Technology is Connecting Me With Fellow Future Cruisers

As I plan for my Mediterranean cruise in December, I am connecting with other cruisers.

CruiseCritic.com--there a large number of cruisers are meeting and even arrangging to take group tours/shoer excursions together. We discuss everything from what to pack, to which excursions to take, to which side of the ship is best............ I even booked two great tours--for much less than the cruise line rates.

Face Book Group--A fellow cruiser formed a group on Facebook. There are almost 30 members--41 days out. Update: 35 days out, there are 60 members. Update: 27 days out-there are 70 members

FB-Email--Some of us have friended one another and are conversing privating on FB and via e-mail.

This will make solo travel much easier

12-Day Mediterranean Cruise Soon!

In 70 days, I will cruise from Europe (Barcelona) to six countries in the eastern Mediterranean.

Spain (Barcelona)
Italy (port near Rome)
Greece (port near Athens)
Turkey (Izmir)
Egypt (OVERNIGHT in Alexandria)
Malta (Valletta)

I am so excited. I have a midship balcony room.
I will travel on NCL which is informal with no structured meal times and no formal dinner nights!

First Day of European Cruise on Queen Mary 2

coming soon

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.

Ballroom Dancing on the 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!

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.

Cherbourg, Normandie-France Reflections

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…………………………