Sea Dog

One of the new features on my Go Pro 11 Hero Black (Why the long name Go Pro?) is called Star Trails. Basically it’s a time lapse that follows the trail of stars through the night sky. I was concerned how it would turn as the ship was moving. Star Trails is meant for the camera to be in a stationary position. You will see some of the smoke from the ship’s smokestacks but for the most part I’m pleased with the result. It was a beautiful stary night last night after trying the previous 3 nights. Here is a short video edited in the GovPro app. I’ll post the full video later when I can get it uploaded. Enjoy!!

Remember These???????? I remember my parents taking me on a vacation cross country. We stayed at one of those road side motels with the colorful neon signs along Route 66. The motel’s bed had one of the massage beds and for a quarter the bed would vibrate for about 10 minutes. My brother and I convinced Dad to drop in a quarter to try it. We never giggled so much in our lives. So watch Tom The Turkey Towel. I slept like a baby last night. The gentle vibration from the ships engines and the slight rocking from the sea put this Sea Dog in heaven. I completely forgot about the pain in shoulder. And hey I didn’t have to put in a quarter! Soon breakfast in the MDR. We are at Falmouth, Jamaica and will be at the Bamboo Beach Club for VIP lunch and drinks. Yeah Mon!!!

I was amazed at how many there was. There was 2 other tour boats with us so they must have had good numbers too. The guide had a big bag of squid. The rays went crazy when he brought that out. So I think the large numbers that came out know that it will be feeding time.. I am still amazed that the handlers know the one ray that comes to them everytime

The stingray handler showed us the underside and you could see that face. How lovable is that? I wish I could of gotten video it. One thing hard shooting with the Go Pro is that I had no snorkel mask. I was standing in 3.5 to 4 feet of water. I could only point the camera in the right direction and only pray that I got the stingray in the shot. I’m going to put together a better video after I get home incorporating some of the sound from the handler as well as the pictures they took of Linda and I.

My only saving grace has been Starlink. I’m trying to keep up but it’s hard because I don’t have a lot of stamina right now with my shoulder hurting. What really hacked me off was I worked really, really hard on my chefs table post. First writing it in notes then copy and pasting it. I started uploading and inserting pictures. At one point I saved and submitted so I could edit on it more. On the second edit CC algorithm’s felt I was taking too long and cancelled me out. So I was stuck with one post that had no pictures half way through it. I had to make a new post to finish it. It looked sloppy and made me mad. I like my stuff to be neat and organized. It wouldn’t have happened if I could write from home on my computer and not my phone. Your live is fantastic and the same with John. You guys are real pros.

Also nice to run into fellow CC’ers. This time I went down to the R-Bar to get a final night toddy and Linda a Diet Coke. I wasn’t wearing my sling (I know I should be right?) and I hear a gentleman from the other end of the bar say, “ Hey Sea Dog how’s the shoulder?” I answered and we got to talking. Turns out @cruisegus is from the quad cities and knew a long time News anchor Jim King. Who’s son Kris worked with me and Kris’s son was a news anchor in the Quad Cities. Wow what a small world. We talked cruising and points. He’s D+ but had booked several B2B in suites and will soon be Pinnacle. Good for you Jim. Love hearing these stories.

Winner…winner….winner…set those puppies free. I’ll see your Woo Woo and raise you a Pierre Collins! Cheers John!

Tonight’s sunset.

Night 4 Dinner in the MDR So after a wonderful experience last night with Chef’s Table we went back to the MDR tonight with a great table location (171 by the window) and our incredible assistant waiter Dwayne from Jamaica and EKA from India. I asked Dwayne with his over 15 years with Royal why he wasn’t a head waiter. He said “I’m from Jamaica mon, I like it laid back, no pressure mon.” I get that. Lets Roll…. I’m addicted to these Parmesan rolls so soft. I also like the fact that the wrapped butter pats are always nice and soft easy to spread on a roll. Though tonight they were frozen hard but easily remedied by holding it your hand. A minute or two and you can unwrap a nice spreadable pat of butter. Appetizers included my standard Escargot and Salmon Gravlax which was diced cured Atlantic Salmon with thin sliced cucumber, onion and tomato’s, lemon, capers, with a creamy honey mustard dressing. This was wonderful. Very light. Mains were the Lamb Shank which was so tender and Cheese Tortellini. I loved this as it was the right cheese sauce. Wish this sauce was served with the Seafood Alfredo the other night in Galveston. Royal Chocolate Cake enough said. Im stuffed. The only problem with being able to order multiple apps and mains is that I felt like I was in a specialty restaurant. The food so far all week has been really, really good. I was greeted with a Turkey Towel Animal. How appropriate because I really gobbled everything down in the MDR. I know…I Know corny joke…. Could it be the two old fashioned’s I had…. ? Or maybe I did hit my head really hard when I blacked out. 🤪

