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  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 17: Sea Day, Pacific Ocean

    January 8, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    Wow, it’s been a long time since Day 17th, January 8th, 2024. As many of you know I am playing catch-up on my missing Find Penguins posts.

    So, what did we see/do on Day 17, Monday, January 8, 2024. There are only four photos for this day on my iPhone, two flying bird pics, One Geoffrey Carpenter (The bird guy) pic, and a cargo ship pic all document the day.

     Pulling out the Viking Daily; I am pretty sure I attended the photography workshop led by Bob Pliskin at 3:00pm . At 8:30pm the movie Little Miss Sunshine was showing in the Star Theater - we didn’t see it.

    I am pretty sure we ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner and there might have been a cocktail or two during the day.

    Writing this post today, is April 1st - It was 84 days ago. I enjoyed meeting and talking with both Bob & Geoffrey it was great to have them on the ship as guest lectures/workshop leaders. Hard to believe how time has passed. We only have 38 days left on this adventure.

    As for leaving the Neptune - We aren’t ever leaving. Our plan is to just leave the “Do Not Disturb” on our door. They won’t bother us - and we just keep cruising. Do you think it will work?

    Also, you can’t stop and reflect on all the people who we have met and I still can’t remember your name. I am truly sorry. I blame it on the 70’s (need I say more?). Also, I am surprised we are still meeting people who have been with us since December 23 in Fort Lauderdale.

    It is my goal to write at least one Find Penguins Footprint (blog post) for the entire trip. So, this is playing catch-up. Expect a couple of more.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 16 - Good Morning

    January 7, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 54 °F

    Good morning - we are heading north bound on route to Los Angeles. This morning when I woke up, I checked our Ring cameras back home. While there is a nice serenity to fresh fallen snow - the good news is I don’t have to start up the plow truck and snow blower. The photo with the railing is from my friend Tom U back home - He will be running his snow blower.

    This morning’s sunrise from the stern on Deck 7 was simple and pure - no majestic clouds - just the stillness of the morning.as the sun ushers in a new day. As we move northward the sea breeze is colder. I am wearing jeans and a long sleeved shirt.

    Leon is posted at his chair. He informed me he & Lindy got “The Letter” last night. They need to have their luggage packed and in the hallway by 10pm today. Their cruise is coming to an end they are getting off in LA. I will miss Leon & Lindy they have been great neighbors in the room next to ours. Also, a great encouragement to cruising.

    We will also miss Geoff Carpentier (the birding lecturer). Geoff is just an all around nice person and has taught us so much.

    Karmila brings me my morning coffee and tropical fruit smoothie. We will be at sea for a couple of days - arriving in Los Angeles on January 9th.

    Newsflash: While I am writing this post - A Ring Camera notification pops up on my phone. My neighbor Phil (We call him Phil with 1 L) from across the street pulls out his tractor to make a few runs in our driveway to remove the snow and make the house looked lived in. Phil with 1 L is in his late 80’s, he had a stroke right before covid hit. His right side of his body has been impacted greatly with little functionality. Phil with 1 L works harder than most men half his age. It’s doesn’t surprise me that he is watching over us so closely. He also loves to play with his tractor - Boys and their toys at any age.

    All of a sudden Phill with 2L’s messages me (Phill with 2L’s is a few towns away - we forward our mail to him and he has Ring set up for our home to monitor the activities - He messages “Who’s that with the bucket loader?” I told him it was Phil with 1L. He sent me a dimly face icon back.

    Donna and I are so fortunate to have such great neighbors & friends back home. As well as the ones we are meeting a board ship.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #PacificOcean    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 15: Meet Leo - Race Car Driver

    January 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    As we were gathering back together in the center of the old San José del Cabo village there was this little boy driving his bright red Mercedes around. In the last photo you will see Leo’s dad on the remote control. Leo definitely got a lot of attention as he was cruising up and down the city sidewalks.

    When traveling there are the known sites to see … then there are the special moments like this which just bring a smile to us all.    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    1

    Day 15: Cabo San Lucas, Old School Tri-X

    January 6, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Back in the mid-seventies I attended Massachusetts College of Art, in Boston as a photography major. These pictures I took in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo had more of an “old school” feel for me. Brought back some pleasant memories for me.

