Celebrity Reflection, January 2017
Fully conceding to the lure of the tropics...given recent wintry tales of polar vortex, arctic osscillation, la nina lake effect...(of which in '14, '15 we missed by mere happenstance), it now seemed a wise thing to do..following the snowbirds to sunny Miami.
our first night dinner at 'Havana 1957' in downtown Miami
Met up with Pablo to revisit our Brickell condo ...then its aboard the ship for sail out - 14 days of caribbean sealife :-)
walking the streets of Old San Juan
Dipping by the beach near Maho as some lowflying airplanes buzzed by
St. Kitts -revisit of Romney Manor.... then onto the best view the island shores of Basseterre offered up... Last stop was South Friars Beach
Beer time post snorkeling, chilled in the shallow depth of El Cielo beach
Cozumel & bonded with the native starfishes that inhabit these brackish waters
Some stingrays sightings as well along this sandbar of turquoise paradise... 'chido' ..que buena onda!
We made plans this visit in Jamaica stop to take a dip in the 'blue hole' rumored by the locals to be z place to avoid tourists... after over 1 hr taxi ride we hit upon the ~ 15 min trail to the lagoon ... it was resplendent in the sunlight and the cool waters were just delicious! Definitely the right call :)
Got into a good habit of YOGA on the lawns with small group of enthusiasts ...we generally met up at 8am and practiced a round of yoga for 40 min. Met a few Americans on their so called 'anti-inaugural cruise' trying to postpone the inevitable...lol..ended up with lots to vent about ...practicing to achieve calm equanimity ..exhale...
Third times a charm to the shores of Labadee ... just the right dose of wind, sun and warmth to truely linger in the calm lagoons of this part of island
Pre-dinner invite to the Captain's cocktail on the bow of the ship, almost to the prow
fellow canadian loving the life of cruising and dancing on the reflection
Ellen's big win @ Three Card Poker ( twice with a straight flush!!)
savoring last of the equatorial sunshine before we fly back to the land of snow...
Allure of the Seas, February, 2015
Arriving at port of Ft. Lauderdale taking in sights on extensive boardwalk along the lively Hollywood beach area S.Ocean Dr. (day prior to boarding the Allure)
relaxing by beach in Labadee, Haiti ..quite a windy day thus was cool enough to redo hike to Dragon's Breath & coves
Birthday boy ! Psedobombax ellipticum, Shaving Brush Tree, gorgeous and aptly named
Allures had diverse dance venues. We frequented Boleros by the promenade - fun for latin salsa nights and here at 'Dazzles' are cool tunes for waltz & cha cha cha & samba
very elegant decors for some cocktails & light dancing pre or post dinner. It had a second tier balcony too
A dress in front of more dresses and dresses motif...in every shade lol
Second leg of our cruise was on the Celebrity Silhouette
Hola! Beautiful Port of San Juan,Puerto Rico
Visiting Romney Manor (1626) Home of Caribelle Batik
"Romney Manor has a remarkable place in European, Caribbean and US history. It's origins date from 1626 when following the Carib Indian Massacres, the Europeans were able to take over this location. The site was originally where King Tegreman and
By the mid 17thC Sam Jefferson sold part of wingfield Estate to the Earl of Romney. The Earl
@ St. Maarten - Dutch side
enjoying anytime dining after martini bar
It's really too bad that Celebrity's Atriums are so narrow and cramped as they do host fantastic bands and party nights... even though most of the guests like to participate as onlookers up above the balcony hallways, the venues would be much more enjoyable if they had enlarged the central dance floor. Here, Tom's actually standing on the stairs as the dance floor is jam packed.
DWS @ Sea on Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, January 5-19, 2014
The first "Mirror Ball at Sea"... well, it was a venue not to be missed then! As ballroom afficionados keen on practicing some moves after typically rich and bountiful dinners on cruise ships, we decided to do the two weeks back to back Theme Cruise on HAL. And Boy! It was a true blast...the most highly charged energetic time we've thus far experienced on any cruise ship. Our kudos to the best cruise director, the ever so hilariously funny & entertaining showman - Mr. Eric Dowis. He kept up the audiences' uproarious laughter alive uttering quippes while on a panel of celebrity judges, not to mention a funny tribute "history of dance performance" of his own to cap off each week.
During the two weeks cruise, we met the talents on the ship and thoroughly enjoyed not only the competition venues, special dance performances but also extra appearances ( via glamorous dance costume parades around the pool deck and question & answer sessions) by the following celebrities: Derek Hough, Emma Thompson, Sharna Burgess, Kym Johnson & Tristan MacManus, Carson Kressley, Joey Fatone & Sabrina Bryan.
