Mediterranean Cruise

Mediterranean Cruise – what an adventure!!

Overview: Seven countries (Italy; Greece; Croatia; Slovenia; France; Spain; Portugal) with 23 ports of call. Whew, almost six weeks of travel – auto; plane; ship and a few bus tours. The sights I saw and the experiences are way too much to write about. Hopefully some of you saw the few I did post on FB but did not post any blogs because I was too busy being in the moment.

Every country and port were new to me. I sometimes picked a “less” popular tour, just to see something different and interesting. Like the Andalusian horse ranch in Cartagena Spain. We had to wear masks for the horses! They weren’t sure how they might be affected by covid. And of course, Flamenco dancer show.

Another interesting tour was to Lake Bled, Slovenia. A gondola like ride to the island with a church at the top of 99 steps. Legend has it that the groom must carry his bride up the 99 steps in order to have a long, happy marriage. I barely made it up carrying nothing, assume the groom probably more fit! Those legends and stories add to my enjoyment of specific sites.

 

I saw so many beautiful and interesting sights. It really was very port intensive, which I was not used to and being unfamiliar territory it all began to blur together.

 

Trevi Fountain – Rome Italy Yes, I threw my coins into the fountain so I will return. Proper tossing: Back to the fountain, coins in right hand, tossed over my left shoulder.

     

    

Pompeii – my favorite tour. Look at that intricate tile work and the “paintings”. Amazing

I met a lot of folks. Did some activities with new friends I met and some by myself. This cruise was very different from others I have taken, not just because I didn’t have David by my side. The Covid restrictions; paperwork; testing; limited activities and entertainment. The ship was about half booked which at times, it seemed very empty. Crew; entertainers; tour guides; shop owners; were all very glad to be back working.

The highlight, if I can call it that, was the scattering of David’s ashes on the transatlantic portion of the cruise. I shared with folks before and after about my plan. People were surprised that the ship would allow and even assist and several liked the idea and were going to tell their kids about it.

I had two friends by my side; one gal I met on the ship and the other flew with me from San Diego. Both also recent widows. Also shipboard crew as they blocked off the back of the ship to give me/us privacy as I tossed the biodegradable (proven and approved) urn and a flower into the ocean. Later in my stateroom was a certificate with the date and location. David had always wanted to take a transatlantic cruise and while I’m sure this was not exactly what he had in mind, it felt very appropriate. Plus, sharing this event with others gave me even more closure.

And so begins a new chapter…