The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday April 18th, 2024

[grapau27]

58 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

We have been to Sydney twice.   The first time was in 2000 on P&O's Oriana world cruise.  In 2002, we were on the 64-day APEC cruise on Volendam, and spent 1 1/2 days in Sydney.

 

In 2000, when we were a lot younger, we had a busy day beginning with the sail in.    We took the Ho-Ho and then walked around downtown Sydney.

 

The sunrise as we sailed in and the pilot boat.

 

Our first view of the skyline and the Opera House as we headed toward Circular Quay.

 

Just one picture of the shopping district

 

When we got back to Circular Quay, we decided to take the ferry to Manly across the bay.

 

I couldn't resist the sunset pictures on two iconic symbols of Sydney.

 

In 2002, Volendam sailed into the bay about noon.  This was Volendam's maiden call in Sydney, and we were greeted by a fire boat who lead us to Circular Quay.

 

When we left the ship, two wildlife experts greeted us, one with a Koala and one with a Sugar Baby, who had the softest fur.  Sorry it's a little blurry.

 

That afternoon, we took the Ho-Ho and visited a couple of museums, including an old electric power plant, but I don't have pictures. 

 

The next day, we rented a car and drove to the Blue Mountains, and on the way back, around some of the far reaches of Sydney.

 

We saw this unusual bug that seems to have a face on his back.  It looks like some type of moth.  I had to really zoom in so the "face" would show up.

 

Some pictures of the Blue Mountains

 

I've always thought Dali's work while different was interesting.

 

The Rocks

 

Sailaway

 

The sunset over Sydney as we sailed toward the Bay of Islands.

 

Lenda

Very interesting photos Lenda.

[puppycanducruise]

@Cruzin Terri Happy Birthday to your DH Jim 🎂

[puppycanducruise]

@kazu  Thanks for the update, so happy for you!✨

[Haljo1935]

3 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

@kazu  Thanks for the update, so happy for you!✨

+1 @kazu YAY!

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego.  April 18 was a sea day from Puerto Chiapas to Cabo San Lucas:

 

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

I want to post some photos of Sydney from 3 of my 4 trips there.  I visited on a land trip in 2003 but my first cruise there was in 2010, the first of my crazy combination cruises, Crystal Symphony Los Angeles to Sydney, flying to Bangkok, and then Queen Victoria on to Dubai.  At the time I made it a point to spend a night under the stars once per month year around.

 

I had found Lane Cove Holiday Park North of Sydney and spent a night there before flying to Bangkok..  I'll also comment on my interaction with the border authorities.  I had prepared for a visit without leaving any strange species behind and was not expecting to have to declare anything.  I had brand new tent stakes, and a brand new plastic sheet to lay on the ground.  When I got the custom's form I noticed wood on the declarations list and told them the hammer I would use to set up my tent had a wood handle.  He looked at it and cleared it, and then asked about my stakes.  When I told them they were brand new I was good to go.  They are good and also very cooperative if you are honest with them.

 

 

 

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

Next time was 2018 on Crystal's 2-ship world cruise, sailing Fort Lauderdale to Sydney on Crystal Serenity and returning to Fort Lauderdale on Crystal Symphony,  Serenity had a total of 3 days in Sydney and cannot get under the bridge.  The day we arrived I took a walk across the bridge.  Sandi posted a photo of the walk way, this is another one closing in on one of the towers:

 

 

We had to leave at the crack of dawn the next morning to make way for another ship at the berth.  Symphony was docked at White Bay and some of the ferries moved us over to her.

 

 

Our final day in Sydney I had a tour of the Opera house visiting the big auditorium.  The Concert Hall:

 

The Opera Hall and Stage:

 

 

That afternoon we left with the Symphony passing Serenity which fell into line behind us following behind until we turned towards our respective next ports.

