33 more days...

The Finance Report:

Ebbin' n Flowin'!

There has been another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout!  Nana has moved into first place yet again, and this time by a more significant margin!  It's a real nail-biter, folks.  The $US is in a good range for the upcoming cruise.  But something tells me that the duel is not yet over. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Nana rips the lead back from MO, whole stole it from Nana, who the previous week had wrestled it from Mo, who the week before that swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010. 

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

64 Countries...

I thought that we were going to get blanked again this week, but over the weekend, two more countries rang in!

Nana on the Titanic:

23,337 Views!
Nana has achieved 23,337 views on YouTube, as of Friday...  (Sunday update = 24,052) Who would ever have thunk it?  Will we hit 30,000 before the cruise?  Place your bets!

Nana's popularity by age and sex

The young, and the middle aged seem to like Nana the most!  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 3 more postcards requests available, each to be filled free of charge!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict 

Postcard #3 - #5: Still available

33 MORE DAYS!!!

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

34 more days...

***BREAKING NEWS***

Eyjafjallajokull poses threat to upcoming air travel to Europe

In case you're wondering, I didn't just randomly type with my eyes closed - Eyjafjallajokull (pronounced EYE-a-fyat-la-jo-kutl) is the name of the volcano in Iceland that is creating a bleak outlook for air passengers to and from Europe. The wind driven cloud of ash has spread across much of Northern Europe creating travel chaos for so many and may jeopardize our flight plans to Barcelona, Spain next month. As of the posting of this blog entry, Continental Airlines announced that it was adding Barcelona and Rome to the list of flight cancellations as of today. A quick check on Continental's website confirmed these cancellations. Time will tell where the plume will spread; if the volcanic activity intensifies, it may affect our long anticipated travel plans.

The image above forecasts the ash plume as of 6 am. CET on Saturday, April 17, 2010. (click image to enlarge)

“The (air) current in the height the ashes are reaching remains a strong northwesterly wind, which blows the ashes to Scotland and South Scandinavia,” Atlason of the Icelandic Met Office said. “Once the ashes reach those places other more complex wind systems take over, which spread the ashes across North and Central Europe. This will continue until Wednesday.”

Volcanic eruptions may continue for months, curtailing European air traffic when the ash reaches the region, said Sigrun Hreinsdottir, a geophysicist at the University of Iceland in Reykjavik. “From what we’ve seen, it could erupt, pause for a few weeks, and then possibly erupt again.”

The next few weeks will reveal to us if Eyjafjallajokull will prevent Operation Poisson Rouge from becoming a reality. Stay tuned on Sundays for more updates and information on this continuing story, and please feel free to add any information that you wish to share on this unfortunate current event...IF the cruise is off, Nana and I have FREE ROOMS available at the Borgata in Atlantic City, NJ to fill your scheduled vacation slots.



Cruise along and (TRY to) Enjoy...^_~
Karen

35 more days...

Just like at Monaco, we are...

Racing to the finish!

~ FIVE MORE WEEKS ~

35 MORE DAYS!!!

36 more days...

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

I got my grubby little hands on the dinner menu that will be served nightly on our cruise. Please note that the day the dinning choices are offered can change. But if you want an idea of what will be offered - read on...

Day One

Starters
Melon and Mango – Drizzled with ginger syrup
Melon and Proscuitto
Smoked Fish Tapenade – Smoked fish, onions, capers, fresh herbs, served with crostini coulis
Vidalia Onion Tart – sweet onions and gruyere cheese baked in pastry with red pepper
Tuscan Tomato Soup – Thick rustic soup swirled with basil pesto Saigon Chicken Noodle Soup – Chicken broth with lemon grass, ginger, noodles and julienne vegetables
Chilled Watermelon Gazpacho – Garnished with chopped celery and cucumber


Salad
Spinach Salad – with plum tomatoes, sliced mushrooms and toasted pine nuts
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Shrimp Ravioli – In a cream coconut lime lobster sauce with wilted spinach and crispy fried leeks
Stuffed Chicken Breast – filled with prosciutto and brie, served with red pimento relish
Slow Roasted Prime Rib – with baked potato and horseradish au jus
Grilled Mediterranean Vegetable Quesadilla – Folded in a flour tortilla with Manchego cheese and tomato and cilantro salsa

