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davidpearlman — Sun, 4 Feb 2018 01:47:00 GMT

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Graduation Cruise Day 2

davidpearlman — Wed, 6 Dec 2017 08:15:00 GMT

The second day of the cruise hit the port of Princess Cay, which is on the island of Eluthera in the Bahamas. I was doing an shore excursion which took us to some spots on the island.

After breakfast of many pieces of salmon and whitfish on a bagel, I met in the Theatre for the excursion. After about 20 minutes waiting, the group of 60 or so of us we're escorted on the tender to the island, where we walked past the spit of sand, to buses waiting.

We got on the bus, and met Colleen our tour guide, who told us not to get Kakalou (or something like that)-and meant drunk. We drove past miles and miles of fields, and past what I Remember about other Bahamas islands, houses which look either half abandoned or wrecked. Finally we arrived at a Primary school, in one town, where the students sang some songs, including Church songs I have never heard. They also sang some Christmas Caroles, and the pledge to the Bahamian flag. We then went to a salt water pond, or lakehole, we snapped pictures.

Then we went the South Eluthera administrative offices, and then a resturant where we learned how to make conch salad, and dance the Junkanoo dance with cowbells, drums, etc.

After having a beer we drove the 40 minutes back to Princess Cays on the Southern end of the island. I had lunch of barbecue of potatoes and corn, and walked around taking pictures. Princess Cay is a private split of land, and is nice.

My Graduation Cruise-Day One

davidpearlman — Mon, 4 Dec 2017 23:37:00 GMT

Yesterday, I left my house and made the approxiamately 20 minute drive to remote parking to take my graduation cruise.

What is a graduation cruise? On my training to become a travel agent, I had to take courses on all of the major cruise lines, Princess cruises being one of these lines. Nearly 2 years ago when I started work there, I read through a few pages of material, and took their long multiple choice exam online. Now, as you can imagine, studying about Princess Cruises ships or destinations isn't the CFP exam, or GMAT exam (both of which I took)-but the test is surprinsgly irritating and difficult. Although it is multiple choice, the choices aren't only A, B, C, or D. They could be A & B, A, B & C, A & C, all of the above, none of the above, etc. And who knows if it is the Grand Princess and Star Princess that goes to Alaska, or the Grand Princess and Coral Princess? The good part is that you can retake the exam as often as you need to, and I did.

After a while, I passed the exam-the reward is...a free cruise. Just paying taxes and gratuities. Although it has been nearly 2 years since I took the exam, for most of the times the free cruises we're prohibitively restrictive, i.e. a 7 day crruise out of Tokyo, or a 21 day cruise (vacation time??), but due to the hurricanes in the caribbean, there was a lot of capacity in the Caribbean, so I was able to go on this cruise out of Fort Lauderdale.

The ship is the Regal Princess, which I toured once. As a Travel Agent, I toured many ships, including ones by Azamara, Crystal, Oceania and Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Harmony of the Seas megaships, as well as the Regal Princess. The Azamara, Oceania, and Crystal we're beautiful but I couldn't see myself going on them. I'm too young and don't need all of that opulance. The Royal Caribbean megaships looked too much like shopping malls. The Regal Princess seemed like my type of ship though. It looked luxurious, but also contemporary-upbeat pop music played in the halls, and the crowed looked like average Joes like myself. So I jumped on the chance to sail for free.

erday, I left my house and made the approxiamately 20 minute drive to remote parking to take my graduation cruise.

After parking the car at the Rennaisance hotel Fort Lauderdale, I took the shuttle, and managed all of the ropes and crowdes and checkin. Upon check in, I was welcomed back for sailing with Princess so many times; Actually-I have never sailed with Princess, but as a graduate of the Princess academy-I was automatically conferred Elite status, which ordiniarly would require 151 cruise days or 16 cruises to sail.

I boarded the ship, which in addition to the beautiful fine woods and light decorations, there was garland and a Christmas tree in the lobby. Additionally, there we're "welcome aboard" banners everywhere, and the staff was wearing welcome aboard sashes.

I dropped my stuff in the room, which had elite touches, like a welcome to the wine tasting later in the cruise, and the free mini-bar set up. Also in the room was the 6 page required test I was required to take, such as to ask the appropriate departments how many weddings we're on the cruise, which elite benefit i the best, what is the type of Jewelery on sale for this cruise, etc.

I went up to the lido deck, and had lunch-I found a veggie fritata and a taco bar-I had chips and guacomole. A waiter came along with drinks-I ordered some type of colorful sail away punch. (I ended up having 2). I went back to the room and took a nap until the muster drill, which was quick and painless. The muster drill started with a modified version of the Love Boat theme.

I watched the sail away party-which was different. There was a countdown where on the big movie screen-where the cruise director counts down from 10 until the ship sails away-and blows the horn. The horn here is different-it is actually the first 8 bars of the Love Boat theme....Love, exciting and new...come aboard, we're expecting you. Then the dancers came out and performed some upbeat "Sail Away" melody, with a fast paced dance to Stys Sail Away. Finally, before the musicians started playing-the giant movie screen showed a video featuring all of the staff on the ship performing a fast paced and very very very catchy song called "Away Away".

After I sat up and watching the band play calypso hits, I went to the back of the ship and watched the sunset, and took a nap before dinner.

At dinner type, I had a tough time finding the dining room. I was at table 572. I couldn't find it. In fact, I went to the wrong dining room. I met a 40-50ish looking woman who was also trying to find the same dining room. We walked around together, and tried to find the right dining room. I was hoping she was at my table-nope. she was at 593, or something like that. After a few wrong turns, we found the right dining room.

