America’s Cup 2017 – How The Wealthy Play

Coinciding with our vacation to Bermuda last week, was the America’s Cup Yacht Preliminaries.

As seen from the bow of our cruise ship, Norwegian Breakaway, the America’s Cup Village is seen just behind Celebrity Summit, in Bermuda’s Great Sound.
Over the preceding months and many locations, preliminary races determined the ultimate “challenger” to the current “defender” (USA’s “Oracle.”) Above,  New Zealand’s “Emirates” (in contest with Great Britain’s “Land Rover”) takes the lead with Gibbs Hill Lighthouse in the background, and has now earned that challenger privilege.
The boats have evolved over 147 years, from more conventional sailing yachts, to highly refined and sophisticated racing platforms, now utilizing hydrofoils to significantly reduce drag and increase speed.
Rules prohibit any energy sources other than the sea, air and human input. The helmsman, (see image above) who is ultimately responsible for navigation and articulation of control surfaces under race conditions, must continuously evaluate and decide when and where to guide the boat and how to do it. His hands are on a multi-remote laced steering wheel. Also, as the boat’s direction and roll-attitude changes, the entire crew will run across to the opposite (upper) pontoon to man duplicate stations.  Great theater! 
Just after winning this heat over Land Rover, Emirates is seen here coming down off the foils. The boats often exceed 44 knots (50 mph) in racing.

Although all the 50′ catamarans  are essencially the same, teams have virtually unlimited options as to trimming and power usage, including navigating savvy, and human endurance.  For example, Emirates utilizes bicycle-like human power stations, while Oracle uses the more traditional hand cranked “grinders.”  The science of these vessels and the methods employed are awesome, details of which can be found here .     

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

 

On The Road to Tobacco Bay, Bermuda


Last week, we cruised to Bermuda from NYC on the 145,000 gross ton Norwegian Breakaway. Day six of this family vacation brought us to St. George via the ferry  and a short walk to Tobacco Bay, on the far north shore for swimming, snorkling and exploring, 

As usual, click on the image for a closer look, and thanks for viewing. Comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Appreciation for Recognition, to a Traveling Lady

An image included in my 2014 post about Hamilton Park, Weehawken, NJ, was recently selected by “Traveling Lady” for inclusion in herTop 10 Instagram Spots of New York.” See:

TOP 10 INSTAGRAM SPOTS OF NEW YORK

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My sincere thanks for this recognition and the company of the other photographers. The original post is atNew York on Sunday – From Hamilton Park, Weehawken, New Jersey. Published 9/14/14. 

As usual, thanks for viewing. M 🙂

 

 

Church Bay, Bermuda – 6/29/15

Two weeks ago as part of a memorable family cruise,  Jeanne and I visited this little beach on Bermuda’s south coast. 

Click on images for higher resolution.

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Our first view, from the highlands above.
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Secluded Beach, Pristine Water, Snorkling…
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Places to explore…
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Daytrippers, like us, coming in for a taste of paradise…
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Fine, soft sand… nearly transparent water…
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It really… doesn’t get much better than this!

Thanks for viewing, and as usual… comments are always welcome. M:-)

Breaking News Release: Two Young Women Arrested in Park

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Last night, police, acting on a tip, arrested two suspicious young women in the the park. “Boom Boom S——,” and “Wiggle Wiggle H—–,” were obviously taken by surprise on a raid conducted moments after a tipster, only identified as one of the perpetrator’s sisters, alerted authorities of unusual activity in the park. The pair were released after being charged with impersonating broccoli. They promised never to do it again.

A retrospect inspired some years ago by my 4 year old daughter; and best friend at dance school. Neither grew up to become either dance stars, …or green vegetables. 

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcomed. M 🙂

Assisi, Umbria Region, Italy… Lookback Snippets

Captured in Italy some time ago, a few images from Assisi, birthplace of the Francician Order…

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Pidgeon in a pidgeonhole overlooking the Umbria region surrounding Assisi, Italy
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Along “via S. Francesco”  
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Franciscian Friars 
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13th century Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi with statue of Francis of Assisi, patron saint of “animals and environment,” co-founder of the Order of Franciscians
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Jeanne browsing along via S. Frsncesco. Note the brick cieling in this shop amongst the medieval alleys

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Posting snippets gives me an opportunity to explore some of our past experiences, images and places, in between more current travels and projects.

As usual, thanks for visiting, and comments are always welcome. M 🙂

Traffic Jam in the Caribbean – Allure of the Seas, Part Two

Short on time? Just browse the images.         There are six in this post.         Click on any to show its full resolution. 

 Morning, a few years back, we were  approaching our slip assignment for Saint Martin, closely followed by… traffic.1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (10)_edited-1

 No, wait! There’s MORE! Five cruse ships in total!1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (9)_edited-1

We were on Royal Caribbean’s “Allure of the Seas,” first to dock in Philipsburg, closely followed by a Celebrity, and last, this MSC Italian ship.1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (17)_edited-1

 From our ships vantage,  the town looks like a dream…1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (19)_edited-1

A short while later we were walking among the beach bars and restaurants, “Two beach lounges, one umbrella and 4 beers: $24.” 1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (39)_edited-1

Considering about 15,000 people were on those five ships, this  beautiful beach front was not crowded.1-27-11     St. Maartens, Allure Vac., Day 9 (33)_edited-1

 

Thanks for visiting, and as usual comments are always welcome.

Aboard the Largest Cruise Ship in the World: The Allure of the Seas

Short on time? Just browse the images.  There are fifteen in this post.         Click on any to show its full resolution. 

