WEEK 3 NEW YORK TO BERMUDA

WEEK 3 

 

1 May 2022--- NEW YORK TO BERMUDA

 

I was up early this morning to see the immigration officers once we had docked in New York. Things really went smoothly with checking our documents and getting our new weeks keycards etc. I might have forgotten but it just seemed so much easier than before, did not have to collect my new room keycard it was printed and ready.

Die mense is wragtig georganiseerd en dinge verloop glad moet vir hulle 10/10 gee, wat dit betref. Eintlik n plesier, think i have got used to things being chaotic at home or you are ready for the worst scenario. 

Just before we left the ship the couple in front of me moaned about everything, the food, the staff en wie weet wat, too far to walk to get off, just thought to myself do you really get people that are so unthankful? We have just survived a pandemic, there is a war going on and all you can do is moan and complain.

After this lot ,a beautiful thing happened, a little girl that was getting off the ship  saw the guy from the kiddies program team and just ran to him and threw her arms around his legs giving him a hug ,well that does not need any more explaining, she obviously had a wonderful time with the team and just loved this young man, he definitely has a special gift working with kids, if you get this reaction after 6 days, they have a winner on their team.

I decided to walk to the HIGH LANE PARK which is a public park on the West Side of Manhattan, it is built on a historic elevated railway line, you can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverages all while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City.

 I was lucky enough to get to know a pilot who lives 3 houses down from us and flew for SAA and he gave me all these names of places to see and go to in New York, so thank you Ettienne. 

Some places only open at 11 of even 11.30 am not sure if that is a daily opening time, keep reminding myself this is a city that does not sleep so think has nothing to do with Sunday.

As the day went on the busier it got, popped in to get a few souvenirs and then it was time to try out Ippudo a Ramen restaurant in Westside, got there only to be told you will have to come back, for we only open at 11.30, so off I went to return later. This is a first for me, doing this type of thing all on my own for crew still have no shore leave, so hubby had to stay behind. Maybe a blessing want ek sal hom mal maak met al die fotos en rondloop ,nie sy ding nie,en sal beslis op n fight uitloop na 5 ure,hee heee.To get a photo of the two of us or him is a mission,he does not like photos ,so is n gebrom as ek een wil neem.

Got the menu and just randomly ordered a dish called Akamaru Shinaji, pork broth Hakata thin noodles, scallions, seasoned bamboo shoots, fragment garlic oil, topped with Umami Dama secret paste, my choice was pork it was delicious and so glad took the plunge and tried it.

Had Suntory Premium Malt beer, exclusive to select bars in NYC!!  I am not good with chop sticks but coped and with the soup spoon I cleaned the bowl out. Was baie lekker.

I had been walking nonstop for 5 hours so did feel a bit pooped by now, made a last stop at Angelina’s, an Italian Bakery wanted to spoil hubby with a piece of fresh cheesecake and another cooky dingetjie! Vir my soos n brandy snap gelyk.

Got to the terminal and thank goodness did not have to stand in the long rows for I had a sticker and armband saying Back to Back guest so went straight through to a spot where I could use Free Wi-Fi and catch my breath. 

The time flew and just had to post my pics without really saying where each pic had been taken, with limited time and Wi-Fi you just post so that your friends and family can travel with you. We also have a 6-hour time difference and I sometimes forget! 

Hubby loved his little bederf but we had no spoon so had to compromise, eating a slice of cheesecake without a teaspoon, was a bit messy. Then it was siesta time for the two grey haired skip katte, te lekker geslaap. This week’s sail away I just watched from deck 15 in the observation lounge, lying on a lounger met voete in die lug, stokflou gestap na die dag se 5 ure oefening.

Did not get to Central Park today but hopefully next week. I have said this a few times, but I really think cruising is a fantastic way of seeing places and really relaxing, put it on your bucket list and just try, then you will know, yes this works for me or no, not my thing. If you don’t try you will never know and could be something that you really enjoy. 

