Summer has come to England and we know this because we have had three straight days of sunshine and temperatures in the eighties.
When summer arrives the country goes mad. Men can be seen wandering the streets in their shorts with white milk bottle legs while the good news is that the ladies are also wearing very little. However there is a problem because finding a house or hotel in the UK with air conditioning is as difficult as finding a photo of a Jehovah’s Witness INSIDE a house……..no disrespect.
Our hotel proudly displays five stars outside it and those stars are well deserved for the food, service and although the rooms are luxurious they have no air conditioning.
They do have a window which I had open last night to allow more of the warm air to come flooding in and that was me lying naked on top of the bed…………meanwhile Heidi the Lizard was under the covers and although it was hotter than penguin in a sauna if someone had offered her a hot water bottle she would have said yes……I really do think she has reptile blood you know.
Global warming …………that’s what the waiter told us at breakfast this morning when I asked why such a hotel was not air-conditioned. Xavier is from Spain and is the headwaiter here. I asked him about air conditioning and I obviously pressed a button because he stopped serving my poached eggs on toast and turned into Al Gore Junior. He said he had lived in England for 18 years and had worked for the hotel for 15 of those years and until a few years ago the temperatures were never like this.
He then went on and on about its the fault of mankind and especially people who leave something he called “a carbon footprint”……….now as he said that I hoped he wouldn’t see the footprints that led to my Range Rover polar bear iceberg melting Xavier mad making killing machine.
The other footprints I wanted to see were his getting my breakfast as not even global warming could warm my eggs and toast up.
I had brought this situation up to Xavier in the hope that maybe he would say that the hotel had portable air conditioning machines but instead I got a bollocking about having carbon on my shoe and my breakfast was cold.
It looks though as if I will have another naked on top of the covers night although having seen the news I have no right to complain.
The people of Burma (Myanmar) have suffered beyond belief and as 20,000 have been killed with those figures likely to rise dramatically it is crazy that the aid agencies cannot get to where they need to be ……..because they need a visa. You probably don’t know anyone who has been affected by this disaster………well……..not personally but you will have met one I am sure as the Corporation has quite a few crew members from Myanmar who judging by the size of the cyclone and flooding will I am sure have e family who have e been affected………..let’s think of them tonight and let’s hope the military junta who are usually are completely bonkers realize they need help and let the people who can help to provide it.
So, last night we ate at the George and Dragon Pub. Even though I don’t drink I love pubs and the atmosphere that comes with them. Dinner was superb and my Dover Sole was historic while Heidi loved her scallop risotto. However, the highlight of the evening was our waitress Magda from Poland.
Now, I should point out that since joining the European Union the UK has had a lot of Polish folks come to the UK to work. They have taken up jobs in the service industry as in the case of Magda.
Anyway, she was very friendly, her English was excellent and as always Heidi and I took the time to get to know who was looking after us. It was while she was serving Heidi her strawberry soufflé and my selection of non-French cheeses that I asked her how long she had worked here. She told us she had worked at the Pub for just a few months and before that she had worked on a cruise ship.
I asked what was that was like as I have never been on a cruise ship. ……………..her answer was…….well……….let’s just say she was not the best spokesperson for cruising and in particular for a specific cruise line that out of respect I will not mention by name as the Norwegians may get a little upset……..no more hints…….that would be rude…….anyway Magda didn’t like Freestyle service and said that unless you “knew the Dining Room Manager” you would never earn any money. I decided to change the subject but not before Magda also told us that she did get to see wonderful places.
Since I have met Magda I have been thinking about the huge challenge that faces the industry we all love. With borders disappearing and the so-called “poorer countries” now able to find work within land based service areas finding crew for the ships will become more difficult. This is already the case and therefore I hope the industry realizes that they must invest in the crew to insure that we get the best young people to work onboard …………it’s going to be a challenge that’s for sure.
I wanted to say thanks for all the comments. Writing a blog thingy on my raspberry takes about two hours and I feel so guilty about not answering your comments. I promise faithfully that this so important part of the blog will return very soon.
