WEEK 1

17 AUGUST 2022: PE/JHB/AMSTERDAM/BOSTON

Left home on Wednesday, all went well even saw Siya Kolisi and his family boarding there plane at the airport in PE. Dont know why we think they are different to us because they are famous , just another normal family. It was so special to see him with his arm around his sons shoulders while walking to the aircraft, to me that just says something about our Springbok rugby captain, a special man.Our flight from JHB was delayed with an hour so i was very thankful that i had enough time to catch my connecting flight at Schipol in Amsterdam. 

The last time i was there was in 1988 , 34 years ago when i went backpacking around Europe with my school friend for 6 weeks, we were 24 years old ! Many moons ago. Last weekend we had our 40 year school reunion in Grahamstown it was great seeing each other and sleeping in the hostel again. I had 2 lovely ladies next to me on my flight,the one was going to work as a carer in Ireland and the other one was on her way to a wedding,what a bubbly friendly character,someone that just has a fantastic personality,a inner shine to her, even told me if you cold on the flight i will share my blanket with you , her name was Joan. She said i have to have a cocktail on the ships deck on her,haa haa.

The flight to Amsterdam was a bit bumpy , at one stage breakfast had to be stopped,just before we all had to buckle down the lady next to me spilled her orange juice all over the airhostess.Layover was not too long in Amsterdam but must admit the 11 hour flight to Amsterdam is long and tiring.Then the last leg lay ahead ,another 8 hours of flying.On this flight i did get to sleep think I was just exhausted.Things went smoothly through customs and i was very thankful when my suitcase arrived after all the luggage issues at airports that you read about on social media.This time round we even had airtags in our bags just in case! Took a taxi to the hotel , a beautiful new hotel the Hampton Inn Boston Seaport and walking distance to the Boston Cruise Terminal , would definitely recommend it to all passengers going on a cruise from Boston.Had a stunning room with a big window and views over the port and seaport area. So its breakfast this morning and then time to walk to the port to join my ship that will be home for the next 3 months.

WEEK 1: 

19 AUGUST 2022: BOSTON / PORTLAND MAINE / BERMUDA

Woke up at 4 in the morning and that was the end of my sleeping,was so excited to join hubby after 3 weeks apart. Kept on looking out the window to see when the ship was docking but that only happened at about 7. Had a good breakfast and then I walked to the port to join the ship,was so conveniant to just walk across the street and not worry about a taxi traffic and being on time.Took a while to get my things sorted at the cruise terminal and needed a neg PCR , which I had done in SA on the day I left, a covid vaccine sertificate,and a Bermuda letter of approval to be able to join the ship,so is a mission,thank goodness I was ready for them with all the info on my phone.

Have been forsed to embrace the technology to make my life easier as my son and husband keep on telling me,have to be up to date otherwise you get left behind.So this is a ongoing learning curve by the looks of things.We were on this same ship 10 years ago when we went to Alaska,when my sister and a friend came with.Just so much nicer when you don’t have to travel alone.Had forgotten how small the cabins are,chirp from hubby never mind in two days time it will feel normal and big enough.Did not take long to unpack and get myself sorted,so this will be home for the next 3 months.Supper was on the outside deck with only a few passengers around so that was great and a beautiful pink sky on the horison,never get use to these stunning sunsets,really amazing.We only have supper together so a special time of the day.Had a good nights sleep ,happy and content to be together again.

20 AUGUST 2022: PORTLAND MAINE

Arrived early morning but was too lazy to watch the sail in to this beautiful port.Got a nice photo of the sunrise from our porthole window but hope to be on the open deck with sunrise tomorrow for a walk and coffee before the day starts.I just love breakfast and went to my special spot on the open deck with a stunning view over Portland,took a while before the local authorities gave us permission to go ashore,our ship is only the 2 nd one to call in this port after opening up after the covid ordeal or should I say nightmare. Ships then call at this port until October/Nov when they leave until next summer. 

