January 2013

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I WAS ON A CRUISE IN 2005 THAT CALLED IN ON THE WEST COAST OF COSTA RICA

AND I LIKED WHAT I SAW, SO I TOOK THIS TRIP TO SEE WHAT THE CENTRAL PART LOOKS LIKE.

YEARS LATER I WILL GET TO THE CARIBBEAN COAST TOO.

THIS IS MY FIRST TIME OUT WITH A DIGITAL CAMERA AND THERE WILL BE SOME EXPERIMENTATION WITH IT.
VERY SURPRISED NOW AS TO HOW FEW SHOTS I TOOK.
MUST HAVE STILL BEEEN IN FILM MODE.

THESE DAYS I TAKE THOUSANDS OF SNAPS.

THE HOTEL IS IN OTAGO, A FEW HOURS BY CAR FROM THE CAPITAL, SAN JOSE. IT IS VERY BASIC BUT CLEAN & COMFORTABLE. RUN BY A GERMAN COUPLE, OR MAYBE SWISS.

OTAGO IS A VERY SMALL TOWN. THE BIGGEST THING IN IT IS THE KIDS PLAYING FIELD.

A VIEW FROM THE BALCONY OUTSIDE MY ROOM....

IN TOWN THERE ARE A FEW TAXIS AND I FOUND ONE WILLING TO TAKE ME UP A TO PAOS VOLCANO. WE PASSED SOME LOVELY SCENERY ON THE WAY .....

MY THOUGHTS AS WE LABOURED UP TO THE TOP WAS THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO SEE ANYTHING AS WE SEEMED TO BE CONSTANTLY INSIDE A CLOUD.

BUT JUST AFTER WE STOPPED THE CLOUD BROKE & AFTER A SHORT WALK, CAME ACROSS THIS ....

THEN THE CLOUD ROLLED BACK AND WE LEFT..

I MUST TRY TO REMEMBER THAT VISITS TO VOLCANO'S MAY BE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS.

THE CLOUDS ROLLED AWAY THE LOWER WE CAME ....

I HAD NOT ASKED THE DRIVER ( HE DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH & I DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH ) ANYTHING OTHER THAN TO VISIT THE VOLCANO BUT HE STOPPED AT THESE RUINS ANYWAY.

AND A DAM .... NOT EXACTLY THE HOOVER BUT NICE ENOUGH

AT THE HOTEL I WAS VISITED BY A FEW BIRDS INCLUDING HUMMNGBIRDS ....

THIS IS A RESTAURANT I USED MOST DAYS. IT WAS ALWAYS ALMOST EMPTY.
THERE WAS NOT TOO MANY PLACES TO EAT HERE.
THIS ONE, THE HOTEL WAS FOR BREAKFAST AND A COUPLE OF VERY SMALL BARS IN THE CENTER.

NOT A LIVELY PLACE.

I NEXT WANTED TO GO TO A NATIONAL PARK . MY TAXI DRIVER WAS NOT AVAILABLE SO I ASKED ANOTHER IF HE SPOKE ENGLISH WHICH HE DID NOT .. AND HE WAS EXTREMELY SURLY ABOUT IT.

I TRIED HIM WITH MY ALMOST NON-EXISTENT SPANISH & IT WAS LIKE CLICKING A SWITCH. HE INSTANTLY BECAME VERY FRIENDLY. WE SETTLED ON A PRICE & OFF WE WENT. HOPEFULLY I WOULD GET BACK. THE PLACE WE WERE HEADING TO IS WAY OFF IN THE JUNGLE.

NOW I GET TO EXPERIMENT. THREE SHOTS FROM THE SAME PLACE OF THE SAME THING ... A WATERFALL

EXTRAVAGANT FLOWERS .....

ME ... AND A GECKO ....

AND IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME.

I STOPPED IN ON SAN JOSEE FOR A NIGHT ON THE WAY AND THE TOUR COMPANY NEGLECTED TO PICK ME UP IN THE MORNING FOR THE RIDE TO THE AIRPORT. I MENTIONED IT TO THE TRAVEL AGENT & ABOUT A WEEK LATE GOT A CHEQUE FOR THE CAB FARE.
A NICE TOUCH..

I MUST HAVE BEEN VERY MUCH OUT OF SEASON TO HAVE SO FEW TOURISTS AROUND & THAT WAS A BONUS.

I WOULD RECOMMEND COSTA RICA BUT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF NEED TO SEE SAN JOSE. IT WOULD HELP A LOT IF YOU HAD SOME SPANISH TOO.

IT'S SAID THERE IS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING & FOR MY SECOND CRUISE, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME IN HAWAI.

VANCOUVER

I WAS HERE MANY YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS HITCH-HIKING ACROSS CANADA.

THIS TIME I AM FLYING IN...

I HAVE A VERY VAGUE RECOLLECTION OF SLEEPING ON A BEACH IN VANCOUVER..

MAYBE IT WAS NEAR HERE...

