At Sea 25 July, 2015

Last night was optional formal so George put on a suit and bow tie and I wore a dress that fitted comfortably before I left home but was a bit tight in fact! No surprise there! We had dinner with Sue & Peter from Toronto then went to the crew show which was fabulous.  A selection of items by crew from around the world. (no 'if I were not upon the sea though) .  No partying on afterwards, despite having gone to the trouble of dressing up - not sure why all the oldies are so tired at the end of the day.  We'll all be dead a long time!!!!!! 

Today was packing day - the suitcases as usual to be in the corridor by 11 pm.  We had a great table at dinner, Judy & Stan from England and Georgia & Steve from California. Dinner was delicious - linguine with calamari, olive oil and garlic!   Judy & I played scrabble the other day and plan to play Words with Friends in the future!  Earlier we played trivia with some people from  Sydney and a lovely lady, Jan, from Hilton Head, Florida.  I also played bingo today and won $59.

We leave the ship at 9am and will get a taxi to the airport for our flight at 2.25 pm tomorrow.  Looking forward to seeing you all soon.  

Bergen, Norway - 24 July, 2015

Bergen, our last seaport before we arrive in Copenhagen on Sunday.  It is raining and quite cool - apparently it rains almost every day here.  Our tour began at 9am and included a terrific tour of the city, a funicular ride to the top of one of the seven surrounding mountains and then a drive to Edward Greig's house in Troldhaugen.  We saw where Greig lived and composed his music, the house is lovely, all wood and cosy.  There is a museum nearby and a small concert hall.  The house has a beautiful view of the water.  Back to the ship for lunch and then we walked to the fish market. There are all sorts of food stalls selling everything from reindeer, whale and moose.  George sampled all of the above (in sausage form).  Whale was also on sale in large chunks!  The crab looked delicious but very expensive.  As is everything here, of course.  

Tonight we are dining with Sue and Peter and will then go to the show which is being put on by the crew so should be good.  One of the waiters, Elvis, will be singing!

Had a lovely dinner in Prime 7 last night, I had crab cake and whole Maine lobster with drawn butter.  And the caramel popcorn parfait again!  Will have to get a recipe for that.  

Gerainger–Hellesylt, Norway 23 July, 2015

Woke this morning to the most magnificent view from our balcony - we had entered the fjord at around 4.30 am and docked at 7.  It is hard to describe how beautiful Gerainger is - my photos probably don't do it justice!  After an early breakfast we were taken to the RIB boats to be fitted in the lovely inflatable suits again - our excursion was for an hour and we travelled along the fjord stopping at several waterfalls and to view farms way up on the clifftop.  Unfortunately the boat wasn't the kind we were in the other day and the ride was without excitement but the scenery was amazing and it was well worth going.  Back at the port we decided to take the hop on/hop off bus for an hour. That, too, was well worth doing as we went way up the mountain around hairpin bends to get an excellent view of Gerainger.  We had to be back on board at 12.30 as the ship then sailed into another fjord in order to pick up some passengers who had taken a long road journey which ended at a little port called Hellesylt.  We had a couple of hours there, plenty of time to walk around the small village and stretch the legs!!!! Back on board we are now heading to Bergen and will be there all day tomorrow.  

We've been invited to Prime 7 for dinner tonight with the Collins from Florida.  Should be a fun night as they are characters!!!  Had a quick game of table tennis with Les from California while George &  the others were having a drink at the pool bar.  Now sitting on my balcony -totally in awe of the amazing scenery all around.  Being at the back of the ship has its advantages.  And Dhiraj, my butler, has just arrived with canapes!  (melon wrapped in procuitto and grapes). Not sure how I will cope without a butler next week! 

Kristiansund, Norway - 22 July 2015

Docked here at 11 am - such a very beautiful city.  We don't leave until 7pm so a bit of time to walk around the town after our tour which was for just over 3 hours.  We drove through very picturesque towns and farming areas to the Atlantic Road which was build about 19 years ago.  Kristiansund is made up of many islands and there is now a tunnel connecting two of them - 5 miles long and at a depth of 250 metres.  Also visited a beautiful 700 year old Stave Church.  Some locals have preserved  it and a new church was built next door.  Otherwise it would have been demolished and used for firewood!  

