While the little Koogs slept soundly, sleep eluded me most of the night. The head cold/sinus situation got worse. I think I was feverish in the middle of the night due to the intense body aches. A few warm showers throughout the night seemed to help break the fever, and sometime after 4:30 am, I was finally free of body aches and sleeping.
We were on our own today, so there were no crazy early wake-ups necessary for the three sleep deprived travelers. We slept in until approximately 8:15 (late for us) and leisurely got dressed and ready to head into Cobh. For those that don’t know, and I didn’t until I saw the itinerary for this trip, Cobh (pronounced Cove) is part of County Cork and about 25 miles-ish from the city.
Looking outside from our balcony, the clouds were ominous but it was not too cold nor raining. Always prepared, we donned our waterproof pants, shoes/boots and rain jackets descended the 3 flights to disembark at beautiful Cobh. The security guy on the gangway made the “put your hoods up” gesture to us as we rounded the corner. Ok, strange but we complied as we are rule followers.
HOLY MONSOON! The rain was unbelievable and the strong winds were blowing the rain sideways pelting us with drops that felt like hail. I had to keep reminding myself it was AUGUST and not November. We were so relieved we wore our waterproof gear. Even those that protested, ahem E and B, this morning. My pants, just the store brand from Bass Pro Shop, are fantastic. The multitalented (and super cute) Mrs. Koog hemmed them and put in elastic at the ends back at home. (An aside…while the pants fit nice and comfortably when we left, I now need a belt to keep them up!)
Back to our escapade…
We walked the .2 mile to the Titanic Experience Museum and our faces were windburn from the brief walk. The nice girl at the Museum entrance told us so! Our tour was scheduled for 10:30 and it was only 9:22. She offered to get us onto the 9:30 tour and we happily and very thankfully agreed.
If you find yourself in Cobh on a rainy or even clear day, make it a point to visit the Titanic Experience Museum. As you check-in, you are given a card with the name of an actual person that was on the doomed steamship. At the end of the tour, you find out if your person survived. I did not. Both young men that E and B had survived. There is a similar experience at the Holocaust Museum in DC. Both heartbreaking.
Inside there are recreations of both the third and lower first class accommodations. In the third class common area, there was a recording of Irish music playing with revelers clearly heard in the background. Obviously, this is a recreation. For some reason, that sound of happiness just struck a chord. How happy and excited the passengers must have been to be on the unsinkable Titanic. So many departing from Cobh, then known as Queenstown, were filled with visions of hope and prosperity as they were emigrating to the US via New York City. Knowing that more than 1,000 souls perished that fateful night, most coming from the third class/steerage class, just hit me hard. Must be the exhaustion, Koog is not normally kind and sensitive.
We learned that the building we were in was the former ticket office of the White Star Line. That means every soul that boarded that vessel came through the building. The guide took us out to a balcony and then pointed us to a photo on an information board. That same balcony we were standing on was in a photo from the day the tender boats were transferring passengers from the dock to the Titanic, tendered just at the head of the harbor. We were looking at the last images of these souls, most lost at sea. And we were standing on the same balcony. Gutting. The guided tour ended with a video overlayed with voice actors reading first hand accounts from survivors in a theater dressed to look like a lifeboat.
On our own we proceeded to move through the self-guided portion of the museum. It, too, was well done. The overall interpretation of the travelers, events and subsequent tragedy was presented in a very matter of fact manner. Drama and heartbreak came from identifying with the passengers and their stories.
E-Koog is OBSESSED with Titanic. Before getting on the cruise, he scoped out the museum, the exhibits and the gift shop. He knew exactly what he wanted to see, where he wanted to stand and what he wanted to bring home. He’s usually the guy that skims information boards and photos. Not today. He listened to, read and experienced every word and interactive display the museum had to offer. Of course, he was the fastest through the gift shop as he grabbed the last sweatshirt in the design he’s been wanting and the water bottle.
As for me, I really enjoyed the museum but I was on the hunt for a different souvenir; cold medicine and throat lozenges. As we exited the museum, I saw the oasis. A green cross blinking in a window, a pharmacy. The young woman working was very helpful and got the medicine I needed and didn’t laugh when I bought 6 bags of throat lozenges to last the remainder of today, tomorrow and Sunday until I arrive at Victoria Station. I also needed Q-tips as E’s ears look as if they are growing potatoes! One week without q-tips is apparently too long for our guy!