    I remember spending most of the day with my old Canon Rangefinder, 28mm wide angle lens, with 6 to 8 rolls of 35mm Tri-X film in my pockets - walking around the likes of Kenmore & Copley Square, as well as, treacherous journeys into the feared Combat Zone of Boston.

    After a day of shooting, I would head back to school develop the rolls of film in the negative lab. While the film hung to; dry I went and had a sandwich at the shop across the street. Then the rest of the night was in the darkroom with a 6-pack or two of beer in the print washer while several of us spent countless hours printing up the shots of the day - to be presented in class the next morning. There were many nights we slept on the darkroom floor because we missed the train home and had an early class in the morning anyway.

    I believe sometimes color distracts from the story - It’s good to go “ole’ school” once in a while. Please enjoy these images Black & White images of our day in Cabo San Lucas Mexico.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #sonyrx10 #CaboSanLucas #B&Wphotography    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 15: Meet Aoibhin O’Neill

    January 6, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Meet our Cruise Director, Aoibhin O’Neill (Pronounced ‘A-veene’). Aoibhin hails from Ireland is a professionally trained vocalist & stage performer. She has been working with Viking since pre-covid. She is also the Ship’s Captain’s back-up energy source if the ship ever runs out of fuel — The Captain has a specially designed interface to convert this woman’s’ never ending energy into a fuel supply to power our ship for days, and she does it on 4” heels.

    As Cruise Director she is basically in charge of all the activities & entertainment onboard our ship, the level of which continues to be superb. Each and every entertainer on-board brings a professionalism and quality of entertainment which competes with and surpasses Las Vegas shows, while able to express their own unique style and personality as they perform. We are fortunate to have this level of showmanship/showwomanship during our five month adventure.

    Last night Aoibhin was given center stage at the Viking Neptune Star Theater where she shared her life with us through story and song. (Please look through the pictures, I felt lucky to capture this story digitally.) We learned of her love for the stage, her family, and the cat was let out of the bag - Her at work romance, which you can feel her love for this special person as she sang. Oh! She also resolved a little staff concern which was bring tension on stage - Nikko [sic] finally got the kiss he has been after - Nikko’s jealously runs deep, since the guitar & bass players seem to get all the romantic attention on stage.

    It was a wonderful performance, I am sure we will see her again on stage. Thank you Aoibhin for taking such good care of us all.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #aoibhinONeill    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 15: Morning in Cabo San Lucas Mexico

    January 6, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    We arrived in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this morning. Donna & I have an afternoon excursion.

    In the meantime, let me introduce you to Alisha. It’s a close call to determine whose smile is brighter; Alisha or the Sun? You can vote in the comments section, Alisha is one of our wait staff in the morning. We see her in different areas at different times throughout the day.

    The picture of the barn is not in Cabo San Lucas - our neighbor Bobby always does a quick drive by and checks on the property. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful friends back home watching out for us. Also, our local East Windsor Police Department drives through the property - sometimes they just park in our driveway and set up a radar trap. It’s great living in such a nice small town.

    I missed the Cabo San Lucas Arch - it’s right in front of me but the angle is wrong to get that postcard photo.

    Donna slept in - I had breakfast in the World Cafe. Now it is coffee & smoothie and getting caught up on blog stuff & sifting through tons of photos - I really do try to hit the delete key as often as I can.

    Today is a port day so every one is up and about early - we will take a tender to shore for our excursions. You can see Leon sitting at his chair and others having an early breakfast as they prepare for the day. It is cooler in Cabo San Lucas - most likely will wear jeans today.

    This morning while watching the sunrise I wondered - Does the ship’s crew ever get tired of the morning sunrise? Each and every day is a different painting in the sky. Like snowflake some are similar - but everyone is different. I almost slept in this morning - I am happy I didn’t. I don’t know if I will get every - all 139 sunrises on this cruise. I do know that when I get to wake up with the sun it just is a nice start of the day.

    Hard to believe we have started Week 3 of our cruise adventure. It feels like only a couple of days have gone by, I hope you are enjoying the photos, thoughts, and meeting the crew.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 14: Mike Mentz

    January 5, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    Great entertainment tonight with Mike Mentz. Mike is a great story teller, superb songwriter, with a clear thoughtful tone which is easy to listen to.