Think of all the places you could go too and places you could see, n leeftyd se plekke, got the companies itinerary’s so many places all over the world, too many to share! So, a lit bit of PRO work,if you need info about a place contact me and I will try to get the information for you or itinerary.Net jammer kan nie ook die $ verskaf nie.

This is something we did not even really know about until hubby started working abroad, it opened a whole new world to us, and just love it. So so thankful for the opportunity and this huge blessing. Dankie HERE.

A South African boytjie getting on the ship for his first contract today and hubby was there to just chat and say, welcome, I am here if you need anything, think it makes a huge difference, someone from HOME! Regte pa vir al die kinders van die huis (all over Africa) veral tot hulle eers hul voete vind,skip lingo ken,en vriende maak.

On a contract two years ago he diagnosed a crewmember who was then sent home and treated and was so good to see this young man the other night, he came over to say thank you for getting me sorted and healthy again.

Tot more, bye.

 

2 May 2022--- NORFOLK VIRGINIA

 

Our sail into this port felt like it took forever, it has a massive port area and think it might be a military base, for there were army ships all over the place. Was very disappointed that I could not get off today, my own choice or it meant another covid test and did not want to take that chance. 

It is also the port hubby got stuck on the ship at the beginning of covid, which was a very scary time for all of us, so don’t think such great memories for him, he even sent me a contingency plan in case he did not make it, that is typical of my dear hubby, organized, thinks of everything and oop kop met alles.

He has this amazing story to tell about really feeling down, missing home and stuck on the ship in covid when he was sitting on his balcony talking to the LORD and this bird, a type of falcon came to sit on his balcony railing and looked him at him, he says it was something he has never experienced before and never will forget, felt like the LORD was saying, I am with you always and in everything and after that he just knew all will be ok,no matter what.

My views in this port were from the ship’s different decks, very tidy place and some beautiful gardens and buildings.

Last night with dinner we had this stunning sunset with a huge pink sun going down over the ocean and was so upset that I had left my phone in the cabin so could not even take a photo of this beautiful view, but tonight I am going to be prepared just in case we have another go at it.

Tomorrow is another sea day and then we will be back in Bermuda for 3 days,2 nights. Am planning to go snorkeling maybe next week and on a sunset cruise but we will see how things go.

Would like to go to our special spot along the sea but it is a bit secluded and don’t know if going on my own is a good idea, for last week I read of tourists that had been mugged and knocked down over a handbag. So nie lus vir moeilikheid nie.

This will always be a special place, for on our first trip to Bermuda I have photos of hubby lying on his back on the grass overlooking the sea, this was after deciding to make a career change from land to sea and it just brings back such amazing memories. 

To make this career change after all the years was very challenging to say the least but has been a fantastic 9 years. He also spent lots of time swimming here when he was training for Ironman 7 April 2019, die man vaar die diep see in en word eintlik klein sover swem hy! Praat van n senutergende affere!! 

Ons nou weer oppad see toe na ons dag hierso,en nogal mooi , musiek speel in die agtergrond en ons seil rustig uit die hawe verby al die skepe en geboue,n rustige gevoel. We passed two army ship carriers where the jets can land and fly from, wow they are huge, sommer so reg langs mekaar. 

Had a jet parked on one of them, is mind boggling to think that these planes can land and fly from these ship, those pilots ken beslis hulle storie , verseker geen ruimte vir foutjies nie!

Am very impressed with this country’s army ships, they all look brand new, and things are neat and tidy, real army style. Even stopped counting so many ships were docked in this port, just too many! 

 

3 May 2022--- @SEA

 

Has been a lazy day,did get to the gym for a workout, for yesterday my excuse was my 5 hours New York walkabout even had a sore left foot after that crazy rondloop. My arme voet in n pyn ingeloop dink sommer n tendinitis ontwikkel,so nou se ek vir myself nee, jy moet dinge rustig vat en rus dat jy reg is vir volgende week.

