 | Let me introduce introduce myself, my name is LADY BUG and I love to travel! My friend Penney Rudicil found me in the small town of Split Croatia in May of 2008 and we have been traveling together since. |
We are about to embark on our next Journey...
October 8, 2008 - This week, Penney and I are heading to Barcelona to catch an Azamara Cruise aboard the beautiful Journey. Azamara is part of the Celebrity and Royal Caribbean family, and they have just celebrated their first anniversary.
We are looking forward to our 10 night cruise, and will be visiting Spain, Monaco, Italy, and Croatia.
During our 8 hour flight from Atlanta to Barcelona, I will take this time to tell you about the ship we are going to be sailing on. The Journey is small in size (compared to many ships today) at only 30,000 tons, the total passenger capacity is 674. However, they are huge on every thing else... especially customer service and satisfaction. The ship has everything you need for a wonderful vacation, a wide array of entertainment, a full spa, fitness center, casino, internet cafe, shopping and much more. As for dining, well let me tell you the cuisine is fantabulous! The main dining room, Discoveries, is casual and open seating, you can eat when you choose with whom you choose. There are also two specialty restaurants, Aqualina and Prime C, both which are superb. Both require reservations, and often fill up very quickly.
October 9, 2008 - Today we arrived at the Barcelona airport, after claiming out luggage (well Penney's, I travel really light) we proceeded to get into a taxi. Penney gave the driver our destination, however, he did not speak english. After what seemed like a long time trying to understand one another, the driver stopped the car and asked another driver to speak to me. Thankfully he spoke good english and was able to translate for us. Penney really needs to learn another language if she thinks I am going to travel with her.
We met our friend Sharon, from Miami, for dinner tonight, at Aqualina. What a wonderful meal... but Penney really needs to learn how to share more. We then went to the nightly show but from our travels we were so tired and decided to retire early. Looking forward to tomorrow in Monte Carlo.
October 10, 2008 - Bonjou, this morning we pulled into Port deMonaco, Monte Carlo, the playground of the rich, famous for its wealth. It is ruled by Prince Rainier III, a direct descendant of the Grimaldi family. What a gorgeous place! There are so many beautiful homes and yachts. The palace sits l top of Monaco Rock, overlooking the port and marina.
I hope Penney has arranged a tea for us later today with the prince, knowing her she probably forgot to contact 'his people'. Going ashore now... will write a bit more later.
Yes, sure enough, no tea with Prince Rainier, but had a nice day walking around the streets shopping a bit and just enjoying the local people.
When we got back to the ship, Penney booked an acupuncture treatment at the Spa, (no I didn't get to go, not even in the bag she usually carries me around in) When she arrived back to the cabin she looked so relaxed. According to her the treatment was fantabulous (you know she made up that word right?).
This evening we had dinner (yes,Penney and Sharon actually invited me) in the main dining room with the Guest Relations Manager, Ngawhira and the International Host, Christian. I didn't get to eat much, but Penney sure seemed to enjoy herself. :)
We say Au Revoir to this beautiful country and set sail for Italy.
October 11, 2008 - Buon Giorno, Today we arrived in Civitavecchia, which is about 50 miles outside of Rome. Many of the other cruise guests took tours today to visit Rome, I would have liked to see the city with all its history, however, Penney and Kevin went recently so she decided we would stay in Civitavecchia. We spent the morning walking around the cobblestone streets, visiting the local shops and vendors, it is a very lovely area. As we were sitting in the city square on a park bench, checking email (you know Penney, never far from the office), Sharon said, "isn't that Dick and Jeanine?" About that same time they saw us too.
These are friends that we met in May while on a seminar@sea. They were just getting off of a cruise on the Azamara Quest. We spent the rest of the day catching up, laughing, eating pizza and drinking wine in a quaint cafe. After we went to a local gelateria for amazing gelato. The mint chocolate chip is my favorite, or is it the snickers, or raspberry? I guess i don't have a favorite, they are all wonderful.
We had to say our Arrivederci to our friends and this beautiful city as we headed back to the ship to continue our Journey.
This evening Penney & Sharon went to the Prime C restaurant, (they forgot about me, but that is ok, i took the time to rest for tomorrows adventure)
October 12, 2008 - This morning when i woke up and looked out the window there was the beautiful coast line of Sorrento.
The homes and hotels built right into the side of the cliff. We tendered from the ship, then took a shuttle bus into town. The cobblestone streets, the people chattering and going in and out of the boutiques... absolutely an amazing place to visit. A few minutes after we arrived the church bell rang and we knew that Mass had ended, shortly there several Momma's pushing strollers with bambinos, couples holding hands and locals talking and laughing all around.
