Day 10…Norway Cruise…More from Tromso…Last night’s fantastic evening in Tromso…

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Last night’s two dancers at the entertainment venue in Tromso. I was able to upload this one photo!

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 8 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Last night was an exceptional evening. We embarked on what Azamara refers to as an Az-Amazing event, which is an entertainment venue that was explicitly arranged for cruise passengers, described as follows:

“Sit back and enjoy a tailormade show with some of the best artists in Norway. Tonight will be a musical trip “through the country” with traditional, heart–moving songs and jaw-dropping showstoppers accompanied by live local musicians! You’ll travel in time and visit some old classic songs, and continue the journey into more modern times with Norwegian specialties and curiosities.”

The show was entertaining, but organizing over 500 passengers boarding buses for the ten-minute ride to the venue was time-consuming and challenging to organize. We didn’t envy the staff who tried to get everyone in their seats in the theatre for the presentation to begin.

The show was pleasant and cultural, and we took some photos we’ll upload when we have a better WiFi signal, which we’re looking forward to being able to do. Knowing we were departing the ship at 6:30 pm, we didn’t have dinner but instead ate at The Patio cafe on Deck 9 around 2:30 pm. We ordered bun-free burgers, and Tom added a bun-free hot dog. I added a salad and thought this light lunch would hold me.

But, when we returned after the event, I was hungry again, and the only food available was pizza and puff pastry-type appetizers. A kind food and beverage manager ordered a cheese plate for me, which was perfect for a late-evening snack with my glass of red wine.

Then, while seated in The Living Room on Deck 10, we watched a fantastic show with the assistant cruise director, Jose Alpizar. Azamara’s cruise directors are all required to be entertainers and entertainers; he was! We loved every moment of the show. We visited with a few passengers, and by midnight we went to our cabin for a good night’s sleep.

This morning I didn’t have breakfast since I wanted to enjoy that lovely lunch again at the Patio Cafe, and we’ve both limited ourselves to eating only twice a day, either breakfast and dinner or lunch and dinner. Neither of us has gained an ounce on this cruise, and I hope to be able to be as diligent on the next cruise, upcoming on August 18.

It’s hard to resist eating more often, but certainly not worth it to gain weight when both of us have been trying to lose a few pounds after gaining a few since Covid. I have lost a bit but still have a ways to go to be back to my usual self and able to fit into some jeans I left behind in South Africa, hoping they’ll fit me when we return in ten months. It’s not easy since my metabolism has slowed in the past few years, especially after taking several drugs that caused weight gain while I had the Covid headache and facial pain.

Now that I’m still pain-free, I can stay medication-free for the former awful symptoms. I am so grateful, more than words can describe.

That’s it for today, folks. Tomorrow, we’ll write about the next port of call, which we’ll visit once we arrive in the next few hours.

Thank you for your continued patience with our lack of photos.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 10, 2013:

In Tuscany, our housekeeper Santina brought us more vegetables when arriving to clean the house on Friday that we’ll be using tonight in our homemade taco salads (minus the shells). For more photos, please click here.

Day 9…Norway Cruise…Tromso, Norway…Why is Norway called, “The Land of the Midnight Sun?”…The Troll Fjords…

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Not our photo. The Troll Fjords in Norway.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 9 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

It’s been odd for me to prepare posts without photos for the past several days. I am looking forward to arriving at a new location that will allow me to catch up, adding the corresponding photos to the posts, and listing the links for those who like to see photos to return to each post and catch up easily. It will be a one-click process.

Many have written and asked if we’ll see the Northern Lights, and with much disappointment, we discovered early on that we will not. Norway is known as “The Land of the Midnight Sun,” as described below from this site:

“What is the Midnight Sun?

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs north of the Arctic Circle at 66º33′N during the summer months: beyond this latitude, the sun never completely sets below the horizon. Why is that? As the Earth rotates on a tilted axis relative to the sun, the North Pole is angled towards the sun during summer. This also means the further north you go, the higher in the sky the sun is at night. As a sizable portion of its territory, located above the Arctic Circle, Norway is well known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. The Midnight Sun is the same sun we see during the day! However, it’s something you must see for yourself. The reddish yellow light is something that will mesmerize you, like a never-ending sunset…

Where can I see the Midnight Sun?

