Arrived in Ft. Lauderdale early this morning so when we woke up we discovered that we were already docked -- at the same pier from which we left 115 days ago. It was quite a journey but there was no time to reflect as we had twenty-something bags to shepherd off the boat, through customs and to the car that was to pick us up at 9:30 a.m. Shockingly everything went smoothly. We had a pleasant breakfast, played around with our phones (unlimited wireless for the first time in four months). We left the room at quarter to nine, sailed through customs, picked up all our luggage (which we had wisely adorned with pieces of a bright orange scarf we were given in India) and arrived at the pick up area early. Our driver was also early. Everything fit into the car and we headed out of the port and into the real world.
Packing was a bit of an ordeal
We made a stop at Home Depot to pick up a tarpaulin. We discovered on the way down to Florida that the cover on our pick-up truck isn't waterproof thus the tarpaulin purchase. R's Mom, Phyllis and her husband, Howard welcomed us with air hugs as they prudently did not wish to catch our colds (more about that later). The truck arrived shortly after the appointed time and we were able to hit the road at around 1:30 p.m.
Stopped for a surprisingly good dinner at Ruby Tuesdays and are driving through northern Georgia as I write to you know. The final week of the cruise was relaxing despite the fact that R caught a cold which turned into a terrible and very persistent hacking cough. And a couple days later I succumbed to the same cold which in my case metastasized into a sinus infection which necessitated a visit to the doctor and antibiotics. Needless to say we are both glad to be off the m.s. Petri Dish.
The highlight of our final week (aside from the Indonesian Crew Show) was our 30th anniversary party which we held on the 27th (our actual anniversary is the 28th). The party was a combination end-of-cruise, India reunion and anniversary celebration. It consisted of an open bar and hot hors d'oeuvres (sp?) from 4:15 to 5:45 (the first seating in the dining room is at 5:30). Some of our friends did a bang-up job of decorating the Crow's Nest. Approximately 75 to 100 people showed up and I think they all had a good time. R hired a videographer and had said on the invitation that guests should be prepared to share an experience they had with us, advice for the next 30 years and/or what they most enjoyed about the world cruise. A lot of people chose not to participate in the video but the ones who did had lovely things to say and the resulting video will be a cherished memento for us.
Note photo behind us -- a friend had a photo of us in front of the Taj Mahal blown up and printed in Florida and then had Fed Ex deliver it to the ship in Barcelona-- amazing! So nice.
R taught this lovely couple how to needlepoint and they have really taken to it which was very gratifying for Russell
We are going to spend the evening at the Hilton Garden Inn in Florence, S.C. and hope to make it to Delaware tomorrow evening. Looking forward to being home. Didn't plan on driving so far today but many of the hotels that I called had no vacancy. So Florence it is.
Even got a special delivery anniversary cake from Marie (at the coffee bar) and Hazel (from the Explorers Lounge where we would go after dinner to listen to the classical music playing piano and violin duo, Adagio). Note: I'm in bed because I really don't feel well. It was right after the anniversary party when I went to the doctor and got antibiotics.
Happy Anniversary! I'm so glad that your departure from the trip went smoothly and am amazed (and also horrified) by the amount of luggage that you have! :-)
ReplyDeleteSafe travels home. Hope to see you soon. lovelovelove
Three are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. Criminal Defense Lawyer Florida
ReplyDeleteThe information you have posted is very useful. The sites you have referred was good. Thanks for sharing. mmj dispensary
ReplyDeleteJust saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the fantasti c lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay informed of any updates. No One Wetter Poster
ReplyDeleteHi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and new initiatives in the same niche. Blog gave us useful information to work. You have done an amazing job! DETERGENTE
ReplyDeleteI think about it is most required for making more on this get engaged taxi abby albert brugge
ReplyDeleteTook me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! drone
ReplyDeleteHi buddies, it is great written piece entirely defined, continue the good work constantly. Baby care (feedin, diaper bags, & etc.)
ReplyDeleteThis is really very nice post you shared, i like the post, thanks for sharing.. private investigators
ReplyDeleteWhat a really awesome post this is. Truly, one of the best posts I've ever witnessed to see in my whole life. Wow, just keep it up. Media buying agency
ReplyDeleteI finally found great post here.I will get back here. I just added your blog to my bookmark sites. thanks.Quality posts is the crucial to invite the visitors to visit the web page, that's what this web page is providing. Kofferset
ReplyDeleteTook me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! Koffer&Co.
ReplyDeleteGlad to chat your blog, I seem to be forward to more reliable articles and I think we all wish to thank so many good articles, blog to share with us. Free Books PDF
ReplyDeleteGreat post i must say and thanks for the information. Education is definitely a sticky subject. However, is still among the leading topics of our time. I appreciate your post and look forward to more. security equipment rental
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own Blog Engine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it. sell house without repairs
ReplyDeleteThis is also a very good post which I really enjoyed reading. It is not every day that I have the possibility to see something like this.. Birthday Cards
ReplyDeleteHi to everybody, here everyone is sharing such knowledge, so it’s fastidious to see this site, and I used to visit this blog daily i phone 5s black case
ReplyDeleteThrough this post, I know that your good knowledge in playing with all the pieces was very helpful. I notify that this is the first place where I find issues I've been searching for. You have a clever yet attractive way of writing. at home workout plan
ReplyDeleteWe are tied directly into the sate’s renewal database which allows us to process your request almost instantly. buy essays selenite
ReplyDeleteI am a new user of this site so here i saw multiple articles and posts posted by this site,I curious more interest in some of them hope you will give more information on this topics in your next articles. live22
ReplyDeleteIf you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries Posters for house
ReplyDeleteThree are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. our city
ReplyDeleteThree are usually cheap Ralph Lauren available for sale each and every time you wish to buy. Custom Enclosures
ReplyDeleteIts as if you had a great grasp on the subject matter, but you forgot to include your readers. Perhaps you should think about this from more than one angle. vinyl
ReplyDeleteI have express a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorite’s blog site list and will be checking back soon… gadgets for kids
ReplyDeleteThe next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought you have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention. kaun banega crorepati winner 2021
ReplyDeletePretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Resume Services in NJ
ReplyDeleteI have express a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style of blogging. I added it to my favorite’s blog site list and will be checking back soon… https://www.thepiratecity.co/softwares/sketchup-pro-2017-full-cracked/
ReplyDeleteGreat post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article. these are a few of my favorite things lyrics
ReplyDeleteAlways so interesting to visit your site.What a great info, thank you for sharing. this will help me so much in my learning tequila lyrics
ReplyDelete