June 29, 2011-10 "MAGICAL" nights in the Mediterranean

[TPBChick]

Kim and Cam - Sorry to hear that we will not be on the same flight. I look forward to meeting you in Barcelona!

 

[kmc33]

Kim and Cam - Sorry to hear that we will not be on the same flight. I look forward to meeting you in Barcelona!

Can't wait!!

 

[KeenHo]

Hi everyone! Cam sent me the link and I've been lurking a bit. I thought I'd say hello and join everyone in the excitement of the last 30 (+/-) days before we leave for Barcelona!

As Cam has posted, we have a lot going on today, this weekend and next! But it should be fun!

Thanks to all of you who are the planning experts!! Those of you who have shared discount, excursion, restaurant and other information for the group.

We'll see you (not soon enough) soon!



Howard

 

[kmc33]

Hi everyone! Cam sent me the link and I've been lurking a bit. I thought I'd say hello and join everyone in the excitement of the last 30 (+/-) days before we leave for Barcelona!

As Cam has posted, we have a lot going on today, this weekend and next! But it should be fun!

Thanks to all of you who are the planning experts!! Those of you who have shared discount, excursion, restaurant and other information for the group.

We'll see you (not soon enough) soon!



Howard

Welcome Howard! Cam said that you are from Pittsburgh area. My DH used to work at PPG Springdale.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you and Cam over the next couple of weekends. Looking forward to meeting in Barcelona!

 

[DorothyDamato]

Still up in the air on some excursions! Dh says he's perfectly happy walking around the towns, grabbing some lunch and hanging out... I am much more "I have to see as much as possible" but I'm trying to relax and realize that we had a GREAT time last year in the ports where we didn't do much.

I'm still holding onto our Palermo tour, haven't been able to find anything comparable in price that I could plan on my own or with a private tour company.

Mostly I am just SOOO excited for June to get here already! I don't know how people can plan a cruise a year in advance, two months kills me!

I am sooooo guilty of planning this for the last 2 years...but I spend 2 years reading and organizing what I want to do. I live for my 5 am research when no one else is up!!

 

[DorothyDamato]

I havent heard anything from the Agreenfamily on whether they are still interested in the Fish Extenders or not. I have sent 2 private messages asking if they are definitely interested and to get back to me. My last message was from last week - I asked them to respond by 6/4 if they are still interested, otherwise, I will have to take them off the list.

I havent seen anymore posts from them either - wonder if something happened and they arent going on the trip?

Just wanted to let you know - - - - - - I will send out something officially to all the people on our FE list after 6/4.....

 

[sinnika]

Well, we went back and forth about going to WDW and decided last night to go! DH, DS and I fly out June 5th. DD will be going by bus with her HS marching band and they will be marching in the MK parade on June 6th. So I just got our flights booked and have several hotel possiblities though I think we are going to stay at AKL - got good military rates. We already have tickets from a couple of trips ago (have some days left on 10 day non-expiring tickets). So now I've got another trip to plan for and quick! Of course with it this late in the game, not planning any ADR's - just going to go with the flow! This will be DD's 16th trip to the World (14 for DS I think). It will be a nice break for us and a good way to celebrate DS's 14th BD. Its June 3rd. He's spending his BD weekend in San Antonio getting his Order of the Arrow for Boy Scouts - finishes up on the 5th. DS will get his chance to march in MK during his senior year. The high school goes every 4 years.

 

[kmc33]

Well, we went back and forth about going to WDW and decided last night to go! DH, DS and I fly out June 5th. DD will be going by bus with her HS marching band and they will be marching in the MK parade on June 6th. So I just got our flights booked and have several hotel possiblities though I think we are going to stay at AKL - got good military rates. We already have tickets from a couple of trips ago (have some days left on 10 day non-expiring tickets). So now I've got another trip to plan for and quick! Of course with it this late in the game, not planning any ADR's - just going to go with the flow! This will be DD's 16th trip to the World (14 for DS I think). It will be a nice break for us and a good way to celebrate DS's 14th BD. Its June 3rd. He's spending his BD weekend in San Antonio getting his Order of the Arrow for Boy Scouts - finishes up on the 5th. DS will get his chance to march in MK during his senior year. The high school goes every 4 years.

How exciting! Have a great time! And congrats to DS on the Order of the Arrow. I just looked up the requirements... very impresive! I have been learning about scouting through my DS. He just moved up from Webelo to Boy Scouts. A couple of weeks ago they had the bridging ceremony and he received his Arrow of Light badge.

Have fun at WDW!

