We caught a cab to Pier Two to board the Pride of America.  A long line for this and that.  But we made it through, went to our cabin, and this is our view. Went to lunch in the Skyline Restaurant.  What a relief to have gone through all those hurdles.  But we have friends who left two days ago to catch a cruise from Iceland.  Two overnights.  They were delayed in Los Angeles.  Then spent five hours in Chicago, and who knows if they ever got to their destination.  We spent ten minutes on our taxi.  Me?  I ordered champagne and beer, but added a shot of Glenmorangie to place a tablespoon into the Tomato Soup.  Started with soup and a Blue-cheese Wedge Salad. We have an unlimited drinks package, but not exactly.  Anything we order has to cost $15 or less/drink.  The Glenmorangie cost $20, so had an extra bill for $5.  Took a nap in the afternoon.   The ship departed just after sunset. Dinner was Prime Rib in the Aloha Cafe. We were exhausted, so went to bed.  Next morning, we are in Ka

Something about this trip to Las Vegas made me feel that I was getting out of touch with the lifestyle of today.  While the pandemic made travel difficult, we have been on three cruises during the past year or so, with a couple of international trips.  So what made this more recent experience particularly humbling? To begin, on the flight from Honolulu to San Francisco, everyone in business class seemed to be prepared with bluetooth earphones to listen to their TV screen.  Never occurred to me to bring something like that.  It took a couple of hours to gently inquire about the audio options.  The steward said, oh, here is an earphone, and this is where you connect.  Plus, they did not retrieve this ear plug device, so I had one for the next flight to Las Vegas, and back home. There were 100 channels linked to DIRECTV, close to being the equivalent of what is available at home.  There were also at least a hundred films available. When I got to the Circa Resort, after check-in, getting t

  The sports book room at the Circa is the largest in the world .  Three stories. 1000-person viewing capacity for free and other private boxes, where you can host events. Recliners are another option in the Legends Club for comfort, food and beverage service, with a minimum order. You can wager on all sports events, even bull riding. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to use it.  Perhaps on my next trip, which could be next month. Had meals today from the California Hotel.  First a take-out of saimin ( my computer insists this should be simian, and keeps changing it ) and BBQ. Then a minor splurge for dinner. Broke even on the poker machine. Was invited to the Circa Legacy Club on the 60th floor for champagne. Woke up early to prepare for my trip back home.  The concierge said Bell Trans was $15 plus tip and taxi was at least $50 plus tip.  Took a taxi, and it "only" cost $35, plus tip.  That dome is the abuilding Venetian Sphere, an entertainment center with 18,600 seats t

Have you ever been to Adelaide?  Will be the first time for me.  Ship arrived this morning, and we have a four hour tour planned. Now why would anyone want to visit  Adelaide ? It is the capital city of South Australia.   Founded in 1836 and named in honor of Queen Adelaide.  Never heard of her, for she was the wife of King William IV from 1830  to 1837, a very late marriage. Is known as one of Australia's most livable city, ranked by  The Economist  as #3 to #1 Auckland and #2 Osaka. Rupert Murdock (yes, the guy who owns Fox News), considers Adelaide to be his spiritual home. Has 51% of the installed capacity of wind generators in the country, Expanding battery powered storage of electricity with Tesla. Some  interesting facts about Adelaide : Is the only capital city not settled by convicts, making the locals extremely smug. Nicknamed the 20- minute city because everything is 20 minutes away. With 1.3 million people, about the same as Hawaii. Home to the largest display of Aborig