John and Diane's Amazing Round the World Aventure

[Rogue friends]

Dear Diane and John -

Let me add our THANK YOU to the chorus - we so enjoyed your travels vicariously!! I agree - it's like a very interesting novel and is definitely worthy of publication! Thanks for the time and finances you gave to share your truly Amazing 'Round the World Adventure--you saw so many wonderful and interesting places. It was great to read about and because we know you we could picture things even more! I'm sure it will be a MAJOR transition to return to life as 'landlubbers' (but only for awhile!) Good luck with that. (and at least you are returning to your lovely home in the lovely Central Coast and not Bakersfield!)

Thanks again - we're thinking of you.

Love,

Sue and Tom

[Johnny B]

April 30 – Day 114 + 3

 

(From Diane) What is it like to finish 114 days at sea? It’s packing, goodbyes, tears, exchanging cards, and promising to see each other again. It’s doing things for the last time: eating at our “family’s” table, watching the show in the Queen’s Lounge, having a drink in the Crow’s Nest – things we knew we would miss mightily when we got home.

 

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale at 10:00 on Saturday night, watching the approach while we ate dinner. No one could get off the ship until the next morning, however, probably because that’s when the customs folks began work. We wondered why we hadn’t just stayed longer in New York, and were told that the docking fees there are exorbitant and that staying past 5:00 PM required another day’s fee.

 

Sunday morning was very well organized. Our luggage had been picked up outside our room the previous evening, and when we disembarked at about 11:00, it was organized by color, so all we had to do was gather it (all 11 bags) up, find a porter to wheel it through customs, and then load it into the DHL truck for shipping home. We grabbed a taxi to The Marriott Courtyard, where we had decided to spend the night, so as to decrease the stress of rushing to the airport. When we saw a small mall next to the hotel, we thought, “Cool – we’ll get something to eat.” It was like no other “mall” I’ve ever seen. The first building was the International Sport Fishing Hall of Fame (no, I’d never known there was one either), followed by a Costco-sized store called something like “Fishing R Us.” Then there was the tackle store, two boat sales stores, and even a fish restaurant. Since John spent his entire youth trying to get AWAY from fishing, this was not a promising area. However, we did have lunch at the restaurant, and then just hung out at the hotel’s pool all day.

 

The next day, flying from Ft. Lauderdale to Denver (nice airport) to San Francisco to San Luis Obispo got each of us through a book and made us appreciate Economy Plus even more. It felt good to be home.

 

Now, the two questions I’m asked time after time are, “Was it worth it?” and “What was your favorite place?” The first is easy, and the second is impossible.

 

It was absolutely worth it! The time, the money, having a balcony, the overland tours – everything! There’s no travel like seeing everything! I know I exaggerate, but that’s what it felt like. We saw so many ports and so many different things that it feels like we saw everything. I kept feeling like the cartoon that says, “My brain is full; can I go home now?” We are really glad that we booked our India and Egypt tours through local Indian and Egyptian agents (isn’t the internet wonderful?), since we had a private car, driver, and guide and paid about a third of what the ship’s tours cost.

 

Of course the follow-up question to that one is “Will you do it again?” That one gets a big “I don’t know.” We do have next year’s RTW cruise booked, but we decided that we’d wait a couple of weeks to get settled in and then talk about it. Would we like to? I think so. However, there are some problems: we don’t want to be away from family for so long (we missed our granddaughter’s 2nd birthday), it’s a lot of money (remember, we ARE retired teachers), and I really don’t want to gain another seven pounds (that was the total gained). Other than that, we love next year’s itinerary (around Africa), but are going to have to wait to make a decision.

 

The second question about my favorite place is sooo hard. I loved places that I never thought I would even like. The one that sticks in my mind is India. We never wanted to go to India. In fact, in the 60’s we applied for the Peace Corps and turned down an assignment there. (After we accepted Bolivia, John’s draft board refused to let him leave the country). But now I can hardly wait to go back. It is such a banquet for the senses that I want to see and experience more. I liked Delhi, Agra was wonderful (especially the Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel), but Rajasthan was out of this world. Next time I want to visit the Lake Palace and the rest of Rajasthan.

 

Of course we loved Egypt, having wanted to go there ever since we knew it was there, but Cambodia has a very warm place in our hearts too. It is a country with an incredibly violent recent past, but it has some of the kindest, gentlest people we’ve ever met. I’ll never forget Sam, our guide, who began first grade at 13 after the Khmer Rouge left power and then he finished university in five years, while working as a tour guide full time. Now he raises money for deep-water wells for rural villages and his long-term goal is to begin a school for poor children (there are so many) at which they will be taught languages. As far as I am concerned, he’s right up there with Mother Theresa.

