We stayed overnight, got the truck fixed, and headed for PA. Thanks to Katie for your instant hospitality.
Had a brief visit with Geordie, Gabri, and the girls, and then on Friday went to see Pete in MD.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
day 104+, Home and Souvenirs
We arrived home safely. Cliff picked us up at the ship (many thanks Cliff) and we went to see Katie and the kids. Susie arrived with the truck to drive us home (thanks Susie!) and had driven the last 60 miles without any power steering!! Don't know how she did it.
We stayed overnight, got the truck fixed, and headed for PA. Thanks to Katie for your instant hospitality.
Had a brief visit with Geordie, Gabri, and the girls, and then on Friday went to see Pete in MD.
We are still adjusting to being off the ship but it is good to be home. Will head for Canada soon.
We stayed overnight, got the truck fixed, and headed for PA. Thanks to Katie for your instant hospitality.
Had a brief visit with Geordie, Gabri, and the girls, and then on Friday went to see Pete in MD.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
day 105, HOME AGAIN!!!
Well, we're finally back in Mechanicsburg, PA. Had to stay an extra day in NYC to get the power steering fixed. Susie drove the truck 60 miles without it! Don't know how she did it.
What a wonderful cruise. Hope all of you enjoyed the blog. (Jess and Kate are wearing their t-shirts we bought for all the grandchildren in Hong Kong).
Monday, April 25, 2011
day 103, at sea
Our last day! It is 6:15am and Mom is starting to pack.
The big news today is HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER, Susan. Hope you have a great day.
The big news today is HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER, Susan. Hope you have a great day.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
day 102, at sea
HAPPY EASTER, everyone.
Thanks for your comments and emails Katie, Caroline, and Cliff. The bandaid is to try to keep from biffing a scab on my head. I think we have heard of Jillian, Katie but have not tried it. Sounds wicked.
I read your story, Caroline and enjoyed it. Had not heard that one before.
We will go to the Easter Service today and then think about packing.
Thanks for your comments and emails Katie, Caroline, and Cliff. The bandaid is to try to keep from biffing a scab on my head. I think we have heard of Jillian, Katie but have not tried it. Sounds wicked.
I read your story, Caroline and enjoyed it. Had not heard that one before.
We will go to the Easter Service today and then think about packing.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
day 99, at sea
Thanks for your comment, Susie. You are right on all counts. But we are getting very excited!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
day 97, leaving Southhampton, videos
Trying to upload videos. Met some nice new people in the Churchill Lounge and at dinner.
day 97, leaving Southampton, UK for the USA
Sorry we won't be there for Easter, Sarah. Good luck with the orchestra.
Right now, 6pm, we are in the English Channel on our way.1700 people embarked today. The QM2 is doing the whole 9 yards as if it were a brand new cruise.
I'm having trouble posting videos so will try again tomorrow morning.
Monday, April 18, 2011
day 96, at sea, Trivia
This is the last trivia game with the "Cruisers 5". Two of our team are leaving in Southampton tomorrow. They are from Scotland.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
day 94, at sea, more Nice vidoes
Well, we exercised again today. Trying to get back in the saddle. We are going to be busy the first few days back home. Talk about trying to get back in the saddle! We will email our schedule so you will know where we are.
day 94, at sea, more Nice videos
Thanks for your comment, Ashley. The cruise does seem to be just about the right length. As Mom pointed out to me, however, maybe our thinking is trying to match the fact that the cruise is coming to an end.
day 93, Barcelona, Nice videos
What was different about Nice was you could sort of understand the language. So, if you got lost, you could do something about it. Try that, for example, in China.The next day in Barcelona has been fun. Lovely day, walked around a bit, nice lunch at a sidewalk cafe, and some shopping.
Thanks for your comment, Cliff, and the trivia info. Tonight, believe it or not, we head for our next port ... Southampton, England, and then New York City (no stop at Gibraltor but we will see it and maybe Morocco on the other side)! We can hardly believe it. Getting VERY excited to see everyone.