 

[TPBChick]

Well, we went back and forth about going to WDW and decided last night to go! DH, DS and I fly out June 5th. DD will be going by bus with her HS marching band and they will be marching in the MK parade on June 6th. So I just got our flights booked and have several hotel possiblities though I think we are going to stay at AKL - got good military rates. We already have tickets from a couple of trips ago (have some days left on 10 day non-expiring tickets). So now I've got another trip to plan for and quick! Of course with it this late in the game, not planning any ADR's - just going to go with the flow! This will be DD's 16th trip to the World (14 for DS I think). It will be a nice break for us and a good way to celebrate DS's 14th BD. Its June 3rd. He's spending his BD weekend in San Antonio getting his Order of the Arrow for Boy Scouts - finishes up on the 5th. DS will get his chance to march in MK during his senior year. The high school goes every 4 years.

Wow, that's great! Hope you have fun! Have you ever stayed at AKL before? We have reservations for a villa at Jambo in November. It will be our first time staying there.

 

[sinnika]

How exciting! Have a great time! And congrats to DS on the Order of the Arrow. I just looked up the requirements... very impresive! I have been learning about scouting through my DS. He just moved up from Webelo to Boy Scouts. A couple of weeks ago they had the bridging ceremony and he received his Arrow of Light badge.

Have fun at WDW!

Congrats to your DS for earning his Arrow of Light! My DH is a scout leader and an eagle scout and so I know very little but this is a big ordeal. The two of them went to National Jamboree last year (DH manned the dental clinic - he's a pediatric dentist). Two weeks after we get back from the cruise, DS leaves for Sweden for the International Jamboree! He's going to be quite the world traveler!

Wow, that's great! Hope you have fun! Have you ever stayed at AKL before? We have reservations for a villa at Jambo in November. It will be our first time staying there.

We stayed at AKL a few years back - only did 2 nights there but the theming is gorgeous! Its so different than all the other resorts and you really feel like you are on vacation - very relaxing there. The pool is very nice too. We're looking forward to exploring the grounds again! You will love it there!

 

[MissReeRee]

So excited for next month!!! I can't wait until the rest of you join me in Spain!

Still trying to figure out the best way to surprise our daughter with this trip... she is going to be so excited especially because she found out one of her good friends is going on this same cruise and she was so jealous!

 

[MissReeRee]

Oh and also I am available to step in if needed for the FE...

 

[OH 6]

Nicholas - Mike - did your friend end up talking his....niece (?) into the Med Cruise?!

Nope - She opted for France, UK and Amsterdam...her Uncle did that a few years back so that makes easy planning for him.

I may get to see my Niece in Barcelona though. She is in the Navy is on a Temp Assignment in Rota, Spain down by Gibraltar until August. We'll see if she gets to visit Barcelona while we're there.

Think we've worked out our FE stuff, we'll see how it turns out this weekend so we have enough time for Plan B if needed.

On a side note - Today, I traded in my Mini Cooper Clubman for the new Mini Cooper Countryman - the 4 door Mini. So I've been in a really good mood all day.

 

[MissReeRee]

I may get to see my Niece in Barcelona though. She is in the Navy is on a Temp Assignment in Rota, Spain down by Gibraltar until August. We'll see if she gets to visit Barcelona while we're there.

Hey we're in Rota!! My dh is Navy...

 

[DorothyDamato]

Nope - She opted for France, UK and Amsterdam...her Uncle did that a few years back so that makes easy planning for him.

I may get to see my Niece in Barcelona though. She is in the Navy is on a Temp Assignment in Rota, Spain down by Gibraltar until August. We'll see if she gets to visit Barcelona while we're there.

Think we've worked out our FE stuff, we'll see how it turns out this weekend so we have enough time for Plan B if needed.

On a side note - Today, I traded in my Mini Cooper Clubman for the new Mini Cooper Countryman - the 4 door Mini. So I've been in a really good mood all day.

It's the little things in life that make us happy! I suppose this isnt little....

 

[sinnika]

Hey we're in Rota!! My dh is Navy...

Go Navy! DH and I were both Navy (Navy nurse and dentist), though he finished his last 2 years as Air Force. I so wish he could have had a Navy retirement - they have so much more tradition in their ceremonies! DD will be applying to the Naval Academy. She wants to go into medicine like mom and dad!
Rota is a great area! Southern Spain has such a totally different feel and culture - wish we had time to visit again and see authentic flamenco.
We are going to see the flamenco at Tablao de Carmen in Barcelona in the Poble Espanol. I have never been there but they have different representations of Spain so hopefully we'll feel like we're in the South!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! Wow! A month from today our cruise leaves!! Woohoo!!

Dorothy - I haven't heard from agreenfamily either and I'm pretty sure I don't have an email address for them.

