Last Night in Rome

Check-in is exhausting! (Terminal 5) just opened 3 May this year, and I did hear lots of passengers comment while we were in line to go thru the various check-points that this was so much better than previous years. But let me take you back to the evening before my flight and my walks via the moving sidewalks from the Hilton Airport Hotel to terminals A, B, and C around midnight.

I discovered the Hilton had no airline check-in kiosk, something I have grown accustomed to using....the Executive lounge closed at 11pm, and it cost 3.50 euro per minute to use any of the Hilton computer terminals, no matter that both DH and I are gold members with supposedly free Internet privileges. It's Rome after all. Based on my shipboard computer time used, I estimated it could easily take 10 minutes to check-in online. So, rather than shell out potentially 35 euros/$50 US dollars to just to check in online, I decided to take advantage of being physically connected to airport. I patted myself on my back for using my hotel reward points on such a clever location.

It was a little spooky to be the only person on the moving sidewalks, and as I looked at the monitors, I noticed Delta used all the terminals for departures: A, B, C, and 5. 5? But the monitors listed early morning flights until 9:20am.....and my flight is at 10:45am. Interesting that one terminal is named a number instead of a the next letter of the alphabet....I suspected the International flights might be at this odd "5". So, first stop: terminal A. I found no Delta desk at terminal A. Back to the the corridor with moving sidewalks to terminal B.....no Delta desk or check-in kiosk at terminal B. Did see 2 security guards, who obviously did not consider me a threat, and a few persons camped out on chairs for their overnight wait. Saw British Airways, Air France, and KLM check-in kiosks. Still cold, am I getting warmer? Okay, to terminal C....by this time 30 minutes had gone by and I wondered if DH would miss me. Answer: no. Then, the information stand appeared to me looking like the oasis in the desert. "Good evening (tall, kind Italian) sir, could you tell me where to find Delta check-in?" Not here, take shuttle to Terminal 5. Aha, terminal 5? Shuttle?
Had I forgotten to revisit the airport website and print out pertinent info? (yes). By the way, find it at www.adr.it for your planning. Here's the info directly from the FCO site:

Rome Fiumicino Airport: the new T5
Terminal 5 has been built for departing passengers of American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, US Airways and for those going to Israel with EL AL. It has been designed with the aim to increase the capacity of Fiumicino airport intercontinental area. In the past years overcrowding at Terminal C has caused quite many problems to passengers. The new building is just at a short distance from the airport terminals, it extends over a total surface area of approximately 14,000 sqm and it is subdivided into three main areas: an area dedicated to profiling activities, a check-in area and a security/passport control area that also includes the gates to the shuttle bus service, which transports passengers to the West Satellite for boarding operations, covering a short-distance journey of 800 m only. The security check area also provides a Fast Track service for frequent flyers and business class passengers. Services available to passengers are a pharmacy selling OTC products, a coffee shop, soft drink vending machines, a baby-changing unit and a special assistance lounge available to disabled passengers located in the profiling area.

By now it was well past 12:30am and I was by no means leaving my safety net of moving sidewalks which would transport me slowly but surely back to the Hilton. Urrrr.....shuttle, I would have to push my luggage which would feel like 2 tons at 8am in the morning across 6 moving sidewalks to Terminal C only to be shuttled to Terminal 5. But then, even in my tired weary condition, it struck me.....Hilton shuttle direct to terminal 5. Fantastico! Don't you love my Italian?

Back at the lobby desk I asked about shuttle service to terminal 5. "Not possible" said the desk clerk....how can she look so lovely at 1am? I digress. "The shuttle is for flight crews only." I confess to her that I booked the Airport Hilton based on the fact that it was connected to the terminal and I had no idea I would need to push my luggage all the way to Terminal C and then take a shuttle....couldn't a shuttle take us directly to T-5? "No" she said, "but call the bellman in the morning and perhaps...." I think she has heard this request before.