 

The ship itself was a true experience, and we’ve decided that we would have a lot of trouble going on a one-week cruise again. It’s very like a small town; we met tons of people, made many new friends, got to know many of the officers, learned to appreciate the lovely ladies at the Front Desk (who are among the most patient people I’ve ever met), and knew exactly how many minutes it would take to get from our cabin to anywhere on the ship (as long as John went in the right direction!) Like any similar situation, there are people one likes and people one never wants to see again (and some of them are married to each other).

 

The people who bothered me the most were the bitchers and moaners. Here we were, on a luxurious ship, being waited on hand and foot, seeing some of the most fantastic sights the world has to offer, and people were complaining about it. Do they even know how small a percentage of people ever get an experience like this? Do they think that if they complain that they sound like they are used to sooo much better and thereby sound sophisticated? I don’t know, but every time I heard it, it was like fingernails on a chalkboard.

 

Many of the little things on the ship stay with me. There were the chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal raisin (my favorite) cookies available at the coffee bar all day every day, the individually rolled washcloths to dry hands with in the public restrooms, the fresh flowers everywhere on the ship, the sincere smiles of the Indonesian and Filipino crew members, the fresh-squeezed orange juice for breakfast, and so many other things.

 

As far as I am concerned, I had four of the best months of my life, and I would repeat it in a heartbeat. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

* * * * *

 

(Now John) OK—a few words in my defense again! There was only one deck where I for some strange reason always turned the wrong way—maybe it was because it was in the direction of the casino! (Actually I only spent about fifty bucks the entire cruise, playing poker slots.)

 

Diane has summed up our feelings about the cruise very well, and I pretty much agree with about everything she said. It was great flying into the small San Luis Obispo airport and being met by our good friend Jerry who has been cat sitting for us for the last four months. After a couple of margaritas at the airport restaurant, we jumped in Jerry’s car to drive about 15 minutes to our house, wondering if it was in one piece or not. To our relief, the house was in excellent condition (we had rented it for half of the time.) Our great next-door neighbors kept an eye on things and cleaned up things after a major storm sent patio furniture and potted plants across the fence into our other neighbor’s yard. Thanks Bill, Mary, and Dominic Most of my plants were thriving and most everything seemed to be in place. The last few days have been spent taking care of business—like why was our homeowner’s insurance canceled and why did the IRS send us a notice that we owe them $15,000 for last year!!! The first issue was solved, but we’re still working on the second one. (Our accountant just called and said it was an IRS mistake—yeah!)

 

I too enjoyed virtually every place we visited and hope to return to several places to spend more time. One of the best things about traveling for me is to experience or learn something new. Of course, I love sitting on the beaches of Hawaii doing nothing, but this trip enabled us to experience so much and to reinforce the idea that we are all very alike around this world of ours. Respect for other cultures is something we have always pounded into the kids that we take to Europe on student trips and most of our fellow travelers also seemed to agree. I’ll never forget fellow passengers with tears falling down their faces watching the Filipino crew say their good byes to family members as we departed Manila. Of course, there were unfortunately the few “Ugly Americans” who were unappreciative, demanding, and embarrassing, but they were the minority.

 

Some of the passengers who have taken previous world cruises were constantly comparing this one to previous ones, generally in a negative way. As this was our first one, we had nothing to compare—or complain—about. The food was excellent, the service outstanding, the ports of call intriguing, and the ship itself was a wonderful home for four months. We had a tremendous and exhilarating experience and feel very fortunate to have been able to take this great adventure—and our marriage survived! The next few weeks will be spent organizing our photos (about 4,000) into a super scrapbook so we can bore all our friends and family! I too would repeat it in a heartbeat. I’d take fewer clothes, read more about the places to be visited, and (maybe) eat/drink less—but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing! We’re looking forward to spending the weekend with our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter (whose 2nd birthday we missed), but next week (actually we’ve already started) we’ll be planning our next adventure. Traveling is in our blood, and we’ve only just begun.

 

Thanks to all of you who have “come along” with us, and we’ll be glad to answer any questions that you may have—now that internet charges are affordable!

[jdrblue]

I really enjoyed following you around the world. Thanks for sharing and thanks for being so positive about your experiences. John, I think you answered my questions. Anything you wish you had done differently? Any tips for planning a world cruise?

[RuthC]

It's been glorious touring the world with both of you. Again, thank you for giving me/us the opportunity to join in all your adventures.

