Today’s Schedule
Breakfast: On board
Morning: Transfer to the airport for your flight home. We hope you enjoyed Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please be in touch via the Road Scholar Social Network, where you can share memories, pictures, and comments. Best wishes for all your journeys.
http://www.roadscholar.org/lps/blog_participants.asp
Meals Included: Breakfast? Last real meal before we get home )-:
My Observations
I get up early, almost dawn, when I felt the ship moving. We are leaving the area near St Marks Square and heading to the cruise ship dockage area, we initially boarded at. As I keep looking out the ship window, see a huge cruise ship, that carries probably in excess of 3,000 passengers. Our Michelangelo, is puny in comparison – less than 200 passengers, with maybe 20 crew covering all other requirements. The SS Gigantic is being pulled by a tug boat to prevent make huge waves that at times had got onto Venice low lying areas. We don’t have that issue and continue on under ships power.
After showering, finish packing suitcase to leave outside door for porter pickup to take to bus. We will verify our baggage is all there after we eat as we board the bus to airport. For this trip, I bought a small – 20 inch carryon bag. It has 4 roller wheels like the 24 inch luggage. Thought it a good idea – at the time. Usually, instead of formal suitcase for carryon, have used a small backpack to bring all my electronic gear – cameras, computers and battery chargers for various things. Always concerned about security. Did find some things were taken from luggage when it was checked on 1 occasion. Issue was the pockets I used for storing playing cards, has zipper, but no method of locking. So far, no issues – knock on wood.
I find out later, when we are checking baggage at Venice airport, that the carryon will have to be checked since overhead storage is small on the flight from Venice to Amsterdam aircraft. I was allowed to carry my computer to plane though – not too convenient without having a storage bag and gripping shiny surface always not secure. For future trips, looks like I will be back to backpack for carryon with high value electronics. What would I do if I did not have my camera plus spare, and computer and backup hard drive for all the photos I take? This trip, total was just over 12,000.
No – I don’t post all photos, only less than 10%.
When asked, why so many photos? I reply – they are my “digital breadcrumbs,” sort of like story of Hansel and Gretel walking in the woods. Every evening, I match the days photos with GPS I carry to “remember” just where a certain photo was taken. It’s quicker than writing a note as to location of store or restaurant name – menu items etc..
After breakfast, Carol & Mya go to lounge area of ship to share last minute thoughts with other tour group members. I notice that a handout sheet was being distributed with the younger folks contact information. I did the same at the beginning of the journey – requesting 1 contact person per family to simplify my making a group e-mail distribution list. I wanted to send out as soon as possible to prevent my mistyping a character or two. Or, worse yet, not be able to decipher what was written. On first try, sending on day 2, only got 2 returned for minor change.
I did see the page for the younger members, only a few added e-mail info. Preference was for SnapChat at ratio of 2:1.
We all go to area where baggage is next to loading area of bus and verified it got there – is loaded into bus storage. Great idea. Why wait until we get to airport and exclaim – I’m missing something!
We get to Venice airport and security just fine. Now a 2 hour wait until our departure. I don’t mind. Better than missing flight. Mya meets with friend Eva who she spent time with during tour. Nice to see a connection. Still wonder – how long will they share note, photos, whatever?
http://www.veniceairport.it/en/
For me, this journal will be sent to a list – family, friends, contacts from prior adventures. I feel good when I get a note back after the alert on how to access the journal. Many have said; they wish they could have opportunity of travel, but can’t for various reasons. Some have said – thanks for “taking me along,” in photos and written narrative. Much better than watching a travel show, where someone might be hawking sales on something I’m not interested in.
The journal notes have not been meant as a brag piece, but an attempt to reflect and share the experience and encourage others to maybe learn more about these places.
Even with all the photos I take along the way, or, the books I buy for review, need to do additional study when returning home. Like with SnapChat ratio – Each day of travel will get maybe 2 days of research to help me fill in the blanks as to what I might have missed and need help, sort photos and write narrative.
The travel journals started only in recent years. Before, only printed some photos for Carol & I to keep in an album. Shared the photos with guests “if” they were interested. I noticed a lot of interest the first few pages, then page turning gets quicker.
The journal has allowed me time to reflect on what I learned. Being a life-long learner, know it never stops. Since there is no expense involved with posting and sharing the journal online, thought it a great way to make it available.
Aircraft leaves Venice on time. Although I think we have ample time to change gates in Amsterdam, plans don’t always work out. At times, multiple security stops in the same airport. Am glad of the effort. Seven or so hour later, arrive at Detroit airport. Instead of usual taxi home, Mya calls her mom, who drives us.
http://www.schiphol.nl/Travellers/AtSchiphol.htm
http://www.metroairport.com/TravelerInfo/GeneralInfo.aspx
Yes, home, sweet, home. Even before opening home door, Carol & I walk around the garden – front and back. What veggies are still available? How about flowers we can enjoy?
We bid Mya and Maggie a good night.
For Carol and I, our usual meal ritual – go to local favorite – Antonio’s Cucina. Italian food, what else. While we are gone to eat, gives the furnace or air conditioning a chance to get temps to a comfy level. Gas water heater is also readjusted to get that welcomed warm shower after the long flight. Finally – time for sweet dreams – good night (-:
http://antoniosrestaurants.com/
Photo 1 - See. Venice in the early morning fog. Maybe like our recollection of the trip?
Photo 2 - Do. Yes, we do find our luggage is ready to board bus like us for ride to Venice airport.
Photo 3 - Eat. Airline food – what can I say? Food is/was much better over this past 21 days! (-:
Click here for today's online photo album.
