• Sea Days and Mermaids

    8/4/20087:42:42 AM Link 0 comments | Add comment

    We had just returned form our cruise to the Baltic Sea and I thought I would continue to share our experiences with you.

     Departing from Dover is interesting as movie clips immediately come to mind. The Memphis Belle is what pooped into my head as we looked across the port at the white cliffs of Dover and had visions of the World War 2 bomber limping back to base . . . . . . barely clearing the cliffs as she entered from the channel . . . . . . passing the lighthouse . . . . . . and making her landing on the runway. Well, that was my first thought and I knew the war was to play a big part in this cruise for me.
     
    Right off we had a day at sea, which is good because we all could use the time to relax a bit. Linda and I found a number of old friends among the crew. Some of which we have cruised with 6 or 7 times. Feals like coming home for a family visit to us. Sherwyn . . . . . one of the pool waiters . . . . was happy to see us as he hasn’t sold a bucket of beer in months . . . until today. He immediately became our “go to guy”.
     
    If you get a chance to sail on one of Carnival’s new ships, you need to make a trip to the Supper Club. The food and atmosphere for a special occasion can not be compared. If you happen to be on the Splendor . . . . tell Beverly and Eva that Glen and Linda say hello. . . . . . be sure and have a martini made by Akvile . . . . and you are in for a treat of you are served by Ika (like a child to us) and Sashka. And the band up there is very good, although I don’t get the name . . . . white mouse . . . . but worth a listen. Even if you don’t dine, have a drink with Akvile and send our love.
     
    Arriving into Copenhagan, we discovered what will be a trend on this cruise. Very difficult to find any shopping. The port had a couple of small stores, but nothing like you might expect . . . . so with our morning free . . . we walked into town. We’re not in the Caribbean any more. It took us awhile before we realized we were simply walking through residential areas into a city center which offered nothing we were looking for.
     
    Time to head back to the port and find a waterfront café . . . . . . so we may continue our beer in every country tour. And we did. We have time as our scheduled tour departs at 1:30. We still have not converted our money so we asked the waitress if they would take U.S. dollars. That’s fine, she said . . . . as long as we accept change in Krone.
     
    So we ordered . . . . 2 pints of beer . . . . 1 half pint of beer . . . . . 1 small coke . . . . and laid a $20.00 bill on the table. Our beer in every country tour may end early. She brought the bill and on it was written 40. We said 40 what? And she wrote the $ sign in front of it. So much for change in Krone.
     
    While drinking our beer, our shock turned into laughter as we realized we were about to go on our tour to the Ice Bar. Basically . . . . the ice bar cost us $139.00 each for a shot of vodka. Only on vacation.
     
    Now the ice bar is a great experience. The $139.00, however, does include a city tour also. We stopped at the little mermaid . . . . I don’t get it . . . . people are looking at this like it’s the Statue of Liberty or the Grand Canyon . . . . . it’s a mermaid sculpture on rock. We also visited churches, palaces and Hans Christian Anderson’s neighborhood on the way to the ice bar. They slip a full parka over your head and through the door we go. The room is kept at about 20 degrees, but doesn’t feel it. Completely made of ice . . . . . . tables . . . . chairs . . . . walls . . . . the bar . . . . . and of course, the glasses. After about 20 minutes and a lot of pictures, it’s back to the ship.
     
    Next - Berlin
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