R. Doug Wicker's Blog, page 112

Fun Food Friday — Attempting to duplicate Katz’s pastrami

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Pastrami closeup

Today I’m going to reveal my secret to duplicating (as best I can) the incredible pastrami that comes from the incomparable Katz’s Delicatessen. It’s not that difficult to do, and although I’ll be the first to admit Katz’s is still better, I believe this comes as close as you’re going to get short of a trip to New York City.

What you’ll need:

Good quality corned beef brisket (don’t skimp here; you get what you pay for) The packets of pickling spices included with those brisk...

54 Days at Sea — New York City’s famous Katz’s Delicatessen

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Looking north on Bowery at Bleecker

There is one place in New York that Ursula and I consistently hit at least once each and every time. That is the incomparable Katz’s Delicatessen and their indescribably delicious pastrami sandwiches. Those sandwiches are piled so high that, if you take one along with a side of their marvelous fries, you better be prepared to share. Indeed, I doubt I could finish one on my own even without the fries. Look in the lower left corner of the photo below to see w...

54 Days at Sea — Back in the U.S.; New York City

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New York City

It took MS Prinsendam only two days to bring us back to the United States from Bermuda. By now, we hadn’t set foot on U.S. soil for 51 days. But, finally, on May 14 we docked in New York City.

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Lunch time? Not yet!

Ursula and I always enjoy a visit to New York, and this time was no exception. So, we departed the ship and head out for lunch at our favorite New York deli, which I’ll share with you on Wednesday (hint: this establishment was made internationally famous in an outrageo...

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea, Bermuda Favorites

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Bermuda Colors

Today’s Fun Photo Friday favorites of Bermuda:

54 Days at Sea — Taking in the sights of Bermuda

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Light playing on hull

In the photograph below you can see that the aforementioned (Monday’s article) Irish Linen Shop and Gosling Brothers Limited are located next to each other on Royal Street, on adjacent street corners.

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Front Street, Hamilton

Royal Street in Hamilton is also the location of yet another cruise ship dock, as you can see in this picture of another Holland America that was visiting Bermuda the same day we were there:

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Front Street, Hamilton

You meet some really great people on...

54 Days at Sea — 1,940 Nautical Miles later; Bermuda

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St. George, Bermuda

MS Prinsendam departed Ponta Delgada, Azores, on May 7 and headed west. Five days, 1,940 nautical miles/2,230 statute miles/3,590 kilometers later we arrived off Bermuda, where we tendered into the town of St. George’s.

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MS Prinsendam off St. George’s, Bermuda

By now we had lived on MS Prinsendam for forty-nine days, with five days remaining on this almost two-month voyage. And, no, we were not yet homesick!

We wasted little time in St. Georgia’s, as we knew we’d be back la...

Fun Photo Friday — 54 Days at Sea, Ponta Delgada, Azores

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Study in Blues

One last look at Ponta Delgada before heading back across the Atlantic:

54 Days at Sea — Exploring Ponta Delgada, Azores

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

The passengers and crew of MS Prinsendam were five days away from our next port of, so Ursula and I were out taking advantage of our last walk on land until then.

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

Fortunately, Ponta Delgada is a great walking city offering much to see and photograph. For instance, here’s a great street view:

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

At one point we strolled along the shoreline:

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

We also enjoyed the historic buildings and squares in the city center...

What to watch for during tonight’s presidential address

My prognostication for today: Tonight the president will declare a national emergency, and announce that he’s going to dip into DoD monies to build his wall He’ll then declare victory, and sign appropriations bills post haste The government will be up and running by next Monday His wall will then be stopped by the courts because he misallocated appropriated monies not designated by Congress for an ’emergency’ he cannot show exists, but by then he’ll have extracted himself from the no-win gov...

54 Days at Sea — Heading back via the Azores

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

After two days in Lisbon, it was time to head for another Portuguese port of call, but this one was days away. We left Lisbon on May 4, began our return transatlantic crossing, and stopped three days later in Ponta Delgada in the Azores.

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Ursula posing by a cute Aixam Scouty

This Portuguese destination has at least one thing in common with Lisbon. Decorative tile-work:

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

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Ponta Delgada, Azores

The buildings are also quite similar to what we’ve seen else...