The Fleet Report and Daily for Tuesday April 25th, 2023

[0106]

ANZAC Day, East Meets West Day, The Book Thief…what do they all have in common?  World Wars,  may we never have another one.

 

If you haven’t read the Book Thief, I recommend you do.  I taught it to my 10th graders.  If you’re not a reader, watch the movie.  (Of course it’s not as good as the book.).  Liesel is a young girl during WWII, living with a foster family, who is hiding a Jew in their basement.  Rudy is her best friend, his family are ***.  Think about the quote now that you have context of Liesel and Rudy’s friendship, Death, the narrator says, The only thing worse than a boy who hates you: a boy that loves you.  

 

Off with the teacher hat, on to PENGUINS!🐧🐧🐧 I love them.  I booked a South America & Antarctic cruise next January; I am in the process of booking tours  in every port where there is a possibility of seeing penguins.  Volunteer Point in the Falklands is booked.  If anyone has any other tour suggestions, I’d love your input.

 

Positive thoughts to all who need them.  Cheers to those celebrating.

Edited April 25, 2023 by 0106

[ottahand7]

Our photos from Manta and some food porn and wine porn from our PG that night.  Assistant Wine Steward Carl Kevin opening our carried on wine that night. 

[ottahand7]

For penguin day.  Here is a wee Humboldt Penguin.   Ballestas Islands 

 

[ocean sounds]

1 hour ago, kochleffel said:

Bergamot is the distinctive flavor in Earl Grey tea. The plant is also called Oswego tea, after the Oswego people of New York, who made a tea from the leaves and taught colonists to do the same. The Oswego territory is about a two-hour drive north of here.

 @kochleffel, thanks for the info on Bergamot.  I love Earl Grey tea, and have a cup every afternoon. 

[travelnap]

31 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

National DNA Day!

 

You might be a Redneck if your DNA is an exact match to the other million Rednecks.😀

I thought it was, You may be a Redneck if your family tree has no branches.

[ger_77]

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  Remembering all those who served and died in the Australian and New Zealand armies as they commemorate Anzac Day.  Thankful for those involved in the East Meets West meetings, have had my ancestry DNA analyzed, and who doesn't like penguins?

 

As some have already mentioned, today is DH's 82nd birthday.  After all his health issues (3 heart attacks, a sextuple bypass and a few other things), I'm blessed to still have him in my life.  Today will be mostly about him - we'll head off to a hotel for breakfast by the river, then to Krazy Bins (he's a bargain shopper, what can I say?).  After shopping, it's off to our local pharmacist for the first of our Shingrix vaccinations.  Later in the afternoon we'll place a delivery order from our favourite Italian restaurant.

 

@marshhawkmy heart breaks for you and Chuck, knowing that Friday is the day Irving will cross the Rainbow Bridge.  Even though you know you're doing the best thing for him, it's one of the hardest things a pet parent ever has to do.  Take pictures of him enjoying the life he has now for your memories.

@kazu I like the shopping you did yesterday; I'll bet Ivan will, too.

 

The drink of the day sounded like a frou-frou drink, but seeing the ingredients, it sounds like something I'd like to try!  I know I'd like today's wine selection, as I only drank malbecs on our last 2 cruises.  I don't normally entertain the idea of meat substitute, but today's menu selection has me curious as to what it might be like.  If it was on a menu, I would like to try it.  We won't be having a meatless dinner tonight - DH orders the Penne Campesino, while I'll enjoy Penne alla Gigi at our dining table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry 

Edited April 25, 2023 by ger_77

[marshhawk]

Good Tuesday Morning Dailyites!  Well I'm off today, but work tonight, I feel very strange about that. I guess i should actually try to do some yard work.  And pay the bills, and mail them, and buy stamps...

and prep the bills for next month, when I'm not here.  I paid two months for the phone, the gas, and will for the water.  Electric comes before the end of the month. Which reminds me to pay the bills. NOW!

 

[cunnorl]

Good Morning from a warm but cloudy day at the beach

        We had a deluge of much needed rain yesterday, more coming today

  @grapau27 Graham Thank you for the explanation of East meets West.  A  big  salute to Australia/ NewZealand for their service.