This is a special place we have been here before but just love the feeling, sea gulls all over in the dock area,a seaside city,a trading and fishing settlement.Hubby was off for the day so we decided to have lunch at the Porthole Pub and try there lobster,mussels and local beer.The lobster was delicious but would not be ordering the mussels again,next time we are going to try the oysters. Saw long rows of people at The Holy Dounut Café so decided they must be good and got us some, they were very nice.Another famous thing in this part of the world seems to be the lobster rolls,think we should give that a try too.So much to do in this place but not enough time.We have to be aboard at 2.30 and set sail at 15h00.

Did find time for a middag slapie before I had to be on the top decks to watch the sailaway until next time.The beautiful Lighthouses stand watch over the entrance to the waterways around this city,would not mind going on a tour to the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse it is the one just before you go back to sea.Tomorrow is a sea day and hope to get to the gym and get into that routine,very excited about the steam room, so will give that a try too.

21 AUGUST 2022 @ SEA

We actually made it this morning and got up early to go for a walk and have our coffee just after the sun came up. Must admit it is a special time of the day for most people are still sleeping and you have the whole deck to yourself and just sea around you.Most passengers were sleeping, it is a sea day so nowhere to go,just the sea and the ship.I went to the gym for the first time and think am defnitely going to be stiff tomorrow morning for this is the first excersise I have done since leaving New York.

The gym was not very full so looks like on this cruise there are not crazy gym people who need to gym while on holiday.I also got into the steam room and had my shower in the gym.Think will be doing that more often for the shower a lot bigger than our cabin and also have a hairdryer,so I am sorted.Then it was time for breakfast on the open deck, that was really stunning while we are sailing on the open seas towards Bermuda.Did a quick walkabout on the ship and then it was time for our cabin,decided to just chill there while waiting for hubby to arrive for his afternoon siesta.Not been too busy but did have someone with chestpain to sort out and a crewmember with migraine,here he sees all sorts of things.The weather is warm and think we are going to be sweating in Bermuda that’s for sure!This will be the ships last visit to Bermuda till end of October/November.

Next week we are off to Canadas coastline and small towns,where Qquebec is our turn around point and a 7 day cruise back to Boston.Still using my Canada visa that has a line straight though it after a customs guy made a mistake and drew a line through the new visa and not the old one!! So we will see what next week will bring.Thank goodness I have the dates to prove that I was in Canada after the mishap,so we sill see.Must admit am missing my loungers on the new ships where I normally spend my afternoons lying around, on the old ships they only have chairs and the loungers at the pool area and just to hot to be lying around outside,regte ou mens

 

22 AUGUST 2022- BERMUDA

We arrived in Bermuda early morning and after breakfast I got the NCL ferry  itinary to St Georges,they have a free shuttle service running all day long.The ride takes an hour so you have to plan your day accordingly.Luckily I remembered to get my mask for in Bermuda you have to where your mask to enter the government building on the dock but crazy before you go in and after you come out you don’t need to have it on,does that make any sence at all!!! The sea is really flat today and a beautiful day the sun hot and think we are going to be frying on the beach.I stopped in St Georges to get myself some water and then I tackled the hill towards the beach.

My first stop was the old unfinished church with no roof.They use it for weddings and I came upon some flowers that had been left in the church after a wedding. Sat down for a minute, was weird being in this building with no roof and just me, the white chairs and grass and 2 doves that abviously live here.Then it was time to walk over the hill to Tobacco Bay Beach.The view from above is just beautiful,it really takes your breath away. First top was at the restaurant to get the wifi going and to catch my breath, that did not take long before I needed to get into the sea to cool down.At this age you have menopause to contend with and a inner thermostat that is not working proply.This time I was prepared with hubbys swimming glasses so off I went and wow what a fantastic feeling to get into this water,was not long and the fish came swimming past and saw a  huge parrot fish,was just beautiful.

I lay in the water until I had ou mens vingers and then deided to go and sit in the restaurant area with a stunning view over the bay under a umbrella,that saved my life,the sun just to hot.Had my last swim and boy you try and get into gym pants while you still wet,dit was nou n affere en n gestoei!!! Dink was eintlik n goeie show om dop te hou.Dont think am going to do that again,rather walk until I am dry and then get dressed.Went into all the shops looking for a roll up hat with an open part on top of your head but no luck,the peak will just have to do the job for now.While waiting for the ferry I spoke to a couple that were drinking beer that was covered with a  brown packet and then they told me the story that a local told them to buy the beer at the local grocery store and it must be in the brown paper bag while you in the street,no drinking if it is not covered in public spaces.Clever plan for they paid $2.70 for a beer and I paid $9 at the beach!!! So next visit I will be going to the local grocery store for my brown packet! While waiting for the ferry a guy was playing the saxsiphone and a oldish couple started dancing,took a video, that was special.Must say most Burmudians are very friendly and helpful.

