After the “Stone” Age!

Sunday, April 3, 2011
As most of the followers of the blog know, yesterday was a very eventful day for us.  But we are happy to report that all is well.  Barney awoke in a great deal of pain with a kidney stone.  The ship’s medical personnel required that he leave the ship for tests to determine the size and location of the stone.  The stone was large but they were able to do lithotripsy right then and there and we were able to re-board the ship before it left.  We have always said that things happen for a reason and there is no doubt that a higher power was looking after us.  We don’t want to belabor the “what ifs?” but we are just thankful that all the pieces fell into place as they did.  We had marvelous medical care and met the most remarkable, caring people during our short time in Casablanca.  As our son, Chris and friend Simon, quoted, “I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship”.  Sound familiar?
   
                                      

Today has been a day of total rest.  We haven’t strayed far from the cabin as Barney is to drink massive quantities of water and what goes in, must come out.  Tonight was a formal dinner, but neither felt like attending. 
                                                    
Barney had looked forward to going through the Strait of  Gibraltar but we were disappointed by the overcast conditions.  We could see the land on both sides but the pictures will clearly show the poor visibility…there is always the trip back home. 
   
We are now sailing the Mediterranean Sea and expect a smooth sail as there are no ocean swells.  The current flows counterclockwise around the sea so we are sailing ‘’upstream” along the eastern coast of Spain on our way to Cartagena.
The Captain announced today that the travel ban to Egypt has been lifted and we are reverting to our original itinerary.  The passengers who booked this cruise primarily for the Egypt visit were ecstatic.  The ship will now have one fewer days in Israel, but we will still be able to do the extended day private car tour in order to cover as much as possible.   Our only concern is that many of the places we hope to visit may be closed to the general public on Holy Thursday.  But we feel fortunate to be making the trip and will be thrilled with whatever we experience.  
Cartagena tomorrow…