Obama Boosts U.S. Image Throughout World, Except In Israel

A major new survey by the Pew Research Center finds that there have been moderate signs of improvement in the attitudes of predominantly Muslim countries toward the United States since the election of President Barack Obama.

Still, for the most part, the study's authors conclude that, "The opinions among Muslims in the Middle East remain largely unfavorable."

Among the 25 countries, in which public opinions were surveyed, only one exhibited a less favorable opinion of the United States: Israel.

Conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, the Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Spain, South Korea, Turkey and the United States, the survey has a whole host of interesting data points.

The headlines include:
The United States' approval ratings in Western Europe have risen to pre-Bush levels.
In Western countries -- England, France, Germany and Spain -- it is a nearly universally held belief that President Obama will "do the right thing in world affairs." Whereas only 16 percent, 13 percent, 14 percent and 8 percent of those respective countries' populations said the same thing about former President George W. Bush in 2008.

The favorability ratings of the United States, the study concludes, are "driven much more by personal confidence in Obama than by his specific policies."
The United States' image in Israel took a hit following President Obama's foreign policy address in Cairo, according to the survey. America's 76 percent favorability rating in the Jewish state fell to 63 percent following the president's speech, when he called for dual sacrifice and responsibility in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moreover, while 60 percent of Israelis said they were confident in Obama's leadership before the Cairo speech, just 49 percent were confident after the address.

On the flipside, the number of Palestinians who said that Obama would consider their interests when making policy rose from 27 percent before the speech to 39 percent after.

Finally, in what is at once a remarkable and depressing statistic, for the first time in the Pew survey, an American president is more popular than Osama bin Laden in most Muslim nations. In Jordan, for example, 30 percent of the populace says they are confident in Obama, 28 percent say they are confident in bin Laden. Just 7 percent of Jordanians said they were confident in Bush in 2008.

That said, the world's-most-wanted terrorist does enjoy higher confidence ratings than Obama in Pakistan (18 percent to 13 percent) and the Palestinian territories (52percent to 22 percent).

by Sam Stein--First Posted: 07-23-09 11:16 AM | Updated: 07-23-09 03:26 PM

Bilbao, Spain for Karla's Birthday

I spent a glorious birthday in Spain with Jay Natalia, Frieda Alexander, Aiden, and Natalia’s family. We visited them in Sondika and Derio. We had lunch in a scrumptious seafood restaurant in a nearby picturesque seaside village.

After lunch, we visited the stunning Vizcaya Bridge and Puente Colgante, a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest transport bridge in the world and took the elevator ride up for a precarious crossing to the other side on the suspended footpath, Puente Colgante (constructed in 1999). From there we saw incredible panoramic views of the right bank, and the left one with the port Bilbao and the Abra Bay in the distance, also-the yachting marinas and the beaches We enjoyed some of the annual Summer Festival on the village on the other side before taking the ferry back.

Next we took a nice long drive along the scenic coast which is dotted with seaside towns in the midst of rolling green hillsides. We strolled through the largest beachside town of Plentzia and then visited the Castle Butron.

As we drove back to Bilbao, the sun set slowly to accompany us back to our hotel.

Lisbon (Lisboa) from the Queen Mary

Entering Lisbon from the sea brings spectacular views and perspectives of this picturesque city. From my stateroom balcony, I saw hillside neighborhoods, castles, cathedrals, and monuments galore. I even saw Christ the Redeemer Statue (a la Corcovado in RIO). Lisboa is the capital city and largest city in Portugal and is built on 7 hills. It is rich in architecture with Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and Modern construction found all over the city.

One of the only Portuguese words I remember is obrigada (thank you) so I said it often in town today.
The sail away party was especially nice because of the majestic views from deck.

I will wait till I return home to post more photos. Upload time is very slow at sea.

Ballroom Dancing on Queen Mary--when you didn’t bring your guy

I went to the ball room for dancing last night. They hire older gentlemen to dance with the ladies. They are very respectful. I danced the Rumba, Fox Trot, Waltz, Quick Step, Cha Cha and Samba with 5 of them. I feel very comfortable with the whole idea now. I will dance at the Captain’s ball tonight!

Cherbourg Normandie France Observations

I can’t believe this was my first visit to France since 1995. I felt moved (a bit to tears) as I was strolling about town. So many memories of life in France came rushing back. I even had a burning desire to buy a pack of cigarettes. I was craving a smoke!!! I discovered they no longer make des Gauloises Vertes Filtres which I used to smoke by the carton.

