.  And the Simi Sauvignon Blanc sounds great.  I'll have a glass.

 

Dailyites are up early today and posting I see.  Must be that time change that has everyone awake.  I slept well last night and hope you did too.  Thanks go to Vanessa @JazzyVfor our Care and Celebration lists.  Superb job!  Prayers for our friends and family on the Care list, and those around the globe in trouble or who have lost loved ones.  🙏 Cheers to the lucky ones on the Celebration list (including my DB).  We must all be thankful for our good fortune.🥂🎉

 

Our port is the lovely Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand.  We had that port on Oct. 5, 2022 so here is a link to retrieve your photos, people.  I know I've always enjoyed visiting there.

 

Here are my photos from Dunedin.

 

We first visited Port Chalmers on Dec. 19, 2013 on Diamond Princess.  We took a tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway train which came right to the ship for pickup of passengers.  

 

It was a comfortable ride and some seats had a table at them sort of in a booth configuration which came in handy at lunch.  

 

Four of us ate at the table and they even provided wine with refills if you wanted it.  Made for a crowded table but no one minded.

 

Along the way on our tour of the Taieri Gorge.  The scenery was great and we saw a lot this yellow plant growing there.

 

We saw horses and sheep and either alpacas or llamas.  

 

You could step off the car and take photos between the cars if you wanted to.

 

 

We made a stop or two along the way at tiny little outposts, but the train stopped and reversed course at Pukerangi.  Locals set up tables displaying good for the tourists to buy and enjoy.

 

 

This guy was set for Christmas with his little hat on.  I think he would rather have been at home taking a nap.

 

The train station in Dunedin is famous and they stopped there long enough to let you take a little self guided tour.  It's beautiful as you'll see especially on the opposite side from the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the tour we decided to walk around Port Chalmers.  There is a tall hill near the ship which we walked up, on a residential street, so we could take photos from that viewpoint.  This is the sign along the steep street.

 

Photos of the timber along the shore.

 

and Diamond Princess

 

The view from Upper Port Chalmers as a sign up there named it.

 

And a crazy statue someone placed up there.

 

A local church with scaffolding

 

That's it for that visit in Port Chalmers.  The next time we would do another tour which we also enjoyed.  

 

Hope you all have a Marvelous Monday!!

 

41 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

Good morning.  Thanks for the Daily and Fleet Report.

 

It's snowing!  Again. 🙁  Oh well, everything looks pretty, the snow covers up a lot of litter.

 

A wonderful collection of days.  Ear muffs are necessary here.  I'd be happy to receive some jewels today, or any day.  I'd like to think I was smart and sexy but I only want my husband to notice the sexy part.

I like the quote.

The meal sounds good, looking forward to seeing the recipe.

I hope the drink and wine are tasty too.

Thanks for the pictures of today's port.  Someday, I hope to see it in person.

 

@grapau27 Happy Birthday to beautiful Pauline.  I hope she has many more! 🎂

 

Prayers for everyone who needs them.  Cheers for all the celebrations.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Stay safe.

 

26 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

@grapau27

 

Pauline, may your new year be filled with laughter, love, great health & cruises!

 

 

19 minutes ago, ottahand7 said:

Good Monday morning from Dominica.  First time here.   Thank you for the Daily Reports Sandi.  Finally Linda and I are at the top of the list at 3/18.  We are sad to see it end.   Prayers for all on our Care list and the people of Ukraine.  @StLouisCruisers thanks for all the lovely photos of Dunedin.  

Our day rather fell apart again yesterday. We shopped the excellent port facility in Barbados then headed out to wait for our tour.  It was supposed to leave at 12:30 but the previous tour same program was not back yet.  Shore excursions rep couldn't guarantee we would have a decent cushion after our tour to clean up for Chef's table so he allowed us to cancel with refund.   Dinner was so so.  Didn't live up to the hype. I did find some of my favorite cologne YSL Paris, at Duty Free.  

