Somewhere.........before that age when a boy becomes a man.: April 2022

Eighteen Days at Sea (Kid Stuff)

The life of an explorer is one of unquenchable thirst.

While individual aims can be attained, the ultimate goal --

something that exists not in some remote corner of the planet,

but within a person's heart

-- is forever out of reach."

Julian Sancton, Madhouse at the End of the Earth

Sea time is slow time. Time draws out and some would say that this most precious of all earthly commodities is wasted if not consumed in hectic activity. During our 18 day voyage there was a lot of slow, quiet time to the degree that I started to read a novel. That is not completely out of character but the fact that I finished the book is a rare accomplishment. Madhouse at the End of the Earth by Julian Sancton is the story of the Belgium vessel Belgica and her crew as they seek to write history by being the first humans to reach the South Pole. The year is 1897 as the Belgica sets sail on its three-year expedition of discovery. Based on various ship's journals and the diary entries of the crew, Sancton pieces a puzzle together and narrates the triumphs along with the failures of the journey, not the least of which being a year-long imprisonment enforced by an Antarctic ice flow resulting from the three-month-long night. The physiological and psychological effects on the crew grow daily as the ice continually tightens its grip and the lack of light plays havoc with the men's mood. In the end.....I better let you find out for yourself.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the only ice encountered during our 18 day sojourn was found floating in my water glass. A fact that never ceases to amaze considering that the emperors of Rome sent "runners" into the Alps in an effort to obtain the luxury of ice for themselves and themselves alone. Much has changed over the past 2000 years. Indeed, change has actually accelerated in the past 125 years to the degree that much of the Belgica's accomplishments and discoveries have been relegated to minor footnotes in history. Now I sit with feet propped up, bathed in sunlight at tropical temperatures beyond the sight of land in any direction, and low and behold, God's miracle of ice clinks against the side of my glass with a note of joy.

Understand that my explorations chronicled within this blog are far removed from those experienced by the crew of the Belgica. Perhaps the best similarity between the two journeys is simply that both were facilitated by ships - the Belgica being a three-masted barque while the Viking Orion boasts a gross tonnage of 47,842 GRT propelled by twin 7250 KW electric motors. Obviously, even that commonality is a stretch.

But then again there are those matters of the heart.

The men of the Belgica were following their individual passions. For some it was a passion for adventure. For others, a passion for the sea. For the few, a passion for glory. Which begs the question, what motivates me? Glory? - in my case that borders on ridiculous. The sea? - frankly, it scares me. Adventure? - too much adrenalin is scary as well. Regardless, there abides within an insatiable motivation to understand God, His universe, His planet, and my place within His eternal plan. In short, I'm driven to explore.

Indeed, a little bit of "explorer" resides in every man's heart - every man's soul. While I have no desire, much less the capabilities, to experience the hardships endured by the Belgica's crew there is something to be said for discovering something never-before-seen just beyond an ever elusive horizon as a never ending procession of waves slide beneath the hull. Maybe that never-before-seen something is in some remote corner of our God's incredible planet. Of far greater value, maybe that never-before-seen something is to be found within the heart itself only to be revealed within the gentle sway of sea time.

Come and explore with us.

Link. Casting-off Letter with Itinerary (Kid Stuff)

Link. Onboard at Last (Kid Stuff)

Link. Sea Days (Kid Stuff)

Link. Port Days (Kid Stuff)

Link. The Explorer's Prayer (Psalms and Prayers)

Sunrise somewhere over the Caribbean Sea.

“Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters,

They see the works of the Lord, And His wonders in the deep.”

Psalm 107: 23-24

Casting-off Letter with Itinerary (Kid Stuff)

Hello All,

Around Christmas time in 2019, Jamie was about to retire and 2020 promised the big event of our 25th wedding anniversary - occasions to be celebrated. So I popped the question:

   Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
   Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
   Oo-ee, oo-ee baby
   Won't ya let me take you on a sea cruise?

Somewhat surprisingly Jamie said yes and we signed up for a 10 day Caribbean cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises. Well, no sooner had we thrown some money into the pot than the "bug" infested the world, the cruise was cancelled, and everything was locked down.

