Day 21 Mediterranean Adventure

Our travels have nearly come to an end as we return to the port of Civitavecchia after 20 days of cruising in the beautiful Mediterranean. We have our disembarkation time  and are packing up to return home. After three continents and seven countries later, we take a look back as reflections on our time in the Med are varied. We have survived living in a space of 24'x12' for 20 days without killing our mates. We have established a comfortable routine on the ship, each day visiting our favorite lounge areas, our favorite entertainers and our favorite spots to just hang out and read or take a nap. We laugh hilariously when after nearly three weeks on the ship, we get lost and can't remember which way to turn. We never seem to know what day of the week it is.

We have been greeted with much warmer temperatures than we ever expected.  Some of us have entire packets of long sleeved tops and jackets that have never been opened. We have seen no rain in three weeks. We have longed for the ease of speedy internet and accessible phone service. ( our phones work, but it costs from $1.29-$3.00/minute and we have rationed our calls.) We never anticipated that we would have "Google withdrawal" symptoms as we ponder by the hour one question after another. Had we been in the states, we would have had an instant answer. We wonder if the questions will seem urgent when we return.  We have met many, many vacationers from all corners of the world, all seeking the same world peace, prosperity and security that we do.

We have experienced so many bus trips that we have lost count.  Adding to the list are the large numbers of guides we have enjoyed.  We have loved the Holland America experience and enjoy the organized chaos that precedes each shore excursion. ( NOT!!!)  The more we think about our time here in the Mediterranean, and the many tours we have taken, we are more likely in the future to investigate our own touring options as we do not enjoy being herded like cattle onto one bus after another, day after day.  Our private tour in Ephesus was truly a joy and an indication that after much investigation, we can indeed book our own tours with much more customization and usually not any more expense.

We remain committed to stay healthy and fit so we may continue this type of touring as we see many much younger than we are who cannot move about with ease.

We will have to have some distance of time before we consider the next ports of call, but we are imagining that there are places yet to see and time yet to see them. Two continents are still on our list--South America and Antarctica...  Of course, Holland America cruises those places, too.