Greetings! I’ve missed my regular encounters with the friendly bloggers who visit my humble little site, and visiting your sites as well. Consider this as the start of me easing back into a regular routine. Then again, because of the side effect I have from the motion meds, I must limit my computer time for a few days as part of my plan of avoiding a very disturbing case of motion sickness.
We recently returned home from our belated (April) 35th anniversary celebration cruise of northern Europe on the Celebrity Constellation. Interestingly, this trip has been ten years in the making because we originally planned a similar trip for our 25th anniversary, but 9-11 caused a change in plans.
Besides the 2 ½ days we had in Amsterdam before departing on the 12-night adventure, our wonderful journey involved smooth sailing on a beautiful ship with good food, entertainment, dancing, activities, and glorious ports. The icing on the cake was being way from the political ads, conventions, and the accompanying crap of this election season.
Below is a snapshot of our ports. The interesting animation in the video uses the 2009 route that had the same stops but in different order and a route through the canal in Denmark instead of going around it.
Amsterdam – Bikes everywhere in this vibrant city with bountiful offerings. Wish I had worn a pedometer.
Warnemunde – A vacation town on Germany’s Baltic coast. Interestingly, this region was part of East Germany, so good English wasn’t common.
Tallinn – The capital of Estonia with its charming medieval sector is a treat.
St. Petersburg – As Russia’s second largest city, it was interesting to see how far they’ve come since the Soviet era, but with still a way to go. We had two great days here.
Helsinki – The youngest of the cities we visited. The Finnish language is supposedly one of the most difficult to learn, thus their long street names made self-navigation a bit of a challenge.
Stockholm – Passing through the 24,000-island archipelago was the biggest surprise of the trip. The city itself was awesome, and is the one we to return to the most.
Copenhagen – A beautiful city filled with friendly people who enjoy life. Interestingly, we spent time with a young man we know from our church.
Meanwhile, I look forward to reconnecting. Besides, I have a celebratory announcement to make soon. Have a good weekend.
Welcome back. Glad you had a safe and enjoyable cruise. Looks like you stopped at some really wonderful places. Peace.
Mobius,
It was a wonderful trip and a so much for a photographer! Thanks for the welcome back and I’ll stop by soon.
Very glad to read you had such a beautiful vacation. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
Shimon,
Thank you for the welcome back greeting. Vacation was wonderful, yet I have much to do before getting back into a regular groove … including you education reform post!
Hi Frank, welcome back. Good to have you back in the blogosphere. What an amazing looking trip. You’ve certainly cruised the globe. Congrats to you and your wife on 35 years – great achievement. Looking forward to hearing more about it xx
Spiced,
Many thanks for the greeting. I hope to work in some posts with pics about the trip.
Good morning and welcome back Frank. I look forward to reading more about your travels!
Hi Alex!
Thanks for stopping by.
It’s great hearing from you as I appreciate the welcome back message. Of course catching up with a bit of a cumbersome process.
Great to see you here again, Frank. It sounds like you did a good bit of travelling. I hope you have some photos for us. I haven’t been to any of the places you mentioned, except Amsterdam. Congrats on the 35 years together.
Paradise,
Knowing that you are quite the traveler, I recommend the Baltic region! Meanwhile, once I settle in, I will get some pics up. Thanks for the welcome greeting.
Welcome back! Sounds like a wonderful trip!
Nancy,
Wonderful trip for sure. Interesting how sparse (plain) the great cathedrals in that part of the world are! Thanks for the welcome!
Sounds as though you had a wonderful trip… good on you, 35 years… I am reaching 39 years next month and still planning the honeymoon… will get round to it one day…
Bulldog,
LOL …. good luck planning your honeymoon. Thanks for the welcome back greeting.
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you had a wonderful celebration. I also hope you will put up some photos of some of the places you visited.
Glady you back! I hope you are feeling better soon. Motion sickness that’s no fun.
Starla,
This shows how far behind I am because you were one of the early visitors. (Sorry I forgot). Thanks for the greeting.
That’s Ok No problem :+)
Oh Frank, welcome back! Did you announce this before you left? I wish I’d known you were going to be here for a day, we could have met
you are absolutely correct, our street names are a little bit of a mouth full at times: one of my favourites is Nahkahousuntie – Leather Pants Road 
Looking forward to hearing more in due course.
Heather,
No … I didn’t announce what I was doing. What little time we had in Helsinki was a plus. Quite a beautiful city! We had another couple with us, so we didn’t get to see everything we wanted. More later and thanks for the welcome back greeting!
