The Fleet Report and Daily for Sunday August 4th, 2024

[grapau27]

@MISTER 67.

Bon Voyage on the lovely 

MSC Seashore.

I hope you have an enjoyable cruise.

[Sharon in AZ]

Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers for always having links to the previous threads of today’s ports. You must have one killer of a database!  I don’t know how you keep track and find the links because I’ve never been successful searching on CC. 
 

The following is what I posted on November 23, 2023 about my Naples excursion. I’m hoping to find sfogliatella in Boston!

 

********************************

 

We were in Naples June 6, 2022 on the Oosterdam,  I went on a foodie walking tour which was excellent and one the best excursions I’ve been on, one of my “Top 5” Best Ever.  We started out from the ship to an outdoor café for espresso and sfogliatella, aka lobster tail, both absolutely delightful.

 

 

 

 

Next up was Castel Nuovo where a wedding was about to take place, and it seemed like a high society wedding with all the hoopla.  We watched cars arriving, being stopped by security before they could pass, lots of guests arriving, and the most beautiful flower arrangements being delivered.  For some reason I didn’t get any pictures of all that.  Our wonderful guide asked us to name the one Italian food/dish that we liked the most while in Italy and I said the Arancini from Verona during our 2005 land trip.  Others said things like lasagna and other pasta dishes.

 

 

 

 

Next up was a walk through Galleria Umberto, absolutely beautiful!  Who knew that people really live in those upstairs villas.

 

 

 

 

 

Then a stop for another treat at another restaurant.  Unfortunately, I didn’t label this so don’t remember what it was.  
 

 

 

 

We took a long fast paced walk through the winding streets and alleys of the old town area.  Absolutely delightful.  Lots of markets and restaurants and people just living their lives, just what I like to see on an excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was our stop for pizza.  I was tuckered out by then so I was thankful for the sit down and glass of wine.  Our guide was excellent and since we were such a small group we all got to know each other.  First course was mozzarella and tomatoes, very refreshing.  Then the pizza!  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward we could venture out where we wanted to go, most went shopping, but I wanted to head back to the ship.  Our guide offered to walk me back which I was grateful for because of the crazy traffic.  What a wonderful day in Naples!

 

 

 

[St Pete Cruiser]

The good ship Zuiderdam arrived safely into Oslo this morning at 9am after two cool and rainy days at sea. The old girl rides the seas well, I rather think, better than the newer Pinnacle class with their higher structure out of the water.

Oslo was shining this afternoon when the sun came out. We docked to the left of where Holland America has docked in the past. Silver Seas was also in port and was the first cruise ship we have had to share with us since leaving Boston. 

Captain Frank will be leaving Tuesday in Rotterdam. I like his easy going sailaway and noon messages from the bridge.

Hope your Sunday is going well!

[grapau27]

3 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

 

Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers for always having links to the previous threads of today’s ports. You must have one killer of a database!  I don’t know how you keep track and find the links because I’ve never been successful searching on CC. 
 

The following is what I posted on November 23, 2023 about my Naples excursion. I’m hoping to find sfogliatella in Boston!

 

********************************

 

We were in Naples June 6, 2022 on the Oosterdam,  I went on a foodie walking tour which was excellent and one the best excursions I’ve been on, one of my “Top 5” Best Ever.  We started out from the ship to an outdoor café for espresso and sfogliatella, aka lobster tail, both absolutely delightful.

 

 

 

 

Next up was Castel Nuovo where a wedding was about to take place, and it seemed like a high society wedding with all the hoopla.  We watched cars arriving, being stopped by security before they could pass, lots of guests arriving, and the most beautiful flower arrangements being delivered.  For some reason I didn’t get any pictures of all that.  Our wonderful guide asked us to name the one Italian food/dish that we liked the most while in Italy and I said the Arancini from Verona during our 2005 land trip.  Others said things like lasagna and other pasta dishes.

 

 

 

 

Next up was a walk through Galleria Umberto, absolutely beautiful!  Who knew that people really live in those upstairs villas.

 

 

 

 

 

Then a stop for another treat at another restaurant.  Unfortunately, I didn’t label this so don’t remember what it was.  
 

