Saturday, 31 January, 2009
It has been a hectic week, and I just couldn't make the time to write anything. First off, the stress of the program I had made for myself made it impossible for me to keep up with the computer course, and left me exhausted each day, so I finally dropped the afternoon tournament bridge each day, in favor of the computer lab., which seems to work much better. The bridge lessons each morning are really good, and I continue with them. I also note that the Yoga class has been good for me, although I have trouble keeping up with the rest, all of whom are much younger; therefore, I try to hide between the furniture so no one will see me struggling. I am considering taking a private lesson with the instructor during the next segment of the trip.
It's quite different returning to the cruise for the second time, as opposed to being a total stranger, both to the ship and to the guests. In many cases, it's like meeting old friends, and makes social contacts much easier.
Our evening dinner table has been most interesting this segment, but only three of us will still be here for the next segment, and we are wondering who will join us. This time, we had an "Ambassador Host" with us, a counter spy (espionage) expert (Enrichment speaker), and the Berlitz teacher of French, plus a retired actress, a real estate agent, a former school teacher, and me. If and when the IT people on the ship finally find out why I can't post pictures, I have one of all of us at the table.
We had 5 solid sea days, full of courses, so Thursday (a land day) was the first chance I had to go to the pool and get a little bit of sun, do a laundry, etc. althöough that meant that I didn't get off the ship.
At one of the evening cocktail hours (there have been many) I was approached by a fellow who seemed to know me from somewhere, and he turned out to be the fellow who sold me most of my furniture some 11 years ago, when I first moved to Goldbacherstrasse. He's here from Zürich with three other fellows, and now plans to open his own shop.
Yesterday was the computer exam, and I was hard put to find the time to prepare for it! Since I managed to "pass", all is well, but now I really have to reread some of the technical stuff.
I went to the entertainment last night, all song and dance stuff, although I usually prefer to skip it; as usual, I listened to the music, and my eyes closed, so it was a waste. Dinner is only at 8:30 p.m. and the show starts at 10:30, but my day starts at 06:00h, so it is no wonder if I am lulled to sleep.
Tomorrow is Mooréa and the next day is Tahiti. I have signed up for a general overview tour for Mooréa, and am joining an acquaintance from last year for a safari tour in Tahiti. Today, I might go ashore and walk around looking for a pearl pendant. This is supposed to be an area where pearl farms are prevalent.
That's it for today; I will try not to write so much, but to post it more often.
If you read this, then please note that I would prefer not to get all the long attachments many of you have been sending. First of all, the downloading is very slow on the ship, and the computer time is very expensive. However, I am happy to get your emails, if you care to write.
Fond regards, Ann
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Just reading it, is enough to make you tired!
26 January
All those trials and tests were because I am not able to upload my pictures! I may have to establish a new blog, but I will post the address here, when I do. I had been trying to show you the beautiful bouquets of flowers that I had received, but instead, ran into all kinds of problems with the computer. I also have a picture of the famous rock formation at El Arco in Cabo St. Lucas at the tip of Baha Calif. in Mexico. If and when it becomes possible for me to post pictures, I will show it.
We are now at sea for the 3rd consecutive day, with 2 more to go until we reach Nuka Hiva, some island in the Pacific. Now that all the courses have begun, I have an even busier schedule than I had in Zürich. Yesterday was typical: up at 6 a.m. to read Herald Tribune, etc., yoga at 8, brkfast and shower at 9, intermediate bridge lesson at 10; advanced bridge at 11; lunch at 12; computer course at 13:30; tournament bridge at 14:30; computer lab at 16:30, and haircut at 18:00! It was the second day of yoga, and all my muscles ached, so I took a pain killer and went to bed, thinking I would read over some of the assignment for computer course, but I fell asleep. That would have been OK, but when I woke up, I read my watch incorrectly and ran down for dinner (I am scheduled for the late seating at 20:30) only to find everyone already eating their dessert! It was 21:30! Fortunately, I have some very nice table companions, and they kept me company, anyway, until I had eaten. The table got changed after the first evening, so that we are now 4 ladies, and three men; it was supposed to be a table for 6, but the first night an acquaintance from last year, saw me and got permission to join our table, so we are now 7. In addition, one of the Ambassador hosts was switched to another table, and an interesting retired actress joined us.
