TLCOhio

Great comments and follow-ups above. Super glad you are planning for added time in Istanbul prior to starting your cruise. Lots to see, love and do in historic and charming Istanbul. From the Lonely Planet website late last month, they had this headline: “7 of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul” with these highlights by writer Jennifer Hattam: “With its huge size and centuries of history, it would be impossible to see all of Istanbul in one trip – or perhaps even in one lifetime. Still, its central neighborhoods are relatively compact, and each has its own distinct character. First-time visitors and those on a tight schedule will likely want to book a hotel in Sultanahmet, smack in the middle of Istanbul’s star attractions, while time spent in other districts gives insights into different aspects of local life in a city that contains multitudes.” Many options and potentials are outlined in this profile. After you get back later this year, follow-up here and let us know what you loved most about Istanbul, etc. Keep up the great researching and planning. Smart being prepared for this amazing city and culture. Full story at: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-neighborhoods-in-istanbul?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_9486400&utm_usr=f541a9e649534cc2931bd57d58d8c2cac2bb8c5d298f722bad5b05cc8ad5ece2 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/

Glad that the Gate Hotel is of interest. Below is visual from their website of the fourth floor lobby that has nice views, plus a large outdoor area that can be fun to use, etc. As to guides, we used, work with and loved both of the folks we located through Tours by Locals for our two and a half days in Japan. They are Kumi H. and Makayla S. Tokyo and its many subway and train options are wonderful, but they can be a little "complex" to navigate. Excellent to have skilled guides to make things more efficient, answer ALL of our many questions and give us background as to Japan's interesting history, traditions, etc. Here is Kumi trying to explain to us how to use chopsticks while having lunch in Tokyo. She did well. We were poor, slow-learning students!: Here is Makayla with my wife on the left at one of the best temples in charming and historic Kamakura.: THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 251,049 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

From the Wall Street Journal late Friday afternoon, below are the stock value charts for the three major cruise lines during this past week's five days of trading. Good or bad? I would summarize that things look both rocky and negative. BUT, the overall market had some serious "bumps" this past week as traders try to figure out where the Federal Reserve and interest rates are headed during the remaining months of this year. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados on the Silver Cloud for 26 days. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 74,854 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/

From the Wall Street Journal's Barron's and MSN News today, they had this headline: “Cruise Operator Viking’s IPO Could Be Valued at Over $10 Billion” with these highlights: “Viking Holdings, the parent high-end Viking Cruise Lines, generated an impressive $1 billion of adjusted free cash flow last year on $4.7 billion of revenue in 2023, according to a preliminary prospectus for an initial public offering. Based on its revenue and profitability, Viking could have a market value of $10 billion or more, Barron’s estimates. The company has sizable debt of $5.4 billion.” This reporting also shared: "The deal could prove popular with investors because of the company’s growth, profitability, and niche among affluent consumers. Its focus is on travelers aged 55 and older who will spend over $7,000 per passenger for a cruise. Viking plans to list under VIK on the New York Stock Exchange. The cruise industry is back in vogue on Wall Street after its near-death experience during 2020." Is Viking, with its growing ocean-sailing expansion/focus, now somewhat of a potential competitor to Silversea and other luxury lines? There are difference between RCL/Silversea, but there are some overlaps as both seek customers who can afford to pay more. Right or wrong? Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/cruise-operator-viking-s-ipo-could-be-valued-at-over-10-billion/ar-BB1l8L98 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 111,961 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226

Appreciate these above great comments and follow-up from our New Jersey neighbor. Yes, there are differences as to how varied generations approach these short-term versus long-term economic situations/challenges. Money and spending? What could go wrong? Or, right? From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barrons yesterday morning, they had this headline: “Buy Carnival Stock. Choppy Market Conditions Will Pass" with this sub-headline: "Shares of the cruise operator have dropped since it reported earnings last month. It looks like a dip worth buying.” Here are some of their reporting/analysis details: “Carnival has hit some rough waters, but its recent post earnings selloff looks like a great opportunity to book a cruise on its stock at a discount. At first blush, Carnival’s fiscal first-quarter earnings report on March 27 should have been reason for celebration on the Lido deck. The company reported a loss of 14 cents a share, better than its own guidance for a 22-cent loss and the 18-cent loss that analysts were expecting. In addition, Carnival said it saw record bookings during the quarter, with significantly higher pricing.” Ready to pull out your wallet, place a "bet" on this and other cruise stocks? So far, this week has been fairly "rocky" for the market and cruise stocks. More later after the markets close later this afternoon. Full story at: https://www.barrons.com/articles/buy-carnival-stock-pick-price-658e03c1 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 111,961 views.

