Nov
2024
Greece
& Plaka
by foot
Nov
2024
Turkey
Virgin Mary's
House
Nov
2024
Crete
Greece
Monastery
& Chania
Nov
2024
Sicily
Italy
City of
Tindari
Nov
2024
Italy
&
Pizza
Nov
2024
vecchia
Italy
by 10 pm
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
|
22nd Nov 2024 |
Piraeus Greece |
Acropolis & Plaka by foot |
|
23rd Nov 2024 |
Kusadasi Turkey |
Ephesus & Virgin Mary's House |
|
24th Nov 2024 |
Souda Crete Greece |
Agia Triada Monastery & Chania |
|
26th Nov 2024 |
Messina Sicily Italy |
Ancient City of Tindari |
|
27th Nov 2024 |
Naples Italy |
Pompeii & Pizza |
|
28th Nov 2024 |
Civita- vecchia Italy |
Home by 10 pm |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke to my alarm at six o'clock ready for my usual cooked breakfast al fresco a la veranda as the dawn broke over Athens. I was about to get off the ship when one of the Shorex staff said that I was escorting, even though I hadn't received a dispatch sheet the night before. I hastened back to my state room to change into my red escort polo shirt.
At 7:45 I was out in the coach park with guide Rulla, driver Iannis and 28 guests. We drove to the Acropolis parking lot and then walked up to the main entrance. At the Parthenon temple, we were give an hour's free time, which was excellent, enabling us to wander around the dramatic hilltop. I walked down the south slope, rather than the west slope we had gone up, as I hadn't being that way before. Next we drove to Syntagma Square to walk into the Plaka district. Here we had another hour of free time, so I was able to complete the area that I had started the previous afternoon. We then drove back to the ship.
Here I had the corn chowder soup and the mixed grill to eat. I had just one glass of sparkling water to drink. I then slept for one hour, before taking my passport into the cruise terminal for an emigration, not immigration, check.
At four o'clock I had three cups of tea with skimmed milk to drink in the Wintergarden, but nothing to eat. At 4:30 I went to the Port Talk, where CD Matt began with a seven minute introduction. Then Shorex Man Leon gave a twenty minute talk on the ship's tours. CD Matt finished with a eight minute conclusion.
At 5:30 I did six lengths of the cold pool with the roof partially open. I then spent eight minutes in the large rectangular hot tub with a gent using his Apple MacBook at one end. At six o'clock Sanjeev set me up, but my Ephesus photographs wouldn't run. I moved up to the solo travellers meet up to show my face. There were more officers present than guests!
At 6:30 I gave my forty minute talk on Ephesus, but my new Temple of Artemis video didn't work. I then dined with a couple from Louisiana, whose husband was bought up in various European countries when his father was in the US air force. I had the coconut & pumpkin soup, the Tornedos Rossini and the Ekmek dessert to eat. I had just one glass of red wine and two glasses of sparkling water to drink.
At nine o'clock, I went to HarryThePiano's show time. This consisted of a whole series of medleys of famous tunes. It was only when he played the piano upside down that I remembered that I had previously heard him on Cruise P2143 on the Saga Pearl II around the Bay of Biscay in November 2015. He finished again this time with a medley of audience requests played in various genres, including the MacDonald's theme as a funeral march! I went to sleep at 10:30 having done over eighteen thousand steps, equal to over seven miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at 5:30, half an hour before my alarm, but it was now 6:30 on Turkish time. I had my usual cooked breakfast without eggs al fresco a la veranda. At 8:30 I moved out to the coach park where I met American guide Bryan, Turkish driver Freddie (Viko) and our 30 guests.
We had a 45 minute run out to the top gate at Ephesus. We slowly descended through the famous ancient Greek & Roman site on my second visit. As we reboarded the coach, Bryan presented me with a lovely Ephesus guidebook and two bookmarks as thank you gifts for escorting his tour. Our next stop was at the so-called house of the Virgin Mary, which was a little seventh century chapel. Photographs were not allowed inside.
Back in Kusadasi, I escorted one couple back to the ship, who didn't want to attend the carpet demonstration. At the cruise terminal the heavens opened and I got a little wet running along the pier to the ship. Here I had the thick yellow bean soup, the roast beef and a cone of rum & raisin ice cream al fresco a la veranda protected from the rain. I then slept for one hour, before attending the Souda Bay / Chania port talk. This followed the 5/12/5 usual format, for the first time noticing that CD Matt was reading from a large computer monitor mounted on the floor of the Star theatre.
