David's Cruise

I didn’t catch the Captain’s address last night as we departed San Juan for our next destination. If I had, I would not have been bewildered at being awakened by weird rumblings (the lowering of the anchor) and a strange hum. I went back to sleep and awoke at what I thought was around 09.00hrs. In fact, the streaming sun that aroused me from my slumbers was pouring into my stateroom, around the gaps in the curtains at “something past 6!” We were stationary and I hadn’t a clue about our location. We were, in fact, taking on fuel in readiness for our travels along the Amazon, where, I am assured it will be far hotter and more humid than anything I have experienced anywhere. I decided to get out of bed and explore from the Promenade Deck. Already people were deck walking. It never ceases to amaze me how seriously some people take their inexplicable activities. Even I count my footsteps on this phone as if checking a bank statement!

Crawling out of bed “in the middle of the night” was no imposition. Having ascertained that, in fact, we were refuelling at (I have been informed) St. Kitts, I joined Pat from Essex, whom I had, so far, never met, for her routine morning deck walk. I was able to keep up! I am now relaxing in a sea facing deck chair as if it were four in the afternoon. A full day lies ahead. In the meantime, a few pictures, taken from my stateroom balcony and also the Promenade Deck.

The parade of deck acrobats continues in all shapes and sizes, some creating quite an incentive to get out bed in the morning.

While the cold and tempestuousness of the first eleven days may be all but forgotten, I imagine such coolness may well be longed for as we swelter along the Amazon.

This will be good fun!

Thanks for reading,

David.

27/1/20. Note: The above blog was written during the sea day of 25th January, but failed to “publish.” I am trying again now; this blog is, therefore, “out of sync,” slightly.

Like San Juan, I thoroughly enjoyed my second visit to Barbados. I selected as a shore excursion, “Island Drive and Tea at Sunbury Plantation,” where the brochure promised a sumptuous afternoon tea. “Pleasant” would be a more accurate description; a choice of tea bags was put on the table, along with silver jugs of hot water. Various minute sandwiches were accompanied by different local cakes which were rather nice. The Sunbury Plantation house was destroyed by fire in the 1990s, but has been restored to its former glory, albeit with very little of the original furniture. It is now a most interesting tourist attraction; perhaps I may get to stay there one day. I like Barbados and its “warm- weather laid-back” ambiance. The drive around Barbados was most enjoyable, but I did have to come to terms with the over-the-top commentary from an enthusiastic tour guide, which otherwise was most informative and comprehensive. Her English grammar was very good indeed, even if she did use the term “very unique” on just one occasion! She explained to me that education in Barbados is highly important, and the literacy rate is an impressive 98%. She showed us most of the island; there were long intervals between “photographic stops.” It was a pity that the windows of the coach were heavily tinted. But at one point, a blinding sun shone through; deeming the tinted windows most necessary. I contributed to the local economy, purchasing the usual souvenir baseball cap and tee shirts, as well as a small oil painting, depicting the type of sunset I have difficulty photographing well.The harbour provides wonderful opportunities to photograph up to possibly four vessels. I was hugely impressed with Viking Sea, immaculate in an overall livery of “cruise ship white.” There was no disappointment in tonight’s sunset as once again, the sky looked as if it set alight.Already, it is time to change for dinner. Sail-away is at 20.00hrs. It was rather warm today, 27 degrees Celsius. Our next port of call, Manaus on the Amazon, promises heat, humidity and mosquitoes in spades! This I feel will be the most challenging part of the voyage, as well as being perhaps the most special.It was a great day today. Thank you for reading, and best wishes, David.The pictures above were taken, top to bottom, as the day progressed. The house illustrated and the interior images are of the Sunbury Plantation dwelling. D.N.

Hot sunshine, calm seas, whist, a brilliant sunset, and the Burns Night celebrations.

As mentioned in my previous blog, M.V. Queen Victoria was stopped for refuelling in the early hours, an unusual event in preparation for its journey along the Amazon. I did hear that, in fact, because of the swell, refuelling was not successful.

