0 more days!!!

The Finance Report:

PAYDAY!!!

What a way to go! The $US dropped a wee bit from last week, but still finished incredibly strong, gaining a whopping 19% from when we first began tracking it in November 2009. It is no surprise at this point, but huge congratulations are in order for Mo 'Index Card' Lang as she handily walks away with the 1 EU prize.

One last note. Converting euros to dollars will be rather simple on this cruise... A euro is currently $1.25. Viola!

 CONGRATULATIONS MO!

OUR EURO CONTEST WINNER!!!

Thanks to everyone who played, or followed along in the fun!

______________________________

The Web Report:

The final stats are in, and we had quite a ride.


NEW VISITORS:  
   o We averaged 11 new vistors each day.
   o We had a record 42 new visitors on February 22, 2010.
   o (Click here to see what we were blogging about that week)

DAILY VISITS:
   o We averaged 64 unique vistors each day.
   o We had a record 270 unique visitors on April 2, 2010.
   o (Click here to see what we were blogging about that week)

COUNTRIES:
   o We were visited by 66 countries.

 

...and we had a lot of fun along the way.

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Nana on the Titanic:

39,377 Views!

For a while there it appeared that Mo might walk away with all of the big prizes, but not only did Karen swoop in to take this one, she did it with uncanny accuracy. Karen came within 46 views!!! 

In fact, the judges in their utter amazement have decided this must result in some special rules to be called.  As a result, a 10% BONUS has been added to this pot, meaning Karen has won 1.1 EU for her effort.  Great job, Karen!!!.

 
Mo - 40,356

Karen - 39,423 - WINNER!!!
(Currently - 39,377)

Old Folks - 38,848
Mike - 36,368
Cyn - 35,112

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Postcards:

Ya snooze, ya lose!

Free postcards will be sent to these lucky winners! Thanks for playing!

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benny
Postcard #3: Aunty E!

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NO MORE DAYS!!!

But be sure to come back in the coming days for a few more surprises. You'll find something to pass the time while we are away, you'll see plenty of content when we return from our trip, and I would not be at all surprised if our Cruisemistress managed to post a few updates while we are away.

THANKS AGAIN TO KEN AND CINDY!!!

1 more day...

OMG, OMG, we are so almost on our way.  Hard to believe.  Me and my OCDness had a fun week.  See what I've been doing.

I have been tracking arrival times of our flight throughout the week.  

Saturday -  Fight arrived 16 minutes early
Sunday - Fight arrived 22 minutes early
Monday - Flight arrived on time
Tuesday - Flight arrived 12 minutes late
Wednesday - Flight arrived 14 minutes late
Thursday - Flight arrived 41 minutes late due to delayed cargo loading.
I checked our flight on Saturday (I could do that even though it is only Thursday and as of right now our flight is on time!).

I have been tracking Mount Heartburn as well...

Saturday - headline read Iceland Volcano Eyjafjallajökull Is Back, More Flight Bans Feared in the Days to Come but Barcelona airport unaffected.
Sunday - headline read Northern Ireland and Scottish Airports Closed Because of the Return of the Volcanic Ash Cloud but Barcelona airport unaffected
Monday - headline read The Volcanic Ash Cloud Keeps Many European Airports Closed but Barcelona airport still unaffected
Tuesday - headline read Clear Skies Over Europe, as Winds Clean up UK’s Airspace of Volcanic Ash Cloud Barcelona

Wednesday - no new news coverage
Thursday - no new news coverage and you know what they say...no news is good news

I have been tracking the shopping habits of the North American West Orange-its and found the following:
Saturday - local woman purchases digital camera after much agony
Sunday - local woman purchases comfortable shoes, process causes much pain
Monday, Tuesday - all quiet on the front
Wednesday - locals converge on dry cleaners and woman receives digital camera and hands it over to local man for construction
Thursday - local woman takes back digital camera and pretends to take pictures of local man.  Local man deletes photos and takes pictures of local cat (Goodie)
Friday - locals take off from work to perform last minute tasks, local man goes to mall (why do today what can be done tomorrow) in search of comfortable shoes and dress shirts

Who is vacationing this week in the French Riveria you ask?

Saturday - 63rd Cannes Film Festival -12 May to 23 May 2010
Ridley Scott's Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett opens the festival.
Tuesday - Rumors abound about America's newest darlings making an appearance in Cannes or possibly the on the Promenade des Anglais.  
Thursday - Cate Blanchett shares a bottle of wine with local man while local woman consoles Russell Crowe over recent news stories abound about Crowes Irish accent.

Finally, I've been checking out the weather in Italy and France.  Earlier in the week I would have said "don't shoot the messenger" but the weather has cleared up and seems quite pleasant.