       I love Penguin's. We went to the Penguin Parade while we were in Australia. Even though it was a cold rainy night, it was a favorite excursion. Hope to see more on our S America/Antartica trip. 

@0106 I also have booked Volunteer Island but am booking others because of the possibility of missing the Falkland's.  I also booked Magdalena Island and am planning on booking the Balestas. @ottahand7 Thanks for the pictures

       I am heading to Macys. I am looking for a new robe with snaps for my upcoming hospital stay. Impossible to find! Only ties and zippers. 

 Have a wonderful day

  Stay safe and enjoy today

       Charlene

[cunnorl]

Penguin pictures from Phillips Island in Australia. 
    @ger_77a very Happy Birthday to your DH. May he have many more! Enjoy your day! 

[ottahand7]

@cunnorl  It is a good idea to book other penguin viewing instead of putting "all eggs in one basket" as I did.  Volunteer Point was to be my penguin viewing trip but we missed the Falklands.  I would highly recommend the Ballestas Islands.  It was fun but very few penguins but many other birds.   Probably depends on the time of the year.  

[RMLincoln]

@0106 thanks for giving context to the quote. 
 

It’ll be nice here in Maryland today but my close friend here is looking at altering plans for the weekend that she made to entertain a friend visiting from New Mexico- rains are moving in.  Poor timing. 
 

I really enjoyed my book discussion group last night, even though I didn’t enjoy the book enough to slog through it. (Reading Lolita in Tehran). Too disturbing for me, but maybe part of that is the overlay of current and inevitable upcoming loss.  I think I need to work on plans for a vacation to lift my spirits!  
 

Thanks for the photos and memories of Manta!  Did the same tour. And watched the tuna being loaded, dropped and loaded!  Probably not the same tuna!  
 

Love seeing the flowers!  👍💐🌻🌺🌷
 

Blessings to all in need of healing, comfort or hope. Eva has a tough job keeping track of us all!  Thank you @superoma  

(((Hugs))) to Annie and Chuck and ‘“gentle pets’’’ to Irving!  @marshhawk
 

And nice to see @Mr. Boston post today. One day at a time…. And Debbie too @dfish, remember to breathe, in and out…
 

@kazu Jacqui, 🙏 for Amazing!  
 

🥂Cheers to all celebrating. Happy birthday to Gerry’s @ger_77husband!  

Smooth, healthy travels to all!  
 

And we do not forget the Anzac sacrifice!  🙏 for all touched by war, and a change of heart for the decision makers of current wars. 
 

Today is a good day to Happy!  One day at a time is Everything!  Maureen

[cruzn single]

Good morning, all!  Returned from my TA on Rotterdam on Saturday (day late due to airline problems).  My internet was horrible on ship - part of Navigator worked on iPhone and part worked on iPad, so gave up trying to read or post.  Just enjoyed the ship, new people to meet and the whole experience.  On 1st part of cruise (5-day Bahamas cruise), I FINALLY made 4-star.  It took a very long time for me - been cruising with HAL since 1985.

 

Will try to comment on past posts and today's when I return home.   I am leaving shortly for the doctor for MOHS surgery on my nose.  Bit worried about this one.  

 

Wanted to report good medical news that happened during my trip.  The second major surgery for my DStepson for kidney removal was a success and the extremely large tumor was non-cancerous.  Still have to deal with oncology because of adrenal gland malignancy.  Also learned he also has melanoma (bad sort) that must also be dealt with.  So definitely a mixed bag of things going on for him.

 

Hope to get back later.  Wish me luck with the dermatologist.

Have a good day, everyone.

Mary Kay

[ottahand7]

@cunnorl  It is a good idea to book other penguin viewing instead of putting "all eggs in one basket" as I did.  Volunteer Point was to be my penguin viewing trip but we missed the Falklands.  I would highly recommend the Ballestas Islands.  It was fun but very few penguins but many other birds.   Probably depends on the time of the year.  

[grapau27]

4 minutes ago, cruzn single said:

Good morning, all!  Returned from my TA on Rotterdam on Saturday (day late due to airline problems).  My internet was horrible on ship - part of Navigator worked on iPhone and part worked on iPad, so gave up trying to read or post.  Just enjoyed the ship, new people to meet and the whole experience.  On 1st part of cruise (5-day Bahamas cruise), I FINALLY made 4-star.  It took a very long time for me - been cruising with HAL since 1985.

