FAREWELLL ZUIDERDAM

       Today, I leave the Zuiderdam for a little tour around Ft. Lauderdale and then it’s on to the airport and a flight home. While this post won’t tell you what a wonderful time I’ve had, how much I loved the warm blue water, how good the sun felt on my bare skin (hopefully, I was careful and didn’t burn), or how many wonderful people I met and with whom I hope to stay in touch, future posts, beginning with tomorrow’s will.

      And, of course, if things go according to my expectations as I write this on Friday, 2/7, I’ll have a ton of photos that I haven’t published. Of course, given the opportunity to do so, you can bet I posted and shared while on the trip. 

      I also want to thank the folks who helped make this all possible:

• Corina Cantu for her Holland America connection and assistance in getting this trip scheduled.
• Cece Ryan for staying in my home and caring for Karma, Kaizer, Zooey and Mabel...I hope they behaved for her.
• Haley Karlberg for taking over the last couple days because of Cece's previous commitments. 
• Kim Nashif for loaning me necessities I didn't know I needed.
• Becky Sander for sharing her vast experience about cruising.
• Family and friends who encouraged me to go and reassured me over and over that I'd have a wonderful time.
• And, anyone else I may have forgotten to thank here.

         Tomorrow, Sunday, 2/16, my post will be later than the usual 8:00 am time. It’s my hope to have prepared something on my I-pad to post on that day. Something that has photos, raves about manta rays and dolphins, the ship and the people, the food and the fun…let’s face it, I hope to rave about every single thing. 

        My first post home may be a long one which I hope you will enjoy. And, I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the posts I prepared and scheduled before I left. I also hope you made lots of comments about those posts...I look forward to reading them.