“I took a trip to Ibiza”…. ok now that – that song is out of my head, let me tell you about where I have been and what I have been working on. I will also share my bad un retouched pics. Be gentle kind reader. I do not have a glam team. I spend my time working to find work and working to well, work. That is to say, working double time. I will not complain because that is the case with most people who are self employed or artists. I had a work assignment in Europe and lucked out on some more to stretch out my birthday trip.
Of of the many hats I wear, writer, travel host and agent/ advisor, e-commerce giant want to be, my favorite is travel. I get so much writing done and I get to travel! Bonus… I get to meet outstanding people from all over the world. My other great passion, I have several, is taking pictures. So here are some pictures for those of you who are like me and enjoy living vicarously through others.
My itinerary: Cruise through the Adriatic on Virgin and a week in Paris during the Olympic Games. (TEEHEE)
First: I am one of those people. I had to look up the Adriatic. We started in Athens on my birthday – July 28. I chose the cruise because I like Virgin and it was the only one close to Paris and near my birthday. I had cruised on Virgin several times before as a solo and as a host for my travel group, LASTA aka The Long and SHort Travel Adventures Club or https://lastaclub.com/
We did Dubrovnik, Croatia, Kotor, Montenegro, Greece: Corfu and I think Mykonos…. That last one was a blur, and no Athens did not count because that was just a place to get on and off the boat. I did two days in Athens and next time I think I will do it with a more gentle tour guide. If not gentle at least as slow moving as I am. I am too out of shape for the steep slippery marble steps of the Parthenon and they did not let me use the elevator as it was reserved for wheel chair users only. That sucked monkey balls. Oh well. I did see people much much older and heavier than me going up and down with ease. I had a sore back and a knee ache so it was a hard no for me. Athens was a 6 of 10 for me but I will go again with my own group. That way I can control the pace more. I will also pick more homey places to dine over places that catered to British tourist’s taste. The boat was nice but the crowd more subdued than on the Caribbean, Barcelona, and England trips. The Barcelona trip had awesome staff and the people were very diverse and fun loving.
After I got to Paris, I experienced love at first site. It was like New York with more space and better architecture from the old European era. Everyone everywhere was friendly and despite the Olympics, I was pleased that everything was pretty open. No long lines anywhere but the Louvre and the Palace at Versailles. They informed me that the lines were actually short. ( I waited 2 hours in August heat… that was short. Next time I will book a skip the line ticket) Paris gets 8 of 10. I need to go back with more money and hot the good cafes. This last summer I was on a budget. I hate travel on a budget.
I could not afford Olympic tickets. No wait, hear me out. I had applied to be a volunteer. I had also entered the lottery for tickets a year in advance and by the time it was my turn everything seemed gone. Bummer.
But wait there’s more! I scored a ticket to a martial arts event and to the US womens winning soccer game. FREEEEE. Happy birthday goodies from a girl who was too drunk and hung over to go. The ahtletes in town were so healthy and beautiful and focused on their sport. It was really wonderful. The men in the martial arts arena were just… yum. I did a few touristy things, cruised the Sienne at night looking at the Eiffel tower, champagne at the Moulin Rouge night club, museums galore, and a few parties hosted for the athletes. I am a ghost writer so the guy owed me one as he received accolades for my work. What can I say? I am self employed and often thirsty for work.
I think I will do Paris again this year and maybe take a train to other parts of Europe. Maybe I will drag my friends with me or maybe a few travel clients?
Hey, want to come with me sometime? Here is my travel website:
www.longandshorttraveladventures.com
Sometimes I take long trips, often I take short ones… get it? I am going to Sydney and Fiji in December 2026. You are welcome to join. It will be a small group, relaxing, low key but great quality accomodations. I designed it for solo travel. Before we leave for the trip, I will do a couple of Zoom meetups so we can befriend each other the trip. In the past this has worked well. Folks often become long time friends after traveling and experiencing once in a life experiences with each other. I made a special page for the trip. It is only for 12 people. I figured that is a nice van full and we can get into eateries easier. Plus it is more intimate. I do not like being on a tour with a bunch of strangers listening to someone on a speakerphone. I’ll do it, but it is not my preference.
I would rather travel with friends.
https://lastainsydneyandfiji.my.canva.site/sydney-fiji-site
Warning: I really really like taking pictures…I am rubbish with a fancy camera but I will go crazy with an iPhone or my backup Samsung.
So yes, gentle reader. I will be on a get summer ready health kick. I will not use the d word. Since I have started this blog I have lost over 200lbs and then “COVID” season saw me adding a lot on. No excuses now except just lazy behavior. If I can fit into my skinny jeans by Christmas 2025 I will treat myself to business class tickets to Australia 2026. I will need that year to pay for them! That or collect mileage points on my credit card for an upgrade for me and maybe a guest host. I am just happy I fit well in coach seats… well for a six foot tall woman…lol
Until we meet again, have an great Valentines day and an awesome year!
-Melissa at MelissaWebLog