I am at home in Tucson, resting up from a wonderful trip. This was a really important trip for me psychologically, after five months of being really depressed about my retina problem, I needed to prove to myself that I really am okay and that I can handle the rigors of travelling again. Unfortunately, I pulled something in my back on the way home—probably from carting around a very heavy carry-on—but that’s a minor problem that rest and a heating pad seem to be resolving. So I will carry on with the final few days of the trip since I left you all in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Wednesday 10 August:  At Sea on the Eurodam

Today is a good day to relax and to start thinking about packingfor arrival in Dover on Friday. I don’t think I have mentioned the very handsome Assistant Head Dining Room Steward, who appears in dress uniform every evening to greet travelers in the main dining room. This morning I see him in the Lido Buffet having lunch—I haven’t seen him anywhere else on board except the dining room—so I decide to introduce myself and chat. Of course, while I am making small talk, the ship does a slight bump and the desserts I am carrying slide off the plate onto the table right in front of him—very ungraceful and embarrassing. At least it all landed on the table and not his lap!  

The other event of the day is getting back my passport (which I surrendered when boarding in Copenhagen) and going through British immigration (to speed things up when we land in Dover).

Tonight’s final formal dinner has all my favorites:  escargot Bourgignon, Caesar Salad, and Surf and Turf, which my waiter kindly transforms to Surf and Surf—two very large and wonderful lobster tails, skillfully de-tailed for me at the table.  He offers to bring the steak as well, or another lobster tail, but I demure, saving myself for the Baked Alaska dessert—a traditional Holland America pageant on the final formal night of every cruise. I finish wine bottle number four tonight and will give number five a go tomorrow. I probably should have ordered individual bottles rather than the package, but I sure enjoyed the imbibing and slept very well.

Thursday 11 August:  Zeebrugge and Bruges

The final day of the cruise brings the Eurodam to Zeebrugge, Belgium, the port of Bruges. Holland America provides free shuttle-bus service from the ship to Blankenberg, a 15-minute drive, from where I catch the train for another 15-minute ride to Bruges, the charming medieval city that is on everyone’s European must-see list. I have been several times before and although the city still retains its architectural charm, like everywhere else it has become highly commercialized, with literally rows of “famous Belgian chocolate” shops on every street.

After the return journey to the ship I finish packing and decide to give an extra gratuity to my two dining room server and wine steward--al of whom have been excellent. An automatic daily gratutity fee is added to every passenger's bill for the cabin and dining room steward--this is how it works on almost all cruise lines now--and extra tipping isn't necessary. But I think it's importat to reward especially good service,even if it's only a small amount of cash and a personal note.

Luggage has to be outside the cabin door by 2 am, so it's time to go through all the paper and  brochures I've managed to collect and decide what is really necessary to cart home.

The next blog entry will finsh up with London and theatre.