Chef Signature Entrée
Royal Herb Crusted Fillet of Atlantic Cod – with light cream saffron champagne sauce, red skinned mashed potatoes and scallions

Deserts
Ivory Chocolate Fondue – full of mixed berries with a crunchy biscuit
Apple pie a la Mode – Slices of spiced golden delicious apples baked in a double crust pasry topped with vanilla ice cream
Savarin – rum soaked yeast cake filled with banana cream, finished with orange wedges, kadota figs, and chocolate chips
Low Fat Tropical Fruit salad – marinated in grand marnier
Sugar Fee Swan Chantilly – a pastry swan filled with sugar free whipped cream served with apricot puree


Day 2 - Formal Night

Starters
Orange Carpaccio – orange slices, red onions, watercress, feta cheese and cumin mint yogurt
Shrimp Cocktail royal – with cocktail sauce
Escargots Bourguignonne – baked snails in garlic herb butter
Lobster Bisque – finished with cognac and whipped cream
Oxtail Broth – beefy broth and aged sherry, served with a crispy cheese twist
Chilled Golden Pear – Garnished with dried cranberries

Salad
Caesar salad

Entrees
Truffled Wild Mushroom Linguini Alfredo – Linguini pasta folded in a creamy wild mushroom and white truffle sauce
Golden Sea Bass – Pan Seared fillet, Spanish sofrito, black olive polenta and fried capers
Roasted Duck – with black currant sauce, red cabbage and croquette potatoes
Eggplant Mozzarella Tower – with chunky plum tomato sauce and balsamic glaze

Chef Signature Entrée
Filet of Beef – creamy whipped potatoes and crimini mushrooms with green peppercorn sauce

Deserts
Grand Marnier Soufflé
Double Strawberry Cheesecake
Cherries Jubilee
Low Fat Double strawberry Cheesecake
Sugar Free Coconut Vanilla Layer Cake


Day 3

Starters
Caprese Salad – fresh mozzarella and tomatoes drizzled with olive oil
Antipasti – Cured Italian ham, seasonal melon, grilled vegetables, marinated Portobello mushrooms, baked caramelized garlic
Scallop Risotto – Sauteed sea scallops over Charred sweet corn and mascarpone risotto
Creamy Roasted Garlic Soup – with rye bread croutons
Minestrone – A rich Italian soup of vegetables, tomato, and pasta
Chilled Strawberry Bisque – garnished with fresh mint

Salad Insalata Mista – Mixed greens, zucchini, red bell peppers and black olives
Traditional Caesar Salad

Entrees
Rigatoni Pasta – with spiced chorizo sausage, red and green peppers, grilled corn, olive oil and basil
Garlic Tiger Shrimp – Garlic herb baked with seasonal vegetables
Chicken Marsala – Marsala mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables
Vegetarian Chili – With jalapeno corn bread, grated cheese and sour cream

Chef Signature Entrée
Lamb Shank with Rosemary – Slowly braised with garlic mashed potatoes and oven roasted vegetables

Deserts
Warm Chocolate Cake
Raspberry Panna Cotta
Tiramisu
Low Fat Angel Food Cake
Sugar Free Chocolate Mint Cake

Day 4

Starters
Mozzarella Salad – over arugula with a tomato basil salsa
Melon with Proscuitto
Chilled Shrimp Cocktail
Scallop and Mussels Gratin – seared with Pernod
Bouillabaisse
Tuscan White Bean Soup
Vichyssoise
Mesulun and Fennel Salad

Entrees
Ravioli Mare Monte – filled with cheese in a crabmeat mushroom sauce
Baked Perch – with sautéed spinach, balsamic and parmesan roasted potatoes and lemon sauce
Royal Sirloin – on a baked eggplant, zucchini and vegetable medley with Sicilian onions and pepper olive salsa
Vegetable paella – saffron rice with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and asparagus tips, garnished with black olives and chopped scallions

Chef Signature Entrée
Coq au Vin – with mushrooms, bacon, caramelized baby inions, grilled polenta and crispy pancetta

Deserts
Crème Catalan
Spanish Orange Almond Cake
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart
Low Fat French Apple Flan
Sugar Free Chocolate Panna Cotta

