Friday, January 30: Easy to feel disconnected out here halfway to Hawaii. Satellite service for TV is out, no sign of life on or above the ocean other than us. Imagine how the early seafarers coped with months like this without technology or creature comforts or really even knowing where they were! No wonder there were mutinies and madness. [Larry, how did you make it across the Pacific in your sailboat?]
Why is there a roll when the sea is relatively calm (small waves of 4ft) ?
Some friends asked the director on board for a room and posted a meeting of people with interest in US politics. Had a roomful (about 35) show up eager to talk and meet again; people from US and Canada, Australia, and UK showed up - all hoping that Obama will succeed, whether or not they voted for him.
Digital photography “secrets” session was similarly filled. Missed a few lectures that were probably worthwhile, skipped the table tennis tournament, shuffleboard, movie, bridge, etc. Way too many opportunities to tell you all of them - one should never be bored. Yesterday I even tried my feet at a dance class - salsa.
Patches of blue sky allowed sunlight through creating patterns of glittering light on the ocean surface this morning. By afternoon we had sunny skies and the decks were full.
What a kaleidoscope of things to do, people, sights, and thoughts.
..25 degrees 65.1 N latitude, 145 degrees 21.23 W longitude..tomorrow another day at sea.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
at sea on the way to Hawaii
January 27th - at sea. For those of you interested in details, we are now about 6150 nautical miles from NYC and over 250 from LA. We’re traveling at 21.5 knots and are at 31 degrees 59.97 N latitude and 122 degrees 30.51 W longitude. Our next port is Honolulu, which we will reach on 2/1. There’s a strong breeze across the deck and moderate waves of 8 ft.
There’s a book in the library here that I recommend to the curious. It’s called Do Dolphins ever sleep? by Pierre-Yves & Sally Bely. For example you can learn the difference between oceans and seas, why the sea is salty, why icebergs are white. In the category of what you don’t need to know are such details as - at what degree does a wave break (<120 degrees) and how big was the biggest wave ever recorded (110 feet). I learned that the tuna is practically the only warm-blood fish, and it is fast, crossing the Atlantic in 40 days and sprinting at 30 knots. You can also read about the difference between mahi-mahi and the dolphin.
On a more personal level it takes me about a half day to adjust to motion at sea every time we really move out but I’ve not ever been really uncomfortable. I usually walk around the ship with the walking group at 7:30 every morning we are at sea -we cover about a mile by going around the ship three times. Then, I am really awake - especially in the wind, like today. Last evening we saw the glittering lights of LA as our last sight of land for a while. There’s an awfully lot of water out here.
Hard to image the rough weather you are having back home. Time for me is going fast, even though we’re turning the clock back often. We’ve covered over 6000 miles and been underway now for 17 days. BTW, a nautical mile is 1852 meters, which slightly less than the American mile and the English mile but longer than the French mile. [You really needed to know that, didn’t you?]
_____________
January 29 - at sea. 6693 nautical miles from NY, 788 from LA. Weather 60 degrees, speed 21.3 knots. [for Bill Good: very early on the 29th: 29 degrees 18.76 N latitude, 131 degrees 35.76 longitude]. Pool temp 80.6 degrees. calm seas, waves small at 4.9 ft. Sunny. Will arrive in Hawaii Feb 1.
Reading a bit each day. Finished Do Dolphins Ever Sleep? A few more tidbits: No matter the size, shape, or speed of an object in the water, the wake angle is always 39 degrees. Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, second only to professional logging. Stopping distance in an emergency is longer than you’d think: liner - .5 mi, cargo ship 1.5 miles, supertanker 5 miles! It takes 450 years for a plastic bag tossed overboard to decompose. Next book is WWII related - The War Against Rommell’s Supply Lines - it covers the North African campaigns that Wib Raffensperger participated in [he’s a major writer in the Dear Coach book I’m working on]. In the last leg of the trip I will be in Egypt and plan a trip to El Alamein there.
Lots of shows, movies, games, but those are things I don’t do much on board. There’s always a few picture puzzles underway on an table by the library. I am following up on my plan to USE the gym and spa. And, meeting people - our friends from New Mexico left our dinner table in LA; new folks are from the lake district in England.
There’s a book in the library here that I recommend to the curious. It’s called Do Dolphins ever sleep? by Pierre-Yves & Sally Bely. For example you can learn the difference between oceans and seas, why the sea is salty, why icebergs are white. In the category of what you don’t need to know are such details as - at what degree does a wave break (<120 degrees) and how big was the biggest wave ever recorded (110 feet). I learned that the tuna is practically the only warm-blood fish, and it is fast, crossing the Atlantic in 40 days and sprinting at 30 knots. You can also read about the difference between mahi-mahi and the dolphin.