At 5:30 I spent eight minutes on my own in the hot spa pool for the first time this cruise. I dried off on one of the warm stone benches. At 6:15 I went to the MDR where I sat with Bob & Pat from Newport, Rhode Island. He was a retired mechanical engineer and she was a quilter. I had the langoustine bisque soup, the poached Norwegian salmon and the no sugar added bavarois to eat. I had two glasses of red wine and one of sparkling water to drink.
Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop. At nine o'clock I went to ACD Tara's excellent cabaret. She sang mostly musical theatre songs, but finished with a Guns N Roses number. I didn't know the songs from Hamilton and Sweeny Todd. I went to sleep at 10:30 having reached my daily target of ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking.
I got up at seven o'clock, but it was now six o'clock back on Greek time. I had my usual cooked breakfast al fresco a la veranda, but the wind was cold, as the dawn broke. Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop.
At 8:15 I was in the coach park with guide Maria, driver Akindinos and 28 guests. Our first stop was at the Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Greek Orthodox monastery. As it was a Sunday, there was a service going on in the lovely church, so we could only stand at the back. In the cellars I tasted various olive oils and balsamic vinegars, one of the latter with extra honey.
Our second stop was at the grave of seven times Greek Prime Minister Venizelos, who was born in Chania. I thought that I had explored the site, but never actually saw the grave itself! Our third stop was the guided walking tour of Chania old town. We then had free time, so I walked around two of the sides of the old Venetian harbour.
Back at the ship, I lunched on the Southern fried chicken and the tiramisu trifle al fresco a la veranda. I then slept for one hour, before using the tumble drier for the first time this cruise. At 5:30 I spent eight minutes in the hot spa pool.
At six o'clock Aldrin set me up and I left my Mediterranean GIFs running. At 6:30 I gave my 40 minute talk on the Story of the Mediterranean Sea. At 7:30 I dined on the bean soup, the pork chop and a selection of Greek desserts. The outside was closed off, so I sat under the double height conservatory at the back of the ship, just like the View on the dear old Saggy Booby.
At 8:30 I went to the dancing under the stars. I joined in the Electric Slide for Mustang Sally as usual, but they didn't play YMCA as they had done two months earlier. The band played non-stop for 95 minutes without a break, with CD Matt, ACD Tara, Elsa, Arlando, Ellis, Lucy and Barrie, but not Daniel, all singing mosty disco songs. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock, having done thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking during the day.
I got up at seven o'clock, but it was now only six o'clock on Italian time and breakfast didn't start for another hour. Having abluted, I worked on my laptop. At seven o'clock I had my usual cooked breakfast, but without eggs, al fresco a la veranda in the bright sunshine. At 7:30 Joanna was servicing my state room, so I went up to the top deck to do some photography.
At nine o'clock Derrick set me up and I left my Messina photographs running. At 9:30 I gave my forty minute talk on the Story of Western Architecture, skipping over the video at the end. Barrie told me that Roumanian singer Daniel had been taken ill again and had had to leave the ship. Barrie said that he could cover for him, until his replacement arrived.
Back in my state room, I worked on my Story of the English Language presentation. At noon I lunched al fresco a la veranda in the warm sunshine. I had the tomato & peppers soup, the mixed grill of duck, veal & Burgundy beef, and a small cheese plate to eat. I had two glasses of sparkling water to drink. I then slept for an hour and three quarters.
At 4:30 CD Matt and Shorex Leon did their usual double act: 9+17+5=31 minute port talk. At 5:30 I sat on the top level of the atrium for the Explorers' Society gathering. The three soloists sang their great Carpenters medley.
At 6:30 I hosted the solo travellers dinner party, but only Barbara and Lynne from Adelaide, Australia signed up. The former was a statistics lecturer at the University of South Australia. I had the thick mushroom soup, the Chateaubriand beef and the cherries jubilee dessert to eat. I had just one glass of French red wine, one glass of sparkling water and one cup of decaff cappuccino coffee to drink.
