September 5: Belfast, Ireland

 Day 8:  Belfast Food Trail

Today was a really good day - a very fun excursion!  We didn't have to leave the ship for our excursion until a little after 1pm today, so we spent the first half of the day enjoying our "down time."  Kim spent time at the gym and did a little laundry while I built the first of the highlight videos.  And that's the first story for today.....while down in the living room working on the video the general manager of the Neptune - you remember him from earlier in the trip.....recognizing me and gifting us the drink package.  He came up to me and handed me two envelopes and said, "Mr. Love, this is a special gift from the team."  I told him he didn't need to do that and he replied, "We really appreciate what you've done."  Smiled and wished me a good day.....

Two gift certificates to a "Spa Day."  When we booked what we wanted (for a few days later in the trip) the value was well over $400!  WOW.  Such royal treatment!  Kim and I decided that with the expected temperatures expected to never reach 70 degrees this afternoon and a cool, stiff breeze in the forecast that the perfect outfit for the day would be our Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Champions hoodies....

We left the ship, met our guide and were soon off on a ten minute ride to the city center where we began our Food Trail walk.  We had five stops along the way.  Four of them were outstanding - the one was a brief stop in a bookstore for a small bite-sized snack that lasted less than fifteen minutes but the other four were just outstanding.  Before we started we stopped in from of a bank - Denske's Bank - six men walked in and eight minutes later walked out with 26.5 million in sterling, and millions in both Euros and American dollars.  To this day only $40,000 has been recovered - from when it was left anonymously at the local police retirement headquarters!  At the first stop, Garricks, we had an apple cider ale and "champ" which was basically mashed potatoes loaded with butter.  It was delicious.  The second stop was AMAZING.  We went down stairs into a bakery, Daisy's which for us was all about chocolate.  After explaining it was all about making the purest of REAL chocolate we had the most tasty hot chocolate.  Then we were given a chocolate ball that contained 1/5th of a shot of Bailey's liquor.  And let me tell you, when it melted in your mouth and the liquor was released it WAS like taking a shot.  YOWZA!

The third stop was at a deli where we were served some wine and bread, cheeses, and jams.  All very tasty.  Then the "ok" bookstore.  As we walked the streets of Belfast we passed through the original arcade from the early 1800's and went through several "entry ways" which were passages connecting city blocks.  We certainly enjoyed seeing the city this way and in this wonderful weather.  All the while our guide, Barry was telling stories about Belfast....he was just great.  One consistent theme to his stories was how so much of the streets we were walking on were once rivers!  Filled in in the late 1800's and then reclaimed they now make up a big part of the city center.  

The last stop was at the Morning Star pub.  Here we were served local beer and Irish Stew.  As delicious as everything else we'd had.  And on the drive back to the ship we drove slowly past the Titanic exhibition - it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of Europe.  The design is from one angle the hull of a ship; from another angle an ice berg.  And it's built to be the same size as the actual ship.  Tomorrow we don't arrive in Scotland until after noon, so it's another "relaxed" morning!

September 4: Holyhead, Wales

 Day 7:  Vintage Train Ride Into Snowdonia National Park

Today we docked in Wales - a new country for us!  We were excited to be taking a scenic train trip into the mountains and then returning by bus via a different route.  Maybe because we've been to Antarctica, Alaska, and atop the Swiss Alps....but the scenery, while good, was not breath-taking.  We thoroughly enjoyed riding through the Welsh country side, especially on a vintage train, the oldest narrow-gauge train in the world.  And to look at the video and the photos from today I'm sure you'll say "it looks great and oh-so-scenic" - but it was an eight hour day and these were the highlights.  Still.....a very good day and for us - we SO enjoyed the weather.....even when it rained it was so crisp, never out of the mid-50s (appreciated even more knowing it was a "feels-like" 110 at home); certainly we enjoyed it much more than we would have enjoyed a city tour.  Here's today's photos....

Our train has arrived!

All aboard!

Panoramic mountains of Snowdonia National Park

All that's left of what was once THE most important castle in Wales is the tower

Mountain views - up close

HUGE waterfall right out the window

Scenic valley with mountains in the mist

Clickity-clack along the railroad track.....sis - boom - bah!

This valley was utilized in shooting the "Game of Thrones" prequel, "House of Dragons" - as was much of northern Wales

Water rapids from one of the rivers near our lunch stop

The obligatory selfie at the rapids

Tomorrow we will be back in Ireland, in Belfast.  For a change our excursion isn't until 1:30 pm.  And we will be "touring the city," but not like most city tours.  Oh no my friends, we are doing a four-hour "Food Trail!"  Looking forward to another big day!

The Day's Highlights In Less Than 90 Seconds!

