Mediterranean cruise

Deciding that the best way to experience Europe is through beaches and coastal towns, our family went on a 5 night Mediterranean cruise over the Easter break. We had invited and organized 6 other families to join us and later learned there were another 5-6 families from St. John’s that would be on the cruise as well. It was an amazing experience. Our ship was the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas and quite an improvement over our last ship (Voyager of the Seas). This ship had multiple pools, a mini golf area, an ice skating rink, a rock climbing wall, Johnny Rockets restaurant, and the usual restaurants, gym, spa, etc.

So as not to be too detailed, I’ll give you the highlights of each port:

Day 1 - Nice (Villefranche, France): The cruise ship docked in the ocean and after a leisurely morning at the pool and lunch on the ship, we took smaller boats into the port. The view from the cruise ship was amazing! Unfortunately the main attraction for our group was to see the Promenade Anglais in Nice, but it was shut down for some sort of race. We happily meandered along the quaint cobblestone streets in Villefranche shopping for jewelry, pottery, lavender, herbs de provence, etc. The beach was rocky, but still fun for the kids to play in the cold sea water. A few hours later and bellies full of gelato, we headed back to the ship. For sure the South of France is a place where we must return.

Day 2 - Civitavecchia (Rome, Italy): Many of our group had been to Rome so we organized an Etruscan tour with our Rome Connection tour guide, Marco. Upon meeting Marco in the port, he informed us most places are closed in Italy on Mondays. (Something he failed to mention when we were booking the tour, but I digress). Driving through the countryside was idyllic and beautiful, but rather uneventful. Luckily, our three hour lunch and wine tasting experience saved the day! Nicholas and Lindsey weren’t thrilled we had left them on the cruise ship in the kids club all day, but it’s safe to say they would have been miserable on the tour.

Day 3 - Cagliari, Sardinia (Italy): Again, we had a leisurely morning on the ship and headed into town after lunch. We had been told that Sardinia boasted Italy’s longest beach and were determined to get there. Unfortunately, it was quite windy that day and our plans changed to include a horse & carriage ride around the castle district. A few hours later and our bellies full of gelato once again, we headed back to the ship.

Day 4 - Day at sea: You can guess we spent a lot of time at the pool this day. We also watched Nick master the climbing wall. Before dinner we saw professional ice skaters put on a great production in the skating rink.

Day 5 - Return to Barcelona, Spain: We spent the next 3 days exploring Barcelona through a hop-on, hop-off bus, eating tapas, drinking sangria, buying souvenirs, going to the aquarium on our rainy day, walking Las Ramblas, and swimming in the hotel pool. What a fun city!

We have decided cruising with kids is a win-win vacation. You don’t get to know the port cities very well, but the experiences you do have are well worth it! :)

Lost wallet

I’ve learned that many people who read our blog like a good struggle story. If that’s the case, then this is for you! :)

Saturday, February 26th, I drove to Luxembourg (a small neighboring country to Belgium, where coincidentally Miami University has a campus) with my neighbor Marina to see the Maroon 5 concert. It’s an easy 1 hr. 45 min. drive and we were enjoying our getaway. We parked the car in an underground garage and began walking toward the center of town to have lunch and do a little shopping. Standing in line at the H&M, I realized I didn’t have my wallet. Marina and I were sure the wallet was in the car and she spotted me the cash. When we got back to the car, the wallet was no where to be found. We searched everywhere, asked the parking lot attendant, retraced our steps to town, looking in all the garbage cans along the way. We stopped at the police station but they were closed. Office hours are 8 am -6 pm Monday - Friday. Things did not look good. I had close to 250 euros in cash. I called Paul and asked him to freeze my credit cards. Jeff, Marina’s husband, called the rest stop where we had gotten snacks, but didn’t have any luck finding my wallet. Marina and I still managed to enjoy the concert and headed back on Sunday morning. We stopped at the same rest stop as we had on our drive the day before, but the wallet had not been turned in.

