50th Anniversary Med. Cruise, Part 3

I must say, it's almost been like going on our 50th Anniversary Cruise all over again, 

perusing through and editing literally thousands of pics that we and each of our children took, then shared.

So what one didn't shoot, another one did.

Each brings back such wonderful memories.

I have included probably way more than the casual reader of this blog will enjoy, 

but these posts will bring the joy flooding back every time Roger and I read through them.

On Thursday, April 5, we docked on the Dalmatian Coast at Zadar, getting ever nearer to glorious Venice.

We boarded our bus to travel through the hinterland of Krka National Park, where we walked to and through the astonishing Skradinski Buk waterfalls.

This was the only rainy day we had during our trip, which was a bit of a miracle this time of year, but it truly didn't spoil our enjoyment of seeing this spectacular system of falls.

 These 17 cataracts are among the most beautiful calcium-carbonate waterfalls in Europe, tumbling a total of 150 feet along a 1,312-foot stretch of the river. 

I was astonished that we walked over and through the falls on boardwalks with no guard rails.

The water was high this time of year and very dramatic.

We walked through a water mill, which demonstrated how water power ground the grain.

Sometimes it sprinkled, but most of the time it was overcast and misty.

The waterfalls made great scenic background for our pics.

 In the info we received about this side tour, it mentioned "swimming on your own amid the pastoral setting." 

Our kids, never to miss an adventure, hauled towels from our ship for all of us, 

hoping to take a dip. 

We laughed so hard when we realized that that little bit of info was meant for summertime cruisers!

Not uncommon was this sight of Missy going the extra mile to get the perfect shot. 

What a talented photographer she is!

Isn't this just a gorgeous place?

A hearty lunch was included in the adventure. 

After lunch, we returned to Zadar for a short tour of this coast Old Town.

The Church of St. Mary, 1105

Church of St. Donatus, built on Roman foundations

The seafront promenade 

 Acoustic tubes embedded beneath large marble steps on the promenade sing the song of the city with every lashing wave and burst of wind, an apt soundtrack for Croatia's oldest settlement.

Back on our balconies on the Viking Star, we chatted and bade farewell to Croatia.

We enjoyed lots of down time together. 

The kids discovered this beautiful Admiral's Lounge near the top and to the front of our ship, 

and after our long dinners together, 

we hung out there, undisturbed. 

I guess no one else really discovered it.

Some of the kids danced and listened to entertainment in this lounge 

and some of us caught several shows performed

by onboard performers (quite good) 

and heard a few lectures about where we were traveling. 

The lectures were also shown on our TVs in our rooms, 

along with several choices of good and current movies and TV series.

They all hit the spa regularly.

Here's a pretty shot of the infinity pool in the moonlight.

Alas!

Our last stop on the cruise came much too soon!

I told my kids about how Cindy's normally exuberant face gets very long and sad and she gets very quiet

about two days before our Gabrielsen vacations would be coming to an end.

The last day, a couple of my kids said,  "I get that Cindy thing. 

I can't believe it's almost over!"

Koper, Slovenia, was our last stop.

We left early in the morning on an optional tour that took us inland to explore Ljubljana, 

the capital of Slovenia.

This historic city reminded us a bit of Vienna and northern Europe, with its baroque architecture, churches and bridges.

We saw few cars and many bicycles.

We arrived fairly early in the morning and the streets were not crowded as we walked through the Old Town.

We have seen these locks of love bridges in several places throughout Europe.

The loved one locks his padlock, then throws his key in the river to pledge his undying love.

So romantic.

 Standing on the famous Triple Bridge a the edge of the Old Town, a three-span crossing above the Ljubljanica River

We took lots of pics in this scenic, laid-back town.

Okay, so I had better explain this family joke.

Our kids drew names to exchange White Elephant gifts at Christmas.

Jodie found the perfect gift for Jeff when her sister, Jenny, told her about how her daughter had bought 

what she thought were really cute socks for her cousin gift exchange, 

not knowing that they were not "palm trees" on the socks. 

Jodie bought them from her niece to give to Jeff, who is always on the upper end of the one ups going on 

with our kids and their spouses. 

Of course, Jeff chose to wear the socks on the last day of our cruise.

It appears that Jeff has two addictions in this pic, but he really has only one!

I found these interesting "scultures" down an alley.

Each of these "stones" is a different face.

This cast hand rests at the beginning of the alley.

I don't know the story, but I thought it was very cool.

Our kids gathered for a sibling shot.

Oh, how we love these children of ours!

And how blessed are we to have these "outlaws" in our family!

We had fun strolling through the outdoor market.

There were such gorgeous Spring flowers and produce!

There was also a Food Fair going on.

Too bad we weren't hungry yet!

This was kind of cool.

Slovenians can fill a glass bottle and buy fresh, unpasteurized milk at this stand.

Tom grew up on whole milk and loves it, so he gave it a try!

He loved it and drank it all down!

The scenic pics never ended!

Part of our tour was to take a little cruise on the Ljublijana River.

Before we met back up for lunch together on the tour, Ry and Em tried these wave waffles.

They said they were yummy!

Our tour group all had lunch together in an old restaurant upstairs.

This is a mushroom soup made with many kinds of mushrooms.

We traveled back to Koper's Old Town after lunch.

We walked through the streets a little while,

viewing the 12th century Cathedral of the Assumption 

in Tito Square.

 Praetorian Palace

The bell in this tower was cast in 1333.

As we arrived at the dock to board our ship for one last time, Viking personnel were there to greet us 

with champagne and orange juice. 

They always think it is a bit strange that an entire group turns down the wine and champagne, 

which was free on the cruise. 

We drank lots of soft drinks, lemonade and juices.

Cheers!

Our final dinner was in the main dining room that night, 

actually the first time that we didn't have our own private room, 

     but we had a very funny waiter and enjoyed a delicious meal.

Sister love

Ryan ordered one more room service steak to cap off the trip 

before we all had to get up early 
the next morning and disembark in Venice and some had to catch their flights back to reality.

Actually, six of us got to continue the dream.  

Tom and Stacy, Missy and Jedd and Roger and I had not ever been to Venice, 
as the others all had, so we signed up for the post tour of Venice with Viking.

Much more excitement to come . . .