We are on board

About 10AM on 16 Nov, we met Meg at the ship and she boarded us before the ordinary people. We stuffed all our luggage into her tiny room until our cabin was ready, then toured a bit and met several of her crew mates. Everybody knew us – this girl has been so excited for weeks in a buildup to our visit. Even in the Cruise Director’s welcome aboard gathering in the 1000-seat theatre, this topic came up. He introduced his group of about 16 people with a funny dialogue about each one. When he got to Meg, he said this girl has been terribly excited – and asked “Does anyone know why?” One staff member said “Hallowe’en”. He replied – “Yes, Hallowe’en is now less than a year away, however there is another reason.” Then he had us stand up while the spotlights found us in the audience. She is a legend for her enthusiasm about all shipboard events, but Hallowe’en was one of her finest, as she was in charge of planning and running the party for the crew (over 1000 people) and various activities for the guests, including a production of “Thriller” by crew members.

We managed to find a few scraps of food on board, and what they say is true – traveling is broadening… Then back to our cabin to find some clothes for the next event - the Captain had a VIP reception, which Meg had us invited to, then some entertainment before going back to our room for a breather. Meaghan led the way, but she appeared to be lost. She took us into the wrong room. This was a larger room with a balcony, and welcome baskets on the bed and coffee table. While we were enjoying a few drinks, she and some other crew members quickly repacked our room and hauled everything to this balcony room for us. Are we spoiled or what?

Anyway it was one short night, because we needed to be ready to go at 7AM next morning. We were at anchor in the harbour of Villefranche, which is between Nice and Monaco. We tendered to shore and got on a bus for an incredible tour of Monte Carlo and the tiny village of Eze, which had a magnificent view of both Nice and Monte Carlo. I wore out a new pair of shoes AND the legs I was born with. Many photos and stories to share already, but this is supposed to be brief…

We limped back to the recovery vessel, ate and drank a little (yeah- right!) and got to bed by midnight so we could ready for the next marathon departing at 7:30AM. This time we had docked at Livorno Italy and took a bus ride into Florence for a walking tour through this ancient city of the arts. Total distance for the walk was about 173 miles (rough estimate), and the stubs of my legs have lost all feeling. My elbows almost reach the ground. Perhaps food, wine and an hour on the bus would help. Next stop the tilting tower of Pisa. The total time for the two tours was about 10 hours. Too tired to go to a restaurant, so we have room service deliver it. Then we had enough strength to go out for entertainment – a great comedy act, followed by an hour or so watching Meg and the others teach country line dancing. For your information, when the Energizer Bunny runs out of juice, Meg recharges him… In case I did not mention it – she will be with us on all tours.

Today (19 Nov) we visit Rome. Looking out my balcony door I see a fleet of buses ready to attack Rome. Time for a gallon of Red Bull.