rafinmd

Today's sunrise is from mu 2011 Prinsendam Norway cruise. On August 11 we visited Bergen. Roy

So sorry @smitty34877 to hear of Lou's latest setback. Roy

Happy Friday for all who enjoy the Fleet Report and Daily. Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Tina, Dixie, and Ann. Three interesting days although I don't really participate in any of them, and I like the Cary Grant quote. I bet there were lots of celebrations in Indonesia back in 1954. I visited Port Elizabeth just once; 2014 on Crystal Serenity although I was due to return in 2020 on Queen Mary 2, I'll pass on the bass. My alternative is Venison Sausage and Vegetable Soup, Pork Chop with Parsnip Puree, and Peach Crisp A La Mode which I might have enjoyed this date in 1997 on Rotterdam VI. Off soon to take out the trash, walk the mall, head off to Wegmans and mail my Nieces birthday card. Roy

I hope you got my email. If not let me know. I've only been on Westerdam once and it's a nice ship. The main downside is that there is little enrichment and entertainment is on the weak side, they use a troupe of dancers working to canned music. They may have some shows using footage from I think National Geographic that are stunning and to me not to be missed. In the lido I think most of the pancakes and waffles come straight off the griddle and are very nice. If your friend has other questions feel free to give them my email address. Roy

Or Marco Polo, 1965-2020 Properly built and maintained, ships can prosper for a long time, as both Symphony and Serenity have done. Roy

Speaking of rifts we've probably all heard the term "International Rift" as a diplomatic expression. I wonder how many know there's also a very physical rift and it's between the US and Canada, specifically between New York and Canada, specifically at the Thousand Islands Bridge. People are unlikely to notice it but in the early 1970's I bicycled from Baltimore to Montreal and crossed the bridge. The one island on the Canadian side has the Canadian Customs and the other island just a short distance away has the US CPB station. Here's the rift itself: Roy

Short but sweet. This time next week will be an arrival (Noordam) where I planned to be on board. Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and Carole. Roy

At least no rain on the camera. Roy

I almost missed her. Roy

That's correct. I didn't actually start cruising Holland America until 2011 but there were a couple of exceptions for special circumstances (like the end of an era for a classic ship). Roy

Today's sunrise is from 2016. On August 10 I was on the Alaska Ferry Kennicott bound for Anchorage to join Crystal Serenity's Northwest Passage cruise, and that day we called at the tiny village of Yakutat. Roy

Today's sunrise is from 2016. On August 10 I was on the Alaska Ferry Kennicott bound for Anchorage to join Crystal Serenity's Northwest Passage cruise, and that day we called at the tiny village of Yakutat. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Tina, Dixie, and Ann for the Thursday (my local TV station calls it Friday Jr,) report. Lions are majestic. I especially like Lazy Day but don't have the patience to make S'mores and end up burning the marshmellow to a crisp. Rodney Dangerfield was a scamp. That observatory in Greenwich has become a world treasure. I have been in Grand Cayman a few times but the only time I was due there on a BHB was on Maasdam in 2015 and we could not tender. I'll pass on the shrimp. My alternative is Roasted and Raw Carrot Salad. Roasted Spice Crusted Prime Rib, and Ricotta Raspberry Tart A La Mode which could have been my choices August 10, 1997 on SS Rotterdam V. Continued prayers for all on the care list, especially Baby Murphy and family and the people of Maui. Pleased to hear that @DeeniEncinitas is safe. Looks like possible rain today. Roy

That's a personal decision but it was worth it to me. If they are still running the annual journey to Dar es Salaam that is really special. Roy

As I said earlier I have been to Cape Town 3 times, the first 2 as part of Rovos Rail trips, and I'll share a few photos from my trips. The first two are from Rovos Rail in 2005, starting with boarding the train in Cape Town: Most of the trip the train is hauled by regular South African Railways locomotives but there is a stretch near Pretoria where Rovos uses their own Steam locomotives. Here's one of them: The others are from my stay between my 2014 arrival on Crystal Serenity and departure on MS Amsterdam. The first day I visited Robben Island, the infamous prison where Nelson Mandella was held for many years. Our arrival at Robben Island: Most of the cells had been emptied out but Mandela's actual cell was "furnished" as it was in the prison days: The thin mat that served as his bed: The quarry where the prisoners were subjected to hard labor: During a 1995 reunion of former prisoners Mandel grapped a small rock and dropped it in the open area. The others all did the same creating a small rockpile: The boat used to carry prisoners to the island: The last night I went to Aquila Game Reserve, a private game park about 2 hours out of Cape Town. It is not an open park where you see animals in the wild, but the animals likely have been injured and could not survive in the wild and live out their days there but it's still a great experience that's easy to get to. I spent the night there but HAL had a tour to the reserve my second day there. Some of the animals mostly from @Mtn2Sea's menu, starting with Springbok: Also Ostrich and Zebra: Finally, not on the menu but a lion Roy

I guess that's about it for me, now. Time to pack up my groceries from yesterday and head home. Thanks Leanne, Lou & Dave, and Carole. Roy

From the firehouse, nick of time. Roy

Does your cruise line offer transfers from Heathrow to the ship? If so, would it make sense to book a night at a Heathrow hotel and use that. I don't think you can take National Express to Waterloo. It's the UK equivalent of Greyhound. Roy

Today's sunrise is another from my 2014 Radiance OTS cruise from Vancouver, taken from the Inside Passage between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Roy

Today's sunrise is another from my 2014 Radiance OTS cruise from Vancouver, taken from the Inside Passage between the mainland and Vancouver Island. Roy

I'm curious about October 5 as well, Bon Voyage to those with E-Docs. Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Tina, Dixie, and Ann for the Hump Day reports. I'll pass on the polka but love the other 2 days. Rudolph Diesel had a great idea that served us well for many years. I think people have a great need to be both loved and understood, and one without the other is a definite lacking. Cape Town is a great city. I've been there 3 times, twice in conjunction with Rovos Rail, and in 2014 I spent 3 days there between Crystal Serenity and MS Amsterdam. The meal sounds nice. My alternative is Salad of Arigula and Frisee, Baked Ricotta Stuffed Shells, and Strawberru Romanoff A La Mode which could have been my choices August 9, 1997 on MS Rotterdam. Looks like a nice day. It will get a bit hot this afternoon but nothing I can't handle. Will walk early to take advantage of the best weather. Recycling cart is already on the curb and I will use it this afternoon to lug in today's shopping as well as the stuff stashed at the fire house. Roy

Fortunately, today was not a hot day here and would not have been an issue to sleep without my A/C. Roy

Fortunately that must have been a worst case estimate, perhaps a part they weren't sure was in stock, because I'm back in business. Roy

Great to have it back on. I did bring a few things home with me but most of it is still at the station. I'll bring it home tomorrow. Roy