The Happy Wanderer (reprise)

[Ziggy7]

Tonight there will be a meeting of the Friends of RuthC.

Dessert Extravaganza is at 10:30. (Pant. Pant. Pant.) :D

hehehe RuthC, I asked my Dad to show the devastation you did on the Dessert Extravaganza after you go thru it, will post pictures later hehehe :)

They both think you are a wonderful person and were both happy to have been able to meet you thru cc boards :)

[dakrewser]

What about the helicopter?

 

Evidently they weren't there to arrest our Ruth. Maybe they were bringing in extra chocolate?

[Lvteks]

Hi ruth and all,

 

Just had a thought...What if all the contributors to this thread were on the same ship at the same time? It would even rock on a sand bar!

 

Not exactly on threaqd subject but quick notes to:

 

TomC... thanks for taking a peek preview of the Zuiderdam before the Dec. 2004 inaugural voyage.

 

Sail7Seas...were you in 8099 on the Z for that sailing? If so, I'm truly sorry we didn't get to meet you. I think we were in 8097. (or 95) The one forward the bumpout.

 

RevNeal..Here is a chuckle. One night my DH asked how I could possibly log on sooo long to CC. Well I had an answer from you about the Volendam and had read many of your other posts...then got to the web site and went on from there. Yes, I would like to meet you and discuss more on the different "doctrines" of the Real Presence. I wasn't aware on any but transubstantiation. Can you imagine when I told DH what subject I was persuing on..CC???

 

RuthC...Thanks for taking all of us along.

 

Blessings,

 

Gail

[longtimecruiser]

Ruth, when will you ever learn to wear sturdy walking shoes ashore. Two years ago, if you remember the cobblestones really did a number on my feet. I had to have foot surgery. Don't let that happen to you. You are older but not wiser in this case...lol Glad you enjoyed your day today in Bergen. Sounds as beautiful as the other parts of Norway that I have visited. Tomorrow you are in Stavanger. Remember the shore excursion we took there? Got to see Pulpit Rock up close and those delicious waffles.YUM Let us know what you are planning to do there this year. Sounds like you are living it up and not getting much sleep. Well, enjoy while you can cause when you get home it will be back to the same old boring day to day life. Since you are not answering any of the questions I'm asking, I'll not ask anymore. Good to hear that you were able to get along without water for that period of time. Till next time. Adele

[RevNeal]

RevNeal..Here is a chuckle. One night my DH asked how I could possibly log on sooo long to CC. Well I had an answer from you about the Volendam and had read many of your other posts...then got to the web site and went on from there. Yes, I would like to meet you and discuss more on the different "doctrines" of the Real Presence. I wasn't aware on any but transubstantiation. Can you imagine when I told DH what subject I was persuing on..CC???

 

:) Discussions of such topics really "turn me on" -- so to speak -- but they normally bore others to death. One evening, during the Chocolate Extravaganza, I was having one such a wonderful hour-long conversation with a Catholic Priest who has since become a good friend of mine. He wasn't Chaplain for that cruise, he was just on it for vacation. I think we bored everybody else in our party because they all left us to our gin and conversation. I also think we had both had a bit too much gin because we were sharing stories about our days in seminary, and such, and getting giddy in the process. At one point I was showing him how one of my professors had trained us to make the proper hand motions over the elements while praying the "Great Thanksgiving." There was a piece of pie left on the table, and I had moved it over to demonstrate the hand motions; as I made them, I began to say the words "... pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here, and on ..." at which point he stopped me, saying "wait a moment, you're about to consecrate the bread crust of that pie!"

 

"So?" I asked.

 

"Then we'd have to eat it." he said.

 

"And the problem with that would be?"

 

He cocked an eyebrow, and replied, "Good point. Proceed."

 

I didn't, of course ... in part because he and I were laughing so hard one of the stewards came over to find out if we were ok.

 

Needless to say, the topics of conversation on a cruise can vary greatly. I always try to keep them from getting testy or contentious ... if it looks like a discussion is going that way I usually try to "call-it-quits" rather than disturb the whole evening. :)

 

All that goes to say that I'll look forward to meeting you, some day, on some Damship. :D

[tomc]

Real Presence: You're actually on the ship.

Pretend Presence: You spend all day on CC fantasizing you're on the ship.

