Finally in France...Bonjour

Here in Nice, France. Nap Had, coffee in hand, Wifi sorted. Quick blog Then down to the pool I reckon!

After so long talking about going and getting an early start this morning I'm finally here in Nice. Delighted to say not a single glitch getting here, making my re-introduction to the world of travel super pleasant. There's always impending That feeling of 'what have I forgotten?' or 'madam your luggage Exceeds the weight and we're going to load you Reviews another € 100' and the old 'I'm sorry purpose we need to tear apart your luggage Because You forgot You Had one of mascara thingy somewhere in your PRECISELY packed piece of hand luggage 'Nope, not a thing, Even Had the sense to wear flipflops and a non-belted pair of comfy trousers Delighted qui me yet again in the non-removal of Both items at security.

Sitting enjoying a celebratory glass of bubbles and was joined by a lovely group of hens heading to Prague to get up to some mischief.  Future hubby was steps ahead of them having already booked and pre-paid 4 bottles of bubbles for them.  He's a keeper for sure!!!

And very quickly I was invited for a second and third glass before making my short journey to the the boarding gate.

I have to hand it to the DAA, Terminal 2 is very well done!


Easy fight and lovely neighbours sitting next to me chatting about life and food and crisp sandwiches (nice touch Aer Lingus on the menu!) And here I am in Nice. 

Pulling out of the airport on the shuttle bus, which dropped me in a very pain-in-the-ass 'good walk' from the hotel with luggage for 4 months, I Noticed Their drop-off point at the airport with a big sign " KISS and FLY take A Few Extra Minutes "LOVE IT !!! very French - right?

Checked in, and yes I Will  tonight-have a room mate, someone who will be joining me as crew on the ship. Its going to be a bit strange sharing a hotel room with a full stranger goal I have to get used to it considering I will be sharing a space with a much smaller randomer (who no doubt will become a good friend) for the next 4 months.

So, 5 or 6 years ago I Was in Nice before following a horrendous purpose incredibly powerful 4 day 4 country cycle which finished in Monaco / Monte Carlo, where I will be boarding the boat tomorrow. We left Monte Carlo and came here and stayed in this very hotel for our final celebration party and prior to returning to Ireland. I figured that out when I got my itinerary. BUT when I came to the 7th floor and went to the room, I nearly fell over to find that I had the key in my hand for the very room we stayed in that night five years ago hillarious ... or what? Life has one very cool way of reminding me of journeys, friends and wierd Things That Happen when you are exploring life!

Here's to an endless summer of magical experiences, lots of fun, hard work and new friends. Certainly I won't be Forgetting my old ones Who made harder leaving and life better!

Come follow me on my adventure, I'm on facebook  https://facebook.com/moiraswanderlust  and on Twitter  https://twitter.com/moiragray  and of course there Instagram  https://instagram.com/moiraswanderlust/

Ready Steady.....

Finally, after several exhausted and painful attempts to get this blog up and going, I'm here!

With just 8 days to lift off, I am excited to say the least.  Flight details arrived last night, I'm so excited about this new adventure I would nearly go sit in the airport now and wait!  

WHY? This will be my first flight since I returned from Rio in December 2012!  Yep, the joys of opening and running your own business and being self-employed on the beautiful island I have called home for the first and last 10 years of my life, IRELAND.

Will I be sad to say goodbye for another few years? Hell no!  Do I regret being back here for the last 10 years, absolutely not.  Ireland is a great place, full of wonderful, ambitious, mischievous people - some of whom I will miss but suspect that adventure and my new job will overtake any feelings of loneliness.  

I have always wanted to go on a cruise and strike a few more places off my travel bucket list.  Forcing myself into something outside my comfort zone (which is apparently where the magic happens) has re-ignited a passion that was dampened after loosing everything I had and I'm feeling like a very powerful Phoenix again.  And no, this is not plan B.  I'm on about plan E or F at this stage and have already got G,H,I in place should this one not work out because thankfully there are 27 letters in the alphabet :)  I am a big believer in 'its not what happens to you - its how you deal with it'

So, the countdown is on, I have moved house, done medicals, applied for visas, received itineraries for flights and my next 4 months on board Seabourn Sojourn, learned rules and regulations (so I can be ahead of the rest when I get on board), watched numerous you tube videos and got to know the ship even before I have seen it in person, said farewells, spent extra time with nieces and nephews, organised a bon voyage drinks session, started packing.  

Am I nervous?  yeah a little, I will be sharing a cabin with some lucky cailin, a big change from sharing a big apartment with a flatmate in Dublin.  I will have a whole new family of over 300 people who I will spend day and night working and living alongside.  Every 7-21 days will have a whole new set of customers to get to know and take care of.  I wonder how long it will take me to make manager?  I wonder what my manager will be like?  Will I find my sea-legs soon?  

on the flipside... I'M GOING ON AN ADVENTURE!!! I get to do what I do best and that is meet and take care of some really cool people, I get to wake up in a different country pretty much every day for the next 4 months (and years to come), I get to get my butt back to the gym, I get to save money and see TONNES of places that I have been dying to see and am not going to wait until I am in my 50's or 60's to do!  My camera is charged and ready to go and I would do backflips if my back would allow.  And FOOOOOOD!!!! I get to discover and learn and eat lots of wierd, wonderful and delicious food, steal more recipes and meet more chefs, cooks and legends.  I get to see some amazing sunrises and sunsets, to be soothed to sleep with the gentle rocking of the ocean. 

Come follow me on my adventure, I'm on facebook https://facebook.com/moiraswanderlust and on Twitter https://twitter.com/moiragray and of course on Instagram https://instagram.com/moiraswanderlust/