2024 Norwegian Nomads

End of a great trip

Our last day was spent doing trivia, playing cards, boys golfing, girls attending the Christian Malcom talk and Ridpath’s talk on eclipses (we will be expert astronomers when we return home).

Heavy fog! Madonna did five laps of the ship. I did four.

We dressed up one final time and went to dinner to thank our lovely wait staff – Ramir, Benny and Oisin.

My outfit – the fourth and last sighting of the Northern Lights.

We watched a band called Jack Pack and then led the way on the dance floor. It was great to see the floor full of non-serious dancers.

Hazmat suit and cordoning off when Madonna cha cha-ed instead of Danny’s lead of Wahtoozie.

Saved her first injury for the last night!
Wahtoozie, Madonna! Cha cha, Danny! Ouch!
The culprit! Madonna needed steel capped boots!

Our last sleep was not good – the cacophony of empty coat hangers, squeaky bathroom doors, and thinking of the flight home… but it was great to wake up at Southampton. Land ahoy!

It might be a port and not that attractive but it’s calm, the sun is shining and the ship isn’t moving.

Wayne had organised day rooms at Southampton so we did a bit of exploring and rested up before beginning the journey home.

Southampton – photo for my cousins, Brian and Marjorie
Mark and Donna had a KFC picnic in the park and met the fellow below

NB: we were kicked out early resulting in some tragic scenes at the airport as toiletries weren’t organised. Madonna and I pulled aside for undeclared liquids; Donna body searched and admonished for not having a letter; Wayne scanned for illegal substances.. never-the-less, we made it through security after a bit of a wait and began the first leg of our journey home.

Summary of our moments

Unfortunately, my first attempt to save these memories did not work, so apologies to the team. Everyone had answered some of the headings but I can’t remember what was said.

Highlights

We had so many great moments or beautiful places.

Black Forest
Amsterdam – great even though all of us except Madonna were recovering from whatever we caught.
Paris and the Eiffel Tower at night
London
Alesund hop-on hop-off bus
Fjord cruise at Alesund
Tromso cable car
Inland from Tromso
Of course, the Northern Lights. Danny’s photo captured them dancing across the sky with the mountains in the foreground.
Inland from Narvik

Worst advice

Buying a guglehop in Strasburg and then sharing it like characters in Lord of the Flies!

Most dapper

Mark aka James Bond took this title out hands-down!

Like 007, always with a lovely lady.
Dapper Mark dressed by the beautiful Donna

Most memorable moment

Donna – Mark dancing particularly the dance-off with the granny where he lost but still won a USB

Mark – the appearance of Scottish Wayne

Best meal

Mark and Donna – Veal on the Avalon

Danny and Ann – surf and turf on Queen Anne – king prawns were incredible

Madonna – the trifecta on the night of the pork belly and crackling, mushroom risotto and dessert.

Wayne – the pork belly

Best drink

Wayne – milkshake in London

Danny and Mark – beers in Cochem.

Donna, Madonna and Ann – Kulada (a version of Pina Colada)

Personality of the trip

Donna – Scottish Wayne

Madonna and Danny – Tabea

When you open your eyes in the AM, you will be in Cochem. The second c is pronounced like an angry cat.

Mark – Sadiki

Wayne – Mary

Scariest personality of the trip

Victor

Security guard on front desk at Amsterdam who wouldn’t let Danny and Madonna in after 10pm.

Nicest people on trip

Adrienne – exercise director on Avalon

Ramir – waiter on Queen Anne

Mansour – waiter on Avalon

Special mention – Benny, Stefan and George

Well, that ends another great holiday. It is such a privilege to be able to visit places all around the world. Spectacular scenery, wonderful experiences – I can’t thank my fantastic five friends enough for the organisation, laughs and endless support! Heaps more memories and laughs to add to the book of life.

Until next time…ha det!

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