Category: Travel

International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 13: Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portugal)

Andrew Michael Miller1 Comment

We were able to stop at Ponta Delgada in the Azores despite the high winds and rain we encountered on the way in. I'm glad we did. A part of me had thought it would be nice to go past and continue on our way back toward home, but that was before I saw just how beautiful the city is. I really wish we had more time and better weather to explore more of this place. Even though the streets were dead due to the weather and the fact that it's a Sunday in the off-season, we still got a good chance to walk through a big chunk of it. It felt kind of like a Disney resort with how… Continue reading International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 13: Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portugal)

Cruising with a Four Year Old – Day 12: At Sea in the Atlantic

Andrew Michael Miller1 Comment

Today is either the last break between European ports before we are sea or it's an early start to our long journey across the Atlantic. The winds will decide our fortune for tomorrow as we near the Azores. As for today, it was not bad. There were some surprises, a lot of the familiar and a whole lot of ocean. The first surprise was how well we all slept last night. After passing Gibraltar the night prior and suddenly being woken up to drawers being opened and closed rapidly, we thought we were in for it for the rest of the trip. That would certainly make the remainder of the trip a slog. Thankfully, Kiley thought to pack painters tape… Continue reading Cruising with a Four Year Old – Day 12: At Sea in the Atlantic

International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 11: Lisbon, Portugal

Andrew Michael Miller2 Comments

Today started out a little shaky, literally. I suppose we should probably expect it now that we are now settled in a much bigger body of water than the Mediterranean. We all woke up somewhere around four a.m. to some turbulent waters. Drawers were opening and shutting on their own. The bed was shaking quite a lot. It was pretty difficult to get back to sleep, and that kind of started us off on an energy deficit as we began our journey into Lisbon. I didn't have a lot of expectations for Lisbon. I have heard that Portugal is a haven for expatriates, so I was curious if Lisbon would grab us. Knowing no Portuguese, where in Italy, France and… Continue reading International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 11: Lisbon, Portugal

International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 10: Cadiz, Spain

Andrew Michael Miller1 Comment

Cadiz, Spain, located close to the strait of Gibraltar, is a southern point of the Iberian peninsula. Because of this, it stays fairly warm all year long. Today was no exception. In fact, it was our warmest day of our journey so far, reaching 70 degrees fahrenheit at the warmest point of the day. We lounged around a bit outside and Declan and I even hit the pool after the day's events. More on that later. This was my favorite port so far, as we didn't have to take a bus to get into the city. Our ship was just right there at the side of the island, less than five minutes walk from getting off the ship to being… Continue reading International Travel with a Four Year Old – Day 10: Cadiz, Spain

Cruising with a Four Year Old – Day 9: First Full Day at Sea

Andrew Michael Miller2 Comments

We spent the whole day at sea today. This was much needed and appreciated after yesterday's big walk through Barcelona. It also served as good practice for when we finally leave land behind us after departing the Azores, in less than a week. I think it went well, though I know it will take some patience and resilience on all of our parts to cross the Atlantic. That's the part of the trip that Andy told me there was "no way in hell" he would do it. Declan has it easier than us. He has his kids club and the arcade, both of which he could easily spend all of his time in either one. As adults who don't really… Continue reading Cruising with a Four Year Old – Day 9: First Full Day at Sea