 

 

 

We took a long fast paced walk through the winding streets and alleys of the old town area.  Absolutely delightful.  Lots of markets and restaurants and people just living their lives, just what I like to see on an excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was our stop for pizza.  I was tuckered out by then so I was thankful for the sit down and glass of wine.  Our guide was excellent and since we were such a small group we all got to know each other.  First course was mozzarella and tomatoes, very refreshing.  Then the pizza!  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward we could venture out where we wanted to go, most went shopping, but I wanted to head back to the ship.  Our guide offered to walk me back which I was grateful for because of the crazy traffic.  What a wonderful day in Naples!

 

 

 

Nice photos of Napoli Sharon.

 

[dfish]

2 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I am checking in from Bluffton SC with the little bit of bandwidth I have. It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

Terri

 

Terri, please get out of the way of Debby.  Pack a bag and move inland.  It is just for a couple of days.

[cunnorl]

Good Evening from the Zuiderdam

      It was a rainy day here in Oslo. We put on our rain gear and headed out but it was not pleasant. So we walked back to the pier and took the HoHo. Much bettter idea for a rainy day. DD is a trouper. She just kept laughing!

    We are currently waiting on some missing passengers. Not sure how long the captain will wait. 
    Speaking of the Captain, he is so friendly and out there. He sat with us at the lido and we all just gabbed. Nice guy! 
    @MISTER 67 have a wonderful cruise! 
   Stay safe and enjoy today

   Charlene

[Sharon in AZ]

Good morning and Happy Sunday. Today is DGD Summer’s 17th Birthday. We have always been involved with taking care of her, many times for weeks, and she is currently living with us. It’s a long story and very personal so I won’t go into details now. We are taking her out for lunch and having cake and ice cream tonight with her father, our son, and his SO. 
 

Good collection of days. I read that Clouded Leopards are in the Vulnerable category. They are threatened by poaching and deforestation. I love chocolate chip cookies and white wine. Pass on the drink and wine. I would like the meal but prefer a blue cheese sauce instead of the salad. Ina Garten has a good recipe for that. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/gorgonzola-sauce-recipe-1940600 It goes very well with beef tenderloin. 
 

We were also in Naples on our very best Med cruise on the old Rotterdam in 2001. We went to Pompei. This is a cropped picture taken of a framed picture so sorry about the quality. The ship’s photographer was with us and I believe she took this for us. 


 

Have a great day everyone!

[JazzyV]

Good afternoon. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

I'll celebrate clouded leopards and especially chocolate chip cookies. Also the USCG, whose birthday is today. I prefer red wine, but will imbibe an occasional white wine. Good quote. I'll take the kebabs, but not the salad unless with a different green. I've never had a Moscow mule. The wine looks good but is above my budget. I wasn't in Naples proper, but I've been to Pompeii and Amalfi on a land trip; my first trip outside of NA. A sad day in history.

 

It's sunny and 82F now. We got about an inch of rain yesterday. I did my one maneuver last night before bed and decided to sleep on my back with my head elevated. I'm doing better with balance and dizziness today. I decided to call my ENT's office tomorrow and see if I can get in within a reasonable time frame. No report yet on the MRI, and the carotid US just showed a little plaque where the artery divides into 2 branches, and no stenosis. BFF is coming over later, his first driving other than going for groceries. He joked about remembering where my house is! 

 

@MISTER 67 Bon Voyage!

@StLouisCruisers Sorry you couldn't make DGD's wedding shower. Nice photos from Capri, and a very good one of you and DH in Amalfi.

@kazu Hugs as you have said goodbye to some of your beloved antiques. 

@Crazy For Cats Great photos from Alaska.

@smitty34877 I'm glad you were able to get back to sleep after last night's issues with Tana. Enjoy the pizza making. I said the same thing when I baked bread at the beginning of the week, needing the oven on at 450F. 

@jodi58 Congrats on the upcoming new grandchild.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Great photos from Naples.

@kochleffel Sorry to hear that you're feeling ill and have a bit of a temperature. I hope the Covid test stays negative.

@aliaschief I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner; lots of good Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh. I got that rain yesterday. Safe trip home tomorrow.

@Nickelpenny I'm glad your incision looks good now. 

@RMLincoln I love your positivity!

@GTVCRUISER Nice picture of you.

@ger_77 That sounds like a great get-together last night.

@Cruzin Terri Thanks for checking in. Prayers for you and all those who are in the path of Debby, which unfortunately will be slow moving and dump lots of rain. Stay safe!

