Due to the landslides in Messina, the captain decided it was safer for us to go to Palermo instead.
The weather here is beautiful and I'm tempted to stay on the beautiful beach for a while. Unfortunately, the ship sails at 4:00 p.m.
We had a lovely tour of the city and then out into the country for a look at their resort area. Our guide said that the water is now too cold for the tourists - it's only about 72 degrees! Sounds warm enough for me!
Did some shopping in town, but we are back on the ship and thinking about packing for our departure in the morning. It has been fun, but I'm ready to get back home.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Athens
Saturday, October 3
We were concerned when we weren't able to book a tour for Athens (the only one that mom could go on was full), but the ship's tour director was able to fit us in at the last minute.
Our other concern was the weather - this is the first day that it has rained - but it cleared up just as we were getting on the us.
Saw the Olympic Stadium with its 69,000 marble seats. After the Olympic torch is lit at the ancient Olympic site it is first brought to this stadium before going off to the host country.
Then it was off to the Acropolis. Of course, we couldn't get up to the Parthenon, but the view from below was nice.
Next up - a day at sea and then Messina.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Ephesus, Turkey
Friday, October 2
Ephesus was so interesting! Our tour began with a stop at the house of the Virgin Mary up in the hills above Ephesus. This small, two-room building is said to have been her home the last few years of her life. The crowds were huge (about 50 tour buses were parked there with more waiting), but everyone was respectful of the place.
We then drove down into the valley to through orchards of peaches, oranges, lemons, and olives and up another hill to the village of Sirince (pronounced Shir-injee), a quaint town with stone streets that had a bazaar feel. Everyone inviting you to come into their shops ("no charge for looking") and taste their wine. I had tastes of loganberry wine (nice for after dinner), raspberry wine (so sweet it tasted like cough syrup), and finally a dry red wine that was very nice. After a few purchases, I tried their fresh-squeezed orange juice (made right in front of me with a hand press) - it was delicious!
The last stop was a carpet weaving place, where there were demonstrations of silk spinning and carpet weaving, snacks, and, of course, the offer to sell you their finished products. Mom gave in first and purchased a small rug for her living room. I then caved in and haggled for a carpet for the dining room. I hope Ted likes it because I can't take it back to Turkey!
Next stop - Athens.
Ephesus was so interesting! Our tour began with a stop at the house of the Virgin Mary up in the hills above Ephesus. This small, two-room building is said to have been her home the last few years of her life. The crowds were huge (about 50 tour buses were parked there with more waiting), but everyone was respectful of the place.
We then drove down into the valley to through orchards of peaches, oranges, lemons, and olives and up another hill to the village of Sirince (pronounced Shir-injee), a quaint town with stone streets that had a bazaar feel. Everyone inviting you to come into their shops ("no charge for looking") and taste their wine. I had tastes of loganberry wine (nice for after dinner), raspberry wine (so sweet it tasted like cough syrup), and finally a dry red wine that was very nice. After a few purchases, I tried their fresh-squeezed orange juice (made right in front of me with a hand press) - it was delicious!
The last stop was a carpet weaving place, where there were demonstrations of silk spinning and carpet weaving, snacks, and, of course, the offer to sell you their finished products. Mom gave in first and purchased a small rug for her living room. I then caved in and haggled for a carpet for the dining room. I hope Ted likes it because I can't take it back to Turkey!
Next stop - Athens.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Santorini
Thursday, October 1
Santorini is as beautiful as everyone described, but I didn't realize how steep the cliffs were. I expected that there would be houses right down to the water, but they are all perched way up on the hillside (at least on the side of the island where we landed). They are mostly painted white or a pale yellow with turquoise blue trim that matches the water.
We had to take a tender boat from the ship to the shore and then the tour bus traversed back and forth to get us up the hillside. For people who weren't on tour buses, they had donkey rides that zig-zagged up about 600 steps. For the less adventurous, there was a tram to take you to Thiera.
Our tour stopped at a winery on the top of the hill for samples and pictures (and, of course, purchases) and then around the rest of the island. We stopped in Oia (pronounced e-a) where they have a marble-paved street that overlooks the caldera and the many cruise ships in port.
The humor of the tour was passing a restaurant named Zorba's Mexican Restaurant! I guess they like foreign dishes in Greece just like we do.
The lights from the cities at night were beautiful as we left port. Next stop - Turkey.
Santorini is as beautiful as everyone described, but I didn't realize how steep the cliffs were. I expected that there would be houses right down to the water, but they are all perched way up on the hillside (at least on the side of the island where we landed). They are mostly painted white or a pale yellow with turquoise blue trim that matches the water.
We had to take a tender boat from the ship to the shore and then the tour bus traversed back and forth to get us up the hillside. For people who weren't on tour buses, they had donkey rides that zig-zagged up about 600 steps. For the less adventurous, there was a tram to take you to Thiera.
Our tour stopped at a winery on the top of the hill for samples and pictures (and, of course, purchases) and then around the rest of the island. We stopped in Oia (pronounced e-a) where they have a marble-paved street that overlooks the caldera and the many cruise ships in port.
The humor of the tour was passing a restaurant named Zorba's Mexican Restaurant! I guess they like foreign dishes in Greece just like we do.
The lights from the cities at night were beautiful as we left port. Next stop - Turkey.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Katakalon
Just sitting here typing in the ship's computer lab looking out over the fishing village on the west coast of the Greek Pelopenesian (sp?) peninsula. Ah, this is the life! The sun is shining, the water is blue and the town with it's many fishing boats is very quaint.
