Travel Tales: 2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

A few more photos!!

We met these nice folks on the first day for dinner and shared a taxi ride into Bruges the next day. It was fun spending the day with them.

Coming into Port Royal in Bermuda

St. Peters in St. George, Bermuda

interior St. Peters. oldest continuously used church in hemisphere if I remember correctly!

View from ferry going from St. George to Port Royal..before we got out into the open water

Sunday, October 8, 2017

After a long travel day we are home at the lake. It seems the fierce wind followed us and was whipping the lake to a frenzy. It's nice to be here but I'm still rocking slightly in my head!

We enjoyed the cruise and many friends we made along the way. Some we will meet again and some will only be internet friends. There were so many conversations about all the wonderful places to visit in this world it is hard to pick what to do next. Alaska in the spring, maybe Sicily in the fall...then who knows??

Now to laundry and gathering items for the trip south. I've committed to several things that I'm anxious to get planned...a demo for San-Cap, the FMBAA paint around, an exhibit, the workshop in January, the mini project day in December and of course Paint the Beach. My head is spinning!!!

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Bermuda day

It was extremely windy this morning as we came into the islands of Bermuda. Grey clouds scuttled across the sky. Finally we docked and debarked an hour and a half late joined by George's pickleball friend Linden and his wife. They are an Asian American couple from San Francisco. He has given George some fierce games!

We took the ferry from Port Royal to Hamilton and walked around the town a bit. The art center was interesting and had a exhibit of art by a painter who was biking around the island with her paints. We located the bus terminal and hopped on for a ride to St. George. This was a nice way to see some of the countryside of this small island.

St. George is small but we enjoyed seeing the very old church, meeting house and other buildings. They have used the old limestone buildings for stores and restaurants now. A burger on the wharf tasted good!

We hopped back on a ferry for a 45 minute ride back to port. The wind was still fierce but the clouds were starting to part. The port is full of the usual shops lodged inside the old fort buildings. The art center was interesting to visit and notice of the Bermuda plein air event in November enticing. Maybe one day I'll return to paint!

Because of time and logistics we never got to the beach but now we have a reason to return.

I'm about out of minutes and George is done too so no more posts. We'll catch up at home. Two more sea days then we fly.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Normandy

Remains of the floating dock built for unloading supplies at Caen. A was created...amazing engineering under duress.

German bunker at :Pointe du Hoc Hawkes Rangers finally captured this key location of big guns

Thousands of graves..and only a portion of those who perished

Omaha beach looking west

a Multi room bunker

A day in Portugal

After two days at sea we arrived in Lisbon and docked right at the foot of the city. It was a beautiful sight to see the broad Tagus River, long bridges spanning the water and many beautiful buildings in front of us. Because the city was devastated by a huge earthquake in the 1700s much of the construction is “new” and of a similar style of Gothic Revival.

I had arranged a tour through a group called “We Hate Tourism” and had a young tour guide called Marcos. We sat in the front seat and had a wild ride through Lisbon and a very old district called the Alfama Quarter, the oldest section of Lisbon. We went to a high point and enjoyed the beautiful view of the city overlooking the river below.

On to Sintra from there and a visit to the village for a quick walk then up to Monserrat. This was a castle built by a count who then created beautiful gardens around it with a huge variety of plants brought from all over the world by sea captains. The cobblestone walks were slippery but worth the hike. Inside the castle was amazing Moorish decoration covering every surface. It was all white and so beautiful. Even some walls of marble had the surface roughed so it was white with only faint coloration.

Lunch was at a small family restaurant on a winding street of Sintra. Only this tour group goes there so we were spared the bus loads of tourists…we hate them of course!! Food served was a series of small plates of local favorites. Little pockets of shrimp, or beef; chorizo sausage, tuna and beans, tomatoes, bread, a sausage made of meet and bread were very good to taste. We drank local red and green wine, green because it is new…like white Beaujolais I would guess. That was my favorite.

On to the farthest point west in Europe. The view was amazing!!! Marcos said most of the tours do not come here…but many did!

Driving on to Cacais we passed many porches, jaguars, and other posh cars on the road to this luxurious seaside town. This is the playground of the rich here in Portugal. Estates were vast and beautiful with lush grounds and expansive views of the sea. While walking the streets we enjoyed a wonderful ice cream cone from Santini’s. I bought a bottle of Port to enjoy on the trip across the Atlantic and a tile to add to my collection.