In the morning DH rang the bellman but no answer. We prepared for check-out with the hopes of convincing, or perhaps even pleading if need be, for a shuttle to T-5. As we arrived in the lobby, it was filled with Americans filling first one shuttle van than another all going to T-5 like it was as natural as olive oil on bread. At this point I was filled with glee and very thankful Bonnie had left me her coin euros so we had a tip for the driver. The chatter in the shuttle van was the same as what I felt.....grazie Dio we did not need to push luggage to the next citta!

If you've stayed overnight at the London Gatwick Airport Hilton, the rooms at the Rome Airport Hilton are exactly the same. There isn't a moving sidewalk at Gatwick but the walk is definitely shorter than getting to Rome's international terminal.

Once at the terminal, we went thru the 3 steps to take a shuttle bus to our gate. Oh yes, one suitcase was 10 pounds overweight, but we were able to remove DH shoes and some clothing into our smallest check-in bag and we were on our way with no excess weight charge. My own checked bag was 1 kg overweight, but it was kindly granted amnesty. At the gate, I was thankful for the extra euros (thanks Bonnie!) for purchasing a latte to sip now, and sandwich for eating later during the flight. Note to self: plan for 10 euros on day of departure.

Here's the way the terminal cafe works: order and pay at the cash register, but keep your receipt...you give the receipt to the barrista at the coffee counter (not Italian....switching to Starbucks lingo here) to pick up your coffee made to order. Sip it fast....perhaps they faced a similar situation as McDonald's with a scalding issue, because even though I witnessed the process, the latte was lukewarm. Still it was nice to browse the extremely expensive duty-free shops with latte in hand.

Kiko

Sailing the Seas - 22 September

I have yet to fill you in life onboard this splendid Carnival ship, but I assure you I will. For one thing, there is not a lot of free time if you, like me, are interested in participating in some of the many activities. I by no means was a social butterfly, flitting to and fro the various decks…..after all, the sea days are fundamental to me for recuperation from the long days in port…. yet I found some venues that at least piqued interest. Enough there was little time to read more than one chapter in book #1 “Ghosts of Spain” recommended by the Nurse Practioner who gave the Tdap vaccination a month ago. And paperback book #2 never left the bookshelf. So look for future notes on the ports of Malaga and Barcelona, as well as from our venture out of Livorno today to Florence.

For now it’s time to pack and bid farewell to shipboard life. Even popping the corks on our bottles of champagne with friends after dinner doesn’t diminish the twinge of sadness this necessary task signals. Our hotel afloat provided a marvelous mode of transportation to historic cities. One more land destination tomorrow as Rome approaches.
Kiko

Lisbon - 16 September

Thanks to Paula from Oklahoma on CruiseCritic, I found this tour when she and others on it raved how they enjoyed Lisbon, Sintra, Estoril, and Cascais. It was easy to fill a small bus for 27 with the itinerary AND great reviews from the pre-inaugural Splendor 02 July 2008 sailing. What I had not counted on were even more bloggers asking to join the tour as we approached embarkation, first Jan with her friends, and then Kris with her party of 8. Jan agreed to collect for a second mini-bus and we quickly filled it with 15 passengers. Kris booked her own mini-van. All of us with www.alliance4drive.com.


Again, internet correspondence was prompt and professional from Oxana and we were greeted by 3 vehicles and 3 drivers at the pier in Lisbon. Antonio greeted us and gave us the option of combining the small bus and mini-bus passengers, since he arrived with a new large Mercedes bus for 50…..so, why not?....let’s go all together now!!

We were soon to experience this would not be a drive by, here’s the name, isn’t that beautiful type of tour. Antonio’s (yes, and reminiscent of A. Banderas) love for country, history, and explanations of tiny details…..those we would have skimmed over in architectural overload….appeared evident at each and every stop with narration to set the scene along the way. His goal was to help us understand the people to understand the culture, thus understanding their architectural inspiration. All this with a soft touch of humor.
Henry the Navigator, not only led the way as depicted on a monument, but brought back his riches of the new world to Portugal which were recorded and shared with all countryman as evidenced in the décor of governmental buildings, monasteries, and cathedrals. Ceiling embellishments include carved maritime knots, columns shaped as palm trees, while crypts are held high and proud by African marble elephants, and everywhere the symbol of the financiers, the Christ cross, appearing square with flanged corners.

