A Silver Shadow Over The World - December 2023 to May 2024

[drron29]

So just for myster here are some of the older pubs in Newcastle that I remember from years past. First one that we went to last October for dinner. Nice food and a fine exterior but patrons from the 70s wouldn't recognise it once inside.

https://thecricketers.com.au/#aboutus-section

 

Probably the best looking old pub in Newcastle.

https://customshouse.net.au/

 

One that as a Uni student in the 60s used to stop for a bite on our way to the Myall Lakes north of Newcastle. We campaigned for the sand mining there to be stopped and the lakes to become a National Park. And we won that battle.

https://www.theprinceofmerewether.com.au/eat/

 

Quite a few craft breweries now. Here is one.

https://foghornbrewery.com.au/

 

And if you would like a bar/restaurant with a view of the Tasman sea.

https://www.surfhouse.com.au/

 

And a couple of sites with day trips from Newcastle. $US150 = $A 232 at present.

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l91223/?cmp=ga&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=15508330465&cq_con=127764730221&cq_term=things to do newcastle australia&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=15508330465&adgroup_id=127764730221&target_id=aud-476515432771:kwd-315304997656&loc_physical_ms=9068907&match_type=b&ad_id=569326963382&keyword=things to do newcastle australia&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAAYAyAAEgJNmPD_BwE

 

https://www.hunterhunter.com.au/newcastle/travel/30-day-trips-to-take-this-summer/

 

https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/insider-guides/newcastle-is-a-must-do-day-trip-from-sydney

 

https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/the-new-newcastle/news-story/9703529bd692cb80487e4f9689474c18?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAMYAiAAEgJR9vD_BwE

 

https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/the-new-newcastle/news-story/9703529bd692cb80487e4f9689474c18?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAMYAiAAEgJR9vD_BwE

 

Now we are biased and consider Maitland and the nearby village of Morpeth as great places to visit. Rojaan was prominent in helping building the Maitland Regional Art gallery from a small gallery to a definite Regional Gallery. For 4 years she headed the Maitland council's committee for Social Services which included the Art Gallery. She was an Alderman on the Council.

Morpeth has quite a few historic buildings and was once a major port where many migrants from the UK first landed in Australia. Fortunately for me that included Rojaan's forebears.

 

So newcastle despite my previous comments is a great place to visit and you are spoilt with choices.

[mysty]

30 minutes ago, drron29 said:

So just for myster here are some of the older pubs in Newcastle that I remember from years past. First one that we went to last October for dinner. Nice food and a fine exterior but patrons from the 70s wouldn't recognise it once inside.

https://thecricketers.com.au/#aboutus-section

 

Probably the best looking old pub in Newcastle.

https://customshouse.net.au/

 

One that as a Uni student in the 60s used to stop for a bite on our way to the Myall Lakes north of Newcastle. We campaigned for the sand mining there to be stopped and the lakes to become a National Park. And we won that battle.

https://www.theprinceofmerewether.com.au/eat/

 

Quite a few craft breweries now. Here is one.

https://foghornbrewery.com.au/

 

And if you would like a bar/restaurant with a view of the Tasman sea.

https://www.surfhouse.com.au/

 

And a couple of sites with day trips from Newcastle. $US150 = $A 232 at present.

https://www.getyourguide.com/-l91223/?cmp=ga&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=15508330465&cq_con=127764730221&cq_term=things to do newcastle australia&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&campaign_id=15508330465&adgroup_id=127764730221&target_id=aud-476515432771:kwd-315304997656&loc_physical_ms=9068907&match_type=b&ad_id=569326963382&keyword=things to do newcastle australia&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&partner_id=CD951&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAAYAyAAEgJNmPD_BwE

 

https://www.hunterhunter.com.au/newcastle/travel/30-day-trips-to-take-this-summer/

 

https://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/insider-guides/newcastle-is-a-must-do-day-trip-from-sydney

 

https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/the-new-newcastle/news-story/9703529bd692cb80487e4f9689474c18?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAMYAiAAEgJR9vD_BwE