 

Will try to comment on past posts and today's when I return home.   I am leaving shortly for the doctor for MOHS surgery on my nose.  Bit worried about this one.  

 

Wanted to report good medical news that happened during my trip.  The second major surgery for my DStepson for kidney removal was a success and the extremely large tumor was non-cancerous.  Still have to deal with oncology because of adrenal gland malignancy.  Also learned he also has melanoma (bad sort) that must also be dealt with.  So definitely a mixed bag of things going on for him.

 

Hope to get back later.  Wish me luck with the dermatologist.

Have a good day, everyone.

Mary Kay

Sending you our Prayers 🙏 and good wishes Mary Kay 

Graham.

[ottahand7]

@cruzn single  Prayers for your Mohs surgery today.   I hope the cancer is small and well-contained.  I had it done about 10 years ago - prepare for big bandages.   

 

@ger_77 Happy birthday to your DH!  

 

 

 

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

Good morning friends!  It is 48F here with partly cloudy skies and a high of 72 expected later.  Gosh, I almost overslept this morning and my back up alarm wake me up 10 minutes late - an alarm on my phone in the kitchen.  I usually don't get up with an alarm, just wake up naturally.  So I jumped up and sprang into action.  Lots to do before I get on the treadmill at my usual time, however I feel like chucking that today and getting back into my bed.  But let's finish here first.  First thanks to Rich @richwmn for setting up the Daily and Fleet Report for everyone.  Today as you can see is ANZAC Day for our Australia and New Zealand friends.  A solemn day for them.  I just finished watching a series I recorded on the Smithsonian Channel on WWII and it's a shocking look at what actually went on then.  Talk about genocide, from yesterday's discussions.  Everyone today should take a closer look and decided we never want another war. 😢

 

Today we can celebrate East Meets West Day which takes us back to WWII in Germany.  I will let Graham @grapau27 tell you more about that.  Then we have National DNA Day.  So much progress has been made over the last couple of decades on that front.  And a happy day to celebrate, World Penguin Day!🐧  They are certainly fun little creatures to watch waddle around.  The quote today seems pessimistic to me.  I can't for the life of me figure out what Seitan Lomo Saltado is without a search, but will let Debbie @dfish talk about it later.  I can't imagine a man ordering a Tickled Pink in a bar so I guess it's for the ladies. 🍹  And the wine today is a malbec.🍷  Thanks in advance to Debbie, Dixie @summer slope and Ann @cat shepard for their reports today.  😘

 

Thanks to Eva @superoma for handling the Care and Celebration lists for us while Vanessa @JazzyV is enjoying her well deserved cruise/vacation and Roy @rafinmd is on leave.  Prayers for all on the Care list and everyone in need of them.  Hoping things improve for all of you very soon.  Jacqui @kazu is having surgery tomorrow so let's keep her in our thoughts as she prepares for that. 🙏  On the other hand I want to say congrats to all on the Celebration list.  Enjoy those cruises and your happy events.  Special shout out to Gerry's  @ger_77 DH on his birthday today.  Hope you see many more!🎂🎈

 

The port today is Manta, Ecuador which we have had here on Dec. 7, 2021 and Aug. 31, 2022.  Once again I am adding the links to those dates below, and also once again my photos after that.  Yesterday I noticed on my ports spreadsheet that I had been to the last 10 ports in a row, now today makes 11.  That's a record because before then I could only get up to 9 before one came along I hadn't seen.  Rich is keeping me busy!  Anyway, here is Manta, Ecuador for you.

 

 

 

Here are some photos I took while in Manta on Star Princess in 2012.  It seems we took a tour which first stopped at a museum and then went out into the countryside to see the home and work of a Panama hat maker.  Yes, they are made in Ecuador not Panama!  Funny thing is I don't remember the stop at the museum at all, but I have photos of it so I guess it really happened.  🙃

 

 

 

Driving through the city.

 

 

The area near the ship was a boat building area.

