Live from the Volendam - please join the Merry Widows on their cruise 😊

[kazu]

And now you get the embarrassing kazu story behind these pics.

 

I woke up and thought the clock said 6:30 AM on Portland day so I figured I might as well get up and have my bath.  Got out of the bathtub dressed and put on my watch.

 

Ooops - it was 4:15 AM 😱. Well, once I’m up, I’m up - so I slipped out of the room ever so quietly and headed to the Lido to get a coffee, catch up on emails and my thread.

 

I saw the sun rise

 

 

One of the few sundries pics you will get from me so enjoy 😉 

 

 

and entering Portland.

 

 

 

Amazingly I stayed up all too late, took in the show - more on that later and the casino.

Some people are just plain crazy 😂 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Jacqui, I just now today had the chance to get caught up on your thread. Love your pictures and food porn pics.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, roupa said:

Do you know what “table” games ( not video games) they have in the casino?

 

There’s several tables.  I think all the games are offered.  I will double check for you tonight.  Oops - now I have to go back to the casino (like that wasn’t going to happen anyways 😆)

 

1 hour ago, Dismomx5 said:

I use a folding cane for support when I anticipate that my knees will start to act up. Do you find the walking sticks as sturdy? That is probably my worry. Are they strong enough to support me? If so, maybe I should give them a try. I think that walking sticks would be less stress on my hands/wrist and shoulders.

 

They are very sturdy.  Now, unlike a cane, you can’t lean on them that much BUT they can help push you and still support you and if you hold them vertical they do give support if you are standing.

the plus for me is that they make your back stay straight if you use them right whereas with a cane you tend to lean.  Since my back diagnosis it’s key I keep it straight until we sort it out.

the only thing I find is that the feet can move and I have to move them back.  Mine come with different feet for sidewalks, snow, etc.  You don’t want to use them with the cane type bottom.  It doesn’t do what you need for walking.  maybe for standing, but not for walking.
 

Hope this helps?

[1of4]

2 hours ago, Dismomx5 said:

I use a folding cane for support when I anticipate that my knees will start to act up. Do you find the walking sticks as sturdy? That is probably my worry. Are they strong enough to support me? If so, maybe I should give them a try. I think that walking sticks would be less stress on my hands/wrist and shoulders.

Honestly, I find hiking poles more stress on my shoulders and back because they are taller than my cane. I can’t walk outside my house without using a cane because of balance issues. So I have been told collapsible canes are not for me as I do put weight on it, not just casually place it down while walking. That said, canes need to be fit to you for proper posture. Too tall and they become a walking stick; too short and you walk slumped over. I just worried about your question “are they strong enough to support me”. Think what you will do if one breaks and if that would ruin your vacation. My occupational therapist said no to collapsible for me. 

[Dismomx5]

4 hours ago, 1of4 said:

Honestly, I find hiking poles more stress on my shoulders and back because they are taller than my cane. I can’t walk outside my house without using a cane because of balance issues. So I have been told collapsible canes are not for me as I do put weight on it, not just casually place it down while walking. That said, canes need to be fit to you for proper posture. Too tall and they become a walking stick; too short and you walk slumped over. I just worried about your question “are they strong enough to support me”. Think what you will do if one breaks and if that would ruin your vacation. My occupational therapist said no to collapsible for me. 

Thanks for your insight. I don't actually use them for 'support' as much as a tool to reduce the weight bearing on one knee as I walk. I had my first folding cane give out at the airport on one trip. It was a tough slog through the airport, but I wasn't incapable. I now have a second cane in my carry on in the event that my cane were to give up the ghost while on vacation. The second one came in handy last summer when my sister tripped in a hole in Cornerbrook. She was bedridden for one day, and then was able to use the cane for the next couple days on the shore excursions.

[aliaschief]

Just catching up on CC. Enjoying hearing about your cruise. 
Thanks for sharing.

[Ellencruise]

On 4/26/2024 at 9:25 AM, Ellencruise said:

great recommendation, duck tour. I’ll be in Boston 6/20 before 6/22 sailaway. Now I know what tour I’m taking.

Hmm duck tour, food tour in North End, or both?!

[Huskerchick]

18 hours ago, kazu said:

So yesterday we were in Portland.  It was a very short visit again due to slowing down for whale migration.

7 - 12:30.  This is a “sloth” cruise so we are in no rush and had a leisurely breakfast in the PG.

 

I told Deb that the ham and cheese skillet was good but she said she didn’t

t like poached eggs.  I told her to ask for scrambled and she got it.

 

 

She liked it.  

 

I had my on occasion favourite eggs Benedict - without sauce.

