Serenade of the Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise Christmas and New Years 2012. Simply one of the best trips I have ever taken in my life. Didn't expect to fall in love with Spain and Italy but I did. Best part of the trip was experiencing it with the people that I love most in the whole world. My husband and my children.
John and I and Bruce spent a few days in Dubai before we headed to Barcelona where we would meet "the kids", Vincent and Tori and her beau Ryan. We arrived early in Barcelona on Dec 22, and from the moment we got off the airplane we were in awe. The weather was cold and sunny, absolutely gorgeous and everywhere we looked the streets were lined with works of art and stunning buildings. Our first evening in Barcelona was spent just resting up and exploring the area near our hotel. There was so much to see and do but it was hard for me to stay focused as all I could think of was my older kids would be joining us soon and I couldn't wait. The time difference left us a bit off too, so after an evening of Spanish wine, tapas and of course McDonald's we turned in early looking forward to "tomorrow" when the rest of our family would be with us.
John and I and Bruce spent a few days in Dubai before we headed to Barcelona where we would meet "the kids", Vincent and Tori and her beau Ryan. We arrived early in Barcelona on Dec 22, and from the moment we got off the airplane we were in awe. The weather was cold and sunny, absolutely gorgeous and everywhere we looked the streets were lined with works of art and stunning buildings. Our first evening in Barcelona was spent just resting up and exploring the area near our hotel. There was so much to see and do but it was hard for me to stay focused as all I could think of was my older kids would be joining us soon and I couldn't wait. The time difference left us a bit off too, so after an evening of Spanish wine, tapas and of course McDonald's we turned in early looking forward to "tomorrow" when the rest of our family would be with us.
We woke up early the next morning as we were anxious for the day to begin and for the kids to hurry up and arrive. To keep busy and keep my anxiety at bay, we ended up taking a walk around the Sagrada Familia church and stopped and had hot chocolate and gelato for breakfast, don't judge, lol.
All the walking around and touring of the streets around us although beautiful to see did not ease my anxiety over the much awaited arrival of Vincent and Victoria and Ryan. I don't know how many times I asked John "what time is it"? Finally, we started making our way back to the hotel so that we could set up on the balcony and be there when the kids arrived from the airport. To our happy surprise the kids got in earlier than we expected and were calling out to Bruce as we crossed the street and turned the corner to our hotel! They were in our hotel room, waiting on our balcony for us! We were surprised and Bruce took off running with excitement to see his "brudder Zinzin and Toey and Wyan". That was when it truly felt like our Christmas vacation had begun and it was also the happiest moment for me all year. Finally, my whole family was together.
Bruce and Vincent and Tori have a very special bond and it wasn't long before they were horsing around and Bruce was basking in the attention of his big "brudder" and sister and Ryan. It was so wonderful to have our little group back together.
The "kids" were real troopers upon arrival too. They hugged us, put down their bags and headed out with us to see what we could see with our day in Barcelona before we headed out the next night for our Mediterranean cruise!
Bruce and Vincent and Tori have a very special bond and it wasn't long before they were horsing around and Bruce was basking in the attention of his big "brudder" and sister and Ryan. It was so wonderful to have our little group back together.
The "kids" were real troopers upon arrival too. They hugged us, put down their bags and headed out with us to see what we could see with our day in Barcelona before we headed out the next night for our Mediterranean cruise!
There was so much to see too. Looking at the pics now, I realize that I didn't take many pics from our first few hours together. Sometimes you just have to put down the camera and live in the moment.
Much more to come, next post will feature, Antoni Gaudi, and more pics of our short time in Barcelona. Chat to you again real soon!
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