Live, Terry/Spirit: Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany; Pix’s!

I personally think Moss is a marvel. A genuinely delightful gentleman who works hard!

Terry I am enjoying your trip so much...great photos and commentary.

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I personally think Moss is a marvel. A genuinely delightful gentleman who works hard!

I personally think Moss is a marvel. A genuinely delightful gentleman who works hard!

 

Terry I am enjoying your trip so much...great photos and commentary.

 

 

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Second this in every way.......☺️

Here are a few visual highlights from visiting Cap Fréhel and areas in and around the Emerald Road. This area is west of Saint Malo. Very scenic!! One lighthouse was built by the famed French military engineer Vauban in the 17th century. The other, taller lighthouse only dates back to 1950. Not that old!! The cliffs here soar about 230 feet from sea up to the top. Lots of heather, birds, etc., at this location.

Great morning today in Guernsey!! WOW!! Wait till you see the pictures from our "Powerboat Seascape Expedition". Plus, we loved this like slice of the UK that exists and prospers right off the coast of France.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 51,569 views for these postings.

At Cap Fréhel, there is an older lighthouse and "newer" one that is much taller to warn ships as they attempt to navigate these challenging water of the northern Brittany coast. Plus, loved seeing lots of scenic coastal areas, birds, etc.:

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Nearly next door as the eye could see, maybe a mile or two away, was Fort La Latte. This fortress dates back to the 13th century as done by the family of Gayon-Matignon. The English attacked this point, but did not have success in capturing it and getting around its well-design defenses. Great views from here, plus a wonderful education as to the ways of keeping enemies away in the olden days.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 32,322 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

Here are some visuals from our afternoon visit to Fort La Latte. It’s a REAL CASTLE!! This fortress offers commanding views of the sea and sits on a rocky fortress that is nearly impossible to attack successfully.:

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When returning to Saint Malo, here are the approving smiles of my wife and our skilled guide, Igor. They were standing with wall and structures of Saint Malo in the background.:

Hi Penny and Terry-

Greetings from Philadelphia! Been folllowing this amazing journey and so enjoy the outstanding photos and dialogue- I almost feel like I'm there! Safe travels....

Chris:hearteyes:

So Terry, did you bump into David Bilsland whilst he was on board?

Hi Penny and Terry-

Greetings from Philadelphia! Been folllowing this amazing journey and so enjoy the outstanding photos and dialogue- I almost feel like I'm there! Safe travels....Chris :hearteyes:

So Terry, did you bump into David Bilsland whilst he was on board?

Appreciate these great comments and posting from Chris in Philadelphia. Let me know any questions!! Don't be shy!!

Did meet the Silver Spirit's Executive Chef yesterday afternoon. He was the same top chef on our Amazon River cruise two years ago on the Silver Cloud with Chris, Mark, etc. He's still a "full figured" guy who loves good food. He is originally from Australia, but lives with his wife in Thailand. In our view, we have been very pleased with the food. This includes quality and variety. There have been a few times when the service has been a little slow or inconsistent, but we are surviving well.

Sorry, Silver Spectre, have not had a chance to "bump into David Bilsland". With about 500 people on this ship, it is larger than the Silver Cloud. Plus, having a different and interesting port every day, that adds to some of the challenge in getting to know as many fellow passengers on this trip/ship.

Just arrived in Rouen/France after sailing up the famed Seine River. This capital of upper Normandy is France's either the fourth or fifth largest port. Have seen two different ranking positions. No ship tours today. Looking forward to just walking around and exploring this picturesque and historic city that is renowned as a treasury of medieval architecture. While a large part of the city was destroyed during World War II, they achieved a massive postwar reconstruction,

Rouen is billed today as an interesting blend of ancient and modern. Based on what we read and yesterday's ship presentation by destination speaker Dr. Sherry Hutt, the medieval character with still-inhabited houses dating from the 15th century is part of the character of this town. The historic areas are lined with narrow cobblestone streets. Among the city's most noteworthy attractions are the Cathedrale Notre-Dame, built during the 13th century, and the famous Gros-Horloge, a giant Renaissance clock looming over the renowned pedestrian street of the same name. Two blocks away is the Place du Vieux Marche, or old market square, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Called the "City of a Hundred Spires", Rouen was an inspiration for Monet's impressionistic cathedral paintings.