We popped into a little cafe for me to have breakfast…digression for a funny story
It's a thing on cruises to hide rubber ducks. Anyone that has a Jeep is also familiar with ducking. Because I am not fun, I do not understand ducking, on cruises or Jeeping! Well, the boys have been obsessed with finding these ducks that have eluded them the entire voyage. Well, this morning while checking the FB page for our cruise, there was a post with clues to find recently hidden ducks. Off they went to duck hunt. They arrived victorious! They found a duck in the fake ficus trees in the sunset cove, the place I often write my travel log and other stories not yet posted. I was so happy for them! This duck, that looks like a knight (ironically. See posts from Conwy Knight Store). Still no need for that suit of armor.
Back to why breakfast relates to my story above…
Apparently, this 30 minute frenzy of duck hunting stirred up some hunger. Both boys returned to the room each with plates full of food. That would be 2 plates full of food. One of us would not be eating. That was me! I was like dudes, really? Every morning I bring them something from the breakfast buffet. Apparently, they “thought” I had already gone to the buffet and eaten. Mind you, I was in bed still in my pjs sans proper pants! No, I had not gone in that state. They both offered to head back up, but I told them I was fine and could find something later. Their concern was sweet, actually.
Back to our day…
I was super jazzed to find out this little cafe in Cobh, that sat 3 tables of 4 and 2 tables of 2, had Ezekiel bread. Not just regular Ezekiel bread, sesame Ezekiel bread! My favorite! It was the bread for their Avocado toast with poached egg and rashers. Yes, please! So B-Koog and I ordered tea for 2 and E-Koog, disappointed they didn’t have his customary Mountain Dew, settled for a Coke. I have a Coke bottle story for you, later.
At this point, the wind and rain was whipping up again, as was my head cold. It was time to either find something else to do indoors or head back to the ship. I told the boys the options and they chose the latter. Back to the ship we went after stopping at a small shop to browse. It was dry.
We took a brief but dry detour through the Cobh historical center right at the pier, where the boys found something for Grandma-Koog. They are always on the lookout for magnets and Rosaries for my Mom. They thought they hit the jackpot when they found both!
Rosary, magnet and Guinness underwear (for me…again, Mrs. Koog is a lucky lass!) in the bag, and we walked to the ship and said a sad good bye to Cobh. No doubt a very beautiful place, but one we didn’t have the wear with all to explore in the monsoon.
Warm and dry in our stateroom, Mrs. Koog called. Apparently, she is experiencing the exact opposite weather in Croatia. It’s too hot and too sunny! Wear sunscreen with your white Irish skin, please! She is off to take a tour of Dubrovnik and sadly celebrate their last night on the yacht. We are so happy she had such a great time, but are still looking forward to seeing her on Sunday!
B-Koog was hungry so I went with him to the buffet. No, I do not eat there as I am grossed out by human troughs. In the elevator, the Captain announced that due to “deteriorating conditions” all guests were being called back to the ship ASAP. They were recalling all the excursions and asking anyone in contact with people on non-ship tours to relay the message. If you were already on board, you were not allowed to leave the ship. They deployed crew to round up passengers in the town. Then my phone and watch were buzzing with alerts from Carnival. Same message. It was 1:55. We were supposed to depart at 6:30. Yikes.
I’ve been on more than 15 cruises and have never experienced such a thing. While I am not at all nervous about our safety, I honestly would have disembarked if I thought we were at risk, I am concerned about puking the night away with the added bonus of my head cold. Luckily, I have travel sickness pills with us so we should be set. We are eating a light dinner at 5 and plan on spending the remainder of the night horizontal in our stateroom. B and E are completely unphased and are resistant to taking the sea sickness medicine as a prophylactic. I was clear, if you puke on it, you clean it. My puke reflex is strong and this will look like a fraternity house the day after rush if I get going! Also, I'm physically unable to puke in a toilet, but that's a different blog.
Trying to use the non-moving and empty ship to our advantage, I found the launderette. B-Koog and I took our hamper down and washed and dried a load. Laundry is not a core skill of mine as I don't know how to work our home equipment. Lucky for me, the buttons one this one were like IKEA instructions, no words only pictures! I managed to wash AND dry without shrinking or losing any garments!