The Maitre'd led me to my table. We walked past other tables-people who seemed to be having fun. We walked past one-was this my table? Nope. We walked past another table-this one with I belive 5 ladies and 2 guys. Was this my table? There seemed to be an empty spot? Nope. Finally, I got to my table-four people we're sitting at the table-two married couples in their early 70's who we're long time friends-The man at the table was a vegan-who didn't like vegetables. From what he was saying, he used to play football in school-he got arthritis at one point and had to walk with a cane. His daughter told him that if he adapt a vegan diet, he will no longer have to walk with a cane. (I don't remember why). He adapted this diet and no longer had to walk with a cain-but he doesn't like vegetables, so the maitre'd was at the table-trying to find food for him to eat for the rest of the cruise.

After dinner, I went to the introductory art get-together in the art gallery, (I don't know anything about art), but I looked around and had free champaigne. I then went to the funniest comedian in the Princess fleet (I didn't find him funny), and left early. The plan was to go to the room and take a nap and maybe go to the dance club later-but I just fell asleep.

That's all...For now

davidpearlman — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 06:36:00 GMT

Last night, I came home from Colombia. I have never been to South America, and going through customs in the US, after only a 3 1/2 hour flight is unusual as, didn't feel overly tired and filthy, as is the norm flying from Europe and Asia, which is normally 9+ hours in the air.

Just like my extended time off:

(A) I stayed in a hostel-which is my preferred type of lodging. I met the usual type of folk who stay in lodging, meaning Germans and Austrailians in their 20's. I probably stuck out like a sore thumb-which is fine. I enjoy hanging with these folks more than most my own age, most of who have matured, married, and/or have kids. 20-somethings in hostels still have their sense of wonder and adventure, because of that:

(B) I participated in a free walking tour-which is largely made up of people from hostels. The free walking tour provides a deep-dive into the history and culture from the region-in this case, courtesy of Juan, the tour guild who was most passionate of his country. I enjoy interacting with the guide, asking questions, and getting feedback. This led me to the Barrio transformaiton tour, where I met others and continued this interaction. The hostel also had a brochure on the Pablo Escobar tour-where I gained further insight.

(C) I also did a pub crawl because of the hostel-which had no educational fuction, but I danced, and met with people who we're fun.

This is a return to the world of two years ago, where I explored the world, on the cheap-exactly like I did in Medillin, but in multiple citiies. (1) Hostel (2) Walking tour (3) Pub crawl (4) repeat-no, not exactly like that. But that world seems over now. Travel will be just like everyone else-2 week breaks during the year, incredibly rushed group tours, cruises, and nice hotels where I have my own room-which smell nice but have no soul. Every day now is same as before I left-driving to work listening to NPR, working, going to yoga at the end of the day, eating salad for dinner-sleep and repeat.

Final Day-The Pablo Escobar Tour

davidpearlman — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 01:08:00 GMT

Yesterday, I woke up nice and early for the Pablo Escobar tour picking me up at the hostel. The tour was supposed to stop by at 8 but ended up picking me up at 8:40. I awoke early-because I always get up early. I didn't have breakfast either, because the main road with restaurants is too far to walk in such a limited amount of time. So Iwaited. It turns out that the reason the bus was late is from waiting for 5 folks who ended up too hungover to make the tour-so it was only 3 of us.

I have never watched the Netflix series "Narcos". In terms of history and learning, in the past the fact that I don't watch much tv I was never at too much of a disadvantage. But not here-apparently Narcos viewers would be eaiser to relate to the tour.

I learned a few things:

- Pablo Escobar was a small-time thief around the age of 14-mainly car burglaries, etc. But his mother's friend who was into cocaine saw something special in him, and encouraged him to start buying cocaine and tilling the fields of Peru, Chilie and other countries. She provided contacts in Miami who could help him out. I guess she also forwarded the money

- By the time he was in his early 20's he was well on his way. He bought a huge apartment building and housed his entire family, bodyguards, etc.

- In the early 1990's-the international community was putting pressure on the Columbian government to arrest Escobar-and the government did. But because he did so many favors for the government and the government was corrupt-Escobar built his own Jail, up on the mountain top, where he houses his mother, brother and bodyguards. The jail has two swimming pools, and even an escape hatch with a tunnel down the mountain complete with oxygen if international authorities got too close, which he used.

- He is buried in a cemetary in the poor neighborhood he grew up in.

- The driver of our van was actually a driver for Escobar. A very nice man, who explaned that he got lots of woman during that time, and preached against getting involved with a man or woaman who was in the mafia.

After the tour, I had lunch with the other 2 people on the tour, and then took the cable car to Avri Park. Actually it was a mission of taking the metro to a cable car, riding it for around 1/2 and hour-45 minutes-then transferrring to another cable car, which was around another 45 minute ride, and deposited me in a nature area. I walked around for a little bit. I ran into some people I met on the free walking tour, but other then that, I didn't feel like walking around. The park was beautiful, but for all the time I it took the get there, there was too much I wanted to see in town on this final afternoon.

So I took the cable car back to the other cable car back to the metro, and went downtown. I walked along a pedestrian area with lots of shops, and a park in Medellin which our tour guide introduced me to a few days prior. The park was the heart of Medillian, and featured all types of people, ranging from a workshop with kids painting to, according to our guide, addicts sniffing glue. The park was bustling. I walked along a pedestrian street, and ate some native dish of stuff I don't usually eat, which features pig stomach, egg, rice, beans, a hot dog, and other horrible food. It was tasty but I didn't eat all of it. I ran into the tour guide from yesterday, as well as someone from the pub crawl.

