WEEK 2

 

29/07/2023 NEW YORK

Sailed into New York before the sun was up and docked at about 7am two weeks ago it was pouring with rain, so we have been lucky for last week we had perfect weather and today was another beautiful day. I went to have breakfast while hubby was still sleeping, he is off today so he could take things slowly. He was on duty during the night and was held up with bed bugs! can you believe it, people come with them and even headlice, what a horrible thought! Thank goodness for the termination squad! When an announcement was made that the getting off the ship was a bit congested, I decided to make an early get away and rather sit outside the terminal and wait for hubby.

Was so impressed with the customs when they used the facial recognition machines so that only took a few seconds and off I went no more scratching for your passport and finger printing. Watching the people kept me busy until hubby joined me later, we then went straight to the Apple store in 5^th Avenue think he has a few shares in that company must say the shop is very impressive and things run smoothly and quickly, they are very efficient.

Then it was time to try out one of the streets stalls an American hotdog and a New York meat roll just a pity we felt like some coffee, and they did not have any so had to look elsewhere. Hubby wanted to get back to the ship and I decided to go to Bryant Park where I got myself an espresso and a coconut cookie that was delicious sat in the park while enjoying it, but nothing even comes close to the Levan Bakery cookies, so that will be on the to do list on another day for it is close to Central Park and a must. Today I enjoyed the views from the other side of the ship while leaving New York and while passing the financial district thought of how scary the Twin Towers collapse must have been for all involved, a nightmare for sure.

We have been good with getting up early every morning and going to the gym and having coffee on the open deck while the sun comes up. This week we want to go back to our old stomping ground which is walking distance from Dockyard and enjoy that part of the island. There you can lie on the grass or the beach with a beautiful view over the ocean took a photo of hubby lying on the grass on one of our first visits to Bermuda and is one of my favorite photos of him. He also wants to try and get some swimming training in so I will be on watch from the beach. On our first night in Bermuda, we also want to go out for dinner that is a highlight for me going out for dinner and enjoying some wine, very very expensive wine so you really enjoy and appreciate each sip you take. Prices vary from $11.95 to 14! So that is about R216!!! Crazy.

1/08/23 @SEA

Yesterday we were at sea and today the guests were lucky to have a nice sunny day and things were busy on the open decks, think the bar makes lots of money on these warm days. I spent my afternoon in my usual spot and then I went for a walk on deck 7 and sat outside listening to music with a view over the ocean. By the time hubby and i went up for dinner on deck 16 the garden café was deserted. At least no drama so far but won’t get too glad about that. We got up early and was peaceful to walk on deck 17 on the running track with the wide ocean all around you and no land in sight, was too early for the guests and only one or two here and there. Hubby then started running and I just kept on walking, and we got our 30 min walk and run in. It was 1 hour backwards last night and just as well the ship reminds you. I went to the gym again and was very glad to see that there were less people in the gym this morning, maybe all sleeping late for nowhere to go!

This afternoon hubby was called out for a possible stoke patient so that was not nice to hear but do know that they have some or other medication that they can give to try and dissolve the blood clot but must be given within a certain time after the stoke. The weather has made a turn and it is raining outside so all these passengers are inside today and battled to find a spot to sit also very noisy all over. Have decided to rather go back to our cabin for some peace and quiet. The possible stoke has turned into a drunk passenger!

2/08/23 BERMUDA

Arrived in Bermuda on schedule but the weather was not looking good and sure enough I was planning to go for a walk on the open deck but that was not going to happen for a storm was brewing over the sea and you could see it come rolling in. The heavens opened and the rain came pouring down, so I ended up in the front of the ship on a lounger watching another cruise liner coming into dock and that is a long slow story!

 I decided to go through my photos and start sorting out my albums went on a trip down memory lane for started in 2015, talking about 8 years ago, must say I really enjoyed it, have so many good memories. Do realize that I have lots of work ahead of me but looking forward to doing it want to make different albums that I then want to print in the Photobook House Program that I use for our travel books.

The crew had a drill and once they were done hubby and I got off and we did a walkabout in dockyard. Was very chuffed to find some rock/beach shoes that I really do need for my old ones are ready to be chucked had them for years. So put them on to try them out and felt very comfortable but when I got back to the cabin, I had a blister on my little toe!