Now, I have to read my computer assignment! and answer some emails, before I go to Yoga.
All those trials and tests were because I am not able to upload my pictures! I may have to establish a new blog, but I will post the address here, when I do. I had been trying to show you the beautiful bouquets of flowers that I had received, but instead, ran into all kinds of problems with the computer. I also have a picture of the famous rock formation at El Arco in Cabo St. Lucas at the tip of Baha Calif. in Mexico. If and when it becomes possible for me to post pictures, I will show it.
We are now at sea for the 3rd consecutive day, with 2 more to go until we reach Nuka Hiva, some island in the Pacific. Now that all the courses have begun, I have an even busier schedule than I had in Zürich. Yesterday was typical: up at 6 a.m. to read Herald Tribune, etc., yoga at 8, brkfast and shower at 9, intermediate bridge lesson at 10; advanced bridge at 11; lunch at 12; computer course at 13:30; tournament bridge at 14:30; computer lab at 16:30, and haircut at 18:00! It was the second day of yoga, and all my muscles ached, so I took a pain killer and went to bed, thinking I would read over some of the assignment for computer course, but I fell asleep. That would have been OK, but when I woke up, I read my watch incorrectly and ran down for dinner (I am scheduled for the late seating at 20:30) only to find everyone already eating their dessert! It was 21:30! Fortunately, I have some very nice table companions, and they kept me company, anyway, until I had eaten. The table got changed after the first evening, so that we are now 4 ladies, and three men; it was supposed to be a table for 6, but the first night an acquaintance from last year, saw me and got permission to join our table, so we are now 7. In addition, one of the Ambassador hosts was switched to another table, and an interesting retired actress joined us.
Now, I have to read my computer assignment! and answer some emails, before I go to Yoga.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Flowers I received from Crystal
Because the limo failed to pick me up in Zürich on the 16th, Crystal offered me dinner on the 20th, and then sent me a bottle of wine, and flowers to my room on the ship!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Catching up ;January 16 to 22nd, 2009
Hi, Everybody!
Nothing is simple in this life, and although I was just about ready to leave home at 11 a.m. on the 16th, when the limo to the airport should have arrived, no one came! That precipitated lots of stress, and ended with my travel agent calling a local taxi. Fortunately, there was little traffic, and I got to the airport just a little late, but not too late. Got to L.A., and hotel, and met Roy to exchange my computer for his overnight bag, which I could take to Phoenix in place of my huge suitcase. Put my larger suitcase in hotel storage to go directly to the ship, and left the next morning to meet Mabel and her daughter Eve (mother and sister of Carol Shamieh from my Singles Cooking Group). I was pretty much jet lagged with all the time differences and mostly just relaxed in the sun (and fell asleep!).We ate out for lunch, dinner, and breakfast the next day! T.V. in the U.S. quite disappointing; could only get election coverage and no foreign news, anywhere. Saturday was the big ball game which excited all the locals, esp. when the Phoenix Cardinals won. In the meantime, Eve gave me a pedicure; she is awaiting her license and will get a job as soon as it comes. Next day, they took me to the airport, and for the first time, I experienced a Security Alert at the airport! Everything just stopped for about 20 minutes, with no one allowed to even move. When I was finally on the plane, it couldn't leave due to a "mechanical problem" that needed checking. Made up the time, and got to hotel, to find out that by way of apologizng for the limo that didn't show up in Zürich, Crystal invited me to be their guest for dinner that night in the hotel (The Beverly Hilton on Wiltshire Blvd). Made a date with Roy for lunch on Tuesday, and watched the Inauguration Ceremony in my hotel room. Napped after lunch, and met some of the cruisers from last year in the lobby. It was like "old home week!" The Gala was O.K., but the food on the ship is better than in the hotel. Three of the people at the table were acquaintances from last year.