Because of the rocky terrain we weren't able to go to the ancient Olympic site. We opted instead for a tour of a local winery with, of course, much wine tasting. The Mercouri Winery has been in operation since 1864 and has a wonderful view down to the Ionian Sea. Our tour guide was from, of all places, Scotland! He was really cute with a fun accent (sorry, Jenny, he wouldn't fit in my suitcase!). When the tour and tasting were finished, we were able to take any leftover bottles of wine back with us to the ship. Mom grabbed an almost full bottle of white wine so we are set for afternoon cocktails!
We'll be leaving port in about an hour. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon at another cooking demonstration - Greek Cuisine - and then off for a rousing game of bingo. It's formal night in the dining room, so we'll have to get dressed up for dinner. Tomorrow - Santorini.
Because of the rocky terrain we weren't able to go to the ancient Olympic site. We opted instead for a tour of a local winery with, of course, much wine tasting. The Mercouri Winery has been in operation since 1864 and has a wonderful view down to the Ionian Sea. Our tour guide was from, of all places, Scotland! He was really cute with a fun accent (sorry, Jenny, he wouldn't fit in my suitcase!). When the tour and tasting were finished, we were able to take any leftover bottles of wine back with us to the ship. Mom grabbed an almost full bottle of white wine so we are set for afternoon cocktails!
We'll be leaving port in about an hour. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon at another cooking demonstration - Greek Cuisine - and then off for a rousing game of bingo. It's formal night in the dining room, so we'll have to get dressed up for dinner. Tomorrow - Santorini.
Catching Up - part 3
Tuesday, September 29
Corfu, Greece
Had breakfast in our room since we had to leave early on our panoramic tour of Corfu - a Greek island in the Ionian Sea.
The island is only 60 miles long by about 20 miles wide with a few surrounding smaller islands. The guide told us that the primary economy is olive oil, wine, and tourism. Olive trees were everywhere and the guide explained that the government had at one time paid the people gold coins for each olive tree they had on their property. You can imagine that they planted the trees in any location possible.
The drive to the highest point of the mountain was a little frightening with hairpin turns and lanes barely wide enough to accommodate the width of the bus. The towns were quaint and colorful, but had stop lights at each end of town - not for traffic, but because the main street was only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. The view from the top was spectacular! Beautiful blue, clear water and, green valleys full of olive trees, a stone monastery out on one of the smaller islands, and an old fortress on the highest hill. Back down in Corfu Town, we stopped to take pictures of the port with the clearest sea water I have ever seen. We then drove through the narrow streets, past two more stone fortresses and back to the ship. What a wonderful day!
Corfu, Greece
Had breakfast in our room since we had to leave early on our panoramic tour of Corfu - a Greek island in the Ionian Sea.
The island is only 60 miles long by about 20 miles wide with a few surrounding smaller islands. The guide told us that the primary economy is olive oil, wine, and tourism. Olive trees were everywhere and the guide explained that the government had at one time paid the people gold coins for each olive tree they had on their property. You can imagine that they planted the trees in any location possible.
The drive to the highest point of the mountain was a little frightening with hairpin turns and lanes barely wide enough to accommodate the width of the bus. The towns were quaint and colorful, but had stop lights at each end of town - not for traffic, but because the main street was only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. The view from the top was spectacular! Beautiful blue, clear water and, green valleys full of olive trees, a stone monastery out on one of the smaller islands, and an old fortress on the highest hill. Back down in Corfu Town, we stopped to take pictures of the port with the clearest sea water I have ever seen. We then drove through the narrow streets, past two more stone fortresses and back to the ship. What a wonderful day!
Catching Up - part 2
Monday, September 28
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Since we have been to Dubrovnik on a prior trip, we opted to take advantage of the special at the ship's spa - 25 minute message, 25 minute facial, and a pedicure. Mom also decided to get a haircut, so we pretty much spent the entire morning there.
In the afternoon we attended another cooking demonstration - this one on Crepes and Flambe. They made Crepes Suzette with a sample for everyone - yum! Toured the on-board shops and played bingo for a chance to win a cruise. Guess what - I didn't win! (no big surprise).
Another wonderful dinner and a chance to meet the other couple at our table. Ann and Salvatore are both retired school teachers and live in Baltimore. We had actually met them at breakfast, but didn't know they were assigned to our table for dinner. Sal's parents were Italian, so he and mom have a lot in common and much to talk about.
Attended the show after dinner with a couple who combine acrobatic dancing and magic. Didn't fair so well at the blackjack tables after the show.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Since we have been to Dubrovnik on a prior trip, we opted to take advantage of the special at the ship's spa - 25 minute message, 25 minute facial, and a pedicure. Mom also decided to get a haircut, so we pretty much spent the entire morning there.
In the afternoon we attended another cooking demonstration - this one on Crepes and Flambe. They made Crepes Suzette with a sample for everyone - yum! Toured the on-board shops and played bingo for a chance to win a cruise. Guess what - I didn't win! (no big surprise).
Another wonderful dinner and a chance to meet the other couple at our table. Ann and Salvatore are both retired school teachers and live in Baltimore. We had actually met them at breakfast, but didn't know they were assigned to our table for dinner. Sal's parents were Italian, so he and mom have a lot in common and much to talk about.
Attended the show after dinner with a couple who combine acrobatic dancing and magic. Didn't fair so well at the blackjack tables after the show.
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