• Day 137

    Day 137: Cliffs of Dover, England.

    May 7 in England ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    This post is for Heather C’s mom and my friends, family, and other followers to let you we have not fallen off the ship. We are still here! It has been 14 days since our last post Day 124 on April 24th in the Canary Island, Spain. On that post I woke up with a pretty bad cough. And had been not been running on all 8 cylinders.

    I promise to get caught up on every missing day. My personal goal was to have every day documented. This will get done.

    Since the Canary Islands, we have been to 3 ports in Morocco - Cadiz, Spain (Which we loved), - Lisbon and Porto Portugal, A Coruña, Spain - St Malo France, - and had lunch with our long time friend Joel in Paris yesterday.

    It has been go, go, go - and with so many days in different ports - and both of us catching a cold and fighting that off - we would go to and excursion for the day and then get back to our room and rest. We tried to be good stewards wearing masks and staying away from people up close.

    There have been reports of Covid and people having to quarantine for 2 days - we both tested negative for Covid. As we have talked with others - we are not the only ones. A cruise ship is like a Petri dish - we are better now.

    Honestly, our brains, our entire being has reached capacity - There are only so many temples, Flower gardens, Bus rides, Mosques, Statues, Coconuts, cobble stoned streets, UNESCO landmarks, Dances from grade school children, stories of the historic greed and conquest which has pretty much been the status quo for human civilization. By the way - Nothing got discovered - someone else found what you already knew you had and took it from you.

    In a couple of hours we will head out on our excursion in Dover, England. Our stewards are cleaning the room - making the bed. While we sit in the Explorer’s Lounge having a cup of tea with the White Cliffs’s of Dover filling the picture frame we call our living room window. Enjoy the pictures.

    We still can’t believe we have been on this adventure. I do have all the stickers on my carry-on to prove it! - see photo.

    As Donna as said many times - “We can’t un-know this.” We got the traveling bug. And have already booked a river cruise and a Mediterranean Ocean cruise for Nov & Dec 2025.

    So, to Heather C’s mom - (and all the others who have been so very supportive of this blog) I do promise to fill in the missing gaps and dates and post them on FB as well. Something to do on the flight home if I am not sleeping.

    We have met a ton of new friends - And we do think a couple of those relationship will stick - for that we are thankful. And if some of the relationships were meant for just this cruise adventure - that’s okay as well.

    Mostly, thank you to everyone for your kind words of encouragement and the good times we shared.

    “As iron sharpens iron, so to a person another.” Proverbs 27:17

    Thank you all for sharpening Donna and I because of sharing this adventure together.
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  • Day 136

    Day 136: Paris & Friends (Post 2:2)

    May 6 in France ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Those of us in the IT World understand the dreaded word “Consultant.” Oui, the consultant from Paris France will come and solve all of our IT problems.

    Back in 2009 Joel (A consultant from France) came to New Haven Ct; together Joel and I were locked up in a room for 30 days (and many nights) building a BPM software solution for Yale University. Yes - it was the Lombardi project.

    When you work this closely with someone you either kill each other - vowing to never see this person again - Or you become life long friends. I am happy to report the latter of the two options is the outcome of our journey.

    Back in 2009 Joel stayed with us for a night - we showed him around Boston. Through the magic of FB we have remained friends - having never seen him since.

    A couple of days before arriving to France I messaged Joel of our arrival and VERY short stay in Paris. Without hesitation he adjusted his schedule (Yes - he is still a dreaded consultant now working in the AI space) and was able to drive into the city to meet up with Donna and myself.

    Having limited time we walked into an area that was once a castle - with a lovely garden and tree lined path. Found a cafe to have a meal and a beer together - and basically picked up right where we left off in 2009. Updated on children, grand-children, jobs, our retirement were all shared.

    Once our meal was done, we walked past the Louvre and Joel got a picture of me kissing my lovely wife on a bridge spanning La Seine River. You know just like in the movies.

    These three hours with such a good friend surpassed anything anyone could wish for in Paris. There just isn’t an excursion in the VIking Daily for this type of time.

    I am sure there are many who read this who understand these types of relationships. Today is a special day on our adventure. What a wonderful way to put a bow on this world cruise.

    Also, having someone who knows how to order in French really helped.

    Please enjoy these pictures.
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  • Day 136

    Day 136: Viva La Paris (Post 1:2)

    May 6 in France ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Today, day 136 Captain Richard led us safely into Port Honfleur, France. Which is at the mouth of the La Seine river. Then we were on a bus at 9:15 AM for a three hour journey to Paris.

    My dreams from 5th grade French class - Mr. Pino’ teaching “Comen Talle vous?” And the many stories he would tell of wonderful Paris were about to come true.

    The countryside of Fannie is lovely - Most of which reminded us of the states. We like West New York State - very similar. A long ride - but worth it.

