Transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida to Barcelona, Spain

In late April, we set sail on a two-week transatlantic cruise aboard the MSC Grandiosa, sailing from Port Everglades, Florida, to Barcelona, Spain. Along the way, we stopped at Miami, St. Maarten, and Funchal on the beautiful island of Madeira before crossing the Atlantic to Europe.

MSC Grandiosa

 sunset at St Maarten

This was our first time crossing the Atlantic by sea and our first cruise with MSC. We didn't know it at the time, but apparently this is one of the biggest ships when it launched in 2019. It can accommodate a maximum of 6,334 guests, although we heard there were only about 4,000 passengers on this sailing. The elegant atrium hosted live musicians throughout the day, while the spectacular LED dome ceiling stretching over the indoor promenade made it the ship's hub of activity. Lined with restaurants, bars, cafés, and boutiques, the promenade was a lively place to stroll at any time of day.

We splurged on a balcony cabin, which was perfect for enjoying the fresh air and endless ocean views. The only downside was the constant salt spray, which meant wiping down the chairs and railing before relaxing outside.

We crossed the Strait of Gibraltar at night. Aside from the lights along the shoreline, there wasn't much to see, but it was still exciting knowing we were sailing between Europe and Africa.

our cabin and balcony view of Funchal

MSC has Italian roots, and often times we had trouble understanding the captain and other announcements over the PA. Check-in was slow, and disembarking in Barcelona was even slower. 

On the plus side, the buffet was excellent, featuring Mediterranean dishes and an impressive selection of fresh tropical fruits, including kiwi, papaya, mango, pineapple, watermelon, guava, and even dragon fruit.

Excellent Pizza!

papaya, fig, dragon fruit

Delicious prime rib

The dining room meals were hit or miss, although the service was consistently impeccable. We chose the early 5:30 p.m. seating, which suited our schedule but often meant missing the sunset and the chance to watch the ship sail away from the ports we had just explored.

Since we'd explored Miami extensively by boat years ago, we decided to stay on the ship rather than head into the city. With most passengers ashore, we planned to relax by the pool and hot tub, only to find the entire area closed for cleaning and maintenance. So much for a quiet pool day!

This was our second visit to St. Maarten, and its beautiful beaches were just as stunning as we remembered.

Madeira was the biggest surprise of the trip. We had no idea how large and beautiful the island was. Funchal's colorful murals adorned the narrow cobblestone streets and alleyways, giving every corner of the city its own unique character.

Colorful murals lined Funchal's narrow cobblestone streets.

Interesting fruit

Perched high above Funchal is the Church of Our Lady of Monte, one of Madeira's most famous landmarks. We took the cable car to the top, enjoying spectacular views of the city along the way.

See the MSC Grandiosa?

Church of Our Lady of Monte

inside the church

The entertainment was a mixed bag. The dance performances were outstanding, while the singing was only average. The Flamenco show and the sand art performance were definite standouts. After the first few days, reservations were required for the theater shows, which caused some confusion among guests. 

Unlike many cruise ships, the MSC Grandiosa has limited open deck space beyond the pools and hot tubs, which were almost always packed. Since we're from Florida, we didn’t mind skipping the sun. Instead, we walked laps around the ship each morning, joined a few Zumba sessions and dance lessons, and I also enjoyed playing ping pong with some very talented players - until my back decided it had had enough, forcing me to quit. ☹️

One of the highlights of the cruise was meeting so many wonderful people of all ages. It was a small-world experience—we met people who lived in the same community as a friend of ours and another who grew up in our old neighborhood. Looking at you, Misty and Christine! 😊

Another fun story came from the ping pong table. One gentleman told us he had met another player on a previous cruise, and by pure coincidence, they both ended up on this sailing without planning it. What a small world!

After six consecutive days at sea with no land in sight, we were more than ready to get off the ship. That says a lot coming from someone who lived on a boat for 25 years!

Have you ever taken a transatlantic cruise? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Monday Murals.

