Saturday, April 26, 2008
The Golden Odyssey World Cruise
This year 2008, was the 50th anniversary of around the world tours for Holland America.
Our journey was in a beautiful ship designed to navigate the 7 seas. The food was delicious and plentiful, see some of the pictures. The crew prepared 6,000 meals a day for 114 days. They told us we broke some records by consuming 65,000 pounds of beef, 115,000 pounds of seafood, 300,000 eggs, 45,000 pounds of potatoes and 3,000 gallon of the home made ice cream.
The accommodations were spotless and brimming with exquisite art, antiques and fresh fragrant flowers. We have posted some pictures previously of the elaborate floral arrangements fresh from Holland. Fresh flowers were always at our dining table, in the library, everywhere even in our cabin.
The well trained smiling crew were ready to cater to our every need 24 hours a day Over 650 crew members went to work every day to help create “golden moments” for us.
We enjoyed the generous hospitality of our fellow citizens of the world, greeting us in their native language. We enjoyed meeting and making new friends and the warm lasting memories of this unique experience is one that can never be duplicated. We are also proud of the fact that we were part of the contributions made to the Susan G.. Komen Foundation to reach the “Golden Goal” of $50,000 for the cure of breast cancer.
We had 72 different guest entertainers during the voyage starting with Regis Philbin and his wife. We had two casts of Holland America dancers and singers who wore the most fabulous costumes which Las Vegas does not duplicate. We had 18 different guest speakers who lectured on numerous topics. We collected numerous recipes from the cooking schools and demonstrations. First rate movies were shown in the WaJang Theater three times a day.
We attended almost all of the bridge lectures and played some bridge with new friends. Other classes on board were Tai Chi, Art and Crafts, Painting, and Dance. There were also facilities for paddle ball, tennis, volley ball and basketball. We were regulars at the exercise facility to use the machines and also take aerobic classes. There was also a large library and plenty of room to get comfortable and read. The library is where we often spent time using the internet.
On one of the last days, we attended a coffee chat to talk about the memorable time throughout the voyage. Some of the favorite entertainers were discussed. Dick Hardway and Karme (from old Vegas) were favorites. Also Black Tie musical group, Ken and Casey (ventriloquist), a gymnast who was an Olympic medal winner, the show that featured the children of Samoa, Regis Philbin and the Osmond brothers.
One of the highlights is the scene from the ship as we sailed into Sydney under the bridge giving us a view of the Opera House. The sail away from Hong Kong at night was a beautiful sight. It was a special experience when families of crew members met their relatives, not seen for months in Bali and Manilla. Many of the passengers appreciated the Easter Sunrise service on the Red Sea. Going through the Suez Canal was a new experience for most of us as was experiencing the Pyramids and the Sphinx. We could go on and on, Istanbul, Venice, Santorini, Malta and Gibraltar were among our favorites. We have enjoyed this Grand Voyage, but we are also looking forward to returning to our home in Andover.
This year 2008, was the 50th anniversary of around the world tours for Holland America.
Our journey was in a beautiful ship designed to navigate the 7 seas. The food was delicious and plentiful, see some of the pictures. The crew prepared 6,000 meals a day for 114 days. They told us we broke some records by consuming 65,000 pounds of beef, 115,000 pounds of seafood, 300,000 eggs, 45,000 pounds of potatoes and 3,000 gallon of the home made ice cream.
The accommodations were spotless and brimming with exquisite art, antiques and fresh fragrant flowers. We have posted some pictures previously of the elaborate floral arrangements fresh from Holland. Fresh flowers were always at our dining table, in the library, everywhere even in our cabin.
The well trained smiling crew were ready to cater to our every need 24 hours a day Over 650 crew members went to work every day to help create “golden moments” for us.
We enjoyed the generous hospitality of our fellow citizens of the world, greeting us in their native language. We enjoyed meeting and making new friends and the warm lasting memories of this unique experience is one that can never be duplicated. We are also proud of the fact that we were part of the contributions made to the Susan G.. Komen Foundation to reach the “Golden Goal” of $50,000 for the cure of breast cancer.
We had 72 different guest entertainers during the voyage starting with Regis Philbin and his wife. We had two casts of Holland America dancers and singers who wore the most fabulous costumes which Las Vegas does not duplicate. We had 18 different guest speakers who lectured on numerous topics. We collected numerous recipes from the cooking schools and demonstrations. First rate movies were shown in the WaJang Theater three times a day.
We attended almost all of the bridge lectures and played some bridge with new friends. Other classes on board were Tai Chi, Art and Crafts, Painting, and Dance. There were also facilities for paddle ball, tennis, volley ball and basketball. We were regulars at the exercise facility to use the machines and also take aerobic classes. There was also a large library and plenty of room to get comfortable and read. The library is where we often spent time using the internet.