September 3: Liverpool

 Day 6:  A Magical Mystery Tour Day

Today we thoroughly enjoyed our day!  First, entire morning - from the start when we got off on the pier a little after 8am, until we returned well after noon - it was in the low 60's with a brisk breeze making it feel like the upper 50's.  In addition, for the first time on the trip we were enjoying an excursion where all six of us were together.  And to top off an excellent adventure, today it was all about the Beatles, as what else would you be doing in Liverpool?  :)

Our guide for the day, Debbie was a great story teller as she traced the lives and history of "the boys" as she referred to them - John, Paul, George & Ringo.  From their early childhoods through the band days to their later lives.  And throughout the trip as she told stories she would play Beatles songs which we could now understand many of the references in the songs thanks to her engaging stories.  As we drove through Liverpool the first spot she pointed out was Mathew Street where we could look down the narrow avenue to where the original Cavern Club was where the band got it's start.  The building pictured in the middle, with the street sign is the "Hard Days Night Hotel" and across the front are statutes of each of the members of the Beatles.

Mathew Street, home of "The Cavern"

Soon we arrived at "The Beatles Story" exhibition where we walked through tons of memorabilia and recreated sets from the career spanning the Beatles reign atop the music charts.  As we entered there was a chance to have our photograph taken in various "Beatle settings" - some highlights of the extraordinary exhibit.....

We enter the exhibit....

Pausing before entering to perform our first number :)

Recreated entrance to the Star Club, one of their first spots to perform in concert

And the crowd goes wild as we perform our second set of tunes - captured by vintage B&W photography

Recreated entrance to the night club, "The Cavern" - you could walk into the recreated club itself through this door

THE stage where "the boys" played, complete with all the autographs on the wall

We take the stage to the WILD delight of the crowd

Actual suits from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"

Strolling Penny Lane - as per the famous Beatles album cover

THE yellow submarine - and I got a chance to command "Up periscope!"

We perform our version of "Yellow Submarine"

Recreated Pan Am flight which carried the Beatles to NY where they performed on CBS TV on the popular Ed Sullivan Show (I remember watching that performance!)

Another magical moment captured in a throw-back black & white image

Strawberry Fields & the prop gravestone used in the Beatles film for Elanor Rigby

As we left we needed to don Beatles-era sunglasses to avoid being recognized by all our adoring fans

After leaving the exhibit we drove around the city stopping at various spots made famous through the music of the Beatles.  We were glad we'd visited the "story" first so that when we saw the actual places we had some perspective.

The REAL Penny Lane and the REAL Strawberry Fields

Tomorrow Kim and are very excited as we had originally been shut out from the "Ffestimog Railway" excursion.  But when we boarded the ship we had gone to the excursion desk to try and book it.  We got on the wait list and we got tickets!  We'll travel on via the Ffestinniog Railway, the oldest of Wales's narrow gauge railways.  We'll travel in an original 19th-century carriage on the steam engine into the picturesque mountains of the Snowdonia National Park to the village of Betws-y-Coed for lunch!

September 2: Dublin

 Day 5:  A Taste of Ireland

As our guide said, today was a "Grande Day" as in the Irish dialect Grande is interpreted many ways....and for us it was a very good day despite the day long fog and rain.  We arrived in Dublin around 8 am and our excursion began at 9am.  But because we were not docked, but anchored in the harbor we had to be in the Star Theatre at 8:15 in order to organize and be transported to the pier via tender boat.

It was about a 25-30 min cruise to the pier which is located well outside of Dublin city proper and it was raining fairly steadily as we went through the covered areas to the outside area where the buses were located.  We had a group of less than 30 going to Ballyknocken House and Farm for a cooking demonstration on making scones....and then we would be eating them.  The hour long and change drive was narrated by our Irish guide who was very upbeat and entertaining, as well as informative to listen to making the drive go by quickly as we looked out on the passing Irish countryside.  Once we reached the farm we discovered it is not only a working farm but a cooking school as well and once the owner and chef introduced herself we were immediately engaged by her enthusiasm and passion for cooking.  Her name is Katherine Fulvio and she's hosted several TV shows, even won an Emmy award, and she is featured regularly on the Today Show on NBC.  She gave an interesting background to her family and how she came to be where she is today and then she began demonstrating how to make Irish bread and more importantly scones.  On our table there was authentic Irish butter (which comes from grass-fed cows, leading to a richer color and flavor) as well as home-made marmalade which was made from a mixture of the berries grown on the farm.  Once the demonstration was over we were served the scones with authentic Irish tea.  It was a nice, tasty treat.  We had about 15 minutes to wander their gardens - the rain had nearly stopped - and then we loaded the bus for the return trip.  All in all we were gone about four hours from stepping off the ship to stepping back on.  Kim and I both remarked that we were glad we'd NOT done the traditional "city tour" and rather took in the more unique countryside trip and to enjoy the cooking demonstration.  The only downside to the day was we were unable to make our visit with our gal-pals from Australia work :(  Tomorrow we will be in Liverpool where we are going to enjoy "The Beatles Experience" for our excursion!

Welcome to Ballyknocken

The main home

The demonstration area

Let the cooking begin!

Our host Katherine Fulvio....the scones & Irish tea

Katherine on the Today Show

Garden Shots

September 1: Day at Sea

 Day 4:  Cruising - We're Celebrities!

