A friend of mine, one of the ship’s doctors, once told me a story that he assured me was true, which had unfolded in a hospital in Australia where he was working. A patient, a sheep farmer, was having his bottom examined by a specialist who, after a long look, stood up and said, “You really need to see a vet.” The farmer was outraged by this apparent attempt to introduce levity into what, for him, was an episode of some discomfort and huge embarrassment, and grabbed my friend by the neck and was about to beat the crap out of him…….when the doctor stated that the specialist had, in fact, been referring him to the bottom specialist doctor………..Yvette.
There’s no doctor story as funny as a really funny vet story, a truth that James Herriot mined so successfully. I loved his books as a kid and I am sure many of you may have seen the All Creatures Great and Small TV series on PBS. In fact, at one point I considered becoming a vet right up to the point when I failed biology, chemistry and physics and I realized I was as thick as a piece of 2 by 4…………bugger.
The waiting room at a doctor’s surgery might be comedians’ meat and potatoes, but it offers only a fraction of a veterinary surgery’s potential for comedy. Here is another tale I have related before, because it is a great personal favorite: owners taking pets to be seen by the vet are rarely certain, on being asked by the receptionist for a name, whether to deliver their own name or the pet’s name. Which is how my mate Alan, carrying the family cat, had to make his way self-consciously through a crowded reception area after being summoned as “Mrs. Tickle.”
Anyway, all this went through my mind this morning as I sat in the waiting room at our local vet’s surgery with a cardboard box on my knee containing a cat which I discovered in our back yard last night. She (I think) was just a young kitten and was shivering from the cold. She also had a large cut on the side of her body which was still bleeding ….. she looked awful.
There was no tag round her neck and therefore we had no idea if she was lost or had just been discarded by her bastard owner. So, as Heidi made it a bed for the night in the garage and we fed it a huge bowl of milk and some chicken…..we went to bed wondering if she would be alive in the morning. She was………but the cut needed to be taken care of. So, that was me…………..off to see the vet.
I was careful to place myself at the other end of the room from a really alarming-looking creature, panting profusely, frothing slightly at the mouth, emitting an occasional low growl, and holding a leash, at the end of which was a big dog. The big dog, too, looked decidedly ferocious, and seemed to be eyeing the box I put the cat in with murderous intent. Mercifully for me and the cat, and a young couple with a tiny grey rabbit that would scarcely have amounted to more than a hors d’ouerve, the rabid beast then left, taking the dog with her.
Another receptionist joined the woman already there, and I listened in to what they were talking about. “Rex has had to cancel his appointment,” one said to the other, and I realised that, presumably for the sake of convenience, they don’t bother with the names of the owners.
On the other hand, I slightly regretted not having a name to offer the vet, when finally I was ushered through. Anyway the vet couldn’t have been nicer with her, calling her “darling” and “sweetheart.” Alas, the diagnosis was not good. The vet thought that her cut had become infectious and she needed further treatment. I explained that it wasn’t my cat and the vet thanked me for being so kind and considerate before charging me £68 ……….. that’s nearly $100.
I could have taken the dam thing to the local Korean restaurant and sold it for £88 ……….. kidding. I’ve often argued that the best way to kick-start a dying species is to start eating it. No, really. If someone could convince “ladies who lunch” that the best way to put a sheen back in their hair was a daily bowl of giant panda chunks, someone, somewhere, would figure out a way to get the lazy sods breeding again.
Anyway, I paid for the cat to live and the vet said that they would arrange for it to be taken to a home for cats where it would be looked after while trying to find it a home. Shockingly, the vet told me that this was a cat of only approximately two years of age. It had been used to being around humans as she responded to being stroked, etc. So right now there is someone looking frantically for their cat or someone who just didn’t want here anymore and dumped her in the countryside.
The vet asked if we wanted to keep it but obviously with me traveling and Heidi having a Thingy soon that was not an option. Anyway, as I paid my £68, the vet said I had to give the cat a name……and so I left Pussy Galore in the safe hands of the vet and hoped one day I could meet the chap who dumped this poor little thing in the freezing winter night and after collecting the £68 pounds he owes me I would chain him to the ground in the spread eagle position…..tie a piece of fresh salmon round his thingy……….and let Pussy Galore get some payback.
So, let’s continue with some more Caribbean highlights. remember, these are some of the places and attractions that I have been to and as always I will give you my honest opinion about them……..9,000 of you have read them during the last 48 hours so as they seem quite popular………..here are a few more.
ATLANTIS HOTEL AND RESORT – NASSAU
As the ships pull into Nassau, Bahamas there is one structure that dominates the skyline ……and that’s the Atlantis Hotel and Resort………the 2,300-room, 35-restaurant mega-resort-cum-casino perched on Paradise Island. It’s meant to look like the eponymous lost city, although there’s little to suggest an ancient mythical civilization in the two 20-story tower blocks that are the visual centerpiece of the resort. Some say it’s beautiful……….to me it like a huge pink-and-green wedding cake crash-landed in the middle of paradise.
