LIVE from the Grand Princess - 49 days from FLL thru South America to SFO

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I'm with you. I would live on cruise ships if I had the money.:D

 

Getting pharmaceuticals 'round the world is a hit & miss thing isn't it? In Queensland (Aust) we can get Voltaran in our pharmacies 'over the counter' and in Bali same thing - and in neither place is the cost anywhere near $100.00. Didn't realise it wasn't readily available in the US.

I have just added a small tube of Voltaran to my cruise 'medicine list'. No wonder I end up with excess baggage:o

SharonW

 

In South Africa it was over the counter too and never even heard of it in the US until after I came back from EU with by big tube - I think it was 26Euro's for the large tube.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

I would like to know about this wonder cream as well, is it for pain , or swelling or ?? have not heard of this before. Thanks :)

 

Pia: am enjoying all your posts , thanks so much.

 

Cori

 

It's an anti inflamitory cream, my mom used it on her wrists for inflamation and when my son broke his toe I put it on to help with the inflamation etc.

Worked great and I had forgotten about it after living in the US for so long and not hearing about it.

[bubbamaggie]

Hi Pia,

 

I've really been enjoying your travel reports, usually with my morning coffee before I head off to work. Just wanted to say thanks! and I hope your foot continues to heal.

 

Sally

[Colo Cruiser]

Amplifiers! :eek:

Sweet!

[Julia’s Journey’s]

So, yesterday was supposed to be 80 and sunny. It was foggy and damp and perhaps 65. But the sun did come out at 5:00 PM. Today’s weather forecast is again sunny, with a high of 70. That sounds more feasible. We had set the alarm for 7:30 this morning, but at 6:45 music started. Loud music. There is a 5 man band outside our window; with amplifiers. And singers. It is still dark out there. What I can see is an accordionist and several guitarists. Pretty funny to be serenaded at this hour.

 

 

　

 

What was all that in aid of and why in the heck so early in the morning!:eek::eek::eek:

[ONT-CA]

Might as well go to breakfast. Singers and music stillout there, but it's starting to get light.

 

We have enjoyed all of your posts but none more than this morning. We could almost hear the music with your vivid description of it all. Oh to have seen your faces at 6:45 am. Great laughs.

[bronxgirl25]

Julia and Marcia: I already travel with Voltaren. What, you thought that wasn’t a part of my hospital? :)

 

Actually, because of your problem with NSAIDS I wouldn't have thought you'd use it. But I guess topical is different, although it does give the same warnings..

I do us it for my back and shoulder even though it's not "studied" for the spine, hip or shoulder.

[CruzinNoony]

Hi Pia, I'm still reading your posts twice a day and feel like I'm on the ship with you! I can almost hear the music!! Have fun on this leg! Hi to Mike! :D

[Pia1913]

WHAT WE DID TODAY (the smart part and the dumb part)

　

We took the 9:10 shuttle into LaSerena; the ride was about 20 minutes. Everything is supposed to open at 10. It doesn’t. They seem to open whenever the mood hits them; kiosks and stores combined. Even the large department store Ripley’s didn’t open on schedule. Fortunately the pharmacy was open and somehow I find the need to make a purchase whenever I see one. Anyhow, we walked a few blocks to the center of the shopping district, meandered about (it was still pretty cool and damp) and then went into a small café for coffee and to use the facilities. Could not locate a supermarket and when we decided to return to the ship, the huge kiosk area had opened to we checked out the stalls. All of them. Most are selling jewelry, wood products and home made jellies, jams, other fruit stuff, cakes, etc.

　

We got back to the ship about 12:30, had burgers for lunch and then I decided to go out again to find the supermarket. Much to his discontent because I was going alone, I parked Mike at the IC and went on my way. I sort of knew where it was and that it would be quite a trek. Do you recall the old slogan “I’d walk a mile for a Camel?” Well this is the dumb part. I did. I walked a mile for a bottle of Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc. And back. Only bought one because I knew how far I’d have to carry it.

For future reference, leave the port area, keep walking, pass a zillion kiosks selling the same aforementioned stuff, walk thru the stinky fish market (it’s BIG; hold your nose) and then find the 2nd traffic light afterwards. Turn right, walk two blocks and then go up a huge incline. VOILA! The market.

　

So now my friends, here I am in my cabin imbibing the fruits of my labor. (the one already chilled in my frig). It’s only 3:20, but I earned it. :D

　

Bye for now and probably today too. Internet connection s****.

[pizzadog]

We are enjoying your travelogue very much. We have friends, Don and Deb Harrison from Ottawa, on the trip with you. If you manage to meet them (that's like saying I know someone in New York, do you know them) say hi from Pizzadog. They will most likely be in a bar (especially during happy hour) around 4 p.m.:D

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

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[dtb55]

Love the review. Thanks.

[gingera]

I have been enjoying your lives, Pia,

 

Voltaren can be a good drug...it is an anti-inflammatory that can be rubbed into the affected area...read the cautions, as the affects can be dangerous....don't use if you have allergies to other NSAID's. There is also a caution if you have asthma.

[jnc411]

It's an anti inflamitory cream, my mom used it on her wrists for inflamation and when my son broke his toe I put it on to help with the inflamation etc.

Worked great and I had forgotten about it after living in the US for so long and not hearing about it.

 

Thanks for the information, going to ask my daughter about it, she is a Physical Therapist here in California, She has gotten me something called Biofreeze before , but it is mostly for pain , etc. not an nsad, and CariBill thanks for the web site , very interesting.

Cori

[RNGALNG]

Inquiring minds will go to this website http://www.voltarengel.com/consumer/default.aspx

 

"Voltaren® Gel is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for the relief of joint pain of osteoarthritis in the knees, ankles, feet, elbows, wrists, and hands. Voltaren Gel has not been studied for use on the spine, hip, or shoulder."