THIS TIME I AM CRUISING OUT OF THE CITY, PASSING THE LIONS GATE BRIDGE. FOUR OR FIVE DAYS ON THE PACIFIC BEFORE LANDFALL AT HILO ON THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII.

GETTING A FEEL FOR THE NORWEGIAN WIND...

VERY NICE - I THINK I WILL STAY ON..

THIS LOOKS LIKE A GREAT BREAKFAST SPOT...

THEY ARE GOING TO BE GIVING HULA LESSONS ON BOARD ... MAYBE I WILL, & MAYBE I WON'T..

MY FIRST SIGHT OF HAWAII.

ON TOP OF THE HILL - MOUNT KECK OBSERVATORY MAYBE

I THINK IT WAS HERE OR MAYBE THE NEXT STOP WHERE I SAW MY FIRST REAL LIVE HULA DANCERS.

THEY WERE DANCING ON THE FLOOR JUST INSIDE THE AIRCRAFT HANGER THAT IS THE SHIPS TERMINAL. I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY PHOTOS SO THEY MUST HAVE BEEN TOO GOOD TO TAKE MY EYES OFF.

MY FIRST TOUR IS A HELICOPTER RIDE OVER WATERFALLS & A VOLCANO.

EXTINCT VOLCANO, I EXPECT..

... OR MAYBE NOT...

THEN A RIDE UP THE COAST FOR A WALK DOWN TO THE OCEAN THROUGH A BOTANICAL GARDEN

LEAVING HAWAII, WE MOVE ON TO MAUI.

FOR MANY PEOPLE, THIS IS THEIR FAVOURITE ISLAND IN THE GROUP BECAUSE IT IS SO SCENIC.

A PITY OUR BOAT TIES UP NEXT TO A SCAP METAL BARGE - RUINS THE EFFECT SOMEWHAT.

THIS IS THE ROAD TO HANNA TOUR.

MAKES YOU ILL WITH ALL THE TURNS IT DOES.

A WALK ALONG A BLACK SAND BEACH ... WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT BE AT HANNA..

AND THEN ANOTHER TOUR ( I WENT A LITTLE CRAZY WITH TWO TOURS A DAY AS I NEVER EXPECT TO GET HERE AGAIN )

THIS TIME TO A NATIVE FARM...

AND NOW FOR A SUNSET BOOZE CRUISE....

AND BACK TO THE SHIP

THAT IS ANNA - SHE IS ONE OF AT LEAST THREE GIRLS I HAVE MET ON MULTIPLE SHIPS.
ANNA WAS ON A TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE & A US EAST COAST CRUISE.
HER HUSBAND TRAVELS ON THE SAME SHIP AS HER BUT THEIR BABY STAYS IN THE PHILIPPINES.

A LOT OF THESE GIRLS DO THAT.

NOW I AM OFF THE SHIP & A COUPLE OF DAYS ON OAHU.

WAIKIKI BEACH ....

DIAMOND HEAD ...

I TAKE A BUS TO THE NORTH OF THE ISLAND & SPOT AN AD IN A SHOP FOR GLIDER FLIGHTS.

I PHONE THE NUMBER & THE GIRL SAYS THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET TO, BUT AS I HAVE NOT GOT A CAR., SHE WILL COME & PICK ME UP.

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME .. & THAT'S ME DRIVING THE PLANE .. REALLY - THE PILOT ASKED ME IF I WOULD LIKE HIM TOTAKE MY PICTURE.

I SAID "I DON'T THINK SO, WHO WILL FLY THE PLANE? "
"YOU WILL".

SO I DID.

WE DID A LOOP-DE-LOOP.
I LET HIM FLY THE PLANE FOR THAT.

WALKED THROUGH THE AUDUBON GARDENS TO THIS WATERFALL.

AND ON TO A BEACH TO WATCH THE SURFERS.

I TOOK THAT SHOT UP TO MY KNEES IN THE OCEAN , NOT HAVING SEEN THIS SIGN ON THE WAY IN.

NOTE TO SELF :- ALWAYS, ALWAYS - CHECK THE SIGNS BEFORE ENTERING THE OCEAN.....

AND BACK TO WAIKIKI.

Leaving a cold & snowy Ottawa in November 2007,

Looking like a winter wonderland. It was a very good time to venture south to warmer climes.

Had to wait for the plane to be de-iced

but soon away, up and over the US prairies, if that is what they are called outside Canada.

and then coming in to land at Honolulu. My second time here so not quite so exciting but still very exotic.

Time ashore before getting on the cruise allowed a quick flit to the North shore, famed for big waves & surfing

But no surfing today..

The waves were too big..

And the cliffs on the east coast. Met my nephew & his future wife who actually live here, silly people.

My nephew dropped me off at the Celebrity ship, the Mercury for a voyage to New Zealand. Taking in French Polynesia on the way.

This is leaving Honolulu..

FIRST STOP IS HILO on HAWAII'S BIG ISLAND

I don't know why, but I have no photos from here.