Elsewhere, the ocean-city motif works better — and nowhere more so than the aquariums. The biggest holds 2.5 million gallons of salt water and 13,000 sea creatures, ranging from shoals of fabulous multicolored fish to hammerhead sharks and a mesmerizing graceful manta ray. Big viewing windows allow you to look in from all sides, while you’re eating dinner or just walking through the public areas of the hotel. It’s a genuinely stunning attraction. Center stage is a mock-Mayan temple, which contains five water slides, including a stomach-in-mouth, water-up-your-nose, 60-foot drop known as the Leap of Faith.
Check with your shore excursion manager and cruise director who will tell you about the tours that allow you use of some of the hotel’s attractions……….the aquarium is amazing.
THE ISLAND OF ST. MARTIN
Visit this island on your cruise and you will buy one………..get one free. St Martin happens to be the smallest island on the planet that’s shared by two countries. Two-thirds is called Saint Martin and is in the French Caribbean — all sophistication, fine dining, fashion boutiques and rudeness; and one-third is called Sint Maarten, in the Dutch Antilles — with faster food, noisier nightlife and hair braiding. Folklore has the bickering Euros divvying up the island with a walking race. A Frenchman and a Dutchman left from the same spot at the same time, one clockwise, the other counter-clockwise — the border would be the straight line from where they started to where they met up on the other side. But one spiked the other’s drink, and the resulting handover by hangover saw France score the lion’s share.
There are no hard feelings, though, nor any border guards or formalities at all, for that matter — this is cohabitation Caribbean-style. One moment you’re buying a baguette for breakfast, the next having a Dutch pancake for lunch. The beaches are all wonderful. The ship’s dock on the Dutch side and there are public beaches close by. To get to down town and the public beaches you can take a stuffy taxi van or hop on the water taxis that for approximately $6 per person will provide an all day transit from the ships to the beaches and shopping and back again. Carnival offers beach packages which include lunch and drinks so you may want to check those out. It should be noted that on the French side many of the beaches are clothing optional. Unfortunately there are no signs telling you this but if you walk on to the beach and see strange “drag marks” in the sand you will know that naked men are just around the corner……..not me though ………… bugger ……. if you need me I will be at my favorite beach…..it’s in Virgin Gorda and it’s called ……….Little Dix Bay.
St. Martin has always been many people’s favorite island………and if you have not been………you really should.
ST. KITTS
I have only been here twice………….but my memories are as clear as any. I remember going ashore with Heidi and having lunch at restaurant. The pictures above the bar told the story. Catherine Zeta-Jones snuggled up to Michael Douglas. Sarah Jessica Parker looked bleary-eyed. Britney Spears flashed her well ……..everything. Yep, St. Kitts and its neighbors Nevis really are islands which the A List celebrities throng to.
Most of the cruise ship guests congregate around the beach shacks on the narrow neck of land above Frigate Bay, where you can soak up the true Caribbean flavor. Many of the guests though will choose to escape and explore the rain forest, the coral reefs and some lovely, lonely beaches. St. Kitts’s best beaches spool out along the skinny southern panhandle. South Friar’s Bay is regarded as the best, but for seclusion, drive on along the switchback road and turn left at a broken-down sign beside the Great Salt Pond Lake. The track leads to Sand Bank Bay: not a beach shack or sun lounger in sight, just a golden arc tickled by Atlantic breakers. Remember the Carnival Victory features St. Kitts on her new itinerary out of San Juan, Puerto Rico and is an island I really want to return to someday soon.
DOMINICA - ANOTHER CARNIVAL VICTORY PORT OF CALL
Devil’s Mountain, Boiling Lake, Valley of Desolation… from a first glance at the guidebook, Dominica doesn’t sound too welcoming. But don’t be put off. The island’s steaming jungles and giddy peaks have made this port of call one of the most exciting in all of the Caribbean. It offers a thousand kinds of flowers, a dozen big waterfalls and a river (so they say) for every day of the year. Explore the beauty of this tropical paradise with a bike ride through the Layou River Valley, or a tour through the capital of Roseau. This is one island that is sure to take your breath away. Everywhere you look, trees groan under their loads of guava, passion fruit and pineapples. Just negotiating the 200 yards from ship to the beach involves walking on a solid carpet of fallen mangoes worth at least $300 at posh supermarkets in North America. Of course, one of Dominica’s most important claims to fame is that Jerry Bruckheimer chose to shoot Pirates of the Caribbean there……….enough said!
