The Uphill Run to San Diego

Saturday, November 3rd
South Pacific
Day 35 - Disembarkation
ms Westerdam
San Diego, California
Arriving:  7:00 AM

The Crosby, Stills, and Nash hit "Southern Cross" that inspired this adventure tells the tale of a one-way journey:

Got out of town on a boat
Goin' to Southern islands.
Sailing a reach
Before a followin' sea.
She was makin' for the trades
On the outside,
And the downhill run
To Papeete.

We have done all of that and more, but this is a full circle cruise, and we have had the last six days at sea, on the uphill run to San Diego.  Six days of the Exploration Speaker Series and the Hydropool & Thermal Suites.  Six days of 75 degrees and mostly/partly sunny/cloudy.

The crew is always a highlight of any cruise, and the crew art auction was a highlight of this one.  My friend Diana in the Explorations Cafe is the best Beverage Attendant at sea, a total sweetheart, and a talented painter.  I would love to bring her home with me, but I will have to settle for her paintings.

Virtually every quotation ever uttered has been attributed to Mark Twain at one time or another, but I am reminded of this one as we reach the end of our time together in the South Pacific:

“I have found out there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”

Now that's a bit harsh.  It wasn't that bad.  There remains a lot of love between us, and certainly no hate.  But, it is fair to say that travel has brought out some of the worst in each of us, and not nearly enough of the best.  Long and abiding friendships have been strained.  That has colored our impressions of this journey of more than a month and 10,000 nautical miles.  We have many beautiful pictures, and a few ugly memories.  Travel is always a contrast in bitter/sweet, this trip maybe more so than most.

Next Stop...