    Finally there is was out the bus window - The Arch de Triumph and then the Eiffel Tower. Due to limited time in Paris (only 3 hours) we did not get to explore these gens of Paris. La Seine is amazing- The driver parked the bus under The Louvre in a parking garage. Then we were off to the streets of Paris for the BEST time a person can have in Paris - See Post #2

    Meanwhile enjoy these pictures.
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  • Day 124

    Day 124: Canary Islands, Spain

    April 24 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    It’s almost 6:00 AM, I didn’t sleep well last night. My throat was dry - coughed a lot - and just not tired. Peeking out the veranda looking for signs of a sunrise, only to find out Captain Richard is guiding us into port by the moon and the stars. Sunrise is at 7:30AM

    A bit in disbelief, I have heard of the Canary Islands but never thought in a million years I would be walking their shores. This type of event falls under the category of; “It wasn’t on our bucket list - but it is now.” Pinch me.

    While Canary Islands are located west of Africa, one would think they might be a part of Africa - they are not - they belong to Spain.

    On the deck 7 with my mate Brian watching the sunrise.

    Breakfast is served. We will miss Karmila.

    Later on this morning about 9:00AM Donna and I will grab our QV’s [QuietVox] and head out on a four ½ hour excursion to visit Pyramids & the Esperanza Forest.
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  • Day 122

    Day 123: Celebrate Passover Seder

    April 22 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Over 100 hundred people attended the Passover Seder celebration in The Restaurant. Chef Willy, Casper, the cooks, the waitstaff were all amazing.

    Personally, I have always wanted to attend a Seder and to share this with our Viking Community/Family was wonderful.

    I asked Josh, “So, what was the percent breakdown?” He replied, “Well, I know who all the Jews are - I would say 30% Jewish, and 70% non-Jewish.”

    I think I can easily say “Thank-you” from the 70% crowd for welcoming us into your celebration, your remembrance, and your time of reflection of hope.

    The leaders of the event did a wonderful job of “editing” what is traditionally an all evening meal and service. We were taught the meanings of the Seder plate, and we “Heard a GREAT story.” There was an excellent balance of showing us the key elements - skipping over some of the “long stuff” - Happy to have a a good balance of Hebrew and English - and holding to those elements which are key for the Jewish Community who were present.

    The meal WOW - Chef Willy and his staff hit it out of the park. Kosher wine was served. Fresh herbs & spices, Gefilte fish, Matzo Ball Soup, and more. Perfect.

    It was really exciting as the meal was served to just listen to all the noise and commotion of people just sharing like a big family meal. This event really demonstrated what our Neptune Family has become these past 123 days.

    To watch the sunset as we sang the children’s song “Chad Gadya” (Which is the way the Seder is closed) really reminded us of the struggles we all face and the injustices which are among us everyday. The story of Moses and the Hebrew community reminds us of the Hope our various faiths provide to us.

    “Then came the Most Holy, blessed be the Name, and slew the angel of death …”

    So, what about next Passover? I am thinking Josh & Robin’s house? If not, then we just need another cruise.
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  • Day 121

    Day 121: 1 - Dakar, Senegal

    April 21 in Senegal ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Day 121, Sunday, April 21st we docked in Dakar, Senegal. Honestly this is a very poor depressed country. Our expat of 20+ years tour guide spoke of her country like it was a paradise. Looking out the bus window - we didn’t see it.

    We had over an hour bus ride to reach the Bandai Reserve where we had a “mini” Safari which lasted about two hours.

    We did see some nice animals and got some good pictures on both the iPhone and and Sony. Please enjoy these three posts to get a sense of our day in Senegal and at the Bandai Reserve.
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  • Day 120

    Day 120: Neptune Mixology Class of 2024

    April 20, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    This evening’s final class session focused on Digestif Cocktails, after dinner drinks: Black Russian, Grasshopper, and Brandy Alexander. Spirits were high as we all knew graduation was near.

    To quote Elle, from Legally Blonde, “We did it!”

    Pomp and Circumstance played as we all received our degrees. What fun we have all had these past weeks learning how to make so many different drinks.

    We can’t thank the Viking Bar Staff enough for all the hard work they put into each session. Also, I know there were staff behind the scenes creating those lovely displays for each session - they were works of art that belong in a museum. We are life-long learners, thank you so much for being our teachers, mentors, and friends.

    However, like many graduates we have to now find a bartending job to help pay for education. We are all wondering if Viking will offer us shipboard credits to fill in for the staff as we enter segment 8.

    Once again, thank you to Viking Neptune and everyone who participated.

    “We did it!”
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  • Day 120

    Day 120: Sushi, need I say more?

    April 20, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Rannel once again prepares a culinary delight.

    I remember when it was special to “go out for sushi.” Now, it has become my mainstay meal most nights.

    Rannel is warm, friendly, and does a sushi roll like no other. He also likes UCONN - Go Huskies!

    Dinner in the World Cafe aboard the Viking Neptune, off the coast of Africa in the North Atlantic Sea - To quote my wife - “I can’t unknow this lifestyle.”

    #sushi #myvikingstory
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