In Sintra, named in the “1000 Places to See book” we walked along narrow cobblestoned streets, looking upward to the Moorish fortress. Wine, port, lace, and shawls were the most prevalent commodities, and cheesecake the preferred dessert from many luscious Portuguese sweets. As many delectable sweets as scenic venues from this country only about the size of Ohio in the U.S. yet creating the best corks in the world too.

Then onward to the most western point of continental Europe, Cabo du Roca, en route to Cascais with its many lobster boats, traps, and limestone tile sidewalks, then Estoril with beaches, mansions, and gambling casino. Back to Lisbon and down “the spine” then a welcomed stop in the pedestrian streets off the black horse square. A sunny day, a pleasant stroll, and playful picks for each of our favorite homes…..a nice place to return for future days of leisure.
Kiko

Vigo - 14 September

After our first day at sea, we arrive early the next morning at Vigo, Spain. It’s a delight to watch the bright orange fireboats greet our arrival, blast sprays of water, and turn alongside the ship to escort us to the dock. In Vigo we choose to walk around the old town as a small group. We eat a leisurely breakfast, are handed a complimentary town map as we disembark, and then proceeded to get more detailed walking information from the TI directly across from the port. To our surprise Vigo is hosting the final day of the World Cup P1 Powerboat races, so tents of sponsors line the deck making for a fine Sunday outing. The speedboats themselves are James Bond futuristic looking, lightening fast works of art, and deafening as they roar out to sea.

As the cathedral chimes announce 11:30am and the end of mass, from within the sanctuary emerge more of our group, who join us for a somewhat challenging hike up the hill to Castro Park (Parque do Castro) and a rewarding view of the town and seaport from the fort. Stopping to capture the view in photos is beneficial for catching my breath as well.
At the top we discover the city’s tour bus, 2 decks with open top, but it appears to only run 1 all-day circuit with 30 minutes or so at each stop. Not a hop-on/hop-off. Note to planners of future cruises, this might have provided a broader view of Vigo, but less of an excuse to have dessert again tonight after dinner.

We split up as we traverse down the hill, some stopping at the sidewalk cafes just off Carral Street: a narrow alley of pedestrians looking for paella and fresh-shucked oysters on the half shell. Others looking for the elusive bar and tapas open on a Sunday. I head back with DH and friends to the cruise ship for lunch onboard and to plop DH down for a nappy to rest his achy knee.

After lunch I went out to bask in the sunlight, hobble over cobblestone streets, and as I looked around it is obvious most of us wandering the streets are from the Splendor. After a while I go back to rouse DH, and head back to the wine store in the dockside mall “A Laxe” to pick up a Spanish red named Primi. Albarino is the famous white wine recommended, but one bottle of red is enough for us. One of the few shops open on Sunday, by the way, is this wine shop and a chocolate shop across from it. Outside, during a leisurely walk alongside the pier and marinas, we spot a SharPei walking her owners, and I snapped a photo wishing our Peiby could have joined us in Spain too.

The time in this northern seaport is about to end, and we enjoy another delicious dinner in the Gold Pearl as we sail away.

Landing Beaches of Normandy - 12Sept

DH’s small private tour was also picked up at the ship, with tour guide/driver Michael. I also booked this tour with Philippe from the website www.best-of-france.com, and paid in advance via a faxed credit card authorization. Here at La Havre the forecast included rain, yet most of the day was sunny with clear skies and a refreshing breeze. Five on this van were friends, and the other three are new friends Mike, Jen, and Jerry, who we invited at our roll call on www.cruisecritic.com.

