Tuesday 14th
After many hours in the air we arrived in Bangkok at 6am today. We left Miami 1.35pm Sunday, flew to Washington DC then on to Los Angeles. Had a couple of hours before the flight to BKK which was 17hours. So we're almost at the end of our journey, will enjoy the Thai atmosphere for the next 2 days & arrive home Thurs night. Can't wait to see you all.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
October 10
Met Brian at the boat at 7.30am for a day's fishing. Took a picnic lunch with drinks etc & got under way 8am. He netted some bait before reaching the ocean & we set sail with mackeral, sardines & an assortment of frozen delights!
After several hours with no results we finally settled on a spot where we did find some fish, in fact I cast a line with 3 pieces of bait & caught 3 schnapper at one time! George also had a catch but the big ones weren't biting. It really was a lot of fun & we got back at around 3.30. After a swim we decided to go to the Oktoberfest in Lake Worth, around 35 miles south of here. Good fun, lots of oomph pah pah & big bands & sauerkraut & sausage & beer! G had to go easy on the booze as there were police everywhere & on the way home a huge storm hit us. Lightning everywhere & now thunder & rain. I guess that's Florida.
Met Brian at the boat at 7.30am for a day's fishing. Took a picnic lunch with drinks etc & got under way 8am. He netted some bait before reaching the ocean & we set sail with mackeral, sardines & an assortment of frozen delights!
After several hours with no results we finally settled on a spot where we did find some fish, in fact I cast a line with 3 pieces of bait & caught 3 schnapper at one time! George also had a catch but the big ones weren't biting. It really was a lot of fun & we got back at around 3.30. After a swim we decided to go to the Oktoberfest in Lake Worth, around 35 miles south of here. Good fun, lots of oomph pah pah & big bands & sauerkraut & sausage & beer! G had to go easy on the booze as there were police everywhere & on the way home a huge storm hit us. Lightning everywhere & now thunder & rain. I guess that's Florida.
Friday, October 10, 2008
October 9
Have had a few quiet days here on Jupiter Island. We have the use of Buzz's Cadillac Escader fortunately as everything is driving distance from the house. Enjoyed a very authentic Thai meal on Tues. We were both craving for something hot & spicy. American food is fairly mild by comparison to Aussie tastes. Took a long walk along the beach yesterday - turtles lay their eggs all along these beaches but are only visible at night. So we'll have to check that out tonight. At 5.30 yesterday Brian (the boatman) took us along the inner coastal for 2 1/2 hours. We passed Tiger Woods huge property which is under re-construction then later saw where Greg Norman has his place. Went as far as a place called Stewart where we docked at the front door of a seafood restaurant. Now I know how the rich folk live!!! Came home via the Atlantic - it was amazing, very rough and wild and in the moonlight the sea look ferocious! But is was one of the best boat rides I've had. Weather permitting we will go fishing tomorrow morning.
Have had a few quiet days here on Jupiter Island. We have the use of Buzz's Cadillac Escader fortunately as everything is driving distance from the house. Enjoyed a very authentic Thai meal on Tues. We were both craving for something hot & spicy. American food is fairly mild by comparison to Aussie tastes. Took a long walk along the beach yesterday - turtles lay their eggs all along these beaches but are only visible at night. So we'll have to check that out tonight. At 5.30 yesterday Brian (the boatman) took us along the inner coastal for 2 1/2 hours. We passed Tiger Woods huge property which is under re-construction then later saw where Greg Norman has his place. Went as far as a place called Stewart where we docked at the front door of a seafood restaurant. Now I know how the rich folk live!!! Came home via the Atlantic - it was amazing, very rough and wild and in the moonlight the sea look ferocious! But is was one of the best boat rides I've had. Weather permitting we will go fishing tomorrow morning.
