Our cruise on the Viking Octantis continues.  Tomorrow, a tour of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  But before my topic of the day, wines, first, some Trump news of relevance. President Donald Trump was the one who announced a  10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon .  Apparently, Hezbollah, too, will be included. The Commission of Fine Arts approved designs for a  250-foot tall triumphal arch , featuring eagles, Lady Liberty and a line from the Pledge of Allegiance.   This is a Trump-appointed board which also approved $400 million for Trump's White House Ballroom.   Will beome the tallest trimphal arch in the world, 86 feet taller than the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, twice as that of the Lincoln Memorial and almost as high as the Capitol. Planned for Memorial Circle on Columbia Island directly across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial. My interest in wines keeps evolving.  Our New Orleans Ritz-Carlton Hotel room had a March copy of...

Well, we boarded the Viking Octantis, Pier 90, Manhattan.  Check-in was easy.  We thought maybe something went wrong, for we were among only a very few passengers at check-in. Had lunch on the ship. The ship departed at around 4:45PM. Crossed uner the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. After a while we walked over for dinner, but first stopped for some violins, In the main dining room, every night there is a sushi bar.  As our reserved meal tomorrow will be Italian, we had a Japanese dinner. There was also an adjacent bar of crustaceans. A portion of my meal, with hot sake and Glenfiddich on rocks, Walking away from the sushi bar, we saw a noodles bar, so overstuffed ourselves with a bowl. Stopped to listen to a duo. The Viking Octantis will be on a 12-day cruise to Toronto. As you know, this trip we're on features two cruises.  About that first one, I stumbled across a  video showing Cabin 333 on the American Melody riverboat,   This is a 350 square feet stateroom ...

Yes, there are alligators in Louisiana.  Also, Creoles, Cajuns and Acadians.   How are alligators different from crocodiles?  Snout and jawline shape, Alligators have a wider, or U-shaped snout, while crocodiles are V-shaped. When looking at an alligator, only the top teeth are visible.  Both up and down can be seen when crocodiles close their mouth, Crocodiles can grow to 19 feet long.  Alligators only to 14 feet.  In fact, according to Google AI: Saltwater crocodiles are significantly larger than any alligator species . Saltwater crocodiles can reach lengths of over 20–23 feet and weigh over 2,000 lbs, while the largest American alligators rarely exceed 15–17 feet and weigh closer to 1,000 lbs Crocodiles are lighter in color, sort of light tan or olive, compared to the black and gray alligators. Alligators are relatively more timid, and will mostly try to escape rather than attack.  But will strike back if provoked or while defending their young...