@marshhawk Aww on mama looking for Jersey after she was gone. There are respite programs that will provide someone to come in and be with DH when you must be out, if you're worried about him being left alone. Did you meet with social service at all? Thanks for the Pompeii photos.

@Cruising-along I'm glad your DBIL is doing something now to prevent a worse, more severe stroke that could significantly change his life. Nice photos from Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

@happywandering Welcome to the Daily!

@grapau27 Thanks for the photos from the Lake District.

@luvteaching Well, you are unique with a grand-tortoise!

@Sharon in AZ Excellent photos from Naples.

@St Pete Cruiser Thanks for sharing your photos from Oslo. Nice photo of you and DH.

 

Prayers for the Care List and those in the path of the storm Debby. Cheers for those Celebrating.

 

 

 

[grapau27]

13 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Good morning and Happy Sunday. Today is DGD Summer’s 17th Birthday. We have always been involved with taking care of her, many times for weeks, and she is currently living with us. It’s a long story and very personal so I won’t go into details now. We are taking her out for lunch and having cake and ice cream tonight with her father, our son, and his SO. 
 

Good collection of days. I read that Clouded Leopards are in the Vulnerable category. They are threatened by poaching and deforestation. I love chocolate chip cookies and white wine. Pass on the drink and wine. I would like the meal but prefer a blue cheese sauce instead of the salad. Ina Garten has a good recipe for that. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/gorgonzola-sauce-recipe-1940600 It goes very well with beef tenderloin. 
 

We were also in Naples on our very best Med cruise on the old Rotterdam in 2001. We went to Pompei. This is a cropped picture taken of a framed picture so sorry about the quality. The ship’s photographer was with us and I believe she took this for us. 


 

Have a great day everyone!

Nice photos Sharon.

Happy 17th birthday to your DGD Summer.

[rafinmd]

One quick update.  I didn't see much of him from the AV booth but Paul was back in church this morning.

 

Roy

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the info.

[Cruising-along]

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

 I'm glad your DBIL is doing something now to prevent a worse, more severe stroke that could significantly change his life. Nice photos from Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Thank you Vanessa.  We all hope John will take better care of himself.  I'm sure he's always felt invincible because he's so active and very fit for an 83-year-old.  He walks and bicycles miles and miles every day but doesn't have a regular doctor or check-ups.  

I'm glad to hear that your balance and dizziness are better today and praying that continues. 

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Awesome photos.

Thank you Graham.

[smitty34877]

@Sharon in AZ, a very Happy Birthday to Summer! 
 

I enjoyed your beautiful pictures of Naples and the great tour you had.I think you will find the pastry in the North End of Boston. It is usually made only once a week in our bakery as it is more difficult . 
 

 

@JazzyV, I sleep with a wedge pillow and on my back these days. It seems to keep the vertigo away but was a hard thing to learn to do.I hope the ENT can help you.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Good afternoon from a warm, 96F, and mostly sunny central Texas.  I was out working in the yard by 8:30, and it turned out to be too late to be somewhat comfortable.  However, the yard was mowed and trimmed and the weeds were sprayed again.  By the time I was finished mowing, I needed to sit a bit with the fan blowing on me and a wet bandana around my neck.  I also use a cooling towel when I'm mowing, which helps.  As usual, the wind picked up and the clouds started appearing just as I put everything away.  After all the rain we had a couple of weeks ago, the grass really grew, but even with watering and no rain last week, I noticed that under the new growth the grass in the back yard was turning brown again.  The good thing about Bermuda is once we get rain and it's a bit cooler, the grass will turn green again.

 

6 hours ago, kochleffel said:

I approve of all three days, but especially the white wine. Dan Millman was briefly the gymnastics coach at my college, before he became a guru.

 

OK on steak kebabs but without cheese in the salad. Also OK on a Moscow Mule but I'd rather have a Dark 'n Stormy. The wine is a blend that includes Sangiovese; only two or three Finger Lakes wineries grow that at all, and none uses it in a red blend, so I'll counter with Saggio XII from Ventosa Vineyards, $39.95. "Our take on a Bordeaux blend featuring a fruit-forward nose enhanced by caramel and supple leather. The palate is refined and focused with hints of black cherry and strawberry, finishing with warm, silk tannins. Final product was created after our wine club input. Pair with: venison, parmesan cheese, chocolate mousse, duck, & roasted chicken."

 

I visited Naples in 2018, my first cruise, and I think I've posted the photos before.

