In 2011 we took a cruise that was a departure from the norm
for us…a cruise minus our adult children. Our DD had married in the summer of
2010, and preferred to cruise sans parents for her honeymoon…I have no idea why…we
are a lot of fun on a cruise! Our DS was starting a new job in law enforcement
and chose to opt out as well. I admit this left me feeling a bit uneasy about
cruising with just my DH. Now don’t judge…I love my husband dearly! However, 20
plus years of marriage had convinced me that we do not always see eye to eye on
what constitutes a good time!
Luckily we did not have to contemplate this situation long! A couple
we are friends with, E & D, came to our rescue and booked the same cruise.
We had “Cruise Buddies,” yay!! It was made extra exciting as E had never
cruised before…and I love sailing with newbies! We had almost as much fun planning our
trip as actually taking it. It included a road trip, as we were sailing out of
Galveston, and included a stop in Dallas to meet with a missionary family our
church supports.
The trip to Galveston was a long day, but the stop in Dallas
helped the drive seem shorter. I drove, of course…because I have control issues
and hate it when other people drive as my life constantly flashes before my
eyes. There…I have stated it publicly…don’t expect me to change…just move over
and give me the wheel!
Our visit with our Albanian missionaries was wonderful, if
short. They were in the USA for a few years while the husband attended Dallas
Christian & obtained his masters degree. We visited and enjoyed an awesome home
cooked Albanian meal. If you know what a foodie I am, you know I was in heaven!
Once in Galveston we checked into our hotel…and then made a
bee line to a store on the beach that sold comfortable flip flops. E had made
the mistake of choosing fashion over comfort for the 10 hour car ride. Her dogs
were barking away! I just shook my head and wondered how she tolerates me as a
friend. My idea of being fashion forward is when I wear jeans to the store
instead of sweats! Then on to Joe’s Crab Shack…yes, I am sure there are better
places to eat seafood in Galveston…but I am a Joe’s girl.
The next day a very friendly taxi driver took us to the port
and we began embarkation. It was painless as always…except for the confiscation
of D’s pocket knife, which he had checked to make sure he could bring. For our
safety Royal Caribbean kept it tucked away until the last night of the cruise…when
in their wisdom they felt the danger of D running amok and murdering us in our
sleep had passed, and returned it to him.
Next Thursday Travels: Introducing the Voyager of the Seas
Bon Voyage! ~Marla
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