Yes, it is REALLY FINALLY happening for me. This is a trip that Dennis and I talked about a lot, but just never got around to doing it. Sad … just another example of NEVER PUTTING ANYTHING OFF that you really want to do.

When I heard that Dennis’ sister (Lynda), husband (Pete), and his two nieces (Kristen & Holli) were planning this trip, I invited myself. Thank God they said JOIN US!

So here I am … writing this during the last three hours of the 2nd leg of the trip. Joe drove me up to Phoenix on Tuesday, and my delayed flight from Phoenix to Washington Dulles left at 9am on Wednesday. I’ve been traveling for over 12 hours, and it is almost 8am Athens time. Thank God I booked an aisle seat. This body has a need to get up and move quite often.

The airport and flights have been PACKED. And, unfortunately my media screen on BOTH flights has not worked well. On this long leg, it hasn’t worked AT ALL. I’m grateful I could at least watch movies on my phone, but I’m having battery issues because I can’t charge and listen at the same time. At least United has given me a $50 refund for the bad screen.

Arrival in Athens is now 11am (June 1st) and I’ll hang in a Star Alliance lounge and wait for H&K to arrive from Chicago/Rome. L&P arrived 2 days ago. God willing, we’ll spend a couple of days seeing the major sites in Athens.

On Saturday, June 3rd, we’ll board the Celestyal Cruises CRYSTAL for a 7-night cruise through the Greek Isles!

https://celestyal.com/us/our-cruises/7-nights-us/idyllic-aegean-7-nights-2023/

It will be interesting being in my own cabin alone. This is definitely a first for me. It’s a very small ship (only 450 passengers) so there are not many balcony rooms. There weren’t any balconies available when I booked, but I remain ever hopeful that someone has canceled and I can upgrade.

We’re also winging our way to Naples, Italy after the cruise. I do hope to see the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. We fly back to Athens for one last night and then do this long haul back home again. Joe will pick me up in Phoenix on the evening of Thursday, June 15th, and take us home. WHAT A GUY, especially when he is right smack in the middle of moving to a new home in Sierra Vista.

Life is never boring!

I’m intending for some fun and memorable adventures ahead. If you actually see this blog post, then know I have safely landed in Athens.

THANK YOU to my friend, Beth Ann King, for her assistance in helping me with my arrangements. We all know that Mr Big Hands was a fabulous trip planner; until our later trips, he did it all. If you ever need a travel agent, let me know, and I’ll turn you onto Beth Ann. But many thanks also go to Lynda, too. She is a BIG chip off the Big Hands block.

Thanks for holding down the fort in my absence.