 

 

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

My last visit to Sydney was in 2020, arriving March 3 on Crystal Serenity and leaving March 6 on Queen Mary 2.  The weather was miserable and not many photos but I did visit 2 of the smaller venues in the Opera House.

 

The first was the Drama Theater where I watched a play "No Pay, No Way"

 

 

 

 

The other was "The Studio: where I attended the musical "Six"

 

 

 

Roy

[summer slope]

That’s what I get for posting at 5 am. I’ll post the correct drink when I get home. 

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all!  Just a quick hi to wish Happy birthdays to all celebrating. @StLouisCruisers@sailingdutchy and @Cruzin Terri 

 

@kazu so glad you had great news and are on the road to recovery.   Glad you were cautious as those can be very nasty.  Wishing you speedy healing!  
 

We have enjoyed many national monuments,  particularly Devils Tower! 

[Nickelpenny]

 

Good morning and thanks for the daily and fleet report.  Three good days to celebrate with either a Long Island Iced Tea OR a Long Beach Iced Tea OR both and a Spinach & Artichoke Dip Grilled Cheese!!  😉 I don't get the quote at all and pass on the wine.  Never been to Sydney.  Historic day for the Catholic Church.  Today is also National Piñata Day - a fun party activity here in the Southwest!!

 

 

Another beautiful day in the desert.  We will probably hit 90F today.  We have a contest here where you guess the day and exact time the "ice breaks" on the Santa Cruz River - actually when it will hit 100F.  I think it will be early this year but we have been known to have a cold spell after good weather.  Last year it was April 30th at 1:59pm!  The grand prize is a Lennox AC unit valued at $11,500!!

 

 

6 month labs done yesterday.  Not too bad - not much change - but need to eat more fish to bring that cholesterol down a tad as the triglycerides are good.  My PCP hasn't reviewed them yet but I don't anticipate that he would recommend starting any meds.  Yah!!

 

Just got a phone call that my insurance "approved" my surgery!!  That just irks me to no end!  Why should the insurance companies have the ability to ..........  ok, I will stop here before I go on a very long rant!!  🤬

 

 

@kazu Glad you are able to go!!  Cheers to all of those celebrating and thoughts for those on the care list.

 

Have a wonderful day everyone!

[grapau27]

30 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

My last visit to Sydney was in 2020, arriving March 3 on Crystal Serenity and leaving March 6 on Queen Mary 2.  The weather was miserable and not many photos but I did visit 2 of the smaller venues in the Opera House.

 

The first was the Drama Theater where I watched a play "No Pay, No Way"

 

 

 

 

The other was "The Studio: where I attended the musical "Six"

 

 

 

Roy

Thank you for sharing your good photos Roy.

[StLouisCruisers]

Thanks to all for the lovely birthday wishes for DN Lisa!  She is such a sweetheart, and told me she is on her way to the park to play with Elliott Rose and momma Jordan today.  What could be better?

 

Roy @rafinmd thanks so much for posting your photos of unusual spots in Sydney.  The Opera House, theaters and the camping.  We need to see more of your photos of port of the day.

 

Dixie @summer slope don't worry about it the drink.  We're fine with both drinks!  Are you and George almost packed for your Disney cruise?  

 

Terri @Cruzin Terri thanks for posting the whole poem by Longsworth about Paul Revere.  I don't think I've ever read the whole thing before.  Pretty impressive!

 

Edited to say:  Should have mentioned, DS Linda is doing okay.  Had more pain last night than the night before but got some sleep.  She agrees she has a high tolerance for pain. She says it usually gets worse before it gets better.  She is doing absolutely nothing today which sounds good to me.

Edited April 18 by StLouisCruisers

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

We're having another beautiful sunny day.  Maybe we'll even bbq tonight.  

Interesting collection of days, I would try the drink but pass on the meal (give me plain old grilled cheese please) and red wine.  We were in Sydney last month for 2 days.  The first day we had a private tour to a wildlife park and Blue Mountains and the 2nd day we had a tour of the Opera House and Sydney.  I tried to find photos that haven't already been posted.