Northern Norway is probably the best place to experience the Midnight Sun. Tromsø, Senja, the Lyngenfjord region, and the Lofoten islands are a must-see during the Arctic summer. Imagine it’s 11 pm, and you’re sailing through the fjords of Norway, the golden light caresses your face while you enjoy the beautiful scenery passing before your eyes. For the more adventurous ones, the Midnight Sun is also best experienced from the top of a mountain. You can go to Sommarøy, the “summer island” and the world’s first time-free zone (people officially asked the government to abolish civil time, understandable when the Midnight Sun gives you the impression of endless days!), and hike to unique viewpoints overlooking the Caribbean-like beaches. Around Tromsø, an all-time favourite place to enjoy the Midnight Sun is Ersfjord and its dramatic scenery. 

When can I see the Midnight Sun in Norway?

The Arctic is truly special during the Midnight Sun season, which basically runs from mid-May to late July. Depending on where you find yourself above the Arctic Circle, the Midnight Sun period might differ: the further north you go, the longer it lasts! That’s why Svalbard, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, has the longest period of Midnight Sun: 4 months!”

I suppose this is somewhat of a trade-off for being unable to see the Northern Lights. In any case, we’re enjoying Norway, and today, we’ll disembark the ship to walk around the village for Tromso, as described below in the ship’s brochure:

“Tromso offers a captivating blend of nature and culture. Explore the mesmerizing Northern Lights, embark on thrilling Arctic adventures, and indulge in local delicacies. This vibrant city with its warm-hearted locals awaits, promising an unforgettable experience in the Arctic wonderland. Discover the magic of Tromso and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime.”

With a map of Tromso in hand, it appears there is plenty for us to see when we walk through the quaint little village. Our ship arrives in Tromso in an hour, and we’ll be getting off to see the attractions that appeal to us the most.

Tonight, we’ll leave the ship again around 7:00 pm to head out on buses to a venue where we’ll be entertained by local artists, returning to the ship around 11:00 pm. Azamara refers to these off-the-ship entertainment venues as Az-Amazing. Cute, eh?

Last night, we sailed through the fjords for an exciting adventure, during which we took many photos to share in the future. The fun continues.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 9, 2013:

Common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, common house bat.  I guess this is nothing compared to the bats awaiting us in Africa. For more, please click here.

Day 8…Norway Cruise…Svolaer, Norway…

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Not our photo. Svolvaer, Norway.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 10 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Sorry about yesterday’s short post. We were inundated with passengers stopping to say hello on a sea day. The word is out on the ship about these two crazy senior citizens who sold everything and have been traveling the world for almost 11 years. Some have even referred to us as “celebrities.”

We chuckle over these types of comments. We don’t perceive ourselves as celebrities. We’re simply home-free Jess and Tom, who escaped convention and decided to carry on and on, regardless of countless setbacks along the way. And there have been setbacks! When we find ourselves sharing some of those types of stories, we are even shocked by how we managed to work through some challenging scenarios.

But here we are, only 2½ months away from our 11th anniversary. As this special day looms closer, we find ourselves reeling from the depth and breadth of it all. We initially thought we might last a few years, but certainly not this many. So much has transpired in our worldly lives, and we are grateful to have ongoing outstanding experiences.

Today, we are anchored in the bay of Svolvaer, with tender boats (lifeboats) taking passengers to the small village. With the abundance of modern buildings, we decided not to go ashore. We had laundry piling up and wanted to take advantage of most passengers being off the ship and the resulting availability of washers and dryers.

We’re not like most other passengers returning to their homes after the cruise to empty their luggage, do laundry, and continue with their day-to-day lives. This is our day-to-day lives, and we must perform regular tasks and responsibilities regardless of where we are at any given time.