On one of the last days, we attended a coffee chat to talk about the memorable time throughout the voyage. Some of the favorite entertainers were discussed. Dick Hardway and Karme (from old Vegas) were favorites. Also Black Tie musical group, Ken and Casey (ventriloquist), a gymnast who was an Olympic medal winner, the show that featured the children of Samoa, Regis Philbin and the Osmond brothers.
One of the highlights is the scene from the ship as we sailed into Sydney under the bridge giving us a view of the Opera House. The sail away from Hong Kong at night was a beautiful sight. It was a special experience when families of crew members met their relatives, not seen for months in Bali and Manilla. Many of the passengers appreciated the Easter Sunrise service on the Red Sea. Going through the Suez Canal was a new experience for most of us as was experiencing the Pyramids and the Sphinx. We could go on and on, Istanbul, Venice, Santorini, Malta and Gibraltar were among our favorites. We have enjoyed this Grand Voyage, but we are also looking forward to returning to our home in Andover.
New York City, New York
We docked in New York about 7:00 a.m. and were greeting with a welcome sign pulled behind an airplane. The sun was rising between the skyscrapers.
About 200 people disembarked in this city and about the same number embarked for the trip to Ft. Lauderdale and then on to Alaska.
Everyone on the ship had to go through immigration and we were called alphabetically so it was about 10:30 a.m. before we left the ship. We walked to Central Park where we took a pedal cart with a guide who took us throughout the park and gave us some commentary. The trees were in bloom as were many flowers and the grass was green. The grass that has to be mowed covers around 283 acres, and the entire park is like 840 acres.
At 4:45, we went out on the deck to attend the sail away and commenced our voyage towards Fort Lauderdale.
We docked in New York about 7:00 a.m. and were greeting with a welcome sign pulled behind an airplane. The sun was rising between the skyscrapers.
About 200 people disembarked in this city and about the same number embarked for the trip to Ft. Lauderdale and then on to Alaska.
Everyone on the ship had to go through immigration and we were called alphabetically so it was about 10:30 a.m. before we left the ship. We walked to Central Park where we took a pedal cart with a guide who took us throughout the park and gave us some commentary. The trees were in bloom as were many flowers and the grass was green. The grass that has to be mowed covers around 283 acres, and the entire park is like 840 acres.
At 4:45, we went out on the deck to attend the sail away and commenced our voyage towards Fort Lauderdale.
Bermuda
A 30 minute ferry ride took us from the ship to Hamilton which is Bermuda’s main port and capital.
Bermuda’s capital has a colorful harbor with colonial buildings which have a definite British flavor. As we approached land, we noticed the single-story wood and limestone homes with white roofs. The bright white eaves are not just decorative, they are the visible part of an elaborate water collection system, and they channel rainwater into underground storage tanks. There are no rivers or lakes, cistern are the main source.
The sand, local buildings, busses and even the sea are pastel colored. Bermuda’s beaches really are pink! The color results from the red skeletons of single-celled coral organisms mixed with white sand. The resort is so famous, many visitors are surprised to learn the total land area is only about 20 square miles and while many people think there is only one island, there are many smaller islands.
We walked along front street and noticed that the streets are very clean. There are no highrises, no parking meters, no neon signs, no smokestacks or pollution, no slums and no income taxes.
The people we met on the street and in the little park we visited were very well dressed. Some men even had on the classic Bermuda shorts with their suit coats and ties. While in the park we passed beneath Bermuda’s moongate (limestone arch) for those who pass through are blessed with good luck.
We had a long wait for the ferry to take us back to the ship. The line stretched over blocks, the sun was hot but there was a cool breeze blowing from the water. We arrived back in time to dress for dinner, but a little late for the sail away party on the deck with champagne.
A 30 minute ferry ride took us from the ship to Hamilton which is Bermuda’s main port and capital.
Bermuda’s capital has a colorful harbor with colonial buildings which have a definite British flavor. As we approached land, we noticed the single-story wood and limestone homes with white roofs. The bright white eaves are not just decorative, they are the visible part of an elaborate water collection system, and they channel rainwater into underground storage tanks. There are no rivers or lakes, cistern are the main source.
The sand, local buildings, busses and even the sea are pastel colored. Bermuda’s beaches really are pink! The color results from the red skeletons of single-celled coral organisms mixed with white sand. The resort is so famous, many visitors are surprised to learn the total land area is only about 20 square miles and while many people think there is only one island, there are many smaller islands.
We walked along front street and noticed that the streets are very clean. There are no highrises, no parking meters, no neon signs, no smokestacks or pollution, no slums and no income taxes.
The people we met on the street and in the little park we visited were very well dressed. Some men even had on the classic Bermuda shorts with their suit coats and ties. While in the park we passed beneath Bermuda’s moongate (limestone arch) for those who pass through are blessed with good luck.
We had a long wait for the ferry to take us back to the ship. The line stretched over blocks, the sun was hot but there was a cool breeze blowing from the water. We arrived back in time to dress for dinner, but a little late for the sail away party on the deck with champagne.
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