LEARN TO DIVE
Well, as I look back on my life at sea, I have just two regrets. One involves a nurse and a dancer…….and the other….I never learned to scuba dive. Obviously, the Caribbean has some of the best diving in the world and if it’s not too late, you should give it go. Remember, we also offer safe a beginners dive experience in many of our ports of call and it should be on everyone’s bucket list. I have often imagined what it must be like to swim with stingrays, frolic with turtles, follow shoals of multicolored fish through magical tunnels and pristine coral arches. It must feel like you are living in some perfect aquarium. The moment your body hits the water, credit crunch worries probably disappear: bills to pay, lives to lead, things to do. You just want to stay underwater forever, maybe evolve and grow gills.
There will be more Caribbean highlights next week.
Oh, by the way, on Monday I will be flying to Venice for the day. This will be to visit the Carnival Dream and the Costa Illuminosa. I will be taking my trusty Flip video camera with me so I can share the latest views and news about these two new exciting vessels.
I will be answering more of your questions on Tuesday so please let me know if there is anything you need.
Now, I wonder if I can use this blog for a personal favor……can I?……..OK, thanks, I will then.
My mate Alan. Well, you all know he has suffered terribly after being severely beaten with the ugly stick and being blessed with the personality of a hemorrhoid………….oh and yes………he had a cauliflower growing in his head which thanks to the skill of the doctors has buggered off. What I have never told you about Alan is that he has, for the last 10 years, been a commander of the local Coast Guard unit which in the UK is called The RNLI. This stands for The Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
This is a purely volunteer service and, unlike Coast Guard in North America, the men and women who serve do so on a purely volunteer basis. Their job is to rescue people at sea and they work closely with the Royal Navy and Helicopter Rescue Teams. Each coastal town will have a unit who patrol the surrounding waters. Here in the Southend area there are 35 men and women who work on a rotation system …….one of them is Alan. He is commander of the Hover Craft which is used when the tidal waters of the Thames Estuary are out. It skims across the shallow water and mud and is very useful in many rescue scenarios.
Alan also works on the lifeboats and during his convalescence has put together a new RNLI website ……it’s a work in progress but I wanted to say how proud I was of him and the crew who have saved many, many lives this past year. As a man of the sea myself I appreciate what these ladies and gents do so very much. It is remarkable that considering what Alan has been through that he is able to continue to give service to this great institution. You will see Alan listed as the web master and he has pix elated his face out as not to induce mass vomiting from those who see his face. Here is the link and be sure to click on the “drop everything” link for a fascinating look at Alan and his team
http://www.southendlifeboat.org/index.html
Thanks for stopping by…………I am very proud of the ugly sod.
Now, I am going to paste an extract from my blog regarding my visit to the stunning Ruby Princess back in early November…………….here it is.
If you watch today’s soap operas…..As the Bold Turns…….Guiding Hospital etc., you may consider throwing yourself under an express train …..But don’t. That’s because is not a foregone conclusion that your daughter will have to face a teenage pregnancy, or your husband may not turn out to be your long lost brother, or your wife may not decide to have rumpy pumpy with your father, or genetically altered foods might turn your dog into a zebra.
Of course things were different back in the 1970’s when we all sat down in our living rooms…….walked over to the TV…..remote control?…..gathered our family around us and boarded The Love Boat…………..which was the original Pacific Princess.
I am not even sure if you could call The Love Boat a soap opera but whatever it was, it allowed us to escape into a world that back then was only for the rich and tanned. We fell in love with Captain Stubing who set the tone for all real life captains who were not hired for their seagoing skills but were given a job only if the looked like Gavin McLeod. And that gives the perfect introduction to a chat I had with the most famous cruise ship captain ……….in the world.
Sir, you have had an amazing voyage. How does a young man born of a gas station owner in New York grow up to be a loved and respected TV and film star?
First of all, I had a dream. Mine was to be an actor. Everything else was in God’s hands.
Obviously we will talk about the Love Boat series shortly but your brilliant career has involved so much more. What have been some of the personal highlights that you look back on with the most pride?
Working with Cary Grant has to be the highlight of any actor’s career. It certainly was for me. And, working alongside director Robert Wise and comedic actor Blake Edwards also stand out as great moments in my career. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the best times ever because I was working with some of the best actors and the best people in the business.
On a personal note you starred in one of my all time favorite movies “Kelly’s Heroes.” It must have been an amazing experience working with Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas, etc. Was there a great camaraderie between you all and do you have any favourite memories from the movie?
In the movie, I was filming with Donald Sutherland and the tanks. We got to spend a lot of time together and I remember driving into Trieste every night for great Italian dinners!
And, the day I flew to Yugoslavia was the day Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon!
And so we move to the Love Boat. When you were offered the part of the ship’s captain what did you know about cruising? Had you ever been on one?