Monday, October 6, 2008
5 October
Chaos getting off the ship. Probably caused by all the wheelchairs!! Buzz picked us up with his driver and we headed north to Jupiter Island, just north of Palm Beach. Buzz has the most amazing property - the Atlantic is about 30 ft from his back? door and he has land across the street from the front of the house. This is where his boat is docked and of course is access to the ocean. Only 9 houses on the island that have this arrangement. Further up is where Tiger Woods & Greg Norman have their pads but we haven't been there yet. Will probably have 9 holes before breakfast tomorrow.
This house is amazing, in fact rather like being on the ship as wherever you are in the house you can see the rolling waves at sea level. Unfortunately Buzz has to return to San Francisco on Tuesday so we will be here alone (except for the couple who live in the guest house and take care of the house). We expect to go fishing during the week. I think the weather will be OK. We are going out for dinner at a friend of Buzz tonight - apparently he is a sensational cook - just what we need!!
Hope aunt Kathleen's 102nd birthday party went well.
Chaos getting off the ship. Probably caused by all the wheelchairs!! Buzz picked us up with his driver and we headed north to Jupiter Island, just north of Palm Beach. Buzz has the most amazing property - the Atlantic is about 30 ft from his back? door and he has land across the street from the front of the house. This is where his boat is docked and of course is access to the ocean. Only 9 houses on the island that have this arrangement. Further up is where Tiger Woods & Greg Norman have their pads but we haven't been there yet. Will probably have 9 holes before breakfast tomorrow.
This house is amazing, in fact rather like being on the ship as wherever you are in the house you can see the rolling waves at sea level. Unfortunately Buzz has to return to San Francisco on Tuesday so we will be here alone (except for the couple who live in the guest house and take care of the house). We expect to go fishing during the week. I think the weather will be OK. We are going out for dinner at a friend of Buzz tonight - apparently he is a sensational cook - just what we need!!
Hope aunt Kathleen's 102nd birthday party went well.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
4 October At sea
Well, today is it! Our last day of gluttony! Will need to hit the shops in Florida tomorrow to extend the wardrobe! We have to try & pack all that stuff back into the suitcases & have them outside our room tonight. The weather today is hot so everyone is on deck enjoying the pools and sunshine. Looking forward to seeing Buzz Gibb - not sure if we’ll go deep sea fishing but guess it will depend on weather conditions. The sea today is amazingly calm, like a mill pond.
Will be having more ice cream treats in the afternoon and tonight Marita is singing in the final of the karaoke competition. Next posting will be from land!!!!!
3 October At sea
Today we enjoyed Caroline’s gift of a champagne breakfast. It was fantastic, and we were able to enjoy it on our balcony as the weather is now quite warm. We had cereal, fruit, smoked salmon, eggs, bagels, toast, pastries and much more. Obviously too much to eat but we did our best. And the champagne was excellent.
In the afternoon we received a cheese platter, also from Caroline. She certainly is the fairy godmother. The Captain had his farewell cocktail party at 7pm. Once again we got to talk to him and enjoy a few very nice cocktails. We will miss the ship life when we leave but probably one of the highlights has been dinner at night – not so much the food but the company and the waiters. We still have Robyn & Ian from Brisbane (they have been with us for 28 days) and for the past 18 days we have Cy & Natalie & Marita & Scott from Miami. And of course our waiters Juro & Tatiana are like family!
2 October – New York
Woke early as we were coming in to New York. As it was still dark (5am) the lights from surrounding areas were very pretty and the Staten Island Ferry passed us full of early starters. We passed very close to the Statue of Liberty, all lit up & welcoming! Docked at Brooklyn which is quite a hike from Manhattan but everyone managed to find their way somehow. We cleared immigration at around 8am & shared a cab to the Brooklyn subway for our day in Manhattan. Went to the South St Seaport area but not much opened until 10am so after phoning the girls (sorry Jane, couldn’t get a line to you) we took another train to 42nd St. Wandered up 7th Ave as far as Central Park, bought some pastrami on rye at our favourite NY Deli on 6th & sat in the park to enjoy! No one does pastrami on rye like the New Yorkers.
