*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 4

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

There is a lot of US chocolate that is good, I love Sees and Godiva (technically Belgian but made in the US) and Ghiradelli. I'm sure you've tried chocolate from other countries. Do these little Italian pieces of heaven look familiar to you

I do like Ghiradelli, I have seen one of the chocolates you had listed, however never tried it...Oh No might need large size for clothes for trying chocolates from other areas..

Beautiful pictures

I got the final design back this morning and will work tomorrow on getting final ordering info on shirts.

For those of you in the US, I would be happy to take orders and then ship you your shirt(s). I am planning on working with CustomInk.com on printing these. If I order 20 of them, the cost is right around $15 each, plus I would just pass through the shipping cost to ship via Priority Mail.

More than 20 would of course bring down the cost per shirt, so join in!

CustomInk has the ability for me to set up a site where folks on the board can go to our group page and enter your name, quantity and size(s) and it will keep a running tally for me so I know how many to order and in what size. I will post this information tomorrow.

For those in the UK and elsewhere, I can email you the artwork directly and you can use the site of your choice to get your shirt done. Unfortunately CustomInk doesn't ship internationally except to APO/FPO.

I looked on the US Postal Service website and to ship (for example) a small priority mail box to the UK is $13.95! I'm sure it's better for you to get these done yourselves in that case!

- Chris

Chris we would be interested in two shirts.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

US Cruisers: Order Your Pub Crawl T-Shirt!

If you are interested in participating in the DIS Pub Crawl and would like to order a t-shirt commemorating this (burp) momentous occasion, please visit the following site by Friday, July 22:

Pub Crawl Shirt Order Form

The final design of the shirt can be seen on that site.

Simply enter the size(s) and quantity you would like. I will gather all individual orders into one large order and coordinate from there. PLEASE include your DISBoards user name in the comments section so I can follow up with you directly on shipping and payment!

When the order closes, I will follow up with you individually to secure payment via PayPal and get your shipping address.

The estimated cost is approximately $15 each (that's if we have an order for 20). A quantity higher than that would bring down the cost even more.

Please PM me with questions. Thanks!

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

Chris

Thanks for doing this..

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I'm loving the links --- THANKS!!

Sure! I'm glad you guys mentioned it so I could find those places too. I really want to visit a granja now. I talked to my husband about it last night...

Me: "Hey, do you know what a granja is? Like a milk bar?"
Joe: "Yes, I've heard of them."
Me: "How come you never took me to one when we were in Spain?!!!!"

Here's my sister's dog (or should we just call him the family dog? as he visits us everyday) a year ago, getting a spoonful of peanut butter from my dad:

If you ever get to the Loire Valley of France, head to the village of Amboise and visit (shop!) the Patisserie Chocolaterie Bigot a Amboise. Perhaps the best chocolate I've ever had. While you are in the area, the chateau Chenonceaux is beautiful. And ladies, they also have wineries in the area. Chocolate and wine while traveling - DISboarder-approved activities.

LOL! I made my dog a peanut butter cake for his birthday last year.

Funny that you mention Amboise, we stayed in the Loire two years ago and our chateau was just outside Amboise.

Chenonceaux was the best chateau we visited for interiors, but I also loved the gardens of Villandry - the inside wasn't much but the outside was lovely.

Now that sounds absolutely divine

Oh that peanut butter torte looks so good - but so bad!

It really is as good as it looks!!! It comes from the book "Baking: From My Home to Yours" by Dorie Greenspan. That book has become my baking bible.
*If you make this recipe, make double the crust b/c there doesn't seem to be enough as is - actually 1 1/2 the recipe would be perfect.

 

[GA-yaya]

I suppose it really deserves its own category, not just "food." Sort of like mayonnaise for Southerners.

If you ever get to the Loire Valley of France, head to the village of Amboise and visit (shop!) the Patisserie Chocolaterie Bigot a Amboise. Perhaps the best chocolate I've ever had. While you are in the area, the chateau Chenonceaux is beautiful. And ladies, they also have wineries in the area. Chocolate and wine while traveling - DISboarder-approved activities.

Reminded me to drink Belgian hot chocolate when over in Europe - it is so much better than the overly sweet stuff they serve us here.