I knew nothing about cruising and the only ship I’d ever been was just a mock-up of a PT boat in McHale’s Navy!
How long did it take to film one episode?
The episodes took between 7-10 days to film.
The characters were portrayed as one big happy family. Was this the case off set as well…..are you all still friends.
Yes, it’s incredible that we’re all still friends today! In fact, I gave Jill Whelan away for her wedding aboard Caribbean Princess in 2004! Everyone is happy and well!
Do you have a favorite episode and if so why?
I actually have two favorite episodes. One was the “Love Boat Follies” where we got to sing and dance with some of the greats from musicals – Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Cab Calloway, Van Johnson and so many others. It was actor’s heaven – these were some the biggest stars in musical theatre.But my very favorite episode was our last one where Captain Stubbing got married to Emily, played by Marion Ross. I’ve known her since 1958, and this experience was a celebration of our friendship, which still continues. I got to see her recently when she was one of the godmothers of Emerald Princess.
The Love Boat was and always will be a show that makes you feel good and, of course, did wonders for cruising. What do you think was the secret to its continuing success even now on DVD
People still come up to me today and tell me that “The Love Boat” gave them something to dream about. I find that very touching and it’s incredibly true. People are very nostalgic about the show, and recall with fond memories gathering on Saturday nights to watch it. The formula for the show was a happy ending to each of the three stories in an episode. It was a feel-good series and a real escape!
I recently saw you on-board the Ruby Princess for her naming ceremony and it was obvious the love and respect both passengers and crew have for you. Can you tell us about your ambassador role for Princess Cruises and having taken so many cruises yourself…….what makes cruising and Princess so great?
I’ve been the spokesperson for Princess for 22 years now. I think you could say it’s a marriage made in heaven! I’ve so enjoyed the incredible experiences I’ve been handed in this role and it’s been such a thrill to watch Princess and the industry grow throughout the years. From the many ship launches, to visiting with travel agents, to my latest role in Princess’ Department of Romance, I’m honored to have been touched by cruising myself and inspired young and old to be so passionate about it. Princess’ tag line is “Escape Completely” and that’s just what I love to do when I’m onboard. I love walking the decks with my wife Patti, star gazing and just being together without our everyday distractions. Princess gives people the perfect romantic getaway to rejuvenate, relax and reconnect on vacation – something we all need more of!
OK, time to host one last Captain’s table. Please could you fill in the blanks based on your ultimate Captain’s table:
From past to present, I think this table would be pretty cool:
My wife, Patti
Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Captain Stubing’s wife — my dear friend Marion Ross
Dinah Shore
Pat and Shirley Boone
Alan Buckelew, the president of Princess Cruises, and his wife, Chris
Thank you, sir, for taking your valuable time to answer these questions and thank you for the many hours of happiness you provided and thanks to DVD and re-runs, continue to provide us. We wish you continued success and I think over the weekend we should all gather the family together and watch at least one episode of the Love Boat….I’m going to.
Goodnight
Your friends
John, Heidi and The Thingy
Look, friends — there are a few things you should remember before you comment. The space below is for you to post your comments about the post I've just written above. If it is something that's unrelated, please use the Ask John tab above. Now, while I may not be able to reply to your comment below, I do sit in my underpants almost every morning and read everything that is here. So feel free to comment on the comments and then if someone wants to comment on the comment to the comment then go ahead as well. Please be courteous unless the poster is French...........then you can say whatever you want.
He was the “captain of captains”. To bad he didn’t “work” for Carnival, though…
I’ll be going to Commander Alan’s web site directly!!
Please thank him and his team for all they do. I’m positive they provide a tremendously valuable service.
I haven’t had much of an opportunity to visit the eastern and southern Caribbean, with the exception of the Bahamas so your descriptions have done much to whet my appetite for those islands.
Thank you for being a softy. Here’s hoping the little critter fairs well and find a wonderful home.
I’ll be waiting with baited breath for the videos from the Dream and the Costa Luminosa. I LOVE these new ships!!! They are so innovative yet classic… Wonderful looking vessels!!!
Pass along my howdies to Heidi and the Thingy and my continued gratitude to both you and Stephanie for all you do for us!!!
Ciao!!
Host Mach
John:
You were so kind to care for the cat.
It was probably a house cat that got out and then got attacked by a dog or wild animal and was chased away from their home trying to escape.
Here in the US, vets tell folks with domestic cats that they should never be let out of the house. They are just not prepared for the “wilds” (apparently even in suburbia) and there are lots of things they can get into that will harm them.
Well…David is flying back home from North Carolina tonight (this time Wilmington) and hopefully he won’t have to detour to the Chattanooga Airport, Hair Care and Tire Center.
Hopefully the weather will cooperate and he will be home by 11pm.
