August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[mindelmouse]

This is just so brilliant can you imagine their faces?! Are you going to video the reveal someway?

We're absolutely going to try....that will be so much fun.

 

[mindelmouse]

Mindy, you're lucky, my 9yo is pretty sharp and prob would somehow figure it out......

On another note... I'm trying to get in some sort of shape... I've been doing pilates at home, since beginning of Feb with a trainer. Today, I added a new thing to my workouts. I'm doing the couch to 4k workout series, today was the first work out.... In 8 weeks you should get to running a 5k... after today, I just think I'm going to die!!!! I've never sweated so much!!!!!! looking at the program, I figured it would be easy... NOT!!!! For those newbies, I had 2 strokes 5 years ago and put on over 75lbs while recovering in the hospital/rehab, and haven't lost all of it.... since my high I'm down almost 40 lbs so far... still want to lose 50 more though...... if I don't die first!!!!!!

Lori - both my 9 years are pretty sharp, - it's just that we're not talking about the trip much and they've been so busy with school and activities, they haven't had time to focus on what we're doing...I'm sure this summer might bring some questions.

Great job on the workouts...how I wish I could come do them with you...I need something to motivate me...when it's hot like today I don't feel like doing anything...I'm off all week too.

 

[pixie08]

I've never really thought about it before. I guess they aren't so much because normally they sail out of Florida so it is a long way to go for just a few days/a week so we, at least, have another week or so in florida. With all that added up it comes to quite a lot and I know lots of people couldn't afford to do that every year. You will probably see more europeans on this med cruise because there isn't far to go and it is for a longer period of time.

I don't know anyone who has been on a disney cruise before other than us.


Ooh, forgot to ask before. I saw some people mentioning that they would like to set up a fish-extender swap. I might be willing to join if there were enough people interested

Welcome!

vicky is in charge of the swap I think there are about 4-5 willing families now. I am in charge of the on board dismeet so far scheduled for the first sea day at around 12:15-12:30 ish. We also have a running roster on the website I created (the link is in my siggie) pm if you are interested.

 

[jel0511]

Lori - both my 9 years are pretty sharp, - it's just that we're not talking about the trip much and they've been so busy with school and activities, they haven't had time to focus on what we're doing...I'm sure this summer might bring some questions.

Great job on the workouts...how I wish I could come do them with you...I need something to motivate me...when it's hot like today I don't feel like doing anything...I'm off all week too.

With the kids out of school starting tomorrow, I have to start going out in the early AM. So for Wed, I'm going to head out around 6:45AM, to get my workout in before Darren heads off to work. Same thing for Thurs.... Tues and Fri are pilates days and my trainer is here at 9AM... We'll see if I survive the week.......

 

[jel0511]

forgot to add, you're more than welcome to join me... just didn't think you'll want to head here so early in the AM.....

 

[ejw]

What a cool picture!

PS- did anyone mention....under sixty days???


Ellen- got the pic....great one!

thanks for the compliments on the picture. it's from our trip to the galapagos last summer.

did anyone check out the list of excursions lately. for some of the ports they added "value package" ones. looks like a scaled down version of existing ones to make them cheaper.

ellen

 

[K8T]

Mindy, you're lucky, my 9yo is pretty sharp and prob would somehow figure it out......

On another note... I'm trying to get in some sort of shape... I've been doing pilates at home, since beginning of Feb with a trainer. Today, I added a new thing to my workouts. I'm doing the couch to 4k workout series, today was the first work out.... In 8 weeks you should get to running a 5k... after today, I just think I'm going to die!!!! I've never sweated so much!!!!!! looking at the program, I figured it would be easy... NOT!!!! For those newbies, I had 2 strokes 5 years ago and put on over 75lbs while recovering in the hospital/rehab, and haven't lost all of it.... since my high I'm down almost 40 lbs so far... still want to lose 50 more though...... if I don't die first!!!!!!

Oh my goodness 2 strokes!!! It must have been terrifying for everyone. Well done you for gettig through it and being so positive. My dad had a couple of strokes and he never really got into any rehab, sort of gave up really, I know how hard he found it, although he was much older than you probably are, it is still amazing that you are working out and fighting back.

I am trying to lose 14lbs before the cruise, puts my weight loss into oblivion. A cruise is a good motivator and goal:

Welcome!! It's good to see another person from across the pond so to speak! Are the Disney cruises popular with Europeans?

Hi adsmamas, no Disney cruises haven't been popular, we did the Wonder a couple of years ago with our daughter who was three at time, but Disney don't really market in the UK, which has actually a HUGE cruise market. However we were on the 5th June Repo. which had been opened up as an 'offer' to Travel Agents and Disney Store CM's, and there were loads of British people on it. Most people we talk to have no idea Disney has any ships!!