 

I started to feel ill yesterday before noon, and this morning my temperature was 100.2°. A covid test was negative; I'll retest tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Paul, I'm sorry you are not feeling well and have an elevated temperature.  I hope the Covid tests continue to be negative.

 

5 hours ago, aliaschief said:

Good morning. @MISTER 67 Bon Voyage!🛳🍾

After a quiet day around the house we went out to dinner in downtown Pittsburgh at Papa J’s Italian restaurant. Great service and food. Upon our return Pittsburgh was hit with a real gully washer but Venetia didn’t get any to speak of. They have been pretty much in a drought and the huge lawns in this area are browning in spots.

Upon returning home we played Dominos which was the first time for me and Sue. I did pretty good for a first timer and came in second.

Today more of the same. A few games of backgammon, some Olympics and I hear it’s a flank steak dinner tonight along with wine.

Our flight home tomorrow is kind of weird. Leave Pittsburgh and fly to Minneapolis then a direct flight home without having to go through Atlanta. Should be home by 5:30 tomorrow afternoon. The hurricane models present course should not have much effect on our area.

So thanks for the reports and all of your daily postings. Bruce

 

 

 

Bruce, I hope the storm does not disrupt your flights Monday.  To avoid the Atlanta airport, I'd also consider a detour to Minneapolis.  Glad you are having a great weekend with your family.

 

5 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

Thanks for the daily and fleet report.  I will raise a glass to the days but it won't be filled with white wine (I mostly use white wine to cook with). A truer quote was never said.  Kebabs would be wonderful but I would replace the blue cheese with something else and then have some of the wine.  Never liked ginger beer so I will pass on the drink and unfortunately, I have never made it to southern Italy.  Happy Birthday to the US Coast Guard!!  A very sad day in history.

 

 

Monsoon action continues here but it has been bypassing me.  Presently it is 79F with 55% humidity on the way up to a projected 106F.  My door stays open until mid-afternoon when the sun shines on the front of my apartment.  Yesterday, I had the Olympics on all day and would pop in occasionally and see sports I had never really seen before.  Fencing and the 25m pistol competition were 2 of them.  Very interesting!

 

 

My incision looked good and I think I am heading in the right direction.  I will still be a tad cautious so not yet going to the gym but I will start testing the strength of the closure by doing lots of bending, twisting, lifting - normal stuff.  🤞

 

 

I really need to clean up my patio so I may start to tackle it today.  But it will be an early night as I have to leave here tomorrow morning by at least 0400, as my appt in San Diego is at 1145.  I love driving as I find it so peaceful and relaxing, IMHO.  Strange, I know.

 

 

Bon Voyage @MISTER 67!

 

Thoughts for all needed extra support and cheers for those celebrating.  Have a great Sunday everyone!

 

Pennie, I'm glad your incision is looking good.  Please go slow as your start moving more.  Safe travels tomorrow.

 

4 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

I am checking in from Bluffton SC with the little bit of bandwidth I have. It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

Terri

 

 

Terri, I will echo what everyone has said, and please, please head to higher ground before it's too late.  I know that will upset your DH and make him anxious, but it would probably be just as upsetting or worse to be in the storm, flooded without power or water, and no help for a while.  At least, please think about it.

 

4 hours ago, marshhawk said:

Good Sunday Morning Dailyites!  Once asleep last night I slept OK, but after 2 Vietnamese iced coffees it took a while.  

My friend came by last night and took away Jersey.  Jersey's mom, Momma Munchkin has been looking all over the house for her favorite look a like child.

 

I did turn the oven on today, as I was hungry and the best thing I could make was quiche, sausage, onion and swiss. I also realized the DH needs to eat something when he takes his meds. He is still sleeping.  This will cover us for 3 days.  After that I will have to cook again...LOL.

 

I do need to make a grocery list, as it stands right now, we have no dr's appointments this week, but when the hospital released DH they told me to make an appointment this week with his pain doc, and the oncologist.  So that is the first thing to do post walking the dog tomorrow.  Being his pharmacist is a terrible thankless job.  So far those appointments will only affect lunch time, and these days most lunches come out of a can, tuna, corned beef, so all I have to shop for is dinner, and since I work at night this week, all week, looks like TV dinners.