It’s 17 Sept as I write this account, and we are at sea. The Splendor has bow to stern wireless, but I am offline at the present time, sitting at the cushy banquettes along the 5th deck promenade. Unfortunately I have not found any ready electrical outlets here, so on battery the screen is dimmer but perched on my lap I am able to position my laptop so I can view the length of the promenade while typing away! The good news is I am aDble to see those in our group as well as our blogger friends who I now recognize as they stroll by en route to one of the many ship’s activities. The bad news is this blog will need to be continued at another time, as I stop to chat with them about the current shipboard news.

It’s great to have your own private guide which gives you the flexibility to stay at a sight longer or move on as finished. The visits on this tour included several small museums, as well as sites and promontories overlooking the D-day beaches as well as the US cemetery. The sights, especially at Point Duhoc, made the stories of author Steven Ambrose come alive. DH had read two books of this era prior to the trip. Seeing remains of the bunkers and foxholes as well as the fields of fire overlooking the beaches was simultaneously inspiring and horrifying. The group was moved beyond words as they saw remnants of the war still remaining, though aged thru the passing of many decades.

Only the cemetery was groomed as a pristine, peaceful paradise for the final resting place of so many soldiers, sailors, and airmen. It was an experience they will long remember.

Viva La France - 12 Sept

After departing Dover our ship’s first stop the next morning is Le Havre. We found our two driver/guides waiting, and I was oh so very glad we asked for their arrivals at 9:30am rather than an earlier time…..first, we had set our clocks ahead one hour, so the extra hour of sleep we gained by leaving a bit later than other scheduled tours was precious; and second, Carnival’s own bevy of buses had scampered off to Paris, Rouen, and to other parts of France, so we had the vast parking lot to ourselves; and third, it was a delight to disembark without crowds. And we all had time to begin our day with a hearty breakfast to boot.

Driver Michael took off with DH and 7 others to the Landing Beaches of D-Day. While we headed to the monumental abbey at Mont St. Michel, a 2.5 hour drive made pleasant by our knowledgeable driver/guide Jack’s commentary as well as the beautiful countryside. I had found www.best-of-france.com via a google search, and Philippe provided prompt communications both by phone calls and e-mail. I felt we would be in good hands and we were.

As we drove west to the border of Normandy and Brittany, the sky became darker and a light rain fell presenting us with a small rainbow as a good omen for the day. And suddenly we saw in the distance the fairy-tale like structure, its silhouette a familiar memory from my Epcot France pavilion visits. It was surreal to climb the stairs and meander through the cloisters, the levels of the abbey, and to envision centuries of others following the same paths before us. The personal audio guide brought forth the details of former uses: abbey, fortress, prison. All this built without machinery, let alone computers. Who’s the wiser now?

Mme. Poulard’s is world renown for omelets, but we stopped at Terrasses Poulard half-way to the top for mussels, steak frites, and kabobs, ensuring that we need not feast on the ship that night. Okay, we did so anyway. In fact, our full tummies were yet led astray again by the temptation of butter, sugar and the resulting galettes and bretonnes at the nearby cookie factory on the route to Honfleur en route back to Splendor docked in Le Havre.
More about Honfleur plus tard. Kiko

Take Me To Your Queen

We’re celebrating our first day at sea after long hours of touring yesterday. But before moving on, it should be noted that I have fixture –envy from my short stay in Britain. I’ve noticed it before, but with memories refreshed, I am lusting for…..bathroom plumbing fixtures like those at the Hilton Park Lane.

I’m sure anyone can have these imported if you trade your firstborn, or perhaps were lucky enough to have recently signed a Hollywood movie contract. But I don’t find these anywhere in sight at my favorite Lowes or Home Depot. We may have Issac at Target and Martha at the Big K, but bring me a wall hung soap dish with a teeny-tiny hole in the tray so the water gently drips out eliminating that soggy, mushy soap bar. Or how about an answer to that springy, tight-fitting roller for you know which has been known to go flying outta ‘ya hand and break a nail to boot? Simple, not genius, one bracket, one short bar: pointed sideways for rolling, another pointed up for storage….no manual required.

