Wednesday, November 21, 2007
It's Snowing in Springfield
Interrupting our cruise reports for this weather flash. It will be a cold Thanksgiving in the Ozarks.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Canary Islands, Arecife
All of the islands, which belong to Spain and are off the coast of Africa, are different. Arecife is entirely volcanic.
Camels were introduced to the island and remain as an attraction. Here are Jim and Sherryl in front of us, before their camel stood up. That's our camel in the foreground.
They call that a lake behind Jim and Sherryl.
Back to the ship for new adventures.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Berber Oasis of Tiout in Morocco
Peggy and Sherryl with friend in Agadir, before going to the oasis.
Berber Band.
Washing facilities.
Some of the scenes here seem more reminiscent of South America than Africa.
Good-bye, Morocco.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Amazing Tree-Climbing Goats of Morocco
We had Casablanca removed from our itinerary due to "safety concerns," a huge disappointment for all passengers. It was the number one port the four of us, and many others, wanted to see. Felt the cruise line should have offered something in return, but no. Still, the trip to Agadir, Morroco and nearby was great.
On a tour to Tiout, we stopped to see some goats. Big deal, huh? This is one of the most incredible sights I have seen in my travels.
Here, and here only we were told, goats climb argan trees, a main source of income for locals. The argan trees are hardy and grow where little else will, becoming the only food available for goat herds. The argan berries can't be reached from the ground so the goats have adapted, learning to climb and easily balance on thin limbs in order to reach the fruit.
A post-digestion gathering process eventually leads to argan oil which is sold for health and beauty.
Amazing to see.
On a tour to Tiout, we stopped to see some goats. Big deal, huh? This is one of the most incredible sights I have seen in my travels.
Here, and here only we were told, goats climb argan trees, a main source of income for locals. The argan trees are hardy and grow where little else will, becoming the only food available for goat herds. The argan berries can't be reached from the ground so the goats have adapted, learning to climb and easily balance on thin limbs in order to reach the fruit.
A post-digestion gathering process eventually leads to argan oil which is sold for health and beauty.
Amazing to see.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Malaga, Spain
The Roman Theatre in Malaga. There are lots of old Roman sites throughout Spain. This one was discovered in 1951.
The Alcazaba, Moorish fortress.
Peg and the Plaza de Toros.
Ken at the Plaza de Toros.
We walked back to the ship along Malaga's beach. La Malagueta is the more modern part of town south of the bullring, including the beach.
A sleek, well-fed "sea cat." Spaniards take care of their public felines.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Barcelona
Our first full day we walked Las Ramblas in the city.
The statuary and architecture are impressive.
Every church has its own array of art.
The Cristobal Colon (Christopher Columbus) monument in the Placa Portal de la Pau in the harbor.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Jim and Sherryl Ford
Our friends Jim and Sherryl Ford, with Peggy, at the beginning of our trip in Barcelona. Shown in the restaurant of our first hotel, the Prestige Congress, an unusual, minimalist/modernist deco hotel.
Pix and info of our trip have not been forthcoming due to our persistent illnesses from the trip. I have not yet been back to work ... and I'm worrying about just what's going on there in all this time without me. Peg and I are both showing good progress today, however far from well. But we are not coughing every 3.8 seconds as yesterday. Wondering how Jim and Sherryl are. Sherryl was still fighting the illness when we separated in Spain. Jim's had apparently run its course.
Monday, November 12, 2007
We May Be Done With Cruising
Peggy and I have been violently ill since the closing days of our cruise ... as were our two friends we went with and other people on the ship, the Norwegian Gem. This news story hit me tonight on foxnews.com:
More Than 200 Sick Passengers Quarantined
Hawaii officials identified highly contagious Norwalk virus as cause of outbreak on Norwegian Cruise Lines ship.
Over 200 Cruise Ship Passengers Infected With Norwalk Virus in Hawaii
Monday , November 12, 2007
HONOLULU —
State health officials have identified the highly contagious Norwalk virus in an outbreak that affected about 220 passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of Hawaii.
Lab tests confirmed the presence of the virus, which causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Health.
The virus infected about 9 percent of the ship's 2,500 passengers, according to NCL. The ship returned to Honolulu on Monday morning after its weekly seven-day cruise around the islands.
"It's one of the common viruses we've been seeing on cruise lines," Okubo said. "Most of the time, people recover."
The Health Department has notified NCL of the test results, she said. But a statement from the company sent Monday makes no mention of the Norwalk virus.
"Pride of Hawaii has been carrying out an extensive range of preventive measures on board and does not expect this issue to carry forward into the next cruise," the statement said.
