The Daily for Monday Mar 22, 2021

[Mary229]

31 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

, we’re planning to head to Texas Wednesday and take it slow, taking four days to get home.

Stop at Balmorhea State Park, even if it is a few miles out of the way, it is where we stay on our way back from Arizona.  Well worth an overnight. Enjoy the ride.  

[Horizon chaser 1957]

Good morning, all! What a wonderful collection of days! Between that and the intermittent sun today, skipping out and enjoying life is on today’s agenda. Today’s alternate menu is an all time favourite, but manicotti is a close second. However, pork chops are thawed and on tonight’s menu here.

We were overnight in Rio on the Amsterdam in January 2020. Luckily we had no idea what was coming in two months. We took an extensive tour operated by Do Brazil Right that took in all the sights and culminated with sunset on Copacabana beach. It was wonderful. The next day DH and I hopped on the light rail train right in front of the ship and rode it to the it’s far end, which looped around and ended at the boardwalk a nice walking distance from the ship. We were careful, dressed down, and felt safe, but I would NEVER walk there when the shops are shuttered and the laughing families have deserted the boardwalks and beaches.

 

Sugarloaf, with Christ the Redeemer peering over its shoulder.

 

Christ the Redeemer. Everywhere in the city you suddenly see it between houses or above the traffic as you turn a corner.

 

Rio seen from above looks like foaming rivers of houses flowing down the valleys to meet the sea.

Ipanema beach, with me getting my feet wet and sandy for the rest of the day’s tour.

 

Copacabana beach, with the sun about to set behind Sugarloaf. And yes, I got my feet wet and sandy here, too.

 

Two of the vibrant, glorious murals across from the ship.

 

The Museum of Tomorrow, which was closed today. Amsterdam in the background.

 

The artisan craft and food market that was definitely open.

 

The waterfront was lined with weekend fishermen. Actually catching a fish was optional and not the point of being there.

 

Returning to our beautiful Amsterdam at the end of the day.

 

And of course, Happy Monday from our BHB’s!

Edited March 22, 2021 by Horizon chaser 1957

[Mary229]

6 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Amethyst is my birthstone. I didn't know it was prevalent in Brazil! I will have to keep that in mind if I make it there in 2022...

 

Those look like overgrown rock crystal candies. 

Until the discovery of Amethyst in Brazil, amethyst was almost as expensive as emerald.  As an historian I am sure you have seen many Crown Jewels and may have noticed its prevalence in pre-1830s jewels.  That is one of my retirement goals - to visit the exhibits of Crown Jewels throughout the world.  When in Vienna as an university student I first encountered Crown Jewels and I switched my major from Archeology to Geology upon my return to the US.    

[cruisemom42]

Well I don't always get here on weekdays but had to post today because I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE VACCINATED!!!  And with the Pfizer vaccine too (my first choice).  Seems like a long time coming, but April 6th isn't so far away. After maybe I can start to plan a visit to see my family in Florida again after more than a year.

 

 

As @StLouisCruisers has said, it looks like a lovely day here. Given my happy state of mind + launching a new program this morning at work (now underway), I may have to adhere to the mandate of the day and do some goofing off this afternoon in the back yard. I may even sing. After all, I did work half a day yesterday...  

 

The manicotti has been a stalwart stand-by dish for me for years but I probably won't have it tonight. We may be getting some takeout and celebrating a little.  That wine sounds like one worth looking for too.

 

I haven't been to Rio yet but hopefully I will get there next year. Now I know to look for amethysts as well!

 

Happy Monday all. 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

1 minute ago, cruisemom42 said:

Well I don't always get here on weekdays but had to post today because I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE VACCINATED!!!  And with the Pfizer vaccine too (my first choice).  Seems like a long time coming, but April 6th isn't so far away. After maybe I can start to plan a visit to see my family in Florida again after more than a year.

 

 

As @StLouisCruisers has said, it looks like a lovely day here. Given my happy state of mind + launching a new program this morning at work (now underway), I may have to adhere to the mandate of the day and do some goofing off this afternoon in the back yard. I may even sing. After all, I did work half a day yesterday...  

 

The manicotti has been a stalwart stand-by dish for me for years but I probably won't have it tonight. We may be getting some takeout and celebrating a little.  That wine sounds like one worth looking for too.

 

I haven't been to Rio yet but hopefully I will get there next year. Now I know to look for amethysts as well!

