CLOSING CRUISE CONNECTION by DIANA

With Gratitude to My Friends & Fellow Cruisers....

Allow me to open, by extending my personal appreciation to each of you who willingly and even those who were hesitant to write your Cruise Blog Article, “Thank You So Much!!”  Each article has its own style and individual finesse which made reading the articles incredibly fun. It was truly enjoyable and an excellent way to introduce each other particularly when we are so separated by distance. Most recently, ROCKY and PEGGY shared with me that they took each of the photos from the Cruise Connection articles and identified who was who on a handy reference chart so they could get to know everyone. Yes, another great idea to get acquainted with our upcoming Cruise Family. 

So I can’t believe that embarkation day is just around the corner. Gotta start by giving a big shout out to my main man, partner and hubby, ROGER. Thanks “Honey”, for all your support, patience and understanding for these past three years as we began this journey to make this bucket list trip a reality. You truly are amazing to put up with me! Love You! 

Secondly, gratitude goes to my other partner ALEX as she has been just as supportive addressing my demands, need, wants and expectations. Yes, the “Diana Craziness” will end soon, I promise! The quiet and steady TED, Alex’s hubby cannot be forgotten. Thanks Ted for your generosity in understanding the demands of our group trip. And so glad you can join us as well.

My 30 plus year career in Recreation and Community Services has truly been a blessing. The City of Irvine has given me some incredible friendships. STELLA is the sister, I never had and now found, thanks to Irvine. This sisterhood has an incredible story that you will have to ask her to share with you. Let me preface Stella’s story by saying, it’s imaginary, but a great story over cocktails and I’ll close at that! But beside Stella, my working days with the City of Irvine brings about additional friendships on this cruise, they include: MARSHA, PATTY, ANGIE and her mom LIEN, MICHELE and her boyfriend BOB, JO MARY and her husband MICHAEL.   

Planning and dreaming of bucket list cruises, events, trips and getaways is obviously one of my passions. If I think about it, it’s been a part of my core for as long as I can remember. I started an annual Youth Ski Trip when I was a Sophmore in High School because there was no Recreation in my hometown of Sonoma and now in my retirement. I’m still planning, facilitating and coordinating events and activities. Including supporting Roger with his High School Reunion Committee which is where I had the pleasure of meeting SCOTT and his wife LIDDY. Scott was the reunion committee chair  and a fellow classmate with Roger. Liddy and I would attend the reunion committee meeting hoping to just sip our wine and support our husband from afar, but of course that was never the case. Needless to say, the bond was sanctioned and the four of us have become great friends sharing many fun memories and laughter. 

As the Cruise Connection article notes Peggy, Rocky and I goes way back to when we were in our early school days as kids. Traveling with them is LUCY, Peggy’s sister and Lucy’s husband JOHN who you might have caught his blog article “Traveling with a Camera”. Thanks John for your contribution. Additionally, Rocky’s fellow co-worker friend, MIKE and his wife CRISTIN will also be joining us on the 32 day cruise. And to show how truly small this world is, a fellow co-worker of mine Stephen from Irvine who had to drop from this cruise had invited his friend BILL and his girlfriend LINDA. Who by the way, decide even if Stephen dropped out that they would still join us. That’s terrific! Love, true travelers! The “Small World” and “Cruise Connection” concept found that there was a connection between Linda, Cristin and Peggy. It seems a few months ago at a dinner gathering, over a conversation there was a connection that the three gals all worked at the same hospital. Different departments, but same organization. Small World indeed !!

In closing, I need to give a big high five spotlight to my BESTIE BFF,  KAREN and her hubby BUZZ. Most recently, both Buzz and Karen had to drop from our cruise. Buzz had to schedule an unexpected surgery and unfortunately couldn’t get a medical recovery release in time to make this cruise. We all will be raising our glasses to toast you both in “Gratitude” as it was Karen who found this cruise for us and without her diligence we all would not be going. So as much as I will miss you greatly, Karen and Buzz, I am wanting you to recover with good health as this is only a hiccup and we will be planning another cruise journey again soon. 

Thank you everyone for all your love and support and yes, let the fun begin, its Bon Voyage Time and I’ll see you on deck!            

CRUISE CONNECTION by ROGER

My fellow cruisers.........

Allow me to set the record straight.  Yes, I am married to Diana and yes, I did really good.  OK, OK, OK.....I did really, really, really good........but hey, I do have some redeeming qualities........hmmmm, I’m thinking.  

I mean seriously, could this cherubic wonder be anything but absolute joy and amazement??  Upon seeing this picture, I am sure that those of you who do know me will be wondering....WTF??  How could this cute, adorable child turn out to be the perverted, sick and twisted adult that we all know and love (way too strong) adore (again too yucky) like (close but no cigar) tolerate (yes, lets go with tolerate) and that somehow managed to get Diana to marry him??  Well, let me assure you it wasn’t easy!!

Had to ask her four (4) different times before she finally caved.  Seems she didn’t like being asked in the kitchen; or in my truck; or while on the toilet.......go figure??  So I actually had to spring for a romantic dinner and she caved.  See, a redeeming quality!

We’ve been married 23 years now, we’re both retired, and, as you know, been doing lots of traveling.  I was very concerned when we retired that Diana would get bored and want to go back to work......no such luck.  Instead, she discovered the 24-7 internet, got bit by the travel bug and viola, here we are. Of course this 24-7 thing has totally ruined my sex life, but my sacrifice is your gain and we are about to embark on another great adventure.  See, I did REALLY good!!

CRUISE CONNECTION by ALEX & TED

The first time I met Diana and Roger was when they walked into my office, clipboard in hand, to interview me as their potential travel agent. They had been referred by Wendy Brown, to whom I will be forever thankful.  The rest, as they say, is history.  After a grueling 6 hours of questioning....I was in like Flint!  I never saw Roger take so many notes! Over thirty years of experience: check;  teacher at Coastline Community College in the Travel & Tourism Department: check; Certified Travel Consultant (graduate level program for travel agents): check;  traveled to almost 90 countries (at the time...I'm up to 108 today): check;  owned and managed my own agency: check;  personally recommended by someone they knew: check;  willing to always research the best deals: check; husband was a chef: check.......whew!  Grueling I tell you....grueling. 

I'm exaggerating of course....but those of you that know Diana and Roger, know it ain't far from the truth.  They were very thorough in their questioning of my experience.  That was back in 2003!  Over the years we have shared so many amazing adventures, not only traveling, but our favorite pastime...eating great food.  I'm sure most of you have experienced Diana's cooking.  She puts as much love and effort into her cooking as she does everything else.  Not to leave Roger out....he makes a darn good martini!  Shaken...not stirred!

The best part of knowing Diana and Roger is the laughter that comes with getting together with them.  You know it will always be an evening filled with more laughter than you know what to do with.  On our 14 night cruise through Europe in 2008, we had more fun than we knew what to do with.  We ended the cruise in the incredible city of Venice, which is where we took this picture below....at Hemingway's favorite hangout.....Harry's Bar.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that when Diana and Roger come up with a travel trip, you can be sure that it's been researched and thought out and comes with a guarantee of having the time of your life.  As much as I like to eat....many times I don't even finish my meal because of all the laughter that comes with sharing a meal together.

Ted and I are looking forward to this trip on several levels...great itinerary, great cruise line, great group of people.  We will see you all on board the Diamond Princess in April 2013.

Warmest regards,

Ted & Alex (T & A for short)

CRUISE CONNECTION by ANGIE

I'm Angie and I'll be joining the Diana and Roger 2013 Asia Cruise with my mom, Lien.  I, too, am a City of Irvine employee and have worked forthe city for over 13 years.  I had the pleasure of working with Jan Noce(a mutual friend between the Davis'), who was the recycling guru at Irvine, and she told me about the wonderful cruises that Diana has organized.  When Jan retired in 2010 I had the pleasure of meeting Diana and Roger at Jan's retirement party. I gave Diana my contact info and asked her to include me when she organized another cruise.  

Well...as you all know back in early 2011, Diana sent out information about the 2013 Asia Cruise.  When I saw the interesting countries we would be visiting I could not resist.  I told my mom about it and she felt the same, so we decided to go on the cruise.  Needless to say, I thought 2013 was so far off in the distance that it would take forever to get here, but lo and behold here we are just less than a couple of months to go.  Now that we've finalized all our documents with Alex, we are really excited about the cruise because this is our first one!  Yes, we are rookies when it comes to cruising, so we are looking forward to meeting our fellow cruisers and picking up travel tips from you all.

Angie

CRUISE CONNECTION by MARSHA

Ahoy Mates! 

I am Marsha Burgess and I will be joining you on the Asia cruise. This will be my second venture travelling with the Roger and Diana cavalcade and I am truly looking forward to it. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to see Vietnam, Hong Kong, and China. It seems so very exotic and indulgent.

I worked for the City of Irvine for nearly twenty five years and that is where I met Diana and Roger. Diana and I, along with a few others on this trip, worked together in the Community Services department. Roger, on the other hand, was in purchasing. Shortly after I joined the City staff, he sent me a rather scathing email suggesting that the financial transaction I was trying to process was a “gross misuse of public funds”. I really had no idea what I was doing and thought he was being rather harsh, really overstating the case. Nevertheless, I paid more attention after that and never had to appear in court or anything close. Well almost… when I worked at the Great Park I had to give a deposition to Chuck Knuckles (no kidding, that was his name) the D.A., but that is a story for the cocktail hour aboard ship, when we’re way far out at sea.

Diana was always nice to me, so I like her much more.

My roommate this trip will be Pat Cruz who’s is escaping Tennessee for a couple of months to join the tour group. I’ve known Patty since the first day I started working at the City and we have travelled together before so I think we’ll be good bunkies. Pat likes to strategize and prepare, and I like to wing it. Consequently, she has done all the planning for our trip and I have taken advantage of her willing nature. It works for us.

So, I will be leaving behind my darling granddaughters Charlotte and Clare, and my equally adorable dog, Allie, and my new job, for 18+ days of adventure. I look forward to seeing my old friends and meeting new ones.

Best to all,

Marsha

CRUISE CONNECTION by LIDDY & SCOTT

Hello Everyone.  We are Scott and Liddy Paulsen, long time friends of Roger and Diana’s.  Scott and I met in college and moved to Newport Beach when we were first married.  Three children, nine grandchildren, and fifty years later we are still living in paradise.

Scott is a retired middle school principal and I was a “Newport Beach house wife” and later worked as a project manager for a company that sold products to schools.  Scott is the past president of the Friends of OASIS, now head of the travel office, and I am a volunteer at the welcome desk and in charge of decorating the center for various holidays. OASIS is an amazing active senior center in Newport complete with a library, dance room, fitness center, and travel office. The Friends own two sailboats that have been described as the most active pleasure boats in the harbor.  Scott is also very involved with the Newport Schools Foundation.  The Foundation provides direct grants to the teachers in our district.  We are on the Board of the Newport Beach Sister City Association, where I currently serve as President.  Our active Sister Cities are Okazaki, Japan and Antibes, France.  We have been to Okazaki several times and hosted delegations from the city.  I am trying to talk Scott into traveling with our delegation to Antibes to celebrate Bastille Day, take in the jazz festival and meet with friends we have made there. 

Roger and Scott were friends in high school and we met Diana at a planning meeting for one of their high school reunions.  The rest is history.  We have cruised with them to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, so we know that this cruise will be amazing.  If I can keep Scott out of the Casino, we too like to play cards.  We will definitely be in the cocktail lounge before dinner. We look forward to seeing long time friends and meeting new ones.
Thanks Roger, Diana and Alex for making all this happen.

Traveling With a Camera ...by John Working

John Working

Peggy & Rocky Alby

I do like to travel, taking either long or short trips; and when I travel I love to take my camera(s) and take pictures. It's fun; and when the trip is long past I can look back at all the pictures or bore friends with them all the time remembering the wonderful time we had. I have a friend who never takes pictures, or for that matter never brings a camera which makes me wonder how he remembers all of it. I've found pictures help me remember and many times remind me of a funny story or an unplanned adventure. So anyway, Diana asked me to share some travel photography pointers and while I'm certainly no expert I'll give it a go. 

When I travel I see many people using their cell phones as a camera. On our last trip I saw two people using their IPads and thought it seemed real awkward. I think I'd worry more about dropping the IPad then getting a good picture. If you are a member of Costco there is a  question about using one of the new smartphones rather than a camera in the December 2012 issue of "The Costco Connection" (page 15). Marc Saltzman, high tech reporter, answers it better than I could. For those of you not members he basically says the camera takes much better pictures because a camera manages the light better, has longer battery life, use optical zoom rather than digital zoom, meaning pictures are clearer when you zoom. Many of the new digital cameras allow uploading directly to websites or your computer using Wi-Fi. The newer cameras also allow for GPS "geotagging" to mark geographical information. A person I often travel with wondered why people spend all the money on the trip and then use their cell phone for pictures. I wonder that too because cameras are not really that expensive and they do not take up much room. 

Here are some things I do:

• When you get to your destination remember to check and set the time and date on the camera. And if you're traveling around like we will be check the time occasionally, making sure it reflects local time.  Every time you take a picture it is stamped with date and time and if you're like me and take many many pictures it really is helpful when organizing your pictures. You might also forget where a picture was taken, the correct date will help. 
• Be sure to bring along an extra memory card for the camera just in case something happens to the first or you end up taking more pictures. A memory card is where the camera stores the pictures and like a computer memory has limited storage. Pictures take up lots of memory. 
• If your camera allows consider organizing your pictures by date or a separate folder for each day. I did this the last two trips and it helps with organization when you get home. You could also keep a small diary to go along. 
• I usually bring my lap top and, when I have time copy the pictures off the memory card to the lap top doing some organizing and editing (deleting) as I go.   My pictures are then saved in two locations, the camera memory card and the lap top. If you cannot upload to Facebook from the camera you can off the computer and that's always fun. I notice Princess has WiFi Connection of sorts. 
• Be sure to keep your camera with your carry on. The scanners used for checked luggage can be stronger and possibly damage the camera, memory card or both. Plus checked bags get banged around, possibly damaging things inside. 
• Take as many pictures as you want because you can easily delete either on the trip or once back at home. This last trip my wife and I took 1.900 pictures!
• Don't forget to pack your camera battery charger and maybe an extra battery. 

So bring a "real" camera and take lots of pictures, you will not regret it! 

CRUISE CONNECTION by MICHELE & BOB

Hi, gang!  We are Bob Di Nunzio and Michele Lovenduski and will be joining you on what we hope will be a memorable journey filled with lots of laughter, great food (we love to eat), and a chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with good friends.

Bob and I have been a couple for the past three years.  We met while I was taking a walk on Balboa Island.  To say our story is unusual is an understatement. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough time to share it right now, but meet us before dinner for drinks and we’ll regale you with all the details.  You won’t be disappointed.

Bob is a Real Estate Broker (semi-retired) with over 50 years in the business (and yes, he did start at 18 years of age.)  Surprise, his specialty area is Balboa Island. 

I worked for the City for nearly 25 years, splitting my years between Community Services and Public Works. I’m probably best known among my City colleagues for putting on “shows” at the City and making everybody sing…all the time! Once I retired I dove into Hollywood with both feet and began acting in television commercials.  I’ve even dragged Bob into the business.  He now has three commercials under his belt.

I met Diana and Roger while working for the City of Irvine in the Community Services Department.  When I think back to those days beginning in the mid 80’s I am blown away by the great times and truly ground breaking achievements we were responsible for.  

I knew Roger (swordmeister) and his lovely wife, Diana, were into travel, but I didn’t get “on board” until the Mediterranean cruise, where I also met our fabulous travel agent, Alex.  Marsha Burgess and I were roommates and we had a terrific time.  So when I got the email from Diana about the next big adventure to Asia, I was in…even though it was scheduled for three years out.

Bob and I made the decision to join the tour.  With such a great group of traveling companions, the trip can only be an awesome experience.  See you all in the cocktail lounge onboard the ship!  

P.S.  Good idea to start warming up those vocal chords in case we have to sing a few songs!

Let’s hope not, but .... LOST & STOLEN PASSPORTS

Back in September, I recall giving all of you a heads up to check your passport for expiration dates and applying for passports if you needed too. And because I know each of you are very conscientious travelers you have all ready completed this task or in the process of doing so. Fantastic! 

Now many of you probably made copy of your Passport and Driver License for your China Visa? If you haven’t copied your passport and ID to Alex. I might highly recommend you do so. This way she can be your “friend” who has a copy to assist in case you needed it.

Now also make a few copies of your passport and leave one at home and be sure you bring a couple with you. Also bring a couple of recent passport size photos of you these extra copies will be handy in case you need it for replacement due to loss or stolen passports. These are the “just in case” back-up. This should not be a bad burden as we currently preparing to check off our checklist for our China Visa and so grab a couple of extra photos. Remember if you are a Costco member, this service is very inexpensive and they give you plenty of extra photos. 

Below is a link to the Lost and Stolen Passport article I came across. The article had additional tips like scanning and emailing your passport to your In Box for access. Great idea especially if you are the technical type. There is good information and I always find that preparation is a key to avoiding potential mishaps.  Enjoy the resource and tips....

Lost and Stolen Passports

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/troubleshooting/lost-and-stolen-passports  

Photo provided by Flickr.Rakka

CRUISE CONNECTION by KELLY

Is it Bon Voyage time yet?
  
Xin Chao, my name is Kelly Feldman and Wendy Brown is my roomie for this amazing Asian adventure.  It seems like this trip has been years in the making...oh wait it has been! 
I requested the time off of work over 3 year ago when Di first started planning this cruise. After the 2008 Mediterranean Cruise with the Davis Clan, I was hooked and knew I would never miss another one of their famous adventures.  I had heard about them for years but after experiencing it, travel as I knew it had forever been changed! 

You ask, how was I lucky enough to get in with the Davis Clan. Well I was kind of adopted in 1994. Diana hired me as her full time Program Coordinator and ever since that first day Di has not only been my boss but my friend and mentor. We have been through a lot of life together and I am blessed to have had her by side through the laughter and the tears.  I have known Di for almost 20 years and although she has been retired for 7 years plus, we still remain very close. We not only have fun but we have a bond that is very special and unique; when you spend as many years together as we have it truly is an incredible relationship.   

Buckle up and get ready a Davis Clan Cruise is nothing like you have ever experienced.  Let me share with you that this is an incredible opportunity and you are gonna love it! My favorite part about traveling with the Davis Clan besides always being able to find someone to play rummy with is that everyone is very easy going and friendly.   Be warned it is addictive and your stomach will hurt long after from all the laughter. You will make lifelong friends that you swore you had known forever and wonder how you ever managed without them before.  

So, if you are new to the group welcome and I look forward to meeting you and to those returning, I look forward to our reunion. I am counting down our departure day and looking forward to embarkation on the Diamond Princess, see you on board in the casino or at a table playing cards!!!!