Then, after dark, I took one final cable car ride-past the barrios. At night it is peaceful, with apart from the others in the cable car, you can hear barking dogs, kids playing soccer, etc as the cable car goes up and down the hills and lights of the city come into view.

I returned to the hostel about 10:00 pm-but because it was the last night-I was in no mood to go to sleep. I took a walk to the hostel from the other night, and had some drinks, and met new people, including a girl who was teaching English in Cali, and her boyfriend-both from Utah, and some guy who grew up near me.

Another Day

davidpearlman — Sun, 15 Oct 2017 00:54:00 GMT

Yesterday, I woke up and was out closer to 8:00. Because of the pub crawl the night before I had a problem waking up, so I awoke later.
Today I had a barrio transformation tour scheduled for 02:00 pm. The plan before then was to maybe take the cable cars to the end, where there was supposedly a park. So that is what I did. I walked to the metro, which is about a 20 minute walk, stopping for all sorts of fried treats along the way, including, empenadas, bonuelos, and other unhealthy, heavy, fried foods which are served everywhere here.
After the walk, I made it to the Metro. I took the metro roughly 6 stops, to another metro line. This metro line, I took another 8 stops, which took me to a cable car lines.
Cable cars are a main force of transportation here, particularly from the "barrios" on the hills. So the price of the cable car was included in the price for a ride on the Metro (roughly 90 cents). I rode the cable car up up up the hil, riding past the barrio, with brick and cement houses crammed alongside the mountain. The ride zipped along, and made a few stops, up the mountain, and then down the other side, and up another mountain, all crammed with houses jammed up against each other.
After 1/2 an hour, i got off on the last stop to look for the park. The park was tiny, and there wasn't much there. I stopped, walked around and looked at the various shops in the barrio. I went into a pet shop and found little kittens I started to pet. Then I got a drink of sweet orange drink, and sat on bench, and watched the comings and goings.
Then with roughly 4 hours to go until the tour, I took the cable car back to the metro, and took the metro back to the first line of the metro, where i rode a few stops and got off at the University, which looked intersting. I ran into a "Mother earth" celebration, which amounted to roughly 30 people under a tent beating drums in tune, to celebrate the earth. I met a violin teacher at the university named Ana, who spoke almost no English, so I worked on my limited Spanish.
After spending a copule hours, here, i talk to the Metro to the meeting point of the tour, where I basically waited for an hour.
Once the tour started, it was quite interesting. It was focused on a section of town called Morovia, which used to be swamp, until people started throwing their trash on the swamp, in which it became a giant trash heap. After that, settlers from the country started building their houses upon the trash heap. And it became a barrio, which was dangerous because the waste from below was causing health problems.
Over the past 15 years-the city basically gave other housing to the residents, and cleaned up the barrio and made it into park. Some houses remained though-some refused to move. We walked around and could see inside the houses, which looked ramshackle.
Then we walked around to another barrio, which was teeming with life. We we're shown a community center,with free classes for the community. We had snacks of sweet mango and more fried food. Residents from all over greeted us. Some wanted to say hello in English.
By the time the tour was over, it was getting dark. The other headed back to the main part of town on the Metro. i wanted to stay behind and take pictures. One woman from the tour, who looked to be in her 50's, asked if she could join me, and although i wanted alone time, I let her. We walked around-I learned she is from New Zealand and has been travelling for 6 months. We walked past the community center, and actually ran into a resident of the barrio and some fellow tourists, and we found out she was going to a special program at the commnity center, so we joined her. I don't know what the program was about because it was a lot of talking in Spanish.
We later walked out, stopped for a beer, and found a metro. We decided to take one of the cable car lines to the top of the hill (a different one then what i took earlier), so we could see all the pretty lights of the city below. We waited for a good twenty minutes que from the metro to the cable car, and entered. The lights we're indeed stunning, and apart from the others in the car speaking, it was silent, just dogs barking below. At the top, we decided to go for dinner, at a little streetside place, where the table was on the street. Far from being romantic, it was more authentic. Children we're begging for food, and dogs and a cat came up to us. We both had heavily fried fish with fries, and what we didn't eat we fed to the dogs and cat.
Later, we took the cable car back down to the metro. and went back to our hostels (hers was not far from mine). I was still tired from staying up late last night, so I went to bed quickly.

Real First Day in Medillin

davidpearlman — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 00:14:00 GMT

e I crashed around 10:30 last night-I awoke really early. I was showered and ready to goat 6:30 am-not that I knew where I was going. All I knew is I had (A) 2:19 walking tour of Medillin scheduled, and (B) a pub crawl later on.

So at that obscenely early hour in a new city-I walked around-and nothing was open-I did find a Dunkin Donuts for breakfast, and had a dark coffee and crossaint. I then walked down the hill to look for the Metro-couldn't find it, and walked down the road looking at gardens, and buidlings. This is a very mountains city, and the air is cool and clean.After what seemed like an hour, I found an outdoor mall, and stopped, and had more breakfast. I also checked out my map, which is a checkered map with lots of squares indicating which district you are in. I figured with all the walking I did, I must have walked through at least 5 squares-I was wrong-only 2 (with a little bit in the second), so I didn't walk long at all.

I continued walking. I found a tourist information booth, and inquired about a tour of the countryside for Friday. Then I walked down a down a hill, and finally found the Metro. It was a clean but crowded train, and I took the line to what looked like Downtown. I walked amongst great scupltures, beautiful churches, and pedestrian malls.

Finally, I went on the walking tour. It was fascinating.

Juan, the tour guide told us

- Medillan, because of it's location in the mountains, was settled by the Jews and settlers from Europe after the Spanish Inqusition-because it would be hard to attack folks who are surrounded by mountains.

- Coal and coffee we're the main industries.

