Saturday, March 6, 2010

77 more days...

And now, for a little...
Cruise Humor!

The Parrot And The Magician

A magician was working on the cruise ship 'Voyager of the Seas'. There was a different audience each week so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem;  The captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every trick.


Once he understood he started shouting in the middle of the show: "Look, it's not the same hat". "Look, he is hiding the flowers under the table". "Hey, why are all these cards the Ace of Spades?" The magician was furious but couldn't do anything; it was, after all, the captain's parrot.


One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood in the middle of the ocean with the parrot, of course! They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word. This went on for a day and another and another. After about a week the parrot said, "OK, I give up. Where's the boat?"


77 more days!!!

Friday, March 5, 2010

78 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

TitleYearGenreIMDb RatingStaring
The Oxford Murders2008Thriller, Crime6.1Elijah Wood, John Hurt
Synopsis:At Oxford University, a professor and a grad student work together to try and stop a potential series of murders seemingly linked by mathematical symbols.
Sightings:Filmed in the UK.
Thoughts:Sounds good, very mathmatical for the Lang eggheads.
Vicky Christian Barcelona2008Comedy, Drama7.4Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson (director Woody Allen)
Synopsis:Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Sightings:The main characters themselves are exploring Barcelona.

  • Barcelona Harbor, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Boulevard of Barcelona, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Santa Maria Del Mar Church, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:I'd watch it.
Movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 2006Genre7.5Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman.
Synopsis:Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), born in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume. Synopsis written by Nuno Cordeiro
Sightings:Filmed in Barcelona particularly featuring the Barrio Gótico and el Pueblo Español (central plaza).

  • Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:Good cast but I pass
Frágiles 2005Horror6.3Calista Flockhart
Synopsis:At her new job in a rundown children's hospital, a nurse desperately tries to keep her patients safe from a plague of random, mysterious attacks
Sightings:Filmed in Barcelona and set in the Mercy Falls Children’s Hospital.
Thoughts:Calista Flockhart in a horror movie?! I'd watch it.
The Machinist aka El maquinista2004Mystery, Thriller7.8Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Synopsis:An industrial worker who hasn't slept in a year begins to doubt his own sanity
Sightings:The film features gorgeous sets from the city of Barcelona, including exterior shots of the Port and the Tibidabo Amusement Park.
  • Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:Sign me up for this one
The Spanish Apartment aka L'auberge espagnole 2002Comedy, Romance, Drama7.3Romain Duris, Judith Godrèche
Synopsis:As part of a job that he is promised, Xavier, an economics student in his twenties, signs on to a European exchange program in order to gain working knowledge of the Spanish language. Promising that they'll remain close, he says farewell to his loving girlfriend, then heads to Barcelona. Following his arrival, Xavier is soon thrust into a cultural melting pot when he moves into an apartment full of international students. An Italian, an English girl, a boy from Denmark, a young girl from Belgium, a German and a girl from Tarragona all join him in a series of adventures that serve as an initiation to life. Synopsois written by Sujit R. Varma
Sightings:Unknown
Thoughts:I'd watch it.
All About My Mother aka Todo sobre mi madre1999Drama7.8Penelope Cruz, Cecilia Roth
Synopsis:A single mother in Madrid sees her only son die on his 17th birthday as he runs to seek an actress's autograph. She goes to Barcelona to find the lad's father, a transvestite named Lola who does not know he has a child. ... With echos of Lorca, "All About Eve," and "Streetcar Named Desire," the mothers (and fathers and actors) live out grief, love, and friendship. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:The movie is said to capture the city's natural essence.
  • Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:I'd watch it - movie won an Oscar.
Barcelona1994Comedy, Drama, Romance6.6Miro Savino
Synopsis:Ted, a stuffy white guy from Illinois working in sales for the Barcelona office of a US corporation, is paid an unexpected visit by his somewhat less stuffy cousin Fred, who is an officer in the US Navy. Over the next few months, both their lives are irrevocably altered by the events which follow Fred's arrival, events which are the trivial stuff of a comedy of manners at first but which gradually grow increasingly dramatic. Synopsis written by Tim Horrigan {horrigan@hanover-crrel.army.mil}
Sightings:Unknown
Thoughts:I might watch this. Movie won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography
Uncovered1994Thriller5.9Kate Beckinsale
Synopsis:While restoring an old painting showing a woman and two men playing chess, Julia discovers the text "Who killed the knight" underneath the paint. The owner of the painting tells her that one of his forefathers was killed, the painting might identify the murderer. When Julia's friend is killed she understands that there is more to it. She consults Domenec, a chess genius who reconstructs the game from the painting. With any piece he takes, somebody dies.
Synopsis written by Radboud Bruinsma {Radboud_Bruinsma@hg.maus.de}
Sightings:Filmed in Barcelona, the architecture in the Ciudad Condal, particularly, that of Gaudí are shown.
Thoughts:I'd watch it.
A Room with a View1986Comedy, Drama7.5Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter
Synopsis:When Lucy Honeychurch and chaperone Charlotte Bartlett find themselves in Florence with rooms without views, fellow guests Mr Emerson and son George step in to remedy the situation. Meeting the Emersons could change Lucy's life forever but, once back in England, how will her experiences in Tuscany affect her marriage plans? Synopsis written by Bridget Jones
Sightings:Unknown.
Thoughts:I'd watch it.  In fact it is being televised on 2/25 on Turner Classic Movies and I set the Tivo up to record it.
The Passenger aka Professione: reporter1975Drama, Mystery7.7Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider
Synopsis:A journalist researching a documentary in the Sahara Desert meets a gunrunner who dies suddenly. When the journalist notices that they have a similar appearance, he assumes the recently deceased's identity and accepts the consequences that it brings. Synopsis written by MuzikJunky
Sightings:The movie catches glimpses of the streetcars of the period, as well as the terrace of la Pedrera, with its chimneys and ‘characteristic’ shapes, quite different from how it is today.
  • Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
  • La Pedrera - 92 Passeig de Gràcia, Eixample, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:Good cast but I pass

