Surf is up...Flipper.

Decisions, decisions....our (note-it is a plural, suggesting that both of us went on the day’s activities—-so, those betting that Mucus Welby would rise And shine on the rainy day—long shot in my book—-winner) Whale and Dolphin watching was a combo of Deadly Catch and Flipper.  If you will recall from my previous post, the weather was less than perfect when we looked out our window in Ponta Delgado, Azores.  What was overcast,foggy and damp, turned into a steady rain by noon, but Eddie was determined to make the voyage.  

When I did my research for this port, based on the whale migration in the area, I figured a whale watching tour would be the best...since we have been there and done that to the land bound tours.  There were several options, to include the ship’s excursion-a big  boat with 100+ people on board.  No thanks, that would be worse than the bus tours....I determined which company first, Futurmiso.  It is a company with a sterling safety and eco friend/responsible program.  There are marine biologists on board, their equipment is all new and they are committed to using the old hunting methods of spotting whales.  The old method consists of spotters on land with a pair of high powered binoculars stationed at various watch stations around the island and phoning/texting (ham radio before that)  to the boats in the water where they spot activity.  Their fleet of water vehicles  include 6 zodiacs for 12, two different sized cabin catamarans - 35 and 70...since I was in the driver’s seat on decision making 240 days out-I picked the 35 man catamaran for our 3 hour sea hunt.  

You know us Pickle people, we always arrive ahead of the appointed meet up time.  Why would we change routines in a foreign country with rain falling?  We took along a couple of protein bars for lunch, as we had a late breakfast....and headed towards the water front location via a mostly covered walkway/shopping area.  We voted for people watching after our check in as there were two other cruise ships docks in the area.  Parked at a sideway cafe, we could see the folks from our ship that selected to do the zodiacs—-they had been redressed in heavy rain suits, Orange life vests for their three hours at sea.  The seats looked more like saddles that you straddled...none of the folks looked older than 50.  Good call on my part, especially in the now driving rain storm.  Group 2 had on wet suits, snorkels, masks, bare feet, and some rain jackets.  Okay, guess I did not read that swimming with the whales and dolphins was an option...did I mention that it was 57 degrees outside..so make it a cold driving rain...average age was less than 40. Again, good call..Eddie, of course, noted that looked fun.   As activity on our vessel started to gear up, Eddie and I went to where Eddie determine the line would form (kinda a Group 1 & 2 Airport thing) so that we would be first on board to select a seat inside or against the overhang to avoid wet underwear.  We both had on hooded rain jackets, which was better than some who had chosen trash bags....given the wet conditions, they would be cold and wet before we set sail.  

After the group was seated, the mandatory safety speech began, along with the how to vomit properly on the vessel...baby blue target bags (HEB bags are too thin and have a hole in the bottom)..as we would be going into the wave and wind barfing overboard was not a good option.  That old spitting into the wind thing.  As the vessel tends to lurch about making the toilet a moving target, that was also not considered a good option, especially if you needed the facilities for other matters.  The Barf at Sea talk actually took longer than the safety lecture.  Hmmm...time to see how sea worthy our  new 35 friends would be once we pass the safe calm waters of the harbor...particularly since they mentioned that the cabin had no good air circulation and the best place to be was outside if you were queasy...so, once underway, everyone headed for the doors. Admiral Eddie knows where to get to not get wet, by rain or by wave, so we quickly staked out our real estate mid ship, under the overhang, away from both bathroom and diesel exhaust.  

