|
|
Be Informed No. 49 QCWA 2009 CARIBBEAN CRUISE John B. Johnston W3BE
 Hosted by QCWA Southern Wisconsin Chapter No. 162, some 180 members, their families and friends, enjoyed spectacular weather for an eastern Caribbean cruise.  Shown docked at Grand Turk, Turks
& Caicos, the Eurodam provided smooth sailing, nightly entertainment, sightseeing, camaraderie and great food. 2,104
passengers; 925 crew. Gross tonnage 86,700 tons. Length 935.6 feet. Width 105.9 feet. Six engines,
85,824 HP. Max speed 23.9 knots. Two Azipods. Diesel generators consume 75 gallons per mile.
 The QCWA group boarded and disembarked the
Eurodam at the Holland America terminal in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
 QCWA Directors Val Erwin (l) and host Larry McCalvy greeted members and distributed name tags as they boarded the ship.  From the QCWA Board of Directors (seated l to r), Director Val Erwin, Vice-President Ken Oelke, Director Larry McCalvy and Past-President John B. Johnston.  Sunday was at sea, where Director Larry McCalvy arranged for a series of informative presentations on ham radio topics.  On Monday, the ship docked at Grand Turk Island for a day of beach lounging, shopping and sightseeing. Fresh breeze, sunny sky, 86ºF.  In Puerto Rico, some of the group travelled to the Arecibo Radio Observatory, while others toured new and old San Juan with a knowledgeable guide (above).  The Old San Juan tour included a visit to Fort San Cristobal.  While at sea, QCWA Vice-President Ken Oelke (r) inspects the QCWA ham station installation.  QCWA Chesapeake Chapter No. 20 attendees gather in the Crows Nest lounge for this photo. (l to r) John & Betty Johnston, Debbie and Al Brown, Wanda and Jim Montgomery.  The next port was beautiful Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands, a short ride to St. Thomas for shopping and sightseeing.  One of the unofficial greeters at Charlotte Amalie. 
The Eurodam in port at Charlotte Amalie.  Table 199: The liveliest table aboard. Tonight is lobster & steak, baked Alaska and Snickers pie.  Rod Blocksome presents a report on the DXpedition to Christmas Island. Rod also reported on progress in locating Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Electra.  With the tender departing for Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, the outrigger antenna for the Collins Collectors ham station can be seen.  Half Moon Cay has a mile-long white sand beach, crystal-clear water and colorful tropical fish, great for swimming and snorkeling.  N3PKX enjoys lunch at the tiki hut at Half Moon Cay.  Cast and crew of the Eurodam bid farewell.
November 15, 2009 Supersedes all prior editions |