We stopped for an ice-cream at our old favorite place, and it was good as always. Went for a short walk towards Glass Beach but did not have any costumes on or towels and the humidity was bad and it was not long before we were sweating ,on our way we met other passengers from the ship and after all the heavy rain there were big puddles of water all over the place and as we were walking I said to hubby we need to be careful when the cars or taxis come past  we are going to get wet when the vehicles drive through them and had hardly said that and a poor lady in front of us got sprayed!  Pap sop nat!

On our way back we stopped at all the different restaurants to see where we are going to have dinner tonight and decided to try a new place called Amici in the Clocktower Mall. Think I am going to try Italian Risotto and hubby might try Catch of the day. They advertise Silk Snapper or Flamed Grilled Rockfish. The weather has cleared and looking good so disappointed that we could not see the moon last night for heard it is a Super Moon. The first night at sea we had the most beautiful view on TV of the front of the ship and the moon shining on the sea tried to take a photo but did not come out nicely and was too lazy to get up and go outside to capture the moment.

Tomorrow, we want to walk to Glass Beach and spend the morning swimming and lying on the grass, overlooking beautiful Bermuda. The following week we are going to take the ferry to St Georges and visit Tobacco Bay.

 

3/08/23 BERMUDA

Last night we went out for dinner but ended up at the Frog and Onion Restaurant because when we got to Amici there were not many people so that had us worried so decided to rather go with what we know, and it was very busy.

I had my delicious grilled rockfish on Indian spiced chickpeas in a yogurt and coconut milk sauce and was good with a chilled glass of chardonnay but did have a beer to quench the thirst with a nice bruschetta starter. Hubby went for the Flamed roasted half chicken basted with garlic. I was very glad to have my single espresso as dessert.

The walk around dockside after dark is always magical with all the ships lights and they had all the trees lit up with fairy lights around the clocktower mall. It was full moon and a beautiful night. So only got to bed late but had a good day even after all the rain earlier in the day.

4/08/23 BERMUDA

We got up early and hubby went for his run in the gym, and I decided to get my walk in on the running track on the open deck on deck 17.I just love it for it was still dark when we got there, and I could watch the light change as the day started and the changing colors of the sky all around us. Went to the back of the ship for my coffee and took some nice photos, later hubby joined me for his coffee and then we were ready for the day. He could not join me for a walkabout so after breakfast I left for St Georges with the ferry that runs between Dockyard and St Georges right through the day. On my way I remembered that I had forgotten to pack in my rain poncho and umbrella and that was a big mistake for here in Bermuda things can change quickly and sure enough just after we got to St Georges it started raining and we all had to run for cover, so just had to wait for the rain to stop.

My plan was to go and explore St Davids Island for the day but after chatting to someone at the tourist information I decided against it because it was a public holiday in Bermuda today and the buses only run on a public holiday schedule and did not want to get stuck on the island and she also said that all the locals were going to be out for the day. Took a different route to Tobacco Bay and went to a beach close to the St Regis Hotel next to Fort St Catherines. Had a lovely time there and could swim in beautiful clear water.

The locals come to the beach with their gazebos, beach chairs, music, lots of ice, food and it is a whole day affair. Even mark their area around the gazebo the people of Bermuda are so friendly and have a great sense of humor, cricket also seems to be big on this island and the 2 teams were playing their big derby today so one lady even had her little radio on under her gazebo on the beach and you knew when her team were doing well with het clapping and shouting.

On my way back to Tobacco Bay I ended up ordering a Bud Light beer for in this heat you need something to drink regularly so was lucky to get a spot in the shade while a local band was performing, and a little black chicken was cleaning up anything that fell to the ground from the tables, she and a mossie were even fighting about the food. The beach was packed, and the tourists were enjoying the good weather after our rain earlier in the day. Then it was time to head back to catch the ferry but the walk up the hill had me huffing puffing and sweating, got my steps in for the day. The ride back on the ferry is always nice and relaxing some people even fall asleep on the way back.

Tomorrow, we leave at 15h00 so I will only be walking around in Dockyard and hope to get to the bookshop that also has a little room where you can sit and read. I don’t do anything too far from the ship or should I say must be walking distance for me for don’t want to be a dock runner, that is what they call the people that nearly miss the ship and come running like a bat out of hell to get to the ship in time or do miss the ship and get left behind ,seen this on You tube videos check it out Dock Running! So, nearing the end of my second week here, have a seaday ahead and arrive in New York on Sunday morning for our next round of passengers. How I would love to know where all the different people come from think from all over the world.

