2014 has seen many highs and lows. I guess the tone for 2014 was set when we boarded our Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Sydney around 10pm last New Years Eve and no acknowledgment was made to 2013 coming to an end. The usual complimentary glass of French Champagne was offered to those of sitting in the area just as you turn right (oh, to be turning left), but that is normal practise. In fac, the Flight Attendants appeared surlier than ever. Maybe they were missing out on a great party somewhere! Come midnight David, now to be referred to as BC - Bag Carrier - and I quietly toasted each other with a Cognac. Not another sound from the other 50 or so passengers in our cabin.
That is how 2014 began and the tone was set.
I couldn't say it was a particularly bad year for us - the passing of an elderly aunt, losing one of my closest friends after a short illness and parents of close friends passing are pretty much the norm when you hit that certain age but it is still very difficult when it happens - especially a close friend!
We did get to strike a few things off the bucket list. Finally exploring Tasmania, and making the 12 hour crossing of the Bass Strait, was one of them. Taking our first ever big ship cruise - a 9 day excursion of the Baltics - followed up by a 23 day river cruise from the Black Sea to the North Sea another two off the list. Our river cruise began just outside of Bucharest then headed down the Danube to where it runs into the Black Sea before back up stream. If you have never experienced this journey I strongly suggest you do. We ventured into countries we would probably not spend time in. Croatia is now a country on our to do list and so is a driving holiday following the Danube for as far as we can.
2015 is beginning with a dinner party on our balcony and watching the fireworks break over a building about 200 metres across the park. Canberra lights up with a short burst at 9pm for the kids, and those big kids who can't make it to midnight, and a 20 minute display at midnight. We record the Sydney fireworks to play back at the end of ours.
With just over a week to our next big adventure - 74 days of cruising 2/3 of the world, wining, dining, meeting new friends and experiencing many parts of the world we have not explored (we won't mention the possible mal de mer for which I have every form of medication possible) the excitement is mounting.
Four suitcases and two carry ons are almost packed. Only last minute bits and pieces to go in. BC still thinks I don't need 3 bulging suitcases - he claims to not even having a full one. Men just don't seem to understand our need for a variety of evening gowns - after all we have sooooo many formal nights - cocktail dresses, shoes for different outfits, casual day wear, handbags etc etc not to mention all we need to keep looking glamorous!!!! Yes, I know! There are shops at every port but we do have 8 nights at sea without a shop in sight - except for those expensive designer shops on board!
May all my friends who are following this blog on Facebook, and my new friends I have not yet had the pleasure to meet but who are following blogspot, have a safe and happy new year and may travel and exploring new places always be part of your life.
Best wishes
Christine and David
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