Well, Jenn is officially a college graduate and we have had such a wonderful weekend. Both of our sons (Andrew and our international student from Haiti) had a wonderful time at their senior Prom) and they have been attending pre-graduation parties this weekend. So far, it has been a weekend of fun with family and friends. Lots more to look forward to.

 

[Jendisney9]

Hi everyone. I have been avoiding looking at the disboards so I wouldn't feel stressed seeing all that you are doing and that I am NOT.

Graduation is over. I didn't think I was stressed, but 2 days before graduation got an ugly coldsore right between my lip and nose. So I am not a happy camper right now. And I have to see all the high school friends with this ugly sore on my face. Hopefully it is over and I will do better on cruise. Thank goodness we are not doing a party until right before the kids go to college.

So I am resting and caught up again. I was back at p. 20 or so.

We are looking forward to the dinner with everyone.

We too are interested in the Flamenco dancing, but are going to try on Sunday. I haven't booked it yet.

We rebooked our time at the vatican. We are touring at 2:00 now instead of 11 so hopefully that will allow our day to move more smoothly. We are going to go it alone in Rome. Not sure on other excursions, still re-thinking a lot of those!

Congrats on the Arrow of Light and OA. My oldest son is an eagle scout and youngest is a star. Those are awesome scouting milestones and much remembered!

I am taking one of those hanging shelf/sweater organizers for the closet. I am not sure if we have the trunk in our room. I know we will need most space in the closet. I like the packing cubes and use those for socks/undies and bras.

DS leaves in less than 2 weeks and we are gone this week for college orientation...that is coming quickly!

 

[Jendisney9]

I know we all know to be cautious of pick pockets and I am sure we've all read to be careful of scooters when crossing streets, but I read an AP article yesterday about a 66 yr. old American cruiser who was in Naples wearing his rolex. He died from injuries..."they" went after his watch from their scooter and knocked him to the ground with a head injury. Article said he had surgery but died. They didn't catch the guy(s)

 

[sinnika]

Hi everyone. I have been avoiding looking at the disboards so I wouldn't feel stressed seeing all that you are doing and that I am NOT.

Graduation is over. I didn't think I was stressed, but 2 days before graduation got an ugly coldsore right between my lip and nose. So I am not a happy camper right now. And I have to see all the high school friends with this ugly sore on my face. Hopefully it is over and I will do better on cruise. Thank goodness we are not doing a party until right before the kids go to college.

So I am resting and caught up again. I was back at p. 20 or so.

We are looking forward to the dinner with everyone.

We too are interested in the Flamenco dancing, but are going to try on Sunday. I haven't booked it yet.

We rebooked our time at the vatican. We are touring at 2:00 now instead of 11 so hopefully that will allow our day to move more smoothly. We are going to go it alone in Rome. Not sure on other excursions, still re-thinking a lot of those!

Congrats on the Arrow of Light and OA. My oldest son is an eagle scout and youngest is a star. Those are awesome scouting milestones and much remembered!

I am taking one of those hanging shelf/sweater organizers for the closet. I am not sure if we have the trunk in our room. I know we will need most space in the closet. I like the packing cubes and use those for socks/undies and bras.

DS leaves in less than 2 weeks and we are gone this week for college orientation...that is coming quickly!

Congrats on DS's HS graduation! And for making eagle scout! My DS will be getting his star in August.
Sorry to hear about the fever blisters - I get them too! I usually try to keep a prescription of Acylovir on hand so as soon as I feel that tingling, I can start the meds and keep it from becoming huge (which mine have been known to do!). Sometimes, they don't even show at all if I start the meds right away. I'm considering booking the 2 pm individual tour with the vatican. There were several other group tours but this has the best time. So unless we hire a walking guide for the whole day to include touring the vatican, this is the route we'll take (using the vatican tour guide).

I know we all know to be cautious of pick pockets and I am sure we've all read to be careful of scooters when crossing streets, but I read an AP article yesterday about a 66 yr. old American cruiser who was in Naples wearing his rolex. He died from injuries..."they" went after his watch from their scooter and knocked him to the ground with a head injury. Article said he had surgery but died. They didn't catch the guy(s)

I've read so many stories of theft and pick pockets last year, and I'm sure the high rate of unemployment esp in Naples and Barcelona does not help matters. The main thing is to be cautious, if you are carrying alot of money, use a money belt, and just keep smaller amounts accessible preferably in a front pocket with your hand in it! I purchased a pac-safe purse last year, it lays flat and close to my body and I wear it over one shoulder and across the body.
So sad about the tourist who died - I read about it on the boards.