I see many of you enjoyed my sister’s blog and I have bribed her with the promise of a cruise if she will write another one soon.
Meanwhile, here is another brilliant entry from Bubba in Hawaii.
The only other day we managed to get out was when we arrived into Honolulu. A must stop is the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Love connecting with history. Then we went down to the famous, Waikiki Beach.
This cruise has been a great one…The guests really enjoyed themselves…Today they disembarked and we have a new batch of people and we will be doing the cruise in reverse only this time we will end up in Vancouver, Canada, instead of Ensenada, Mexico. From there we will begin our Alaska season.
I have really enjoyed the time in Hawaii….I wish we could cruise out here more often. Will check back in from time to time.
Be well all,
Chris
Thanks’ Bubba and we all hope you will keep writing.
I was hoping to tell you who the Carnival Splendor’s Godmother will be today but as yet it have yet to be confirmed. I will promise to tell you ASAP and PA 007 is now on the case.
Talking of famous people I was in the doghouse for a short time last night after Heidi read my blog. It turns out that Heidi loves Julio Iglesias and to make matters worse he is married to a Dutch woman…………….bugger.
I tried to explain that he even refused to shake hands with the Captain but I guess El Rudo is someone Heidi listens to and the fact that he is married to another clog wearer …….that was me in the doghouse.
Today’s superstar story concerns a boy band superstar. I have to tell you that my knowledge of boy bands is very limited and although they all have different names……..to me, they all look the same.
It seems to me the ingredients are take four good looking boys dress them in tight leather pants and put them in front of 50,000 screaming girls whose screams are so loud that they drown out the sound of the four leather pant wearing chaps which is a good thing as none of them can actually sing.
My experience as recorded in a Take That Blog a few months ago will have described the sheer hell of being trapped for three hours in an ocean of sentimental love songs with 50,000 screaming girls………not to mention the two men who stood next to me wearing sparkly pink Take That shirts and playing tonsil hockey all night.
Anyway, I am told that the band that started it all was The Backstreet Boys………..what about the Platters and The Four Tops?
Anyway, back in the late 90’s there was no doubt that The Backstreet Boys were the kings and one of them was about to sail with us on the Carnival Triumph. His name was Howie D, I hope I spelt that right. He sails with a large group of guests who had paid to interact with him…….and everywhere he went he was surrounded by women of every age.
However, at every special event he was courteous, friendly and amicable taking the time to speak to every single person who wanted to meet him. I spent some time with him and found him a friendly and sincere bloke and I enjoyed meeting him. He auctioned himself as a prize to have dinner with along with concert tickets and other prizes. The money raised at this event all went to the Lupus charity Howie D had founded as his young sister had passed away from this terrible disease.
He was so humble when speaking about his sister and even though he was a definite superstar and enjoying all the benefits that come with stardom when speaking about the loss of his sister he was just as human as the rest of us.
Howie D was a joy to meet unlike another Howie who sailed on the Carnival Freedom last year in Europe.
Howie Mandel sailed and after a few days it was obvious that any guest who approached him was met with a curt and flippant response to go away.
I fully understand that he was on vacation and didn’t want to be disturbed however there is a right way to do this. I met Mr. Mandel on Lido one day and just walked over to say hello and pay my respects. I offered my hand but he refused to shake it……..fine……..I asked him if he needed anything and he said “yes, tell the rest of the people on this boat to leave me in peace “………………….and with that he turned his back on me.
Once again I totally understand that he was on vacation and wanted some peace but with fame comes a cost and that is to be courteous and respectful to the people that made him famous….Mr. Mandel………there is no deal ……kindness costs nothing.
More famous people stories tomorrow.
Today Heidi and I are going to enjoy some of the activities that are available at the Hotel …….including archery and……clay pigeon shooting and I will tell you how that goes later.