 

https://www.escape.com.au/destinations/australia/nsw/the-new-newcastle/news-story/9703529bd692cb80487e4f9689474c18?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqdazgvrzgAMVSZhmAh1KUANnEAMYAiAAEgJR9vD_BwE

 

Now we are biased and consider Maitland and the nearby village of Morpeth as great places to visit. Rojaan was prominent in helping building the Maitland Regional Art gallery from a small gallery to a definite Regional Gallery. For 4 years she headed the Maitland council's committee for Social Services which included the Art Gallery. She was an Alderman on the Council.

Morpeth has quite a few historic buildings and was once a major port where many migrants from the UK first landed in Australia. Fortunately for me that included Rojaan's forebears.

 

So newcastle despite my previous comments is a great place to visit and you are spoilt with choices.

 

Oh @drron29 , this is spectacular!  Thank you so very much for this!  And thank you for thinking of Myster!  Sometimes the poor lad gets lost in the shuffle!  I will pass your suggestions on regarding the pubs in particular!  He is definitely a fan! 😁

[mysty]

The last stop on our food exploration side gig is San Francisco.  The information presented here comes by way of https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/california/articles/12-foods-you-must-eat-when-in-san-francisco  - Foods You Must Eat When in San Francisco.

 

Cioppino
If you want an iconic San Francisco dish, try cioppino. This rich fish stew (calamari, Dungeness crab, mussels and more seafood favorites all married together in a tomato broth) was born in San Francisco’s Italian-American community. The art of eating cioppino is an essential SF experience: the portions are huge, so it’s best to dig in with a bib, a large spoon and a side of bread. Order yours at Sotto Mare seafood restaurant, tucked away in a Telegraph Hill side street – look for the swordfish over the door.

 

Prime rib
Nothing competes with a juicy cut of prime rib, served with a mountain of creamed spinach. And the best place to get it is, of course, at the English-style House of Prime Rib, which has been serving this San Francisco classic since the 1940s.

 

Dutch Crunch
Eating practically anything on a few slices of Dutch Crunch bread is amazing. Bakeries all over the city take pride in their loaves and slices, and with good reason. Roxie Food Center, right outside Balboa Park, is a simple, no-frills grocery, but its deli has some seriously delicious sandwiches. Anything between a roll of Dutch Crunch is a San Francisco must.

 

Egg custard tarts
Egg custard tarts are sweet, flaky, creamy, buttery – everything San Franciscans want in a dessert. Golden Gate Bakery in Chinatown makes the best, evidenced by the perennial line out the Chinese bakery’s door (when it’s open).

 

The Rebel Within
Little muffin hybrids of goodness, the Rebel Within is a savory soft-boiled egg that has found a home inside a sausage muffin – it doesn’t get much more San Francisco than that. The geniuses behind this delicious coming together is none other than Craftsman and Wolves in the Mission District. Always served with an itty-bitty bottle of Tabasco hot sauce, the entire dish is a whole new take on breakfast.

 

Clam chowder bread bowl
Hands down, no food is more San Francisco than clam chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl; while the soup is an East Coast invention, San Francisco added its iconic sourdough to the mix. No one dishes out clam chowder bread bowls like the famous Boudin Bakery, serving the city since 1849.

 

Xiao long bao
A traditional Chinese steamed soup dumpling, xiao long bao is a surprising staple in San Francisco. These piping hot dumplings are both cooked and served in a bamboo steaming baskets, and no one gets these thin-skinned beauties perfectly cooked like Yank Sing in the Embarcadero. Can’t get yourself to Shanghai to enjoy this dim sum dish? Head to this San Francisco favorite instead.

 

Carne asada burrito
San Francisco’s Mission District invented its very own kind of burrito, so not diving into one while in the city should be unlawful. And you can’t find a tastier, delightfully greasier, and flavorful carne asada burrito than at Taqueria El Farolito. There are a few different locations throughout the city, but there’s almost always a line of people trying to get their hungry hands on the Mission burrito.

