*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 5

[granmaz]

Poor Lee. You're mean for laughing!!!!

 

[Pinky166]

If I remember rightly it is towards the old town area. It is known as Mercado dos Lavradores.

Thanks Sarah, i'll have a look on a map.

This is a really nice site about Madeira and has some lovely photos.

http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/index.html

I'd forgotten about that site.

Aww poor Lee, they say it comes in 3's Claire, so hopefully that's it.

I would've laughed if Neil had done that too - oh hang on I did when he did something similar last year whilst at OKW

I hope so, my last 4 holidays have been marred with some kind of illness/injury. In 2008 Lee & I both got the flu, in 2009 I fell flat on my face on the 1st night when I twisted my ankle tripping over a curb, in June 2010 I had a swollen leg from a combination of bad mozzie bites & heat rash and lastly Jan 2011 I slipped on the wet deck on the Dream and hurt my foot which swelled badly! I'm jinxed!!!! It's about time i'm due for a bit of good luck.


I am terrible for laughing, I just can't help it. It drives Lee crazy which normally makes me laugh even more.

Poor Lee. You're mean for laughing!!!!

I know I am.

 

[Dgentrysim]

Okay, between Ga-yaya in Georgia and Dgentryism and myself in NC, this is clearly a conspiracy against those of us in the Mid to Southern Atlantic States...

Hmmmmmm, You could have something there! Then they don't know who they are messing with, do they?!!! We'll wear them down with our consistant checking of the DCL site....if that doesn't work, I'll just start calling them up whining and crying (that will definitely get their attention!). That should do the trick....I'm a great whiner!

 

[magic123]

It's been an interesting 12 hours here, we suspect Lee has broken his middle toe! Poor thing is in agony but i've not stopped laughing.

I have been running around after him ever since so i'm not all bad for laughing. Although I am beginning to think i'm jinxed, my sister broke her little toe two weeks ago and my mum broke her little finger last week.....I just hope it's not me next!!!!!

oh no poor lee, but if it had been my DH I would have laughed too. After taking my life in my hands with DS leaning to drive yesterday, this morning in the gym a 25kg weight fell of a machine hit me in the shin and landed on my toes I am starting to think maybe I should hide away until the cruise and maybe lee should, and we may stand a cahance of making it in one piece

margaret

 

[magic123]

Sorry for the fuzzy picture but I was updating my avatar with a picture of the Magic sailing past my front door last year.

So I thought I would ask anybody else been able to view the Magic from the comfort of their own home

yes DH I remember it well, sitting on the cliffe edge with a glass of wine watching her go by at the end of last summer.... and now it's almost our turn and I can't wait.... just so excited now. We went to see the magic docked at Dover and see where our cabin was

margaret

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Someone in the recap was wondering about living in an inside cabin. I pop a glow stick and put it on the floor at night - it's enough light to find the loo anyway.

My question is about luggage tags. Usually you can print them online, but I did not see a luggage tag option in our online check-in. Did I miss something? Since we are working on packing out of our home to move back to America, we may not be able to receive mail at our APO in a couple of week, so if DCL is sending us something, we might need to contact them.

Amanda

Probably the porters at port can tag your luggage for you if you just know your cabin number - they can at port Canaveral, so I would imagine it to be so in Spain.

Weekly Recap
Thursday July 28- August 3
...

You are GOOD! Thank you! Sometimes, reading the recaps, I wonder where I was all week because I don't remember any of it

What I mean is you can do one of three things if you don't go to Blandy's:

1. Go shopping on your own in downtown Funchal and make your way back to the ship.

2. Go shopping on your own in downtown Funchal and meet up with other tour members after their tour/tasting at Blandy's and get a ride back to the ship.

3. Get a ride to a local shopping center before you are taken back to the ship. This is what Eusébia said in her email to me:

Yes, your group can count on visiting a supermarket, it's just a question of letting the drivers know. Madeira has several large supermarkets around the island: Pingo Doce, Continente, Sá - the drivers will, probably, choose the one they feel to be more appropriate in terms of parking.

What I would like to do is group people together in a van who want to go to the supermarket instead of Blandy's if possible so that is one of the questions I will be confirming when I do my PM's to people on the tour.

Any more questions, please do not hesitate to post or PM me.

