Up the Amazon Without a Paddle.

[Masonic Phantom]

Thank You drron.....great report.

Cheers M.P.

 

[drron]

After the Crossing ceremony and photographing the sunset we had dinner in La Terraza.Now it wasn't busy-

But the service was very slow.At times unforgiveably so as in not being offered parmesan cheese for our pasta dishes.As well mistakes were made.Mrsdrron ordered Ravioli with a cherry tomato sauce but instead this appeared-

it was a zucchini and butter sauce she was told.Fortunately I fared better with my bigoli with a tomato and beef sauce-

The starters of veal tartare and a parmesan flan were good.My main was the veal liver.Slightly undercooked but still tough.mrsdrron had the fried shrimp and calamari,not as good as we get at home as slightly overcooked-

I finished with the cheese plate-

Wednesday and a very interesting lecture on Grenada from the guest lecture.He had been an advisor to the Prime Minister of Trinidad and his assistant was the fellow who took over Grenada after murdering the Prime Minister.The accounts of the US invasion were a lesson in how not to conduct an invasion.
Lunch was a buffet.At 7pm was the Captain's farewell where the crew are introduced and awards given out-

That evening was the last formal night and we were on the Cruise Director's table with Duct Tape and Joe along with an English couple.A lovely rack of lamb was the choice of most.We ended a delightful evening by going to the Abba tribute put on by the Entertainers of Silversea.They did a great job and we had enjoyed all their shows-

 

[drron]

Thursday and our last full day at sea.Once again an interesting lecture on Barbados.But we crashed in the trivia finishing last.Lunch was reasonable with mrsdrron having very nice veal in lemon sauce whilst I had penne with porcini and beef and a beef rendang-

We both then overdid things with 2 desserts.A very nice coconut pie-

And an allright rice pudding.

We had afternoon tea for the caffeine hit to keep us awake.then it was a pre dinner show featuring Beatles songs.This one wasn't up to their previous standard.Dinner was then with 3 English couples.As it turns out one fellow was very Knowledgeable about Qantas being a CL.Confirmed that CLs get into the Concorde lounge at LHR.He loves the proposed EK-QF tie up as EK is his favourite airline.
For dinner I had the pheasant,mrsdrron a pork chop.both nice.

Of course it was then back to the room to pack and leave the bags in the corridor.
Friday we awake already berthed in Barbados.Two large ships-P&O Ventura(3192 pax),Aidaluna(2100 pax) and then they are joined by the Norwegian sun(2002 pax).

So 7500 passengers arrive and it is Independence day in Barbados.Most shops are closed.Probably quite a few disappointed cruisers.
We had our last breakfast in the restaurant and said goodbye to Cherry.Then to our butler Bo and his assistant Alain.All deserved a little more.

Next more of Barbados.

 

[drron]

Disembark and get a bus to the Customs Hall.The place is jammed but fortunately the other ships are in transit so not many going through the "full" customs check.We pick up our bagsAnd go to the Custom's officer.Here is a good lesson in why Barbados has full employment.The fellow counts our bags not once but twice just to make sure it really is 2 bags.Then he fills out a form in triplicate and gives us a copy.Then he carefully checks our passports and Immigration cards before waving us through.
Then it is off to the car rental agency where again everything is written out by hand.I am third in line so a fair wait.There is a fellow in uniform strutting around looking important.When the woman in front of me is nearly finished he comes over and asks me why I am waiting here.well i have a car booked.Collects a sheet of paper and there is my name but there is no other car at the port.

He finds out my car is at the main Bridgetown office so he yells out to the fellow doing the processing-"De Fat man reckons he done ordered a car here but dem people have it at main office.So wat we to do with de fat man?"Naturally everyone in earshot(all those in the port area) turn around to look at de fat man.
After much discussion I was given the van that they were to drive back to the office in.Turned out to be a stroke of luck as we said we would take the couple from Vermont to the Hilton and they had 4 large bags.We drive to the Port entrance where the fellow takes the Custom's form from both of us and waves us through-Didn't even look to see if we had any bags on board.I then noticed the petrol gauge was reading empty.Didn't worry as only a short drive to the Hilton.But then we find Highway 7 past the Hilton is the route of the Independence day parade.So after detouring thought it best to put a dollar's worth of petrol in-and the lass who pumped the dollar's worth then had to write up the transaction in triplicate.So eventually made the Hilton where we swapped the van for a Corolla.

To check in and told no rooms until 1500.went up to the exec lounge and checked there.Took our friends from Vermont as well.Got rooms at 1330-no upgrade but didn't care.still exec lounge access.Were told we would be charged for having guests in the lounge but nothing made it's way to our bill.A quick shower and down to the beach for a swim.Got back and some chocolate dipped strawberries and a letter from the GM had been delivered.

