CALIFORNIA & PANAMA CANAL

With Nicole in Redondo Beach

Cheryl & Imre

We spent the early part of the year in West Palm Beach, and flew to California mid-February.  I had booked a nice 3 day package at the Crowne Plaza in Redondo Beach from Travelzoo.  It gave us a chance to reunite with Nicole, a terrific gal we met during our travels last year.   Then we drove south to spend a couple of days with friends Cheryl & Imre at their beautiful hacienda outside San Diego.  What fabulous hosts: great food, wine and conversation.    

With Mark, Scott, Ann & Annie in Temecula

With Conrad & Debbie in San Diego

Last year, we spent an extended time in Palm Desert and Palm Springs, so we were happy to return for 10 days before heading to Temecula for what has become our annual spiritual seminar.  Here we reunite with wonderful friends we have made there over the years.  

We went back to San Diego to see our friends Conrad and Debbie, and had a lovely lunch with them at C Level, a restaurant right on the water.  We gradually worked our way north and boarded the Island Princess on March 22 to cruise back to Florida. We have been through the Panama Canal many times but will cruise to a destination instead of fly whenever possible.  

Panama Canal

Over one million ships have transited the Canal since it opened in 1914.  Capacity will double when a new, wider passage opens in 2014. 

With Kevin on the Island Princess

For us, the highlight of the cruise was the arrival in Costa Rica of our dear friend Kevin Spirtas.  Unbeknownst to us, Kevin was scheduled to entertain on the ship.  And he didn’t know we were onboard so it was a great surprise for all of us and we had 4 wonderful days together.  

Now we are back in Boca Raton for 2 weeks packing and preparing for a 7 month trip to Europe.  We cruise to Barcelona on April 20 aboard the new Norwegian Epic.  Earlier this year, I spent a huge amount of time plotting our route through France, Italy and Spain and making reservations.  I will try to keep you posted – at least with pictures – of our journey.