Here it is!!!! It only took about two hours to upload this 4K video to You Tube. Here is a little video that I quickly threw together on our excursion to Stingray City. The video was all shot on my new Go Pro 11 Hero at 4K resolution and 60fps. The video quality is amazing. The only problem I had was sometimes it would switch modes on me. I think I needed to do a screen lock since the water may have pushed up against the back touch screen and switched it. But any way I hope you enjoy video of these amazing creatures. This was really something special.

I am now a big fan. May be a long walk to the back but that's ok. So will we after this cruise. Yay!!!!!!

Let’s just say there was a happy ending . 🤪 Totally agree. The fact that we were in their environment and they could come and go was very important to us. As much as I would like to swim a dolphin I will never do one where they are in captivity. One of the handlers from another tour group was telling me that his Stingray Sally has known him for 10 years. She recognizes his outfit and comes to him every time. It seemed ok in the water but it’s really hurting now. I’m sure pulling myself up out the water on a ladder did not help things. Going to take some Tylenol and lay down for an hour.

Stingray City Grand Cayman Our excursion started by boarding a tender to take us ashore. Then board a bus that took us to a marina where we picked up a boat. After a 20 minute boat ride we ended up to a beautiful sandbar with about 3-4 feet of unbelievable clear warm water. I could have just stood there for days and be happy. The stingrays were very gentle and docile. Many knowing that the tour company brings plenty of squid to feed them. To touch they are so soft and a little bit slimy. I loved petting them as they swam right by me. Kiss a Stingray and it supposedly gives you 7 years good luck. I wish I would have kissed one before my fall. $40 got us 13 pictures. I hopefully got some great Go Pro video which I’ll download, edit and share later. Great day to be in the water swimming with these beautiful creatures.

A chocolate filled globe with beautiful peanut butter ganache, velvet smooth chocolate mousse and perfectly. balanced salted caramel ice cream with a good dusting on the top of the dome. Hot caramel sauce is poured over top to melt and break open the sphere. It is a chocolate lovers dream and the best dessert I’ve ever eaten.

I forgot to take food picks. But breakfast in MDR is a little slow. Could be because everyone decided to show up right at 8am. But the line moved fast. I had the Eggs Benedict and French Toast. Sorry no pictures. I love Royal’s French toast on thick brioche bread. The only problem with the Eggs Benedict is that it was warm and not hot. Still edible but there’s nothing like a hot breakfast. Up there in the middle was where the Chef’s Table was. We have not docked in Grand Cayman yet. Looking forward to today’s adventure Stingray City Sandbar and Camana Bay.

I think location is the key. Some ships have a dedicated room. On Harmony it was a dedicated room off the Solarium that was glassed in but curtains were drawn after we got in the room. Very intimate and quieter so you could hear the Chef. Shoulder is slightly better. Pain a little less. I think it may take 6-8 weeks to fully heal. Thanks for following along.

True! @harryfat1 deserves all the credit for getting me interested in those shots . He is “The Man.” Love that safe. Works great doesn’t it? @harryfat1 is da man!!!! I don’t know what they do but the Filet in Giovanni’s is the best on any. I will say my Fiket at the Chef’s Table last night was outstanding. Love the pics and glad you are having a great time. Today we will be with Stingrays.

What’s in a Woo Woo? Linda had one of your Cape Cods last night. She really liked it.

Visit a specialty restaurant and make all your reservations then. It’s faster and more efficient.

