7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 3

[Caropooh]

Well I'm all ketchuped now. AS I'm sure you are all aware I wasn't about this weekend.

Did you miss me ????​

The reson was my selfish, uncaring ,nasty son Joshua (no not really). You see on Saturday he and I spent 4 hours, yes that's right, count them, 4 hours tidying his room up by sorting through his clothes and cleaning up his desk. As his desk is now tidy, this means he can move the laptop back up there and as the laptop is actually his he does have the right to have it there. Unfortunatly this means that I can't sit in the lounge using the laptop to "chat" with you lot.

I can see some negotiations being held in the very near future so that I can chat in the evening and at weekend. I will not be held back from my friends

Darn those kids! Welcome Back Izzi! I missed you!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_velvet_cake

ERRRRR I think my reaction to that is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW. Sorry but that looks like somethink a vampire would serve for tea. What does it taste like ???

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Thanks for the hugs everyone. I/we will be OK, I hope. It's just really, really tough to be a parent sometimes.

Been there, Done that, Guaranteed to be doing it again !!!! Not being a parent again, just the parent bit being tough

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Darn those kids! Welcome Back Izzi! I missed you!

Thank you I missed being around. Sorry you don't get today off but I'm working as well so you're in good company

 

[bellelinus]

We're still up in the air about Berlin. I'm waiting to see what DCL offers (and how much it will cost!!!) for Germany. There's just so much history in Berlin, that I can't imagine being so close and not going there. On the downside, I'd be too afraid of the timing to book a private tour. And I'm also not sure that I'd want to spend half of my 12 hours in port on the train.

I was able to be in Berlin with my oldest in March 2006, and it was amazing for me to go to checkpoint Charlie, see the Berlin, the holocaust memorial, the Brandenberg gate, etc. I will post a few pictures at some point. However, since I have been there before I probably will not take the long journey from Warnemunde to Berlin on one day in port despite the fact that the two younger girls have not been there -- so I understand your conflict.

This is JoAnn Lawall's parents, we're thinking about doing this cruise too.......

Hope you can come! I remember doing wine tastings with you on the Med!

You're paranoid.

So am I. Perhaps we should take this tour:

St. Petersburg for the Paranoid

Enjoy a stroll along the meandering paths of this city full of hidden dangers and mysteries. Gaze skeptically at the private tour groups whose smiling expressions belie the fact that they probably will never be seen again. Enjoy the thrill of the children in the group as they play "guess who is the former KGB agent" while walking past the shops full of unaffordable goods where at any moment someone might mug you for your valuable western currency.

Additional Information

• Guest must be able to climb on and off the bus, and dodge bullets.
• Wheelchairs need to be standard size and capable of high speed escapes at up to 20kph
• Strollers will be confiscated on this tour.
• A beverage (vodka) is included. Additional drinks and snacks are available if you apply with your local consulate at least six weeks in advance.
• Guest are encouraged to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and bullet proof vests.

Thanks for the info. I really do want to see Berlin, so I have my fingers crossed that we'll be able to make it work. I read on cruisecritic that one of the major companies told their clients if they didn't get them back to the port in time, they'd fly them to the next port. Not sure I'd want to find out if they're true to their word though. And if not, wandering around Warnemunde, checking out the beach, and having some German beer wouldn't be too bad either.

Don't we have a day at sea after Warnemunde, and then are in St. P? I don't think they could easily get you there due to visa requirements anyway -- just something to consider.

Good evening, not having a very good day

Thanks for the hugs everyone. I/we will be OK, I hope. It's just really, really tough to be a parent sometimes.

Very true. Hope things get better soon.

ERRRRR I think my reaction to that is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW. Sorry but that looks like somethink a vampire would serve for tea. What does it taste like ???

Basically, chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting -- it just has red food dye in it . . .

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

IBasically, chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting -- it just has red food dye in it . . .

Do you normally serve it at a special holiday time or just anytime ??