 

Jacqui @kazu I was so happy to hear your good report.  Now go on your cruise and enjoy!  

 

I haven't heard more news about Amber, but will contact BFF today.  I'm trying not to bother her too often, because as she said, they're "just trying to keep on keeping on".  She knows I'm available for anything -- we live over an hour apart, but I'd go up in a heartbeat.  I also know she has lots of family and friends who are close by and offering help.  

 

Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park

 

Tasmanian Devil (note heart on his side)

 

Three Sisters at Blue Mountains

 

Boar's Head Lookout, Blue Mountains

 

Walk through the woods Blue Mountains

 

Waterfall Blue Mountains

 

Giant Palms

 

Bondi Beach

 

 

Interior of Opera House (we weren't allowed to take photos inside concert halls that day)

 

 

The tiles are self-cleaning with a special coating so rain washes all the dirt etc. into the drains

 

Evening view of Sydney from our balcony

 

 

 

[dfish]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

Good Thursday morning everyone.  Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers for taking over the Fleet Report & thanks as always to Rich, Roy, Vanessa, Debbie, Dixie & Ann.

 

Many thanks to all of you who expressed care and concern yesterday.  I really appreciate it.  To answer a couple of people, I didn’t really injure my foot.  It was a reaction to a too ambitious pedicure.  Sadly the advice that the podiatrist gave me missed the mark and aggravated things so it went from bad to worse.  thankfully I found the foot nurse specialist who quickly changed things around.

 

She actually came to the house (she offered) last night to check the foot and was pleased with the progress.  Doctor wants me to continue my protocols but I am good to go!  Foot will stay painful for a few days until everything is healed so I requested wheel chair service to not overwork it when we get to Pearson - it’s a long walk to U.S. Immigration.  Doctor was very pleased I am not pushing it.

 

Doctor is concerned with the blood flow in my foot but since it’s been that way for some time she thinks it is ok - especially since I am in North America and can get home if needed.  I have an appointment for a referral to the vascular surgeon when I return.

 

So, I best get moving and packing and prep the house.  Everything else is done - Ivan has his shots (he was a very good boy yesterday) and annual and the SUV is in the garage.

 

Many, many thanks to you all. 💜 

 

So, so, so happy for you!   Go and enjoy every second.  

 

4 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

Good morning all.

I am writing fast because I have had internet problems for the last two days.

I have no idea if they are resolved or not.  I just know that I have been unable to use the internet for last few days for any length of time.

Today is DH’s birthday and we will celebrate it at home.While our original plans were to go out to dinner, we have a big golf tournament going on here and I am sure reservations are hard to come by and service is not the best.

 

All is well and I will post when Hargray permits me to do so.

God Bless,

Terri

 

Happy Birthday to Jim!   I hope the internet figures itself out.

 

4 hours ago, Sea Viewer said:

Just about to post this. Can I pretend that cranberry makes it "healthier" than using cola!!

 

What ever is most convenient for you!

[luvteaching]

Good morning, 

 

As @Cruising-along mentioned we have another beautiful day to enjoy with temps in the mid-60's. I can handle that. It's so nice to look out and see the sun shining. 

 

@kazu I'm tickled to hear that your cruise is a "go" and that Ivan did well yesterday. Have a wonderful time!

Today is actually a stay-at-home day which is needed. Yesterday was two water aerobics classes and then stops at 2 grocery stores. At both I saw former students and chatted. I have two former students who are doing something I consider amazing. The older of the two donated a kidney to the younger one on Tuesday and the kidney is functioning great! 

 

Tomorrow is DSIL's service, reception and graveside and the weather is supposed to be good so am glad for that. The weekend shows rain at least on Sunday. Nothing surprising about that in this area. 

Have a great Thursday!
 