Welcome back, Frank.
A vacation from all the political noise – bliss. Seeing all those cities is just icing on the cake.
A pleasure to see you, and look forward to hearing more about your travels!
Guapo,
Well said about being away from the political noise. Meanwhile, I’m trying to get caught up so I can get back to visiting others! Thanks for the welcome greeting.
A great big welcome back to you and many congratulations to your and wife for the 35th! Your cruise sounded wonderful and makes me want to explore that idea of seeing Europe via a cruise. Once you cruise, you want to do it again. I know that for a fact! Could you tell me a bit more of how you traveled there? Did you take British Airlines to go to Amsterdam and did you use a travel agent? Glad to see you back my friend!
Java,
We arranged our own travel. All the major US airlines had flights to Amsterdam – plus, each has codeshares with some European airlines – so getting to Amsterdam is easy. We booked the cruise through AAA as it had some interesting perks – and they did a good job on the ship as well. More coming in time about the trip – and with pics. Thanks for commenting.
Frank – Great to have you back! – Fridays have been a real drag without your “Opinions in the Shorts.” Bravos for 35+ married, your Baltic Cruise, and the world perspective you bring back from your trips to share with us in afrankangle.
Tim,
Many thanks … and I will get back in the swing. Did a good bit of writing on paper, so time will turn them into posts. Thanks for commenting.
Welcome back Frank i have been away for quite some time now too…
hey get well soon, i have this terrible motion sickness so i understand how bad it can be…
Hugs
Soma,
Many thanks for the getting and I’m making good progress. Hopefully today is the last hurdle! Thanks for the welcome greeting.
Welcome back. Sounds like a great vacation. Shall we call this a cruise missal???
Fasab,
Thanks for the greeting. Did John continue to stop by your place? I’ll be returning to your place soon!
Yes he did thanks, and he’s been a very active contributor.
Very good … thus as you discovered, a very interesting sense of humor … and a good guy as well. I’ll return soon.
He certainly has all that – but very entertaining!
Aw jeez, fellas, you’re makin’ me blush over here!
Glad to see you again
Bella,
Thanks for the greeting from Colorado! Meanwhile, I will stop by once I catch up.
glad you are back and that you had a great time – and Happy Anniversary
LouAnn,
Welcome back greetings from Canada are always good. You know that I typically do well with keeping up with comments – so you can tell how far behind I am. Thanks for visiting!
Welcome back. Really you STILL got motion sickness on these ships? Wow sensitive tummy. So sorry. yes I worked for Princess Cruises back in the day for almost 5 years. Have enjoyed many in my life time. Then as a young international flight attendant seeing the world. yes the former soviet or former (eastern block countries) for those who have never been … still need much work.
Kellie,
Wow … you have quite the travel experience! I have a sensitive equilibrium, so I require meds. Unfortunately, the side effect create post-trip havoc. Oh well … all of us have baggage of some sort. Thanks for the greeting!
glad u are feeling better my friend.
Thank you Kellie. Totally back to normal and I didn’t go through the horror to get it.
Welcome back, Frank!!!!
Hi Marina,
Thanks for the welcome back greeting and I look forward to visiting your latest work soon.
Hope all is well in Greece (a place I have yet to visit).
Welcome back Frank! I’ve missed you. It sounds like you had another great anniversary celebration, but now I’m wondering what’s going to be your celebratory announcement? Hm …
Lame,
Thanks for the welcome back greeting. The celebration is an important milestone, so I hope to get many visitors on that day to say hello.
Hm, an important milestone … what could it be? In your recent travels you discovered the date when the wheel was invented? If that’s it, you better at least get Freshly Pressed for that scoop.
My plan is to announce it in Friday’s Opinions in the Shorts. As for the wheel, it was discovered by Charlie Wheel and his twin brother Willie. As for FP, my blogging style has as much of a chance of being chosen as Osama rising from the dead. For instance, I’ll put up pics from vacation, but not 20 just to get FP.
Glad to hear you had fun and are safe and sound. I’ve been to Stockholm and Copenhagen and I would love to visit the other places. I’m looking forward to your news.
I was just in Helsinki. The language is very difficult to learn. My grandfather tried to teach me when I was young. I can count to 6, say hello and thank you and not much else. I love Helsinki, but was not so keen on St Petersburg, saying it has a way to go was being generous.
Nice to have you back.
Debra,
In St. Petersburg, we were on a tour (about 10 in a van). So it was controlled, thus one can’t really get a feel for the place. It was interesting, but I’m not sure I’d say I’m ready to return. Thanks for the welcome back greeting.
