Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[Lois R]

Good morning Lola, you are NOT stupid. I am quite technically challenged as well.  Too much wine? Naaaaahh🙂

 And no need to apologize. You have not done anything to apologize for.

 

As for the tennis, should be a good match🙂

[zqtchas]

[mysty]

[zqtchas]

[jpalbny]

Hi from the Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4! Excited to be here. My SIL was on the team who designed the interior so she gave us a few tips. Checking out the secret speakeasy in a bit.

 

We left home at 9 and drove to Eataly for a late lunch on the rooftop. Love that place. Then we drove 15 miles to JFK (only an hour...) and here we are.

 

We board in 90 minutes. Hopefully the French let us in, and on the boat. Updates tomorrow! 

Edited September 11, 2021 by jpalbny

[QueSeraSera]

sometimes the desire for chocolate overwhelms me & baking begins

 

[Emtbsam]

On 8/27/2021 at 8:02 PM, Emtbsam said:

We never heard that from SS about Spain and Italy.  I hope they are able to change that for you by the time you get there.

Speaking of wine, or in fact champagne, I went to my local purveyor to buy Dom Perignon for my birthday party which will have to be at home instead of on the Shadow.  I was told that they have none and won’t be able to get any before October.  Has anyone else had that experience?  Help Silversea, please send champagne!!”

[mysty]

1 hour ago, QueSeraSera said:

sometimes the desire for chocolate overwhelms me & baking begins

 

 

Que, not being a baker or even a cook (not to put too fine an edge on it)  what is the wondrous creation you are putting together?

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, QueSeraSera said:

sometimes the desire for chocolate overwhelms me & baking begins

 

Chocolate Bundt Cake? Looks DELICIOUS🙂

[Lois R]

1 hour ago, jpalbny said:

Hi from the Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4! Excited to be here. My SIL was on the team who designed the interior so she gave us a few tips. Checking out the secret speakeasy in a bit.

 

We left home at 9 and drove to Eataly for a late lunch on the rooftop. Love that place. Then we drove 15 miles to JFK (only an hour...) and here we are.

 

We board in 90 minutes. Hopefully the French let us in, and on the boat. Updates tomorrow! 

Safe AND Uneventful flight to you both!🙂

[QueSeraSera]

7 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Chocolate Bundt Cake? Looks DELICIOUS

Got it one Lois!  Wish you all were here to share, just a little piece wouldn't hurt!

Frosting recipe off the back of the Hershey cocoa container cause I've never found a better one.

Our thoughts are with you JP.  My mom (daughter of immigrants) told me as long as you know how to say please and thank you in the language of the land you are visiting, you'll be fine.  😉  Miss that lady, & know you are far more conversant than that - have a blast over there

[Host Jazzbeau]

2 hours ago, jpalbny said:

Hi from the Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4! Excited to be here. My SIL was on the team who designed the interior so she gave us a few tips. Checking out the secret speakeasy in a bit.

 

We left home at 9 and drove to Eataly for a late lunch on the rooftop. Love that place. Then we drove 15 miles to JFK (only an hour...) and here we are.

 

We board in 90 minutes. Hopefully the French let us in, and on the boat. Updates tomorrow! 

 

We'll be there (Centurion lounge) on Wednesday.  Please share your secrets!

[Host Jazzbeau]

1 hour ago, Emtbsam said:

Speaking of wine, or in fact champagne, I went to my local purveyor to buy Dom Perignon for my birthday party which will have to be at home instead of on the Shadow.  I was told that they have none and won’t be able to get any before October.  Has anyone else had that experience?  Help Silversea, please send champagne!!”

 

Try Bollinger R.D. [recently disgorged] – keeping the wine on the lees in the bottle during aging really adds to the dept of flavor!

[jpalbny]

1 hour ago, Emtbsam said:

Speaking of wine, or in fact champagne, I went to my local purveyor to buy Dom Perignon for my birthday party which will have to be at home instead of on the Shadow.  I was told that they have none and won’t be able to get any before October.  Has anyone else had that experience?  Help Silversea, please send champagne!!”

 

Sacré bleu! Ce n'est pas possible. 

 

Try a mail order place like vinfolio.com? 

 

25 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

 

We'll be there (Centurion lounge) on Wednesday.  Please share your secrets!

 

You enter from the fourth floor. Turn left after security and don't go down to the third level (where the gates are).

 

The lounge is on two levels. The 4th floor was more crowded but has more hot food offerings. 

 

The third level is quiet and had a nearly empty bar, and snacks. Then my SIL (designer) told me about the speakeasy. 

 

At the end of the room there is a brass door with "1850" on the wall. Go in and it's a small dark room with a nice bar and comfortable seating. 

 

Cocktails and wine in a cool setting. And they have Fever Tree tonic! All included. We will be making arrangements to move in upon our return...

 

The door.

 

 

And some cocktails before the flight. 

 

 

We are in the air. ETA in 7 hours. Good night! 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2021 by jpalbny

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

Have a great safe fun day all!

[jpalbny]

We landed early at 9:15 (scheduled for 10). Passport control was fast and baggage took a few minutes so we were out by 9:45. 

 

Queued in line for an antigen test to get a temporary Passe Sanitaire. A bit of a process. You pay at the pharmacy then go across the hall to wait in another line for the actual swab. Results about 10 minutes later, negative for both.