I had got up earlier than usual, and took the opportunity to walk around the Promenade Deck before…it became too hot. Later in the morning, with minimal persuasion, I chose to sign up for an interesting evening in Buenos Aires, by vintage car. Dinner and Tango at a posh venue, is the order of the evening of “Valentine’s Day.”

I joined guests for lunch in the Britannia Restaurant and was only just in time to join the what has become a popular whist school. The cards fell with mixed but unspectacular fortune, my final score just reaching three figures.

The pictures below begin with the “attempted” refuelling, off St. Kitts and the surrounding islands. The whist school is represented by a discreet picture I captured between rounds; the maps speak for themselves. I felt the dramatic sunset was worthy of recording.

This blog completed 08.00, 26/1/20.

Today, I shall be taking a mid morning tour, “Island drive and Tea at Sunbury Plantation. This should make for a pleasant day; I have been here before; Bridgetown, Barbados was a port of call during the maiden voyage of the now 16 year old Queen Mary 2.

All the best, David.

In port at Bridgetown, Barbados. 08.25hrs

I took the first official shore excursions of this eleven week voyage here, today in San Juan, and enjoyed returning to Puerto Rico’s capital. It seems bigger than when I was here twenty two years ago. After the visit to the fortifications, now a major tourist attraction of great interest, I opted to leave the coach when we were offered the choice of returning to the ship or staying in town. I walked along one of the attractive streets with its balcony clad pastel shaded architecture, eventually having a chicken and rice lunch in a bar/cafe with no other customers to begin with. Afterwards, I returned to the ship for a brief rest. It was humid during the day with the sky becoming grey by early evening.The second trip was to a folkloric and flamenco show. I have never seen such virtuosity on the guitar (or perhaps any instrument) as when Juan Carlos took to the stage, initially by himself, but then with up to three flamenco dancers. It was an excellent show; we were welcomed with plastic cups of (presumably), sangria. On the way to the loo, after the show, I bumped into the artiste telling him I thought his show was brilliant….”Of course,” he replied…”I have been practicing the guitar for 60 years.” Ouch! I did buy his CD, proceeds of which go to the island’s earthquake fund. I could have walked back to the ship, but feeling tired, I let the bus return me to the ship. This blog comes with further pictures which I hope are self explanatory. All in all, it was a lovely day. We are now on our to Barbados; it should be warmer still.

00 17hrs 25th January 2020.

Immediately below, a picture taken in the Golden Lion Pub, just along from the Queens Room where a Dixieland Jazz Night competed with a Dance Party in the Queens Room featuring “West On Sunset,” four guitarists from significant backgrounds playing music by The Eagles, Toto, Fleetwood Mac etc. Perhaps it wasn’t the best of planning having these two superb events almost simultaneously. The jazz did finish later than the Dance Party. The guitarist featured fifth picture above was the quite extraordinary flamenco musician I described earlier.

Today, M.V. Queen Victoria made its Maiden Call at Puerto Rico. This was not marked as far as I know, other than by a “small print” announcement in the cruise brochure, and in the Daily Programme for 24/1/20. Fabulous views of any cruise ship in port can be had from the Promenade along the shoreline. (see earlier photos in this blog.) Nobody came to have a look.We are out to sea now. Barbados is the next country we visit, after one full day at sea. Once again, there is movement of the ship, but nothing like the horrendous turbulence of recent days. Let’s hope all these pictures will “upload.”I plan to write more in the daytime.

All good wishes,

David.

This is the second time I have cruised here, the first time being on board Royal Caribbean’s long since sold off Sovereign of the Seas on their Eastern Caribbean Cruise in 1998. It was sweltering then!

I remember little from twenty two years ago, except looking across to the ship from the fortifications; I did the same today.

This morning’s shore excursion highlighted both the new and old parts of this capital city, whose history goes back at least to the 16th century. Below are some “random pictures.”