I remember walking the not very nice road into town looking to find a postcard to send.
I did find one but was told by the girl who sold it that they do not sell stamps & the post office is closed. I gave her 10 dollars & asked her to post the card for me on Monday.
And told her I would come back and ask for my money back if the card was not received.

It did arrive - about 2 weeks after I got home.

Good girl

NEXT STOP IS TAHITI

Tahiti - what a name! Just rolls of the tongue. Doesn't everyone have an image of Tahiti in their head?

A lot of people do not like long ocean voyages. If they do not they should not be on this boat It took 6 days to get here.

I had said they were de-icing the plane when I left & that I still managed to get to Hawaii with plenty of time. That was a good thing. A lot of people were from Montreal & these poor souls missed Honolulu, and embarked in Hilo but their luggage did not catch up to them til Tahiti. Ooops!

This ship has formal nights so I did my James Bond impression, & borrowed Fred's wife

& and had a Martini.

I asked the barman what the difference is between shaken & stirred
"Well sir, one is Shaken, and one is Stirred"
Very helpful.

He added that one might get more diluted than than other, or one more cold than the other.

Anyway - mine was so big & so strong it lasted from pre-dinner drinks to desert.

Getting here, we had to cross the equator, a first for me.
5 seconds north

and a 80 seconds south

And this is what the equator looks like, & no, there is no white line on the ocean.

And a Squall at sea..

This guy was either dead or enjoying himself. Either way, I left him there,

A rainbow in the squall.

Finally, Papeete, Tahiti

Where it was raining. I went for a bus ride to Paul Guagin's gallery but he wasn't in so I left

It was very wet...

a

This lady is a nurse from England whose name I forget. We met up for some tours & breakfast occasionally.

MOOREA

I was a little disappointed with Tahiti. Moorea on the other hand, I liked a lot.

Local ladies looking very nice on their way to church..

This little boat was in the process of sailing across the Pacific. A French couple with a young girl of about fourteen.

Quite the adventure for her.

I went out on a little boat with a Doctor whose specialty is Dolphins.

Naturally, I did not actually get to see any Dolphins, but that is par for the course with me.

A tip - never go on a Whale watch, Dolphin watch or any other sort of watch with me. I am a Jinx for that.

But you might want to have a look at this though, if you like whales.....

Anyway it was a great little boat ride & we did get to see things like this..

And this view of Tahiti

More on Moorea later we have moved on to

Bora Bora

What wonderful names. I have wanted to come here since reading James Michener books - Hawaii, Tales from the South Pacific etc.

Some fish from a glass bottomed boat

some more fish

Not laundry, but sarongs that have just been dyed

And now another 5 or six days at sea until reaching New Zealand.

so - what to do?

Of course - line dance. What was I thinking?

Here's Fred's wife again, kicking up her heels. And the lady next to her has finally done something other than eat & play Bridge. Like a lot of cruise ship passengers, she plays Bridge. But all the time.

FIrst time I heard about Bridge on board I was disappointed we were to play cards & not tour the Bridge.

Say goodbye to the crew, a bit early, we don't get off til Auckland

Surprise Valerie. A long time breakfast companion.

Bay of Islands,

north of Auckland. I went for a ride on this sailing ship

Is this where the expression 'three sheets to the wind' comes from?

The nurse was really enjoying this & pulling her weight....

My favourite occupation - watching people work...

Here's the nurse again taking over. She asked me to take these photos for her but unfortunately, I never saw her again.

My favourite barman

Valerie took these of my sailing ship coming home but missed the cannon going off in salute..

NOW IN AUCKLAND

Just about to disembark in Auckland.

My ship with the Tower in the background. Come 2011 & I will be in that hotel,,

Say goodbye to two more breakfast companions, Diana & Peter.

GreenPeace in the harbour.

A ride on a sailboat out on Auckland harbour. Nice & windy. I decline the offer of steering ..

It's New Zealand & you learn to be careful of the Bungy jumpers .. even on the Ocean ,,,

I see there is a drug problem here too...

At Kelly Tarlton's Undersea World, we by-pass the line up & into a snow-cat for a ride to the Antarctic

Then a visit at the Botanical Gardens.

Lilies - a favourite of mine. Always look good.

for yet another final goodbye to Diana & Peter..

A last look at Auckland from the top of the hill & it's time for the flight to Rotorua, a bit further south, about the middle of North Island

ROTORUA

Four days here to explore the thermal stuff around about..

It's all over the place .. Formal tourist spots where you pay entrance fees, & local parks & beaches. Even houses making use of the geothermal heat.

A KIWI - Not real though, a model..

A sheep shearing demonstration & beauty pageant outside Rotorua

The MC asks for people of different nationalities to shout out.

US - two people
UK - one person.
NZ - Ten

Korea - & the place erupts - must have been over a hundred....

Time now for the famous New Zealand sports.....

Canadian Ice Hockey on TV

A stop to look at the Lady Grey Geyser erupt ... right on time.

