Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Four

[Lois R]

Terry, your pictures are always so awesome:D....... not sure if you saw it but I posted on the River Cruise forum on that Avalon thread. I didn't realize you are sailing with them. That is one of the other trips I am looking at............

[TLCOhio]

Terry, your pictures are always so awesome:D....... not sure if you saw it but I posted on the River Cruise forum on that Avalon thread. I didn't realize you are sailing with them. That is one of the other trips I am looking at............

 

YES, Lois, had noticed that you are considering some Europe river cruise options. Lots of potentials there!! In a little over a month, we will be sailing with Avalon. It will be seven days along the famed and historic Mekong River. From all of our research and checking with people who have used them, Avalon gets high marks, especially with their cabins with lots of open views to the river sights as you travel. Plus, Avalon is tied with Globus. Keep researching and planning.

 

You might also consider some options for Portugal. Lisbon is super wonderful. As detailed in my live/blog connected below, our first visit to Lisbon and Portugal was awesome. There are some river cruise options from their charming historic town of Porto in going up the Douro River, etc. In March, Portugal might be warmer with more sun than in some other areas of Europe.

 

From the Travel Section of the London/UK Times this morning, they have this headline: “top writers on their holidays in 2017” with these highlights on Lisbon: “I’m not surprised Madonna has moved to Lisbon. I adored it the first time I went: its historic neighbourhoods, traditional cafes and miradouros, where an extraordinary view appears unexpectedly round a cobbled corner. I loved the little decorative kiosks where the necking of ginjinha — cherry hooch — at 10am is not only not frowned on, but positively encouraged. Going back this year, the love intensified into passion, mostly because the restaurants are more exciting than ever. ”

 

Full story at:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/travel/the-sunday-timess-top-writers-on-their-holidays-in-2017-znnd9xrc8

 

THANKS for your kind comments and encouragement on my travel pictures! Will try to share a few on the scenic Rhine River, etc. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Lisbon, NWSpain, Bordeaux/Brittany: Just finished June 2017 sailing from Portugal to France along the scenic Atlantic Coast, plus great pre- and post-cruise experiences. Many interesting pictures and details on history, food, culture, etc., from my live/blog at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2511358

Now at 17,073 views

[TLCOhio]

A White Christmas??!! Below is some photo "evidence/proof" from this morning in central Kansas, in Junction City, along I-70, near Manhattan and K-State University.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 191,000 views for this posting.

 

Here are two morning visuals from this morning in Kansas as we prepared for Christmas.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

[TLCOhio]

Anyone needing some "food porn" examples/samples?? Below are a few from being in Kansas City and now in central Kansas.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean adventure that started in Barbados, here is the link for that live/blog. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.):

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 54,572 views for these postings.

 

Breakfast yesterday at Rye at Kansas City’s Country Club Plaza. Are those cinnamon rolls big enough? Didn’t have any of those. Too many calories!! Only did the breakfast treats shown on the one plate below. This included with the great gravy on the potato treat.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

 

Dinner last night at Harry’s in Manhattan (Kansas, the “Little Apple”). Great, holiday-decorated historic dining room in a classic, old hotel. First is my lobster dish with cilantro rum. Then, the main of event of blackened bass over crab-shiitake risotto and “peking” veloute. Finished with braised baby bok choy and crispy rice.:

 

 

 

From Friday's lunch in Kansas City at Jack's Stack at the Plaza, I needed a BBQ "fix". Enjoyed ribs and burnt ends plus loaded baked potato at lunch today, plus cheesy corn, beans, corn bread. :

[TLCOhio]

Sorry! Duplicate. Terry

[Camillus112]

Terry, thanks for the photos. Years ago, we almost moved to Kansas City, Missouri. The university was wooing Roberto, and they sent me with a real estate person to a, then, newer development called Overland Park, where they thought we would be happy. My best recollection was the Catholic Church in the area, aptly called "Our Lady of Gucci". Even though Roberto decided to stay in Ithaca, I've always remained curious about how happy or not we would have been....

[Camillus112]

I want to take this opportunity from my housekeeping chores, in preparation for this night's feast, to convey to all Coolers my warmest wishes for this beautiful Holiday!

[Lois R]

I have been looking at tours on line today .and I found something that is really appealing and so this is going

to be a "find out information this week"........I know tomorrow everyone is closed for Christmas so I will follow up on

Tuesday but I have been looking at trips to HAWAII:).........I have never been there before. Multiple companies offer

tours........will do some more research on it.

[TLCOhio]

Terry, thanks for the photos. Years ago, we almost moved to Kansas City, Missouri. The university was wooing Roberto, and they sent me with a real estate person to a, then, newer development called Overland Park, where they thought we would be happy. My best recollection was the Catholic Church in the area, aptly called "Our Lady of Gucci". Even though Roberto decided to stay in Ithaca, I've always remained curious about how happy or not we would have been....

 

Lots to love and do in Kansas City. Yes, that Overland Park area is very nice. It's on the Kansas side of the region. It's near the Seville-styled Country Club Plaza area where we normally stay over the holidays on our way out to central Kansas. Many sports, arts, shopping, etc., options in Kansas City.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Panama Canal? Completed Feb. 28-Mar. 15, 2017, Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco adventure through the Panama Canal with our first stops in Colombia, Central America and Mexico, plus added time in the great Golden Gate City. Lots of fun, interesting pictures!! Those visuals start on the second page, post #26. See more at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2465580

[TLCOhio]

I have been looking at tours on line today .and I found something that is really appealing and so this is going to be a "find out information this week"........I know tomorrow everyone is closed for Christmas so I will follow up on Tuesday but I have been looking at trips to HAWAII.........I have never been there before. Multiple companies offer tours........will do some more research on it.