We won’t have access to a washing machine until we get to Minnesota in over 30 days and use the hotel’s coin-operated laundry. While in Las Vegas, we’ll rent a car for a few days to go to a laundromat, our mailing service, and renew our driver’s license.

As for the little village of Svolvaer, Norway, here is what the ship’s brochure has to say about it:

“Solvaer, nestled in Norway’s Lofoten archipelago, captivates with its stunning beauty. A picturesque fishing village surrounded by towering mountains and serene waters, it offers an idyllic escape for nature-loved and adventure seekers. Explore the vibrant art scene, savor freshly caught seafood, and witness the magical northern lights dancing in the Arctic skies. Svolvaer promises an unforgettable journey to the heart of Norway’s untamed wilderness.”

Regardless of more potentially busy social interactions, I will need to nap today. I had a fitful night’s sleep and know a quick half-hour nap is exactly what I”ll need to return to my energetic social self. Tom, on the other hand, is well-rested and chipper as always.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 8, 2013:

Tom is starting to think about the Minnesota Vikings season coming up shortly, as he was ten years ago. For more photos, please click here.

Day 7…Norway Cruise…Sea day…Crossing the Artic Circle…

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Two fantastic performers that we watched in the Cabaret on deck 5.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 11 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Today, on a sea day, our ship sailed across the Arctic Circle, and the staff put on quite a show poolside with Captain Neptune and his cohorts about crossing the Arctic Circle. We had this experience on several other cruises in the past, but we took several photos and will post them in the future when we have a better signal.

Sorry that the above photo is the only one we could upload from a show we attended two nights ago. As mentioned above, we continue to find posting photos is impossible until we reach a new location off this ship. Otherwise, the cruise is wonderful, and we’re having the time of our lives, meeting new people, many from around the world, most with vast travel experience.

Today’s post is very short. We’ve been busy chatting with other passengers and have to go get ready for a party held for priority passengers. More on that tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 7, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date in 2013.

Day 6…Norway Cruise…Alesund, Norway…Having as much fun as we imagined!!!…

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Not our photo due to poor WiFi signal.

Note: I can only add the above photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 12 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

We are having a fantastic time! On this small ship with under 600 passengers, it’s easy to meet new people. Almost everyone is friendly and happy to engage in lively conversation, and of course, the social butterflies that we are, make friendly chatter as easy as possible.

Occasionally, a friendly hello or request for table sharing typically results in delightful conversations about world travel, families, and interests. With an average age of 70, we find we have lots in common with many passengers, including those who frequently travel and those who may travel less frequently. There’s no shortage of conversation with table mates at dinner, at the various bars and entertainment areas, and in the Mosaic Cafe where we spend our mornings.

We’ve been staying up late every night. Last night, we returned to our cabin around 12:30 am one of the earlier nights, we finally went to bed. On the other hand, we usually sleep until 8:00 am and hurry to get up to ensure we get to the buffet for breakfast at a reasonable time. Eating breakfast in the dining room is not as easy for my way of eating as it is at the buffet, where they make everything for me as I’d like it…especially the “no oil” part which I have to be very careful about.

This morning, after breakfast, we got our lightweight jackets and the camera and headed out on foot to the small town of Alesund, Norway, another quaint port town on our Norway journey. One of the highlights of our walk through the town was meeting a friendly local man walking his gorgeous St. Bernard dog, Ozzie, who licked me repeatedly with his sloppy drool.

I didn’t mind the drool at all since I was enthralled to have some animal interaction, regardless of the consequences. The man was delighted to chat with us and did so for quite some time, allowing us to ask questions about this adorable dog, the weather, and local customs.

We always assumed it snowed a lot in Norway, but Alesund is in such close proximity to the ocean, as are all the other ports of call we’re visiting, and gets little snow unless one goes further inland. We’ve yet to experience a sunny day at any other of the ports of call and imagine sunny days are a rare treat. We are in the northern hemisphere, but it stays cool here year-round. Today’s high is 60F, 16C, with a low of 53F, 12C. We’re enjoying the cool weather after those sweltering days and nights in Florida.