It’s another hot day so time to put my Speedos on and go for a swim. I did that yesterday and as I stood poolside in my red Speedos one of the pool attendants, a young man from an Asian country, dropped to his knees in front of me and started chanting……………he was heartbroken when I told him I wasn’t Buddha.
I will write to say goodnight later
Cheers
Your friends
John and Heidi
Filed under: Europe, Tales from the Ship, Travel | Tagged: Bubba's blog, Hawaii
Howie Mandel is known for his mysophobia (germophobe) . Granted there is a point to being clean but some have a pathological fear of contact with dirt and attempt to avoid contamination and germs at all costs….Rather hard to do that in a world full of them …oh well….just sheath yourself in cellophane….walk around in a plastic bubble
You are quite right….that situation could have been handled much better…some people…..geesh….
Mark
El Dutch Feller
Hello Buddha,
Thanks for the 2nd Hawaiian blog from Bubba and the photos.
Your story about Howie Mandel brought something to mind. I’m not positive, but I think he suffers from OCD (like Monk), and is careful not to touch people. I don’t usually watch his show, so I’m not sure what happens there, but I think I read about his condition.
But he is a celebrity – and he can’t possibly expect people to ignore him. I’ll bet he would be really upset if nobody recognized him at all.
Enjoy the rest of the day & night – it’s very warm here in NYC too.
Hugs,
Carol
Hi, John,
I just copied the following from Wikipedia. Maybe it explains Howie M’s refusal to shake hands. Also, aren’t obsessive-compulsives notoriously hateful to everyone else in the world (as in Jack Nicholson’s character in a movie whose name I can’t recall. Helen Hunt was in it as well.)?
“Mandel has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)[7] and mysophobia (fear of germs) to the point that he does not shake hands with anyone, including enthusiastic contestants on Deal or No Deal, unless he is wearing latex gloves. Instead of shaking contestants’ hands when they offer them, he will give the contestants congratulatory gestures such as tapping another’s fist with his own fist, or putting his hands on their shoulders, also hugs. He once kissed a female contestant on the show for good luck despite his mysophobia. He now takes medicine to control his condition and even pokes fun at himself for it. He revealed on The Howard Stern Show on March 24, 2006 that his shaved head is not related to natural hair loss, but to his mysophobia. He stated that the lack of hair makes him feel cleaner.[8] During his appearance on Mad TV, Mandel and cast member Bobby Lee made fun of the former’s OCD. In September 2007, Former NFL running back Marshall Faulk was interviewing with Howie on NFL Network asking him to shake his hands, but Howie wouldn’t allow it; he’d rather have the tap fist, as he does with Deal or No Deal contestants. Seconds later, Faulk gave Howie a “sneak attack” shaking his right hand and Howie was afraid and walked away from Faulk. Howie washed his hands several times. In 2008, Mandel will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[9] On a guest appearance on Free Radio, Mandel pointed out that he wouldn’t use anyone else’s bathroom except for his own, and sometimes brings bags with him, and warns not to approach him on the street if he is seen with a brown paper bag.”
Hope Howie’s steward didn’t find any strange
“brown paper bags” in his cabin. Yuk!!!
You may as well be in Florida if the temperature is that high in England. Of course, we’re used to it. Today it should reach 86 and tomorrow 90 degrees here in Clermont (Orlando area).
So glad you and Heidi are enjoying your holiday.
Cheers,
Myra
Luxuries… some are small and some are big… I’m so air conditioning conditioned that if I didn’t have AC at night I’d have to sleep on a block of ice…
Speaking of ice… did you hear the news that there’s currently MORE sea ice than there has been in the last 25 years? That pesky global warming… you never can tell what kind of effects it will have… now it’s making ice…
Bubba certainly does look more at home in Hawaii than Alaska… I wonder why??
I’ve heard that Mr Mandel has some variety of phobia about touching people but that still doesn’t account for being rude…
Have a wonderful time and pass along my howdies to the lovely Heidi!!
Cheers!!
GregB
Hello John.