23-May Barcelona, Spain Sun: Sunny with a low of 57 and a high of 74. 0% chance of precipitation

24-May Cruising Cruising Mon: ?
25-May Naples, Capri, Italy Tues: Partially sunny with a low of 60 and a high of 72. 10% chance of precipitation
26-May Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy Wed: Partially sunny with a low of 56 and a high of 72.  20% chance of precipitation
27-May Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy Thurs: Partially sunny with a low of 57 and a high of 72. 20% chance of precipitation
28-May Villefranche (Nice), France Fri: Partially sunny with a low of 54 and a high of 69. 20% chance of precipitation
29-May Provence (Toulon), France Sat: Partially sunny with a low of 54 and a high of 72.  0% chance of precipitation

Rain or shine let's make the most of this time together.

2 more days....

Desynchronosis!!

It is possible to minimize the effects of jet lag by following some basic steps before, during, and after the flight.

Before the flight
People are advised to get plenty of rest, exercise and follow a healthy diet. When the person is in good shape, it is easier to cope after landing.

During the flight
Long flights are dehydrating. Ask for "two orange juices with no ice" on the flight. Eat lightly, stay hydrated, and have no coffee and only minimal sugar until the flight's almost over. Alcohol and sedatives will stress your body and aggravate jet lag.

Avoid the slight chance of getting a blood clot in your leg during long flights by taking short walks hourly. While seated, flex your ankles and don't cross your legs. Some people are more prone to clots (factors include obesity, age, use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, pregnancy, smoking, or genetics).

The in-flight movies are good for one thing — nap time. With two or three hours' sleep during the transatlantic flight, you'll be functional the day you land.

Passengers are encouraged to exercise legs while sitting and move around the plane when the seat belt sign is switched off, every hour or two.

And, finally, adjust sleeping hours on the plane to match the destination time.

Upon arrival
A helpful way to minimize the jet lag is to adapt to the local time and eat accordingly, following the meals that correspond. Also, exposure to sunlight during the day is helpful.  On arrival, stay awake until an early local bedtime. If you doze off at 4 p.m. and wake up at midnight, you've accomplished nothing. Plan a good walk until early evening. Jet lag hates fresh air, daylight, and exercise. Your body may beg for sleep, but stand firm: Refuse. Force your body's transition to the local time. You'll probably awaken very early on your first morning. Trying to sleep later is normally futile. Get out and enjoy a "pinch me, I'm cruising the Mediterranean" walk, as the ship slowly comes to life. This will probably be the only sunrise you'll see in Europe.

3 more days...

At this point, who cares about
the volcano or the weather
or the rate of the Euro...


WE'RE GOING ON A CRUISE
TO THE MEDITERRANEAN!

Thanks Ken & Cindy!


We're All Going To
Cruise Along & Enjoy!

4 more days...

Time passes quickly!
Another look back...

Cruisemistress Cindy recently asked if I would update the slideshow near the end of the blog, which I am glad to do.  There are now only 4 days left until this great adventure begins.  The time has almost come.

CLICK HERE to see the slideshow Full Screen

As we all know, this is just an appetizer, or a "coming attractions" of sorts.  Imagine what the real world will be like! 

Thanks again to Cruisemaster Ken
 and Cruisemistress Cindy!

4 more days!

5 more days...

The Finance Report:

Off the Chart!!!

What a way to go!  It had been a real nail-biter for most of this contest in which almost everyone was in the running for some length of the time.  It turned into a fierce battle between two strong competitors, and a storybook ending in which we all live happily ever after.  This was well worth the Euro prize for me!  So, is this it?  Are there any more surprises in store with just under a week to go?  Stay tuned to find out.

CONTEST UPDATE:

We have lift off!

Mo is running away with it!

The winner of our contest (Grand Prize = 1 euro!) will be the one with the closest guess on May 21st, 2010. 

______________________________

THE WEB REPORT:

66 Countries...

I went and tallied the votes...  I got nothin' for ya.  Head back to camp.

_______________________________________________

Nana on the Titanic:

36,938 Views!

While Mike is currently the closest contestant in the great 'Views of Nana on the Titanic on YouTube' race, one thing is for sure...  He will NOT be the winner.  Much like the $US, Nana's popularity is on a rocket.  This contest ends 5/21/2010.  Whomever bet the closest will claim a one Euro prize for their efforts. 

Mo - 40,356

Karen - 39,423

Old Folks - 38,848

(Currently - 36,938)

Mike - 36,368

Cyn - 35,112

_______________________________________________

Postcards:

LAST CALL!

Our offer remains open to anyone in the world who wants to receive a postcard from the cast of Operation: Poisson Rouge during our European adventure.  Please click on the 'contact me' button below, and make your request.  There are 3 more postcards requests available. 

Postcard #1: One Million Postcards

Postcard #2: Pope Benedict 

Postcard #3, #4, #5: Still available

_______________________________________________

Just a little bit longer...

5 MORE DAYS!!!

6 more days...

Click here for the latest news

*********************************

Tune in on Wednesday for the pre-departure update on volcanic activity in Iceland and if it will impact our flight to Barcelona!

Click Here for Rome 10 day weather forecast

Cruise along and (try to) enjoy!...^_~

Karen