Had all the seats to myself on my way back with the ferry so could lie down and have a snooze all the way back to dockyard where our ship is docked.Had a lovely day and could not wait to have a shower,the sea water very salty.We were going to have dinner off the ship but decided against that and just went for a walk after supper so that hubby could get some fresh air and put his feet on dry land after 3 weeks at sea.Staying over in port does make things a lot easier and it is nice to be able to go anywhere without worring that you are going to be left behind.

23 AUGUST 2022- BERMUDA

I had big plans last night but they dissappeared when the alarm went off this morning,woke up tired so got up late and gave the gym a skip,then it was breakfast and time to get off the ship to buy some special soap that they make in Bermuda.Was a dissapointment to find the soaps are all sold out, so will have to try when we come back in October.Stopped at the book shop that has a room where you can just sit and read,paged through a few books and the one about the Bermuda triangle is quite scary.By this time i felt like a afternoon siesta so went back to our cabin and did that.

Think i overdid things yesterday and maybe that is why i am so tired.Need to have a covid test again for Canada and my passport has been checked for my visa to Canada.We will be in Boston again on Friday then we leave for Canada.Looking forward to cooler weather but don’t know if that is what we are going to get,summer in there part of the world.

24 AUGUST 2022- BERMUDA

Today i decided to get my butt in the gym and was very glad I did,had the whole place to myself with a stunning view over dockyard and all the comings and goings had a birds eye view from deck 12.On my way out met  a crew member we had met on another contract and his husband has the most beautiful voice ,he is one of the lead singers in one of the shows onboard,will definetly go just to listen to his voice.After breakfast I waited for hubby and then we went on a quick walk around dockyard and did some shopping or should I say got sweet supplies.

Had to come clean and tell hubby I took the train shuttle around dockyard yesterday,when I was feeling tired something I don’t normally do. Got a bit sunburnt from my visit to Tobacco Bay and did not even sit in the sun was from swimming and lying in the shallow water.Hope that I can take hubby to my special spot I discovered in Tobacco Bay on our next visit at the end of October,he has not been to see it.I just love it for you can swim,snorkel,has free wifi,you can have something to eat and drink  or just enjoy the view from the restaurant and has showers,the cherry on the cake are the parrot fish that seem to like that area, they are absolutely stunning to see in there natural habitat.Left at 15h00 and on our way back to Boston,the sea is rough and think we are in for a rough ride tonight.Tomorrow is a sea day and Friday I will have to be up at the crack of dawn to meet the customs officials.On the next cruise we are going to have to go through this 2 x week once with the USA guys and then with the Canada guys,anyway it is what it is,just think I will need to get a new passport when I get home for my book is going to be full.

25 AUGUST 2022- @SEA

The bed won this morning,so did not make it for a walk but maybe it was not a bad thing for it was raining. At 8 I went for my covid test and last night poor hubby battled to get my Canada forms done,for some or other reason did not want to accept my covid vaccinations but after a long gesukkel he got it right and I was accepted.Did use a few nasty words when things did not want to work out.Sure enough they asked if I had the QR code to enter Canada so I was very relieved that we got it right last night,the test went quick and thank goodness my result was negative.

After breakfast I ended up on deck 7 and started reading my book.The book is about getting old and all the things you exsperience and go through en the auther is spot on and makes you think of how older people feel and think about things generally.Got my letters for tomorrows customs excersise so will be able to get off the ship and walk around in Boston,we leave at 4 so need to be back by 3, our next port is Charlottetown in Canada,looking forward to this Canada run,we have done it before but have forgotten all the detail of the little towns,really looking forward to Quebec just love the city ,vibe and look of the place, only other thing most people speak French. So week 1 has come to an end so until end of week 2 ,bye.