Found a place with wifi in the town- all the boat boys are here, excited to be talking/texting to their homelands.  

Not much other news yet.  The day is still young, though!!!  Here are some pics from today.

At Sea - 21 July 2015

Back at the ship yesterday we went to the Observation Lounge and enjoyed a couple of pina coladas  during sail-away and then had dinner with our friends from Toronto.  It was all I could do to stay awake at the end of the meal (so much excitement for an old girl!) and I didn't need any encouragement for sleep!  Today has been another sea day so no real commitments.  I attended a lecture on the world of Faberge - the life and works of Carl Faberge, court jeweller to the last of the Russian Tsars. 

Went to bingo with a couple of friends then enjoyed a wonderful seafood buffet on deck. They really  did it well but the crab today wasn't  a patch on yesterday's fresh catch!!  After lunch there was another lecture on the upcoming three ports.  Finished my third book this afternoon while  sitting in the sun and we didn't go to dinner until late. We always opt for a share table at dinner and we had good company tonight with a couple we'd met before from California and the assistant Cruise Director Christopher along with Byron who is a lovely young artist, an Englishman due to perform in a couple of night's time. Tonight's showtime entertainment was Woytek Mrozek playing the clarinet - apparently a world renowned artist with a long list of achievements.  He was good.  

Just got back to the room and find we have been allocated tickets on another RIB boat excursion in Geiranger, day after tomorrow. The RIB boat is not unlike a 'rubber ducky' to look at but there are two rows of 8 seats (more like saddles) which you sit on and there are bars to hold on to.  They travel at very high speed with lots of twists and turns. 

After a comment I made about putting on weight on this cruise,  I was asked whether there is a gym on the ship - it's really funny because I'm sure there is one, but I  just can't find it.  Pity.  All the signposts point to bars and restaurants 🍰🍷🍸🍹🍧🍮

  Honningsvag - at a distance

Honnigsvag, Norway 19 July 2015

Today has been the BEST day - very cold, around 8-9C.  We went on a king crab safari, left the pier at 11.30am.  Two RIB boats took about 20 of us on an exhilerating ride about 20 minutes away.  We stopped on the way to check the crab pots and sure enough there were about 8 waiting for us.  We watched them being killed, broken up and put onto the pot and around half an hour later they were served to us in a large tepee.  They were accompanied by bread and a delicious sauce.  We sat on reindeer skins and the fire the middle  of the tepee was great.  The ride home was just as exciting and I would definitely recommend it.  As you can see in the pics we were all suited out in inflatable outfits, very glam and warm.  Afterwards we were taken to an ice bar where they served a drink.  

We depart at 5pm with another day at sea tomorrow.  Sadly it is all coming to an end!!!! Caroline and Ian Collie are with us in the photo. 

Murmansk - 18 July 2015

Yesterday we were at sea again, it was cold so most activities were indoors.  I played scrabble in the morning with Judy from England while George went to a lecture.  A guy called Hugh Neighbour is one of two guest lecturers on board - he is retired from the US Government  and now works with the Smithsonian Institute and has a wonderful knowledge of all things military and marine!  He was able  to identify nearly all the nuclear ships and subs in the harbour on our quick visit to Murmansk three days ago.  The other lecturer is from the UK and is more of a travel buff, keeping us informed of what to expect in each port.  

Last night we had made reservations at the specialty restaurant, Signature, again, and made it quite clear we didn't want to sit with Hindi speaking people this time. Well, as luck would have it we shared a table with Caroline & Ian Collie!   She is really nice & so is he once you get past his bullshit!!!!! I shouldn't be unkind but if I said 'we were in Paris' he would say 'we were in Paris, travelled first class, slept in thr Eiffel Tower & rode in the Tour de France'.  Most people on this cruise could write a book on their travels but Ian's would be the best and most expensive.  Anyway, we did have a good night, sat in the Horizon lounge having more cocktails at 11.30pm!  Easy to do when there is no night time! Before dinner we were entertained by the guest pianist who played some Rachmaninov, Beethoven and Liszt. I forgot to mention the Beatles night about three days ago - a fantastic hour or so of excellent Beatles songs performed by the orchestra and singers and you haven't seen anything until you've seen 200 65+ oldies bopping away on the dancefloor!  We joined them of course and may need 2 wheelchairs on the way home. 92 year old  Freddie & his gorgeous wife from Paris were up there doing their bit.  She had to hold him steady of course.  