It will be interesting to see the mix this time. With a travel time of a couple of hours to Barcelona it is an easy one for us.

Congratulations on your daughter, a seasoned traveller! We were the same - have baby will travel!. Our daughter had been to Austria skiing twice by the time she was five months old and is on her second passport already! We did collect stamps on it in each country - she has cruised with us to many places, but we have sort of given up now! Mind you I hope we can get one in Tunis!!

I had a look at the webpage - that's amazing. Did I read somewhere among the zillions of posts that there was a journal someone had done? I am going to try and put something together for my daughter. She is a little young, but I thought if we did it together, it would be a wonderful momento.

Kate

 

[MinnieDiva]

I had a look at the webpage - that's amazing. Did I read somewhere among the zillions of posts that there was a journal someone had done? I am going to try and put something together for my daughter. She is a little young, but I thought if we did it together, it would be a wonderful momento.

Kate

a journal is in the works! I think crzy4dals is the one heading it..i've lost track. We've split up the ports and will be forwarding them at the end for compilation. Mary(pixie08) has a link somewhere to her example which blows mine out of the water!

I'm doing Rome and did a call out several pages ago for any specific sights that people would like info for their kids included. I'm hitting everything I'm going to see, but it's a private tour that a few of us set up, so I'm open to additions!!!

kim

 

[MinnieDiva]

did anyone check out the list of excursions lately. for some of the ports they added "value package" ones. looks like a scaled down version of existing ones to make them cheaper.

ellen

I saw that. I'm just wondering if it was a "rephrasing" or a true change.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Great job on the workouts...how I wish I could come do them with you...I need something to motivate me...when it's hot like today I don't feel like doing anything...I'm off all week too.

Y'all can head out here and work out with me ! Apparently "hot" weather isn't going to happen here.....

 

[susiemmfan]

thanks for the compliments on the picture. it's from our trip to the galapagos last summer.

did anyone check out the list of excursions lately. for some of the ports they added "value package" ones. looks like a scaled down version of existing ones to make them cheaper.

ellen

Ellen,

Thanks for the heads up. We are currently booked on the Nice and Monaco and now there is a Value Package for that tour. The difference is the meals. The value package does not include the meals which is fine since I have picky eaters. It will save us $210. The only other difference is that we would just drive through Eze rather than stop. I am going to switch tonight.

Thanks,
Susie

 

[K8T]

Y'all can head out here and work out with me ! Apparently "hot" weather isn't going to happen here.....

Well it is HOT HOT HOT here!!! Yesterday was showing 25 on my car for outside temp. and apparently going to continue to be like this until end of August!

I keep thinking if it is as hot as this in the UK, what will it be like in the Med!!!

Thanks for the info. about the trip packages, I will have a look, although having done most of the places before (some several times!), we will probably do our own thing. We usually get a cab, or the train when we get somewhere. I haven't really decided what the plan of action is yet.

For those of you thinking of Pompei, don't discount Herculanum, it is smaller than Pompei, but gives a better idea of the houses and streets. It may be less busy. You can get the train from the station and walk down the road (10 minutes if that), to the site. We did it once before and when we got out of the train station, we saw a minibus trip up Vesusvius, so did that on the spur of the moment (there is a tourist place right outside the station), came back - having looked down into the smoldering crater (it was a fair trek up, but we were carrying a three year old at the time!). Went to Herculanum and then for a pizza, it was a lovely day and very easy to do - we had a pushchair with us and all the accessess had ramps.

Don't be tempted to walk to the train station in Naples, it is along a very busy, dusty road and frankly, I found it quite nerve racking it seemed a long way, more than the 10 minutes we were told! However, the train system was easy to use.

Kate

 

[MinnieDiva]

Well it is HOT HOT HOT here!!! Yesterday was showing 25 on my car for outside temp. and apparently going to continue to be like this until end of August!
I keep thinking if it is as hot as this in the UK, what will it be like in the Med!!!
Kate

I'm envious! And I'm worried. Nothing worse than going from super-cool temps (about 16 degrees Celsius, I think) to the raging hot Med in the middle of August. We'll eventually warm up. Next month. Or in August. Sigh.

I've noticed the "waves" in posting....All of you over the pond start posting about this time, it seems. I'm only awake as I'm working a night shift tonight and need to sleep in.

Kim

 

[Adsmama]

Ellen,

Thanks for the heads up. We are currently booked on the Nice and Monaco and now there is a Value Package for that tour. The difference is the meals. The value package does not include the meals which is fine since I have picky eaters. It will save us $210. The only other difference is that we would just drive through Eze rather than stop. I am going to switch tonight.

Thanks,
Susie

It's very easy to do monaco and nice on your own. There is a bus or train you can take close to the port for 1 euro each way. Not sure if you are interested in something more specific then just seeing the places. Just a thought.