By the way, the Nice videos loaded a little bit out of order (3,4,1,2 instead of 1,2,3,4)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
day 92, Nice and Monaco, Civetavecchia videos
Thanks for your comment Katie. We missed your comment or email about Rhys Bowen! Will tell Mom. I just woke up (it's midnight) so will upload a few videos before I go back to bed. It does seem like the cruise is winding down now that we are in the Mediterranean. Tomorrow we are in Barcelona. Had a wonderful day in Nice today.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
day 92, Moaco,Monte Carlo, Nice
Thanks for your comment, Katie. That sounds VERY exciting. Who's your publisher, do you have a new agent?
Interested to know how you are changing the plot. How does James Ridell work into it. Are Alan and Harriet still in it the same way? Many questions.
We are touring Nice and the Little Train today. We'll post some pictures of Civetavecchia later.
Interested to know how you are changing the plot. How does James Ridell work into it. Are Alan and Harriet still in it the same way? Many questions.
We are touring Nice and the Little Train today. We'll post some pictures of Civetavecchia later.
day 91, Italy, Suez videos 4
Now it's getting sunny so maybe we will go ashore this afternoon. We have to get our passports stamped in about 45 minutes.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
day 91, Italy, Suez videos 3 (cont'd)
It is too windy to dock at the port so we are circling for a while.
day 91, April 13, Civitavecchia, Italy, Suez videos 3
Thanks Ashley and Cliff for your comments. They make doing the write-ups worthwhile!
We arrive in Italy this morning and will spend some time in the town of Civitavecchia. We have been to Rome before and are a bit tired of big cities (plus it is an hour away) so will not be "touring" there.
We are getting excited to see everyone! Mom has gone through our 2 suitcases of souvenirs for everyone and started organizing it. At least they don't have to be wrapped up in Christmas paper! She did think of a poem or two, like "We hope these gifts don't fail ya, Cause we bought them in Australia". Shakespeare would be proud!
We have been playing Trivia a lot and have a pretty good team of 6 (2 from Scotland and 2 from NY). Altogether we have won 3 times. The prize is a little ticket which can be turned in for prizes.
Yesterday, a helicopter flew by the window as we were sitting in the Churchill Lounge. It was from a Greek warship as we passed by Cyprus or Crete.
More Canadians on board than at the beginning, most of the Australians have left, and more British got on at Dubai.
Can't wait to start packing up ... ugh!
We arrive in Italy this morning and will spend some time in the town of Civitavecchia. We have been to Rome before and are a bit tired of big cities (plus it is an hour away) so will not be "touring" there.
We are getting excited to see everyone! Mom has gone through our 2 suitcases of souvenirs for everyone and started organizing it. At least they don't have to be wrapped up in Christmas paper! She did think of a poem or two, like "We hope these gifts don't fail ya, Cause we bought them in Australia". Shakespeare would be proud!
We have been playing Trivia a lot and have a pretty good team of 6 (2 from Scotland and 2 from NY). Altogether we have won 3 times. The prize is a little ticket which can be turned in for prizes.
Yesterday, a helicopter flew by the window as we were sitting in the Churchill Lounge. It was from a Greek warship as we passed by Cyprus or Crete.
More Canadians on board than at the beginning, most of the Australians have left, and more British got on at Dubai.
Can't wait to start packing up ... ugh!
day 90, at sea, suez vids 2
This is a summary of the three videos I had to leave out because they were too big to upload.
Something interesting is that the Suez Canal splits Africa and Asia.
The French under Napoleon were the first to survey how the canal might be built. Originally the thought was to connect the Red Sea to the Nile but this was later abandoned. Anyway, the French engineers concluded that there is a 10 m difference between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and so the idea was scrapped. Later, British engineers proved that they were wrong and that there was no difference. The French got permission and built the Canal with Egyptians for 57,000,000 pounds. The British focused their efforts on an overland route and a railroad and initially ignored the canal because they didn't think it would work.
