Sept 18 2010 WB TransAtlantic Pirates/Capt Jacks Re-Repoing Repossession Cruise Pt.9

[granmaz]

So.....Dennis got his new CPAP today and we were told that this one would come with a battery for travel. It did not, so I called Swiss Air to find out 1)if there is a place to plug in either electric or 12 volt and 2) if this will count as his one allowed carryon. Well, does not count as his carry on, yay for that! But, they will not allow him to use it onboard unless he has a medical form signed by his provider. He gets his care from the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and there is no way in Sam's Hill that we can get a form signed, faxed to Swiss Air and their approval faxed back to us in one day. So, he said heck with it....heck, yes he said heck!! He will just get some breath right strips and try to doze as much as he can. I think he will be very tired when we arrive on Thursday afternoon. I am sure I will let him grab an hour or 2 nap regardless of the jet lag issues otherwise I am sure he will fall asleep during dinner or worse get sick.

Very strange rule from Swiss Air. If it was a safety issue then nobody would be allowed to use one, doctor's letter or not, and if not then they are just being proper jobsworths!! Hey, I could use some stronger words here. Poor Dennis. I presume he will be 'sleeping' more or less upright so perhaps he will 'sleep' easier without the CPAP rather than lying down?

 

[birkner]

I've just realised what a ridiculous amount of toiletries/meds I have sorted out to take........and that's not everything yet!

One question...............

......How much sun tan lotion does everyone plan to take?

I am having the same problems. I am only taking one small bottle of sunscreen as the weight of what I normally take is just too much!!

 

[Feebs]

OK - so I`ve been away since Sunday and I can`t catch up!
Anyhow hope all is well with everyone and those heading out have safe travels

Dsis sends me an email saying beware of the pickpockets in Barcelona, tell me something I don`t know!
Just a couple of things to do here, finish the packing and we are good to go. Oh and a little thing like two days at work, as if I could forget that.

 

[birkner]

OK - so I`ve been away since Sunday and I can`t catch up!
Anyhow hope all is well with everyone and those heading out have safe travels

Dsis sends me an email saying beware of the pickpockets in Barcelona, tell me something I don`t know!
Just a couple of things to do here, finish the packing and we are good to go. Oh and a little thing like two days at work, as if I could forget that.

We have been talking about the pickpocketing problem for quite awhile. Some of us have purchase Pacsafe products and are going to be careful.

Have a safe journey and see you on the Magic!!

 

[vakamalua]

Could you please explain how you want us to leave the scrapbook exchange items? I have mine broken into 12 and was expecting to put it into people's FE.

If I recall, each cabin has a fish which is like a letter holder (correct?). Please just put the scrapbook item in that. If you're not comfortable with that, please call me (7060) and we'll arrange a time to exchange.

Thanks,

Andrea

 

[roseburghughes]

So.....Dennis got his new CPAP today and we were told that this one would come with a battery for travel. It did not, so I called Swiss Air to find out 1)if there is a place to plug in either electric or 12 volt and 2) if this will count as his one allowed carryon. Well, does not count as his carry on, yay for that! But, they will not allow him to use it onboard unless he has a medical form signed by his provider. He gets his care from the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and there is no way in Sam's Hill that we can get a form signed, faxed to Swiss Air and their approval faxed back to us in one day. So, he said heck with it....heck, yes he said heck!! He will just get some breath right strips and try to doze as much as he can. I think he will be very tired when we arrive on Thursday afternoon. I am sure I will let him grab an hour or 2 nap regardless of the jet lag issues otherwise I am sure he will fall asleep during dinner or worse get sick.

I too, am going without my CPAP for the overnight flight to Barcelona. I feel sorry for those seated near me. I will have a nap on Wednesday even though that isn't good for jet lag

 

[BoosGram]

Still about 10 pages behind - just have had the time or energy to catch up at the moment. This earthquake has created a lot of work for us - someone asked what I do a good few pages back and I realised I didn't say but I work in IT so we have been working with our clients to get their IT systems back up again. Some clients are needing to work remotely due to difficult access to their buildings, some are having to relocate completely and for some, their staff are flatly refusing to work in the tower blocks too far from the ground.

I got brave today and visited a client briefly in the city (right in Cathedral Square for those that know Christchurch) and the city is like a war zone. While I was at this particular client, the found a gap in the floor between the two original buildings (now combined into one) that is now about 12" wide - under the freaking carpet! I couldn't leave fast enough! On leaving, my workmate and I ended up taking a different stair well out (lifts are off limits in the city due to aftershocks) and we ended up in a warren at the bottom of the building. We followed all the emergency exit signs and ended up in an alley that had "emergency police do not cross" tape across the entrance - there was no way back for us - we had to simply go under the two lots of tape to get back to the street! A little unsettling? Heck yes!