 

Happy Monday all. 

 

 

YAY!!!  Gives you a real lift to finally have something happening, doesn't it?  I love your penguins happy dancing.  So appropriate.

[garlictown]

☕ Good Morning, Monday, from Maui! 🌴

Thank You for the Daily and we have been to the Amazon and Rio on the Viking Sun a few years ago.

Generally, we look at different itineraries and some have been with Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean,  Oceania and Viking. I prefer Holland America but we are running out of ports, lol!🙃😯😉 Now, with being vaccinated we will fly to enjoy a holiday. 🌴

🙏Prayers to all in need and stay safe.😷

[cat shepard]

47 minutes ago, superoma said:

Good morning all. Great news, my DH is scheduled for his first moderna shot tomorrow morning at our doctors office. No muss, no fuss. His age group opened this morning. I will schedule myself tomorrow at one of our pharmacies fi4 the astra Zeneca vaccine. That will open up to anyone 60 and older. Starting to make progress!

 Wonderful news!

[VintageGeo]

1 hour ago, Marmot@Sea said:

Good Morning.

 

The sun is shining and it looks like it will be a beautiful day.

 

This song popped into my mind.  Remember to sing it outloud.

 

 

Val

Loved this, thanks!

 

[highscar]

Amethyst is mined in northern Ontario.   

[lazey1]

7 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Good Morning. 

 

 

Brazil is a mineral wonderland, made famous by the vast treasure trove of Amethyst found there.  

 

 

My late husband was a rock hound who especially love the Amethyst Geodes. He would have gone out of his mind at the sight of this treasure.  Speaking of treasure, does anyone have any idea what the monetary value of this collection might be?

Never got to Rio and I doubt that I ever will. Only as old as I feel somedays I might feel 20 but most of the time I feel every second of my almost 80 years.

Edited March 22, 2021 by lazey1

[lindaler]

Thanks Rich. Hi everyone. Cold and misty here. Of course that’s when the heater chooses to act up. Oh well it gives me another project for the day. 

[bobpatj]

We have visited Rio three times, all on HAL!  Our first was on Amsterdam, in 2005,  then on Prinsendam, in 2011, and on Maasdam, in 2015.  We took ships tours on all and were very safe.  We disembarked there two times and really disliked the airport!

[XBGuy]

2 hours ago, highland cruiser said:

 

 

By any chance was this picture taken in Australia?

 

 

 

2 hours ago, highland cruiser said:

Why trailer pic is upside down is beyond me. Sorry.🤣

 

FIFY

 

 

I'll bet $1 you took that picture with an iPhone or an iPad.

[tamsno]

Hello All!  It's another lovely spring day in PA.  Definitely a good day to goof off a little. 

Scheduled for my second Pfizer shot tomorrow and that has lifted my spirits for future travel and more peace of mind to be out and about a little more.   It's great that so many more people are able to schedule shots now.

 

Planning a road trip with DS and BIL to visit other DS and BIL at Seabrook Island, SC,  in mid April.  We will all be safely vaccinated,  quarantine at home for a week before,  stay close to her house, beach and golf course, sit outside as much as possible,  and take all appropriate precautions.  Might need a spread sheet to keep it all straight.   We laughed that even the 12 hour car ride each way doesn't sound so bad right now.  At least we will be away.  

 

Stay Safe, Enjoy the day and remember the three "W's" - Wear a mask - Wash your hands - Watch your distance.

 

Thanks, Prayers and Cheers!

Cindy

'

 

 

 

[XBGuy]

I do have a question for regular HAL cruisers.

 

I get a kick out of reading @richwmn's meal of the day recommendation and @rafinmd's alternate suggestion.  I also get a kick out of the fact that the alternate suggestion actually comes off of HAL menus.  The soup from the HAL menu is, more often than not, cold.  Is this consistently the case in HAL dining rooms, or is @rafinmd showing his personal preference?  If the latter is the case, I am perfectly fine with that.  

 

Expiring minds want to know.

[Mary229]

37 minutes ago, highscar said:

Amethyst is mined in northern Ontario.   

Yes it is, actually southern Ontario at Thunder Bay.  It is gorgeous.   

[rafinmd]

1 minute ago, XBGuy said:

The soup from the HAL menu is, more often than not, cold.  Is this consistently the case in HAL dining rooms, or is @rafinmd showing his personal preference?  If the latter is the case, I am perfectly fine with that.  