Strangely, the only clothes in there were mine and 2 pairs of B-Koog’s undies. I will remember to sit far from E-Koog for the remainder of the journey.
Until tomorrow…
We were on our own today, so there were no crazy early wake-ups necessary for the three sleep deprived travelers. We slept in until approximately 8:15 (late for us) and leisurely got dressed and ready to head into Cobh. For those that don’t know, and I didn’t until I saw the itinerary for this trip, Cobh (pronounced Cove) is part of County Cork and about 25 miles-ish from the city.
Looking outside from our balcony, the clouds were ominous but it was not too cold nor raining. Always prepared, we donned our waterproof pants, shoes/boots and rain jackets descended the 3 flights to disembark at beautiful Cobh. The security guy on the gangway made the “put your hoods up” gesture to us as we rounded the corner. Ok, strange but we complied as we are rule followers.
HOLY MONSOON! The rain was unbelievable and the strong winds were blowing the rain sideways pelting us with drops that felt like hail. I had to keep reminding myself it was AUGUST and not November. We were so relieved we wore our waterproof gear. Even those that protested, ahem E and B, this morning. My pants, just the store brand from Bass Pro Shop, are fantastic. The multitalented (and super cute) Mrs. Koog hemmed them and put in elastic at the ends back at home. (An aside…while the pants fit nice and comfortably when we left, I now need a belt to keep them up!)
Back to our escapade…
We walked the .2 mile to the Titanic Experience Museum and our faces were windburn from the brief walk. The nice girl at the Museum entrance told us so! Our tour was scheduled for 10:30 and it was only 9:22. She offered to get us onto the 9:30 tour and we happily and very thankfully agreed.
If you find yourself in Cobh on a rainy or even clear day, make it a point to visit the Titanic Experience Museum. As you check-in, you are given a card with the name of an actual person that was on the doomed steamship. At the end of the tour, you find out if your person survived. I did not. Both young men that E and B had survived. There is a similar experience at the Holocaust Museum in DC. Both heartbreaking.
Inside there are recreations of both the third and lower first class accommodations. In the third class common area, there was a recording of Irish music playing with revelers clearly heard in the background. Obviously, this is a recreation. For some reason, that sound of happiness just struck a chord. How happy and excited the passengers must have been to be on the unsinkable Titanic. So many departing from Cobh, then known as Queenstown, were filled with visions of hope and prosperity as they were emigrating to the US via New York City. Knowing that more than 1,000 souls perished that fateful night, most coming from the third class/steerage class, just hit me hard. Must be the exhaustion, Koog is not normally kind and sensitive.
We learned that the building we were in was the former ticket office of the White Star Line. That means every soul that boarded that vessel came through the building. The guide took us out to a balcony and then pointed us to a photo on an information board. That same balcony we were standing on was in a photo from the day the tender boats were transferring passengers from the dock to the Titanic, tendered just at the head of the harbor. We were looking at the last images of these souls, most lost at sea. And we were standing on the same balcony. Gutting. The guided tour ended with a video overlayed with voice actors reading first hand accounts from survivors in a theater dressed to look like a lifeboat.
On our own we proceeded to move through the self-guided portion of the museum. It, too, was well done. The overall interpretation of the travelers, events and subsequent tragedy was presented in a very matter of fact manner. Drama and heartbreak came from identifying with the passengers and their stories.
E-Koog is OBSESSED with Titanic. Before getting on the cruise, he scoped out the museum, the exhibits and the gift shop. He knew exactly what he wanted to see, where he wanted to stand and what he wanted to bring home. He’s usually the guy that skims information boards and photos. Not today. He listened to, read and experienced every word and interactive display the museum had to offer. Of course, he was the fastest through the gift shop as he grabbed the last sweatshirt in the design he’s been wanting and the water bottle.
As for me, I really enjoyed the museum but I was on the hunt for a different souvenir; cold medicine and throat lozenges. As we exited the museum, I saw the oasis. A green cross blinking in a window, a pharmacy. The young woman working was very helpful and got the medicine I needed and didn’t laugh when I bought 6 bags of throat lozenges to last the remainder of today, tomorrow and Sunday until I arrive at Victoria Station. I also needed Q-tips as E’s ears look as if they are growing potatoes! One week without q-tips is apparently too long for our guy!
