Boarding the ship and rain...

Thursday, July 17, 2009
Woke up at 2:30AM due to our wonderful neighbor’s arrival to their room. A few bangs on the wall and a call to the front desk and they were quiet and we were able to fall back asleep again! Whew.

Raining and raining and humid.
Welcome to an authentic Chinese breakfast. Meat, noodles, vegetables and tea. And chopsticks (we may be hungry soon). Really enjoyed seeing and tasting the Chinese breakfast and they had a good giggle over us being there! We made friends quickly and had a nice breakfast.

Packed up and headed back to the airport for a shuttle to the bus to the ship. All is wet and well here in Beijing.

Still pouring rain, we headed back to the airport and had a little bit of trouble finding the group but we did. We were on a nice bus with only a few passengers so we all had windows to see the rain pouring down them! It rained and rained. We had an interesting rest stop at a highway gas station with a shop and Gene bought a very light pair of flip flops for $1.60. Arriving at the pier after the 3 hour drive, we had no porters to help with the bags and there was utter pandemonium in the waiting area. No signage, no instructions and the disembarking passengers were just coming off -- and this was at 1PM (they are usually off the US ships by 9AM).

We waited and waited and finally had to go through checkin and customs and document clearance but it was a very different checkin than we have ever experienced with any other cruise.

Daily Limerick: Beijing’s a nice town, so they say, but it rained every tick of today. So nothing could be finer, we are on our ocean liner in China and sailing away.

In the rain, we boarded the ship. the Costa Classica. The crew are Chinese and Philippino and they try very hard. The officers are Italian and this ship seems to be based most of the time in Asia. Our stateroom was #4030 on a lower level with a huge round window. Rosalyn was our stateroom attendant and very nice. We ate in the buffet area and then had open seating for dinner (only for tonight). I explored the pool and spa and ended up in the jacuzzi and steam room. Wonderfully relaxing! There was a nice welcome show with various acts - Chinese acrobats, Afri-Arimba dancers, an Italian tenor and soprano.

The next few days it rained… all day long! Hard to believe the weather was so miserable but we relaxed with naps and scientific lectures (could almost nap through those also!). Met several interesting types of passengers which were mostly the eclipse chasers and the family members they dragged along with them. They are indeed chasers and have many claims to fame of visiting the most countries to see as many eclipses as they can, even if the eclipse only lasts for 40 seconds! A whole new way to travel, in my opinion. Go for a 40-second eclipse and then add on an African safari since you are there anyway.

Photos: Tablemates from Texas and the path of the eclipse

A few months later....here is the ECLIPSE of the Century!

Well, the blog did not work from that area of the world but I hope you are still interested!

July 16, 2009
AIR CANADA
It has been a long time since I’ve flown Air Canada. We were seated in various sections of the plane and we all commented on how nice the service was and the crew. A very refreshing welcome for a long flight!

After 3 meals and as many movies and games as you wanted, we arrived ahead of time to find out that the health department would come on the plane and test every single person for their temperature! They are very serious about swine flu and if there was any indication that your temperature was above the normal level you would be quarantined. Well, it turned out they only tested the folk in business class - of which Gene was one.
All passed with flying colors and we were allowed to de-plane.

It has been about 10+ years since we were in Beijing airport and it is now a huge monstrosity with miles of corridors and again two more areas where your
temperature is taken. Passport and immigration control were frequent and we finally were led to our luggage area and customs. The outside of the airport looked like the Bird’s Nest Olympic arena!

A shuttle took us to the Airport Olympic hotel - a basic Chinese 4* hotel, mostly occupied by Chinese (as we approached the desk they already had our paperwork in hand as they knew we were the people with the foreign names!). We negotiated a taxi for a few hours and drove in to Beijing. It was a nice clear night, much less humid than we had experienced upon arrival. During the day it must have been brutal.

