highplanesdrifters

Thank you all so very much for your help and suggestions. We finally have tickets. Between myself and my travel agent we had hit the highest level of SS. A few days ago I was told this had gone to the highest levels. My Goddess of a TA had us backed up with refundable flights from the onset of this issue almost a week ago for $275 each. It was really more the way we were treated, blaming us for their Muck Up. But I like Tromso. There is a great little museum there, The Polar museum. If we got stuck that was OK too. Didn't want the agrivation to get in the way of a otherwise fabulous trip. We are not the only ones who are done with Silversea. Storieds abound. Perhaps another day. Back to fun!

Thanks! You're pretty spectacular yourself Ms. M!

Papa Stour, Shetland. A few more shots of the stunning sea caves. VID_54380914_165609_961.mp4

For @Lois R A toast to you!

Back to Big FUN. Papa Stour, Shetland Sea Caves 20220607_093313.mp4

Flight update. It has been 5 days since the problem arose concerning our lack of flight from Tromso to Oslo. Silversea keeps telling us they are working on it. Silversea also continues to blame our Travel agent claiming she booked Port2Port not Door2Door. There was no P2P option. And even if we did book P2P it is still included in the Expedition cruise. I have dropped off documentation from SS stating that, and my TA has emailed it to them. It's not funny anymore.

Fyi, the Waldorf Hilton was awful. Some other folks were put up at the Intercontinental. We've stayed there in the past and liked it.

Dark chocolate martini and a Cosmo. We had two.😉

After St. Kilda the Captain did a lap around the nearby island of Boreay. Home to 100,000 + seabirds. Gannets, 60,000, puffins, 300,000. The list goes on. A sight to behold. The white bits on the rocks are birds, imagine that.

The elusive St.Kilda finally delivers. Having been denied her beauty in the past makes it all the more special. I sat on that rock and soaked up her sun and beauty for 45 minutes. Time stood still. What a gift.

Thanks Paula. Will keep you posted. Ironically we wanted to stay longer in Tromso area. 🤣

Beyond lucky and reveling every minute of it!

June 5 afternoon Lovely hike/stroll through Canna. Martinis at Panorama. Pinch me.

Loch Scavaig Isle of Skye Lots of bouldering but minimal boggy mess. The ratio of work to view scenery was definitely in our favor.

June 5 Loch Scavage and Loch Corisk lie at the southern end of Isle of Skye. Another glorious perfect day. Blue skies, seas of glass, light winds and warm temperatures continue. We are all pinching ourselves. There are numerous hikes offered every day with varying defrees of difficulty along with free roaming. We love to kayak, but have not signed up yet because the thought of donning the dry suits in 70 degree weather is not sounding attractive. Sauna on the seas.🤣 we worked up a bit of a lather on this hike and pondered swimming back to the ship or at least a refreshing dip. 20220605_101839.mp4 20220605_101839.mp4

Iona and Iona Abby. Lovely Abby and fantastic little museum covering 1,000+ years of occupation. Some fantastic grave markers, runes, and Celtic crosses.

Thanks for your report. Glad to hear all things were ship shape and ran smoothly. The cigarette smell in the public rooms is a mystery. There is a chain smoker on board who was even smoking at the big Puffin site. Smoking is allowed at the pool and outdoor panorama lounge starboard side. Cmon Silversea! Our transfer Saga continues. Details to come.

Thanks for your report. Glad to hear all things were ship shape and ran smoothly. The cigarette smell in the public rooms is a mystery. There is a chain smoker on board who was even smoking at the big Puffin site. Smoking is allowed at the pool and outdoor panorama lounge starboard side. Cmon Silversea! Our transfer Saga continues. Details to come.

Sorry to interrupt but SILVERSEA ARE YOU LISTENING? Mutiny on the Cloud We have just been informed by reception in a very insulting way that we are not on the charter flight from Tromso to Oslo at the end of the cruise. Only passengers who booked Door2Door directly with Silversea are on the charter. We were told our Travel Agent was supposed to book this flight independently. Crazy. You can't make this up. FYI, There was no Port2Port option. It clearly stated that the flight was included. Passenger revolt starting and Travel Agent heads are exploding. Stay tuned. I do not want this to reflect badly on Expedition and wait staff. The deserve their own glowing report to come later.

You are very welcome. I have enjoyed so many of yours. Just trying to support the team.

Iona, Scotland 20220604_075939.mp4

You are very welcome. I have enjoyed so many of yours. Just trying to support the team.

Iona, Scotland The Birds

Iona, Scotland Landing and hike. Not a bad one. Slightly steep in places and just occasional bits of mud.

June 4 Iona, Scotland This is the day that travel dreams are made of. Except for the early rise, 5:30, ouch. We awoke to a sky so blue it might crack, sea of glass, light breeze, and temps already in the high 50's. Perhaps I'm still dreaming. Iona is a spit of land in the middle of the sea with wonderful seabird colonies. I'll let the pictures tell the story. Will attempt to post videos. 20220604_082238.mp4