Saturday, October 29, 2011
Barcelona
Arrived in port just as the sun peaked out above the horizon. We quickly dressed and went for a quick breakfast before going to see the city. We decided to just walk through the shopping areas and see the large market. The sun was out in fun force as were all the folks. After walking through the food market with all the candies, meats, and vegetables we headed to the old section of town to see the old cathedrel and locate a place for lunch. We stopped at a tappas restauranrt and order three tappas, sardines, squid, and shrimp and of course a small bottle of wine. It was excellent! then it was off for a stroll back to the ship stopping along the way to see the street sights. The mimes were set up along the street, some dressed so well it was hard to believe they were people. We got back to the shuttle pickup spot about 30 minutes prior to departure, just in time for Ed. don't like cutting it close. Then it was sailing of to Lisbon and to the great north atlantic. The cruise is moving faster now as the number of days remaining decrease. We'll be seeing you all soon. We have not been able to get our computer on line, that's why no pictures are attached.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday 25 October
The captain had warned us the night before that the weather was not going to be on our side today. Sure enough he was correct as we boarded the tenders in the dark, rainy, and windy morning at 0700. We were first off the ship as the rain pelted down. Unfortunately our guide was no where to be seen as we waited in the rain. She did arrive at approximately 0800. We all piled into the van just to escape the continuing rain. Fun, fun! We drove along the coast line from Cannes to Antibes and to the hill top ancient village Biot. The rain didn’t stop, but we did. Our guide took us to a gass factory, so we could have an espresso. And watch the glass blowing.
We all climbed out of the van and walked up the stone walkway into the town. The streets were very small walkways dotted occasionally with wide steps.
Partway up into the village we spotted a shop selling umbrellas. Big umbrellas! That was for us. Cindy found a beautiful rainbow colored one, just perfect for the remainder of the day’s travel. After walking through the village we returned to a restaurant at the village gate, it had a big bocce court, right in front. Reminded us of the movie, a Year in Province. We wished the weather had been nice, and the men were playing. They were serving a veal reargue’ with peas and carrots for the special. So it was the special for us with a bottle of wine and French bread and we were warm and dry again.
Not much to do in the pouring rain but slowly return to the ship, we would like to return here some day. Once again safely on board to depart for the warmed sunnier Barcelona!
The captain had warned us the night before that the weather was not going to be on our side today. Sure enough he was correct as we boarded the tenders in the dark, rainy, and windy morning at 0700. We were first off the ship as the rain pelted down. Unfortunately our guide was no where to be seen as we waited in the rain. She did arrive at approximately 0800. We all piled into the van just to escape the continuing rain. Fun, fun! We drove along the coast line from Cannes to Antibes and to the hill top ancient village Biot. The rain didn’t stop, but we did. Our guide took us to a gass factory, so we could have an espresso. And watch the glass blowing.
Partway up into the village we spotted a shop selling umbrellas. Big umbrellas! That was for us. Cindy found a beautiful rainbow colored one, just perfect for the remainder of the day’s travel. After walking through the village we returned to a restaurant at the village gate, it had a big bocce court, right in front. Reminded us of the movie, a Year in Province. We wished the weather had been nice, and the men were playing. They were serving a veal reargue’ with peas and carrots for the special. So it was the special for us with a bottle of wine and French bread and we were warm and dry again.
Monday 24 October
We arrived in Livorno at 0730, just prior to sun rise. We were greeted by our guide for the tour of Siena. This was one of our longest van ride across the Italian country side, over an hour and a half. Siena is a very interesting place, not just the ride to get there.
They have a very famous horse race here. They put sand on the street in the center square, and all the people from the area, have the competition.
There is also a magnificent cathedral, here. The whole floor is mosaics, it was really unbelievable.
After leaving Sienna, we went for wine tasting and lunch, it was very good and we bought, some wine, to ship home. Cha ching!
We arrived in Livorno at 0730, just prior to sun rise. We were greeted by our guide for the tour of Siena. This was one of our longest van ride across the Italian country side, over an hour and a half. Siena is a very interesting place, not just the ride to get there.
They have a very famous horse race here. They put sand on the street in the center square, and all the people from the area, have the competition.
I is really hrd to see, but this squair, is a big dome.
TUSCANIA
Sunday 23 October
We arrived in Civitavecchia (Port for Rome) at 0730 after a short cruise up the Italian west coast. Marco Tavola was our tour guide, he is a very animated Italian, with 7 children, all under 12! Great guide, for a visit to Toscana, the Odescalchi Bracciano Castle, and San Gimignano. We learned about the Etruscan’s and how they influenced, Italy. We finished our tour with lunch in the village nestled in the high hill top it was wonderful. Marco took us to a place to buy wine and olive oil, and we bought some wine, can't run out ya know. He also intertained, us oon the way back with wonderful stories, all along the way, it was very interning.
It was a long day, but the adventure was worth the effort.