Not to be deterred by the small matter of a quarantine, sometime later we decided to try for another cruise. This time we signed up for a 13 day Greek Isle cruise in commemoration of our 26th wedding anniversary. And we got close. But no sooner had we thrown some more money into the pot than Omicron proliferated to the point that the logistics of flying into Greece made that trip impossible as well.

So, here we are much closer to our 27th wedding anniversary than the 25th and we've signed up for yet another cruise, the third if you're counting. Thankfully, this time we didn't have to put too much money into the pot as we had accumulated a fistful of vouchers from the previous two fiascos. We're going to cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal. 18 days. Here's hoping for fair winds and following seas. Yes, I'm taking along an abundant supply of meclizine.

As we're getting ready for this trip, it's really strange not to feel anxious about Faet's well-being although he was always well cared for in our absence. We trust he is in a better place.

We understand that there is internet on the boat so we'll probably be better connected to all of you while at sea than at home but here is our itinerary regardless just in case some unforeseen circumstance renders us lost at sea. Such as pirates taking and holding us for ransom. Although we're probably doomed in that case anyways as you all understand our value much better than the pirates.

We'll have our phones:

Jamie - xxx-xxx-xxxx

Doug - xxx-xxx-xxxx

Tuesday, March 22

Bellair Airport Shuttle - home to Seatac

Delta flight 364 - Seattle to Atlanta

Delta Flight 2241 - Atlanta to Ft Lauderdale

Wednesday, March 23

Embarkation

Ship Name: VIKING ORION

Ship Phone: +1 xxx xxx xxxx
Ship Email: xxxxxx@

THU      MAR 24, 2022        Scenic Cruising: Gulf of Mexico
FRI        MAR 25, 2022        Cozumel, Mexico 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
SAT       MAR 26, 2022         Cruise the Caribbean Sea
SUN    MAR 27, 2022         Cruise the Caribbean Sea
MON      MAR 28, 2022         Cartagena, Colombia 06:00 AM 02:00 PM
TUE      MAR 29, 2022      Scenic Cruising: Panama Canal
WED     MAR 30, 2022       Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama 12:01 AM 06:00 PM
THU      MAR 31, 2022       Cruise the Pacific Ocean
FRI        APR 01, 2022       Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica 08:00 AM 05:00 PM
SAT       APR 02, 2022      Cruise the Pacific Ocean
SUN      APR 03, 2022          Cruise the Pacific Ocean
MON     APR 04, 2022           Cruise the Pacific Ocean
TUE      APR 05, 2022     Cruise the Pacific Ocean
WED     APR 06, 2022          Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 09:00 AM 06:00 PM
THU      APR 07, 2022          Cruise the Pacific Ocean
FRI        APR 08, 2022          Cruise the Pacific Ocean
SAT       APR 09, 2022           Disembark in Los Angeles, California

Delta flight 803 - Los Angeles to Seattle

Bellair Airport Shuttle - Seatac to home

That's about it. Oo-ee baby!!!

Hoping to see you all soon. Blessings.

Doug and Jamie

The Sun Deck at dusk.

Link for return to: Eighteen Days at Sea (Kid Stuff)

Onboard at Last (Kid Stuff)

The red-eye from Seattle to Fort Lauderdale was uneventful and uneventful is always good when flying - anytime, anywhere. But they don't call it "red-eye" for nothing and old age paired with lack of sleep is not exactly a recipe for disaster but miscues do lurk. It has been said that God watches over fools and drunks. I should like to add aging, weary travelers attempting maneuvers through airports.

Nonetheless, we found our bus and arrived at the port terminal. A massive warehouse with the Orion moored at the adjacent pier. The check-in process went smoothly although getting us and our 781 fellow passengers onboard in a timely manner required the ever popular "Disney Serpentine Queue Process" to be employed - always a fan favorite. As we approached the checkin counter with much of the serpent still behind us and winding back quite some ways, Jamie whispered:

"Look for the unicorn."

"Look for the what?" I asked in a groggy stupor.

"Look for the unicorn."

"I don't know what that means." Looking now for any facial gesture that would provide a clue.

"A unicorn. Someone.....anyone.....younger than me." Her eyes just a wee bit panicked.