We headed to the Olympic village and it was so beautiful! We were there at dusk so we were able to see it first in daylight and then with the lights on. MUCH MUCH larger than it appeared on TV. And the colors at night are stunning. A beautifully shaped flame building with a Times Square movie-type and advertisements in the center and a pretty blue square swimming center, the Watercube, and the Bird’s Nest National Stadium …all being visited by Chinese nationals who were out with their children in strollers. You can enter the National Stadium between 8-6 daily but we were too late.

It was dark by now and we headed in to Tianamen Square. Very much like we remembered EXCEPT for all the cars!! No bikes around at all -- just cars, cars, cars. Nothing like we remembered. New cars and people were driving somewhat sensibly. Lincolns and Toyota and Mercedes and Hondas….We asked the driver to go around the square twice and past the entrance to the Forbidden City, the government building, the mausoleum…a very nice introduction to the city and a beautiful night drive. In bed by 10:30 totally exhausted!

Tianamen Square is the world’s largest public square and also the resting place of Mao Zedong. He announced the establishment of the People’s Republic of China from the Gate of Heavenly Peace on October 1, 1949.
Early each morning an honor guard raises the Chinese flag. The square is flanked by the famous portrait of Mao hanging from the Gate of Heavenly Peace and the Great Hall of the People. The granite obelisk in the center is 125 feet high and commemorates those who died for the revolutionary cause of the Chinese people.

Not even half way there...

We were up at 5 to be out the door by 6. Now in Toronto for a 4-hour layover and it is cloudy. Had a beautiful view of Niagara Falls on the flight north. In the lounge waiting for the next flight so we have time to eat and type away!

We've already met some others joining us on the cruise -- from Pottstown, PA. One heads the planetarium in Boyertown (spelling?) and they are experienced eclipse watchers. I think we will be learning all kinds of new scientific terms!

Off on a 12+ hour nonstop flight to Beijing now!

Itinerary

You can see the path we will be taking as we venture out on the Classica!

The Eclipse of the Century! 6 Minutes and 39+ seconds

Well, another opportunity presented itself and we are off.
An astronomy cruise to view the longest eclipse of the century off the coast of China and Japan. It sounds fascinating to me and I convinced Gene and a friend, Nancy, to join me.

We get to learn while we play! What more could you ask for!! "Join industry experts and learn about the next big thing in leisure travel - the exciting field of Space Travel and Tourism."

Our itinerary:
Wednesday, we journey off to Beijing -- arriving there on Thursday afternoon their time.
Thursday, we board the Costa Classica ship for a 12-night cruise.

Here is the information -- I believe I will be more limited in blogging but will try.

This is the ultimate eclipse vacation for the Greatest Eclipse of the Century! Our eclipse cruise on the Costa Classica is the only way to see this eclipse at the point of longest duration - 6 minutes 39+ seconds. No other program even comes close!

Your chances of seeing the eclipse on this cruise are better than any other eclipse vacation - by Far!

First, our target viewing site is one of two sites with the best weather prospects anywhere along the eclipse path. Much better, in fact, than any land based site.

Second, the itinerary was designed such that should bad weather be a factor at our target viewing location, we are able to sail from Kagoshima, Japan to any point along the eclipse centerline from just off the Chinese coast near Shanghai to well past Iwo Jima. No other program offers any where near this much mobility!

The cruise begins and ends in Tianjin (Beijing), China.

Port calls include:
Chejhu, South Korea;
Kagoshima and Kobe, Japan.
The ship spends two nights in Kobe. Optional fully escorted over night excursions include an overnight bullet train excursion to Tokyo or Kyoto.

++++++++++

July 15 (Wed) Fly to Beijing to arrive on Thursday (July 16) and overnight.

July 17 (Fri) Tianjin (Beijing), China - Tianjin is the major port City for Beijing and is about 60 miles east of downtown Beijing. Ship departs 5:00 pm

July 18 (Sat) At Sea - A series of lectures about the region, the eclipse and astronomy will begin today.

