It’s hard to believe the day after tomorrow we will be leaving the ship. I did have a lot packed in today because it was also a payday Friday and one of my clients especially was frustrating and not providing the proper information so their employee will not get paid on time. I don’t like when this happens I feel responsible even when it’s not my responsibility.
I did play Mahjong and we did well in trivia and for only the second time this trip I went and sat on the deck and read my book for a while before meeting with the gang for a beverage, and then off for dinner at the Crown Grill with G&K
The dinner was good but I am feeling that it is all just too much
There was a great sendoff celebration in the Piazza
One of my favourite things of this entire day was receiving a picture from Kathy that she took when I was following Paul and Ginger in Mallorca. It may be one of my favourite pictures of me ever.
A little work, a little play, a little planning kind of day
Mahjong was fun but no win today. Getting a better understanding of strategy for hands.
Had lunch with Sandy in O’Malleys
We are now third in Trivia and today was sports; we got 13/20
Stopped and purchased the only two Pandora dragonflies on board
Found a duck! I was so excited that it was a Princess one!
Joe and I worked on the scavenger hunt and had a visit with Glynn and Kathy about future travel and costs before we all split to get ready for dinner. I met Sandy and Lily for a meal at Sabatini’s. The lasagna was delicious
After dinner I changed and headed up to 18 to claim a hot tub and watch a movie. It was Fly me to the Moon. It was charming and I had a good soak before relaxing on a sun lounger for the rest of it.
Today was just pretty great in all the ways. I circled the women early to play Mahjong so that those of us who wanted to could attend the Remembrance Day/Veterans Day ceremony. I won another game which was exciting and then Stephanie‘s husband saved us seats and I’m very glad I went. It was an extremely emotionally service well handled considering all of the nations on the ship and I was told later by an officer that that was the first time that so many major officers attended.
I did receive a text from Rae-Anne that William had passed out standing at attention at the service in Cranbrook. I guess he’s OK but it was scary.
I headed up to Lido deck for some food and while I was sitting there looking out, obsessed with the ocean, I saw some plant life. I took a picture and used Google lens to find out that we are in the Sargasso Sea. How cool is that?
It turns out we are in second in trivia with the ABC united and we didn’t do too bad today with the nature category. Tomorrow is sports so that should be interesting.
I learned that there is a nail salon on the ship so I walked up and booked an appointment for 345 with a lovely woman from Jamaica. As she was doing my nails, I even saw a rainbow over her shoulder.
I purposely wore my bathing suit to my appointment so I would make myself go in the hot tub as it would be a shame to not have done that on this trip
I then went and got ready for dinner and luminescence night although I didn’t entirely know what I was going to do. As it turned out I stopped for a beverage at the wheelhouse and was joined by Glynn and Kathy and then Dave and Debbie and after a visit I joined D&D for dinner in eclipse. It was delicious and not too heavy, which was a nice change.
After dinner, D&D and I wandered to the Piazza where I caught up with my friends and struggled not to dance on my bad ankle. Joe has been an especially good friend making sure that I am not overdoing it and sent me home lol
It is set the clocks back an hour night, which is good because tomorrow’s also a work day
With the setting of the clock back several times over the last week I seem to be getting enough sleep and waking up early. I put this to my advantage today getting payroll run before heading to play Mahjong. As always, I had a nice time with Sandy, Stephanie and Marsha. I haven’t won again, but I am definitely learning the game better and watching for strategies.
I decide to have lunch at O’Malley‘s, but sadly was disappointed in the fish and chips. Next was trivia, where the subject was fashion. We did remarkably well and after the last two rounds are in second place.
I stopped a chat with the girl in the shops who was working the Pandora desk. We were just chatting about our tattoos, etc., and as I turned to walk away, she let out a little shreak and said oh my goodness come and look. I have a tattoo on the back of my left shoulder in honour of my cousin Kelly, which is a dragonfly and the words free spirit. How extraordinary that Pandora has that same thing. She told me to come back on the 15th when they would be 20% off. Needless to say I will be doing so.
I came back to my room and got a great deal of work done before going down to meet the solos who may show up. Sadly, I was the only one lol so I took myself off to find out if I could be fit in for dinner at Love by Brito. I was told I could be fit in at 8:30 so I went and watched a portion of a very strange movie that was being shown on the Lido deck. I don’t even know what it was and I usually like strained, but this was very strange.
Yes I put it on my cruise billThe ladies are rocking my clothes
Dinner was delightful and I enjoyed texting with Rae while I ate.
Is this really a service dog?RavioliMushroom soupChilean Sea BassLava cake
And now I am back in my room with ice on my ankle. Must be better for WDW!