Rouen’s status as a commercial and cultural center reaches as far back as the Middle Ages. As a result of its importance, the city was the target of many sieges. During the English occupation in the Hundred Years’ War, Other tragedies include the destruction of a major part of the commercial and industrial center during bombing raids in World War II. Today the city presents an interesting mix of medieval and modern architecture. Rouen expanded outward during the 20th century with the development of industries.

Many more pictures to come later from our exciting day in Guernsey. BUT, need to get ready now to explore Rouen. We are overnight in this port. Do not get kicked off of the Silver Spirit till tomorrow morning. Will be sorry to leave the ship, but have time to be exploring more in-depth for Brittany.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Panama Canal? Just completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun pictures!! Those pictures start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

Below are a few visual highlights done by one of the Voices of Silversea from a couple of nights ago. She is the "opera specialist" among the three females voices. Have enjoyed their group and individual programs, but they have only had one show in the theater each night. Generally around 9:45 pm. Attendance at this venue has only peaked around half full or maybe two-thirds. Nice to be roomy, but many have missed some very nice entertainment. Given the busy port schedules, however, it is harder to get some on this cruise to be staying up too late in the evenings.:

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Hello Terry ,

We have been really enjoying your detailed information on your Spirit travels. The photographs are just great!

We are making our first SS cruise, or should I say any cruise for that matter, on the Muse on the 15th July.

We are both looking forward to the SS experience, we have travelled a great deal but never thought cruising was for us.

Thank you for such detail and interesting writing. I am sure we have lots to look forward to on our cruise.

Roger G. Australia.

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Hello Terry, We have been really enjoying your detailed information on your Spirit travels. The photographs are just great! We are making our first SS cruise, or should I say any cruise for that matter, on the Muse on the 15th July. We are both looking forward to the SS experience, we have travelled a great deal but never thought cruising was for us. Thank you for such detail and interesting writing. I am sure we have lots to look forward to on our cruise. Roger G. Australia.

Appreciate these very nice comments from Roger in wonderful Australia. We super loved our first visit to Australia and New Zealand in early 2014. That included doing the Great Barrier Reef area, Kangaroo Island, Sydney and Tasmania. Need to go back there. Good luck on your first cruise. Let me or us know any added questions. Assume you are sailing the Med, right?

Given that mention of your country, I have the details about the diverse mix of passengers on this sailing. It had been basically sold-out. But, the actually passenger count is a little lower than the actually capacity as there a number of singles traveling on this cruise. For some singles, they only had to pay an additional 25%, not the 100% upcharge as done with some other cruise lines for many of their itineraries.

PASSENGER SPECIFICS?: Of the 493 total passengers on this sailing, 239 are from the USA. That's 48.5% Americans. Next in nation group totals were the UK with 37 passengers, 36 from Australia, 31 from Brazil and 18 from Mexico. We heard and/or talked with many others, including those from Germany, Canada, Spain, New Zealand, etc. Nice mix of people!

Just got back from Rouen and we managed to avoid, again, any rain. There was a chance of showers late morning, but my carrying of the umbrella managed to scare away any rain drops. So far, so good, with so much great weather during this adventure. Many great Rouen visuals to be posted soon.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Venice: Loving It & Why??!! Is one of your future desires or past favorites? See these many visual samples for its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 68,766 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

From the Isle of Guernsey yesterday, here are a few visual samples. First, here is the Silver Spirit anchored off-shore and looking good. Next are some samples of the beauty on this island, its buildings, their architecture and especially their use of wonderful flowers. Warning!! This is the UK and they drive on the "wrong" side!! Plus, it's the pound currency here, but credit cards can solve your buying needs in this small, special part of the UK. Finance is the big industry here as these residents and businesses enjoy some very unique and special benefits that go back to an agreement from the English King. That "deal" happened many hundreds of years back, but continues to this date. The stores push that you can buy VAT free!:

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This final St Peter Port, Guernsey, picture shows The Chip Inn that came highly recommended for excellent fish and chips. Got some, took it back and it was very tasty and fun to have a sampling of old England right off the coast of France.:

Here are a couple of the friendly staff in the Main Dining Room. This includes Head Waiter Jeffrey and Waiter Joji. We remember Jeffrey very well from past sailings on the Silver Cloud. And, he's excellent in remembering my name. On this sailing, the MDR was not that busy at all for breakfast or lunch. Schedule and ports kept people very busy and on the run.:

Ready for some fun and excitement? These pictures do not do "things" full justice, but hopefully, you can the idea. It was the best ship excursion of the trip. In St. Peters Port/Guernsey, we did the "Powerboat Seascape Expedition" (GCI-G). YES, we did get to experience the beauty and wildlife of Guernsey in a totally different manner. We were on a 12-passenger Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB). And, this craft had two big, BIG motors!! It could speed up to 50 mph, but we only started moving after depart the harbor at a rate of 35 mph. There were railing to hang on . . . and you needed to do that, especially when he did several double 360 degree rotations in the open seas.

BUT, we also slowed down to look for wildlife. Would we do better this time than just tame ducks and a cow or two? YES!! See the photo evidence that follows. Like?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Wonderful Kotor and nearby Montenegro? Check these postings. Have had over 36,710 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and commented.:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

Here is a small sampling for what we saw and experienced during our "Powerboat Seascape Expedition". First is an example for one of the birds seen along these rocky coasts and small islands. Next we searched for seals and were rewarded with lots of fun sightings. Love the last picture of this fat male with his belly showing and he is looking right at my camera! Life is challenging??!!:

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Our tour leader said there might be, maybe, a chance to see some puffins. Maybe a few at a distance in the large cracks of the huge shore rocks. BUT, good luck was with us!! Saw a good number of these unique birds that we had enjoy in July 2010 up at the top of Norway.

The second/later ship tour group that did this same excursion, however, did not see but a small fraction for what we enjoyed. This included the Silver Spirit's experienced shore excursion manager who was with that group. I made copies of my pictures for her to share on future Silver Sea publications. Luck is a key factor as to seeing wildlife. Things vary and are hard to predict as to what you will see. Fortunately, our experiences were so great on this trip of a little over an hour. Plus, the speeding fast action, quick turns, etc., in this well-engineered and high-powered craft.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Super loved so different many parts of the Caribbean in 2015 on the Silver Cloud!!! See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at the link of "Barbados: Our Pix's, Experiences!":

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2262999

Did we see any puffins in Guernsey? YES! Here is a small sampling from our ship's "Powerboat Seascape Expedition" tour. Great fun and sightings! Aren't they cute?? Plus, lots of beach, sea gull, etc., actions and activities.:

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Here are a few more visuals from our short time in Guernsey. Wish we had had more time here, but we were very happy with the quality and variety of what was offered here on this busy and special part of the UK.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

AFRICA?!!?: Lots of interesting and dramatic pictures can be seen from this live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

Now at 32,322 views for this visual sharing including Cape Town, along South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta area.

Here is a visual as we were approaching the harbor inSt. Peters Port/Guernsey. Big castle in the background. Second shows more of that castle with a sailing boat in the foreground. Third is another view of the Silver Spirit as we were traveling on a tender for this Guernsey port.:

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Thank you for your very quick reply.

Yes, it is the Med Cruise, twelve nights Athens to Rome.

We are in Melbourne, about 25 km north east of the City.

I note you are from Columbus Ohio, I visited Akron more than thirty five years ago. I had a short contract with Goodyear, so visited as a family, we had a very nice experience with Goodyear and their engineers.

I admire your photography, Nikon I assume, by your hat in one shot?

I had a lot of Nikon until a couple of years ago, although I still have an 801 and some lenses.

I switched to Olympus OMD and have recently bought the EM1 MK2.

Hope to put it to good use in the Med.

My Son does some commercial/professional photography, all with Nikon FF.

Back of the Med cruise; as you can imagine it's all going to be new and a sharp learning curve for us, having never cruised.

Our traveling has been either Islands or Hotels, usually a couple of times a year.

We have to be a little cautious with travel as Maureen has a neurological condition which limits her ability. With this limitation we have not booked any Shore Excursions, hopefully we can see how she is traveling and book at short notice. Not the best arrangement but we have to manage things on a daily basis.

We are celebrating Maureen's 70th birthday during the trip, plus our 52nd anniversary!

Again, thank you for such a detailed report, sad that it's coming to an end, at least for this trip.

It's now after 11:30 p.m here so I will close.