Here’s the description of the village from the ship’s brochure (again, somewhat repetitious as other descriptions):

“Nestled amidst breathtaking fjords and coastal beauty, Alesund, Norway, is a picturesque town renowned for its stunning Art Nouveau architecture and captivating natural landscapes. Perched on the western coast, this charming maritime city offers a seamless blend of historic charm and modern allure. Explore the narrow streets adorned with colorful buildings, savor fresh seafood at the bustling fish markets, and embark on unforgettable adventures in the surrounding fjord and mountains.”

Tonight, we’re meeting a lovely couple in the Den for cocktails that we met this morning and possibly for dinner later in the main dining room, Discovery.

The day is young. Many more delightful experiences await us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 6, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date in 2013.

Day 4…Norway Cruise…Haugesund, Norway…

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Our Savior’s Church in downtown Haugesund, Norway. More photos will follow in the future.

Note: I cannot add more than this one photo due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 14 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

Most days during this cruise, we’ll be venturing off the ship to see the small towns along the way in this Norway itinerary. So far, some towns are quaint and engaging; others are port towns with modern shops and restaurants with little of Norway’s charm.

However, we still have eight more ports of call on this cruise and look forward to getting off the ship on each occasion. Yesterday, we took many photos in Stavanger, and today, we took the shuttle to the center of the town of Haugesund, walking around the windy city and taking plenty of photos to post here in the future.

Right now, back on the ship, we’re using the timer on my Fitbit to keep track of our laundry, currently in the dryer in the free laundry room on our floor, only a few steps from our cabin. What an incredible convenience! Laundry pods are included, along with several free washers and dryers. Having worn the same clothes for a few days, we got by with one load of dark clothes. We’ll most likely need to do laundry two more times before the end of the cruise.

When we get on the Celebrity Cruise, we’re entitled to two bags of laundry for the entire cruise, but we’ll have $800 in cabin credit to use as we please. On this cruise, we still have $500 in unused cabin credit after paying for WiFi for both of us. Since we don’t care to eat in the specialty restaurants with my restricted diet since the main dining room has excellent food and will make anything I’d like. Tom’s been happy with his meals, as well.

As for today’s visit to Haugesund, Norway, the cruise “Insider” wrote the following about the village, again better than I could ever have described.

“Nestled along the captivating Norwegian coastline, Haugesund beckons with its enchanting maritime allure. This picturesque town boasts a rich history steeped in Viking legends, offering visitors a chance to explore ancient heritage and cultural treasures. Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of Haugesund’s fjords, pristine beaches, and lush landscapes. Experience a vibrant arts and music scene, with festivals celebrating Norway’s creative spirit.”

We enjoyed the walk through the village, but with high winds and cool temperatures, we didn’t stay outdoors as long as we may have on a milder day. Note the following:

“What is the warmest month in Norway?
July
June, July, and August are the best months to go to Norway for warmer temperatures and longer days. The warmest month in Norway is July, when there’s the fabled midnight sun – ideal for hiking, cycling, kayaking, and berry picking.”

We have had such fun with many wonderful people we have met on the cruise. Tonight, we’re meeting Cindy and Rick (whom we met from Cruise Critic) for dinner in the main dining room at 7:00 pm, after we have a drink at one of the bars. The easy casual times aboard the ship have been delightful, filled with a constant stream of lively conversation, laughter, and story-sharing.

The past two evenings, we dined at “sharing” tables with six to eight other guests, which is always enjoyable when we don’t have specific plans with other passengers.

The cruise director provided me with some fascinating statistics regarding this cruise which we’ll share in tomorrow’s post, such as the current number of passengers, average age, etc. We look forward to sharing that information with all of our readers.

Have a fantastic day! Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 4, 2013:

This is the pan of yet-to-be-cooked bacon and pancetta-wrapped chicken scallopini (thin slices of chicken breasts pounded by the butcher) that I stuffed with seasoned ricotta cheese and chopped herbs from our private garden in Booveglio, Italy, wrapping them in the two versions of “bacon,” Tom prefers regular US-style bacon and me, loving the thin-sliced pancetta. These cooked for 30 minutes at 375 degrees (180 centigrade). I topped this with an Italian pesto sauce I’d made using ingredients from the garden. For more photos, please click here.

