Tuesday, June 12, 2012

vacation!

This week's ABCWednesday letter is V. After seeking out the Voortman's cookies, all that is left is Violet's Vacation (though I really want to say 'holiday', which rolls off the tongue more naturally) Anyway, my vacay also conveniently allows me to weasel out of next week's W. Whew. Interestingly, I have an X, Y and Z all ready.

But at the moment, my mind is totally on the vacation plans. Next week, I will be on a voyage aboard a cruise ship. (my virgin cruise, so to speak) One of the ports we will be visiting is Valencia and one of the things I am most excited about is going to the Lladro factory. From what I have read about this free tour of the making of the valuable, exquisitely made porcelain, it is a fascinating couple of hours even if you are not into figurines of porcelain. All the reviews from such sites as TripAdvisor were glowingly positive.

You need to book these tours ahead, so I emailed my preferred language and date. And got a prompt reply, with an apology, that all tours that day were fully booked. Damn. But the email was so personal and polite, offering other dates, etc that instead of letting it slide, I wrote back and explained about the cruise ship and one day in Valencia, la la la, not quite sure what to expect in return. Maybe a wait list of some sort? No. What I found out was that it was my ship that had booked the day's worth of tours. So, I could pay $50 to the cruise ship for the free tour, or satisfy myself with seeing only the museum and showroom. And gift shop. I found this turn of events to be most vexing. I vented long and loudly to my friend Xup who is travelling with me (though not interested in this tour) and she volunteered her indignation on my behalf. But, I continued with the email exchange, thanking them for their correspondence - really, I expected merely a form letter type response. Three days later, news came that I could get on one of the afternoon tours. Victory!

I may need more euros to buy a souvenir Lladro....



17 comments:

  1. So you are weaseling out of W. How about posting a Weasel haha.. Have a great vacation.

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  2. Sometimes its pays to make a fuss, even a tiny one, doesn't it? And hey, I didn't know you were travelling with XUP! Say hi to her for me, and I hope the two of you take the cruise world by storm! (I'll expect a full report when you get back, of course.) Have a fab trip!

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  3. enjoy the vacation. BTW, already did my W, X, Y, Z, fortunately.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  4. What good timing for V. It is always good to encounter good customer relations. Enjoy your cruise, I am sure it will provide lots of ABC opportunities:-)

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  5. XUP and you are going on a cruise together? I envy you both!!!

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  6. I'm sure you can pay with a credit card. Enjoy your vacation. Have a ball on the cruise ship. xox

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  7. Enjoy your cruise vacation. I am a bit jealous!!

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  8. Enjoy your vacation.

    Eye View
    Rose, ABC Wednesday Team

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  9. I vish you a vonderful vacation in Valencia...and in all the other destinations too. Bon voyage!

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  10. Oh, just as I come back from vacation, off you go! I've only been on one real cruise (I'm not counting a barefoot cruise, which just seems different), but I enjoyed it. Hope you have a great time!

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  11. Have fun. I hope you have great weather. I look forward to your wonderful photography and stories. Bon Voyage!

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  12. Good for you for having the verve to express your viewpoint. So happy that you didn't vacillate and that your persistence was validated. Have a wonderful vacation!

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  13. Hey, have a great Vacation. I think Valencia is a cool place to visit. Lot's of spectacular architecture. Send my greetings to XUP and tell her that her presence on the blogosphere is sorely missed.

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  14. thank you everyone.
    I will come back with photos and stories galore to share.
    and I will pass on your greetings to XUP.

    see you all in 10 days (or so, depending on jet lag....)

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  15. Hi all...just stopped off at an internet cafe in Genoa while Violetsky is visiting her dead people. She told me you had all said howdy so I thought I would say howdy back. So far this whole travelling lark is really exhausting, but I am sure once we get some real sleep things will look up. I am really looking forward to our tour of Provence tomorrow.
    (PS: Violetsky snores like a drunken lumberjack)

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  16. That was very clever of you Violetsky! Cruise ships' excursions are often exorbitant, and in many cases "do-it-yourself" is twice as good and many times cheaper. But congrats on all the perseverance - it paid off!

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