On a more personal level it takes me about a half day to adjust to motion at sea every time we really move out but I’ve not ever been really uncomfortable. I usually walk around the ship with the walking group at 7:30 every morning we are at sea -we cover about a mile by going around the ship three times. Then, I am really awake - especially in the wind, like today. Last evening we saw the glittering lights of LA as our last sight of land for a while. There’s an awfully lot of water out here.
Hard to image the rough weather you are having back home. Time for me is going fast, even though we’re turning the clock back often. We’ve covered over 6000 miles and been underway now for 17 days. BTW, a nautical mile is 1852 meters, which slightly less than the American mile and the English mile but longer than the French mile. [You really needed to know that, didn’t you?]
_____________
January 29 - at sea. 6693 nautical miles from NY, 788 from LA. Weather 60 degrees, speed 21.3 knots. [for Bill Good: very early on the 29th: 29 degrees 18.76 N latitude, 131 degrees 35.76 longitude]. Pool temp 80.6 degrees. calm seas, waves small at 4.9 ft. Sunny. Will arrive in Hawaii Feb 1.
Reading a bit each day. Finished Do Dolphins Ever Sleep? A few more tidbits: No matter the size, shape, or speed of an object in the water, the wake angle is always 39 degrees. Fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, second only to professional logging. Stopping distance in an emergency is longer than you’d think: liner - .5 mi, cargo ship 1.5 miles, supertanker 5 miles! It takes 450 years for a plastic bag tossed overboard to decompose. Next book is WWII related - The War Against Rommell’s Supply Lines - it covers the North African campaigns that Wib Raffensperger participated in [he’s a major writer in the Dear Coach book I’m working on]. In the last leg of the trip I will be in Egypt and plan a trip to El Alamein there.
Lots of shows, movies, games, but those are things I don’t do much on board. There’s always a few picture puzzles underway on an table by the library. I am following up on my plan to USE the gym and spa. And, meeting people - our friends from New Mexico left our dinner table in LA; new folks are from the lake district in England.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
comments
BTW thanks to those of you sending comments - I appreciate hearing from you and getting your reactions to the blog!
the Pacific
January 27th - at sea [it doesn't sound right to say "at ocean" although that is technically correct - this is the Pacific Ocean not the Pacific Sea]. Anyway, for those of you interested in details, we are now about 6150 nautical miles from NYC and over 250 from LA. We’re traveling at 21.5 knots and are at 31 degrees 59.97 N latitude and 122 degrees 30.51 W longitude. Our next port is Honolulu, which we will reach on 2/1. There’s a strong breeze across the deck and moderate waves of 8 ft.
There’s a book in the library here that I recommend to the curious. It’s called Do Dolphins ever sleep? by Pierre-Yves & Sally Bely. For example you can learn the difference between oceans and seas, why the sea is salty, why icebergs are white. In the category of what you don’t need to know are such details as - at what degree does a wave break (<120 degrees) and how big was the biggest wave ever recorded (110 feet). I learned that the tuna is practically the only warm-blood fish, and it is fast, crossing the Atlantic in 40 days and sprinting at 30 knots. You can also read about the difference between mahi-mahi and the dolphin.
On a more personal level it takes me about a half day to adjust to motion at sea every time we really move out but I’ve not ever been really uncomfortable. I usually walk around the ship with the walking group at 7:30 every morning we are at sea -we cover about a mile by going around the ship three times. Then, I am really awake - especially in the wind, like today. wrote the blog text, went to a healthy living lecture (really!), and walked on the treadmill looking out over the ocean - the same view you get from www.cunard.com clicking on the bridge web cam. Now I'm entering the blog and doing my laundry. Multitasking....
Last evening we saw the glittering lights of LA as our last sight of land for a while. There’s an awfully lot of water out here.
Hard to image the rough weather you are having back home - my sympathies to those of you dealing with ice. Time for me is going fast, even though we’re turning the clock back often. We’ve covered over 6000 miles and been underway now for 17 days. BTW, a nautical mile is 1852 meters, which slightly less than the American mile and the English mile but longer than the French mile. [You really needed to know that, didn’t you?]
There’s a book in the library here that I recommend to the curious. It’s called Do Dolphins ever sleep? by Pierre-Yves & Sally Bely. For example you can learn the difference between oceans and seas, why the sea is salty, why icebergs are white. In the category of what you don’t need to know are such details as - at what degree does a wave break (<120 degrees) and how big was the biggest wave ever recorded (110 feet). I learned that the tuna is practically the only warm-blood fish, and it is fast, crossing the Atlantic in 40 days and sprinting at 30 knots. You can also read about the difference between mahi-mahi and the dolphin.
