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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Dec 23, 2022 12:00 AM Merry Christmas dear Friends!
Dear Friends worldwide.... Merry Christmast and Happy, peaceful and full of interesting travels New Year 2023!
I decided to fly to look for white Christmas to Oslo, to my dearest son Adam and his family living there... It is only 1,5 hour direct flight to get there. In Gdansk it is grey with temperatires 5-6 deg Celsius. I hope to find the snow in Norway! Enjoy your Christmas time!
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Dec 21, 2022 12:00 AM One more interesting voyage is completed!
Air France send their big 777 to take me and other travellers from Santo Domingo to Paris. The plane landed in Santo with little delay but they were working without any enthusiasm and finally we started to Paris with one hour delay. Before during boarding I (why me?) had very unpleasant control performed by the guys from Dominican anti-drug brigade. Never more!
Thanks God flying to Europe we had tail wind moving us as fast as 1050 kms/hour. We landed in Charles de Gaulle 30 minutes after schedule. And... there was security control, immigration control, airport train from terminal E to F. I was running not to be late for my flight to Amsterdam. OK, this flight was also delayed so I boarded with the last passengers. In Amsterdam it was much better: I had even a time to shave myself in the toilet.. We landed in Gdansk at 5.30 pm. Only 3 deg Celsius. No snow! Uuuu! I expected to have white Christmas this year!
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Dec 20, 2022 12:00 AM How to get to the airport?
It is the problem, because Santo Domingo Las Americas airport is some 90 kms from Caleta. My black-skin host wanted to milk me: first of all he wanted 10 dollars extra for check-uot at 3 pm. Then he offered me private transfer by taxi to the airport for 90 USD. Sorry. I took the 1-hour walk to carretera Santo Domingo. There is something like little terminal of Sichoem bus company.
Nice, a/c bus took me for 250 pesos - 5 dollars to the outskirts of Boca Chica town. Driver left me there and I took a taxi for 8 USD to the airport. I was on time to check-in but why they were studying my passport so long time? Too many exotic stamps? Ok, but they do not weighted my heavy carry-on luggage! Santa Clause we as passing by when I was waiting for my flight to the snowy Europe. I am going home for Christmas!
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Dec 19, 2022 12:00 AM Wedding on the beach
Caleta, where I stay is a suburb of La Romana. The only La Romana beach is located here. I took a walk to the centre of the village where tiny shops and home eaterias are located. I found barber shop - easy recognizable by loud, crazy music. How much for the haircut? 250 pesos! It is like 5 dollars. I agree and after 20 minutes the haicut was done... Then I went to the beach where local middle class enjoy the sand, warm sea and the fresh fish brought from the sea on the small boats. There is a long row of the seafood restaurants under the palms. Every restaurant offers his loud music and the result is great cacophony... At the last restaurant on the beach the wedding ceremony took place. I had the opportunity to see, how do they celebrate. Lucky me!
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Dec 18, 2022 12:00 AM Disembarking in La Romana
It was sunrise time when we were entering tiny port of La Romana in Dominican Republic. I started a day with solid breakfast, put an extra sandwich into my bag, and at 10 am I was ready to kiss my friends and go ashore. The same terminal with palm trees and duty free shop. The same cafe, where you must order something to receive the password to wifi. Then there is immigration control: forst they ask you if you stop in Daminicana! Say no! I am only in transit othervose you will pay for carta de turista. Then they put stamp into passport - bring blue form filled up. Customs at the next table just collect the white forms. Taxis are waiting. Rates are published on board - to the city 2 km costs 15 USD. I made a better choice walking in the sun. But it was necessary to take taxi later tothe sururbs of Caleta, where I stay on the provate house, paying 27 USD per night for modest apartment with kitchen, batch and fridge. Sunny 29 deg Celsius.
Let's have a rest!
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Dec 17, 2022 12:00 AM Christmas show at sea
Today is our last day aboard "Pacifica". Tomorrow we will say goodbye to this cozy ship... Everybody is packing-up his stuff. Bot there are also attractions: sun, music, dancing, meetings new friends... In the evening they invited us to the theater for the lovely Christmas show full of music, ballet dancing, video and ligh effects. I had really good time! I also meet the hostess of the English -speaking passengers. Halyna is really charming person, trying to simplify our life onboard and help everybody. She is from Ukraine. I will keep her in my best memories...
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Dec 16, 2022 12:00 AM Dominica, not Dominicana!
At 8 am we docked at Roseau - capital city of independent Dominica. Only one ship can dock here - the country with 72000 citizens is poor, but picturesque. High hills covered by lush green vegetation form main element of the landscape. I eas alreaady twice here, but long time ago. Already from the upper, 12th deck I was able to see, that not much changed here. Yes, between the old wooden, colonial houses new, modern buildings appeared. Both cathedrals, anglican and catholic are still in ruin after famous Maria cyclone. Once ashore I was walking again narrow, crowded due high amount of cars streets. I went to botanical garden with nice samples of travellers palm and then I was hitchhiking to the Trafalgar Falls, hidden 7 kms away, in the mountains. You know that I am great fan of the waterfalls - I eas happy to see the new ones! The car left me at Papilotte little power station. Then there is a tiring 10-min walk up the very steep road to the ticket office where you pay 5 USD or 13 caribs for entry. Then it is 10 walk on the path through the lush jungle. At the end of the path there is a view point under the roof - both falls are visible. The left on - higher but weak is 53 m high, and the right one carrying more water is 23 m high. Great view! I returned to the ship by hitchhiking: the car took me after 2 kms walk. Blue sky, hot sun - the best if the Caribbean!
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Dec 15, 2022 12:00 AM Barbados on the horizon!
Today in the morning after 6 days at sea I saw again the land. This was Barbados - former British colony. Last time I was here at the beginning of this year... I know very well the capital of the island - Bridgetown. where we dock. Just after breakfast I crossed the port gate, politely saying thank you to the hindered or so taxi drivers hunting for the ship's passengers. Than, after some 500 m I had a look to the market, where they sell mostly fresh fish, including big mahi-mahi. Finally I passed the parliament and crossed the second bridge to the Golden Park. Free Internet here still works! My mailbox after 6 days at sea is full. It is time to response the letters and to enjoy the news from friends! Welcome to hot but breezy Barbados!
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Dec 13, 2022 12:00 AM Crossing the Atlantic once again
There is a lot to do on our ship. Trivia, quiz. Sunbathing. Reading. I brought from me my small laptop to prepare the travel report from Antarctica and my presentation. In the evening we have every day new show in the theater and plenty of good music in different locations. I like most the performance of charming Nastya from Ukraine. She is very talented, playing on the violin not only standards but also classical musis. And of course there are at least three dance floors to dance. The ocean is not rough and I have a good time!
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Dec 08, 2022 12:00 AM Immaculate Concepcion
I am again in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It is holiday here - St Mary's Day... I decited to jump on the tram ( just 1,35 euro each way for more than half an hour ride) and go to the first capital of the island: historic town of San Cristobal la Laguna. It is even nicer now with the labyrinth of narrow, pedestrian streets and restored cathedral. Unexpectedly I had a chance to see the great procession going out of the Concepcion church with the statue of Virgin Mary. Two Brass bands were playing the music and the city and clergy officials were marching along. Very nice celebration with the bells ringing and people watching the once-on-the-year event.
Back in the Santa Cruz I visited for free Casa de Carnaval - a kind of the museum where they keep nice costumes. Great day!
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