Well, now to today.  We arrived in Murmansk at 8am.  Our 'Highlights of Murmansk and Pancakes' tour  was at 9.30 so had to be in the departure lounge by 9.  A lot of formalities being a Russian port and we were given our passports for the day.  Despite our doubts about this place we were surprised at how efficient everything was.  Nice clean and comfortable buses and an excellent tour guide.  We are docked in a working port and surrounded by container ships being unloaded and so it is not the most beautiful area.  It did get better and we were given a tour of the city, cultural centre, monuments, a beautiful church with a service in progress and then pancakes at a hotel.  Also saw a memorial to the submarine which blew up in the Barents Sea back in 2000.  All the buildings looked very shabby and run down and the apartment blocks were terrible.  I reckon they could sell one Faberge egg and with the proceeds splash a bit of paint around and clean up the place.  The people here don't appear to have a lot of pride in their city as the whole place is covered in weeds.  Growing beautifully, of course, and about 2 ft in height!  The tour guide said she is an English teacher and she explained much about the lifestyle here.  From November until February they are in darkness and of course it is freezing cold.  Their heating has two switches, on and off.  The population is diminishing rapidly, now 309,000 people as most young people now go to university in St Petersburg and Moscow and don't return.  Not hard to see why! But they seem happy and that is all that matters.  

The pancakes were delicious - everyone received three very thin crepes with an orange sauce and fresh cream.  Along with tea or coffee, of course.  

Back to the ship in time for a late lunch but not before we had a pina colada at the pool bar first!  I left home with a couple of dresses that fitted - and now they don't.  Wonder why!

So this afternoon I have enjoyed a few hours on my balcony, reading. Our suite is right at the back of the ship and when sailing we watch the wake!  But we are parked behind a freighter which is STILL being unloaded and I may have to go inside as the fumes from the funnel are stifling! 

At Sea again - 18 July 2015

We are now almost down to our last week and there will be at least five ports to report on which will hopefully make for more interesting reading.  Yesterday we woke to brilliant sunshine - amazing how it can make such a difference!  Some people were lucky enough to have an excursion to the Solovetski Monastery which was apparently wonderful.  The Monastery was founded in 1429 and is a working monastic centre and everyone said it was extra special.  After breakfast we were able to sit on the deck and enjoy the sun until our afternoon excursion to the small island of Grand Zayatsky which was accessible by ship's  tender and about a 20 min ride.  While it looked bleak and uninteresting from a distance it was, in fact, very beautiful.  Our tour guide, Valentina, spoke excellent English, said she teaches English in a school.  We were shown around the island, which about 1.5 square kms in size, and this was done using a boardwalk in order to preserve the natural beauty.  There are 13 labyrinths/mazes on the island, lots of stones/boulders and it is thought these mazes date back to around 2000 BC.  No one is sure what they represent but the most likely explanation is that they're memorials to people lost at sea.  There is a small wooden church built in the time of Peter the Great and still used on special occasions - very small and cosy.  One old man is caretaker during the summer months. 

Last night we had dinner with Ian and Caroline Collie and enjoyed the show afterwards.  

Tomorrow we are in Murmansk and from all accounts that will be fairly forgettable!

Not liking that my mighty Pies are on a losing streak!  I need to get home fast.  

At Sea - 16 July 2015

This is our third sea day and, while very relaxing, it will be good to go ashore tomorrow.  It is too cold to sit on the deck unfortunately, in fact other than for half an hour or so last week it is best indoors!  

