Bon Voyage Feasts with the Spenuzza, Rodriguez, Hedrick, and Marquez Families

We have to go around the world more often as the food and drink send-offs have have been great albeit we are straining at the waist and have yet to board the MS Voyager! First, Pete and Connie Spenuzza graciously hosted us last weekend for a great bon voyage send-off brunch at Sapphire Grill in Laguna Beach--the food and conversation were wonderful and it was great to be with them knowing that Pete had been a student on one of the earlier/earliest voyages back in the 60s. This will be the 100th voyage and how very cool to know that Pete had blazed the trail that we will follow in a week.

Then Steves and Cindy Rodriguez had us over for an incredible dinner of the most succulent fish tacos, sangria, and conversation that was both celestial and educational as they filled us in on their adventures in Vietnam and Japan--great to have such beautiful young friends pave the trail for our upcoming treks.

If that were not enough we were hosted to another fabulous brunch at the Hedrick household with the core family on Sunday with custom made omelets by our Nekane and Lisa (our girls), more than a few mimosas, and an announcement about the first baby coming to Viviana and Jeff--a phenomenal way to start our voyage in less than a week. We enjoyed this feast under the perky eyes of Diego and Dora, the intrepid explorers whose tradition we will carry on. So, we will waddle onto the ship with promises of waking up before dawn to hit the workout gym and race around the decks at least a hundred times before breakfast. Life is good with family and friends, especially when we have champagne, omelets, and good conversation to share.

We have one day left before we leave for our voyage and dinner tonight was spent with great friends Frank and Anita. A wonderful evening at Phlight enjoying good food, wine and conversation. So, we leave on Friday and hope we can waddle onto the ship and find room for all of our "stuff".