5/08/23 BERMUDA

Got up early this morning and was good to get some fresh air and coffee before sunrise. Hubby on duty for the day and had to get some supplies we need, then I went browsing from one shop to another slowly strolling around. Stopped for an espresso at a local café called Pastry Shop in Dockyard was so good and said to hubby we need to have breakfast there when we get a chance, quaint little place and see that they recommend her café for she makes her own pastries.

Popped in at the local potter’s studio which has amazing work it is called John Faulkner Pottery he works on the premises, and you can watch him working. Has beautiful pieces just a pity so heavy and not ideal to fly with. Took a quick photo stop at Snorkel Park and then I went to my favorite shop where I could sit in the little library, with the old shop cat lying next to me on the couch.

I found a book called BOER PRISONERS OF WAR IN BERMUDA by Colin Benbow and just what I was looking for. Have been interested in reading about our people from South Africa that were sent here by the English and read their stories. One prisoner Joubert Reitz wrote a poem called “The search light’ which I found so sad and think some stories are going to be heart wrenching.

Then it was time to return to the ship before the big crowds arrive before we leave. Was another very hot humid day so today I made sure I had water with me and stayed hydrated only downside then bathroom stops are frequent, so you need to know where they are, anders is dit knyp knyp!!! On my way back passed the local Floating Fun Park called Longtail and kids and adults were having so much fun even took a video to show, would have loved to also dive into the beautiful blue water but that will have to wait to next week some people do a belly flop and you can hear it when they hit the water,eina!

n Arme lid van die personeel het gekom met erge maagpyn wat toe gediagnoseer is as n moontlik blindederm onsteking en toe nog n diagnose by gekry het van n 4 maande swangerskap!!! Wat n gedoente toe is dit tassies

pak en voor ons weg is uit Bermuda toe is dit daar gaan jy,gelukkig vir haar was dit amper die einde van haar kontrak. Verlede week het n ander crewmember weer besluit sy probeer een of ander koekie uit en dit het haar haar werk gekos want sy het positief getoets vir n dwelmmiddel. Hoop syt hierdie baie duur les geleer om nie weer net iets te probeer wat sulke dramatiese gevolge het nie.Dis nou een ding hierso is zero tolerance vir dwelms ,drank,en sulke tipe goed as jy uitgevang word is dit weg met jou,geen genade n gesmeek en verduideliking help niks en val op dowe ore maar jy word vooraf gewaarsku.Seker ook goed so want kan nie die tipe hotel op water laat glad loop met personeel wat sulke goed aanvang nie.

 

6/08/23 @SEA

Little did I know that I was going to be sleeping alone last night we just got into bed and hubby was called out for a child that was having a fever fit and just after that a critical ill man came in that was going to keep him up all night long. Thank goodness they could pull him through and his condition seems to have stabilized, hopefully he will be ok until we get to New York tomorrow morning at 7am.I only saw hubby for the first time at about 13h00 today so by this time he was looking like a ghost himself and in desperate need of some sleep.

Thank goodness he could catch up on some sleep this afternoon and is looking a bit better. I made my way to the gym early this morning and then had my favorite meal of the day, breakfast! The latest is oats with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins and some milk. One would think that is more than enough but no, then it’s time for some bacon, egg and cream cheese.

Tomorrow, I want to try and get to Levain’s Bakery for some coffee and their famous cookies maybe a good thing I need to walk very far to get to them. We are docked close to 84^th street at Pier 88 and this bakery is in 74^th Street.

Also planning on going to a few other places but will see if I can get to all the things I want to do. If it is a good day I try and do as much as I can for it could happen that you get to New York and its pouring with rain and I don’t do that, walk around in the rain! See that it’s been very hot so will make sure I take my water with me. Hubby has warned me that he is only going to go to Starbucks for some coffee to download his things and then we want to try and get back for some sleep for you never know what the next day /cruise might be like the next passengers are fresh, full of energy and ready for action that we seem to have each week! Can’t say it is boring. So, until next week, bye.