Then there is the S-shaped grab bar for grabbing whether standing or sitting, gently whispering “artistic” rather than screaming “handicapped.” And the piece d ‘resistance….the tub faucet! A handle for water intensity; a separate one for temperatures: you can ONLY change the temp by pressing a button….”stay”….good dog….no scorching, no unnecessary surprises. I’m looking for a countertop pocket temperature conversion chart now!

Kiko

A Quickie

Well, it is 12:24am French time, so this is a quick moment to say first day on board went all too fast and we are looking forward to our day in France tomorrow. Half of us are going to Mont-St-Michel while the others tour the Landing Beaches of Normandy.

I can tell you the boat is swaying, and we are mid-decks at level 6. Going up to Deck 11 to the Spa convinced me that the length of cruise SPA pass wasn't for me after all....there are plenty of beautiful areas available for the day users of the free gym, including a nice sauna. But I could hardly relax in the beautiful areas designated for such with this rolling...and I came promptly back to our cabin to take a dramamine.

So, it's off to bed....DH is gently snoring already....and more later.
Kiko
P.S. We are so lucky to have our Croatian team serve us in the Gold Pearl upper Dining Room: love Natasa (pronounced Not-a-shah) and Irena (roll that "r" please). Every thing was wonderful!
Goodnight! Kiko

Queens and Kings

Yesterday we had an easy transfer on the Picadilly tube almost right to our hotel door, but we took the long way around town trying to cross the streets.....alas our large rolling luggage was not going down the short route.....using the pedestrian subway (crossing under the busy streets) without the likes of someone with much more muscle than me. But our efforts were rewarded after an early check-in to the hotel and a nice long shower. We headed straight away (notice I am picking up some English accent already?) to inspect the state apartments at Buckingham Palace. Indeed it was a pleasure for the Queen to share her home/offices with so many commoners like us. With over 400 rooms in the Palace, the tour was only a fraction of these, but oh the silks and tapestries, and plasterwork. My, my now I know where the saying "fit for a Queen" comes from.

Today after a mostly a peaceful sleep, DH and I were off to Hampton Court Palace which was an easy enough to handle journey from Waterloo tube to Southwestern train; and just like the movies, the whistle blew, and the doors closed and off we went right on the dot! A 32 minute ride, Hampton Court is the end of the line, and a simple 10 minute walk over the bridge and thru the gates to tour a tudor castle started by Carninal Woolsey then taken over by King Henry VIII, then added on in a Georgian style by King William and his Queen Mary. Now, you might think we are full of our over-the-top extravagances from such lush architectural details, and yes, if we had another day in London, I might have to just go window shopping at Harrods, but luckily for the slim wallet of British pound Sterlings, tomorrow it is off for the ship!

Goodnight all, Kiko

Happy trails!

Our flight from Dulles to Paris was wonderful....even our pre-flight transportation via a town car set the mood for a pleasant start as we left the driving to Beltway Sedans...then, it's great to breeze thru security with a Clear card....if you are travelling several or more flights a year I definitely recommend it...Air France personnel were very, very hospitable and we were able to both take aisles seats across from each other as the plane was only about half filled. Five and a half hours later, me with a nice nap, DH who is unable to sleep on planes definitely in a daze, we changed planes in Paris at the beautiful CDG terminal 2E. I snapped a couple of photos and look forward to posting those sometime soon.

I SAID, I don't need souveniers...right? But of course I just had to see the pricing of the duty-free shops during our 2 hour layover. Anyway, it does make the time fly, as who can shop in less than 2 hours? And, I didn't pick up any trinkets, but I did NEED a fragrance, as I have memories of travelling with my favorite perfume some years ago only to arrive and discover all my clothes now reeked of the scent. Needless to say, this was not the way I wanted to turn heads as I passed by!! Unlike Ms. Elizabeth Taylor, I don't have a single signature fragrance, but I do tend to be drawn to Givenchy. Aha, the 5 mini-pack assortment was just too tempting....DH saw the sealed duty-free bag as I approached him at the gate...."you paid 35 dollars for that he said?" Uh-huh, I said. Who was I to tell him in his jet-lag state of mind we were in FRANCE, for heavens sake, and that is EUROs! This is just between you and me, okay?

