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18 Comments

  1. ellen (kathy's neighbor!)
    October 17, 2016 @ 08:47

    Another great post, Tim ! And thanks for reminding me about Isaac and Julie. Ugh, but now I have the theme song in my head……

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    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:37

      And to think I used to sing along with it!

      Reply

  2. Paula Agins
    October 17, 2016 @ 10:29

    They just keep getting better and better!!! I too watched the Love Boat 🙂

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    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:37

      I knew my more “mature” readers would appreciate this!

      Reply

  3. LInda Wight
    October 17, 2016 @ 11:10

    HI Tim, another great adventure – glad u are meeting interesting and diverse people- also a “love boat viewer”. THe people work very hard – We had one cruise – enjoyed but I don’t think as interesting as yours:) You’re a people person! Love the pictures!

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    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:39

      Thanks, Linda.

      Reply

  4. Millie
    October 17, 2016 @ 12:53

    Great post Tim. A witty and fun read on my lunch break.
    I hope you go to the wedding!
    Thanks, Ellen, now humming the Love Boat theme song!

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:39

      He might have changed his mind, but there’s another wedding next month.

      Reply

  5. Lori
    October 17, 2016 @ 15:47

    I was a Love Boat fan, too!!! Except I wanted to be Julie when I grew up! Awesome post, Tim….so beautiful!

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    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:40

      You ARE Julie! Working your magic everywhere you go.

      Reply

  6. Sarah Huber
    October 17, 2016 @ 19:20

    OMG – what an amazing place! I have loved all your posts.
    Sarah

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:41

      Glad to hear from you, Sarah. I’m sure you would love it here.

      Reply

  7. Betsy
    October 17, 2016 @ 21:13

    Those limestone islands are breathtaking! Also…no mention of Gopher???

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:41

      Gopher was in my draft, but he didn’t make the cut!

      Reply

  8. Susanne Murphy
    October 18, 2016 @ 21:35

    I would love you hear you say more about how the passengers had more in common with each other than with those who worked on the boat.

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 18, 2016 @ 23:59

      Thanks for asking. It’s a topic that’s been on my mind since I started traveling decades ago. Sitting on the boat, I couldn’t help but feel that the passengers – from Argentina, South Africa, Israel, UK, France, Italy, Australia, China and the US were all representing the privileged classes of their countries. We all have jobs with benefits, families, plenty to eat and took regular vacations. We have power, freedom and enjoy access to just about everything the world has to offer. Nearly everyone spoke English. I felt our lifestyles were so similar compared to the lifestyles of the workers on the boat. They work long hours for little pay and probably no benefits. The idea of a vacation probably does not enter their minds. They are surrounded by things that they cannot access – cars, travel, hotels, cruises, expensive restaurants, electronics, power, education, . . . . These are just superficial observations since I really don’t know any of these people well, but one thing I am always reminded of when I travel is that those of us who are wealthy are a small percentage of the entire population. That’s easy to forget when living in the US. There’s so much more to say about this, so I’ll try to write more in the future.

      Reply

  9. Diane Weisman
    October 19, 2016 @ 22:45

    Tim, I’m glad to hear your getting to travel around during your time off. I too watched The Love Boat on Saturday evenings during the 70’s and early 80’s. I always wanted to go on one and now having been on 9 cruises, I do like to travel by boat quite a bit. For me a cruise is like a travel buffet. I get to see a bit of everything and then when I really like a place I can go back later and stay for an extended length of time. It’s also the only vacation that I can fully relax on with the family. The only decisions I have to make are my food, drink and entertainment choices.
    I have always felt some guilt when traveling to third world countries when I see the living conditions of the average people working so hard to give and show their guests a great time. You are such a wonderful humanitarian and a person who can connect with so many around the world. I look forward to you sharing more of your experiences in Southeast Asia.
    I know that the crew members work hard on the cruises I’ve been on, but the people you spoke to seem to be working unbearable hours, and without a decent place to sleep. Is this the norm for most of the service related people that you have met?

    Reply

    • Tim Flanagan
      October 20, 2016 @ 01:40

      Hi, Diane. I am always amazed at how many hours people work everywhere I travel. There’s a security guard at my apartment building, and I have never seen him leave. He is there 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. He must have a day off, but it’s probably once or twice a month. He sleeps in a small room by the entrance with a mattress on the floor. I see him cooking meals on a hot plate. There are plenty of wealthy people here driving nice cars and hanging out in coffee shops, too. I don’t see evidence of poverty and homelessness like I have in Latin America or the US (I’ve only seen one person begging in two months), but the salaries are definitely low.

      Reply

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