[/COLOR]

Noel, your superior organizational ability is matched only by your ability to communicate clearly! Inspiring! Impressive. Impossible to duplicate.

The big news in our neighborhood has been a bear sighting (no, NOT Dimples, a real live bear) a few streets over. Later s/he was seen near the local Lowes. Planning a home renovation?

Happy Day, all!

 

[Chirpee]

My question is about luggage tags. Usually you can print them online, but I did not see a luggage tag option in our online check-in. Did I miss something? Since we are working on packing out of our home to move back to America, we may not be able to receive mail at our APO in a couple of week, so if DCL is sending us something, we might need to contact them.

Amanda

DCL sends you a package with your cruise documents and luggage tags. Can't remember exactly how far in advance, but it usually only arrives a few weeks before the cruise.

Can anybody else remember when the documents usually arrive?

 

[TotallyAngelic]

You can get photos of the scabbard fish mentioned by Sarah but some of the fishmongers do like a tip!!! However ugly the fish looks, it is really tasty.

I took photos of the fish from the level above .. didn't realise about the tips, mind you, they are after tips for everything in Madeira.

I hope so, my last 4 holidays have been marred with some kind of illness/injury. In 2008 Lee & I both got the flu, in 2009 I fell flat on my face on the 1st night when I twisted my ankle tripping over a curb, in June 2010 I had a swollen leg from a combination of bad mozzie bites & heat rash and lastly Jan 2011 I slipped on the wet deck on the Dream and hurt my foot which swelled badly! I'm jinxed!!!! It's about time i'm due for a bit of good luck.

I think I had better pack some cotton wool just to wrap you up in. Hopefully this will be an injury free trip for you Claire

 

[Dgentrysim]

Okay, I thought that a GTY was a GTY (within category of course). I didn't realize you could get a GTY that you didn't have to pay in full and couldn't make changes - I thought all DCL GTYs were that way.

Well, if that is the holdup, I guess I shouldn't (note: SHOULDN'T not WON'T) complain, because we did get a really good deal, and I did purchase the basic room I would like to have. My only real concern is that we might get the 2 porthole (the lowest we can get vs. the 1 porthole). When I booked it I thought from what I had seen and heard that a 2 porthole would be fine, but I recently saw more pix of the 2 porthole and I don't think my youngest son will be able to look out of them, even if he stood on the coffee table, which wouldn't be prudent

Been there...done that. My husband and I had the same type of "discussion". Just before we booked, my husband started on his rant "I'm going to be upset if we get the two portholes instead of the one." We talked with the DCL rep. and she could not tell us if we would get the one porthole, but she said she could tell us that there were only 22 of the two portholes so our chances of getting one was VERY slim. We told her we would discuss it and then call back. I don't care what kind of room we have. We had an inside, no porthole room last May and it was great! He was a little ticked when we didn't get an upgrade last time, but realized how great our room was once we were on the cruise. All I need is a room to sleep, shower, and change clothes. Well....DH started again with the "bet we'll get the two porthole" and I stopped him in mid-stream! I said there is no way I'm signing on for this cruise if I have to hear this for the next 6 months. I said he's better get his head right that if we get a two porthole....we get a two porthole! He laughed and said ok......no complaining but could he have his one phone call to complain to DCL if we got the one porthole. I said go for it, but after that......silence! We have laughed about that many times.....he's waiting for his one chance to complain to somebody if he has to!
I am just happy to be taking the cruise....bring it on! I'll bunk down on one of the lounge chairs on deck if need be!

 

[granmaz]

I took photos of the fish from the level above .. didn't realise about the tips, mind you, they are after tips for everything in Madeira.

Oh they wouldn't have bothered about that, we took some too from a distance. It is the ones who want you next to them and close up with the fish etc.

I also remember in Tortola I was walking back to the ship(having left John with his iPhone having found free wifi) and there was a pretty decorated donkey standing there tethered at the side of the road. I took a photo and then this chap stood up as I got closer obviously asking if I would like a photo for a tip(he hadn't seen me before). I hadn't seen him either, and never thought and of course didn't have any money anyway.

Also, the standing statues in Barcelona want tips too though you can be sneaky and get a picture from a way away. We saw one get off his stand and chase someone who didn't leave anything.

