Rekindling My Dreams 2 of 3
Silver Sea Cruise & Grand Prix
As the founder of Prime Objectives, Christine has extensive experience in working across many cultures. As a skilled facilitator, she is known for resolving conflict based on creating allies not opponents. A highly original thinker, Christine combines her knowledge, wisdom and skills as an author and international speaker.
Christine’s Ethos
1. Live In The Moment
2. Stay Open To New Experiences
3. Honour and value the people who I meet along the way
Bucket List
A bucket list is an itemised list of experiences or achievements I want to accomplish before I depart this life, also referred to as “kicking the bucket”. It’s a blunt and casual, almost joking way to say “to die”.
Rekindling My Dreams TiSME Blog Posts
I am sharing the latest stories of my adventures with you through a series of three TiSME Blog Posts.
First Adventure: Northern India: First adventure is covered in my previous Blog and shares the dream I had with my elder sister Rosemary that we would return to Northern India where I spent the first formative seven years of my life. Although she couldn’t join me on this arduous adventure I know she was with me in spirit.
Second Adventure:
Silver Sea Cruise Italian Coast, Sicily and Malta including The Monaco Grand Prix
It had been my plan to write a sequence to my first book Life’s Choices: Ready to Jump or Waiting to be Pushed? It would be called Later Life’s Choices: Now or Never!
Turning my dream into reality
These are the questions I asked myself at the initial planning stage whilst taking into consideration I was still enjoying good health and my available budget.
- When?
- What?
- Why?
- How?
1. When?
May 13th to 28th 2024
2. What?
“Send out your intention and trust that your dream will become reality!” Christine Marsh
The Power of Intent
“Lo and behold” literally means “look and see” and you discover something is not surprising at all. Synchronicity is the simultaneous occurrence of events significantly related but have no discernible causal connection.
Primary incentive was to attend the Grand Prix, Monte Carlo, Monaco in May 2024. The additional lure was to combine this adventure with another cruise.
3. Why?
It is a sad realisation that my first two priorities on my Bucket List are tinged with a sense of regret. Regret is a feeling of sadness, or disappointment, an occurrence or something that one has done or failed to do. Regret is a draining emotion as I can’t change the past. However, I can choose to honour the past and re-kindle those dreams by living them in the present. I remember someone reminding me that the word ‘present’ also means a gift.
As mentioned above, my primary incentive was to honour Colin’s memory and acknowledge his love of cars and how much he had enjoyed watching the Monte Carlo Grand Prix on the Television. We never made the trip in person and I realise that was a wise decision as this experience is not for the faint hearted.
4. How?
Memory Lane
1995 I clearly remembered enjoying with Colin a Silver Sea cruise on the inaugural Silver Wind cruise down the Amazon River starting from Manaus, Brazil.
2024 It seemed fitting to undertake another booking with Silver Sea this is a superb cruise line. I was impressed to find they still had all my details on file. Obviously, they knew I’d be back one day.
Silver is associated with wealth, glamour, grace and elegance. All fitting descriptive of the Silver Spirit.
There are 8 restaurants to choose from. My favourite was The Silver Note Exclusive Restaurant as it was an ideal place to indulge in gourmet dining and enjoy the sound of jazz and blues. Booking in advance was essential. A sincere vote of thanks goes to the Maître D’ and his attentive staff when dining at this exclusive restaurant. On my first visit, I was shown to my table and politely asked “Who would be joining me?” Although I had booked a table for one, there was an empty chair opposite to me. When I explained why I was undertaking this trip in memory of my late husband Colin, I was ‘adopted’ and received exceptional service and personal attention. It was a wonderful surprise to receive a call on my last night to join them as they had a cancellation.
As a solo traveller, this genuine intent to take good care of me was greatly valued.
Grand Prix, Monto Carlo, Monaco
At The Starting Line
Obviously the incentive for this adventure was to attend the final day of the Grand Prix on 26th May 2024. This image is the view looking over at the lights of Monte Carlo at night from my balcony on board. Listening to the roar of car engines as they whizzed around the circuit all added to the build-up of anticipation.
The Tender dropped my group off a long way from the Grandstand. All moving escalators had been switched off for some reason! The only option was to climb up endless stairs and the weather was very hot. Thank goodness I had the support and encouragement to keep going.
With the vertical climb up to my seat without any rails to steady my ascent and precarious descent needed the assistance of my new friends! I couldn’t see any other ‘very mature’ fans in the crowded stand. This picture was my view for the duration of the race!
Drama: A dreadful crash in the first few circuits They had huge screens allowing views of the complete circuit. They were switched off whilst the rescue mission got underway. It was such a relief that the drivers of the three cars involved were able to walk away from the mangled wrecks. The accident was caused by the error in judgement by a competitive driver who wanted to overtake his rivals at all costs. The cost could have been the loss of lives!
It’s sad to see this battle for supremacy at all cost are so prevalent in many areas of our current world arena.
Outstanding Memories
With such a kaleidoscope of wonderful experiences it’s hard to choose a few outstanding memories to share with you.
Excursions: I was spoilt for choice and it was hard to decide which one to join. I will share a few photos to give you a taster of my experiences.
New Friends
The opportunity to connect with other people is always an integral part of my adventures. There is a distinct difference when cruising as the other passengers form a transient encounter because these ‘fleeting’ connections are rarely followed up.
Farewell
Silver Seas Cruises: Alexander Tarr, Consultant Private Travel
I recommend that you make direct contact with him. I received excellent service and ace and appreciated his willingness to ensure I had the very best experience throughout my cruise. This commitment to the living the values of Silversea is apparent when interacting with any member of their Team.
Special thanks are due to my Suite Butler and her Suite Attendant.
Contact Alex: +44 207 34 00776
Email: alext@silversea.com
My Challenge to You
Consider your Bucket List and decide on three priorities for 2025. You can always use my checklist of questions. If you haven’t already completed this then don’t be surprised if your dreams don’t become your reality.
LESSON: Passive or Active Approach to Living Life?
My genuine concern is how easy it has become to accept the passive role of an observer rather than make the effort to be active and taking back your own power to whatever extent you are able.
