A beautiful fall day! Day 6, Hilo Hawaii!

Today is a beautiful day!  The fall weather is impressive.  We started the day by going to Starbucks....did not see anyone we knew....then went back home!

Finished piecing the flannel throw that I am making for myself.  Have not opened up the new sewing machine!

                                                 

Pretty wild throw....I think the backing may be orange.....Just like Joseph's coat of many colors!

Tami is still not feeling well ....she got sick on her way back from Albbania...she looks like she is sinking....I think she needs to go to bed!

Vicki looks like she could be sinking too!

I am not sinking...but I am thinking about it...I think it is all the talk about Obama Care!  lol!

Mark is looking good....he had to go to work for awhile this afternoon....on call!

We had a nice dinner with Tami , Mark and Joshua!

That facial hair sure does look good on Joshua...He has a birthday next Saturday!

This is Aaron's dog.  He is kinda friendly but nothing like my dogs in Yuma!

This is Joshua's dog...the one I took care of...under my watch he gained weight...he is the grandpa of the bunch!  This includes the 3 in Yuma!

Welcome to the msAmsterdam and my virtual cruise, The Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!

Photos from Jeff Farschman's blog,,,,  http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com

Photos and narritive from  Leslie's  Travel blog....http://lesliesh.wordpress.com

Even though this is day 6 and the port is Hawaii, it will be tomorrow before we get updated and photos!

Day 5 At Sea

Today was probably the best pool day yet…. The only problem was that I had to visit the doctor.  Had a bit of an accident yesterday afternoon and screwed up my knee….  Something like a tear in my meniscus….  That is just what I needed on the beginning of a 7 month voyage.  Oh well, I’ll see how that works out when I visit Volcanoes National Park outside of Hilo Hawaii tomorrow….  Tonight was a very special occasion. Jim & Carol Hausman, friends for the 2012 World Voyage were unable to make it this year so they invited a group of their friends to get together and have dinner at the Pinnacle Grill.  It was a wonderful evening, highlighted with meeting some wonderful people.  Great day!!!!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                          S'

Welcome to my virtual cruise to the Far East! Day 5

Good morning you all.  Hope you all are sleeping well....what with the rocking ship and the salt air, you should be sleeping like a baby!  Also, remember that the alcohol is not free and will appear on your bill at the end of the cruise!  lol!

Took the car to have it washed and to have a donut...the car got washed and all of my favorite donuts were gone....shouldn't be too long before the pumpkin ones are in!  Speaking of pumpkin....we bought 21 cans yesterday to make future muffins!

Went to see Rosine today and she seems to be doing okay!

Solved the problem with my phone....but still did not take any pictures today.  Took a nap and sewed for about an hour!

Going to the dining room now and having a nice sit down dinner....Vicki is ready to go but says that tomorrow night we will have room service!  lol!


Welcome to the msAmsterdam and my virtual cruise, The Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!
Photos from Jeff Farschman's blog,,,,  http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com

Photos and narritive from  Leslie's  Travel blog....http://lesliesh.wordpress.com

Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage, MS Amsterdam

Posted on September 23, 2013by lholland6365

On September 20th, I boarded the MS Amsterdam in Vancouver for the start of a 75 day voyage through islands in the Pacific and major cities in Asia.  The itinerary is shown in this map.

Our sail away took us past Stanley Park with the Vancouver skyline in the background.