 

[DISNEYFAN_SD]

Been there...done that. My husband and I had the same type of "discussion". Just before we booked, my husband started on his rant "I'm going to be upset if we get the two portholes instead of the one." We talked with the DCL rep. and she could not tell us if we would get the one porthole, but she said she could tell us that there were only 22 of the one portholes so our chances of getting one was VERY slim. We told her we would discuss it and then call back. I don't care what kind of room we have. We had an inside, no porthole room last May and it was great! He was a little ticked when we didn't get an upgrade last time, but realized how great our room was once we were on the cruise. All I need is a room to sleep, shower, and change clothes. Well....DH started again with the "bet we'll get the one porthole" and I stopped him in mid-stream! I said there is no way I'm signing on for this cruise if I have to hear this for the next 6 months. I said he's better get his head right that if we get a one porthole....we get a one porthole! He laughed and said ok......no complaining but could he have his one phone call to complain to DCL if we got the one porthole. I said go for it, but after that......silence! We have laughed about that many times.....he's waiting for his one chance to complain to somebody if he has to!
I am just happy to be taking the cruise....bring it on! I'll bunk down on one of the lounge chairs on deck if need be!

We are in one porthole room, we are going to try to upgrade (depending $ and availbility) at the port so if it works out for us, you could have ours.

 

[sue l]

OK, anyone who took the West Madiera Tour last year. After the tour my DSis and I want to do some shopping. Noel said we could hang out while the group does Blandys winery then come back to the ship with everyone. Is there shopping by Blandy's? Or should be go back to the ship after the tour and do some shopping by the ship? Is there shopping by the ship? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[3canadianslovedisney]

My parents have a couple of questions if someone could help me out.

Are the beds on the ship comfortable?
Has anyone done the Panoramic Gibraltar and Afternoon Tea excursion before and do you spend most of the time at the cafe?
Has anyone done the Views and Parks excursion in Madiera before and was it worth it?

Thanks!

Great job on the recap Lynne!!

 

[PFlamingo]

I love Orchid's. I used to kill them quite frequently too, until I discovered from my mum's friend from the Philippines (where apparently they grow like weeds!) that when they are kept in a pot/container it needs to be a clear pot so that the roots get as much daylight as possible, also don't over water them they just need to be damp not swimming (or drowning ). Hope this helps.

Didn't know about the clear pot thing. Did know about the over-watering. My problem is I tend to under-water plants. I once killed a cactus. I'll have to let Dennis know about that. Maybe he'll let my try again. He's sternly against cruelty to plants!

It's been an interesting 12 hours here, we suspect Lee has broken his middle toe! Poor thing is in agony but i've not stopped laughing. He was playing with the dogs when he got in from work last night and chased one of them who playfully ran off with his shoe, as he ran through the doorway he kicked the door frame. The best thing about it was I was filming it on my iphone at the time. I don't think it will ever make YouTube though as he used some not very polite language as he rolled around in pain. It is very bruised & swollen this morning. !

I did that once, to my fourth toe - and everyone thought I was weird b/c it wasn't my little or big toe. I was running to get the door - UPS was delivering my birthday present from my parents (a cordless screwdriver! *sigh* I love power tools ) and I had already missed them once. I hobbled to the door and got my package, then collapsed on the floor trying to not pass out. My poor toe was pointed in a direction that toes shouldn't go.

They also have the fish market where you can see the scary looking scabbard fish laid out on the slabs ... there is a nice bar / cafe on the roof of the market where you can stop for refreshment

Yeah, 'cause I really want a snack after looking at dead fish.

Oh they wouldn't have bothered about that, we took some too from a distance. It is the ones who want you next to them and close up with the fish etc.

I also remember in Tortola I was walking back to the ship(having left John with his iPhone having found free wifi) and there was a pretty decorated donkey standing there tethered at the side of the road. I took a photo and then this chap stood up as I got closer obviously asking if I would like a photo for a tip(he hadn't seen me before). I hadn't seen him either, and never thought and of course didn't have any money anyway.

Also, the standing statues in Barcelona want tips too though you can be sneaky and get a picture from a way away. We saw one get off his stand and chase someone who didn't leave anything.

