The Fleet Report and Daily for Thursday August 17th, 2023

[Seasick Sailor]

Back to back doctor appointments of course in different medical centers.

 

Have only gotten through a few paragraphs on the Daily but will catch up later. 

 

I'm having a birthday party for one of our friends tonight. And cards.

[sailingdutchy]

We have been a few times on Curacao while cruising and also have been there on a twee week stay vacation when our Dutch cruise friends invited us to stay at their lovely condo . 

So I have lots of pictures but will try to post some different ones that have been posted over the last couple of years .

 

First a night into the town of Willemstad starting with a dinner at the Gouverneur .

 

 

 

 

Walking the floating Queen Emma Bridge that connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighbourhoods 

 

 

Going for a authentic. Rijsttafel dinner at a  Dutch Indonesian restaurant  " Batik Asli” 

 

 

 

 

 

Going for a large harbour tour which is behind the newer Juliana Bridge 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting a local art exhibition including a place where a Dutch artist was building his Cathedral  with the thorny branches that he harvest around the island .

 

 

 

 

 

Symbols of a number of all the old and also modern “ religions “ are housed in the cathedral ……..

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxing around the pool , it is almost 29 degrees C  year-round with very little chance of large storms on Curacao .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking around  colourful Willemstad to the floating market where the Venezuelan’s  on their boats sell their fresh produce 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploring the Island a little further .

The Ostrich Farm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just relaxing with a book 

 

 

 

 

Next time some more pictures from other very nice parts of Curacao .

 

Tony 😁😁

[kazu]

5 hours ago, cruising sister said:

Baby Murphy keeps progressing. They were able to wash her hair and bathe her yesterday. They will look to wean the ventilator this weekend. They are cautiously optimistic. That young couple has been at the hospital for over 7 weeks. They have been so strong. 

 

That is such good news 👍. I pray they can wean Murphy off the ventilator successfully and she continues to improve 🙏 

 

 

6 hours ago, StLouisCruisers said:

And at the Medallion ceremony yesterday only silver and up were presented.  The lady we talk to in Ocean Bar received it at the ceremony and had her picture taken with the Captain and Hotel Director, just like the old days.  She is already a 5 star Mariner but just received her silver medallion.  It's possible they had an earlier ceremony for bronze recipients but we just don't know that for sure. 

 

 

that’s the same as I experienced, Sandi.  There was no ceremony for the bronze medallions on my cruises.

 

 

@Lady Hudson Bon Voyage!

 

 

 

4 hours ago, marshhawk said:

I love the quote today!  I'm not in charge, so everything, is a gift!  or a miracle.  I have no problem visiting ports a second time, or third or etc, because each time I go someplace, I see something new, try something new,  my plant dies, but one flower blooms, the earth speeds around the sun, and doesn't fling itself out of orbit and send us to another galaxy...

 

What a wonderful thought and attitude 👍 

 

 

2 hours ago, dfish said:

I do have antibiotics and I think they are helping.  Everything is draining from my head, which makes me miserable, but that is a good sign.  The headache is gone right now, so it is a matter of patience.  I’m not good at that.

 

So glad you have antibiotics and your headache is gone (for now).  I hope you are feeling much better FAST 🤞 

 

 

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

I am grouchy today as our neighbours left the country and workmen came to paint their house, using our plants as a place to put the paint and compressors, leaving them trampled!  Grr!  

 

I’d be more than grumpy.  I’d be going over to them to get everything off MY property NOW and telling them they need to replace everything and get the owner’s name/supervisor and contact them about the disrespect they have shown your property.

 

[Cruising-along]

Good morning all!

I love most of my neighbors, donate regularly to thrift shops, and have known/had 4 black cats in my life.  Only 1 is still alive, our DD's cat "Soot".  I'll pass on the soup and save it for cooler weather, and will pass on the drink and red wine.  Love the quote, and have been to Willemstad once.

 

Last night I was in a bit of pain after the dental procedure, but today only my jaw still hurts (having to leave it wide open for 2 hours).  At least the worst is over, now I wait a few weeks to get the permanent crown.

 

This morning I drove to our clinic's new lab facility to get my 6-month labs done.  Now to wait for the results on MyChart.  I'm especially watching for any change in my kidney function, and of course diabetes labs.  My blood sugar numbers have been good at home, but I've been surprised before and don't take anything for granted!

 

Like Susan @durangoscots said, we've had yet more changes to our Grand Australia itinerary.  Funny about your TA wanting you to get a Brazilian visa 😉  

 

As Karen @luvteaching said, this is our last "hot" day here.  It will be nice to get back down to our more comfortable temperatures.  

 

Debbie @dfish Keep getting better, good to hear there's been some improvement.

 

Lorraine @cruising sister Good to hear that baby Murphy is holding her own, continued prayers.

 

I have one photo of Willemstad that may be different from the great photos already shared.  This was the outside of an art gallery.