Now we sail for six days to Bermuda relaxing aboard ship. Today the Hand and Foot players will meet for the first time. We’ll play in the afternoons. The pickleball players met for the third time and George is happy to have some good players. He played for three hours, part of it singles, the other day and was pretty sore yesterday…..but he loves it! I walk the track to do my bit. This one has a staircase at the bow end to add another dimension to the exercise.

Hope all is well in the US and no more hurricanes are in sight!!!!

Cacais Beach

Overlooking Lisbon

Sintra street

A Portugese lunch

Monserrat interior

At lands end

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Stateroom

We haven’t had an inside stateroom since our first cruise!! It is ok though…lots of mirrors and actually the useful space is the same. Haven’t missed the balcony since the weather is chilly.

Brueges

Photos from our day in Bruges, Belgium

The journey begins..

Once again we flew off to a new destination . This time, London, to travel on to Southampton and board the Caribbean Princess for a 15 day cruise back to Fort Lauderdale. We were offered a terrific price for the cruise and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to experience a few new ports and a different ship.

The trip started with that grueling overnight flight which is only alleviated by the expectation of the trip ahead of us. We were exhausted by the time we finally arrived for debarkation. Along the way we met new friends in the airport, in the waiting area and as we boarded the ship. My cruise critic contacts had set up a dinner time for the first night as well. After a nap we joined them at the dining room for a meal. It was fun to meet still more travelers who we would join in the morning for the taxi ride into Bruges. It was an early night as all of us were so tired and wanted to get a good night’s sleep.

OOPs!! We were so tired that we just moved the chocolate and note off our pillows and dropped into bed. It was not until a chat with another cruiser at breakfast that we learned we were an hour late from missing the clock change to an hour ahead. Yikes! We still had to wait in line for Belgium customs to stamp our passports!! It all turned out fine and we were only a few minutes late for the meeting point. Luckily..that is so not us!!!

The day in Bruges was spent walking around the city center, visiting the cathedral to see the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo , sailing on the canal to enjoy the Flemish architecture, Belgium waffles for lunch, tasting some local beer and of course visiting the local chocolate shops for some chocolates. Ethan will be happy to have some of his own to taste!!

Normandy..

My birthday!! Balloons, a card from the ship and dining at the Crown Grill tonight made it special. Time was tight as we forgot when making the reservations that a long tour day was planned for today.

I felt it was important to take the time to visit this most important historical site today. We’ve seen movies and heard stories of the D-day invasion but to see the beach and the craters left by the bombs, to walk in the German bunkers was moving. The story of the Mayberry brake walls and docks installed for the invasion was fascinating and something we didn’t know about. Called Arromanches here in Normandy, the museum about the project was so interesting to visit that I am surprised we don’t hear more about it in history class. What an engineering masterpiece!

We visited Pointe du Hoc, where the German bunkers were stout and difficult to destroy. The team was led by a Ranger Hawke which finally captured this key point. There is a monument to their bravery and the name lives on.

Omaha beach was vast and open with monuments to the landing of US troops there and the many casualties. From there we visited the cemetery filled with white crosses of those who were buried here in France. It represented only about 40% of the dead from the battles but looked overwhelming to see…thousands of graves. We honor their service.

On an otherwise somber day, we had a lovely lunch at a French “farm” more like3 a country estate with beautiful stone buildings and manicured grounds. The antique filled dining room was set for our arrival with glasses of kir, bottles of wine and we proceeded to have a lovely lunch. It was enjoyable with more new friends from Oregon on a long journey of their own.

Arriving back at the ship we flew to freshen up and get to the restaurant for dinner. My favorite steak!! And they brought a lovely chocolate dessert cake which we tasted then had sent to our stateroom. Pooped, we went for pjs and an early bedtime. Not exactly party people are we!!

Now two relaxing sea days. We have spent this one just doing what we want when we want. Played some cards, ate and are now sitting in the piazza listing to violins and cellos drinking wine. Lovely!!

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Thursday, September 21, 2017

one Leg down!

Waiting here at Metro for London flight. A very long day!!!!

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

We're off again...

Tomorrow we fly to London and board for a cruise back across the Atlantic. Princess offered a crazy price just to fill the ship ....We couldn't pass it up!

Belgium is the first stop on Saturday and we will visit Brugges for day.

We'll still be watching the weather with all these crazy hurricanes around. Jose has Bermuda in its path and that is one of our ports.

This week I've been staying with Mitchell and Ethan while mom and dad were taking classes in Vegas. In between making meals and letting the dogs in and out, I managed to pack it all.

Monday, September 18, 2017

Almost ready...

