Not much to report from today’s port stay in Southampton—just a quiet and calm day before we head back to sea. Unlike the usual hustle and bustle of a busy port, things feel quiet. The Balmoral is the only cruise ship here. No other floating hotels in sight—just us, taking up all the attention.
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We arrived Cherbourg at 8AM and with bright sunshine, the kind that makes you wonder if you somehow ended up in the South of France. A quick glance at the GPS confirmed it: still firmly in the North. Guess the weather had a sense of humor.
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In my mind, I always pictured the place into something better - a relaxing space to unwind, a space to sip coffee on slow mornings, or entertain family of friends perhaps. That idea stuck with me, quietly growing until I decided it was time to do something about it. So, I gave the old space a makeover and turned it into a lanai.
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Our arrival in Rotterdam today was as smooth as one could hope for. The seas were incredibly calm, the ship barely felt the touch of the wind. The usual hustle and bustle of inbound and outbound traffic was noticeably absent, with only two or three vessels crossing our path. It was an easy and calm arrival into Rotterdam.
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Anyway, our arrival in Hamburg today was textbook-smooth. No drama, no chaos — just the way we like it. I took over the watch at midnight (because who doesn’t love starting their shift when even the moon looks half-asleep?). About an hour in, we picked up our pilot—on time, no surprises. With pilot taking over the conn, Safety Officer stayed with me through the whole shift, keeping me company and making sure neither of us accidentally sailed to Denmark.
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To make the most of that brief Baguio visit, we opted to explore Baguio like tourists. We planned our itinerary from random planning. While on the bus, we talked about where to go first once we get to Baguio. Over dinner and while strolling, we planned where to go on the next day. The itinerary we came up with was amazing! We got to see and experience the best of Baguio in our own time, at our own pace, and most of all, without breaking the wallet.
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Lemon and Olives was the perfect find during our Baguio escape! Great food, stunning views, and the best father-son bonding—couldn’t have asked for more!
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Seafarer and Family Man
I'm Dexter— a seafarer by profession, a traveler by passion, and a homebody by choice.
