I had many small, and fuzzy, ideas of what to expect when I embarked on this journey in April. I knew what a cruise was about having been on a few before. I had traveled to Europe before and to some of the South Pacific too. But, really, I had no idea what this trip would mean to me and the growth it would provide.
We visited 25 ports on at least four continents (I don't know which continent the South Pacific Islands are on!!) each one rich with its own flavor and diversity. The number of countries visited was something like...maybe, 18. We had hot and not so hot and way beyond hot. Sunny and cloudy and drizzly. And a couple entire days of what we midwesterners would call "gullywashers"! Many days in the South Pacific were so humid there isn't a hairspray on the market to hold a curl through a minute of one of those days. Other days featured smothering heat so intense a bottle of water had no chance of staying cool between the ship gangway and the tour bus! We cruised Anzac Cove so filled with meaning for the Australians and New Zealanders. We floated through the basic and beautiful Suez Canal, so different from the technology laden Panama Canal. And we had 33 Sea Days, crossed the International Date Line twice, the Equator, went over lines of latitude and longitude regularly and turned our clocks back and forth obliterating our sense of what "normal" bedtime was and when breakfast should be. Not to be forgotten were the two weeks we were in "pirate" country...really! In 2013 real pirates are still a threat...so our ship had 24 hour security in place on all sides looking and watching for their boats and rocket launchers! Our security people examined all fishing boats that got too close.
Twenty-five ports and for me 23 tours or excursions...not counting our three cities in Italy. I missed Moorea in early May as I tried to recover from a virus and spent the day in bed. And of course, as Jeff told me later, I had missed the most beautiful of the South Pacific Islands! And I missed Mumbai, seeing it from the ship as I didn't possess a visa for India. Jeff's Seaman's Papers allowed him to get off the ship and wander and photograph that city.
We had rocky days and nights with high waves and full gale force winds as well as days when the seas were so flat that we could see the ship's shadow on the water and the occasional fish flipping out of the water if we happened to be looking in that right place at the right time. We had happy days of sunshine and meeting new friends, singing songs and telling stories. And we had sad days, when learning of a passenger who was taken off the ship.
Our best days had the highs...drinking wine and sharing stories of excursions gone wrong - or right -, winning at trivia, seeing something unexpected and stunning during a tour. Highs being touched by a piece of music or a beautiful chord at Pop Choir practice. A high seeing a surprisingly good photo during a photo review session in the evening after a tour. There were lows...dealing with cranky passengers, rude and uncaring. The guy who kicked the elevator; the women rating other women in bathing suits. There were missteps and revelations and in the end the wonders of those 75 days and nights seem genuinely unbelievable. We saw places most people see in books and can only dream of seeing in person. We walked in places most people can't imagine walking. We were privileged. We were cared for. We were in extraordinary places with professional people sharing their beloved countries and cities with us...we, visitors from a gifted yet so often under-appreciated country. Sometimes we wondered if asked, if we should fib and claim Canadian citizenship...especially in the Middle East and in Indonesia. (Of course, when asked we always said, "We're Americans".) We were gifted with wonderful treats along the way...coffee, candy, wine, dinners, souvenirs, DVD's, but most specially...friendships.
We bought some souvenirs, but not enough to give to each person in our families and to each friend. Our focus was on what we were experiencing, not on shopping. In the last few days we suddenly realized we hadn't purchased this or that for him or her or them, but of course, by then it was too late!
I ended this trip with 20 Euros and 10 Euro Cents...and about $93.35 in American Dollars! Thats an amazing fact after luggage overages and hundreds spent in mailing "stuff" home. I'm so thankful and have heartfelt gratefulness for the wonders of modern medicine that allowed me to have the series of knee injections prior to leaving in April; they worked and my knees carried me through most days without any problems or discomfort.
We were never fearful or worried about our safety, generally speaking. (I had my three anxiety attacks...one in Kuala Lumpur in the tower with the crowded conditions, one in Rome with the fireworks again in very crowded conditions, and the last on the plane from Florence to Rome when I was given the window seat with two people between me and the aisle. Jeff said to me, rather sternly, "Sorry...deal with it Mom". And I did...I focused on my breathing and grabbed my new book and started to read. Eventually, my breathing evened out. It was only an hour flight, I kept telling myself. I did feel on the edge of flipping out, but I made it through. Those were situations when I was worried but more on an internal very personal level.) Being with tour guides in large groups was strangely comfortable and safety wasn't a concern. Knowing that some of the countries we visited were undergoing unusual strife didn't worry us, but we were aware of the circumstances, for sure. In some cases the guides mentioned the political situations, but in very general terms, especially in Egypt and Turkey. We were specifically notified by the Captain in a personal note about where to go and what to avoid in Istanbul and the decision made to disembark there was left until late the night before we entered the port.
