Around the World with B and D

2009-05-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

2009-05-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

2009-04-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody,

Our cruise is almost drawing to a close. On saturday we will be disembarking in Dover, England for our last 4 nights in London. This blog has not worked out to well for us and most everyone has received emails periodically. If we do not have your email address and you wish to read about our trip please send the email address to Diane at: dfunfar@yahoo.com.

Our trip has been AMAZING!

February 21, 2009

2009-02-20T20:44:00.001-08:00

Hello everybody,

In case you are wondering why this has not been updated! We have been unable to access this blog from our ship. We also have been unable to post pictures. We are now in Brisbane, Australia on our way to Cairnes and the Great Barrier Reef.

Those of you on our email list have received updates. Since Lima, we have visited Easter Island, Raratonga in the Cook Islands, Auckland, New Zealand, Burnie, Tasmania, Sydney and now Brisbane Australia.

Lima, Peru and on

2009-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

January 20th

2009-01-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

Today we were in Manta, Ecuador. We hired a car, driver and guide for the day and went to Bahía Caraquez, north of Manta. We drove through the shore towns of San Clemente and San Jacinto. We climbed up the cross at Mirador de la Cruz for the spectacular views.

On our days at sea Diane goes to trivia quiz twice a day and lays in the sun. We have also been doing laps on the track. (On Thursday Barry did 101 laps ~9 miles and could not walk too well on Friday!)

January 18th

2009-01-23T12:49:00.000-08:00

Today we went through the Panama Canal. It took the whole day! It was extremely hot, even for Diane! The locks were interesting to observe and we took lots of pictures. Brendan, we took some for you especially of the trains and heavy equipment.

2009-01-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

January 16th

We were in Grand Cayman today. It was very windy so we decided not to go to a beach but instead to explore the town and use the internet. We stayed in town half a day and then Diane went back to the ship to get her "sun hit". Barry came back a bit later after taking many pictures.

LEAVING FORT LAUDERDALE 1/14

2009-01-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

January 14th

2009-01-16T09:56:00.001-08:00

2009-01-16T09:51:00.000-08:00

Jan 14-16

2009-01-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

We boarded the Tahitian Princess on Wednesday, January 14th. The embarkation process was easy and we were having our first trip to the food buffet by 2pm. The ship left around 6pm and they had a great Sailaway Party on deck with good music.

Today, Friday, we are in Grand Cayman. It is hot here, but very windy. The captain was not even sure we would be able to tender in. We did not go to a beach, but hung out in the town.

Boston-Atlanta-Fort Lauderdale. JAN 12, 2009

2009-01-14T05:14:00.000-08:00

Arriving in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale area.

notice the difference between developed and undeveloped swamp.

SKY

Highway through alligator alley.

Atlanta airport.

Atlanta.

Boston.

Boston Logan.

photos of Guatemala--Sept/Oct 2008

2009-01-14T04:33:00.000-08:00

2009-01-13T15:40:00.000-08:00

Jan 13, 2009

We are relaxing in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 79 F, wind chill 85. We are getting tired of Taco Bell right next to our Comfort Inn. This morning when we went to the complimentary breakfast most of the 350+ guests here were already there. Food brings people out faster than free cash. Since they had no fruit to offer i grabbed an orange juice and headed back to the room.

This may be the last free Internet for quite some time. Don't expect much from me here at 40cents/minute aboard the ship. I guess they have to make up for the cheap cruise fares somewhere! Our cell phone with Verizon is $2.49/minute on board. Our phones will be stowed deep in some drawer with a permanent lock in the OFF position.

Tomorrow at 11:45 am our reserved shuttle is to transport us to the Tihitian Princes at Port Everglades cruise port. The ship is to leave at 4pm. Grand Cayman Island is our first scheduled stop on Friday the 16th. We expect to rent a car and do our own tour of the island.