As we push out of sea, the swells became deeper and higher, the powerful Diesel engines hummed and knifed through the swell, soaking everyone who had staked claim to the forward real estate...yes, location, location, location.  After an hour of fighting the fog, rain and waves we were rewarded with a huge (probably more than 50-Eddie will say 100-but that is the Eddie upgrade) pod of common dolphins jumping, belly flopping, group jumping and basically showing off.  The zodiacs from this company and several others joined in the watch party.  Figure they were all on a group text as these companies all offer money back guarantees of seeing something even on crappy days.  The young kids on the snorkeling zodiacs were in the water.  The rest of the zodiacs were full of people that looked like drown rats bobbing on a pool toy....and guess what, they had blue bags, too.  Hmmm...so far so good.  We watched this pod for about 30 minutes, alternating between bobbing and chasing...our position was crowded at the beginning, but as seas became choppier and wetter the blue bags started flying in the wind.  The seating  on the rear of the vessel became the Blue Room.  Eddie would roam back and forth between on mid boat position and seating in the inside cabin (back issues) ....he would return with a barf count, and smell report...so glad I skipped lunch.  Believe it or not,  Navy Eddie is fine in rough seas...me, well, color me pale, but not a bag holder.  Had to put the x-ney on the barf-ay reporting....power of suggestion and all.  The pitch of the engine changed and we realized that we were once again underway.  The rain had picked up, but we could see the harbor.  The third of the group that was on the boat back collectively sighed/groaned when we passed the harbor entrance and bobbed towards another dolphin encounter.  As we were not to be back before 4:00, I knew that we had another hour of bobbing and dolphin chasing.  Guess there will be a few empty seats at dinner tonight.  

Our next pod was the bottle nosed variety of dolphin.  Can you say Flipper?  Yes, the ocean hams jump higher, spin, glide closer, and seem to grin at you when they are looking at you....than the common variety.  I will have to give the Admiral props as he managed to take well over 250 shots with the camera and got probably 10 great up close shots of the various dolphins.  With the lurching and rain, the iPhone I was carrying could not hang...I will say that after 3 hours of standing on the side of the boat, both of our leg muscles were tired from the lean and lock kneed positions we had held.  Just as the rain seemed to end, our adventure was done for the day.  So glad, The Admiral managed to come along for the picture part not the barf reporting part...too bad we did not see the sperm whale that had been seen on the morning tour.  As we head out this afternoon, I will be on watch for said whale...no blue bags or rain jackets required.  

Next stop, Cork, Ireland.  

Land Ho!

Spoiler alert:  No, I am not going to give away who lives or dies on Game of Thrones....while I have my suspicions.  I am merely reporting on Thurston, Mr. Phelps-he has come down with a cold/sinus something....so, Hello, Mucus Welby, MD.  For the younger audience, Wikipedia is your friend...Marcus Welby, MD, was a 1960’s TV show starring Robert Young.  To continue, I am drinking packs of EmergenC and drinking green detox smoothies.  Of course, we brought antibiotics, a steroid pack, inhaler and nasal spray, but not the blister packs of antihistamine and decongestants...so with my On Board Credit  (OBC) that I was saving for a rainy day massage...we purchased  one of everything in the liquor/drug store....not liquor, but over the counter items that we might need.  For those of you that have followed our travels, this has almost become part of the itinerary, 5 days in, Mucus Welby  gets sick...really, man sick, not lady sick.  Lady sick—-we push through and manage to have a good time...even with the tissue stuffed in our bra.  Not Mucus Welby—-I am surprised the ship’s doctor has not made a house call....this time tomorrow we will be in the Azores.  Best Dramatic Performance by a Lead Actor and the Emmy (as I am all about old TV shows this trip) goes to....This is our third visit to this Hawaiian island in the Atlantic.  This is the 3rd time Eddie has been Man Sick when we pull into port....we know where the drug store (Green Cross in Europe) is that sells The “good” (with Codeine) cough syrup.  As the whales are scheduled for 1:30, the drug store is open at 9:00 and a mere 1/2 mile walk from the ship.  Guess who will be first in line?  Quick, before you answer—-remember Labor/Managment at Pickle World.  I have my walking sneakers laced and ready.  

Quick update as we have docked in Ponta Delgado, Azores, for an overnight stay.  The weather to this point has been calm, clear slightly cool if you want to get a tan, but we have been comfortable on the balcony with a blanket.  As with our other Azores visits, the morning are foggy and chilly.  The forecast is calling for rain...and we have scheduled a whale watching trip....oooh, let me guess...raise your hand if you think Mucus Welby will grab his jacket and say, “Let’s go”.  Hmmm...not a hand in the air...despite the fact that the vessel has an enclosed area.  Now, show of hands, how many figure Karen will be on board that vessel at 1:30 rain or shine, looking for Moby Dick?  With all hands in the air, you are correct in assuming that I will carry on.  Despite the fact that my nose is a little dribbly.....lady sick.  So, with my tissue stuffed firmly in my bra, hooded rain jacket, camera and my handy brolly (see Elaine, I did remember to bring it) I am going on a Whale Hunt,  wish me luck.  

