http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/So-this-is-life-at-40/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from So this is life at 40 en-us Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:15:27 +0000 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:15:27 +0000 I'm going to post my pictures of the beach for you here. Through the summer as I hit other local beaches I'll add them here for you. Then maybe some days when you need a quick break you can come here and at least see some of my sights and maybe smile. The 1st beach and the one I went to last night is Parlee Beach located in Shediac about 20 minutes from my home in Moncton. It is right on the ea http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/blog-418294.html Barcelona 28 degrees sunny when we left. London feels cold I had goose bumps all over and rather than shorts sandals sleeveless people are wearing full pants long sleeves sweaters. The shuttle bus from the airport even had heat on... And have I read it correctly 15 at home Goodbye med weather.The 10 best1. our amazing weather throughout this trip 2 weeks of sun heat. 2. our meals http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-415924.html Return to BarcelonaMore info later... I need some sleep now. Let me just tell you I didn't mind leaving the ship and I loved London which is where we head tomorrow. BUT I am so not ready to leave Barcelona Lots of reasons but the biggest one is this is the end of our exploring. We are about to spend our time in airports cabs hotels flying back to London and then home. Our days in the sun h http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-415518.html An asylum hobbits catapults in the south of France.Last full day on the ship tonight we head back to Barcelona Spain. I write to you today on the 11th deck on the outside deck just as we pull out of the port of Marseille and the view is of course stunninghellip Rocky arid hillside below blue hazy skies with the city sprawled over it along three sides of the ship. This morning I went on an http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-415132.html Our first day in France.11 days and 6 countries not including home were you keeping count This morning was spent with a short drive to Monaco from our ship docked in VilleFranche on the French Riviera. It has a micro climate here so palm trees and banana plants are common. The drive is along the coast along winding roads on hills kind of like Cape Breton hellipbut rich populated tropical http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-414828.html Cruisinrsquo in the Mediterranean Day 4.Ahhhh Tuscany Stunning countryside made up of large hazy hills fields of bright sunflowers green olive trees grape vines cypress trees and terra cotta roofs. Those large hills are where Michelangelo got his marble for his statues. Tuscany is somewhere I would come back to for a relaxing vacation in the sun. I know wersquove been travelling north http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-414518.html Cruisinrsquo in the Mediterranean Day 3.We dock in Civitavecchia and bus into Rome about an hour away but this gives us time for a little power nap. Our days are so busy that I think everyone falls asleep on the bus. My group eats supper in the dining room at 9pm every night and after being ready for the excursions by 7am you can see how it gets to be long days. Itrsquos hot again our guide http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-414155.html Cruisinrsquo in the Mediterranean Day 2.Tonight I blog from deck 11 near the top of the ship as we sail out of Napoli Naples. I wish I had my camera with me now as I can see the whole city spread out before me. Actually only a video camera would do this view justice hellip a wonderful view. But then I have so many great pics from this trip. Itrsquos hard to believe Irsquove been away http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/blog-413774.html Sunday we boarded the ship Voyageur of the Seas which is part of the Royal Caribbean fleet of ships. There are over 3000 passengers just on this ship. I found the adult pool almost right away a bar right by the pool and whirlpool. WiFi is not available everywhere or in my room. But it is in the Pig Whistle pub I think thatrsquos where I will be posting from. Yesterday I worked out at th http://www.travelblog.org/Oceans-and-Seas/blog-413362.html Barcelona on a saturday. I headed out on my own for a little exploration of Barcelona a city of over one and a half million people that has existed since Roman times and one of the largest cities in europe. The Sagrada Familia is a huge cathedral just down the street from our hotel started in 1882 and is expected to be complete in 2026. Maybe it's the afternoon siestas holding them up Shops cl http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Catalonia/Barcelona/blog-413000.html Acadian french broken spanish from Canada hits Barcelona I have a new FB friend from Denmark living in London that I met on the train on the way to the airport in Gatwick England. He flashed me his tattoo on his chest a nice little red maple leaf and we got to chatting PLondon was nice at 27 degrees. Barcelona is hot yeah bring it on Sangria in Spain and an evening with friends on the pat http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/Spain/Catalonia/Barcelona/blog-412650.html Day 2 of London. 27 degrees sunshine again in lovely London What a great day to sightsee and people watch. London has left a very positive impression on us. It has so much history architecture of course but the people is what has really fascinated us. It feels very chic cultured hip. Gorgeous guys in tailored suits and the men are not afraid to wear pink here. Women in trendy ultra high http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/London-City/blog-412430.html Day 1. Just a short boring note to let you all know we've made it safely to London and the weather is greatA damp day in Moncton with a forecast of rain through the week and into the weekend. Fog as thick as pea soup through the Cobequid pass but it clears soon enough and traffic on a Tuesday night is light so we make great time. Once in Halifax Curtis makes friends with airport security see http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/United-Kingdom/England/Greater-London/Greenwich/blog-411967.html Since some people still don't know about this adventure back in May of this year....I woke up on a saturday morning rolled over to look out the window and saw clear blue skies. The forecast had been for showers a thunderstorm. What was I going to do to enjoy this little break in the crappy weather Check out the beach ... I felt it wasn't enough still not alot of people around I thought. I wa http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/New-Brunswick/Moncton/blog-410906.html The last days in paradise. Shopping anyone Perfumeries for my scent of the day and I got my MAC makeup ...happy dance I finally get my turtle burger and it is worth the wait. I move to D's house in George Town as we have left 7 Mile Beach for good. It's a beautiful house with roosters that roam the neighborhood and wake me in the morning...Everyday is the same beautiful weather... This cold knoc http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-410472.html Day 7 RR for New Year's Day.I've caught a cold so while the others go touring the island I stay home to nap and rest on the beach. The water is so warm 27 degree 80 F for today as an example never this warm back home. You can see why the night time dips have been so appealing. I can hear people chatting about the storms in the US and I've seen your pics from our Canadian winter glad I'm h http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-410244.html Day 6 Fireworks on the beach. New Year's Eve hellip My cousin I head to World Gym for a Power Yoga class walking distance from 7 Mile Beach. The instructor looks East Indian dark skin hair pretty girl but she spends way too much time staring at herself in the mirror rather than watching the class. My muscles are a little sore from that work out but good tunes. Some of the other family m http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-410196.html Day 5 Pirates in the Caribbean. We went shopping in George Town a few miles down the road from 7 mile beach across from the snorkelinghellipoutdoor malls duty free shops. There are more people today as the cruise ships are in port although there is no porthellip.I saw some really cool stores like the one that sells swords medieval replicas shields plate mailhellipAfter awhile ever http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-410186.html Day 4 Snorkelling off Paradise.I saw a fly today hi there I know you. Seen some weird bugs but very few bugs at all and there are Geikos too at least I think that's what they are. Small enough to fit in your hand and curled tail cute. I just never have my camera around when I spot them. Everybody says hi here Not just the locals either friendlier than even at home in the maritimes. We he http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-410180.html Day 3 Sunday chez Cousin D.My cousin D lives in Grand Cayman and is a Cayman citizen lucky him He's the reason we are all here. I have something to learn from him... So my friends ask yourself what's keeping you from living your big dreamsSo I went to church...pentecostal in a sea of beautiful dark faces all dressed in their sunday best like you would do for church on easter sunday. Little b http://www.travelblog.org/Central-America-Caribbean/Cayman-Islands/Grand-Cayman/blog-409971.html