 

Be sure to read the warnings.

 

Thank you. I knew someone would help an inquiring mind!:D

[Pia1913]

Saturday at sea. I need these next two sea days desperately since I’ve definitely been overdoing it. I expect to veg for the next 48 hours.

　

We gained an hour of sleep last night; now only one hour ahead of EST. Paid a visit to the casino; broke even. Went to see the comic TimWalkoe; very enjoyable.

　

What’s doing today you want to know? Well, we have M & G number 3 at 10; may go only to pay the person who is in charge of an upcoming tour. Would like to see Sammi with another “What’s in Store” talk and then destination lecture on Callao and Lima. Both talks will conflict with the M & G, so I’ll probably send Mike to the theater, and do a quickie show my face at the M & G. Also this morning is another 3 hour sale of the $10 j*** and another lecture: “Threats of Life on Earth - from comets, asteroids, solar flares, supernova and gamma rays - a look at the dangers and what we can do about it.”

　

In the afternoon there’s a pub lunch, a Maxtone-Graham lecture: Princes of Wales, Part II (Tina tells me I snored a bit during the first one) and the movie 9 to5 on MUTS.

　

Tonight is formal and the Captain’s Welcome Champagne Waterfall. In the theater is the production show Stardust, in Vista violinist Vincenzo Gentile and MUTS will show Premium Rush.

I see you guys are still discussing Voltaren, so since I have nothing to offer, I'm going to breakfast. See ya............

[Julia’s Journey’s]

　

What’s doing today you want to know? Well, we have M & G number 3 at 10; may go only to pay the person who is in charge of an upcoming tour. Would like to see Sammi with another “What’s in Store” talk and then destination lecture on Callao and Lima. Both talks will conflict with the M & G, so I’ll probably send Mike to the theater, and do a quickie show my face at the M & G. Also this morning is another 3 hour sale of the $10 j*** and another lecture: “Threats of Life on Earth - from comets, asteroids, solar flares, supernova and gamma rays - a look at the dangers and what we can do about it.”

 

 

　

 

Had to laugh at your reason for going to M & G - hope you were being sarcastic about making tour payment there after all the hoopla last cruise:D:D:eek:

 

Enjoy your day:)

[gelo7]

Great thread.

[shellbeachjim]

Saturday at sea. I need these next two sea days desperately since I’ve definitely been overdoing it. I expect to veg for the next 48 hours.

Cruising is messing with your internal clock. Today is Friday... ;)

[Pia1913]

Cruising is messing with your internal clock. Today is Friday... ;)

 

LOL. I couldn't get back in to correct it. Internet is horrible. Only can get on sporadically and thisis the first time since early AM. Nothing new here so I leave you all until the morning.

[Shadavi]

Pia, just curious. Does your bring on board '"hospital" include strapping (for your ankle - hope it's better) or did you get it from medical? I think I'm getting paranoid :what:

SharonW

[ibfern]

Hi Pia,

 

What are you doing in Peru??? Don't miss the Larco Museum, its very nice.

[ramrax4]

Going to machu Picchu has always been a dream of mine!

[Pia1913]

Good Saturday morning. This time I’m getting it right. ;) Not much to mention about last night since we did nothing. Even dinner was nothing. For me anyway, unless you count mashed potatoes, asparagus and some salad as dinner. I will survive and my jeans still fit. I mentioned the internet briefly yesterday, since I wanted you to know I’m not posting often simply because there’s no availability. I find that early AM is OK and perhaps around 6 PM. Otherwise it’s impossible.

　

Another sea day in which to relax; no intention of chasing my tail today. My ankle acted up yesterday; pain most of the day. When I curtail activities (like walking too much) it feels a whole lot better. Even better is elevation.

　

Agenda today includes:

1. Destination lecture: Manta, Ecuador

2. Lecture: Captain William Bligh

3. Lecture: Chocolate Fact & Fiction

4. Veteran’s Get together

5. Paperback book exchange

　

The above is all in the morning. Comment on book exchange. The last one they had produced 3 books. There are very few books in the library; they go out and hardly any come back. As for paperbacks, very few ever; same since FLL. Electronics is here to stay; so many have e-readers now.

　

This afternoon Maxtone-Graham is presenting his first lecture again; Titanic Survivor. He told us it was a repeat, so it’s now basically for those who missed it the first time and those who boarded in Buenos Aires and Valparaiso. Also this afternoon is the movie Pitch Perfect in the theater and a lecture on the Space Race; the US and Soviet Russia between 1957 and 1975.

　

Tonight we have comedian Tim Walkoe again in Vista and the Huber Marionettes in the theater. I doubt we can make it to both shows, and since we liked Walkoe, we’ll see him again. Also tonight will be the movie Argo, following the two puppet shows in the theater.

　

Forgot to mention that all internet minutes have carried over to next cruise so we are now loaded. But I will still b**** when it gets too slow.

　

Shadavi: yes, the “hospital” includes all kinds of tape for strappings. Has to. This is my husband’s specialty.

　

Amelia: We’ve been to Peru 4 times and we no longer do museums anywhere. Here, we’ve seen enough pre-Columbian artifacts to last forever.

Robin: Machu Picchu is something we sort of thought we'd do eventually, but never while on a cruise. Didn't happen; won't now.

Later. Or whenever the signal allows.

[WarEagle76]

Robin: Machu Picchu is something we sort of thought we'd do eventually, but never while on a cruise. Didn't happen; won't now.

 

Probably a good idea right now. Hope your ankle gets better soon!

 

http://lima.usembassy.gov/warden/emergency_messages.html