Walked south along 5th Ave & fire trucks everywhere at the Elizabeth Arden building. George counted 22 trucks, along with police & ambulances. And of course, people everywhere. It seems fire broke out on the 11th floor so everyone evacuated. There were women on the street in salon gowns and their hair in foils, wet or half done! What a nightmare. Back at 42nd we took a train to Brooklyn
Well, today is it! Our last day of gluttony! Will need to hit the shops in Florida tomorrow to extend the wardrobe! We have to try & pack all that stuff back into the suitcases & have them outside our room tonight. The weather today is hot so everyone is on deck enjoying the pools and sunshine. Looking forward to seeing Buzz Gibb - not sure if we’ll go deep sea fishing but guess it will depend on weather conditions. The sea today is amazingly calm, like a mill pond.
Will be having more ice cream treats in the afternoon and tonight Marita is singing in the final of the karaoke competition. Next posting will be from land!!!!!
3 October At sea
Today we enjoyed Caroline’s gift of a champagne breakfast. It was fantastic, and we were able to enjoy it on our balcony as the weather is now quite warm. We had cereal, fruit, smoked salmon, eggs, bagels, toast, pastries and much more. Obviously too much to eat but we did our best. And the champagne was excellent.
In the afternoon we received a cheese platter, also from Caroline. She certainly is the fairy godmother. The Captain had his farewell cocktail party at 7pm. Once again we got to talk to him and enjoy a few very nice cocktails. We will miss the ship life when we leave but probably one of the highlights has been dinner at night – not so much the food but the company and the waiters. We still have Robyn & Ian from Brisbane (they have been with us for 28 days) and for the past 18 days we have Cy & Natalie & Marita & Scott from Miami. And of course our waiters Juro & Tatiana are like family!
2 October – New York
Woke early as we were coming in to New York. As it was still dark (5am) the lights from surrounding areas were very pretty and the Staten Island Ferry passed us full of early starters. We passed very close to the Statue of Liberty, all lit up & welcoming! Docked at Brooklyn which is quite a hike from Manhattan but everyone managed to find their way somehow. We cleared immigration at around 8am & shared a cab to the Brooklyn subway for our day in Manhattan. Went to the South St Seaport area but not much opened until 10am so after phoning the girls (sorry Jane, couldn’t get a line to you) we took another train to 42nd St. Wandered up 7th Ave as far as Central Park, bought some pastrami on rye at our favourite NY Deli on 6th & sat in the park to enjoy! No one does pastrami on rye like the New Yorkers.
Walked south along 5th Ave & fire trucks everywhere at the Elizabeth Arden building. George counted 22 trucks, along with police & ambulances. And of course, people everywhere. It seems fire broke out on the 11th floor so everyone evacuated. There were women on the street in salon gowns and their hair in foils, wet or half done! What a nightmare. Back at 42nd we took a train to Brooklyn
Thursday, October 2, 2008
September 30 & October 1
Two more days at sea – I spent a day in our cabin while George played trivia & went to the Captains Cocktail party again. The waiters (who’ve been looking after us so well for the whole trip) sent me down a huge plate of warm Alaskan crab.
Wednesday & I’m back on deck. After a talk on New York where we’ll be tomorrow we joined a group for more trivia then lunch. Have seen quite a bit of marine life today – whales, dolphin & tuna. Much better weather too & people are using the deck chairs & pools for the first time really. We have enjoyed our balcony today, too. We’re meeting our Louisiana friends for dinner tonight as they will leave the ship in NY.
September 29
Arrived in St Johns Newfoundland early in the morning. Really beautiful harbour & quaint houses everywhere. The day was meant to be fine & sunny but in fact it was quite the opposite – drizzly & cool. I awoke with a VERY sore throat & cough so decided to seek medical attention right away. Was given medication which seems to have worked – there are lots of people with colds, guess it’s due to the fact we’ve been in doors for so long
George left the ship to discover St Johns & I met up with him to do our Rum & Rascals Tour in the afternoon. We visited a micro brewery where we tasted 6 beers including a cranberry one. Then on to a group of caves where port is stored. This is an ancient custom started back in the dark ages by the Portugese who brought the port to NF to mature then they took it back to Europe. We did a tasting there, too.