 

And the 4 black cats I've had in my life:

 

Ebony, our stray who chose us.  He was a sweet boy but very shy. ❤️

 

Jinx, our neighbor's cat who passed last year.  He was my gardening buddy, here he's watching a mole hill. I'm sure he never caught anything in his life.  😂

 

Spek, our DD's cat who is no longer with us.

 

And Soot, our DD's cat who is very much alive 🙂  

[Norseh2o]

Ocho, our first black cat, Christmas, 2022. He is a bit bigger now. ❤️

[kazu]

Oh my heavens, August 17th is also Indonesia Day.  Happy Indonesia Day to all the HAL crew who celebrate 🙂 

[grapau27]

26 minutes ago, sailingdutchy said:

We have been a few times on Curacao while cruising and also have been there on a twee week stay vacation when our Dutch cruise friends invited us to stay at their lovely condo . 

So I have lots of pictures but will try to post some different ones that have been posted over the last couple of years .

 

First a night into the town of Willemstad starting with a dinner at the Gouverneur .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking the floating Queen Emma Bridge that connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighbourhoods 

 

 

 

Going for a authentic. Rijsttafel dinner at a  Dutch Indonesian restaurant  " Batik Asli” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going for a large harbour tour which is behind the newer Juliana Bridge 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting a local art exhibition including a place where a Dutch artist was building his Cathedral  with the thorny branches that he harvest around the island .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symbols of a number of all the old and also modern “ religions “ are housed in the cathedral ……..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Relaxing around the pool , it is almost 29 degrees C  year-round with very little chance of large storms on Curacao .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking around  colourful Willemstad to the floating market where the Venezuelan’s  on their boats sell their fresh produce 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploring the Island a little further .

The Ostrich Farm 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just relaxing with a book 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next time some more pictures from other very nice parts of Curacao .

 

Tony 😁😁

Excellent collection of interesting photos Tony.

[StLouisCruisers]

The soccer game is over and we lost 0 to 1.  The score was a goalie error, so basically he scored the winning goal for the other team.  He kicked the ball out of the area in front of the net and it bounced off an attacker and into the net.  Yikes!

 

Ren wasn't a starter and was subbed into the game when a midfield center got a yellow card so they put Ren in a position he never plays.  Tough day!

 

 

[rafinmd]

I'm wondering if any other dailyites have gotten an RSV vaccination yet.  So far no problems but there are several side effects listed so I will be extra careful for the next few days.

 

Roy

[kochleffel]

3 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

I'm wondering if any other dailyites have gotten an RSV vaccination yet.  So far no problems but there are several side effects listed so I will be extra careful for the next few days.

 

Roy

 

I was in a clinical trial for the Pfizer RSV vaccine, but I'm pretty sure that I received the control injection, not the vaccine.

 

I had planned to get a covid booster about now so that it would be effective for the Jewish holidays and then the November cruise, but what I've read lately is that it will be better just to be careful for the time being and to wait until the new covid vaccine is released. I hope that I can get it by October 12, two weeks before I leave for Spain.

 

And then there's a flu vaccination. The flu season starts a bit later here than in major cities and I don't know when I should get that. September feels too early.

[dfish]

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

 I am feeling so much better this afternoon.  Sinus pain is all gone and just some drip left.  So, I am looking forward to communing with some nature tomorrow in St. John’s.  Today we just went to the pharmacy and back.  I picked up something recommended by our table mate last night.  She is a retired ER doctor.  
 

 

 

 

 

[rafinmd]

9 minutes ago, kochleffel said:

 

I was in a clinical trial for the Pfizer RSV vaccine, but I'm pretty sure that I received the control injection, not the vaccine.

 

I had planned to get a covid booster about now so that it would be effective for the Jewish holidays and then the November cruise, but what I've read lately is that it will be better just to be careful for the time being and to wait until the new covid vaccine is released. I hope that I can get it by October 12, two weeks before I leave for Spain.

 

And then there's a flu vaccination. The flu season starts a bit later here than in major cities and I don't know when I should get that. September feels too early.

My sweet spot is mid-September but if you feel that way I think October is great.  I'm thinking about covid,  The pharmacy told me it had to be 6 months between boosters.  I had my last one May 30 so I may not be able to get anything until November 30, after both of my upcoming trips.

 

Roy

[kazu]

40 minutes ago, dfish said:

Good afternoon, everyone!

 

 I am feeling so much better this afternoon.  Sinus pain is all gone and just some drip left.  So, I am looking forward to communing with some nature tomorrow in St. John’s.  Today we just went to the pharmacy and back.  I picked up something recommended by our table mate last night.  She is a retired ER doctor.  

