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.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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.
Catching Up
I've hardly had any time to post between tours, eating, cooking classes, eating, bingo, eating, blackjack, eating, shows, and, did I mention eating!! So, here's a recap of the last few days.
Sunday, September 27
We had a day at sea and a chance to get our bearings around the ship. We have a lovely cabin with a balcony on the port side of the ship. We attended the cooking demonstration on how to make Chicken Cacciatori which the chef made a little more Greek by adding sliced black and green olives.
Met two of our dinner partners (we have a table for six, but the other couple didn't come to dinner tonight). Jan and Lee are from Clearwater, Florida and very pleasant to talk with. Lee would get along well with Ted since he is a civil engineer and has served on their local city commission.
Attended the show after dinner - a little singing and dancing, but mostly some games with the audience. One of the games was with two audience men dressed up as golfers. They had to hit a oversized, plastic ball with a blow-up golf club into the audience. One of them called himself Dirty Harry as he eyed his cute, scantily-clad caddy. What a hoot! After the show I went to the casino and had great success at the blackjack table.
Sunday, September 27
We had a day at sea and a chance to get our bearings around the ship. We have a lovely cabin with a balcony on the port side of the ship. We attended the cooking demonstration on how to make Chicken Cacciatori which the chef made a little more Greek by adding sliced black and green olives.
Met two of our dinner partners (we have a table for six, but the other couple didn't come to dinner tonight). Jan and Lee are from Clearwater, Florida and very pleasant to talk with. Lee would get along well with Ted since he is a civil engineer and has served on their local city commission.
Attended the show after dinner - a little singing and dancing, but mostly some games with the audience. One of the games was with two audience men dressed up as golfers. They had to hit a oversized, plastic ball with a blow-up golf club into the audience. One of them called himself Dirty Harry as he eyed his cute, scantily-clad caddy. What a hoot! After the show I went to the casino and had great success at the blackjack table.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sailing Away
After a pleasant morning at the hotel, we made our way to the port about an hour outside of Rome (or, at least an hour by Roman driving standards).
There are some advantages to having my mom in a wheelchair. We got to by-pass about 500 other passengers to board the ship early. We settled into our room, attended the mandatory life-boat drill, and will head off to dinner in about 1/2 hour.
Tomorrow is a day at sea, so I'll spend some time trying to figure out how to upload photos to the blog.
There are some advantages to having my mom in a wheelchair. We got to by-pass about 500 other passengers to board the ship early. We settled into our room, attended the mandatory life-boat drill, and will head off to dinner in about 1/2 hour.
Tomorrow is a day at sea, so I'll spend some time trying to figure out how to upload photos to the blog.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Friday Morning Tour
Spent a wonderful morning touring the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain.
Our tour guide from Accessible Italy, Monica, was so knowledgeable and friendly. She knew how to get us around the crowds to find the best viewing spots and avoid waiting in long lines. She just loved mom and called her "Queen Gloria." When we took the elevator to the top of the Colosseum, she apologized for taking the queen to the area where the common people sat.
Our driver, Anzo, certainly knew how to navigate the busy streets. I'm glad I don't have to drive here! Someone once told me that traffic signs in Rome are "just a suggestion" and I believe it. They drive down the middle of the road and skirt around other cars no matter where the lanes are. You take your life in your hands just crossing the street!
Back at the hotel, we were pleased to find a gelatto stand just outside the front door. Mom had chocolate (of course) and I had a refreshing lemon. We dripped it all over our shirts, but it was delicious.
We'll go back to St. Peter's for mass at 5:00 and then find someplace for dinner. Tomorrow we head off to Civitevecchia to board our ship.
Our tour guide from Accessible Italy, Monica, was so knowledgeable and friendly. She knew how to get us around the crowds to find the best viewing spots and avoid waiting in long lines. She just loved mom and called her "Queen Gloria." When we took the elevator to the top of the Colosseum, she apologized for taking the queen to the area where the common people sat.
Our driver, Anzo, certainly knew how to navigate the busy streets. I'm glad I don't have to drive here! Someone once told me that traffic signs in Rome are "just a suggestion" and I believe it. They drive down the middle of the road and skirt around other cars no matter where the lanes are. You take your life in your hands just crossing the street!
Back at the hotel, we were pleased to find a gelatto stand just outside the front door. Mom had chocolate (of course) and I had a refreshing lemon. We dripped it all over our shirts, but it was delicious.
We'll go back to St. Peter's for mass at 5:00 and then find someplace for dinner. Tomorrow we head off to Civitevecchia to board our ship.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Afternoon at St. Peters
After a brief (too brief) nap, we spent the afternoon exploring St. Peter's. We even attended 5:00 p.m. mass in Italian.
Here is mom outside of St. Peter's; the Pieta; and the Alter of the Cathedra where we attended mass.
We are going to crash tonight and try to catch up on our sleep. Tomorrow we tour more Roman sites.
Here is mom outside of St. Peter's; the Pieta; and the Alter of the Cathedra where we attended mass.
We are going to crash tonight and try to catch up on our sleep. Tomorrow we tour more Roman sites.
Arrived in Rome
We finally made it! You know it's a long flight when you get to see two sunrises - one as we left Portland and the other over France.
It's 11:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in Rome. We are going to sleep for a few hours and then try to get in sync with the time zone. Here is a view from our room overlooking the columns of St Peter's square.
More later.
It's 11:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in Rome. We are going to sleep for a few hours and then try to get in sync with the time zone. Here is a view from our room overlooking the columns of St Peter's square.
More later.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Off to Greece!
September 23, 2009 starts our adventure!
Our itinerary:
2 days in Rome
Cruise to:
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Corfu, Greece
Katakolon, Greece
Santorini, Greece
Ephesus, Turkey
Athens, Greece
Messina, Italy
Rome, Italy
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