 

Salted caramel ice cream
There’s nothing like enjoying a chilly SF day with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. Bi-Rite Creamery is one among a long list of venerable ice cream shops, with salted caramel being one of the top flavors. Taste the salty-sweet, creamy goodness to understand why.

 

Sticky chewy chocolate ice cream
It’s no exaggeration that San Francisco is turning into one of the best ice cream destinations around, so much so that the iconic Swensen’s Ice Cream is revamping the concept with its sticky chewy chocolate ice cream. The delightfully stretchy, rich and mouthwatering (and completely accidental) treat has become a must-try in San Francisco.

 

Swedish pancakes
For another example of melting pot culture, give Swedish pancakes a try. Yummy, fluffy and about as big as a silver dollar, Swedish pancakes are a San Francisco breakfast dish loved by many. Since 1938, Sears Fine Food has been serving the city from morning till night, with a whopping 18 Swedish pancakes in an order.
 

[Port Power]

23 hours ago, mysty said:

Thank you @drron29 and @rojaan19 !  I really appreciate your responses!  The song is a joy!  And the interactions bring it all to life!  And obviously there are some historical inaccuracies. 😁

 

There is currently only the one excursion available to book.  I asked Myster what he thought after I read him your response @rojaan19 .  He said....."The stories sound like fun and there are pubs involved!" 🤣  We'll see what else is on offer as more excursions appear.  😁

I feel I should see if my brother is at home to take you around. He is a retired (young) Air Force officer, my sister-in-law a retired US Airforce officer.  That is a ridiculous price!  There might be a local “tours by locals” that will do a good pub crawl with commentary?  Or one of the excellent tours @drron29 listed.

 

I’ll be visiting Newcastle during my 2025 World Cruise. (Not S/S.) Nothing like going the long way around to visit family!

Edited August 24, 2023 by Port Power

[mysty]

24 minutes ago, Port Power said:

I feel I should see if my brother is at home to take you around. He is a retired (young) Air Force officer, my sister-in-law a retired US Airforce officer.  That is a ridiculous price!  There might be a local “tours by locals” that will do a good pub crawl with commentary?  Or one of the excellent tours @drron29 listed.

 

I’ll be visiting Newcastle during my 2025 World Cruise. (Not S/S.) Nothing like going the long way around to visit family!

 

Thank you for your input @Port Power ! I'm not sure your dear brother and sister-in-law would be thrilled with the idea of carting around some strange old beings from the frozen north.  😅

 

I'm sure Silversea has not yet completed the excursions that will be on offer.   And we will check out the suggestions from @drron29 and your suggestion of "tours by locals".  

 

I really appreciate everyone's ideas.   Merci bien! 🥰

[mysty]

As I mentioned earlier, Myster and I have never taken a Holiday Season cruise.  We really have no idea what to expect.  If anyone reading this thread has some thoughts, and if the spirit moves you, would you kindly clue us in please.  For example.....are there special treats, special activities, special meals?  Thank you for any info you can provide!

[Daveywavey70]

12 hours ago, mysty said:

some strange old beings from the frozen north

You crack me up 🤣😂🤣

[Host Jazzbeau]

12 hours ago, mysty said:

As I mentioned earlier, Myster and I have never taken a Holiday Season cruise.  We really have no idea what to expect.  If anyone reading this thread has some thoughts, and if the spirit moves you, would you kindly clue us in please.  For example.....are there special treats, special activities, special meals?  Thank you for any info you can provide!

One issue that was raised in a thread on River Cruising is that many cruise ships decorate for Christmas, and the poster is highly allergic to pine [or fir or spruce, it wasn't clear] trees.  The advice was that river ships use artificial trees but local hotels may use real trees.  I would guess that ocean ships are even more likely to use artificial, but you never know.  It might be worth checking with Silversea.  If you're not allergic, "never mind."

