Italy

Thursday, April 14, 2011 – Port of Civitavecchia for Rome, Italy

We could not get up but we made it out to the train station by 9:30 for the 45 minute ride to Rome. 9 euros is a deal for a transportation ticket for the train, metro and all buses PLUS it was culture week so all the museums were FREE! Yeah! Off at Roma Ostiense for a change in rail station to the Roma Lido station and on to Ostia.

12PM tour of one of the only triangular castles in the world – through the pathways, looked out the artillery holes for cannons and guns and climbed the round tower.
Walked across the street to Ostia Antica, ruins founded in the 4th century BC. This site has been on my “list” for years and this is the trip to explore them. They were on the Tiber River and the town was designed to secure the river mouth against possible invasion. It became a flourishing commercial center. There were vivid mosaics in the Baths of Neptune and an ancient amphitheater seating 3500 spectators.

Civitavecchia is only 37 miles from Rome. We love Rome but were glad to spend some time outside of it today. Buses were late from tours and everyone said the streets were full of school groups; sometimes it is nice to venture in a different direction for a new perspective of the area.

Graham Jolley was the entertainer – a mind reader and he is fascinating and a great entertainer. We’ve seen him before and are still mystified at how he knows what he does from people in the audience. Finished my book! Enjoyed the adventure and the mere fact that I finished ONE book during these days onboard. How wonderful to know that you were physically and mentally able to traverse the path of Marco Polo for eight months on a camel and horse through Central Asia. Something to be proud of.

Friday, April 15, 2011 – Tax day! At sea in the Mediterranean

Sunny day at sea, time for a fun lunch with new friends from Hockessin, DE!, computer class on messaging, art I-pod tour around the ship, walked with a friend for an hour on the promenade, chorale practice.

It is nice to walk around and see all your friends and stop to chat – really, how easy can life be? People are beginning to realize the cruise will soon come to an end. Where has the time gone? Where they were once complaining (how could they be??) about a small issue, they are finally realizing how wonderfully we have been treated and how easy the days have been and how blessed we have been with safety issues and the weather and the wonderful sites we have visited. I guess no matter how good or hard you think you have it, there is always something to talk about.

Show was Jordan Bennett and Dale Kristien singing songs from Les Mis and Phantom, both shows they have starred in on Broadway. Powerful singers. Looked at the Faberge eggs and jewelry – I’ll take three please! They begin at $3K for the highly decorated and innovative eggs but a mere $800 for the golden egg necklace with a pearl inside. Worked and listened to music from my little corner of the world, the atrium level on Deck 3.