 

 

Then we stopped at a nearby fish market because who doesn't love the smell of a fish market?

 

Oh, boy!

 

 

We drove out to the countryside and arrived at the home of the hat maker.  A bus was there ahead of us so we sort of dawdled a bit to wait for them to move along.

 

Preparing the straw to make the hats.

 

It looks like back breaking work.

 

 

 

When we left they gave everyone a tiny hat similar to the ones on the table.  I still have it.

 

On our ride back we ran across some cattle and horses on the road, so had to dodge them all because they seemed to think the road was theirs.

 

Next we stopped at a market area near this pretty church.  Lots of people decided they had to have a Panama hat, so they did their haggling here in this village.  

 

Once back on the Star Princess, we watched the tuna boats unload their frozen catch into the containers on the trucks.  

 

 

Once in a while a huge frozen tuna would miss the opening on the top of the container and fall to the ground.  Clunk!!  Didn't seem to hurt them much, so they just picked them up and tossed them back up there.  What an entertaining way to spend the afternoon.

 

Hoping you have a super Tuesday everyone!  Time to prepare for the treadmill, then breakfast and I should go to the gym since it's Tuesday but we are planning on getting groceries and other errands later so may decide not to.  Stay busy and stay well!

Thank you for your interesting photos Sandi.

I will be late posting tomorrow.

Graham.

[grapau27]

4 hours ago, RedneckBob said:

Thanks for the Fleet Update, General Info, Photos, SLC and the UK guy too!

Thank you Bob buddy 

You can call me Graham.

Edited April 25, 2023 by grapau27

[smitty34877]

@ger_77, A very Happy Birthday  to your DH!Enjoy the day together,it sounds great.

 

@cruzn single, all the best for your surgery  today.

[HAL4NOW]

We visited Manta, Ecuador, on the Zaandam in April of 2019. We took the HAL excursion called "Machallila".

The excursion consisted of some time at a very nice beach for swimming and just hanging out, a museum tour, a walk through the woods, and a poolside lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[grapau27]

54 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Good morning, thanks for the Fleet Report and Daily!  Remembering all those who served and died in the Australian and New Zealand armies as they commemorate Anzac Day.  Thankful for those involved in the East Meets West meetings, have had my ancestry DNA analyzed, and who doesn't like penguins?

 

As some have already mentioned, today is DH's 82nd birthday.  After all his health issues (3 heart attacks, a sextuple bypass and a few other things), I'm blessed to still have him in my life.  Today will be mostly about him - we'll head off to a hotel for breakfast by the river, then to Krazy Bins (he's a bargain shopper, what can I say?).  After shopping, it's off to our local pharmacist for the first of our Shingrix vaccinations.  Later in the afternoon we'll place a delivery order from our favourite Italian restaurant.

 

@marshhawkmy heart breaks for you and Chuck, knowing that Friday is the day Irving will cross the Rainbow Bridge.  Even though you know you're doing the best thing for him, it's one of the hardest things a pet parent ever has to do.  Take pictures of him enjoying the life he has now for your memories.

@kazu I like the shopping you did yesterday; I'll bet Ivan will, too.

 

The drink of the day sounded like a frou-frou drink, but seeing the ingredients, it sounds like something I'd like to try!  I know I'd like today's wine selection, as I only drank malbecs on our last 2 cruises.  I don't normally entertain the idea of meat substitute, but today's menu selection has me curious as to what it might be like.  If it was on a menu, I would like to try it.  We won't be having a meatless dinner tonight - DH orders the Penne Campesino, while I'll enjoy Penne alla Gigi at our dining table tonight.  And wine.

 

Prayers for everyone who is in need, cheers to all with celebrations.

 

Smooth Sailing!  ☺️☺️☺️

Gerry 

Happy 82nd birthday to your husband Gerry.

[aliaschief]

Good morning everyone. For the first time this cruise we woke up definitely knowing we are at sea on a ship. Just a tad rough.

A surprise to us as this leg of the cruise has turned out to be a culinary cruise. Famous chef David Burke is on board and giving a cooking demonstration today in showroom. We have been signed up for the David Burke Chefs dinner tomorrow night but we were clueless that he was actually going to be preparing it.

