Honeymoon, Part 2

I have a thing for sailboats... and boy did we see some sailboats!!! This pictures makes me happy (even if it is crooked):

Our cruise started in Barcelona, Spain and we did two back-to-back cruises for a total of 9 days. Cruising is our new preferred method of travel. If there is a way to get somewhere on a boat - I'm in! It is all inclusive, there is always something going on, I don't have to plan a lot - love it, love it, love it! 

I had booked an interior room since we planned on spending most of our time actually doing and seeing stuff. Upon check in we were upgraded to a balcony room and we thoroughly enjoyed it!! Every morning and every night sailing in or out of a port sitting on your private balcony was definitely a vacation highlight! 

From Barcelona, Spain we went to Villefranche Sur Mer, France: 

This region is also known as the Azur Coast because of its beautiful water. Since it was April it was still a little chilly, but overall the weather was amazing! 

We hopped the train from Villefranche to Monte Carlo, Monaco!! Woo hoo!! We were so excited to see the Grand Casino: 

This *tiny* country did NOT disappoint. 

But before I get to that, I have to admit that I was extremely proud of my English-as-a-first-and-only-language husband for getting us from Villefranche to Monaco! 

It was LOVELY outside that day and we strolled the streets, ate gellato, and relaxed! It was such a blessing to get to spend time alone. Just the two of us... no skype, no email, no phone, no nothin', just us!  Here we are, looking dapper I might add, enjoying Monaco:

***it should be noted that if you squint hard enough and stand far enough back from your monitor we actually look like Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier here*** If you can't see the resemblance, keep squinting and moving back... 

As it turns out, the day we visited Monaco was Good Friday and a few things were closed - most notably - the actual Casino.

After southern France we had a day at sea (laying by the pool and eating our body weight in food) then sailed to Palma de Mallorca, a tiny island south of Spain (and owned by Spain). Luke and I took several more sailboat pictures from our balcony as we cruised into port. 

One thing that we really enjoyed in every port was hoping off the ship and walking around the boats. Some of the boats in Monaco were AMAZING. These aren't "boats" so much as yachts. Several of the yachts were so large, most of them in fact, that they carried several smaller boats and numerous jet skis. This is the only picture I have of some of the yachts, and they are definitely small by Mediterranean standards, but I'm sure we scoped out each one nevertheless. 

***it should also be noted that copious amounts of gelatto were consumed on each of these "boat tours"***

Palma de Mallorca is a big German hotspot. The Germans like to vacation down here and the Spaniards love them! It is sort of the party city on the island, so what what better way to celebrate than going to a Spanish - German brew house?? Well, we didn't know either, but we went. We had a great time and because we're smart we never photo document these events ;) haha

There was a formal night on the cruise as well. In lieu of pictures from our brewhouse outing I will share those instead: 

It was windy and we aren't great self photographers but you get the idea. And now for the one that makes all the ladies swoon and the gentlemen gag: 

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

After Mallorca we went back to Barcelona for other people to exit the ship and new ones to board. We stayed on -- and ate and drank and laid by the pool -- ahhhh, honeymoons! 

On this cruise we went back to Southern France but this time we stopped in Nice. We hiked around the area. Took one more self portrait -- discussed how we are getting better at them -- hoped back on the boat for more lounging poolside. 

Our next stop was Florence / Pisa, Italy. Here we are happily (and strangly orange in this photo) pulling into port:

Yes, I am sans makeup... it's my vacation... don't judge :P 

We actually paid for an excursion. Not something the TX/NY/Deployed Schmidts really do but the guide was worth it. He was amazing! An Aussie who loved the Italian culture so much he moved here and started opening his own B&Bs about 10 years ago. He knew all the best places to go and was just amazing!!! First stop, Pisa, known for its leaning tower... as you may have heard... 

Look, we're a married couple!! As my husband would say, that's "cool". 

The tower leans A LOT: 

Next we went to Florence. I did take more pictures but I don't believe in overwhelming people with them. Less is more is my motto. You don't need to see every piece of a building I thought might have been cool in the moment but you look at in 6 months and think "wow I don't even care about this picture why would anyone else". So, this is the overall broad view of Florence, enjoy: 

 On our last cruise day we went to Rome. We have both been before, but who in the world can be SO close to SO much history and not visit again. I've heard people say Rome is very romantic. Well, I'm not one of those people who cares about stuff like that. When Luke and I strolled the streets I love being with him, but no more or less than watching Swamp People on the sofa. What I enjoy about Rome isn't the "rome-ance" (tehehe) it is the history. You get to walk where gladiators and emperors and pontiffs have strolled... the very foundations of civilization. A-MAZ-ING. Luke was the perfect companion, but like I said, I didn't swoon more because of Rome -- I love him 24/7. 

*** for anyone who has seen the movie Elizabethtown, which I recommend, I feel for Luke like Chuck & Cindy (the couple getting married in the movie)... we are lovin' life 24/7... haha***

 My self portrait skills may have declined again here, but this is an awesome picture... maybe I can photoshop it into something I can frame... ;) 

After the cruise we toured the Spanish coast... and did not take a single picture. Partially because some of the beaches surprised us by being nude beaches and no one wants that image captured forever. Mostly though we just enjoyed being together, hanging out, being married!!! 

I miss my best buddy and look forward to the Fall and his return. God has blessed us beyond measure... with our families and friends, our lives, our salvation, and each other. Every day I learn something new and wonderful about this man (or have something reinforced). He's my best friend, I love hanging out with him and genuinely enjoy his company, and I SO look forward to actually living together as a married couple for the first time in a few months!!! 

You know if I went on this vacation it wasn't all canned tours and self portraits... no, no, no. For you my loyal friends and family I present the photo I took. One of MY favorites: 

Luke's camera has various settings for borders, etc. I tried to line us up and do a self portrait. I would say the faces say it all: 

Luke "I married her so I'll be a good sport, but I don't think this is as funny as she does"

Me "Wow this is funny! I sure do enjoy torturing my husband"

Luke "She's going to put this on a blog somewhere I just know it..."