Tagged With "Oasis of the Seas"
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Re: 'Flying Dutchman' ends 15-week cruise
UPDATE: Home at last... Costa Deliziosa finally docked in Genoa, Italy around noon today, New York time after being at sea since January 5th. It was the last major cruise line ship still at sea, and has no known Covid-19 cases on board. Debarcation of the remaining 1519 passengers and 898 crew will take several days as Costa and Italian authorities work on how to get them home without exposure to infection.
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Re: Trabzon, Turkey: Ancient History, Modern Life
Excellent coverage of a Black Sea treasure. Enjoyed the photos and your superb recommendations on this visit.
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Re: Swimming with Galápagos Sea Lions (S. America, pt 2)
What a fun adventure! I had no idea sea lions had such a sexist culture. Thanks, Kirsten.
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Re: Hurricane cancels hundreds of flights, cruises
The causeway from Miami down to Key West is just above sea level. Even a few feet would damage the roadway. I'm sure Rob will be OK. Someone will take him in and feed him ! (only joking Rob)
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Re: EU moves to ban single-use plastics
Just another example of the European Parliament wasting my taxes on a Worldwide problem. The 25% of plastic waste is a good clue to the origin of the problem. Shipping. Cruise ships, cargo ships and container carriers have a choice to make. Pay to have the trash removed in port. Or dump it at sea while they are still off the Radar.
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Re: Where In The World # 8.8. Some more clues
Wells House appears to be at least 5 miles from the sea. Given the age of the house and plants, I'm still leaning toward Australia. We'll soon find out.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? 21.0
A nautical theme -with the Life Preservers in the windows ! Tropical trees and a hot climate. And the sea in the background!
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 1) An overview of the Country and its People
To say that Ireland is typically wet and cold is true of Winter. The Summers are often pleasant and warm but when you get to the West Coast then the wind blows in of a cold Atlantic Ocean. But the weather can change 4 times a day - so there's something there to please everyone. Ireland has wonderful fresh food. Fresh from the sea and farm. Try a locally produced Vintage Cheddar Cheese or an 18 year old Jamesons Whiskey. Soda bread is a local speciality. But stay away from the home made...
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Re: Italy: Giant tour bus, tiny street
Yay ! One up for bus drivers ! I drove a 10m DAF bus 20 times from Oslo to North Cape and back. One place in the Lofotens required me to reverse down a winding dirt track with rock on one side and sea on the other with about 2ft of clearance on either side. Thank the lord for power steering and BIG mirrors. Bus drivers deserve all the tips they get !
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Re: Sleepless in Cologne... Sea lions and zoo neighbors
My wife and I visited this very attractive zoo with pleasing fountains and gardens. I don't recall hearing the roar of sea lions, but I did get a candid photo when a pelican snapped his bill at my wife Diane when she ventured to close to their property. While many attractions can be closed on Sundays, we always looked for a chance to visit a European zoo.
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Re: May 10, 2017: Frozen Lake - Clear Creek County, Colorado
Most of these high altitude lakes remain frozen most of the year. While it's further north, I am very familiar with Lake Louise in the Alberta Rockies. While at only 5200 ft above sea level, it receives a heavy snow fall and the ice remains on the lake until well into June, returning in the early fall. Hiking in the area is really limited to June, July and early September (unless you hike slogging through snow and slush)
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Re: A House in Essaouira
Well PortMoresby now you are disturbing old memories... With all it's fading here is a photographic snip of my memories of Essourira around 1980. Note your blue boat is already there but I wonder if more boats became blue with the advent of tourism. Property in the town was only just starting to be purchased by foreign folks at that time. It was always an place of charm and tranquility and great for a sea food Sunday lunch.
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Re: Travel Bucket List Goals Biggest Motivator for Baby Boomer Travel
Never had a "Bucket List" I'm always intrigued when some one makes a find - that's not on everyone's list. I've recently heard that cruising the Baltic Sea is amazing. There's places to avoid and then there's "Must see's" in China. My travel list is constantly changing.