We popped into a little cafe for me to have breakfast…digression for a funny story
It's a thing on cruises to hide rubber ducks. Anyone that has a Jeep is also familiar with ducking. Because I am not fun, I do not understand ducking, on cruises or Jeeping! Well, the boys have been obsessed with finding these ducks that have eluded them the entire voyage. Well, this morning while checking the FB page for our cruise, there was a post with clues to find recently hidden ducks. Off they went to duck hunt. They arrived victorious! They found a duck in the fake ficus trees in the sunset cove, the place I often write my travel log and other stories not yet posted. I was so happy for them! This duck, that looks like a knight (ironically. See posts from Conwy Knight Store). Still no need for that suit of armor.
Back to why breakfast relates to my story above…
Apparently, this 30 minute frenzy of duck hunting stirred up some hunger. Both boys returned to the room each with plates full of food. That would be 2 plates full of food. One of us would not be eating. That was me! I was like dudes, really? Every morning I bring them something from the breakfast buffet. Apparently, they “thought” I had already gone to the buffet and eaten. Mind you, I was in bed still in my pjs sans proper pants! No, I had not gone in that state. They both offered to head back up, but I told them I was fine and could find something later. Their concern was sweet, actually.
Back to our day…
I was super jazzed to find out this little cafe in Cobh, that sat 3 tables of 4 and 2 tables of 2, had Ezekiel bread. Not just regular Ezekiel bread, sesame Ezekiel bread! My favorite! It was the bread for their Avocado toast with poached egg and rashers. Yes, please! So B-Koog and I ordered tea for 2 and E-Koog, disappointed they didn’t have his customary Mountain Dew, settled for a Coke. I have a Coke bottle story for you, later.
At this point, the wind and rain was whipping up again, as was my head cold. It was time to either find something else to do indoors or head back to the ship. I told the boys the options and they chose the latter. Back to the ship we went after stopping at a small shop to browse. It was dry.
We took a brief but dry detour through the Cobh historical center right at the pier, where the boys found something for Grandma-Koog. They are always on the lookout for magnets and Rosaries for my Mom. They thought they hit the jackpot when they found both!
Rosary, magnet and Guinness underwear (for me…again, Mrs. Koog is a lucky lass!) in the bag, and we walked to the ship and said a sad good bye to Cobh. No doubt a very beautiful place, but one we didn’t have the wear with all to explore in the monsoon.
Warm and dry in our stateroom, Mrs. Koog called. Apparently, she is experiencing the exact opposite weather in Croatia. It’s too hot and too sunny! Wear sunscreen with your white Irish skin, please! She is off to take a tour of Dubrovnik and sadly celebrate their last night on the yacht. We are so happy she had such a great time, but are still looking forward to seeing her on Sunday!
B-Koog was hungry so I went with him to the buffet. No, I do not eat there as I am grossed out by human troughs. In the elevator, the Captain announced that due to “deteriorating conditions” all guests were being called back to the ship ASAP. They were recalling all the excursions and asking anyone in contact with people on non-ship tours to relay the message. If you were already on board, you were not allowed to leave the ship. They deployed crew to round up passengers in the town. Then my phone and watch were buzzing with alerts from Carnival. Same message. It was 1:55. We were supposed to depart at 6:30. Yikes.
I’ve been on more than 15 cruises and have never experienced such a thing. While I am not at all nervous about our safety, I honestly would have disembarked if I thought we were at risk, I am concerned about puking the night away with the added bonus of my head cold. Luckily, I have travel sickness pills with us so we should be set. We are eating a light dinner at 5 and plan on spending the remainder of the night horizontal in our stateroom. B and E are completely unphased and are resistant to taking the sea sickness medicine as a prophylactic. I was clear, if you puke on it, you clean it. My puke reflex is strong and this will look like a fraternity house the day after rush if I get going! Also, I'm physically unable to puke in a toilet, but that's a different blog.
Trying to use the non-moving and empty ship to our advantage, I found the launderette. B-Koog and I took our hamper down and washed and dried a load. Laundry is not a core skill of mine as I don't know how to work our home equipment. Lucky for me, the buttons one this one were like IKEA instructions, no words only pictures! I managed to wash AND dry without shrinking or losing any garments!
Strangely, the only clothes in there were mine and 2 pairs of B-Koog’s undies. I will remember to sit far from E-Koog for the remainder of the journey.
Until tomorrow…
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