- The drug trade develeoped in the 1970's, and our tour guide grew up with it. As a matter of fact, he was shot going home from school twice because of the trade.

- The new leadership, invested in a subway system, new art downtown, and largley eradicted the trade. An artist named Fernando Botero made scupltures with exaggerated features (giant torsos), and donated many to the city.

The tour was roughly 4 hours long-then I went back to the hostel, took a nap, and went on the pub crawl, which once again I am way too old for.

i returned about midnight and went to bed.

Off to Columbia

davidpearlman — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 06:03:00 GMT

I sort of would like to take an extended period of time off to travel again. But that isn't in the cards.

The best i can do is mini trips to somewhat exotic places. Now I am going to Medellin, Columbia for 4 days.

Why here? For years, folks have said I should go here. There are supposed to be beautiful woman. A friend used to go here to meet the woman. A friend from work goes here a few times a year. What did I know about it? Not much. There are lots of mountains and there is metro system. But living in South Florida, it isn't hard to get there-just a three hour flight, approximately what it would be to fly to New York. So I don't know why I am going exactly-which doesn't bother me. I have visited many places that I don't know where I am going-and as far as the woman, I don't think I would remember what to do anyway.

So I decided on Medillin. Two ways to get to Medillin using my frequent flier miles. (1) Jetblue from Fort Lauderdale, with only an additional $70 payment, and American from Miami, with a $150 payment-so being Fort Lauderdale is much closer-that would be the obvious choice, but that isn't what I chose.

American's flight lands in Medillian at 8:00 pm, while Jetblue's at 1:00 am. I have learned that options for public transport (and the possibility of not getting lost), are much greater in normal hours. and besides this, I had a coupon that came with my American Airlines credit card for the Admirals Club. Considering I have never been to an airline club, I was curious to check this out.

So I left the house about noon. I scored discount parking at the airport Marriott, took their shuttle to the airport, and arrived about 1:00 pm for my 5:00 flight. (I wanted to really experience this club).

After a realitvely easy time going through security, I walked what seemed like a mile and a half down the concourse, and found the Admirals Club.

This is my observation after a few hours here:

(1) The food is good. Cheese, crackers, olives, chips, nuts, cookies, cakes. Snack foods, but I loaded up on them. There was one of those fancy soda machines with a touch-screen, where you can make your own type of soda. A fancy coffee machine where you can make epsresso, cappachino, and cofffees. Cheap beer and wine was free.

(2) This place is huuuge... Hundreds of chairs. Both comfy chairs and hi-back tables with plugs for electonics and places to eat. And there are several different sections. One is a dark section where cell phones are prohibited.

(3) There are lots of people here. I thought on a random Tuesday afternoon, this place would be sleepy, but almost every chair is taken, particularly the comfy ones.

(4) I am wearing a pink short-sleeve polo shirt. I thought I would stand out all the few other people would be men in suits and sports jackets doing spreaddsheets. I Was wrong. There are people of all shapes, sizes and colors here. Some look retired. Some look like college students. I saw kids here. One woman had her little dog with her.

I have been here chowing down with just about an hour to go before the plane starts boarding. And I don't mind. I have eaten everything and after a few glasses of house wine I am feeling quote comfortable. And I enjoyed a nice plate of complimentary made to order guacomole.

Off the Yacht in Roma

davidpearlman — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 22:32:00 GMT

Last night I went to bed early, but didn't get much sleep-No matter how long a cruise is-that is what I tend to do. I know the ship docks early in the morning, and I am so afraid of waking up so late that houskeeping will be knocking on my door ordering me to leave-I go to bed early. I understand I missed somethings last night-such as the captain playing his guitar and bar manager singing-but after 35 or something cruises, it's hard to stop.

I went up to deck, and had breakfast. I sat with some of the other travel agents I met on the trip for a final breakfast. I said my goodbyes. After going back to the suite, and saying goodbye to the walk-in closet, The L' Occidane lemon-scented shampoos, and the room, and making sure everything was packed, I debarked the ship in the port of Civitevecchia. As I got off the ship, both the Captain and Hotel Manager stood at eh gangway and said goodbye to all the guests.

I have been to Civitevecchia before-actually 3 times before, on various cruises. The plan was to wait for the free shuttle bus to the entrance to the port, and then to walk to the train station-for the train to Rome. (I found the walk is 2 KM). After waiting about 1/2 an hour, watching the other passengers hop on taxi cabs, buses to the airport, and other transit, and saying my goodbyes to the ones I knew, I embarked on the free shuttle bus, which took me to the entrance of the port.

I then walked past stores, bars, restaurants, and the shoreline leading to the station. And I walked. And kept walking. My suitcase became heavy. This walk seemed much longer then the last time. But the signage to the railway station was clear, and I bought a ticket to the train using the vending machine.

As I bought the ticket, I left my suitcase around the corner (I could still see it out of the corner of my eye), a concerned, aka paranoid tourist, also American looked at me shocikingly said "You can't leave your bag alone!!! This is Italy!!!". She even pointed to a guy who could be a potential thief. I sort of rolled my eyes and said "This is your first time in Italy, huhh?". Maybe I felt she was partially right, but I have learned after traveling around the world that most people are ok.

After a 20 minute wait, The train came and I got on the and found a seat, and took the approximate 20 minute ride to Rome Termini station. I walked out of the station. After walking down a few wrong streets and asking directions, after about 20 minutes I found the hostel, and was led to my room-a bunk room with 6 other bunks. Thats right, one night ago I was sleeping in a giant suite with L' Occidente frangrances-now I was sharing the approximate same size room with 6 others, and I had to walk outside to the spartan bathroom. Yet-I also found what i liked about this form of travel. I learned a 20 something girl in the room took the train to Naples. I asked her is she went to Pompeii. She said she never found it-but was able to eat the pizza, and that is all she wanted, and she was happy. That is all she needed. No big complaints.