    His songs are fun and insightful. The sad thing is he is getting off in LA - we have enjoyed his music on this first leg of our adventure.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #michaelMentz. #Mentz    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 14: Neptune Bridge - Part 2

    January 5, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Donna and I got to do a Bridge Tour. They have the best views on the ship. Here are some photos of our tour.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #vikingNeptuneBridge #neptuneBridge

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 14: Just another Beautiful Sunrise

    January 5, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F

    Hard to believe 2 weeks have gone by so quickly. We still have 18 more weeks of adventure ahead of us.

    The gentleman in the last photo is Geoff Carpentier, from Canada, he is the lecturer on Birding and other animal related topics. Geoff always has his necklace bling around his neck - binoculars & a camera - Yes, it is a fashion statement not to be reckoned with. The lectures Geoff has provided have been excellent. I am still putting together my bird photos from Columbia - Geoff is helping me out at 11:00 this morning on the naming of each bird.

    An assortment of herring for breakfast this morning.

    Well good morning everyone. I hope your day is filled with faith, hope, and love - create some art today, no matter what your canvas. - you will change the world.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #sunrise    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 13: Take a lap with us around Deck 2

    January 4, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F

    Donna has been doing much better than I going to the gym and getting at least 10,000 steps in each day.

    Yesterday and today before lunch we both did 6 laps around deck 2 - it helps to motivate me that The Restaurant is also on deck 2.

    Please enjoy this short video of a single lap = ¼ mile

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 13: Below deck: Part Two

    January 4, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Every company has a mission statement and guidelines they are to follow, On one of the walls in the hallway I learned the 4 principles which is the framework for all employees on Neptune - and all Viking Ships I am sure. —> S. T. A. R.

     S —> Smile and make an amazing connection.
    T —> Take care of yourself, each others and our ship.
    A —> Act to create great memories.
    R —> Respond, Recover, and make it Right.

    Each and every crew member, Donna and I have interacted with, continue to follow these principles on how they treat us - and how they interact with each other.

    Like I have said in other posts - I don’t think I could be this nice to so many people for such a long period of time.

    I was surprised to run into Shai (One of our room Steward’s) below deck. I will write about the two most important people on the ship later - Shai & Gede our room Steward’s. They are our first and direct line of contact to everything we need. No task too small or too large for them to handle,

    They keep our stateroom spotless, the mini-fridge is stocked, our beds are turned down at night, fresh towels in the bathroom daily and no fingerprint on the mirror, No speck of dust is missed. After coming back to our cabins from a hard day of cruising - they welcome us with a smile. I feel like saying “Shai & Gede - I’m home.”

    I know for some well seasoned travelers my joy and excitement may be a bit over the top. We are completely enjoying our first cruise and hold no shame in the joy and excitement each day brings.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #neptuneBelowDeck #VikingSTAR    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 13: Below deck: Part One

    January 4, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    As you can imagine there is a whole other world beneath the decks which we traverse. The gallery’s, the laundry, the storage, the whole infrastructure to keep us all enjoying our cruise is beyond description.

    As we passed down the corridors we saw all the Christmas holiday decorations on pallets to off-load when we arrive to LA. The stairwells below deck are not the elegance we climb.

    Like the Wizard of Oz - the 470 staff members work behind the curtain - very hard to make each day a memory we will not forget.

    We did get to see the control room, no photos allowed. The tour we went on gave us a small taste of the underpinnings of this operation of service at sea.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #neptuneBelowDeck    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 13: The morning springs to life

    January 4, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    This morning’s sunrise pictures have a slightly different lens. The series I like best are the photos with the woman at the railing taking her sunrise pictures. If these were on display I guess I would call these pictures “Capturing a moment of a moment being captured.

    We can all be at the same location - and see different things. Isn’t that true in all of life? Clearly we take photos of what is right there, but look behind what you see to find the moments that are not obvious. This is the fun I am having on this trip to see beyond the obvious.

    I found the reflection of the sunrise on the glass doors to the World Cafe, just as beautiful as looking at it directly. Suggesting sometimes you have to look behind you and not what is just right out there in front of you to find the capture moment of art.

    The Neptune staff continue to ready the ship as the crew wash the deck before passengers arise. As you walk from one end of the ship to the other - you are amazed at the level of detail each and every crew member takes to keep this ship a floating paradise.