 

Headed to the rental car and got the email link for our QR code. Safely stored in our TousAntiCovid app and it works!

 

We drove to Eze. The views along la moyenne corniche were spectacular. The close parking lot was full as expected so we parked at the overflow lot 2.5K away at Col d'Eze and caught their shuttle in. €6 for parking and shuttle, but included an entry to le jardin exotique, so basically free.

 

Hiked to the top for the view!

 

 

 

Just a stunningly beautiful view of the coast from here.

 

 

And nice looking inland too. I think that's the dog head, maybe near Monaco?

 

 

A contemplative statue takes in the view. She seems less impressed than I am.

 

 

And a nice hotel.

 

 

Now enjoying a pizza. We needed the passe in order to eat in a restaurant, and they definitely enforce it. But it scanned with no problem, so now we know that it works.

 

 

Back to Nice after lunch to board Le Bellot!

 

[mysty]

28 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

We landed early at 9:15 (scheduled for 10). Passport control was fast and baggage took a few minutes so we were out by 9:45. 

 

Queued in line for an antigen test to get a temporary Passe Sanitaire. A bit of a process. You pay at the pharmacy then go across the hall to wait in another line for the actual swab. Results about 10 minutes later, negative for both.

 

Headed to the rental car and got the email link for our QR code. Safely stored in our TousAntiCovid app and it works!

 

We drove to Eze. The views along la moyenne corniche were spectacular. The close parking lot was full as expected so we parked at the overflow lot 2.5K away at Col d'Eze and caught their shuttle in. €6 for parking and shuttle, but included an entry to le jardin exotique, so basically free.

 

Hiked to the top for the view!

 

 

 

Just a stunningly beautiful view of the coast from here.

 

 

And nice looking inland too. I think that's the dog head, maybe near Monaco?

 

 

A contemplative statue takes in the view. She seems less impressed than I am.

 

 

And a nice hotel.

 

 

Now enjoying a pizza. We needed the passe in order to eat in a restaurant, and they definitely enforce it. But it scanned with no problem, so now we know that it works.

 

 

Back to Nice after lunch to board Le Bellot!

 

 

So glad that you got safely in and that the system worked for you both!  Have a super awesome time!  🥰

[TrulyBlonde]

43 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

We landed early at 9:15 (scheduled for 10). Passport control was fast and baggage took a few minutes so we were out by 9:45. 

 

Queued in line for an antigen test to get a temporary Passe Sanitaire. A bit of a process. You pay at the pharmacy then go across the hall to wait in another line for the actual swab. Results about 10 minutes later, negative for both.

 

Headed to the rental car and got the email link for our QR code. Safely stored in our TousAntiCovid app and it works!

 

We drove to Eze. The views along la moyenne corniche were spectacular. The close parking lot was full as expected so we parked at the overflow lot 2.5K away at Col d'Eze and caught their shuttle in. €6 for parking and shuttle, but included an entry to le jardin exotique, so basically free.

 

Hiked to the top for the view!

 

 

 

Just a stunningly beautiful view of the coast from here.

 

 

And nice looking inland too. I think that's the dog head, maybe near Monaco?

 

 

A contemplative statue takes in the view. She seems less impressed than I am.

 

 

And a nice hotel.

 

 

Now enjoying a pizza. We needed the passe in order to eat in a restaurant, and they definitely enforce it. But it scanned with no problem, so now we know that it works.

 

 

Back to Nice after lunch to board Le Bellot!

 

Love the views from Chateau Chèvre d'Or. A few years back we dined in their Michelin restaurant and have fond memories of that special day. That pizza looks scrumptious 🙂

 

[lincslady]

Oh, jp, just looking at your photo of your cocktails in the airport lounge bought back so many lovely memories to me - it is redolent of all that is just right for the start of a great trip.  And it does seem to have started well.  Have a great time on behalf of the rest of us, both of you.

 

Lola

[Lois R]

Hi JP, thanks for the update and glad you got in safely👍😀

 

Lola, congrats on the win for Emma and the UK!......she is only 18....WOW....very poised for sure🙂

And I heard the Queen contacted her directly too!

[mysty]

[zqtchas]

[mysty]

1 hour ago, zqtchas said:

 

Chas your wit is sparkling! 🥰

[TLCOhio]

9 hours ago, jpalbny said:

We drove to Eze. The views along la moyenne corniche were spectacular. The close parking lot was full as expected so we parked at the overflow lot 2.5K away at Col d'Eze and caught their shuttle in. €6 for parking and shuttle, but included an entry to le jardin exotique, so basically free.   Hiked to the top for the view!   Back to Nice after lunch to board Le Bellot!

 

Super appreciate these great pictures, comments and details from your successful landing in France.  Eze is one of our excellent, personal favorites from visiting this region in 1995.  Eze is beyond description as one of the best, most scenic locations in the world.  The view from up there is amazing.

 

Keep it coming!!  Will send via email some insights and background about Corsica.  Be very interested in your impressions and experiences from visiting there.  Plus, to learn more about how well Ponant works for  Americans sailing on these French ships in Europe.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 253,840 views.

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

[mysty]

My huge helping of joy today....our absolute favourite restaurant is reopening after extensive renovation.   We have been invited to a soft opening this upcoming weekend.   I am over the moon!  Black Tartan Kitchen here we come! 

 

https://www.blacktartankitchen.com/

Edited September 12, 2021 by mysty