Yesterday we arrived at Murmansk at around 6pm but only to drop anchor and sit in the bay while the Russians processed our passports for the next few days.  We will be back in Murmansk for tours etc in a couple of days and now we are steaming towards the Solovetsky Islands.  

Yesterday they had a fun day on board - called 'the country fair' each department on the ship had stalls set up for half an hour & you could take part playing games & getting tickets for participating then those tickets went on into a barrel for prizes.  Only the Brits could think up something like that!  

Ran into a very former partner of George, Ian Collie and his wife yesterday.  Hadn't seen them in years & almost unrecognisable!  

The shows at night have been good, the concert pianist is back tonight and then a soecial Beatles party.  

The pics below tell the story - the pilot boat and a shot of the landscape - very industrial and boring!

500 miles from the North Pole - 13 July 2015

Sailed out of Longyearbayn last night in thick fog!  Couldn't even see the ski chairlift which was very close to the ship!  However, it was very comfy in the Horizon lounge sipping mohitos 🍹!!! Joined friends from Toronto for dinner and then went to the show.  It was a night of 'dancing with the stars'.  The European couple who had won DWTS featured along with the other entertainers from the ship and it was a great performance.  Went to bed (as usual!) and finally turned out the light after reading a chapter in my book and realised I must have left the balconly light on.  Got up to turn it off and realised the curtains weren't drawn fully and it was the midnight sun shining in!  We haven't had night time for 4 days!  

We are at sea now for three days, tonight we turn the clock forward one hour.  Today we travelled as far as is possible to the North Pole in a cruise ship - we were only metres from the ice as you will see in the pics below.  It was all low lying ice - a bit disappointing as I expected mountains of ice!  We were still 500 miles from the North Pole.  When the ship turned to travel south again we followed a long line of mountains covered in snow and glaciers.  Not really close enough to get good pics though. 

Dined with a couple from Sarasota, Florida tonight then went to the theatre to hear Pianist Robin Zebaida play 'A Greig Odyssey' - a trawl through some of Greig's best loved compositions with music by Chopin and Rachmaninov. Was really beautiful.  Greig lived in Bergen and some of the tours will include his residence.  

Longyearbayn - 12 July 2015

Well, we came into town, being Sunday not much open until after 10am and absolutely no-one around except cruise passengers!  Longyearbayn is rather a bleak looking place, would look so much better covered in snow.  There are snowmobiles everywhere which is the usual form of transport here.  We did go to the church service and it was so lovely.  Obviously in Norwegian language but we were able to sing Amazing Grace as words in English as well.  We stayed on for coffee and cake, met the priest and her brother - both Danish - and they are working here for the summer.  He plays the violin and is an accomplished musician as well as being an opera singer in Copenhagen.  

We're going to the museum now.  

Longyearbayn - 12 July 2015

We are finally at the top of the world!!!  It is a rather bleak day and cold but not windy so very comfortable. They served champagne and caviar at breakfast and tonight's sailaway party on deck will be a hot chocolate affair!  Not much to do here as we don't have a tour planned (all booked out) so we got the shuttle to the small township and being Sunday I think all the locals are still in bed! A few shops open and we have found this coffee shop with wifi so will enjoy some good coffee.

The local church service (advertised through the ship) is at 11am and passengers are invited so we will probably go and drop a few pennies on the plate and sing hymns in Norwegian!  

Maybe the sun will shine later on & I can get nicer pics.  

Still at sea - 11 July 2015

Watched the show before dinner and it was absolutely fantastic. The Cruise director, Ray, did a  one-man show and he sang songs from Le Mis and other shows and has the most beautiful voice.  Shared a table in the main dining room with a couple from Sydney and another from Williamsberg, Virginia.  We laughed and laughed, great stories and jokes.  Hope I can remember them!  And just as we were about to leave the dining room I spotted activity in the water - thought it was a pod of whales but turns out they were  dolphins.  Which is more than we have seen for the past couple of days except for the odd seagull.  

Came back to our suite & waited on the balcony for another showing but don't think there are any in the pic below - plenty of grooves and chins though!!!!