I don’t know what is going on with my ankle, but when I went to get out of bed, it was shooting pain. I was barely able to hobble down to. get breakfast. I did take extra strength Advil and kept it elevated as much as possible.
I brought Sandy, one if the women teaching my mahjong, and her friend to my room to get the clothes that I was going to give away as they have no suitcases arriving thanks to the airline.
It was a tough day but I did play mahjong and trivia. And discovered that they now have crown royal on board. Before dinner I did head to medical to see about wrapping it and was supplied with a soft brace to support. It was a minimum $150 visit
I match
Kathy and I had dinner at Alfredo’s before meeting Glynn for the Fiera show which was beautiful
After an early nightcap I returned to my room to ice my ankle. I am hoping it feels better tomorrow
Today was just kind of cool. It was a sea day of course the same as it will be for the next seven.
I just went from event to event to relax to visits to dinner to visit to laundry
After grabbing a coffee, I headed to the Crown Grill, which is the game spot for the day to meet with Joe however he wasn’t there and three women who were seasoned mah-jong players we’re looking for a fourth. I said I had only ever played once online and if they were willing to teach me, I would love to learn. They were awesome and I won lol beginners luck. they didn’t invite me to come back at 10 tomorrow to play.
Next, I headed to the special dessert bar because I determined I was going to have one for breakfast. It was a lot and I did not even remotely finish it, but it was fun. I then met Glynn, Kathy, Joe, John and new addition Barry for trivia. We are ABC United. We got 14/20 on the history quiz so feel pretty good. I will have to remember to take a team photo tomorrow
I stayed for expensive bingo and then went back to my cabin for a nap in anticipation of staying up late for the movie on deck
I did go down and host the solos group until Dave And dab showed up, and then the three of us went for dinner at eclipse and had formal pictures taken, which I can’t wait to see tomorrow
I then came back to the cabin and gathered my laundry and put it in and went and played at the casino for a little while managing to leave while I was still up and put my clothes in the dryer and now I am just waiting for them to be done. It has been a lovely day. I was especially happy to get an email from the new owners of the business that my client told with an agreement on how we go move forward, it took some of the stress off.
I started the day with a decadent breakfast on the upper deck and then headed off on my Princess excursion to the Pirámide and Candelaria. The AC wasn’t sufficient on our bus and not enough time was allocated for our stops. Many were grumpy. I picked up a few things and met a man named John from London who wanted to play trivia so I organized a team
The pyramids were amazing and I was stunned to learn it all had a lot to do with Thor Heyerdahl whom I was obsessed with back in the day.
Alba and Dan
I ran into G&K and we stopped so I could have a salad. It was good to be back on the ship and I took a nap in a lounger before getting ready for the evening
I let myself try to sleep in today. I wasn’t very successful, but I launched and went down for a coffee and a bite to eat before spending the next six or seven hours in my room working with only a break to go on a scavenger hunt that Joe had arranged a team for. He really is such a good guy. He’s kind and considerate is going to be a great friend. There is nothing more between us as a matter fact he has a sweetie that he met on the cruise and that actually makes it even easier to just be myself around him. He does Karen doesn’t want me to be alone unless I want to be and he text me every day to see how I’m doing and make sure I’m not stressed or alone when I don’t want to be. That’s pretty special. G&K are like that as well. I am blessed to have found these good Texans lol
I got to a point where I could send in the year end to my client’s accountant and then I got a really great email from the new owner of the company apologizing for me not being properly, kept in the loop nor being asked if I actually want to still be involved with the company. He told me to go ahead and make the normal payments. I would’ve out of the bank and just do my thing and then we will connect and make a plan which is a comfort to me. He is not giving any pressure to the situation.
I took myself to dinner at Makoto Ocean and was given a beautiful seat where I could watch the sunset over the ruling seas and listen to the music show that was going in the Piazza nearby. It was a set Japanese menu and some of the things I did not love and some I did very much. I enjoyed just sitting there and enjoyed the view and the music. and then spent a little bit of time in the casino before heading back up to my room for an earlier night than usual. I did stop for a few minutes to watch my friends dancing and having a good time The time changes tonight so we gain an hour and my excursion isn’t until 930 so I should be able to get a good rest. I can’t believe tomorrow I will be on a Canary Island.
Today I was thrilled to meet G&K and head off on a walking tour. We had a great guide and even wandered further, shopping and exploring before making it back to the ship just before the sky opened up and pounded rain. I had bought our cell phone holders from a street guy so Kathy repaid by buying me a beautiful top.