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Japan: Tokyo Station, Shibuya and Meiji Jingu

Last month, our long-anticipated trip to Japan finally came to life. Of course, our luck had it that it coincided with the government shutdown, but thankfully, our flights went off without any delay. It was our first time flying United. While the flight itself was smooth with a friendly crew and plenty of entertainment, the food left much to be desired (a bit of a disappointment after 13 hours in the air from Chicago!).

When we finally landed in Tokyo, we were exhausted but eager to explore. 

Shibuya, regarded for its trendsetting culture and fashion

We reached our hotel around 7 p.m. and, after checking in, immediately wandered out to explore the neighborhood. We spotted a subway station and went in to buy subway passes, specifically, the SUICA passes, which you can use on subways, buses and trams in different cities and even at convenience stores like 7-Eleven. Easy, right? Yet somehow the six of us could not figure out those ticket machines (in English), even after asking the station attendant (whose English was minimal). We finally gave up.

The next morning, we took a short, leisurely walk to Tokyo Station. The serenity ended the moment we stepped inside. Tokyo Station is a massive maze of trains, shops, and restaurants, with a constant stream of people rushing in every direction. Navigating it was an adventure by itself.

Our first stop was JINS for eyeglasses (prescription included). We'd heard rave reviews about their friendly, efficient service, free eye exams, and glasses that cost half of what we’d pay in the U.S. And yep, all of it was true. We were in and out in an hour, with our new glasses ready for pickup two hours later.

Next up: getting those elusive SUICA passes. Apparently, there are subway stations and there are JR (Japan Rail) stations. Who knew the difference? You can only get the SUICA passes at a JR station, and Tokyo Station is one of them. Mystery solved. After securing our passes, we made our way to the legendary Ramen Street. 

Ramen Street, in the basement of Tokyo Station

Did we mention Tokyo Station is a zoo? Getting to Ramen Street was a challenge as we kept getting lost in the sea of stores and distractions.  When we finally found it, most restaurants had long lines snaking out the door. Hungry and tired, we opted for the one with the shortest line. And to our delight, it turned out to be one of our favorite meals in Japan—flavorful, perfectly balanced (not too salty), and surprisingly cheap!

Udon noodle soup and tempura over rice. Yum!

With our bellies happy, we headed back to JINS to pick up our glasses. Then we use our shiny new SUICA cards to take the subway. We were pretty impressed with how clean and efficient both the stations and the trains were—so organized, it felt almost futuristic.

If Tokyo Station wasn’t chaotic enough, welcome to Shibuya Crossing. It’s like Times Square, but more cramped, packed, and overwhelming. Even in the afternoon, the crowds were thick, and the neon signs added to the sensory overload. We snapped our obligatory photos (see first picture), then made a quick escape, leaving the madness to the other tourists.

A local friend took us on a leisurely stroll to Meiji Jingu Shrine, guiding us down a picturesque street lined with Ginkgo trees. The fall colors hadn’t quite reached their peak, but the bright yellow leaves of the Ginkgo trees made for a beautiful sight.

Walking past these pretty Gingko trees on a cloudy afternoon

Torri gate to the shrine

The walkway leading to Meiji Jingu Shrine is impressively wide and open, so even with the steady stream of locals and tourists, it never felt crowded. Instead, there was a calm, almost tranquil atmosphere as we strolled toward the shrine. As we passed through the main gate, we were greeted by a stunning display of chrysanthemums, apparently from an exhibition celebrating the Autumn Festival. It was the perfect blend of nature and culture, adding a special touch to our visit.

Main Hall, home to numerous Shinto rituals and prayers

As I mentioned in my previous post, we wrapped up our first day in Tokyo with a memorable 10-course meal at an izakaya in Daikanyama (代官山), a trendy neighborhood in Shibuya. Known for its boutique shops and artsy vibe, it’s often referred to as "the Brooklyn of Tokyo" (according to Wikipedia, at least). As we wandered through the area, we stumbled upon a charming little grocery store, where a vibrant display of persimmons and pears immediately caught our attention. We couldn’t resist—and left with over two dozen of these delicious, juicy fruits!

The meal at the izakaya was truly an experience. It kicked off with a light, comforting soup and then flowed into an array of fresh sashimi, grilled fish, juicy steak, and a mix of other mouthwatering dishes. From start to finish, it was a culinary journey we won’t soon forget!