Fake Presence: You read out-of-date catalogs from HAL.

[RevNeal]

Real Presence: You're actually on the ship.

Pretend Presence: You spend all day on CC fantasizing you're on the ship.

Fake Presence: You read out-of-date catalogs from HAL.

 

LOL ... Amen! All true! And I am guilty as charged! I'm not quite so bad as to read out-of-date catalogs, but I DO enjoy looking at photo-books of of HAL ships, most of which are no longer with us. :D

[tomc]

I was cleaning out some stuff in my room and saw a promotional piece from HAL which featured the Maasdam. Once again, my thoughts went overseas and I wondered how all the Happy Wanderers are doing. It's 1:38am here, which is 5:38 UTC; we'll have to wait for the girls to wake up and take a few spins around the deck before we hear from them.

[tomc]

Oh where oh where have our Wanderers gone?

Oh where oh where can they be?

They used to be crusing on a ship ...

Have they fallen into the sea?

[Ziggy7]

Oh where oh where have our Wanderers gone?

Oh where oh where can they be?

They used to be crusing on a ship ...

Have they fallen into the sea?

They must not have internet in Norway :) Havent heard from my parents either :)

7/28/2005 Thur Bergen Norway 8:00am 6:00pm

 

7/29/2005 Fri Stavanger Norway 7:00am 5:00pm

 

7/30/2005 Sat Kristiansand Norway 7:00am 5:00pm

 

7/31/2005 Sun Oslo Norway 7:00am 5:00pm

[dougnewmanatsea]

They must not have internet in Norway :) Havent heard from my parents either :)

Could be a satellite blackout if Ruth and/or your parents are surfing from on board.

 

Cruise Critic to Wanderers... Cruise Critic to Wanderers... ;)

 

In the meantime, as consolation, if you click here you can see a really nice photo of MAASDAM in Lerwick on Wednesday.

[RevNeal]

What a wonderful photo ... except ... they left the starboard side hatch open on crewdeck open!!

 

Hey ... Ruth ... stop dancing on the rail of the Promenade deck!

[longtimecruiser]

You are too funny, Greg!! That was a nice picture of the Massdam anchored off Lerwick. The satellite was in and out when we were in Norway last year. I think it could be all the fijords around. We may not hear from Ruth till Monday when they are at sea. Hope we hear before that. I need my daily fix!!!!!

[Esme]

I had an e-mail yesterday and again to-day from my friends on board, so don't think the satelitte is out. Maybe Ruth is still sleeping! :)

[Grumpy1]

I had an e-mail yesterday and again to-day from my friends on board, so don't think the satelitte is out. Maybe Ruth is still sleeping! :)

Or ran out of minutes....:(

[tomc]

Captured by gnomes for a gnefarious reason. Ok, so that's a gnegative thought, but you gnever know what might happen .

[RevNeal]

Or, perhaps, a chocolate overdose at the friends of Ruth get-together??? (aka "The Dessert Extravaganza!")

[LizB1]

Just to let you all know that we are alive and well in Norway!! We do have reception except last evening when poor Ruth was in the middle of writing her long CC post for the day...we were in the fjord and lost internet contact so this is why it never went thru. I am sure she was very frustrated to say the least after her efforts.

 

Right now we are on our way to Oslo after leaving Kristensand. Cloudy weather but in the 60's which is fine. So far the sailing weather has been very good and no real rains, however, I think we may get that in Oslo.

 

I am sure you will be hearing from Ruth later on today. Last time I saw her she was fine and watching her diet (chocolate).

 

Liz

[RuthC]

Or more accurately, three (not so) little tries. Yesterday I tried three times to post, but the satellite signal would not cooperate.

This is the gist of the entry:

7/29/05 This is the second year in a row that the cruise has stopped in Stavenger, and the second year there has been scenic cruising up Lysefjord to Pulpit Rock. This year the weather was much better, though---especially for those who took the daytime shore excursion---yes, Adele, I certainly do remember. I expect grannynurse does, too.

This year we aren't getting any commentary on the public decks; last year we did. It's a pity, too, because this time we sailed earlier and it wouldn't have interferred with dinner.

Someone reminded me that in past cruises we also had commentary and a map when we sailed Prins Cristian Sound.

