I am sitting here looking at a very long list of "things" that we need for the upcoming 163 Viking World Journey cruise - L.A.-NYC. Combined with the holidays and Joe's 90th birthday, it does seem a bit overwhelming! However, as our guest bed would attest, I have done the shopping.
In 2022, Joe & I booked Viking's World Cruise but Covid had other ideas. So, instead of circumnavigating the globe, the ship went south from LA, around Cape Horn, crossed the Atlantic and went everywhere in the Mediterranean that would take us. Thankfully, we were able to enter the Suez Canal, visit Saudi Arabia (the first Viking ship to do so) and then visit Jordan, Egypt, and Israel.
When I started seeing so many of those we met on the Viking Star were booked for the 24-25 World Cruise (WC), I realized I wanted us to try it again. And this year, due to the conflict in the middle-East, we will be going around Africa!!
It was a very hard year physically, two falls with multiple rib fractures, for Joe but he's made amazing progress. His PT will be sending a "prescription" for exercises to do while onboard and we have booked our excursions thoughtfully. Our prayer is that we are able to board in LA and disembark in NYC.
But first, we have Thanksgiving coming up and there is truly much to be thankful this year. Then we head to our vacation house at Seabrook, WA to await our family. Everyone is coming to gather together to celebrate Joe's 90th (a few weeks early). Having all our family in one spot is the one gift Joe requested.
We will then come back to Portland to pack and get ready a party on Joe's real birthday. Our luggage will be picked up on the 20th and then we will join our neighbors and Rotary friends to celebrate Joe on the 21st.
More to come.....