Day 5

Starters
Fired Roasted Red Pepper Hummus – with roasted marinated zucchini and toasted pita
Shrimp Cocktail
Melon Proscuitto
Spinach Sweet Potato Dip – served warm with crisp tortilla chips
Roasted Pumpkin and Apple Soup – with crème fraiche and fried sage
Onion Soup – Caramalized onions in beed broth with Gruyere toast
Chilled Forest Berries and Buttermilk soup – a combination of fresh berries blended with buttermilk`

Salad
Greek Salad for the Table

Entrees
Grey Goose Vodka and Smoked Salmson Cream Pasta
- Creamy sauce tossed with orechhiette pasta, finished with mushrooms and crushed tomatoes
Roasted Turkey – with apple bread dressing, pan gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce
Grilled NY Strip Steak – Bearnaise sauce, fried potato wedges and zucchini
Indian Vegetable Curry – braised spiced garden vegetables with steamed rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Mahi Mahi Tempura – Lightly battered and fried with homemade sweet and sour sauce, stir fried vegetables

Deserts
Brownie Madness
Key Lime Pie
Banana and Crunchy Nut Parfait
Sugar Free Key Lime Pie
Low Fat Strawberry Shortcake


Day 6 – Formal Night

Starters
Sun Ripened Pineapple - Sliced Pineapple, Sun dried apricot ricotta and black pepper
Citrus Cured Salmon - Thinly Slices with a dill cucumber salad
Creamed Wild Mushrooms in Puff pastry – crimini and oyster mushrooms in flaky pastry
Cream of Asparagus – Garnished with crunchy almonds
Double Duck Consomme – with julienne vegetables and aged port
Roasted Peach Soup – Finished with fresh strawberries


Entrees
New England Bay Scallops and Ziti – topped with Portobello mushrooms and fire roasted red pepper pesto
Fisherman’s Plate – A broiled lobster tail and garlicky shrimp with broccoli florets
Slow Roasted Aged Prime Rib – cut thick served with baked potato
Asian Fried Tofu – with sautéed bok choy, shiitake mushrooms and red curry sauce

Chef Signature Entrée
Thai BBQ Chicken Breast


Deserts
Desert Sampler – a trio of exquisite tastes
Low fat Berry Mousse
Sugar Free Red Berry Tart


Day 7

Starters
Exotic Fruits
Crab and Shrimp Salad
Melon Proscuitto
Beef and Veal Tortallacci
Jalapeño Potato Soup
Chicken consommé
Chilled Cranberry and Mango soup
Seasonal Greens
Caesar Salad

Entrees
Penne Tarantina – tossed in chunky tomato-garlic sauce, with mussels, shrimp and scallop
Parmesan Crusted Turkey Tenderloin with sage mustard Sauce
Slow Roasted Beef Shoulder Fillet – with marscapone roasted potatoes and Shiraz reduction
Asparagus and Brie Tart – grilled plum tomato, arugula, red pepper essence and chive oil

Chef Signature Entrée
Cornmeal Dusted Talapia with Japanese ratatouille and garlic wasabi aioli

Deserts
Choco-Chino Trilogy
BBB
Magic Mango Parfit
Low Fat Exotic Pineapple and Coconut Cake
Steamed Sugar Free Vanilla and Berry Custard



Alternative Selections always available
Ziti with Marinara Sauce
Broiled Fillet of Norwegian Salmon
Grilled Chicken Breast with seasonal herbs
Grilled Black Angus Top Sirloin with herb butter
Ice Cream, Sugar Free Ice Cream and sherbet selections
Cheese selection

And what will you be having?

37 more days...

Tax Day!
Boo!  Hiss!  Back to the blog...

Last week we tendered into the quaint French port of Villefranche and visited Nice.
This week we explore...

Ready for it Nana?

Monaco!

