DAY 4--AT SEA




The sun came out and the weather is warm. We walked around the track for 45 minutes(7 laps is a mile) and went to the gym. John attended a talk on Vietnam by Morton Dean, a former CBS correspondant. He wasn’t impressed. Then he went to a gathering of military veterans. He WAS impressed. He met a Canadian, age 85, who was a participant in the D-Day invasion. John is meeting with him to hear his whole story. John then went to the casino for instruction in playing craps. We will do that one night when we don’t go to bed at 8 o’clock, We went to Mass in formal attire because after Mass we went to Captain Dag’s reception for cruisers getting on in Hong Kong. Captain Dag is at least 6’4” and very handsome in his “outfit.”. There are over 400 staff people and they are always in full uniform dress--very professional group. There is dancing every night and we met one older gentleman who gets a free trip but must be available to dance with the single ladies each night! We ate dinner with a nice couple from New York. I am starting to confuse people and their stories. Name tags would be helpful.

DAY 3--HONG KONG SIGHTS

HONG KONG SIGHTSEEING--DAY 3


The tour today included many sights and continuing views of Hong Kong. Unfortunately, it was foggy as the cog train went straight up to the top of Victoria’s peak but it was still beautiful. A picture of our sampan ride shows the old and new side by side. We all loved shopping at Stanley Market; many bargains were found.. Back on the ship we went through a safety drill. We all had to go to our Muster Stations with our life jackets in tow. The ship departed at 5: 00 P.M. We went to Mass and met the ship’s priest, Father Kelly. While at Mass we had some drama. As Captain Dag reversed our ship out of Hong Kong harbor and then followed the pilot boat we felt something hit the ship. About 30 minutes later the ship stopped and the anchor was put down. It seems that one of the Star ferry boats did not yield and came straight across our path. Other boats near us didn’t know what to do and they almost hit each other. The ferry’s radar was damaged so that entailed many police boats to assess the situation and much paperwork for Captain Dag. Finally after 3 hours we left. We are now in the China Sea heading for Hanoi

DAY 2--THE VOYAGER IN HONG KONG HARBOR

Greetings from the Voyager! We are settled in our room and just enjoyed fresh jumbo shrimp and a drink on our deck looking out on Hong Kong harbor. Now the lights are on and John is taking a video of the sky line. We met some nice people while checking in today. One couple is, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, from Duck, North Carolina! They live there full time! Of course, we packed too much but luckily we have found room for most everything. We have a butler from India named Shijil. Can you pronounce his name? We can’t! He brings us anything we ask for. We have a docking station for our IPOD and Fox News on our TV so we are all set. P.S. This morning in the concierge lounge of the Marriott we met  Al from Detroit who said that "Some people have money and some people have time  but the only people who have both  time and money--plus class -- are cruisers.” We will see if this is true.
Another thing that Al said was that "the difference between being broke and being poor is that being broke is temporary but being poor is a state of mind."

DAY 1--HONG KONG

This is the first day of my trip blog.  I am writing  from the 33rd floor of the JW Marriott in Hong  Kong.  I am looking out onto the harbor and can see our ship, the Regent Voyager, docked at the ocean terminal.  We board tomorrow at noon.  John and I walked to the Star Ferry and took it to the terminal.  We watched the Regent passengers disembark and even met the couple whose blog we have been following.  Everyone was given a red shopping bag that said "Welcome to Hong Kong."  I think the merchants are hoping the cruisers will shop big.  Hong Kong actually seems quite prosperous.  Most people wear black and are in a hurry!  The city has changed since we were here in the 70's.  No longer do people live on their boats(sampans) in the harbor and I think there are more high rise buildings here than in New York.
Our trip has improved since we first left.  Riding to the airport we were talking to the taxi driver about the shots we had to take to go to Africa.  John said, "Gail, do you have the shot records?"  I said, "No, don't you?"  We went back for them and, thankfully, made the plane in plenty of time.  Our trip from Chicago to Hong Kong was quite pleasant.  We had time to read, sleep, do crossword puzzles and watch movies.  We liked " Everybody's Fine" with Robert Duval. 
My next blog will be coming from the ship!

THE HESLINS IN FLORIDA

Kelly sent me these pictures yesterday.  I am putting them on our blog so we have lots of family pictures to look at when we are lonely for them.  We, also, have Skypes if it works.  As you can see, the Heslin children, Conner, Riley, Molly and Jack,  are growing up and involved in different activities.  Kelly spends much of her time at a pool, a tennis court, a soccer field or a theatre.  God bless them all!

WELCOME TO THE WORLD PIPER EILEEN CADY!
FEBRUARY 25, 2010



Patrick called us with the good news around noon and we all cheered! Piper was born at 11:20 A.M. and Mother and baby are doing great. Piper weighed 6 lbs 9 oz. and is 19.5 inches long. Patrick says she looks like Griffy.

It is now the day after Piper was born. Here are a few pictures that Patrick sent from his I-phone. I will have more pictures and more to say when I go to Arkansas tomorrow. I just couldn’t wait til after our trip to meet Piper Eileen.

I am back from Arkansas and am bringing a few more pictures and the good news that Piper is as beautiful as she looks.  I loved holding her as does everyone.  Mary is feeling well and doesn't even look as if she has had a baby except she is more glowing that ever!  Patrick is home all week to help out.  His office is bringing the dinners so they are all set. 

47th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Today John and Gail celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary. We have known each other for 52 years. It is such a long time that we can hardly relate to our own history! We don’t have any big plans for the day since everything is centering on our fantastic trip next month. We have spent all our snow days packing and re-packing; we are about ready to go. Later today we are going to see our financial planner and our accountant to see the damages caused by the economy and the outlay for our trip! We hope for the best. After that we will go out to dinner someplace. God has blessed us in so many ways, not the least is our continuing love and respect for one another. May our lives reflect His love and may we continue to look for ways to serve others..