 

YAY 🙂. That is such great news.  I hope you are 100% by tomorrow and can really enjoy the rest of your cruise 🤞 

 

 

 

36 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

My sweet spot is mid-September but if you feel that way I think October is great.  I'm thinking about covid,  The pharmacy told me it had to be 6 months between boosters.  I had my last one May 30 so I may not be able to get anything until November 30, after both of my upcoming trips.

 

Bummer Roy.  I want my booster before I go on my cruise (how many can I need 😂).  Thankfully our wait is 5 months between boosters so I can get mine before I sail in October.  👍 

 

I haven’t seen anything about the RSV vaccine here.  Will ask my pharmacist.

 

 

[kochleffel]

They are saying that it's OK to get a covid booster and a flu vaccination together, but I don't plan to. The second-sickest I have ever been was when I got a flu vaccination and a pneumonia vaccination together.

 

But there's a suggestion not  to get flu and RSV vaccinations together. The evidence is inconclusive but is sufficient reason to avoid that combination.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/17/vaccine-flu-season-covid-rsv/

[Sea Viewer]

I went for my annual physical Tuesday and asked my Physician about vaccinations. She recommended that I wait for the "new" Covid booster even though I could get the existing one now. She also said that I really don't need to get RSV vaccine. She is aware that we are cruising in Alaska next month, but said I seem to have a good immune system. I have not had covid yet, at least as far as I know.

 

  My DH tested positive for Covid last year and RSV earlier this year. no idea where he got exposed, but he has multiple medical comorbidities and she thinks he should get the vaccine for both before the trip .Hopefully next week

 

Flu shot will be done in the beginning of October.

 

Hope she is correct and I don't contract something on the trip/  

[marshhawk]

OK, I'm dumb @rafinmd what is RSV? Is it the new respiratory illness the googly news has been warning about?

[kochleffel]

5 minutes ago, marshhawk said:

OK, I'm dumb @rafinmd what is RSV? Is it the new respiratory illness the googly news has been warning about?

 

Respiratory syncytial virus. It's not new--I remember an epidemic of it among children in the 1990s. But it's getting attention because vaccines are now available. It's most dangerous to children and people over 60, especially the oldest. CDC is not automatically recommending it for everyone only 60; they recommend assessing the risk individually.

Edited August 17, 2023 by kochleffel

[kazu]

6 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

And Soot, our DD's cat who is very much alive 🙂  

 

I absolutely adore this picture.  What a beautiful slim and slinky cat 🙂. In fabulous shape 👍 And the coat!  Gorgeous.  One will cared for Soot, for sure.  So nice to see ❤️ 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, kochleffel said:

They are saying that it's OK to get a covid booster and a flu vaccination together, but I don't plan to. The second-sickest I have ever been was when I got a flu vaccination and a pneumonia vaccination together.

 

But there's a suggestion not  to get flu and RSV vaccinations together. The evidence is inconclusive but is sufficient reason to avoid that combination.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/08/17/vaccine-flu-season-covid-rsv/

 

 

I had my flu and covid booster at the same time last year and other than a slightly sore arm (drink fluids) I had no issues.  I will do the same again this year.

can’t comment on RSV - I am hearing a lot about it.  Never been concerned before but it sounds like it is a concern now 😞 

[1ANGELCAT]

Good cloudy evening, it was a beautiful day. Went to Longwood gardens for member appreciation day. The gardens were beautiful, lots of calediums in bloom. The fountain show was nice. 
My black cats are both missed very much.💔🐾

RIP Salem and Ninja. 
Blessings and prayers to all on our lists.

Edited August 17, 2023 by 1ANGELCAT

[Cruising-along]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

I absolutely adore this picture.  What a beautiful slim and slinky cat 🙂. In fabulous shape 👍 And the coat!  Gorgeous.  One will cared for Soot, for sure.  So nice to see ❤️ 

Thank you Jacqui, I love this photo of Soot too (and his sleek, shiny fur!)    

[erewhon]

9 hours ago, aliaschief said:

Lot’s of planning going on for this 156 day adventure. C’mon January.

 

 

 

@aliaschief     Bruce, Which Azamara ship are you sailing on?

 

 

[aliaschief]

3 minutes ago, erewhon said:

 

 

@aliaschief     Bruce, Which Azamara ship are you sailing on?

 

 

We are doing the World Cruise on Onward. How are you both doing?

[marshhawk]

@kochleffelThank you for verifying what I thought it was.  and yes, im over 60.

@kazuI too did the pneumonia and third covd vaccine together.  It was the second vaccine all by itself that I had the worse time with.

@1ANGELCATlove those fountains at your botanical gardens

 

[erewhon]

3 hours ago, aliaschief said:

We are doing the World Cruise on Onward. How are you both doing?

 

@aliaschief  Bruce, It appears that you will be here February 21st, would have been good to  meet with you again ..........seems a long time since we met you in Akaroa, but  alas we will be heading to Noordam that day.

We are both doing good.  Always appreciate the humour in your posts on the Daily.