I’m the lizard. Wife is the penguin. We need to trade spouses.
Rumor has it that you might be having “blogger’s get togethers” on the Spendor. We’re on the July 25th sailing. We’d love to be there if you have one.
Keep up the good work. Keep Heidi and your sis writing.
ATTENTION ALL BLOGGERS
When you go to read Anita’s story on MSNBC.COM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24469581/
be sure to give it a 5 STAR vote to help keep John on the front page of the travel section. You rate it at the bottom of the story.
BIG ED
THANK YOU
John, Here’s a one act play featuring you:
John Heald: Why does your hotel not have Air Conditioning?
Bloke Server #1: You hear that Bloke server #2, he wants to know why we don’t have air conditioning.
Bloke Server #2: It’s people like you who leave a carbon whatever the hell on this environment.
JH/Heidi: Never mind then. (Exit) (Walk visibly to Range Rover)
BS#1: (in unison): It figures
JH/H: (start Range Rover, crank air to full blast)
JH (to bloke servers): Never mind that global warming it’s all cool in here!
-FIN
_BigMike
D.B.S.
I know that NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK claim themselves as the first boy-band.
Hi John,
So it’s been a month since I’ve been on here, since school bogged me down before finals (woo). But I’m finally done! Apparently you’re back in England now? The weather seems as hot as it is in Florida; weird.
Either way, hope you’re enjoying your time back home. Keep an eye out on Crystal Palace; not sure how much you care about football, but my Eagles will return to the Premier League this season
Dear John,
It would appear that Bubba was choking his chicken on a public beach in Hawai’i. Please let him know that one of the laws of our 50th state prohibits this.
Cheers mate!
I also have a Polish (Polack?) friend called Magda. Since she lives here in Ohio, it must be another one
)
Enjoy your vacation!
dude! i read on cruise critic that the legend is going to the anytime eating thingy. is that true? and it is a trial for all the carnival ships? just askin’… you know how rumors fly over there!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie
southerndreams,
I sure hope that’s JUST A RUMOR. As Magda said to John it sounds like the waitstaff don’t like it either. I love having the same waitstaff and the same table guest everyday. The first day you get to meet them all then the rest of the cruise you get to enjoy talking about the cruise and each others excursions.
BIG ED
Love hearing from Bubba about the Hawaiian cruise. When we did the Honolulu to Ensenada sailing, it was without a doubt one of our best vacations ever.
I am curious…Bubba mentioned Shawn was leaving the ship for good…is she leaving Carnival completely or just going to another ship?
The Kilmartins
Southern Dreams and Big Ed,
Yes they are going to test run anytime dining on the Legend starting June 29th. I just booked the Legend for September and according to my TA they have two choices, 1) Traditional dining at 6 or 8, same as always, B) or Any Time, where can dine anytime between 5:30 and 9:30 by either making a reservation or showing up and waiting to be seated.
It ought to be interesting to see how this works, since there is only one dining room, speculation is that it will be divided up by deck.
Well, we’ll see. I’m sticking with traditional dining on that one because I’m cruising solo!
Cheers,
Princess Laura, the sweet and innocent (at least in Empress Bee’s eyes! LOL!)
I love your blogs,Heidis and your sisters. Laughter is the best medicine. Now you are keeping me guessing as to which part of my native land you are vacationing in. Hope it is Devon, where my sister is. Talking of my sister we are taking her on her first cruise on the Freedom in November.I know she is going to get addicted as we all are.
Here in Canada they rarely serve Yorkshire Pudding with roast beef. They don’t know what they are missing.
Val. in Ontario,Canada.
Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
Hi John/Heidi:
Very interesting story today about the Howie’s. I knew about Mandel’s germaphobia. Maybe that played partly into it.
Great blog and i look forward to hearing more from your vacation.
Thanks for posting Bubba’s Hawaii stories. I appreciate it.
Thanks again,
David
That makes me sad that Howie was so rude to people. I thought he would have been friendly, even with his ‘germ’ issues.