I'm taking a moment in the Executive Lounge, so I am hopping off lest I monopolize the computer. Cheerio! Kiko

D-lite

First, I'm delighted to report DH took Blackberry to Verizon and they successfully jammed dear SIM card even tighter INTO THE MEMORY slot. Now, why would a company make two slots so close together, so nearly identical.....for someone like me to choose the wrong one? At any rate, my memory slot is filled, never to see action, and at this point, who cares? I never had used it anyway. Good news....Verizon graciously provided a second SIM card which is nicely embedded in its perfect home. Not without stress a daily dose of stress for me, I might add. Oddly enough the second SIM card even came with a Global Support Card and a wallet guide, unlike the first one. Hmmm.

Second, dear car is inspected and ready for another 2 years, just need to order the license tag stickers tomorrow. Is it my imagination, or when it rains, does it pour....so much to do, and so little time.

Third, we are checked in on Air France! I can hardly believe after so many months the day is but hours away. Paper stopped, mail stopped, DD to kennel tomorrow morning. She knows the suitcases sitting out are not a good omen. But I think the fact that they have been in a state of unfinished packing for a few weeks now, has thrown her for a loop. In fact, let me pause for a moment and give her a big smooch. .....XOXO.....

My one big fat folder with bulging papers is now neatly sorted into four pocket folders: one with flight and airport transfer information, one with hotel confirmations and "the booklet", the third for shore excursions, and finally the cruise folder with our ship & sail cards, Carnival cruise ticket contract, luggage tags, and trip insurance documents. Whew! And that was the easy part. The booklet is our comprehensive collection of info on flights, hotels, and cabins for our gaggle of travellers.

Now, it's early morning in London and I should be thinking about morning, so I've broken one of the anti-jetlag rules, early to bed and early to rise. I'm going back to my zip-lock bags with the goal of eliminating one tonight. Instead of 54 pounds, I know I can be under 50 with a little fine-tuning. Bonnie said Rick Steves recommends taking only what you can wear at least 3 times. Oh boy, am I in trouble!

I think a shot of brandy will aid my efforts, don't you. Sweet dreams! Kiko

SIM Card

All was going well today...suitcases are packed but not zippered...and I decided to take out a few things and re-examine what I had packed. A stuffed suitcase on the way "to" the destination means no room to bring anything home. Even considering those items which will stay on the ship: a few gifts, a few Lia Sophia jewelry catalogs, some travel size tolietries....there really wouldn't be any space to spare. So, one more time! DH packing is finished....but lest you think DH could do without "moi," think again.

Then I started the Blackberry updates download. And three times I became distracted and closed the download in process. This is very aggravating as you might know the time estimated started at well over an hour....three times as I multi-tasked, I goofed and closed all windows. Let me tell you why I am waiting until tomorrow to try again: I put my SIM card where the sun doesn't shine.....and why would RIM make a crevice in the phone that is the same shape and size as the SIM card if it didn't belong there? I followed the instructions....push until it stops. Okay, then I saw another crevice to the side of the center locking device. So, as DH takes my vehicle for its 2 year state sanctioned check-up in the morning, I will shamefully walk into Verizon for technical support. Shall I say DH did it? I hope I am not the first to shove it and then realize...well it does seem an odd place for a SIM card! I've gingerly tried to pry out the sliver of a card....."come on baby, you can do it!" But no go. Tweezers didn't work, in fact I think I wedged it tighter.

Tomorrow will be a better day. Hurricane Hanna rain storms are subsiding and in just 2 days I will be on the jet plane!
Kiko

Info is Power

FLIGHTS
A friend traveled abroad earlier this summer, along with friends from various cities. Some of them had flight delays and airline errors when re-booking…..so…..her suggestion, print out the airline itinerary/flight schedule for the dates of your travel as a reference for options. Thanks Chris!

