Day 1

And the adventure begins.  The top photo is our luggage loaded from the van being taken inside to check us in.  They only let you pay for 4 pieces of luggage on line so we had to pay for the other four.  They asked me if they were overweight I said no I had two friends who use to work for the airlines come and weigh them.  All that trouble Gregg and Sue and they didn't even weigh them.

Our driver arrived about 15 minutes early which was great got the luggage all into the car before I was even out of the bedroom.  Nice ride to the airport.  Were met at the airport with a wheelchair and a porter with a luggage flatbed they whisked us right inside to the front of the line.  We were checked in in under 10 minutes.  Then we went through security my line fast, Bill's line the xray machine broke down so it took about 15 minutes for that. Not bad since the airport was so crowded!  We spend the rest of the time in the US Airways Club and they came and got us before boarding.  Unfortunately we were 1 hour late leaving but with the time difference we had plenty of time.  We were met in LA by a Crystal rep who got a porter and they left with all 8 bags.  The limo arrived and Bill and I were taken to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.  Located on the corner of Beverly Whilshire and Rodeo Drive.  It is where they filmed pretty women.  At the hotel we were greeted by name by another Crystal rep who took us upstairs checked us in and gave us a letter informing us about our gala tonight.  Great news American Express came through and Bill's card was waiting for us.  We had lunch in the Blvd restaurant in the hotel.  I was waiting for Richard Gere to come but alas he didn't show up.  Anyway it was a good lunch more than we pay for dinner for two.  A hamburger was $36. my veal was $30, Perrigrino water was $9.  For a total of $90. without tip!!!!!!!  Anyway we are now resting and I will report tomorrow about the Gala tonight.  Having some gmail issues.  Tried to have it taken care of yesterday at Verizon but they couldn't do it hopefully we will be able to maybe get to an apple store before we leave.  Not getting Gmail on my phone or laptop!  If not maybe the computer guys on the ship can figure it out.

So as Bill rests I am going to start getting ready for tonight it is already 5:30 and I need to be downstairs by 7:00pm.

The adventure continues!
Just back from the Gala Celebration.  It was a wonderful way to kick off a great cruise.  I will post some pictures.  We have not been on the Serenity since 2008 we have been on Symphony and the cruise director Rick Spath remembered us and was so happy to see us.  His quote "You promised me you would do a world cruise I am so happy you are here.  Next up was Captain Glen who welcomed us back.  As we entered the Wintergarten room for our cocktail hour a Crystal Rep met us and gave us our table assignements.  We were assigned to table 23.  Now I am not sure if you all know that is our anniversary.  Anyway I am posting the menu if just in case you can't read it we started with assorted hor'douves  .  Dinner was Green and White Asparagus Tower, Parmesan Reggiano, Baby Mache, Frisee, Truffle Vinaigrette,
Parsnip & Black Truffle soup
Pan-Seared Striped Bass or Prime Filet Mignon,
Rich Chocolate Mousse Timbale with Fudge Chocolate Cake, Seasonal Berriers, Fruit Coulis with assorted wines, champaganes or cocktails.  The band was great.
We were each given a cookie t shaped like the ship.  We met a couple who remembere us from 2008 and the VP of Shore Excursions sat with us.  We met 2 other very nice couples.

Great start to a great adventure.  Captain Glen always has a thought for the day.  Today's thought was If you think you will have a good time you will if you think you won't have a good time you won't.... We are going to have a fabulous time!

8 Checked 4 carry ons!

All our bags are packed we're ready to go.  Leaving on a Jet Plane, then Ship, then bus maybe even a train or two!

Well most of you know that we have had a couple of really really stressful weeks.  Yesterday was the worst.  But it all worked out.  Bill's car on the way to the auction wouldn't go in gear so he had to bring it home.  Went to go out to lunch and my Escalade would not start.  We went with Sue and Gregg, Gregg met Bill at the auction and followed him home.  Called AAA to bring a new battery and Bill couldn't find the keys to my car.  Found the extra set got my car working again.  Bill lost the keys out of his jacket in Sue's car.  Thank God they are safe.  He then tells me we have another problem by this time my head is ready to explode.  It seems he can't find his American Express Platinum Card so I call they speak to Bill and promise to have a new one set to the hotel!  Got up early and the car was a loose nut so that was great he had it fixed runs great and dropped it at the auction.  Got an email from our favorite Italian Restaurant in town Bill left his Amex car there on Friday too late already cancelled the card.  Finished putting the last minute stuff in the carry on and we are ready to go.

I told Bill when we get to LA and all our luggage is there I am going to head to the bar at the hotel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I earned a drink on this week!

So it was a year ago when we booked this trip and I can't believe how fast the time went.  I imagine that I will feel the same when we are returning from the trip.  It really does goes fast.

So tomorrow night we will be at a Black Tie Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and I am looking forward to boarding the ship and relaxing for 4 days until we reach Honolulu on Monday.

I will be in touch.  Love you all and will miss you all!

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN!

Okay this is what our bedroom is looking like lately.  A friend called it organized chaos.  Today if the football game would hurry and end we will start placing these in suitcases......  I am starting to get butterflies in my stomach is it because I am going away for 94 days and I am nervous or is it because I am going away for 94 and I am excited!!!!!!  Either way there is way too much to do to worry about it.  So Onward, upward, downward into the suitcases we go!

Spent the day shopping with Bill.  He didn't think he needed anything until he finally decided to look in his closet.  2 1/2 hours, 4 pairs of pants, 6 dress shirts, 3 ties, 1 belt, 1 sport jacket, 1 black tie and cummerbund, 3 pairs of shorts, 1 Tommy Bahama shirt 2 pairs dress shoes (the ones he has hurt his feet), 1 pair sneakers, 1 pair loafters, a bathing suit, exercise pants, and socks later we are now good to go.  We have set up two large folding tables in our bedroom and we are each using one to place our clothes on and then into suitcases...  One suitcase is packed  All the cold weather jackets, boots, hats, gloves....  That will go into storage on the ship till we need it somewhere near China maybe!!  Think I have all the toiletries gathered.  My medicine is all in order.  Yikes this is more work than I thought!  Will take a picture of all the clothes on the tables tomorrow..... Back to work for me...

Jan 1, 2012 Getting Ready

We are starting to pack and get ready for our trip we leave here in 16 days.  I will be updating if possible before we get to LA................ Wish I could sing all my packs are packed, Im ready to go but not yet.


Stay tuned..........