They force it to erupt by putting a little washing up liquid on top. It creates some tension & up pops the Geyser.

Magic

An unusual looking apartment block & nature taking over a street light

One of my first memories of New Zealand is the Black Swans on their stamps...

Howie the Pig Hunter is a member here.

]

The back of a bus....

Some one has a nice spot for their house.....

Near here is the Rotorua tourist place. I got advice & booked excursions there. Could not have been more helpful & even sent a van to pick me up from the hotel to bring me here to meet the tour bus.

Excellent.

Make very sure you go round the round-about the correct way.

JET BOAT RIDE AT TAUPO

The Earth in action

Boiling mud & wonderful colours

A rather bad little video, best played full screen...

& back to the lake at Rotorua

Homeward bound with a stopover in San Francisco

The hotel in Japan Town was excellent & I was able to walk most places from there.

We have a spider like that in Ottawa. I should check the artist..

I have crossed the bay & am now in the very pleasant town of Sausalito

Nuclear & Cholesterol free zones....

And a nice touch with the parking....

After walking around Sausalito I move out of town a little

I see this float plane & as luck would have it, there is room for me on a sight seeing flight over the bay.

After the flight it is a meal at a lovely little restaurant with a view of the city in the distance

Best not mess with the locals. They carry large weapons...

A longer stop in Chicago than anticipated - this guy died waiting. I know how he feels

more de-icing. Back to reality.

A very long trip. I may do it again one day. I love those long days at sea..

BERMUDA

ANOTHER PLACE THAT HAS HAD MY ATTENTION FOR A LONG TIME.

IN THE 70'S SOMEWHERE, I WAS FRIENDLY WITH A GUY IN ENGLAND ( WE'LL CALL HIM, DAVE ) WHO APPLIED FOR A JOB HERE IN BERMUDA. THE JOB WAS FOR A ELECTRICIAN. HE WAS AN ELECTRICIAN.

HE TOLD US THE STORY OF HIS INTERVIEW.

HE WAS SHOWN A LARGE ELECTRICAL DIAGRAM WITH LINES GOING EVERY WHICH WAY. THE INTERVIEWER POINTED AT ONE SMALL PART AND ASKED FOR IT TO BE IDENTIFIED. DAVE SHRUGGED. HE DID NOT KNOW.

THE INTERVIEWER TOLD HIM IT WAS A LIGHTBULB.

DAVE GOT THE JOB!

WENT TO BERMUDA & I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.

WE WILL DRAW A LINE UNDER THAT.
........................................................................

BUT YOU DON'T GO TO BERMUDA FOR THE ELECTRICITY. IT'S NOT THAT SORT OF PLACE.

VERY LAID-BACK.

ALTHOUGH I FOUND THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET ON THE WRONG SIDE OF ANYONE.

I WAS ON A BUS, AND GOT UP TO GO TO THE FRONT OF THE BUS TO GET OFF AT MY STOP.
THE BUS DRIVER HAD A FIT.
"DO NOT STAND UP BEFORE THE BUS HAS COME TO A STOP!!!!"

JUST ABOUT ANY WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, IF YOU WAIT FOR THE BUS TO STOP BEFORE TRYING TO GET OFF, YOU WILL BE ON THAT BUS TIL IT RUNS OUT OF GAS.

ANYWAY - ON WITH THE SHOW ...

A COUPLE OF DAYS IN CHARLESTON - SOUTH CAROLINA.

TIME TO HAVE SOME GRITS, VISIT A PLANTATION, CROSS THE HARBOUR, WALK AROUND TOWN AND SHOP AT THE MARKET.

CHARLESTON - A NICE PLACE TO VISIT.

A TRIP TO THE PLANTATION, BOONE IF MEMORY SERVES. AT THIS PLANTATION A GIRL SITS NEXT TO ME ON THE BUS BECAUSE THERE ARE ONLY SINGLE SEATS LEFT. HER FRIEND SITS TWO ROWS DOWN. TURNS OUT THIS PAIR ARE ON THE SAME CRUISE AS ME, WHICH DOES NOT START FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

THESE ARE SLAVES QUARTERS.

THE OLD PLANTATION HOUSE

END OF THE PLANTATION TOUR & A BUS RIDE INTO TOWN FOR A TRIP ACROSS THE HARBOUR.

I WENT FOR A BITE TO EAT AT A STEAK HOUSE.
THE WAITRESS HAD A BIT OF SPARE TIME AND WAS CHATTY.
I TOLD HER THAT ONE OF THE GIRLS AT MY LOCAL PUB HAD WRITTEN UP THE DAILY SPECIALS ON THE CHALKBOARD.
VIENNA SCHITZEL AND SURPRISINGLY, IT WAS STILL BEING BOUGHT,

SHE WENT AWAY & CAME BACK WITH THIS...

IT WAS NOT UNTIL I GOT TO ITEMS SIX & SEVEN THAT I COTTONED ON.

SOMEONE TOLD ME THIS IS A SHARK. I THINK IT'S A DOLPHIN..

