Ephesus and Cesme Turkey and returning from Athens

Friday, October 25, 2013 – Kusadasi Turkey “Once a quiet fishing village, the town is today the gateway to Ephesus once a thriving Greco Roman city. St. Paul preached Christianity there and was arrested for cutting into the business of silversmiths, who made their living selling images of the goddess Artemis to pilgrims who came to visit her ancient temple.” How wonderfully boring to write that again we were blessed with beautiful weather; a blue sky day in Turkey. We both hosted ship tours to Ephesus. No matter how many times you explore the ruins, there is always something to learn and a new area to be explored. The guide today, Ayca (pronounced ee-cha) was very good and extremely informative as she had spent three years working and studying in the Terrace Houses at Ephesus. We walked the ruins on the side path instead of the main street and the views were more encompassing so you had a better feel of the city and odeons. The Terrace Houses are incredible. There are seven actual homes, like a condo layout on three floors. They have unearthed mosaic flooring and dividing walls and the colors are vivid and the patterns can be clearly recognized. I am still amazed at the craftsmanship from so many centuries ago. I rested in the afternoon and worked a little. We had an early dinner as the entire ship was being treated tonight to a Seabourn “exclusive” with a private concert in Ephesus by the Aegean Chamber Orchestra!! Seabourn had rented the Harbor Street area in front of the amphitheatre (as the town had once bordered the sea) and hired the orchestra just for the US (meaning all 200+ of us!)! We were bused at dusk in small buses (their buses are never quite full as you would not want to be crowded!) to the ruins. The pathway was lit with small lanterns and the view of the lit amphitheatre is a sight to remember. We had small snack plates on each table (seating four) with pistachios, almonds, peanuts, olives, hummus and vegetables with an open bar. The orchestra played classics known worldwide as we marveled at the amphitheatre all lit up. They even had blankets to pass around for the cool Fall evening. Upon returning to the ship, we enjoyed a nice spread (with the Chef) with a live band on the open deck as we sailed away from Kusadasi. Seabourn does not do a buffet like a big ship; the breakfast and lunch options have fresh salad and bread items and then they always have made-to-order options. EVERYTHING comes out hot, from the plate itself to the entrée. The room service items are served on a tablecloth at your lounge table, with full cutlery set up when the food is delivered. They bring the dessert about 45 minutes after delivering the first courses; you could have each course delivered individually if you wanted. Saturday, October 26, 2013 – Cesme, Turkey This quaint little town has a beautiful fortress and small church and many quaint shops. There is a lovely small marina with beautiful flowers and gardens so it makes a nice walk from the ship to the old town. We met a nice man who owns a carpet store – he worked with the Turkish Embassy and US forces which are stationed in eastern Turkey and has lived in the USA. His carpet specialties are from a weaver who has re-created works of art in carpets! “The Kiss” by Klimt and other classics have been woven into beautiful pieces of art that are easily hung on walls. We wandered around and then a young man approached us speaking English. Turns out he is studying tourism at the University and wanted to practice. They are not allowed to choose which university they attend and he is from Istanbul and this town is far too small for this young man. He is anxious to get back to the “city” and his family. He spoke with an American accent, as opposed to the British accent, and told us his English teacher was from Ohio! He had one month of intense English and he did great. He is also learning German, Greek, Italian and Spanish. He lives in a hotel and they supply his meals as the University does not have a dormitory. Back to the ship and I slept out on the open deck. I have been fighting a cold, and I have officially lost. It seems that once one person has one onboard, it just makes it way around the ship… We packed and the crew had prepared a nice reception in the lobby of “epicurean delights” and classical guitar music. There was a very nice crew presentation and then a lovely dinner in the Restaurant, more packing, I watched the movie “Mamma Mia” and did final packing before putting the suitcase outside the door for delivery dockside the next morning! We were presented with beautiful personal photographs from our night at the Ephesus concert! Sunday, October 27, 2013 – Athens, Greece Sad day…disembark!! We enjoyed our last room service breakfast, met many new friends for a final farewell, made sure some in our group had their taxi transfers and we were off in ours to the Holiday Inn near the airport. Another gorgeous day with no clouds but we decided to rest and re-pack. Dinner at the hotel and preparing to return tomorrow to the USA! Has been a wonderful two weeks; I highly recommend this cruise line, this ship, this itinerary and the length of the cruise. It took awhile to acknowledge the differences between a small luxury cruise line vs. a small ship and I have come to truly appreciate the differences between the two: service, camaraderie, locations visited, acknowledgement of your personal preferences, quality, and the word “no” does not exist. Try one of the “Yachts of Seabourn” and experience the difference yourself.

