LIVE from the 2018 HAL Grand World Voyage!

Thanks for posting the trivia questions and answers, but I sure hope you are posting the most difficult ones.

Thanks for posting the trivia questions and answers, but I sure hope you are posting the most difficult ones.

Yes - the reports are great and much appreciated

I'm a big trivia fan as well but those questions are very hard (which is good as they challenge you of course)

Have a great time and enjoy all the activites

Thanks for posting the trivia questions and answers, but I sure hope you are posting the most difficult ones.

The same thought crossed my mind ;)

Great posts Kathi! Thank you :)

Ha! Only 2 members of our home got when the PlayStation was launched...and both are under 20! We got them back on which countries boulder the Mediterranean! Phew. I was feeling old and they were gloating a bit too much!

If you run into Filip, the oldest son of Czech executive chef Peter's two boys, ask him about Czech hockey player Jaromir Jagr, he's a big fan ;) Those two boys couldn't speak a lick of English at the beginning of the 2016 GWV. Learned it all at Club HAL and playing with Khamron, the shorex mngr's son

That’s very cool!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Good morning Kathi,

Had my coffee and as always enjoyed reading your posts. I only got one trivia question right!😞 our daughter does triathlons and I knew the miles!!! Yah for me!

I think your pouch looks like both a lady bug and a mouse.

Counting down on our month cruise 41 days! Love Tahiti and can’t wait to see pics and the islands through your eyes.

Denise:)

Unfortunately, the ones I give are not necessarily the hardest trivia questions!:eek::eek::eek:

At Sea – January 14, 2018

As a very strange beginning of the day, I woke up around 8:30 hungry (for those who don’t know me, I don’t eat breakfast). As I was debating going back to sleep or getting some breakfast, there was a knock on my door. It was a maintenance man saying they needed to re-caulk my tub. There had been a leak in the Queens Lounge (which I am directly over) the other day and I wondered if they were re-caulking all the tubs in my area or it was just a coincidence.

Since there was no longer the option of going back to bed, I got dressed and headed to the Lido. On the way I passed the Lido pool where aqua aerobics was taking place (first day). Sat with Marilyn and Rodney while I ate some bacon and a bagel and saw the first pod of dolphins for the day. Throughout the day we saw a number of dolphins.

Only a few of us at Sit and Stitch but I finished my scarf and started on another. It was then off to morning trivia. We had 11 while the winners had all 15.

1)TAP is the national airline of what country?

2)Who wrote “East of Eden”?

3)In which movie did Pierce Brosnan debut as James Bond?

4)Which US city passed a law making it illegal to pawn your dentures?

5)Which playing card suit has a one-eyed king?

Back to my cabin to put on my bathing suit before heading to lunch. I decided on the taco bar again today.

Met Cyndi for arts and crafts about 1:30 (an hour early). Today we made beaded earrings. Finished my earrings by 3:00 and headed out to the Sea View Pool. Swam for 55 minutes and had about 20 minutes to sit in the sun before having to get dressed for afternoon trivia.

We did better with 13 correct and the winners had 14.

1)For what does the “ZIP” in Zip Code stand?

2)What is Chuck Berry’s real first name?

3)Which volcano destroyed Pompeii?

4)What is the birthstone for January?

And for those who wanted a really easy question – 5)What is the name of Holland America’s private island?

It was such a pretty afternoon, I decided to spend some time on my deck. Found out that some of the hammering I have heard came from the railing being removed (don’t know why). I met up with Helene and Ernie from the roll call. We saw what looked like a dozens of small dolphins jumping all around the ship before the beautiful sunset. I finally saw the “green flash”.

On the way to dinner I listened to some of Jamm’s music which was tonight the songs of Barbra Streisand.

Dinner was very good. I had peaches, French onion soup, Chicken Tikka (which was delicious), and Heath Bar sundae for dessert.

Cyndi, Ed, and I went to the show which featured Robbie Howard who did impressions of many famous singers. He was good except I don’t think his Barry Manilow sounded like the real thing.

Another sea day tomorrow.

Morning trivia…

1)Portugal

2)Steinbeck

3)Golden Eye

4)Las Vegas

5)Diamonds

Afternoon trivia…

1)Zone Improvement Plan

2)Leon

3)Vesuvius

4)garnet

5)Half Moon Cay

Tossing the challenge flag on the Mother Teresa question. She was born in Skopje, in what is now Macedonia, NOT Albania. Her parents were ethnic Albanian, and it was all part of the Ottoman Empire then. I've seen this mistake come up before.

Just got caught up.

Love reading what all you are doing on these sea days.

Like seeing trivia questions and trying to see how many I know.

There was a mistake in the answer about the January birthstone. January is garnet and April is diamond. One daughter was born in Janauary and the other in April which is why I knew them. Just to be sure, I checked the list on the American Gem Society’s web site and those were the one shown.

I can understand the confusion about Mother Teresa being from Albania since the National Museum in Triana, Albania’s capital, has a section dedicated to her.

