Europe 2024

  Morning dear readers. Still not downloading yesterday’s pictures (known to some as “snapshots”. Woke this morning to this beautiful opening of a new day. Just had to share!❤️😎🙏🌎 How magnificent the Aegean Sea….

  Dear Friends and Family, The brain is an amazing organ. I’m not overly familiar with the actual physiological functions (My son has attempted to enlighten me), but I do know different sections handle different aspects of who we are. Whichever part is responsible for my ability to quickly switch gears when my thinker goes into bad mode and move to this moment and gratitude, I’m thankful for it… it’s taken a lifetime of practice. We had a non eventful day when we left Athens and boarded our ship. I’m choosing not to spend any time writing about this big boat, suffice to say it’s comfortable, clean and everything we could ever want is at our fingertips. We traveled overnight (don’t they all?) and by 7:00 am we we’re tied up in the port of Mykonos. We’ve decided to always be up at the crack of dawn, it so far has reduced the crowds. Today was no different, we were on the first water taxi to town. Got back to the boat for lunch and simply laid around the adult pool and chilled. Let me...

  Dear friends. So, no internet service on this ship. I normally write late night so behind on my sharing. In port in Mykonos and using Jenny’s hot spot. Crossing fingers it will post. Sleeping great, regular as a clock and throughly enjoying this experience. Here are a few pics. Crete tomorrow. Ladies anxious to get a Bloody Mary. Went to town via water taxi. Beautiful but four cruise ships in port at the same time, thankfully  we went first thing this morning. Thousands waiting to head to town. Good karma and perfect timing. Pictures of Mykonos not download yet…will post soon.

  The 10 hour time change adjustment along with my bowels are causing some very mild discomfort. I’m not sure if it’s my overthinking things or an actual physical malady but more will be revealed as the days pass. Modern medicine will intervene, we will soon know the timing of each…. But I regress.  Big walking day today. We started with a yummy breakfast this morning as part of our hotel stay. Fresh fruit, pastries, eggs and much more. Top floor watching the ancient Acropolis while drinking good greek coffee. The Acropolis is our destination today, Jennifer secured “no wait in line” tickets. Bonnie has her walking sticks and we’re off for an appointment at 8:00. Those were the days when you just showed up to a venue, purchased entrance and just walked in…but there are now so many more people traveling from all over the world I guess this is the most logical way to do things. Acropolis means the “highest point” in Latin. It certainly is. 360 degree view that includes the ocean...

  Arrived in this ancient city. No passport check or customs. Having a wheelchair greet Bonnie at the plane sure eliminates any lines or hassle, we just follow along. The young man pushing her and carrying her bag was a beautiful Greek that both ladies fell for… got in our taxi and headed for our hotel directly below the Acropolis.  Went to the roof while our rooms were being prepared and had soup and fresh bread with olive oil and salt and drank a lemonade. By the time we got to our rooms we were pooped and took a short nap before going on our “food tour”. Took another taxi and met Christina, a very knowledgeable and friendly lady and joined another eight people and began our journey. I’ll let the following pictures speak for themselves.  First stop was a deli, presented wine, various dried meats and several cheeses. Found that real feta comes from sheep, not from cows like home. Next stop a gyro shop with the most delicious wraps we ever ate. Homemade pita with turmeric...

  This will be very short, but I’m also posting more afterwards… remember in my first post where I stated I’d given up any expectations? Well, I broke my rule this morning. Had a cup of hotel coffee, no food as I knew our SAS business class tickets provided us not only a place to lie down, but a lovely warm breakfast. I was very hungry. Made it to the flight without incident, had seats in the first row. Were the first to board and we were all very much looking forward to eating and then sleeping during the three hour flight… Come to find SAS uses different airplanes inside Europe. No business class. Our seats were in the bulkhead, breakfast was in a cardboard box containing salami and cheese on a cold dry bun, plain yogurt and cold coffee. Obviously sitting up with nowhere to lay my weary bones and a seat that didn’t work. Plane was packed and delayed as well. I was so disappointed. But, after reflecting a moment I realized two things. First, how lucky we were to be flying to Greec...

 

  Sitting in our room in Copenhagen after a meal and a few beers. It’s 9:00 pm but still noon in my noggin. Still figuring out how to sync/post pictures, will post some tomorrow. Boy, those flights sitting in the front of the plane in our own private Idaho is wondrous. Special check in line. Greeted with champagne, warm cashews following with a special cocktail poured by your seat. Amazing service, reasonable food but having a seat that turns into a bed, priceless. They give you a little bag with ear plugs, toothpaste/brush, socks and eye shades. Really nice earphones provided. We all slept roughly five hours out of a 10 hour flight.  Got through customs quickly (having Bonnie in a wheelchair streamlined everything) grabbed a taxi and checked into our room. Small but clean and functional. We leave early tomorrow morning for our next flight to Athens. Weather is perfect. Mid seventies and blue skies. We took a boat tour through all the waterways and canals. Very nice city, but ...

  Greetings Family and Friends  As is customary, I will attempt to bring you along on our much anticipated holiday in Europe. My traveling companions are my lovely wife Jennifer and my wonderful mother-in-law Bonnie. I’m very happy Bonnie is going with us. As an artist and adventurer from years gone by, she will be able to see, experience and enjoy places she would not otherwise visit.  It is a rare thing in my experience to really love your wife’s mom, I do. She will spend half our trip before going home. Thankfully, our daughter Sarah came up from L.A. to take care of Woody and Ruby. We all depart tomorrow, May 23 from San Francisco and fly via SAS to Copenhagen where we reset our timepieces ahead nine hours. We will stay overnight there and leave for Athens the following morning. Once we arrive there, we will spend a few nights getting over jet lag and seeing the ancient city. We will then board a ship that will take us to various Greek islands, Montenegro, Croatia and...