[Daveywavey70]

13 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

One issue that was raised in a thread on River Cruising is that many cruise ships decorate for Christmas, and the poster is highly allergic to pine [or fir or spruce, it wasn't clear] trees.  The advice was that river ships use artificial trees but local hotels may use real trees.  I would guess that ocean ships are even more likely to use artificial, but you never know.  It might be worth checking with Silversea.  If you're not allergic, "never mind."

I’ve never heard of such a life threatening allergy to pine, fir or spruce. Maybe they’ve never heard of hay fever or perhaps are being a little dramatic. I’d suggest that that person might fair a little better by either staying at home during the Christmas season or visiting somewhere with slightly less Pagan traditions. Antarctica might be a good starting point. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

4 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

I’ve never heard of such a life threatening allergy to pine, fir or spruce. Maybe they’ve never heard of hay fever or perhaps are being a little dramatic. I’d suggest that that person might fair a little better by either staying at home during the Christmas season or visiting somewhere with slightly less Pagan traditions. Antarctica might be a good starting point. 

Our daughter is extremely allergic to spruce – as we discovered the one year we switched out the usual balsam fir for a blue spruce.  The needles raised welts on her arms when she strung the lights!  But we continue to celebrate this Christian tradition by sticking to balsam fir [they smell better anyway], and she hasn't had any further attacks.

[Daveywavey70]

Aren’t we all? Every year when I drag our 15ft Christmas tree down to our compost heap I’m scratching like a Limehouse hooker for a couple of days. My arms look like the book of Exodus in braille.  There’s a big difference though between a reaction from handling something and walking into a room that contains it! People that scream the word ALLERGY when they should really use the word intolerance detract from the true suffering that people with genuine allergies have to live with every day of their lives. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

30 minutes ago, Daveywavey70 said:

Aren’t we all? Every year when I drag our 15ft Christmas tree down to our compost heap I’m scratching like a Limehouse hooker for a couple of days. My arms look like the book of Exodus in braille.  There’s a big difference though between a reaction from handling something and walking into a room that contains it! People that scream the word ALLERGY when they should really use the word intolerance detract from the true suffering that people with genuine allergies have to live with every day of their lives. 

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

 

In answer to your question:  No.  DW and I happily drag out our Christmas tree [sometime around Ash Wednesday, when it has given full value!] and never have a welt or an itch.

 

Neither the poster nor my daughter was asking for special treatment.  Just raising a fact that not everyone is aware of, to help people avoid looking 'like a Limehouse hooker.'  [My daughter is also allergic to peaches – they make her throat close.  Life threatening? – no.  But she did need quite a few allergy shots to keep the reaction down to a manageable level.  Apparently Darwinian selection has failed abysmally to select out the fittest humans...]

[lincslady]

The 'throat closing' can be life threatening if you don't get treatment, have had it myself in response to certain seafoods - in addition to being violently sick.  I agree that some 'allergies' are  just a modern affectation, but the way a Dr. reacted to my throat closing showed that that it could have been serious.

 

This apparently new allergy to peanuts appears to be completely genuine and something to do with modern life and feeding pregnant mums and babies the right things, but has set off a bit of a 'thing'.

 

I was amused earlier, when on waking up yesterday I had the pleasure of a picture of Davey's lovely pup, and today a pile of crabs!

 

Lola

[Tothesunset]

Those of us who have had the dubious duty of treating anaphylaxis probably get a bit terse with those who use the term "allergy" when what they really mean is intolerance. People even use the term allergy simply to describe something they don't like. 

 

I would strongly suggest that anyone who suspects they have an allergy should be allergy tested - most particularly if their putative allergen is ingested or injected. 

 

My OH is anaphylactically allergic to wasp stings and carries 2x epipens at all times. She shows no other allergies. 

 

My best friend died in my arms from an anaphylactic reaction to a hornet sting. Middle of nowhere, no drugs, 45 mins for ambulance to arrive by which time he had been dead for half an hour. 

 

The term "allergy" should be reserved for allergies yet it has become increasingly fashionable to claim an allergy or series of allergies. 