St Johns is interesting, very hilly & difficult to walk in if you are elderly like us. And the weather wasn’t great. In fact we were meant to sail at 5pm but due to heavy fog we didn’t depart until midnight.
September 28
As we were at sea again we had a talk on St Johns, Newfoundland which was very interesting. So much history to all these places we’ve been. I guess we filled in the day relaxing as usual and catching up with new friends. I guess it all sounds rather boring but once you get into this mode it becomes the norm. God help us when we get home!
27 September
Not a good day for Cat supporters. We certainly weren’t celebrating with champagne for breakfast in stateroom C324!!! While I feel sorry for the losers I did tell my husband that he will get over it – being a Magpie I’m used to that!!! At sea again, & the usual things to do like eat, drink, read, play scrabble & even a game of bingo. But I think some of the people on board this ship play trivia & bingo for a living – they certainly seem to be experts.
Two more days at sea – I spent a day in our cabin while George played trivia & went to the Captains Cocktail party again. The waiters (who’ve been looking after us so well for the whole trip) sent me down a huge plate of warm Alaskan crab.
Wednesday & I’m back on deck. After a talk on New York where we’ll be tomorrow we joined a group for more trivia then lunch. Have seen quite a bit of marine life today – whales, dolphin & tuna. Much better weather too & people are using the deck chairs & pools for the first time really. We have enjoyed our balcony today, too. We’re meeting our Louisiana friends for dinner tonight as they will leave the ship in NY.
September 29
Arrived in St Johns Newfoundland early in the morning. Really beautiful harbour & quaint houses everywhere. The day was meant to be fine & sunny but in fact it was quite the opposite – drizzly & cool. I awoke with a VERY sore throat & cough so decided to seek medical attention right away. Was given medication which seems to have worked – there are lots of people with colds, guess it’s due to the fact we’ve been in doors for so long
George left the ship to discover St Johns & I met up with him to do our Rum & Rascals Tour in the afternoon. We visited a micro brewery where we tasted 6 beers including a cranberry one. Then on to a group of caves where port is stored. This is an ancient custom started back in the dark ages by the Portugese who brought the port to NF to mature then they took it back to Europe. We did a tasting there, too.
St Johns is interesting, very hilly & difficult to walk in if you are elderly like us. And the weather wasn’t great. In fact we were meant to sail at 5pm but due to heavy fog we didn’t depart until midnight.
September 28
As we were at sea again we had a talk on St Johns, Newfoundland which was very interesting. So much history to all these places we’ve been. I guess we filled in the day relaxing as usual and catching up with new friends. I guess it all sounds rather boring but once you get into this mode it becomes the norm. God help us when we get home!
27 September
Not a good day for Cat supporters. We certainly weren’t celebrating with champagne for breakfast in stateroom C324!!! While I feel sorry for the losers I did tell my husband that he will get over it – being a Magpie I’m used to that!!! At sea again, & the usual things to do like eat, drink, read, play scrabble & even a game of bingo. But I think some of the people on board this ship play trivia & bingo for a living – they certainly seem to be experts.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
September 24 & 25
Two more days at sea and have managed to stay sane through rough seas. It’s a pity we didn’t lose our appetites!! Managed to play several games of scrabble and listen to numerous lectures on Greenland then at night went to the show after dinner. We have met some really nice people on board, in particular a young couple from Louisiana who have been living in Lisbon, Portugal. He is a pilot with the US Marines & they have a terrific little 3 ½ year old called Arthur!! We manage to get together as often as possible for a drink before dinner. After the show last night went up on deck to look for the northern lights but they were very faint. Will try & catch them tomorrow night. Did see a few icebergs late in the afternoon and again into the night. They are quite spectacular & you wouldn’t want to have a drunken captain!
Friday September 26
At last, Greenland!! Boy have we all been looking forward to arriving somewhere! Have been out of range for phone, internet & any other communication for 3 days. Am wondering what is happening at home.