Day 3…Norway Cruise…Stavanger, Norway…

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Note: Due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship, again, I cannot add a single photo. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September, we can post our photos from  Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we can start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 15 days. We’ll continue taking photos and writing text daily, if possible.

No doubt, it’s a dilemma that we aren’t able to post any of our photos since this cruise began on August 1. The ship’s poor WiFi signal has made it impossible even to upload one photo. We doubt this situation will change in the next two weeks. We’ll be on this ship,  Azamara Journey. It’s frustrating, to say the least.

After careful consideration, we’ve decided to upload the photos when we do have a signal, which most likely won’t be until we get to Nevada, as mentioned above. Most likely, on the next cruise on Celebrity Summit, beginning in 15 days, we’ll be able to post the photos from those ports of call as they occur. As a result, the Azamara “catch-up” will happen as we spend the nine nights in Henderson, Nevada.

We’ve decided we’ll return to each post that’s missing its appropriate photos and upload the photos on the existing posts so all the photos will coincide with the text. Then, we’ll provide links on the next day’s post for a one-click to return to the post with its photos. This may sound unclear, but I assure you, we’ll explain it easily as we go, and our dear readers won’t miss a thing.

I am making separate folders for each port of call and its matching photos, making it easy for me to do this later on. Also, while in Nevada, we’ll post one main photo each day to indicate what we’ve been up to during those nine days and nights. We were so excited to post new photos, and here we cannot do so.

But, in the realm of things, it’s a minor glitch, and we’re still enjoying every moment on and off this ship. This morning our ship docked in Stavanger, Norway, with the program stating the following, which I couldn’t have described better:

“Stavanger, Norway, a coastal gem, enchants visitors with its stunning fjords (which we’ll sail through soon), picturesque landscapes, and rich maritime heritage. Home to the iconic Pulpit Rock and surrounded by its awe-inspiring Lysefjord, it offers breathtaking outdoor adventures. Explore its charming city center (which we did this morning), filled with historic buildings, vibrant markets, and a thriving art scene.

Known for its delicious seafood, invites travelers to savor the authentic flavors of Norway. A captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural delights, Stavanger promises an unforgettable Nordic experience.”

When one thinks of Norway, even in the summer, we think of cold weather, but today’s high is a perfect 68F, 20C. Right now, as I write here, we are seated outdoors and are comfortable in a single layer of clothing. It couldn’t be more delightful.

This morning we walked from the ship to the center of town, stopping for me to rest my legs for a minute or less. I was thrilled to have been able to walk as far as I did, giving me peace of mind knowing I’ll be ok for the upcoming ports of call of the next cruises. Also, my head and face continue to be pain-free, which after 15 months since Omicron, makes me more cheerful than I have been in a long time.

Yesterday was fun, with considerable time spent commiserating with other passengers from The Netherlands, Australia,  Canada, and America. What great stories we all shared. Of course, most people are shocked we’ve been traveling for so long, and as interested as many may be in our story, few are interested in doing the same. We get this. Even we can’t believe we’ll soon celebrate our 11th travel anniversary on October 31.

We’ll be back with more tomorrow as we explore yet another port of call in Norway. This is fun. Thanks for hanging in there with us.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 3, 2013:

No photos were posted on this date in 2013. For the story, please click here.

Day 2…Norway Cruise…Bad WiFi…Sorry for late post…

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Note: Due to the poor WiFi signal aboard the ship, I am unable to add a single photo today. Once we arrive in Nevada in early September. we’ll be able to post our photos from  Edinburgh and this cruise. Of course, we’ll continue to try to add photos each day! We are sorry for the inconvenience. Perhaps, when this cruise ends, we’ll be able to start posting photos while on the upcoming Celebrity cruise in 16 days. We’ll continue to take photos and write text each day, if possible.