Love the Chocolate and Mayonnaise comment - so true!
The wineries in the Loire Valley have some amazing wines - wine tasting at its best. The scenery is not too bad either!
Whenever I get tired of drinking wine while in France (yes, it does happen), I switch to the hot chocolate (chocolat chaud)...soooo yummy!

Lynne, as always, thanks for the weekly recap - you did a great job!

Mentioning Chenonceaux, this property is so well maintained. The flower arrangements in the chateaux are magnificent.

Beautiful pictures! Looks like you had a great time there.

 

[magic123]

Hi Karen and Sarah.... so sorry got you both mixed up, Sarah great about your DD.... my brain just can't keep up... can' t wait the 78 days now, but am sure I'll still be confused, it's my default position.

Update: Here is where we are with the t-shirts so far.

We are still finalizing the design but I wanted to pass this on to get feedback.

NOTE: I have asked him to add "2011" below the words "pub crawl" so that will be reflected in the final design.

I will have more info on ordering shirts very soon!

(See anything hidden in the bubbles?)

That's great, DH will get them printed in the uk, but I may have to ask him to print our cabin number on it..... just in case he needs to be returned !! or maybe not !!!!

you've STILL got easter eggs left? you must either have really good self control, or you put it somewhere and forgot about it til now!

All I can say to that is, I had more than one
way more


margaret

 

[magic123]

Chocolate..... Chocolate.... and more chocolate..... just off to find my secret tash. It's just more than one girl can bear !!! I've now got chocolate on the brain.... and after that maybe two hours at the gym

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

That's great, DH will get them printed in the uk, but I may have to ask him to print our cabin number on it..... just in case he needs to be returned !! or maybe not !!!!margaret

If you send me your email addy, I will send you the artwork file.

 

[TxMermaid1]

I love this story!

A few times DH has felt I joined a cult because I spend so much time on the DIS, the meets, the FB pages for our DCL cruises.....but on the ebta he had to admit that we met some awesome travel buddies!!!!

Bev... you and Gary make awesome travel buddies... and I so enjoyed dinning with you two. Even if you ordered the same things I did

 

[TxMermaid1]

Update: Here is where we are with the t-shirts so far.

We are still finalizing the design but I wanted to pass this on to get feedback.

NOTE: I have asked him to add "2011" below the words "pub crawl" so that will be reflected in the final design.

I will have more info on ordering shirts very soon!

(See anything hidden in the bubbles?)

I love the shirt and definantly want one!

 

[TxMermaid1]

My daughter and son-in-law were on the EBTA and I got a first hand report about the situation in Barcelona at the end of May. There had been a large group of economic/political protestors peacefully occupying the Placa Catalunya for a few weeks at the end of May. It so happened that the Barcelona football team (soccer for those of us west of the pond) was playing for the UEFA championship on May 29th (+/- a day) and traditionally the FCB football fanatics would gather and celebrate (or commiserate -- depending on the outcome) their championship on the Placa Catalunya. Apparently the Barcelona authorities, fearing these two groups would clash and violence/chaos might ensue, decided to Move the protest group out of the Placa Catalunya the day before the football game (Saturday, May 28th), which was the day the Magic arrived in port. This attempt to remove the protest group resulted in some violence and chaos.

My feeling is that while there is some reason for caution, I am not overly concerned about our visit to Barcelona. Of course, as they say on the internet, your mileage may vary.

Regards,
Jerry

We were across from the stadium with my dad (83) who has a anerism (sp) behind his heart and can't over do it, when people started stampeding toward us. I grabbed dad and told him to go up some stairs we saw around the corner. We tucked into a corner up the stairs and waited for the shooting to stop. When it did we started down the steps and the shooting and stampeding started again. We went back to the top again. Finally we thought it was safe to leave and started down the street only to hear the shots again!... We then went down a side street and found a taxi to take us back to the ship..... Later DH and I went out again but avoided the stadium area where the protesters had been. There were still police and ambulances everywhere. We were told it had to do with the politics. We cancelled our hotel which was right at the stadium because of this and the fact that the soccer finals would be telecasted there and they were expecting more riots. Hopefully things have calmed down. I would love to explore this beautiful city.

