It was fantastic to go to lunch with our dear friends Linda and Ken, whom we hadn’t seen in about six years. Time has a funny way of slipping by, yet when we finally met again, it felt as if no time had passed at all. We first met them years ago in Marloth Park at a dinner party at Kathy and Don’s home along the Crocodile River.

Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch, sharing adventures, stories, and laughter along the way. The last time we were together was in Wales, where we spent an unforgettable day exploring castle ruins and savoring a long, leisurely meal filled with good conversation and plenty of laughter. Seeing them again brought back a flood of wonderful memories from that carefree day in the Welsh countryside.

Over the years, we spent time together in Marloth Park on various occasions when our visits happened to overlap—a happy coincidence that always led to laughter, storytelling, and shared sundowners on the veranda. Then, in 2017, our paths crossed again on the other side of the world, when we enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Linda and Ken at the famous Fortune of War, a historic pub established in 1828, tucked in the heart of Sydney, Australia. Sitting in that old establishment, with its worn wooden bar and walls steeped in seafaring history, we reminisced about our adventures in the bush and marveled at how our travels continued to intertwine in the most unexpected corners of the world.

Yesterday, when we reunited at El Tribut, an oceanfront restaurant not far from our current location, it felt like coming full circle. The restaurant, perched above the sparkling sea, offered breathtaking views of the coastline, a perfect backdrop for an afternoon of reminiscing. The Mediterranean breeze drifted across the terrace, carrying the scent of salt and grilled seafood. There’s something so comforting about the familiar energy of friends who share your passions, and Linda and Ken are very much kindred spirits. Like us, they have a deep love for travel, cruising, and discovering the world one port at a time.

El Tribut doesn’t open for lunch until 1:00 p.m., which is typical in Spain and many parts of Europe. We arrived a few minutes early and waited near the entrance, chatting and catching up on recent adventures. It reminded me how different dining customs can be around the world. While Americans often have lunch by noon and dinner by six, Europeans tend to linger through their afternoons, with lunch stretching well past 3:00 p.m. and dinner not beginning until 8:00 or later. There’s a certain rhythm to this lifestyle, a slower pace that encourages relaxation, conversation, and savoring every bite.

By 2:00 p.m., the restaurant was packed. Locals and tourists filled every table, their voices blending into a pleasant hum of conversation and clinking glasses. We ordered a leisurely lunch, each of us choosing something different so we could share tastes, as travelers so often do. The food was excellent, fresh, flavorful, and prepared with care. Between bites, we shared stories from our respective journeys: ports we’d loved, favorite cruise lines, unexpected challenges, and funny mishaps that only seasoned travelers could truly appreciate.

Linda and Ken had met us from their current cruise, on their port of call to Barcelona, and they spoke with such enthusiasm about their experiences. We compared notes on itineraries, ships, and destinations, laughing at how small the cruising world can be, how often travelers cross paths without even realizing it. We also talked about how travel has changed in recent years, with fluctuating prices, evolving visa requirements, and the ever-present balance between adventure and comfort.

What I appreciated most about our time together wasn’t just the conversation. It was the feeling of connection. After years of moving from place to place, friendships like this become treasures, reminders that the world can feel wonderfully small when you find people whose spirits align with your own. We may go months or even years without seeing one another, but when we reunite, it’s as though we simply picked up where we left off.

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, casting golden reflections across the water, we reluctantly said our goodbyes, promising to meet again, perhaps on another cruise or in some unexpected corner of the world. The meal, the laughter, and the warmth of old friends reminded us once again why we travel: not just to see the world, but to share it with those who understand the joy of exploration.

In a mere six days, we’ll be heading to that same Barcelona port where Linda and Ken arrived and begin our 47 nights of cruising. We can hardly wait.

Be well.