 

[Adsmama]

Well it is HOT HOT HOT here!!! Yesterday was showing 25 on my car for outside temp. and apparently going to continue to be like this until end of August!

I keep thinking if it is as hot as this in the UK, what will it be like in the Med!!!

Thanks for the info. about the trip packages, I will have a look, although having done most of the places before (some several times!), we will probably do our own thing. We usually get a cab, or the train when we get somewhere. I haven't really decided what the plan of action is yet.

For those of you thinking of Pompei, don't discount Herculanum, it is smaller than Pompei, but gives a better idea of the houses and streets. It may be less busy. You can get the train from the station and walk down the road (10 minutes if that), to the site. We did it once before and when we got out of the train station, we saw a minibus trip up Vesusvius, so did that on the spur of the moment (there is a tourist place right outside the station), came back - having looked down into the smoldering crater (it was a fair trek up, but we were carrying a three year old at the time!). Went to Herculanum and then for a pizza, it was a lovely day and very easy to do - we had a pushchair with us and all the accessess had ramps.

Don't be tempted to walk to the train station in Naples, it is along a very busy, dusty road and frankly, I found it quite nerve racking it seemed a long way, more than the 10 minutes we were told! However, the train system was easy to use.

Kate

Thanks for your suggestions!!! We are planning on taking the SITA bus to Pompeii, have you heard of that? It's 800m from the dock instead of the 2.5km that the train station is and still only a couple euros round trip.

Regarding the weather-- wow! 25 degrees in ENGLAND!? I was down in Venice this weekend and poor baby was bundled up another me jacket in her Ergo bc it was rainy and only 14 degrees!!! This weather is crazy. I am hoping the med is cooler this summer-- carrying a baby through rome is not the best when it's hotter then hades!

 

[Adsmama]

I'm envious! And I'm worried. Nothing worse than going from super-cool temps (about 16 degrees Celsius, I think) to the raging hot Med in the middle of August. We'll eventually warm up. Next month. Or in August. Sigh.

I've noticed the "waves" in posting....All of you over the pond start posting about this time, it seems. I'm only awake as I'm working a night shift tonight and need to sleep in.

Kim

I am still getting used to the non-airconditioned summer here in Germany so I am hoping it preps me for the hot meditteranean! LOL. I LOVE cold weather.

 

[K8T]

I'm envious! And I'm worried. Nothing worse than going from super-cool temps (about 16 degrees Celsius, I think) to the raging hot Med in the middle of August. We'll eventually warm up. Next month. Or in August. Sigh.

I've noticed the "waves" in posting....All of you over the pond start posting about this time, it seems. I'm only awake as I'm working a night shift tonight and need to sleep in.

Kim

I thought it would be warm over there! A least you hav something to look forward to.

I start work around 9.30, only do three days a week 9.30 -3.00, so fits in with picking up our dd. Therefore, I have a quick look on the site first thing and then later in the evening, just to see what is happening. As I am logging off, the States are logging on!

Adsmamma, I don't know about the bus. I have read about it, but not used. To be honest, we may skip Pompeii and Herculanum and go over to Capri, we have 'done' Pompeii twice and Herculanum once and although we have also been to Capri, it was back in 1996, and really enjoyed it. However, I do think that maybe we should show our dd the volcano - Oh dear - so many decisions!

Kate

 

[K8T]

It's very easy to do monaco and nice on your own. There is a bus or train you can take close to the port for 1 euro each way. Not sure if you are interested in something more specific then just seeing the places. Just a thought.

I agree, it is really simple. The station is a short walk from where you get in and again, simple to use. We will probably go to Monaco first, have a coffee - watch the cars (OH is really into his cars), get back on the train and go to Nice, have a promenade and icecream, before getting the train back.

One year we went into the Casino (sans child at that point!), we dressed up a bit and took our passports - you won't get in without. It seemed really decadent watching the gamblers and playing the slots just after lunch! Not many people in there, but the money that was being put on was incredible, there was me with my little pot of coins!!!

Kate

 

[jel0511]

I just figured out this morning, that in my couch to 5k program, my 8th week is the week we leave for Paris!!!! So, if I complete the whole program, I should be running 3 miles 3x a week right before we leave!!!!! I have visions of myself running down the Siene!!!!! Post-1st workout, I"m pretty good, a bit sore, but not too bad.......

 

[mindelmouse]

I just figured out this morning, that in my couch to 5k program, my 8th week is the week we leave for Paris!!!! So, if I complete the whole program, I should be running 3 miles 3x a week right before we leave!!!!! I have visions of myself running down the Siene!!!!! Post-1st workout, I"m pretty good, a bit sore, but not too bad.......

I wish I could just muster the initiative to go outside and walk...you're so good.