I'm beyond ready for the next adventure....

Where am I off to next?  That is the big question…  When Ann, Cathy & I left the Volendam in March no one could have predicted that this Pandemic would have such a damaging effect on so many lives and crush the global economy.  The first thing we did, in response to Guests on the 2020 World Voyage being debarked in Australia, was to cancel the 2021 World Voyage….  I am susceptible to DVTs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) from sitting too long on very long flights….  Having to find my way home from half way around the world would potentially have serious consequences for my health.  We decided to do the 2021 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage again, closer to home if we were forced off the ship due to Coronavirus….  As time went on, the 2021 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage was cancelled so I set my sights later into 2021, planning to board the Zaandam in July for the Voyage of the Vikings and staying onboard for 10 months, through the 2021 Grand Africa and the 2022 World Voyage….  As luck would have it, the next thing I knew, the Voyage of the Vikings and Grand Africa were cancelled due to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), restricting cruises, once they recommenced, to sailing no greater than 7 days until November 2021.  Well….  That got me a bit worried about the viability of the 2022 World Voyage for me, just two months after the 7-day maximum restriction.  Once again, I really don’t want to find my way home from halfway around the world and I do have a concern about virus conditions throughout the world.  That brings me to today…. The Scott Sisters and I are going home again to the Zuiderdam, boarding (hopefully) 18 November 2021 and sailing until 22 April 2022.  We absolutely loved our time on the Zuiderdam in 2018-2019.  There is a nice mixture of Circle Hawaii voyages, Mexico Sea of Cortez voyages, Panama Canal full transit voyages and one 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas Voyage.  It will be sunny, warm and all voyages are not too far from the USA in the event of cruise disruption due to Coronavirus….  So, that is where we stand for the time being.  In the meantime, I am exercising every day, watching my diet and preparing for the next adventure whenever it comes….  Stay safe and healthy!

2020 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, All good things must end....

Well, it’s been a while….  Sorry about that, I seem to have gotten caught up in Pandemic matters.  Since Alter do Chão we had our first trip hiccup relating to the Coronavirus when we were forced to miss Devil’s Island.  Our next stop was Barbados…..  I saw three large cruise ships filled with guests from Europe, the epicenter of the Coronavirus at that time.  I decided that the prudent thing was to stay onboard.  Things began to move quickly after that….  Long story short, we passed our last two ports and returned to Ft Lauderdale 2 days early.  In the end, I felt blessed to have had an amazing voyage on the Volendam with an incredible cadre of Officers and Crew. It will always be a voyage to remember! Once the voyage was ended early, I skipped flying home and drove with my friends Ann & Cathy as they made their way back to Canada…..  I was back home safely on the 21^st and Ann & Cathy made it home on the 22^nd….  My house was stocked by my sister Lisa and her husband Jim along with my lifelong best friend Randy.  I have been hunkered down since, ticking off one project after another….  So far, there aren’t enough hours in the day.  At some point, as the days turn into weeks and weeks into months, I’m sure that will change.  I hope everyone out there in staying home and protecting themselves and their families.  To my friends, Officers and crew that are still onboard the Holland America Line fleet, stay safe and I hope you make it back to your homes and families safely….  Praying for people around the world!

2020 Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, Alter do Chão, Brazil

Today marks our last port in Brazil...I was out early for sail in photos.  It’s changed quite a bit since I was last here in December, before the rainy season.  Cathy and I were off the ship on the first tender headed for the beachfront resort of Alter do Chão. Since my previous visit the river has risen significantly and most of the beautiful beaches are now under water.  It was only a short distance across the beach to the walkway into town. We followed the riverfront walkway to the Our Lady of Good Health Church on the town square. Alter do Chão is best known for its Ilha do Amor (Island of Love), a picturesque island ringed by a white-sand beach directly in front of town...unfortunately the high water changes the entire dynamics of this offshore island. We walked around town and then along town's beachfront which is temporary, since it is formed during the river's high-water season. Returning to the pier area we did some shopping at the outdoor market before taking the tender back to the ship. I spent the best part of the day poolside...It was a , really hot day today...probably one the hottest day we had in the Amazon so far... It was a great day! Tonight, we are celebrating Ann’s birthday.   Happy Birthday Ann!