Girls Trip - Day 8 Sea Day and Pasta Class

 With the port days behind us, our last sea day begins and we're starting with a pasta making class.  I've been super excited about this one and am ready to learn and taste yummy Italian goodness.

Girls Trip - Day 7 - Cozumel and Chef's Table

 Our final port day is today and Kelly is in charge.  We are going to be in Cozumel, Mexico and just do some exploring around the island.  However, before that happens (we are not even docked yet) I am wandering the ship in the early hours and have a few more pictures for you.  The towel animals are on display on lido today.  Take a peek.

Girls Trip - Day 6 - Mahahual (Costa Maya), Mexico

 What a beautiful morning!  It's another port day and today we are stopping in Costa Maya, which is simply the name of the port (and, again, pretty much owned by the cruise lines).  The town is Mahahual.  New to you?  Yep, me too and I've been to Costa Maya before. The last time was in 2005 and I was with a ton of family, so not venturing too far out.  I'm up before the sun again this morning and it's simply divine.

Girls Trip - Day 5 - Isla Roatan, Honduras

 Buenos Dias!  We are getting our feet on land today and I'm super stoked.  THIS day is why I booked this cruise.  Well, not completely truthful - turning Platinum was the main reason, but this itinerary was because of today.  Hello Isla Roatan.  The pilot boat is guiding us in as I arrive on the upper decks.

Girls Trip - Day 4 - Sea Day Relaxing and a Rescue

 With another Sea Day at hand, we're relaxing and taking it slow this morning.  Well, I was until I realized the ship had stopped.  As I was dressing, Kelly woke and asked the same question, "Why are we stopped?"  I replied that I was on my way to find out.  Up to the deck I went and discovered that we are meeting up with the Coast Guard from Cancun as we have a couple of people who need to depart due to a medical emergency.  Okay, that makes sense.  I take a picture of the Cancun shoreline to show how close we are, go back to the room to share info with Kelly, and then leave to meet Frieda for breakfast.  The ship is back to cruising.

Girls Trip - Day 3 - Sea Day and Sushi Class

 We are at sea and the only thing on the agenda for today is a sushi class that Gwen and I are taking later this morning.  For now, breakfast in the dining room.

The Medium Adventure Ends - Two More Sea Days and Home - Whew

 With our ports behind us, we've hit the final sea days and are on our way back to Baltimore.  As I walk past the map in the atrium, I thought I'd snap a picture to share.  This shows how totally crazy our trip has been and how we didn't even come close to Greenland.  You can see the backtrack towards Boston and all ---- We hadn't even reached Halifax when the decision to forgo our main destination took place.  The top --- which doesn't show well has us going up and down the Gulf of Lawrence numerous times.  St. Anthony and Corner Brook are further north.

Big Adventure Port 4 - Halifax, Nova Scotia

 The added port for this cruise is Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Today is her day.  She's not Greenland, but we've have a great time no matter what.  I'm ready to go, but . . .we have to get to port first.

Big Adventure Sea Day ?? Chef's Table for Dinner

 After yesterday, I'm kinda glad for a day to relax.  We have definitely put in some miles with climbing a mountain added in.  Taking it slow - some casino time (I JUST sat down when Mister took this picture, but I DO love the piggies), towel art,  and . . .

The Big Adventure Still Going - Sea Day ? and Port 3 - St. Anthony

 We've hit the 10th of the month and have another sea day ahead.  Out towel art for today is:

Port Day Number Two on Our Big Adventure - Sydney. Nova Scotia

 Today is Port Number Two and we are in Sydney.  Nope, not Australia (wouldn't that have been funny after wandering the seas?), but Nova Scotia.  Land is in sight again.

A Change in the Big Adventure - Port Day - Corner Brook, Newfoundland

After being on the ship for more than five days, we are all ready for our feet to touch land.  I have nothing but admiration for those who sailed the seas for months on end.  I'm not sure I could do it very well, even in this luxury liner, I am bored out of my mind.  Time to walk and explore a bit.  We are arriving in Corner Brook, Newfoundland today and since this is an all-new area for us, I am excited.  Mister and I had wanted to come here a few years ago, but wanted to go in October and had the sense that nothing would still be open.  Now, we can check it out and decide if we wish to return by car.  The approach to land is amazing --- watch along with us.

