Mykonos

Beautiful Athens! Arrived on time, however only to find out that all the historical sites were closed and there were more strikes throughout the city. Many of the tours were either cancelled or modified to what was available. We spent the majority of the day out on our deck sunning and watching the port traffic. It is amazing to see the number and variety of ferries sailing for all the hundreds of Greek islands. We did break for lunch of fish and chips with an ale at the wheelhouse bar. Also did manage to complete the Santorini blog. We sail this evening for Mykonos arriving there at 0100 in the morning. We woke up to see the ship pull into our dock, and see the island at night with the full moon and all the stars! It was so pretty!



We awoke early to a beautiful sun rise over Mykonos! After breakfast, in Sabatini’s, out in the sun, on there deck, it was off to town, had to catch a shuttle bus to drive the short distance to town because the road was very narrow with lots of twists and turns. Too fast, too dangerous! Didn’t enjoy the ride! Once in town we began to walk through the narrow streets, just wide enough for a scooter or a very, very small car. Ed was in pursuit of the local post office and I of course was attempting to at least see what was in the shops. Oh well, he won again and we found the post office. Then it was off to find the famous windmills. Up one hill and down one street and up another, each person we asked said over the next hill. Then I said lets go back down to the waters edge and look up and see if we can locate them. We did to no avail. Noting Ed’s patience I recommended we find a restaurant for some good Greek salad and Gyro. with a beer of course.

We sat down at a table at the waters edge and looked up, there they were, 5 windmills all in a row, right above us on the hill top, what a shot! After an excellent lunch it was off to finally do some shopping which Mykonos is famous for. While on the way I was looking to find the infamous giant white pelican of Mykonos. Sure enough we happened, to walk, directly to him! He is one big bird.

We bought our share of goodies, and I got a great pair of Dr Sholes sandals that I have been searching for a long time, only to find them on Mykonos, go figure. Our bus ride to the ship was much better than the one going into town. When we got on the ship, our wonderful home away from home, we changed and went to the hot tubs to rest our weary bones, from all the walking. It was lovely, sitting in the sun, in the warm water.

Back to the room to change for dinner, tonight is the Crown Grill! YUM

Santorini part 2

The alterative to the cable car ride is to ride a donkey down the cliffs, we chose the cable car! Especially, since the donkeys think they are going home when they go down, and that may mean they start to run, eeeek! You could also walk down the 600+ steps.

Here we were to catch a cable car to descend the cliffs back to the dock to board our tender to the ship
The alterative to the cable car ride is to ride a donkey down the cliffs, we chose the cable car! Especially, since the donkeys think they are going home when they go down, and that may mean they start to run, eeeek! You could also walk down the 600+ steps.

All in all, it was a great day at Santorini, loved it and won’t miss seeing it, absolutely beautiful.

Returning to the room to freshen up and ready ourselves for the evening. Seeing the full moon, was the cherry on top of the day.

santorini

We awoke early to see a cloudy morning after a sea day with plenty of high seas. One of our diner table mates indicated that they saw the waves lapping the windows on deck five. We are looking forward to seeing the magical island of Santorini, one of five major islands forming the rim of an undersea volcano which last erupted in 1956. They told us it was chilly, 64 F, but as we boarded the tender to go to go ashore, the clouds let loose and it began to rain. We were not prepared for that!



We left the friendly confines of our tour bus at the most northern town and filled village streets with some 500+ tourists. Off to the shops filled with all types of goodies! Gifts for some, locally made honey for Ed and pistachios for Cindy. We did stop by a jewelry store window and saw a diamond studded panther broche, that could be worn on a necklace too





Wow was it beautiful, Ed had to go in to price it out, but at $1800, it was just out of the budget. Gosh they were pretty and Ed loves cats, but maybe another day!

We again boarded the bus and proceeded to see the black sands beach and tour the island winery. Excellent wine, and of coarse we bought some to enjoy on the ship. The grapes are uniquely grown in Santorini. The vines are bent over and laid on the ground and wrapped in a circle forming a wreath like structure for living their life. They do this because of the high temperature, high winds, and dry conditions. Additionally the island has a very heavy dew each morning providing the plants with their needed watering. They do not irrigate because the island does not have natural water.

Next stop was a very ancient church, very charming, and very interesting. By now the sun is beaming and the sights abound.



With growling stomachs we proceeded to a restaurant for a Greek lunch! Fun, fun! Following lunch it was off to the southern rim of the island and then back to the main city of Fira. Here we were to catch a cable car to descend the cliffs back to the dock to board our tender to the ship.