Stay tuned for more as we continue to explore this vibrant city!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

 
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Postcard from Japan

Years ago, I found myself on a short stopover in Tokyo en route to Hong Kong—a quick couple of days to explore. I didn't have a camera or even a journal, so all I kept were just a handful of mental snapshots and a few saved receipts. One of the most vivid: checking into the Prince Hotel and literally having to duck to enter my tiny, charming room—proof that Tokyo has long mastered the art of efficient design. Back then, the exchange rate was about 250 yen to the U.S. dollar, yet everything still felt surprisingly expensive.

Fast-forward to this year: I returned from a ten-day trip to Japan with family just a week before Thanksgiving, with stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. This time, the exchange rate hovered around 154 yen to the dollar, and Japan felt wonderfully affordable. Maybe it’s the numbers. Maybe it’s age and perspective. Most likely, a bit of both.

Even so, I didn’t buy much—just food, prescription glasses, a couple of T-shirts, and some souvenirs (mostly edible). The flagship Uniqlo in Ginza was a must-stop; we were especially delighted by the basement levels: two entire floors dedicated to food and groceries, both fun and dangerously tempting.

Our hotel in Osaka was tucked inside a Korean neighborhood, a refreshing change of pace from the intensity of the city center. The meals there were excellent and, to my surprise, nearly half the price of similar Korean food in Atlanta. It felt like a small travel bonus inside a much larger adventure.

As always, we took far too many photos. It’ll take time to sort through them all, but for now, here are a few images that capture some of Japan’s most iconic sights and culture.

Gate to Meiji Jingu Shrine

Kimono-clad mom and daughter at Meiji Jingu

Gingko tree and interesting building

Endless Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

a lovely autumn day at Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto

Ladies in kimono and traditional Korean-wedding attire

sashimi

Our first day in Tokyo ended with an unforgettable meal at a cozy izakaya (Japanese tavern), generously hosted by friends. The dishes above were among the many standouts. A big thank-you to Catherine and Teru for an incredible welcome dinner!

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Falling for the South: Charleston, S. Carolina

Our love affair with Charleston began over twenty-four years ago, and the city still charms us every time we return. From the simple joy of the waterfront swings to the cobblestone streets lined with pastel homes, Charleston’s timeless beauty never fades.

Our fascination started back in the ’80s after watching the classic miniseries North and South. Visiting Boone Hall Plantation—where parts of it were filmed—was a dream come true. The historic grounds and the breathtaking Avenue of Oaks are every bit as stunning in person as they are on screen.

Avenue of Oaks, Boone Plantation

This fall, we came back once again, arriving on Halloween just before lunchtime. Before exploring the city’s historic heart, we set out in search of a great local meal—because in Charleston, good food is always the perfect way to begin any adventure.

Our first choice for lunch was the much-acclaimed Husk, but unfortunately, it wasn’t open for lunch.  Our next option was SNOB (Slightly North of Broad). After all, any restaurant that’s been thriving for over thirty years must be doing something right! 

From the moment we stepped inside, the warm welcome and impeccable service set the stage for an outstanding meal. We couldn’t help reminiscing about the incredible crab cake we’d enjoyed here years ago (sadly missing from the current menu). But any disappointment quickly faded with the first bite of their shrimp and grits. Creamy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned—it was absolutely to die for.

Shrimp and Grits

Steamed local clams in wine garlic cream sauce

Crème brûlée

After lunch, we walked off our meal with a leisurely stroll along the Charleston waterfront, continuing all the way to the Battery. The weather was perfect for an autumn afternoon—crisp air, gentle breeze, and that unmistakable Charleston charm everywhere you look. 

Pineapple Fountain, a symbol of Southern hospitality and welcome

USS Yorktown CV-10, WWII-era aircraft carrier, in the distance 

Many of the stately homes along the way were decked out with elaborate Halloween decorations, adding a festive touch to the historic streets. It was the perfect blend of Southern elegance and spooky fun.

From its rich history to its irresistible Southern flavors, Charleston always offers something new to discover. Have you been? We’d love to hear your favorite spots or must-try restaurants in the comments below!

 
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