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#77)
Certainly hangers but with quite low doors... A large fuel(?) bowser? Looks like a jet blast shield at the end of the runway and sea all around(?). Must have public access or just 'not secret' due to the ferry and Dr. F taking photos, so not military. Why does Dr F ask what the hanger shapes remind me of? It looks as if cars are in front of the hanger doors.. Is that logical? Are we talking seaplanes I wonder... but no slipway and why a runway? Head aches...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, November 25, 2014: Fall colors at Upper Kananaskis Lake, Alberta
My Wife - she who must be obeyed - loves a single Kayak and the open sea. So I presume this would be on a lake. Much safer I think. Sounds like you have the perfect location for a wilderness family like ours ! When we camp in summer you'd mistake some of the tents for aircraft hangers. But the kids and babies come too. Canoes and Fishing rods. Wet suits and waders. We go to Shell Island in Wales - but only when the tides out. Need to plan your journey ahead. They only have Grizzly Sheep.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, August 1, 2014: Postcards from Greece - Santorini
That looks like a tough climb from sea level (where I presume you arrived). what's the altitude gain, about 100 m?
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Re: A stroll through the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail
Thanks for the comments, Garry. Yes, winter arrives early because of the very high altitude. Over a mile and a half above sea level. Summers are very nice -- warm (75-80F) dry pleasant days (no humidity to speak off), and it always cools down nicely at night, so most places don't even have air conditioning. It really was that empty. No more than 6 folks in the garden including my wife and I, and of course not counting the hundreds of birds flying about.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 23, 2015: Skógafoss, Iceland
Thanks for the comment, Garry, and a good question. The waterfall is almost a sea level and only a few kilometers from the ocean. So it is very moderated by the Gulf stream. So far as I could tell, the cliff and ground around it are caked in ice in January and February and hard to navigate. Flow is down, but the water continues flowing even in the coldest months. This photo was taken mid-September. It was a cold and windy day, but most days in Iceland are.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, December 2, 2014: Boats at Cassis, France
Just like the Cornish Riviera - with French rural architecture. Once you have a taste for living by the sea - its hard to be drawn away.
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Re: Major New Entrant in Cruise Business
It really is a growing business...and another recent "big" entrant would be Viking, which is expanding from its River Cruise business into Sea Cruises. I'm sort of amazed that none of these companies has thought of licensing the 1959 hit in which Frankie Ford pleaded "Let me take you on a sea cruise" for an ad. For those of you too young to remember (is that possible?) here it is....with a funny intro.
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Re: Where in the World Is Gumbo? #35
This is the Sea-Based X-Band Radar dome, there was a big to do when it was moved. I can't tell where the pic was taken though. The dome was in Seattle for a spell but then relocated.
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Re: Where in the World Is Gumbo? #35
With the information provided above, it turns out this is a sea-going structure, rather than a seaside one. So the truth is, this could really be anywhere! Fascinating.
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Re: Top 7 Things to do in Avalon – Catalina Island
I've never really had Catalina on my list, but it's been in my head for nearly 60 years since the Four Preps song told me that "26 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me..." For any others who remember (or would like to), here's a YouTube link...
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Re: Portland Bill Revisited: Pictures from a small island
If its sun-sea-sand and safe surfing you're looking for then try Liverpool -in the North West of England. Where the sand is so soft that even Rolls Royce use it to smooth car bodies prior to painting. So you're guaranteed a smooth landing when your board comes ashore !
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Re: The Historic Fort and Town of Galle, Sri Lanka
It's a great photoessay of a special place, Travellinn, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us. I generally just traveled through Galle, never stopping much except perhaps to look around for an hour or get something to eat. The fort is very impressive, a massive structure of rock and coral. The last time I visited Galle was just after the great tsunami of 2004. The town was one of the most damaged by that tragedy as several massive waves washed through it. Hundreds were killed or...