I then took the hop-on hop-off bus around Rome. I'm no particular fan of these buses, but with one day in Rome it seems like the thing to do. I took the bus for about an hour, exited near the Colliseum and had pizza for lunch. And walked around Rome for a while.

Yachting Week 7-Portoferraio

davidpearlman — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 22:20:00 GMT

Today is the last day of the cruise, and for a huge change from yesterday, it is a bright sunny day.

This was the island of Elba, and the city of Portoferraio on the island.

I looked at this list of shore excursions from the ship, as I didn't know where to go. One place was Napolean's Summer Residence.

I departed the yacht nice and early, and walked around the town. I saw the usual European enchanting Centruy Old buildings, and followed a path which went up a steep hill, and led to Napolean's Summer Home. It was a beautiful building with lots of old furnishings. I took the tour, and saw the antique beds, the large dining room, and the views that swept over the Mediterranean. I also walked along the gorgeous, verdant lawn, nicely manicured.

After this, it was close to noon, and I walked down towards the ship, which meant walking past cute houses, down steep streets, towards the town of Poroferrario. I looked at the stores, and I was planning on going back to the yacht to have lunch, but as I walking past the restaurants by the waterfront, I met my friends and they inivited me to sit with them as a pizzeria. OF course, since this was Italy, I had to eat the pizza, and it was good (although, I this particular place, I can't say it was that much better than I've had before at home). At the next table, we're some of the crew from the yacht, meeting the crew from another yacht, the Star Pride, who we're actually sailing in the opposite direction.

We said our hellos to the crew, and then headed back to the ship. I lied on deck, reading magazines, and talking to the other travelers. Did this and watched the yacht pull away, and out to sea.

After the yacht pulled away, I went to the dining room and had dinner with the other agents. It was a sad fairwell dinner, and we shared a bottle of wine. And then on to the crew talent show, which is the highlight of the cruise-some of the crew, like two room stewards, dance a Balinese dance-from their homeland. Others, such as the kitchen staff, perform in formation, which was cool.

I went to bed early-around 10:00 pm, becauase I tend to always go to bed early on the last night of a cruise.

Yachting Week 6-Portofino in the rain

davidpearlman — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 22:16:00 GMT

After the magnicient time at the mansion dining and walking around the gardens, the group from the ship largely dispersed. Many took the boat back to Portfofino and spent time there-others went back to the ship. I took a walk around the quaint village of Santa Margarita. Lots of cool stores, restaurants, etc.

After about 10 minutes of walking, the rain started really pouring down. I found an overhang where I could lie against my camera bag and get dry, and I sat and watched the rsin fall. I watched folks enter and exit the large cathedral across the way. It was very relaxing watching the rain fall, and others get wet, which I was dry.

After perhaps 15 minutes sitting down relaxing, I decided it was time to get up. I took a look at the large cathedral across the street.

I walked over to the waterfront, and found a red path-literally a red carpet that would led me along the coastline back to the ship. So I walked along the rainy Mediterranean coast, alongside a busy road that led me to the ship. I kept walking for about 15 minutes, looking across the harbor. Finally, the red carpet took me up a footpath in the woods. As my sneakers kept getting soaked, I walked up this footpath, which basically hugged the coast.

After a good hour of getting soaked, The red carpet let me to Portafino, and all the pretty shops. I looked in some of the stores, and then encountrered a woman I met on the ship having a drink with one of the entertainers under the awning. I sat down with them for a quick coffee under the awening. They asked me if I had been to the castle up on the hill. I haven't-and although the rain kept pouring down, I was determined to see every part of Portafino, including the castle.

I walked up to the hill. The rain was still pouring, and it was very windy. But I was determined to see the castle. I walked up the winding road-about 25 minutes, and when I got there-it was 6:00 pm, and it was closed.

So I walked back to the place to catch the tender to the yacht. It was easily identifable, because there was an little tent set up that said "Windstar". I waited there alone (with only a guy sitting on a folding chair to ensure I had a ship card, and was a passenger). After about 25 minutes, in the rain, the Tender came on, and I got on alone. The two ship crew members, took the Windstar tent, folded it up, and brought the tent onboad with us.

The boat then tore threw the surf in the wind, bobbng up and down. I don't get seasick-but this was pretty close. I then arrived on the ship, learning that they we're waiting for me to get onboard. Because of the bad weather-the captain decided to leave port early, and they we're waiting for one passenger to go-me.

Later in the evening, I recounted my story over dinner with my friend, where I got a peace of birthday cake. Later on, we watched the entertainers in the lounge.

Yachting Week 6-Portofino

davidpearlman — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 22:15:00 GMT

Today is my birthday, and because I was on the ship-my birthday was recognized. My friend's mom wished me a happy birthday over breakfast, which was the usual breakfast of salmon, eggs, etc.

We we're here in the beautiful port of Portofino, Italy, which looks like a storybook village. Cute buildings built into a cliff on the edge of the sea. It was a little bit of an overcast, dreary day.

This was the day of the Destination Discovery Event. On each voyage, Windstar has a free shore excursion for the entire ship-something unique to explore a particular port of call.

For this particular day, the destination discovery event was to the nearby town of Santa Margherita, Italy, a large town with town squares, etc

To get to this large estate, after the boat tendered in Portafino, I (and the rest of the passengers) boarded the tender to shore (Which was about a twenty minute ride), and then walked about twenty minutes to another boat, a ferry-which whisked everyone onboard to Santa Marherita.