 

Apologies if anyone's sensitivities are ruffled but this matters. 

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

24 minutes ago, Tothesunset said:

Those of us who have had the dubious duty of treating anaphylaxis probably get a bit terse with those who use the term "allergy" when what they really mean is intolerance. People even use the term allergy simply to describe something they don't like. 

 

I would strongly suggest that anyone who suspects they have an allergy should be allergy tested - most particularly if their putative allergen is ingested or injected. 

 

My OH is anaphylactically allergic to wasp stings and carries 2x epipens at all times. She shows no other allergies. 

 

My best friend died in my arms from an anaphylactic reaction to a hornet sting. Middle of nowhere, no drugs, 45 mins for ambulance to arrive by which time he had been dead for half an hour. 

 

The term "allergy" should be reserved for allergies yet it has become increasingly fashionable to claim an allergy or series of allergies. 

 

Apologies if anyone's sensitivities are ruffled but this matters. 

I don't know if the terminology in the UK is different than in the US, but here when we suspect we don't get along with certain parts of the environment the specialist we consult is called an 'allergist.'  Hence the general term for the maladies.  I don't see another term in your paragraph above either, just a distinction between what you consider real allergies and ... what?

[Tothesunset]

4 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

I don't know if the terminology in the UK is different than in the US, but here when we suspect we don't get along with certain parts of the environment the specialist we consult is called an 'allergist.'  Hence the general term for the maladies.  I don't see another term in your paragraph above either, just a distinction between what you consider real allergies and ... what?

An allergy is a specific immunological reaction, or set of reactions, to an allergen manifesting from the mild (rhinitis, urticarial rash) through to the life-threatening - the justly dreaded anaphylaxis. 

 

There is no difference in terminology related to the physiological events - I'm sure American, Indian, Australian etc drs wouldn't dream of belittling allergy by using the term except where it specifically applies - although I agree that the term allergy is widely misused in social rather than medical discussion. 

 

Using the term "real allergies" pejoritively (and note my first para in the quoted post) neither diminishes nor affects the simple fact that ambushing the term to include intolerances, delicacies and mere dislikes is medically wrong. 

 

It is an important distinction because the clinical management and treatment of allergic reactions is based on preventing the immunological overreaction characterised at its most severe in anaphylaxis. 

 

Whether someone likes this approach or not is totally irrelevant to the immutable and scientifically demonstrable process that occurs in response to an allergen. 

 

Intolerances and other physiological conditions separate from allergy need a different approach. 

[lincslady]

Mysty - apologies for the diversion; no doubt you will get us back on track shortly.   Assuming you and Myster are not allergic to Christmas trees, which no doubt you will be seeing during  your epic voyage.

 

Lola

[mysty]

52 minutes ago, lincslady said:

Mysty - apologies for the diversion; no doubt you will get us back on track shortly.   Assuming you and Myster are not allergic to Christmas trees, which no doubt you will be seeing during  your epic voyage.

 

Lola

 

Diversions occur no matter the topic Lola!  You can hardly be faulted for the fork in the road!  In today's world the science is questioned over the "fashion"  of the moment.  

[mysty]

I've come up with a plan for asking a willing chef to make local foods for us during each of the 9 legs of our grand adventure. I intend to provide a photo and a recipe for each dish.  We'll see how this plays out.

 

1. Bridgetown to Fort Lauderdale - Seafood Platter

 

2. Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco (California) - Mexican - Coctel de camarones (and thank you @spinnaker2 for your brilliant suggestion to add a dose of vodka)

 

3. San Francisco (California) to Lautoka - Samoan - Sapasui

 

4. Lautoka to Sydney - New Zealand - Crayfish

 

5. Sydney to Bali - Balinese - Nasi Campur Bali

 

6. Bali to Hong Kong - Malaysian - Sarawak Laska

 

7. Hong Kong to Tokyo - Hong Kong - Curry Fishballs

 

8. Tokyo to Seward (Anchorage, Alaska) - Japan - Tonkatsu

 

9. Seward (Anchorage, Alaska) to San Francisco (California) - Alaska - Dungeness Crab (Crab Cakes)

[highplanesdrifters]

22 hours ago, mysty said:

As I mentioned earlier, Myster and I have never taken a Holiday Season cruise.  We really have no idea what to expect.  If anyone reading this thread has some thoughts, and if the spirit moves you, would you kindly clue us in please.  For example.....are there special treats, special activities, special meals?  Thank you for any info you can provide!