Later when Egypt got into financial trouble, the British bought the canal for 4 million pounds so maybe things worked out finally for the British. They kept it until 1955 when Egypt nationalized the canal and triggered the Suez crisis. The British people never forgave Prime Minister Anthony Eden for losing the canal.
Asmalea is a city halfway along the canal on lake Tisman or Crocodile Lake. Also something interesting Mom heard is that the water goes north for part of the year and then south for part of the year.
Something interesting is that the Suez Canal splits Africa and Asia.
The French under Napoleon were the first to survey how the canal might be built. Originally the thought was to connect the Red Sea to the Nile but this was later abandoned. Anyway, the French engineers concluded that there is a 10 m difference between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and so the idea was scrapped. Later, British engineers proved that they were wrong and that there was no difference. The French got permission and built the Canal with Egyptians for 57,000,000 pounds. The British focused their efforts on an overland route and a railroad and initially ignored the canal because they didn't think it would work.
Later when Egypt got into financial trouble, the British bought the canal for 4 million pounds so maybe things worked out finally for the British. They kept it until 1955 when Egypt nationalized the canal and triggered the Suez crisis. The British people never forgave Prime Minister Anthony Eden for losing the canal.
Asmalea is a city halfway along the canal on lake Tisman or Crocodile Lake. Also something interesting Mom heard is that the water goes north for part of the year and then south for part of the year.
day 90, at sea, more Suez Canal videos 2
Thanks for your comment, Katie. The trip has definitely been life-changing. Now, we have to figure out how!
By the way, I've just left out 3 videos because they are too long. Next blog, I'll try to summarize them for you.
day 90, at sea (3pm, just passing Sicily thru the Strait of Messena)
Tuesday, April 12.
Thanks Ashley and Sarah for your comments on yesterday's blog. In a way, Sarah, the time has gone really fast and in another way it seems like ages since we have seen all of you. We found after a month or so we have lost some of the excitement we had it first. I am getting a bit tired of having to get all dressed up for dinner. I don't think I will ever wonder where my long formal dresses again! I think granddad is tuxedoed out.
Ashley, I was shocked to learn there are three pirate attacks a week, too. I know it would be impossible for them to board the Queen Mary because the distance from the sea to the deck is huge but when you see guards standing all over the place you can't help but feel there must be some danger. Perhaps they were just there to help some other little ship that got attacked (I hope). Just the presence of armed guards is a bit disconcerting. The other day we were on a tour (more about that later) and there were six of us in a jeep-like vehicle plus a driver and a guard with a machine gun! You can't help but think, "why exactly do we need this?" When we heard days ago there were 20 Gurkhas on board we believe did at first and later thought that it was just a rumor but have just found out it is true. They are, however, permanently employed-not just for dangerous waters. I guess a big cruise ship, especially one as well known as the Queen Mary, is always a target for terrorists.
Now for Egypt. A few weeks ago, when we were both sick with bad colds and in a very hot and humid place we looked at the tours coming up and decided we really would not be up for a 14 hour trip to see the Valley of the Kings, so we canceled it. Ira grabbed this a bit now because when the time came we felt fine and the weather was lovely also, all the people who went on the tour said it was fantastic (the guide even spoke English you can understand). We, however, played hookey from educational pursuits and went to a posh hotel for a lovely day at the pool and a great lunch. We had a very relaxing day with Karen and Jim and felt we had been debriefed from all the different cultures we had experienced-a different one every day. Probably dad's pictures tell the story better than I can. Unfortunately, the video I took of him going down the big waterslide can't be put on the blog (actually it is on the blog) because it is too long (I forgot to turn the camera off).