On board we ate a late lunch, I met with Solos and brought Laurie along to dinner at Umai which was remarkable
well, that was another amazing day. I was up earlier than I intended as there was a medical emergency announcement shortly after 6 am. It did give me time to go have breakfast and that led to a sweet exchange with a woman who graduated in 1994 and thought I was close to her in age. That may have put a pep in my step as I headed off ship to meet my tour pickup. I was grateful to be on the small tour bus that the hacking, coughing, sneezing lady wasn’t.
Our guide/driver, Peter, was born and raised in Gibraltar and was a fountain of information. We started at the southernmost point of Europe to take pictures and admire Morocco’s outline in the distance.
First day seeing dark still
Next was St Michael’s Cave – The Awakening It was similar to Drach Cave without the lake, and adding a light show and theatre! I would love to both perform and view in that space
The Macaques were delightful
The WWII Tunnels were awe inspiring
I headed for a wander and met up with G&K for a walk across an international airport tarmac To go to Spain for a few minutes.
We split up as they had a tour and I found myself at Lord Nelson Pub for Strongbow and Fish&Chips before heading back to work on the ship.
After working I headed to meet with the solo group before drinks and dinner. good thing I am walking enough to burn off some calories
What a glorious day! I got a bit of breakfast and a coffee in me as I was pretty tired. Headed out and was off the ship when I realized that I’d left my battery pack and wifi hub behind. After retrieving them it was off for a beautiful walk down the jetty into town
First stop was the Museo Picasso. This is his birthplace and the whole experience was peaceful and beautiful. It was very much less chaotic and overwhelming than the Barcelona exhibit. I followed an arrow to the basement to find ruins as well!
I wandered to find sustenance and had the best Sangria I have ever had and a food that translates as Smurf which is a small loaf of bread. I ordered ham, cheese and tomato and it came with the tomato on the side freshly mashed instead of ketchup. So delicious. I encouraged people who stopped to look at the menu to eat there and when I was done the young server gave me a couple suckers for ‘marketing’. Later in the day a crew member on the ship thanked me for recommendation!
I met up with Dani, the walking tour guide and we explored the cathedral, the Teatro, and the fortress.
I wandered back toward the pier, enjoyed the market, grabbed cash at an ATM and ultimately meet up with G&K for Sangria on the Oceanside
I had to work this evening again but was grateful to Joe who made sure that I came and had dinner. I was happy to hear that his lady friend, Sherry, may be joining us again in Tenerife.
It is now actually the day after this, but somehow i managed to skip Sunday. It was not overall a bad day, but it was exasperated by the fact that it was my promised day to work on a client’s files and the Internet disconnected here on the boat and every time I went down to get help the lineups were long. Eventually, I got it solved. I worked for a few hours in the night before I was afraid I would start making mistakes and I had to put it aside.
Today was remarkable. There were so many little moments that could have been dealbreaker, but turned out to be world connections, and kindnesses, and as someone else pointed out to me, good karma.
I was up very early, like very early and got some work done before getting ready and heading out. I was fortunate to run into Wendy and Bev and Leanne on my way out so that I could say goodbye properly. By then was super confused about how to get to Park Güell for the beginning of my booked excursion. I finally just went and paid €450 for the Cruise shuttle to take me near the world trade center. From there, I activated my maps and headed for the metro station. It seems very straightforward how to take the train followed by a 13 minute walk and end up where I need to be and I still had an hour to get there. I put on my big girl panties and headed down into the underground metro system to find that the ticket buying systems were only in Spanish and confusing. A couple was walking by and I shrugged and pointed at my phone about where he needs to go and put it in the machines that I was confused and they picked up on it in spite of the language difference and helped me to purchase my €365 Ticket I followed them to the turnstile and he promptly scanned his ticket to give me my One Direction on him. That was such an amazing kindness and turned out at the end of the day to be especially great when I had to rush to make a train and had a ticket already.
According to my app, I was only 13 minutes away when I came up out of the subway, but as it happens, it was basically straight uphill and when I finally got to the top, it was the back gate to the park and I was not allowed through. I was pointing the direction of walking all the way around the huge park all the way up to the observation area and then back down to where I needed to meet my group.
I was at the lookout at the top and couldn’t figure out which of the two options to take so I asked a gentleman walking by with his dog and we used to translator to finally get a suggestion of the way that I should walk. I was 100 yards or so down the path when I heard him trying to get my attention and when he did, he took my elbow and pointed me in the direction of the trail that I truly needed to get down to the group that was awaiting me. It was an amazing kindness by a stranger, and I did make it on time.
Our guide Alex was phenomenal. I must say that the guides we have through via to really do know what they are talking about. I have no complaints about that.