 

The meal today looks wonderful.  Can someone come over and make it for me?  I vacuumed yesterday, I tossed out a cat's worth of fur, so the house is clean.😸

 

Regardless of how DH feels It is a get to the store day.!  I may have to call in a sitter for him, but I have to get litter.!  And cat food. 

 

I did get to Pompeii last year, but I was so ill, we did not go far.  Most of the time I was just trying the next bench to sit on.  But I do remember that we ran into a couple that was on a HAL cruise.  Since we had been told by the staff on the Carnival ship we were on, was that all the beef served was bad because of something going on in Europe, I asked how the food was on their ship.  Wonderful they said.  Even the beef dishes?  Fantastic they said.  Well, that really was the end of me cruising Carnival.  Here are some pictures from Pompeii - I think we made it as far as the stables, long walk to get into the site. I should have taken pictures of benches.

 

 

 

 

Annie, I'll also echo the suggestion about finding a place that will provide someone to stay with your DH when you need to run errands.  The doctors' offices might have some suggestions.  It would probably help you so you could have some time to yourself.  While being his pharmacist is difficult, it sounds like tough love is needed so he doesn't overdose again.  Thanks for the pictures of Pompeii.  HUGS

 

3 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Good morning all!

Clouded Leopards are beautiful animals, you can always find a bag of chocolate chips in my pantry, and white wine is the only wine I drink.  Good quote, will pass on the drink (ginger beer) and red wine.  I would like the meal, but I think I would substitute Feta Cheese for the Blue Cheese. 

I've lost count how many times we've been to Naples (and will be there again on the '26 World).  We've been to Pompeii twice (and will go again hoping to see some of the newer excavation), Herculaneum, Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, and went to the top of Vesuvius.  Too many photos to post them all, but will share a few, hoping they will be different from those already posted.

 

Yesterday I didn't finish the apricot jam, I need more pectin.  So that's on the agenda today.  It will be another beautiful day, sunny and low 80's.  We certainly are having a great summer here in the PNW.

 

The latest news about John my DBIL is that he's home now.  He's the family "odd-ball" to put it mildly -- we love him and he's a wonderful person, but he does what he wants and nobody can tell him otherwise.  Years back he had a blood clot, and came dangerously close to having a stroke then.  He refused to take blood thinners.  And he flies frequently, spending most of the year in Europe going to operas...before she passed in 2010 my DD Sister worried about him.  She was the only one who could "handle" him and convince him to watch his health.  

 

So it's hard to get information, since his son and daughter are both traveling in Europe now, we're relying on John to let us know what is going on. They have talked to him on the phone, so I think if there were any speech problems they would know.   He tends to joke about everything and gloss over the severity.  He said he's refused all physical and speech therapy, but has agreed to take the blood thinners now.  I think the 2 strokes did scare him, and I hope it was a wake-up call.  I am wondering though why the speech therapist recommended therapy...time will tell and I'll know more.

 

We have been to Naples many times, but never spent any time in the city. Instead we went to Pompeii twice, Herculaneum once, spent a few days on the Amalfi Coast, and climbed the last mile up to the top of Vesuvius.  Once we went to a buffalo cheese farm. 😂  We'll be in Naples again in '26 and plan to go back to Pompeii for a 3rd time.  New discoveries are being made all the time.

 

Here are some photos from some of our visits to Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius.

 

Sunset over Naples

 

Naples and Vesuvius at night from our ship

 

At the top of Vesuvius looking down into the steaming crater

 

 

View of Naples from the top of Vesuvius

 

Victim in Pompeii.....tragic

 

Cinque Terre

 

The boat houses in Herculaneum

 

People killed at the marina during the eruption

 

Next 3 photos are scenes of Herculaneum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carolyn, I'm glad your DBIL is home and is at least taking the blood thinners now.  I hope he recovers fully, and will think about the speech and physical therapy.

 

3 hours ago, lindaler said:

Just dropped in to say good morning to all. Looked at the pictures and now I must rush out and mow the front yard and trim the hedge before it gets too hot out.  Thanks everyone.

 

Linda, I hope you got the yard work done before it was too hot.

 

3 hours ago, luvteaching said:

Good morning, 

We have another nice and fairly warm day (for us) coming up. I'm all for chocolate chips, clouded leopards, and white wine. I'm bummed because the big box store is no longer carrying their brand of chocolate chips and, in my opinion, they are far superior to Toll House. Now to look for a substitute. 