Passengers who felt sick during the course of the voyage and their cabinmates were asked to remain quarantined in their rooms for 24 hours. NCL said it was giving those passengers a $200 on-ship credit.
The company reported Friday that the outbreak had been confined to just the one ship, and the Pride of Aloha and Pride of America were not affected.
Passengers on the next cruise will be told before boarding that some people had suffered stomach flu symptoms, according to the statement. They will be given the opportunity not to sail if they're uncomfortable after being told about the illness.
Investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will handle the outbreak, Okubo said.
Cruise lines usually take measures including keeping passengers isolated and rigorously cleaning surfaces on board, she said.
A field supervisor for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
The Norwalk virus typically lasts 24 hours, although it may persist for several days. There's no good way to treat its symptoms besides drinking fluids.
It can become life-threatening for the very old, the frail and the very young if they become dehydrated from the virus.
Additional symptoms include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and tiredness.
The virus spreads through food, personal contact and touching of contaminated surfaces.
End of article.
We were on the same cruise line and noted multiple ship crew coughing, including restaurant staff and the guy who swipes everyone's stateroom card when you get off and on the ship.
More Than 200 Sick Passengers Quarantined
Hawaii officials identified highly contagious Norwalk virus as cause of outbreak on Norwegian Cruise Lines ship.
Over 200 Cruise Ship Passengers Infected With Norwalk Virus in Hawaii
Monday , November 12, 2007
HONOLULU —
State health officials have identified the highly contagious Norwalk virus in an outbreak that affected about 220 passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of Hawaii.
Lab tests confirmed the presence of the virus, which causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the Hawaii Department of Health.
The virus infected about 9 percent of the ship's 2,500 passengers, according to NCL. The ship returned to Honolulu on Monday morning after its weekly seven-day cruise around the islands.
"It's one of the common viruses we've been seeing on cruise lines," Okubo said. "Most of the time, people recover."
The Health Department has notified NCL of the test results, she said. But a statement from the company sent Monday makes no mention of the Norwalk virus.
"Pride of Hawaii has been carrying out an extensive range of preventive measures on board and does not expect this issue to carry forward into the next cruise," the statement said.
Passengers who felt sick during the course of the voyage and their cabinmates were asked to remain quarantined in their rooms for 24 hours. NCL said it was giving those passengers a $200 on-ship credit.
The company reported Friday that the outbreak had been confined to just the one ship, and the Pride of Aloha and Pride of America were not affected.
Passengers on the next cruise will be told before boarding that some people had suffered stomach flu symptoms, according to the statement. They will be given the opportunity not to sail if they're uncomfortable after being told about the illness.
Investigators from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will handle the outbreak, Okubo said.
Cruise lines usually take measures including keeping passengers isolated and rigorously cleaning surfaces on board, she said.
A field supervisor for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration didn't immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
The Norwalk virus typically lasts 24 hours, although it may persist for several days. There's no good way to treat its symptoms besides drinking fluids.
It can become life-threatening for the very old, the frail and the very young if they become dehydrated from the virus.
Additional symptoms include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and tiredness.
The virus spreads through food, personal contact and touching of contaminated surfaces.
End of article.
We were on the same cruise line and noted multiple ship crew coughing, including restaurant staff and the guy who swipes everyone's stateroom card when you get off and on the ship.
Email to Staff
I sent this email to the TPE staff today:
Well, we're back from Spain. I expected to arrive home well rested and charged up to get back to the office. Unfortunately, an illness went through the cruise ship near the end of our voyage and we both came home with cold/flu/strep throat-type symptoms. (I know I can't expect any sympathy as I would get if this had been a working trip.) The day and a half of traveling home was miserable. Were we ever glad to touch down on the Springfield/Branson airstrip.
Aside from this, it was an immensely rejuvenating vacation. We had perfect weather in every port.
I'll be working from home so feel free to email. I won't plan to do any editing till tomorrow or Weds.
Thanks for all you did to keep TPE running smoothly while I was gone.
Well, we're back from Spain. I expected to arrive home well rested and charged up to get back to the office. Unfortunately, an illness went through the cruise ship near the end of our voyage and we both came home with cold/flu/strep throat-type symptoms. (I know I can't expect any sympathy as I would get if this had been a working trip.) The day and a half of traveling home was miserable. Were we ever glad to touch down on the Springfield/Branson airstrip.
Aside from this, it was an immensely rejuvenating vacation. We had perfect weather in every port.
I'll be working from home so feel free to email. I won't plan to do any editing till tomorrow or Weds.
Thanks for all you did to keep TPE running smoothly while I was gone.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)