When you first see the Costa Verde Cliffs in Lima, they look almost sculpted. The cliffs run for about 16 kilometers (10 miles) along the Pacific Coast. They are 50 to 60 meters (160 to 190 feet) high and consist … Continue reading Miraflores’ Sculpted Cliffs.
When we crossed the equator new and different wildlife began appearing. And when I went out for my walk on the promenade deck folks were walking in a clockwise direction rather than the usual flow on the deck which is … Continue reading Sea Days in the Humboldt Current
At 6:00 AM I woke with a stuffy nose and sinus headache. Outside I could hear loud metallic bangs. We had docked at Salaverry, the port for Trujillo. I went to the balcony and saw a cloud of gray dust … Continue reading Port Sudafed
Ten years ago, we thought we could have it all. We were on the Prinsendam and booked a tour to Chan Chan, the largest adobe city in the world. The tour was supposed to end in time for us to … Continue reading Finally Trujillo
As we sailed into Manta I saw a church tower in front of what looked like an arched roof quasit style sports arena. I was curious about what it was. When I got into town in the afternoon, after I … Continue reading Manta Sidebar
250205 Wooden Botes in Manta We pulled up to the pier in Manta at 5 AM. A group was leaving the ship for an early flight to the Gallipolis Islands. Suzi and I were still in isolation, and I was … Continue reading Wooden Botes in Manta
I spent the day before we transited the Panama Canal charging batteries. This would be my fourth transit of the canal. While I had promised myself that I would put the camera down and just enjoy the transit I knew … Continue reading Panama Post
We pulled into Puerto Limón with a band on the dock playing an eclectic mix of music including reggae, salsa, hapa Houle Hawaiian music, and the Never on Sunday Cha Cha Cha. That was just to whet our musical appetite. … Continue reading Saturday in the Park — Puerto Limon
As we sailed into Santa Marta I recognized the headland. In 1970 we spent a week here during spring break with Suzi’s parents, sister and friends of Suzi’s folks. I also remembered the cactus came down to the water’s edge. … Continue reading A Lump of Coal
He founded an order called “The Hounds of the Lord,” also known as the “Black Friers.” They were foot soldiers in the Inquisition. I am not sure I would want to live in a town honoring St. Dominic. Santo Domingo … Continue reading Hound of the Lord
I almost canceled this cruise. We booked it because friends had booked it. We used our booking to set a marker for Raven Radio, to let the board know that we had a fixed end point to our commitment. But … Continue reading Cruise Coda — Japan
I seldom sleep well on days before I fly. It’s the combination of fear and excitement. I have a fear of flying dating back to a day in 1978 when I was sitting in an exit row, landing gear on … Continue reading Home
They went by quickly Between a few last swims before we got north into the colder weather, a few last games of Mexican train dominoes, some final dinners (for a while) with friends, and packing the five sea days flew … Continue reading Five Days at Sea
The closest state to Hawaii is Alaska. Just go straight north, closer than California. You can win a bar bet with that. It becomes evident if you visit Hilo’s Tsunami Museum, set in an old bank on the town’s main … Continue reading Hilo, Last Port
After a long day on Kauai yesterday we slept in because we didn’t have anything on tap until noonish when we had lunch with our Sitka friend Fred. Fred has a place on the other side of Oahu and came … Continue reading Pineapple is ok on pizza in Hawaii.
It isn’t easy to find Fort Elizabeth just outside of Waimea on the island of Kauai. It used to be named “Fort Elizabeth Historical State Park.” That is still on the maps handed out by car rental companies and the … Continue reading Русский Форт
At one point this cruise was supposed to call on the island of Kauai. But like most long cruises itineraries change in the months before sailing, and often during the cruise itself. By my reckoning, since we booked this cruise … Continue reading Waimea Canyon.
My favorite night of entertainment on the ship is Music Night. That night all of the musicians from the different venues go back and forth between venues and jam. You see, and most importantly, hear, the folks you have been … Continue reading Music Night
October12 came twice this year We crossed the International Date Line. In her morning announcement our cruise director, Karlijn, said that we seldom have a chance to do a day over. We should do this one over with random acts … Continue reading Déjà Vu Day
My father was a sergeant in the China, Burma, India war theater, in Stillwell’s army. He served in all three countries. After VE day he and many other sergeants were flown back to the US from India to attend Officer … Continue reading Words–Thoughts on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In Japanese Iwo Jima means Sulfur Island. The island has the smell of brimstone about it. In 1945, when the battle of Iwo Jima was fought in the second world war, it must have added to the feeling that this … Continue reading Iwo Jima
Thank goodness for McDonalds and Starbucks. Let me explain. Today in Naha Okinawa, we wanted to visit Tsuboya Yachmiun Street, an older street in Naha which specializes in pottery manufacture and sale In 1682 all of the kilns were consolidated … Continue reading Guardian Lions in Okinawa
When we sailed into Ishigaki we were greeted with a rainbow. We did not know if we would get into Ishigaki. Tropical Depression 20 became Typhoon Kathon and threatened our call. Ishigaki is off the east coast of Taiwan, opposite … Continue reading A Step Back in Time on Taketomi Island.
On the east side of Honshu, on the Sea of Japan, Kanazawa is compared to Kyoto because of its traditional buildings and a cityscape that escaped World War II destruction. The city was a regional center of government, art and … Continue reading A Touch of Autumn in Kanazawa