I printed 14 pages for Delta’s flights from Dulles on both its own planes and those of its partners. Some of these flights go thru Atlanta, Cincinnati, JFK, which of course I would prefer not to do…..but in case of a plane malfunction or schedule change, I will have the info to speak with an agent. By the way, you may already know this tip too….if there is a delay head to a phone to call for your rescheduling rather than wait in a mile long line for an airport agent. Do jot down the 1-800 number of your airline now. I have sped thru the system more than once to grab one of a few remaining seats on a next flight by calling rather than standing....to think of it, I have called while in that line, and then trotted off to my gate leaving the others behind.
Four pages covered the Rome to IAD schedules for my return. Again, be sure any change in schedule does not cancel a connecting or return flight by mistake. It happens!

SEATS
You can also go to www.seatguru.com and print out the seating configuration for your particular plane. Now sometimes there may be more than one version of the same aircraft, but in general, you will have an idea of the layout. This is helpful in case your seat assignments are changed or upgraded at the gate. Is a business upgrade worth it if it is the last row of the section, which doesn’t fully recline and is adjacent to the lavatory? Depends on your satisfaction level with your current location and anticipated service in the new section.

WEATHER
Current weather in London and LeHavre is nice and balmy, but there is a front arriving next week and this is the www.weatherbug.com forecast:
· London – Monday will be high 64, low 55 degrees, with rain, but sunny WED & Thursday
· Le Havre – Friday will be high 73, low 62 degrees, rain on Thursday, too early to tell about Friday
· Vigo – by the end of next week high 75, low 64, but let’s hope the cool front goes thru and returns to current temps which are warmer
· Lisbon - also warmer now, but by next week the report is high 70, low 65
Then we round the continent and into the Med Sea where weather will be warmer. It’s too far to predict for our dates, but a week from now Malaga high 84, low 71 degrees, while Rome will be high 89, low 71. The rest of the Med cities will be about the same.

FISH & CHIPS, BANGERS & MASH
Hope to see those who can join us at The Audley pub the night before the cruise. Yum! Yum!

Meet our Cruise Director John Heald….. www.johnhealdsblog.com
We're getting close now!
Kiko

Duty Calls

Today was all about work, appointments and a quick stop at our CVS drugstore. It really is a small world, because as I met with a fellow businesswoman who is an area real estate agent, I discovered a fellow agent who she wants me to meet is currently on a "new" cruise ship, touring the Baltics.....and you guessed it, her friend and colleague Margaret is sailing aboard the Splendor. She'll be leaving the same day we are arriving!

Check a couple more items off the "to do" list. I prefer online work when the process works smoothly and two websites always deliver: the Washington Post subscriber services for newspaper vacation hold and the US postal service for hold mail service. Love em!

I added a new item to list, which I have never implemented previously in our travels: compression socks. Actually they only had "his" XL size at CVS, but I found a 2-pack of No-Nonsense ladies knee-high compression hosiery at Wegmans' so mission accomplished. I am hoping for the results as per the packing promise: invigorating legs and prevention of embolism. I'll let you know how I feel Tuesday morning.

My gal-pal Kristyn opened a quaint shop two weeks ago, Polka Dot Divas, and I attempted to stop in during her grand opening week, but the village had a minor traffic snarl the day I tried, and since the road is a one-way option only, after 15 minutes of sitting, I opted to follow the car in front of me and cut through a parking lot to trek down an alley. Who has alleys these days? Today I stopped in to congratulate her, found the store very busy, and I must say it is adorable. Lots of great gifts, and I picked up what I think may be the perfect carry-on for this trip. All without breaking the bank. Who opens a new shop in this economy? She's a brave one indeed.

Tonight I started a trial packing with my one LARGE zip-lock of emergency clothes inside; later I'll check to be sure my jewelry travel bag, laptop, documents, and a paperback all fit inside and weigh less than 30 pounds. It may be the perfect cure: "doctor's bag" in style it clashes with my green tapestry luggage, but I adore it anyway. The one negative is it has no outside pocket, but if everything fits inside and I can still have room to insert a trinket or two, it will be ideal to tote on my large roll-around piece. Please don't tell the Glamour magazine fashion police about my polka dots with tapestry combo.