BTW, the Love Boat was a sitcom. I never missed an episode and I also never missed an episode of Mary Tyler Moore. She was my “inspiration” as a young professional lady on her own. (although I must admit I never twirled in a circle in the middle of the street and threw my cap into the air)
That was rather reckless…but other than that…her character was a type of role model.
I did indeed check out Alan’s website and found it very informative. How wonderful to have that you have saved 9 people’s lives in 2008 on your resume’!!
Btw, I got an email today from Melvin which I had Stephanie forward to you. He is in Romania with Sigrid and Franco…..there are pictures. woo hoo!!!
Now THAT’S a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Linda (Mom of your friend DJ)
John, wonderful interview with Gavin McLeod. What he did for the cruise lines to make them what they are today earned him that title of Ambassador. So you join very good company now that your Carnival’s Ambassador and all 3,500,000 know why you got that title.
BIG ED
Hi John:
Please reply
I am 57 years old, a PADI certified rescue diver. Why regret never having learned to scuba when you can now? For years I thought about it and finally said, I am going to do it. I didn’t start until I was 54. My wife also. Lucky to have a good heart I guess.
You are right about the beauty found in the Caribbean underwater. Most of the Caribbean cruises we take are based on the dive locations. The Legend from Tampa gives four great stops. Lets see, Roatan, Belize, Malahuan, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, St Thomas, St Maarten, and Grand Turk dives. Most several times, every dive is different. Diving adds about $800 to the trip for 4 excursions for both of us, but is worth it. We always go with the Carnival arranged dive operators. What a good time to be had.
Life is worth living 80 feet down! The weightless feeling is great and you can swoop around like a bird. Get Certified John, you will love it! We can buddy up!
Cheers Mate
Hola !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Como estan John y Heidi??
We watch Love boat together!! I think I had seen all of the Love Boat episodes and now we are watching them again with Vivi and Cristian in DVD. We have both DVD that have come out up to this date. The kids love them too. Venice on Monday?? Can I come?? Venice- seeing new ships-my 2 favorite cruise lines ahhhhhhhhhhhh what a Dream!!!!!!!
Eugenio is leaving tomorrow on the Summit. His mother invited him all expenses paid. Let’s see what he has to say when he comes back that should be interesting. It is definitely more difficult when you already know the best CD and the best Maitre D. We used to enjoy others now we are spoiled. LOL
Love;
Nanni
Hi John/Heidi:
Thanks for saving Pussy Galore. You did a great deed helping her out.
I love going to Atlantis and St. Martin. So much to explore there.
Nice seeing the captain’s interview and Alan has a great site there.
Thanks for posting and take care!
David
John, you and Heidi are so kind to take the cat to the vet and see that it is cared for. Don and I took in a little kitten in July 1997. She was so sick and looked like something had clawed her face. We also took her to the vet, doctored her, and had her fixed so there would be no more kittens added to our household. Then slowly she won Don over, who swore there would never be a cat in our house.
Well that little kitten is now about 11 years old and owns us and the house. Oh and also the motorhome. She goes everywhere the RV goes.
They make great pets. They are very independent.
Her name is Ms. Prissy Britches.
I told you I think, that we had to have our 12 y/o german shepherd put to sleep a week before we went on the cruise. I’ve cried until I can’t and I miss him so much. So there will be no more dogs. The longest you can generally have them is 12-15 years, then you have to make the decision to put them to sleep when they get in so much pain from arthritis or some other ailment…………. No more dogs. I can’t handle the pain of losing them after so many years.
Countess Carolyn
Hello John,
Thank you very much for taking care of the cat. I’m glad he’ll be taken care of.
We always watched Love Boat when it was on and we now have the first CD. The second one will probably show up at our house at Christmas.
Linda
John -
It is amazing how similar your cat story is to our family’s story.
One day, actually the last day of April 2000, I came home from work – Mrs MTSFP informed me that “our daughter was on the back step and had to talk to me”. I figured – “great, the Mrs and the daughter had had a fight and she wanted to move out”. How wrong could I be.
I got to the back door and Stacy shh’d me, then pointed to a very young, calico cat in our back yard. It seems that the Mrs and Stacy had been feeding two kittens for about a week. The Animal Control people had collected a feral cat family from under our neighbor’s shed, but failed to get all the family. It turned out the two survivors had been living in (and off of) our compost heap in the absence of their mother.
Well, one of the two kittens disappeared, probably food for one of the foxes that lived in the woods next to our house. So the Mrs and Stacy decided they needed to save the calico.
I acquiesced, but insisted that the kitten be kept caged and taken to the vet the next day. Off the two of them went that Saturday morning and were shortly called into the exam room. The vet treated the kitten very carefully and started examining her, listening to her heart. Suddenly, the vet picked the kitten up and ran into the back of the office.