Only half the passengers boarded in Vancouver and we headed to San Pedro California to pick up the remainder.  We total some 900 passengers. San Pedro is the location of the major port for Los Angeles.  It is a quiet town appearing to have been built up primarily in the 1950s and 1960s.  One of my dinner companions and I decided to take a walk along the harbour which has some development for tourists.  We arrived at what seemed to be the end of the harbour where we found a commercial fish market. A local woman asked us if she could help us, and hearing we were tourists, offered to drive us around for an hour or so.  Her name is Setsuko Matsumoto (photo) and she owns a B&B called the Cabrillo Beach House ( www.CabrilloBeachHouse.com). She is also a professional chef  and does private dinner parties and teaches cooking.  We couldn’t believe our luck, when she took us first to her house so that she could drop off some fresh fish before taking us out for a tour. Her house is an older house built by an old sea captain and one of the guest rooms is still furnished as he originally built it.  It looks out to the ocean.  Our tour took in some of the major tourist sights of the area including Cabrillo Beach (photo), the old Fort MacArthur area and fortifications and the Point Fermin Lighthouse (photo).  We then headed down the peninsula and stopped at the Wayfarers Chapel (photo) designed by the son of Frank Lloyd Wright. It is very popular for weddings, and as one was about to start, we could not go inside.  Continuing down the peninsula, we stopped at a sushi restaurant where my friend and I treated Setsuko to lunch.  Our return journey brought a couple of stops at scenic locations (photo) and she got us back to the ship mid afternoon.  We would not have seen any of the beauty of the area if we had not met Setsuko. She is a very friendly person and she made it a very memorable day.  For those interested in any of her cooking services or her B&B she can be reached at setsumatsu@gmail.com.

Our next stop on September 28th is Hilo, Hawaii.

Posted in Travel | Tagged Cabrillo Beach, Cabrillo Beach House, Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage, MS Amsterdam,Point Fermin Lighthouse, San Pedro CA, Vancouver, Wayfarers Chapel | Leave a comment

ANOTHER SEA DAY!

This ship is really going fast!

It is beautiful out here!

Yes!  Those are legs!

Jeff, you are already so brown....great tan!

Another wonderful day at sea….   The weather turned out to be great.  The morning started out as quite overcast but the sun soon came out and made for a hot sunny day.  We turned the clocks back for the 3^rd time tonight so I am 6 hours behind Eastern time back home…  Tough not to get up early.  This evening was, as usual, a wonderful dinner with my friends.  Cruise is going very well.  The major event of the day for me was the fixing of the internet connections near my cabin.  The Communications Officer, Lex, was very tenacious in attacking the connectivity issues and found and fixed the problem this afternoon…. We all are very thankful for his, and the rest of the team’s efforts….

Posted by Jeff Farschman at 3:53 AM

Tomorrow the port of call will be Hilo Hawaii

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                        S'

Busy day! Day 4, at sea!

Here we are and we made it through our first day at home!  Rise and shine early....I woke up at 5:00 and could not go back to sleep.  Could be because I had an upset stomach last night and was asleep by 9:00.  We were watching Criminal Minds and I told Vicki that I could not watch it....it was making me sicker as they had a serial killer who made his victims eat other peoples brains....that show is getting too dark and it is the first time that one added to a upset stomach of mine!  I always knew that I am very suggestible...so gross!

Well, we jumped into the car this morning and headed to QT and then off to another new Starbucks.  After coffee we went across the street and had our hair done.  They both turned out quite nice.  We then headed for Costco where we had lunch and got groceries.  Then back into the car and home we went.  Bicki then jumped into the car and went to the post office to pick up our mail.  This time when she jumped back into the car, she overshot it and landed at her mother's place.  Can you imagine how shocked she was when she found herself sitting and visiting with her mother when she was supposed to be at home sorting mail.  I think as she was leaving her mother's she realized that something was wrong when her mother said"does Sandi know where you are?"  OMG!  is Vicki now in trouble....missing in action...in a car crash....or maybe in jail!  What is the price one pays when ET forgets to phone home?

Today I got to take the bandage off my hand and it looks like it is healing okay.  Now, if I can just keep from hitting it!

Now I am going to tell you that I am having a problem with my iPhone.  I took pictures yesterday and they all uploaded to my photo stream...today the pictures have not uploaded....so, I said...I'll show you...I'll just upload the pictures directly...nope, they are still in the camera and I can't get them out....just like I've fallen and I can't get up!

