Here is the Long Awaited Trip Journal

June 4, 2009

Pearson International Airport - Checking through security, the beeper goes off and I am waived about with a wand. The belt I am
wearing is cause for concern to the male officer. He proceeds to tell me to stay where I am while he calls a female officer to check
me over. He yells at the top of his lungs, "I need a female officer here". I am mortified. Phil gets through without a beep, hitch
or otherwise. The female officer comes and gives me the "pat down". I am now cleared to go. Great way to start the dream
vacation. In the meantime, we wait to board the plane and are getting more excited by the minute to arrive in London's Gatwick
airport.
First Class...what a surprise. Jay is the very best travel agent around. He has certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty. I
am thrilled with the trip so far. First Class doesn't ever stop. Complementary drinks, food, goodie basket filled with hand cream,
facial mist, lip balm, slippers, eye mask, etc. Free head phones for the 3 movies. Very comfortable and very relaxing. Great flight
and great service. Slept on and off for a couple of hours....not enough sleep for me.

June 5, 2009

London, England

Arrived at Gatwick airport in England. Met up with Susan and Charlotte. Drove back to their home...what an experience. Driving on
the wrong side of the street, but made it home in one piece. Thank goodness. What a lovely, homey cottagey house. Located in
downtown Caterham. We had to nap for about an hour or so, then had a lovely lunch of salmon and salad. We went out walking
through the downtown area. Very quaint. Found some Johnny Cash...1 CD and 1 LP. Great deals. Phil brought his watch in to
change the battery and I saw a gorgeous ring, topaz and sapphire set in 9k white gold...only L175.00. We will have to think about it,
but it's safe to say, I really want it. We made dinner reservations at a Spanish restaurant called Casa Lola. We shall eat well, and
enjoy one another's company.

June 6, 2009

Surrey, England
London, England

Woke up early to go into London with Phil and Susan. We took the train and it was a long ride, about 45 minutes. We walked and
talked and took many pictures. We had planned to go on a double decker tour bus before going on the London Eye at 4:30, but it
was too late, so we rescheduled the bus tour for Tuesday. Instead, we went to the Covent Market, Jubilee Market. It was a lot of fun
and we enjoyed our shopping spree. We then took the train to the London Eye and went on this incredible ride. These glass bubbles
hold about 20 people and it is truly the world's largest ferris wheel. It moves ever so slowly, so there is no chance of motion sickness
and pictures can be taken from great heights with no interference.

Phil purchased 12 Beatle Clocks on CD's and I got 1 Johnny Cash Clock on CD. I also purchased a scarf, quite lovely and a sparkly
lipgloss at B never too busy to be beautiful.

After the London Eye, we walked along the South Bank (Waterloo). We walked for miles and miles and then stopped to eat dinner at
a fantastic pub called Studio 6. Very good food considering we were told that the food in England is not so great.

We walked so much that we had to take a taxi to the train, then the long train ride while playing trivial pursuit with Charlotte's new
IPhone. We laughed and laughed, then had to take another taxi home from the train because my feet and legs were so swollen, I could
no longer walk.

June 7, 2009

Caterham, Surrey, England

Relaxing day in Caterham, Surrey, Enlgand. Slept in until 9:40 a.m. Went for a walk downtown to the market, then back home.
Waited for Brenda, Allen and William to arrive to go to Charlotte's pub, The Harrow. Then back to Susan's for dessert, sitting in the
garden and chilling with family.

June 8, 2009

Surrey, England

Drive through the Country side, amazing properties, castles and scenery.

June 9, 2009

Surrey, England

Touring London on the Big Bus Touring Company. Sat up front on top. Great 2 hour tour, then walked through Picadilly and went
on the Beatles Walking Tour for 1 1/2 hours. Great tour as well. Saw MPL, Paul McCartney's offices, Rooftop performance
location, etc. Ordered Chinese food for dinner, packed and phoned home. Went to bed early to get up for flight to Italy in the
morning.

June 10, 2009

London, England
Florence, Italy

Gatwick airport early waiting for flight to Florence. Arrived in Florence to find our cab ride to the hotel would cost a mere 28 Euros,
equivalent to $60.00 CDN. The hotel was beautiful and was a bit old fashioned in that they used keys for the rooms, kept the keys
at the front desk and had all reservations in a journal as opposed to computerized. We explored Firenze on our own to discover
some amazing architecture and gelato. Everything pretty much was within walking distance. We got dressed up for dinner to find
off the beat and path that thre were some amazing local restaurants. We found one for dinner, candlelit, outdoors, not very expensive
and simply amazing. Delicious food, wonderful company and an overall lovely evening.