The long and the short of it – the kitten has a major hole in her heart. Since then, she has had two echocardiograms, required special anesthesia when she was spayed and has been on cardiac medicine from that day.
Today, she is over eight years old and still with us. I insisted on the honor of naming the kitten and originally settled on the name “Compost Heap” in honor of her site of discovery in oyr yard. However, I took pity on her, settling on the name “Phannie” in honor of pattern on her calico face that looked like the mask worn in the Phantom of the Opera.
So, today, Phannie Compost Heap is a valued member of the MTSFP family. When we lived in the country in an 1870′s farmhouse, she proved her metal as a quality mouser, stalking the enemy like Navy Seals rising from the sea to assassinate the enemy. She actually thinks mice are play toys.
One other thing – she wears shirts and sweaters all year round. Due to her heart ailment, she is normally cold and would tend to curl up under blankets or sleep on the radiators.. In our new place, these options were not available, so the Mrs and Stacy tried a shirt – suddenly, she was out in the open, not hidden away.
So, bless you for being willing to look after the cat in the yard. It is a shame that circumstances would not allow you to keep Pussy Galore. As much as I am not a cat person, I have to admit that Phannie is a member of the family that I will miss when she passes from this world.
JustJon
oh dude, thank you so much for helping that poor cat. that shows a true gentleman. thank you thank you thank you!
smiles, bonnie and prince charlie (who will be on the liberty tomorrow! yay!)
Linda is right, the Love Boat was a sitcom and Big Ed hit the nail on the head–Gavin and that show certainly put cruising in everyone’s bucket list. So he rightfully should be the ambassador! I never missed it either.
I am fascinated with all things “sea” so I will check back in on Alan’s website when he has it finished.
Now all things caribbean–St. Martin have been there serveral times and been to both sides and there is much to do there. Once we did the catamaran to Titamaire? can’t remember how to spell it but we did that two years in a row on Princess cruises we took there because it was so much fun the first time. The second time we rescued a couple Americans whose small boat sank and they were stranded on the rocks just outside of the harbor. Another time we rented a car and drove to Marigot and it was beautiful there and you are right about the French restaurants but love it there.
St. Kitts have only been once and it was 5 years ago when the ships first began going and although it was beautiful, the astonishing poverty we witness on the ship sponsered train excursion was depressing and the train didn’t work too well when it rained which it did off and on that day. There was a couple poor islanders paid (I hope) to shovel sand on the track to get enough traction so the train would keep going. Many of our group went to Nevis and loved it there.
Dominica was only there once and we did the whale watching excursion which we actually got to see ONE but saw absolutely hundreds of dolphins that put on quite a show. Will be going back there on The Splendor on our way to the Equator and we haven’t decided what to do there this time.
Atlantis–ahhh, outrageously expensive but absolutely worth it. We were just there of course on the Splendor Thanksgiving cruise but this is the first time with kids. It truly was an awe inspiring experience. The aquarium is so worth seeing and we got some of the most spectacular photos of the sharks in the surround tunnel in the Dig. The beautiful Manta Rays are so graceful and the lagoons have rays and sharks and you can watch them being fed too. I was in awe as I never saw that the other times I have been but also I never paid the day pass either so you are limited as to what you see if you don’t. The water slides for teens and adults is worth watching–that alone took my breath away but there were smaller ones our kids could do and we took them in the rapids which was fun. So much to see and do there that you can’t do it all in a day. The beach is beautiful there as well. This place is a must see and do and so worth the bucks IMHO.
That was so sweet taking care of the kitty–you certainly have some unique names for pets–Mrs. Nob might be offended since the kitty got a sexier name. I like Carolyn won’t have animals anymore because it is just so hard to lose them and I’m not home that much anymore it just wouldn’t be fair.
Ok, have a great weekend John, Heidi and Baby.
Thank you John for the wonderful interview with Gavin McLeod aka Capt. Steubing. I remember watching all of the ” Love Boat ” shows. I remember thinking, I wish I could go on a cruise like the Love Boat. Thanks to my travel agent who recommend a cruise I now plan on cruising at least once a year and thanks to your knowledge teaching us about what takes place on a cruise ship, I totally enjoy what takes place on a cruise. It has been a dream being on the Carnival ships, Legend and Freedom and I can’t wait to get on the Valor. Thanks my friend. I hope that I can meet you on a cruise in the future. Ciao John.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Thanks for your cat story–ours is a duck story. We live in an area that was once a golf course. There are a number of ponds that had been the water hazards. On occasion our children would take their fishing poles to the ponds to see if they could catch some bream.
One day they came screaming down the street that their hook had been swallowed by a duck! My late husband, whose name was John, ran to the pond, scooped up the duck, wrapped it in a towel (you can guess why.) and took it to our vet. There was nothing that could be done for the duck at that point, so the duck was euthanized.