Karen

[Sea Viewer]

@Quartzsite Cruiser Thanks for the welcome, I have been posting infrequently to this forum recently but have been reading it daily since the beginning. It is still great that participation continues and it remains a supportive  and informative thread,

 

M

[Horizon chaser 1957]

Good morning, all! I love Sydney as a port, and we always get an overnight there on the cruises I’ve been on.

We are on the island now, frantically completing yard clean up before the burning restrictions kick in. Yesterday I got all the dead wood cut out of the apple tree. It now looks like an apple tree in spring, and not a spectre from a haunted forest. We’ve also done a lot of decluttering. Two glass topped round tables that had been taking up real estate in the loft went to a good home yesterday. It’s so nice to have the free open space. Now to fight the urge to fill the bright airy space with more stuff…

I was trying out HAL’s Standby program. The cruise I booked is now sold out, so I guess we’re out of luck unless there’s a late cancellation. All in all, I think I’d rather just go for last minute deals if I’m looking for a bargain. But we’ll see how this plays out.

Happy Thursday, and my best wishes to all facing medical and family matters. @kazu I’m so glad you can make your cruise, and your foot issue is resolving, even if it will take time.

Edited April 18 by Horizon chaser 1957

[cunnorl]

 Good Afternoon from a warm and sunny day at the beach

      Animal crackers are great. Seems I had them in the car, purse for years.  Saw lots of monuments on my recent trip to Boston. My BIL and 3 cousins were all linemen for different companies. We were in Sydney on the Noordam in 2022.  My pictures are the same.

    @StLouisCruisers Thanks for stepping up to keep us going. Not an easy task but much appreciated.

     @kazu  So glad that you are able to go on your cruise. That is scary that it came from a pedicure ! Scary stuff!

      @sailingdutchy A very Happy Birthday to your DW.

       @Cruzin Terri   A Happy Birthday to Jim!  Thanks for posting the poem on Paul Reveres ride. I grew up in the town next to Lexington. They did the re enactment every year except this year. The Green was flooded. 

        W are going to take DD down to the beach in abit. Beautiful day and she enjoys it before it gets too warm.

 

Stay safe and enjoy today

    Charlene

 

[summer slope]

Had a dental and aa chiro appointment.  Guess I didn't pay attention to the drink name.

 

Long Beach Iced Tea:

 

"This recipe is a definitive build and showcases how not all cocktails are the sum of their parts. Something tropical happens between the gin, rum, tequila, and cranberry that touches fruit punch on the palette. With this Long Beach iced tea, drink responsibly because it goes down like a blue-collar weekend…a little too fast.”

Ingredients:

1/2 oz   gin
1`/2 oz. light rum
1/2 oz.  tequila
1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. triple sec
1 oz. sour mix
2 oz cranberry juice
Garnish: Lemon Slice

Directions:

Build the ingredients in order in a Collins glass filled with ice.
Stir well.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Back from the hand x-ray, and the good news is the cyst is not calcified.  That means it doesn't have to come out which would have be surgical since it's so close to the joint.  The PA has not seen the report, but the radiology tech showed me the results on the computer and confirmed it wasn't calcified.  I also logged into the lab the PCP uses, and got my blood test results.  All but three things are within normal range.  The blood sugar and A1c are still high, but lower than last year.  I guess I'm managing to eat right most of the time.

 

2 hours ago, smitty34877 said:

Good morning. It is 43 going to 48 and raining. The heat is on again after several days of not needing it. I have soup on the stove and chicken in the oven for later today. I would like the recipe today but the rest of the group would vote no. They are funny about artichokes.I love artichokes so should make some just for me!

@Cruzin Terri, Happy Birthday to Jim!

@sailingdutchy, Tony, Happy Birthday to Martha!

and @StLouisCruisers, Sandi, Happy Birthday to Lisa,

 

I was so happy to read that @kazu, Jacqui, is free to travel but sorry it came from a pedicure. 
 

Tana and I decided to take it easy today as yesterday ended up being quite a long day. I plan to ignore laundry and grocery needs and will try to rest this afternoon.