Rhodes, Greece -

Thursday, October 24, 2013 – Rhodes, Greece Rhodes is a fascinating architectural patchwork of her past with the legacy of the Ancient Greeks mingling with the besieging Turks, crusading knights and occupying Italians. Twin bronze deer, the symbol of Rhodes, guard the Mandraki Harbor were the 100-foot Colossus is said to have stood (a wonder of the Ancient World). The streets are cobblestone and the Palace of the Grand Masters dominates within the walled city. The acropolis of Lindos is 30 minutes south of the port where the Doric temple of Athena Lindia is located and a Byzantine church and the castle-citadel of the Knights of St. john. The city of Rhodes is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Highlights: Acropolis of Lindos, Acropolis of Rhodes, the Temple of Apollo, ancientlalysos, ancient Kamiros, Governor’s Palace, Rhodes Old Town, Palace of the Grand Masters, Kahal Shalom Synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, Archeological Museum, ruins of the castle of Monolithos, castle of Kritinia, St. Catherine Hospice and Rhodes Footbridge. We had another glorious day with wonderful weather. We have no control over the weather, but when it works in your favor, you certainly have nothing to complain about. Each morning there is a local representative on the ship for two hours to give you the local information with maps. Today we learned about the local train (the toy-size tourist train that provides commentary as it takes you through the local area) and we opted for the hour tour (5 Euros) since we had toured the Ruins of Lindos last year. It went to the Acropolis of Rhodes, the Mandraki Harbor, the Faliraki area (tourist beach area) and the town of Rhodes. We hurried back to the ship for a private Ensemble bridge tour by the Third Officer, Sandra. Rushed off the ship again and back to the medieval streets in the Old Town, wandering through the mecca of shops and cafes - lovely atmosphere. Entertainment was provided by the crew in an excellent show entitled “On Broadway”. You really have to have a combination of talent and admin skills to work on a small ship – your job responsibilities vary greatly!

