As of September 2022

Paris

I

The first leg of the trip was a breeze.

To Paris, Delta handled it with ease.

The front cabin is best;

To hell with the rest!

With all the drinks that you please.

Barcelona

II

The next leg brought us to Spain.

Finding our driver was a bit of a pain.

Luggage loaded, he drove to hotel.

For a Spaniard, he drove pretty well.

But for parking, he made his own lane.

III

Checked in and back on our feet.

We walked to find something to eat.

The Gothic Quarter is old.

A good place we were told,

And found a tapas bar with a seat.

IV

We finally took showers,

To bed after 26 hours.

Slept soundly for ten,

Like a bear in its den.

And our rhythm is now off-hours.

V

There once was a small woman from Spain,

Who led tours through Roman remains.

Streets, buildings, and stories were old,

About saints and kings, we were told,

And everything she said, she explained.

VI

A few friends from afar did we meet.

Three Finns in this town. What a treat!

We sat for a toast.

The view was the most.

But especially, the reunion was sweet.

VII

Clap, stomp, and tap is a great dance.

Is it anger, is it romance?

Guitars and dancers on fire,

We had dinner prior.

Flamengo is more than a prance.

VIII

This glorious church was amazing.

Every inch you cannot stop gazing.

Either inside or out,

You surely don’t doubt,

For the life of Christ, it is praising.

IX

Our dinner was not so extreme.

It was a delight, it would seem.

A single scoop for you,

And I’ll do the same, too.

What’s better than an ice cream.

X

The market was colorful and fragrant,

All the foods were in its best arrangement.

Candy, fresh fish, or quick treats,

A great selection of meats.

For a snack, a full meal, or refreshment.

XI

We leave Barcelona sadly.

There is a lot we missed frankly.

We’ll have to go back,

For another crack.

I’m missing paella badly.

The Med Cruise

XII

We’re on our way to the Med Sea.

A great voyage it’s bound to be.

We’re going first to Marseille,

We’ll be there only a day.

Then we’ll be in Nice on day three.

XIII

As you can see the Retreat

Is the best. It’s really sweet.

Nothing was unpleasant,

With our own attendant.

A place to get off our feet.

Marseille

XIV

In Marseille, we spent four hours.

Basilica had two towers.

I loved the restaurants along the rue.

By the marina, they had a grand view,

Of all the out-of-towners.

Nice

XV

To get ashore we took a tender,

To Nice to enjoy Provence splendor.

We missed the F1 race by a week,

And the Casino which would be chic.

Don’t be a Monte Carlo spender

XVI

Ez-e was an easy stop,

Coffee and quiche at a shop.

Escaping the rain was the plan.

What else can you do then, man?

Back to the ship was a short hop.

Lucca

XVII

Puccini was born in Lucca.

He smoked cigars, not from Cuba.

One hundred churches if you believe,

And one public W.C. for relief.

Again a stop for a cuppa.

Pisa

XVIII

Oh my, that building does lean.

And the Pisa crowds extreme.

After a quake,

It did not break.

But, fix for 500 years the scheme.

Tarquinna

XIX

No Rome, but Tarquinna instead,

Where Etruscans buried their dead.

In a tomb underground,

Under a mound,

They were laid on a wooden bed.

Pompeii

XX

Pompeii is a total ruin. 

Partial buildings, not one human.

600 shops sold lots of wine,

But destroyed in seventy-nine.

The eruption was no illusion

Taormina

XXI

In Sicily, everyone looks related to me.

Maybe a distant cousin, the he or the she.

Toured Catania and Aci Castello.

We sat in a cafe for limoncello.

Then we left Taormina, Sicily by the sea.

At Sea

XXII

Today at sea was very exciting indeed.

Rescued sailboat, capacity it did exceed.

Italian Coast Guard picked them all up. 

Were there a dozen refugees? Yup! E

Emergency over, we’re allowed to proceed.

XXIII

Being at sea is not a total loss.

We tasted some wines without any flaws.

They served wines from the Northwest,

Which we believe are the best.

But we like them no matter, just because.

Corfu

XXIV

We toured the winery in Corfu.

Of large Greek islands, there are a few.

We got a cookbook and demo for bread,

A zucchini bake, and tzatziki spread.

Besides wine, they made olive oil, too.

XXV

They baked Corfu bread with their red wine.

