Land & Sea - Live from Barcelona & the Oosterdam Transatlantic - November 5th, 2022

[jeh10641]

Hi, Jacqui,

When we cruised out of Barcelona in 2008 (our first transatlantic and first visit to Europe together), we had an awful time (one day and one night: three hours in a police station looking at mug shots!). In 2009, 2011 and 2016 our European trips/cruises were much better. Actually, they were GREAT.

On that first trip we flew from Seattle to Paris where we had 45 minutes between flights. We literally ran from one terminal to another with about 12 others and an airline guide. We never did customs or immigrations at DeGaulle and just got to our Barcelona flight before the doors closed. In Barcelona, we also did not go through Customs/Immigration but found ourselves outside the terminal and our waiting ride to our hotel (just the two of us!).

Ah! The joys and wonder of international travel.

 

Jim

[kazu]

So tonight was our roll call get together and 21 of us met to enjoy some tapas and drinks. 

 

A bit complicated to get into but we did it 👍 

Here are some of our terrific roll call members:

 

 

 

 

The food was good - the company was good and I even managed to wheel myself over to the other table 😉   And there’s not a lot of room in this place 😉 

 

The fried fish (he said they were anchovies - I could have sworn they were sardines) No matter they were delish!

 

 

This roast beef description didn’t do it justice - it was nearly like a carpaccio - really, really good 👍 

 

the ceviche was absolutely excellent

 

And a. Non tapas person had the fish and chips LOL - but the were really good he declared.

 

 

I think everyone at our table had the spinach salad with roquefort and nuts - it was excellent. (Dribs of it are in the pics). 

 

Lovely night.  Lovely roll call - who wouldn’t enjoy?

My sisters came early to help me pack and their mouths dropped.  Most is done 😉 Took quite a while but I did it in the chair. All that is left is the dribs and drabs and the struggle of what to do with the water pik - check it or carry it on board?

They all played with the crutches and adjusted but I can’t do it (yet).

on board I will see if they have the ones I know.  Or I’ll figure something out.  My BIL was amazed at how I manoeuvred the wheel chair.  He taught me a lot and I have been known to be stubborn and inventive.  LOL

 

I am excited to sail with this wonderful roll call - I think there are 126 of us now for the Meet and Greet (have lost track).

 

It will all work out - one way or the other.  Sailing tomorrow 😃 

 

 

[0106]

We are loving our time in Barcelona.  Enjoyed our visit to Sagrada Familia this morning.  

The architecture is great but the food is incredible.  Tonight’s dinner at Rao.

BURRATA PUGLIESE- Italian burrata with red pesto, fried eggplant

 

LAMB TERRINE with yogurt, mint and cucumber sauce

 

CEVICHE Sea bass marinated in lime juice, red onion, sweet potato chips and celery lime ice cream

 

PAELLA red prawns,squid, clams

 

And IBERIAN PORK CHEEK again-my husband finished it before I could take a picture.

[ger_77]

It was wonderful getting together with the 20+ cruisers for tapas and drinks this evening.  Thank you @kazufor arranging it!  We met new friends and enjoyed the tempura asparagus, garlic prawns (which needed more garlic), tomato bread, and of course, sangria. 
 

Sea you all tomorrow!!

[ger_77]

In case anyone is interested as to why there was such a HUGE police presence on Las Ramblas this evening, with part of it blocked off, it’s because the King of Spain was attending a private event at the Gran Teatre de Liceu.

 

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped and asked one of the police officers who gave us the information.    For the past hour we’ve heard constant helicopters flying over, as we’re about 2 blocks from the venue. 

[canadianbear]

@kazu

Your roll call get together looks like it was a lot of fun and good eats.  You’re such a greater organizer, well done!    Glad you are maneuvering your wheelchair-such progress. 

 

You’ll have lots of support on your cruise.  Have a wonderful time making new, but different, memories.  

[highland cruiser]

I am so glad you are able to continue your cruise.  You certainly deserve a cruise after all you have been thru.  What an awesome roll call party.  May your embarkation go smoothly tomorrow and soon you are back on a dam ship.  Many wishes and prayers for you.❤️

[cat shepard]

23 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks Linda

 

I wasn’t planning on using as a wheel chair but to help me get through embarkation and maybe if I have to - so sit on and wheel myself around.
 

If there is a trick to use these so you feel secure, please do let me know.

 

 

I really don’t like them but I will try agin tomorrow.  If DH was here he would help with all of this 💔 And he was a pro at disability medicine among other specialties.  

Jacqui

 

Not sure this helps, but…

It just dawned on me that your crutches are similar to mine that I used last year.
 

You will see In the picture that the left arm is set correctly in the picture. My left elbow is in the top crutch portion. 
 

To walk correctly - you swing both crutches forward at the same time as the injured leg. 
 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Jacqui, Sorry to hear that you BIL and niece had to fly home but glad your sister was able to stay, and your roll call will be there for you. You will do fine with all these people on your side.  I am looking forward to reading about your travels. Hang in there!!!

[Navybikermom]

Wow - another social media website reminded me today that 9 years ago I was at Sagrada Familia. Here’s a pic of it from 2013:

[kazu]

8 hours ago, cat shepard said:

Jacqui

 

Not sure this helps, but…

It just dawned on me that your crutches are similar to mine that I used last year.
 

You will see In the picture that the left arm is set correctly in the picture. My left elbow is in the top crutch portion. 
 

To walk correctly - you swing both crutches forward at the same time as the injured leg. 
 

 

So you didn’t have them both in your arm.  You are hanging onto the other one if I am looking at this right?  That might work!  Thanks.

