Dec. 21, 2007

First let me start by saying that Jessica has been trying to get my photos and blog up to date... But now with that said, I don't think she has been trying hard enough. The past month, I've moved on board a new ship, gotten used to a new cabin and spent time with my 3 new roommates. And have taken next to ZERO pictures!! I'll keep harping on Jessica to get them posted. But since I have your attention and I don't know when I'll be back at the computer I wanted to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thanks for all your comments on my photos and I can't wait to post more in the new year!
PS; if you want to send me Christmas gifts, I like bananas.

Nov. 14, 2007

I got to go to work with Jessica today. I'm the new Laundry Prince! Here I am with 6 loads of clothes that need to be folded...


This is a spinner, you put wet clothes in it and then it spins them. Hince the name...


I was complaining that it was cold, so Jessica suggested that I get in the dryer to warm up...


Then she turned it on and took pictures....

I'm still dizzy from the experince....









PS: a shout out to Jessica's mom who made the crown and then sent it to Germany so I could wear it!

Nov. 13, 2007

The crew call this area "MONKEY ISLAND". I'm home!

Nov. 12, 2007

Yep! I got to drive the ship. Only 29 hours and 55 minutes more behind the wheel and I can be a certified seaman!

Nov. 11, 2007

Jessica let me visit the Fun Deck today! It's used as a preschool and recess area for the school kids. Today I had it all to myself. I took full advantage of the ropes and nets and practiced my climbing skills. After all of that natural behavior I choose to rest my muscles in the swing set. ahhh, this is the life. (The only thing better would be a hammock, sunshine and a pina colada!)

Nov. 10, 2007

I visited the bridge wing today. It's a long fall, but it helps the captain park the ship next to the dock.

Nov. 9, 2007

Ilkka, from Finland, and I playing the "why are you hitting yourself" game.

Nov. 8, 2007

I think I may need a spotter the next time I visit the weights. They were to high for me to reach.

Nov. 3, 2007

If you see someone fall over the side, shout "Man Overboard!"

Oct. 29, 2007

I think these signs say something about the ship being closed to the public. I can’t read German, or English for that matter.

Oct. 24, 2007

The kids on board are so sweet. They sale homemade milkshakes to the crew. I got to help “tina turner” generate business. I think I get along great with kids.

Does this wig make my feet look fat?

I’m going to have to rethink this whole idea of helping the kids sell stuff.

Oct. 20, 2007

My first scar… it’s actually just grease from monkey-ing around on bow with the mooring lines. Opps, maybe Jessica can throw me in the laundry?

OCT. 16, 2007

I love climbing ropes! And the bow is full of them!!

Oct. 14, 2007

Ouch! I got my hand smushed in the railing!

Oct. 12, 2007

“Near far wherever you are, I believe that the heart will go on….” Another new friend, Harmjan (he is from the Netherlands) let me go all the way to the bow to get these “Titanic shots”.

Oct. 9, 2007

I was able to help the watch-keeper today. My friend Matthijs, from the Netherlands, let me use the radio and help keep a look out for suspicious persons. The watch-keeper stands at the top of the gangway for four hours on and eight hours off, all week. I won’t be able to help this evening when Matthijs is back to work from midnight till 4am; I’ll be sleeping!

Oct. 2, 2007

I’m getting used to the gangway. “One hand for yourself and one for the ship”, that means you shouldn’t try to carry heavy stuff while walking up and down the stairs, especially in rough waters. But in my case I can use my tail!

Sept. 25, 2007

I forgot to post pictures from last week's holiday, International Talk like a Pirate day!! (It was Sept 19, in case you want to celebrate next year!)
Arrrg, Avast me hardies, shiver me timbers. This ship be a fine vessel for bilge rats. I done had a strong wind and the stars to sail her by. Ahoy!

Sept. 24, 2007

More adventures around town, but this time with statues.





























Philipp would not take no for an answer and ended up in another picture. I think he is jealous and wishes he were a monkey, too.

Sept. 23, 2007

Just a few days ago we sailed to Kiel, Germany. It’s in the north. We got to sail through a canal and almost collided with several other ships. It was fun.
After the church service today I took a stroll around the town and visited the local park. This is me at one of the lakes in the park. It was nice to walk around it, in the shade of the trees. Kinda reminded me of the jungle.


This is a new friend, Philipp from Switzerland. He thinks he is funny. I wasn’t laughing.

Sept. 17, 2007

This is my cabin, B210. Jessica has the bottom bunk and our roommate from Korea; Jin Suk sleeps on the top bunk.

Sept. 16, 2007

I was really excited to ride my bike to the shopping street near our ship. No one told me that all the stores in Germany are closed on Sundays.

Sept. 15, 2007

We joined the ship!!!! But this isn’t it. This is a wooden sailing ship that sits in a park near our berth in Cuxhaven, Germany. I insisted on taking the picture twice, because the first time I wasn’t looking at the camera.

Sept. 4-15, 2007

Jessica was so busy with her ship training, she left me alone most of the time. I tried with my opposable thumbs, but I couldn’t figure out how to turn on self-timer of the camera. Sorry, no pictures.

Sept. 3, 2007

I’m settling in at my Pre-Ship Training. With 7 girls and a monkey sharing one room, it’s hard to find my own space. Buy yeah for bananas.

Aug 30, 2007

I found wooden shoes that fit!!! Jessica says I can’t buy them; they aren’t in the budget. I’m off to Germany and looking forward to some Bratwurst and pretzels.

August 28, 2007

Wow the dutchies love their bikes! There are loads of bike paths. Just make sure that when you hear a bike horn, you get out of the way. If not, they’ll run you over. (Or so I’ve heard.)

August 27, 2007

I tried to call home today. Their phones are green and I didn’t understand a word the operator said. I’ll try to call again another day.

August 26, 2007

With loads of free time on Saturday I took a stroll across the river and found a VEIRMØLLEN. Do you think I can find wooden shoes in my size?

August 24, 2007

This is my room. I share my room with Jessica and her roommate Sue, from Korea and upstairs in the loft are Piia, from Finland and Ali from England. (We have one of the better rooms, and it’s close to the dining hall.)

August 21, 2007

I arrived at the De Bron Conference Center. The weather has been charming. We had some afternoon drizzle, but over all cool and refreshing.

Introductions

Many of you have seen my pictures in the past from various places around the cruise ship and the world. I had planned to retire and just let Jessica have all the fun, but my plans changed. With the encouragement of my new best friends Stephanie and Josh, not only do I get to continue on with my travels, but I also got a face-lift!
I hope you enjoy my blog and travels. Dependent on Jessica, her Internet connection, and how much free time she has to take my photo, I don’t know how often I’ll be posting pictures. Let me know what you think of the pictures, I love comments almost as much as I love bananas.