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, only Vatican City is smaller. Monaco is also the world's second smallest monarchy (and principality to be more exact).  Monaco is the name of the country and its capital (and only) city.  Monaco is a city-state.  It is famous as a tax haven (there is no income tax), and wealthy foreigners make up the majority of the population.  Monaco - is divided into four areas: Monaco-Ville, the old fortified city on the Rock which includes the Prince's Palace, Cathedral and Oceanographic Museum; the Condamine, or port quarter; Monte-Carlo, the business and recreation district; and Fontvieille, a man-made waterfront area for recreation and light industry.  Monaco is best known for it's race, The Monaco Grand Prix, it's gambling at The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo) and it's monarchy.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix (Grand Prix de Monaco) is a Formula One race held each year on the Circuit de Monaco. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world, alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (informally known as the Triple Crown of Motorsport).  The race is held on a narrow course laid out in the streets of Monaco, with many elevation changes and tight corners as well as a tunnel, making it one of the most demanding tracks in Formula One. In spite of the relatively low average speeds, it is a dangerous place to race.  This year's race is May 20th - 23rd.  While we won't see the race, we can see the course.

Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most notable tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco (Monegasques) are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms.  It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final.  The route of the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) runs past the casino. The Casino (Le Casino de Monte Carlo)  opens at 2pm to those 18 and older. Suitable attire is required.  Jacket and tie if you visit the back rooms, not the general gambling area.  There is a 10 euro entrance fee and ID check -- you 'lose' money before you gamble and no sneaking in those Monegasques.  If you are heading to the casino or points on the eastern side of Monte Carlo, you may want to take the ferry that crosses the harbor, as it will save you a good amount of walking time.

The Monarchy

The Prince of Monaco lives in the Prince's Palace, which dates back to the 12th century. The palace has been occupied by the Grimaldi family since the 1200s who have ruled Monaco without interruption until today.  The palace is guarded all of the time and there is a "Changing of the Guards Ceremony" every day in The Palace Square (at the front of the Palace) at 11:55am, seven days a week.  There are also several tours of the palace given every day.  The Monaco Cathedral is where Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly were married and also where Grace Kelly is buried. There are also a good number of the Grimaldi family buried here, as well.

 Getting Around

The size of Monaco allows speedy and easy commutes between the various districts of the Principality. Walking in the Principality is facilitated by public lifts and escalators which operate 24 hours a day, every day, to help overcome difficult steep levels. Public transportation includes a bus shuttle service that includes 5 different routes. A single ticket is 1 euro, a card for 10 trips is 6 euros, and a daily ticket costs 3 euros. Get your ticket at the driver when boarding the bus.Departures are every 10 minutes from 7 am to 9 pm. You can buy tickets from the bus drivers and also multiple journey tickets valid for that day saving time and money.  Monaco has a bus network of 5 lines that cover the entire principality. The lines are the following:

1 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Saint Roman
2 : Monaco Ville - Harbour - Casino - Pont Ste Devote - Jardin Exotique
4 : Condamine - Pont Ste Devote - Place des Moulins
5 : Condamine - Fontvieille - Harbour - Hôpital - Condamine
6 : Fontvieille - Harbour - Casino - Larvotto (beaches)
Buses go on a circular route around La Condamine, with buses going north along the harbour, and going south on Rue Grimaldi. The best interchange points are at Place d'Armes and Stade Nautique, where most bus lines meet. If you're arriving or leaving by train, exits of the station are at the Pont Ste Devote, Place Ste Devote and Condamine bus stops.
  
This is the list of current public lifts / elevators availbale for use :
1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches
2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden
3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa
4- between the Place St. D'vote and the area of Mon'ghetti
5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II
6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne
7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.

Next week -- Toulon, our last port :(

38 more days...

Part 2

(because you can never be too prepared!)

~ Toss a few empty plastic bags into your suitcase. You may need them later to pack dirty or damp clothes.

~ Folding or inflatable travel hangers are useful if you need to dry out hand laundry or a bathing suit in your cabin.

~ Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothing fresh during travels.

~ Bring your own travel alarm clock; most staterooms do not have them.

~ Keep track of your boarding pass, on board charge/key card, as well as a picture ID to take ashore by slipping them into a bi-fold business card style carrying case. Cases with a "suede" finish are less likely to fall out of your pocket.

~ Pack toiletries, clothing, and other items in clear zipper top bags for faster security examination of your carry-on at the airport and pier. This method makes it easier to repack if your bag is emptied and searched.

~ Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends.

~ Pre-address stick-on labels for postcards to the folks back home & you won’t have to carry along a bulky address book.

~ Make two copies of your passport, driver's license, and credit cards before leaving home. Leave one set of copies in a safe place on your ship. If the ship's purser holds your passport (which is often the case, to expedite clearing the ship in foreign ports), carry the passport copy ashore with you. Leave the other copies with a friend or family member at home.