Have a great day everyone.

 

Terry, I'm glad you and Tana are getting some rest today.

 

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Very interesting photos Lenda.

 

Thank you, Graham.

 

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

My last visit to Sydney was in 2020, arriving March 3 on Crystal Serenity and leaving March 6 on Queen Mary 2.  The weather was miserable and not many photos but I did visit 2 of the smaller venues in the Opera House.

 

The first was the Drama Theater where I watched a play "No Pay, No Way"

 

 

 

 

The other was "The Studio: where I attended the musical "Six"

 

 

 

Roy

 

Thanks you, Roy, for all the pictures from Sydney.  I enjoyed the ones inside the Opera House, since we've never had time for a tour.

 

1 hour ago, Nickelpenny said:

 

Good morning and thanks for the daily and fleet report.  Three good days to celebrate with either a Long Island Iced Tea OR a Long Beach Iced Tea OR both and a Spinach & Artichoke Dip Grilled Cheese!!  😉 I don't get the quote at all and pass on the wine.  Never been to Sydney.  Historic day for the Catholic Church.  Today is also National Piñata Day - a fun party activity here in the Southwest!!

 

 

Another beautiful day in the desert.  We will probably hit 90F today.  We have a contest here where you guess the day and exact time the "ice breaks" on the Santa Cruz River - actually when it will hit 100F.  I think it will be early this year but we have been known to have a cold spell after good weather.  Last year it was April 30th at 1:59pm!  The grand prize is a Lennox AC unit valued at $11,500!!

 

 

6 month labs done yesterday.  Not too bad - not much change - but need to eat more fish to bring that cholesterol down a tad as the triglycerides are good.  My PCP hasn't reviewed them yet but I don't anticipate that he would recommend starting any meds.  Yah!!

 

Just got a phone call that my insurance "approved" my surgery!!  That just irks me to no end!  Why should the insurance companies have the ability to ..........  ok, I will stop here before I go on a very long rant!!  🤬

 

 

@kazu Glad you are able to go!!  Cheers to all of those celebrating and thoughts for those on the care list.

 

Have a wonderful day everyone!

 

Pennie, I think the quote goes back to when cell phone plans had rollover minutes from one month to another.  Glad you lab results were good.

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Thanks to all for the lovely birthday wishes for DN Lisa!  She is such a sweetheart, and told me she is on her way to the park to play with Elliott Rose and momma Jordan today.  What could be better?

 

Roy @rafinmd thanks so much for posting your photos of unusual spots in Sydney.  The Opera House, theaters and the camping.  We need to see more of your photos of port of the day.

 

Dixie @summer slope don't worry about it the drink.  We're fine with both drinks!  Are you and George almost packed for your Disney cruise?  

 

Terri @Cruzin Terri thanks for posting the whole poem by Longsworth about Paul Revere.  I don't think I've ever read the whole thing before.  Pretty impressive!

 

Edited to say:  Should have mentioned, DS Linda is doing okay.  Had more pain last night than the night before but got some sleep.  She agrees she has a high tolerance for pain. She says it usually gets worse before it gets better.  She is doing absolutely nothing today which sounds good to me.

 

Sandi, I'm glad Linda is doing well, and often a couple of days after surgery are rougher than the day after.  I'm glad she is taking it easy today.

 

47 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

We're having another beautiful sunny day.  Maybe we'll even bbq tonight.  

Interesting collection of days, I would try the drink but pass on the meal (give me plain old grilled cheese please) and red wine.  We were in Sydney last month for 2 days.  The first day we had a private tour to a wildlife park and Blue Mountains and the 2nd day we had a tour of the Opera House and Sydney.  I tried to find photos that haven't already been posted.

 

Jacqui @kazu I was so happy to hear your good report.  Now go on your cruise and enjoy!  

