Thursday May 25

Cool and rainy today. Dad is here visiting and we will visit Mike at his new job today at Woodlane Industries. The gardens are pretty well all planted and golf will be the next major activity for the next few months. Looking forward to Steve's 50th high school reunion in June with the group. I have to do a little house upkeep which will be good. Life is good!

Avignon, France

We took the train from Barcelona, Spain on Thursday to Montpelier, France. We picked up a rental car and began our Provence adventure. The apartment in the walled city of Avignon is everything we expected however driving the narrow streets and parking garage is a challenge for the boys.

Train passengers

Scenic France from the train

First adventure was a drive to the town of Nimes and a visit to the arena there. It is very well preserved and obviously there was to be an event there later as they were setting up the tents and tables and chairs. From there we drove up to Pont du Gard and learned all about the Roman aqua ducts. Truly a feat of engineering. The day couldn't have been better. 

Barcelona Day 3

Las Ramblas is the street where all of the action takes place. A huge boulevard full of shops, restaurants and street vendors. And tourists! Another fun day walking around the city.

Barcelona Day 2

Today we were on the tourist hop on/hop off bus and we saw all of the highlights of Barcelona. The unfinished Sagrada Familia was certainly an unusual sight. So much fun to see all of the Gaudi architectural influences around the city. The 1992 Olympic Stadium and arenas, the marina areas, and so much more. The stairways and fountains at Placa  d'espanya were beautiful. And we ended the day  shopping in the former bull fighting arena that has been converted into a major indoor shopping mall.

Barcelona, Spain

Today we arrived in Barcelona and departed from the cruise ship. Sad for this part of the journey to end but happy to start the land part of our adventure. We had scheduled a day tour for Monday because we had all of our luggage and could not into the VRBO apartment until 5 PM.

We visited Montserrat, a cathedral on the mountain top just outside of Barcelona , and a Cava winery. 

 The

Ibiza,Spain

We arrived in Ibiza this morning. I am still having problems posting photos so when we have unlimited Wifi tomorrow night I will add photos. This is a beautiful island and we are having a great time.

Malaga, Spain

Saturday morning we arrived in Malaga. It is a beautiful city although it is raining. We took a hop on hop off bus tour of the city and we are having wine and tapas before we get back on the ship. We sail away to Ibiza at 4 today. Hardest part of the trip so far has been the short days. We are 6 hours ahead of Toledo time. So we probably won't be calling anyone on this stop.  WiFi is tricky too. Restaurants all have it but it is not usually a strong signal. We seem to start something and get cut off. So with that I am going to push publish. If we get another better signal will post more pictures.

More Day 10

The way we have spent some sea days

The way we spent others days at sea!

Another view from the top of looking into the crater

Day 10 Update

Today we are in Ponta Delgada, a city on Sao Miguel island in the Azores, Portugal. This is our first WiFi since leaving San Juan and we are all catching up on emails and web interests. The cruise has been amazing so far. It is good to relax and not worry about anything. The last days will go quickly because we sail for 2 days then visit Malaga, Spain, and Ibiza, Spain before landing in Barcelona.

First
The Crater Lake

Steve and I at the hot springs

More San Juan

I spent my free time before sailing away trying to figure out the addition of photos to the blog. I am sure google tried to make it easier but it is taking me time and frustration to figure it out. That is why you are seeing some repeat type shots of Steve Mike and Kim at our private champagne sail away party. We are moving now and I am afraid the internet goes away for several days. See you again in Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Day 4 San Juan Puerto Rico

 Back on the ship ready to sail away

The harbor

Pictures from day 1

Day 1 cruising

First internet update since getting on the ship so will just post a couple of pictures from day one. Sailing under the Sunshine bridge in Tampa was pretty neat. Kim is really excited about taking this voyage. We are going to have so much fun. A year in the planning finally materializes.  Woohoo! Well still having uploading problems with th e pictures will add later

Sunday night in Tampa

We are in Tampa tonight and ready to board the ship tomorrow. Great flight and a wonderful evening with Mike and Kim.

Saturday night packing finished

The house is clean the suitcases are filled and we are off to Tampa tomorrow morning at 10 AM. Have I over packed or under packed. Guess we will find out over the next 3 weeks. One suitcase apiece. But 14 days with no laundry? Of course the cruise ship will have a service but it is unreasonably expensive. Undies will be washed in the sink and gym clothes will be worn in the shower to be re worn later in the week. Looking forward to a fabulous time with friends Mike and Kim Kehres.

Highs and Lows

What a week. Getting ready for vacation has been terrific but the we got the call from Dad Thursday morning that mom had died about 6:30 am. We were certainly not surprised by the news but the timing could not have been worse. Steve and I spent Friday in Kalamazoo with my brother and my Dad offering several options where we could participate in a memorial service, but Dad wasn't familiar or comfortable with a memorial service. The funeral is set for Thursday April 20, at 11 AM, with a hour of visitation before the service. So my choice is to cancel vacation or attend the funeral. Some choice! Mom and Dad have always said don't plan your life around what might happen but live life. So I left my eulogy that I planned on giving with my brother, and Steve and I will be getting on a plane on Sunday.  If funerals really are for the living than I guess Dad needs one and he doesn't need me to be there to support him. And while I certainly would have liked to have a memorial service I don't need a funeral. Bon voyage mama on your journey and to us too.

Countdown to cruising

We are preparing for a Royal Caribbean cruise across the Atlantic to Barcelona Spain. Easter Sunday we leave Detroit for Tampa where we will spend the night before boarding the Brillance of the Seas cruise ship on Monday. First stop will be San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday April 20th.