On a more personal level it takes me about a half day to adjust to motion at sea every time we really move out but I’ve not ever been really uncomfortable. I usually walk around the ship with the walking group at 7:30 every morning we are at sea -we cover about a mile by going around the ship three times. Then, I am really awake - especially in the wind, like today. wrote the blog text, went to a healthy living lecture (really!), and walked on the treadmill looking out over the ocean - the same view you get from www.cunard.com clicking on the bridge web cam. Now I'm entering the blog and doing my laundry. Multitasking....
Last evening we saw the glittering lights of LA as our last sight of land for a while. There’s an awfully lot of water out here.
Hard to image the rough weather you are having back home - my sympathies to those of you dealing with ice. Time for me is going fast, even though we’re turning the clock back often. We’ve covered over 6000 miles and been underway now for 17 days. BTW, a nautical mile is 1852 meters, which slightly less than the American mile and the English mile but longer than the French mile. [You really needed to know that, didn’t you?]
Monday, January 26, 2009
a trip vs a cruise
from journal Jan 23, a more philosophical post:
I first met Queen Victoria [the ship] on January 10th and was teary-eyed for some reason. Maybe it was her sheer size or the extravagance of boarding her to go around the world. Of the thousands of people on board, I knew not one. It took awhile for us to bond - the ship and I - almost two weeks, in fact. But suddenly I was attached [and understood those folks on board who sail again and again]. Maybe it was the crazy feeling on the exercise bike way up on the 9th deck above the bridge when you could feel like you were part of the force moving forward over the sea. Maybe it was the realization that it was her or nothing - no land, no other ships, not even planes above. Whatever it was, it happened. Now my ship and I are but a few ports from heading out together into the open Pacific. Port stops for touring seem almost an interruption in what we have set out to do.
Admittedly I am just a small part of this vast moving world - this village on the sea. And, traveling alone, I am only beginning to connect with others, though now I feel well connected to my Queen. In places we are alone together, she and I, apart from the noises of the restaurants, the theatre, or the ballroom. In the library and most places I must usually share her. I don’t mind sharing, really, and gradually I am building connections with others, a web that grows with every communal meal, tour, and event. What a fascinating group of people.
I leave the ship somewhat reluctantly to visit the lands she brings me to and gladly climb aboard again. She is now my home, my stable but never still base, taking me to new places and new thoughts.
The sea is another partner in this voyage, holding us both. There is no beginning and no end to the sea. We name portions of it but it is not ours to confine or command. Because it resists us, we can move forward. The sea and the ship respect each other.
PS: Does a bird ever tire of flying?
I first met Queen Victoria [the ship] on January 10th and was teary-eyed for some reason. Maybe it was her sheer size or the extravagance of boarding her to go around the world. Of the thousands of people on board, I knew not one. It took awhile for us to bond - the ship and I - almost two weeks, in fact. But suddenly I was attached [and understood those folks on board who sail again and again]. Maybe it was the crazy feeling on the exercise bike way up on the 9th deck above the bridge when you could feel like you were part of the force moving forward over the sea. Maybe it was the realization that it was her or nothing - no land, no other ships, not even planes above. Whatever it was, it happened. Now my ship and I are but a few ports from heading out together into the open Pacific. Port stops for touring seem almost an interruption in what we have set out to do.
Admittedly I am just a small part of this vast moving world - this village on the sea. And, traveling alone, I am only beginning to connect with others, though now I feel well connected to my Queen. In places we are alone together, she and I, apart from the noises of the restaurants, the theatre, or the ballroom. In the library and most places I must usually share her. I don’t mind sharing, really, and gradually I am building connections with others, a web that grows with every communal meal, tour, and event. What a fascinating group of people.
I leave the ship somewhat reluctantly to visit the lands she brings me to and gladly climb aboard again. She is now my home, my stable but never still base, taking me to new places and new thoughts.
The sea is another partner in this voyage, holding us both. There is no beginning and no end to the sea. We name portions of it but it is not ours to confine or command. Because it resists us, we can move forward. The sea and the ship respect each other.