Thanks for your updates and photos.

Pleased that you saw the green flash.

At Sea – January 15, 2018

Aacck! What is happening to me? I had breakfast again today! I got up at 8 because there was a Polynesian Fiber bracelet making class. Last one of these filled up quickly so I wanted to get there a half hour early to get a space. I stopped into the Lido and got some orange juice and a roll on the way.

It took about 30 minutes to complete the bracelet (we had used the same technique making a bracelet on the 2016 Westerdam cruise). I then went to Sit and Stitch (only about 8 present – the time is competing with a location lecture).

We had another dismal showing at morning trivia. Rodney had talked with Hamish (CD) who said that the morning team trivia was harder than the afternoon trivia. The one good part was that our team member, Jeannette, who has had the flu, was well enough to join the team again. We had 6 out of 15 correct and the winning team had 12.

1)For what does the “WD” in WD-40 stand?

2)How old was Martin Luther King, Jr. when he won the Nobel Peace Prize?

3)Who was King Lear’s favorite daughter?

4)Which was the first country to the South Pole?

5)The praying mantis is the only insect to have only one of what?

During the Captain’s Dinner the other night there was a medical emergency announcement. I have now heard from a number of different people that, unfortunately, the person involved passed away from a heart attack. This person was someone on our Cruise Critic roll call. Prayers to the family.

I tried the made-to-order pasta in the Lido and it was very good. Sat with Cyndi as we waited for arts and crafts. Today we made a glass cabochon World Cruise map necklace. It had to dry longer than I had the time (due to early trivia) so I will finish it tomorrow.

We did a little better with afternoon trivia (which was held at 3:00 instead of 5:00 because of the change in the show schedule due to the ball this evening). We had 12 out of 17 and the winning team had all 17.

1)What color rose symbolized purity?

2)What color is the General Lee in the Dukes of Hazzard?

3)What color is wasabi?

4)Which US medal was created in 1932 and reads “for military merit”?

5)What Chinese river was named due to the color of its silt?

Since trivia was early I had plenty of time to swim. Considering we crossed the equator (it’s summertime!) on Sunday at 10:21 am, it has been amazingly cool. Our high temps have been in the low 70s. Today was the first day that the pool water was not the temperature of bath water. I swam for about an hour (had the pool to myself most of the time) and read for about a half hour.

Tonight Jamm was playing some of the hits from Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals and I listened before dinner.

Since this was a Gala Night, the dining room was decorated in silver and black and there was live music being played. We had another hosted table, this time with the lady in charge of Human Resources (I did not catch her name – maybe Julie???). I had shrimp cocktail and crab legs and the wine provided by the officer. Dessert was ice cream.

The Black and Silver Masked Ball was held in the Queens Lounge. I stopped by for a few minutes but the place was packed so I called it an evening at about 10:15.

We gain another hour tonight.

Morning trivia…

1)water displacement

2)35

3)Cordelia

4)Norway

5)ear

Afternoon trivia…

1)white

2)orange

3)green

4)Purple Heart

5)Yellow River

Smooth sailing until next time!

Sorry to hear of the passing of one of your fellow passengers - sad for everyone who knew the person.

Love that you're giving answers to the trivia questions - saves me looking them up!

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

At Sea – January 15, 2018

 

Aacck! What is happening to me? I had breakfast again today! I got up at 8 because there was a Polynesian Fiber bracelet making class. Last one of these filled up quickly so I wanted to get there a half hour early to get a space. I stopped into the Lido and got some orange juice and a roll on the way.

 

It took about 30 minutes to complete the bracelet (we had used the same technique making a bracelet on the 2016 Westerdam cruise). I then went to Sit and Stitch (only about 8 present – the time is competing with a location lecture).

 

We had another dismal showing at morning trivia. Rodney had talked with Hamish (CD) who said that the morning team trivia was harder than the afternoon trivia. The one good part was that our team member, Jeannette, who has had the flu, was well enough to join the team again. We had 6 out of 15 correct and the winning team had 12.

1)For what does the “WD” in WD-40 stand?

2)How old was Martin Luther King, Jr. when he won the Nobel Peace Prize?

3)Who was King Lear’s favorite daughter?

4)Which was the first country to the South Pole?

5)The praying mantis is the only insect to have only one of what?

 

During the Captain’s Dinner the other night there was a medical emergency announcement. I have now heard from a number of different people that, unfortunately, the person involved passed away from a heart attack. This person was someone on our Cruise Critic roll call. Prayers to the family.

 

I tried the made-to-order pasta in the Lido and it was very good. Sat with Cyndi as we waited for arts and crafts. Today we made a glass cabochon World Cruise map necklace. It had to dry longer than I had the time (due to early trivia) so I will finish it tomorrow.

 

We did a little better with afternoon trivia (which was held at 3:00 instead of 5:00 because of the change in the show schedule due to the ball this evening). We had 12 out of 17 and the winning team had all 17.