Fingers crossed things start to settle down for you. I'm sure the cruise can't come fast enough!

We have Tracy too - met her on the EBPC and she was lovely so asked for her this time when we booked with Dreams.

We also met Tracy on a cruise: the last special 5-day on the Magic.

Not a tornado but it looks like an earthquake struck and made a mess - thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it - just not sure how long I can continue using it for

I think you can use this one for a loooooong time .

We are fine. Standing joke here is we are shaken but not stirred and this city really rocks! Our new greeting is - hey, what's shaking!?

And do you answer, "I'm all shook up"? (I know, I'm silly.)

Check out this animation of the earthquakes. Radio this morning said we have had 355 aftershocks and that doesn't include todays ones.

Wow, that animation is unbelievable!

We have experienced this also - we get mistaken for Brits - still could be worse, they might think we are Australians

I love all of ya!

We get mistaken for Aussies too!!! I just get them back by mistaking the Americans for Canadians!! That gets their goat up!!!

As long as you don't mistake me for dead, I don't care!

So as you guys know I work nights, although I get to sleep around 5-6 hours if Im lucky, last night I went to bed with a sore throat, this am I woke up feeling like yuk, total full on cold....head,nose and I am so tired, been in bed all day, it sucks... now I have the dreaded D as well.
Dogs are doing my my head wanted walked and I cant go 10 mins radius of the toilet.
Better this week than next, but better not at all thankyou, and the worst is still to come cause I can promise you Len will catch it

Lynne, I hope this is very short-lived.

so I went to a different store today to get shapewear and I was successful. Not perfect, but comfortable. As it happens the store has a 20% off everything day, so i browsed the evening wear and actually tried one on. It was beautiful and I felt so good. But it would have needed shortening, and not a simple job either, so no time.
Anyway I looked in another department and they had one style in 2 colours slightly cheaper to start off with, and wow, they were great, and easy to shorted. so I picked one up. Had to ask the staff member and other customers which colour to choose. Now, if I wear my highest heels I can get away without shortening it, but they are black and the dress is blue. However, unless I quickly see some gold or silver very high sandals, they will have to do now as I don't have that long left, nor much money!!! I think silver would look best, but I already have a gold cover up and that would save me buying yet something else.
I'm feeling so much better now!!! John thinks I look great too and that is what matters.

Good for you, Marilyn! The only thing that would make me look better is an invisibility cloak .

It's Here! I leave tomorrow morning early for Rome and then Barcelona!!!!! I am sooooo excited, but also in a state of panic. My packing is done except my carry on which I just kept throwing items in a bag as I ran across them. Now I'm not sure all those items will fit.

So today I walk 3 miles, go for a mani/pedi and then a dental appointment. Why did I think I would have time for these today???? Oh well, today is it, if it doesn't get done then it's too bad. May not have time to get back on the board today so I'll say goodbye for now until we meet in Barcelona. I wish everyone a safe journey!

Judy

Safe trip and have fun .

Its a great feeling tossing your passport into your bag knowing your going to use it!
We are leaving tomorrow headed to Prague before we meet up with everyone in Barcelona.
Safe travel to everyone, see you soon!
Cynthia

Same to you, Cynthia!

Very strange rule from Swiss Air. If it was a safety issue then nobody would be allowed to use one, doctor's letter or not, and if not then they are just being proper jobsworths!! Hey, I could use some stronger words here. Poor Dennis. I presume he will be 'sleeping' more or less upright so perhaps he will 'sleep' easier without the CPAP rather than lying down?

DH also uses a CPAP, but sleeps OK if he's sitting, so I'm hoping the plane won't be a big issue for him (and me, since he snores big time).

Got some stuff done today: got euros and pounds, and got some additional emergency medical insurance (DBIL's mom went to Italy and had a major stroke. She had no emergency medical insurance and they had to pay over $40,000 to get her back to the U.S. .) We do have some w/the regular travel insurance, but DH is VERY proactive about stuff like that. I just hope none of us will ever need it.

 

[Buckeye Gal]

It's been arts and crafts day here between Ivanna, Anita, and my scrapbook signing pages.

Here are the two pages that I'll interchange on my cabin door (2004) for you to sign! The font I used with the apple makes the T look a bit like an F, but I didn't care at that point!

