Thursday, November 20, 2008

11/20 Home again, home again

Back in Richmond, we were greeted with the cold, brrr, air! Fortunately, the last night on the Independence was chilly and it was a brisk morning in Ft. Lauderdale, so we were kind of acclimated to the temperature change....but what a shock to the system! One day blistering hot, the next red nose and blue fingers. It really is winter on this side of the world!

Our last nights on the largest ship afloat were very nice. The entertainment actually started before midnight, so we were able to hear a couple of sets from the great band aboard. Our last night at sea, we took our drinks back to the balcony, cuddled up in our robes and sat outside listening to the wind pick up, the water froth and slap the side of the ship as the clouds slipped silently by above us. The end of our odyssey - can't think of any other way I'd want to end our around the world adventure.

So, the bottom line? Was it worth it? As Ed's Dad was fond of asking "Would you go there again?" The answer: Hell yes! 62 days, 45 of those on a ship, 2 1/2 weeks in two countries that have no equal; sights and sounds like we've never experienced before; cultures that are so different from ours, and yet so intriguing; history and conflicts and legends and lores and Gods and religions and traditions. It's almost too much for the senses - and the memory. (That's why the blog was born.)

We'd do it all over again in a heartbeat - maybe some minor itinerary changes, longer in Thailand and Cambodia, less time in China and Japan. Heck, we'll probably just do a land tour next and stay in Thailand and Cambodia for a while. There's enough to see and do in those two countries alone to last a life time. Forget about the ship part...well...maybe.....

So, to all our bleaders, thank you for being so faithful and interested in our wanderings. We have had a wonderful time, but there's no place like home and we are happy to be here continuing all our wonderful adventures with all of you...in person.

Ciao per adesso.......

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