USN59-79

Let us know what you find out. I started using them more than 50 years ago in 1970 when I was promoted to officer; prior to that they didn't deal with ordinary enlisted people. The travel insurance is actually handled by Travel Insured International, which us part of Crum and Forster Insurance Company. Sara's first job in the United States, when we lived near San Francisco in 1964 was with that company. Surprising what you can learn when searching the internet. Ray

I enjoy learning on a cruise. When we were on the Westerdam in December, 2019 and again in January, 2020 (last cruise before covid) they had courses on how to use a smart phone for photography. I really enjoyed them as I had no idea that I could take and manipulate such high resolutions photos like that. It was somewhat like the Microsoft course they had for a few years, but to me, more pertinent. I really hope for something like that on our sea days as there are still many things I would like to know about my iPhone. Ray

@Cruising-along mentioned looking for insurance for an upcoming cruise. I have heard good things about a USAA affiliate, but have not used them. If you are a USAA member, you can access it from their website. I will admit that we have never bought insurance in all of our cruises but am considering it for our upcoming cruise in March. Ray

Here is the interior of my log cabin. It was built in 1931 by my aunt and uncle.

@Sharon in AZ asked for specifics on my eye treatment. Three months ago they started using a new drug, Vabysmo for the injection. The drugs used in the past were Eylea (27 times) and Beovu (3 times). In order to avoid glaucoma, or high eye pressure, I use a drop of Latanoprost in each eye at night. And for general eye health, I take two capsules of an AREDS 2 formulation each day. I buy the AREDS 2 from Costco. It happens to be on sale this month. Hope this helps. Ray

When we lived on Oahu we found that it was very much enjoyed there.

The interval for the eye injections has changed from once every four weeks to once every 6 weeks. It may extend beyond that. The interesting thing is that normally the Dr. just expects to stop it from getting worse, not curing it. I think that I am actually being cured of it. Luckily, medicare and tricare cover the cost, as each treatment is roughly $2k. I have lived a few years in the Far East; 3 years in Taipei and 3 years in the Philippines plus many stops there in my Navy career and I married a young lady from Taiwan. So I have become comfortable eating food that many who have not had my experiences would look askance at. However, today we are having barbecued steak and I need to go light the barbecue. Ray

I get the impression that a lot of people look down on those who enjoy eating fish heads. In our house we both enjoy them and take turns on who gets to eat it when we have baked golden pompano or salmon. I have some good news on my age related macular degeneration. The new drug seems to be working well. I had my eyes examined for new glasses yesterday and they took a color picture of the interior of both eyes. In the past you could see a vein that had been leaking causing the degeneration. Now all you can see in that area is scar tissue, which is a huge improvement. Ray

Remember that there were two floating restaurants in Aberdeen. The other one, Tai Pak is smaller and much older. It is still there, although as a laid up ship it is not now operating as a restaurant. Hopefully, in the future it will open again.

I think many travelers don't realize how much free internet is available all over the world. We have cruised on HAL enough to have 5* status and have never purchased one of their "plans". We use it just to check our email about every other day. Once I needed to use it in Hong Kong when we were closing on a real estate deal and needed to download and sign the papers online. Just went to a Starbucks in Victoria, bought a cup of coffee and spent about an hour with their wifi to complete the transaction using an iPad. Worked out just fine. One tip is to watch where the crew members get free wifi. Often it is available in the cruise terminal.

Finally the cold and dreary weather is over here. Did some yard work this morning and had to put away my winter clothes and put on a t-shirt and shorts when I came in. We don't do yoga, but Sara does Tai Chi every day. Saw an interesting thing on the health area of Google news. They were talking about a study of people up to 75 and whether or not they could stand on one leg for at least ten seconds. If you couldn't, it implied that you might die sooner than one who could. I'm seven years older than that and I can do it on either leg, so that is good news for me. Ray

I think I will leave the collar devices at home and just wear the miniature medals. Better to be subtle. Usually someone at our table will ask what they represent and that is enough to start a conversation.

Just to let you know that I have really enjoyed your blog and appreciate you taking the time and effort to do it. We look forward to sailing with you on the Westerdam this March. Ray and Sara

I wear a set of four miniature medals on the left pocket of a dark suit jacket in their order of precedence. Not sure where I would put my MCPO device and am assuming it would be a small collar device; not the large hat device. I also served six years as a Chief Warrant Officer, but retired as a Master Chief. Don't think it would be proper to wear both, though.

We are finally seeing the end of our wet and cold Spring here in the Pacific Northwest. It will be in the 70s a couple of days this week and they predicted 81 for next Sunday. Yesterday our DS came over to take us to a movie theater to see Top Gun Maverick. He lives about 50 miles from us. We enjoyed it - first time in a movie theater for about 3 years. Wore a mask except when eating popcorn. It is my understanding that a lot of people are allergic to cats; thus bringing one to a workspace would not be a good idea. Ray

I'm confused. Either what @Florida_gal_50 said or what @oakridger said is correct - they can't both be. Ray

I have never seen them before. What is their purpose? Ray

We have taken two half world cruises on Holland America. In 2014 from Hong Kong to Ft Lauderdale and in 2017 from Ft Lauderdale to Hong Kong. Both were 56 days, which was a comfortable time for us to be away from home. Not all WCs sell out, so it is worth looking to see if segments of them are available. We have fond memories of both trips.

I am not sure why my spouse couldn't accompany me if I am a disabled veteran. I am a retired Navy person who also happens to be 100% disabled due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Are you saying that my wife could not accompany me on a space-A flight?

It will not be a problem. When you order a wine package you only get one bottle at a time. If some are left, let them know that you are staying on board and even if you haven't finished a bottle it will be there for you on the second leg. Ray

A few years ago we were on the Amsterdam on a WC and my DW got bitten by bedbugs onboard. Happened for two days; she went to medical to get them treated and the ship fumigated our room. It didn't help much so they moved us to another room and the problem went away and the bites healed after a few days. We never thought about asking HAL for compensation and have continued to cruise with them. Ray

Sorry for just pictures with no comment. Wanted to show something different in Taiwan. This is a distillery we visited in 2018 located a few miles south of Keelung. They make what they call single malt whisky and it is quite good and fairly expensive.

As a former U.S. Navy officer qualified as Officer of the Deck for underway steaming and who still has his copy of Knight's Modern Seamanship, I consider that behavior childish and arrogant. He may get away with it without penalty, but I don't have much respect for him as a ship's master.

The ship's whistle or what you call "horn" is an important safety device to signal other ships your intentions. Not sure why some ship masters think that they do not have to follow the international rules of the road. Sounds like he is "crying wolf".