We’re booked for lunch in the Pinnacle today. I need to spend some time on line today as I’m getting low on Me Me’s. Oh the pressure of it all.

Jacqui I do hope your procedure tomorrow goes well with minimal discomfort and healing results.

@ger_77Happy Birthday to your husband.

Time to rise and sway my way to the Pinnacle for coffee and a lite nosh.

Thanks for the Reports and Post.

 

[Seasick Sailor]

Good morning Dailyites. 

 

Thank You to our faithful posters who keep us updated on our Daily. 

 

Yesterday we went for lunch at our local pub and was surprised to see a band playing. Last night our neighbor turned 80. They had invited out entire neighborhood to the party and had so much food layed out.

 

Today I have some garden work to do. The armadillo family traipsed through our yard again. Urgh!

 

 

Happy Birthday to @ger_77 sweet husband!

 

 

Prayers lifted to all who need help, support, healing. Just makes me so sad to read about the victims of crime, those suffering in Ukraine who are caught between the fighting, and the unrest around the world today. 

 

[puppycanducruise]

Just heard that Harry Belafonte passed away.  Such a great voice.

RIP

[puppycanducruise]

@ger_77 Happy Birthday to your DH! 🎂

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good morning from a very cloudy central Texas.   It is 60F, but with no wind, that isn't too bad.  We should reach 69 or 70 this afternoon.  More rain is predicted overnight and through Thursday morning.  We need rain so we don't have to turn the sprinklers on for a while, but this cloudiness is getting old.

 

In 2008 on Prinsendam we sailed past the ANZAC and Turkiye War Memorials.  We should remember all the soldiers from Australia and  New Zealand who have died fighting in too many wars.  This is the view of Gallipoli from the Prinsendam. 

 

East Meets West was an important day in WWII.  DH had his DNA tested as part of a research project, and he found he is 100 percent European.  Penguins are amazing to watch, and deserve all our efforts to help them survive.

 

@0106  Tina, thank you for putting today's quote in context, but I still thinks is a little weird.

 

We'll pass on the meal and the drink.  The wine sounds good.

 

We have not been to Manta, but were in Ecuador in 2001 on Ryndam.  We docked in Guayaquil and flew to Quito mainly to visit the Equator monument and museum.  Unfortunately, we spent so much time touring Quito and having a 2 hour lunch, we only had a few minutes to look at the monument, and no time for the museum.  Since this was why we booked the tour, we were not happy and let ShoreEx know how we felt.

 

On that cruise, I still had my film camera and DH was taking mostly videos.  Here are two pictures of the Equator Monument.  According to DH's gps, the actual equator was about 1000 yards to the north of the monument.  Considering the instruments available when the equator location was calculated, that was not bad.

 

 

@StLouisCruisers  Sandi, thanks for sharing your pictures from Manta.

@grapau27  Graham, thanks for the information about east meets west day and penguin awareness day.

@cruising sister  Lorraine, I'm sorry about your broken toe and the infection.  I hope the infection is history by next week.  Thank you for your pictures from Manta.

@superoma  Eva, thanks for letting us know about the 25th anniversary of the Red Hat Society.  We had a small group here in 2007, but it disbanded after a couple of years.

@cruzn single  Welcome home, Mary Kay.  I'm glad your DStepson's kidney cancer was benign.  I'm sorry he is still dealing with the results of the adrenal gland malignancy and now has to deal with 

melanoma too.  Sending positive thoughts to you and your family for a full recovery.  Also sending positive thoughts that today's MOHS surgery goes well and the lesion is small and easily removed.

@ottahand7 Nancy and @HAL4NOW Tony, I also enjoyed your pictures.  Thank you.

@Seasick Sailor  Joy, we have armadillos come through out yard and dig to get to the bugs.  Besides getting rid of the bugs, I consider they are aerating the yard which means I don't have to do that.  🤣

@aliaschief  Bruce, with the famous chef supervising and cooking the meal, it should be cooked perfectly.  Enjoy the dinner.

@puppycanducruise  Melanie, thanks for the sad news about Harry Belafonte passing away.  RIP

@ger_77  Gerry, wishing your DH a very HAPPY 82ND BIRTHDAY.

 

Lenda