That night the 4 of us went to Lobsters Alive,on the beach close to town.Told it was necessary to book but only 2 other couples there.Mrsdrron and I shared a 2lb lobster-$72.50.It was very nice.We had brought 2 bottles of SB off the ship and those filled the bill nicely-but the restaurant charged $15 corkage for each bottle.As i keep saying Barbados is expensive.
Next-final day in Barbados.

 

[drron]

Saturday starts with breakfast in the lounge.it is a madhouse.very crowded and there are 8 nuns partaking.We then say goodbye to our friends and go for a drive to the Mount Gay rum distillery.Our son wanted a bottle of their sugar cane brandy.Well it is no longer made as Barbados doesn't produce enough sugar cane to make all the rum they produce.A lot is now imported.
So we then go for a drive down the South coast.Pass Oistins and show mrsdrron where they have the fish fry-she is glad she missed it.Then it was to the Concorde experience-it is not to be missed.Great coconut ice cream too.I have already posted on it here-
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....guide/concorde-experience-barbados-45553.html

Back then to the hilton for a last swim in the Carribean.Back to the pool for happy hour but december is the official start of the Barbados high season so happy hour has been cut back from 3 to just 1 hour.Just have to drink quicker.:shock: We decide to have an early dinner and share some chicken wings and calamari.

There were some reminders of the Independence party the night before-

not all pretty-

and there were a new lot of ships in port-

but we just kept drinking our Pina Coladas.

Then watched the sun set which comes next.

 

[drron]

So even in paradise the search is on for oil-

But i didn't let that spoil the sunset-

I wasn't the only one enjoying the scene-

next it is back to LOTFAP.

 

[Princess Fiona]

How do you have the energy to post so many pictures?
Loving the TR, bit of nostalgia for me as Shrek and I honeymooned in Barbados

 

[drron]

It's a pleasure princess.but the real reason for doing this is summed up in one word-memory.After several rounds of culling the memories are reinforced.As i get older the brain needs all the help it can get.Mrsdrron constantly reminds me of that fact.
But now back to flying.Sunday and it was an early start.Left the Hilton at 0530.Dropped the rental back and just one problem-I was told to drop the keys in the box outside the office,except there is no box.Now this corolla didn't come with all the new fangled equipment.Thought I would lock the key in the car-except you needed the key to lock the car.fortunately my brain started working-opened the boot,locked the car,dropped the key in boot then left a note under the door.

So now back to mrsdrron who was starting to think I had done a runner.Go to the AA checkin,line up in the premium queue when a bunch of Rastafarians pushed under the tape in front of us meaning we would have been better off in the Y queue.Quickly through immigration,look over the shops and get to gate 0650.Boarding starts on time at 0715.Only 1 who preboarded-using crutches and had to be helped up the stairs.We were soon settled in 3A,B.

AA602 BGI-MIA. ETD-0800. push back-0752. take off 0758.
ETA-1115. Land-1036. At gate-1052.
A continental breakfast was served.The trail mix which we had later was very nice.

Service was efficient.Unfortunately a fair bit of cloud as we had probably our last look at Barbados.

And soon over the beautiful carribean and then it's islands-

Landed early which meant a wait for an empty gate.As is usual for us about the furthest gate from immigration.When deplaning there were 16 wheelchairs waiting for the flight.It turns out they must have a priority through immigration as although we only had 1 person in front of us at Immigration they beat us to the baggage carousel and then got priority as wheeled through Customs.This time there is no doubt-15 of them were able bodied at BGI and could climb the aircraft stairs without help but in MIA suddenly they are disabled.I think it is fair to call these people scammers.

Now we had left 4 hours between flights as on our last trip back to MIA from the Carribean we had a 2.30 transit at MIA but still missed the connectionThis time everything went smoothly despite the long walk to Immigration then a long walk from Customs to baggage drop.Then we were told the only open premium line wasat the E security which was another long walk.However no one else there so we were past security by 1130.That is 15 minutes after scheduled arrival in MIA.So we looked at a few shops then decided to have lunch at TGIF.Couldn't go past the ribs with sweet potato fries and a great lime/ginger slaw-

I had added a Black Angus steak to my half rack.It really was tender and tasty.We then wandered to the D15 AC where our flight was going from.As we had a lot of time to kill I decided to conduct an experiment.Went to the bar with 2 coupons in hand and asked for 2 glasses of their premium Sav blanc.Two wite wine glasses came out.Then pulled the dollars from my pocket and those were swapped for 2 red wine glasses.See it really does pay to tip.
Next-off to DFW.

 

[Simo]

Great TR drron.

Always enjoy tour TR's and the food pics as well.

