We (and about 2,400 other people) took a ten day cruise on the brand new Eurodam by Holland America, round trip Copenhagen.  The ship performed flawlessly over the 2,475 nautical miles of the trip. Below is our log for the trip and click on pictures at the left for some of our pictures.

07/04/08 We totally missed the fourth of July for the first time that I can remember. We left home at 5:30 AM (thanks Ricardo for getting us going) for a flight from LAX to Atlanta, then another (9 hours) to Copenhagen.  Both of these flights were via Delta Airlines.

07/05/08 Saturday - Arrived Copenhagen, took over an hour to get luggage (not HAL’s fault). Took HA’s bus to the cruise terminal, mess at terminal, un-trained people doing checking in (had to ask for our room cards), only one security line operating making boarding extremely slow!

07/06/08 Sunday We spent the day with Syver and Ellen Hellem in Oslo where it rained the whole day!  They picked us up at 11,  drove into the country where we saw a glass blowing shop then had lunch at their house overlooking the city. Back to the ship at 5PM,

 07/07/08 Monday. At sea day, we ate breakfast about 10 and slept from 12 – 6 (we’re jet lagged!).   Dinner with two retired CBS NY lawyers that were living in VT.  Also two recent pediatrician graduates from CT, both girls, one was going to practice in CT the other in Boston. Went to variety show, sunset was around 11PM.

07/08/08 Tuesday, on the fjord, the sun was up about 4AM,  I ate breakfast about 6:45 as we came into port, found another open wifi checked mail, IM’ed with Roy (he was up late).  Katie slept and I walked into town (Alesund) around the harbor. About noon Katie and I went into town – walked around for a couple of hours and came back to have lunch (hamburger and hot-dog from the outside grill near the pool – just beat out the choir from Norway who were getting their lunch.  We took a nap and then checked internet again, poorer connection.  Played “name that tune” at the piano bar (9PM) and won a free drink – had to name movie or Broadway show not actual tunes.

07/09/09 Wednesday, the ship dropped people off at Vik, Norway for a train trip and will pick them up later in the day at Flam (Floam).  We cruised to Flam, very quiet town at the end of a Fjord, train ended there. The ship docked with us toward dock and town. We tried to take a little train tram but it was 35 minutes late and we gave up waiting.  We walked around the tourist area and got back on the shipt.  Very good internet connection, caught up on mail, IM’ed with Lib and Gerry, talked briefly with Dave on IRLP. We tried to repeat our win of the night before with “Name that tune” Beatles but only got 10 out of 13 and the winners had 11.

07/10/08 Thursday in Stavanger, Norway the ship docked with us toward dock, very busy port.  We got off and wandered around the port, saw an old village that people are restoring.  We went to the “fish market” and bought a coke ($4) and some sun glasses for Katie ($20). We sat around the end of the harbor and listened to the live piano music and people/boat watched.  Lots of pleasure boats side-tying in front of us.

07/11/08 Friday, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. took a taxi ride (one hour 35 pounds/ $80) with Phil and saw quite a bit of the town.  We saw lots of flowers and walked on the Millenium bridge.

07/12/08 Saturday, Scotland! Edinborourgh, went to the Falkirk wheel lock lift thing, then took a taxi into Edinborourgh 20 pounds in, lady driver, 27 pounds back, man, we were overcharged but others paid more! Walked down from the castle, which had huge stadium seats set up for an upcoming military Tatoo. Saw lots of people wandering up and down the Royal Mile checking out the shops and street performers.

07/13/08 Sunday, Inverness, Scotland.  We took a bus tour to Loch Ness, and stopped at the visitor center for an A/V presentation. After that we went to Urquart castle for another A/V presentation. We hiked down to the actual castle and looked around the ruins, did not see the “monster”.  Then off for more “shopping”. No internet connectivity, did find that we can access the NY times for free using the ships wifi in our cabin.

07/14/08 Monday, Day at sea, Pete went to two digital classes sponsored by Microsoft.  Katie went to flower arranging, a music show, played trivia and played  more Lemmings (of course!)

07/15/08 Flying home from Copenhagen (SAS to DC, then United to LAX) Really long immigration/customs at DC. Saw Beau and Laura while waiting for the final flight.  Traded seats on flight to LAX with lady that was separated from her two little boys.  We figured that we were traveling for over 21 hours by the time we arrived home (thanks to Ricardo for getting us there in one piece).  Beau was very glad to see us.