Well, as someone who works strictly for tips, I can appreciate this. Of course, at the Commissary, it's more like, bag up $300 worth of groceries only to have the customer say, "I'll take those out myself," and tip nothing. Or worse, bag up all those groceries, take them out to the person's car in 98+ F weather, load up the car - carefully, so that nothing gets squashed or broken - and get a whole dollar tip. I'd rather stay inside for nothing and hope the next customer is better.

Not to start a big controversy about tipping, but everyone who shops as US Military commissaries knows the baggers work for tips (no hourly wage of any kind) and prices at the commissaries tend to be lower (b/c they don't pay their baggers). The worst tippers are the officers (except for Dennis and a very nice Major who likes to talk about his dogs with me) and the people with the newest most expensive cars! The best tippers are the airmen (and women) and the NCO's.

I have to say, this job has given me a whole new appreciation for people who work for tips!

 

[Rikersmom]

Margaret, it was a long time ago, but I still remember "trying" to teach my older son to drive. I was certain that I would be the first mom in history who was killed while teaching her child to drive. Well, we are both still here--thank goodness. Steve is 37 now, and I still keep my brake foot heavy on the floor when I ride with him as a passenger.

Surprisingly, my younger son Kevin is the best driver in the family. He basically taught himself by driving a riding lawnmower.

Best of luck with the lessons.

 

[Dgentrysim]

We are in one porthole room, we are going to try to upgrade (depending $ and availbility) at the port so if it works out for us, you could have ours.

That is so kind of you! Thanks for offering!

 

[dylan'smom]

......My question is about luggage tags. Usually you can print them online, but I did not see a luggage tag option in our online check-in. Did I miss something? Since we are working on packing out of our home to move back to America, we may not be able to receive mail at our APO in a couple of week, so if DCL is sending us something, we might need to contact them. Amanda

DCL is one of the few cruise lines that still sends nice, functional luggage tags! I would definitely give them a call about your mail situation. As mentioned, you can also grab some from the porters, but the booklet they send them in (while not necessary to board), has some good info!

So I thought I would ask anybody else been able to view the Magic from the comfort of their own home
...

Nice.

No, I don't have such a spectacular view, but I have seen a pack of wild turkeys out my window, walking down the middle of my street....does that count?

My parents have a couple of questions if someone could help me out.
Are the beds on the ship comfortable?
Has anyone done the Panoramic Gibraltar and Afternoon Tea excursion before and do you spend most of the time at the cafe?
Has anyone done the Views and Parks excursion in Madiera before and was it worth it? Thanks!
Great job on the recap Lynne!!

DH & I did the Tea in Gibralter. We enjoyed it, and yes, I believe about half to maybe2/3 of the time is spent at the hotel that hosted it (with a lovely view & very nice munchies), but we did get the other half (1/3??? lol) of the time in a bit of a tour and we stopped at the point where you can see the 3 continents - enjoyed that view, telescopes available too...


.

 

[sue l]

We see bears all the time cutting through our back yard in West Milford, NJ. I love to watch them from our deck. I have only seen one this year though. Last summer I saw a mamma bear with three bab bear cubs. They were so cute.

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Someone in the recap was wondering about living in an inside cabin. I pop a glow stick and put it on the floor at night - it's enough light to find the loo anyway.



Probably the porters at port can tag your luggage for you if you just know your cabin number - they can at port Canaveral, so I would imagine it to be so in Spain.



You are GOOD! Thank you! Sometimes, reading the recaps, I wonder where I was all week because I don't remember any of it



Noel, your superior organizational ability is matched only by your ability to communicate clearly! Inspiring! Impressive. Impossible to duplicate.

The big news in our neighborhood has been a bear sighting (no, NOT Dimples, a real live bear) a few streets over. Later s/he was seen near the local Lowes. Planning a home renovation?

Happy Day, all!

 

[hazelandannie]

I wanted to make a t shirt that i could wear to the Champagne Girls event, so had a go at designing something so thought i would share in case anyone else wanted to use it. Am going to make my shirt on vista print later

Hazel

 

[dylan'smom]

I wanted to make a t shirt that i could wear to the Champagne Girls event, so had a go at designing something so thought i would share in case anyone else wanted to use it. Am going to make my shirt on vista print later

Hazel

Too cute!!! Thanks for sharing!
I may try this as an iron on...although I just have the printer "paper" and have never done that....!


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