Next week we'll move onto watching movies taking place in Naples.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

79 more days...

When In Rome.....


Do As The Romans Do?

I Don't Think So....


We're Tourists!

While the people of Rome are going to work, here are some of the sites you don't want to miss while we are in Rome:

Coliseum









The Roman Coliseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is 187m at its longest end and 155 m at its shortest. The height of the external ring reaches 50m from ground level. Around the exterior run three orders of arches, respectively adorned with Doric, Ionian, and Corinthian columns and a fourth floor with Corinthian pilasters. The building had 80 arched entrances allowing easy access for the 55,000 spectators. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. It is east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus. The Coliseum is capable of seating 55,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. As well as the gladiatorial games, other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. It has been estimated that about 500,000 people and over a million wild animals died in the Coliseum games.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is located in a valley that is between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. It originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center.  It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages.  In the area around the Forum, the city was also home to markets, shops and taverns. You could also find the typical Termopolia, which were the ancient equivalent of today's fast food restaurants. In short, the Forum was the heart and soul of city life. It was in Caesar's time, when Rome has become the capital of a vast empire, that the Forum became a place for celebrations and in the Imperial era it was the symbol of the Empire.

Much of the forum has been destroyed. Columns and stone blocks are all that remain of some temples. The arch of Titus and the arch of Septimius Severus still stand and are in good shape. Like many other ancient Roman buildings, stone blocks have been removed from the Forum and used to build nearby churches and palaces.

Things to see while at the Forum:  Arch of Septimus Severus, Arch of Titus, House of the Vestal Virgins, Temple of Saturn, The Arch of Constantine, Temple of Vespasian and Titus, Temple of Vesta, Palatine Hill, and Capitoline Hill.

Pantheon










When the ancient Romans built their temples, they often built a tall staircase to the front to protect the building from frequent floods of the Tiber River. The Pantheon was no exception. It's hard to believe today when seeing the Pantheon that at one time there were 15 steps leading to the front door. Now, over the centuries, dust and debris has covered those step and raised the front to the level of the street.