July 19 (Sun) Cheju, South Korea - Cheju is the major port for the South Korean Island of Cheju-Do (sometimes referred to as Jeju-do). Cheju's temperate, subtropical, climate, natural scenery, and beaches make it a popular tourist destination. The Island is located off the southern tip of South Korea and is about 100 miles long and 20 miles wide.

July 20 (Mon) Kagoshima, Japan - Kagoshima is Kyushu's southernmost, major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city is often compared with its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree lined streets, relatively hot tempered inhabitants and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius.

July 21 (Tue) At Sea - The ship continues to sail for our rendezvous, at maximum eclipse, with the longest total eclipse of the Century. Our lecture series continues today. At mid day we will conduct a "dress rehearsal" to help you prepare for tomorrow's grand event. We will sail at the same course speed and time of day so you will know where the eclipse will be with relationship to your setup.

July 22 (Wed) Eclipse Day! - We will, likely, be the only group, in the world, to see this eclipse at greatest eclipse! 6 Minutes 39.4 seconds. For fun we're going to use the forward motion of the ship along the center line of the eclipse to push the length of totality to 6 minutes 40 seconds. Why? 'cause it's fun and we can!
Contact Times For The Eclipse - local time
First Contact 12h03m06s
Second Contact 13h26m40s
Third Contact 13h33m20s
Fourth Contact 14h54m10s

The geographic coordinates for our target viewing location are 25° 17' 21'' North by 142° 00' 00'' East. At mid eclipse the sun altitude will be 84.5° the sun azimuth 156.1°. The path width at greatest eclipse will be 258.2 km.
(Honestly, this does not mean much to me....yet!!)

July 23 (Thur) At Sea - The lecture series continues today as we sail to Kobe, Japan. Included is an eclipse de-briefing where each of us will have an opportunity to share his or her experience.

July 24 (Fri) Kobe, Japan - We arrive in Kobe for two full days to explore Japan! An historic port and distinct city in its own right, Kobe, is the capital of Hyogo-ken.

July 25 (Sat) Kobe, Japan - This is our final day in Japan.

July 26 (Sun) At Sea - The lecture series continues.

July 27 (Mon) At Sea - The lecture series concludes and we prepare for our final two days in China.

July 28 (Tue) Tianjin (Beijing), China - We arrive back in Tianjin at 12 noon today and we overnight on the ship. Whether you call it Beijing or Peking, it's the cultural and political center of China. Optional Excursions will be offered this afternoon. These include a tour of Tianjin, China's third largest city, a tour to Beijing and the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square or a tour of the Great Wall of China.

Arrive 12:00 noon - overnight on ship

July 29 (Wed) Tianjin (Beijing), China - Today you disembark the ship and begin your trip back home.

++++++++++++

An extensive enrichment program is being planned for adults and science-oriented activities are being planned for children. These programs will operate while the ship is at sea. These programs are designed to complement, not replace, the usual activities offered by the cruise line.

Lectures, demonstrations and activities will follow these primary topics:
• Solar Eclipses
• Astronomy
• Space flight
• World War II with an emphasis on Iwo Jima
• Amateur Radio
• The culture and history of China and Japan
• Activities for Children

Partial Speakers list:
Eclipses - Lectures and activities about eclipses will be the largest topic. Numerous lectures are planned on subjects for the eclipse newby to the seasoned eclipse chaser.

Lecturer staff includes:
• Ray Shibinski - Planetarium Director, author and contributing editor for Astronomy Magazine
• Kelly Beatty - Science journalist and lecturer, Senior Contributing Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine
• Dave Balch - Author and speaker. Eclipses as motivation!

Astronomy - Lecturer staff includes:
• Ray Shibinski - Planetarium Director, author and contributing editor for Astronomy Magazine
• Kelly Beatty - Science journalist and lecturer, Senior Contributing Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine
• Bruce Berger - Author and Contributing Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine. His specialty is telescope making
• Professor John Brown - Astronomer Royal for Scotland
• Mark Friedman - the Astrolabe
• Dr Lucie Green - Solar physicist, broadcaster and outreach expert

Space Flight - Program Details:
• We're planning an extensive enrichment lecture series about manned space flight. The highlight of the series will be a full day devoted to the Apollo 11 landing on July 21st. This day is the 40th anniversary of man's first trek to the moon - it is the day before the eclipse.