Adele---and everyone---I'll try to do better at answering questions. It's that when I sign on to read what's here I've already written today's post, and then I forget the questions before I write the next post.

When I get a chance (soon, I promise) I'll read through everything again and answer everyone.

Sorry. :o

[RuthC]

A few random thoughts at the end of week #2.

1.) Music at the Lido Restaurant and pool is much improved over recent years. They've switched the HAL radio station to softer lighter background music and have turned the volume down. :)

The music was far too "jumpy" poolside at breakfast. I must have said something to the right person because it's channel 2 all day now.

2.) The great thing about a long, cold-weather cruise is no one hogs the pool-side lounges. Don't know if this is a function of age or weather. I do know there were 12 people sitting there as I composed this.

3.) Club HAL pranced through the Lido a few days ago with about seven (well-behaved) children. There are also several babies and a few teens aboard.

Generally, all are out of sight AND earshot. :)

4.) There are very few singles (compared to the last two years) of any age on this cruise.

5.) The nightlife on this cruise should be pronounced---it's dead. :(

[RevNeal]

5.) The nightlife on this cruise should be pronounced---it's dead.

 

What a shame. Perhaps you'll pick up some party animals for the return leg of the voyage? :)

 

Ruth, don't worry too much about answering too many questions ... just enjoy yourself! I sure wish I was with you ... it's supposed to be 99 degrees and sticky here in Dallas, Today. YUCK. I would LOVE some colder weather!

[grannynurse]

I so wanted to hear that you were dancing your socks off. "do ya wanna dance and hold my hand"? I know Tom and Chuck would love to dance with you, heck I'd dance with you too.

 

What are you doing in the evening? Have you played "Name that tune?" Shows? Did you see Myra emcee the Filipino show? How about team trivia during the day? I really miss not being on board with you, and I know Adele does too.

 

Have you met Renaldo in the Casino Bar? He does great mind-bender tricks. Try to get aquainted with him if you can. He was going up to the Crow's Nest to help Paul at 11pm.

What do you think of the group in the Nest?

I'll hope with you to resurrect night life on the westbound.

GN

[longtimecruiser]

Oh Ruth, I'm so sorry to hear that the nightlife is dead. Greg is right, perhaps you will pick up some night owl party people on the return leg. I sure wish I was there to hang out with you at night? I know Myra does too. Are the dance hosts headed for the grave too, or are they only dancing with select ladies? What a bummer!!!!! I guess you have found no one to play "Name that Tune". After two weeks , are you the only one in the Piano bar after a certain time? You mentioned in one post that you were closing the joint. I had pictured you with a room full of people there till closing. We will have to make up for your lack of night life on our Hawaii trip. That is a shame about no commnentary on the decks.Hal should economize in another area, not get rid of the commentary. You especially need it going through a place like Prince Christain Sund. Enjoy your day in Oslo tomorrow. Looking forward to the next installment. Till then.....Adele

[RuthC]

It had to happen. We all knew the decent weather couldn't last forever, and today the skys opened over Oslo, Norway. :( This was the fifth port in as many days, and the second in a row I had a boat-ride planned.

Rain or deluge---doesn't matter. The tour must go on! So several dozen passengers traipsed down the pier to board an 1890's schooner for a 3-hour tour of Oslofjord. Of course, we all jammed inside out of the rain, then couldn't see a thing. A few of us decided to brave the outdoors and gathered under a tarp (someone called it a "net"). Outdoors the view---and air---was much improved.

Hopefully, in the not too distant future, I'll be warm and dry again. I'm just glad I didn't take the walking tour. :eek:

We were supposed to have another 50%-off sale on Interent minutes today from 4-6:00 PM. So, I waited to post---planning to re-read this thread, make notes on the questions, and plan tomorrow's post with that in mind.

So, at 4:00 PM I got up from my nap and toddled to the Internet room. The satellite went down then. :mad:

What's the rest of that line about "The best laid plans of mice and men..."?

[longtimecruiser]

Not much to say except that I hope you dry out soon. Too bad you had a rainy day in Oslo but be glad you have had good weather until now. Norway can be so cold and rainy. Remember the North Cape last year? What a miserable day and foggy too. You sure have been having a hard time trying to post. That darn satellite goes out more than we would like. We all appreciate your efforts. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea tomorrow. Till the next installment.....Adele