Family Ties (posted on 3/27/17)

The early months of 2017 were spent with family. First, Matthias' parents came to Crete for a couple of weeks over the new year. Then, in January, we went back to Florida, took care of some mundane stuff (doctor/dentist appts) and then left for a Caribbean cruise with mom, (aunt) Laurene, and (cousins) Josh and Elisha and Andrew and Lindsay. We boarded cruise ship in Tampa,just over an hour's drive from my mom's house, but it was made into two hours because Matthias realized he forgot his suit (that he bought specifically for the cruise) when we were halfway there. The cruise line was nothing special - we were all a bit disappointed with the facilities/food - but of course we all had a blast! Here's a summary:

First night: Sailing under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at sunset was cool, especially since we drive over the bridge so much (every TPA airport trip). We then had a belated birthday celebration (for me!) at the specialty restaurant. I think I had a food hangover the next day.

Sky Bridge sunset

Muster drill!

Family photo on the first night of the cruise

Group photo on first night (and my birthday dinner!) The only photo we got of all of us together!

First (sea) day: Matthias and I got up early for coffee and breakfast - we eventually found the trove of smoked salmon (was hidden and you had to ask for it!) so we knew the score for the rest of the trip. We spent the day getting to know the ship and lounging in the sun. Mom and I tried some Zumba, Josh brought a few games for us to play on deck - and in various bars in the evening throughout the cruise - and we had our first dinner in the main restaurant - formal night.

Our happy gentlemen - Matthias, Josh and Andrew

Davidsburg family on formal night

Day two - Roatan, Honduras: Part of the group got dragged along with me to the main town (Coxen Hole) and market, where we grabbed the public bus to West End. It was a tight squeeze, but kind of a fun drive through the countryside and villages. West End wasn't what I thought - there wasn't much beach to it and it was pretty built up - but we had a nice lunch. Although mom cut her trip short and caught a taxi back the rest of us found a cozy beach where we could rent a snorkel and paddleboard. I forgot how awesome snorkeling is - must do it more often! Then we took a water taxi over to West Bay where we caught a taxi back to the ship.

With Elisha on the bus to West End

Quiet beach corner in West End

Judy on a Paddleboard!

Snorkling!

Elisha trying the paddleboard

Taxi back to the port!

Day Three - Belize City: Another part of the group braved the "Judy and Matthias walking tour" of Belize City. After walking the tourist route and wanting to proceed to the main market, we were warned by a few people that walking to the market was not a good idea, due to high crime. We ended up negotiating with a local taxi driver to take us He charged $15 for what I swear was about three blocks, but he stayed and showed us the market, and then took us (probably another three blocks) to a nice place for lunch and then back to the Port, where the group parted ways and Matthias and I walked a bit further in the other direction (along the coast).

The ladies being super-good sports at the market!

Mom, Andrew and Matthias at a neighborhood restaurant

Judy, Lindsay and Laurene on the other side of the table

Day Four - Costa Maya: Couldn't find much to do around here except laze around the beach, so that's what we did, after a (perhaps ill-advised) walk from the port to the beach. We rented snorkels, had a nice ceviche for lunch (Matthias had a whole fish, Josh had fish tacos), and I pretty much forgot to take any pictures. Until we got back on board, that is.

Blue drinks - after the first sip, they tasted about as bad as they looked. Matthias must be holding someone else's here - I think I see his beer on the table.

More blue drinking

Day Five - Cozumel: This day the whole group (minus Matthias) did an excursion, grabbing a cab out to Playa Mia beach resort for a cooking class and "beach break" (liquor included!) Turned out to be a great time! The cooking class was fun - made even "funner" with margaritas - and even I could handle the cooking because everything was chopped/prepped for us. After eating the lunch we cooked, we headed to the beach to PLAY. They had something like a floating jungle gym - rubber rafts with ladders, slides and a trampoline volleyball area. We all donned the required life vests and had a blast playing around. Then mom and I went to check out the water slide, which was also fun.

The grown-up table

The kids' table

Joshin around in the kitchen

On the beach in Playa Mia

Day Six/Seven - At Sea: One more day to relax and eat and drink before disembarking in Tampa. It was so great to be able to spend this time with family. Fun, very little stress, and we're all still talking! Lots more cruise photos can be found HERE.

And then....Mom came to Greece!!

In March, Mom hopped a flight in Miami and met me in Athens for a two-week Greek adventure. We took the ferry together to Crete, rented a car and spent five days in Pitsidia (at another apartment in our house). Unfortunately, the weather wasn't so nice (it was sunny and warm the week before and after!!) We visited the local markets and sights, but took it easy because mom was tired and coming down with a cold, though we did play lots of Rummykub. From Pitsidia, we drove across the island to Chania and spent a night there before taking a series of ferries to Santorini. Santorini was as gorgeous as advertised! We spent two nights there - rented a car, toured the island and enjoyed the sunsets. Then we flew to Athens for three nights - visiting the Acropolis and enjoying the city life. I'll just post a couple of pictures here - click here to see the full album. I also did a full trip report for my mom that would probably be boring for anyone else to read, but can be found here.

First day in Pitsidia - short walk to the chapel by the sea

Mom and Matthias at the Palace of Festos

At Komos beach in Pitsidia

Walking down to komos beach

Venetian Harbor in Chania

Chillin on the ferry to Santorini

Santorini!!

Sunset on our hotel terrace in Santorini

Judy's hike to Skaros Rock in Santorini

Yummy lunch in Athens

Playing RummyKub at a cafe in Athens

On the Acropolis

Last night in Athens - vodka in pretty glasses!

And now, spring has sprung in Crete! While I did find Santorini to be spectacular, I have a new appreciation for our corner of Crete. It's got so much natural beauty (greener with many more trees) and is really laid back. Okay, and in winter, laid back is an understatement. We are (mentally) ready to take off again and will do so in about two weeks. We have our apartment until April 8th, so that's when we're leaving. The plan as it stands now is to catch the ferry to the mainland, ride back across the Peloponnese and take the ferry to Venice, where we'll begin our ride toward the Alps and Germany. We plan to take our time so as not to hit the Alps too early. And a lot depends on how Matthias' bike holds up. It's making funny (but different) noises again - and that's without the trailer attached. So, here are some last views of our winter home in Crete!