 

I haven't heard more news about Amber, but will contact BFF today.  I'm trying not to bother her too often, because as she said, they're "just trying to keep on keeping on".  She knows I'm available for anything -- we live over an hour apart, but I'd go up in a heartbeat.  I also know she has lots of family and friends who are close by and offering help.  

 

Koala at Featherdale Wildlife Park

 

Tasmanian Devil (note heart on his side)

 

Three Sisters at Blue Mountains

 

Boar's Head Lookout, Blue Mountains

 

Walk through the woods Blue Mountains

 

Waterfall Blue Mountains

 

Giant Palms

 

Bondi Beach

 

 

Interior of Opera House (we weren't allowed to take photos inside concert halls that day)

 

 

The tiles are self-cleaning with a special coating so rain washes all the dirt etc. into the drains

 

Evening view of Sydney from our balcony

 

 

 

 

Carolyn, I hope the news about Amber is better.  Thanks for the pictures from Sydney.

 

30 minutes ago, luvteaching said:

Good morning, 

 

As @Cruising-along mentioned we have another beautiful day to enjoy with temps in the mid-60's. I can handle that. It's so nice to look out and see the sun shining. 

 

@kazu I'm tickled to hear that your cruise is a "go" and that Ivan did well yesterday. Have a wonderful time!

Today is actually a stay-at-home day which is needed. Yesterday was two water aerobics classes and then stops at 2 grocery stores. At both I saw former students and chatted. I have two former students who are doing something I consider amazing. The older of the two donated a kidney to the younger one on Tuesday and the kidney is functioning great! 

 

Tomorrow is DSIL's service, reception and graveside and the weather is supposed to be good so am glad for that. The weekend shows rain at least on Sunday. Nothing surprising about that in this area. 

Have a great Thursday!
 

Karen

 

Karen, I hope the weather continues to be good for DSIL's service tomorrow.

 

Lenda

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[kochleffel]

There is a 1930 Marx Brothers film called Animal Crackers, starring Margaret Dumont along with Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo. They tried to get around the Hays Code, not entirely successfully, and in 1936 a censored version was issued.

 

No on the sandwich and on the drink; too complicated. I was confused because I know someone who was the city manager of a small city called Long Beach that is on Long Island. I don't associate cranberry juice with southern California. No Grenache here, so I'll suggest the 2021 Saperavi from Deer Run. (Deer run everywhere here. Have they been sampling the wine?) What struck me about the wine was the reference to Australia's vine-pull scheme. In that, Australia was probably following the lead of the EU, which had paid growers to reduce their plantings, in order to reduce the "wine lake" of overproduction. (The term parallels the EU's "butter mountain.") The result was a worldwide wine shortage.

 

 

 

 

[grapau27]

49 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

Back from the hand x-ray, and the good news is the cyst is not calcified.  That means it doesn't have to come out which would have be surgical since it's so close to the joint.  The PA has not seen the report, but the radiology tech showed me the results on the computer and confirmed it wasn't calcified.  I also logged into the lab the PCP uses, and got my blood test results.  All but three things are within normal range.  The blood sugar and A1c are still high, but lower than last year.  I guess I'm managing to eat right most of the time.

 

 

Terry, I'm glad you and Tana are getting some rest today.

 

 

Thank you, Graham.

 

 

Thanks you, Roy, for all the pictures from Sydney.  I enjoyed the ones inside the Opera House, since we've never had time for a tour.

 

 

Pennie, I think the quote goes back to when cell phone plans had rollover minutes from one month to another.  Glad you lab results were good.

 

 

Sandi, I'm glad Linda is doing well, and often a couple of days after surgery are rougher than the day after.  I'm glad she is taking it easy today.

 

 

Carolyn, I hope the news about Amber is better.  Thanks for the pictures from Sydney.

 

 

Karen, I hope the weather continues to be good for DSIL's service tomorrow.

 

Lenda

I'm pleased you got good news from your hand x-ray Lenda and your cyst is not calcified.

[Denise T]

@kazu great news!