Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Day 3 At Sea


Today was just perfect! I do feel bad enjoying all this hot sunny weather when I have so many dear friends in Canada freezing their buns off…. I’ll try and hide the pain. Last night was our first formal night. Dinner was truly spectacular. It was better than every single meal I had on the Grand Asia & Australia Voyage, including the Pinnacle. I had Lobster & Filet Mignon which was cooked to perfection. The 4 mushroom soup was to die for…… I hope last night’s dinner was just a typical example of what we can expect. The Executive Chef, Bernie Ruis has always been great. The Restaurant Manager, Thomas Grindlay does a fantastic job as well. The other thing that will make this voyage stand out is the fact that we have Henk Mensink as the Hotel Manager and his wife Christel as the Guest Relations Manager, both of which do a tremendous job. I included a photo of my friends Bill & Maryann Barry who will be traveling with me on the World Voyage (whenever that begins) and who will also be joining me on a trip later in the voyage to Victoria Falls in Africa, very cool…. Tomorrow we hit our first port, Cartagena, Columbia. It is not my first visit but I will be taking a tour to get the requisite blog photos… What you guys make me do! Here is the tour description:
Cartegena Walking Tour
Travel by motor coach to Santiago's Bastion, and begin your walking tour along San Juan de Dios Street with charming colonial architecture. Continue to Custom Plaza—a commercial center dating back to colonial times--and the Plaza de la Proclamacion to admire the Cathedral and the original headquarters of the colonial Spanish government. Watch for the statue of Simon Bolivar, as well as the Inquisition Palace and all the history it implies. Stroll through the Dungeons, which in the colonial times were used as a military barracks and a munitions depot, but now local artisans display their arts and crafts here.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Jeff!

I am excited to go on another cruise with you (well at least visually!)...it looks like you have your tan in good shape already!

I have a dumb question - why does it matter when the World Cruise officially begins? Having never been on one I don't understand. Isn't it the same? The cabin, the staff, the people who are lucky enough to book the longer journey, etc.?

Regardless...I am thrilled to see your pictures from your many adventures.

xoxo

Dani (Allan and Sandra's daughter)

Anonymous said...

HI JEFF,

JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU THINK THAT YOU ARE HIDING THE PAIN, RE THE AIR TEMPS OF YOUR CANUK FRIENDS.....LET ME TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE DOING A REALLY, REALLY POOR JOB!!!!

BUT I CAN SAY THAT WE DO HAVE MORE VARIETY...TODAY, SO FAR SNOW, FREEZING RAIN, RAIN, AND BACK TO SNOW!!

'W CUBED'
p.s.LOVED THE CROWN, IT IS SO YOU

Paul said...

Hi Jeff........have a fantastic GWV (whenever it starts!!). Loved the pic of you with the Barrys. Makes me really want to be there on the aft deck with you all. Looking forward to a good read of your blog over the next 130 odd days.

Have a great time

Anonymous said...

Hello,

We have recently returned from a 35 day back to back with Crystal,a really "WONDERFUL" experience.

Previously sailed 12 cruises with Hal, but this experience was far more luxurious than any previous ones -- much livlier atmosphere with incredible daytime enrichment programes and lectures, celebrity speakers/ theatre at sea,DAZZLING Broadway type shows/ food and theme buffet presentations to be seen to be believed---mind you $$$$!!

Considered a World cruise, but prefer to see those 1000 places before-- (LUCKILY managed many already)on 4 or 5 voyages a year, rather than one long stretch which for us would actually become an endurance test, too much repetition and long sea days would make me crazy--wife would be not so bad.

Have a wonderful vacation and a very Happy /09