Photos for this trip can be found through this link. We took a rather relaxed approach to the morning, knowing that the bigger planes we wanted to catch coming into Princess Juliana Airport would arrive later in the afternoon. We stretched out our balcony breakfast, did some photos –me of France and Ray of yesterday's catch-- then spent some time getting to know Patsey, our housekeeper for the week. It's always fascinating to get to know how others live their lives, especially in such a different part of the planet that requires a different approach to life. So many similarities exist among the various differences that one would conclude that the only thing different is the sameness. After Ray spread out the two pieces of art he purchased yesterday at the Marigot Market, he decided he ... read more

Photos for this trip can be found through this link. It was Tuesday, Day 4 of our trip to St. Maarten, and Ray and I must have been getting a little too far into the laid-back feel of the place because our relaxed apathy was turning into outright laziness, like the best part of a day is swinging in a hammock. We were slow to move in the morning, and even when we finally got down to the car, we weren't sure of where we were headed. I worked on some of the France pictures as we lounged around our digs, and we got to meet Patsey, our wonderful housekeeper. The entire staff from desk clerk to bartender (that's the hotel hierarchy, isn't it?) were exceptional personalities with an honest desire to help make your vacation ... read more

Photos for this trip can be found through this link. Getting back to the Belair last night was not as easy as the normal island attitude. As we rounded the circle, we were surprised to see the road to our hotel was closed, likely washed out from the heavy rains. Ray's mind tried to scramble through old mental maps from previous visits, but when we entered the parking lot of the grocery market where we shopped earlier, he said, "Pull up there," pointing to the entrance of a restaurant named Mark's Place. He was out of the car before I turned it off, and by the time I caught up to him inside, he was already at a table getting directions from one of the customers. Later, back in the car, I asked him why he ... read more

Photos from Day 10, Notre Dame & Placa de le République We figured most of Paris slept this early on a Sunday morning holiday weekend, and we were right. We felt like the first intruders in the slumbering city; the only others to be walking about were the ones that hadn't yet called it a night. We wanted to be near the front of the line when they opened the doors to the top of Notre Dame, and were cautiously pleased when there was no line yet. Barb went over to read the sign by the gate and I shot the church. "It doesn't open until 10," she said returning. WHAT?!! It was quite cold and we definitely could have slept another couple of hours, and I was furious with myself for not learning NOT to ... read more

Photos from Day 8, Musee d'Orsay & Les Invalides The cruise is over, and now we are on our own in Paris for three days. Well, not totally alone. There were a dozen of us who extended our trip, and Viking provided us with Monsieur Arnold (Arnold is his first name, but I called him "Misure Arno"). Of course there was an extra two million visitors to the city because of the holiday weekend that kept us anything but alone. We awoke early to see Dan & Fran off, although Barb never made it to the lobby at the right time. Charlie & Lauri's flight was later so we all had a farewell breakfast and hugged our favorite crew goodbye. At 9:30 Barb & I boarded the bus that took us to Crown Royal Plaza Republique, ... read more