New travels ahead

This week we are prepping and packing for our next big journey. With Covid, travel is certainly different. Our goal is to avoid getting sick not just on the trip, but prior to as well. If we test positive, the trip is off. This past March, we did a test run with a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Holland America Rotterdam to Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, and Key West. We had to test prior to the cruise and mask on the plane and in all indoor areas. It actually went great. Masking is no big deal and getting monitored tests over the internet in inexpensive and easy. I see people on forums stressing about these, but that is really not necessary.

Our weather was beautiful and I really needed the beach time. I was testing my endurance after getting over Covid. I'm certainly not what I was, but I was able to do everything I set out to do. My favorite thing and I wasn't sure I could do was swimming in Grand Turk with a sea turtle that popped his head up by me. It was a wonderful experience.

Dominican Republic was beautiful. We learned how to roll cigars and hang out with a few locals. It was a warm day with lots of walking, but we conquered it.

My biggest surprise was Key West. We didn't really expect to be able to visit there as they have been turning away cruise ships. Because of this, we didn't have anything planned. We just got off the ship and started walking. We worked our way to Hemmingway's home and got to see all the cats. They were EVERYWHERE! We then visited Fort Hancock, an old Civil War fort. After a hot walk around there, we hit up the marina and some great seafood at Conch Republic Seafood Company. It was a wonderfully relaxing day.

The ship was also beautiful and the food incredible. I don't think I have ever had better food consistently throughout the whole voyage. I would sail with Holland America anytime. Now we are prepping for 24 days in Europe. This trip is years in the making with all of our Covid delays. I am hoping to post daily during our trip, mostly so I can keep up with everything we are doing. We will start in Southamption, UK and then board a ship (Island Princess) to see lots of ports in Norway. We have to test negative before we can board the ship, so fingers crossed. After the cruise, we will have 4 nights in London. It should be an adventure with lots to see.