 

[drron]

As is usual when we leave the AC and we still have coupons left we select someone to receive them.on this occasion mrsdrron selected an older couple who had recently arrived and looked a little lost.they were delighted.
Left about 10 minutes before advised boarding time.14 names on upgrade list so some were obviously going to be disappointed.This time we were in 3A,B.Two couples were upgraded-they had been assigned seats apart but they decided to sit tpgether.Caused some confusion but sorted fairly quickly.After the doors closed there was 1 empty F seat.A FA brought a woman up from Y for that seat.
One of the upgraded couples was sitting across from me.The fellow started complaining immediately.first about not being seated together,then because he wasn't served a drink soon enough.A real DYKWIA of the worst type.He then refused to switch off his Ipad until told the plane wasn't moving.However all he did was put it into it's cover and when the FAs were seated out it came again.During the flight there children were always coming up from Y and getting in the way.The Purser obviously had had enough so when the daughter moved towards the F loo she was politely but firmly told she had to go down the back.Mr DYKWIA was again upset.

MIA-DFW. AA401. ETD-1535. Push back-1533. Takeoff-1557.
ETA-1755. Landed-1729. At gate-1749.
A very professional all male,MIA based crew in F led by Allan.Proactive on boarding guarding the F bins until all F pax seated before allowing Y pax to use those bins.Service good,kept the glasses nicely topped up.This was a refreshment only flight but this was substantial with a choice of hummous with pita bread or a buffalo chicken salad-

Up until landing at DFW everything had gone right.Sure we had again to wait for a gate but still there early.Straight to the baggage carousel and our bags did not make an appearance.Told they had come on an earlier flight.So had to walk from C26 to C4 to collect them.They had been opened though no TSA note inside.nothing was missing.
Then to the Rental car centre.Once again name isn't on the Prefferred board.but this time got a knowledgeable agent who told me it was because the CC used for the booking had expired-I did get a new Amex 2 days before leaving.Gave us a new volvo C70.We had directions to our hotel from them and google.however major roadworks and our exit had disappeared.went round and round for some time before eventually getting on I635E-should have exited via DFW north.
Then at the Sheraton Dallas Galleria more extensive roadworks but negotiated these fairly well.checked in.given our keys and the cardholder said room 1509-this however was the lounge and it was empty.So downstairs and our room was 1525.When in the room found out why the suite was so cheap-the living room is a normal room,the bedroom is tucked behind the lifts.Noisy.However we were so exhausted both nights that it was not a problem.views were amazing. :shock:

Looks like a couple more hotels going up.

 

[Hvr]

drron I am loving your TR, you obviously like fine food and write a great story. Almost like being there.

Thanks

 

[drron]

HVR I actually just like food.Probably a little too much.
Back to Dallas.We booked our stay here 12 months ago with 1 day for some last minute shopping.Somehow our presence leaked out and the stores made a major effort to woo mrsdrron.Macy's had 25% off everything for the day,Kohls 20% and most other places had similiar discounts.We left the hotel at 0900 and returned just after 2000.Though that did include dinner at PF Changs.Also a stop for some frozen custard which made a nice lunch.
We had picked our hotel because it was close to the Dallas galleria mall.The Westin is actually in the mall but it was more than twice the price.This mall has an icerink which was done up for christmas-

The woman on the ice was obviously a professional getting in some practice.Performed some great leaps and turns.I was able to snatch some time to watch as Macy's was right at the icerink.We were absolutely exhausted when we returned but had to repack the bags as we were leaving early the next morning.Mrsdrron sent me to the lounge to get some extra water-Monday night and the place was jumping.Probably because the beer was only $3 and the nibbles appeared fairly substantial.However i was full.
We bought so much that our larger bags were now 25 and 26KG.Fortunately at check in the next morning we had a great agent who just took the total weight of the bags and averaged them.
We left the hotel at 0600 and had a quick trip.We were on the Rental car shuttle 40 minutes later.Through to security quickly.However this was a shambles as a film crew were taking all their equipment through.They were setting up at Gate 24 presumably for an ad for AA.Whilst this was going on a couple pushed in front of us.To add to the wait they were totally unprepared and took an age to get everything through.
As is usual after the scanner I got a full pat down and then the TSA guy yells out for Male Security.Wondered what I had done.Was again because of my knee guard and that plus my bags had the explosives screen.I must have missed the story about the"knee guard bomber".Finally through to the AC at 0740.
Next-flight to NRT.

 

[drron]

AA175. DFW-NRT. ETD-0940. push back-0936. take off-0950.
ETA-1440. landed-1352. at gate-1358.