Originally a temple for all pagan gods, the temple was converted into a church in 609. The Pantheon now contains the tombs of the famous artist Raphael and of several Italian Kings. Its ecclasiastic interior design contrast with the temple's structural design, but the marble floor - which features a design consisting of a series of geometric patterns - is still the ancient Roman original.

The most remarkable part of the building is the more than 43 meter high dome. It was the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed.  At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was the only source of light.  The front portico has three rows of 8 columns, each one with a diameter of 1.5m. A huge bronze door gives access to the cylindrical building. Its diameter equals the interior height of 43,3m.

Trevi Fountain
The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs (approx 20km from Rome) and supplies the fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.  The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.  On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue on the right represents Salubrity(healthiness). Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.



Next week we visit Vatican City.  Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world. 

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

80 more days....


Are YOU dreaming of FUN?


....only 80 more days!



Cruise along and enjoy....^_~

Karen

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

81 more days...

LOST FOOTAGE:
The Love Boat

Just when Karen thinks things are turning in her direction, there is a sudden change of course.  Will she ever get her man?  (Of course she will!!!)  But it is sitcom tradition to string us along, building tension all the while.


Enjoy this lost footage from the classic show, "The Love Boat"
(CLICK HERE)



AND NOW FOR THE AUDIENCE
PARTICIPATION PORTION OF OUR POST:

What the heck was Captain Stubbing so excited about?
Please leave your thoughts in the 'COMMENTS' section.

Monday, March 1, 2010

82 more days...

The Finance Report:
The times, they are a changin'...

There are two changes worth writing about this week in our "Guess the Exchange Rate" contest.  First off, last week's reported slow-down of the $US has worsened into a slight loss for the week.  In terms of winning the contest, this is good news for everyone except Mo.  It also allows Nana to maintain her leadership position for a record 4th straight week.  However, overall it is disappointing news for all of us.  



CONTEST UPDATE:
Nana is still in the lead!

The other change is a new contestant in the mix.  I am sure that no one will mind if my dear and sweet Aunt Eleanor joins us mid-contest, so I have extended the entry period.  You can see her position above.

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010.  (Sorry, Aunty E, but the answer is no, you do not win a spot on the cruise.)
___________________________________________________

THE WEB REPORT:
58 Countries!

WOW!  We have had a 16% increase in the number of countries that have visited Operation: Poisson Rouge since last week.  Are we at any risk of running out?  Not yet, as this still represents only 30% of the available countries.  I wonder how close we will get by May 21st.  

DISCLAIMER: As of May 1, 2008, the United Nations has 192 members (including Montenegro and Serbia - the two newest nations). That number does not include the Vatican, and it doesn't (yet) include Kosovo.


free counters

What must they think?
We can only wonder, unless of course they take the time to write and request a free postcard!

_______________________________________________

FREE Postcards!
What a segway...  Our offer remains open to anyone in the world who wants to receive a FREE postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure.  Please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request.  There are 4 more postcards requests available, each to be filled free of charge!

Postcard #2 - #5: Still available

(Offer void to family, friends, and friends of family and friends...)

Sunday, February 28, 2010

83 more days...


SITE-SEEING IN SPAIN





He can be found wandering along the front at the beach, going for a walk down Las Ramblas and even trekking up to Montjuïc for the day. Certainly testing people’s limits and no doubt having a laugh or two on the part of those tourists and locals who gasp in shock and blush with embarrassment, the naked man of Barcelona is doing nothing illegal, as he would be doing if he lived in Britain. Strangely enough, walking around naked it is not illegal in Barcelona and thus neither the police nor general public can do anything about it.

Still curious?...
then I dare you to Google "Naked Man of Barcelona"
....I guarantee you will be in for some wide-eyed amazement...
...but, be warned...
HE IS NAKED!!!


He would fit right in on deck 13!


(I hope Aunt Eleanor doesn't read today's post!)


Cruise along and enjoy...^_~
Karen