Left the hotel at 11:15, but worried about the suitcase they had stored on Friday, and rightly so because it was NOT delivered to the ship with the rest of my baggage! The ship was due to sail at 17:00h and my case was finally discovered at the hotel, at 16:20 and sent in a cab! It arrived at 16:50! (I'm too old for all this stress!). Went to dinner, only to discover that I was not being seated at a table for 6, as I had requested, and didn't even go all the way to the table, but rather back to the Maitre D, who immediately looked up where I should have been, and ended up as the only woman seated with 4 men! One seat was empty, and two other ladies have been trying to get that seat for today. The discussion was most interesting and quite political as one man is here this week to give lectures on Intelligence Counter Intelligence, etc. and is a live wire! (Nigel West, from London); one man was a jockey in France and is now here with Berlitz to give French lessons on board. The other two are Ambassador Hosts, hired to dance with the ladies. I really look forward to dinner this evening with them. Last evening was most interesting!
Today, I signed up for the full Computer Course at Sea (includes college credit! and takes place on every "sea day". Also played bridge in the afternoon, after a lesson in the morning. When I finish this, I have to change for the Captain's Welcome Cocktail (tonight is "formal") and a photographer will take pictures for the photo album (too bad, I need a haircut!) After dinner, there is a Hollywood Spectacular (if i can stay awake that long) and at 11 p.m. there is Karaoke, but that will have to be for another time. Enough is enough!
Tomorrow afternoon, we are in Cabo, and I will take a bus tour.
Are you exhausted from just reading? I haven't even mentioned some of the people who are glad to see me again, (and reminisce about some of the others who didn't return this year) and the huge flowers and bottle of wine that was given to me by way of apology for the "inconvenience" with Limo and baggage!
Everything is shaping up just great! It's a pleasure to have warm weather and sunshine, also.
Do keep in touch; you can email me on my regular email address.
Love to all, Ann
Nothing is simple in this life, and although I was just about ready to leave home at 11 a.m. on the 16th, when the limo to the airport should have arrived, no one came! That precipitated lots of stress, and ended with my travel agent calling a local taxi. Fortunately, there was little traffic, and I got to the airport just a little late, but not too late. Got to L.A., and hotel, and met Roy to exchange my computer for his overnight bag, which I could take to Phoenix in place of my huge suitcase. Put my larger suitcase in hotel storage to go directly to the ship, and left the next morning to meet Mabel and her daughter Eve (mother and sister of Carol Shamieh from my Singles Cooking Group). I was pretty much jet lagged with all the time differences and mostly just relaxed in the sun (and fell asleep!).We ate out for lunch, dinner, and breakfast the next day! T.V. in the U.S. quite disappointing; could only get election coverage and no foreign news, anywhere. Saturday was the big ball game which excited all the locals, esp. when the Phoenix Cardinals won. In the meantime, Eve gave me a pedicure; she is awaiting her license and will get a job as soon as it comes. Next day, they took me to the airport, and for the first time, I experienced a Security Alert at the airport! Everything just stopped for about 20 minutes, with no one allowed to even move. When I was finally on the plane, it couldn't leave due to a "mechanical problem" that needed checking. Made up the time, and got to hotel, to find out that by way of apologizng for the limo that didn't show up in Zürich, Crystal invited me to be their guest for dinner that night in the hotel (The Beverly Hilton on Wiltshire Blvd). Made a date with Roy for lunch on Tuesday, and watched the Inauguration Ceremony in my hotel room. Napped after lunch, and met some of the cruisers from last year in the lobby. It was like "old home week!" The Gala was O.K., but the food on the ship is better than in the hotel. Three of the people at the table were acquaintances from last year.