@grapau27please tell Pauline Happy Birthday! 🎂🍾🌷

 

4 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

Thank you for getting us started, Sandy! Thank you for not forgetting us, while you are touring the World, Rich!
 

It is still dark. We had rain & a T-storm in the wee hours of the morning. And once again Bindi shows no interest in heading out. But we had a lovely bedtime walk last night. 
 

Vanessa, thank you for keeping track of us so carefully!

 

The pollen has really wreaked havoc with my allergies this weekend. I am actually considering wearing a mask when I head out with Bindi. I took a Zirtec & if it helps, I will go to the gym. If not, I will just stay home. Just another week or so of this pollen. I will survive. 
 

 

 

 

 

Prayers for all who need our support. Cheers to all who are celebrating - @grapau27, please wish Pauline a very Happy Birthday!

 

Get well & stay well everyone!

 

**********

Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, California

I used the 2019 vintage info, since that seemed to have the most info available. All released vintages shared similar reasonable prices and consumer opinions. Numerous online distributors with prices starting at $12.99.

 

Winemaker Notes

This brilliantly clear, pale-straw-colored Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, bright, and crisp. The wine opens with complex aromas of lime zest, Meyer lemon, pink grapefruit, lemongrass, freshly cut hay, honeysuckle, and a hint of wet stone. Fresh and forward, zesty flavors of grapefruit and citrus with subtle herbal notes meld beautifully with a vivid acidity. Fresh, full, and vibrant, the finish is long and lingering with lemongrass and mineral. SIMI Winery Executive Chef Kolin Vazzoler suggests pairing this wine with shaved spring vegetables and radicchio with shallot Sauvignon Blanc vinaigrette, Dungeness crab salad with endive and Meyer lemon dressing, BBQ scallops with salsa verde, arugula pesto tortellini, and roasted sole with parsley, capers, and garlic. It’s also a great aperitif with prosciutto and melon, goat cheese, poke salad, or raw oysters.

WW88

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

The 2019 Simi Sauvignon Blanc is smooth and nicely textured. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers delightful aromas and flavors of apple, peach, and melon. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with melon and prosciutto. 

Pauline asked me to pass on her thanks to everyone who wishes her a happy birthday.

Graham.

[aliaschief]

Good morning. We had a pretty stormy night and the rain just stopped. Not sure why I’m up so early after staying up late watching the Oscars. 
 

Graham please pass on to your beautiful Pauline Happy Birthday wishes.

We put the trash can out this morning in case our visiting bear was around. Though it’s still pitch black out there. 

Laundry day then the rest of week is filled with appointments. 

Feel like I jumped the gun on getting up but maybe the coffee will kick in and help me wake up.

Thanks to all who get up so early to get the Daily off the press.

Have a great week.

 

 

[summer slope]

Lion and The Lamb cocktail:

 

Ingredients
1 3/4 parts Maker's Mark® Bourbon
3/4 parts Lime Juice
1/2 part Orgeat Syrup
1/4 part St Elizabeth Allspice Dram
2 dashes Bitters
Garnish Lime And Cherry Flag

Instructions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass or over ice. Garnish with a lime and cherry flag.

 

[StLouisCruisers]

@grapau27Graham, that is a lovely photo of Pauline.    Thanks for posting it.

 

@aliaschiefBruce, outstanding collection of memes today.  We all need a laugh in the morning.

[summer slope]

Happy Birthday Paulline.  Enjoy your special day.

[rafinmd]

Thank you Rich, Sandi, Vanessa, Dixie, Debbie, and Ann, and Happy Birthday Pauline.  No idea what the menu suggestion is,  I haven't had earmuffs in years and don't have a lot of jewlery.  I hope I'm smart and sexy.  Great quote bu Angelou.  Dunedin is a special port as it's the home port of @erewhon.  I've been there twice and both times met @erewhon  for lunch and a little bit of touring,  In 2018 they joined me on the Crystal Symphony for lunch at the equivalent of Dive-In and in 2020 they took me to a local restaurant when Crystal Serenity visited,

 

I slept well last night but am still a feeling a bit lazy this morning.

 

Roy