Yesterday was very productive. I baked a batch of chocolate snickerdoodles and a batch of white chocolate macadamia cookies so my freezer is full of cookies. I did 3 loads of laundry including cleaning the bathroom and doing the towel, bathmat etc. I also stripped the bed and did the linens and remade it. I even put the pillows in the dryer to fluff. 

 

Today should be more relaxing but I do have a cruise to get ready for. Many of you have your "grand dogs" and "grand cats" but I may be the only one with a "grand tortoise". My DS and DDIL are hoping to come by this afternoon to do the "son-do" jobs and introduce me to their new tortoise "Alexander son of Phillip".  Should be an interesting visit. 

 

Have a lovely Sunday!

Karen

 

Karen, our oldest DD got me to switch from Nestles chocolate chips many years ago because they use vanillin instead of vanilla  She told me about Guittard chocolate chips, which are worth paying a bit more.  When I can't find them, I will get Ghirardelli chocolate chips which are just about as good.

 

3 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

 

Thanks to Sandi @StLouisCruisers for always having links to the previous threads of today’s ports. You must have one killer of a database!  I don’t know how you keep track and find the links because I’ve never been successful searching on CC. 
 

The following is what I posted on November 23, 2023 about my Naples excursion. I’m hoping to find sfogliatella in Boston!

 

********************************

 

We were in Naples June 6, 2022 on the Oosterdam,  I went on a foodie walking tour which was excellent and one the best excursions I’ve been on, one of my “Top 5” Best Ever.  We started out from the ship to an outdoor café for espresso and sfogliatella, aka lobster tail, both absolutely delightful.

 

 

 

 

Next up was Castel Nuovo where a wedding was about to take place, and it seemed like a high society wedding with all the hoopla.  We watched cars arriving, being stopped by security before they could pass, lots of guests arriving, and the most beautiful flower arrangements being delivered.  For some reason I didn’t get any pictures of all that.  Our wonderful guide asked us to name the one Italian food/dish that we liked the most while in Italy and I said the Arancini from Verona during our 2005 land trip.  Others said things like lasagna and other pasta dishes.

 

 

 

 

Next up was a walk through Galleria Umberto, absolutely beautiful!  Who knew that people really live in those upstairs villas.

 

 

 

 

 

Then a stop for another treat at another restaurant.  Unfortunately, I didn’t label this so don’t remember what it was.  
 

 

 

 

We took a long fast paced walk through the winding streets and alleys of the old town area.  Absolutely delightful.  Lots of markets and restaurants and people just living their lives, just what I like to see on an excursion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up was our stop for pizza.  I was tuckered out by then so I was thankful for the sit down and glass of wine.  Our guide was excellent and since we were such a small group we all got to know each other.  First course was mozzarella and tomatoes, very refreshing.  Then the pizza!  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afterward we could venture out where we wanted to go, most went shopping, but I wanted to head back to the ship.  Our guide offered to walk me back which I was grateful for because of the crazy traffic.  What a wonderful day in Naples!

 

 

 

 

Sharon, your tour in Naples looks very interesting.

 

3 hours ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

The good ship Zuiderdam arrived safely into Oslo this morning at 9am after two cool and rainy days at sea. The old girl rides the seas well, I rather think, better than the newer Pinnacle class with their higher structure out of the water.

Oslo was shining this afternoon when the sun came out. We docked to the left of where Holland America has docked in the past. Silver Seas was also in port and was the first cruise ship we have had to share with us since leaving Boston. 

Captain Frank will be leaving Tuesday in Rotterdam. I like his easy going sailaway and noon messages from the bridge.

Hope your Sunday is going well!

 

Thanks for the pictures from Oslo, always a great city for walking.

 

1 hour ago, JazzyV said:

Good afternoon. Thanks for the Fleet Report/Daily.

I'll celebrate clouded leopards and especially chocolate chip cookies. Also the USCG, whose birthday is today. I prefer red wine, but will imbibe an occasional white wine. Good quote. I'll take the kebabs, but not the salad unless with a different green. I've never had a Moscow mule. The wine looks good but is above my budget. I wasn't in Naples proper, but I've been to Pompeii and Amalfi on a land trip; my first trip outside of NA. A sad day in history.