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Re: How a super-ship manages 12-hour turnaround
Sometimes when I'm in Vancouver I head to Canada Place to watch the cruise ships coming and going. You actually get to see the belly of the ship being loaded. The dozens of palates of food that go on is amazing. Would you have thought a cruise ship would consume 3 massive containers of potatoes in a week? 2 of onions? Might even have been more, that's all I saw. It is truly a model of efficiency.
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Re: Why You should visit Nevada's Valley of Fire
Thanks DrF. I can remember Lee Marvin as the angry young man - so it must have been a few years ago. The heat of summer in Vegas is just not nice. Must be what's meant by a "Seasoned Traveller" When we go at just the right time of year. Like the word "Posh" Port Out - Starboard Home To keep a cool cabin on a round trip to India on the sea. (Before A/C)
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Re: Ferry Service to Cuba Approved by US
The Ferry travels mostly with Trucks and trailers from the UK and Europe. Fresh produce and manufactured goods. Then its folks on vacation with their car and the occasional caravan. From the UK and Europe. Many prefer their own car when touring Ireland for a few weeks. Full of kids survival kits. Wellington Boots and a beach bucket and spade ! Many travel with tents and trailer tents. And you can continue on from Ireland to Scotland. Travelling on the ferry can be a pleasant day. On board...
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
Climate change "experts" are saying that: "Antarctica’s massive stores of ice are likely to melt as the planet warms and contribute ever greater amounts of water to the world’s oceans." But the facts are: "The winter ice around the southern continent has been growing relatively constantly since records began in 1979. The US National Snow and Ice Data Centre, which monitors sea ice using satellite data, say that the year’s maximum was 1.54m sq km (595,000 sq miles) above the 1981-2010...
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Re: Florida warned: take action against future flooding
50 years ago this area of Liverpool UK was underwater twice a day. Every tide. And storms would cause the land to flood half a mile inland. So this area is now a man made construction. Sand hills cover the solid foundation. Marrem grass has roots that bind the sand together. And it works. Copied off the Netherlands where much of the land is below sea level all year.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, February 4, 2015: White Rock Pier, BC
Lovely photos, SCP, thanks! White Rock is a great day-trip destination from Vancouver, even Seattle. A charming place just north of the 49th parallel, it's a wonderful place to go for a walk by the sea or to get some fresh seafood. Walking out to the end of the pier and looking back at the mainland is a memorable moment.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Oct. 19, 2015: Giant ship, little town
It looks like the giant ship is there to feed on the small town, although I suppose in reality it's the other way around.
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Re: February 17, 2020: San Francisco Views
Go to Fishermans Wharf. Rent a Bicycle. Ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop at all viewing spots. On to Sausalito. Stop for Coffee and a cake. Sit on the sea wall and watch the Fishing Boats cleaning their nets. The Seagulls will steal your piece of cake when you're not looking . Back on the Bicycles and on to Tiburon using the Cycle Tracks. Find the Ferry Terminal then back home to base. Wonderful days excersise !
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Re: Exploring the Patagonian Fjordlands: A Storm at the End of the World
A cruise is my idea of a nightmare. I avoid boat journeys wherever possible - I have been known to take lengthy and rather circuitous plane rides to avoid having to go on a ferry. You know what they say about sea-sickness: "At first you feel you are going to die, but then it gets worse - you realise that you will not!"
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Re: May 5, 2016: Liverpool Homes That Were "Saved" by World War II
In the 1930s this house fell into the sea. Just a short walk from the photo above.
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Re: Prince William and Dutchess Kate visit the Taj Mahal
If you are planning a trip to the Taj Mahal and India, check out TG's India section. It includes blogs on the Taj Mahal https://www.travelgumbo.com/collection/IndiaBlogs https://www.travelgumbo.com/sea...ueryString=Taj+Mahal
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Re: Visiting Erupting Mount Etna
My wife and I stayed a couple weeks at the seaside town of Naxos that was between Mount Etna and the sea. Our room faced the sea and in the middle of one night we heard some big booming noises and thinking and eruption was occurring I dashed into the hallway. Seeing flashing lights from the back side windows, I hustled to the big rear windows only to see fireworks being set off from the slopes of the volcano. Whew ! Had a great time there with a visit to Taormina and the fantastic wine and...