During the two weeks cruise, we met the talents on the ship and thoroughly enjoyed not only the competition venues, special dance performances but also extra appearances ( via glamorous dance costume parades around the pool deck and question & answer sessions) by the following celebrities: Derek Hough, Emma Thompson, Sharna Burgess, Kym Johnson & Tristan MacManus, Carson Kressley, Joey Fatone & Sabrina Bryan.
Tom trying for a better version of himself ...don't think the pina colada helps though ;)
...yup..it truly was paradise
..back on the ship of the second week - fashion show was held at night ... the swarovski crystals sparkled even more under the flash bulbs ... tom's pic of the moment (surrounded by gorgeous dancers)..see? the cruise was really for him ;)
October 2013 Crystal Symphony Canada to New England
Awash with Blue Light - magnificient interior of Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)
Dock side to Havre-Saint- Pierre, tiny town situated on the Quebec north shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Its inhabitants came from the Magdalen Islands in the 19th century. Thus the people of the town speak a dialect much more closely related to Acadian French than Quebec French
Cyrstal Symphony main reception harp-like waterfall
Met up with Shirley from Halifax - fellow traveler from 2012 AMA river cruise
Fisherman's Monument by William deGarthe - painter and sculptor born in Helsinki Finland and found his artistic career in Halifax. He and his wife bought a summer home in Peggy's Cove around 1950 and moved to the picturesque fishing village permanently. He donated the sculpture of thirty-two fishermen and their wives and children enveloped by the wings of a guardian angel to the province of Nova Scotia - its found in a park located behind his former home.
Best lobster we've ever had - freshest from Ryers Lobster in Indian Harbour which you can order ahead of time as you bypass it to and fro enroute to Peggy's Cove.. yummmiee..!!
NBar Harbor - originally dubbed the Town of Eden signed by Samuel Adams back in 1790's. This area has a fascinating history as the beautiful mountains and seascapes were big draws for early American wealthier set to build "cottages". Throughout the decades various notables ( Joseph Pulitzer, William Proctor, Mary Cadwalader Jones, and the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, Charles Elliot, etc.) made there mark here and brought about the National Park ( first Lafayette then Acadia National Park)
There's a charming beach behind those rockscapes
Well, the verdict was in - we found that the Canadian Maritime lobsters much meatier and more satisfying to dine on. The problem with main lobsters are the warmer waters they grow in ...causing them to molt about twice a year or more hence the shells are much too soft and were filled with water as you get into them. Often called "shedder lobsters", they are supposed to be sweeter but although we found them just as fresh, we preferred the Halifax cousins as the meat was thicker and grown fuller around the shells
We had some time to wonder around the picturesque streets and visited St. Saviour's Church in Bar Harbor. There is a hidden gem inside its 1878 historic and unassuming exterior - beautiful Tiffany stained - glass windows. The one above is a center piece above the front of the aisle entrance. The Episcopal Church has Maine's largest collection of Tiffany stained - glass windows. Ten originals are still here; an 11th was stolen in 1988 but has been replaced by a locally made one.
Landed in Boston - first stop was to board the USS Constitution located in Boston Navy Yard. Its a wooden-hulled three-masted huge frigate and is now the oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat. "Old Iron Side" earned that moniker during the War of 1812 when she fought the HMS Guerriere. During the historic battle, observers reported cannonballs fired at the USS Constitution appeared to bounce off, causing on of her crew to remark that her sides were made of iron. In fact , the durability of Constitution is attributed to a three-layer wooden sandwich of live oak and white oak from all across America. The ship's copper fastenings were constructed by Paul Revere.
Actually went into the pub for good pint of beer and wings. This was not the restaurant for the filming of the popular 80's sitcom but the entrance formed the iconic intro to the weekly TV show.
We were in Boston during Halloween - heehee cute pup all dressed up!
These 'encaustic' tiles represent an old world artistic technique know as hot wax painting. It involves using heated beeswax to which colored pigments are added. The liquid or paste is then applied to surface, usually wood through canvas. Other than beeswax, other recipes ie. damar resin, linseed oil are oft used. In 2004, these ceiling tile panels were restored through generous individual and group funding to the Central Park Conservatory for full restoration efforts.
Tom in front of the old Nomura NY office.