Napflion and Mykonos Greece

Tuesday, October 22, 2013 – Napflion, Greece Another gorgeous day…what a great time of year to travel to this region. We were in the lovely town with direct access to several ancient sites: Epidaurus, Tiryns, Argos, Dendra and Midea, Lerna and Mycenae. The theatre of Epidaurus is the most prefect and renowned monument of its kind, combining superb acoustics, elegance and symmetrical proportions. Mycenae is known for the Lions Gate over the entrance of this acropolis. There are two royal graves a monumental tholos tomb and an onsite museum. We opted to explore the town as we had been to Epidaurus and Mycenae on a previous trip and we had a great day! The first street we wandered through had the high school kids playing soccer. They were constantly popping over the fence to go to the grocery store for coffee and cigarettes…We found our way to the Archaeological Museum of Nauplion (you will notice there are several ways to spell the name of this town) which is housed in a magnificent Venetian building from 1713. They have tools and pottery from the Stone Age and the famous Mycenaean body armor from Dendra. We found the Town Hall and the Mayor’s communication director gave us a tour. St. George Cathedral was built in the 15th century by the Venetians. With each reigning power, this place of worship changed from a Catholic church to an Ottoman mosque and back again several times. We wandered to the edge of the town for a wonderful view of the sea. They had three natural seawater pools built in to the edge of the promenade and it looked to be a lovely place to swim. We took the elevator from the Naupflion Hotel up to the top of the town and walked to the Clocktower. This area was settled by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks. The clocktower was built during the reign of King Otto in the 19th century but later destroyed in WWII. It was rebuilt using a surviving Bavarian clock mechanism in 1949. The St. Spyridon church is mostly known as the location where the national hero and Greece’s first governor was murdered and we saw the bullet scars at the entrance of the church. There is one surviving Ottoman fountain used for cleansing before entering the mosque for prayer. The first parliament of Greece met here in the Palia Vouli. The Palamidi Castle sits high above the town; built between 19711-14, this huge Venetian fortress was designed to withstand all invaders and artillery. It fell to the Ottomans in 1715 after only a one-siege! You can take a taxi to the top or walk the 999 steps! Worked from the steps of the restaurant for about an hour and back onboard just prior to sailing. I had arranged a private tour of the galley for the Ensemble group! The Chef personally escorted us through the kitchen and we enjoyed the caviar and champagne while he explained each section of the kitchen and service areas. They bake over 2700 breadsticks daily!! And we are only 200 passengers… We had a wonderful dinner at a hosted officer table with Aleksander Belshov, Chief Engineer, and Lizette Elllis, Shore Excursion Manager, with three others from the UK. We are still trying to get to the specialty restaurant and each time we make a reservation, something else appears… Simon Gillespie, cruise director, performed a wonderful cabaret show of Peter Allen’s songs; Peter was an Australian entertainer from rural Australia who married Liza Minnelli and wrote some of the era’s most evocative songs: I Go To Rio, I Honestly Love You, Quiet Please, Tenterfield Saddler, among others. Wednesday, October 23, 2013 – Mykonos, Greece – the "windy" island This quintessential Greek island is marked by whitewashed houses, domed churches, imposing windmills and a labyrinth of winding streets designed to disorient pirates and make the ”shopper” in each of us feel right at home. The color blue is bold and bright on every door, shutter and window frame. The harbor has colorful fishing boats and the seaside cafes are the place to be seen. This island comes alive at night time – this is all about shopping, beach, yachts, dining, coffee shops and night life. According to legend, Hercules killed the Giants and threw them into the sea where they petrified and turned into huge rocks, forming the island of Mykonos. A few years ago, I toured the island of Delos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the birthplace of Apollo and his twin sister Artemis, the children of Zeus and Leto. This sacred island is uninhabited now but its first settlements dated to the 3rd millennium BC. It houses the Sanctuary of Apollo complex, the area of the Sacred Lake, Terrace of Lions, the sanctuaries on Cynthus, and a commercial harbor district. Today, the seas were slightly rough so our tenders were not large enough for a calm ride so they hired larger tenders to transport us from the ship to the pier. We wandered the streets trying to avoid the motor scooter and cars on extremely narrow streets. Another LARGE ship was in port so the streets were bustling and after being onboard a smaller ship for a week now, the crowds were a bit much. We walked to the windmills which are the first thing you see when you sail in to Mykonos. We found the post office, the naval museum, folklore museum, a million small shops selling everything Greek you can imagine and a zillion coffee shops, ice cream parlors and dozens of closed night clubs. Back to the ship for an outdoor lunch at the Veranda. I really like to eat outside and they are there at your beck and call for whatever you may need. I napped in the very front of the ship and had the whirlpool to myself!! It was sublime. The hot water and bubbles and the wind rushing around me and the warm sun on my face…it was relaxing. But far too windy even for me! So after an hour, I was back inside and working. The seas are not calm and we do feel the movement in the ship but so far, so good. Entertainment tonight is Mark Donoghue an accomplished instrumentalist, singer, composer and arranger playing the mandolin, piano, guitar, harmonica and violin.

