We are on the boat and I have a crazy spotty connection, with the ship WiFi even worse. Like I said, after a 5+ year daily posting streak, it will likely be something mundane that ends it. However, I am planning that
this will not be the day.
So, here are a few pictures I have managed to take so far and there will hopefully be more to come. If things go really well, the skies will stay clear and there will be some aurora at night.
bucket list dream of a great northern lights shot.
This trip was a surprise for Smallsteps and so far, she is pretty happy. Not only the trip, but we are also travelling with some family friends, which was a surprise too, though they don't have young kids, so it isn't as impactful - though she might get to test her chess skills with someone better than me.
This is a new cruise ship and has all the golden trimmings one would expect. It seems more geared towards adults though, with only a very limited play area for children. We didn't know this earlier, but our friends had already booked their trip and we tagged along.
We brought some books and games for Smallsteps anyway, so it should be fine and, we can entertain her like normal, which is through conversation and spoken games. We are lucky like that.
The ship otherwise is quite nice however and I think it might be okay for an adult cruise or if they have a special event. Once upon a time, they used to organize salsa parties once a year on a ship and this would work very well here. The big windows looking out to the Finnish archipelago are nice.
I'd love to have a seaside home one day.
It is a beautiful area, even in the winter and there is the sense of how remote it is.
After writing a few thousand words a day normally, this feels strange.
Now, it is back to activities (kids disco) and hopefully, this will actually find a connection and upload. If not, I will have to try again later.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Beautiful must be that ride on the cruise enjoy it the activities 24 hours a day are to have fun and relax watching the northern lights, beauty, and magic of our universe.
And the salsa party takes advantage of her to dance to the best rhythm in the Caribbean.
The Universe gives us everything through the elegance of nature with its magic, its mysteries, its fascination, have a good trip and enjoy family and friends Mr Taraz
No salsa parties on this cruise, but if there will be in the future, my wife and I might make the trip :)
For some reason the first photo made me think about aliens.
:D
If I ever achieve that, then I can finally go ahead and say..."I'm living the dream".
For now, the plan is to slowly work towards that dream, holding it steady, and reeling it in.
Working toward the dream (even if it is never reached) has value too :)
Amen to that.
Dear @tarazkp !
I felt Smallsteps was more grown-up than girls her age!
Probably in some ways. At least with the conversation :)
It's great that you are traveling. New places, new experiences. This will be especially memorable for the child.
She enjoys the short trips a lot. She also got to play chess with a friend of mine - her first game against someone else and she liked it :)
You are having my dream vacation, I love cruises!
I only did one but I hope to be able to do another one soon, Reny wanted to do the one at the fjords and see the Northern Lights.
We have the beach house, but I confess that in the last two years we haven't used it much.
These ones are not "proper" cruises, but it was nice to be on the boat and not have to do much of anything :)
Don't use the beach house? You are crazy!
Eh eh yes you're right we are a bit crazy.
From next summer, however, with the new arrival in the family, I think we will go more often, the sea air is good for children
Then if you find yourself passing through Italy and want to spend a few days at the beach, just whistle... we have plenty of space we could accommodate two complete families!
I've never been on a cruise ship, but it looks quite amazing! I hope you have an awesome time! Take care and good luck maintaining your streak!
I thought cruising was one of those things that Americans do? :D
Yeah, a lot of them do. I take issue with the enclosed spaces and the number of germs. Covid just made that even worse for me. I am sure we will go one one eventually.
I wonder if it is because Finland and Scandinavia in general didn't lockdown all that much, that people are less afraid?
Could be. I wasn't a fan of the idea of cruises before all of that though. It is still a confined space and there are still plenty of other bugs out there.
You managed to post even during your stroke? I mean, I know you did, I read the posts, but now it seems impossible. Lordy, you are a determined sort. I don't know how you do it, but I am delighted that you do. Great photos as always. Enjoy your trip.
Yeah - It is weird to think back on it now. At the time, I didn't know I had had a stroke, so was just doing what I do. I think it is because I have written "at the worst of times" before, so it was just another challenge. I have been considering going back and reading them...
I respect your commitment, that says a lot but family is first, have fun, really sounds that you are enjoying the trip despite the internet connection
I don't need an internet connection to have fun, thankfully! :D
Shall we create a proposal to make it possible to publish as a set date? Like put the posts once per day or something, to publish at a later day?
You can do it on peakd and a couple other interfaces too :)
Lol "this will not be the day" it will happen as it has too as your luck will run out at some point. I nearly missed it last night as the internet provider had an outage and the phone reception was also down so not hot spots available. Have fun and relax as you deserve this, all of you do.
It will suck when it happens - just because it will likely be something stupid! :D
I'm also thinking of taking vacation to the sea I won't be booking a boat but we will be walking on the beach
Would far prefer to be walking on the beach, but the sea is still frozen here too, so it is not the nicest time to walk :)
Maybe you need to got on an Easyjet flight to see the Northern Lights.
In all seriousness, witnessing the aurora borealis would be something on my bucket list if I had one. Also going on a nice scenic cruise would also rank high on my list :)
One of the local Finnair pilots did a slight detour too :)
Definitely need to head up north to see them. Perhaps next late Autumn I will take the family up - just a train ride away and it is "almost" guaranteed.
Enjoy you family trip! The landscape seems really sunny and charming.
It was a lot of fun :)
I would like to have an intercontinental cruise trip, but I have read that it might be boring some 20-25 days in a ship.
Can you still watch the Northern Lights in this time of year?
I have heard they are good, but I think the same... Boring. This is 24h only and we don't get off at all.
Yeah, there are northern lights still, as long as it ja dark enough. Depends on the night however, as we are quite south.
This was taken out the bedroom window two nights ago with a half moon and light pollution. And on my phone.
I hope I will see ot one day :)
Every time I see it, I feel privileged.
Perhaps, you see it much more time than you see the sun :)
Every day for five years! That's... a lot. 1000 words as your norm (I had noticed 😅), is also a lot. No wonder this feels weird!
A photo of the northern lights would be amazing. Yes please 😁
Hope you're having fun, even if the spotty wifi is annoying.
Yeah, mid-2017 was the last time I missed a day :D
1000 words feels about right for most posts for me.
My bucket list requires an "epic" shot. I have some okay ones.
Have a great day!
🙌
Haha! I am still cruising, since January 14th and will return to the US this weekend. My connection was spotty to nonexistent and the no posting for big chunks of time is a killer.
Sleek and beautiful, the new ship is.
The only piece of advice I have it to relax and enjoy the family and friends. This will be here when you get back and I found fighting for my connection wasn't worth it.
Besides, it is awesome to be trapped on a ship with the wife and Small steps. Lucky man@
It honestly is.. wow
They looked so so Good.
Thanks for sharing
In all honesty, I've never been on a cruise ship before. It's because it's not that popular in my country.
Only rich people can afford to onboard thus, you have to go abroad just to experience it as well.
Northern Lights is an amazing sight for someone who lives in a tropical country, lol!
Have a safe and good trip! !PIZZA
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That is so hard to keep up... Anyways! nice trip!