The difference in our stories is that our vet did NOT charge us for the procedures. What a blessing that was, as at that time in our lives we couldn’t have afforded it anyway!
I have a request of you for the SA cruises on the Splendor, but I’ll wait until after the new year!!!
God bless you, Heidi, and Baby Heald (thingy just doesn’t sound right to this old lady). May you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Carolyn
Countess Carolyn:
So sorry to hear about your German Shepard. They do become part of the family. Our 8 pound peekapoo “Dakota”…. runs our house. He is 5 years old. When we cruise…it is $20 a day for his “vacation at the Doggie Dude Ranch”. He is just one of the “kids” now.
Linda
Hi John & Heidi,
Thank you so much for taking care of the cat!
Bless your heart for taking care of the poor kitty. All of our fur babies have either been dumped off here and/or were injured when they showed up. Hubby and I are both cat people and love every last one of them. If they stick around though, they all get their “tonsils” out as my vet calls it, so we don’t increase the cat population. Somewhere I’m sure there’s a sign that only cats can read that says “Kind hearted suckers live here”. And although it gets rather expensive, I could never allow any babies to go hungry.
Also, please reply if you know..any word on any more of the Miracle’s cruises being rerouted or canceled? Our fellow cruisers on 1/8 are getting a little nervous with the recent reports of more propulsion problems. As always, our best to you and Heidi!
Good Morning John and Heidi and soon to be Thingy…………and I can’t forget Stephanie,
I got Heidi’s email…………glad the gams are feeling good. Keep wearing them! LOL
Ah yes……………….SINT Martin………..be there very soon and we going to be Pirates for the day on the Lord Sheffield tall ship! ARRRRGH Matie…….should be a blast. I’m going for the snorkeling and relaxation. Anyone you know ever been on this excursion? Please reply with information if you have.
The sun and warmth can’t get here too soon for me. Just spent a week in frozen Winnipeg (-32C) all week. YIKES that’s cold.
Nice job taking care of Pussy Galore ( still the best named Bond girl of all time…..how she said that name without laughing is beyond me).
Well I’m off to the mall to do some long overdue Xmas shopping. Yahoo! Sense my sarcasm on that one?
All the best for the holiday season and stay warm.
Have fun in Venice……can’t wait to see the pictures.
PS……nice job Alan!
B&D from Canada
How great that you would save Pussy Galore. It seems strange that this past two weeks we have been going to one vet or another to save two of our three cats. Our one cat, Prince, got outside into the woods and was attacked by either a bobcat or a very wild tomcat. He has had his rabies shot but still had to be confined and kept separate from the other cats -garage for him. He wasn’t eating – so special food and checking weight every day. Then back to vet. He seems to be okay and will never go to the woods again!
Next our female Siamese got sick with a urinary infection and lost two pounds. A lot of weight loss for an eleven pound cat. After xrays our vet sent us and Satin,of course, to an oncologist for ultrasound and examine. Nothing serious found. Then she still was losing weight so back to hometown vet. Now she had hives and swollen ears! At this time she is living the life of a queen in the guest bedroom so we can moniter all she eats. If she doesn’t eat, get rid of the hives, and slow down her hearbeat, it’s back to the vet. We now have a cat worth over $1ooo.00! We do love all our pets ,three horses, two Airedale Terriers, and the three cats, but this may slow down our cruising. Jeri
Good Morning John, (PLEASE REPLY: SUGAR CAKES)
Bless you and all the kind hearted animal lovers who take in stray animals, feed them and take them to vets, when necessary, and give a moment or years of kindness and love. Our sweet calico “muffin” passed away last month of kidney failure. After 20 years of her sweet disposition, purring and just generally running this house she has definately left a huge hole in our house and hearts. Our son brought her to us one summer evening asking if we could keep her because the neighbors were going to have her killed. I had just lost my 18year old cat and wasn’t too receptive to take on another cat. But “puppy eyes” from my son convinced me it was a good idea. It was and what you did was a wonderful thing! Some family will probably have many wonderful year with little Miss PG. Bless you and Heidi for your kind hearts.
On to St. Kitts….That is the most beautiful and unspoiled island I have ever seen. I would love to go back there again. On the train tour we took, great tour by the way, they served a “sugar cake” if you or any of the bloggers have that recipe could someone please forward it to me. I’m “addicted” to those cakes. I think I would go back just for them (Not) but I do want to go back and if anyone reading this blog or the comments gets a chance to visit St. Kitts do so…The island and the people are beautiful and unspoiled!
Take care
Joan
Lovely blog today.
It was so great of you to spend so much money on a kittie you can’t keep. I’m sure someone will grab her up and give her a good home.