We arrived in Civitavecchia (Port for Rome) at 0730 after a short cruise up the Italian west coast. Marco Tavola was our tour guide, he is a very animated Italian, with 7 children, all under 12! Great guide, for a visit to Toscana, the Odescalchi Bracciano Castle, and San Gimignano. We learned about the Etruscan’s and how they influenced, Italy. We finished our tour with lunch in the village nestled in the high hill top it was wonderful. Marco took us to a place to buy wine and olive oil, and we bought some wine, can't run out ya know. He also intertained, us oon the way back with wonderful stories, all along the way, it was very interning.
It was a long day, but the adventure was worth the effort.
NAPLES
Saturday 22 October
As we arrived in Naples the sun was just peeking over the horizon beside Mt Vesuvius. We were an hour late, but could fit in with the ferry schedule and make a smooth arrival! We all gathered at the dock to form up to catch our tour van for the day! First stop the ancient Herculaneum, buried in 79 A.D.
As we arrived in Naples the sun was just peeking over the horizon beside Mt Vesuvius. We were an hour late, but could fit in with the ferry schedule and make a smooth arrival! We all gathered at the dock to form up to catch our tour van for the day! First stop the ancient Herculaneum, buried in 79 A.D.
While Pompeii was thought of as a working city, Herculaneum was built as a resort community for the upper class. The tour was excellent. After a couple of hours we boarded our van for the sightseeing trip to the Amalfi Coast stopping at Positano, Sorrento, Ravello, and Amalfi.
After an hour of driving along the Amalfi coast cliffs and stopping for pictures we stopped in the town of Positano. Our driver recommended we stop and recommended a restaurant by a little beach just down from the road. We asked if many steps were involved, and he indicated that it was simply and gentle ramp down. Some 1000+ yards down the coble stone path interspersed with steps we arrived at the restaurant by the sea.
Wow was it beautiful! We ordered calamari and a Nicosia salad with wine and beer. Of course after lunch it was back to walking through the streets and up the city hillside to the car for the ride back to the ship! Another wonderful day exploring Italy with friends.
Sea Day
Friday 21 October
We awoke to the sea day in the Mediterranean with clearing skies and softer seas. We attended the Red Hot Rubies Group Meet and Greet event which the Captain attended to welcome us all aboard. He indicated that three ships were not able to enter Venice the night before due to the heavy weather. So we were lucky to be able to leave when we did. Tonight is formal night and we are ready with new items to wear. Fun, fun! We had diner with Anne, Al, Bill, Irene, Gail, and Tom at Michelangelo’s anytime restaurant. We had hoped to see the Straight’s of Medina but because we were 3 hours late leaving Venice we were late at the straight. We did see the straight during the night from our balcony. Cindy woke up from all the bright lights shining from the cities lining the straight they were beautiful. We stood on the balcony watching all the lights go by!
We awoke to the sea day in the Mediterranean with clearing skies and softer seas. We attended the Red Hot Rubies Group Meet and Greet event which the Captain attended to welcome us all aboard. He indicated that three ships were not able to enter Venice the night before due to the heavy weather. So we were lucky to be able to leave when we did. Tonight is formal night and we are ready with new items to wear. Fun, fun! We had diner with Anne, Al, Bill, Irene, Gail, and Tom at Michelangelo’s anytime restaurant. We had hoped to see the Straight’s of Medina but because we were 3 hours late leaving Venice we were late at the straight. We did see the straight during the night from our balcony. Cindy woke up from all the bright lights shining from the cities lining the straight they were beautiful. We stood on the balcony watching all the lights go by!
Venice depart again
Thursday 20 October
The morning began with heavy overcast skies just waiting to rain. We order room service and Ed dressed to go out with Ken to the Ko-op grocery store near the pier. Of course near was about a four block walk to a people mover train which had one stop to a city district. It was another four blocks to the grocery store. While en-route it began to slowly rain. The price of going to purchase a couple of bottles of wine and toothpaste. As we walked back to the ship it started to rain in earnest. By sail away it was raining hard and the wind was over 35 knots. We were going nowhere fast. We delayed departure until the wind subsided. That was about 1530. Then with the help of a tug, we were off in the rain, wind and cloudy skies. Not much to see as we left the beautiful city in the storm. Once we cleared the port into the open sea it was off into the 35+ winds moderate seas and the night ahead.
The morning began with heavy overcast skies just waiting to rain. We order room service and Ed dressed to go out with Ken to the Ko-op grocery store near the pier. Of course near was about a four block walk to a people mover train which had one stop to a city district. It was another four blocks to the grocery store. While en-route it began to slowly rain. The price of going to purchase a couple of bottles of wine and toothpaste. As we walked back to the ship it started to rain in earnest. By sail away it was raining hard and the wind was over 35 knots. We were going nowhere fast. We delayed departure until the wind subsided. That was about 1530. Then with the help of a tug, we were off in the rain, wind and cloudy skies. Not much to see as we left the beautiful city in the storm. Once we cleared the port into the open sea it was off into the 35+ winds moderate seas and the night ahead.
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