Greetings from the port at St Petersburg!

Also in port are the Royal Princess, Oceania Nautica, one of the Regent Seven Seas, and a Costa ship. Busy port and number four of the largest by area, cities in the world, after Moscow, London, Paris. Have now been to three of these, perhaps not as likely to venture to Moscow. Today we have a tour to the Hermitage… and tomorrow an all day explore of the city with a guide, and an interactive map.

The weather continues to shine bright sun on the sea, and blue skies surround. I was able to spend some time up on deck yesterday, a sea day. Today a short while as we will head out to see the sights just after lunch.

Wish you were here!

Ciao …

Pamela

The last few nights on the ship we have enjoyed dancing to the three piece bands called Synergy. Great to dance to, sounds and melodies from the ages.

As well singers and musicians have performed during the evening after dinner show. Last evening Jacinta was the songstress. Very emotional and sensitive in her song choices. With tears in her eyes she sang selections such as Danny Boy, and the tune Fontaine sings in Les Mis… “I had a dream” …. And then a tune with a story from the perspective of a woman who gives birth to twins and due to circumstances has to give one a way and raises the other. The youngsters grow up and meet, then end up in the forces, and die in war. The news gets to the mom and this is her song. It was a moving piece.

Tonight the musician played guitar, fiddle and piano as well as a mouth organ. Almost all his songs I knew and enjoyed being played by him. He played Hallelujah with such passion. He played television western themes, he sang the Don McLean song about Vincent, Starry StarryNight and did a fabulous rendition of Thew Devil Went Down to Georgia and a medley of classical tunes.

The Golden Lion Pub is a gathering place after dinner for the women and other couple from our table, for trivia and some bevies and laughs. It really is a fun group, the ten of us.

We have been losing an hour a night, on top of the original loss of time for me, so I am still trying to catch up with sleep. Oh well, the show must go on!

All is well on this ship,

Love and wish you were here,

Pamela
Xoxox

In search for Olde Towne

Stockholm Sweden looks like a metropolis with many old buildings complete with ground floor shops like we have. Zara, Asics, McDonalds. We see train tracks through town and many tourist hop on busses. We find cross walks … And we stop at McDonalds in search of free wifi and a water closet…. It has only the WC which I am grateful for ….. On ward

I picked up some postcards, stamps and a flag for grandchildren. I write and post the cards from all ports along my trips. Also I have started them on a collection of flags.

My eldest daughter on e lived here as a nanny one year about 10 years ago, so I am thrilled to be walking where she once has been. What a treat.

The information visitor shop is well located and has free internet as well as pay washrooms. Interesting difference from other places I have been.

It is beautiful and clean and we spent most of our walking time in Old Town. No other purchases, however some very unique shops!

Back to the ship in plenty of time to get some fries, have a seat listening to music and then we enjoyed the sail away party on deck. Setting sail for St Petersburg.

Sweden, Similar to BC Coastline

Good morning, gluten tag …. Or ? In Swedish? Out walking the deck at very early hour before the sun is entirely up. Sun bright and warm sparkling off the water. I am walking the promenade on the ship. One of the very best common areas to view our passage. Islands of Sweden on each side, as we go down the channel. We seem to be following a large cruiseship of some European origin, as I have never seen this one previously.

People running by, walking, in circles doing their laps to stay fit despite the rich and wonderful never ending buffet that is floating around us. The food has been wonderful and only second to the service, efficient, polite, predicting our every need. We have very attentive wait staff at our table for ten and we are all moving together throughout the evening, last night Karaoke! Earlier it was trivia in the pub and then always followed by chancing in the Queens Room or dance floor at Hemispheres on tenth floor. Four sisters from Liverpool, two gals from Meetup Womens Travel Club, another couple from United Kingdom and us. What laughs we have had. Last night the eldest sister, Ena, and Glenn of the UK couple sang a duet, “I got you babe” in the Golden Lion Pub.