[DeltaBC]

I have enjoyed every minute of your trip. We have been booked on the world for next year so hope to meet you then. Thank you so much for taking the time to report. We will miss the story now. Thanks Iris

[innlady1]

John and Diane...Thank you so much for taking us on your incredible journey with you...I've read and thoroughly enjoyed each and every post!

[carolyn22]

Thank you for being so generous with your time by for sharing your cruise with us! It's an experience that most of us probably won't get to have, so it's wonderful being able to live vicariously through you. I would come out on this site every day looking for my John and Diane "fix." Holland America is truly my favorite cruise line, so I'm glad everything was up to and above your expectations.

[cands]

John and Diane,

I have been with you all the way these last 4 months. What a wonderful adventure for you and your dedicated readership at home.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Steve.

[boatlover]

Thank you for the time you have put into this thread. I followed the whole way, it was a wonderful journey.

[Koda]

John & Diane:

 

I read about your adventures with great interest. We are signed up for our first World Cruise in 09. Now I know what to expect. I've heard that some were disappointed in 08, saying it wasn't up to par compared to 07. Since this will be our first WC, I guess we won't know what we are supposed to be missing! It all sounds wonderful to me. Thanks for taking the time to post your adventure. I really enjoyed the read.

 

Hope to see you in 09! :)

 

Kelley

[34XB]

John and Diane, you are the type of people we like to meet when traveling. You are not looking for areas to complain but appreciate all the things that HAL does for us as we travel with them. If more cruise passengers had your attitudes how much better we would look to the rest of the world and the ship's crew. Your humility comes through as your write. We hope we get to met you sometime somewhere in this wonderful world. Rob and Linda

[Williebill]

Thank you for carrying us along on your wonderful trip!!!!!

Bill

[70 +]

John & Diane:

 

Your recounting of the cruise was the best that I have had the honor of reading. I dearly hope to have the honor of sailing with you in the future. Your outlook on other passengers is so much like ours. I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have visited so many of the countries of this world. We have had our share of problems during our travels, but have just shrugged them off and continued to enjoy life. In general, we find people that cruise are interesting and fun to encounter. During our 74 cruises we have only been seated two times with others at the dinner table that we truly did not like. On the other hand, we have met a great number of passengers that we now consider to be good and lasting friends. Like you said, there are a few ‘Ugly Americans’ (and some from other countries); but we just let them cry to themselves, while we continue to enjoy life. Marjorie and I hope to have the joy of cruising with both of you in the future.

 

Lyle

[BonnieJeansMum]

John and Diane,

 

Neither of you

has really retired. You're still teaching! Thank you so very very much for sharing your RTW trip with so many. You both have that rare and special gift of teaching, reaching through your words. Many of the ports came alive with your thoughtfully detailed narratives. Your honesty in the descriptions of all that you saw has only further incited your followers to dreams of faraways places for themselves.

 

Chris

[Flyingfish]

Thank you, thank you both for this wonderful look at our planet and the people on it!! I will miss my morning "readings." Don't leave us out of the next adventure. Barb

[wynkys]

John & Diane,

 

Thank you once again for your wonderful narrative and particularly your summation.

I am very interested in the 2010 WC but have been concerned with some of the comments I have read where some frequent world cruisers have expressed concerns about falling standards. However, I am encouraged by your experiences as 'first timers' and now believe that all I need to do to fully appreciate the cruise is to do my best to avoid all the 'been there done that crowd'.

Thank you once again,

Wayne

[fireman845]

Thank You Very much for taking us along on your journey!! Everyday that I logged into CC and I saw John and Diane's Amazing Round the World Aventure it would be the very first think I would check out to see where “we” had been today.

It was fun, exciting, and simply “Amazing”

Thanks for the ride and God Bless!!!

[Moriah]

John and Diane,

I pretty much want to reiterate what everyone else has said. I appreciate so much that you took the time to let us in on your adventures. And I also want to comment that people like you that choose to focus on what is right rather than anything that might be wrong are the ones who attract more of the good stuff for themselves, and for all of us. I thank you for that as well. I feel as if I "know" you and look forward to all of your future posts. I wish you both good health and tons of enjoyment of your home and family until you embark on your next journey!

Moriah

[HotRoot]

Like everyone else, I have enjoyed traveling around the world with you. I was lucky enough to also travel around the world this year but in only 24 days by private jet. I continued reading your reports everyday. We were at Angkor Wat the week before you. After coming home and printing all of our pictures, someone told us about snapfish.com where you can actually make a photo book complete with comments online. I received our book last week and it has become my favorite souvenir. It is a very nice, quality book. You might want to check it out.