There are sooo many interesting statutes throughout NYC - many of them in Central Park . Here is the Peace Fountain (1985) located in the Morningside Heights. The sculpture depicts the struggle of good and evil, as well as a battle between the Archangel Michael and Satan. The sculpture also contains the sun, the moon and several animals. A plaque at the base of this elaborate fountain contains the following inscription :
"Peace Fountain celebrates the triumph of Good over Evil, and sets before us the world's opposing forces - violence and harmony, light and darkness, life and death- which God reconciles in his peace. When the fountain operates, four courses of water cascade down the freedom pedestal into a maelstrom evoking the primordial chaos of Earth. Foursquare around the base, flames of freedom rise in witness to the future. Atop the pedestal a giant crab reminds us of life's origins in sea and struggle. Facing West, a somnolent Moon reflects tranquility from a joyous Sun smiling to the East. The swirls encircling the heavenly bodies bespeak the larger movements of the cosmos with which earthly life is continuous.
Nine giraffes- among the most peaceable of animals- nestle and prance about the center. One rests its head on the bosom of the winges Archangel Michael, described in the bible as the leader of the heavenly host against the forces of Evil. St. Michael's sword is vanquishing his chief opponent, Satan, whose decapitated figure plunges into the depths, his head dangling beneath the crab's claw. Tucked away next to the Sun, a lion and lam relax together in the peace of God's kingdom, as foretold by the prophet Isaiah"
Statute of Duke Ellington (composer, pianist and bandleader) This sculpture is placed within a multi-leveled semi-circular plaza at the gateway to Harlem - the community in which Ellington lived for much of his adult life.
February 2012 Miami & Celebrity Eclipse ;)
Lobby area
... but seconds later, we were awash with seawater & I lost my hat in the waves :(
March 2009 on the Island Princess - Panama Canal
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Courtyard of Convento de San Pedro Claver honoring human rights pioneer, the Spanish Jesuit
monk, St. Peter Claver canonized in the New World "Apostle of the Blacks"
Cartagena - Castillo San Felipe de Barajas Fortress
...learned about these fascinating little critters - miniature poisonous tree frogs. Our guide advised us as a rule, the brighter and more colorful they are the more lethal or toxic. The opposite of camouflage, it's as if to say "eat me and you're gonna be sick or worse.." Blue-jeans poison dart frog is one of such species used by Amerindian's indigenous use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blow-darts.
Visiting Veraqua Rain Forest in Limon Costa Rica
Freedom of the Seas March Break 2007
Sapphire Princess New Year Eve 2006 & Los Angeles
Blissful relaaaxation en route back from day of ziplining and rappelling down waterfall...
Puerto Vallarta via 4 seater golf cart ?!?
Caribbean Princess 2005
Dunn River Falls - so much more crowded now than 22 years ago :(
I know you want my profile, but that's close enough bud :p
eh.. gertrude..humans over there - check it out..
I want my LUNCH!!
Celebrity Millennium 2004 Mediterranean
Took the donkey up the cliffs in the morning - the Celebrity Eclipse was docked til midnight
It was a most charming day exploring the Is of Santorini
View for lunch in Oia ( meaning 'blue fairy queen')
Vespa took us over the entire island, from Fira to the black volcanic beaches to magical Oia
Our view for dinner at another patio restaurant in Fira ...we squeezed all the moments we had in Santorini before taking the cable car down to the tender in the darkness of night
Town of Amalfi
we hired a private taxi from Naples to drive the Amalfi coast - stopped off at a Buffalo Mozzarella factory for the tastiest cheese ever! Able to step off at various roadsides just soak in majestic views
teehee.. too cool for lemonade :)
Dockside of Sorrento
On the fast hydrofoil from Sorrento to Capri
Aft spent in Capri was sumptuously filling for the soul
Beautiful jewelry store with charms that celebrate the French poet Edmond Rostand's fable about the love between the rooster Chantecler and a golden pheasant hen.
Capri's most iconic sight - the dramatic Faraglioni-three towering rock sea stacks
Spanish Steps - for some reason I thought the terraced area would be much larger
Lots of waiting to get a shot sans crowds
So could someone now cue the lyrics to Puccini's "O Mio Babbino Caro"?
Afternoon was spent wondering the great Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens in Florence
name of palazzo comes from the Pitti family, Luca Pitti, who in the 15th C was a great rival of the Cosimo de Medici - they each tried to outdo the other in construction of the most magnificient, largest & most lavish building
The Boboli Gardens is a true oasis in the city more extensive than I ever imagined ...it is said that Boboli inspired many European Royal Gardens, such as Versailles in particular
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Adventurer of the Seas Cruise (August 2003)