What a lovely way to celebrate your special wedding anniversary.
Really sorry to hear you’re still suffering from motion sickness. That’s one of the main reasons I’ve stayed away from cruises…
Rosie,
Not still suffering, just waiting for it to kick in … thus trying to prevent it from doing so.
Welcome back, buddy. Glad to hear you had a good time. And Happy Anniversary!
Your condition sounds like how my wife’s balance worked. She was fine on the cruise ship down to Bermuda, but after a couple hours ashore, she was asking why the island was rocking! That’s the curse of the big ships – you can ease into familiarity with the motion, then you get whacked when you suddenly stop rocking on land. Didn’t have that problem on the Trek cruise in 1987 – the ship was too bloody small!
I look forward to your announcement!
Note to John from The Right Angle..be sure to check out the Google home page today. Their tribute to Star Trek is great. Be sure to click on the upper left bin of the transporter room for a surprise.
Ah yes, the dreaded “red shirt”. Gee, 6 people beam down – 5 of the series’ regulars, and one guy you’ve never seen before. Guess who doesn’t come back?
If you haven’t seen it, check out the movie “Galaxy Quest”. It is RIFE with nods to “Star Trek”, especially in the infamous “Crewman #6″ as one person is referred to. Great fun!
And thank you very much, um … er … Mrs. Angle? Ms. Right? (Gad, no, too cheesy!) .. oh heck, thank you!
Welcome back! Sounds like you had a fabulous trip.
Sandy,
Knowing that you enjoy traveling, you would have enjoyed this itinerary! Plus much dancing on the ship! Thanks for the welcome back greeting!!!
happy anniversary to you and your lovely wife, frank. quite an accomplishment to stay together for 35 years and not be tempted to throw the other over the side of the cruise ship!
the trip sounds fabulous, and i have to admit that i’m more than a tad jealous. glad your trip home was safe, and it’s wonderful to see you.
Nonnie,
Thanks for the welcome back greeting … and more importantly, it’s greet seeing your comment! (It brought a big smile!!!) The trip was fabulous as it was our first visit to all those wonderful cities. Hope all is well with you!
Great little vid, Frank. It must have been a marvellous trip. So being on board for that amount of time has meant that your body has adapted to the roll of the seas and now you have to adapt back to your previous environment. Is that right? If so, you are like a cameleon slowly changing colours after embracing the novel.
Cuttlefish,
Correct – adjusting for the constant motion of the ship is one thing, but given the travel meds I take for my equilibrium, I’m one of the lucky ones (not!) who gets one of the possible side effects – motion sickness 36-48 hours after stopping the drug. Sounds weird – but it is very ugly! So far, my controls have worked. Thanks for the return greeting!
Welcome back! I’m so jealous. What was your favorite city?
Happy Belated Anniversary!
Spinny,
All the cities were great, however, if you twist my arm, Stockholm is the one I want to revisit to get more time. On the other hand, we had 2+ days in Amsterdam, and it was fabulous! Thanks for the welcome back and the anniversary wishes.
Happy 35th Anniversary!
You have a celebratory announcement to make soon….and leave no clue as to what that might be….(tease)…
Hood,
Tease it was … but I can say I hope it to be on Saturday and it will be about a milestone …. so invite your friends. Thanks for the anniversary wishes too!
Nice to hear from you again Frank – you chose well with your trip – all of those cities have a lot ot offer. Can we expect an Onion update soon? I need the fix! Best wishes.
Ginger,
I originally was going to wait until next week for The Onion. Then again, your request has me considering a change in plans. Meanwhile, the cities were wonderful … but too short on time. Then again, cruises are meant to introduce the city. Thanks for commenting.
Welcome back, Frank! I love Copenhagen, a beautiful city and in the summer, everyone is outside until 4 A.M., walking and talking, eating and drinking. I love that city! Sounds like you had a great time!
Lynn,
Given that we only had a daytime stop, but nighttime sounds festive! A beautiful city for sure. Thanks for the welcome back greeting.
Welcome back, Frank! Sounds like a wonderful trip. Happy Anniversary!
Robin,
Many thanks for the good wishes and for commenting.
Welcome back ! Seems like you had a wonderful time! Im grateful you’re home safe! Deborah xo
Voice,
Seeing these great cities in that part of the world was quite the treat. Then again, returning home safely is also important. Thanks for stopping by.
Sounds like you had a great trip…Take your time, and ease back into blogging….we’ll be around.
Hansi,
In the words of Lawrence Welk, the trip was wunnerful, wunnerful, wunnerful. Thanks for commenting.