Left the hotel at 11:15, but worried about the suitcase they had stored on Friday, and rightly so because it was NOT delivered to the ship with the rest of my baggage! The ship was due to sail at 17:00h and my case was finally discovered at the hotel, at 16:20 and sent in a cab! It arrived at 16:50! (I'm too old for all this stress!). Went to dinner, only to discover that I was not being seated at a table for 6, as I had requested, and didn't even go all the way to the table, but rather back to the Maitre D, who immediately looked up where I should have been, and ended up as the only woman seated with 4 men! One seat was empty, and two other ladies have been trying to get that seat for today. The discussion was most interesting and quite political as one man is here this week to give lectures on Intelligence Counter Intelligence, etc. and is a live wire! (Nigel West, from London); one man was a jockey in France and is now here with Berlitz to give French lessons on board. The other two are Ambassador Hosts, hired to dance with the ladies. I really look forward to dinner this evening with them. Last evening was most interesting!
Today, I signed up for the full Computer Course at Sea (includes college credit! and takes place on every "sea day". Also played bridge in the afternoon, after a lesson in the morning. When I finish this, I have to change for the Captain's Welcome Cocktail (tonight is "formal") and a photographer will take pictures for the photo album (too bad, I need a haircut!) After dinner, there is a Hollywood Spectacular (if i can stay awake that long) and at 11 p.m. there is Karaoke, but that will have to be for another time. Enough is enough!
Tomorrow afternoon, we are in Cabo, and I will take a bus tour.
Are you exhausted from just reading? I haven't even mentioned some of the people who are glad to see me again, (and reminisce about some of the others who didn't return this year) and the huge flowers and bottle of wine that was given to me by way of apology for the "inconvenience" with Limo and baggage!
Everything is shaping up just great! It's a pleasure to have warm weather and sunshine, also.
Do keep in touch; you can email me on my regular email address.
Love to all, Ann
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Update before lfying to L.A.
Although I have cancelled almost all my activities this week, except for bridge on Wednesday morning, nevertheless, it has been a rather hectic time, trying to pack everything, defrost the freezer, use the food in the refrigerator, take care of the mail, and entertain friends and relatives. Today is the 13th January, and I leave on Friday, the 16th in mid morning.
I have been pleasantly surprised and quite pleased to have heard from various friends as well as from people that I met on the cruise last year, who will arrange to see me this year, when we are near their home port. The very idea of going half way round the world and meeting up with friends and acquaintances who live so far away is quite exciting and makes the various destinations more interesting.
November and December were bad months for me healthwise, and I really worried how I would be able to travel, but fortunately, everything has cleared up and I feel quite well again, and ready for "adventure". The world news disturbs me greatla, and it doesn't seem to matter which end of the globe one reads about. Sad that people cannot learn to "live and let live".
In any case, I fly to L.A. on Friday, go to Phoenix for two days to visit with firends, and return to the Beverly Hilton in L.A., where I also hope to meet friends before the Gala evening offered by Crystal on the night of the 20th, before we set sail on the 21st.
I hope to keep up this blog for the duration of the trip, and you can always reach me via my regular email address.
I have been pleasantly surprised and quite pleased to have heard from various friends as well as from people that I met on the cruise last year, who will arrange to see me this year, when we are near their home port. The very idea of going half way round the world and meeting up with friends and acquaintances who live so far away is quite exciting and makes the various destinations more interesting.
November and December were bad months for me healthwise, and I really worried how I would be able to travel, but fortunately, everything has cleared up and I feel quite well again, and ready for "adventure". The world news disturbs me greatla, and it doesn't seem to matter which end of the globe one reads about. Sad that people cannot learn to "live and let live".
In any case, I fly to L.A. on Friday, go to Phoenix for two days to visit with firends, and return to the Beverly Hilton in L.A., where I also hope to meet friends before the Gala evening offered by Crystal on the night of the 20th, before we set sail on the 21st.
I hope to keep up this blog for the duration of the trip, and you can always reach me via my regular email address.
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