Roger G

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Great Puffin shots Terry

Appreciate the wonderful comments and added follow-ups Roger G. in Australia and Silver Spectre. Yes, those puffins are such fun to see and be able to photograph in the wild. Love those colorful beaks!! It is a Nikon D7200 that I am mainly using for my photography. Will provide more details later.

For those worried that I was not getting a chance to eat, below are a few visuals from last night in La Terrazza. Wonderful, especially the fish dish. Will be in La Terrazza, again, tonight. I asked what the fish of the day might be for this evening. They were not sure as some fresh seafood was being delivered this afternoon and the chef had not totally finalized, yet, that offering. Our "Last Supper" on any ship at the end of a cruise is not "ideal fun". But, it does happen.

Have lots of great visuals from our excellent time in Rouen. BUT, not sure with all of the packing duties now, that I will have time to post those pictures yet today. Plus, the Internet hour of time allowed each day is getting limited, too.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 181,954 views for this posting.

Below are three of my dining treats from last night in La Terrazza. This includes a pasta dish with shrimp as a double-order to make sure I had enough to evaluate this dish properly. Then the main fish dish, a sole. Loved that lemon-styled sauce with this fish!! Then some rum-infused cake for dessert. Also shown with Penny and Bruce are Gary, our main waiter, and his assistant, who is doing his first cruise.:

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Here was last night's sunset view from the La Terrazza deck as we were sailing east towards Rouen.:

Here is a little of the "art look" around the ship. Yes, they have an art "expert" on the ship who is happy to help in selling these items. But, there were no fake "auctions" and we still got to see this variety of more contemporary styles as we walked around on the Silver Spirit.:

YES, after dinner, we had some entertainment with the final production number by the "Voices of Silversea". During our Amazon River-Caribbean cruise in early 2015 and South Africa last year, we had heard these programs before. BUT, each group of voices brings a little different style/approach for these performances.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 216,262 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Here are some visual samples from the final program last night by the Voices of Silversea. Their program/songs focused on opera. These were being sung in various languages, including Italian. Two of the singers are exceptionally strong in the opera area. This gives you a sampling of the costumes, sets, etc. Finally, is Moss Hills, the CD, closing out the show and thanking the singers.:

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Terry wonderful photos, thanks so much for taking the time to bring us all along on your special anniversary cruise. Jean.

Terry.....it's been a joy travelling along with you and really appreciate you taking the time to post such lovely photos......so pleased you've enjoyed the Spirit....safe travels home.

Sophia ☺️

Terry, lovely piccies and travels ..... safe transit home ...

Thanks for your blog and lovely photos, Terry. Safe travels home.

Thanks for the great travelogue!

Safe trip home!

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Thank you for your very informed review Terry! I have seen your name on so many ports of call boards decided to follow your review. I'm glad I did!

Thanks for the great travelogue! Safe trip home!

Appreciate ALL of these kind comments and wishes from Spins and others. BUT, to twist around the famous words of Bugs Bunny . . . THAT'S NOT ALL FOLKS!!

We still have four days to go in France, including to stay at a very nice chateau in Brittany, visit other scenic/historic locations, etc. Plus, more to share on this ship, food, service, people, etc., on the Silver Spirit.

The Captain was outside this evening with two other officers checking the ship, its tie-up, etc. I ask him when he gets off of the ship. He said it would be mid-August. Hope that is of help to those interested.

Did also find out that on the next cruise, sailing tomorrow back to Lisbon, there will be 410 passengers on that sailing. Clearly that is a little less than on our sailing. A few more might board at the mid-point of that 12-day cruise. After Lisbon, the Silver Spirit heads to Venice. On our cruise, there are also 22 passengers on from Canada, plus double-digit numbers from Germany, Chile, Panama and Argentina. Definitely this has been an "international" cruise in all of the good senses.

Had a super great meal at La Terrazza tonight. More to share later in words and pictures as to the impressions, likes, dislike, etc., by others who have done Silversea for the first time.

Plus, even more wonderful pictures, including from Rouen, our boat adventure, etc. Now back to finish packing the last suitcase before the 11 pm deadline. Have more pictures and details on the bathrooms for the Silver Spirit.

THANKS for your continued interest and comments! Don't be shy with any added questions. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 225,571 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Continuez!

So happy you will still enjoy your time abroad.

We wait for new information...

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