    “Good Morning, Mr. Paul - Would you like your coffee and smoothie?” Karmila asks with a smile and warmth as bright as the sun. Honestly, I don’t know how 500 staff people can be so nice all the time. I couldn’t do it. We are treated like royalty. For Donna and I we work hard to be just as polite to them as they to us. I know it’s their job - But, I feel we need to give back to them as well.

    I was talking with my bartender Igor yesterday - I suggested we all trade places for one day. The passengers become the crew - and the crew become the passengers. It would be nice to give this to the staff in return for all they do for us. — Then I paused for a moment — this ship would be in complete disarray so quickly. There would be ‘A’ types all wanting to be captain, the railing touch up painting would look like a Jackson Pollock, Viking would lose so much money with all the trays of glassware crashing to the floor. If the ship didn’t sink - we would be lost for sure - maybe ending up on Gilligan’s Island. (I can hear my friends back home say “We know who Gilligan is.”)

    Later this morning we will get a behind the scenes look of the ship. I am not sure if we will be able to take photos, if we do … I will show everyone what is behind the curtain.

    In the meantime, I have camped out on “our porch” starting another sea day. Donna will be up soon and we will head towards breakfast. Leon has just stopped by to say “Good Morning” as he brings Lindy her morning coffee. Even on the Neptune we have become creatures of habit.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #pacificOcean. #sunrise    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 13: Heather Clancy - Vocalist

    January 4, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    You may have read my earlier post about Heather Clancy when she sang a number in the Christmas show. This woman’s voice is so powerful and pure. When Donna & I saw on the schedule she was doing a complete show - we got to the Star Theater (Deck 2) before the doors opened to grab a good seat. It was a made rush to the front. Our fellow traveller friends Emily & T got front row. They are younger and faster than us. We were happy to be center stage in the third row.

    This evening’s show was a mix of opera, broadway, and jazz. Heather introduced us to some new songwriter’s - you can feel her personal connection with each song she sings. What was also nice was for those of us who are not well versed (or even poorly versed) in opera she educated us with the story of the operas which she sang pieces from.

    If I was a professional music critic, which I am not. I would write “Heather Clancy is the complete package, with a vocal range and power beyond expectation. The worst part of he performance was when it was over.”

    This morning (Jan 6th) I had the pleasure of meeting Heather - I asked her yesterday if she would help me choose the photos to use for this post. So, these pictures, out of the 300 images I took, are: “Heather Clancy Approved!”

    If you attended her show - or any of Heather’s past performances on other cruises - please feel free to post some supporting comments to her. I think her mother might be following this blog?

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #heatherClancy    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    2

    Day 12: Just another beautiful sunrise

    January 3, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌬 79 °F

    I left my compass & sextant in our room so I am not sure exactly where we are this morning. The sun is to our back - so we are heading in a westerly direction somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. It really doesn’t matter anyway - I have no place I need to go. The mimosa effect yesterday caused me to get to bed early last night. This morning I awoke before the sun.

    This mornings pictures are unedited views of how we get to start our day. Michael, Bill, Wayne, Bob, and a few other early risers are our companions to the awakening. The crew is busily readying the restaurants, the lounge chairs, the decks are all cleaned once again. The level of detail is beyond description. As one person lays out a fresh towel over the back of the lounge chair on the pool deck, another person follows them snipping of any loose frays of cloth. See the picture.

    Sitting with Bill on the stern outside the World Cafe I noticed his large coffee cup - “Where did you get that?” I asked. “Amazon” he replied …. I have ordered my mug (in red to not confuse mine with Bill’s blue one). Hint: If you drink a large mug off coffee the cups onboard are small - Bring a travel mug onboard so you can reduce the number of trips to the cappuccino machine. See the picture of Bill’s cup compared to mine.

    Please enjoy with me the stillness of the morning. Donna should be up shortly and we will head towards breakfast.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    1

    Day 11: Getting a workout in

    January 2, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    I have been trying to get in workouts regularly while on this cruise cause, you know, cruise food. I normally workout, at home, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I have a 3 day workout plan that I follow. At home, I get up when I get up, cause you know, RETIRED. I have breakfast of oatmeal, then about an hour later head to the gym. Shout out to my PF friends.

    On the ship it’s different. I am not an early riser. And I have to plan around port days and if we are heading out on an excursion. But I am still trying to get in 3 days of weight training. I’m also taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Our stateroom is on deck 8. Most of the restaurant options are on the 2nd deck. The fitness/spa is on the first deck.