We have slowed as we entered the narrow channel and I found a beautiful wooden bench to enjoy the warmth of the sun and to write to you. I have taken pictures of the homes, cottages and saunas that dot the coastlines. Brightly painted they really shine in the morning rays. Very well manicured lawns that I can see. Places to play and small boats tethered to wooden docks reaching in to the sea.

I love cruising. This is actually the best part of the day, early morning for vista viewing. How fortunate for the bright sun to light the way. The shore is so close I can almost reach out and touch the swans, I offer them a greeting of peace as we sail quietly by.

Now landed and tethered to the dock, we are gathering our local currency, passports and some credit cards for going a shore. My plan is to get postcards and flags for grandsons and maybe other items for their mom, who nannied here once a very long time ago.

More later, wish you were here.

Ciao,
Pamela
Coastline

Stockholm and other destinations

Preparing our days in port, we are attending great talks, which are illuminating. They also repeat throughout the day and evening to re listen on the TV Chanel in our room. Not that we spend much time there! And the tv is seldom on.

We have selected the two one day stops in St Petersburg, 6 and 7 September. We do have a stop in old Stockholm first.

Sightseeing will be fun and beautiful with hop on and hop off bus opportunity. 2.5 million people live in Stockholm and it is quite the archipelagos linking 14 islands and the mainland by some fifty bridges. I love bridges and look forward to exploring a few throughout that day. It is the capital city. I am looking forward to this tour. We may need some Swedish Kronor for currency. There is a large modern city and also an old town, which interests me. I expect we might even see an Ikea and ABBA museum …. Lol! I hear the Nobel prizes are awarded here as well.

My eldest daughter came to Sweden to nanny one year about ten years ago and I had wanted to join her then and could not. I look forward to seeing what she once described to me in letters.

We are waiting to see the talk on St Petersburg although we have something now booked for the two days. Day 1 seems like we need to see the Hermitage and get a feel for what the fuss is all about. Second day is a walking exploration for about seven hours, still in a tour. We hope to see many sights and really get a feel for St Petersburg that day for sure.

Helsinki, an old sea port, is the third port of call and visiting Finland sounds wonderful. Hop on hop off I think will get us around, followed by walking and especially a peek in to see the famous unique Rock Church. Otherwise castles, churches and architecture, with walks along the bridges and river areas including old town and some exploration of the open air markets will be the plan. Erottaja is the Center of town and a Cunard shuttle will be provided for us.

Looking forward to being surprised by all the ports of call featured in this itinerary.

Off to breakfast now. We lost an hour last night re time zones adjustment. I am still getting used to the big jet lag from the flight over and feel tired in the mornings more than I like. I prefer at least eight hours of sleep a night and I am falling short trying to fit in all there is, shows, activities and of course the ever important food opportunities …. Lol.

I finished a painting today of a few boats in Talinn. Although our ship is not sopping there, I am pleased with the painting. Today we also were drawing and painting a chipmunk and I did not love that ! So after I finished my marina, I started a sail boat while practicing a new technique with candle wax.

Posting the completed piece of art below.

Ciao and wish you were here.

Pamela

What a Way to See the Sea, Si

I am loving the calm blue and gentle almost not movement of the sea. I know there is life below, I see from time to time some evidence poking through and inviting cameras to capture the moment. We are passing Copenhagen harbour, with towers and spires reaching ever up.

The whispy movement of the air tussles my hair, keeps my skin cool, while the bright heat of the sun is relentlessly shining on those who take a seat on the outside decks for a short while.

There are no tides apparently, however rivers feed the sea. Our vessel is cruising along at this time, through this amazing channel, usually not navigable due to low waters in summer season, according to the Captain. This is a special voyage indeed!

Land and peoples, speaking another language, collecting different currency and yet likely possessing similar thoughts and dreams, just over the horizon. The ship makes us neighbours. We wave at the small boats that come nearby and we can almost make out the desire on their faces. “I wish you could be here too, with us”. One big universal family of travellers. Those that seek to know and are curious about the other. The women who reach put to hold hands with other women around the world.

Thanks for joining me on this and all my travels through this blog, and on Facebook. I enjoy sharing my story and bringing you along with me.

