May 23, 2024
Arrival in Dublin Ireland Sunday May 19th 2024

I arrived in Dublin Ireland to bright sunshine and collected my luggage - 3 large, checked bags and 2 carry-ons and cleared customs all by 7:30 a.m. I had reserved a private driver to take me and handle all the bags, up to Belfast from the Airport. The driver was a lovely Romanian immigrant, father of 5, who had been there, with his wife since 2005. He enlightened me on economy and state of immigrants in the UK & EU. We also talked at length on his observations about the Ukraine/ Russian War, from the prospective of Romanians, his family and friends, many of whom lived within Ukraine. It made the 1.5 hour drive go very quickly. I then tried to check in to my hotel, the Ibis Belfast Centre, but no rooms were ready for early check in at 9 a.m. I chilled in hotel lobby for a little over an hour and then thankfully they were able to get me into a room and I could nap for a few hours, prior to my dry dock tour of the ship at 4pm.
The Dry dock tour was limited to 10 of us for safety reasons and it was AMAZING! Such a unique perspective to see the ship from for the first time. So fortunate to be invited to participate. Last photo of me with our intrepid leader of Villa Vie Residences, Mike Petterson.

Somedays are just meant to be beach days, to chill with a friend! First, I did an uber run to nearby Costco in the town of Lihue, where I bought us Tommy Bahama backpack beach chairs! Then we were good to go. Kalapaki beach was just a quick 15 minute walk from the Ship. I realized I did the same thing with my Cousin Cathy , back in 2020, when I was here on my first cruise to Hawaii! Today, I spent the afternoon chilling with good buddy Sherrie Cornett.