We felt bad we couldn’t post when we boarded the ship yesterday afternoon, although we’d signed up for the $319 unlimited internet package for one device. We usually can get a package for two devices, but on this particular cruise line, they didn’t have more reasonably priced packages for two, and we didn’t want to spend another $319 for a second device.

Besides, the signal is so weak that spending more on another device makes no sense. As a result, we’re switching back and forth between our laptops and phones as needed. This morning was the first time I got a sufficient signal to get online on my laptop when I couldn’t get into the editing site for our blog on my phone.

As a result of these difficulties, I may not be able to post when we arrive at some ports of call when the signal is always at its worst. If you don’t see a post, please do not be alarmed. It simply means we aren’t able to post. Please know we will post as soon as we are able.

Once, we left the Bay Hotel in Burntisland with our excellent driver Mo, accompanied by his lovely wife, Shaziia Hassen, our tour guide. At the same time, MO manuevered many narrow and winding roads in the center of Edinburgh; we felt excited to finally see some of the highlights of the stunning city of Edinburgh, rich in history and culture.

Mo proved to be a fantastic driver, thoughtful of our wishes as to what we wanted to see, and, along with Shazia, made our few-hour experience a pure delight. If and when you ever come to Edinburgh, we highly recommend him. He can be reached at mahmood_hassan@sky.com, phone: 00447931772188.

Mo stated he’d be happy to arrange regular transportation and, if desired, tours of the fantastic city of Edinburgh and its surrounding areas. He explained how he has embarked on a few day-long trips with tourists who wanted to travel far from Edinburgh.

The conversation flowed easily with Mo and Shazia, and by the time we were at the pier, they invited us to stay with them at their home in Edinburgh the next time we came to Scotland. Also, they have a home in Pakistan, and they offered this to us as well. What wonderful people. Who knew we’d connect so well with our Uber driver and his lovely wife?

Our dear friend Don in Hawaii, whom we met along with his beloved wife and my precious friend Kathy in Marloth Park in 2013, has been ill for some time. Don had mentioned he attended Fettes College in his youth, located in the heart of Edinburgh, and we thought it would be fun to drive by there and send photos to him.

Unfortunately, the college was closed, and we weren’t able to enter the gates, but we took a few exterior photos and sent them to him and Kathy yesterday afternoon when we had a signal for a few minutes. Also, they suggested we visit Edinburgh Castle, but we never ventured into the castle. We had a schedule to follow to get to the port of Leith on time to board the ship at our designated time.

Also, the venues in Edinburgh were packed with tourists since there were two festivals upcoming in the next few days, and Edinburgh was more packed than ever with worldwide tourists and visitors from throughout the UK. The quaint and narrow streets were filled with people shopping, browsing, eating, and drinking at endless shops, restaurants, and pubs. What a delight to behold!

We could see a lot more from the car than we would have had been on foot. Also, with my difficulty walking long distances, this was a perfect solution for us with limited time to get to the pier. It couldn’t have been more perfect.

Once we arrived at the port of Leith, we exchanged warm hugs and goodbyes with Mo and Shazia. Moments later, our bags were whisked away, and we could check-in for the cruise in minutes. We were handed two glasses of sparking wine, which we never drank when it was too sweet for me, and Tom doesn’t like anyway.

In a matter of less than an hour, our bags were at our cabin. We had a few drinks by the pool and ran into the lovely couple we met at the hotel, Cheryl and John, and ultimately had an enjoyable dinner with them last night in the main dining room.

Finally, by about 10:00 pm, we returned to our cabin. We’d unpacked earlier in the day and were thrilled to be all set and organized. The cabin is small, with the tiniest bathroom and shower we’ve ever seen, but we are okay. I will take photos of the ship and share them here in the next few days. Today and tomorrow, we’ll focus on posting the photos from our time in Edinburgh.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, August 2, 2013:

Concerned about maintaining good dental health, we have always used these Brushpicks, which have been instrumental in reducing tooth decay and gum disease. They can be purchased at some pharmacies and also on Amazon. For more, please click here.