Kayaking in the Azores

We got caught in a cowjam. It’s quite common, as our tour guide explained, and delighted me, because as a kid in England I would help herd cows from one field to the other. Really, the cows don’t need herding, they know full well where they’re going. Having a human along is more to … Continue reading Kayaking in the Azores →

Male Cats Giving Birth under a Field of Stars

So the cathedral of Compostela de Santiago is at the end of the great pilgrimages leading across Spain to Galicia, the little knobby bit north of Portugal. It’s insanely beautiful. Whatever you’ve heard…not enough. They just finished a six year renovation of the facade, removing centuries of lichen, moss, pollution and other crud and it … Continue reading Male Cats Giving Birth under a Field of Stars →

When in Rome…or Vigo…

Well, there’s a storm comin’ in. Dammit. Hurricane Helene, unmentioned in any of the news we’ve been getting on our cruise ship TV, is heading for Ireland. In addition, there’s a low pressure system gathering over the North Sea. Well, I took astronomy at university so that means jack all to me. Until the captain … Continue reading When in Rome…or Vigo… →

Hamburg and the Missing Organ

The lady on the bicycle flipped us off. Not that I blamed her. I woulda done the same thing. I could not BELIEVE this motor coach was turning onto the bike path. “It’s pehrfecktly leegahl,” the guide assured us, “as longh as we dohn’t go overrr 20 kph.” Or flatten any cyclists, presumably. Not … Continue reading Hamburg and the Missing Organ →

All Alone With Dessert and the Giggles

I WOULD have to experience this alone. As a person who bakes, I’m always interested in what the cruise lines offer for desserts, especially sugar free numbers. What would you call this? The Princess head chef, in his (gotta be a guy) wisdom, dubbed it “Paris Breast”. I couldn’t stand it. I got a … Continue reading All Alone With Dessert and the Giggles →

Rotterdam

Angry Sounds like the Dutch are pissed off. I couldn’t figure out why, for our first stop the morning after we got on this ship (Royal Princess), we didn’t arrive into Rotterdam until noon. Southampton to The Netherlands is a rollicking 293 nautical miles... cross the English Channel, hang a left, boom! You’re there. But...we’re … Continue reading Rotterdam →

A Brief History of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal was amazing. For those not in the know, the French first attempted it in the 1880s and by 1888, and millions and millions of francs or whatever, decided cutting a flat canal through the 50 miles of jungle and the 400+ ft elevation was a fool's errand. Hell, I coulda told them … Continue reading A Brief History of the Panama Canal →