France - Day 8 & 9 - Paris and Travel Home

Oh dang.  It's technically our last day of vacation.  It always stinks when this day comes around.  I want to keep going.  Can I stomp my feet and scream?  Will anyone care?  Well, get up Mister -- let's get as many hours our of the day as we can.

Our path takes us down the same street as the other day and one of the things in Europe that I simply love is the small shops that people visit daily.  Since we are in BNB's, our rooms have been people's homes.  We have seen how small the kitchens and refrigerators are.  It's obvious that they shop often and the stores back that up.  I LOVE the specialties too ---- pastries, produce, meat, bread, etc.  We have passed stores such as these each day, but today I will share my view.

France - Day 7 - Paris

Good morning Paris!!  We are not sleeping in today.  The agenda is FULL and I'm hoping to check a few things off the list.  We have one "have to" be at a certain time, but other than that ---- let's put the walking shoes on.  I have opted for a dress and sandals today.  Why?  Because it is Paris.  Isn't that enough of a reason?  Starting out, we pass a juice shop and, oh my, that sounds great.  I get a lovely "smoothie" and we are once again on our way.  The first stop is the metro and then off to Notre-Dame.   See, the dress works.  Hello Metro.

France - Day 6 - Lyon and Travel to Paris

Rise and Shine!  We only have 1/2 a day left here and so much still to do.  We are packed and ready to go around noon, but for now -- it's straight to the funicular and up to Fourviere Hill.

Crossing the bridge first thing is wonderful.  Look around.  Do you see anyone?  For a city of 400,000 people it never feels crowded at all.  I simply adore it here.

The funicular will take us most of the way up but we have just been informed that it is not working for the second half and we need to find a bus up there.  No worries, we can do this.

France - Day 5 - Travel to Lyon

Can you say happy dance?  Even at this early hour I am so thrilled to be France bound.  As we come up into the Barcelona Sants station, I feel as though I am in a very large shopping mall.  The walls and floors are gleaming clean and the entire place is sparsely populated.

Locating a spot to sit near the boards and a quick bite to eat is the next order of business and once accomplished, the wait begins to watch for our train.

Our train arrives, the mad rush is on and we are soon boarded, once again in the quiet car and within moments our views of the countryside resume.  Ahhhh.

Spain - Day 4 - Barcelona

Barcelona!!  Day two and we are ready to roll.  Into the tiny elevator we go.  I'm not joking.  If we both have full backpacks, we are wall to wall snug. 

In the first shot, he is outside the elevator, the second one has the door closed behind us and we are looking in the mirror.  Tight quarters.

Now, onto much more entertaining things than an elevator.

How about the view of our door again?  Hahahahahaha.

Spain - Day 3 - Travel to Barcelona

Six a.m. and we have to say good-bye to Madrid.  It's kind of sad because we love it here but more adventures await in Barcelona.  The train station is pretty empty as we arrive.  Hmmm -- lesson learned.  We do NOT have to be at the trains an hour early like airports.  Fifteen minutes is all that is required.  Got it.

Everyone just hangs out near the departure board until the train arrives and the track is posted.  Then it's off to the gate and down to the track.  Aren't they sleek trains?  Within the 15 minute, the train is boarded and off.

Spain - Day 2 - Madrid

Hmmmm --- apparently we were really tired.  I cannot imagine why.  At any rate, it's after 10 by the time we are totally awake and ready to get up.  Let's get this party started --- out of the apartment by 11:30 and since it is still morning to us, Mister heads directly into the park where he spotted a cafe last night.  It is open and provides coffee and muffins to jump start the body. Notice the coffee cup??  We have these same ones at home.  How fun.

It is a beautiful Sunday morning and families are out and about enjoying the space walking, cycling, laughing, and just generally loving life.

Spain - Travel and Day 1- Madrid

I was living in San Diego at the age of 12 and entering 7th grade.  Whoa, time check.  That was 48 years ago.  Michael, are you reading this?  Forty-eight years.  At any rate, I signed up for French class and said I would go there someday.  I have been many places in the world, but this week, that plan made oh so long ago is happening and my sweetheart is taking me to Spain and France for our joint birthday trip.  The AirBNB's for the first and last stops are booked and a rail pass is in hand.  We have a rough outline of where we want to go and as long as the rail strike doesn't get in our way too much, flexibility is the main objective.  We have shopped and read and shopped and read for the past two weeks almost non-stop, then packed up our backpacks (yep, no checked bags) and can now say, "We are ready."  Let's go.