Warning—-as the ship reminds us daily that internet service may vary due to location of the satellite and the weather.  Yup, I was ready to post this and the wheel of internet fortune continued to spin.  No buy a vowel or letter guess here, the  foggy, rainy weather here has put a damper on the satellite signal.  Our Portland sailing companions (Also an Ed and Betsy) have weighed in on the internet....Ed 2 is former Military, Colonel, a fact that  he will be the first to share ...Air Force...he has done duty at an Air Force Base that is located in the Azores islands (not this one, not on map..spy stuff again)...he is quite sure they are signal blocking,...the intrigue aboard continues...first CIA, now signal blocking, who knows there is probably a Russian sub lurking in the waters that I will see while on my whale hunt.  Never a dull moment...or you can file this under, Men make things up.  

Mission Impossible

The match is lit, the fuse ignites, the sulfur in the fuse flashes like a sparkler across the black background and the familiar music 🎵 has begun.  Before the first commercial break, Mr. Phelps (Peter Graves) will have retrieved the Dossier for the Mission —-package of black and white photos, and a tape recorder (small reel to reel , no I magic here), wrapped in plastic (pre ziplock bags)...Your Mission, Mr. Phelps/Pickle, should you choose to accept it, is to find the former CIA spy on board your sailing vessel.  He and his wife are in a Suite (along with 200+ other couples).  His current identity is that of a successful restaurateur from Savannah, Georgia, previously from Chicago.  His second wife, Paulette, is a Jewish Southern Belle (kinda like a unicorn of sorts), with somewhat natural red hair, lots of jewelry and expensive shoes, a deep southern drawl also from Savannah.

Yup, Mr. Phelps (Eddie) and I (call me Cinnamon) have brushed arms with a former CIA spy from the Cold War era...a la the original Mission Impossible-long before Tom Cruise was out of diapers and jumping off buildings on to motorcycles.  Eddie usually has a pretty good BS barometer...as he tends to give lots of his stories and history an Eddie upgrade.  While the basic story is true, some of the facts may have been enhanced to make the story more interesting to people we will never see again.  So, he can spot a fake pretty easily.  So, when we met Michael and Paulette in the Lounge, we did not know until our 3 or 4 meeting (note-meeting not drink, as the BS increases exponentially when liquor is added to the equation) that Michael was a retired spook.  A fact that he could not share with even his wife until he had been out for 15 years...so, while Ed was getting the story from Michael, Paulette was tell me a similar tale, a tale she has only know since 2012 (there is that Tao of 7 again).  Her story was more of visiting people around the world (while on cruises) that Michael seemed to have a long history with and she was curious why he knew so many people.  I immediately made the mental jump from Restauranteur to Chicago style mobster...but Paulette eventually revealed that he had worked in “the intelligence community”.  Well, Eddie came back from our reveal meeting with better scoop.  Michael had been a CIA Operative in Poland that helped pick Lech Walesa to lead the Polish government after Communist rule.  Then assisted in getting him elected...one of those lesser of evils kind of this since big Lech worked with Soviets, too.  I would never let the CIA pick my horse in a race.  Since our resident Historian, Eddie, reads all sorts of intrigue books along with some based on fact, he has, been spook struck ever since.  Me, I am so glad that there is Wikipedia, I got the Reader Digest version of Lech...not some much on Big Michael...my big burning question is if he is a restauranteur in Savannah, does he know Paula Dean and has he met her Michael?   

When not spook hunting, we have enjoyed fairly mild temps and sunny weather on the crossing, each day we have managed to see dolphins and whales fairly close to the ship.  However, never when we have a camera.  If you don’t see it yourself, there are loads of folks hanging on to rails and pointing that is a sure tip off.  As April and May are the high season for the nearly 28 species of whales and dolphins in the Azores (Monday’s stop), we have been fortunate to see them enroute.  We will be whale chasing in the Azores.  So, I have high hopes of some good pictures...stay turned.  Outside of Alaska and Hawaii, I don’t ever remember as much active sea life.  

Stay tuned for our next adventure of Nick at Night...or Animal Planet....

Just sit right back

 Just Sit right back...