In the Barents Sea - 11 July

Not a lot of news today as we are still cruising, arriving in Longyearbeyn/Spitzbergen tomorrow morning.  The sea is like a mill pond today, very cold outside although we were able to sit on our balcony this morning with our books. There isn't a great deal to do really - unless you want to play bridge (which I'm not really interested in) or play American Mahjong or fill in a jigsaw puzzle etc.  So, I decided to play bingo this morning (might as well start getting ready for the retirement village) and was tinny enough to win two of the four games, netting a total of $110 US.  

Lunch was lovely, lots of variety and all nice and fresh.  Today was Indian food on the pool deck but I opted for the salad bar with yummy crab claws and salmon.  Last night we dined in Signature's, one of the specialy restaurants, and as usual, asked for a share table.  The other two were from Bangalore in India, dripping in diamonds, & she didn't speak any English at all.  He did, but in a mumbled way.  So, after the first course they spoke to each other in Hindi all night.  Ah well, can't win them all.  Otherwise we've teemed up with some terrific people from all over the world.  

The weather is cold, probably just like it is in Melbourne.  I definitely won't need the bikini this trip.  

Last night we had the Block party - everyone congregated in their areas outside suites and the Captain and various Officers ran (literally) around the decks shaking hands with every single passenger.  A photographer followed so there will be a fun video somewhere to be purchased I'm sure! 

I did get a kick when my dear friend Jan K. sent an email saying Collingwood had won by 3 points.  Then deflation set in when the Australian newsletter (distributed daily) arrived last night and I read they had LOST by 3 points!  Can't trust those Pies!

Not sure if there will be wifi tomorrow but will try to connect. 

At Sea -10 July

Last night proved to be a lot of fun.  Went to the Broadway show, which was very good, and sat next to a couple from Venice, Florida, Pamela & Keith.  She is pretty outrageous in a way and very funny,  and we joined them for cocktails before dinner. Turns out she knows Melbourne & talked about her girlfriend who is now married to a guy who runs Metricon and they live in the Royal Domain apartments just near us. Small world.  As usual we were last to leave the restaurant.  Keith, her husband, was a protection officer for 4 ex US Presidents, the last being Clinton.  

Talked to our butler (I love saying that, so normal!!) this morning about various ships etc & he said he used to work with Costa.  I mentioned the Concordia & he was meant to take a posting on that ship but in the end asked for extended leave for family reasons and so luckily avoided the disaster.  

Today has been action packed as usual, joke.  Did go to a lecture on the upcoming port of Longyearbayn then used the laundry before lunch.  I also sat in on a game of mahjong but they play American rules & it was a bit double dutch to me.  

At 6pm tonight there is a Block party!  Normal on this ship aparently - everyone gathers in the aisles their neighborhood with a drink to socialise!!!! Ummm......not sure about this one.  

Will try & use the internet shortly and hopefully post this.  

Oh, we did pass over the Arctic Circle line at 9am and here is a pic to prove it!  No signposts or boxes to declare fruit etc though.  

Trondheim, 9 July 2015

Arrived here at 8 am and it's still cold brrrrrrr!!!!!  We sailed at 6.30 pm yesterday & the Captain announced that there would be 4m waves between 8 and 11 pm and so the evening broadway production couldn't go ahead.  Instead they had a fairly forgettable commedian and the broadway show will be on tonight before we sail.  This is for safety reasons.  But I reckon half the people on this ship would be tucked in by 7 and would miss it anyway!!!  Enjoyed the company of a couple from Florida at dinner.  All those we have spoken with seem well travelled and most have been to Australia and Melbourne.  

I've just returned from a 3 hour city sights tour which included a stop at a 9th century cathedral which is the main cathedral for this area and where the Norwegian Royal family come for special liturgical occasions.  Then went to an outdoor museum not unlike Sovereign Hill but far less busy. Trondheim is a pretty place not but not as lovely as Alesund yesterday.  

I expect the next two days at sea will be rather rough.  Our next port is in Longyearbeyn, the most northerly inhabited area on the planet.  Would be good if we could see polar bears!  

The ship is good, and yes, Jacinta, all suites have a balcony.  There are four different restaurants at night plus the buffet or room service and all wines, etc, are complimentary.  And the food has been delicious.  

