And we are off

and we have landed....in Rome that is.  This time we are going on a cruise (we are cruise virgins!!!!) and rather than gradually get into cruising, we have jumped in with both feet and are on our way to see the eastern Mediterranean.

We got on our KJM flight to Amsterdam on May 27th at 4 pm PDT at YVR, changed planes and here we are on Sunday in Rome Italy!!!  WOW.  The first time I came to Rome, commercial flight was not avaiable.  My Mom, sister and I had to cross the north Atlantic by ship and it took over two weeks.  I love this much better!!!!

Let me warn anyone who is flying into Roma airport.  There is no customer service, no courtey telephones and certainly no manners!!  I asked 5 different people where to get the shuttle bus to our hotel and no one knew except one tourist.  So, get yourself a reservation for a driver and you will be all set...

on the other hand, the HILTON Garden Inn at the airport is a wonderful oasis in a sea of rude....Everyone is so polite and they seem to understand that almost everyone who walks through the door has just arrived from some far off place and everyone is tired and just want a bed and lots of sleep.....which is where we are headed.

Tomorrow, Monday May 28th we go from winging our way bouncing along the clouds to floating on top of the history of the world and we are taking all of you with us.  Pictures will be included in all other blog posts.

 Sicily, here we come!!!!

PUERYTO VALLARTA again

We made it here in one piece but it was touch and go for a while.  April and I did not get out of the house when we had planned so we arrived late at the airport.  This could have meant the loss of our seats due to lateness!!  We managed to get through the ticketing part ok and the person on that desk said we would make it to the flight.

GREAT!!!

But wait.... after we removed our shoes and our luggage went through the xray, my luggage was searched.  It looked like a knife they said...  but it was only my spoon that has been on my travels since I started to travel.  Whew!!!  dodged that bullet.  Next to the customs lineup.  This is so long we are hanging out in the lobby until more people are put through.  How to you say BAAAAA!  Felt like sheep.

Finally got throught there and it was time for the plane to take off but our gate was at the FAR end of the row.  I ran ahead to let them know we were coming and one of the guys got a wheelchair to go and get April.  By then she had caught up with me and we were told to just run for the plane and get into our seats.

The flight down to LAX was from hell!!!!  There was a two year old who screamed constantly all the way.  he did not want to be strapped into his seat, he wanted to run the aisles, and whenever he was told NO! he screamed that awful, high pitched scream that just shatters your being to the core...I hate LAX but this time it was wonderful to see the back of that family.  They went to Cabo and we continued to PV.   YEA!!!

A wonderful friend

Before we left the house, Terry made me my own box lunch.  There was smoked salmon, capers, cheese, a variety of crackers, all wrapped in their own plastic wrap.  When I got into Pearson Airport in Toronto, I was hungry so this was my dinner.  Every morsel was so good and the love packed into each bite was beautiful.  Thank you, my life-long friend.  What a wonderful way to end a fabulous vacation.  Till we meet again, soon!!!!  HUGS and lots of Love, Lee

One last walk on the Beach

One last walk on the beach on the way to the Tampa Airport.  Terry and I walked for a fair bit on the beach, close to the water, examining the sand and shells as we went.  These birds greeted us as we walked, keeping us company, guiding our way.  It was wonderful to watch and to hear them chattering away, bobbing up and down as they did. 

In the background is the bridge to go to Sarasota.

Just a few more steps and I will have to get back into the car and leave this piece of paradise behind.  The sand was so hot that we had to run from the beach to the car and jump in.  Our feet were burning by time we got there.  Of course, we were carrying our sandals and we could have put them on but the challenge of hot-footing it across the burning sand was too great.  We made it but our feet were covered with fine white sand.  Oh well, a quick wipe off and we are good to go..

This picture is looking out over the bay towards the bridge.

And we are off to the airport and our bye-for-now hugs...................

Meanderings of the last week

Now this is a rain barrel.  It is in the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.  I think all rain barrels should be as colourful!!!

What a tranquil place to sit and just let the busy day fall off of you.  This is in one corner of Terry's yard.  I am standing on the patio she built with a simple but pleasing border around it.....

I love the added touch of pebbles in between the stones...  Ahhh, just the place to enjoy...


Temperature:  98 F  Clear


Today we went to a flea market (but did not buy any fleas!!!) and just browsed around the stalls.  It was fun, hot and tiring all at once.  Found some little sun dresses for around the house that I have been looking for.  Cotton, light and cool.


Mostly it was a day of just doing little things and then relaxing before driving into St. Petersburg for dinner and a play - Frankie and Johnnie at the Clare de Lune .  Dinner was sushi.  Dernell, Terry's boyfriend, ordered us a boat of sushi for two and the three of us almost could not finish the last piece of tuna.  Sure was good.  The play hit so many spots of a relationship with lows and the highs and the intense feelings of the two people involved.  And, no one got killed....


Quiet day mostly.  I wonder what will happen tomorrow (my last full day in Clearwater Florida).

ORCHIDS and much more

Isn't this just a beautiful orchid???  Today Terry and I went on a road trip to Sarasota to the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.  I cannot believe all the gorgeous orchids I saw today.  Every size and colour imaginable...The gardens were donated to the City of Sarasota by Marie Selby.

"The Gardens currently is home to approximately 20,000 colorful and exotic plants in over 9 acres and seven greenhouses, many of these collected from the field on more than 150 worldwide scientific expeditions to tropical rain forests by Selby Gardens research staff."

What a wonderful way to spend a day, with a great friend in a beautiful setting...  I wonder what will happen tomorrow?

This WAS a hot tub??

Can you believe this was a hot tub in its former life?  Today it is a fish pond and fountain in the middle of Terry & Dernell's back yard.  So cute.....

Not a large yard but just perfect.  Notice the beautiful Dalia standing under the triangular shade sails, a rescue who is quite at home with me.  She is my girl for at least part of the day...

And here she is again...  Such a beauty....