 

It's sunny and 82F now. We got about an inch of rain yesterday. I did my one maneuver last night before bed and decided to sleep on my back with my head elevated. I'm doing better with balance and dizziness today. I decided to call my ENT's office tomorrow and see if I can get in within a reasonable time frame. No report yet on the MRI, and the carotid US just showed a little plaque where the artery divides into 2 branches, and no stenosis. BFF is coming over later, his first driving other than going for groceries. He joked about remembering where my house is! 

 

@MISTER 67 Bon Voyage!

@StLouisCruisers Sorry you couldn't make DGD's wedding shower. Nice photos from Capri, and a very good one of you and DH in Amalfi.

@kazu Hugs as you have said goodbye to some of your beloved antiques. 

@Crazy For Cats Great photos from Alaska.

@smitty34877 I'm glad you were able to get back to sleep after last night's issues with Tana. Enjoy the pizza making. I said the same thing when I baked bread at the beginning of the week, needing the oven on at 450F. 

@jodi58 Congrats on the upcoming new grandchild.

@Quartzsite Cruiser Great photos from Naples.

@kochleffel Sorry to hear that you're feeling ill and have a bit of a temperature. I hope the Covid test stays negative.

@aliaschief I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner; lots of good Italian restaurants in Pittsburgh. I got that rain yesterday. Safe trip home tomorrow.

@Nickelpenny I'm glad your incision looks good now. 

@RMLincoln I love your positivity!

@GTVCRUISER Nice picture of you.

@ger_77 That sounds like a great get-together last night.

@Cruzin Terri Thanks for checking in. Prayers for you and all those who are in the path of Debby, which unfortunately will be slow moving and dump lots of rain. Stay safe!

@marshhawk Aww on mama looking for Jersey after she was gone. There are respite programs that will provide someone to come in and be with DH when you must be out, if you're worried about him being left alone. Did you meet with social service at all? Thanks for the Pompeii photos.

@Cruising-along I'm glad your DBIL is doing something now to prevent a worse, more severe stroke that could significantly change his life. Nice photos from Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

@happywandering Welcome to the Daily!

@grapau27 Thanks for the photos from the Lake District.

@luvteaching Well, you are unique with a grand-tortoise!

@Sharon in AZ Excellent photos from Naples.

@St Pete Cruiser Thanks for sharing your photos from Oslo. Nice photo of you and DH.

 

Prayers for the Care List and those in the path of the storm Debby. Cheers for those Celebrating.

 

 

 

 

Vanessa, I'm glad doing the maneuver and sleeping on your back helped, and you are doing better today.

 

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

One quick update.  I didn't see much of him from the AV booth but Paul was back in church this morning.

 

Roy

 

Roy, thanks for the good news that Paul was back in church today.

 

2 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Good morning and Happy Sunday. Today is DGD Summer’s 17th Birthday. We have always been involved with taking care of her, many times for weeks, and she is currently living with us. It’s a long story and very personal so I won’t go into details now. We are taking her out for lunch and having cake and ice cream tonight with her father, our son, and his SO. 
 

Good collection of days. I read that Clouded Leopards are in the Vulnerable category. They are threatened by poaching and deforestation. I love chocolate chip cookies and white wine. Pass on the drink and wine. I would like the meal but prefer a blue cheese sauce instead of the salad. Ina Garten has a good recipe for that. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/gorgonzola-sauce-recipe-1940600 It goes very well with beef tenderloin. 
 

We were also in Naples on our very best Med cruise on the old Rotterdam in 2001. We went to Pompei. This is a cropped picture taken of a framed picture so sorry about the quality. The ship’s photographer was with us and I believe she took this for us. 


 

Have a great day everyone!

 

Sharon, please wish Summer a VERY HAPPY 17TH BIRTHDAY for us.  Great picture of the two of you at Pompeii.

 

Lenda

[bennybear]

Good morning and thanks all.  @dfish yum on those salads!   I’m drooling! 
@smitty34877 those dogs are so amazing! 
We love Naples as a wonderful port,  we’ve done all the usual,  Pompeii, Sorrento, Amalfi, Herculaneum, Capri. @Sharon in AZ that food tour looks wonderful!  Love sfogitella 
 

For  something different visit Caserta and the amazing palace where they filmed one of of the Star Wars in or visit the island of Ischia or the UNESCO ruins at Oplontis, Villa Poppi, belonging to the Emperor Nero’s wife.  Or just enjoy a wander and the food in Napoli.  
 

