Redheaded Cranes (A.K.A. Sandhill Cranes)

See them in flight:
https://1drv.ms/v/s!As5fo9ZbZ1fTlZI4dhNRfUuAxuDPUQ?e=Z0tC76
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My Morning view

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Fantastic Caverns, Springfield Mo.

We took this tour today, however we only saw a small portion it was interesting and informative. Pictures to follow:

This link is a short video: http://opn.to/a/M5VK3

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Tracy Arm Alaska

Cruising to Dawes Glacier

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Butchart Garden’s

Victoria BC

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Victoria BC

Butterfly’s Farm

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Galapagos Revisited

In Jan. 2013 took a overland trip to the Galapagos  Islands here are links to some of my favorite picture of each day:

 

Pictures of Santa Cruz Island

Pictures of Baltra Island

Picture of Bartolome Island

Picture of Guayaquil on our return to the ship

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Safari 2013 South Africa revisited

In April of 2013 several of us took an overland trip to South Africa, below are links my favorite picture from each day:

 

April 2nd

April 3rd

April 4th

April 5th

April 6th

April 7th

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Graduation HPS June 15th 2018

See pictures click here

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This site is under repair

Notice:

As of 3/5/2018 this blog is and its web links are under repair.

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MS Koningsdam

It was the best 42 day stretch of my life the last 42 days I spent on the Koningdam. Jeff Farschman put it best in his blog “Loving MS Koningdam” when he said the following:

Today, I thought I would talk a little bit about the ms Koningsdam….  People who know me are probably surprised that I have gone on and on about how much I love this ship.  I am the most surprised of all….  I remember years ago when the World Voyage guests were given and introduction to the new class of ship and it’s first of its kind, the ms Koningsdam…  I was dismayed by the poor manners shown that day when a large number of guests booed as the ship was introduced.  As dismayed as I may have been, my private thoughts were that I would never sail on the ms Koningsdam because it is way too big for my taste… I could not have been more wrong!  This ship is magnificent in so many ways….  The service, food and entertainment is just fabulous!  My cabin stewards, Noor & Aji are two of the best that I have ever had.  My waiters Kadek & Eka, are just amazing.  Our assistant Matre’D, Daniel, is the consummate professional and there to meet any special needs.  Our Wine Steward Joseph again is just fabulous.   Everywhere we go, we are surrounded my exceptional crew.  In the Retreat where we spend most of our days, Jeffery, Socrates and Michael are there continuously spoiling us with pampered treatment. As far as nightlife, there are so many venues for entertainment that everyone can find something that meets their individual tastes.  The Front Office staff are always there to assist in any way they can, always with a smile…. So nice to see familiar faces there, Joyce & Abigale from previous World Voyages.  I just love the specialty restaurants, the Tamarind being my personal favorite.  We even had a President’s Club dinner there which was fantastic.  You can see me pictured there with Captain Bowland, wonderful guy….  A good Canadian! So, it is a big ship, but without the feel of a big ship.  I find it very comfortable, never feeling crowded!  I must say, starting the day on this ship is a wonderful experience….  Best shower I have ever experienced on any ship or in any hotel, none better!!!!  So, why do I love this ship?  I guess because it just feels right, so comfortable….  I feel like I’m at home here.  Don’t get me wrong, I still love the ms Amsterdam and that is the ship for World Voyages… for other, shorter voyages, this would be my ship of choice.  Just loving it!  Life is good….  Here I have presented 104 photos of the ship, fairly random and some of those amazing people I just talked about.  Enjoy! (End)

I would like to note at this writing of his blog he (Jeff) and I had not tried Sel de Mer Restuarant.

 

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Photo Slide Shows of the 2017 Grand World Voyage

Thank you Bob & Judy Voorneveld, for the time and effort you put into your blog: http://jbvoorn.com/cruises/2017-grand-world-voyage/ .

 

Without which these video slide shows would not have been possible.

Segment 1:                                                Segment 2:

Seg 1 4 Blog        Seg 2 4 blog

Segment 3:                                                Segment 4: (Added 7/7/2017)

 

Seg 3 4 blog    Seg 4 for blog

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Our 2nd stop on the 2017 World Cruise, Puntarenas, Costa Rica:

Port 2 a

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The last time I stopped here we took a river boat tour, click below to see the pictures

Click for more pictures

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Santa Marta, Colombia

First port of call on the 2017 World Cruise, Santa Marta, Colombia:

Port 1 a

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Announcing World Cruise 2017

In nine very short days we will board the ms Amsterdam to teach Arts & Crafts on the 2017 World Voyage. Where are we going you ask:

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What are we teaching is the second question we get most often:

Jewelry: Click

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Paper Crafting: Click

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Things: Click

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Photo Books:

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I have published a few books so others can see parts of the world I have been fortunate to see, click the Photo Books link above to see them.

My latest book is the 2014 World Cruise:

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Duke Farms

Nice visit to Duke Farms Somerville NJ.

Pictures: https://1drv.ms/f/s!As5fo9ZbZ1fThLUjxcWAzn6HB8UZgA

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Best Birthday Gift Ever

A few of you likely did not see my Facebook posting of the Best Birthday gift ever. On the 16 of August we had dinner with Ron Ernest and Debby Bacon.

If you do not know Debby you should visit her Website.

Enough of the intro, this posting provides a link to all the tracks of the Birthday CD that Debby made for me. Just click the picture below, and each track in the MP3 version folder to listen to this wonderful gift:

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What a wonderful surprise

Today was an amazing day. It started off with a very long disembark that I could write a book about, but I will leave that for another day. After saying goodbye to our good friend Barbara (she was with us for the Panama Canal). We visited our friend from the 2010 World Cruise Dyann Riley. She lives just six short blocks from the ship terminal, in downtown San Diego.

When we arrived at dinner and our good friend Susan Hasson had booked this second part of this cruise to surprise us. Of course Tom the Dinning Room Manager had arrange for us to sit together. It was a wonderful surprise.

After the late show we returned to the room to find Spa Appointments for tomorrow that our friend Barbara had left for us as a thank you for us taking her on the cruise. So all in all it was a day filled with wonderful surprises.

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Puntarenas Great Tour

Ships tour of Costa Rica Favorites, turned out to be pretty great.

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Valor Chef’s Table

Although I have done the Chef’s Table on Carnival in the past. This time stood out because of the Master Chef do the presentation (Satish). He is leaving the valor and his next ship is the splendor. So if you are going to the Splendor I recommend trying the Chef’s Table.

Here are the pictures I took of the galley tour and the dishes we were served:

Click Here

 

Note to my HAL Friends: The Chef’s Table on the Amsterdam is still the best.

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