Thanks to possibly the last ever of my EVIPs we upgraded from J to F.The supervisor in Fiji said it couldn't be done but on arrival in the States I rang the Plat line and 10 minutes later we had our seats-3D.G.As a couple to sit together you have to choose the middle seats.We,as usual,leave for the gate about 15 minutes before scheduled boarding.Arrive at the gate just as boarding commences.The call is for F passengers only much to the obvious annoyance of many hovering around the premium lane.
Once seated and sipping on the Gosset we were given the new AA F amenity kit.looks allright-

Once airborne a new experience was being able to taste the 5 wines on board.I found this very good as I am unfamiliar with many of the wines served in the air.

I enjoyed the Gosset and excused it being served in a white wine glass.The German reisling was very floral and fruity,I enjoy a Clare reisling much more.The Pinot gris was an excellent dry white.The Tempranillo from La Mancha again I did not enjoy.A fairly strong sharp tannin aftertaste but very different to the big Aussie shirazs I enjoy.The Argentinian malbec was a surprise.A well balanced wine just perfect for drinking now so the one I continued with.

For the meal we were first served an amusee bouche-prawn with spicy tartare and sundried tomato-

Then the appetiser-

The chicken was nice but the 5 spice pineapple was really yummy.

The meal will continue.

 

[drron]

The next course as always with Americans was a salad-

The creamy pickled ginger dressing on the salad was very good.Then was main course.now I picked row 3 because of FEBO but on this flight it did not work.Orders were taken seemingly at random.Seeing mrsdrron was the 5th order taken and mine second last I suspect it might have been on OW status-mrsdrron's carry on wasn't the only one with a WP bag tag attached!So I missed out on the beef but I had been tossing up between that and the mochi chicken so not disappointed.

The chicken was good but I loved the sweet potato mash.It was then time for desserts.I picked the cheese platter and mrsdrron had the sundae which was delicious.

After I had finished my cheese plate I asked for a glass of Choya Umesu plum liquer-reaaly nice.but when the FA brought me the glass this came as well-

Along with the comment-I saw you looking longingly at your wife's sundae.The service was excellent.purser Dano along with FAs Jan and Sandra were a great team.The service and food certainly easily beat our F experience on QF SYD-LAX.Also as we passed over the Alaskan coast I went back to the front of the J cabin to look out-great views of Mt.Mckinley.
I then watched People like us,listened to some music and fell asleep.About 4 hours out of Tokyo I awoke and amazingly felt a little peckish so had a snack-

Washed down with a glass of pinot gris and all was enjoyable.We then hit a prolonged period of turbulence.After which a certain room was in demand.I went back to the J loo and was disappointed to find it much larger than those in F.
Still more to come.

 

[drron]

Two hours out of tokyo and I was eating again-

Washed down with a glass of the malbec and finished off with a Graham's vintage port.
Very smooth landing.gate was at the annex.no lines at Immigration.bags were going around when we reached the carousel.At limousine bus counter at 1420 and on the Westin bus at 1425.So less than 30 minutes from gate to limousine bus.The only problem on the bus was the woman in front continually annoyed the neighbours.
Arrived at the Westin at 1600.As usual upgraded to a corner room-suites are rare here.On a different corner this time overlooking the park near Meguro station-

Of course in DFW time it was well past midnight.Stayed awake until happy hour.Two drinks and a little snack before back to the room fo a sleep after taking a couple of noght pictures-

The Rainbow bridge and tokyo Tower.
next-Tokyo in the fall.

 

[drron]

We woke early.In time for sunrise-

Then time for breakfast.still a good spread but certainly less variety than in the past.I still love the selection of Japanese pickles-

Four varieties of radish on that plate and all nice.
Today we had decided to take it easy and just walked around the local area.Had lunch at the basement of Mitzukoshi Dept store.One bowl of salmon sashimi and salmon roe and one bowl of mixed seafood.really good and only $30.Then bought some sushi and cakes for dinner.

When in Tokyo we try to visit somewhere new to us.This time it was the Koishikawa Korakuen gardens-a National Treasure.And it was great to have come at this time of year.Easy to get to just taking the JR line changing at Yoyogi for Lidibashi.160Y the fare.Walking to the entrance we knew we were in for a treat-

and flashing my QLD Seniors card I got a discount.
be prepared for a profusion of fall colours next.

 

[drron]

So the next 2 posts are mrsdrron's photos-

 

[drron]

The last photo was taken outside the park.
Mrsdrron took 150 photos and I 300 here so very hard to sort.Mine will be next.

 

[JessicaTam]

Once again a great TR, drron. Fabulous photos too, not only the scenery but the food as well.

 

[drron]

So now my photos.This garden is one of the 2 surviving Edo period gardens in Tokyo.It's construction began in 1629.I was entranced.As well once again taken by the Japanese people.You will see a rare photo of the 2 of us taken by a Japanese gentleman who asked if he could.So here we go-