Ladee's Travels

I missed my alarm this morning and slept up to the time for my first lecture.  I grabbed a banana from the cabin and raced to the Theater just as the overview of Alecante started.  It looks like this will be a small but interesting port. I spent most of the day in the theater with the voyagers (today was Magellan), the “sailing guru”, another view of “Midnight in Paris”.  We had a small snack at the pizza bar, then all went in different directions with the promise to meet at 7:30 for dinner in Da Vinci's. The theme tonight was a Caribbean theme.  I had a shrimp appetizer, a salad, and Cioppini (I'll have to check on the spelling.) I totally forgot to take photos!!! Closed the evening listening to Daniel Oliver in Crooners (piano and a voice).  Champagne cocktail topped it all off and I'm done for the day, miles closer to land.

Day 2 was a comfortably busy day. My face is slightly sunburned from my nap on the upper deck yesterday, so I planned to stay inside. The day started with a buffet breakfast and Mom and AuntE were quickly found. We must be on the same routine! First stop was a Destination Lecture on Gibraltar. Small country, and I am looking forward to seeing both continents from the top of the rock. I'll never look at the insurance logo the same again. Second stop was an Enrichment Lecture on Vasco Da Gama. I must have been asleep in World History class. May apologies to my BVA history teacher, but this was all new to me. I know that he likely taught it all. I zipped over to the International Cafe for a quiche and a small scoop chicken salad. Third stop was an Enrichment Lecture by the star lecturer on the trip. John Maxtone-Graham discussed his research on specific survivors of the Titanic, the ship that sat 5 miles away, and the third ship that stopped its travels to come t...

Today started with a wonderful “sleep in until 10AM”. I made my way to the Horizon Court for a “traditional breakfast buffet” and after selecting Eggs Florentine, some sausage and fresh fruit, was flagged down by Mom. Enjoyed a leisurely breakfast by the window. Mom said that the strawberries were wonderful, and Aunt E. mentioned that the pineapple was good also. Mom talked her way back in to the buffet from the exit gate so that she could get the fresh fruit. I went to the Princess Theater for the 11:30 am Enrichment Lecture: Christopher Columbus: the Discoverer of America (or Not?) presented by Kathleen Wulf. She discussed the four voyages of Columbus and the fact that he never made it to the main land of USA. Her presentation was complete with slide shows, maps, and photographs. After the show, I sat outside on the Promenade Desk in a classic “deck chair” and stared at the Atlantic Ocean. I saw a flying fish and two porpoises. About 1:00 I made my way back to the Pr...

The hardest part of the journey is getting to the departure point. Thankfully, on the flight day, the plane departed Phoenix at 3 in the afternoon. I normally book the first flight out of town, which would have been a very early 8AM (6AM at the airport) flight. I started to complain (if any one was listening) about the fact that we arrive in Ft. Lauderdale after 10 at night, but quickly retracted that thought because it saved me from a very early morning flight. Once at the airport, the baggage was checked in with US Airways. The cost for one checked bag was $25 and although the attempt was made to talk the clerk out of the fee, she quickly and slyly said that the check in machine would handle what ever was appropriate. Hmmm, that means an additional $25 fee. One bag, not bad for a four week trip. Plus my backpack with laptop and camera gear. The plane was in the LAST jetway of the furthest hall. The seats were near the back of the plane. Rob served drinks and foo...

Ireland 's Golden Age, extending form the 6th to the 12th century, was a period of intense religious fervor for Christianity. During that time, many small oratories were built on the west cost of Ireland for Christian worshippers. This stone room represents an oratory of the 12th century. Source:  Click here for source information

It has been about five years since I stopped in this quaint cafe in the Roosevelt district of Phoenix.  It has maintained its aura...and perhaps improved.  Outdoor seating is abundant, as well as interior seating.  Breakfast menu for the weekend Saturday/Sunday hours. Opens at 10am on weekends, but check the website to make sure that hours remain the same through the Summer.

These photographs were taken from a bus window during a tour in the spring of 2011. The buildings generally looked very modern and construction was ongoing throughout the city for not only buildings but infrastructure. Some buildings, such as the Reichstag, were refurbished in the late 1990s after World War II and a long time of disrepair. These buildings were restored to their early glory and architectural style, with some modern additions. The photo of the Berlin Cathedral shows the Berliner Schloss (Berlin Castle).  It in in a reconstruction phase. The Stadtschloss ( German : Berliner Stadtschloss , in English the Berlin City Palace ), was a royal palace in the centre of Berlin , capital of Germany .  It is a very interesting process to watch as the country strives to reunite.  See the reconstruction section in this wikipedia wrting. Descriptive references are from Wikipedia.  The Altes Museum ( German for Old Museum ) is one of several internationally...

The University of Pittsburgh has one of the most remarkable buildings, and one that was "love at first sight" for me.  The Cathedral of Learning is incredible inside, and the most remarkable rooms are the "Nationality Rooms".  These are cared for by locals representing the country...Christmas is truly a festival. Wawel Castle in Cracow provided the inspiration for many elements of this 16th century Polish Renaissance Room. This represents Poland's Golden Age which developed when King Sigismund the First married an Italian Princess. Italian craftsmen were brought to Wawel Castle and, together with Polish masters, created the distinctive designs of the Polish Renaissance. Source:  Click here for more info. The colorful ceiling