The next day we had one of the most interesting experiences of the whole trip. We started out on the Jeeps with the guard with a machine gun. There were about 20 Jeeps-six passengers per jeep. The tour was described as "an exciting ride on the dunes in the desert". It wasn't at all what I expected. We went really really fast on a flat surface with rocky hills on either side. The Jeeps were all over the place and it seemed like dragracing. It was really fun for about 10 min. but then lost its appeal (very bumpy and no seatbelts). We stopped for about 10 min. and it was very weird to realize we were in the Sinai desert with armed guards all around. I think we got some good pictures.
Next thing on the agenda was the main attraction-camel riding. If you ever get a chance to do this be sure to do it because it is absolutely HORRIBLE. Very glad to do it once but you couldn't pay us enough money to do it again (well that's not exactly true but you know what I mean). Everyone with this feels the same so it is not just that we are big wimps. Not too many pictures or videos because you absolutely cannot let go once you are on the camel. You get on the camel when the camel is sitting down but it stands up with its hind legs first so you're almost catapulted over its head! Little children leave the camels. At first, dad's camel's head was right against my leg which frightened me because they are known to bite and spit. Dad told me later that his camels mouth was tied shut but I was too traumatized to notice this at the time. The little children let us (slowly thank goodness) for about half an hour-25 min. too long. Many people-especially the man found this very very uncomfortable but that was not my problem. I had to hold on so tightly to avoid falling off that my wrists and arms were killing me. The little girl leave my camel led me away from the group and at first I liked this because it meant I was not going to be bitten by someone else's camel but then I had a terrible suspicion that I had been chosen to be separated from the group to become an Al Qaeda hostage-or worse! Fortunately dad was finally able to communicate with his camel leader that he wanted to turn around and right beside me.
After getting off the camel-almost as difficult as getting on-we arrived at the Bedouin's camp (some pictures I think). We were served an interesting sweet tea and flatbread with goat cheese (very tasty). I guide spoke to us about the Bedouin culture and their religion (Moslem). You could also try a water pipe and a few people did but we decline for two reasons. One-what are you smoking? And two-everyone was using the same thing you put in your mouth. Yuck!
They had a table selling jewelry they had made and I bought six things for $10 but it got lost on the ride back if they had been selling bumper stickers saying "Death to Camels" I would've bought one!
Altogether it was a wonderful day and we arrived back at the ship tired, sore, but happy!
Next time I will write about the Suez Canal but dad's videos do a great job so I don't really have much to say.
Thanks Ashley and Sarah for your comments on yesterday's blog. In a way, Sarah, the time has gone really fast and in another way it seems like ages since we have seen all of you. We found after a month or so we have lost some of the excitement we had it first. I am getting a bit tired of having to get all dressed up for dinner. I don't think I will ever wonder where my long formal dresses again! I think granddad is tuxedoed out.
Ashley, I was shocked to learn there are three pirate attacks a week, too. I know it would be impossible for them to board the Queen Mary because the distance from the sea to the deck is huge but when you see guards standing all over the place you can't help but feel there must be some danger. Perhaps they were just there to help some other little ship that got attacked (I hope). Just the presence of armed guards is a bit disconcerting. The other day we were on a tour (more about that later) and there were six of us in a jeep-like vehicle plus a driver and a guard with a machine gun! You can't help but think, "why exactly do we need this?" When we heard days ago there were 20 Gurkhas on board we believe did at first and later thought that it was just a rumor but have just found out it is true. They are, however, permanently employed-not just for dangerous waters. I guess a big cruise ship, especially one as well known as the Queen Mary, is always a target for terrorists.
Now for Egypt. A few weeks ago, when we were both sick with bad colds and in a very hot and humid place we looked at the tours coming up and decided we really would not be up for a 14 hour trip to see the Valley of the Kings, so we canceled it. Ira grabbed this a bit now because when the time came we felt fine and the weather was lovely also, all the people who went on the tour said it was fantastic (the guide even spoke English you can understand). We, however, played hookey from educational pursuits and went to a posh hotel for a lovely day at the pool and a great lunch. We had a very relaxing day with Karen and Jim and felt we had been debriefed from all the different cultures we had experienced-a different one every day. Probably dad's pictures tell the story better than I can. Unfortunately, the video I took of him going down the big waterslide can't be put on the blog (actually it is on the blog) because it is too long (I forgot to turn the camera off).