Indeed, we looked for the unicorn throughout our journey and maybe, just maybe, there were six passengers younger than Jamie. Although we'll never know for sure. I never got up the nerve to ask a total stranger their age.

Yes, to say that our cruise was designed for a mature clientele would be an understatement. I suspect the average age to be in the high 70's. Even I looked like a towhead kid in comparison to most. OK - that's an exaggeration. In truth, I fit in like the proverbial pea in a pod.

There were no water slides, zip lines, wave machines for surfing, or casinos on the Orion. However, there were two pools and a spa but very little splashing - except the one day when some clumsy oaf lost his grip on the pool ladder and fell back in if you can believe it. I acted nonchalant as I blew the water out of my nose so I'm pretty sure everyone thought I was just clowning as judged from the occasional frown aimed in my direction. Regardless, nary a cannonball was seen, nary a banshee scream was heard.

Entertainment as well as food venues were geared towards the eldest of the Baby Boomer generation.

The Orion was designed to accommodate 930 passengers and as I said earlier there were 783 of us onboard for this cruise. Now there were a few occasions when various venues felt "busy". For instance, the first night at the buffet, the first morning at the main pool, a one-time special brunch set up in the main pool area, and of course, the port days when everyone was moving towards their desired tour buses. Only once did we feel "crowded" and that was at the bow of the ship while entering the first lock of the Panama Canal. Regardless, as the trip progressed we often found ourselves nearly alone in our locale of choice. It was common for us to ask each other, "Where is everyone? What are we missing?" and we may well have missed out on many a crowd-pleaser but we have no regrets.

After dinner in the Explorer's Lounge with the Viking Classical Duo.

Indeed, what the Orion lacked in excitement, she made up for with peace and quiet. A Scandinavian motif that presented clean lines and subtle hues was themed throughout the ship and added to the calm. A mood, if you will, enveloped the ship. A mood reminiscent of a quieter, gentler era that moved to the rhythm of sea time.

Obviously, we made it through that check-in process. With some two plus years of planning behind us and the memory of two failed cruise attempts all too vivid in our minds, our walk up the gangway was both joyful and surreal. We had arrived at last! Only to spend our first two hours at sea dead out in nap mode.

Our cabin. Small but very comfortable.

Link for return to: Eighteen Days at Sea (Kid Stuff)

Sea Days (Kid Stuff)

As sea time is slow time, so sea days are slow days. Any particular sea day is much like the last or for that matter the next. All that to say that what follows is in no particular sequence but presented with the hope that the mood of the journey will be captured.

The Promenade (deck 2)

Each day we had one standing agenda item. First thing every morning, walk at least four laps around the promenade - each lap being 1/4 mile. Between that and always walking the stairs between decks throughout the day we hoped to ward off a few calories. The good fight was fought but I fear to report lost.

Sunrise somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico.

Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

Port to Starboard through the bow.

The Atrium (deck 1-3)

At the heart of the ship was a three story atrium with a Steinway Grand Piano positioned centrally on the bottom floor with "living room" areas adjacent on all three levels for listening and visiting. There was a resident pianist named Olena who played periodically throughout each day, mostly classical pieces. As a side note, the piano was hand polished at least once a day to a high mirror finish.

The artwork in the center was displayed on an LED screen and cycled every minute.

Olena as viewed from the second level.

Thought I was exaggerating again, didn't you?

Jamie listening and relaxing on the third level.

The Pool (deck 7)

The roof over the pool was retractable and usually open.

It was closed this morning

because of maintenance on the Sun Deck above.

Jamie reading in an adjacent sitting area.

The Explorer's Lounge (deck 7-8)

Our hours spent here were my favorite. Part bakery cafe, part lounge bar, part library, part observatory with transparent "glass" stairways between the two levels. The lounge was directly above the bridge and provided a perspective into the scope of our world unlike any I have ever seen. The lighting during the day seemed to be amplified by the glass although the properties of refraction were probably responsible for that. When at sea at night, with total blackness outside, the windows transformed into mirrors and reflected the lounge back into itself. Live music was performed periodically each day but during interim periods an assortment of lithe, soft melodies were piped in which I swear were somehow choreographed with the rhythm of the waves gliding past along with the gentle sway of the ship. Mesmerizing.