~ Binoculars are as useful indoors as they are outside. Typically you might think they are only for bringing far off wildlife and sights within view, but take them into museums, cathedrals, and other buildings to examine the details of artwork, sculptures, and architectural elements.

~ Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, bring along extra camera batteries and change them before you think the old ones are “dead.”

~ Leave any paperback novels you've finished for the crew library. You'll have more room in your suitcase and crewmembers will have fresh reading material.

~ Don't forget to pack and USE your sunscreen. Why take the chance of a nasty sunburn ruining a great cruise vacation? Protect your skin from injury and aging. Excessive sun exposure contributes to wrinkles.

~ Check the balance of your on board account before the end of your cruise. Straighten out any discrepancies immediately and avoid a long line at the Purser's Desk that last morning after your final bill arrives.

~ Don't you look gorgeous in your formal attire? Have a family portrait taken to preserve the memory. There's no obligation to purchase any photos you don't care for.

~ Set aside gratuity money and keep it in your room safe. Many cruisers compute the "recommended" amounts in advance and get cash in the proper denominations before leaving home. If your ship automatically charges gratuities to your onboard account, you may adjust the amounts according to the level of service you receive.

~ Most ships’ cabins have only one or two electrical outlets located near the desk/vanity table (not counting the shaver-only outlet in the bathroom). A short extension cord allows you to use more than one electrical appliance at once and gives you a bit more flexibility to move around.

~Take along an insulated mug with a lid. Fill it at the beverage station in the buffet area—your drinks will stay hot or cold and you won’t have to worry about spills. Most bartenders will fill it with ice and water or a soft drink. With a straw, your ice won’t melt instantly while lounging at the pool. Better still, mugs are great souvenirs—buy one that sports your ship’s name from the gift shop.

~Pack a small flashlight to find your way around in the dark or in an emergency.

~ Personal 2-way radios are a great way to keep track of cruise companions, but set the volume low so you don’t disturb your fellow passengers.

~ A small air freshener will leave your bathroom area stink free and pleasant smelling.

~ Don't forget God - Remember that it's good memories you want to make so don't forget your morals. Make new friends, have a great time and be happy. Look at the sunsets and enjoy the beauty. At night, look up at the stars and say a little prayer and be thankful.

**************

Please Share YOUR Tips and Suggestions Below in the Comment Section!

**************

Cruise along and enjoy!...^_~

Karen

39 more days...

A Royal Flush...

Fun on the Throne - Part II

You might recall a few days ago when Karen warned us of the perils of travel.  She included the advice "...never flush the toilet while sitting on it! ...you can really be injured seriously."

We followed up on this claim with an investigation (42 more days...), however, the results were inconclusive.  While there is video evidence witnessing the incredible power of cruise ship toilets, there is also video evidence of at least one survivor.  It seemed that it would be necessary to perform our own little experiment in order to set the record straight.

And so I present to you, in the spirit of Mythbusters, 'Kev and Dad's Cruise Ship Toilet Experiment'.

Apparently Karen's warning is worth heeding!

Don't flush your life away!

I hope that you'll excuse me now.  I have to go pick Kev up at the sedimentation tanks...

~ A MONTH AND A WEEK TO GO ~

39 MORE DAYS!!!
(Don't forget to rate the video on YouTube!)

40 more days...

The Finance Report:

Another lead change!

There has been another lead change in the great O:PR Euro Shootout!  Mo has moved back into first place, and by the same micro-margin that Nana had last week...  0.04 EU!  It's a real nail-biter, folks.  The $US is in a good range for the upcoming cruise.  But something tells me that the duel is not yet over. Stay tuned and find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

Mo steals the lead back from Nana, who just last week had wrestled it from Mo, who the previous week swiped it from Nana!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010. 



_______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

62 Countries...

Hey, that's alot.  62 countries.  The same ones as last week, but still.  I'm just saying.

Nana on the Titanic:

20,887 Views!
Another milestone!  Nana has achieved 20,887 views on YouTube, as of Friday...  Who would ever have thunk it?  More than 20 thousand views...  (Sunday night update: 21,640)

Nana's popularity by country

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 3 more postcards requests available, each to be filled free of charge!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict 

Postcard #3 - #5: Still available

40 MORE DAYS!!!

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

41 more days...