Toe is dit weer ontbyt en daarna het ek op my plekkie kom sit en my korrispondensie op datum gekry. Soek die plekke uit wat minder mense het ,net ingeval en sodra daar iemand naby hoes gaan die masker weer aan.Die skip seil teen n slakke pas so neem aan ons is nie te ver van Bermuda nie,dit maak mens nou vaak en lui, soos n wiegie.

Dink hulle is baie versigtig naby die eiland want nie lank terug nie(soos in die jaar) het een van die skepe vasgesit en dit was n konsternasie om los te kom en te laat kyk of daar enige skade aan die romp was. As ek reg onthou is daar hoeka oor die 300 shiprecks om die eiland,scary gedagte.

Hoop regtig die crew kry nou in die volgende dag of twee shore leave anders gaan hulle met ander probleme sit,kan darem nie verwag hulle moet heeltyd hard werk, vriendelik wees en mag nerens afklim en net n breek vat nie.Het ook al voorheen gese die Fillipyne is amazing mense ,altyd vriendelik positief,hardwerkend en niks is te veel moeite nie,dink ons mense kan beslis by hulle leer.

So more vroeg sal ons weer in Bermuda wees, die plan is om vroeg op te staan maar net die tyd sal leer of dit gaan gebeur.

 

4 May 2022--- BERMUDA

 

I am sorry to say that the bed won once again, and then it was time for the weekly drill, so I try and be out of the cabin and in the Garden Café or Deck 15 when they are busy with the drill. Really think the crew can go through the drill in their sleep which is a good thing, always be prepared, they say! We got the news that the crew don’t have shore leave, so had to go on my own. Another stunning day in Bermuda but only planned to walk around in the Dockside area and pop into a few shops.

Is amazing how you look at things differently on your second time round, so am glad I only looked around last week and did my shopping this week, for did change my mind on a few things.

Bought the book, My Bermuda Memoirs of an Island Boy and can’t wait to read it and share it with my mom and mother-in-law, think they will also enjoy the read. Know things are all digital these days but to have this book in our sitting room as a coffee table book, will be nice, memories of our time on this beautiful island.

Had an order from hubby to buy a big bottle of coffee for the medical team but that was not going to happen for the only coffee bottle in the store in Dockyard was very small and I think after the whole team has 1 teaspoon each it would be empty, so that will have to wait for New York unless I decide to go to St Georges tomorrow. Been thinking of visiting Tobacco Bay, just to see what it looks like, will have to take the ferry to St Georges and walk from there, they say it is not far, so if tomorrow is a nice day, I might just do that.

Visiting Horseshoe Bay is also on my list, we have been there but can’t come all this way and not go for another swim in that beautiful water and walk on the pink sand so maybe next week.

Bought hubby a T- shirt that says, “OLD GUYS RULE” Is mos so, haa haa!! Tonight, we have our first dinner date at Ocean Blue Restaurant so really looking forward to that, have to get all dressed up for hubby has to wear his step outs and I will have to look smart too. Really looking forward to a nice glass of wine with dinner, for that does not happen when we go to supper in the garden café each evening, the guests can but we don’t.

This morning I happened to watch TV and saw that Norfolk Virginia where we were yesterday is a naval base and the world biggest, also a very busy international port, no wonder there were army ships all over the place. So, until tomorrow bye.

 

5 May 2022 --- BERMUDA

 

Last night we had a fantastic evening out on deck 8 at the Ocean Blue restaurant was a quiet evening with only a slight breeze so we decided to sit outside and was beautiful, having dinner sitting on the open deck with a view over Bermuda.

Hubby had a tasty piece of fillet and I tried the seafood pasta which was also very good. We had to end it off with some dessert, apple pie and coffee. When I eat apple pie, I always think of Beatrix Barnard who lived in Graaff Reinet and was the owner of Andries Stockenstroom Guesthouse, she was the upside-down apple tart queen, sy was n meester met dit. 