At nine o'clock I went to Harry the Piano's second showtime which had a similar format to his first show. At the end I passed on Viking lecturer Stephen Marsh's regards. I started watching my Architecture talk on the telly, but was too tired, so I went to sleep at 10:15. I had done only four thousand steps, equal to less than two miles of walking, during the sea day.
I got up a quarter of an hour before my six o'clock alarm. I had my usual cooked breakfast without eggs to eat at 6:30, but the terrace hadn't been laid up, so I sat inside as the dawn broke. I had one glass of cranberry juice and one of sparkling water to drink. Back at the state room at 7:15, Joanna had just finished servicing the place.
At 8:15 I met guide Franko, driver Sebastian and just sixteen guests for our tour to Tindari. We had a one hour drive from the east coast to the north coast of Sicily, with good views of the Aeolian Islands, including Stromboli which was smoking. We first visited the site of the Ancient Roman town with a small semi-circular theatre. The town houses had some interesting mosaic floors including the three legged coat of arms of Sicily. Secondly we entered the huge basilica with the statue of the Black Madonna. It had stunning modern mosaics and stained glass windows. After half an hour of free time, we drove back to Messina.
Back at the ship, I had the green soup, two slices of shrimp pizza, a small cheese plate and a cone with no sugar added raspberry sorbet to eat. I was sat with Viking Resident Historian (VRH) Dr Fenella Bazin and her wheel chair bound husband. I then slept for half an hour, before venturing out into Messina. I photographed the city hall, the cathedral and the two railway stations, amongst other sights.
Back at the ship again, I attended the 4:30 port talk, where CD Matt had a 17 minute introduction with two videos, one of which covered the eruptions of Vesuvius. Afterwards, I spent five minutes in the hot spa pool, before drying off on one of the luke warm stone beds.
At six o'clock Aldrin wired me up and at 6:30 I gave my forty minute talk on the Eruptions of Vesuvius. I had a fair few questions to field at the end. At 7:30 I was allocated a sharing table in the MDR, but no-one was forthcoming, so I dined chatting to two Australian couples from Tasmania on the next table. We talked about Hobart, Burnie, Port Arthur and Richmond. I had the cauliflower & cheese soup, the Viking sirloin steak with chips and the no sugar added chocolate dessert to eat. I had just one glass of Portuguese red wine to drink.
At 8:30 I went up to the top deck to spot Stromboli erupting, but couldn't see it. I did have a good view of the stars, including the constellation of Orion and the W/M of Cassiopeia. At nine o'clock I enjoyed the Stage Door musical theatre production show with the three soloists and the pianist. I particularly enjoyed the 'Cockney' musicals: Mary Poppins, Oliver, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and My Fair Lady. Only Half a Sixpence was missing. For the Les Mis finale the ensemble was joined by CD Matt and ACD Tara.
Back in my state room, I updated this blog. I went to sleep at eleven o'clock having done nearly sixteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking during the day.
I got up at six o'clock ready for my usual cooked breakfast without eggs. I had one glass of orange juice and one of sparkling water to drink, al fresco a la veranda, as we crossed the Bay of Naples. Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop.
At 8:30 in the coach park I met guide Sara and driver Antonio on combined bus numbers 22 and 23. We had 41 guests plus two who were late for bus 15 and so joined us. Our first stop was at Pompeii, where we had time for the restrooms. Afterwards two peole failed to reappear, so we wasted ten minutes waiting for them in vain.
We walked along the long southern pathway to the Stabian gate, before inspecting the little theatre, but not the large one. We got taken to a well preserved house that I hadn't previously been too, before viewing the Stabian baths. We trooped through the brothel, before reaching the forum with the famous view of Vesuvius. Here I recorded my piece to camera.
Back out at the rendezvous point, we learnt that the husband of the couple from bus 15 was not feeling very well and that they had joined another bus going back instead. We then drove back into the west side of the city, via the port area.
At the Toto Sapore restaurant, I had a small can of Fanta and a long wait for a large pizza Margherita from their small oven. This was followed by a small portion of tiramisu and a shot of limoncello liqueur. Back on the coach, we drove just a little further west for the view across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius in the bright sunshine. Here I recorded another piece to camera.
