Live from…Z and TB’s Scandinavian Escapade

[Zqueeze1]

16 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

They hold me well and I consider myself part of the hefty club.  I do like the seats at the Splendor pool bar. It just so happens that more are needed. 
 

Z and TB

 

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning!  I finally got a good night’s sleep and feel great.  We are in Gothenburg, Sweden and raring to see the sights.  Our tour today is a panoramic and walking tour of the city. We are looking forward to it. TB is still sleeping and I am on my second French press coffee.  

 

We are now Meridian Lounge groupies.  This is Irina our favorite bar tender:

 

 

 

We decided to eat at Sette Mari last night.  We had to wait until 2000, but that’s what the lounges are for.  It was another great meal.

App:

 

Inga (her self given call sign) had a superb steak 

 

 

And I had veal picata. 

 

 

Both dishes were awesome. I know because I tasted both. we were fortunate to sit outside where we had a beautiful view of sail away. 
 

 

In continuing our tradition, we failed to make the evening show. 

 

A couple of comments:

-Service has been impeccable and very professional

-The seating areas through light the ship are well separated with plenty of room allowing one to feel as if the ship is never crowded

-The crew is very friendly and approachable

-Meals have been excellent with only a couple of minor misses

 

Here is a pic of Copenhagen stolen from Passages:

 

 

Tomorrow: Kiel, Germany where we visit a former concentration camp. 

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

In case inquiring minds want to know, Hockeyken is a long time friend from Canada. We have been trading insults for over thirteen years. Not to keep you out of the loop, here is a pic of him when he was younger:

 

Here he is chilling out:

 

 

He’s a real peach. 
 

Z and TB

[lincslady]

Those wake photos are so good at reminding you about some of the best moments on a ship - maybe at a table for two right at the stern outside  the buffet restaurant, with a glass or two of wine and lunch on the way, on a lovely day.  Thanks.

[Techno123]

10 hours ago, pingpong1 said:

If a baby duck is a "duckling"...why isn't a small Goose a "gooseling"?

It is (well almost) it's a gosling 😁

[lincslady]

And why isn't a baby swan a 'swanling'?😉

[Gpilon]

7 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

Good Morning!  I finally got a good night’s sleep and feel great.  We are in Gothenburg, Sweden and raring to see the sights.  Our tour today is a panoramic and walking tour of the city. We are looking forward to it. TB is still sleeping and I am on my second French press coffee.  

 

We are now Meridian Lounge groupies.  This is Irina our favorite bar tender:

 

 

 

We decided to eat at Sette Mari last night.  We had to wait until 2000, but that’s what the lounges are for.  It was another great meal.

App:

 

Inga (her self given call sign) had a superb steak 

 

 

And I had veal picata. 

 

 

Both dishes were awesome. I know because I tasted both. we were fortunate to sit outside where we had a beautiful view of sail away. 
 

 

In continuing our tradition, we failed to make the evening show. 

 

A couple of comments:

-Service has been impeccable and very professional

-The seating areas through light the ship are well separated with plenty of room allowing one to feel as if the ship is never crowded

-The crew is very friendly and approachable

-Meals have been excellent with only a couple of minor misses

 

Here is a pic of Copenhagen stolen from Passages:

 

 

Tomorrow: Kiel, Germany where we visit a former concentration camp. 

 

Z and TB

Great pics. Irina is a terrific bartender and Meridian was our favorite lounge also. While the Bride visited the casino (often) I would sit at Meridian bar, keep Irina company, and sway to the music. Unfortunately, I did that also when the band was on break. 

[pingpong1]

5 hours ago, lincslady said:

And why isn't a baby swan a 'swanling'?😉

Exactly my point!  Thanks!  🤪

[flossie009]

11 hours ago, lincslady said:

And why isn't a baby swan a 'swanling'?😉

 

5 hours ago, pingpong1 said:

Exactly my point!  Thanks!  🤪

 

Cygnet is derived from the French and Latin for Swan, apparently 🤔

https://birdfact.com/articles/baby-swans (Google is my friend 😉) 

 

 

[labonnevie]

If you don’t learn at least one new thing on this board every day, you’re either a genius or you’re just not trying!

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning!  We are currently docking in Kiel and it looks like another beautiful day. 

 

I got hit by the sleep monster yesterday and slept through most of our tour. But, what I did see of Sweden was spectacular.  I slept through every bit of commentary. It was awesome.  

 

We went to two islands about 75 minutes from the port and walked around them.  Both islands were noted for their summer homes owned by locals as well as many Norwegians. We even saw folks swimming in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rest of the day was spent paying my respects to Marko at the pool bar. 
 

 

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

 We started the evening last night visiting Irina and watching the sunset with new friends. 

 

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

I am having some internet issues so had to split up the posts.  IRT the internet, it has been the fastest I have ever experienced. Uploading of pics can take about a minute compared to the old days where it would take a minute per pic. Unfortunately, my luck has run out and am having a difficult time loading pics. 
 

Here is the run down of last night’s chow.

 

 

TB/Inga had soup, risotto, and scallops. 
 

 

 

 

I had a cesar salad, crab and avocado app, and the spectacular sea bass.

