We are Mark and Connie.
Follow us at gadabouttheworld.net
We are unusual travelers because
- Our average age is now 80
- We plan very little
- We travel very light
- We prioritize the affordable over the convenient
- We stay relaxed and never stress even when plans change
- We travel 6 to 10 weeks at a time, and average 5 months of travel a year, both internationally and domestically
Decide here for yourself just how unusual our travels are:
We began a recent trip with a cruise to Barcelona, hmmm, not so unusual. What is unusual is that we jumped last minute on tickets that were 81% discounted: from $2609 to $564 per person / 14 nights / all fees and taxes and food included / on a highly rated ship: the Majestic Princess / Fort Lauderdale, USA to Barcelona, Spain. That comes out to $40/night/person. We booked through Vacationstogo.com, Now that’s affordable and relaxed travel!
Leaving home is not easy because we miss our amazing family. Four are missing here: Ruthy, Ross, Michael and Tayva.
Also missing is grandson Joey, on a mission in Cambodia with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and for the gospel message. (Seen here with his companion, both on bicycles, and with two Cambodians on motor scooters) Include them in your prayers if you would…
With only two weeks planning, we sailed on Feb 18. Here is a view of Fort Lauderdale skyline from the ship.
I like the Majestic Princes cruise ship because the pool deck has a huge digital screen playing movies, sports events, and travel documentaries. Feet-up pool chairs with warm blankets and fresh air are a magical combination reminiscent of drive-in theaters. There is also a captivating and large indoor pool with sexy lighting open ’til 10 pm.
| The trick on the low cost of some cruises is that trans Atlantic voyages with fewer stops are harder to fill than other cruises. Some get discounted up to 90% last minute and off season. |
Odd story: another couple took this photo for us on the fantail. Then we watched him present his wife with an anniversary gift. It appeared to be a jewelry box. Just then, a gust of wind threw the box overboard. She never even got to open it. He was remarkably copacetic, saying “It was just something from the shops onboard…”
We are terrific Liverpool FC fans. We did not have to miss any games because the ship has a great sports bar.
Mark travels with his Liverpool jersey with ‘Mo Salah 11’ on the back. He is sure it brings them luck (they did just win the Premier League Title for 2025, so I guess it works.)
My favorite show on board was a captivating performance by Shellyann, a proud Welsh mother, singer, songwriter, and a favorite with UK country and rock fans. Her “Purple Rain” rendition was awesome.
Lucky for us! We arrived during Carnival Cadiz: 10 days of festivity, famous for satire, drollery, wit, musical performances, costumes, and parades.
Other ports visited were Funchal on the Portugese island of Madeira. It was very scenic . And Malaga Spain where the weather was bad so no photo.
A special “Thanks” to my wonderful brother, Dard. He seem to love to open his home on the Big Island of Hawaii to us. He has seen us off on three trips around the world. He has the best dog and the best lanai (porch).
Dard is my biggest encourager. He has told me for years to share my travel stories with the world. And now I’m doing that.
If I had Dard’s view, I might never travel. On the flip side, he is plaged with wild pigs that tear up the landscaping at night and break his water line repeatedly. We are reminded that nowplace on Earth is perfect.
Thanks also to my sister, Cassie, who has hosted us a million times at her home in Michigan and a vacation rental in Maine. She has launched us on trips to Alaska, across Canada, and in the Canadian maritime provinces.
The four of us went canoe camping in Wilderness Boundry Waters of Northern Minnesota in 2017. Mark was only 79 then.
That’s all for now: Come back soon y’all for Blog #2 of Gad About The World: 16 nights, 9 stays, in 7 cities and towns in Spain, Andorra and France:
And that’s the way Mark and Connie Gad About the World…
Leave a Reply