Back at the ship at four o'clock, I put my still wet smalls into the tumble drier and dozed for half an hour. At 5:30 I spent just five minutes in the spa's hot tub, before getting dressed in my going home outfit. At 6:15 I went to the MDR where I sat with two couples from near Atlantic City in New Jersey. I had the Norwegian lamb broth, the sliced beef with chips and the no sugar added coconut dessert to eat. I had just one glass of the German red wine on offer and two glasses of sparkling water to drink.
At eight o'clock I started packing. I watched my Vesuvius talk on the telly in the launderette as I dried my swimming trunks. I walked once around the top deck to reach my ten thousand step quota, equal to four miles of walking. Back in my state room, I put my suitcase out before the ten o'clock deadline. I did some backups from my laptop and went to sleep at 10:30.
I awoke just after six o'clock, but the dawn hadn't yet broken. At 7:30 I had my usual cooked breakfast without eggs to eat and just one glass of orange juice to drink. Back in my state room, I worked on my laptop.
At eight o'clock I left my state room and moved up to the second floor where I sat at a Scrabble table to use the power socket. I worked on my new presentation "The Story of the English Language". At 9:30 dead on cue, luggage tag Gray/Grey 3 was called and I left the ship. I was first to reach the coach and bagged a seat by the middle door.
The run to FCO airport in Rome took one hour. There was NO queue at the BA check-in, NO queue at security and NO queue at passport control! I found a table with a power socket and updated this blog. Our plane was delayed by bad weather in London, but they turned it around quickly. I was soon on board, but we had to wait an age when two drunk men in business class were being abusive. The police were called and they were ejected from the plane, but then their luggage had to be retrieved from the cargo area.
We finally took off an hour and a half late, before having to wait another half an hour for the seat belt signs to be turned off. By that time I needed to go to the loo post haste. We got given the usual bottle of water and a small bag of toasted corn kniblets. I then got my laptop out to update this blog and work on my English presentation.
At Heathrow, I whizzed through passport control and baggage reclaim, but had to wait fifteen minutes for the tube train to go one stop to the central area. Here I gave the National Express coach a miss, but had to wait half an hour for the RailAir coach to Woking. At the station, I had to wait nearly an hour for the next train to BoMoH. I finally got home at 10 o'clock having done nearly nine thousand steps, equal to over three miles of walking around the two airports.
1) "Ephesus: UNESCO World Heritage Site"
Discover the story of one of the twelve cities of the Ionian League of Ancient Greece.
2) "The Story of the Mediterranean Sea"
Dive into the natural history and human history of this great sea.
3)"The Story of Western Architecture"
Come and hear the story from Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome to Post-Modern Architecture.
4) "Eruptions of Vesuvius"
Dig into the Ancient Roman towns of Pompeii & Herculaneum.
196 Cruises 50 Cruise ships (see below) 15 Cruise lines (see below) 7 Night cruise 5 Tours escorted 5 Restaurants (MDR, CT, WC, PG, Manfredi's) 4 Lectures given 4 Band members 4 Enrichment lectures (Ephesus, Med., Arch. & Vesuvius) 3 Storey atrium 3 Hot tubs 3 Pools 3 Female singers 3 Mixed grill lunches 3 Beef dinners 2 Male singers (not Daniel) 2 Panoramic elevators 2 Pork dinners 2 Pizza lunches 2 Cinemas 2 HarryThePiano shows 2 Production shows (ABBA and Southern Sounds) 1 Destination lecture (Ephesus) 1 Cabaret show (Tara) 1 Double state room with picture window 1 Theatre (Star) 1 Nightclub (Torshavn) 1 Viking heritage museum 1 Classical guitar (Paolo) 1 Classical duo 1 Greek cabaret
Captain Fredrick Nilsson Cruise Director Matt Morgan Ass. Cruise Director Tara Lucas Shorex Manager Leon Stage Managers Aldrin, Derrick & Sanjeev Resident Historian Dr Fenella Bazin Cultural Lecturer Martin P. Lee
* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines * Saga Shipping Company * Voyages of Discovery * Seabourn (Carnival) * Princess (Carnival) * Cunard (Carnival) * P&O (Carnival) * Celebrity (RCCL) * Silversea (RCCL) * Regent SS (NCL) * Oceania (NCL) * Marella (TUI) * Ambassador * Crystal * Viking
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