Tomorrow is another busy work day, but I'll be calling for a car and driver service to pick us up on Monday.
Have a grand day! Kiko

It's in the Bag

Okay, not yet packed....yes, missed yesterday's self-imposed deadline....will return when finished. Must do right away, as I do have my regular work to do too! Be back later! Kiko

Yes, it's much later and I LUV the Ziploc Big Bags....find these in the aisle with your trash bags. I bought the Large size, and there are two sizes even bigger....those must be for the steamer trunks! I was able to pack 5 bags: one for dressy wear, one for London/France clothing, another for ship wear at sea, one for Spain ports, and the last for France/Italy ports. I'll be buying two more boxes of these, one box of 5 for DH's clothes, and the second box we will split. I personally need two more zip-lock bags: one for my carry-on clothing (you know, the what you will see me in if the other luggage takes its own trip to parts unknown), and the other for odds and ends.

If the Shoe Fits

Even though I love to travel, and usually take 4 or more short leisure trips a year, packing for this cruise is mind-boggling. The big factors for deciding what to include are: comfort, versatility, style, bulk, color, climate, and resistance to wrinkles and stains. I am not one of those folks who is already scheduling a laundry room slot into my sea days, nor my early morning or late night routine after shore excursions.

I do like the Splendor offering of a $15 laundry charge for an "undies" bag that they provide mid-way into the itinerary. If for no other reason than not to have my clothing return with "eau de odor!" Have noticed on Cruise Critic that many believe this to be for ANY laundry items that fit in the bag, and indeed in my excitement, I also misread the laundry ticket so kindly posted by Zydecocruiser on his three back-to-back cruises. DH who is quite a tickler for details, referred me back to the post and yes, it is for the unmentionables and not for those items viewed by the public at large. Too bad.

It's great to share with you my success with the Cruise Diva method of packing for a cruise, though unlike her I will not be travelling with only a carry-on bag. Ms. Diva suggests pairing each top and bottom to make an outfit and determine how many outfits you need for each day. So, yesterday morning, I took all the clothes out of the suitcase, placed them on hangers, and hung them on my shower curtain rod. Then I removed more clothes from my guest room bed, and hung those alongside the others on the bar.

At this point you may want to sing along with the childhood song of "London Bridge is Falling Down" because that's the tune that popped into my head as I heard the shower curtain bar slip 3 inches, only caught from falling by the tile surround of the bathtub. But I was not deterred and approached my new found packing pleasure with some logic. Jackets to the left, sweaters next, followed by pants with coordinating tops. Then I did the "organize your space" project and moved everything around by color. Lest you think I have too much time on my hands, let me remind you of the extra weight, extra luggage airline charges!

It soon became apparent to me, I still had too many items, but now I was able to eliminate items, hmmmm, even had to try on a few pieces to make sure they looked good together. So, here I was going from the bathroom to the full length mirror in the next room, feeling like a runway model....but unfortunately at 5 foot 3 inches, not looking like one. It was then that I noticed an emergency evacuation plan was needed....no, not for our friends in Pensacola, they have their Gustav plans in order. I was in dire consequences of having my very bowed, formerly straight, shower curtain rod collapsing. So, how much weight can a shower bar hold? Answer: not enough. I would have taken a photo of it, but I was afraid it might be too incriminating....guilty....does not know how to pack for 12 days London to Rome, shore and ship.

So, in ending my packing session, I moved all the clothing to my guest room closet and today I will edit again, because as you know my goal is to be packed today as we depart in only one week. By the way, did you know a sagging shower bar returns to its normal straight self after relieved from its burden?

And I didn't even mention shoes. But yes, underneath that drooping shower rod, I placed the walking shoes (one pair Clarks, one pair Naturalizer), the canvas sports shoes (Ralph Lauren), the flip-flops (Ann Taylor loft), and the dressier but oh so comfortable sandal (DSW). I'm not sure if I have my shoe repertoire complete yet, but I find the shoe choices so much easier for me.

Enjoy your day....you know what I'll be doing!
Kiko