Blogs from Pacific, Oceans and Seas - page 6

Oceans and Seas » Pacific March 2nd 2018

Our flight from LA to Nadi crosses the International Date Line. We depart the US on Thursday and arrive in Fiji on Saturday. For us, Friday 2nd March does not exist. It’s a weird concept to get your head around. Look at the trouble it caused Phileas Fogg. How will my FitBit cope? It will ruin my daily step average. It’s making my brain hurt. Time for a beer…... read more

QCYC to Refuge Cove

Oceans and Seas » Pacific » Tasman Sea February 28th 2018

DiJohnstravels

QCYC to Refuge CoveWe were up at 3.45 (Tuesday 27th Feb) & all ready to leave dockside by about 4.30. Following some kaos on the wharf from a Brighton boat, behind us we were able to be on our way.Only 4 of the 13 Brighton boats left (stating weather as the reason) & sadly one of our yachts pulled out last night. Richard was disappointed but was the right decision for he and Ruth. Our group's catamaran joined "Kate" & "Imagine" from Queenscliff marina. We joined the convoy of Brighton & QCYC yachts proceeding out through the heads, tootaling via 4 Fingers West Channel. Going at those 5 knots was interesting, however thankfully John decided almost at the washing machine that Imagine needed a few more revs so we quietly slipped passed one the yachts for ... read more

Recovery rest day

Oceans and Seas » Pacific » Tasman Sea February 28th 2018

Bat Cave Refuge Cove

DiJohnstravels

The swell had subsided overnight, but remained a bit rolly this morning. This is not what we wanted in the cove. The cove has 13 boats anchored, all waiting for the next front to pass which is expected to hit around 11am. Everyone slept until late morning and the day was spent waiting waiting for the weather to change once again. Photo caption: "Holy cow Batman, the bat cave!" Late in the morning probably closer to lunchtime we ventured over to Heatwave, the catamaran with us for a coffee. Whilst we we there the Brighton catamaran broke anchor and took off straight for us. The speed was incredible, we all thought it had its motor going, fortunately Andrew started his cat and moved forward about 2 feet and the wayward catamaran pulled up about 2 feet ... read more

Bass Strait adventure begins

Oceans and Seas » Pacific » Tasman Sea February 26th 2018

Fabulous book

DiJohnstravels

well after sitting waiting for 3 days now for the weather to change it looks like tomorrow we will venture through the heads to Refuge Cove. The last 3 days have been long, windy and at times boring. We have 6 boats in our group, one yacht left Friday night from Westernport to beat the weather, they've been at Refuge Cove since Saturday waiting for us all to arrive. The other sports cruiser will leave from Port Albert on Thursday and we'll meet them "on the way, somewhere to Deal Island". The catamaran is berthed in Queenscliff marina whilst the other two yachts arrive here at QCYC on Friday. Certainly the few days we've had with them has been terrific, getting to know them and lots of laughs. Should be a good cruise. The plans are ... read more

Hauptküche der Costa Luminös

Oceans and Seas » Pacific February 22nd 2018

Kaum zu erkennen.

AnWoReisen

Donnerstag, 22.02.2018 See: Regen, Min. 26°C Max. 29°C Gestern Abend als wir nach unserem „Schlummerbierchen“ in die Kabine kamen lag folgende Einladung auf unserem Bett. Liebe Gäste Wir freuen uns sehr, Sie zu einer geführten Küchenbesichtigung einzuladen. Diese ist ausschliesslich Perla Oro und Perla Diamante Mitgliedern vorbehalten. Bitte kommen sie am 22. Februar um 10:15 Uhr am Eingang des Restaurantes Taurus, auf dem Deck 2, von wo ein Costa-Vertreter, Sie zu einer interessanten Tour begleitet auf welcher Sie die spannende Arbeit unserer Küchenchefs und ihrer Assistenten hautnah erleben können. Mit freundlichen Grüssen Guest Relation Manager Monica Renzanigo Die Besichtigung liessen wir uns natürlich nicht entgehen, und waren pünktlich um 10:15 Uhr am angegeben... read more

Hier wird Fleisch zum braten vorbereitet.