We were taken ashore by the ship’s tenders at around 8.30am onwards. Qaqortoq is the most picturesque town you could imagine. Nestled into mountains of granite it’s houses are all brightly painted in strong reds, blues & yellows and they all look pretty much the same so I think there is only 1 architect in the town! There are 3,100 people living there so with over 3,000 from the ship today it was a treat for them to bring out all their souveniers etc. Not much to buy, though unless you want a sealskin coat, boots or handbags all of which would be confiscated by customs on our return! The townspeople put on a special treat for us all with choir performances in the church, lectures on Greenland, open pre-school visits etc. All the schoolkids acted as tour guides & generally it was a fantastic experience. George & I had lunch at the hotel – we had a mixed grill which consisted of reindeer, musk ox, lamb & (for George) whale meat! It was all very delicious & served with local vegetables. Of course we sampled the local beer, too.
Back to the ship by 5pm for sailing at 5.30. Am now watching Greenland as we leave through the fiords & head into the Atlantic for the journey to St Johns, Newfoundland. The view here is spectacular with the steep snow covered mountains in the distance as well as icebergs dotted around the sea.
Dinner will be on shortly, but George is planning to retire as soon as it’s over so he can get up to watch the Grand Final! I may pass on that. But I guess it will be great excitement in Melbourne on Saturday especially with two Vic teams playing.
Hello to everyone – sorry the personal emails are not forthcoming but the internet is really slow and I find it hard sometimes to log into my Adam website.
More as soon as possible.
I know the Grand Final results & still say "Go Pies". Disappointment for Cats & congrats to Hawks. James S will be happy!!
Two more days at sea and have managed to stay sane through rough seas. It’s a pity we didn’t lose our appetites!! Managed to play several games of scrabble and listen to numerous lectures on Greenland then at night went to the show after dinner. We have met some really nice people on board, in particular a young couple from Louisiana who have been living in Lisbon, Portugal. He is a pilot with the US Marines & they have a terrific little 3 ½ year old called Arthur!! We manage to get together as often as possible for a drink before dinner. After the show last night went up on deck to look for the northern lights but they were very faint. Will try & catch them tomorrow night. Did see a few icebergs late in the afternoon and again into the night. They are quite spectacular & you wouldn’t want to have a drunken captain!
Friday September 26
At last, Greenland!! Boy have we all been looking forward to arriving somewhere! Have been out of range for phone, internet & any other communication for 3 days. Am wondering what is happening at home.
We were taken ashore by the ship’s tenders at around 8.30am onwards. Qaqortoq is the most picturesque town you could imagine. Nestled into mountains of granite it’s houses are all brightly painted in strong reds, blues & yellows and they all look pretty much the same so I think there is only 1 architect in the town! There are 3,100 people living there so with over 3,000 from the ship today it was a treat for them to bring out all their souveniers etc. Not much to buy, though unless you want a sealskin coat, boots or handbags all of which would be confiscated by customs on our return! The townspeople put on a special treat for us all with choir performances in the church, lectures on Greenland, open pre-school visits etc. All the schoolkids acted as tour guides & generally it was a fantastic experience. George & I had lunch at the hotel – we had a mixed grill which consisted of reindeer, musk ox, lamb & (for George) whale meat! It was all very delicious & served with local vegetables. Of course we sampled the local beer, too.
Back to the ship by 5pm for sailing at 5.30. Am now watching Greenland as we leave through the fiords & head into the Atlantic for the journey to St Johns, Newfoundland. The view here is spectacular with the steep snow covered mountains in the distance as well as icebergs dotted around the sea.
Dinner will be on shortly, but George is planning to retire as soon as it’s over so he can get up to watch the Grand Final! I may pass on that. But I guess it will be great excitement in Melbourne on Saturday especially with two Vic teams playing.
Hello to everyone – sorry the personal emails are not forthcoming but the internet is really slow and I find it hard sometimes to log into my Adam website.
More as soon as possible.
I know the Grand Final results & still say "Go Pies". Disappointment for Cats & congrats to Hawks. James S will be happy!!
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