 

 

oh and of course, we had mimosas.  I told you it was a sloth cruise 😂 

 

I had found a trolly tour that I thought would be perfect for our short day and my foot and legs but sadly. It doesn’t start until May 1st.  WTH?  I  live near a port city and season or not, I guarantee you if a cruise ship is in town everything is up and running.

 

But we found a fire truck trolly tour - an old fire truck - quite historic - that does the same thing and goes around Portland to the sites.  Very good.  One hour so enough time NOT to be late for the all on board time 😉 

 

On the walk there it appeared that all the buildings in one area were originally warehouses and were converted to shops and apartments.  They were quite interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

Portland is a great city and from your picture it looks like you docked in the old port part of town. Sorry you weren't there longer as there are some great restaurants in that area. Weather looks great and your SE sounded cool

[POA1]

On 4/26/2024 at 1:27 PM, kazu said:

it was a lovely piece of tenderloin ~ huge, way too much for me but I.t was as tender as can be. Nthe dumplings whew different - nearly a pasta like with a lobster auction & hint of lobster.  They were good.  It’s the David Burke special on the menu.  No surcharge

You can get the lobster ravioli with any of the steaks. Just ask nicely. There is bit of a sauce, but I backed it up with Bearnaise. You could probably ask for extra lobster ravioli sauce if you want.

 

I think the long, ribbon tuile cracker is standard for the PG lunch cheese plate now.

 

 

Our PG waitress left the bread basket and offered more if we needed it. I'm going to make a point of asking for extra crackers in March. If people hadn't pointed the cracker situation out here, I'd have never noticed. Now you have me deeply concerned. 🤨

[Bluenoser3]

18 hours ago, kazu said:

And now you get the embarrassing kazu story behind these pics.

 

I woke up and thought the clock said 6:30 AM on Portland day so I figured I might as well get up and have my bath.  Got out of the bathtub dressed and put on my watch.

 

Ooops - it was 4:15 AM 😱. Well, once I’m up, I’m up - so I slipped out of the room ever so quietly and headed to the Lido to get a coffee, catch up on emails and my thread.

 

I saw the sun rise

 

 

One of the few sundries pics you will get from me so enjoy 😉 

 

 

and entering Portland.

 

 

 

Amazingly I stayed up all too late, took in the show - more on that later and the casino.

Some people are just plain crazy 😂 

 

[Bluenoser3]

18 hours ago, kazu said:

And now you get the embarrassing kazu story behind these pics.

 

I woke up and thought the clock said 6:30 AM on Portland day so I figured I might as well get up and have my bath.  Got out of the bathtub dressed and put on my watch.

 

Ooops - it was 4:15 AM 😱. Well, once I’m up, I’m up - so I slipped out of the room ever so quietly and headed to the Lido to get a coffee, catch up on emails and my thread.

 

I saw the sun rise

 

 

One of the few sundries pics you will get from me so enjoy 😉 

 

 

and entering Portland.

 

 

 

Amazingly I stayed up all too late, took in the show - more on that later and the casino.

Some people are just plain crazy 😂 

Hi Jacqui! Rick and Sue from the Oct transatlantic. We aren't stalking you, honestly! We are getting on this ship on Saturday for an unplanned little getaway. I hope that you have had a lovely time. Too bad that we didn't meet up. I am still a Roll Call newbie, and a slow learner, I think, but let us know what you have upcoming. Would love to meet up again. Take good care. Sue.

[kazu]

4 hours ago, Bluenoser3 said:

Hi Jacqui! Rick and Sue from the Oct transatlantic. We aren't stalking you, honestly! We are getting on this ship on Saturday for an unplanned little getaway. I hope that you have had a lovely time. Too bad that we didn't meet up. I am still a Roll Call newbie, and a slow learner, I think, but let us know what you have upcoming. Would love to meet up again. Take good care. Sue.

hi Sue & Rick,

 

nice to hear from you 🙂 

 

can you see signatures?  The cruises I am going on are the spread sheets in my signature - all on the Oosterdam - it seemed to have the best itineraries.  This fall, next spring and a nice Nov. 2nd one with lots of great friends on boars - I got lured 😘. 😆 

[Bluenoser3]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

hi Sue & Rick,

 

nice to hear from you 🙂 

 

can you see signatures?  The cruises I am going on are the spread sheets in my signature - all on the Oosterdam - it seemed to have the best itineraries.  This fall, next spring and a nice Nov. 2nd one with lots of great friends on boars - I got lured 😘. 😆 

Hi again!!

 

I couldn't see signatures but I went exploring and fine tuned my settings, so I can now!