AT BREAKFAST I WANTED TO ASK THE WAITRESS THIS QUESTION BUT SHE WAS YOUNG & I DID NOT KNOW HOW SHE WOULD TAKE IT OR IF IT WOULD EMBARRASS HER.

"SO - WHAT EXACTLY ARE GRITS? AND WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO KISS MINE?"

I TOOK A CAB FROM THE HOTEL TO THIS RESTAURANT, RIGHT BESIDE THE CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL. IT WAS ONLY A FIVE MINUTE RIDE BUT I WAS ASTONISHED WHEN THE DRIVER ONLY ASKED FOR FIVE DOLLARS.

YOU CANNOT GET INTO A CAB FOR THAT IN OTTAWA.

AND THIS IS FORT SUMTER WE ARE PASSING ON OUR WAY TO BERMUDA

SHIP AGROUND?

SHIP AFLOAT? HOPEFULLY.

TRYING TO SQUEEZE INTO BERMUDA SHORTS ... A VERY TIGHT FIT

GEORGETOWN

THIS IS AN UNUSUAL STOP ON A CRUISE SHIP ITINERARY IN THAT WE ARE DOCKED FOR 2 NIGHTS. IT'S RARE TO EVEN OVERNIGHT UNLESS IT'S A STOP WHERE PASSENGERS GET TAKEN ON.

HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE TOURIST OFFICE & FIRST IN LINE ( MIRACLES DO HAPPEN - THAT'S A FIRST FOR ME ) TO PICK UP A 3 DAY BUS & FERRY PASS. HOP ON THE WAITING FERRY TO GO TO THE OTHER END OF THE ISLAND.

AND HOP ON A BUS - THIS IS WHERE I MET THE CAREFUL BUS DRIVER. HE WAS NOT BEING NASTY - JUST VERY SAFE.

I AM NOW ON AN ABANDONED TRAIN TRACK THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO A WALKING TRAIL. THESE TWO KIDS ADOPTED ME ALONG THE WAY. WALKING HOME FROM SCHOL.

THEY TELL ME THAT IS SUGAR CANE BEHIND THEM - A LIKELY STORY

AND THIS IS THE SMALLEST SWING BRIDGE IN THE WORLD - ANOTHER LIKELY STORY

I ALMOST GOT WIPED BY A CAR NEAR HERE. IT IS NOT THE MOST WALKABLE OF PLACES BECAUSE THE ROADS ARE SO NARROW.

DIVING INTO SOME CAVES IS ALWAYS ON MY LIST OF THINGS TO DO.

ROUND ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE ISLAND IS ANOTHER WALKING TRAIL. NOT MANICURED AT ALL. AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE & BUSTLE. NICE.

I MET A LADY WALKING HER DOG & MENTIONED HOW NICE IT WAS TO SEE ALL THE CHICKENS RUNNING AROUND WILD.

SHE DOES NOT THINK SO.

NOISY, NOISY, NOISY,

OH WELL.

UP BEYOND GEORGETOWN NOW ... SOME OLD RUINS

AND A BEACH. MAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF BEACHES IN THIS PLACE. LOTS & LOTS OF LITTLE COVES & BIG BEACHES. ALL SORTS. A BEACH LOVERS DELIGHT.

BACK IN GEORGETOWN IN THE MAIN SQUARE. DANCING & PERFORMANCES..

AND A WELL DESERVED REST AT THE END OF THE DAY. SITTING IN A PUB OVERLOOKING THE SHIP.

I SAT INSIDE WATCHING THE FOOTBALL ON TV. AT THE NEXT TABLE WERE TWO YOUNG GIRLS, 16 YEAR OLDS MAYBE. WITH TWO ADULT LADIES. ONE OF THE YOUNGER ONES WENT ON AND ON ABOUT 5 DOLLARS THE ADULT OWED HER. IT WAS QUITE FUNNY AND IMPOSSIBLE TO IGNORE.

WHILE THE ADULTS WERE AWAY POWDERING THEIR NOSES, I PUT 5 DOLLARS ON THE GIRLS TABLE & THANKED THEM FOR THE ENTERTAINEMNT

LATER I HAD A DRINK OF SOME CONCOCTION, RUM & SOMETHING, WITH THE TWO GIRLS I MET AT THE PLANTATION. I LEFT THEM TO IT. THEY DID NOT LOOK TOO SWIFT THE NEXT DAY.

NOW IT'S TIME TO REALLY HIT THE BEACH.

STARTING AT WARWICK LONG BAY

AND HEADING WEST ....

WHITE SAND - PINK SAND - YOU CHOICE

THESE PEOPLE ROLL OUT OF BED, TAKE TEN PACES

AND IF THEY DO NOT FALL OFF THE CLIFF, THEY SEE THIS .... QUITE THE EYE OPENER....

AND FOR THOSE WHO MISSED THE STOCKS, IT'S TIME TO GET BACK ON BOARD FOR THE RIDE BACK TO CHARLESTON AND HOME

AN EXCELLENT CRUISE & ONE WELL WORTH DOING AGAIN..

