I had to give the Renault Espace back - our 'home' for the past 4 months. We would have spent close to 7 full days altogether in that car - singing the same songs over and over, watching a family of foxes skipping through fields at dawn, laughing or arguing like champions about nothing, surviving the autobahn, navigating the medieval streets of Naples in the night (unplanned) and many more memories. In total, we had driven over 13,000 km through 12 countries* - I was proud both the car and all of us were still intact!
*France, Germany, Austria, Czech Rep, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Italy, France, Andorra, Spain
Whilst in Barcelona, we visited the main attractions such as the Rambla and port, and did some last minute preparations and shopping for the cruise across the Atlantic.
Our time in Europe had far surpassed our expectations and we didn't really want it to come to an end!
We went for dinner the night before leaving with Zoe, Mark and Linda. One of our favourite drinks in Spain was a 'Sol y Sombra' - which means light and shade (made from anice and brandy) - and we had a couple on the verandah overlooking the Rambla. It was around 5am when the sun starting to come up and we went for a sleep!
At 11am - we were on our way in two taxis. Justine and Ella found their way straight to the port and Amy and Anna came with me .... to the airport. The driver had thought I had said airport, not port - although subsequently did an about turn and got us to the port around half an hour after Justine!
We were boarding the Norwegian Spirit; its capacity is around 2,000 passengers. It was the start of a 16 day crossing that took in 5 island stops, and included a stretch of 6 days at sea. Due to our being at sea for so long - we had adjoining balcony rooms near the kids club, pools, and buffet! Brilliant - luckily, we were not too far away from the gym neither which we frequented every day to keep things in balance!
As the boat pulled out of Barcelona port, we went on the top deck to see Mark, Zoe and Linda who were on the overpass waving us off. We waved and waved until they were tiny dots on the horizon.
It was a magnificent crossing with stunning weather all the way. On one day we saw an abundance of dolphins surfacing across the ocean, on another a huge whale leapt 3/4 times out of the water around 100 yards from our balcony. The food was also superb, and the people and staff were so friendly and considerate. It was also very peaceful without the internet and associated facebooking, emailing and online schooling!
We had hoped that other children would be onboard. Ella, Amy and Anna had done their fair share of long periods without other children to play with and making do with each other's company, and we were delighted to hear there were around 40 other children onboard. Still a low number when compared to the ship's next cruise where there would be 500 children onboard!
We became great friends with a family from Alaska. Hilary and Zac have been together since their teens, and now they had four daughters - Faith (13), Mckayla (11), Ireland (7) and Lux (5). Hilary's Mum, Dianna was also travelling with them. They had been homeschooling for the past 4 years, and a typical year for them was working in Alaska for 3 months, Arizona for 6 months and travelling for 3 months (last year they spent the their travels in Ecuador!). We had a lot in common, and would have combined family dinners most nights, watch the kids vanish together to kids club or other cruise activities in the day, and would plan our onshore days together.
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| Martini tasting |
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| Cleaning up in the Casino |
Balcony View and Towel Art
Meeting some of the Crew
Kid's fun and Kid's club show
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| Amy helping the juggler |
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| Lockhart Sheard sleepover |
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| With Tomato |
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda
St. Thomas, US Virginia Islands - St Kitts, West Indies - St Maarten
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| Spot the iguana |
We arrived in Canaveral on the morning of 21st November. It was a great crossing and a bonus that we made some great friends. We were refreshed and ready for 3 weeks in Florida ...and to take on Disneyworld.