 

SEA DAY

Today is a sea day, and it is a rough one.  We had the meet and great this morning, and got to meet our Captain, again, CaptTony Yeomans.  He is a very nice person and a good Captin, I know that as he saw us through some bad seas in 09.  Glad he is leading the ship, and will be with us all the way to Florida.

Tonight is formal night, so we are taking it easy so we can do all the activities, as tomorrow is a busy long day in Santorini.

Naples

NAPLES

We are sitting on our deck watching the ship traffic this morning. It is really interesting. We have been to Pompeii, and Capri, and Ed has a blister, so since the busy days are coming upwe thought we would take the day off.. We may go to the thermal spa later.
I will try to post some photos of what we are seeing.

GOOD MORNING

We are here in Livorno, it is a pretty day but quit chilly, only about 64 degrees and windy, so we decided to take a rest day. The sheer frustration of dealing with the internet connection on this ship is doing me in. Which is why their has een no posts on the blog for the last two days. We get free minutes, but I hve to log in almost every 5 minutes, as I keep loosing the connection! Gerrrrrrrr Oh well such is life.

Now that I got that rant out of the way,,, to ty to catch you up on our doings. We spent yesterday in Monte Carlo. We took a walking tour from the ship, and we learned about the casino, didn‘t go in as 10 euros to walk around and not even be able to take picturs seemed a bit high. We also learned a wee bit about the principality. But if I were to do it again I eould take the tour to Nice, and Eze.

Last night we went and met our table mats and the seem to be very nice people, one couple is from Australia, and the other is from Delaware, and now it will be a problem, because we had planed to switch to any time dinning, for the second part of the cruise and they are both going to on for the full 30 days. So I guess we will tell them tonight.

So I guess I will try for the forth time today, to see if I can get this posted. Have a good Sunday every one.

From the Ruby!

Well we are board an had our first sail away!!! And now the seas are a bit rough. just great for sleeping! Winds are 24mph seas are 10+ so a wee bit on the rough side.
We are off to Sabatini's for dinner as we got a free bottle of champagne for tonight.
So later,

OK, now is on to packing,,,,, again

Well we went to meet Claudia and Ken, at the Spanish steps. And went for beer and pizza. there were so many people,I couldn't believe it. We did find them and Ashe & Murry. And we had a good talk and a long walk back, after stopping by the trivi fountain to through a coin in it. It to was VERY crowded! But fun, so now to get ready for our 10:30 am pickup, to go to the ship,,, wow it is here!!!!

Dinner

We didn't want to go out as we were just too tired. The restaurant Champagnerie is very nice and very good as I said before. Ed had a lamb dish and I had a sea bass that was to die for!
So then it was off to bed, and except for wakeing up some times, slept until 10 this morning.

This evening we will go and try to meet some people at the Spanish Steps and then find a place for dinner. Rome is very warm right now so that is sure a change from VA.
More later, hope all is going well.

Good morning

I should say good afternoon,as it is 2:30pm here. We just got back from getting wine for the ship. We bought some that our waiter recommend.
Last nights dinner was some of the best food we have had in a very long time. It was the end of a very nice day.
Our flight was uneventful and very smooth, when we la ded 30 minutes early,they parked us way out in satellite parking. So we had to take a bus in, and then the line for passport control was very long. But our bags were all there, and that was good! And so was our driver!! Off to the hotel, room was not ready, but they compted us with cappuccino and cookies and we felt revieved. We were upgraded, so also have a very nice room. After a shower and a nap we went to dinner...... Continue

We are in Rome

I just rote a long post, and lost it!!!!!! So I will have to do it tomorrow as I am just to tired now to do it again. All went well but have lots to tell
Ciao Cindy

Charlotte airport

Well we made it to Charlotte :) It is bright and sunny and about 50f.
Our flight doesn't leave until 6:40 pm so I guess we will. Get to know this airport. The lounge is really nice. It is fun going first class.:)
More later.

We made it to Richmond

Weare all checked in to the Marriott, by the airport.  Ed is taking the car back to Hertz.  The house is all secure, and we are on our way. :)  Tomorrow is an early get up, our flght leaves at 6:30 am ugh.  Then on to Charlotte, and our flight leaves for Rome 5:00PM or there abouts,, I foget.
Our bags weigh in at 43,44,31,33 lbs, so not to bad for 30 days.

Almost Ready

Well we are about 48 hours out before we leave, so now it is clean the house and yard. Ed is doing the yard and I am working on the house. The bags are packed, just need to add a few things.

Tim and Audrey and Morgan and Declan will arrive in the morning, and we will get to visit and have lunch, then it will be crunch time.