A CRUISE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

NEW YORK! NEW YORK ......

I HAVE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE, AND THAT SURPRISES ME. ITS ONLY DOWN THE ROAD FROM OTTAWA. ALMOST NEIGHBOURS..

ONE READS SOME, HEARS A LOT, SEES A LOT MORE.

MOST OF US HAVE AN IMAGE FROM A FILM OR BOOK RUNNING AROUND IN THE BACK OF OUR BRAINS ABOUT NEW YORK.

IS ANY OF IT TRUE?

I DOUBT VERY MUCH I WILL ANSWER THAT IN 3 DAYS.

AS USUAL, IT STARTS WITH A PLANE RIDE FROM OTTAWA...

WITH AN EXCELLENT DAY FOR COMING IN OVER THE CITY..

IDENTIFIABLE LANDMARKS.

MANHATTAN ISLAND, CENTRAL PARK WITH IT'S LAKE, A FEW BRIDGES, GROUND ZERO MAYBE, SKYSCRAPERS GALORE....

IS THAT GROUND ZERO MAYBE, MAYBE NOT BUT IT IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND ....

I GET TO GRAND CENTRAL STATION & WAIT FOR A TAXI GUY TO ALLOCATE A TAXI. WHEN HE HEARS WHERE I AM GOING, HE TELLS ME I SHOULD WALK & GIVES ME DIRECTIONS.

IS THIS NEW YORK? THE MAN WAS VERY POLITE & VERY HELPFUL & DID NOT WANT ANY MONEY, BUT I KNOW IT IS BECAWSE HE SPOKE WITH THAT BROAD NEW YORK ACCENT YOU HEAR IN THE MOVIES.

YES - THEY REALLY DO TALK LIKE THAT.

IS THIS MY HOTEL?

OR IS THIS IT?

NEITHER OF THEM, AND ITS NOT THIS EITHER.. A BROWNSTONE?

OFF I GO FOR A WALK I THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF CENTRAL PARK & SOME MUSEUMS. I AM NOT A MUSEUM PERSON BUT THERE ARE SOME REALLY FAMOUS ONES HERE. I DID GET THE NEW TORK CITY PASS SO I WILL HAVE TO FIND TIMES SQUARE FIRST AND REDEEM MY VOUCHER.

HERE IT IS

SOME INTERESTING PLACES ON OUR STROLL.

ROCKEFELLER CENTER.

MY PASS GETS ME IN HERE SO I AM GOING TO THE TOP. YOU GET A TIMED TICKET WHICH IS A GREAT IDEA. I CAN HEAD OFF TO EAT & COME BACK WHERE THERE IS HARDLY ANY LINE-UP.

CENTRAL PARK

THE CAT AMONGST THE SQUIRRELS.......

I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE NOW. OBELISKS PERHAPS. I SHOULD FIND MY OTHER PICTURES & START A LIST.

CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE ON THE EMBANKMENT IN LONDON,
ST. PETERS AT THE VATICAN,
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE IN PARIS I THINK IS ONE,
LUXOR.

I MUST READ UP ABOUT THEM SOMEDAY.

THE FIRST MUSEUM - THE GUGGENHEIM

NICE BUILDING. NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE CONTENTS. MAYBE THIS WAS FREE OR I GOT IN WITH MY PASS. HATE TO THINK I PAID CASH FOR IT..

ACTUALLY - IT'S NOT SO BAD

Amedeo Modigliani - NOT IN THE GUGENHEIM WHERE NO PHOTOS ARE ALLOWED. AMAZING ARTIST. LOVE HIS WORK.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

THIS IS FAMOUS BUT I FORGET WHAT IT IS. IT WILL COME TO ME. STAR OF SOMETHING MAYBE?

STAR OF INDIA...

I HAD COME TO THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING EARLIER BUT THE LINE UP WAS AROUND THE BLOCK SO I RESOLVED TO GET HERE EARLY AND BE FIRST IN LINE. ALMOST MADE IT TOO.

UNLIKE THE ROCKEFELLER, HERE YOU HAVE TO LINE UP. NO TIMED TICKETS. AGAIN THE COST WAS BORNE BY MY PASS WHICH I HOPE PAID FOR ITSELF.

I WAS QUITE THRILLED TO SEE MY SHIP COME SAILING IN FROM THE TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING WITH THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IN THE BACKGROUND

THAT WAS A GREAT WAY TO WHILE AWAY SOME TIME WAITING FOR MY CRUISE. LOTS MORE TO SEE ON ANOTHER TRIP. I HAD NEVER CONSIDERED NEW YORK AS A PLACE TO CATCH A CRUISE BUT I SHOULD LOOK AGAIN AS IT IS CONVENIENT FROM OTTAWA

IT GOT A LITTLE CHOPPY LATER. GOOD JOB I HAVE MY SEA LEGS ON

NEXT STOP IS THE AZORES, ABOUT SIX DAYS AWAY...