Absolutely my personal preference.

 

Roy

[NextOne]

2 hours ago, Marmot@Sea said:

Good Morning.

 

The sun is shining and it looks like it will be a beautiful day.

 

This song popped into my mind.  Remember to sing it outloud.

 

 

Val

Perfect!

[Tbay]

@Mary229  There are several amethyst mines not far from Thunder Bay.  But Thunder Bay is in Northern Ontario.  39 miles from the US border, at the head of Lake Superior.  Thunder Bay used to be Fort William and Port Arthur.

[Mary229]

8 minutes ago, Tbay said:

@Mary229  There are several amethyst mines not far from Thunder Bay.  But Thunder Bay is in Northern Ontario.  39 miles from the US border, at the head of Lake Superior.  Thunder Bay used to be Fort William and Port Arthur.

I never considered it Northern.  My bad.  I considered North Bay and Timmins north but I guess it was because of how I traveled through Ontario all of those years.  For years I attended and sol  minerals at the fairs, shows and swaps during July and August.  It was so much cooler than Texas

Edited March 22, 2021 by Mary229

[highscar]

When you live in southern Ontario. Thunder Bay is northern Ontario. Lol. 

[Sharon in AZ]

1 hour ago, XBGuy said:

I do have a question for regular HAL cruisers.

 

I get a kick out of reading @richwmn's meal of the day recommendation and @rafinmd's alternate suggestion.  I also get a kick out of the fact that the alternate suggestion actually comes off of HAL menus.  The soup from the HAL menu is, more often than not, cold.  Is this consistently the case in HAL dining rooms, or is @rafinmd showing his personal preference?  If the latter is the case, I am perfectly fine with that.  

 

Expiring minds want to know.

There are many hot soups. I’m not a big soup fan so don’t order it but did take some screenshots on our last cruise, June 2019 Alaska Oosterdam. 
 

 

 

 

 

I believe that the French Onion is available daily. 

[baltic17]

Thanks to Rich, Roy, the drinks and recipe ladies.

Great selection of days.  Goofing off is high on the list today.

I successfully installed the new wifi router the other day and it is much faster than the old one and no rental fee.

 

We disembarked in Rio in Oct 2017 after 38 days from Vancouver.  We really wanted to end in Buenos Aires but settled for Rio because the rest of the itinerary was great. After having to get VISAs we decided that we should spend several days to partially justify the cost.   We agree with @kazu and @StLouisCruisers and others, that we don't really need to go back, and certainly not as an embarkation or disembarkation point.  The main tour lecturer on the Zaandam gave what we thought was a very good chat about Rio.  We heard about all the highlights and being careful, staying with groups of people you knew, not going on the beach after dark, pick pocket heaven, and good safety procedures.  She also strongly recommended against taking any of the favela tours both due to safety and that they directly support the drug, sex, and weapons traffickers.  We didn't have any desire to go to a favela so it wasn't a difficult decision to make.

 

The lights were beautiful coming into port early in the morning.You can see Christ the Redeemer on the hill with Ipanema and Copa Cabana beaches where the bright lights are.

 

 

After dealing with the chaos at the port we got a taxi to our hotel to drop our luggage and were reminded to stay in the area after dark, not go to the beach after dark, and only get cabs at hotels.  We popped off to look for lunch and found a great little local joint where the ladies sitting next to us helped us order, including our really cold Polar beers.

 

The next day was the Day of the Dead.  We had a nice hotel on Copa Cabana Beach with a view so got to watch a big parade.  Then we took a taxi to the far end of Ipanema beach and walked back to the hotel meeting with other folks from our cruise. 

 

Our final day we took the grand tour before heading to the airport.  Agree with @bobpatj that this is a terrible airport, even after the Olympics there was really nothing there, especially not anything you would expect at an international airport.

 

 

 

Bottom line on Rio.  It's worth a stop on a cruise but I wouldn't start or end there.

 

Prayers for all those on the care list and those who need them.  Best wishes to all.

 

 

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Afternoon, one of my CC cruising friends got her J & J shot today.  We are both booked on the Eurodam in March.  I hope it happens. 

[Vict0riann]

The SWFL eaglets are 57 days old!  Looking pretty much fully feathered, they spend their time mainly eating, sleeping or preening to get rid of the final bits of baby down.  They get on quite well - probably because they are so well fed!