Day 1 - QCYC

Oceans and Seas » Pacific » Tasman Sea February 21st 2018

image

DiJohnstravels

We arrived at SYC about 11.30, the wind was still blowing a bit so after we had organised the last few things on the boat we decided to have a coffee. Finally we were off, a rather uneventful trip to QCYC except for two interesting situations. Firstly we crossed the bow of Sea Shepard, an imposing ship with all its gear & the skull & crossbow. She was travelling at only about 2knots it was difficult to tell for awhile if the ship was moving. When we'd past we noticed a large amount of smoke coming from the funnel - not normal & the speed or lack thereof go us wondering was everything ok. It got too much for John he radioed them to see if all was ok ...... The reply came back, "All good, ... read more

Weather determines it all in boating

Oceans and Seas » Pacific » Tasman Sea February 20th 2018

DiJohnstravels

Isn’t boating fun, you plan a trip & then the weather changes so we are delayed. Yesterday & today although the sun is shining, beautiful day the winds are not favourable for us on the bay. Yesterday a gale warning & today strong wind warning. At home it’s just a beautiful late summer day! Lucky we don’t need to be at the bottom end of the bay until Friday - so with more pleasant conditions tomorrow for the bay we’ll head off then. A nice day to rest & enjoy home before our trip. ... read more

Touring the Ship on our Last Day at Sea

Oceans and Seas » Pacific November 12th 2017

Karen & Captain Diego Perra

Great Adventures with Al and Karen

Today is our last full day before docking back in San Francisco tomorrow. Karen wants to sleep in a little but, unfortunately, that’s not happening. Remember the Ultimate Ship Tour I tried to book on embarkation day? With only one space left, I passed on it but the gal at the passenger service desk thought they might offer another one later during the cruise. Well, they did and we’re in. Today is the day. 8:30am is the time. It’s just 7:00am now but Karen needs to get up to ready herself and I must lie in bed a bit longer to organize my thoughts. Anyway, we’re up at breakfast by 7:30 and down to our meeting place, Snooker’s Cigar Bar, by 8am. We meet one fellow there already and he seems nice. A few more show ... read more

Closing in on Mexico

Oceans and Seas » Pacific November 10th 2017

International Cafe Where Mom Gets Coffee

Great Adventures with Al and Karen

Cool with rain - 65F Today is our last full sea day on the way to Mexico. Today we're out the door by 9am to check out the Future Cruise Consultant. Until now, her office has either been closed or very busy. This morning we walk right in, sign up for a future cruise to Mexico next November and then get our breakfast. It's sprinkling outside, a light rain covers the decks and chases those brave enough to be out in lounge chairs back inside. Not many are outside anyway. In fact, long pants and sweaters are slowly replacing the shorts and tank tops worn previously by guests. I follow Karen as she peruses the stores and floor sales, just looking. She gets herself another green tea with pomegranate for herself and a free hot chocolate ... read more

The "Desperados" Playing at "Dia De Los Muertos"

Desperate for Something. Anything!

Oceans and Seas » Pacific November 9th 2017

Parking at the Princess Theater

Great Adventures with Al and Karen

Partly Cloudy - 68F Things seem to be moving very slow here. That's right, not much action. Let me give you the "Reader's Digest" version. We ate breakfast. We wandered aimlessly about the ship for a while. I tried to put down $100/pp on a future cruise of our choice with the Future Cruise lady but her office was closed. Back upstairs for a tossed salad and lemonade. Now what? I get a table and chairs on Deck 7 Crooner's Bar and resume blogging. I'm catching up now, posting 11/4, 11/5 and later, 11/6. The shops and entertainment are in close proximity to my location which keeps Karen occupied, buying me some peace and quiet. The sounds of the Hawaiian entertainer in the Atrium drift upward into the bar providing me some background music to write ... read more

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