Today was a laid back, just relax and do what ever while you enjoy the amenities of the Viking Neptune.  But, the day turned out to be full of stories that I'm almost certain you'll say "WOW" to when you read them.  It all started last night when we came back to the room after attending the musical revue.  On our bed as an envelope with a letter inside.  Also, as always there was tomorrow's Daily Bulletin.  In the bulletin, on the schedule of events for the day, as you can see below in the bottom left hand corner, at 5:30 the Viking staff was hosting a "toasting event" to honor any guest who had traveled with Viking before.  This is nothing new - on any ship.  But when we opened the letter (at left) it was from Miriam who is the Travel Consultant on board and she was inviting us personally......

I told Kim that I was sure that it was a letter everyone got and that everyone was regarded as "Viking Top Cruisers."  Kim however pointed out the sentence I've highlighted (top left) and her interpretation was that she and I were THE top cruisers on the ship.  I said, well we will see tomorrow when we go down to meet Miriam (who you'll note in the letter asked us to come see her when she was in her office, ahead of the toasting event, or to call her).  

Right after breakfast Kim and I went to Guest Services because tomorrow we are planning to meet our friends from Australia that we met on our very first international cruise in 2015....who just happen to be in Dublin on the day we are going to be there.  As we approached the Guest Services desk the lady in charge there smiled broadly and said, "Good morning Mr. & Mrs. Love, how may I help you?"  I was nearly certain she was NOT Miriam and when I saw her name tag, indeed she was not.  How did she, like the others so far, know me/us?  Interesting.  

At 9 am Kim and I went to the Travel office to meet with Miriam.  She had two guests with her in her office and two others were waiting.  As we walked up they said, "Do you have an appointment, because we have one for 9:30?"  We said no, to go ahead just as the other couple left Miriam's office.  That couple no sooner had sat down than Miriam excused her self, left the office and came out to us!  "Hello Mr. Love, thank you so much for coming.  When I saw you come up I was anxious to meet you!"  Again, how does she know us by sight?  She then proceeded to tell us that we were indeed the guests on the ship who had been on more Viking adventures than anyone else.  AND, she continued, she wanted to recognize us in front of all the other guests.  Oh wow....ok.  Then she said, "And if you don't mind, would you make a few remarks to everyone?"  WOW-squared!  Never one to turn down the microphone and speak to a crowd I said I'd be happy to :)

Later that morning Kim and I went down to the gift shop as I wanted to purchase a Viking logo shirt.  When I went to pay the clerk smiled and said "Did you find what you are looking for Mr. Love?  And I understand this is your 16th trip with us?"  I looked at him and said, "How did you know who I was and the number of trips - which is 17 (but who's counting!)" and he smiled very broadly and said, "Oh it's Viking magic!"  WHAT is happening?

So we arrived fifteen minutes early and sat (with the two couples traveling with us) in the area Miriam had asked us to sit at - near the front - so she could find us.  Then she told me how the program would unfold and when I was to come up to the microphone.  She gave a short series of remarks about how Viking cruising has several ships and many itineraries and thanked everyone for being a repeat guest and then said we have two people on board who've been on more Viking trips than anyone else, Mr. & Mrs. Love.  And she handed the microphone off to me.

I spoke for just a few minutes about how Kim and I had been traveling with Viking for more than ten years and that we'd been on all three kinds of ships Viking offers.  And then said, ".....you all know that Viking IS the best way to see the world in comfort (the Viking slogan), and you know that the best part is the Viking staff....." and heads began bobbing in the audience in agreement "......they make you feel so special, like you are the most important person on the ship....." I thanked everyone and wished them a good trip and head to my seat.  But as I approached the seat and Kim greeted me - she'd been filming my remarks - the General Manager came to us and.......

Oh wow.  How cool was that?  But wait.....it wasn't over!  The six of us had agreed to eat in the main restaurant this evening.  So we took the champagne to dinner and we were seated at a table for six.  The wine girl came around and asked the one couple we were with what wine they would like.  Then she came to me and said, "Good evening Mr. Love, which wine would you prefer?"  Again - how does she know me by name?  I told her because we have the spirits package (thanks to the Viking TV staff) I would like the Moscato wine because I like sweet wine.  She smiled broadly and said, "Because love is sweet you should like the sweetest of wines!"  Then our waiter came around to take our orders.  As he went to the other two couples he would ask, "And what you like sir?  Ma'am?"  He got to me and said, "Good evening Mr. Love, what can I get you tonight?"  WHAT'S THE DEAL?  Of course everyone at the table is having quite the time letting me know how "honored" they are to be with a pair of celebrities LOL.  But wait (again), that's STILL not the end of the story.  We get back to our room and there on the desk......

OK, now THIS is not just for us I'm sure.  Yesterday when our excursion was delayed by an hour the head of excursions greeted us on our return and said he was so sorry for the inconvenience and he'd be in touch with each of us.  The note with the wine apologized for the delay and offered the wine AND a 20% refund on the price we'd paid for the excursion!  Quite the day my friends!!!!

Tomorrow we're in Dublin, Ireland - one country Kim and I have never visited!