How to Get Some Sleep on a Plane

**************************************************

We will be on an 8(+/-) hour "red eye" flight from Newark Airport - departing at 7:15pm on May 22 and arriving in Barcelona, Spain at 9:15 am. on May 23rd. To make the best of this long journey, a few "creature comforts" can go a L-O-N-G way! Comfortable clothes, socks/slippers, small pillow, snacks, toothbrush/gum/mints, ear plugs, sleep mask, music, just to name a few. What items do YOU plan on packing in your carry on bag to make the trans-Atlantic flight an enjoyable one?...will you be able to sleep?...Please share your comments below. The following video has some good tips while other tips are just plain silly...I mean, who has room to pack a "body pillow"!

*Disclaimer: Dear brother, Mike...hope you are not offended by the opening image...but I couldn't resist after Mom told me about your business trip...you being exhausted, dozing off on the flight back, and the woman next to you poking you and saying, "Sir, SIR! I am not going to listen to THAT the whole flight!...made me laugh!

41 MORE DAYS!!!

Cruise along and enjoy...^_~

Karen

42 more days...

A Royal Flush...

Fun on the Throne

You might recall that just a few days ago Karen warned us of the perils of travel, which included the advice "...never flush the toilet while sitting on it! ...you can really be injured seriously."

Wow!  Could this be true?!?  I have flown on airplanes before, and while the toilets there are rather unpleasant, loud, and odd, I had never felt threatened by the flush action.  In fact, Mythbusters did a piece on the danger of airplane toilets (the myth was busted), but never on cruise toilets...  This warranted more investigation!

A brief search of the Internets yielded some compelling evidence!  Allow me to present 'Exhibit A':

(The best part begins about 40 seconds into the video)

Well, it sure looks powerful, and potentially dangerous.  Returning to the Internets for more searching resulted in the discovery OF AN ACTUAL EXPERIMENT!!!  (Please note: While there is nothing graphic, nor overly disgusting, these teenagers do use a little potty-mouth in the background.  Be forewarned, and mute your sound if you have never heard those words before...)

So apparently, it can be survived...  But would YOU take the chance?

I mean you, Nana...  Would you do it for a buck?  We could post it with the Titanic video!

Just wait until Tuesday, when we create our own little experiment...

Muh-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!!