View from the center chair, upper level.

Resident guitarist Allen performing on the lower level

with the lights of Cabo San Lucas filtering in from behind.

Upper Level - The chair next to the telescope was my favorite when torqued around to accept the view.

Same spot, reverse angle.

Brown Boobies hitching a ride on the Foremast.

Boobies of a different ilk hitching a ride.

Dining

The food was universally good and all too available as my waist line can attest. There was the obligatory buffet dubbed The World Cafe with a seemingly endless variety of options. In addition, there were three sit down venues - white linen and menus, along with a dress code described as "elegant casual". Let me assure you that "elegant" is a very, very generous description of many a modern day traveler. I digress. The venues were called The Restaurant (American favorites), Manfredi's (Italian), and The Chef's Table (Cuisine of the region being visited). Finally, there was Mamsen's - the bakery cafe just off the Explorer's Lounge which served traditional Scandinavian breakfasts as well as baked treats in the afternoon.

Waiting to be seated at The Restaurant.

Thankfully, one of us nailed the true definition of "elegant".

Mamsen's breakfast - tastes from my Swedish heritage.

The pickled herring was perfect.

There's that elegant look again seated at The Chef's Table.

Five courses with wine pairings.

Dessert - lemon cheese cake, plum sauce, and a green tea twist.

Link for return to: Eighteen Days at Sea (Kid Stuff)

Port Days (Kid Stuff)

Sea days are slow days. Port days? Not so much. Viking offered a small variety of tours in each port and there was always a certain "excitement" in the air as passengers made their way off the boat and proceeded to their respective tour bus. These were some of the few times on our journey when life got "busy" - then and again upon the return to the ship. All well organized yet amazing, if not comical, in that the process in both directions could best be likened to that of herding cats.

Cozumel, Mexico and the Ruins of San Gervasio

Cozumel was very touristy and full of tourists. No doubt offloaded from at least three other cruise ships that had arrived ahead of us. San Gervasio is an archeological site of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization.

Jamie and El Arco (the arch)

Las Manitas (little hands)

The Viking Orion (47,842 GRT, 930 guests)

moored next to

The MSC Meraviglia (167,000 GRT, 4500 guests)

Cartagena, Colombia and the Colombian National Aviary

The variety of birds on display at the National Aviary was truly amazing. A very, very small sampling follows.

Cartagena - a shining "jewel" from afar but closer observation revealed

the "gem" to be set within much squalor.

The aviary's greeter met us at the front gate.

This guy was my favorite - steely eyes, noble nose, strong chin, a hint of thinning on top.

Yup.....just like looking in the mirror.

The Panama Canal

Not really a port day as we didn't get off the boat. The Orion was assigned passage through the original lock systems, completed in 1914, for our journey. A much larger "traffic lane" was inaugurated in 2016 which accommodates the behemoths of our day.

Dawn and our escort takes us under the Atlantic Bridge (constructed 2019).

Jamie supervising the first lift of three at the Gatun Locks.

In the second lock at Gatun. The water in the chamber ahead (#3) is drained into

ours until the water level in each chamber is equal, then the gates are opened

and the ship proceeds into chamber #3. Then water from Gatun Lake is used

and the procedure is repeated.

Ships waiting entry on the Pacific side at sunset. Typical wait time is 72 hours as

Panamanian Customs verifies each vessel's category, size, and type of cargo. Then an entry fee is

assessed and passage is allowed only after the shipping company pays the toll --

U.S. dollars only deposited directly into Panama's account.

Panama City, Panama and Panama's Old Quarter

A partial view of Panama City's skyline.

A small taste of the historical district.

Sunset over the Pacific.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica and the Cloud Forrest

The beach at Puntarenas.

Jamie mocking the fates as she traverses a suspension bridge (notice the rust) --

one of several that crossed steams far below.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

On the way up to Cabo, the Orion had to make an unscheduled stop at Puerto Vallarta due to a medical emergency. Therefore, the late arrival dictated that the day's tours be canceled and shore time was limited to a few hours in the evening. Jamie and I opted for dinner onboard instead.