Funchal, Madeira

Land Ho!

Where is the island of Madeira?

After seven days at sea, we arrived at our first European port of the summer: Funchal, Madeira.  Madeira is a Portuguese island that is basically in the middle of nowhere.

Land Ho!

Since we were still in the middle of "crossover" (the rehearsal period transitioning from the Magic 29 cast to Magic 30), we had very little time to debark the ship. Kristine, Kaila, Diego, Kevin and I made a run for it to experience the tourist attractions.  We rode a cable car high above the city from Funchal to Monte, with beautiful scenic views.  Once we reached the top, we rode down on a toboggan basket, steered by two men standing on the back.

From the Cable Car.  The Disney Magic in the distance.

Myself, Diego, Kaila and Kev in Funchal

With Kaila, Kristine and our "tobaggan-eers"

How To Entertain Yourself on a Saturday Night

Here's a little comic relief for you while you wait for my next post.  My friend Bria came from California, to visit me in North Carolina, before I moved to Toronto to begin rehearsing for Disney Cruise Line.  This is how we chose to entertain ourselves...making a lip synced music video.  Victoria had just walked in the door after a month away, and a roadtrip home all the way from Florida.  We welcomed her with a purple sequined leotard from the dress-up box and began our recording at 10:30 pm.  Because what else do you do on a Saturday night in Winterville, North Carolina?

March 2013, Wannabe by The Spicegirls Bria, Victoria and Caroline

Just to refresh your memories (or in case you are a new reader), this is Winterville.  Cotton field suburbia.

Sailing Away! The Transatlantic

Goodbye USA!  After flying from our two-month rehearsal home in Toronto, Ontario, we arrived in Galveston, Texas.  After two days in Traditions, a class on the background of the Disney Company, we finally boarded the Disney Magic.  Emotions were high on every level; excitement, nerves, exhaustion.

Sailing away for the first time!

We set sail from Galveston and commenced "crossover" - the rehearsal process of taking over the shows, sets and other duties of the previous cast, Magic 29.  Two sea-days later, we stopped at Disney's island, Castaway Cay, for the guests, but also for final supplies before sailing across The Atlantic.  Seven long day's at sea.  It was one heck of a way to be initiated into ship life.  Below are some of my very first photos onboard from Magic 30 Embark Day.

Watching the ship sail out of Galveston, TX from the Crew Deck, Deck 5 Forward. You can see the guests watching from above the bridge, on deck 10.

With Kaila, sailing away!

A view of the ship from Castaway Cay, before "The Trans."

Kaleigh and I visiting "Pinocch" and Jimminy.  They are "friends with" the Magic 29 cast.

Around the World and Back Again

I have been living life and living it to the fullest during my absence from Attraversiamo.  I have sailed across the Atlantic...twice; visited Greek temples, olympic stadiums and islands; jumped from cliffs in Croatia; meandered the streets of Venice until sunrise; climbed The Rock of Gibraltar; driven the countryside of Ireland; visited the cathedrals of Spain and Italy; and so so so much more.  I have friends in countries I had never even heard of.  I have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  I have changed as a person.  I have discovered personal strengths and weaknesses and come out on top.

Over the next few weeks, I'll post by city or by port so you can get a glimpse of what each one was like.  Even though we visited these ports multiple times, you'll get a little peak, whether it's photos, a video, a little story, or all three!