Piacere

Ti amo,

Pamela

Ps … I have ordered gluten free vegetarian pizza for tomorrow lunch, yummmm!

Water color painting and wine tasting : Day one and Two at sea

Running late this morning, having slept in, finally. My jet lag is moving on and leaving me with a full cruise itinerary!

Class starts, Brittania dining room, deck 3 promptly at ten am. I thought I read it was for an hour and had planned to grab a wee bite of breakfast at the buffet and perhaps catch a few minutes of class. After all, I have enjoyed two transatlantic crossing, eight total sea days of water color class and of course the first trip to Greece with Penny was on board a Cunard ship, the Queen Elizabeth.

I arrived, late (I found gluten free bread and peanut butter to enjoy at breakfast) and I was asked if I was staying. I replied in the affirmative, and then had to go back to my stateroom for my previously purchased package of paints, paper and brushes.

I drew on white, from a small cherry tomato on a vine. Then painted white on black, then again for completed project in white then color, on thicker black. Cha Cha dance lessons after buffet lunch. Crowded and very fun to practice this upbeat dance step.

More dancing after fabulous dining and some wine ….then a show with a world famous flautist …. Then late night dancing till after midnight. It was a very formal black and white evening, dancing in the Queens Room and following in Hemispheres party lounge.

Today a painting of Talinn marina, on white, with black ink definitions. Then an informative speaker on Helsinki Finland. More food followed for lunch buffet of course.

A speaker, English reporter, talking about Princess Diana and her life, as he witnessed it, having been her trusted photographer at different times in her life.

A very special invitation to Italy wine tasting today, starting with Prosecco in Rose color. Two whites, one from high Sicily region, and then a hearty red similar to Barollo. Italian wine were made for food accompaniment, quite fruity. So special to compliment my Italy adventure.

I see outside we are close to shore and can see buildings glistening in the bright sunshine and blue skies of today. Close enough to see large greenery acreages and beautiful large church steeples. I wonder where we are? Many small boats litter the water around the ship. Red tiled roofs, rocky coastal shore line, and many small Mariana’s can be seen dotting the shoreline between and around groves of trees. It is beautiful here, clean, clear, blue, with many shore birds dancing in the wind. Windmills and lighthouses mark the route.

Wish you were here!

Piacere

Ti amo,

Pamela

Lunch on board

Greetings dear ones. Jet lag is starting to move through and hopefully I am now acclimatized to this part of the world. My home for the next five weeks.

Complimentary breakfast, English style. They had gluten free toast and looked askance that I asked for what? Peanut butter? Ah, no. Some fruit, mushrooms and beans all meet the gluten free, sugar reduced and vegan options. I am trying to not eat meat, however on the cruise I plan to enjoy seafood and specifically shellfish. It was satisfying and we checked email, packed up and stored our bags behind the office.

We went for a walk through Southampton along the port, and past. Then back, up High St where we came to markets, and we picked up some water to drink. One of the gals found a booth selling pashmina scarves for 2 pounds each. Great find. Walking along the historic rock walls that pepper Southampton downtown area is interesting. Buildings dressed in Tudor style, and old brick and rock. Climbing up, down and over, with intermittent views of the sea and very active port.

Back to the hotel, and we hailed a van, to drive for early embarkation to the ship. I noticed that an English bird, likely a sea gull, shat upon the silk ribbon band, white of course, on my hat. I noticed and said it out loud, the lovely taxi driver commented that this was definitely good luck!

Very short taxi ride to the port for Queen Victoria and no lines. Embarkation of ease, and our rooms ready by 1230. The gal who did our embarkation on board also commented on my good fortune for having been shat upon by a local bird! Time for a lido deck lunch and selection of the wine package for the next 14 days.

I have seen some very familiar crew faces. Our wine steward at dinner is the same we had last January when we were on this ship. Does she remember us? Not likely but she says she recalls me. She has a very familiar and unique voice, name of
Cilla.