Park Güell was, I think beyond imagination. Every little detail was so well thought out so well designed
I observed An entertained our guide by telling him that I felt like I was in Bowser’s castle
Each column is a cisternBased on Hansel and Gretel-candy around the windows and chocolate bar frames
From there, we took a bus to Sagrida Famillia which basically just blew my mind. I had known have appreciated Gaudi but now I am his biggest fan.
Once the two of us over, I put it to the gift shop and bought a magnet and a fan and then struck out for my 30 minute walk to the Picasso museum. It’s funny I didn’t enjoy it there even if many of those pictures I find depressing or underrated no, I meant overrated lol
Now I had one last mission to find the Lego store, so I walked as fast as my little legs carry me and once I got there, it was overwhelmingly busy, but I took some pictures of the cool bills and had my passport stamped. I didn’t want to buy a pen for Glynn‘s grandson, but they had none available.
From there, it was a very brisk walk to the metro station a short joint with the ticket I purchased earlier and then a fast walk to make the last shuttle before I was supposed to be on the ship. We had to clear customs in Barcelona, as if we were leaving the EU and there were some very stern looking bodyguard who couldn’t help themselves, but laugh when I asked if they would also stamp my Lego passport
I do love the souvenirs that I got today and I was super happy to connect with Kathy and make a plan to meet them for the comedian show at nine as they already had dinner plans. I saw that the solar group was meeting at six so an hour before that I was changed and down hanging out and it turned out that there was no one to coordinate the group as Adriana was busy so she asked if I wouldn’t mind. I actually had a great deal of fun and people were super impressed with my leading the group. Joe set up everyone in the chat app and then ask if I would like to join his table for dinner. It was very nice to go to the dining room with six other people and have a nice meal and then he and I hurried off to meet G&K. The comedian was funny. They were good laughs head and we went for a nightcap before heading our separate ways. Joe was a good continent of information for the upcoming ports and we will be looking at making plans together. I do feel bad for him because he made a connection with a woman Sherry, who was on the first leg of the attorney, but had to leave it Barcelona. The fun thing is he is having his three granddaughters meet him in Walt Disney World at the same time Rae-Anne I will be there so maybe we’ll get some time to hang out. It’s good to have a friend.
I am very, very tired. I have been a very, very long time and have put on a lot of miles. 
I was up early, so I managed to finish payroll and invoicing before going down to meet Wendy for our princess excursion. We shuffled off onto our bus and took an hour drive across the island to the Drach Caves. We passed where Rafael Nadal grew up and stopped at n Porto Cristo where his boat was in the harbour and his house was on the hill. The ‘Dragon’ Caves were simply extraordinary. It lived up to everything that I hoped it would be and even more. We were allowed to take pictures, etc., until a certain point when the boats would be coming out. They were incredible; a pianist, and three string players formed an orchestra that played in the darkness of this underground lake. I was very moved and thrilled to get to be in a boat and I shall let the pictures speak for themselves. I did have fun dressing as Waldo today, or Wally as I was more commonly referred to.
We stopped at a pearl factory where I purchased an inexpensive ring and matching more expensive earrings
I was dropped in town at the end of our tour and connected with my Texan Posse for a delicious lunch before exploring Palma. I tried to find the Lego store but even when it said I was there, it was nowhere to be found
Back on board, I had some friends n as Waldo and we all met on Wakeview before changing for our dinner reservation. We did take a Halloween group shot and I look forward to seeing it tomorrow
It was hard to say goodbye to Wendy earlier and then Paul and Ginger at the end of the night. We All developed a great bond
Dang internet is sketchy again. I hope this will post tonight.
I met the Wyatts for breakfast and then we headed to meet up with our tour. Christian was a guide with a lot of information and I was happy to find out on the bus were Ginger and Paul because it seems somewhat clear that the Wyatt’s were disengaged with me today. As it happens, their new friends came and met them the same as they did in our last day together, so I just split off and did my own thing. I do love these Texans that I’ve met Glynn and Kathy, Paul and Ginger are just lovely humans and I do hope to get to go there and see them in their home state someday.
We took the bus to Castelmola and the whole experience was amazing with incredible scenery and windy roads. Once there we wandered in and out of shops and I went off on my own up into the castle itself and enjoyed all of its beautiful overview of the area. I had forgotten my earrings so I did buy a new pair which are the symbol of the wagon wheels in the region. There was a penis bar here which was unusual. We did not stop for a drink.
Next, we took the lovely windy drive to Taormina. What a beautiful city. I hung with Paul and Ginger as we shopped and explored and ate and had a really great day
How Sicilians say no
Yes I bought some
Classic!