 

[bellelinus]

Do you normally serve it at a special holiday time or just anytime ??

I don't serve it at all! I prefer devil's food with buttercream frosting! But people serve it for any occasion -- I was at a friend's birthday part a week or so ago and the birthday cake was red velvet.

 

[bellelinus]

Thinking about Germany: honestly some of our best memories were of wandering around smaller German villages with no particular plan in mind. That is why I am looking at perhaps taking the train to Lubeck, or Schwerin, or Rostock, while we are in Warnemunde. I know the region of Germany is completely different from where we were (our main cities were Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, and Prague in the Czech Republic) but I think the experience of wandering a small village is much the same. Here are a few photos:

 

[bellelinus]

On the other hand, Berlin was amazing for me -- it's just that long journey there and back for just one day that is getting to me.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Do you normally serve it at a special holiday time or just anytime ??

I don't serve it at all! I prefer devil's food with buttercream frosting! But people serve it for any occasion -- I was at a friend's birthday part a week or so ago and the birthday cake was red velvet.

It's my favorite cake, and I always get it for my birthday. Apparently, I somehow misled my Mom into thinking that it was also Linda's favorite the year she brought her birthday cake down for us. (They have a great bakery by them.)

We always get a birthday cake for Jesus for Christmas day to remind us what the true point of the day is. Mom brought the cake down with her. Guess what Jesus' favorite cake is?

Thinking about Germany: honestly some of our best memories were of wandering around smaller German villages with no particular plan in mind. That is why I am looking at perhaps taking the train to Lubeck, or Schwerin, or Rostock, while we are in Warnemunde. I know the region of Germany is completely different from where we were (our main cities were Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, and Prague in the Czech Republic) but I think the experience of wandering a small village is much the same. Here are a few photos:

I've been looking at both options. As much as I want to see Berlin, I know the kids wouldn't appreciate it like Linda and I would. We've been checking out Rostock, which looks like a quaint old village. i've heard good things about Lubeck too. I guess it's good that we have almost 18 months to decide.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

Here is a website with some pictures of Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was murdered. This might interest my macabe, twisted little children!

http://cruises.about.com/od/northerneuropeancruises/ig/Yusupov-Palace/

 

[jlawall]

Thanks for the encouragement JoAnn now you made up my mind I'm really, really going to do it

 

[jlawall]

Our guide on the Sierra Madre off road adventure (great excursion) had a lifetime goal of tasting every type and brand of tequila. And he certainly didn't see leading a tour to be any reason not to work on his quest

We were in some interesting parts of Puerto Vallarta!



Nite nite!

Sorry you've had a bad week, but I'm glad that we've been able to "divert" you

This was certainly diverting this weekend!!

 

[jlawall]

How fab . So I don't expect all you US folks to be on till much later today and then I expect there to be LOADS and LOADS of you chatty folks about as you've all got a holiday today

Ironically, I was up all last night, but I neglected to come on, I could have kept you company!

 

[jlawall]

Ok I need Queen Googleicious here ....... what is Red Velvet cake ??

I've heard about it and I finally tried it and it's so good..........I highly recommend it.............I'm not sure what it's made of.........chocolate with cherry flavoring?

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Ironically, I was up all last night, but I neglected to come on, I could have kept you company!

AWWWW shucks we could have been sooooooo chattylicious JoAnn

 

[MrsScooby]

Check on cruisecritic for reviews of this company. I remember seeing many favorable reviews for them.

That's good. I emailed them for a rate quote and they responded fast with a basic itinerary and an estimated price. Obviously cheaper the more people that go. They admitted that they can't guarantee getting back to the port on time like a cruise excursion can, but they are experienced with transporting cruise travelers to the port. Apparently they watch traffic reports to ensure that they get back to the port at least an hour before sail.
Gotta check with Darren to see how he feels, but I'm inclined to make the trip as I've never been to Berlin

i've been to Mexico numerous times and nooone ever offered me tequila!