Now that we know the house has power and won't mold up we can sail happily!!!

Saturday, September 9, 2017

A new exhibit....

Some Kalamazoo Paper Guild members are exhibiting their work at the Vicksburg Cultural Arts Center. It is a small but nice display along with the gallery members works. Dale and I each took two pieces to display and attended the reception last night with husbands. Interestingly our work is all varied in style and use of mediums.

A critique!!

Dale with her lamp. She made the tree form and used handmade paper to form the shades. So beautiful!!

Patient husbands Dennis and George

Me and a new piece…Into the Light

We finished the evening by driving to Kalamazoo for their Art Hop. It was a nice night and many were enjoying the downtown area. A glass of wine at the Union, sitting outside, was perfect!!

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Plein Air Painting

I’ve managed to paint with the group a couple of times this summer. Yesterday was the last Art Walk that the SWMLC will run. This land conservation group invites artists to paint and hang paintings to sell and their own members to visit and enjoy the land and the art. Attendance is down so they have decided to try something different in the future. It was a lovely day out painting though.

Wau-ke-na art walk painting. I was very glad to have that old umbrella to shade me. Painting may be finished!! I started another of the ragweed that may turn out interesting. Pond is to the left. At this point I had to turn and get into the shade and was trying to figure out what I needed to do to the painting before starting another.

Painting from Window on the Water Park in Holland. I will punch some holes in that green algae when I get a chance to paint.

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Catching up!!

Last post we were off to the houseboat adventure.

A month ago 12 of us traveled to Jamestown Marina in Kentucky with a ton of supplies to board the 84' houseboat I had rented for the week cruising Lake Cumberland. Three wave runners, two kayaks, a 9' float, and oodles of other water toys and games were loaded on board. And another ton of food. The Buelow clan does eat well!! It was 90 when we loaded. I was glad to be the elder and just stowed while they lugged things down the very long dock, launched boats, parked cars, got ice and blew up the floats.

With all the planning we did the meals were planned out and some frozen. We had a grill on board so steaks, chicken, Italian sausage and burgers were on the menu as easy and what everyone liked. Add to that some sides (risotto was a big hit), salads, appetizers, like goat cheese, Kerry Gold cheese, assorted munchies and desserts and we were golden. Breakfast was self serve except for the day we had pancakes. Of course kitchen duty fell to the "women" but we had some help from guys as well.

The "men" were definitely in charge of the boat under captain George. The rest were crew and were needed. Andrew, Steve and Sam jumped ashore to secure the lines when we tied up. A tricky business on the highly angled shale shores we usually found. Trees were a hazard and from the holes poked in the canvas rail, not everyone navigated them successfully. Our crew did really well and we found some beautiful spots to spend a night or two. Only a couple of mishaps of ledges crumbling, slips and scrapes. One scary moment was watching when Jeff jumped off the bow as we came in to a clay shore and slipped. From my vantage point he went under the boat as the pontoons were making shore. YIKES I thought we ran him over for sure. Fortunately he was just fine..seems the overhang on the boat is there for a reason!!

We swam, explored, ate and played games. There was a TV but no reception. Actually I liked that so we didn't have it on all the time with sports!! Some learned new games ..bar dice, and old, cribbage, and kept up a running challenge. My grandchildren are two almost 21, one almost 20, one 15 and one 13 plus Sam (Allie's friend) who was 21. They were huge help and had a blast enjoying each other. We missed Thomas, Paige's husband, but she kept him up to date with FaceTime...an amazing and wonderful invention.

Adults relaxed in the hot tub, swam and joined in the games enjoying the company of family. I can't thank everyone enough for joining George and I on the boat. It was wonderful to have us all together to talk and play. It's very rare to have everyone at the same time in the same place!!

Would we do it again? Maybe. Kris says a week was too long but then she is in the middle of taking over running a couple of the judicial courts (circuit and another) plus Friend of the Court in Calhoun County. She was in the middle of budgets and hiring plus having a huge responsibility ahead of her with hundreds under her management. (We're very proud of her BTW!!!) It was harder for her to relax with that on her mind. But the rest would consider it for sure.

I would recommend a good crew for such a large boat, and good planning!!

#402 bow forward. Open deck in front and rear as well as the whole top deck. Large open living space w full kitchen. W/D two bathrooms and six small rooms with queen beds and a sink. Beds were actually comfortable. This design had three up and three down. Up beds were 3' off the floor and down were on the floor. Always low ceilings over the beds but they were soft....good thing.