Are there special treats, meals, activities. YES, YES, and YES!  I found it magical. People decorate their doors and some had special Christmas outfits. Think Reindeer onsies. Crew especially enjoy as they are away from their families.

 

A few pics to whet your whistle.

FYI, this was on Seabourn in 2018. I believe Silversea pulls out all the stops. Can't wait to do another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr Luxury]

Christmas on Seabourn is the best.

I always decorate the suite door and put a basket of treats out for others to take.

I also leave my laundry out for the stewardess to take 😁

Edited August 25, 2023 by Mr Luxury

[mysty]

33 minutes ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Are there special treats, meals, activities. YES, YES, and YES!  I found it magical. People decorate their doors and some had special Christmas outfits. Think Reindeer onsies. Crew especially enjoy as they are away from their families.

 

A few pics to whet your whistle.

FYI, this was on Seabourn in 2018. I believe Silversea pulls out all the stops. Can't wait to do another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so very much @highplanesdrifters !  It is definitely magical!!!!  Excitement is building!!

[wristband]

Hey Misty, where will you and Myster have dinner in SF Jan. 14?  The Fairmont is in a very dicey area, careful if you wander outside.  SF is not safe for residents & tourists - sad to see the descent into dystopian depravity. 

 

Lots of downtown restaurants have shuttered.  Choices are limited compared to years past unless you go farther - by Uber or taxi - from the hotel.  So where do you two plan on going to dine?

[mysty]

17 minutes ago, wristband said:

Hey Misty, where will you and Myster have dinner in SF Jan. 14?  The Fairmont is in a very dicey area, careful if you wander outside.  SF is not safe for residents & tourists - sad to see the descent into dystopian depravity. 

 

Lots of downtown restaurants have shuttered.  Choices are limited compared to years past unless you go farther - by Uber or taxi - from the hotel.  So where do you two plan on going to dine?

 

We'll be attending the pre-cruise gala at the Beaux Arts City Hall.   Silversea has agreed to provide transportation for us from the Shadow so that we can attend.  Thank you for the warning about safety!  We haven't been to San Francisco since January of 2019.  It's disheartening that the beautiful city is now needing a cautionary note!

[Port Power]

9 hours ago, Tothesunset said:

Those of us who have had the dubious duty of treating anaphylaxis probably get a bit terse with those who use the term "allergy" when what they really mean is intolerance. People even use the term allergy simply to describe something they don't like. 

 

I would strongly suggest that anyone who suspects they have an allergy should be allergy tested - most particularly if their putative allergen is ingested or injected. 

 

My OH is anaphylactically allergic to wasp stings and carries 2x epipens at all times. She shows no other allergies. 

 

My best friend died in my arms from an anaphylactic reaction to a hornet sting. Middle of nowhere, no drugs, 45 mins for ambulance to arrive by which time he had been dead for half an hour. 

 

The term "allergy" should be reserved for allergies yet it has become increasingly fashionable to claim an allergy or series of allergies. 

 

Apologies if anyone's sensitivities are ruffled but this matters. 

 

 

I work for an immunologist paediatrician.  Allergic reactions are very real, especially anaphylactic reactions.  Developing a rash from spruce is very different from enjoying looking at a spruce Christmas tree from afar..  just don’t touch.  An anaphylactic reaction just from smelling peanuts is much more nasty - and life threatening!  The spruce allergy person can easily stay away from the source. The peanut allergy person is much more at risk of aerial contamination and potential fatality.