Let's Talk Turkiye

We made it!  The flights (LA to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Istanbul) were easy and close to on time.

Getting through passport control in Istanbul was remarkably fast.  The only small issue we had was the Oceania transfer from the airport to the ship.  First, we had to wait while some others were dealing with a missing suitcase.  Then, the escort said we could go but where we could go was a place to sit while they waited for another flight.  At that point it was late enough and I was frustrated enough to say that we would take a taxi to the ship.  So, we grabbed our suitcases and got a taxi for the 45 minute ride and $25 dollar fare to the port.  By the time we got to the port, it was raining and, for some reason, port security would not allow the taxi to pull into the covered and close drop off point.  He had to take us to an outside entrance where we had to brave the rain and the longer walk.  Oh well, at least we got there.  After a late buffet dinner we unpacked and went to bed.

This morning we were greeted by a cloudy, cold day.

We decided to just take a walk from the ship.  Before leaving the ship, we ran into our good friend Marlenia, the Executive Concierge.  She told us that we had to go to a restaurant, Beyzada, and have the Kunefe.  So off we went.

At the restaurant, we ordered the recommended Kunefe with a side of Kaymak.  In case you're wondering, a Kunefe is a Turkish sweet cheese pastry and the Kaymak is heavy cream.  With the coffee, fruit and nuts, it made for quite a spread.  And it was delicious - thanks Marlenia!

On the way back to the ship, we walked through a pedestrian area that was lined with many restaurants.  In the afternoon, we set sail for the next port - Kusadasi, Turkiye.

FYI - as expected they have added in a stop in Abu Dhabi before we get to Dubai.  We'll call that a little bonus.

Peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry

We've Only Just Begun

 We've only just begun our next adventure.  We are at LAX after perhaps the easiest trip ever to LAX.  The LYFT to the terminal ride was under 40 minutes.  Then the check in and getting through security took about 10 minutes.  And now we're in the lounge enjoying a pre-flight lunch.

So, where are we off to, you ask?  We fly to Frankfurt, Germany where we connect to a flight to Istanbul, Turkiye (using the now proper spelling).  In Istanbul, we'll be boarding the Oceania Riviera for one month of cruising.  With events in the Middle East, the itinerary has been greatly modified.  After departing Istanbul, we will have 8 ports in the Mediterranean, mostly in Greece, but with a stop in Cyprus - a first time for us.  Then it will be 9 days at sea (with hopes that they might add a port or 2 back in), cruising through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea before arriving in Dubai, UAE where we will have almost 4 days to explore.  Then  the ship will take us to Doha, Qatar, Sir Bani Yas, UAE, and finally to Abu Dhabi, UAE where we'll have 2 days before flying home.  Despite the changes, we're excited to visit 7 ports we haven't been to before, to transit the Suez Canal, and to sail the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Gulf of Oman.  Who knows, we might have the opportunity to see some real pirates!  Watch for us in the news.

Peace and blessings,

Linda and Larry

Easiest Trip Home Ever!

It's Wednesday and we're home and it was almost too easy.  We rose as the sun rose over San Pedro.

After saying emotional goodbyes to some of our Oceania family, we stepped off of the ship at 8:15 and, despite a delay due to traffic, we were home and completely unpacked by 10:15!  With a day at sea and a day in Ensenada as our last 2 days, we were able to go home with almost all of our clothes clean.  And packing cubes make organizing, packing and unpacking so easy.  We highly recommend them.

Now, let's step back to Halloween on Vista.  The crew carved some amazing pumpkins.

As for our day in Ensenada, we've been there a few times so we did not make any plans.  Perhaps we could have done some wine tasting (but we've already tasted the wine that varied from lousy to mediocre) or we could have gone for tacos (but we can get all of the good tacos we need in Long Beach), so we just took a short walk along the very nice waterfront.

Then it was time for a last pizza dinner on Vista.  We were joined again by Andy Hackbarth for more fascinating conversation.  Besides his music, he also has an on-going project to refurbish the Saguache Hotel in Colorado.  Check it out: https://www.saguachehotel.com.  He is an interesting and charming young man.

So, until next time, peace, blessings, and crookedness,

Linda and Larry