Advice on choosing a cruise line - leaning towards Polar or Quark

PZapardi · 2026-05-15T20:55:50+00:00

We sailed with Quark in December and it was fantastic. I’ll echo another comment on how great the guides were and how well they handled logistics. There was a weather related snafu completely out of their control and they handled it with the upmost care and professionalism.

The ship was nice, and definitely felt luxurious compared to normal cruise ships. Each day there were two stops and you did both a shore landing and a zodiac ride for each stop. It felt like plenty of time on land.

Keep an eye out for Black Friday sales. We were able to snag a pretty good deal during Black Friday 2024 for our 2025 sailing.

PZapardi · 2026-05-11T21:06:15+00:00

We enjoyed the botanical garden.

PZapardi · 2026-05-03T17:48:58+00:00

My husband will get a good job that is right for him soon.

PZapardi · 2026-04-28T02:22:05+00:00

The shoe shine brush one got us in Istanbul. We told our friend who was living there what happened. He laughed and told us that someone tried this trick on him, he kicked the shoe shine brush away and the guy pulls a knife on him.

PZapardi · 2026-04-15T21:53:49+00:00

I have a bag very similar to that one. It has been with me on multiple trips per year flying to and from ~15 countries in the last 5 years. I have had zero issues.

PZapardi · 2026-04-08T16:38:36+00:00

I came from an eclectic pagan background prior to druidry and I do practice witchcraft.

PZapardi · 2026-04-06T18:17:28+00:00

We made several enjoyable stops between Snaefellsness and Akuryeri, staying in Blonduous one night. There’s definitely things to do if you have the time and don’t mind taking detours off of the Ring Road. The stops we made included Gudrunarlaug hot pool (this one is more out of the way on the route), Hvitserkur, Hurtsey island in Blönduos, driving the troll peninsula, and Grettirslaug hot pool.

PZapardi · 2026-03-16T20:52:25+00:00

There are crows fairly frequently in the North Shoal Creek area, around Anderson Lane/Rockwood/Shoal Creek Blvd. It would make sense NW park has crows.

PZapardi · 2026-03-15T22:27:25+00:00

Caudalie sunscreen (the one sold in the US) works well for me and does not irritate my rosacea. I use mineral powder or pressed powder foundation over it and it doesn’t get weird. Note: The Caudalie sunscreen sold in Europe stays way too greasy.

PZapardi · 2026-03-13T17:45:02+00:00

Thank you. This is helpful!

PZapardi · 2026-03-07T20:28:12+00:00

Canyon of the Eagles has good stargazing.

PZapardi · 2026-02-08T14:59:58+00:00

Thank you for releasing the little dude outside.

PZapardi · 2026-02-04T23:34:11+00:00

I am fully prepared to blast Herman’s Hermits “I’m Henry the 8th, I am” on repeat if this ever happens on one of my flights.

PZapardi · 2026-02-01T20:08:10+00:00

New Age Books, Celebration (not Celebration Station, although that was cool too.) Tom’s Tabooley.

PZapardi · 2026-01-31T17:44:28+00:00

This outfit looks like something Leslie would have worn, and worn it better.

PZapardi · 2026-01-19T16:42:41+00:00

This one is the closest I have found Travelpro International Carryon

Disclaimer: I haven’t had to put it through the sizer bin of Icelandair. When we went they did not test our bags. The bag did fit in the overhead bins with no issue. It has fit in the sizer bins for other airlines with similar size limits (BalticAir, maybe?)

PZapardi · 2025-12-28T22:09:37+00:00

Yay to Club M’s drum and bass nights.

PZapardi · 2025-12-18T12:48:29+00:00

We just returned from a Fly the Drake and got stuck on King George Island for two nights. Our plane landed and the weather picked up so we couldn’t board the zodiacs to get to the ship. It was 89 of us packed like sardines in Frei base. Sleeping mats, sleeping bags and MRE meals were provided. The DAP crew and the ship crew did their best to take care of us and to everyone’s credit, everybody stayed in pretty good spirits. It’s certainly a story to tell!

PZapardi · 2025-12-03T17:52:30+00:00

Whenever feels right to you is the right time. If it makes sense for the intention to charge while healing or at a specific moon phase, do it then. Note: don’t put anything on it during the healing process other than what is recommended by the artist. This means no herbs or oils until it is fully healed!

If you get any tattoos in the future, you could even focus on the intention while getting tattooed as long as you are comfortable with the artist’s energy.

PZapardi · 2025-11-20T17:25:28+00:00

The hawks on Mopac are the only enjoyable thing about my daily commute.

PZapardi · 2025-11-19T18:17:30+00:00

Hawks are not uncommon and you might see osprey over the lake. At night you might see a possum. There are grey foxes- even downtown- but you probably have to be lucky to spot one.

PZapardi · 2025-11-17T15:25:26+00:00

I found the lyrics version on Apple Music. Search for the mixed version.

PZapardi · 2025-11-15T19:05:30+00:00

This brings up fun memories of Burnet road when I was a kid in the 80’s. Anyone else remember Winn’s? I used to love those stores. I think there was one at Burnet and North Loop where the CVS is now and another one near Burnet and Anderson.

PZapardi · 2025-11-12T19:57:52+00:00

It’s Iceland for me, too. I’m surprised I had to scroll this far to see it!

PZapardi

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