This is the year we have been waiting for! We have been so blessed with 2018 that 2019 should be an even more memorable year. In just a little over 3 months, we will begin our journey around the world. We are giddy with excitement and this excitement and anxiety will begin to build as we start our final planning stages. I am sure this next few months will fly by too fast and we will be trying to catch up on last minute items.
We had a great time on the 14 day cruise from Barcelona to the Canary Islands then a stop off in the Bahamas before heading back to Tampa.
Our first stop was Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain. Such beauty. Sailboats galore!
Most homes and businesses were made from stucco material.
These little john boats were in abundance for local fishermen. I’m assuming they had to wade out to get in or they had someone take them to the boat.
Chuck at the headless sculptures near the pier
The black sand and minimal vegetation could be seen as bare or very neat. Depends on your view.
The streets were mostly 1 way and narrow. Mostly we saw people just walking.
Castillo de San Jose. Historic castle in Lanzarote
I thought this guy on stilts was pretty cool until I found out he was panhandling.
This working payphone makes you realize how far the U.S. has evolved in technology
Just in case you didn’t notice, these eggs are NOT in a refrigerator!
Our ship actually had to be diverted due to some severe storms in the Tampa area. Royal Caribbean was good to us though, they bused everyone back to either the Tampa terminal or Tampa Airport. The seas weren’t too rough but the captain was great in putting safety first. I guess this is why we like this cruise line so much. We met some great crew members on the ship. Our favorite was Mihaela from Romania. She really took care of us in the Windjammer. We enjoyed our daily talks with her about her family and ours.
The Canary Islands was absolutely beautiful and we cannot wait to spend a month there in September. The black sparkling sand on the beach is from the volcanoes. Such beauty. Spanish is the common language so we really need to start learning some basics!
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Mountains and Volcanoes
The towns were decorated for Christmas although it didnt feel like Christmas at 75-80 degrees
Every corner had these pastry shops. YUM!
Chuck was checking out the electric police cars!
The children were out playing in front of their school at lunchtime.
Cute cobblestone streets and loved this bike/sign
Santa Cruz de la Palma, Canary Islands, Spain. The beaches had a black sand that was sparkly and beautiful
The houses were built on the side of the mountain and in so many colors. Guess they dont have an ordinance of color choices.
Leaving the Canary Islands, heading out to sea for 9 days
One of the many sunsets while at sea. The clouds always captured the sun before it hit the ocean.
The Bahamas was as beautiful as always. We walked around a little to view the scenery and had lunch at a quaint restaurant called Empamamas after deciding against Senor Frogs. It was packed and too noisy for us old folks!
Ahhhhh, The Bahamas! The Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas.
I’ll never tire of mesmerizing over Gods beauty on this earth.
Thats our ship, The Rhapsody of the Seas in the background.
Always shopping available by local vendors
This sculpture was cute and colorful
Me and Mr. Senor Frog!
Pompey Square – Pompey was a famous slave in Bahamian history who led a slave revolt in 1830 on one of the outer Bahamian islands,
Baptist Church – this parish is among the oldest in the country, having been established in the 1670s Built from locally-quarried limestone, and furnished with mahogany ceilings and granite-tile floors, the Gothic architecture is a beauty to behold.
Government House, located on a 10 acre estate, is the official residence of the Governor General of The Bahamas. It dates back to 1801 and this imposing pink and white building on Duke Street is an excellent example of the mingling of Bahamian-British and American Colonial architecture. This statue of Christopher Columbus was imported from London in 1830 by Governor James Carmichael Smythe in honour of Columbus’ Landfall at San Salvador in 1492.
We loved how the streets were decorated for the Christmas holidays!
For me the best part about being in the Bahamas, aside from the weather and food, is the many different colors that bring out the beauty of this island.
Beautiful flowers lined the streets and buidlings
Back home for Christmas, my wonderful brother and sister in law, Lonnie and Susan came for a visit. Lonnie and Chuck were both sick but it didn’t stop us from visiting Disneyworld on Christmas Day. What an adventure that was!! us and about 50,000 of our closest friends. Do not recommend it, however it was magical! Check that one off the bucket list!
My brother Lonnie and his better half, Susan. We made it to DisneyWorld for Christmas!!
Decorations were beautiful.
Everything had its names changed for the holiday. The Jungle Cruise (which we waited 2 hours to ride) was changed to Jingle Cruise. So cute.
Some may want to live here?
Mickey Mouse!!
One of the many colorful castles.
All the Presidents. This attraction was really educational and interesting.
The main castle was beautiful and it changed colors. It’s amazing what computers can do now.
Decorations at Disneys Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
The famous Gingerbread house at the same resort
Beautiful Christmas trees everywhere you turn.
As we move into the new year, we will start looking at what we can manage to pack in 4 suitcases and 2 backpacks. I’ll post pictures as we figure out that dilemma. We have to be out of this gorgeous condo on 3/31/19. So, that week will be busy.
Stay tuned as we start adding more items to our adventure!
WorldTravelReynolds 