I had my glass of wine that went down very well, loved it and enjoyed every sip, that’s for sure. Hubby kept to his water and ice, the crew ship drink!! Haa haa. So, we slept like logs, morsdood and the alarm woke us up this morning.

Decided to take the Pink Ferry to St Georges and what an amazing day, first did my shopping and then I discovered a new part of this island, Tobacco Bay.

I passed Tobacco Bay and made a stop at a new hotel, called The St Regis Bermuda Resort on the Five Forts golfing Estate. Very impressive and had time to just sit on the veranda of this stunning hotel and take it all in, breath-taking views of the ocean, we passed the hotel when we were on our way into St Georges with the ferry. Took some pics which I will post tomorrow.

 I walked back to Tobacco Bay Beach, and it was time to take a swim and just enjoy the beach, the water was chilly, but I pushed through and had a lekker swim, just sorry did not have snorkel and goggles with me, saw very bright fish with metallic looking colors, Parrot fish, was amazing never seen fish like that before.

 Want to bring hubby to this spot, here he can swim, and I can keep an eye on him without him disappearing into the horizon.

On my way to Tobacco Beach, I popped into the Unfinished Church a Gothic Ruin built in 1874, has no roof but see you can book to have functions in it.

On my way back to catch the ferry I stopped for a Bud Light Beer, just as well I did not order a cocktail for still had other plans of rondloping in Dockyard but after the 1-hour ferry ride I was ready to just get back on the ship, shower and chill. Tomorrow it is time for my next antigen test!! A weekly gedoente until I get off the ship, and like I said costing hubby $40 each week, scary and crazy but at least I am here and very thankful I can be with him.

 

6 May 2022---BERMUDA

 

Today we got it right and went on our walk at 6 and had our coffee with sunrise only to discover I had once again left my cellphone in the cabin so, no photos to share the beautiful sunrise. Really hope that the crew can get back to using the gym soon, for I think a workout also helps get rid of the daily stress and you just feel better after some exercise.

I tried to pic up the Bermuda WIFI from the ships deck but had no success and while I was waiting another huge cruise liner sailed into port and docked right next to us, so things will be buzzing today.

Got connected to the free wifi na n gesukkel and could at least post all my pics of the last few days otherwise there are just too many. That is one thing I have realized one should write every day and send photos as soon as you can. Dan is alles nog vars in die geheue!! 

Was sitting on a stone under a tree but after a while had such a sore bottom thought it was big and fat enough for padding, haa haa,so made a move to the grass under another tree where I at least had a back rest against the tree trunk. Then went looking for a t shirt for hubby but no luck did not have his size so maybe next week we will be lucky.

I was amazed to see how many passengers came back to the ship a few minutes after the cut off time, they obviously have not been left behind before! Net een keer dit oorkom dan sal jy dit nooit weer doen nie, dis verseker!

On our way out to sea I took some photos of the reefs that are all over the place, so no wonder many ships have run into problems around Bermuda, they are beautiful but disastrous for any ships. Hubby has a coast guard drill in New York so even if they do get shore leave, I will have to get off on my own and he might get time for a quick walkabout for coffee and put those two feet on dry land for a change. 3 weeks to go, then time for home, our special place. Bye for now.

 

7 May 2022 ---@SEA

 

Slept late this morning and then it was back to the gym and time for antigen testing again. Hope my nose is going to be the same after all this testing, haa haa

All these documents and results need to be emailed to Bermuda before they give me the go ahead for next week’s cruise.

Not a very pleasant day at sea, forecast says cloudy and rain, feel sorry for the guests for they are looking for sun and relaxing around the pool after New York’s winter weather and there last day of the cruise. We are rocking and rolling this seems to be the way things are on this part of the ocean between New York and Bermuda.

Tomorrow I want to visit a few places Bryant Park, Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, the Grand Bazaars Market and get some cookies at Levain bakery, so will see if I get to do all the things I have planned. Next week is my last walk about in New York, the following week I get off and fly home. Has been a good week, so bye for now, next post will be next Sunday at the end of week 4.