~ SIX MORE WEEKS ~

42 MORE DAYS!!!

43 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.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
GoldenEye	1995	Action, Thriller	7.2	Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Judi Dench
Synopsis:	James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead.
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Art Deco Palm Court, Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) British Sugar Factory, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: end of the tank chase) Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, West Brompton, London, England, UK (exterior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Casino Square, Monte Carlo, Monaco Casino de Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco (casino scenes) Courtyard, Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (Central Square, St. Petersburg) Draper's Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, Broadgate, London, England, UK (interiors Russian defence ministry council chambers in St Petersburg) England, UK Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grand Corniche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Grasse, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Greolieres-les-neiges, Alpes-Maritimes, France (James Bond car race with Xenia Onatopp) Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England, UK Langham Hotel - 1c Portland Place, London, England, UK (Grand Hotel Europe) Leavesden Aerodrome, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) (tank chase) Leavesden Studios, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK (studio) London, England, UK Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia Onatopp boarding the Manticore yacht) Monaco Monte Carlo Bay, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, Monte Carlo, Monaco (Monte Carlo scenes) Monte Carlo, Monaco Nene Valley Railway, Northamptonshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Nene Valley Railway, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England, UK (exteriors: rail scenes - Alec Trevelyan's train depot - exploding train) Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly, London, England, UK Port d'Hercule, La Condamine, Monaco (Xenia Onatopp steals the stealth Tiger helicoper) Queen's Stand, Epsom Race Course, Epsom Downs, Epsom, Surrey, England, UK (James Bond meets Jack Wade/St Petersburg Airport) River Thames, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office) Rooftop Theatre, Fort Antoine, Monaco-Ville, Monte Carlo, Monaco (James Bond views the Admiral and Xenia SIS Headquarters - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6 Headquarters/M's Office) Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England, UK Somerset House, Strand, London, England, UK (exteriors: Central Square, St. Petersburg - Jack Wade's blue car breaks down) St Sofia's Greek Cathedral, Moscow Road, Bayswater, London, England, UK (interior Russian church of Our Lady of Smolensk, St. Petersburg) Thorenc, Bouches-du-Rhône, France (James Bond's car race with Xenia Onatopp) UK Vauxhall Cross - 85 Albert Embankment, Vauxhall, London, England, UK (MI6/M's Office)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels	1998	Comedy, Crime	7.1	Steve Martin, Michael Caine
Synopsis:	Lawrence and Freddie are con-men; big-time and small time respectively. They unsuccessfully attempt to work together only to find that this town (on the French Mediterranean coast) aint big enough for the two of them. They agree to a "loser leaves" bet. The bet brings out the best/worse in the two. Interesting twist at the end. Synopsis written by Rob Hartill
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Aéroport International, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Airport) Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer) Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Cap Ferrat, Gironde, France Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France Fondation Ephrussie de Rothschild, Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer art gallery) France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Gers, France Gironde, France Grand-Hôtel, Cap-Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Grand Hotel) Juan-les-Pins, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer harbour) Musée Rothschild, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Rotonde, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Beaumont-sur-Mer Casino) Studios de la Victorine - 16 avenue Edoard Grinda, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villa Hier, Cap d'Antibes, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Lawrence Jamieson's luxurious digs) Villa Ile-de-Frances, Cap Ferrat, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche, Gers, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
The Big Blue	1988	Drama, Romance	7.4	Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno
Synopsis:	Enzo and Jacques have known each other for a long time. Their friendship started in their childhood days in the Mediterranean. They were not real friends in these days, but there was something they both loved and used to do the whole day long: diving. One day Jacques' father, who was a diver too, died in the Mediterranean sea. ... Synopsis written by Reiner Rosin
Sightings:	Agia Anna, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Alpes-Maritimes, France Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Corsica, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Greece Italy Kalotaritissa Bay, Amorgos, Cyclades, Greece (stranded ship) Le Grand Bleu Bar, Amorgos, Small Cyclades, Greece Manganari Island, Greece Marineland, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (Aquarium) Paris, France Taormina, Messina, Sicily, Italy (Diving Scenes)
An Affair to Remember	1957	Comedy, Romance	7.3	Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
Synopsis:	Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months. However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by? Synopsis written by {jgp3553@excite.com}
Sightings:	Alpes-Maritimes, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France
To Catch a Thief	1955	Crime, Mystery, Romance	7.5	Cary Grant, Grace Kelly
Synopsis:	A series of ingenious jewelry robberies takes place on the French Riviera. The police suspect John Robbie - an expert thief who was known as "The Cat" before he retired from crime. Robbie enlists the help of an insurance man to guess where the real thief will strike next. He befriends wealthy widow Jessie Stevens and her attractive daughter Frances. Synopsis written by Col Needham {col@imdb.com}
Sightings:	Maritimes, France Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Côte d'Azur, France France French Riviera, Alpes-Maritimes, France Hôtel Carlton, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes, France

44 more days....

Villefranche

Villefranche-sur-Mer is along the Côte d'Azur, often known in English as the French Riviera.  The bay (rade) of Villefranche is one of the deepest natural harbors of any port in the Mediterranean Sea and provides safe anchorage for large ships.  Cruise ships anchor in the harbor and tender passengers to a small terminal in the heart of Villefranche-sur-Mer.  You need to watch out for where and when tender tickets are being handed out.  Sometimes tender tickets are handed out the night before.  You want to get to the tender ticket handout location as early as possible in order to get an early tender (those on RC excursions will have pre-determined tender times).   The tender wharf is located right in the heart of Villefranche and everything is within easy walking distance from it. There will be people from the local tourist authority inside the tender wharf that can answer questions and offer advice.

Villefranche is a wonderfully French village offering its visitors a unique opportunity to experience everything French. Villefranche resides on a steep hillside that surrounds the beautiful bay that Villefranche resides upon. While walking can be steep at times, the walkways that penetrate Villefranche's parks, old section and village are simply breathtaking.  From the main road above, you can look down across the red tile roofs of the old town, with the distinctive church and bell tower in the center. Like the medieval villages of the "back country", the narrow cobblestone and bricked streets slope steeply down (in this case towards the sea) or traverse along the slope, with vaulted passages beneath the houses.Rue Obscura, a street about a block in from the seafront that's completely covered for about half its length is lighted only by white, wire-gridded lamps in the roof, the "obscure" street reminds you of the days when the town's population sheltered here from bombardments. Cross streets open out onto the sunny upper village or the even brighter seafront below.