 

 

 

 

Everything was perfect and made me do a happy dance after chow.  Of course, we missed the show and hit the rack by 2200. 

Today we plan to turn in our tour tickets and  walk into town on our own in the hunt for beer and brats.  Tomorrow will be our day to visit a former concentration camp.  

Z and TB

 

 

 

 

 

[Mudhen]

We've been enjoying all of your commentary, pix, etc. The only thing that would've made this better would've been an in person account.....shades of the "infamous" Explorer TA from a few years ago!

Sounds like you've got beautiful weather and are enjoying all that the Splendor and Regent has to offer.

Keep sipping, sampling and carry on! Best to you both on the big 40!

John and Linda

[Zqueeze1]

Happy Father’s Day!!!

Z and TB

[LoveBora]

11 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

 We started the evening last night visiting Irina and watching the sunset with new friends. 

 

 

Z and TB

Z, please tell me what drink that is. We will be on the Splendor starting in late August, and it looks like one I will have to try. DH and I are very much enjoying your posts and your great sense of humor🙏. 

[tnr]

Z, looking forward to reading about your tour to the concentration camp.  We were scheduled for the same excursion last summer.   Alas,, Covid made other plans and we had to miss it.

 

[hockeyken]

Happy Fathers Day, Sven.

At least the pictures of me you posted showed my good side.

Despite some insults, Zqueeze is a gentleman and a scholar, and Inga is a fine lady, who doesn't mind settling for less, a LOT less.

 

Z (centre) and I ( on right, with THREE STOOGES T-SHIRT) having some Montecristo #2's which I brought from Cuba.

K

[Zqueeze1]

12 hours ago, LoveBora said:

Z, please tell me what drink that is. We will be on the Splendor starting in late August, and it looks like one I will have to try. DH and I are very much enjoying your posts and your great sense of humor🙏. 

It is a whisky sour made by Irina at the Meridian Lounge. 
 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

Note:  I am posting without pics since I cannot get them to upload this morning.  Will repost as soon as I can get internet to cooperate.
 

Good Morning!  Kiel is a beautiful port city currently in the midst of celebrating a sailing festival along with what seems to be a city wide party.  It is located in the Baltic coast in northern Germany.  There are many food and liquor stands open to the public.  

 

We cancelled our tour to a village and decided to walk throughout the city center.  Of course we had to have a local beer as well as a delicious bratwurst. Both were superb. 

 

The city is very walkable from the port with a blue line painted on the sidewalk for one to follow into the city center.  We walked along Dänische Strasse which is lined with shops. We loved seeing many mature trees especially since they are so rare where we live. 

 

In the old town, the medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts. 

 

We overnighted in Kiel and will depart tomorrow for a well deserved sea day. 

 

Last night we went to Pacific Rim for what became a memorable dining experience and Asian food fest.  The colors of the food are so vibrant and the flavors explode. TB had spring rolls, giant punk tiger prawns, mushrooms, and pork ribs. 

 

I had beef tataki beef, pot stickers, pork ribs, and lamb chops.  

 

Of course we shared each app and entree making this a five star happy dance event.  

 

Z and TB

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning!   We are having a sea day today after a sobering and thought provoking day yesterday.  

 

The internet is still slow when uploading pics. But will try.  

 

We spent the morning on a bus tour to Hamburg where we saw the usual sights to include the red light district (sorry no pics of that one). After a quick bite at an excellent deli, we proceeded to our next destination, Nueungamer concentration camp.  

 

 

Prior to lunch, we were told to ensure we had cash since many shops in Hamburg don’t take credit cards.  An unfortunate couple ordered the works to include wine only to be told it was a cash only business.  Since they had no Euros, the poor husband took off like a bat out of hell looking for an ATM.  He never found one and was relieved when they finally accepted his dollars.  

 

The concentration camp was a sobering experience.  It was a minor camp that dealt mainly in brick making but evolved more into the death business.  50,000 souls were lost in this camp mostly by gassing. I felt sadness and anger as I thought about how can we do these atrocities to each other?  Why can man be so cruel?  The memory of the victims of this camp live on through ongoing research to identify every person who was murdered there. I was quiet on the ride back to the ship, but glad to have had the opportunity to experience the camp. 

Victims’ memorial tower:

 

 

Mementos left to honor loved ones:

 

 

Panels listing names of victims:

 

 

Guard tower

 

 

Remains of where victims were gassed:

 

 

Z and TB

[frantic36]

😢 Thank you. Another well written though sad post. You're right about not understanding how people can perform these atrocities, and, though not on the same scale of atrocities, they still occur.

[Mudhen]

Thank you for your report. I felt I couldn't click the little "heart" that says "like" for your post as I didn't "like" it, but totally appreciated it. I agree with all you commented on, and hope to see a day when we can be kinder to ALL.

[Zqueeze1]

This is what we had for dinner last night.  Pam had the bread and risotto,  I had the Caesar salad, crab and avocado salad , and cod fish and filet.  All the entrees were awesome and melted my bones. 
 

Z and TB
 

 

ihad the cedar salad 

[Mudhen]

What a lovely picture of TB.....you're a laaa key....man!!!