Eventually, the bus dropped some passengers in the town, and chose also to explore. This afternoon, I join a trip to the Juan Carlos Latin and Flamenco show. My day in San Juan will have been most pleasant, even if I did not see all that much which was on offer. I shall add further detail from the information given to me on board.

Many thanks for reading,

David.

This is brilliant! Every day, a different sea-scape or port to wake up to. No longer do I doubt the wisdom of investing in a stateroom with a balcony. Yesterday, I looked across to Cuba on the distant horizon. Today, it’s Hispaniola. And from now on until further down in South America, guaranteed warmth, if not necessarily, good weather. The pessimists on board have told me to expect possible cloud cover on Sugar Loaf Mountain, and the same to obscure the view of Christ The Redeemer, both in Rio de Janeiro. Last year, I was warned that Mount Robson in Canada was obscured by cloud cover on all but around eight days of the year. I “got lucky!”

It’s far too nice to spend indoors. I shall therefore avail myself of the open decks and enjoy what feels like a pleasant day in early summer. However, there will still…

….be that 2pm call for whist…(Daveeeeed!)

(Above) Mount Robson, the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies.

Thanks for reading,

David.

I turned on my T.V. this morning at sometime after 07.20hrs. The bow camera, permanently situated to provide a constant forward view, which can be accessed on Channel 43 at all times, showed an astonishing sunrise, hinting of a splendid day ahead. I had become somewhat weary of day after day of being thrown about on the Atlantic Ocean. Lacklustre temperatures skimmed off the joy of being in Bermuda and Port Canaveral, but at least it was always bright and dry. The sea today is still rough, but the wind is behind us, and the movement on board, a blissful minimum. The prospects for a good sunset are promising. January 22nd in the Caribbean is magnificent!

I have booked two shore excursions for our brief time in Puerto Rico. A morning tour explores both the old and modern aspects of the capital, San Juan; the afternoon, a performance of flamenco and other folkloric music will be an enjoyable way of passing a hot afternoon. I have been here before, I think in 1998 err twenty-two years ago!

Rita (QE2 2004, 2008) is on board. Back in the day, her shrill voice “Daveeeed” would summon me to the whist school, near the Crystal Bar and Mauretania Restaurant. I have rejoined said whist school, these days in the windowless Connexions 3, where the air conditioning is turned to freezing!

Strangely, I won the mens’ game, but the ladies’ winner left me standing! It looks as if my early afternoons at sea are taken care of all the way back to Southampton.

It took a while, but I am back in “losing weight mode” once again. I have been Type 2 diabetic since November 2010, and have just about managed to control it without the need for medication. (Not bad for almost 10 years.) Around this time last year, I was given six months to reverse the effects of relaxing the diet and exercise regime. I succeeded, probably thanks to a lady at my table on a return QM2 voyage from Dubai, who gave me a diet plan and made sure I stuck to it.

Tonight’s sunset didn’t disappoint, after which a magnificent salmon sky with stark grey clouds soon became the colour of dark blue ink. It has been a lovely day; I now feel the cruise has got under way.

Many thanks for reading,

David.

Fort Lauderdale from dawn to dusk.

A nice lazy day, today.

There was no camera shop in the Galleria shopping mall in Fort Lauderdale to “see me coming.”

I had the latest of breakfasts long after the Lido had closed in preparation for lunch. A kind staff member brought me a single-serving packet of corn flakes and a polystyrene cup of cool fresh milk. I looked out of a nearby floor-to-ceiling window, onto the harbour below, and the city and river further afield. A cool wind still thwarted the clear dry weather’s attempt at a hot day, although, it was possible, later in the day, to soak up the sun.

I was joined for an early lunch of healthy salad with various cheeses and cold meats by Gary and Jan from Portsmouth on their first cruise. He is a former Royal Navy server, and assures me with a degree of authority, that the recent crossing of the Atlantic was his worst of several. Perhaps not the roughest, but it is expected that there is, usually, some kind of let-up between turbulent episodes. However, he felt the strongest winds were between force 8 and 9.