Argostoli and transiting the Corinth Canal

Sunday, Oct 20, 2013 - Argostoli, Greece – the Capital of the Kefalonian island in the Ionian Sea. Put this on your bucket list. Today was a day that soothes the soul. It was lovely. Perfect weather, taxi driver who drove sensibly with a sense of humor, perfect sites uncrowded and interesting, nothing rushed and all exciting and new. Would highly recommend this island for a laid-back visit to a picture-perfect Greek island with incredible beaches and views, good food and interesting sites. There was a terrible earthquake here in 1953 that leveled most of the island, therefore, the town is relatively new. There are loggerhead turtles in the lagoon near the city (9,000 population). The Germans bombed here in 1943. Christos was our driver and off we went to the caves at Drogarati, near Sami. We were the only visitors at the time to this cave, a deep 300 feet below the land’s surface. Steep steps are probably why the ship does not offer a tour here. There is one large chamber and concerts have been held in here. The colors of the stalagmites and stalactites were all browns and vanilla. I have never seen so many hanging from the ceiling; so short and sharp. It was an interesting cave and very different from the next one. Melissani, caves of the Nymphs was magical! You walk down a sloped ramp to see the clearest water ahead of you. Small row boats are waiting to take around the lake, where the water is 115 feet deep in some areas. Crystal clear. You look above you to see the opening of a “cenote” with the open mouth of the cave leading to the blue sky, trees and brush. If you were walking and fell into this hole, what a fall it would have been. The stalactite date back 10,000 to 20,000 years. There is a small island, 100 feet long, in the middle of the cave and you pull yourself and the boat and occupants, along the side of the wall of the cave to get to the inner area that is a totally closed-in cave. The echoing is real and the crystal clear water is incredible. Archeological finds from the 3rd and 4th centuries BC were discovered here attesting to a cult of the God Pan. A number of female figures have also been found, the famous Nymphs. We were there at noon and the sunlight was perfectly straight down through the opening of the cenote and there were colorful rainbows as the oar hit the water! We drove through the mountains, which are so beautiful in themselves. I had the back windows open and you can hear the birds singing, the breeze was wonderful and the smells from the trees…you can “sense” the island as you are driven around. We had the most beautiful overlook of Myrtos Beach. You have to google this beach if my photo does not come through. Oh wow. What a quiet, pristine, basic, perfect beach. Between two large mountains, a windy road of 2+ miles to get down and then just you and the water . A small shop for some simple meals and then peace and quiet. Heading north, we passed Assos, where we saw a long brick wall (reminding me of the Great Wall in China) protecting a long forgotten fortress on this hillside. We were headed to the northern tip of the island, Fiskardo, one of the typically Greek fishing villages. It was lovely! The ferry leaves from there to go to the island of Ithaca and the marina is surrounded by fish restaurants and small shops. Lots of character in each dining venue as you walk on the cobblestones and view the deep blue water and across to the nearby island. Just lovely…We sat for a while to rest and enjoy the sights. We headed back to Argostoli via the western road through Petrikata, Riza and Kourouklata. The main bridge in town was destroyed during WWII and has still not been rebuilt. The driver spoke as if it had just happened recently… We wandered around town – they have a nice little toy train to take you through the streets. Most of the shops were closed at it is a Sunday afternoon and also the Patron Saint Day of the Island – St. Gerasimou. We worked from the port office and were the last ones onboard again…Arnel and the security officers are getting to know us! “Captain Corelli” movie was filmed on the island with Nicholas Cage and Penelope Cruz. The assistant cruise director, Ashley Edwards, had her own show in the Lounge “Chanteuse on the Loose” in a cabaret style. Monday, Oct 21, 2013 – Itea Delphi Greece – population of 9000 – can accommodate 250 yachts Itea is at the base of Mount Parnassos and located on the north shore of the Corinthian Gulf. We dock here for close access to the ruins of Delphi! Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world. This was a major site for the worship of the God Apollo after he slew Python, a dragon who lived there and protected the navel of Earth. Python is claimed by some to be the original name of the site. Apollo’s sacred precinct in Delphi was a panhellenic sanctuary, where every four years, from 586 BC, athletes from all over the Greek world competed in the Pythian Games, one of the four panhellenic games, precursors of the Modern Olympics. The victors at Delphi were presented with a laurel crown which was ceremonially cut from a tree by a boy who re-enacted the slaying of the Python. Delphi is a vast site of incredible ruins over a hilly area and there is also a wonderful museum. It was another clear blue sky day with a nice warm sun at about 70 degrees. We rested on the ship and finally took the tender in to the town of Itea to stroll around as we had been to Delphi a few years ago. The Greek Orthodox church in this small town has several silver frames surrounding holy faces, icons and a beautifully decorated chandelier. There were two painters hand painting the very small symbols and shapes on the ceiling! It was so interesting to see how they rested a stick against the ceiling while they stood and then took their other hand with the very small paint brush and rested it against the stick in the other hand to steady them as they painted in very small areas. What patience. And what a mess if they make one little blob of the wrong color in the wrong area. Oh dear. We walked the streets and saw many homes or apartment buildings which had been started but never finished, due to the economic situation in Greece. The one large tourist shop (Agora) had an incredible inventory and were having a slow day…we mentioned we left a 2:30, not giving us a full day in Itea, and he said, “disastrous” – which to us meant he had not had much business. On the ship, we enjoyed a nice BBQ at the Sky Bar and a lecture by Robert Schonfeld on our next ports of call: Navplion, Mykonos and Rhodes. I enjoyed the solitude near the whirlpool in the front of the ship on Deck 5 in the “quiet zone”. Just prior to dinner we enjoyed what we consider a highlight of the cruise: transiting the Corinth Canal. Shortly before sunset, we started through with a small tug pulling us with two heavy ropes. He kept pointing “to the left” to the Captain and I guess they sorted it out. There are no locks. We had less than a meter on each side of us as we went through this very narrow canal. We sailed slowly through with the celebratory champagne and hot mulled wine – wonderful way to transit a canal…with soft (Latin- Not Greek??) music by the band behind us. The walls of the canal were shades of beige and there were a few bridges overhead. In only a few spots, folk were there to wave at us as we transited the canal. Goats scrambled up the side and the shepherd at the top sat and watched us sail by. It took just over an hour and by then it was dark, so we saw the end of the canal using the spotlights of the ship and it was beautiful. Very nice transit at the perfect time of day. This canal eliminates an additional 185 miles journey around the Peloponnese. Several rulers considered building a canal but never began the work. Nero finally started the work in AD 67. Vespasian dispatched 6000 Jewish prisoners of war from Judaea to begin the canal. In 1882, a French company revived the project to follow the same path as started by Nero. That firm went bankrupt. The canal was finally completed in 1893 by a Greek company. The canal is almost four miles long, 23 feet deep and 69 feet wide at the bottom of the canal and 81 feet at the top of the top of the canal. We ate privately in the dining room and enjoyed the good service and food. By then it was time for the 10PM “Liar’s Club” show and we all had a good laugh choosing which staff person had actually given us the correct definition of an unfamiliar word.