That's all for today, more in a few days.  Wonder if they have internet at the North Pole? 

Alesund Norway - July 8

Well, we had quite a bumpy ride last night - the ship groaned & creaked all night.  Docked here in this absolutely beautiful place at 9 am & then took a 3 hour tour.  Went to the Sunnmore Museum which is an open air village with cultural history exhibitions and a big collection of old buildings and boats dating back centuries.  Alesund is mountainous and majestic and the fjord is stunning but how they live here in winter is a mystery.  The little town where the 'Stressless Chairs' are made is just a few kms from here ( they are always advertising on radio and are meant to be the best).  It is very cold, about 12C but better than being really hot.  Copenhagen was full of tourists and hot, this is more my style.  

We went back to the ship for lunch and now checking out the shops in cobblestone streets.  

At Sea - July 7

It is very windy today, definitely not a day to sit around the pool even if it were full of water!  A good chance to explore the ship and make some new acquaintances.  Attended a couple of terrific lectures on Norway and Russia.  Had a beautiful meal in one the of specialty restaurants with 2 other couples.  So interesting that we forgot to go to the show!  There are plenty of activities available on board but most people seem to retire early - certainly no disco music that I could hear! 

We're not using the internet on the ship - saving it up so that we still have 500 free minutes when we disembark,  so will have to find somewhere to post this tomorrow on our shore day.  

6 July 2015

The hotel in Copenhagen is huge - all 700 people (I think) booked on the cruise were accommodated here and I have to say it is very basic.  It didn't particularly bother us as was provided by the shipping company but I gather a number of people were horrified at the lack of comfort.  Breakfast was also complimentary and when we went to the dining room it was FULL of people - honestly looked like a geriatric convention!!!!! Understandably, some of these people would have had great difficulty climbing into the very high bathtub to take a shower!  My bet is they didn't.  Couldn't possibly!  Many of them so frail a good puff of wind would blow them over! 

Speaking of wind, it is very cool and windy here.  Our bus to the ship was at 12.30 pm so I went for a long walk along Stroget and on to the Amalienborg Palaces.  Took a few photos of where Mary & Frederick live (have been there before but was never sure which of the four was theirs.)

Here I am with the soldier on guard but he could care less!!

The ship is lovely, our suite very nicely appointed and comfortable.  Ran into David & Liz Smart from Melbourne - what a coincidence!!! No love lost between David and George so guess that will be a story! 

We dined with a nice couple from Toronto this evening but not much partying on afterwards.  I need my friend Anne Lamont here - she would know how to get the ball rolling!  

Bangkok-Copenhagen 5 July 2015

Have finally left Bangkok, the flight to Copenhagen is just over 10 hours.  Is very comfortable as there are only 4 passengers in business class and the service has been amazing.  Pity we were piggish at breakfast then again in the lounge as the food has been lovely, much nicer than the earlier flight.  

Have now checked into our hotel, the Scandic Copenhagen.  It is different, very Danish & modern & a bit funky. But the beds look inviting after a long day of doing nothing!!!! We were really feted by the Thai crew, they were lovely and presented us with orchids before landing.  They used to do that years ago - maybe it is just on certain flights.  Not sure we can eat any more tonight but a walk might be a good idea.  Or maybe George could get another wheelchair.  Or maybe we could call Mary & Fred & see if they have a Bushells tea bag for a cuppa. 

Hopefully I'll be able to talk about something other than food in the next weeks.  

Bangkok, 4 July 2015

Arrived in Bangkok last night to 36C - quite a contrast to the freezing Melbourne we had left.  Flight was pleasant and on time.  We're staying at the Novotel right near the airport.  It was our intention to do as little as possible today so after a leisurely breakfast we spent a few hours by the pool then decided to take the shuttle to the airport for some lunch.  Sounds odd but we in fact found a little restaurant that served THE most delicious tom yum soup!! In preparation for 20 days at sea, we then enjoyed cocktails and canapes in the executive lounge - this now ensures an early night before flying to Copenhagen tomorrow.