WEEK 1 NEW YORK BERMUDA QUEBEC CITY JULY 2023

 

WEEK 1:

21/07/23

 Left Port Elizabeth early with a beautiful sunrise saying bon voyage! Very thankful I had enough time at the check in area for when I got the airport 30 people were in front of me and just after I had joined the row another 60 people arrived with a bus.

Then it was time for coffee and something to eat in the business lounge with a beautiful view over the runway. Three planes landed one after another so PE airport was buzzing with passengers and they all left minutes apart, flying to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.

I had lots of time in Joburg and started chatting to a couple from Summerstrand that were also flying with Air France going to Detroit to visit their daughter they also love cruising and new people from Graaff-Reinet that I know, small world.

22/07/23 NEW YORK

The flight from Johannesburg was in a brand-new airbus and had to pay an extra R900 to get an aisle seat, how times have changed. I sat next to a very nice young man that had just finished working as a teacher in the townships of Soweto and was on his way back to Switzerland, he even got family and friend to donate money towards the school where he worked how amazing is that, said that he would come back once he had finished his studies.

The flight was bumpy with turbulence most of the way, we flew over Africa and landed in Paris on a beautiful sunny day. I was very impressed with Air France and the champagne that we could order was a huge bonus, flying to Paris while drinking champagne was good, I really enjoyed that.

My layover in Paris was about 4 hours so had lots of time to walk around and was very happy when the seat on my next flight was open next to me so could stretch my legs and have a bit more moving space, how I would love to fly in business or first class, but that kite is not going to fly anytime soon! So, on this flight I enjoyed watching a few nice movies while drinking bubbly! The one movie was about Johny Cash the singer {The redemption of an American Icon} really enjoyed it.

Our arrival at JFK in New York was another story, we had to wait for 40 minutes after getting off the plain before we got in line to go through customs, then we were in a que for about 2 hours 30 minutes I think there must have been at least 1000 before us and before we were done another plane had arrived. Those that had connecting flights were not going to make it if they did not have at least 3-to-4-hour layovers for they still needed to collect their baggage. Won’t forget that lesson if I ever must catch a connecting flight when entering a country, just puts extra stress on you that you don’t need while traveling.

My taxi ride to my hotel The Pod in Manhattan was hectic, we caught the rush hour traffic and cost me 95$ which I thought was very expensive and the taxi driver moaned about my suitcases being wrapped and asked me to help him load them into the taxi! Maybe he was having a bad day! After checking in i made my way downtown towards the harbor area where I was going to have to walk too to get onto the ship and realized that it was a bit of a walk with 2 heavy suitcases but had enough time so was going to take it slowly.

Had a very interesting supper at Serafina’s a restaurant in the same building as the Pod where I was staying. Seating was on an open deck overlooking the skyscrapers of New York City with lots of music and city noises. I really enjoyed the food, had cherry tomatoes with basil and a huge ball of buffalo mozzarella some cold meat and a G &T would have loved some champagne until I saw the price. Then it was time for a nice hot shower in a very small room with no water of coffee facilities just the bed and shower, so very glad that I had some bottled water with me for the night. This tiny room cost me more than $300 so not cheap but the hotel I wanted to book closer to Pier 88 and a lot cheaper was fully booked and all the hotels nearby were also fully booked. Think most people going on a cruise just walk to the terminal on embarkation day, just so much easier if you stay within walking distance.

23/07/23 NEW YORK

I slept like a log and only woke up after 6, was so good to just have some uninterrupted sleep for a few hours. Then I desperately needed a cup of coffee and because I was too early for Serafina’s i had to go looking for a place to eat and get my coffee. Ended up at a diner not far from the hotel but would not recommend it, had no fresh fruits and cheeses etc..

Then it was time to check out and start my journey to Pier 88 where I was going to get onto the ship. All went smoothly and got my work out for the day in while pulling my 2x 23 kg suitcases, here and there was some uneven paving which did cause some extra pulling and maneuvering but I made it. I was very glad to see the ship, my home for the next 11 weeks. After handing in my bags, I could just sit and watch all the hustle and bustle of New Yorks locals and tourists and o my goodness it is busy. Even took a video to show what goes on where passengers get off the cruise liners and is omtrent n organisasies om almal op hulle plekke te kry!Dis karre busse lorries fietsryers hardlopers stappers noem maar op,georganiseerde chaos.