YES, have a suggestion based on recent, March 2-5 experiences doing three nights in Tokyo after completing a Mumbai to Singapore Silver Moon cruise/adventure. It was the Gate Hotel Tokyo by Hulic. Clean, modern hotel that has a super, great location in the busy, exciting Ginza. It is eight miles from the Tokyo Haneda International Airport. Access from Ginza station is only one minute away.(Ginza line, Marunouchi line, Hibiya line, Chiyoda line, plus access to a range of nearby rail options). It has a rooftop terrace/bar, plus dining options there. It gains high TripAdvisor ratings. Many dining, shopping, etc., options are nearby. My live/blog below, starting near the top of page five, has many visuals and options to consider for Tokyo, Kamakura, etc. Be ready! Hotels are not cheap in Tokyo and some locations are at decent distance from their fast, efficient (but complex) transit system. And, we hit a weekend when the Tokyo Marathon was happening. That added to the costs and challenges. Let us on these CC boards know any and all added questions about Japan. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/ In the Ginza near our hotel, here is one example for the night action/excitement.: Nearby in Kamakura, to help build for the excitement in visiting Japan, here is the Great Buddha and an early cherry blossom flowering.:

Interesting data/background from our Florida/RI friend as to those just doing "Float on a Boat" as their cruise plan/objective. We are the port-intensive types, but I understand others with a different goal. From the Wall Street Journal, below is their mid-day chart and headline showing how the overall market dropped down, DOWN so sharply today. The three cruise lines fell today in a similar negative manner. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this excellent question and the great, insightful follow-ups. Having just completed a Feb. 11-29 Silver Moon, Mumbai to Singapore experience, there were many super positives, including as to the nice ship, excellent staff, generally very good food quality, etc. But, VALUE is a legitimate question and concern. We fortunately booked ten months ahead, had a good price by planning/acting so early, had a nice upgrade from our guarantee suite, etc. HOWEVER, the "bean counters" in Monaco and Miami played "cheap" and stupid in certain ways with failing to deliver on the promised "Silversea luxury" during our three days in Mumbai. Our shore tours through Silversea were generally OK and not too packed/crowded. But, there were a few goofs on the tours that reflected poor management/oversight by Silversea. Now, looking ahead, it is much harder to find "value" as prices have been jacked up so very, very much. That's part of an overall cruise industry "greed game" to make up for losses/borrowing due to Covid shut-downs. However, long-term, Silversea needs to keep the "balance" reasonable. Will it happen or not? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/

Here is a MSN link to a longer version of this Barron's story with these added details as to what might be coming from Viking: “In late February, Viking Holdings announced it had filed a confidential registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission related to its proposed initial public offering. The company, known for its upscale river cruises, didn’t disclose the number of shares or potential price range of its planned IPO.” Here is more from their reporting about the overall market: "Over the past 12 months, Carnival has risen 61%, Norwegian has floated 58% higher, and Royal Caribbean has more than doubled with a 115% rise. The S&P 500, in comparison, has risen 30% over that span. That broad-based strength speaks to how all segments of the cruise industry are bustling." Another key insight reported was: "Cruises aren’t popular with all travelers, but part of the recent swell of bookings comes amid several factors working in their favor. Inflation and airport delays mean that many travelers are skipping hotels and airplanes in favor of sailing from a port near their home. In addition, cruise packages often include food and activities, giving guests a simple number for budgeting." Full story at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/cruise-demand-is-hot-investors-will-soon-have-a-new-way-to-play-it/ar-BB1kRjx3 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights. On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings. Now at 249,552 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1896175-solstice-live-australianzhawaii-many-pix’s-jan-20-feb-3/