I made it to the shopping mall; there was no camera shop or general store selling them. Perhaps it’s a good thing. I did, however, buy a couple of shirts to replace old ones I had brought with me. Also, a black belt for my dark blue trousers.

Just bumped into Jo, in the Mall. Now for some unexpected serious window shopping. (But there are no glaziers round here…) She wants some toothpaste…I breathed a sigh of relief as we passed by the Rolex shop, and other over-the-top high-end outlets.

Actually, I quite like these malls, but I am sure there are more exciting ones than that Cunard sends its guests to.

I went back for a third shirt!

I am now at the table I was invited to join, after much thought. Christine has returned to my original table, and hopefully, I can go back from time to time to keep in touch.

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The voyage has gone to plan, and “not gone to plan,” simultaneously. We left Fort Lauderdale this evening, on time, after a most difficult crossing with consequential very late running. I had figured, based on previous experience, the weather would begin to warm up after three or perhaps four days. Storm Brendan necessitated a time consuming diversion; we entered a second cool weather system which influenced our stay in Bermuda, now, 24 hours late. A gallant effort was made to regain all the time lost so far, and arrive at Port Canaveral on time. Technical issues, however, resulted in the ship being slowed down, and we docked in the afternoon, leaving just enough time for a quick trip to the Space Centre, Cocoa Beach, or merely, a wander around.

Back on board, as darkness started to falI tonight, I saw, from my stateroom balcony, the remains of what must have been a decent sunset, before changing for dinner tonight. I shall post the photos in a separate blog; hopefully they will upload properly for anyone to access.

Our next port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

All the best, David.

I am writing this on Day 12, at around 08.15hrs. I have had a good sleep with the usual weird dreams and “comfort wake-ups.

“We we just can’t quite shake off that pesky cool reminder that it’s still late January. Technical problems contributed to yet further delay as our arrival at Port Canaveral was revised yet again to 14.00hrs, and again, all shore excursions cancelled, with one partially reinstated.

The time consuming procedures of U.S Immigration, once quite efficient, particularly on cruises, seem to have become “part of the territory” of North American travel from abroad. The shuttle to the Space Centre still ran, but with reduced time at the Centre. This turned out to be a most worthwhile trip, which looking back, I now wish I had taken. Instead, I took the free shuttle to a somewhat tacky Cocoa Beach, but with a tired American charm which I did enjoy, as well as a rare stroll across the beach towards the sea. Peter ( from our table) tagged along. Normally, I would have welcomed the company, but today, I had looked forward to one of those of “suck it and see” wanderings. I shall do that today in Fort Lauderdale instead, taking the free shuttle bus to a nearby mall. The posh Lumix camera I bought in Tenerife during the QM2 World Voyage of 2018, after several “tumbles” is, prematurely less reliable and needs a thorough service. (It’s too new to throw away.) Already, the camera shop as well as other outlets can “see me coming!”

Although bright yesterday, a northerly breeze pegged the temperatures at a disappointing 17 degrees, even less with a notable wind chill factor. Passengers on the Space Centre trip were also taken by surprise, I am led to believe.

The Navigational Channel tells me this morning that it’s a more respectable 20 degrees already (09.28hrs). Old friends, Nona and Roger (QE2, 1990, 2000), surprised me in the cruise terminal yesterday, making a “guest appearance from way-back in the day.” I was, and am still delighted.

I joined former table companion Jo and her new found friend, Janet as well as Adrian for an Alternative Dining Coriander experience on Deck 9. This was the stuff of the highest-end dining extravagance…complimentary to very frequent Cunard customers. I have been invited to switch to their table for the evening meals. Much as I would rather like to, I have no real reason to move, and I am reluctant to possibly offend those on my existing table who all are friendly and good company.Oh! the dilemmas of this temporary elevated life style!

Below, a few pictures taken yesterday.

1 and 2 View from my stateroom, Port Canaveral.

3 and 4 On Cocoa Beach

5. Dancing in the Queens Room

6 and 7 Night time stroll on the Promenade Deck just before retiring for the night.

All is well

Thanks for reading

David. (09.50hrs)