So, now we will deal with the fact that the Amsterdam is still at sea and if it were not for Jeff we would not know what is going on!  Thank You Jeff


Welcome to the msAmsterdam and my virtual cruise, The Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!
Photos from Jeff Farschman's blog,,,,  http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com


Day 3 At Sea

Well, I must admit, that I am quite pleased how the Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage for 2013 has started out….  Not only have I been able to connect, once again, with my Holland America family, everything so far has been wonderful.  The food, service and entertainment have all been top notch.  I believe they have taken it up a notch or two since I was last on for the World Voyage….  It is noticeable.  The weather today petered out on me a bit…  the sun was replaced with rain & overcast skies for various times during the day.  It was a delightful day none the less.  I even attended a photography lecture given by my friend and professional photographer David Smith.  If any of the photos I take from this point forward are less than satisfactory I assume we can just blame David.  Sorry David!!!!  This evening was very nice, it stated out with the Captain’s Welcome reception and toast followed by a wonderful dinner.  Rene, the Spa Manager hosted our table and everyone had a great time.  Then it was off to the show followed by my dedicated, very late night blog update….  It was an excellent day.  I am loving these days at sea.

Tomorrow is another sea day!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                         S'

Home in Sun City West! Day 2, at sea!

Okay, this will be a short one!  We are back in Arizona and trying to get settled....having a hard time getting it together.

Stopped in Yuma for a few minutes to see Judy, Olias and the dogs!
                                       
             Judy and Olias got home last night after working for 5 months in Northern California!  The dogs are happy to be home too!                          

                                                                             

Mommy and her son.....always playing and licking licking licking!

These dogs love Olias!  They love to sleep on him!

                                                                 

Guarding the border and keeping us safe!

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Tomorrow is a very busy day....we are having our hair done and will be seeing Rosine, so we will have an update for you.

Our trip home was uneventful, thank goodness.  The weather here is very nice and not hot at all.  I think we can have the doors open tomorrow and the windows open tomorrow night.

Today on the Amsterdam was another sea day but Jeff did post on his blog!

Welcome to the msAmsterdam and my virtual cruise, The Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!
Photos from Jeff Farschman's blog,,,,  http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com

It was a beautiful day poolside on the ms Amsterdam….  Had to get out of the strong breeze but it was wonderful.  After a relaxing day I joinned Leslie & Handler in the Crow’s Nest for drinks before dinner.  We were very pleased to see that Pub Trivia was moved to 6:30 so Serendipity could play from 7:00 until dinner at 8:00.  They are great….  Dinner, once again was fabulous…  We were joined by Dave & Anna Smith which made for a fun evening.  So far the voyage is grand!



BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                        S'

Hurt my hand. Day 1, Los Angeles

Well, I guess that today has to start with last night.  For some reason, without knowing it, I tore the skin off the top of my right hand.  It was not pretty and Vicki and I are not good at blood and stuff!  I called Mark and he told me what to do, considering the limited resources we have here in the condo.  This morning I decided that since I am diabetic and don't do blood and guts, that I had better go to a walk in clinic!                                                                                                

                                                                                           

The P.A. did a nice job of fixing me up!  It was already healing and did not look TOO bad.  That is what she said!  Since it was a tear she could not sew it up.  Do you think it was because the skin on my hands is too thin for stitches?  There it is ....the age issue again...how rude!  lol!

I know you are getting tired of me ranting about Starbucks new pastries.....but I found out today that San Diego will not be getting them until March...now all I have to do is figure out how to stay here until March.....hmm, can't do it!  Anyway today we were able to have our old favorite pumpkin cream muffin!  Really good...better than anything in the new selection of pastries!


                                                                     
                       

Yes we are really enjoying these muffins....outside, in Mission Valley, San Diego...God's country!

Tomorrow we are heading back to Arizona...I guess it has cooled off since we have been gone!