I am one of the biggest fans of Capt. Steubing. My father had been in the merchant marines in the 20′s and early 30′s and never got over his love of the seas. When I moved to Calif., I was hired by Pacific Far East Lines as a reservationist ( remember the old Leilani, competitor to the Lurline out of Los Angeles?), but being 21 years old and green as grass when it came to travel, they moved me and I became their teletype operator for about a year until my first son was born. So, with raising two boys by myself – my husband passed in 1963 – forget travel. But my dream was to eventually go on a cruise, thanks to the Love Boat. I watched every episode and still love the show. I finally took my first cruise on the old Independence out of Honolulu – it was a tub but I had a blast!. Now I am in my 70′s and still hooked. I have done about 14 cruises so far and have five more planned.
Have a wonderful Christmas and I’m looking forward to meeting you in 2009. God bless.
Kathleen
Hey, John,
As an animal lover, I, too, had to chime in with a big “thank you” for your generosity toward the kitty. You’re a good man!
And, I’d like to mention the jeep tour in Roatan. We did that when we cruised on the Glory last year and really enjoyed it. You drive the jeeps yourself, they are “standard” transmission so fun to drive, and the routes we covered were varied and sometimes “exciting,” i.e., through mud and water in a jungle like area near the beach. Included a nice meal at a restaurant on the beach.
Thanks for the interview with THE Captain…what a fun career he’s had!
Hope you’ve done all your Christmas shopping.
Merry Christmas to you, Heidi and Thingy Desk,
Your Pal, Myra
John, where do I start?
First of all, you’re a good man, Charlie Brown, taking care of Pussy Galore, as you did. Our pets certainly have a way of working (sneaking) their way into our hearts.
What a great interview with Gavin McLeod. Because of the watching the Love Boat, Don and I ‘snuck’ onto a Princess cruise ship while in Acapulco, back in 1973. We simply walked in like we belonged there. Nobody stopped us and it never dawned on us that we shouldn’t do it. We had a nice, unguided tour, and left. For a few minutes we pretended that we were sailing on the Love Boat.
Thanks for sharing with us what your mate Alan has been up to! I will now check the website. What a great thing to do.
John,
Indeed the James Heriot books are a great read. Watching the series is so much fun that you forget that these are actors and no real vets!
When I was in St. Kitts, we took a tour out to the Batik factory and watched the ladies make this beautiful fabric. The factory was set on the grounds of a very lush old building and was a lot of fun.
Oh, by the way, Pineapples do not grow on trees… they grow on shrubs. We were on a tour that stopped at a Pineapple plantation and they showed us the way they cultivated them. Gave us samples too!! YUM!
Great news about your Pussy. I love mine that I got from the local shelter. Too bad that you can’t keep her and they make great pets.
Keep up the good work and enjoy Venice… I hope the tides have receded, otherwise you might need a raft!
Cheers!
Derek
John, thanks very much for taking care of the cat. It takes special people to spend money to take care of an animal that they know they will not be able to keep. I’m involved with our local Humane Society and there are too many times when we have to arrange care for animals that have been abandoned and injured.
I looked at the RNLI website. Much honor (spelled correctly!!) and thanks is due to Commander Alan and all the people who volunteer for what is often dangerous lifesaving work.
Hi John & Heidi
Wonderful Blog
Thank you for savig & treating the kitty John.
Loved yur interview with Gavin MacLeod. I used to watc Love Boat all the time & always wanted to go on that show, or their cruises.
Take Care
Teh Tuckers
Elizabeth & Arnold
And who could forget the theme song ?
Love, exciting and new
Come Aboard. We’re expecting you.
Love, life’s sweetest reward.
Let it flow, it floats back to you.
Love Boat soon will be making another run
The Love Boat promises something for everyone
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won’t hurt anymore
It’s an open smile on a friendly shore.
It’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE
Welcome aboard it’s LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE
Sint Maarten / St Martin is phenomenal! I would go there again in a heartbeat…..
The Flying Dutchman
John, you and Heidi were wonderful to take care of the wounded kitty.
Special message for Countess Carolyn, same situation, different feelings: we had to make that same hard decision with our 16-year-old Golden Retriever last month. She was a rescue, wonderful with the kids as they grew up, but she was worn out and ready for peace.
Countess, think of giving someone else (another GS or some other breed) your love and care. Think of all you received from your shepherd. Yes it hurts to lose them but think of the joy they bring.
We stil have the rescued Corgi that was supposed to be DD’s dog but could not go off to college with her and is now Daddy’s Doggie. He’s 9; been with us 7 years. Janet
Just read about the visit to the vet story. I laughed out loud when I saw my name printed. Yes my name is really Mrs Tickle…I`ve had some fun with it over the years too !
This was a fun read. Keep on blogging. I am forwarding the post to my friends.