This was my first time using Euros. I miss the Franc. I suppose there’s a whole new generation that doesn’t know the Franc or Deutschmark or Peseta or Lira etc. I received 38 Euros back from $60US.

Cherbourg is the second largest city in Normandie; a major port city since it was invaded by the Vikings; and scene of the Battle of Cherbourg following the Normandie Invasion. Visits to the D-day cemeteries, the Bayeux tapestry (depicting the victory at the Battle of Hastings), and Mt Saint Michel, the stunning gothic monastery are nearby.

La Normandie is known for its Camembert, Cidre, tripes (A La Mode de Caen), and Calvados, a fiery, high alcohol apple brandy. In the past, every Normand household distilled their own brand of Calvados. When I lived here at L’Universite de Caen, we used to take Le Trou Normand, which is drinking a shot of chilled Calva while singing a famous song. This is done mid-meal to revitalize the appetite (a la sorbet)

Cherbourg has been restored since WWII, just like Caen, the city where I lived, since it was damaged in WWII.

Cherbourg was the first and last stop on Titanic’s maiden and only voyage.

300 passengers joined us on the Queen Mary in Cherbourg.

Until I return…………………………

Traveling Solo on a Cruise-My First

Traveling Solo Unexpectedly on the Queen Mary (written Saturday, July 11, 2009)

Tragedy struck. Bobbie suffered a mild stroke and was hospitalized on the ship during most of the cruise. The cruise line will not permit her to remain on the ship for the second cruise. Freida will accompany her. Both cancelled their European cruise.

I will continue on with our original plans of a second cruise thru France, Portugal, and Spain. I will spend 3 days in Bilbao Spain with Jay. I will celebrate my birthday there.

I had no plans to travel solo on the Queen Mary thru Europe. Since I have travelled the world solo, I suppose I am prepared to make new friends on the ship.

I have considered cruising solo but not like this!!!

How To Avoid Jetlag

Take a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2.

Eastboud, each morning, you set your clocks forward by one hour.

Westbound, each morning, you get to sleep an hour later by rewinding your clocks.

PRESTO! No JET LAG!!!

Queen Mary --Day 1

We had a fantastic 1st day on board the Queen Mary. The journey began with a spectacular sail away party complete with lively calypso band, cool beverages served by white-gloved waiters, and merry meeting and greeting of fellow travelers. We learned that many of them had sailed from England the previous week.

Leaving New York was made even more memorable because of the stunning views of New York’s spectacular skyline that waved good bye to us.

Our first day was activity packed offering choices for everyone from bookworms, to fitness buffs, to gourmands, to music lovers, to those who enjoy being pampered in the spa. I began my day with a guided tour of the ship, listened to a lecture about Hollywood moguls, took a cha-cha dance class, and saw a fascinating show in the only planetarium on a cruise ship. For lunch, we had 10 choices of restaurants. Next, I went shopping on board for Harrods and QM2 logo items and browsed the extensive bookstore.
We ended the day with a lavish formal black and white ball, captain’s welcome reception, and surf and turf for dinner. We are dining with a couple from England, a couple from Missouri, and a woman from England. Of note, more than half the passengers are British, about one third are from the US, and the rest mainly hail from Northern Europe.

Tonight’s entertainment was a performance by the QM dancers and a world famous violinist.

I look forward to what unfolds next!!

Queen Mary Features

Queen Mary 2 Canyon Ranch SpaClub®It is not surprising that one of the most luxurious ocean vessels ever built features a Canyon Ranch spa. This highly acclaimed health resort company has elevated the spa experience to an entirely new plane with life-changing programs from stress-relief classes to workshops on diet, healthy aging and disease prevention. Fifty-one Canyon Ranch health and wellness experts work in QM2's 20,000 square foot facility which includes 24 treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool with deluge waterfall, a whirlpool, thermal suite with both herbal and Finnish saunas, reflexology basins and an aromatic steam room.

QM2 Planetarium - Illuminations
Take a virtual ride into outer space, view the stars and other visual spectacles or take a course on celestial navigation in Illuminations, QM2's full-scale planetarium. It also functions as a grand cinema, a 500-seat lecture hall and even a broadcasting studio.

Queen Mary 2 - Cunard ConneXions
SM QM2's cultural enrichment program includes seven classrooms and a 500-seat auditorium where you can attend workshops, seminars and lectures presenting a fusion of perspectives from the world's premier cultural hotspots: New York and London. Classes range from fashion to foreign languages, watercolor techniques to period furniture. Try film making. Join a discussion of British comedy, or compare MoMA and the Tate.

