Jim_Iain - Le Bellot 9/11/2023 - Live Post - First timers on Ponant

[Jim_Iain]

10 hours ago, haynesra said:

Thanks Jim for posting daily programs. Actually more to offer than I was anticipating.

Not as much as many lines but more than enough for us.  We have been so busy I haven’t listened to a book yet.  

[Jim_Iain]

Dinner 

 

tonight I shot pictures of the casual Al fresco dining as well as MDR

 

 

 

Salad, cheese and deserts self service 

 

 

MDR

 

 

 

We both had the soup, Pate and Guinea foul.  I would give all courses a solid 10. 
 

Iain has a pet peeve on Celebrity.   The have Guinea Foul on the menu but serve a Cornish Hen.   This was a real Guinea hen.   Yum. 

 

 

 

For desert I had the Salted Caramel - home made and incredible - I ate it before remembering to take a photo. 

[jpalbny]

4 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

For desert I had the Salted Caramel - home made and incredible - I ate it before remembering to take a photo. 

 

Well done with the pictures that you did remember to take! I do that too...after a few courses you just get into "eating" mode and oops! A course disappears without a photo.

 

Glad you're enjoying the experience. 

[Jim_Iain]

Last night was beautiful and pleasant at about 70. The views were beautiful as we sailed through narrow canals.   This is something a large ship could never do. 
 

 

 

After dinner we visited the unique Blue Eye for a drink. 
 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Tour today.   I’m on my own for the day. 

 

We only have 15 on our cruise. Perfect side.  This one is a mixture of French and English 

[Barwick Cruiser]

I’m curious as to what the mentioned “Canadian snacks” will be….poutine and beavertails? Don’t care for poutine myself 🤫 but occasionally enjoy a classic beavertail 😋 

Hope you see some fall colours…they’ve def started although sporadic at the moment. 
Cathy

[Jim_Iain]

7 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

I’m curious as to what the mentioned “Canadian snacks” will be….poutine and beavertails? Don’t care for poutine myself 🤫 but occasionally enjoy a classic beavertail 😋 

Hope you see some fall colours…they’ve def started although sporadic at the moment. 
Cathy

 

It was a bit disappointing and most left it uneaten

 

Cold Meatballs, Dipping Sauce, Potato Salad. But no fork or spoon, Grilled Bread and a brownie.  
 

I held off and had lunch back on ship. 
 

[Jim_Iain]

Great hike to top of Cup and Saucer.   6 mile invigorating climb 

 

 

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

“Driver, could you pull over at Tim Horton’s up ahead?” 🤣

[Jim_Iain]

11 minutes ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

“Driver, could you pull over at Tim Horton’s up ahead?” 🤣

That would be a big improvement.   Unfortunately no Tim Horton's in Little River

[jpalbny]

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

That would be a big improvement.   Unfortunately no Tim Horton's in Little River

 

Is it really Canada then? 😉

 

That hike looks beautiful!

[Barwick Cruiser]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

It was a bit disappointing and most left it uneaten

 

Cold Meatballs, Dipping Sauce, Potato Salad. But no fork or spoon, Grilled Bread and a brownie.  
 

I held off and had lunch back on ship. 
 

That looks disgusting and is an insult to call it Canadian! I would’ve waited to eat onboard as well. 
Your hike looks great tho! Quite rugged with a nice view at the top. Was it as challenging as most anticipated?

[Jim_Iain]

12 hours ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

That looks disgusting and is an insult to call it Canadian! I would’ve waited to eat onboard as well. 
Your hike looks great tho! Quite rugged with a nice view at the top. Was it as challenging as most anticipated?

It was challenging but not overly.  Every one on the tour were fit and able negotiate all the more difficult components.  

[Jim_Iain]

Demographics-

 

I asked one of the agents last evening.  We have about 150 guests aboard, 45 Francophile a couple German and the remainder Anglophile. 
 

70% 65 and above.

20% 55 to 65

8%.   40-55

possibly one or 2 in late 30’s-40

[denby]

Very nice itinerary, our neighbours did a similar cruise with Viking last year. 
Our grandson has spent the last two summers with Briggs Youth Sailing on the tall ships that do the same route. Wonderful experience for young people…but no fine dining!

[Jim_Iain]

I'm not sure if we are ready for the Le Ponant with 12 passengers...  I think that may be to small for us.

 

[Jim_Iain]

Fun day in Parry Cove.   Climbed to the top of Tower Hill.    The views fro the top of the tower were worth the effort. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Returning to the ship for lunch.  We were rewarded with a nice Seafood Buffet. 
 

 

 

Same menu in MDR.   We decided to eat there. And were the only ones in the dining room. 
 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Daily

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Really impressed with the selection of programs and stations on the TV

 

Tv

01 Ponant
02 TVI (French)
03 M6 (French)
04 France 24
05 Movies Now and then (English)
06 Movies Now and Then (French)
07 Prime French
08 Smithsonian (English)
09 Jubao (Chinese)
10 MSNBC
11 Sky New
12 Sky Sports
13 BBC HD
14 BBC World News
15 CNBC
16 Prime One  
17 Fox News
18 Canal 24 Hors (Spanish)
54 HGTV
55 Food Network
56 Prime Favorites
57 Australia News Network
58 RTL (French)
59 National Geographics
60 CCTV 4  Chinese
61 Mediaset Italia
62 Travel Chanel
81 Bow Camera (not working)
82 Front Camera
100 Itinerary

Movies about 80 -     
Documentaries
Asia Pacific Documentaries
Culturl Documentaries
AustralAsia Documentaries
Fanuna & Nature Documentaries
Mediterranean Documentaries
Other Documentaries
Polar - Documentaries
Yan Arthus B

 

Podcasts

 

Example of movies 

 

 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Last night we were invited to a Champagne reception for Grand Admiral and Commandant Status.  
 

As a Status match it was kinda funny when the Captain ask what our favorite cruise destination was.   We had to say this one.  
 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Oops. Forgot to take pics of the Sole we chose as our Entrees 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

I was asked earlier what time we would be sailing up the St. Clair.

 

The daily indicates we should be sailing past Detroit at approximately 2:30 this afternoon.  

[Jim_Iain]

We are just entering St Clair river and should pass Detroit around 2:45

 

 

[Rocky4]

Jim, really enjoying your commentary and beautiful pictures.  Interesting alternative to Celebrity which we have been loyal, but now must consider alternatives as they make many changes.  Jim_Lain is my favorite travel channel.  Continue to have a safe and fun trip.