Traveling as a “Single” Person

In London and Cruising Aboard

The Queen Mary II

Part I

By

Kaye Hatfield

Traveling as a single person is sometimes difficult. But it doesn’t have to be. Opportunities to experience a wonderful vacation are available through groups for single people. I recently experienced a “trip of a lifetime” and shared it with other single friends. Some of us spent a few days in London before departing for Southampton to board the Canard’s Queen Mary II (QMII). I chose my own tours at the many ports of call, as well as classes and events I wanted to participate in during the cruise. I felt a comfort I don’t always feel when traveling internationally by myself.

As you read the description of my adventures on a cruise with the friends, I hope you recognize how sharing memories with other singles will make your vacations more special. We made memories together while touring exotic places, participating in classes, having meals together and just relaxing with a glass of champagne.

When I write a travel article I don’t usually share my whereabouts at the moment I am composing my thoughts. However, today I can’t resist the temptation to tell you where I am and what I am viewing as I begin writing and sharing these thoughts of this extraordinary vacation. I am sitting in the beautifully appointed library of the Queen Mary II looking out a window at the city of Bergen, Norway.

Bergen is our third and last stop in Norway. Our first two ports in Norway were Geiranger and Alesund – all three breathtakingly beautiful in their own way. As the QM II sailed her way through the fjord toward Geiranger, I was reminded of the anonymous quote at the beginning of Partricia Schultz’s book, “1,000 Places to See Before You Die.”

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but

by the places and moments that take our breath away.”

As the ship moved further into the fjord and closer to Geiranger and the beautiful mountains, waterfalls and foliage surrounded us, I began to wonder how many times in one day a person can experience an emotional high or have one’s breath taken away by the beauty of the nature around her. Standing on the deck of the QM II and visually partaking of the creation of natural beauty to which man has not contributed, gave me an unmatched emotional high.

Geiranger Fjord, Norway

I have viewed many beautiful sights in my life (both natural and man-made) but none have affected me in quite the same way as Norway. Each time I turn away from the computer and look out the window at Bergen, I feel as if I am reading a beautiful travel log or an ad for a vacation. Experiencing this exquisite part of our world is a gift that more of us should give ourselves.

However, before boarding this magnificent sailing vessel, some of our group spent a couple of days in London. I became acquainted with a woman from Los Angeles who joined our group and shared my “addiction” to London. We had both previously explored many of the wondrous sights of London but had never been to Notting HilI and the Portobello Road market place. On Saturday afternoon we escaped the crowds at Harrods and wound our way there and then walked back to our hotel close to Hyde Park. These two days in London reaffirmed my agreement with the Samuel Johnson quote:

“The man who tires of London tires of life. For there is in London all that life can afford.”

The Thames River and

The Tower of London in the background

Although we did not tire of London, we had only begun our excursion and had many wonderful experiences ahead of us.

We started our voyage from the port of Southampton, England. After checking in and boarding the ship, I was greeted by a handsome, young man on the staff of the QM II. I must have appeared very tired and overwhelmed because as he looked at me he asked, “Madam, may I help you with your bag and escort you to your cabin?” Of course, I could not resist such an offer. I handed him my carry-on bag and off we went. This became my introduction to Martin and the wonderful attention and service I received from the staff during my stay on the QM II.

A few hours later, after unpacking and resting, I arrived on deck to experience our departure from Southampton. Our festive “send off” at Southampton was a prelude to the ceremonial “welcomes” we received at all of our ports of call.

When we arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, our first port of call, we were greeted by Scottish men playing bagpipes, dressed in kilts, and local residents with wonderful warm smiles for us. I am a history buff and visiting Holyrood Palace and Stirling Castle was well worth a full day of touring.

Greeting in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Palace of Holyrood House, more commonly known as Holyrood Palace, originated as an Augustinian monastery founded on the site by King David I of Scotland in 1128. It is located at the bottom of the “Royal Mile” in Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth II is Head of the Commonwealth and it is her official home and office in her Scottish capital.

After lunch at the Hawes Hotel I boarded the bus heading for Stirling Castle. I have read so much about King Robert The Bruce’s life, and the Battle of Bannockburn, I was delighted when I stepped off the tour bus and was greeted by a wonderful memorial to “The Bruce.” Incidentally, the battlefield of Bannockburn is close to the site of Stirling Castle.

Statue of Robert the Bruce at Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is considered the grandest of the Scottish castles and one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions. Many important events in Scotland’s past took place at Stirling. Mary Queen of Scots spent several years of her childhood in the castle and her coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543.

In Part II of this article I will tell you about getting to personally interview the captain of the QM II, Captain Paul Wright. I will also discuss our stop in Hamburg, Germany, our visit to Berlin and Amsterdam. I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to a grand trip known as the “The Virgin Voyage of the Queen Mary II.”