QM 2 Culinary Advisor Daniel Boulud
Stunning French-American cuisine and dedication to quality have made Cunard's culinary advisor one of the most famous chefs in the world. He has been the recipient of numerous awards from Bon Appetit's "Chef of the Year" to Gourmet's "Top Tables." People often wait months for a reservation at Daniel, his famous New York City bistro, ranked Number One for "Top Food" by the 2002 Zagat Survey. Guests can enjoy his cuisine aboard QM2.

QM2 History & Art
Renowned international artists were commissioned to produce over 300 original works of art valued at over $5 million. For history buffs, the museum-quality Maritime Quest exhibit is a fascinating tour that takes you back to the golden era of transatlantic cruising.

QM2 Interactive TV
You can receive or send e-mails, choose from dozens of movies, review a seminar you might have missed or sign up for shore excursions - right from the comfort of your stateroom.

Internet on the QM2
Guests can surf the web, check e-mail or even transmit a video postcard to friends and family back home. They can take classes in the Computer Centre, or bring their own laptop; every stateroom has direct Internet access.

QM2 Play Zone/The Zone
QM2 was designed to accommodate all the ages. For guests who wish to take their children or grandchildren along, The Play Zone is like a well-run camp for children 2 - 7 years old. A separate facility, The Zone, provides hours of supervised entertainment and activities for children 8- 12 years old. The area includes the Minnows splash pool and real English nannies for the toddlers. And it's equipped with an array of toys and activities from board games to computer terminals with all kinds of learning adventures, so that while kids are doing their thing, adults have some quality time alone.

Dining on the Queen Mary
Dining has always been a memorable event on any Cunard voyage, a celebration where culinary creations are served by waiters trained in the fine art of Cunard service. Lavish dining is one of the centerpieces of the QM2 experience, as well - with vastly expanded menus and venues.
There are 10 restaurants in all, a team of chefs that includes culinary advisor Daniel Boulud, one of the world's most famous chefs, and the celebrated Mediterranean and TV culinary luminary Todd English. As with the custom of ocean liners in the past, each QM2 stateroom is matched with a reserved table at a sea-view restaurant, complemented by the largest wine selection afloat. Of course, you can always make reservations at one of the many optional dining alternatives. Or don't dine out - dine in! Room service is available 24 hours a day.

written by Linda Garrison at About.com

Overview of the Queen Mary 2 (QM2)-I embark New York for London Tomorrow

With a passenger capacity of 2,620, QM2's size allows a great variety of passenger amenities. Almost everything you could want on a cruise ship can be found on the QM2. For those who want to be pampered and rejuvenated, the ship features the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®. Athletes can play basketball or virtual reality golf, and a state-of-the-art gym includes a separate weight room. The Cunard ConneXionsSM is almost like a college at sea, taking into account, of course, that you're on vacation. The QM2 even has some features new to cruising such as a planetarium and a look at marine history in the Maritime Quest Exhibit. QM2 even lets you bring your dog along and board him in an onboard kennel.

Nighttime on the QM2 is elegant, and the ship plays host to formal gatherings in the evenings. After dinner entertainment includes dancing in the largest ballroom at sea, jazz in the Commodore Club, a casino, caberet singing in the Chart Room, and West End-caliber shows in the Royal Court Theatre.

Some of the traditional Cunard hallmarks are found throughout the Queen Mary 2 -- sweeping staircases, soaring public rooms, a grand ballroom, and a 360° promenade deck. A space ratio of 57.25 makes her one of the roomiest vessels anywhere, and the ship has 14 decks of sports facilities, shops, bars, lounges, 5 pools and no fewer than 10 restaurants. With one staff member per couple, a very high level of service can be expected. For those who love verandas as I do, three-quarters of the QM2 staterooms have balconies. Some of the lavish two-story duplexes even have their own private exercise equipment.

Since it is often difficult to picture the size of such a large vessel, here are some comparisons:
• QM2 is five times longer than Cunard's first ship, Britannia (230 ft.)
• QM2 is 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary
• QM2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 ft.)
• QM2 is 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 ft.)
• QM2 is more than 3 ½ times as long as Westminster Tower (Big Ben) is high (310 ft.)
• QM2 is only 117 feet shorter than the Empire State Building is tall (1248 ft.)
• QM2 is more than three times as long as St. Paul's Cathedral is tall (366 ft.)
• QM2 is as long as 41 double-decker London buses (31 ½ ft. each)
• QM2's whistle is audible for 10 miles

written by Linda Garrison at About.com