In a few cases we were reminded about clothing requirements and of course we complied. But we were reminded that not everyone understands "covered shoulders" and "covered knees"! And we were uncomfortable and more than a little embarrassed with those members of our groups.
We ticked off about 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which in itself is amazing. We agreed that the Valley of the Kings, Ancient Thebes and the Necropolis was the most incredible to see and also the most difficult - extreme conditions with heat and desert and distance. The Acropolis in Athens was sad to see and understand...Greece is having such severe financial difficulty and the ancient buildings are in great need of restorations with no end to Greece's problems in sight. Even in the Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii, one can see the result of neglect with signage lacking and/or out of date. No country seems able to keep current and able to grasp the impressions left with visitors when neglect is evident and noticeable.
All in all a wonderful life-giving and life-changing series of experiences.
Overall Favorites? Um. The Greek island of Mytilene and all 3 million of its olive trees...and Italy's grace-filled and oh so charming, Assisi.
Favorite excursion? Dubai. The catamaran ride followed by High Tea at the Burj Al Arab Hotel...that sublime to ridiculous thing!
Most Extreme? The Valley of the Kings in Egypt. That was the longest trek to get there and then the hottest and oldest and hardest to grasp the time and place...so old and so beautiful.
Most Unreal with No Desire to Repeat? The Langkawi tour of the monument to Princess Mahsuri who was falsely accused of adultery. A 1950's feel of a 1918 happening with an occasional 2013 twist of techno-stuff in an overcrowded damp and very strange building with old colored fluorescent lighting of the worst kind. Tour ended in a grocery store with the leftover odor of lots of bare feet! Ick.
Most Photogenic? Rome and Assisi and Florence. One day Jeff took over 400 photographs. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul a close second as 4000 shops gave plenty of photo ops.
Best Feeling of Accomplishment? Two Choir Concerts! And, making the trek to and fro in Petra, Jordan.
Most Beautiful Port? Moorea. Ship docked in a small cove surrounded by palm trees and forested mountains...just breathtaking! Way in is through a small break in the reef.
Small Surprise? Finding a perfume I've been hunting for for about 6-7 years in a small perfumery in Papeete, Tahiti. Should have bought another bottle or two!
Big Surprise? Realizing that Pope Francis really was saying Mass in Saint Peter's when the priests and Eucharistic Ministers filed toward us to give us Communion! That was a real moment!
Best Happening? Meeting Jean and Belinda and Mick, Aussies on the first cruise...friends of Jeff's from many other cruises. Meeting Alan and Alana and Lyn, Mark and Vickie...friends of Jeff's from many other cruises. Having late night wine and chocolate with Alan, Alana and Lyn made every evening special and memorable. Making good friends is an unexpected travel treasure.
Happy Revelation? Tasting real coffee and chocolate in Naples courtesy of Alan and Alana...our last port with the tour guides we'd most like to have on our next adventure. They have been everywhere and share their gifts and knowledge freely with love and generous care.
I know I've missed a good many incidents and happenings, conversations and people to mention, but it's been such a full and rich journey. The one steady constant during the time I was away was JM, J Michael, Jeff. Always patient with a scatter-brained Mom, always a steady, confident traveler, always ready with a challenge or a laugh or a necessary hand to hold. This Mom is so blessed and so grateful for his companionship, his sense of humour, his clever wit, his smart brain, his generosity, his loving nature, and most of all for his patience. He was a charming companion, even when pushed to his edge. Thank you, Jeff, for your grace and care along the way on this journey...every Mom should have a son like you and the opportunity to know you and share your gifts...of voice, of dance, of photo, of wit, of adventure and of joy.
Of course the whole experience would not have been possible without the unquestioning support of a sweet and dear husband...oh, and hardworking too! He paid all my bills along the way! He answered my late night calls about this or that bank account or credit card. I absolutely forgive him for calling my Sea Princess room in the middle of the night. I had no idea if it was really 3 AM or 3 PM either! I thank Jack from the bottom of my heart for making so many of my wishes come true.
If you followed my adventure and mis-adventures I hope in some small way I inspired you to write, or blog, or travel a bit more, perhaps a little outside of your comfort zone. Just remember that life isn't a dress rehearsal. There's always a way to do what at first thought seems can't possibly be done. Thank you for sharing my journey with me...I'd love to hear from you and what you thought.
Email me at: sharonabeech@gmail.com
It's a wrap, people!
Oh...a few more quotes: "A man who has not been in Italy, is always conscious of an inferiority, from his not having seen what is expected a man should see. The grand object of traveling is to see the shores of the Mediterranean." ... Samuel Johnson
"My heart is warm with the friends I make, And better friends I'll not be knowing;
Yet there isn't a train I wouldn't take, No matter where it's going." ...Edna St. Vincent Millay, Travel
"Never a ship sails out of the bay
But carries my heart as a stowaway." ... Roselle Mercier Montgomery, The Stowaway
Very well written, missed you and happy you are home.
ReplyDeleteLove you
SAM