Monday, February 28th, I contemplated calling the police, but figured it was a lost cause. Who turns in wallets these days? I did, however, go to the Waterloo commune to start the process of replacing Belgian id cards for me and the kids. The commune ladies demanded I go to the police first to report the wallet stolen and bring back a paper saying as such. They also said I needed to bring the kids with me to get their replacement cards. (Along with pictures of all of us).

Ironically, the police also needed a picture of me in order to take my statement. After confirming that they didn’t need pictures of the children (who were at school), I diligently went to the grocery store and paid my 5 euros to get 6 little passport photos (something we’ve done at least 4 times here in Belgium). I returned to the police station, ready to make my statement. After finding an officer who was fluent in French and English we began. 7 pieces of paper later, I had the required attestation to return to the commune.

Tuesday, March 1st after school, I took both kids to get their pictures taken at the grocery store. We’ve now spent 15 euros in passport photos.

Wednesday, March 2nd we trudged back to the commune before school started with pictures and paperwork in hand. The lady helping us asked me if I had Paul’s new work permit with me. His old one was to expire on the 14th of March and we would all need new id cards then anyway. I called Paul at work. He let his HR dept. know the work permit was going to expire and asked them to begin the renewal process. The commune lady explained that if she gave me new id cards now (it takes at least 2 weeks for them to arrive), they would still expire on the 14th. We were at a standstill.

Friday, March 18th, Paul receives a document from his company that needs to be signed by the commune before he can get his work permit. (Keep in mind the commune hours are Monday - Friday from 8 am - 11 am and Tue./Thu. afternoon from 1:30 - 4 pm). The commune ladies remind Paul he needs pictures too.

Saturday, March 19th, Paul goes to the grocery store and pays his 5 euros to get his 6 passport photos taken. We have now spent 20 euros for the family.

Monday, March 21st, I go to the office with Paul’s papers and pictures and voila! I have the work permit. When I ask if I can now get the id cards for me and the kids, the commune worker tells me Paul needs to be with me. Seriously?! Didn’t they just see him on Friday? Didn’t I have his work permit in my hands? I’m incredulous and she passes me off to a more senior colleague. The colleague asks me if I have lost my wallet or had it stolen. I sheepishly admit I lost it. She ticks a box on a form on her computer and says., “Okay, now you can apply for a replacement card, but since your old card doesn’t expire until April 14th, and I have just made that card invalid should anyone try to use it, this new card would only be valid until April 14th and then you would need to come back with your husband to get your new id cards.” Seriously!?

Tuesday, March 22nd, I send an e-mail to the Luxembourg police about my lost wallet. I had heard from too many people that wallets, do indeed get returned. I hear back from them that afternoon that my wallet is at the Belgian Embassy in Luxembourg! I am in disbelief. (My mom is saying, told you so!)

Wednesday, March 23rd, I hear back from the Embassy who tell me they have had the wallet since March 3rd and will hold onto my wallet until I arrive. They cannot really confirm what is in the wallet, but my dad is insistent I go pick it up.

Wednesday, March 30th, Lindsey and I drive to Luxembourg. We get a few sprinkles of rain, but it’s mostly sunny. Lindsey has the iPad in the backseat and asks me Math Bingo questions while I drive. “What’s 2+1? What’s 4+7? What’s 9+2?” After 2 hours drive, we arrive at the Embassy. I sign a piece of paper confirming who I am and show my passport. My wallet is returned. There is not a stitch of cash in it. Not even my lucky $2 from my dad. All 3 credit cards are gone. What does remain are my Belgian id card and driver’s license, the kids’ Belgian id cards, a picture of Jackson, my IKEA family card, and some other nonessential items. Lindsey and I had planned to stay for lunch, but we decide to head back right away and eat the snacks I had brought. After another 2 hours and 80 euros in gas, we are home, safe and sound with my $13 wallet. Was it worth it? My dad would say yes, but I’m thinking not.

Lesson learned -- report missing items immediately. You never know if they will be returned!

Just in case you are wondering. I’m still walking around with an invalid and expired Belgian id card as Paul and I have to get to the commune together. :)