I *SO* cherish the signed scrapbook pages I have from my last cruise, and want to come home with some of the same memories! So I hope you stop on by! I'll try to remember to bring it to the DIS Meets on a week from Saturday, too.

PS: When I've previewed this post, the pictures are LARGE even though I've resized them down significantly. So assuming when I "Post" this it looks the same as the preview, my apologies for it being so in-your-face!

Yeah, we will see....

Yeah....that's what I keep telling myself, too!

Its a great feeling tossing your passport into your bag knowing your going to use it!
We are leaving tomorrow headed to Prague before we meet up with everyone in Barcelona.
Safe travel to everyone, see you soon!
Cynthia

WOO HOO!!! I hope to hear some stories of your adventures in Prague! Save travels to you, too!

Anybody know if there will be a guest talent show on our cruise? Adam (DS10) is playing It's a Small World on the piano right now. It's really getting me in the mood. I can't wait to meet everyone from our small world in 9 days!!

I haven't heard of any other than a sing-along to It's a Small World performed by Adam!

....I can't remember - Paula was organizing. I did the mini bars......

....Wednesday is my get pampered day! And from the looks of my schedule once onboard I will need it!.....Did someone say that this cruise was supposed to be a vacation? I have scheduled Glenn and I for so much I may need 2 weeks to recover! LOL! I didn't realize it until I keyed it all into a spreadsheet and looked it over. Nothing seemed huge... Tastings were the most of it, but when I added in SPA, tours, other seminars, tours, gatherings - I am astounded!

Clearly I'm in need of and transitioning to that vacation mode because I read "organizing" and "mini bar" and thought "Hey! We have a mini-bar (alcohol) swap going on?

Indeed you DO need a pampering day!

I didn't even sign up for too many things, but found I only have 2 days that (currently) nothing is scheduled! I still have more things to sign up for once I get on board, too.

From FB
Paula Sillars ‎...great now the quakes are coming in stereo! 4.5, 6km deep, 20km s-e of Darfield AND 4.6, 15km deep, 20km west of CHCH at 7.10am
16 minutes ago

All those poor people. I just cannot imagine the terror some of them must be going through. Paula is doing a pretty good job at keeping her spirits up, but seriously....how long can you really do that?!

One question...............

......How much sun tan lotion does everyone plan to take?

It depends on if you are more like the Barcelona man or not.

 

[birkner]

If I recall, each cabin has a fish which is like a letter holder (correct?). Please just put the scrapbook item in that. If you're not comfortable with that, please call me (7060) and we'll arrange a time to exchange.

Thanks,

Andrea

I am comfortable with leaving the items in the FE but was confused with your post as follows:

Just a reminder to everyone on the SCRAPBOOK...

Just a reminder to everyone on the SCRAPBOOK EXCHANGE list, we will NOT have an FE so please just leave it in the paper thingy (#7060) or we can arrange a swap.

This time next week: BARCELONA!
...

 

[vakamalua]

I am comfortable with leaving the items in the FE but was confused with your post as follows:

Just a reminder to everyone on the SCRAPBOOK...

Just a reminder to everyone on the SCRAPBOOK EXCHANGE list, we will NOT have an FE so please just leave it in the paper thingy (#7060) or we can arrange a swap.

This time next week: BARCELONA!
...

Noel, we'll have a fish, but not a fish EXTENDER. So please just leave it in the fish. Hope I haven't confused you or anyone else...

Andrea

 

[granmaz]

As long as you don't mistake me for dead, I don't care!


Good for you, Marilyn! The only thing that would make me look better is an invisibility cloak .

Promise I won't mistake you for dead - as long as I don't come across you fast asleep somewhere onboard!!

Now I don't believe your second sentence there for one minute!!!!

 

[birkner]

Noel, we'll have a fish, but not a fish EXTENDER. So please just leave it in the fish. Hope I haven't confused you or anyone else...

Andrea

I understand now so I will try to hang it on your fish.

 

[vakamalua]

Just thought I'd mention that, for extra protection on board since we're heading into flu season, Greg and I went ahead and got our flu shots last week. The supply is very plentiful now and contains the regular and the HINI vaccine. You can get them on a walk-in or next-day appointment basis at many large pharmacy chains (e.g., CVS, Walgreens), just check their web sites. I always worry with so many people in such tight quarters (especially with kids who may have just gone back to school). With my luck, I'll probably catch something else but at least it won't be the flu...