[kazu]

All packed (all by myself 😉).  Just need to empty the safe & waiting for my sis who will double check it for me (it’s high in a chair 😉)

Wheel chair embarkation is going to be a first and an interesting experience. 🤞 

[1of4]

36 minutes ago, kazu said:

All packed (all by myself 😉).  Just need to empty the safe & waiting for my sis who will double check it for me (it’s high in a chair 😉)

Wheel chair embarkation is going to be a first and an interesting experience. 🤞 

Thinking of you today.  Try to relax and let the crew take care of you through embarkation.  Let us know, when you can, that you are safe and sound in your suite.

[cat shepard]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

So you didn’t have them both in your arm.  You are hanging onto the other one if I am looking at this right?  That might work!  Thanks.

Yes! I was “waving” at the camera with my right arm.  Mine look a bit different. But yours are Spanish and mine are Icelandic - probably different suppliers. 
 

When your elbow is in the top part and your hand is on the handle they form an angle that helps support your weight and steady you. 

[Ichiban Nekko]

So excited for everyone who is on this amazing itinerary!

 

@kazu Jacqui - Obviously you've had a really tough start and the departure of your BIL and Niece didn't help. However, in addition to all your Roll Call friends who want to assist, there are so many CCers back home cheering you on! So glad you will go on the cruise to enjoy your Neptune Suite. Let the Concierges and all the wonderful HAL staffers spoil you. Seriously.

 

 @ger_77  Gerry - You had such a nice biter to get to Barcelona, but you did it!! Yay! Although, CCers will miss your reports from The Frozen Tundra, your reports from the ship will be equally anticipated.

 

I apologize for not remembering by name others on this cruise. Please be assured we all look forward to reading your updates.

 

Bon Voyage!

[Cruzin Terri]

Jacqui, I wish you well and hope you recover soon.  If I may offer a word of advice.

After the flood in my house, I fell and was in a lot of pain.  Weight bearing was terrible and caused unmentionable pain in my lower back.

We went to Barbados and I requested a wheelchair at the airports, which helped greatly.

At the hotel we had a plunge pool with Jacuzzi jets and I used them every day.  After two weeks of resting and using the jacuzzi, I was pain free.  

If you are able to use the thermal pool on the ship, I think it may be of great help in relieving the pain—especially since it is not broken.

it can’t hurt.

Terri

[Iamthesea]

Jacqui - I am just now seeing this thread and have been reading for the last hour. Enjoying the review, but I am so sorry that your trip is not starting out well.  Here's hoping that the cruise portion will become easier for you, and for your sisters and BIL (sorry one had to leave.)

 

I feel for you.  I badly sprained my foot and beat up the side of my ankle almost a year ago when we were in the middle of moving into our new home.  The best advice was to stay off of it as much as possible.  And when I was moving around, I had one of those ankle braces that someone on here suggested.  My foot and ankle felt so much better when I wore it.

 

Then, two weeks before we were to leave for London/Paris this past July, I partially tore a meniscus in my right knee.  I used a wheel chair in the house for two weeks and was doing  a lot better.   Then I requested the use of one in all of the airports - going and coming home.  That was fantastic for getting me around the long walks through the airports, and we were able to bypass all of the security lines!   Once on my own across the pond, I used a hinged knee brace, supplied by the ortho, to help me get around.  With the help of my family, I did great!  

 

Have a great rest of your trip and stay out of trouble.  I will be following this thread.  Looking forward to having you back on the May 14th Roll Call when you return. Enjoy that NS! 😉

[kazu]

Hello everyone from Cartagena.

 

I’m sorry I am behind. 

But let’s go back to embarkation if you can bear with me.

 

My TA requested wheel chair embarkation for me (Thank God).  Really glad I bought the rollator/walker as it has a seat and we were a distance from check in.  All the wheelchairs were in use (Barcelona only has 4)  Cab and Jan helped me out and. I plunked in the seat and Jan pushed me to the spot and we waited for the wheel chair.

I asked about a wheel chair and when they saw my room, they told me to ask the Neptune Lounge concierge.

So Jan went and asked and then rolled me there while we waited.  The concierge gave her a key to my room and we are in like flint.

She enjoyed breakfast in the PG.  She technically doesn’t have NS privileges but she does since I need help at times 😉 

[kazu]

Our roll call had a sail a way planned for yesterday for 4 pm.  Good timing since we had our spots before the ship’s sail a way started and had fun finally meeting each other.

 

Thinking of Roy @rafinmdhere is a sunset photo from Barcelona

 

 

as we start to sail away

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

And here are some of the roll call having fun.

 

 

 

A lot of people have been on for nearly 3 years as cruise after cruise got cancelled, ship changes, etc.

 

 

 

Someone said wow!  What a great turn out!  It was & snotty me (kidding) said If I organize it better be LOL 😂 

 

 

 

The way to spot the tables was either to look for my signage on them or b) look for “Jose” (my bear) and as of recently c) the lady in the wheel chair 😂. 

 

 

My sweet sis, Jan who has done so much to help me is on the far left in this one.

 

 

Great group.  Great roll call.  👍 

 

 

[kazu]

Cartagena is a pretty city to sail into and gaze upon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sea42]

It must be so nice to finally be able to meet the people on the roll call!

Looks like a beautiful day in Cartagena

[kazu]

24 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

It must be so nice to finally be able to meet the people on the roll call!

Looks like a beautiful day in Cartagena

It is a gorgeous day here - perfect!

[mamaofami]

Jacqui, I'm so glad you had that wheelchair embarkation and you are settled onboard. The meet and greet looked amazing. I recognized your sisters. Hope you have a wonderful cruise and continue to heal and become pain free. You are a trooper. Hugs,

Carol

 

 

[1of4]

It looks like a great start!  Enjoy!