 

[Pinky166]

Jill - Thanks for your message, you're already on the Champagne Girls list.


Just a reminder to everyone that I am still taking sign ups for the Champagne Girls meet, the Farewell Lunch, the Ladies only High Tea and the Scrapbook Exchange. All details on Page 1!!!!

Please remember you must PM me to join.

 

[nick262]

Are you meaning to go to the dock and just pay less to get on the DCL excursion? I think they would charter the galleon just for their trip and not allow walk ups. You have to book by the night before for excursions anyway I think. I would just pay up if you want to do it but it is so annoying to know that DCL make that much on excursions, plus they will get a better deal in the first place. No doubt all cruise lines are the same with these excursions.

Spanish Galleon at Madeira:

When I checked, the Shore Excursion from DCL occurs at the second sailing time of the day - 3pm (the DCL group meets at 2:15 to get ready). It did not show another time as being unavailable, either.

You could try and get on the 10:30am sailing. It looks like we might be the only ship in port (actually the only one between Sep 9 & 19)

Thank you both for you advice.

US Cruisers: Order Your Pub Crawl T-Shirt!

If you are interested in participating in the DIS Pub Crawl and would like to order a t-shirt commemorating this (burp) momentous occasion, please visit the following site by Friday, July 22:

Pub Crawl Shirt Order Form

The final design of the shirt can be seen on that site.

Simply enter the size(s) and quantity you would like. I will gather all individual orders into one large order and coordinate from there. PLEASE include your DISBoards user name in the comments section so I can follow up with you directly on shipping and payment!

When the order closes, I will follow up with you individually to secure payment via PayPal and get your shipping address.

The estimated cost is approximately $15 each (that's if we have an order for 20). A quantity higher than that would bring down the cost even more.

Please PM me with questions. Thanks!

Hi Chris, I ordered our shirts. Now how do we join the crawl itself and what are the details?

Thanks,

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Hi Chris, I ordered our shirts. Now how do we join the crawl itself and what are the details?

Dan (Cliffy97) will be keeping everyone up-to-date on the event date. I believe he was looking at it being on one of the sea days.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

I love the shirt and definantly want one!

The ordering details are back a page from this AM.

NOEL: Do you think you could add this to the Welcome Wagon post?

 

[karentan]

I find hotel Chocolat a bit too bitter for me, but I am not a big fan of that type, i'm more of a cheap Cadburys girl.

ditto - i've got a box of thorntons thats been sat in my bedroom for at least a month, but the bar of dairy milk i bought three days ago is looooong gone!

For those in the UK and elsewhere, I can email you the artwork directly and you can use the site of your choice to get your shirt done. Unfortunately CustomInk doesn't ship internationally except to APO/FPO.
- Chris

could you send me the artwork? i'll PM you my email address

Dan (Cliffy97) will be keeping everyone up-to-date on the event date. I believe he was looking at it being on one of the sea days.

sounds good

 

[poohluv2u]

Mentioning Chenonceaux, this property is so well maintained. The flower arrangements in the chateaux are magnificent.

Georgeous pictures Lynn ... I so want to go there


On the hot chocolate drink ... is it anything like Starbuck's Chantico, I adored that stuff

 

[poohluv2u]

Poohluv, join in! No one will care if you're drinking a Coke or water...it'll be a fun group activity regardless of everyone's drink of choice!

I suppose we could be the 'designated drivers' and help make sure people get back to their cabins

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Ah, we're on the European chocolate wagon! In that case I can't stay behind and mention some amazing brands that haven't been mentioned yet. As far as the Dutch ones goes; Verkade is the eldest and has earned it's reputation (also does very yummie cookies with and without chocolates). Droste also has a great name, is a bit more sophisticated in taste. And let's not forget Baronie. For those that love bitter chocolate; try a double one! Even more of the pure thing, less milk and suger and more bitter than you've ever had. Or what about a cappuccino flavoured chocolate?

Typical Dutch things we do with chocolate?