The next day we had one of the most interesting experiences of the whole trip. We started out on the Jeeps with the guard with a machine gun. There were about 20 Jeeps-six passengers per jeep. The tour was described as "an exciting ride on the dunes in the desert". It wasn't at all what I expected. We went really really fast on a flat surface with rocky hills on either side. The Jeeps were all over the place and it seemed like dragracing. It was really fun for about 10 min. but then lost its appeal (very bumpy and no seatbelts). We stopped for about 10 min. and it was very weird to realize we were in the Sinai desert with armed guards all around. I think we got some good pictures.
Next thing on the agenda was the main attraction-camel riding. If you ever get a chance to do this be sure to do it because it is absolutely HORRIBLE. Very glad to do it once but you couldn't pay us enough money to do it again (well that's not exactly true but you know what I mean). Everyone with this feels the same so it is not just that we are big wimps. Not too many pictures or videos because you absolutely cannot let go once you are on the camel. You get on the camel when the camel is sitting down but it stands up with its hind legs first so you're almost catapulted over its head! Little children leave the camels. At first, dad's camel's head was right against my leg which frightened me because they are known to bite and spit. Dad told me later that his camels mouth was tied shut but I was too traumatized to notice this at the time. The little children let us (slowly thank goodness) for about half an hour-25 min. too long. Many people-especially the man found this very very uncomfortable but that was not my problem. I had to hold on so tightly to avoid falling off that my wrists and arms were killing me. The little girl leave my camel led me away from the group and at first I liked this because it meant I was not going to be bitten by someone else's camel but then I had a terrible suspicion that I had been chosen to be separated from the group to become an Al Qaeda hostage-or worse! Fortunately dad was finally able to communicate with his camel leader that he wanted to turn around and right beside me.
After getting off the camel-almost as difficult as getting on-we arrived at the Bedouin's camp (some pictures I think). We were served an interesting sweet tea and flatbread with goat cheese (very tasty). I guide spoke to us about the Bedouin culture and their religion (Moslem). You could also try a water pipe and a few people did but we decline for two reasons. One-what are you smoking? And two-everyone was using the same thing you put in your mouth. Yuck!
They had a table selling jewelry they had made and I bought six things for $10 but it got lost on the ride back if they had been selling bumper stickers saying "Death to Camels" I would've bought one!
Altogether it was a wonderful day and we arrived back at the ship tired, sore, but happy!
Next time I will write about the Suez Canal but dad's videos do a great job so I don't really have much to say.
Monday, April 11, 2011
day 90, at sea, Suez videos 2
Thanks for your comments Sarah and Ashley. You hit the nail on the head, Ashley. One of the things this cruise has done is made us realize that the news involves real people. We have been talking with Karen and Jim about this cruise ending. In one sense it seems like we have been on it forever. But then it seems to have gone by very quickly. All of us are ready though to go home and very excited to see everybody.
day 89, at sea, Mom's write-up of Dubai and sea-days to Red Sea
Haven't written anything since my long saga about Cochin but I know dad has pretty much kept you up on things.
After Cochin we had a few relaxing sea days before Dubai and as you know dad went to the dentist. Thank goodness he could do this because he had lost a crown on one side and a big failing it came out on the other side so he really couldn't chew at all. The dentist put a temporary filling in but it is over DK so must get back to Dr. Harle if auto water as soon as possible-probably mid-May.
I went shopping with Bob and Kathy (the people who run the mariner club). They gave us the video camera. We went to the gold souk and although my shopping was successful (not telling what I bought, Eliza, but I think someone I know is having a 12th birthday soon). I was a little disappointed in the souk itself as it was just a shopping center and I expected something more exotic. If you go back and look at pictures I think you can see a big brown arch that says gold souk-that was it! Inside it is just stores. They do come out and harass you so I guess you could say that is a bit exotic!
