Pacific Princess

We disappeared to Europe. For two glorious weeks. I didn't check email. I didn't have telephone access. I didn't text anyone or pay bills or worry about, well, anything. All I had to do was be back to the Pacific Princess before she sailed for the next port. Done. In fact, it was terribly disappointing today to wake up and fix my own breakfast out of a fridge filled with nothing and then hang up my wet towel to be used a second, third, and perhaps forth time later in the week. There is really nothing like cruising. Food prepared well and abundantly. Room fixed up twice a day with fresh towels and clean sheets and empty trash cans. Oh, I miss the vacation already. Thank goodness we came home on a Friday so we have two days of simply getting used to real life prior to throwing work back into the mix as well. 

We started in Venice. Glorious, beautiful Venice. 

We then went to Croatia, a favorite of the trip. We biked along the coast with these colors showing off. 

Each evening we set sail for the next port and it was a beautiful part of the day.

Next, we went to Montenegro, probably my favorite stop on the trip. It was beautiful.

Then, off to Corfu, Greece. 

Next, off to Valleta, Malta. 

At this point, I should explain who accompanied us on the trip. My parents were supposed to go, but Mom decided not to after Dad's death. It was hard for me to be there without Dad. Many things reminded me of him. He wanted that trip so badly and had even asked his doctor to keep him alive until after the trip. Dad was supposed to gain weight for the trip and he was working really hard on gaining weight. I used to have to gain weight to go on a trip. Amazing how life loops back around. I missed Dad a lot at night when the bands would play and the dance floor was calling out for a good dance pair. Jared is wearing Dad's fish shirt in this picture.

So, we ended up going with 14 folks from the Adventist church. I grew up around many of them and call most of the Aunt and Uncle. For example, Uncle Bill and Aunt Bette are on the left in the following picture and Aunt Ellen and Uncle Ted are on the right.

In addition to seeing lots of great European places, we also had fun times on the ship. We had delicious food and I love the formal dining each night at 6pm. I love getting fixed up after a long day and sitting down with friends to a relaxed dinner of yummy food. It doesn't hurt that I didn't grocery shop for the food, prepare anything, and I never once touched a dirty dish to get it clean. I also played a bit of blackjack and got a bit hooked. I loved the thrill of the game and ended up winning a grand total of $25! Not much, I know. But, it was like 25 free dollars. 

You may notice that I'm wearing a lots of different scarves. Scarves are big in Europe right now and I came home with 7 of the cutest, prettiest scarves I've ever seen. It became a game to find a pretty scarf at a good price. I spent anywhere from 2 to 19 euros on a scarf. 

Well, I've got four other places to show, but I'll work on that tomorrow. Off to Pop's 70th birthday party!