PS: Does a bird ever tire of flying?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Mexico photos
Go to http://gallery.me.com/herrlk/10017 to see photos taken at Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
at sea
Today on the way to Puerto Vallarta. Guatemala? looking for more visits to Puerto Quetzal from cruise ships. . . very friendly, gracious people. Trip to macadamia nut farm pleasant ride and cool shaded locale; farm with 300 trees run by a couple ultra concerned about the environment. In the morning could clearly see many volcanos including two active ones; however by the time we left port in late afternoon the smog made it impossible to see them. Burning sugar cane fields and other industry leaves the sky brown, even dumped ashes all over the top deck from the cane burning probably miles away. Will be tough for this port to attract tourists unless they get a grip on pollution; that seems to be quite difficult since they need to burn the sugar cane fields to rid the cane of snakes so that workers can do their jobs. Still, it's a country worth visiting.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Guatamala
For those following in detail [that's you Bill] - here's what you asked for. We are at 13degrees 55.42 N latitude and 90degrees 47.56W longitude. Docked at Puerto Quetzal.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Inauguration viewed at sea
Hundreds of us from many nations watched the Obama inauguration today in the Queen Victoria's theatre and pub. Proud to be an American! The 50 buttons I brought along went fast, and not just to Americans. Now we all have work to do.
Transiting the Panama Canal an all day amazing trip. Can see where the third lane is being cut in. QV just makes it through, the Queen Mary can't fit. Really an engineering wonder.
Pacific calm and endless, and we haven't even gone far off the coast of Central America. Passing Costa Rica and Honduras today. Tomorrow we'll dock in Guatamala and I'll see a macadamia nut farm.
By the way, to get to my me.com account I need to use wireless and it's not working now; to get to my embarqmail.com account I need to be in the internet center AND be lucky, so if you haven't heard from me on email, that's why. I will post photos on here when the wireless is back up or I learn how to do it in the centre.
Weather warm and wonderful, seas calm. My sympathies to those up north.
Transiting the Panama Canal an all day amazing trip. Can see where the third lane is being cut in. QV just makes it through, the Queen Mary can't fit. Really an engineering wonder.
Pacific calm and endless, and we haven't even gone far off the coast of Central America. Passing Costa Rica and Honduras today. Tomorrow we'll dock in Guatamala and I'll see a macadamia nut farm.
By the way, to get to my me.com account I need to use wireless and it's not working now; to get to my embarqmail.com account I need to be in the internet center AND be lucky, so if you haven't heard from me on email, that's why. I will post photos on here when the wireless is back up or I learn how to do it in the centre.
Weather warm and wonderful, seas calm. My sympathies to those up north.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
at sea
Much to do in this floating hotel, inc people watching - many countries & languages - huge contingent of German tourists plus UK, Canada, Australia, etc. Dinner table companions English/Persian, Canadian, and from New Mexico for dinner; lunch varies - French, German, Australian, etc. Elderly repeat travelers fun to talk with. Well-known (to those who are cruise afficionados) William Miller entertaining lecturer about history of cruise ships. Been through the black&white formal night (met captain, drank champagne, maneuvered in crowded ballroom)but most enjoy the many spots to sit and read.
No reason to get unfit with the spa and fitness folks around. Anyone for walking up and down the staircases (10 decks) 4 times? Or pacing around the ship in the early morning (1 mile)?
Discovered a group of Rotarians so I will get make-ups afterall.
No reason to get unfit with the spa and fitness folks around. Anyone for walking up and down the staircases (10 decks) 4 times? Or pacing around the ship in the early morning (1 mile)?
Discovered a group of Rotarians so I will get make-ups afterall.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
warmer weather
Now finally in warm weather while those of you up north in deep freeze...my sympathies. Ft. Lauderdale today a fleet of cruise ships, including the Queen Mary and at least four other ships plus us. Finally off to foreign lands - a few days of sailing to Curacao then the Panama Canal. Please feel free to comment on these postings...it's one site I do go to every day. Email is very slow in computer centre, faster but more expensive wireless. Victoria feels more like home each day.
Monday, January 12, 2009
cruise differential
At sea. ocean calm, weather cloudy. Territory? where U-Boats harrassed merchant ships during WWII. Ship with high end amenities but like any cruise except for its destinations. Of those on board, 750 are making the whole world cruise, like me. Meet QM2 in harbor at Fort Lauderdale tomorrow.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
underway
Learning my way around the Queen Victoria, finding spa and food hotspots, getting used to the motion. People mostly in pairs but interesting folks. No children. No land, either. We're somewhere off the coast of SC I suspect - still not warm enough! Left NYC in snowstorm. First lecture by Rick Senat, former EVP of Warner Bros - maybe get some tips about getting Dear Coach into a movie - THAT would pay for the trip.
Monday, January 5, 2009
world trip
Leaving in 5 days from pier 88 on the west side of Manhattan. You can follow the journey here and on www.cunard.com (go to Queen Victoria and click on bridge web cam). First stops are Ft Lauderdale (remember there are many citizens of the world on this trip), Curacao, and the Panama Canal.
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