It’s nice to read that you’re not like that John. I’m looking forward to the day when I get to meet you!
Big Ed:
My turn to agree with you. Freestyle dining does not seem to benefit anyone-least of all the staff. I don’t see the appeal at all. And thanks for the website about John on msnbc. It was a great article and John deserves the accolades.
John -
I was doing fine with this blog right up to the vision of the red speedo.
My psychiatrist says I should avoid your blog for a while
Missingthesmokefreeparadisebutlookingforwardtothenearlysmokefreecarnivalfreedombookedonthe2009bloggerscruiseherewecomewhilecomposingthemusingsofjustjon
Maybe I missed it…but this “left coaster” noticed you had selected the non-profit for us to work for during “Bloggers”. Only I think you didn’t mention it.
And forget PA 007 and others…I know the Godmother of the Splendor will be…Dolly Parton. OK, not Ms. Parton. But her “stand in” with a British accent.
I hear someone named Sue from Hong Kong made the suggestion….
John…
I am reading this late… I hoped that you and Heidi would be too busy to post!!! We really would understand… You deserve time of!!!
Have fun with archery and skeet shooting!! I always feel lucky when I “kill” one of those clay birds… because it happens rarely!!! Now give me a tin can, sitting patiently, not too far away; I can usually handle those…
God Bless you!!
Lambie
John:
Our hearts do go out to the citizens of Myanmar. The first word I heard on “relief supplies” was that the Myanmar government was not allowing anyone in. I think they have since changed their minds. I hope so.
Linda
John,
Had to comment about that other cruiseline we should not mention the name as that would be rude! I have just returned from a cruise and an experience with Freestyle dining for the first time, and let me just say this was a horrible experience, never seen such an unorganized mess! We kept referring back to our cruise last year that we took on the Carnival Conquest talking about how wonderful that cruise was and how well everything was set up. We vowed to never ever ever stray from Carnival again! And we are so relieved we have 2 Carnival cruises booked for next year!
Thanks for all you do!
Elaina
Hey John: I was surprised to hear about Howie Mandel, I watch Deal or No Deal all the time, and he is very touchy, feely, so I don’t know how these rumors got started about him having OCD as Carol Schoenberger stated, if it is true, I am surprised. Last night his show was from Bosnia, where you were a few weeks ago! He was in the Phillipines the other night on the show. Just my thoughts on the subject……………. Linda
Thanks for all the great blog thingys.
I will be sailing on the Spirit in July with Chris. I feel as though I already know him. Shawn was a wonderful CD. We met her on the Spirit also.
Sign me up for the British Isles tour. How about a TA repositioning cruise?
Hi Heidi. I hope your vacation was relaxful.
Hello John,
Sorry to be so many days behind in commenting, but I just had to share this story with you. I was with you on the Howie Mandel Cruise…and as you said…he was a real jerk! His wife was likewise rude; my mother and I were in the elevator with he and his family. We are quiet keep to ourselves kind of people and recognized him, acknowledged him with a quiet nod and ignored him for the rest of the trip up from deck 0. As our floor approached I said, “I’m sorry, please excuse us, this is our floor” his ungratious wife rounded on me glaring and snapped, “You’re Canadian aren’t you!” (said as though what she had meant was….you’re an axe weilding leper)
I, slightly stunned by such an odd accusation, agreed that indeed we were and made my way to the front of the elevator to leave. I heard her daughter ask how she had known this and she replied (equally as nastily) “Well, she apologized for needing to get off the elevator, I mean seriously, how ridiculous!”
We Canadians are apperently “known” for our tendancy to begin interactions with apologies, but to point it out in such a rude and accusatory way was beyond decency.
The most disturbing thing of all…Howie Mandel is himself a Canadaian. Maybe that is one aspect of his heritage he should have held on to a bit longer.
Hope you enjoyed your vacation!
Jenn
PS…in re-reading my note…I realized, I began it with an apology…sigh…Canadian through and through I guess.