Thanks CC for ruining my #%*! post by not letting me edit in time. to Continue: 3) Main Lobster Salad with a Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 4) Roasted Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with a Mer Soleil from Monterey County California 5) Filet Mignon with a Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon 6) Salted Caramel Espresso Martini 7) The World (best chocolate dessert in the world IMHO) An incredible dinner and what does that have to do with Neil Diamond? Well apparently not once but twice (early and late seating’s in the MDR) the staff was introduced and starting dancing around and the “Sweet Caroline” began playing and you know what happens. Normally I don’t mind but when it’s during the sommelier or Head Chef trying to explain the course it was annoying. Does anybody know how Sweet Caroline ended up being a people’s anthem. I remember when the song came out but never thought or imagined that everyone in the world would want to sing along. After the world some celebratory cheesecake was served to several who had birthdays and finally to Linda and I who celebrated 25 years of marriage today. I couldn’t think of a better dinner to share with the love of my life, my best friend and mother of my only child. Cheers to you love. Thank you for 25 incredible years. Let’s keep this party going and what better party than one at sea. October 18, 1997 October 18, 2022

The Chef’s Table , an incredible experience and then there was Neil Diamond. We’ve done the Chef’s Table 4 times. Yes the menu hasn’t changed but each Chef brings their own experience to it. The Chef’s Table on Liberty is as others on the second floor balcony in the MDR on Deck 3. It’s a special alcove but it is still open to the noise and bustling of the main dining room. Our invitation told us to meet at the “R” Bar for a specialty cocktail , a form of Champagne Bellini. We were then led to our seats where we introduced ourselves and made small talk. What I love about the Chef’s Table is meeting different people. Now I don’t remember names but Linda and I had wonderful conversations with a professional artist who does watercolors and child book illustrations, a newly married gay couple on their first cruise, a young girl recently returned from deployment in the military over seas, a Doctorate in Phycology who does behavior analysis at a federal penitentiary . The conversation was interesting and as the evening wore on became very fun and lively. Of course because of my hearing loss I missed the name of the sommelier but I learned he was a level 3 trained in France. He knew his stuff. He was funny, animated and very knowledgeable. Chef Samuel presented the courses after the sommelier explained the wine pairing. The courses 1) Scallop Carpaccio with a Pinot Grigio 2) Smoked Tomato Soup (one of the best soups I’ve ever had) with a Conundrum from Fairfield, California. IMG_9604.MOV IMG_9604.MOV Main Lobster Salad with a Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Roasted Branzino (Mediterranean Sea Bass) with a Mer Soleil from Monterey County California Filet Mignon with a Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon Salted Caramel Espresso Martini The World (best chocolate dessert in the world IMHO) Anniversary Cheesecake An incredible dinner and what does that have to do with Neil Diamond? Well apparently not once but twice (early and late seating’s in the MDR) the staff was introduced and starting dancing around and the “Sweet Caroline” began playing and you know what happens. Normally I don’t mind but when it’s during the sommelier or Head Chef trying to explain the course it was annoying. Does anybody know how Sweet Caroline ended up being a people’s anthem. I remember when the song came out but never thought or imagined that everyone in the world would want to sing along. After the world some celebratory cheesecake was served to several who had birthdays and finally to Linda and I who celebrated 25 years of marriage today. I couldn’t think of a better dinner to share with the love of my life, my best friend and mother of my only child. Cheers to you love. Thank you for 25 incredible years. Let’s keep this party going and what better party than one at sea.

I’ll admit I was nervous as I’m not normally around the Country scene. I will say that everyone was been extremely polite, cordial and respectful. Really good people. My fault for compartmentalization of people. The old saying never judge a book by its cover is oh so true. I’ve really enjoyed these folks.

I’m a big fan of Widow Jane.

One thing disappointing is that the new iPhone does not do 48mp in Portrait mode. But I was able to get this depth of field using the wide lens at 48mp. I am pleased with the results.

FYI for future Liberty cruisers. The big screen in the pool area is broken. it will not be fixed until Liberty goes into dry dock. So movies and such are being shown in On Air on Deck 3.