The special ingredient, divine!

The water they did not trust.

Iron it will always rust.

Anne’s rye bread she thinks she’ll redesign.

At Sea

XXVI

A relaxing day at the cabana. 

We had a lunch then shared a banana.

We are killing some time,

While I work on this rhyme,

And there’s no time to smoke my Havana.

Dubrovnik

XXVII

At night we went to Dubrovnik.

From the port, the ride was darn quick.

Medieval was the old town,

For Game of Thrones, it is renown. 

Azur Restaurant the tour guide did pick.

Kotor

XXVIII

Kotor in Montenegro was a bust. 

Winds were too high; our safety was a must.

No tenders to take us all ashore.

No way to disembark or explore.

The Captain nixed our plans. We did adjust.

At Sea

XXIX

Today at sea, tomorrow Trieste. 

This Med cruise has been the very best.

To Venice, we take private transport,

Because we couldn’t dock at their port.

We had plenty of food, drink, and rest.

XXX

The task now is to pack,

The suitcase and the sack.

But will everything fit;

Upon it, I will sit.

Now upstairs to snack.

XXXI

Dinner and a show then went to Casino.

Big win, order brandy, server Filipino.

For me, it’s the best it’s ever been.

Up 300, cashed out with a grin.

Maybe next time I’ll try my luck in Reno.

XXXII

Now just because the cruise is over, 

Doesn’t mean I’m a rhyming loafer. 

I’ll keep going as long as I can.  

This is creative and that’s the plan.

At day’s end, it gives me some closure.

Venice

XXXIII

Venice is a mess, it’s full of water.

The place is flooded in every quarter.

Deliveries are tough.

How do they get their stuff?

Presently by aqua transporter.

XXXIV

Saint Mark’s Square ain’t. 

The scene is quaint.

Lots of shops,

And crop tops.

Respect the Saint.

XXXV

When in Venice do the gondola. 

We took the plunge so, mea culpa.

It was like a dream,

On a cloud marine.

A romantic boat ride ultra.

XXXVI

When you come to Venice pack lite.

Otherwise, your luggage you’ll fight. 

You’ll drag your stuff all over town,

In the end, you will be run down.

Heed my words. I’m bound to be right.

XXXVII

Here they invented the Bellini.

Eventually, we drank three.

Here at Harry’s Bar,

Can’t get there by car.

Great pink drinks and the olives were free.

XXXVIII

The views from the top are amazing. 

This city we cannot stop praising.

It all looks great.

Leaving we’ll hate.

It’s beauty there’s no problem phrasing.

XXXIV

The tour of the glory hole, the start.

Anne saw a radiant red heart. 

It had streaks of blue and gold.

One more look, she said sold.

Murano glass has beautiful art.

Lahti, Finland

XXXV

Not everyone in Finland is blonde.

Like the person of whom I am fond.

They come in colors,

Like all the others.

It’s not hard to find a common bond.

XXXVI

I was warned about the mämmi.

But bought one on a shopping spree.

It’s an acquired taste,

But so I would not waste, 

I finished one but won’t have three.

Turku

XXXVII

We toured one of Finland’s archipelagos. 

The shores are dotted with summer bungalows. 

Heikki and Anne showed us all around. 

Two ferries than a restaurant we found. 

There were many chances for some great photos.

XXXVIII

Ronja and Tatu showed us the Turku way, 

We walked near the river where the walls were grey

We took a short break,

To pick up some cake.

Then stopped for a drink near where the people pray.

XXXIX

We brought our cakes to the beautiful Karhu home. 

Sampsa and Karoliina don’t live there alone. 

Iiro, their boy, is so darn cute. 

He made us all laugh. What a hoot!  

He showed us some of his toys he has not outgrown.

XL

Just before two, we meet Mika at the train.

He was relaxed, he’d no reason to complain.

Later we set out for a dinner cruise.

Good food, good company to boot, great views.

Then a nice stroll on the Turku River lane.

Lohja

XLI

In June Finland has a big feast to start summer. 

A vacation for all, butcher, baker, plumber.  

There are all kinds of food.

And sauna, you do nude.

But in June, strangely they all call it mid-summer.

XLII

The heat wave in Finland is not ova. 

Sometimes we stay inside on the sofa.

But to really stay cool,

We all sit in the pool,

To avoid slipping into a coma.