Once here-some of us walked, others took a van to Santa Margharita.

The event was on a large estate in Santa Margharita called Villa Durazzo built in 1678, with a beautiful mansion in the middle of town. We entered the large mansion, and there was a spread of all sorts of Italian foods for us. Chips with gobs and gobs of cheese, pastas, raviolis, and delicious deserts. We sat at the tables and devoured this spread. along with red wine contiously being served. A keyboardist played Italian (or seemingly Italian songs) like Volare. I went on a tour of the house, where the furtniture looked to be from the 1800's, and the rooms had expansive views of the Mediterranean. Then I walked through the garden on such a cloudy day, and walked past beautiful manicured shurbbery and little ponds.

Yachting Week 5-Cannes

davidpearlman — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 22:44:00 GMT

For the remainder of the day in Cannes, I took a bus tour around the island, and saw the giant theatre that was part of the Cannes film festival. The bus passed by beautiful homes, apartment buildings, and hotels, which catrered to the rich and famous on the island. Cannes wasn't that interesting-truth be told.

But that was ok, since the yacht was in port every single day-it was nice to return to the ship early, and catch some rest. And being Cinco De Mayo, there was a half price margarita day on deck, with a spread of chips with salsa, guacomole, etc. I met my friend there, and enjoyed many chips and a few margaritas. The musical duo played some Mexican tunes.

After a few hours of drining and snacks in the late afternoon, it was time for a nap, which I did-and then the big barbecue.

Being this was early May-the weather on this cruise was iffy. (mostly sort of chilly-which is probably why this cruise wasn't very expensive). So in short, rather than the barbecue on deck, it was served in the dining room buffet-style.

And what a buffet it was, there we're steaks, a pig with an apple in it's mouth, and all sorts of crackers, cheeses, potatoes, I could go on and on. there we're deserts galore. It was a glorious spectacle of food, including the food we saw Chef Jeff buy from the market that morning.

A gigantic buffet of food. I usually don't eat meat-but he meat which was being carved looked so delicious I ate it. And the cheeses....All the delicious cheeses from the morning we're served. I ate lots and lots of that tangy delicious cheese. I didn't have any of the scruptious cakes or pies for desert. I had cheese.

This reminds me of a story I heard from the Bacchanalias from ancient times. One of the "tools of the trade" for these giagantic parties was a giant stick-for the sole purpose for partiers sticking down their throat-to throw up-so they can eat more food. (No, I didn't do that). But I saw the temptation.

Yachting Week 5-Going with the Chef to Market

davidpearlman — Mon, 14 Aug 2017 05:07:00 GMT

Today the port of call is Cannes. Tonight, after the ship leaves, a barbecue/buffet will be hosted for the guests.

In order to prepare for the barbecue, the chef goes to a market in town to buy fresh cheeses, olives, etc, and in something that certainly doesn't happen on larger cruise ships, the chef hosts a shore excursion to the market, so we can join him on his shopping trip.

The Chef, who we we're introduced to the other night-was Chef Jeff-a bear like brown haired man who hails from Canada. Rather then coming across as an Emerill type he sounds more like Gomer Pyle.

We met in the lobby of the ship, and the group of us-approximately 40 people, walked with the chef and a member of the ship staff to the large, market building, with alll types of stahls. The chef walked around, explaining his methdology, how he buys a little from different vendors so nobody feels left out. He stopped by markets selling different types of fish. The vendors all seemed to know who he was.

Then we walked over to various markets selling cheese. The chef's assistant obtained a tray of samples from the vendor, and we each tried the various types of cheese, most with the fresh, tangy, taste that is so much better than those obtained in the supermarket. We went to a few vendors like this. The chef fielded questions, like the one I asked-why is goat cheese different then cow cheese? (I don't remember the answer). We went to stafls with crackers and all types of spreads....once again, just the taste of freshness.

Then we went to vendors who we're pushing olives, and once again, we had various samples from the Chef's assistant. The olives we're juicy, and sometimes, unbelievely salty. Once again, eating Olives in a market on the edge of the Mediterranean was so different then the supermarket.

After about an hour in the market or so, the chef completed his purchasing, and went back to the ship with those who wanted to follow. I went out on the town.

Yachting Week #4

davidpearlman — Mon, 7 Aug 2017 00:44:00 GMT

Today the port of call wsa Monaco/Monte Carlo. I was here back in '09 on the Carnival Dream-so this was the one port I visited before.

From what I remember, there wasn't a lot to see in Monaco-and since we we're here until 10:00 pm est, I could see the city later, so I did what I did last time-took the train to Nice.

I walked up the hill, and followed the signs to the station. But first, I found a Starbucks-but I didn't go inside-I checked my email with the wifi. (I haven't checked my email since Barcelona).

I then found the station which was built into the rocks, and bought a ticket. I found the train was 15 minute late (or so), so I waited, and met a few of my friends from the yacht.

The train ride took about 20 minutes. Once there, I got off with the crowd, and spied a rack of brochures, and saw one for a hop-on hop-off bus. I went to the tourism office across the street from the train station, to look for the hop-on hop-off bus, which I thought might be a good way to see the city. I was told that I could pick up the bus by the waterfront-so I followed the directions down a wide tree-lined boulevard to find the hop-on hop-off bus. Along the way,I stopped at a shopping mall to use the bathroom.

After the bathroom, I continued to walk towards the shore. I found where to go to catch the bus, and that I had another 45 minutes to catch the hop-on hop-off bus, so I wandered along the beachfront promenade. It wasn't very crowded, but it was nice. It was sunny and warm, in the 60's. The beach was stone-filled.