 

We are also on the Nov 2nd trip! We actually booked that on the Rotterdam in October. We are also on the Oosterdam this summer, it will be our first time on her.A 7 day with non retired folks, so it has to be a quickie!! I will look for a roll call for them both. We have a caribbean in Jan on the Nieuw Statendam, just to escape winter. I am sure you can relate!

 

Great to connect, have a wonderful time, get the bartenders warmed up for me!!

[Haljo1935]

18 hours ago, Dismomx5 said:

Thanks for your insight. I don't actually use them for 'support' as much as a tool to reduce the weight bearing on one knee as I walk. I had my first folding cane give out at the airport on one trip. It was a tough slog through the airport, but I wasn't incapable. I now have a second cane in my carry on in the event that my cane were to give up the ghost while on vacation. The second one came in handy last summer when my sister tripped in a hole in Cornerbrook. She was bedridden for one day, and then was able to use the cane for the next couple days on the shore excursions.

We got these Medical King brand and bought tips to swap out so we have the beefier quad tip when we want/need more of a cane function and small tip for use as a walking stick. They fold up and so far seem very durable.

 

[terrydtx]

Hi Jacqui, I am just now catching up. We will be on the Volendam in August with 2 other couples doing the Boston to Montreal leg and then staying in Quebec City for a few days after we get off in Montreal. For the 6 of us this will be our first time in that part of Canada. Just looking forward to being out of the 100+ heat of South Texas for 3 weeks. The Volendam was our first HAL ship back in 2007 and we are looking forward to being back on her. Thanks for doing this live thread.

 

Terry

[kazu]

16 hours ago, Bluenoser3 said:

Hi again!!

 

I couldn't see signatures but I went exploring and fine tuned my settings, so I can now!

 

We are also on the Nov 2nd trip! We actually booked that on the Rotterdam in October.

 

 

Wonderful!  I’ll see you next year.  The roll call is up and rolling

 

 

16 hours ago, Bluenoser3 said:

 

Great to connect, have a wonderful time, get the bartenders warmed up for me!!

 

Who me?  Warm up the bartenders ??! 😆 

[kazu]

Been having a few issues with internet.  For whatever reason when we returned from port, we had to log back in and like a dummy, I didn’t think of that soon enough and figured internet was down.

 

So, I’m doing some back racking.  Portland night our entertainer was Mike Robinson from Halifax.  My understanding is he was called in when one of the dancers had passport issues.  

 

I don’t know how to describe Mike except to say he is as funny as heck and a very talenteted ventriloquist.  I was laughing so hard that only after did I fully comprehend the difficulty of what he was doing.

 

If you have the chance to see him - go.  He is very talented and very funny.

 

[kazu]

On our Portland day, we had to be back on board by 12:30.  With a sailing that early ther was a nice invite to the 5* Mariners+ to attend the Round the World Wine Tasting.

 

 

 

 

 

it’s always fun and a lot better IMO than the regular wine tastings.  

 

 

I don’y remember seeing these plates used before.

 

[kazu]

Every table had a lovely floral display and kazu being kazu just had to take pics.  😉 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

That evening we had dinner at the Canaletto with Rich @richwmn

 

 

 

 

good company

 

 

 

 

 

 

and good food

 

 

 

 

 

 

what more can anyone ask for?

[Haljo1935]

@kazu those flowers are so pretty - can never say enough what great florists HAL has.

And the 5* wine tasting looks like a winner except there seem to be no crackers. I'm telling you - you have opened our eyes to the Great Cracker Shortage of 2024 👀 🥺

[FlorenceItaly]

Hi Jacqui - does the casino have any of the Piggy machines???  Enjoying your review.  Thank you.

[kazu]

17 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

@kazu those flowers are so pretty - can never say enough what great florists HAL has.

And the 5* wine tasting looks like a winner except there seem to be no crackers. I'm telling you - you have opened our eyes to the Great Cracker Shortage of 2024 👀 🥺

 

You are correct.  There were some bread things on some of the plates.

 

We mostly tasted Italy, New Zealand & France.  New Zealand was the winner for me and I told the steward to fill ‘er up.

 

[kazu]

17 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Hi Jacqui - does the casino have any of the Piggy machines???  Enjoying your review.  Thank you.

 

I haven’t seen them but I haven’t bee at every machine in the casino 😉. Machines are pretty busy so hard to check them all but I’ll keep my eye out for you.  Is it just pigs on the screen?

[FlorenceItaly]

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

I haven’t seen them but I haven’t bee at every machine in the casino 😉. Machines are pretty busy so hard to check them all but I’ll keep my eye out for you.  Is it just pigs on the screen?

Yes, three large pigs on the front.  Thanks.  Warning, it is highly addictive, LOL!