- we've got something called hagelslag. Little chocolate sprinkles that are used as a very common thing on a sandwich. Comes in all kinds of tastes and it's "nephew" called vlokken are little chocolate strips with the same purpose.
- chocolatepaste. Yep, again; something for on a sandwich. Name says it all; chocolate in paste shape in all kinds of tastes.
all kinds of chocolate figurines are old traditions for each of the important national holidays. Chocolate santa for christmas, chocolate Sinterklaas (you know, the guy that gave Santa his name) for Sinterklaas, chocolate bunnies for Easter, chocolate figures all year round. All kinds of chocolate figurines to gifts at Sinterklaas; tools, toys, you name it and it comes in chocolate shape. In the less "wiser" years chocolate sigarets were very common to gift during Sinterklaas.
- Isn't that enough? Chocolate letters during Sinterklaas. Not the small ones that leave you wanting more, nop good ones at least 5 inches in size and available in any size you want. Want one of 50 inches? Just ask your bakery and you'll get it!
- "sinassnippers" are orangeflavoured soft yellie like candy covered with a little layer of dark chocolate.


And it has to be said; our southern neighbours, the Belgians also do some good things with chocolate (hey, they WERE Hollanders centuries ago ). If you ever get the option; visit a Leonidas store. An amazing bonbonshop that makes all possible and unlikely variations. Very expensive and satisfying. C'ote d'Or is another Belgian brand of lovely chocolate. Last but not least; Callebaut. Make superb chocolate for cooking and baking amongst others. I will not use any others anymore.


Need a fix? it could pay off to join the candy swap with participants from so many different locations already signed up! Not willing to risk anything? For those desperate enough ; feel free to sent me a PM if you're looking for something specific. As long as there are no orders for like 50 pounds it's no problem for me to help out here with me not needing to worry about baggage allowance.

 

[liesbeth1012]

Ah, we're on the European chocolate wagon! In that case I can't stay behind and mention some amazing brands that haven't been mentioned yet. As far as the Dutch ones goes; Verkade is the eldest and has earned it's reputation (also does very yummie cookies with and without chocolates). Droste also has a great name, is a bit more sophisticated in taste. And let's not forget Baronie. For those that love bitter chocolate; try a double one! Even more of the pure thing, less milk and suger and more bitter than you've ever had. Or what about a cappuccino flavoured chocolate?

Typical Dutch things we do with chocolate?

- we've got something called hagelslag. Little chocolate sprinkles that are used as a very common thing on a sandwich. Comes in all kinds of tastes and it's "nephew" called vlokken are little chocolate strips with the same purpose.
- chocolatepaste. Yep, again; something for on a sandwich. Name says it all; chocolate in paste shape in all kinds of tastes.
all kinds of chocolate figurines are old traditions for each of the important national holidays. Chocolate santa for christmas, chocolate Sinterklaas (you know, the guy that gave Santa his name) for Sinterklaas, chocolate bunnies for Easter, chocolate figures all year round. All kinds of chocolate figurines to gifts at Sinterklaas; tools, toys, you name it and it comes in chocolate shape. In the less "wiser" years chocolate sigarets were very common to gift during Sinterklaas.
- Isn't that enough? Chocolate letters during Sinterklaas. Not the small ones that leave you wanting more, nop good ones at least 5 inches in size and available in any size you want. Want one of 50 inches? Just ask your bakery and you'll get it!
- "sinassnippers" are orangeflavoured soft yellie like candy covered with a little layer of dark chocolate.


And it has to be said; our southern neighbours, the Belgians also do some good things with chocolate (hey, they WERE Hollanders centuries ago ). If you ever get the option; visit a Leonidas store. An amazing bonbonshop that makes all possible and unlikely variations. Very expensive and satisfying. C'ote d'Or is another Belgian brand of lovely chocolate. Last but not least; Callebaut. Make superb chocolate for cooking and baking amongst others. I will not use any others anymore.


Need a fix? it could pay off to join the candy swap with participants from so many different locations already signed up! Not willing to risk anything? For those desperate enough ; feel free to sent me a PM if you're looking for something specific. As long as there are no orders for like 50 pounds it's no problem for me to help out here with me not needing to worry about baggage allowance.

I only can confirm this. Especially about the Leonidas chocolate bonbons.