• During the port call in Kagoshima, we're offering an optional excursion to visit the Uchinoura Space Center. The original space launch facility for Japan with over 380 rocket launches.

• After we leave Kagoshima, the ship will do a sail by of the Tanegashima Space Center, Japan's premiere space launch facility. The sail by will occur around 5 pm that afternoon.

• We have extended the invitation to US Astronauts and former X-15 Test Pilots (the first men from Earth to travel in space).
• Phil Cameron, Esq. - Space Travel Law Association (STELA)
World War II and Iwo Jima - Lecturer staff includes:
• John Shivley - Author of The Last Lieutenant - a fox hole view of the Battle for Iwo Jima".
• Bruce Carter - retired professor of geology at Pasadena City College
• William Mayhugh - (Roy's Father) 17 years old at the time, was a signalman aboard the battleship USS Tennessee during the infamous battle.

Amateur Radio -
• We will set up and operate a amateur Ham radio station onboard the ship to communicate with others around the world including other eclipse expeditions.
• Brock Logan" - KE5GJC
• Terry Nixon - KB3CWQ
• Barb Nixon - KB3LDM
• Roy Mayhugh - KG6SFT

The Cultures and History of the region -
• Dr. Janet Cameron Hoult - Professor Emerita, CSULA

Childrens Program -
• Jeanne Symonds - Rocket building
• Bruce Berger - Science journalist and lecturer, Senior Contributing Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine
• Krista Stefan - Comet demonstration
• Dr. Janet Cameron Hoult - Professor Emerita, CSULA
• Dr. Helen M. Hart - Astrophysical, Planetary, and Atmospheric Sciences University of Colorado, Boulder

Miscellaneous topics -
• David Lynch - Geology
• Donald I. Abrams, MD - Chief, Hematology-Oncology San Francisco General
Hospital
• Steve Walton - Petrolium Geologist - Geology and Energy
• Neil Speirs - Eclipse limericks
• Jean-Paul GODARD - Eclipses and Stamp Collecting

Ready to go again...Mediterranean Enchantment!

Don’t miss the boat on the next (shorter!) adventure!
The Ensemble Travel Group has asked me to host on Holland America, the NOORDAM, from August 27-September 6, 2009!

We’ll fly to Rome and begin a 10 day journey around the Mediterranean.

Itinerary:
Livorno (Florence) Italy - Monte Carlo Monaco - Day at Sea - Barcelona Spain for an included ENSEMBLE EXPERIENCE excursion - Mallorca (Palma) Spain - Day at Sea - Carthage/Tunis (LaGoulette) - Palermo Sicily Italy - Naples Italy - Arrive Civitavecchia Italy

Ensemble inclusions: an exclusive private cocktail party and an Ensemble Experience in Barcelona!
"Barcelona: Founded by the ancient Romans. Decorated by modernist Gaudi. Barcelona is one of the globe's most cosmpolitan cities. And Gaudi's vision punctuates this metropolis. The spires of his La Sagrada Familia are recognized the world over; Park Guell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll La Placa del Rei (King), and Placa de Sant Jaume (Saint James) en route to the Gothic Quarter. It is lined with medieval palaces and was the city center during the Roman era."

Prices begin at $2265 per person, double occupancy, for a veranda stateroom.
Air and insurance are additional and valid passports are required.
We can add pre- or post-cruise nights in Rome, Venice or anywhere else!

Come join us in the Mediterranean! www.chuz2cruz.com
www.hollandamerica.com LGTravel@Verizon.net

My first thoughts today

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 – at home
Well, the first thoughts crossing my brain this morning were:
What time did I order room service?
And
I cannot quite picture who the room steward is.

!??!?!?!?
I don’t think reality has totally sunk in yet.

:)
Have a great day!