Up, up + away we go

Continent #3 is in the crosshairs!

This week has been challenging to say the least. Mario. Work has been extremely stressful, it's also gotten busy as it typically does before leaving on holiday, which is much needed, so no complaints.

I over-packed for this journey. I haven't even left home and am already annoyed with myself. Big roller bag, small roller bag and my backpack stuffed with camera gear, and away I go.

Packing for a 25 night journey is a bit of a logistical challenge. I certainly will have some laundry done on the cruise ship, but even then, planning for potential rain and cooler temps in northern Norway and 80+ degrees in other locales, you need a bit of everything. And then there are shoes. They take up so much room, they weigh a ton, can't we just normalize flip flops...I mean I am trying HARD to do so.

The list is pretty incredible:

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Kristiansand, Norway

Haugesund, Norway

Geiranger, Norway

Alesund, Norway

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Berlin, Germany

Visby, Sweden

Tallinn, Estonia

Helsinki, Finland

Stockholm, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

I sit here, about an hour from my ride picking me up (thank you to the one and only Andrew) and I am still in disbelief.

I can't wait to see my hotel room. I am going posh on this first stop. I am hoping the accommodations live up to my (high) expectations. This is bougie Cole.

Bougie Cole, unlike truck/mountain Cole, loves the finer things in life. Doesn't mind a little too much attentiveness. Likes my designer shoes and sunglasses (still coming for you Jess). A private tour of Amsterdam. Van Gogh museum. Anne Frank House. Dinner at Spectrum, a Two-Michelin-starred restaurant (@spectrum_amsterdam)

It's hard to think about filling the bucket when I still feel so much grief and sadness for Mr. Mario, but it's probably the perfect reset and hope it will get me out of my current mindset.

Can't wait to bust out the camera. Can't wait to soak it all in. I've done very minimal research on these destinations. Have booked a few shore excursions thru the cruise ship but also left plenty of time to work and wander.

Cheers to Continent 3 ✈️

-Cole from Colorado

Spinning around the 🌎

Here's Miss Macie sending me off 🐈‍⬛

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