Mike must have had "I need tequila" written all over him

Our guide on the Sierra Madre off road adventure (great excursion) had a lifetime goal of tasting every type and brand of tequila. And he certainly didn't see leading a tour to be any reason not to work on his quest

He wasn't driving was he ?
No such thing as DWI in Mexico

Thanks for the hugs everyone. I/we will be OK, I hope. It's just really, really tough to be a parent sometimes.

Oh, yeah

ERRRRR I think my reaction to that is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWW. Sorry but that looks like somethink a vampire would serve for tea. What does it taste like ???

You gotta see the movie "Steel Magnolia's" Pretty funny what they do with a red velvet cake.

BTW
DH and I finally got to see the movie "Deliverance" yesterday. Great movie. Now I want to read the book.

Thinking about Germany: honestly some of our best memories were of wandering around smaller German villages with no particular plan in mind. That is why I am looking at perhaps taking the train to Lubeck, or Schwerin, or Rostock, while we are in Warnemunde. I know the region of Germany is completely different from where we were (our main cities were Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden, and Prague in the Czech Republic) but I think the experience of wandering a small village is much the same. Here are a few photos:

That pretzel looks like the NYC kind. Any different ?

 

[jlawall]

Well I'm all ketchuped now. AS I'm sure you are all aware I wasn't about this weekend.

Did you miss me ????​

The reson was my selfish, uncaring ,nasty son Joshua (no not really). You see on Saturday he and I spent 4 hours, yes that's right, count them, 4 hours tidying his room up by sorting through his clothes and cleaning up his desk. As his desk is now tidy, this means he can move the laptop back up there and as the laptop is actually his he does have the right to have it there. Unfortunatly this means that I can't sit in the lounge using the laptop to "chat" with you lot.

I can see some negotiations being held in the very near future so that I can chat in the evening and at weekend. I will not be held back from my friends

Wow, how disturbing..............get it back! I did miss you

 

[MrsScooby]

It's my favorite cake, and I always get it for my birthday. Apparently, I somehow misled my Mom into thinking that it was also Linda's favorite the year she brought her birthday cake down for us. (They have a great bakery by them.)

We always get a birthday cake for Jesus for Christmas day to remind us what the true point of the day is. Mom brought the cake down with her. Guess what Jesus' favorite cake is?

Ok this made me laugh. Several years ago--my aunt asked my Dad to bring a cake for Christmas eve that said "Happy Birthday Jesus" on it. My Dad was kinda embarressed to ask for it at the bakery, but he did it to please my aunt. While he was there he also got a cake for our family for Christmas day. Feeling rebellious, he asked them to write something different on it....

"Scram Satan"
My Dad is kinda different
Now my jewish sister-in-law thought it was hysterical

Here is a website with some pictures of Yusupov Palace, where Rasputin was murdered. This might interest my macabe, twisted little children!

http://cruises.about.com/od/northerneuropeancruises/ig/Yusupov-Palace/

Aren't all children macabe and twisted

I'm sure after watching Disney's Anastasia, they'll be interested

 

[jlawall]

When I was in Hamburg last year, we toured the city (on a bus tour) and walked around and shopped quite a bit. It was pretty cool. BTW, I think I misspelled Brandenburg Gate (I keep doing that!)

On one day we took the train to a small town.........Luneberg. We came upon the market in the city center, shopped in some small shops and visited an amazing church. It was freezing but also neat. One thing I noticed is how much time we spent outside and how many Germans were riding bikes even in the cold air. I will try to locate our pictures. I was on the northwestern side of Germany and we'll be on the northeastern side (I think)

It seems like some of the other cities we'll be visiting will be ones that we'll tour around small towns. One thing that was cool about Berlin was that my kids didn't know the history and they really couldn't believe the wall was there. Having lived through it, I can't believe it either but I certainly remember how relieved I was one when it was brought down.