1)What color rose symbolized purity?

2)What color is the General Lee in the Dukes of Hazzard?

3)What color is wasabi?

4)Which US medal was created in 1932 and reads “for military merit”?

5)What Chinese river was named due to the color of its silt?

 

/quote]

 

The Purple heart award was created in 1782 by General Washington, not in 1932. Where did that date come from?

Hope it is o.k. to post this here. It is from the Crystal Boards and says they arrived Maputo yesterday and visa was issued on the ship. I assume that the Moz authorities boarded the ship somewhere. Let us hope it is the same for Amsterdam.

Another busy day for you.

Breakfast again --- you are on a roll.

Sorry about the passing of a passenger. Prayers for his family.

.......................... We had another hosted table, this time with the lady in charge of Human Resources (I did not catch her name – maybe Julie???). I had shrimp cocktail and crab legs and the wine provided by the officer. Dessert was ice cream.

 

.....................................

Julie B., a former GRM, is indeed Amsterdam's human resources manager, and has been on the grand world voyage for the last several years. She is/will be the principal force behind organizing the upcoming crew-family visits in Indonesia and the Philippines, not an easy task, and she is awesome at it

 

The Purple heart award was created in 1782 by General Washington, not in 1932. Where did that date come from?

Evidently the name was changed in 1932.

Note for those who are reading my blog. I have not been able to open it up because my computer says it is a site that is not secure. I may have to start using my iPad instead if I cannot get past the block.

At Sea – January 16, 2018

Gaining an hour let me catch up on my sleep and snap out of the breakfast habit I was starting. Arrived a little early to sit and stitch. There were eight of us present.

I could not stay for all of morning trivia because my travel agency was having a luncheon for their new clients. The team only ended up with 6 correct answers and the winners had 13.

1)What is Barbie’s (the doll) last name?

2)Which artist had 7 French albums before the first English one?

3)Which actor signed the first million dollar contract?

4)Which coffee company has the slogan “Good to the last drop”?

5)”Blood and fire” is the motto of which army?

The travel agency luncheon was very nice and included wine.

Straight to arts and crafts after the lunch. Before class started we were able to complete the necklace from yesterday. Today’s craft was making a tea-themed notecard. As Nancy and Mary predicted there were not as many participants today. For some reason not as many people want to make cards.

When I was finished I went to the Digital Workshop for a class on using your digital camera. I learned a few things about my camera by taking the time to play with the various functions.

We had 15 out of 17 for afternoon trivia but the winning team had all 17 points.

1)What is the second largest French speaking city?

2)What is panophobia the fear of?

3)Which language is the original source of the English “May Day” call?

4)Who was the subject of Norman Rockwell’s final cover on December 14, 1963?

5)Who was the voice of ET?

It was then time for my swim. The water was definitely warmer than yesterday but we had much more sun today even though the temperature was much the same as we have had the last few days. I swam for 45 minutes before it was dark.

On the way back to my cabin I stopped in to see the self serve laundry (which was empty with no washers or dryers running). I purchased the laundry package so I will not be using the self-serve laundry. I think the $189 I spent for the package was well worth the price. I don’t have to wait to fill a bag and my clothes come back beautifully washed, ironed, and on hangars.

As has become my habit, I listened at the piano bar before heading for dinner. The food continues to be excellent. I had watermelon, a Caesar Salad, Prime Rib, and blueberry crisp for dessert.

Instead of the show, I went to the casino to lose a few dollars on the penny slots. I then went out on my deck to look at the stars.

We gain another hour tonight.

Morning trivia…

1)Roberts

2)Celine Dion

3)Charlie Chaplin

4)Maxwell House

5)Salvation Army

Afternoon trivia…

1)Montreal

2)everything

3)French

4)JFK

5)Debra Winger

Great reporting.

I had noticed that that you weren't writing in your blog. Thought maybe that you were too bust to keep up with everything for a while.

Do you need the new "https" thing?

Unfortunately, the ones I give are not necessarily the hardest trivia questions!:eek::eek::eek:

Yikes on the Trivia questions then :eek:

So sorry to hear that one of your roll call members has passed away. Very sad. Prayers to them and their family.

A shame you are having a problem with your blog on your laptop. Hope there is a way around it. That must be SO frustrating. Good thing you have your Ipad with you.

We will wait as patiently as we can ;)

Kathi,

Hope you’ll be able to get your blog up and running again. Good idea with Microsoft hope they can help.

So sorry to hear from you that one of our CCERS passed away onboard😞My thoughts and prayers go to their family.

I just can’t imagine it. So sad.

Denise:)

Really enjoying your trivia. Good practice for our September trip. Thanks for taking the time to post them.

Kathi, I suspect your problem is that wherever you are in the world right now something is triggering a warning that you're in a high internet piracy area. Once you get access to your blog again I'll also suggest configuring it to post by email. That would give you another option for posting. Certainly, if the line isn't too long for your Microsoft expert that would be a good start.

Roy