Once back in port we were led to a spectacular church and astronomical clock. The church has 1600 pipes for its organ
I raced to get dressed up for my Special Tuscan Meal. I was seated with Tom, Scott and Serena. They were friends who met on board and good dinner companions. We all went to O’Malleys after for a nightcap. The meal was delicious but I would not have signed up for it if I had upgraded earlier. My meals in my package have been amazing
I am very frustrated that for some reason last night’s post is in a loop and it will post out of order eventually, or I will have to redo it, but at this point, I am moving on.
I was up at a decent time and Wendy messaged me to join her for breakfast. She had a lovely spot beside the window and I had a lobster. Benny was amazing. We hung out for the morning, including going to sessions about the transition from this cruise to the next one as I learned I am actually on the back-to-back cruise and when Wendy and her crew and Ginger and Glynn get off in Barcelona, that will be the end of the first leg of the trip. When I come back to the ship after my day in Barcelona, I will be having a stamp in my passport and officially have left the EU, even though it is weird because we are still going to Seville and Tenerife that are part of the EU.
Did I mention that I actually bought a Lego Vespa on ship? It seemed like the perfect souvenir for me. I have also begun to take pictures of the crew members that have been especially kind and remember me and we hug and have relationship even if it’s surface. I will recommend them because it does matter towards their trajectory in their jobs on board.
I actually did a lot of things today, including bingo game and food with friends, got a few payroll done for back home, met Wendy for a dinner, my treat at the crown grill where we had some great deeper conversations and a man proclaiming to be a matchmaker said there was a guy at the bar that I needed to meet and it turns out it’s the same person that the bartender said several months ago I needed to meet. Unfortunately, we met tonight and he leaves the ship Saturday morning. He’s from outside of Toronto and kind of my type but I’m not sure entirely that he was interested however, I found it interesting that two different people wanted me to find my someone. After Wendy left to go to bed and I had a beverage at the bar chatting with that gentleman I decided to head to the masquerade ball where we are encouraged to wear black and while I was standing there watching one of the lovely crew members recognize me and drew me out onto the dance floor where I had a little fun and as I was heading back to the elevators to go to my room, a tall, gorgeous woman stop me rearrange my outer layer to show more push the girls up into business and said there you go. It was truly an awesome moment. It was a shame that I was just getting a little later and heading back to my room because she clearly saw something in me.
I didn’t have an alarm set yet. I still woke up early, so I texted Wendy because I knew she would be up and met her for real breakfast. I had a French toast and she had a frittata, and then we went for a bit of a tour and then sat on the Lido deck with our feet in the pool. It was nice there was hardly anyone around because it was so early in the morning. My ankle has been bothering me quite a bit from putting it through the paces. after that we went to the Princess Arena for a Life at Sea presentation by our cruise director, Cole, who is a 28 year old retired dancer from New Zealand. He showed us how the crew lives behind the scenes
For the better part of the day, I wandered around and checked things out and chatted with people and spent a portion of it in my room doing work. I then went and played in a cornhole tournament on the Lido deck and that was just fun. At 4:45 I had a 75 minute full body massage in the lotus spa. For my therapist was brilliant. She has such strong hands. Tears also very grateful for the moody bee lip balm that I gave her. my room steward said my lights on my door give him a warm feeling
I just had time to return to my cabin and change into my whites which all turned out to be way too see-through so I wore one of the dresses that I brought and met Wendy‘s girls at Spellbound. Much like a Disney World ride it is very detailed and well done. The show came with a couple of drinks, some time hanging out in the private spellbound bar and then a 20 minute comedy magician show that was really pretty good. I also ordered the smoking mirrors drink. It is modelled after the famous magic castle in Hollywood.
The last event of the evening was Luminescence, a white adventure dance party. We danced and had fun but the various perfumes and colognes started to overwhelm me. I was glad I had made time for work and play today. My alarm is set to take in the 4th game in the World Series. It is supposed to be on at 2 am
We took our time for breakfast and then bought the shuttle ticket for a round trip into Old Town.
Dave, Deb and I soaked up the beauty and shopped a little as we made our way to the harbour. Once there, we waited for Madhu and Prav, enjoyed a local beer, and wandered. After a bit I broke off and let the couples explore together. It was disappointing to see the political statements about tourists like graffiti in a certain area. I enjoyed the Maritime Museum, bought myself a spinny ring with the Greek Eternity symbol, earrings with the ‘eye’, and a magnet for my cat lady.
I met up with Wendy on the afternoon deck for a nice visit as we watched the ship across the way being maintained.
Met up with my Texan friends for a visit with BMX entertainment before Paul, Ginger and I went to Crown Grill
triumphgal 