Welcome back dear Frank. Seems that you had a wonderful journey and time. Thank you, have a nice day, love, nia
Nia,
Receiving greetings from Istanbul is always a pleasure. Many photo ops on this trip! Thanks for visiting.
First of all, congratulations with the 35th anniversary. It looks like you chose a lovely way to celebrate it. I have been to all those cities the cruise took you to (not that exotic for me, maybe, living in Norway as I do) and I really like all of them. Both Copenhagen and Stockholm are very special cities to me. Welcome back to the blog sphere again, my friend.
Otto,
Many thanks for the best wishes. Unfortunately, the cruise didn’t include Norway. Then again, there is only so much time. We had a light rain in Stockholm, but the weather when Copenhagen was fabulous! Loved our short visit to both. Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats on 35 years, monumental achievement in this day and age. What a great way to celebrate. Welcome back!
Hi Val,
Cruising is a great way to celebrate and thanks for the congrats … and for commenting.
Welcome back Frank and Mrs. Right Angle! The trip looked fabulous. (Don’t you love Celebrity ships?) Congratulations on 35 years as well. WW and I are two years behind you. Can’t wait to see your photos and hear all your great stories. You were missed. And you have a celebritory announcement?? Can’t wait! ET
E-Tom,
Do you recall me mentioning the cruising the Baltic many months ago? It was a good trip and we enjoyed the ship as well. Gotta love cruising! Thanks for visiting.
Congratulations on 35 years together and welcome back from what sounds like a fantastic cruise! Those ports look like interesting places with many photo ops!
Margie,
Thanks for commenting.
The ports were wonderful. Last night we made our first pass through the 300+ pics.
Awesome get away. Glad to see you are back. Being a scaredy cat I like watching and seeing these pictures.
And you missed nothing on the US poltical scene, absolutely nothing. You can catch up in about 1 second.
Randel,
Missing nothing on the political scene was fairly predictable …. now that is a sad commentary. Given that Ohio leads the country in ads, whew … didn’t miss them at all! Meanwhile, I recall your past comment about cruises, so glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for stopping by.
I can’t wait to hear more about your fabulous trip!!
Sherry,
It was wonderful and it is a delightful part of the world. Cruising is a great way to see many places, but only a short bit of time in each port. Thanks for stopping by.
wow!!! yay Frank, what a journey! can’t wait to hear more!
Roxie,
Thanks for commenting.
It was a great trip, and I will incorporate some posts with pics in time.
What a great trip! And welcome back.
You’ll probably hate me for doing this, but I nominated you for a {Booker} Award. Feel free to accept or ignore as you prefer.
Oops. I forgot to tell you where to go. Metaphorically speaking, of course: http://fiftyfourandahalf.com/2012/09/13/eye-on-the-booker-prize/
Frank, I am kelly green with envy at reading about your trip. I would love to visit the Scandinavian countries sometime. I’ve heard that Stockholm and Copenhagen are both beautiful cities. Did you get to the Tivoli Gardens? And how did you enjoy the regional cuisines?
Weebs,
A wonderful trip, but just as cruises go, each port is about 8 hours – thus only get to do so much. I Copenhagen, we were close to Tivoli, but didn’t go … a beautiful city and we had outstanding weather there. Stockholm was wonderful, but rain and only 7 hours. We didn’t sample much of the regional cuisine. On the other hand, as my wife said last night, the ports offered so much that we would be willing to do this cruise again, but do something different at each port. BTW – I hope to show some pics in future posts. Thanks for commenting.
Welcome back, Frank. I look forward to “the big announcement.”
John,
http://afrankangle.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/on-satire-bits-vol-28/ …. thanks for visiting.
It’s embedded in this post.
I’ll drop by (mainly for the refreshments). I’ll hit my 500th post on 9/24. This does NOT mean that you’re twice the man I am. It means that you’ve been a Busy Buckeye.
Very good … I quietly celebrated some of the other milestones, but four figures is worth the blowout.
Then again, it’s taken four years to get there.
What a fantastic journey you were on …. the most beautiful cities in the world .. in one go. Stockholm built on 14 islands .. I dare to say is one of the most beautiful in the world. Thanks for sharing.
Viveka,
This trip was quite the pleasure … and the weather wasn’t too bad either – but Stockholm was the one port that had a dreary, at time rainy, weather. You unquestionably live in a beautiful part of the world. Thanks for visiting.
You’re so welcome … I will be back *smile – yes, the Nordic countries are beautiful.