Karen and Jim took the big tour of Dubai and told us they saw I huge indoor ski center. Can you believe it? This is a hot climate and the hills were big-even an expert Hill.
After Dubai we had several sea days again and we had to exciting things happen one was the pirate drill when I know dad took some videos. The other thing was a little more startling. We had just sat down for dinner when the Commodore came on over the loudspeaker and in a very calm voice said that there had been a report that a large object the size of a person had been seen going over the side. We were instructed to immediately returned to our state room and remain there with our door open until further notice. The funny thing was that after a few seconds of stunned disbelief we were the only ones to follow instructions.
Once all the passengers were accounted for, the crew had to go to their gathering place and be counted. Meanwhile the ship had turned around and there were searchlights scanning the sea. Fortunately nobody was missing and we never did find out what happened. Dinner was delayed a couple of hours so we certainly enjoyed it when we got it!
The trip from Dubai to Egypt was on eventful-thank goodness! We felt very well protected but it was disconcerting to see lookout guards on each side of the ship and probably in other places that we couldn't see. We were very close to places we have all heard of in the news-Persian Gulf, strait of Hormuz, gulf of Oman, gulf of Aden (pirate area, Yemen on one side Somalia on other). Then into the comparative safety of the Red Sea. By the way there are three pirate attacks per week!
More later on Egypt and Suez Canal.
After Cochin we had a few relaxing sea days before Dubai and as you know dad went to the dentist. Thank goodness he could do this because he had lost a crown on one side and a big failing it came out on the other side so he really couldn't chew at all. The dentist put a temporary filling in but it is over DK so must get back to Dr. Harle if auto water as soon as possible-probably mid-May.
I went shopping with Bob and Kathy (the people who run the mariner club). They gave us the video camera. We went to the gold souk and although my shopping was successful (not telling what I bought, Eliza, but I think someone I know is having a 12th birthday soon). I was a little disappointed in the souk itself as it was just a shopping center and I expected something more exotic. If you go back and look at pictures I think you can see a big brown arch that says gold souk-that was it! Inside it is just stores. They do come out and harass you so I guess you could say that is a bit exotic!
Karen and Jim took the big tour of Dubai and told us they saw I huge indoor ski center. Can you believe it? This is a hot climate and the hills were big-even an expert Hill.
After Dubai we had several sea days again and we had to exciting things happen one was the pirate drill when I know dad took some videos. The other thing was a little more startling. We had just sat down for dinner when the Commodore came on over the loudspeaker and in a very calm voice said that there had been a report that a large object the size of a person had been seen going over the side. We were instructed to immediately returned to our state room and remain there with our door open until further notice. The funny thing was that after a few seconds of stunned disbelief we were the only ones to follow instructions.
Once all the passengers were accounted for, the crew had to go to their gathering place and be counted. Meanwhile the ship had turned around and there were searchlights scanning the sea. Fortunately nobody was missing and we never did find out what happened. Dinner was delayed a couple of hours so we certainly enjoyed it when we got it!
The trip from Dubai to Egypt was on eventful-thank goodness! We felt very well protected but it was disconcerting to see lookout guards on each side of the ship and probably in other places that we couldn't see. We were very close to places we have all heard of in the news-Persian Gulf, strait of Hormuz, gulf of Oman, gulf of Aden (pirate area, Yemen on one side Somalia on other). Then into the comparative safety of the Red Sea. By the way there are three pirate attacks per week!
More later on Egypt and Suez Canal.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
day 88, suez canal, more vids of sharm el sheikh
The Suez Canal was fascinating. We left the Canal and went into the Mediterranean about 3 pm and are now heading for Rome. Noticeably cooler. I got up at 3am to watch the whole thing. Will post videos in the next day or two.
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