Thank you all for your good wishes.

The Queen of De Nile has had a wonderful, yet poignant, day. She's enjoyed the company of good friends on this trip. Yet, time has come to re=enter the 21st century. Cleo really loves it here. Marc A agrees - Cleo's rarely been happier than with her Marc A and all of his boys in Egypt.

Marcie - The Suez Canal transit, in some respects, highlights the tensions in the area. The military presence is never far from one's mind or from the view. It is poor and undeveloped; Cleo wishes the parties can find space for one another and move on. Cleo, though, is a realist and thinks that is, as the poet would say 'miles to go before [they] sleep'

Fortunately, Cleo's subjects understood this is one special convoy and it sailed at steady pace the entire length of the canal. She carefully arranged to be ship #5 out of 24, taking her rightful place in the procession. We exited approximately 10 hours after entering the canal. We are back in the Mediterranean Sea and on our way to Greece.

I am feeling most emotional right now. I am so very, very glad to enjoy Dubai, Egypt and Jordan in the company of good friends this time; but know it's time to start packing. Stay tuned; things are a popping around here.

Suzanne prepared a wonderful trivia quiz for the CAMELites, and our professional photographers captured the moments for the group. We almost caught the prize today ... and intend to leave the final victors.

Spanish class continued unabated. Our teacher, Laura, is terrific. We are to practice our sentences for 15 minutes today. Marc A and Cleo got 3 minutes in so far. This is great prep for the hoped-for South America swing next winter.

We've been perusing the SilverSea catalogue for a future booking. Surprisingly, the SilverSea regulars are telling us to consider the Wind and Cloud. Wind goes in for serious drydock upgrades Nov. 08; Cloud goes in for May 09 upgrades. Woo hoo!

Thanks to last minute changes, we are dumping our post-cruise plans and flying direct to Chicago. At least we get home 4 days earlier. Cleo can't wait to see her feathered friends who have held up the home front in her absence.

Cheers, Anne