[alsas]

We were on the Amsterdam with you,and just finished reading your journal,you are both amazing in describing your voyage. We have been on many World Cruises,and love every single one of them. We are very very fortunate to be able see this very small World. We would love the information on who you took the overland in India with? It sounds exactly what we want to do next year. We took an overland this trip down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan the guide was wonderful,the BOAT was not good said it was 5 star,and 3 years old,possibly 2star and 30 years old. We got the name of the company from cruise critic Best Way travel in India,they did not come through with there description of the boat. Have used Castro Tours before and would use them again. The trip was wonderful,just be careful on the ship you choose , there must be 100 to choose from. We dont have our luggage yet,but settling down to kitchen duties and making the bed,back to reality. Thank you again for your wonderful review of this amazing trip. Alsas aka Allan and Sandra

[Johnny B]

Hi Alan and Sandra,

No pool to hang around any more - such a shame. I wonder what Jeff (aka Bronzeboy) is doing for his pool time. We haven't had a chance to read his blog and admire his photos yet, but that will come.

 

We agree about DeCastro, but since we got in trouble for mentioning an agent online, why don't you give us your email and we'll give you the name of our Indian agent as well as our wonderful Indian driver. They were fantastic. If you don't want to post your email, contact Jeff, who has our card with our email on it.

 

It is nice to be home, but you're right - why do I have to make my own bed?

[Paul123]

We were on the Amsterdam with you,and just finished reading your journal,you are both amazing in describing your voyage. We have been on many World Cruises,and love every single one of them. We are very very fortunate to be able see this very small World. We would love the information on who you took the overland in India with? It sounds exactly what we want to do next year. We took an overland this trip down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan the guide was wonderful,the BOAT was not good said it was 5 star,and 3 years old,possibly 2star and 30 years old. We got the name of the company from cruise critic Best Way travel in India,they did not come through with there description of the boat. Have used Castro Tours before and would use them again. The trip was wonderful,just be careful on the ship you choose , there must be 100 to choose from. We dont have our luggage yet,but settling down to kitchen duties and making the bed,back to reality. Thank you again for your wonderful review of this amazing trip. Alsas aka Allan and Sandra

 

Nice to see you back in 'civilisation' again. I see you had another great GWV. How can you live without being on that aft deck with Jeff bronze-boy in tow? Anyway only about 8 months now until you're off round the world again...lucky things. We are waiting for the 2010 one. Good luck.

 

Paul and Maria

[TanningPro]

Hi Alan and Sandra,

No pool to hang around any more - such a shame. I wonder what Jeff (aka Bronzeboy) is doing for his pool time. We haven't had a chance to read his blog and admire his photos yet, but that will come.

 

Bronze Boy is doing just fine! After 7 months on the Amsterdam I'm back to a normal life. That would be sitting in the sun most of the day of course. I loved your blog. It is certainly well written. I hope to see you on another Grand Voyage along with Paul & Maria and Allan & Sandra. Next stop for me is the Asia Pacific in September followed by the 2009 World Voyage from Ft Lauderdale to New York.

[blue whale]

On behalf of all CC folks on world 08, I want to say, "Thank you," to John and Diane for organizing the great luncheons for our group. The luncheon meetings gave us the opportunity to get to know others in our group and to begin to put together real names and faces with screen names. It is no easy task to contact all members of a group as large as ours; it takes time out of a busy day. So thank you both. Bravo!

 

And on a more personal note, I want to say another thanks to Diane for being so helpful to everyone on our bus when we were touring Angkor Wat, and so helpful especially to me. Those steep and uneven steps were a challenge, and Diane realized that I needed a helping hand to get up to the top and to clamber down. She was right there to give me an assist, making the overland trip a high point of my trip. Thank you! Thank you!

 

Dorothy

[Peggy Sue]

Reading your blog over the past few months makes one realize that our world offers much to be discovered, experienced and enjoyed. I loved checking in every night to see if there was another installment on your blog ..I loved reading about the ports of call and ship board life. I will admit I really miss the updates!

 

You have given those of us who traveled along with you through your writing an amazing gift ..Thank you so much for taking the time to to share your experiences with us. I will be checking back next year to see if by chance you're underway again ..if so, rest assured I'll be reading every post!

 

I do have one question .. 114 days on-board ..did the cabin ever feel too small or cramped? Or did the entire ship feel like your "home"?

 

Thank you and Welcome home!

 

Peggy