XLIII

In southern Finland don’t wait for the sunset. 

It’s similar to an Anchorage mindset.

At 60 degrees North latitude.

Here, there is quiet and solitude.

At Midnight I’m snacking on cheese ‘n rye bread.

Helsinki

XLIV

We met the family Uusnakki.

Mom ‘n Dad brought the boys of three.

Two girlfriends too were there.

Lots of fun in the air,

The food and laughs were great. No niin!

XLV

We walked to the beach in Helsinki. 

Topless men and all shapes bikini.  

It’s hard not to stare,  

At the things they wear.

But we went to watch ultimate frisbee.

Savonlinna

XLVI

So today we are off to the opera.

It’s a four-hour drive for the drama. 

Savonlinna the place.

A castle is the space. 

The scenery is close to nirvana.

XLVII

We’re at a cabin by a lake. 

A dip in the lake they did take 

Prior, we visited the market 

Money could not stay in our pocket.  

Adventures in food I did make.

Kerimäki

XLVIII

In Kerimäki, we visited an old church.

It’s the world’s largest made of wood, certainly birch.

3000 seated is its capacity,

5000 total in its sanctuary.

In the nearby lake, I’m sure there’s perch. 

Punkaharju

XLIV

After the church, we drove through lake and forest.

A great view for this American tourist. 

Check Punkaharju on your Google map, 

Between the islands the road fills the gap. 

And Russia is the country which is nearest.

Vaalimaa

XLV

On our way back, we stopped at the outlet, Zsar.

We walked around. Tapani stayed with the car

The stores were all closing so we did not linger.

Turning to the East, we gave Russia the finger.

Racing to Helsinki which was not far.

Helsinki 

XLVI

I’ve not been lazy. I’ve been busy,

Enjoying this wonderful city.

These pix number five, 

To prove I’m alive.

You must agree this metro is pretty.

XLVII

We left the apartment as a threesome,

To visit the National Museum.

It was hungry we got,

To a small joint named “kot”,

For the best chicken sandwich, we’d eaten.

XLVIII

Finns are not much for peanut butter,

Find a spread of another nutter.

I searched the whole store,

From ceiling to floor.

Of course, I landed on Nutella.

Porvoo

XLIX

Porvoo is a cute little town.

Great food and drink we did put down.

After the great lunch,

Mika had a hunch,

To go to chocolatier renown.

Helsinki

L

We toured the Helsinki harbor by boat.

Where stories Swedish and Russian were wrote.

The gulf is full of islands,

Like a necklace of diamonds.

It was a history lesson afloat

LI

It’s an attractive office for mail. 

Many boxes, stamps, and cards for sale.

It’s a clean place to post,

But its service, won’t boast.

Posti has the same mascot, a snail.

Turku

LII

Busses, trains and automobiles. 

We’ll ride anything with round wheels 

Metro was yesterday. 

Busses and train today. 

Turku castle, history reveals.

LIII

Ronja, the bear, was our local guide. 

To the castle, another bus ride.

The linna was medeival and grand. 

Once surrounded by water, now land.

To dinner, a bus, cause walking I tried.

Lohja

LIV

As I travel, I am humble,

For the languages, I fumble.

It’s only English I speak,

Neither Italian nor Greek.

But for Finnish, I’m proud to stumble.

LV

Mökki is a cabin, best by the lake, 

For vacations, weekends Finns take a break.

Accommodations may be spartan,

Regardless, there is often a garden.

After sauna, it’s grilled something they make.

LVI

Lohja brings joy, houseboat, and sauna.

Find it with the flora and fauna.

On the lake, a cabin on floats,

Room for six, better than most boats.

Relaxation, fun, and no drama.

Helsinki

LVII

Heather led us with Fork in Hand. 

The whole route and stops were well planned. 

4 miles at a leisurely pace, 

Food and drink brought smiles to my face.

We all agreed the day was grand.

LVIII

The Rock Church was made from old granite.

The only one on the whole planet. 

Above the rock wall, beams are concrete. 

The copper ceiling makes it complete. 

We toured with the pastor sans habit.

Sammamish

VIX

We are home and I’m closing this out.

We had a great time there is no doubt.

It’s nice to be in our comfortable home;

It won’t be long before we’re ready to roam.  

We’re making plans to go north than south.