Final Days on the Sun

 Life on the Viking Sun was luxurious and full. Sea days were packed with music in the lounges, concerts, lectures, and round table discussions like “Is Cecil Rhodes a hero or a Villain?” Carol learned calligraphy which proved useful in making cards with Mark’s drawings for birthday dinners with friends.

Birthday Dinner For Entertainer Louie Shelton

(Patty missing), Louie, Lon Sylvia, Judy, Woody and Mark

Paul and Marion who Love York Maine!

Lon's Party with Patty and Chef Wyan

Chef Thomas continually surprised us with fabulous food that included local specialties and international buffets…making exercise necessary. Even that was fun, especially dance classes with the four Viking Vocalists. The last two were taught by Josh’s sister, an Argentine Tango instructor in London. Dancers we are not…but we had a ball trying, and Mark looked good dancing with Tina at the final Atrium Concert. 

Just a Sampling of the Chef's Fabulous Food...

And with all that good eating...a bit of exercising...

Carol Exercising with Friends

Mark and Dance Instructor Tina

The amazing crew Spoiled us...ways with a Smile
Maria and Butch at African Buffet

We were entertained by wonderful concerts, and beautiful sunsets and sea creatures and even passed by Null Island which was actually just a buoy at 0 degrees latitude and 0 degrees longitude.

"Null Island"...0 degree latitude 0 degree longitude

Our travel home day…one that is usually long and exhausting…was also easy and fun thanks to Viking. Up at 4AM, we sipped cappuccinos, ate cookies and almond croissants and said a few final farewells in the Atrium while waiting for our group to be tendered to the bus. The ride from Greenwich to Heathrow flew thanks to a smart, funny guide who entertained and informed us as we again made our way through the city of London. Ever wonder where the sayings “Laughing my head off” and “severance pay” come from? We now know.

At the airport we went straight to United’s lounge, a perk of traveling first class, part of the cruise package. There we had breakfast #2…a yummy hot and cold buffet along with lattes and specialty drinks as we read the paper in comfy chairs.

Enjoying the Flight First Class Style

At 10AM we boarded and settled into our little first-class nooks… like kids in a candy store we discovered all the hidden compartments, played with the buttons, opened our travel kits and cozied up with blankets and pillows…not one but two. The seats turned into beds so we could nap a bit, but mostly we watched movies, all stretched out in our little nests while they fed us snacks and two full meals…not quite like the ship’s food, but pretty darn good! We would have liked the eight-hour flight to go on a bit longer, but at 1:30PM we landed and an hour later we were being greeted by two smiling grandsons!

Bjorn and Erik liked their New Wallets (Ship's Keycard Holders) 

Laura and Drew had picked up our van the weekend before, so we didn’t need to schlep all our luggage back home on the train. They also took care of our broody little chicken Big Elsie the whole 4.5 months. We had a wonderful visit with them and were glad that we got to see Drew before he left for the Bahamas the following morning at 3AM, co-leading a marine biology trip for NPU. The boys were chatty and fun…eager to show off the basement they had just cleaned, their bunk beds, and lego creations. Supper was Lou’s pizza and salad, and Ann Sather’s cinnamon rolls…good to be back in Chicago!

Brunch with Sean and Kate

The next day we had brunch with Kate and Sean who had returned the day before from Columbia. Kate had taken a month-long yoga training, and Sean joined her for a week of sightseeing and hiking adventures. It was great to be back with family especially on Mother’s Day!

The Dreaded Lady Beetles had Come and Gone

They Left Notes, Treats, and Even a Culver's Coupon!

Then it was time to head home where we found more surprises from Drew and Laura…sweet welcome notes, snacks, and a few basics in the fridge including fresh eggs (not Elsie’s!). They had even mowed the lawn and put all our lawn and porch furniture out…a happy helpful surprise!

Grateful for family and our amazing trip, we thought back on all the places we’d been, people we encountered, and lessons we learned…that we all have the power to affect someone’s day with a smile and kind word, or the opposite. (There were few onboard in that category…demanding, entitled and just plain rude) We learned not to sweat the small stuff or to judge others from our white privileged eyes especially without knowing their stories. 

All 17 church services we attended on board ended with this quote…"Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make the journey with us. So, be swift to love and make haste to be kind.” This seems to us a good way to live, and a good way to end our blog.

Home Sweet Home