From the Wall Street Journal's sister publication of Barron's early this morning, they had this headline: “Cruise Demand Is Hot. Investors Will Soon Have a New Way to Play It” with these highlights: “Long ago, Vikings pillaged and plundered. Today, Viking cruise ships make their profits from much more sedate voyages, and the company hopes to soon go public amid a surge in sailing demand.” Viking going public and being on the stock market could be interesting to follow. More options for investors? More information about their profits, ships being full (or not), etc.? Early this am, Royal Caribbean was moving up, UP in early trading! Both Carnival and Norwegian were up about 1% early this am. A future, long-term trend? Full story at: https://www.barrons.com/articles/viking-holdings-cruise-stock-ipo-2f281e54?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D77626320452482689262797225847612851544|MCORGID%3DCB68E4BA55144CAA0A4C98A5%40AdobeOrg|TS%3D1711979709 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 250,914 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Telegraph earlier this month, they had this headline: “How to spend a supersized weekend in Dubai" with this sub-headline: "From audacious architecture to glittering glamour, an insider travel guide to the City of Gold.” Here are some of the reporting highlights by their destination expert Sarah Hedley Hymers: “Dubai is often described as Las Vegas without the casinos. It certainly likes to do things on a grand scale. Supersized hotels, buffets, malls, amusement parks, aquariums, designer cars and luxury yachts are all commonplace. Expect to crane your neck looking up at the world’s tallest building — the Burj Khalifa — and then score a dizzying number of Instagram likes with a photo taken in front of the world’s largest flower arrangement (five million blooms set in the shape of an Airbus A380 plane, thanks to the Dubai Miracle Garden). Don’t be afraid of the heights, mega brunches or the 16-lane Sheikh Zayed Road that is the spinal column of Dubai.” Many tips, potentials, ideas, etc., are outlined in this profile. Much to consider and research. Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middle-east/united-arab-emirates/dubai/articles/dubai-travel-guide/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Canada 2022/2023: Scenic visuals, details from Canada Maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island). Plus, new from Aug. 2023, exploring historic/charming Quebec City. Visual/Info Summaries: www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Telegraph earlier this week, they had this headline: “Why April is such an appealing time to be in Dubai" with this sub-headline: "The month of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr is a fascinating time to experience the emirate.” Here are some of the reporting highlights by their destination expert Sarah Hedley Hymers: “With Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr the highlights of April, join the locals in breaking the daily fast at iftar feasts around Dubai and embrace the generosity of the season by creating gifts for friends and family. Bukhoor (a type of incense) makes an ideal gift and perfumer Oo La Lab, located in art hub Alserkal Avenue, offers bakhoor-making masterclasses. Find out more about the history of Dubai, born on the waters of this creek, at the Once Upon A Time Museum, hidden inside Jumeirah Mosque. The mosque offers guided tours and an intimate insight into the Islamic faith.” Full story at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/explore-dubai/things-to-do-in-april/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/

While personally, I am not into the breadmaking details/process, I so love the visuals posted by Jeff. Looking great and so tasty. Keep it coming!!! Makes me hungry and wanting to enjoy in person. Wanted also to give a strong shout-out to Jeff about his favorite location of Singapore. Earlier this month at the end of our Silver Moon sailing from Mumbai, we spent three days in Singapore. Loved it!!! Totally unique history, architecture, development, food, charm and character. Need proof and evidence? Below are just a little sampling from my many visuals. Much more on the live/blog connected below. We were amazed by the greenery, creative urban development, lack of traffic congestion, dining potentials, shopping, etc. BUT, the costs are not cheap there. Fascinating City-State!! THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/ First on our private tour in Singapore earlier this month, we explored various areas, including Little India, the Arab Quarter (including the Mosque shown below), lunch in Chinatown, going to the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel that is the local architectural icon and also pictured below at the top-level pool.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) In the evening, it was the Gardens by the Bay and their spectacular light and music show. Look amazing? It was!! At the right lower, is one of the three towers of the Marina Bay Sands complex with their roof-top pool we visited earlier, etc.: Below was part of the view from our river ship in the Marina Bay area with the Sands in the background. Much was Taylor Swift music!! Live or recorded? Not 100% sure, but it would be fun if she did do it live, as reported locally, for us sailing in this dramatic setting. She was there and doing six live concerts that sold out in three hours.: Finally, here is their famed Lion spitting out water with some of the lighted architecture in the background along their waterfront. Finally, we finished at the historic and highly-rated Fullerton Hotel for drinks (Singapore Sling, of course) before going back to the ship to finish packing and getting our luggage put out in the hallway. Yes, the Singapore Sling was not invented at the Fullerton, but we still felt the history and enjoyed this luxury hotel environment. Our JW Marriott is right across the street from the Raffles Hotel, where the Sling was invented. Lots to see and explore there in Singapore.:

Appreciate this excellent and wise follow-up from our Florida friend. Both items/rules can be very true. However, good or bad, it is hard figure out the "timing" as to how you are able to plan and achieve that spending of your last dime on the day you die. Challenging??!! How do we do that? From the Wall Street Journal late yesterday, below are their charts for the three different major cruise lines during the most recent five trading days. On Thursday, Royal Caribbean hit a new 52-week high!! The other two companies have some distance to go before hitting highs for the past 12 months. Also below are the charts for how these three companies have moved, up and down, during the past 36 months. By my "analysis", Royal Caribbean has performed and rebounded best. Correct? This past week, RCL hit a three-year high. The other two companies are long, long ways from achieving such a 36-month peak. Other reactions and comments? Added insights and future predictions? THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 258,326 views. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1362155-solstice-livefirst-timer-reportspix’s-italycroatian-june-7-19/ These WSJ charts show how the three cruise ship stocks performed during the past five days of trading. Thursday was a big UPPER! But, things slid back down on Friday.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here are the WSJ charts for the three major cruise lines over the past three years. Very different patterns and history affecting these three companies as to how the Wall Street experts/traders have rated/valued these firms. Royal Caribbean seems to have fared the best. Right? Or wrong?:

Congrats on your 50th and super loved the shrimp visuals. Keep it coming. Wonderful sharing. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From the Washington Post this morning, they had this headline: “Covid changed how we spend: More YOLO splurging but less saving" with this sub-headline: "Doom spending. Soft saving. YOLOing. Whatever you call it, it’s clear covid has changed the way Americans think about spending.” Previously, I had never heard of YOLO. How about you? It means: “you only live once”. Learned something new and interesting this morning thanks to this story. Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Whatever you call it — doom spending, soft saving, YOLOing— the coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Americans spend money. They are saving less but vacationing more and booking lavish trips years in advance. Spending on international travel and live entertainment surged roughly 30 percent last year, five times the rate of overall spending growth. Meanwhile, the personal savings rate is at lows not seen since the Great Recession. And the spending spree has continued into 2024. Consumers spent $145.5 billion more in February than they did the month before — much of that on services.” It seems that much of the high levels of future cruise bookings is based on this YOLO effect. Right or wrong?? Full story at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/03/29/consumer-spending-savings-yolo-us/ THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Love the Caribbean? Here are popular posts/links with over 20,000 views with much info for . . . . Barbados: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2179164-barbados-50th-birthday-our-pixs-experiences-feb2015/page/3/#comment-65530134Or, Dominica: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2169714-dominica-love-our-experience-pictures-etc/page/3/#comment-66637276

From the Wall Street Journal yesterday, they had this headline: “S&P 500 Clinches Best Start to Year Since 2019" with this sub-headline: "Resilient corporate profits, enthusiasm around AI and hopes that the Fed will cut rates have given investors plenty of reasons to keep on buying,” Here are some of their reporting highlights: “Many investors had high hopes going into 2024. The market’s robust first-quarter rally still managed to surprise them. Everything from stocks to gold marched to new records. The S&P 500 gained 10% in the first quarter, its best start to the year since 2019. Any weakness in the stock market hasn’t lasted more than a few sessions, with investors buying the dip and sending the index to 22 all-time closing highs.” Yes, the cruise lines have benefited much from this overall stock value upswing. But, what goes UP, sometimes will fall back? To economic reality/adjustment? When and how?? Full story at: https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/the-s-p-500-is-poised-for-best-start-to-year-since-2019-0ffbf02a?mod=investing_news_article_pos4 THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Abu Dhabi vs. Dubai? Many different UAE tips, options, ideas, visuals, etc. with more than 20,000 views at: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2521493-abu-dhabi-vs-dubai-procon-factors/page/5/#comment-66634467

