Australia!!! YEP!

Back in July 2018 we looked into this cruise from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. John is more eager for a cruise than any other sort of vacation, so we ended up booking this on July 6. We will have a lot of Sea Days so I hope there are some good speakers and some interesting activities. Since that time I have watched for additional sales and we ended up saving $1860. off our original booking price and increasing our OBC from $250. to $850. As the final payment draws near... it is still a lot but this is our chance to make it to Australia. While I checked out the current offers... I managed to add free gratuities (value $806), got a lower cabin price, and still retain a $500 OBC. I'm feeling quite accomplished! Lord willing, we sail away on September 28, 2019. 

Princess isn't our favorite cruise line, but they certainly have some great itineraries and wonderful Italian food! The Itinerary is the reason we chose this particular cruise. We can take the train to SF and a quick taxi ride to the ship. We purchased a one way flight from Sydney to Fresno and the price was quite good with Princess EZ Air. We haven't used cruise flights before so this is our first. It was hard to belief our flights were almost half the price of any others I could find! I hope it works out. We will have 5 days in Sydney after the cruise to explore. Maybe some day trips out of the city? I'm not sure. We will fly home Oct. 30. Time to look for a hotel now!!! Details of our Cruise.

CDG to Home, Day 12

Wednesday, April 17: Up early, tiny bite for breakfast, and on the shuttle to the airport! Flights were as expected. I did use a wheelchair between landing in Salt Lake City and the take off for Fresno. I had to pass customs and normally I would have had enough time but walking so impaired I was not sure. It helped a lot. 

It is so good to be home and in my own bed tonight. The flights were as expected but being a day later has thrown things off for the departure for Napa on Friday. Plus, I am now getting a cold. Thankful for the safe trip home! 

Marseille, Day 11

Tuesday, April 16: Travel home day for Cheryl, just travel toward Paris for me. Our Taxi dropped her off at the airport and took me on to the train station in Marseille. The train station office was not open when I got there. Cheryl's flights took off on time and all went as expected. When the office opened I got my ticket. It was a very long walk to my coach but I finally got there and got my luggage stored. The trip was uneventful but really crowded with people who seemed to not care about anyone but themselves, pushing, shoving, big bags pushed here and there. I was glad to get off the train. 

After getting off the train I got to a place in the airport where I could use their Wi-Fi and called the number for Air Tahiti Nui to inquire about a hotel room for the night. That phone call took quite some time but finally they secured me a room at the Courtyard near CDG. I decided I better get some breakfast/lunch since I don't know what the hotel situation will be. After that I asked a couple places and finally figured out where to get the shuttle. It was a 10 minute ride to the hotel but when I got there, they didn't seem to have a reservation for me. After a bit they decided they could do it and gave me a room. I also got a lunch, dinner, and breakfast voucher with my stay. I decided to buy a bottle of wine as it was about the same as 2 glasses. I was so disappointed - it was not tasty at all and I didn't even drink a half glass. I found some various TV programs that were familiar, even though they were in French. I had a restful night. 

Avignon to Marseille, Day 10

Monday, April 15: We have the morning, my leg is slightly better, and Cheryl and I took a cab into Avignon to shop. I was grateful she wanted to do this with me as I am still unsteady. We did shopping and had an unimpressive lunch at a cafe. We went on to the cafe where I ate yesterday for dessert. After that they called a taxi for us and it was back to the ship. 

Our transfer was due at 2p and I had a message that  he would be 15 minutes early so we headed out. Unfortunately, I received another message after that but we were away from Wi-Fi and no service. The message noted the change in vehicle. So we waited and waited. Finally Cheryl went back to the ship to call the transfer person, yes, they were there just a bit away. We were on our way to Marseille in no time. 

I do have my new flight but I will spend another day near CDG airport. I still don't have confirmation as to where that  will be but I will call when I get phone service. I also found out the train station is about 30 minutes away, so we have arranged a taxi for that as well. 

Arriving at the hotel there was simple and very close to the airport. The desk person was nice and helpful, but the cleaning crew were everywhere and we had to jostle our way around them. The room is clean and adequate, but that's all. Only 1 bath towel each, no hand towel. The bed was comfy though. We put in for a 4a wake up call that never came. Thankfully, we set two alarms for ourselves. 

Avignon, Day 9

Sunday, April 14: We arrived in Avignon last night after dark. This morning's tour began with our first stop at the broken bridge. I sat at the bottom of the stairway and waited for them to return. I wanted to leave the group early on but I was not able to communicate that in time. After the bridge stop I was able to speak with the guide and break away from the tour. They are going to the Pope's Palace and I have been there twice. 

Avignon

I was unable to find the shop I wanted, it is closed. I am so disappointed. But there were other shops and I did find a few things I liked. I met up with Cheryl and Vernae who also left the group. We browsed some shops but then I did something to my leg. I thought it was my knee but it was my leg and I could barely put weight on that leg. Cheryl wanted to help but there was nothing she could do. I went to a cafe and ate lunch, then had them call a cab to take me back to the ship. I just don't know what I did. 

Tonight is the fancy Captain's Dinner so I did make it to that, using the lift and not the few stairs. I went back to the room after eating. I am using ice, etc. Disappointing issue. I am still working on my flight home. I didn't take many photos since I had such trouble walking. 

Arles, Day 8

Saturday, April 13: We were in Arles today.  The Day begin with the walking tour it's quite windy and that makes it little bit cold. There are festivities in town due to Easter next week and the city is very crowded. There is an Amusement park set up near the river, so we walked by that on the day tour. There was also a street market. I'm not sure if that is always going on or if it is a Saturday market. Either way, it seemed much more crowded then went John and I were here before. We saw several interesting sites, all which John and I saw in 2009. After the formal tour of the city Vernae, Cheryl, and I went on to the street market. At the market I found some nice olives and a tea towel. The food smelled delicious but I didn't get anything. I decided to go back to the ship because I was tired and chilly. I was pretty sure of the way but it was a long walk I'm not sure if I went out of my way or what. Sadly, I found out my flight was cancelled and I'm trying to figure that out which is not easy without having the internet how. My phone service has been very unreliable as well. 

Medieval Wall (the last portion)

 Hospital Where Van Gogh stayed

 Paella at Market

In the afternoon the tour was to Pont du Gard, where I have been 3 times so I stayed back and rested. It did me good. We had another lovely dinner tonight. We got to Avignon after dark but we did see the broken bridge, then moored back up the river a bit. 

Tournon to Viviers, Day 7

Friday, April 12: We woke up in Torunon but departed at 8:30a and cruised to Le Pouzin for our day tour to Ardeche Gorges. After lunch we headed out. It was a long drive but the scenery was lovely and the destination was worth it. I am tired tonight so I cannot recall all the details but it was a lovely area. We drove past the place they found the cave art some years ago. No one is allowed to enter now but they have a replica somewhere. Our final stop before returning to the ship was a lavender farm. There were a lot of nice things but I will hold out for Arles or Avignon. I had a small taste of lavender liqueur. 

Gorges de l'Ardèche

 Lavender Farm

Tonight we had a special and limited dinner on the Lido deck. It was quite nice with four courses plus wine. Sirloin and fish were the options, I had the fish.

 Lido Dinner

Tonight we went through the deepest lock in Europe, 26 meters deep. We are cruising to Arles now. I am not sure what I will do tomorrow. John and I explored the city in 2009, we had such a great time. I might just go on my own to look for a few things for my kitchen. Maybe Cheryl will attend the "orientation talk" and have information for me and I will go from there. My knees and hips are a bit sore but they got a rest today. I also need to figure out what I am going to do about my train trip back to Charles de Gaule.