We have been there before when we enjoyed Seven Mile Beach and some snorkeling there, and also StingRay City and another great snorkeling spot where i saw an abundance of sharks. With the boat crew feeding them their numbers were steadily increasing. Incredible. StingRay

City was also very special with the creatures so thick it was difficult to stand against their aggressiveness and the current of the sea. Beware of the suction they can lay on you! Hickeys

anyone!

Diane in green shirt: relaxing at hotel.

Kody Pigeon: Diane named this one because of his aggressive eating stye.

Sorry Kristi! Just laugh.

Plant in hotel pool area.

Plant in hotel pool area. Spot the differences.

Hint: there aren't any.

Palm tree in pool area. It looks like a giant dandelion.

Diane in yellow shirt. Different shirt. Same smile. On vacation she is happy all of the time.....

Isn't life wonderful!

barry funfar

2009-01-07T07:07:00.000-08:00

Retirement has made all the years of work and toil, planning and saving seem worthwhile.

My biggest appreciation in life is for my wife, children, and grandchildren, with parents, siblings, and friends close behind.

Life can be very good.

It helps being an optimist.....

2009-01-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, January 6th

I have been packing like crazy and am trying to be conservative, but it is not easy for that long!

2009-01-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

Gregg asked for a copy of the itinerary, so here goes! I will list dates and ports and the days not mentioned are at sea.

January 16-Grand Cayman Island

January 18-Panama Canal

Jan 20- Quito, Ecuador

Jan 23 & 24-Lima, Peru

Jan 29- Easter Island, Chile

Feb 1- Cruising around Pitcairn Island

Feb 4- Papeete, Tahiti

Feb 6- Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Feb 12- Auckland, New Zealand

Feb 17- Tasmania, Australia

Feb 19- Sydney, Australia

Feb 21- Brisbane, Australia

Feb 24- Cairns, Australia

Feb 27- Rabaul, New Guinea

Mar 2- Guam (Northern Mariana Islands)

Mar 6- Osaka, Japan

Mar 7- Hiroshima, Japan

Mar 9- Seoul, Korea

Mar 11- Shanghai, China

Mar 14- Hong Kong

Mar 17- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Mar 19- Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Mar 21- Bangkok, Thailand

Mar 24- Singapore

Mar 25-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Mar 27- Port Blair, Andaman Islands

Apr 1- Mumbai, India

Apr 5- Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Apr 8- Salalah, Oman

Apr 13- Safaga, Egypt (Luxor/Karnak)

Apr 15- Passing through the Suez Canal

Apr 16- Port Said, Egypt

Apr 18- Athens, Greece

Apr 20- Sorrento/Capri, Italy

Apr 21- Rome, Italy

Apr 22- Cannes, France

Apr 23- Barcelona, Spain

Apr 25- Gibraltar

Apr 26- Lisbon, Spain

Apr 29- Cork, Ireland

May 1- Paris/Normandy, France

May 2- Cruise ends in London (Dover) England

May 2-6 We will be staying in London before flying home

Just typing this in takes a long time! We hope to keep a great journal!

Diane

2008-12-31T09:26:00.001-08:00

BRENDAN AND GRANDPA AT JOHN'S POND.

FINNING UP.

Brendan loves to help Grandpa in the garden!

2008-12-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

Today we are gathering "stuff" we want to take with us and piling it up! Next step---PACKING!

2008-12-22T07:08:00.000-08:00

Retirement is the best!!!!!

After 31 years Diane hangs up her compass.

Retirement

2008-12-22T07:04:00.001-08:00

Retirement is the best!!!

Thank you Kathy.

Great cruise wear.

2008-12-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

2008-11-21T06:56:00.001-08:00

Planning for the trip

2008-11-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

We have chosen our shore excursions and are trying to research each port.We are also planning for our stay in London. Only two months to go!!!!!

Picture of Diane on our 38th wedding anniversary

at La Cucina Sul Mare Italian Ristorante on Main Street in Falmouth. (excellent food). Aug 2008

Barry at Canadian pizza bar in Antigua, Guatemala. Oct 2008.