    I have had to make adjustments to my workout routine. They do not have barbells, only dumbbells and only 6-8 weight machines. So I have to substitute exercises. I do a goblet squat with a dumbbell instead of a barbell squat. I’ve also had to convert pounds into kilograms and lower the weight ( you can lift more with a barbell than dumbbells because the weight is better distributed. But any workout is a win.

    So if you see me wheezing on the stairs landing, it’s all good. I’m good. I’m fine.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #workout #gym    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna
    1

    Day 11: Buffet Lunch on the Pool Deck

    January 2, 2024, Caribbean Sea ⋅ 🌬 82 °F

    To bring in the New Year - lunch today was a wonderful buffet on the Pool Deck 7.

    Casper is one of the upper management staff for all the restraint operations on board (You will meet him in a future post), Well, Casper assured me that the problem with weight gain is not the food. You can eat a much food as you wish with no concern for weight gain. Casper let us in on a problem aboard the Viking Neptune - It’s the laundry! The washing machines for some unknown reason make it appear as if you are gaining weight.

    The buffet was wonderful - sushi, pasta, tacos, fruit, and much more with a desert table to die for - watch the video as my iPhone does a drive by to check out all the calorie free (per Casper) options available to us.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 11: Confused

    January 2, 2024 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Because I notified the Viking food services that I am lactose intolerant, I receive a daily menu for the following day, which I choose my meals from. Yesterday, I received a menu only for dinner which confused me because we are at sea today with no other option than to eat onboard. Then I read in the Viking daily, distributed in the evening that there is going to be a brunch this afternoon, so I’m on my own to make good choices.

    Last night, I woke up and saw coastline and lights, like at a freight terminal on our port side which confused me because we were supposed to be going up the coast from Costa Rica to Mexico and the coastline was on the wrong side. This morning I found out that a guest had become ill and while there is a doctor and clinic onboard, they required a visit to a hospital.so we had to turn around and return to Costa Rica to be tendered to the shore. Hope that they are okay.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 11: The Neptune Blowfish

    January 2, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌬 81 °F

    I am sure many of us (granted not all) but many of us have a story or two about having a bit too much to drink.

    Knowing that we have the “Silver Spirits” package - and wanting to make sure to get my money’s worth there is a bit of a fear of another story or two in my future - those stories often come with a strong headache or hangover the next day.

    So, for those travelers joining us in LA - take note …

    Prior to the trip I went on Amazon searching for “travel essentials” and ran across this hangover cure called “Blowfish”. Skeptical I ordered enough tablets to cover me everyday … you know just in case.

    Blowfish is an Alka-Seltzer type tablet that fizzes bubbles in a glass of water. Surprisingly - It’s works. If you still have time to get an Amazon order in …. And you fear you might wake up with a slight reminder of the fun you had last night. The research is in - and Blowfish does take the edge off of last nights extra glass of wine.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #blowfish #hangover #hangoverRelief    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 11: Heading West in the Pacific

    January 2, 2024, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌬 81 °F

    Woke up this morning, happy to have beaten my 6:00 AM wake up call by 10 minutes. Went to look for my daily sunrise photo - they moved the sun on me, it is directly off the stern. We are heading due west in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

    I was able to capture a short video of the wake this powerful ship creates and a couple of nice sunrise pics.

    Geoffrey Carpentier was already enjoying the view from the stern of deck 7. Geoffrey is one of the guest lecturers on board - he is an avid bird watcher and very polished speaker. I never thought of bird watching as a thing I would want to do - listening to Geoff talks and standing on deck watching the birds - Geoffrey is a wealth of knowledge and can convert the largest of skeptics towards enjoying his passion.

    Well, it’s time for my morning coffee and smoothie. Happy it is a sea day - tons of photos to go through and get organized. I am telling you - Cruising is hard work - but, someone has to do it!

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #PacificOcean    Read more

  • World Cruise: Paul and Donna

    Day 10: A walk around Costa Rica

    January 1, 2024 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Here are my iPhone photos for today. More to come from my camera later. We have a couple of sea days ahead of us I hope to get caught up.

    Just to let you know cruising is hard work. There is so much to do. The day goes by quickly.

    #myvikingjourney #vikingneptune #CostaRica    Read more

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