...and We will tell you a Tale, a tale of a fateful Trip.  It started from this tropic port....  If you are of a certain age, you know that if the familiar beginning line of the theme from Gilligan’s Island.  

Yes, you know the tune, and can thank me when I return for planting that in your brain’s iTunes account as you know it will be stuck there for days.  It has been stuck in mine since we arrived at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), Terminal 25—the newly opened Celebrity terminal ready to board Reflections with 3,087 of our new friends...so, not the SS Minnow, for sure.  

As for casting, Eddie is a definite Thurston Howell III, complete with the Blue Blazer and White buck deck shoes.  Of course, by default that would make me Mrs. Howell, or Lovey...As much as I would like to claim Ginger, the Movie Star.  I know my place, I am Lovey.

Reflections is Celebrity’s one and only ship with more than 2,300 passengers.  There is a reason that there is only one of these.  Celebrity has (or had, depending on your prospective) figured out its market in the cruise ship industry.  As part of the Royal Caribbean family of cruiseliners, it likes to claim the sophisticated more seasoned traveler (read old farts with a little more money that don’t bring their children). They have a whole fleet of ships that serve between 1900-2300 passengers....Reflections was the one that tested that boundary ....while beautiful, there are too many people on board to suit Thurston.  In fact, the Suite Program (aka Powder Puff Program) represents 15% of the folks on board, instead of 5%.  Do the math, folks, that means there are tons of Thurston Howell’s in their nifty blazers (with and without insignias), lots of Loveys, a good number of Thurstons with Gingers or Mary Ann’s, or Loveys and MaryAnn, a couple of Thurstons and Gilligans  —-all wanting their bottoms powdered first and frequently.  

As time goes on, I am sure I will share stories of the other Thurstons on board....but today it is all about the Gilligan Moment.  Could this be another Eddie story?  Nope, it is actually a Lovey (Karen) story.  As yesterday was an Evening Chic (previously known as Formal Night), and an at sea day..duh, it is a Transatlantic—-there are 7 of them...I always attempt to clean up for those evenings and make a little extra effort.  One of the perks of sailing in a suite is the bathroom generally has a whirlpool tub...some are newer designed than others.  My absolute  favorite is the one with no dirty jets but tons of little pen  holes in the bottom and side of the tub....an ahhh, moment for sure.  Side bar...I let Thurston talk me out of said pen holed whirlpool when rebuilding after Harvey...my bad.  My second favorite is the button jets on bottom and sides....bingo, we have a winner.  Our current home at sea has said tub—-with a room steward that cleans it twice a day.  What is not to love?  I lost track of time (warning during the time changes on Transatlantic crossings (6 total) -Apple device and Ship time may differ) while reading and was not ready when Thurston was.  There is a whole math problem based on the number of passengers, Suite program people and drink packages that comes into play when 5:00 rolls around.  Let’s just say that on this ship, Thurston has determined that 4:45 arrival in Michael’s Lounge is the best time to get a good seat and order before the crowd gets too heavy.  I forgot my homework assignment and failed to realize that is was 4:45...and I was not even bathed.  So, I sent Thurston ahead to secure a seat...but I was going to have my soak first...everyone has their own list of priorities.  

Most whirlpool tubs are simple to operate, on/off buttons, just remember to fill the tub past the top of the jet, add essential oils, Epson salt bath bomb, or bubble bath and remove glasses and place in bathroom counter and ahhh...the next 20-30 minutes are mine.  Right?  Yeah, totally, I relaxed on the well placed neck pillow and let the steam rise.  Well, in my haste to maximize my tub experience I failed to study the control buttons.  My assumption was on and off were the two options....nope, there were 6 different options...with internationally accepted emojis for speed, lights, style...none of which was more than a vague bunch of circles and flashing lights without my glasses.  For the first 5 minutes, I pushed buttons blindly...red lights, pink lights, stronger jets...remember the part about jets on bottom, as that little piece will come 