24/07/23 @SEA

Left New York before our scheduled time that was 18h00 so had to rush up from our cabin to see the sail away. Was amazing to just sit and watch us sail pass the Statue of Liberty on a beautiful afternoon don’t think I will ever get bored of the stunning views and New Yorks water ways. Once we sailed passed under the bridge and headed for the open sea it was time for supper and had a nice juicy New York strip that was delicious. Love this ship we are on; our cabin is very comfortable and has all we need. The highlight of the day was getting to see hubby again, it has been a long 3 weeks apart.

The gym was packed this morning, and this is how it goes the first few day’s passengers are determined on getting exercise but as the week passes the visit to the gym seems to dwindle! We will be docked in Bermuda for 2 full days which is great so will be able to enjoy the nightlife after work.

26/07/23 BERMUDA

We sailed into Bermuda early morning and were just in time to see the sun come up on a stunning day. I had to get going early for hubby was working today and there was a drill at 10 so had to be out of our living area before they get started. Had a nice breakfast with a beautiful view overlooking dockyard.

We are docked here for 2 days and next to us is a Celebrity X ship, but it is a lot smaller than our ship. I popped into the ticket office to get a ticket for the ferry to Hamilton for the day and just made it for I was the last one to get onto the ferry at 9.15. The journey took about 20 min then it was time to walk around enjoying Hamilton which is also the capital of Bermuda.

The humidity here is high this time of the year and is a huge change coming from very cold and wet South Africa. All the buildings with aircon are just so much nicer and pleasant and an escape from the heat. Enjoyed wandering around and popping into some of the shops just as well hubby was not around for, he would not have enjoyed walking around in this heat. I stopped at the cathedral in mid-town and had it to myself. Landed up in a mall and was good to connect to the Wi-Fi, the next stop was the library where I wrote a message on a stone {kindness rocks} those that you leave for other people all around town. I thought that was a very nice idea and they provide everything. Also had a game with words {blackout poetry} you take a written piece of text from a book newspaper, or magazine and redact words in order to come up with your very own poetry, makes you think!

Got to the ferry terminal only to discover that I still had an hour to kill so went back to a shop and got hubby a gift and 2 Bermuda golf balls. The ferry back to dockyard was packed and we all just wanted to get inside to get out of the heat.

27/0723 BERMUDA

Well, what a night, hubby was called out a few times during the night and admitted 2 patients that kept him busy and coming and going till morning. I did not have much hope that we would be going to Horseshoe Bay as planned but while I was sitting in the observation lounge after breakfast hubby came looking for me to let me know that he was feeling better and thinks that we can go to the beach after all, so that news made my day.

After the ambulance picked up the 2 patients we could go and got a taxi to Horseshoe Bay for the day. We had a fantastic time, first he had a cheeseburger for he did not have time for breakfast and was starving then we walked all along this beautiful pink sandy beach to an area that was not too busy and could chill enjoying the sun and crystal-clear Bermudian waters. The sea was a bit rough so went looking for another area that was just a bit calmer. Was sooo good to get into the water but just after I had put my head under the water, I could feel that I had something in my eye and instead of leaving it I decided to give it a rub which was not a good idea.

Kept on bugging me but needed to wait till we were back on the ship. Hubby really enjoyed the sun and chilling on the beach away from all his responsibilities. We will be back to enjoy this little piece of paradise and world-famous beach in Bermuda.

Back on the ship it was time to try and sort out the sand in my eye and dit was nou n gedoente om dit uit te kry! Our costumes were full of sand and that made me think of our holidays at Kenton on Sea as kids, good memories.

28/0723 BERMUDA

I had plans to go to the gym but landed up in the garden café for breakfast with the most beautiful views over Dockyard. Here you have a bird eyes view, and it was the perfect morning to go jet skiing with the sea that looked like a mirror.

After breakfast I ended up on a lounger and there I got stuck for a while. Really enjoy the observation lounge and the feel of it. We left Bermuda at 3 and now I understand why they don’t allow any ships sailing in or out after dark for we really pass very closely to the coral reefs and shallow waters, is a bit daunting when you see how close the ship passes. The 2 patients that were sent to the hospital did not come back so that was a good decision for we would be at sea for a day before we get to New York on Sunday morning. Hubby is off in New York so looking forward to walking around together.