After wandering up and down the promenade, I went to the stand for the hop-on hop-off bus, and got on. I went to a place on the upper deck, and sat as the bus drove along the promenade, up a hill, past beautiful European stone buildings, and listened to the recorded voice. It went to the top of the hill, and back down along a curvy road, past the Chagall and Matisse Museaums; I was going to get off the bus, bus as I walked to the exit, the bus started to move again; I was too late.

The bus went down the hill, and I passed a part of town that had quaint stores and restaurants. I stopped, and ordered two paninis (Which we're microwaved). Then I walked up past a church where classical music was playing, and went inside. Practice was going on, and I was the only one watching.

Then I walked through a pretty Jewish cemetary with large monuments, and further up again, following a footpath to an observation point, where I could see the beach, and watch planes landing at the Nice airport.

After a few minutes-I walked back down the hill towards the waterfront. I took a picture by the I love Nice sign, and lied along the beach along the stones to see if they we're comfortable (they were'nt bad). I also stopped for a dinner of mussels and fries at a sidewalk cafe.

I then took the train back to Monaco/Monte Carlo. I still had a few hours before the ship left-so I walked past the casino, passed the very expensive apartment buildings, and at around 9:00 pm-back to the ship. I stood on deck and watched the ship pass by the mega yachts.

After walking alongside various stores to the beachfront promenade, I found the bus. I went up a hill past the big mansions. I thought it was hop-on hop-off but thne bus didn't seem to stop anywhere. It went past beautiful neighborhoods with the usual Mediterranean scenery of Cypress and palm trees, and then went past the Chagall and Monte neighborhoods, and about ½ an hour into the tour, I finally got off the boat

Yachting Week Night 3: The Captain's Table

davidpearlman — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 23:42:00 GMT

On the third afternoon of the cruise, I went to a seminar on Windstar given by my friend and the Windstar BDM for about an hour. The presentation was standard promotional fare-on the ships, itinerary, etc. About 20 of us travel agents onboard attended (sort of had to for paying a substantially reduced fare for the cruise). It was uneventful and prizes we're given out, like Windstar caps, t-shirts, etc.

About an hour after the presentation, the mandatory parts we're over, and the vast majority of the ta crowd left to do something else. Around 5 of us we're left discussing optional topics like groups, etc. At this point, one of the ship's junior officers came into the room, and asked us if we wanted to sit at the captain's table for dinner.

Of course we jumped at the chance. Most of us had never had such an offer, as we had pretty much only sailed on big ships from big cruise lines before, where despite the Love Boat, the captain never dines in the main dining room, and we had never received such an offer.

We had about 1/2 an hour to freshen up, and I put on a long-sleeve shirt and khakis, and at the appointed time and place (we we're instructed by the junior officer where to meet the captain), I went out and met my friend and a few others-and this is where I learned I was dramatically underdressed. An older 50 ish man in our group to sit at the table, and ran a business with his wife and adult daughter, came out in a suit. While I didn't have a suit, I did have a blazer and dress shirt, so I hurridly ran back to my cabin (just 5 rooms down the hall from where we we're), and changed, and came back out.

With all of us there, we waited about 10 minutes, and the captain and hotel director came down and led us to our table in the middle of the dining room, with many of the other diners looking at us (jealously I believe).

The service, which was always good, was better of course, and on this evening, the wine flowed freely. The captain was just like Captain Stubin-it Captain Stubin was a bit paunchy and spoke with a heavy Scottish Brouge. We talked about him and his 6 year old daughter, and other topics, as where he had been I was sitted next to the middle aged Greek hotel director, and we spoke a little about his experiences (I believe he worked for Celebrity before). As usual the conversation with me was fitful, but it was a nice time-the food was good-and the wine flowed.

After that, the crowed disperesed and I went and watched the entertainment with some of the othes.

Yachting Week Day 3

davidpearlman — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 23:55:00 GMT

The third day, the ship went to a seaside village, called sanary ser mer. This was a tender port, so we had to take tenders to the shore.

As customary with the ship, since there we're only 200 people, the wait for the tender was only about 15 minutes.

Which was nice. There was a farmers market set up in town. I have been on many cruises, and often times vendors we're present to sell knik-knaks, postcards, and little made-in-China souviniers. Not this time, this was a real authentic market, with real beautiful olives, cheeses, fruits-and they locals we're shopping. It was veryh charming. I was asked to try a peace of cheese. I felt guilty trying theier cheese without buying a peace, so I bought alarge piece of chees.e and ate it. It tasted strong and pungent. And it was giant. I then walked up the scenic hill which was nice, and saw the petit chapel, I small chapel on the hill.

As I walked up, I could see the little houses. It was cold out, and it was a nice walk. I saw the sea with the star legend below me.

I walked back to the town, and had lunch. I saw a pizzaeria and had a good pizza. Then after wandering around the small town some more, I walked back to the ship.

Upon walking back, I encountered my friend Melissa, her mom, and a French foreign exchange student they had hosted in High School who they planned on meeting it advance, along with his Ukranian fiance. They invited me to sit with them, and Melissa's mom bought me a beer. He was a good looking guy my age, and she was an attractive 20 something blond. We talked for a while, and I mentioned that I was in the Ukraine the year before, when I did all my travelling. I talked about going to Chernobyl.

After a while, we got on the tender back to the ship.

Yachting Week #2

davidpearlman — Sun, 9 Jul 2017 23:37:00 GMT

The second day, it was cold and cloudy. After a complete breakfast on the yacht, of course eating smoked salmon, an omelet, and a lot of other stuff, I got off the ship-I was unoficially supposed to meet some of the others from the cruise and walk around together, but after sitting on a bench across the harbor from the ship, they never showed up.