Andrea

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Must all be incredibly worrying




On a lighter note......

I've just realised what a ridiculous amount of toiletries/meds I have sorted out to take........and that's not everything yet!


One question...............


......How much sun tan lotion does everyone plan to take?

Just one bottle which we will buy in Barcelona .... pity as I have loads of the stuff here already, but can't take up any weight.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

So.....Dennis got his new CPAP today and we were told that this one would come with a battery for travel. It did not, so I called Swiss Air to find out 1)if there is a place to plug in either electric or 12 volt and 2) if this will count as his one allowed carryon. Well, does not count as his carry on, yay for that! But, they will not allow him to use it onboard unless he has a medical form signed by his provider. He gets his care from the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and there is no way in Sam's Hill that we can get a form signed, faxed to Swiss Air and their approval faxed back to us in one day. So, he said heck with it....heck, yes he said heck!! He will just get some breath right strips and try to doze as much as he can. I think he will be very tired when we arrive on Thursday afternoon. I am sure I will let him grab an hour or 2 nap regardless of the jet lag issues otherwise I am sure he will fall asleep during dinner or worse get sick.

Poor Dennis, he is going to need this holiday

Must all be incredibly worrying




On a lighter note......

I've just realised what a ridiculous amount of toiletries/meds I have sorted out to take........and that's not everything yet!


One question...............


......How much sun tan lotion does everyone plan to take?

3 bottles, one x 6,9 and 15 factor. just little ones, but they may get ditched and I will buy more if wt is going to be a proble, our tablet and macaroon weighs 5 and half kg

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Could you please explain how you want us to leave the scrapbook exchange items? I have mine broken into 12 and was expecting to put it into people's FE.

Leave it in the FE - that would be great! We want to make this as low maintenance as possible, but yet fun!

 

[birkner]

Leave it in the FE - that would be great! We want to make this as low maintenance as possible, but yet fun!

Thank you for your post. I will leave on or in the FE. I was just confused with Andrea's post.

 

[orlandothebeagle]

Just thought I'd mention that, for extra protection on board since we're heading into flu season, Greg and I went ahead and got our flu shots last week. The supply is very plentiful now and contains the regular and the HINI vaccine. You can get them on a walk-in or next-day appointment basis at many large pharmacy chains (e.g., CVS, Walgreens), just check their web sites. I always worry with so many people in such tight quarters (especially with kids who may have just gone back to school). With my luck, I'll probably catch something else but at least it won't be the flu...

Andrea

Do diff countries vacc for dif flu strains?
Like what you get vacc for in usa will be diff from whats going around spain or maderia say?
I find this interesting cause we vacc dogs for kennel cough and its pretty much a hit or miss, we use the same vacc for all over europe and its diff strains all over scotland never mind europe, mostly its a waste of time vacc them for kc.

 

[MagicMe]

its a great feeling tossing your passport into your bag knowing your going to use it!
we are leaving tomorrow headed to prague before we meet up with everyone in barcelona.
Safe travel to everyone, see you soon!
Cynthia

safe trip!!!!

 

[Candy Apple]

So.....Dennis got his new CPAP today and we were told that this one would come with a battery for travel. It did not, so I called Swiss Air to find out 1)if there is a place to plug in either electric or 12 volt and 2) if this will count as his one allowed carryon. Well, does not count as his carry on, yay for that! But, they will not allow him to use it onboard unless he has a medical form signed by his provider. He gets his care from the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) and there is no way in Sam's Hill that we can get a form signed, faxed to Swiss Air and their approval faxed back to us in one day. So, he said heck with it....heck, yes he said heck!! He will just get some breath right strips and try to doze as much as he can. I think he will be very tired when we arrive on Thursday afternoon. I am sure I will let him grab an hour or 2 nap regardless of the jet lag issues otherwise I am sure he will fall asleep during dinner or worse get sick.

When do you fly out? Normally, I don't condone forging a siggie but... Going even just one night without CPAP----->decreased oxygen, fatigue, high blood pressure, etc....Going one night without CPAP on an airline with decreased air pressure----->I wouldn't want to risk it.

One question...............


......How much sun tan lotion does everyone plan to take?

I'm hoping to buy 3-4 bottles of the spray kind at Morrison's in Gibraltar. Does anybody know if they will carry it? Last 7 day cruise we only brought 2 bottles for the 4 of us and had to fork over $12 to DCL to buy another one. We use the sticks for the face and will bring 2 of these. Kids only like the spray kind and I won't put these in the luggage.