I cannot say enough about how Olivia and the forums have changed my life.

We live in a rural part of central California.  The closest gay bars are hours away.  We were pretty much the only lesbians we knew!

Our first Olivia experience was on the Mexican Riviera ’05.  Janice and I had not been away together for more than 24 hours in 11 years.  Our first contact was at the host hotel the night before sailing.  As I walked into the lobby, I was astounded (the first of many) by the fact that Olivia had a table set up right in the lobby to greet us as we arrived.  Jeri’s smiling face was my first contact.  A moment I will never forget.  And the hits just kept on coming!  We attended the party that night and I was totally unprepared for the level of care that Olivia was about.

The next morning, we went to the port to board and there were lesbians everywhere!  I had NEVER seen so many in one place.  The experience was truly life changing.  We bought all the pictures; we went on excursions at every port.  One of my life’s heroes is Martina N. (I’m not EVEN going to try to spell that!)  We not only attended (as spectators) her tennis clinic, but we saw her almost every day for either breakfast or lunch in the Lido Lounge.  A real thrill for me.  I could write pages about how overwhelming the experience was.  On the last night, we won a 2 for 1 to the Western Caribbean at Judy’s talk.  Boy, we would have spent quite differently if we had known we were going again in 3 months!

This is where the original forum became part of my life.  It started very simply.  I logged on to ask a question about one of the excursions and was promptly answered by both Jeri and Brewmax.  Next thing I knew, I was on every day bouncing from thread to thread, drinking in all the wonderful women and stories.  I had finally found a way to connect with all my sisters!

The Western Caribbean ’06 was legendary.  The first purple party.  Getting to meet all the women I had been talking to on the forum.  Brewmax, JoCindy, PokerAlice, JeanneCAJ, JAF, CBEL, Derby, Jelene… Just too many to mention.  What an awesome experience!  This second cruise was a real stretch for us financially but I would not have missed it for the world.

I have made lifelong friends here.  I am eternally grateful for Judy, Jeri and all the folks at Olivia for doing what they do so well.  I wonder if they realize how much they mean to people like us and how they TRULY change people’s lives.

We are now saving up for our next trip.  The hope is that a Mexican Riviera trip is announced for ’09 (anybody at Olivia listening???)  We will be on that trip and I will be here on the forum until then, making friends, sharing pictures and stories. I won’t say I couldn’t live without Olivia, but having known this experience, I am so grateful that it exists and I will continue to be a part of something so important.

You know, a friend of mine just completed her first Olivia cruise (she went on the Caribbean Dreams cruise in late January) and she wrote an article about it.  In the article she highlighted the fact that she had thought for years that an Olivia cruise was something she didn't need to do.  She added that she had been very wrong and that she loved the cruise and the whole Olivia experience - and that it was well worth the money spent and more.

 This has been the case for many of us.  I know it was for me.  And I know now that I now feel as if something is really, really missing in my life when my next Olivia vacation is not planned and on the books.  It's not just something I want.  It's something I need.

The "Olivia experience" feeds my mind, body and soul.  It has the unique ability to calm me down, excite me, and rejuvenate and inspire me like nothing else.  I thirst for the new friendships this site and Olivia vacations offer, the feeling that a week or more with women (LOTS of women!) provides, the relaxation that comes from being pampered with good food and good entertainment (not to mention REALLY good and restful sleep), and the "places" we go with Olivia.

I often think about what Olivia vacations do for me and why I so enjoy them. I share these thoughts with friends and I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, too. 

(And I have to add that it is really great to see some of the repartee on this Connect site is beginning to be reminiscent of what we enjoyed on the fomer Olivia Forum where many new bonds of friendship were formed.)

We have been fortunate to travel with Olivia four times including our most recent trip to Greece. Each trip had its own charm, favorite spots and special memories. However, every trip was artfully planned down to the last detail. Olivia has evolved over the past 35 years into the premier travel company for our community. There is no doubt that under the leadership of Judy and her staff, Olivia will remain and thrive in the years to come. Judy has proven that there is nothing that cannot be accomplished with vision and the commitment to make that vision a reality.

We know that the Olivia family is going through rough water. Please know that we are there with you. Take it day by day. Take care of yourself and soon it will be a memory. The lessons learned along the way will serve to make Olivia stronger.

All our best!

Carolyn and Cathy