LEAVING NEW YORK BEHIND I MADE A MISTAKE.

MAKE THAT TWO MISTAKES.

NUMBER ONE - I SAW THEY HAD A 'SAIL AWAY SPECIAL' IN THE HAIRDRESSERS. A 'SPECIAL' SHAVE.

THIS TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR OR MORE & COST SO MUCH I AM TOO EMBARRASSED TO SAY HOW MUCH.

NUMBER TWO - SAME PLACE , BEING IN THE BARBER CHAIR I MISSED THE SAIL AWAY FROM NEW YORK. MISSED THE STATUE OF LIBERTY & THE BRIDGES

I WAS DUE TO DOCK IN NY IN 2012 BUT HURRICANE SANDY SAID NO TO THAT.

CROSSING THE ATLANTIC

SO - WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING AT SEA FOR FIVE OR SIX DAYS WITHOUT SEEING LAND.

YOU EITHER LOVE IT OR NOT.

I LOVE IT.

TO FIND OUT YOU DO NOT IS NOT GOING TO BE A GOOD EXPERIENCE. BECAUSE BY THEN YOU ARE NOT ABOUT TO SWIM FOR SHORE.

LIFE AT SEA

I OFTEN HEAR PEOPLE SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO DO ON A CRUISE SHIP SO HOW DO YOU COPE WITH SIX DAYS.

EASY.

LETS TAKE A TOUR OF THE SHIP - THE NORWEGIAN GEM.

WE WILL START IN MY CABIN. A LITTLE SMALL BUT I WILL ONLY BE SLEEPING IN HERE.

SHOWER, SHAVE & SPLIT.

I MIGHT GET DRESSED BUT THAT'S IT.

THIS ONE HAS A PORT HOLE.
MY TAKE ON THIS IS, TAKE THE CHEAPEST CABIN YOU CAN GET. I HAVE HAD A BALCONY, ONCE, BUT ONLY BECAUSE THEY GAVE ME A FREE UPGRADE.
I SPENT ABOUT HALF AN HOUR OUT THERE, TOTAL.

JUST NOT WORTH THE OUTLAY FOR ME.

I COULD HAVE BREAKFAST DELIVERED AT NO EXTRA COST BUT NEVER DO.

NOTE THERE IS SOMETHING HANGING FROM THE CEILING. THE CABIN STEWARDS DO THAT, FOLD UP TOWELS. AS IF THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WORK TO DO.

AFTER HAVING A QUICK TRIP UP ON DECK TO CHECK THE WEATHER AND TO SEE WE ARE STILL AFLOAT & HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT'S TIME FOR BREAKFAST.

IT COULD BE IN DOORS OR OUT DOORS, CHOOSE FROM THE BUFETT .. AN OMELETTE MADE TO ORDER MIGHT BE NICE TODAY.

OR IN THE MAIN RESTAURANT WHERE IT IS WHITE LINEN TABLE CLOTHS & WAITER SERVICE.

I AM ALWAYS SURPRISED HOW MANY PEOPLE OPT FOR THE BUFETT & HOW FEW GO FOR THE SERVED FOOD.

EITHER WAY IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE, NO NEED TO RUSH UNLESS THERE IS AN EARLY EXCURSION BOOKED. SINCE WE ARE AT SEA FOR SIX DAYS, THERE IS DEFINITELY NO HURRY.

BREAKFAST IS MAYBE FOLLOWED BY A BROWSE OF THE LIBRARY & A BIT OF A REALX TO LET THE FOOD GO DOWN.

SKIP THE GYM - TOO MUCH LIKE HARD WORK

A BIT EARLY FOR THE BAR? PROBABLY..

HEAD DOWN TO THE JAVA CAFE FOR A COFFEE.

MOST SHIPS I HAVE BEEN ON CHARGE EXTRA FOR THE COFFEE UNLESS IT IS FROM THE DINING AREAS.

I AM NOT A COFEE DRINKER SO IT'S ALL ONE TO ME..

STILL - IT MIGHT BE PLEASANT TO SIT AROUND DOWN HERE FOR A WHILE AND WATCH THE TV, OR PEOPLE WATCHING TV.

WATCHING PEOPLE IS A MAJOR PASS TIME ON A BOAT.

SEEMS THE BAR IS OPEN, BUT NO, IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A WALK GETTING HERE SO TIME FOR A SNOOZE ON THE PROMENADE DECK.

OUT OF THE WEATHER, GREAT VIEW. A FAVOURITE PLACE OF MINE & OFTEN DESERTED. IT SEEMS TO TAKE PEOPLE A WHILE TO FIND IT. THERE ARE NORMALLY MORE THAN TWO CHAIRS OUT HERE.

COULD SIT HERE FOR HOURS,
READING, NAPPING.
NAPPING, READING.

CHATTING TO ANYONE WALKING BY, OR JUST NODDING AT THEM AS THEY GO FOR THEIR MORNING STROLL.

