A month.
Poof.
Gone.
It seemed, back in January, when we started putting this adventure together that our departure date would never arrive. Then as we set out on October 1st, the month-long trip sounded as though it would stretch endlessly into the South Pacific.
Tomorrow on a springtime Monday evening we fly out of Sydney, Australia and some 20 hours later we will arrive home on a late Monday evening in the midst of autumn.
While the month has gone far too quickly, this trip is one that has definitely made our Pacific Northwest life seem long ago and far away. We’ve heard very little from family and friends. We’ve seen bits and pieces of headline news and sports from home; a good reminder that there’s a big ol’ world out there with lots going on beyond the United States.
Our days at sea provided a pleasant mix of time for relaxing and introspection. And thanks to Celebrity we had a variety of special on-board experiences like dining with the captain and visiting the bridge. . .all of which we will tell you about in future posts.
A warm welcome in Papeete, Tahiti |
Our three days in French Polynesia was a wonderful taster plate of experiences that calls out for a second helping of this amazing tropical paradise.
Many of you know that I was ambivalent about visiting New Zealand and Australia prior to the trip. Not so, any longer. We have seen stunningly beautiful parts of both countries and will long remember the warm welcomes that have greeted us ‘Down Under’.
If the travel gods smile upon us, our next report will be written from back in Kirkland. Hope you’ll come back later this week because our Tales of the South Pacific are just beginning!
Get home safely you two. I will look forward to hearing all about it!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you two had a wonderful trip, Jackie! I've enjoyed the posts and pictures along the journey. As a reader I didn't want it to end either! Kirkland weather will definitely be an eye opener from the balmy South Pacific climate :)
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