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Re: World's shortest international flight cancelled
A Domestic flight in Scotland is the overall winner. Topping the table is the wonderfully unconventional two-minute Loganair service between Westray and Papa Westray in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, which are separated by just 1.7 miles of land and sea. It can be completed in as little as 47 seconds, depending on the direction of the wind, and welcomed its millionth passenger this week.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo? #8
WorkerBee -- just wondering. Are you a detective in your everyday job? Those are all good observations. I think it is port on the sea in a modern city. What surprises me is how close the buildings are to the harbor.
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Re: A Visit to Ireland: Part 6) Slea Head. A Tour of the Dingle Peninsula
Slea Head on The Dingle Peninsula is one of my favorite places in the world, even though it is not in Italy. The Slea Head Cafe is also one of my favorite places for a latte, a brownie, and the VIEW. The coffee and dessert. Between Sea Head and Dingle Town is the Stonehouse Restaurant, which overlooks the Dingle Bay. The crabmeat sandwich on brown bread was really good along with the view.
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Re: Where in the World is Gumbo (#13)
Did they include Photo's of the undersea Mountains ? When I was a Kid they had Slates and Chalks for recording images !! Cameras ? I don't know ! You youngsters today ! Did you know there's fossilised remains of sea creatures at the top of Mt.Everest ? That was under the Ocean once !
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Re: Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, California. Where Gumbo Was, #74
Looks a bit like the San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf. Lots of tourist attractions to help part you from your savings. But the Sea Lions waving their fins to catch some sunlight make it all worthwhile. Yes - I know - the kids love it - but watching who gets pushed off the floating boards to make room for the big fella is absolute poetry. Then he in turn pushes another Sea Lion off. Fine explanation of the "pecking order" Looks like a great location to spend the day - and pedestrian friendly...
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Re: From Corfe Castle to Kingston Lacy - Part 1
"Challenge" is an understatement. The coast is beautiful but I think there are less cruel ways to enjoy it. I do recommend, however, the section between Seaton and Lyme Regis, the Undercroft of 'French Lieutenant's Woman' fame. Where the land has slipped toward the sea and a jungle has grown up on it, very different from the rest. And Lyme Regis at the end, one of my favorite towns.
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Re: Valletta, Why Do I Love Thee So?
The island of Malta became part of the British Empire in 1800. The French had invaded Malta 2 years previously and were unwelcome. The British removed the French and established a base there at Valletta to give them a port in the Mediterranean Sea. And it provided employment and security to the local people. In 1964 it voted for Independence. The Coat of Arms of Queen Victoria can be seen over the VICTORIA GATE photo - above. The current Queen Elizabeth ceased any connection with Malta in...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Mar. 6, 2014:Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey is high on the headland overlooking the sea. The water close by is probably a shell hole from WW1 !
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A tropical oasis: Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Oahu
I'm fond of exploring parks and libraries in the cities I visit, for different reasons. Libraries are fun because I love and collect books, and because the quality of a city's libraries tells me a lot about that city's priorities. ...
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Gumbo's Pic of the Day, January 29, 2015: The art of lava
I'm often amazed at how beautiful the small things in nature can be. Whether a bee pollinating a flower, a wild animal stopping to look at you, a blade of grass struggling to grow in a desert, or how sculpted lava can seem. These photos...
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The Bovington Tank Museum, Dorset
Almost unsure whether this constitutes a Travel Gumbo "travel" post, I press ahead with my submission and await rapped knuckles from the Senior Gurus! But, first I will bring the big guns to bear with the help of Brad Pitt and his Sherman tank from...
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Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is an igneous intrusion or laccolith in the Bear Lodge Mountains (part of the Black Hills) in northeastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River. It rises dramatically 1,267 feet (386 m) above the surrounding terrain and...