A BIT OF DUTY FREE SHOPPING OR JUST WINDOW SHOP

MAYBE AN BIT OF A GAMBLE AT THE SLOTS OR TABLES. NOT SOMETHING I DO TOO OFTEN.

DON'T SAY IT TOO LOUD - Smokers can have a puff in their cigar sanctuary.

AND POP OUTSIDE FOR A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE

MUST BE TIME FOR LUNCH.

CHECK WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE FILLING UP. NCL ARE THE ONLY CRUISE LINE I HAVE COME ACROSS THAT DOES DISPLAYS LIKE THIS.

NCL DO NOT HAVE FIXED SETING FOR MEALS. GO ANYWHERE YOU LIKE, WITH WHOEVER YOU LIKE & JUST ABOUT WHENEVER YOU LIKE.

I NEVER WAIT TOO LONG. IF THERE IS A WAIT LIST I JUST GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

FOOD IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE BUT THERE ARE ALSO FIVE OR MORE SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS THAT ARE EXTRA. THEY DO NOT USUALLY OPEN FOR BREAKFAST OR LUNCH THOUGH.

AN AFTER LUNCH GAME OF BOWLING PERHAPS

OR JUST A SIT DOWN IN THE NIGHT CLUB. VERY QUIET DURING THE DAY TIME..

BIZARRELY, ON THE GEM, THEY HAVE BEDS IN THE NIGHT CLUB. OR AT LEAST, THEY ARE LOUNGERS. ODD ANY WAY BUT A NICE PLACE FOR A NAP IN THE AFTERNOON. THERE'S UNLIKELY TO BE ANY ONE ELSE HERE AT THAT TIME OF DAY.

ON MY FIRST DAY ON BOARD I DID THE TOUR OF THE SHIP & THERE WAS A HEAVILY PREGNANT LADY ASLEEP IN HERE & I THOUGHT SHE HAD BEEN HERE WAY TOO LONG.

EVERY CRUISE SHIP I HAVE BEEN ON TELLS YOU HOW FANTASTIC THERE SPA AREA IS. THE DIFFERENCE WITH NCL IS THAT IT IS TRUE.

ON THIS CRUISE I TOOK THE CRUISE LONG SPA PACKAGE.

FABULOUS - BEST SPOT ON THE SHIP. SAUNA. STEAM, RELAXING AREA, POOLS . A MILLION DOLLAR VIEW OFF THE FRONT OF THE SHIP.

WONDERFUL - I GOT MY MONEYS WORTH. AT LEAST ONE VISIT PER DAY AND AS THERE ARE SO MANY SEA DAYS, SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE VISITS.

ONE DAY I WAS LYING ON THE HEATED CERAMIC LOUNGER WITH MY EYES CLOSED. I HEAR A NOISE AND LOOK UP.

MY EYES ARE NOT SO GOOD AND IT IS A BIT MISTY BUT I SEE IT IS ONE OF THE CLEANER GIRLS. LOOKING DOWN AT MY APOLOGIZING FOR DISTURBING ME.

WITH THE MIST THERE LOOKS TO BE A HALO AROUND HER FACE,

BEFORE SHE LEAVES SHE TELLS ME HER NAME IS ANGEL.

A DREAM? MAYBE.

A LITTLE LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT WITH PRE-DINNER DRINKS.

WATCHING THE LIGHT SHOW BEHIND THE BAR .. LIKE I SAID - IT'S A STRANGE SHIP.

AND WE HAVE NOT EVEN LOOKED AT THE EVENINGS SHOW OR WHAT MUSIC IS GOING ON OR BEEN TO THE POOL OR SUNBATHED, OR .....

THE ISLANDS OF THE AZORES - MID ATLANTIC

IT WILL BE NICE TO JUST GET OFF THE BOAT HERE, GO FOR A WALK AND STRETCH MY LEGS. MAYBE GET A HAIRCUT.

LISBON

ANOTHER DAY AT SEA AND WE REACH EUROPE.

LISBON IN PORTUGAL.

I GUESS WERE ALREADY IN PORTUGAL WHEN WE WERE IN THE AZORES BUT NOW WE ARE REALLY IN PORTUGAL, PORTUGAL.

WHAT A STRANGE LOOKING VESSEL...

TODAY I AM ON A TOUR TO THE MOST WESTERN POINT OF MAINLAND EUROPE, AND A VISIT TO THE TOWN OF SINTRA. THEN I WILL WANDER INTO LISBON ON MY OWN.

HERE WE GO,..

WE MAKE AN UNEXPECTED STOP IN THESE WOODS WHERE THIS LADY IN THE MONKS COWL
WELCOMES US WITH FOOD AND DRINK.

NOT YOUR NORMAL TOUR FARE.

SINTRA NOW....

NOW LISBON AND MAKING MY WAY UP TO THE CASTLE....

A NICE COURTYARD ON THE WAY...

TIME FOR A PEE. AH, JUST IN TIME.