June 11, 2009

Florence, Italy
Venice, Italy

Woke up early to have breakfast at the hotel. It was like a BNI breakfast buffet, quite nice actually. Walked to the meeting place to
catch our tour. We found Marilyn's (the meeting place) and met up with the tour guide. She was a firecracker. Roslyn must have
been late sixties or early seventies. She took us to the tour bus, where we boarded and drove up the mountains to see the most
spectacular view I have ever seen. Included in this view was a mention of the only Synagogue in Florence, along with an incredible
history and story. We then walked to see some incredible Churches, and a very famous museum which holds Michael Angelo's
David. What an awesome sight! After the museum tour was over, we attempted to walk to the old Synagogue. My feet gave out
and I couldn't make the walk. I had had enough and couldn't physically go further. We hailed a cab to take us to the Synagogue and
are we ever glad we did. It was the most breathtaking sight. A one of a kind experience to hear about the Synagogue and the history
of it's existance. We toured the museum and then the sanctuary. No metal, cameras, phones, etc. were allowed in. They were
locked up in a locker before we were allowed to enter. I was wearing sleeveless (I had no idea we would be in an Orthodox Synagogue)
and I had to wear a borrowed Shaul from the box at the front.

We saw history. We read history. We were on historic ground, built in 1888. Originally hand painted and covered in gold powder,
the gold powder has been too expensive to maintain and therefore they don't. The now green dome was once covered in the same
gold powder, but again, too expensive to maintain.

We walked about and enjoyed the area. Directly next door to the Synagogue is a Kosher restaurant, Ruth's. Just a b it down the street
is the Chabad Centre. Truly fascinating and very educational.

We cabbed back to the Square, sat on the steps for an hour of rest, then checked out of the hotel, got our luggage, got a cab to the
train station, where we waited for our train to Venice.

We awaited our train in Florence to Venice. Pretty uneventful, other than carrying too many bags manually without a luggage cart. Of
course our coach was way at the other end. Couldn't be easy, however, it was first class, so who am I to complain.

There was no mistaking the arrival into Venice. Water! Water all around! What a sight! We exited the train station to find the tourism
office closed. There we were in Venice, not a clue how to get to our hotel or even where it might be situated. When we approached
the water bus depot to ask, she hadn't had a clue either. She did, however, mention that it was far....past San Marco Square. We had
no alternative, but to take a private water taxi to the hotel. It cost an unbelievable fortune, but there was no choice, considering we
didn't know where we were.

We arrived at the hotel, to find it looking a little be secluded. At the fing of a buzzer, the bellboy came to get us, register us and
bring us to our room. What a stunning room! 2 bedrooms, bathroom, tons of storage....way more room than both London and
Florence.

We couldn't do much or see much as it was after dark and many things were closed. So we walked and found, yet another gelato
stand. We enjoyed it and each other and retired for the evening.

June 12, 2009

Venice, Italy

Woke up to have breakfast in the hotel before embarking on our boat tour of Venice, or so we thought. It was actually a boat tour
to three islands, Murano, Burano, Torcello. Really different and all surrounded by water, as is all of Venice. After all the walking, my
feet started to give way again and we had to return to the square to relax. First, we had to find a restaurant in which to eat. We did
and then we shopped, then napped back at the hotel. Feeling quite rejuvenated, we were able to go out some more and walk around
San Marco Square at night. We splurged and took a Gondola ride through the canals, under some very romantic bridges and had a
wonderful time. The evening ended with a wonderful dinner and more walking around.

June 13, 2009

Venice, Italy
Royal Carribbean Cruise Line - Splendour of the Seas

Woke up to yet another hotel breakfast. We then took a water taxi to the Jewish Ghetto in Venice. It was unbelievable. We were
amazed at the history and idea of the whole thing. We didn't realize that it was Saturday (being on holiday, we had no idea what day
it was most of the time). It was Shabbat. Everything was closed and the Synagogue was in session. We were invited to attend
services, but it meant we would have had to remain for the whole service and we had to return to our hotel to check out and get our
water taxi to the port to board our cruise ship.

We did just that. We boarded the Splendor of the Seas, Royal Carribean Cruise Line at approximately 1:30 p.m. We walked around
the ship, became more familiar with it, sat by the pool, scheduled two massages in the spa and relaxed. We then unpacked our
belongings in our stateroom, which, by the way, had a balcony. What a surprise! We only expected an outside cabin and fully
anticipated a porthole, not a balcony.