Welcome to the msAmsterdam and my virtual cruise, The Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!
   Photos from Jeff Farschman's blog...     http://amazingvoyages2.blogspot.com                                         

Day 1 Los Angeles, California

What a great day!  The day to embark the ms Amsterdam finally arrived.  I got on the ship early and immediately started seeing old friends.  It is like a homecoming, just perfect. I spent the day balancing my time between sitting poolside taking in the perfect sunny weather and getting unpacked.  The sail away after our lifeboat drill was fun, again connecting with old friends and meeting some new ones.  Before dinner I went to the Crow’s Nest and joined Leslie & Handler for drinks.  It was fun but a bit disappointing than Serendipity, the fabulous group that plays there wasn’t scheduled to play until later…. Apparently they have been replaced with Pub Trivia, hmmm….  N eed to work on that!  Dinner was great, wonderful to dine with my friends Brad, Gloria, Jim, Jessica, Leslie and Handler. The food was amazing!  I went to the show after dinner which was a welcome/introduction show… well done!  Then I tried to do my blog…  couldn’t connect so…. You are getting it now.  It was a  great start to my voyage and now it is time to relax & enjoy…

Today and tomorrow are sea days on the Amsterdam!

BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                        S'

Time to board the ship!

This morning, of course, we wen to Starbucks in Mission Valley.  It was beautiful our...just like being in Hawaii!   After we had our coffee we went out to Parkway Plaza so that Vicki could get a massage!

                                    It looked so nice outside today, I decided to take a picture outside!
                                                                 

                                      This is Hawaii......can't you tell by the flowers?  lol!
                                     
                                                                                             

                   I really do think I am too big for this motorcycle.  I wonder why they made it so small!


Welcome aboard the Amsterdam!
                                         
                                           

Go and check out your room....ours is wonderful ...ew will meet you at the pool!

Today is the day!  We are in Los Angeles and tis is what your cabin looks like!  Hope you enjoy the cruise!  Please remember....we, like you, are virtually on this cruise!

I hope that all of you picked out this cabin for the cruise...we may as well live it up since we really are not paying for it.....,,if you would like I will work up a virtual bill and present it at the end of the cruise! lol!  i must tell you all...up until yesterday...I thought we were going to Austraillia!  I am very disappointed....although, where I got that idea is that it is on next years itinerary!

Cruising  "The Ring of Fire," on the HAL, AMSTERDAM  Grand Pacific and Far East Voyage!
Pre-cruise day!  09/22/2013


What a beautiful day in Soutthern California....Jeff's new camera is doing a wonderful job!
                         

                                                                             

These pictures are impressive....guess I could not get my new iPhone to take a picture like this!

                              There is nothing quite like a California day at the beach!      

I love this mission and all the swallows!

                   
                            I cannot say enough good things about Jeff's new camera!

What an amazing day….  I was picked up by my friends Larry & Carol Faragher who are in the Los Angeles area visiting for a couple of months.  We heading down the coast to explore a little bit of California today.  First we headed to Newport Beach where we go hung up for a while if a “Walk for the Cure” major detour.  We finally made our way to Newport beach and the pier.  It was a lot of fun walking the beach and checking out all the surfers.  We spent a couple of hours there and headed to Balboa Island.  We took the ferry over and then walked around the island.  Then it was back over the ferry and on our way toward Laguna Beach.  We eventually stopped for lunch and relaxed a bit.  Our final stop was the Mission San Juan Capistrano.  What a great stop!!!  The historical ruins were great and so were all the beautiful flowers.  I felt right back at home again after a long layover….  Here I was exploring, snapping way too many photos and even capturing a lot of lovely flowers along the way….  Feels like I am certainly ready for the ms Amsterdam and the adventures ahead.  I am so ready for the Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage to begin tomorrow….  I am particularly excited to be reunited with my cruise family….  What a great day!!


BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!
                         S'