March 25, 2019 – Home again

March 25, 2019 – Back home and trip summary
Once again Overseas Adventure Travel came through with a great trip. They changed the itinerary from the previous tours to reduce bus rides and give us more local adventures. The 4 team leaders – Christine, Francisco, Juan, and Javier – were great. Many “afternoon on your own” times were filled with walking tours for those who wanted to see more. I can easily recommend this trip.
The team leaders stressed that you didn’t have to do everything and to pace yourself. I did 99% of what was offered. I walked on average 5 miles a day. I am tired now that I am on my way home but wouldn’t have skioped any off it.
We had great weather. The tour after ours, though, had to skip Tangier and port in Cadiz due to wind storms in the Gibraltar Straits.
I especially liked the performances that were arranged – local dancers, flamenco dancers and musicians, a fado singer, and Portugese and Spanish guitarists.
The pre trip in Barcelona had many repeats for me but gave me a better understanding of the city and its history. The post trip in Lisbon was filled with places that the main tour doesn’t have time for. Both are worth the extra days.
I was in a group of 22 that was together for the whole trip. Everyone was pleasant and outgoing and we had fun together. In our group we had 4 single ladies. We dined together, laughed together and looked out for each other. Peggy, Gisela, Karen, and I got a nickname, “the harem”, when we befriended the only solo man on board, Dennis. This was his first solo trip. We would save him a seat at meals and lectures.
What is next for me? Follow along starting the end of May. I’m boarding the Holland America Ms Maasdam on May 28th in San Francisco for a 3 week Alaskan Cruise. Most of the ports will be a repeat for me but I couldn’t resist doing a trip without any airplane travel.

I have included some pictures that I hadn’t posted before.