Cruise day: 143/152
Ports days: 73
Sea days: 70
Countries: 23
Continents: 5
Ports: 54First and foremost, a sincere thank you to each and every one of you that made a comment on the blog, Cruise Critic, or Facebook, reached out via private message, text, or email, or in some way expressed your concern for Arlona's well-being. It is humbling to see that outpouring of concern and really underscores that no matter what, there are good people in this world and we all should all remember that. Thank you all.
They came. It was around 10AM. Two of them, clad in white hazmat suits with KN-95 masks and face shields. And they took her away. To isolation, she went, with a cloud of sanitizing fog trailing behind. This is the last time I get to see my amazing and beautiful wife for a minimum of five, and up to ten days. Not going to lie - not falling asleep next to her or waking up next to her is going to suck.
Viking is taking good care of her. They already delivered art supplies so we're expecting quarantine masterpieces!
COVID UPDATE
Overall, Arlona is feeling fine - just tired. Viking is doing everything they can to make her comfortable. The Captain came on the public address system today and delivered the (*sarcasm alert*) wonderful news that there are now 21 cases on the ship. Again, this is aggravating as on the World Cruise, we managed it so well. But, it is what it is and we have to deal with the aftermath. So 21 out of roughly 600 are in COVID jail, Arlona being one of them. The other frustrating thing is that Arlona was exceptionally careful. Masks on buses? Yes. Masked when indoors onshore? Yes. Masked when in a crowded location onshore? Yes. Got COVID anyway? Yes. So, yeah.
I spoke with Wendy, the General Manager tonight, and as of today's test, I remain negative. But, there are now four more cases, and therefore people, isolated for a total of 25. Of course, they will continue to closely monitor me. Back to our regularly scheduled blog...
We slowly made the turn into the channel to get to Oslo.
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| The route is approximate and illustrative only |
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| A working ship and the Color Line Color Hybrid cruise ship |
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| Looks like a painting project for Arlona |
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| The Color Hybrid, behind us |
Cruise Director Kate and Assistant Cruise Director Michael hosted a team trivia event in the Explorers' Bar at 12:15pm. The World Cruise regulars weren't there at the start and some friendly cruisers asked me to join their team. We only netted 13.5/20, but I think only one team was ahead of us. Since this is a short cruise, it wasn't a progressive trivia so it was winner takes all and the mimosas flowed for the winning team. Here is the trivia:
- Which film star has a statue located in Lester Square in London?
- What spirit is mixed with ginger beer to make a Moscow Mule
- Shirley Bassey famously sang the title song, Goldfinger. What other two Bond title songs did she record?
- Diamonds are Forever (got that one), Moonraker (missed that one)
- Which mammal lays eggs?
- Duck-billed platypus and echidna, or spiny anteater (either answer was acceptable)
- Who wrote the music for The Firebirds and Rights of Spring?
- Stravinski (missed that one)
- What is the largest land animal - be specific?
- What is the traditional gift for a third wedding anniversary?
- Leather (we guessed wood)
- Who was the Greek goddess of love?
- Aphrodite - we had a brain meltdown and said Athena - the goddess of war - duh...
- In what country was the original Legoland built?
- What country has the most national capitals?
- South Africa - the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government are based in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town respectively
- What is the ballet move called where the dancer spins a complete circle on one foot?
- What was the motto of the Three Musketeers?
- One for all and all for one
- You'll Never Walk Alone is a song from which 1940s musical?
- Carousel (we didn't know this)
- What car manufacturer has an emblem known as Spirit of Ecstasy? (They also made the Star's propellers)
- What is the name for a triangle that has two sides of equal length?
- In Romeo and Juliet, which one of the lovers dies first?
- Cape Horn is located at the tip of which country?
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious has how many letters?
- Of course, it's cheating if you see it written down, but the answer is 34 and we knew that
- When we sail, Viking performs mandatory safety briefings per SOLAS - what does the acronym SOLAS stand for?
- Safety Of Life At Sea (missed that one)
- How many US States start with the letter N?
- 8 (we missed Nevada - duh - 4 NEW, 2 NORTH, and two more)
- New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New Mexico
- North Carolina, North Dakota
- Nebraska, Nevada
We sailed into Oslo mid-afternoon for a 4PM dock time. There were tons of vessels of all sizes both docked and cruising about.
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| Aidaluna |
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| Hey - that ship in the distance looks familiar |
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| Yeah, that one - the one with the familiar logo |
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| Oh, hey - it's the Viking Jupiter, one of our sister ships and the same one we passed in the Chilean fjords way back on February 8 |
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| That's a pretty cute lighthouse/channel marker |
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| The Holmenkollbakken ski jumping hill |
We were cleared by the local authorities shortly after docking, so I decided to take a walk and check out Oslo. I walked perhaps 1.5 to 2 miles around the city center and took in the huge array of statues and all the interesting architecture in the city.