into play when I have to semi leave the bubbling cauldron to reach my glasses on the vanity counter.   Well, Thurston was long gone, so I was determined to conquer the problem myself, but not until I had my soak. After the water had cooled, I pushed enough buttons until I  had the jets seemed as gentle as possible.  It was time to figure out my exit plan.  Okay, let’s review our physics/engineering/operation of water covering jets...the water does indeed cover the jets, if my bottom is on the tub bottom.  I have added essential oils to heighten my tubbing experience —-that would be the part of oil and water not playing well together.  Finally, the lots of jets in bottom and sides of tub parts.  The dilemma naturally is how to get my glasses off the counter so I can read the symbols enough to turn off my tub.  Without a hanger, or long stick, I had no other options than to stand up and stretch to reach said glasses.  Warning, danger, Will Rogers...the water displacement  cause by my petite frame that had occurred to cover said jets was not longer happening.  The whole oil and water thing made my footing less than good, so I grab the side of the tub...with the 6 international symbols to avoid the slip and fall which, of course, proceeded to shoot water at full force out of every nozzle.  The walls, floor and just about everything else was covered in water.  So, as quickly as I was able I’d grabbed my glasses (also now wet) , and sat back down.  My glasses were wet, fogged and oily —- it took a couple of minutes to press the correct buttons to stop the action on the whole tub experience.  Once I managed to stop laughing, and pushed the necessary button, the tub started draining, but making the same sound a vacuum cleaner makes.  Okay, it is now 5:30, our room steward, Shawn, usually shows up with evening turn down about this time...he picked up on Thurston’s 5:00 behavior on the very first day.  I was just sure, given my hearing issues, that Shawn had knocked on our door and I was mid-crazy tub moment and did not hear it and he was in our living room area vacuuming away.  Yikes, my clothes are all neatly in the drawers and closet area in said living room area....and the “plush” towels are not quite large enough to cover all my petite parts.  I move from the oil slick, now empty tub, grab a towel and close the bathroom door....and wait.  At some point, common sense return to my brain, and I knew it was the tub making sucking sounds.   There were lots of towels used to clean up the water from my tub moment.  On an positive note, the walls have been lemon oiled and washed.    Needless to say, I was extremely late to cocktail hour...but had a good story.  

Tomorrow, I might even attempt the whirlpool on our balcony as it has only an on off button...I have checked.  Wonder if this is how some people manage to fall overboard?  

The Tao of Seven

Life, love, nature are all full of sevens---seven days in the week, seven deadly sins, seven natural wonders of the world,  only seven (times 7) more pounds until I can zip my skinny jeans,  seven wives for seven brothers, and until recently only seven seasons of Game of Thrones.  When asked to pick a number between 1-10, most people select 7.  The Bible, as well as most religious works, reference the significance of the number 7...frequently.  And so it is.  It has been  (almost) 7 years since I completed my treatment for breast cancer and have been able to take MD Anderson red marker and draw a line through the word "cancer".  For those of you who are cancer warriors or families of those warriors, seven represents a pretty big milestone.  After 7 years, you're frequent trips to your oncologist are reduced to one a year.  You no longer imagine the worse when you have a new pain, lump or bump.  It no longer takes up all of your time or energy or your thoughts.  I won't lie to you, "treatment" has some dark shadows that will follow you, but for the most part you are able to celebrate life daily.  Why Tao?  Did this Cradle Episcopalian become Taoist or Buddhist in the last seven years...nope.  In Chinese the word Tao means a "path", "way", "road" that a being chooses to follow for self-fulfillment and harmony.  Yes, there is an entire religion based on that...but you can ask Alexa, who was not here seven years ago.  The road that I have been on for the last seven years has given me much joy, many adventures, some heartaches and tears...but at the end of the day,  the path/road/way has changed me.

It has also been seven years since I have posted to this blog. While a few of you have received my random travel emails, I have really not thought of this page for awhile.   Boy, have blogs/vlog/social influencers changed.  You Tube channel featuring yours truly---Pinterest blog with endless pictures of my life-travel-cooking-etc---don't even get me started about my beauty and hair tips....I could even Tweet.    It boggles my mind. I guess what "they" (you know "they" is---the internet) say is true---everything, include you and me, changes every seven years...whether it is mentally, physically, emotionally or technologically speaking.   While clearing off some space on my Ipad for an upcoming trip, I stumbled on the link for the Boobie Blog....guess I just don't have enough to do, so I am dusting off the site, tweaking the name and look--- preparing for some random posting while we are on our next adventure which begins in, you guessed it, 7 days.