We enjoyed some shopping, and then went for lunch at Aurora Pizziaria. We found this place in May when we were here and Penney like the pizza so much she recreated it when she went home. So here we are sitting at a lovely table on the street, Penney and Sharon eating pizza and sharing some local wine... while I get to watch, but that's ok because i am trying to keep my girlish figure.
After lunch we walked through these charming streets and ended up sharing a gelato.
We went back to the ship and sat by the pool until dinner... is there a pattern here? rest, food, laugh and start all over again.
Dinner was back in Aqualina, with Ngawhira, Christian, as well as the shore excursion manager, Bruce, the harpest, Jacqueline and Allred of the guest relations staff. Of course, Penney left me in the cabin... she said i had had enough excitement for today. :)
October 13, 2008 - Today we had a Day@Sea... After a light breakfast, Penney went for her second acupuncture treatment while i caught up on a little light reading :)
Later we met for lunch (because we hadn't eaten in almost 3 hours, haha) and then found a couple of lounges by the pool. What beautiful weather we are having, the sun, the sea, and pina colas by the pool, what more could you want??
Another wonderful dinner, this time we tried the buffet in Windows Cafe, we had some delicious stir fry. After, we went to the comedian show, and then retired. Of course, Penney stayed up until the wee hours on hr computer again.
October 14, 2008 - We arrived in Bari, Italy today... As we were pulling into port, Penney's blackberry (or as she likes to refer to it, her raspberry) starting to ring. As she checked it she let out a squeal... several people were near and she began showing everyone a picture of a new baby... her new grandbaby! So immediately she called home (it was a little after 3AM) and talked to Kevin, he did not know anything about it but said he would find out and call back. Here she is...
We took the shuttle into Bari and wondered the streets doing some shopping. Sharon bought some cool Channel sunglasses and Geox shoes. Penney bought some little booties for the new baby.
While in Bari, Kevin called back with details... her name is Lydia Isabelle, she was born at 10:04pm on October 13th. 18" and 7lbs 4 oz. He is going to go to the hospital later and see them.
Oct 15 - Dubrovnik, Croatia What a wonderful day! Penney, Sharon and I tendered ashore, we decided not to do any tours but to walk around the charming city, enjoy the local people and do a bit of shopping.
While in a small shop on ULICA OD PUAEA 12 street called LIBRA COM d.o.o., we met the nicest man. His name is Roko, and here is a picture of he and I.
As we were all talking and telling him about my adventures, he said 'one minute' and when he came back he introduced me to... my soul mate!
Isn't he gorgeous? and the best part, i get to take him home with me :) Yep, we are now traveling the world together.
Later Penney and Sharon found a wonderful little internet cafe and HAD to check email and do some work. Those workaholics! In fact, when Penney was done with her work, she hooked up her magic jack and webcam... she did called Kevin and they spent 30 minutes talking and looking at each other (they really do like each other) This cafe is located on a side street, up some very narrow stairs, but once there it was so beautiful. It was like a pub, with paneled walls, a nice bar area, in fact it reminded me of walking into 'cheers'. We were there for close to an hour, with the cost of the internet and a beverage Penney paid a whopping 5 Euro.
Back to the tender and our beautiful ship for an Azamara Repeaters Party. Sipping on Martinis and watching the sunset, is this heaven or what?
We received an email from Kevin with a photo of him and Lydia... I think is is going to be a GREAT PAPA (that is southern for Grandfather :)
Oct 16, 2008 Split, Croatia Here we are in my home town of Split! This is where Penney and I first met. We have been so blessed with the lovely weather and today is no exception, sunny and in the mid 70's. We talked about it and since all my family is gone and Penney has already visited Split, we decided to stay onboard the beautiful Journey and relax today, I am going to spend some quality time with my new honey, while Penney is enjoying reading and copping some rays by the pool.
Penney and Sharon talked, laughed and shared stories all afternoon. we saw some passengers being ugly, and Penney said to Sharon 'i don't care for them', i thought she was going to bust a gut laughing.
This evening we were invited to have dinner with the Chief Engineer, Stamatios Mavrogiannis. We had a very loving dinner in the Discoveries dining room with two other couples from New York and were that were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversaries.
Oct 17, 2008 Koper, Solvania As I awoke this morning i could hear the crash of thunder, I think our run of great weather may be over, or at least on hold for today. We dressed and went upstairs for a bite of breakfast (yep, eating again). Sure enough it is raining and cool, but you know Penney, she found a quite little alcove, with a nice lounger over looking Koper and fired up the laptop... and actually found a free internet signal so she can be productive and work today.
Here she is, laptop, blackberry, and even the magic Jack so she can return phone calls and keep in touch with clients, and family of course.
Well i am going to go show Mr Lady Bug around the ship, and maybe go find more food while Penney is working... be back later.
Well with the rain today, we all decided to stay on the ship and chill. It was a good day.
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