I spent half the morning waiting for one of the soaring seagulls to go into a glide and stop flapping its wings, so I could get a good shot - an obsessive trait coming to the fore
We are coming to the end of our 16-day cruise through the Caribbean and down the coast of Brazil to Rio.
I still enjoy my blogging every couple of days despite frustrations from atrociously slow internet at sea. It’s an absorbing hobby and it provides me with a handy single reference point for photos and stories in time to come.
There’s not too much ‘historical’ in the posts. If I’m brutally honest, I’d probably confess, “It’s more about me!”
Some friends and family even say that they live vicariously by following what I get up to on my travels. (I like to believe them.) Others still have problems with blogs – full stop! They dig in and say, “I’m happy to wait till I see you, and then you can tell me all about it.” (I sleep at night knowing that the latter does not apply to you.)
Jim, Michael and Edmundo at an Amex Meeting in Bangkok - 30 years ago
What’s been so wonderful about this cruise is that I am sharing the experiences and so many laughs with such old friends. John Thompson and I have been friends for nearly 50 years, since first meeting-up in hometown Brisbane. Amex brought Jim Kober, Edmundo and myself together in the 70’s, and we’ve been ongoing friends ever since – 40 years!
So perhaps, there’s a reason to scroll down through the cruise blog and see what we’ve all been up to – 4 Gentlemen at Sea.
Picasa Web Album
Michael, beautiful, trip, pictures, and memories, with this pictures… I can feel the fun and laughs from Miami !! I am on the group of the first ones !! I live it vicariously by following your trips….
Much gratitude for sharing and admiration for that happiness and service to others by taking your time and sharing, instead of taking a nap !
Dear Michael.
I salute you for
Living life to the fullest
learning new stuff all the time
reaching top level in use of computers,
being a great human being and not forgetting your friends(loved the photo of Zia sahib at Tiger Tops)
gracefully living an active “retirement”
Looking forward to see you in France in Summer.
Love and fond Regards Tony Dubai.
What a beautiful line about your trip. Indeed, one after one, it is not all about you, it is about how you live with and love the nature and connected people on our planet.
Solute to your magic friendships. Wish I could follow your path on this one day…looks already late…haha..
Warmest regards to you on the Chinese new year eve !
J
Michael, I can imagine you and your friends stealing the show. Happy that you are having a wonderful time and love the pictures as always. Barbara
What fabulous photographs – and what wonderful memories they must bring up for you. I know what you mean about the pleasures of old friends. I just had a day walking up to the lighthouse at palm beach (which wasn’t as far as I remembered from childhood!) with 3 old school friends, one of whom I have known since I was five. Old friends know all your weaknesses and all your vices but accept you just the same. It sounds as though you are having a lovely trip. As usual the blog is terrific.
We are having having a very domestic but relaxing break at berry. Look forward to catching up.
X
Shenagh
Thanks so much for including me on this Michael. Just super and you all did so much and experienced wonderful things. With all that is described, I’m only surprised you all were on board only 16 days … I’d have thought a month. All well in Bangkok. Holman is in Hong Kong for the New Year and back Tuesday. May I wish you and your family / friends the most healthy, happy, prosperous and fun traveling Year of the Dragon. Kent
Hi Michael,
As always, I really enjoyed your blog. Fantastic!!!!
Tell Emundo, the red shorts were worth the price he paid in Sydney…I love them.
Kathleen
xxx
What a wonderful blog – you have had an amazing life and I thank you for sharing it
Look forward to seeing you again soon
Dear Michael,
You must be in Boom Chica Boom by now and having a lovely time. Nice to see Jim Kober and the old pics of you and John – I do remember!
I did skim the blog and was surprised not to see any pictures of food, except for the tasteless tomatoes. The dressing looked good! Sweet tomatoes are only found when garden to market to consumer is short, not for storing in a chilled room on board ship. I am sooooo knowledgeable 🙂
Hello to the Boys and keep having a terrific time.
Off to Chicago next week for a Virtuoso regional meeting.
Hugs
Marsha
Dear Micheal,
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. The photos of Rio brought me back to the early 70’s when i first went to South America to work(VERY young and a bit naive!!). What a wondeful continent. You seem to be enjoying every minute. keep the blog coming,most enjoyable to read and allows me to get lost in my memories.
See you at Church! Helene
Dear Michael
I’m another one who loves living vicariously and each blog brings the surprise of yet another of Edmundo’s colourful outfits and more fabulous scenery. How’s your waistline ….perhaps a little fasting after all the feasting will be in order once you are back in Oz? Glad to see you are getting a bit of training in for the Camino.
See you soon. J
Dear Michael,
Bob and I would like to thank you so very much for your wonderful photos
and commentary on the South American cruise.
We feel as if we have been there with you all.
Just loved the old photo of you and John!
Love,
Sandy
Well Michael , even I , who , as you are well aware am not a SAVVY in computer technology , have mastered your blog , and happily /lovingly have followed YOUR travel with Michael M and I thank you for that .
Being a smart raconteur as you are, indeed , the travel bug is definitely well implanted in your soul .
So you deserve my big hug Marianne
PS and a Hug to John as I noticed has enjoyed this cruise and its
companions to the utmost MA
Dear Michael,
We are thoroughly enjoying your written and pictorial record of your trip with the boys – it would seem to be everything you imagined and more! The custard apple looks delicious but not sure how it tastes with yoghurt.
Miss you and look forward to your return.
Love,
Junie and Des xoxoxo
Michael,
I hope you are having a ball.. i did check your blog out last week…. and saw you were having fun.. I liked the comparision photos of you, edmund and your other mate.. all those years ago.. and now today, together again.
I know I have mentioned it before.. but i really need a subscription button on your blog or a ‘new post’ email when you update it…
😉
keep safe and having fun,
matthew
Your trip was amazing. I had never considered the Carribean before but you have whetted my appetite. I loved all those gelato coloured houses … don’t know if I could stand the heat though. I really enjoyed everyone of your stories and was amazed at how four ‘old’ guys scrubbed up in the colourful clobber and then the sartorial elegance for the Captain’s dinners (no wonder the girls had their eyes on you all).
Michael, it was such a pleasure getting to share a wee chapter in your wonderful odyssey. You were missed after you got off the ship in Rio. I’ve just returned to Hobart (from Shanghai) so at last can spend some time browsing your delightful blog.
Cheers!
suellen
The Meandering Matriarch
Sue Ellen, Good to hear from you. Glad you are enjoying a reprise of ‘four gentlemen all at sea’. Wonder how you got on for the ensuing months after we all disembarked in Rio?
I have had a quick look at your blog – I have a lot to learn! It looks good, reads very interestingly, and I LOVE the ‘archive’ page with names of the posts that comes up when you click on months in the sidebar.
I will be spending more time! Thank you.
Michael