We got ready for dinner and as is common with the first night of a cruise, not everyone showed up for dinner in the main dining room.
Dinner was amazing. We went to a bit of the show, then our massages which were heavenly, then to karaoke, then to the casino. I
started a game of Texas Hold'em. It was a lot of fun. We left while I was ahead, which is always a good way to leave. We retired for
the evening and all was well.

June 14, 2009

Split Croatia

Woke up to see the most incredible sunrise. We were in Croatia. Split, Croatia to be exact. We went for breakfast to the buffet and
then disembarked into Split. We walked for a couple of minutes, when we suddenly decided we didn't want to do any walking. We
simply wanted to relax on board the ship and read, relax and write. This is where we are now. Received an email from Justin, stating
that he was hurt. He was with someone at school who picked him up off the ground and dropped him. His leg hurts a lot. He's
sleeping on the couch because he says he can't walk. Mom had to pick him up from school...he was lying on the ground when the
bus was ready to leave. I don't have all the details, but, I will shortly.

June 15, 2009

Corfu, Greece

I was made aware of Justin's update. He was in a cast and on crutches. And seeing an Orthopedic Surgeon with Ian. Took a taxi
with another couple to the beach. A relaxing day was had by all. We had lunch at an authentic Greek restaurant on the water. The
food was very good, as was the company. We then returned to the ship to get ready for our formal evening. We dined and went to
the casino, where I played Texas Hold'em with the boys, my buddies. It was fun to win...not so much fun to lose. Update on Justin,
surgery is recommended by the Orthopedic Surgeon. Justin is afraid and the surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.

June 16, 2009

Athens, Greece

Took the shuttle bus to the terminal, then taxi to the Acropolis. It was magnificent. We telephoned an old school friend of mine,
which was prearranged, who now lives in Athens and we arranged to meet after we climbed the Acropolis and saw all there was to
see. We met and went for coffee and had a great time catching up over the past 35 or so years. When my friend had to return to
work, Phil and I explored Athens a little more. We went to a very famous downtown area of Athens to eat a late lunch and shop. I
had to phone Ian on his cell phone to find out more details about Justin. Apparently, Justin had broken his right Tibia bone in his leg
and was on the way to the hospital for surgery. Ian explained that the Doctor strongly recommended the surgery considering Justin's
special needs. If it didn't heal properly on it's own, they would have to re-break it in 3 weeks and start again. The weather was
phenominally hot. Back to the ship to get ready for dinner and relax. Awaiting an update from Ian and/or Mom. This 7 hour time
difference makes it difficult to get instant responses.

June 17, 2009

Mykonos, Greece

Update on Justin, surgery went well. He is giving the hospital staff a bit of a hard time, but charming the pants off them just the same.
Took a taxi to a beach called Ornos. Not the popular, busy public beach like Paradise Beach or Super Paradise Beach. It was quiet
and lovely. We relaxed and had a wonderful day. Back on the ship, we are getting ready for, yet, another formal evening.

June 18, 2009

Katakalon, Greece

First thing in the morning a ship's wonderful breakfast. Then a taxi to the best private beach in all of Katakalon. It was beyond
beautiful and exceptionally stunning. We chilled and rested and had lunch at the private hotel restaurant overlooking the magnificent
beach.

Back on the ship, time to get ready for yet another formal evening. It's so nice to see everyone dressed in their very best. Very
classy and very pretty to watch.

June 19, 2009

Day at Sea

This is our last day on the cruise, heading back to Venice to catch a flight home. A perfect, restful day by the pool with blaring
music and all the lemonade you can drink. I was asked to be a judge in the men's belly flop contest. I accepted and had a blast.
These guys were brave. Some were better than others, but they all tried and there was one fabulous winner. An older, European man
with a pot belly full of tattoos. That was the big winner.

The evening was the final karaoke contest in which Phil came third. I am so proud of this man. The winner in our humble opinion
cheated by bringing a judge up to the dance floor during his instrumental. In any case, it was all in fun.

This cruise provided us with the wonder of incredible sunsets, beautiful dolphins swimming along side us, the glory of different
cultures and of course, amazing food. The one on one time Phil and I got to spend together was second to none. We will soon be
home and I will soon see my injured baby. I hope I don't need another vacation soon after. LOL This was the perfect holiday, lots
of rest, lots of 'chill' time, lots of just me and Phil. Perfect!!!!