After a while, they cranked the lights back up and started servings breakfast, trying to trick us into thinking we had a full nights sleep. Cameron opened the window shade and was stunned to see daylight streaming in. “Daddy, I stayed up all night! I didn’t sleep at all!” He was so excited to have pulled his first all-nighter. We ate a bit, drank some coffee, and then it was just about time to land.
Aside from the LONG walk from the plane, customs & immigration was a breeze. We met up with our tour guides just outside of baggage claim. After we had gathered everyone together (18 of us), she led us out to the waiting bus. We loaded up the luggage and hopped aboard. It was approximately 10am and we had several hour until we could board the cruise ship, so they took us on a brief tour of Barcelona.
Nobody got much rest on the flight and everyone was pretty tired & cranky. Still, we soldiered on and tried our best to pay attention to the tour and have fun. I was just happy to be out of the airplane! The tour guides wisely chose a couple scenic spots with playgrounds nearby so the kids could play and blow off a little steam after being cooped up so long.
Around 1pm, we all had lunch at a nice restaurant in old town. However, the menu was a bit exotic for our tastes (pigeon or salted cod, anyone?). I didn’t eat very much, but I knew I would make up for this deficit in the days to come aboard the cruise ship!
After lunch, we headed to the cruise terminal and checked it. We got in our cabins around 3:30pm, 30 minutes before the deadline. Roland generously took the boys for a walk up on the deck while Michele, Megan, & I grabbed a quick power nap. When we woke up, it was just about time to start getting ready for dinner. By then, Roland had re-deposited the boys in our room and Justin was passed out cold on the couch. I can’t really carry him anymore, so I had no choice but to wake him up and make him walk. He was not happy about the while idea and was in full thermo-nuclear meltdown mode by the time we arrived at the dining room, crying hysterically. He fell back asleep minutes after arriving at the table.
Pretty soon all 4 of our kids were asleep and Roland & Sandy didn’t show, so Michele and I enjoyed a romantic dinner for two at a table for eight. After dinner, we had to wake the kids again, but it went a little better this time. We got them back up to the cabin and in bed and they are all sleeping soundly. I hope to join them very soon!
It’s about 9:30pm as I write this. The sun is just setting behind the mountains near the port and the ship is just now starting to move from its berth. Tomorrow is a day at sea, which should be just what the doctor ordered for a bunch of jet-lagged travelers.
Aside from the LONG walk from the plane, customs & immigration was a breeze. We met up with our tour guides just outside of baggage claim. After we had gathered everyone together (18 of us), she led us out to the waiting bus. We loaded up the luggage and hopped aboard. It was approximately 10am and we had several hour until we could board the cruise ship, so they took us on a brief tour of Barcelona.
Nobody got much rest on the flight and everyone was pretty tired & cranky. Still, we soldiered on and tried our best to pay attention to the tour and have fun. I was just happy to be out of the airplane! The tour guides wisely chose a couple scenic spots with playgrounds nearby so the kids could play and blow off a little steam after being cooped up so long.
Around 1pm, we all had lunch at a nice restaurant in old town. However, the menu was a bit exotic for our tastes (pigeon or salted cod, anyone?). I didn’t eat very much, but I knew I would make up for this deficit in the days to come aboard the cruise ship!
After lunch, we headed to the cruise terminal and checked it. We got in our cabins around 3:30pm, 30 minutes before the deadline. Roland generously took the boys for a walk up on the deck while Michele, Megan, & I grabbed a quick power nap. When we woke up, it was just about time to start getting ready for dinner. By then, Roland had re-deposited the boys in our room and Justin was passed out cold on the couch. I can’t really carry him anymore, so I had no choice but to wake him up and make him walk. He was not happy about the while idea and was in full thermo-nuclear meltdown mode by the time we arrived at the dining room, crying hysterically. He fell back asleep minutes after arriving at the table.
Pretty soon all 4 of our kids were asleep and Roland & Sandy didn’t show, so Michele and I enjoyed a romantic dinner for two at a table for eight. After dinner, we had to wake the kids again, but it went a little better this time. We got them back up to the cabin and in bed and they are all sleeping soundly. I hope to join them very soon!
It’s about 9:30pm as I write this. The sun is just setting behind the mountains near the port and the ship is just now starting to move from its berth. Tomorrow is a day at sea, which should be just what the doctor ordered for a bunch of jet-lagged travelers.
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