I would not want to have a statue made of me. Look at all those statues and the volume of bird poop all over them. Some of the women look like they have white hair! No thank you.
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| Oslo City Hall |
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| The Nobel Peace Center |
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| The National Theater |
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| Again - the poop - wow - and the culprit is just sitting there |
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| The Royal Palace |
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| The University of Oslo |
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| Another view of the National Theater |
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| It appears that birds do not frequent clothed men with a bicycle |
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| The Grand Hotel |
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| The Storting Building - the seat of Parliament |
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| Freia Chocolate clock |
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| A statue of FDR honoring his support of Norway in WWII |
The weather was perfect - in the mid-60s and partly sunny. It was a nice change from the cooler weather we've had. I ventured back to the ship, still awaiting my COVID test results from today. Those came just before 9pm - still negative.
I had dinner by myself in the World Cafe, not wanting to make others uncomfortable given my close contact. Then, back to the room to put this together.
One thing that was pointed out to us last night at the Owner's Suite tour was that for the 38 of us that are completing the World Cruise and the Viking Homelands cruise as a single trip, this is very likely the only combined cruise that will sail the Chilean fjords, Norwegian fjords, and Swedish fjords in a single trip. That inspired my lovely wife, Arlona to coin a new phrase that I think Viking should consider adopting. In fact, I mocked up a t-shirt, just to give you a visual.
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| What do you think, Viking? Royalty deal? |
I watched the sunset over Oslo, missing my honey.
The sky was seriously crazy tonight. It remained on fire for more than an hour. It was incredible.
Tomorrow, we remain in Olso and Arlona remains in quarantine. I spoke to someone tonight that took the same tour I am taking tomorrow. Gear up for photos of statues of naked folks. 😀
As a retired mammographer, I have to say that the sculptors had wishful thinking about how high those breasts stayed, especially after having children!
ReplyDeleteI hope that Arlona's symptoms remain mild and that you remain negative!
The Norwegians are a sturdy people ;-)
DeleteSending good thoughts to Arlona for a quick recovery. When you go to Vigeland tomorrow, don’t miss the statue of the little boy having a temper tantrum. It is to the left, down some steps shortly after you enter.(Assuming you enter from the front entrance.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, and noted!
DeleteGarry, so sorry to hear the COVID news about Arlona. Hoping it is a short lived quarantine for her and you continue to test negative. Enjoy Vigeland Park. Some amazing art to see.
ReplyDeleteAt least Arlona chose a time to quarrentine when she should have some lovely scenery. We are sailing up the cost of Norway in July and I'm looking forward to the beauty of the fjords!
ReplyDelete"Chose" is probably the wrong word...
DeleteGarry, when I read your blog yesterday regarding Arlona, my heart sank. I am going to miss seeing your photos of Arlona touching the bodies of water. It became one of (many) your signature photos. Selfish of me, but is there no way that you can get a cake pan grab some sand off the shore and some water and take it to her room for her to dip her hand into? I haven't thought yet of what she could do with that sand/water/cake pan since she's in quarantine. I do hope that both of you are staying as well as can be. Appreciate you and cannot thank you enough for sharing your experience. Follow your blog daily. Enjoy Frogner Park.
ReplyDeleteI too love your blog and have formed a close attachment to you and Alona from afar. For 143 days you have given me something adventurous and wonderful to look forward to each day. My thoughts and good wishes are with you both. Thank you as always for doing this.
ReplyDeleteSaddened to hear about Arlona, best wishes for a speedy recovery for her and that you stay negative. Started following your blog early on WC as we are scheduled for Homelands starting in late June on the Star. I look forward to your pictures and commentary each day - wonderful job. Covid was on the WC, but minimal, but now?
ReplyDeleteAlthough we MADE the cruise....we sailed on the Jupiter starting February 28 through Chile and then Norway and finally into Oslo too....it was the GREATEST back to back imaginable...we luckily stayed covid free ... we were on Viking's inaugural world cruise 2018....and this trip trip and Panama Canal last fall finished the "round the world" ...still have many places to explore while hips, knees, stamina and brain cells are still working!! Continued best wishes for your days ahead!
ReplyDeleteMy sisters and I are praying for Arlona and you. I hope that you do not get Covid,Garry and that Arlona will soon test negative and be with you again. Was the last time you did not have her with yo was when she went to Muskegon for her dad's birthday? I was living with Aunt Lois at that time so got to go to the Valentine Banquet at Aunt Lois's church with Arlona, her dad and Aunt Lois.
ReplyDeleteWe were talking about this last night and yes, a year ago February was our last time apart.
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