In 2011, we had the privilege of spending a week on this newly commissioned Royal Caribbean mega-ship as a few tropical islands sailed by….or at least it seemed that way. It was difficult to tell that we were in fact the ones moving.                                            Here are some images from that cruise.

At 1,187’ (362m) long;     up to 198’ (60m) wide;       and 236’ (72m) high,   the Allure of the Seas dwarfs conventional cruise ships, as seen here in St Thomas.1-26-11     St. Thomas, Allure Vac., Day 8 (25)_edited-1 - 2011-01-26 at 10-58-08

 

 Below: The exclusive adults only solarium was one of our favorites, with its own pools, bars, café, palm trees (?) and, (not shown,) cantilevered whirlpools actually hanging over the ocean. Nice!1-28-11     At Sea, Allure Vac., Day 10 L (3)_edited-1 - 2011-01-28 at 12-41-49

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With the “Boardwalk” and “Central Park” below, the center of the ship is lined with unique inside cabins.1-23-11     Ft. Lauderdale, Allure Vac, Day 5 (17)_edited-1 - 2011-01-23 at 20-16-58

 

And overhead – the zip line, with me, …9 decks above!1-28-11     At Sea, Allure Vac., Day 10 (56)_edited-1 - 2011-01-28 at 14-55-16

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There are two, 10m climbing walls overlooking the stern, and Aqua Theater.1-25-11     At Sea, Allure Vac. Day 7 L (32)_edited-1 - 2011-01-25 at 13-09-45

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Our friend Judy is winning the challenge.1-29-11     At Sea, Allure Vac. Day 11 (37)_edited-1 - 2011-01-29 at 21-25-08

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The sun is no different from this ship than from other ships, except maybe it SETS a few seconds later from this height!!! Rich, Ray and Fred join me with recording the event.1-29-11     At Sea, Allure Vac. Day 11 (48)_edited-1 - 2011-01-29 at 22-43-481-29-11     At Sea, Allure Vac. Day 11 (49)_edited-1 - 2011-01-29 at 22-44-07

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“Central Park” is a meandering outdoor garden lined with bars, and shops – really awesome.1-29-11     At Sea, Allure Vac. Day 11 (77)_edited-1 - 2011-01-30 at 01-13-38

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On the same level, the Boardwalk features more informal shops and eateries, and a carousel!
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One deck down is the Royal Promenade with more shops, restaurants, a jazz club and other diversions. Between the two is the Tide Bar, shown here, (center about 10′  (3m) up and rising, bartender in center) which like an elevator moves between these two decks… with the bar, patrons and their drinks, up and down, up and down.1-25-11     At Sea, Allure Vac., Day 7 (28)_edited-1 - 2011-01-26 at 04-04-26 (1)

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Of course there is a 1,380 seat theater –  the Broadway play “Chicago” on stage during our cruise. In addition there is an ice skating rink, clubs, etc., etc.1-26-11     St. Thomas, Allure Vac., Day 8 (44)_edited-1 - 2011-01-27 at 01-10-12

 

The enormous smokestacks of this ship were built to telescope down to clear a suspension bridge in Amsterdam, where the ship was built. For perspective, it would need to do this to pass under the George Washington Bridge!1-28-11     At Sea, Allure Vac., Day 10 (17)_edited-1 - 2011-01-28 at 11-10-27

 

Sunrise at sea, heading back from St. Maarten to Fort Lauderdale on an itinerary which besides St. Thomas, also included Nassau in the Bahamas.1-28-11     At Sea, Allure Vac., Day 10 (8)_edited-1 - 2011-01-28 at 11-07-06

Thanks for visiting, and as usual comments are always welcome.

I Hear the Train a comin’….. Images of the White Pass and Yukon Railway

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Around this time of year, a few years back, we had the pleasure to ride this narrow gauge railroad, tracing the path of the Great Klondike Gold Rush of 1897. From the Sea Level town of Skagway, Alaska, to nearly 3000 ft (915 m,) this unique experience features  tunnels, “steep grades and cliff hanging turns,” followed by serene meadows; clear, icy lakes; and the snow streaked peaks of Canada’s Yukon Territory.

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To get there from the lower 40 US States, you either have to drive a thousand miles or so along the ALCAN Highway, and then the Klondike Highway; or take one of these awesome vehicles. In our case it was the latter, The Princess Sapphire! – Awesome indeed! 

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 As usual, click on the images for higher resolution. And… Thanks for viewing!  

ALASKA – A Brief Retrospect of Boats and Gulls

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A few years back, as the ice from the previous winter was melting, we were fortunate to have a bird’s eye view from the deck of a Princess Cruise ship. Some of the wistful private boats and humorous sea gulls in Glacier Bay National Park, were just a sampling of one particularly memorable day.

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Cruising up Tarr Inlet, this capable motor-sailer is dwarfed by the magnificent coastal mountains.

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lies the Grand Pacific Glacier, 25 miles long and 2 miles wide at its terminus, shown here. Not seen here, but only 12 miles (19 km) WNW of the sailboat’s mast, is 18,008 ft. (5489 m.) Mount Saint Elias. Considering the proximity of sea level and the top of the mountain, the perspective is dramatic.


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Of course, powerboats also navigate the ice floes in these waters. Very small by comparison to cruise ships, both the beautiful sailboat and cruiser above looked to be in the impressive 50 ft.+ (15 m.) length.

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Supply and Demand!

Melting ice limits real estate for these gulls.

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It seems quality seafood is ALSO in demand here!

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FOOD FIGHT!

The gull in front, of course, has the morsel while a no holds (or feathers) barred scramble is on!

Clicking on images will display higher resolution

Thanks for viewing, and comments are always welcomed

Copyright Mvschulze