The place to go here in Port Venderes, France was a town called Colliure. A medievil artsie town, artists like Maltisse and Picasso used to stay in the town. It was an approximately 2 1/2 miles there, so I could walk or take the bus. I looked at the bus schedule, and the it didn't seem like the bus was due for a while, so I decided to hoof it to Colliure.

I enjoy walking in a foreign country, just examining life. In this case, I walked through the town, passed closed resturants (since it was still early in the morning), and shops. The walk took me up a hill which hugged the shoreline. Across the harbor, while our ship was inviisible, a yacht from the Sea Dream Yacht club was visible. I walked up the hill, past huge houses on the hill, and came to a Lidl store, which was handy. After spending 6 months in Europe, I was well accustomed to Lidl, a supermarket similar to Aldi. Now I didn't need food, but I wanted to buy some running shorts and t-shirt, for yoga. After roaming the isles of Lidl, I not only found the shorts and t-shirt, but also some cheap sneakers (The shorts, shirt and sneakers together amounted to around 22 Euros).

After the shopping break, I continiued on to the cute little town with fortresses, old streets, etc. I went into an old castle. Then we walked around looking in the little shops. One travel agent who I found was from Boynton Beach said you can be the same stuff at Homewgoods.

. /I then walked around the town, went into an old fort, and had lunch at some cafe. It was most comfortable. And a nice day. Ithen went to the ship, had dinner with some folks from the gorup, which was good.

At night, I went to the Captain's cocktail party-where the crew we're introduced, and there was free wine for everyone.

My yachting week

davidpearlman — Sun, 4 Jun 2017 23:37:00 GMT

The first day, in Barcelona, the instructions we're to board at 1:00 pm, or so I thought. I took the metro to the station nearby, and hailed a cab, and rushed here. I thought I would be late. As it appears, I boarded at 1:00 pm-and was the first person on board the ship. It is the largest room I ever had on a ship, even larger then the grand suite on Carnival I believe. A large bedroom, a seperate sitting area. A huge walk-in closet. The bathroom is all marble, and the shampoo, soap or L'Occidenhad lunch on deck, which was good. I went to the room, and Jazzi, who's not crazy, showed me the room. I then went sat on deck, hung out, and watched the sailaway. The ship has a fancy sail away, with classical music and raising of the windstar flag. I found out the music played was from a plan/musical on Columbus.

Cavier was even served to us on trays by servers on deck. After the ship left Barcelona and the sky turned to dark, there was a cocktail party for travel agents in the downstairs lounge. Somethng like 15 of us sat in a circle and introduced ourselves. I muttered something like I was there because I don't like to work,. And went on. There was then a cocktail party and everyone went to dinner, which was good.

After that, we listened to the entrertainers in the lounge; a musical duet.

Back In London

davidpearlman — Mon, 1 May 2017 17:32:00 GMT

I am writing this in London Gatwick airport-which brings back a lot of memories. You see, I am going on a Windstar cruise from Barcelona, and I decided to fly in a few days early. The least expensive way to fly to the cruise was using my frequent flier miles, and this necessitated not only using going through London, but spending a night there.

So Friday night I flew here on the ginormous British Airways A380, in which i slept fitfully. My usual remedy for overnight flights to Europe is one or two glasses of wine and sleeping pills. This time, I forgot the sleeping pills, so i woke up every so often, and the seats felt like wool, they we're itchy. I alternated between reading my book and listening to music on the entertainment system.

I arrived in London yesterday morning at 10:00 am. After waiting a long time at Passport Control, getting my bag, and taking 4 underground trains (one broke down, and everyone had to get off the train and on to another one, a third train was just getting on the wrong one), I arrived at the hostel around 12:30 pm. Yes back in Hostels-and like most hostels, the welcome wasn't exactly like the Marriott. I actually found the hostel ok-I only headed down the wrong way once, but i knocked on the door three times, and rang the bell. Finally some guy came out and said in very broken English (I learned that he is South Korean), that check in it is at 1:00 pm.

So I wandered around the town of Wimbledon, where the hostel is located. A beautiful town, like most British towns, it seems, with lots of pubs, stores, and restaurants lining the streets

I went to lunch at Pret a Manger-of a falafal wrap and something that looked like macaroni and cheese on a small pizza. The lady at the counter asked where I was from and seemed to like my accent, and gave me a free coffee. I then kept wandering up and down the street, looking at the various thrift stores.

At two 2:30, I walked back to the hostel. Since I was early, I took a walk and put my head down on the street (using my camera bag as a pillow). I napped (the few hours of sleep the previous night caught up with me). I then made it to the guesthouse. The lady showed me to the room, after lugging my luggage up the stairs. Two Germans we're already in the room (Who seemed friendly). I then crashed for a few hours.

At five, I took the underground/subway to Westminster Abby, and walked around Westminster, Big Ben. I kept walking, and encountered a concert in a church at Trafalgar Square, which consisted of classical music. It was more then I wanted to pay (about $25-$30), but I thought it would be nice listening to classical music in an old church by Candlelight. But it was very nice. The church was full, and Vivaldi's Four Seasons played.

Going Back to the hostel, I took the tube once again. I was hungry, and I went to a pub that promised to serve food all the time-but the time I went there the kitchen was closed. So I found a Subway that was closing and went there,

After the concert, I wandered around Piccadilly Circus. I Figured I would have dinner at a good old British Pub, and not one of these touristy ones, so I took the underground back to the area where the guest house was located. IT was about 11:00 pm, and the one or two places I went two stopped serving food, so I had dinner at Subway, which was about to close-and went back to the hostel, where I slept until 4:00 am, when I had to leave.