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this weekend, they have this headline: “36 Hours Mumbai” with these highlights: “Mumbai appears as much a dream as a city. Sprinkled with the stardust of Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry that bases itself here, and studded with billionaires, India’s hyperkinetic metropolis, known as Bombay until 1995, feels like a place where anything is possible. Amid tight pandemic lockdowns, Mumbai turned into one of the world’s great construction sites, trying to remake itself with new towers, subway lines and bridges. Take in the dizzying juxtapositions — while discovering experimental performances in former textile mills and serene, ancient caves a short drive from the urban chaos — in a city guaranteed to look different again the next time you visit.” Many different options are mentioned for what to see, where to eat, hotels, shopping, etc. One location that we visited was mentioned with these specifics: "Mani Bhavan, the former home of Mohandas K. Gandhi, is now a museum that preserves details of his spartan life, underscoring his emphasis on self-reliance. Spinning wheels and floor seating in his preserved, spartan bedroom provide a window to his belief that the route to Indian independence could come only through discipline and self-reliance." Also cited where we stayed for three days was: "The Taj Mahal Palace, an ornate hotel open since 1903, looks over the Arabian Sea and the historic Gateway of India arch. A memorial in the lobby commemorates the terror attack at the hotel in 2008." Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/28/travel/things-to-do-mumbai.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/ Or, as an alternative use this five-term Google search Live Terry/Ohio India Silver Moon to find it with the full title of “Live, Terry/Ohio, India to Signapore, Silver Moon Rising, Pix’s!”

From the New York Times Travel Section coming this weekend, they have this headline: “36 Hours Mumbai” with these highlights: “Mumbai appears as much a dream as a city. Sprinkled with the stardust of Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry that bases itself here, and studded with billionaires, India’s hyperkinetic metropolis, known as Bombay until 1995, feels like a place where anything is possible. Amid tight pandemic lockdowns, Mumbai turned into one of the world’s great construction sites, trying to remake itself with new towers, subway lines and bridges. Take in the dizzying juxtapositions — while discovering experimental performances in former textile mills and serene, ancient caves a short drive from the urban chaos — in a city guaranteed to look different again the next time you visit.” Many different options are mentioned for what to see, where to eat, hotels, shopping, etc. One location that we visited was mentioned with these specifics: "Mani Bhavan, the former home of Mohandas K. Gandhi, is now a museum that preserves details of his spartan life, underscoring his emphasis on self-reliance. Spinning wheels and floor seating in his preserved, spartan bedroom provide a window to his belief that the route to Indian independence could come only through discipline and self-reliance." Also cited where we stayed for three days was: "The Taj Mahal Palace, an ornate hotel open since 1903, looks over the Arabian Sea and the historic Gateway of India arch. A memorial in the lobby commemorates the terror attack at the hotel in 2008." Full story at: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/28/travel/things-to-do-mumbai.html THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Kotor/Montenegro: Various visual samples, tips, details, etc., for this scenic, historic location. Over 55,462 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439193

Appreciate these nice ratings/comments from Irvington, Lirio, etc. Keep it coming, plus any questions or info needs. As added background for the Taj Mahal, this ivory-white marble mausoleum is on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra. Commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (1628–1658) to be the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the center of a 42-acre complex. It includes a mosque and a guest house, formal gardens, a crenellated wall, etc. Construction of the mausoleum was mostly completed in 1643, but work continued on other aspects of the project for another 10 years. Based on the cost at that time, it would equal a contruction budget today of $498 million, per Wikipedia. The construction project employed some 20,000 artisans. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being "the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". It is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal architecture and a symbol of India's rich history. The Taj Mahal attracts around 5 million visitors a year. Taj Mahal is believed to be derived from the Persian and Arabian words meaning "crown" and "palace". THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 55,939 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta. www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337 Here are a couple of different views of the Taj Mahal than previously posted. Third shows the two of us here and a sampling of the massive numbers visiting on this day. Big, BIG crowds, mostly from India, not international.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) These five visuals better show the DETAILS for how intricate are the various design elements on and at the Taj Mahal. It is more than just the dome!! The craftsmen of those days were highly skilled, even without the sophisticated tools and techniques of today. Plus, beautiful, too!! Right?: The minarets, each more than 130 feet tall, display the designer's desire for symmetry. They are working minarets, a traditional element of mosques, used by the muezzin to call the Islamic faithful to prayer. Each minaret is divided into three equal parts by two working balconies that ring the tower.:

Yesterday, Royal Caribbean rose and hit a 52-week trending high. Things continue, up, UP and UP!! See the Wall Street Journal chart from this afternoon below. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Appreciate this interesting follow-up from DD and this Royal Caribbean job opportunity. Should we apply? Right now this RCL stock is going up and things seem good with its continued financial recovery. Easy job now? BUT, where will things be in a year or two? From a financial news site connected with the Wall Street Journal this afternoon, they had this headline: “Carnival Earnings Due Amid Travel Wave; Royal Caribbean In Buy Zone” with these highlights: “Carnival reports Q1 results early Wednesday amid a strong start to the 2024 travel season for cruise lines. CCL stock is basing ahead of results while rival Royal Caribbean (RCL) is trading in a buy zone at record highs. Cruise lines are riding a wave of bookings to kick off 2024. Royal Caribbean in late February hiked its 2024 earnings guidance, citing stronger-than-expected vacation demand.” Also, this was of interest from their reporting: "Carnival (CCL) in at the end of January announced it is almost sold out for the first half of the year after seeing record booking volumes since November. However, the company expects to take a 7-8 cent per share hit to its adjusted 2024 earnings due to rerouting around the Red Sea conflict." How much will the "hit" be to Royal Caribbean from its Middle East scrubbing and the related re-routings around Africa, etc.?? Full story at: https://www.investors.com/news/carnival-earnings-royal-caribbean-buy-zone/?src=A00619&refcode=aflMarketWatch THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio India to Singaore 2024: Live/Blog with many visuals, including “Golden Triangle”, Japan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2992045-live-terryohio-india-to-signapore-silver-moon-rising-pix’s/

Appreciate this follow-up from our Chicago neighbor. Glad these posts have been of interest and help. As mentioned earlier, don't be shy with any comments, questions, posting of added information, etc. Always helps to share and know what is of value and interest. Love the sharing!! Below are some visuals as we were traveling from Delhi to Agra. This offers another sampling of India and makes the point that there is lots of agriculture in this country. Not all of India is high-density, urban areas. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Athens & Greece: Visuals, details from two visits in a city and nearby with great history, culture and architecture. Now at 64,147 views. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1101008 As we drove south to Agra, here was a typical view. Agriculture is significant as in a country with 1.4 billion people, food must be produced. Our guide indicates that India has improved significantly in its production and does well in being able to fed its vast population.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Along this expressway going to Agra, there were a number of interesting sights as goods and people are moved around in this nation.: Within Agra, here are a couple of views as we traveled. Many tuk-tuk's, motorcycles, etc., used to move goods and people.: When ordering and/or selecting food in India, you might see an item marked as "boneless". That can be good as many times the lamb, chicken, fish, etc., might have bones needing to be "navigated" and/or picked out. Buyer beware as to what you want or seek to avoid!: At the place where we stopped for a mid-trip break, this sign was cute and fun.:

From the Oberoi website, here are some of the key summary points as to this city and its highly-rated hotel: "The capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra is home to three UNESCO world heritage sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri; all of which are legacies from Mughal times. Located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas is inspired by Mughal palace designs; with fountains, terraced lawns, reflection pools and pavilions." From their hotel website, they also note about their neighbor: "The Taj Mahal is often described as 'poetry in marble'. " THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados on the Silver Cloud for 26 days. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 74,671 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/ At the Oberoi Amarvilas as the sun was setting and evening approaching, we had a super pleasant surprise. Outside there was a music and dancing performance presented in their spectacular outdoor/pool area. Here is a still picture with three dancing performers.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) Here is a 29-second video sampling of the music and dancing that we observed from the balcony of our room at the Oberoi Agra hotel.: DSC_3241 2.MOV

For staying overnight in Agra at Oberoi Amarvilas, it was beyond just being wonderful and great. Need evidence? See proof below. The front grounds are ultra impressive as you enter and the lobby lounge is designed around a glorious view of the Taj Mahal. Then up to our room? This might be the most spectacular hotel where we have ever stayed. What a view from the balcony? What could be better, especially with the wonderful sunny, clear weather both days. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados on the Silver Cloud for 26 days. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.). Now at 74,671 views: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2076101-live-amazon-river-caribbean-many-pix’s-terryohio/ Here are a couple samples for the welcoming as we entered the Oberoi Amarvilas and the style/class of its facilities, grounds and staff.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!) The Oberoi Amarvilas lobby where we checked in? Looking good?: Then from our balcony room at the Oberoi Amarvilas, what could be better? Like the lighting of this outdoor area as the evening commences?: Here are some interior examples from the Oberoi Amarvilas. Then, some more of the friendly, helpful staff. And, then breakfast visuals the next morning, including my Eggs Benedict. Just like at home every day?: