We stayed up late on Saturday night to bid farewell to many of our fellow passengers, and to the 280 Silversea crew members, from 24 countries, who took such phenomenal care of us during this long journey. There were many emotional goodbyes (Joanna is not good as this sort of thing, she cries in the airport when she sees two strangers saying goodbye). But seriously, it has been an incredible trip from start to finish, with exciting destinations, fabulous weather, and many new friends. So it is no wonder that there were mixed feelings (and some tears) when disembarking the ship on Sunday morning…our home (and private yacht it seemed) for the last three months.

It is although we have been on a dream journey and REALITY sets in quickly. We checked into the Fairmount Waterfront Hotel across from the dock (note: we still needed a waterfront room) as we were not set to fly home to New York until Monday. Our goal was to get out to explore Vancouver for the day and we managed to do just that. After walking around the many quaint streets and shops, we went to Stanley Park (a beautiful thousand acre park) and had a lovely lunch at the famous Fish House restaurant.

We walked around some more along the waterfront (seeing some interesting houseboats, at right), and timed it just right, or perhaps wrong, to see the ship leaving the dock and sailing away without us. It was somewhat surreal (as our biggest fear was getting back late from an excursion on many a day and “missing the boat” - or "ship" as we’re supposed to call it). This time is was
supposed to leave without us, and while none of our passenger friends remained on board, many of the crew we got to know so well did.
We would like to give special recognition to our fabulous, and outrageously funny, cruise director Fernando; our equally fun, yet troublesome, assistant cruise director Alessandra; our hotel director, Michele (we thank you for the hospitality); ALL of the hotel and restaurant staff (without exception, we wish we could name you all, but there are too many and we don't want to risk leaving anyone out); Rex (for taking such good care of us at the pool); the spa specialists (for keeping Joanna pampered all of the time); the great entertainers (the Silver Shadow team and orchestra, as well as the many transient entertainers we picked up along the way); our fabulous tour guides Clive and Renee (and Nat, too, before he left us); our stewardesses Marina and Maria, for keeping our room in ship-top shape; and to our two tag-team Captains (Corsaro and Sangiacomo) for delivering us safely to a new destination every morning, and for being so generous with their time with Joanna on the bridge. You could take a few hours off knowing she was on duty.

To all of you we wish you farewell for now, safe seas, and many thanks for taking such great care of us with the utmost class. We will surely be back.
In the meantime, we must adjust to living on land and getting back to REALITY. As they say, all good things must come to an end...
And to our many friends and family who have virtually followed us along on this journey, see you soon!