I should have done this last blog before we got this close to home, and possibly when we were on a very big 'high', like in India. The last few days, particularly yesterday, was a very mixed day. The pressure of packing eight suitcases and at the same time trying to keep up with the procedural notices and documents that kept coming our way made it a pressure cooker. Finally just around 4.30 it was all done. We were as ready as we were ever going to be.
Moe, Barb, Gail and Jim dropped in for a last farewell. Then dinner, where new friends Fred and Luvis joined us. So, along with Chi, that was our table. Lots of laughs the whole time. Soon, back to the room and time to put the last lot of tags and labels on to our cases. That done, they were out the door, [after I took photos of them, just in case!] Then to bed.
So, how do I even attempt to sum up the last 111 days? I don't, I can't. It was not a trip, it was four months of our life, it was one continuing experience. If anybody asks what was the best part I would simply say, 'getting on board the ship and sailing around the world'. There was no one defining moment. Yes, our five days in the heart of India was very, very, memorable. I do not even consider that part of this trip. It was a trip of it's own and really cannot be considered part of this world cruise experience.
The trip is really three things; First is the 'Cruise Experience', just to experience the life aboard the last four months alone is an awesome experience. Second are the places we visit, the Ports as we call them. As different as night from day from each other and shockingly different from life aboard. Third and last are the people that we meet on board, and ashore. Most of the shore encounters are fleeting and have no real lasting impression on you, with some exceptions. Those exceptions can sometimes be profound.
The exposure to and meeting of fellow passengers seems to me to have the most meaning to me. We have met some wonderful people, on previous cruises and a few this time. Who knows if and when we may see them again.
There are people on board that I have never met who will also have a lasting effect on me. Unfortunately, they make me want to be what they are not. I will not end this blog on that note so I will not expand on that aspect of cruising, and life.
This has been the longest time that Fellette and I have been away in our lives. We are home-bodies and this body is aching for home! It has been absolutely marvellous, wonderful and all sorts of other good things. It, like all good things has come to an end.
I have enjoyed writing and 'talking' to you through this daily ritual of mine. Your faces flash through my mind as I am doing it, sometimes hoping that a specific person may get a chuckle or say, 'Is that right Dough?'
We face a challenge today, all of us who are disembarking. The logistics is best put out of my mind and realize that every minute we are that much closer to home!
See you folks, the trip is over for you as well, and guess what? You do not have an 18 hour journey to get home!
Time now 5:03 and we can see the lights of the shore, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is looming on the horizon and I have a signal on my BlackBerry!
The photo is Fred, Fellette and I and friend Jim, with our fitness instructor, Adelle yesterday morning after class.
The view from the ship as we enter New York Harbour.
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