[Haljo1935]

7 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

... Congratulations to the Ukraine Ladies fencing team who won gold, their national anthem ceremony was uplifting.  

And the ladies just won gold in high jump. The announcer commented on their "nomadic training schedule." So moving.

[marshhawk]

A foggy day-and there's the light house /Coast Guard house.

 

 

 

 

 

BFF hates to ask directions, but we finally after 2 hours on the Cape found

 

 

 

Happy Birthday U S Coast Guard.

[Haljo1935]

7 hours ago, dfish said:

PS:  No new mice caught.  

Congrats!

[Haljo1935]

6 hours ago, Cruzin Terri said:

...It appears that we will be getting the brunt of “Debby” with major flooding.

No evacuation orders yet.  

If you look at the weather maps, we are in the purple area with the most severe problems beginning tomorrow afternoon.

Prayers needed.  

🤞🙏 you stay safe.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Well, here goes more pictures from our seven visits to Naples, and all but one was on a BHB.  I was surprised this morning when I realized the two times Naples was the port of the day, I'd only posted a few pictures.  

 

We were fist there in 2002 on Noordam III about seven months after 9/11, and there were still very few tourists visiting Europe.  That day, on recommendation of Barbara Haney, the wonderful travel guide, we took a taxi to the Circumnavigation train station and a train to Pompeii.  That was one of the wildest taxi ride since we needed to be there in time to catch an early train.  Even without tourists, the road along the waterfront going in the direction we were was stop and go.  Our driver crossed over the train tracks and drove fast the wrong direction on the other side.  He still had to hit the brakes a lot.  That is when I discovered besides no seat belts, the back seat was not attached, and would move forward and back.  However, we survived, made our train, and had a great story to tell.

 

We did not spend as much time in Pompeii as I'd have liked, since we also planned to take the train to Sorrento before heading back to Naples.  However, Pompeii was not crowded, and we covered a lot of what had been excavated at that time.

 

Two of the amphitheaters

 

 

Casts of the hollow places in the hardened ashes where people died

 

A villa of a well to do  Roman

 

House of the Faun

 

One of the roads with stepping blocks for the people and openings for the chariot wheels

 

The next year on the old Regal Princess, we took the ferry to Capri.  Once on the island, we took the funicular to the upper part.

 

A narrow street

 

The view from the upper area

 

A peaceful garden

 

Lenda

 

Edited August 4 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[Haljo1935]

Happy Birthday @Sharon in AZ to your DGD Summer 🍰🥳🎈

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, rafinmd said:

One quick update.  I didn't see much of him from the AV booth but Paul was back in church this morning.

 

Roy

That is good news.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

We did not get back to Naples until 2016 on Prinsendam.  We took the ferry to Sorento and back that day.  Once off the ferry, we first headed to the ticket booth to buy our return ticket for the 3 pm ferry.  We then boarded the little bus to go to the top of the cliff.  Every time we thought the bus was full, they added more people and luggage, but we finally headed up a very steep road with switchbacks.

 

Looking down at the road

 

 

 

 

Looking down at the beach and one of the many restaurants with beach access.  There is an elevator that will take you down to the beach, and it was 1 or 2 Euros pp then.

 

 

Naples and Prinsendam on our return ferry entering the harbor.

 

 

For some reason, the ship did not leave until after dark, so we had a good view of Naples at night.

 

In 2017, we were in Naples on Prinsendam.  We took the train to Sorrento again, but stopped in Ercolano to check our Herculaneum, but we only had time to view the ruins from the street level.  One reason, we did not have much time was we got off at the wrong station and had to wait for another train to get to Ercolano.  From Sorrento, we took the ferry back to Naples.  These are a few random pictures of Ercolano.

 

 

 

The entrance to Herculaneum, and the ruins

 

 

Lenda

 

 

Edited August 4 by Quartzsite Cruiser

[Cruzin Terri]

Hello everyone. Right now I have WiFi working.

I hear all of you telling me to move to higher ground.  The reality is that there is nowhere to go in such short notice.

DH is being very stubborn.  We are going to have to stay put and pray.

That is all we can do.

Thankfully the winds will not be very bad.

i do not know if i can go through another flood.  

Please pray for us.

Terri

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Nice photos Sharon.

Happy 17th birthday to your DGD Summer.

I admire how you do such personalized postings. I appreciate them as I'm sure the recipients do, as well. Thanks for taking the time to make each of feel special.