rafinmd

I want to post some photos of Sydney from 3 of my 4 trips there. I visited on a land trip in 2003 but my first cruise there was in 2010, the first of my crazy combination cruises, Crystal Symphony Los Angeles to Sydney, flying to Bangkok, and then Queen Victoria on to Dubai. At the time I made it a point to spend a night under the stars once per month year around. I had found Lane Cove Holiday Park North of Sydney and spent a night there before flying to Bangkok.. I'll also comment on my interaction with the border authorities. I had prepared for a visit without leaving any strange species behind and was not expecting to have to declare anything. I had brand new tent stakes, and a brand new plastic sheet to lay on the ground. When I got the custom's form I noticed wood on the declarations list and told them the hammer I would use to set up my tent had a wood handle. He looked at it and cleared it, and then asked about my stakes. When I told them they were brand new I was good to go. They are good and also very cooperative if you are honest with them. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. April 18 was a sea day from Puerto Chiapas to Cabo San Lucas: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. April 18 was a sea day from Puerto Chiapas to Cabo San Lucas: Roy

Thank you Rich, Sandii, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie Prayers for Jacqui. Happy Birthday Lisa, Martha, and Jim. Three great days to celebrate although I haven’t had animal crackers in decades and my utilities are all underground so I hope the day includes those who maintain that infrastructure. The quote seems just weird. I have been to Sydney 4 times, 2003 on a land trip and 2010, 2018, and 2020 on Crystal. This sounds like a great day in religion, especially Roman Catholics. I’ll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled Peach and Ginger Soup, Rustic Lasagna, and Peach Crisp as served on MS Zaandam April 18, 2017. I’ve finished my walk. Yesterday the dentist found a tooth she decided needed to go, so at lunch time I will head up to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for the procedure. Then this evening I’ll have AV practice for Sunday’s service. Roy

Today's maps: Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Crystal World Cruise. April 17 was a sea day on Crystal Serenity from Guayaquil to the Panama Canal. Roy

Today's sunrise is from my 2018 Crystal World Cruise. April 17 was a sea day on Crystal Serenity from Guayaquil to the Panama Canal. Roy

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie My parents immigrated directly from Canada so I have no history with Ellis Island but it was a fascinating place to visit. I’ll try to pass on Blah Blah Blah day. I was never into the Mustang. I like the Adono quote I have not been to Taormina, I have had pie for lunch but it was Key Lime Pie at Key West. My alternative is Orange and Grapefruit Medley, Chilled Blueberry Soup and Penne Primavera as served on MS Amsterdam April 17, 2014. Dentist late this morning and then a visit to the fire house so I will not back home for some time. Roy

Luggage Forward is absolutely fantastic (I've used them well over a dozen times) but it is extremely expensive internationally as they also have to also get involved in the customs process. Roy

@kazu, so sorry for your difficulties both physical and with anguish. Prayers that you can go on the cruise and healing starts soon. Roy

Hump day maps after I overslept a bit: Roy

I think my first impression was early Erie Canal towpath, but maybe I've been around Chesapeake and Ohio Canal remains for too long. Roy

Today's alternative maps: Roy

Today's sunrises is from a 2013 Crystal Symphony transpacific from Japan to Vancouver, April 16 was a sea day from Kobe to Dutch Harbor: Roy

Today's sunrises is from a 2013 Crystal Symphony transpacific from Japan to Vancouver, April 16 was a sea day from Kobe to Dutch Harbor: Roy

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie I like the days, I think in my working years I could have been considered a bean counter. A great quote by Roth. I have been to Whitehorse twice, first in 1991 on a drive to Anchorage after disembarking the ferry Matanuska in Skagway, and again in 2018 on my Grand Alaska Panama trip. A great day in baseball history. I’ll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled Pear, Cucumber, and Melon Gazpacho, Braised Grilled Herb Strip Loin Steak, and Key Lime Pie as served on MS Zaandam April 16, 2017: Back from my daily errands with some church and VFD issues still to be handled. Roy

Tuesday Maps: Roy

That is strange. PVSA is about where you first board the ship and where you disembark. In your case you boarded in San Diego and would disembark in Boston, but the PVSA would be satisfied by a multitude of distant foreign ports. I think HAL tries to look at any combination of cruises and deny on the thought that someone may skip one of the legs and end up in violation of the law. Roy

Inside of a lock chamber? Roy

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. On April 15 we docked at Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Roy

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from my 2017 Zaandam cruise from Buenos Aires to San Diego. On April 15 we docked at Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Roy

Thank you Rich, Jacqui, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. I’ll celebrate all of today’s days, My sense is that the original McDonalds offerings are less of a problem than the bigger things that have followed, and that is what I usually get. I’ll especially celebrate the Ronald McDonald houses and yesterday the “Red Shoe Shuffle” raised over $500K to support them. Best wishes to all participating in the Boston Marathon today. I saw a blurb in last night’s news about a rescue dog who greeted runners along the way with a flag urging them on. The Lewis quote is certainly cynical. I have not been to Manzanillo. A sad day in nautical history but a great one in sports history. I’ll pass on the meal. My alternative is Chilled Peach and Ginger Soup, Summer Fruit Salad with Sambuca and Fried Chicken Nuggets as served on MS Amsterdam April 15, 2014 I was saddened to see that 2 police officers were shot and killed in Syracuse, NY within about 5 miles of where I grew up. I have 3 zoom meetings today starting at 4PM so it will be a very busy evening. After lunch I will drop off my heart monitor at the UPS store to be analyzed. . Roy

Monday maps: Roy

I will probably be busy with dinner when she passes under the bridge: Roy

Bon Voyage Lisa and Tom: Roy