 
If you are looking for the perfect place to relax on the beach, have a wonderful lunch in a beachfront French cafe, enjoy a bottle of French wine and simply enjoy a perfect French day, this is the spot!  The beach at Villefranche (Plage des Marinières) is much nicer than the beaches in Nice and offers soft fine sand on most of it.  (Once you exit the tender port, simply turn right to find the beach.)

Transportation
Train:  Villefranche-sur-Mer is on the main Nice-Monaco-Menton-Ventimiglia line, with frequent service. The rail line curves around the edge of the bay, running just above the beach to the east of town.  The station is a five-minute walk from the port, providing convenient service to major and minor destinations.  You can purchase your tickets in the station and then pick up your train when it stops at the station. Be sure that you are on the right side of the track when your train comes, as they do not stay at the station very long.  The eastbound trains travel on the track closest to the station and the westbound trains travel on the track next to the beach. Also, there is an excellent view of the harbor from the ocean side of the train tracks for taking pictures.  Finding the train station can be a little difficult unless you know how to get to it. As you walk along the harbor side heading into the beach you will see the ocean on your right and restaurants and shops along your left. When you near the last restaurant before the parking lot for the beach, you will see this a large tree. Behind the tree you will see the sign for the train station and the stairway(steep!).  Climb up the stairs until you come to the underpass and then turn right to the stairs that lead up to the train station.
 
Bus:  The Nice-Monaco-Menton bus line has frequent service.

Nice

Nice is a large city and is the Capital and the commercial and transportation hub of the French Riviera.  Nice is easily explored on your own. In fact, most of Nice's shopping, dining and sightseeing venues are located on pedestrian streets making an automobile useless to gain access to them. Using the bus system in and around Nice makes it quite easy to see a lot in a short period of time.  Using the tram to get to and from parts of the city is also quite easy. The tram traverses the city a few blocks back from the beach and terminates on the east end across the street from one of the entrances to Old Town.

Some of the sites to see and experience:

The Promenade des Anglais(The Promenade of the English)

Few spots epitomize Nice -- or, in fact, the joie de vivre of the French Riviera in general -- than the inviting Promenade des Anglais. It is always bustling with humanity.There are tourists relaxing in the royal blue chairs lining the shore. There are locals roller blading, biking or jogging along it. Vendors sell crepes and drinks on it. Best of all, there are delightful (if over-priced) seaside restaurants. Splurge on a chaise lounge, and let waiters bring you cocktails and appetizers.

Cours Saleya Flower Market

Nice's famous Flower Market is one of the best attractions in the whole city. The edges are lined with cafés and souvenir shops, and the stands themselves are packed with amazing produce and myriad flowers. It operates six days a week, replaced on Mondays by a flea and antiques market.  Get there early!

Nice offers excellent shopping opportunities for everyone and shopping seems to be one of the main attractions of Nice. There are several shopping areas within Nice and everything from designer clothing, bathing suits, beachwear, business attire, perfumes, cosmetics, collectibles, souvenirs and much, much more.

Vieux Nice, or Old Nice

Old Nice is downright dripping with atmosphere. Its narrow streets are a one-stop shop for take-home finds, such as Provençal wares, household items, wine, gourmet gifts, hip clothing and more. There are numerous restaurants in the area, as well as several fun bars and nightclubs. Be sure to stop off for a delicious ice cream in this neighborhood.

 

 

Le Chateau/Castle Hill

The best reason to visit the chateau is for the spectacular panoramic view of the city and sea. You won't actually see much of a castle (only a few sections of it remain). You can take the elevator up for a nominal price or hike up the stairs for free to the park atop the hill. Be sure to bring your camera. To get to this scenic hillside destination with a breathtaking view of all of Nice, travel on foot or take the lift from Rue des Ponchettes. Having made the climb, be sure to take in all that the park has to offer, including an awe-inspiring waterfall, fascinating medieval ruins, historic cemeteries, and a children’s playground.
 
Next week : Villefranche -- Monaco!