Another exciting day! Pyramids & Sphinx

I had the experience of riding a camel, which was rather strange, as the animal lurches with every step, but the worst was getting off without falling when the animal went down to ground level, since the front legs fold first, and the rider is thrown forward, from on high. It was quite difficult to walk over the uneven surfaces, and I was glad to have Fred's helping hand.

Pictures fromEgypt, including pigeon houses and pyramids

I'm back home! but far behind with pictures, etc.

Dear Friends,
(Sigh!) The trip of a life time is now in the past, and it will take me some time to readjust to reality!
The entire trip was interesting and enjoyable, but the last half was especially noteworthy and rather special. All along the way I was able to meet up with friends and former acquaintances in places like Christchurch, Melbourne, Sydney, Singapore, Mumbai, and Monte Carlo, plus almost, in Lisbon. I was also pleased to be able to make new friends and acquaintances on board, even up to the last day!
Coming home had its surprises, not all of which were positive! There was great difficulty getting the car battery to generate electriciy, and after being stranded in the middle of nowhere (while trying to keep the battery charging after it had been jump started) I finally had to call for professional help, and ended up getting a new battery. Fortunately, I guessed correctly at the address of the street where I was, because there were no street signs nearby! Then I could finally go to my daughter's for the dinner that had been announced for an hour earlier than I got there. On the way, there was a beautiful sunset, and I truly wanted to stop and take a picture. However, there was absolutely no place to pull over, and by the time I could, it was too late.
Today, I startted early on the mail and found a few things that needed urgent attention (like taxes which were due immediately, etc. Then, I was off to my appointment for a complete general checkup with the cardiologist, including chest x-ray (after all the coughing problems I had on board), blood work, EKG, etc. I had hardly finished, when it was already time for my appointment with the dentist (I had lost part of a tooth with filling about 6 weeks ago). I got home just in time to meet Marlyse, who arrived by bike for help in filling out some forms concerning the certificates that had been stolen over a year ago. By the time she left, I was exhausted and hungry, both, so I ate and used my massage bed for an hour.
I forget to mention that when I got to the airport lounge yesterday, two ladies from the Serenity
also joined me, so we chatted and the time passed rather quickly. Irma Wriggers went to Munich, and Louise O'Shea came all the way to Zürich with me. As I am leaving for Ascona for the weekend, we could only make a dinner date for Monday evening, May 12, before she leaves for Paris, and eventually Toronto.
I am not fully unpacked, yet, but I do have my train ticket for Ascona, and I have paid the tax bill. I received a lovely plant from my English Conversation Group, and they invited me to join them tomorrow afternoon for tea/coffee and a chat at a local tearoom. They are most curious to hear about the trip, and to see some pictures. Now, I am posting some of the pictures i had already prepared to do from the boat, but never found the time to do it.
It's very possible that I will never complete this story! However, I have to agree with Capt. Glen that instead of moaning over yesterday, it is better to look forward to tomorrow. While we live, we hope, and sometimes we are lucky.

Champagne Strings at Mozart Tea

News from today, pictures from before

May 1st, and I'm way behind in posting pictures, etc. Yesterday was a lovely day (again!) which we spent in Valencia. It's a beautiful city, with a very modern, new section full of exciting architecture, and an old section which is equally interesting. Today, we are inundated with things to do, and I even skipped bridge this afternoon in favor of the Mozart Tea. Later, there is a party for the singles and unaccompanied passengers, and I was able to talk Fred into going with me, as my experience from previous such affairs, is that if one doesn't dance or drink (and I don't do either) then it can be rather boring. However, Fred's argument is that if we go together, then we are not single! to which I say "who cares?!" I really like my table mates in the dining room, this segment, and last night all 6 of us went to the Silk Road, the Japanese Restaurant on board, and had a marvelous time. After dinner, tonight, there is "The Liars Club" which is a terrific bit of entertainment, and before we give up to Morpheus, there is the ensemble of Champagne Strings to listen to, in the Crystal Foyer.
It's already Thursday, and we will sadly take our leave on Wednesday. Tomorrow is Gibraltar, but we may not even go ashore. The ship is only there for a few hours.