 

Yes, Lois, Hawaii can be super wonderful, too!! We did our first and only trip there as we were going down to Australia and in coming back from New Zealand. Lots of pictures and details can be seen on my live/blog below. In a short time, we enjoyed a great sampling for Oahu, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, etc. Then, coming back, we had four days on the Big Island. Very different and wonderful there. Much of that island is like the 1950's, in a very good and charming way. Below are just a few sample visuals to encourage this option, too!

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 191,000 views for this posting.

 

Here was out first view from the balcony of our Aston Circle Waikiki Hotel room. Not a new or fancy hotel, but a great location in the heart of this famed beach area. The pink building shown under the mega high-rise is the Royal Hawaiian Hotel built in 1927 as the second destination resort on this island.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger!)

 

Walking the beach areas along Waikiki Beach, it shows contrasts with the large high-rises versus palm trees and older hotels, etc.:

 

What is Waikiki Beach without famed Diamond Head? In real life, it is even more impressive! and soak up its majestic drama.:

Here are just twp samples of the beaches and sights on the North Shore and then along the super scenic eastern side of Oahu. Look nice?:

 

 

[jpalbny]

Happy Christmas Eve Day all! Cooking up a storm today. Lots of pierogies, and some homemade borsch. Here are some mushroom-filled ones, waiting for the cooking pot.

 

 

Last night was simple roasted mushrooms over semolina.

 

 

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[jpalbny]

Christmas Eve Dinner

 

Borsch with Ushka (literally, "little ears"). The mushroom dumplings from the last post.

 

 

Two kinds of pierogie stuffing. Sauerkraut, and potatoes with farmer cheese.

 

 

The finished product, smothered under butter and onions. So tasty!

 

 

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[TLCOhio]

Christmas Eve Dinner. Borsch with Ushka (literally, "little ears"). The mushroom dumplings from the last post.

 

Appreciate these nice visuals from J.P. Still sunny out in Kansas, but the air is very cold. Lots of other Midwest locations are getting snow for Christmas Day, including Central Ohio. For Lois, consider doing an apartment for a week in Paris. Lots of sights, museums to do there in the "City of Lights". And from that Paris "base", you can do one or two day trips. Lots of excellent to potentials to consider.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Super loved Dubrovnik!!! See more details and lots of great visual samples/examples at this link. Have had over 39,743 views on this posting and appreciate those who have tuned-in and dropped by.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1439227

[Bill B]

Merry Christmas everyone! (I can say that because it's 7:18 AM Dec. 25 here).

[frantic36]

JP so lovely to see your pierogi and borscht. We have made some berry filled pierogi which we are taking as our dessert contribution for Christmas lunch. We will boil them, drain, then lightly fry them in cinnamon sugar and butter to be served with cream and/or ice-cream.

 

Merry Christmas everyone as it is Christmas morning here in Australia.

 

Julie

[UKCruiseJeff]

 

 

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[jpalbny]

JP so lovely to see your pierogi and borscht. We have made some berry filled pierogi which we are taking as our dessert contribution for Christmas lunch. We will boil them, drain, then lightly fry them in cinnamon sugar and butter to be served with cream and/or ice-cream.

 

Merry Christmas everyone as it is Christmas morning here in Australia.

 

Julie

That sounds delicious! We have made the berry filled ones before but we really love cherry filled ones for dessert! With butter, sugar, and sour cream... And atorvastatin!

 

Merry Christmas to all of you on that side of the Date Line!

 

 

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Very nice, Jeff! Thanks for the lovely sentiments. A few hours left to go here - then working again tomorrow.

 

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[spinnaker2]

Thinking of all the coolers and wishing them a wonderful and magical holiday!

Yes I still believe in magic, sprinkle some on you! It's glorious and sparkly.

We should all be a little glittery and covered in tinsel.

 

 

 

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[Tothesunset]

Merry Christmas everybody!

[MissSophia]

Merry Christmas To One And All....Wishing Everyone a very happy day....just opened the Moet so Cheers! 🌲🍾😊

[Lois R]

Merry Christmas to everyone:)

[UKCruiseJeff]

Good Morning Coolers,

 

Today's beef rib looks almost like Wagyu ......

 

 

 

 

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[TLCOhio]

Merry Christmas everybody!

 

YES!! Merry Christmas to all. And best wishes for a joyous Holiday season. Still have snow on the ground here in Kansas. Our home in Columbus also got about an inch of snow to help make the season be looking so great.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 228,615 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

[jpalbny]

Jeff, nice roast. We made a baby beef rib roast today, just about a kg. Nice size for the two of us. A simple crust of salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme then roasted just until rare. I cut it in half and seared the inside for a minute and it was ready to eat. So yummy!

 

We both went in to work for a few hours this morning. The roads were terrible. It snowed a bunch overnight and we awoke to this...

 

 

Pretty for Christmas, but they had done a terrible job plowing. Lucky for Audi Quattro and good snow tires.

 

Later in the day, we had sunshine and this was the view from the sun room just before dinner. Gorgeous! We even went out for a walk.

 

 

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas! Back at it tomorrow, but off for New Year's. It's all a trade-off.

 

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[UKCruiseJeff]

Hi JP, just logged in to see your lovely pics waiting. I wish we had the snow.

 

In many ways a lovely couple of extremely quiet days. I had been saving up a film for a while that I had been anticipating and we watched it yesterday. Babbettes Feast. Lovely atmospheric film designed for foodies.

 

Today was Oklahoma from The Royal Albert Hall. And the Ultra Wide Screen was installed in the study ... and I am slowly filling up the new computer with loads of stuff. I'm pleased I bought what I wanted rather than what I needed, and I've bought some flight sim and racing hardware and software .....

 

The beef was lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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