One of the maître de staff has gone by me a few times, I noticed his familiar face . He must have been responsible for us last year. This year Eduardo is looking after my high maintenance needs. He is very gracious and accommodating and even seems to have a great sense of humour!

Our dinner companions include four sisters, of seven, from England, who some times get along :). And another British couple. Dinner is like a sit com television program so you will no doubt hear more!

Late for the show, and then dancing in the disco, with the sisters and the four of us (Steve and I, Jan and Joanne) … The dance floor filled and we had a lovely time. I tried melatonin for a more restful sleep, inside stateroom, 8 th floor …. Lovely room. Champagne greeted us and we are unpacked, have attended the life boat drill and now are quite settled in.

Commodore club, Cunard cruising

Embarkation was effortless and smooth yesterday. I love the classiness and style of Cunard.

On board. After healthy lunch of salad, veggies and a vegan ratatouille. A lovely glass of water followed by a walk outside in the cool sea breeze. Some people lounging around the pool deck.

What does Cunard offer that is special? They are celebrating 175 years of tradition. They offer history, formality, enrichment in the form of guest lectures and global topics, famous persons, including writers and other artists. They host the only ocean liner in the world, Queen Mary 2 and it virtually cuts through the weather crossing the Atlantic, for which she was designed. She is unique with her depth and speed for a passenger cruise ship.

The “class” system is alive throughout the Cunard line, but what does this mean? For those suite guests who enjoy and more elite service of butlers, concierge and inclusivity this could be the cruise line for them. I personally do not experience any snobbery or sense of difference on my cruise, and this is my fourth cruise with Cunard.

I enjoy the formal dress up evenings, people watching, exquisite personal service and well appointed staterooms on the most beautiful mid size ships at sea. I love Cunard history and enrichment opportunities.

What would groups of people enjoy on Cunard? Fine food and fine dining, fabulous wine selections and sommelier service. There is a cigar room for those who enjoy that specialized space. No longer are people permitted to smoke on balcony staterooms. Excursions to wineries and you can bring wine on board for personal consumption in staterooms. Wine packages are affordable and offer great selection for dining accompaniment. Extra enrichment includes classes for watercolor painting, spa and fitness classes, dancing classes and ample practice opportunities.

People who are passionate about travel and enjoy these extra inclusions may also enjoy the Cunard experience. Those who can’t or don’t want to fly, can still get to Europe on board the famous ocean liner, Queen Mary 2.

Google the cruise line and see if this is for you! I am often in the mood for Cunard and I would love you to join me!

Pamela, Cunard Commodore

Long overnight flight straight through from Calgary. We sat next to a nice gentleman who travels to do his work all over the world. I asked him if he knew his career choice would take him to foreign lands. No, he had no idea.

We had been upgraded, in my view, to emergency row seats. All the legroom and more ….. I feel so blessed. Then the arrival of gluten free meals! I guess I made the request when I booked my tickets, I have never really experienced the delivery before, except in my last Air Canada first class experience! So it was great, few mini bottles of red wine and sleep came easily to me.

Next thing I know my breakfast gluten free muffin arrives and we are nearing our destination. I look out the window and am surprised to see the farmlands all higgledy piggeldy, some straight lines but no right angles as far as I can see. No symmetry or consistency to England’s farm fields. Interesting and I ponder my theories of why so different from Canada.

After some more jet lag: good morning dear ones. We had a lovely private transfer upon meeting up at Sheraton Skyline … Jan, Joanne, Steve and I shared the ride in a Mercedes limo van. Comfy. The jet lag feeling is settling in.

Once at the hotel in Southampton I was so excited to see three large cruise ships in port, Steve slept a nap, and the rest of us shopped. We found a Marks and Spencer and bought acrylic champagne glasses and a few bottles of prosecco for the ship boarding tomorrow. Priorities! It was fun to people watch, to see the outfits of locals.

We enjoyed a lovely old English style pub for dinner. Duke of Wellington? I will try to post a pic of the lovely interior. People order at the bar, and then sit and enjoy. When in Rome …. Er …. England! Cheers!

Cin Cin, Salute to my Italian friends.

Ciao love Pamela