Igoumenitsa, Greece

Saturday, October 19, 2013 – Igoumenitsa, Greece (ee-goo-men-eets-ah) – Western port of the Balkans This point is the closest a ship can come to the incredible monasteries of Meteora, “middle of the sky/suspended in the air” or “in the heavens” translations for one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece. They are built on natural sandstone rock pillars -- W A Y up in the sky. Few other natural sights have the same dramatic and historical appeal of Meteora, which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We docked in the new port (from 2003 for ferries and cargo) and escorted a ship’s tour to Cassopea and Parga; it was good to get out of town. We drove about an hour to the ruins of Cassopea. The first settlements are from the Paleolithic era but this Greek city was founded in the 4th century BC and served as the capital of the region. It was eventually destroyed by the Romans in 176 BC and abandoned in 31 BC when the remaining inhabitants resettled in the newly built city of Nikopolis. It is considered one of the best examples of a city built in straight lines and squares, according to the Hippodamian plan. It was a beautiful day and the ruins are high on the hillside. There was views of the valley, sea and mountains above…quite a place to build your city. We drove about an hour to the seaside village of Parga, where an old Venetian fortress at its highest point, divides the bay into two harbors. We walked through the ruins of the fortress and enjoyed a refreshing drink on the terrace overlooking the harbor. It was drop dead gorgeous. Another place to add to the list when you visit Greece. We walked down the hill through the narrow streets filled with vendors and coffee shops onto the large square. A pier jutted into the bay and kids were playing and biking and they found an octopus! One got stung but that did not stop them from pulling it out of the water and putting it under the faucet to see it slither away. We wandered around the streets quickly but not much was open as it was late on a Saturday afternoon by this time. In Parga, we saw the notice for the “paragaea” olive oil factory but were unable to get there with our time constraints. It is the oldest mechanized olive oil factory (from 1929) that has been revived and converted into a Museum of Olives and Tasting. Back at the port, we took the ship’s shuttle bus to the center of town and had free WIFI at the esplanade. Called home and worked, wandered the streets and found the town square and did not have time to explore the Igoumenitsa Archaeological Museum of prehistoric and classical antiquities from the Thesprotia region. We had room service and it was wonderful. Relaxing and delicious. I watched the movie “Quartet” for my evening entertainment! Popcorn and a good movie were a nice way to end the day. Daily activities: Bridge is scheduled daily, fitness seminars and classes (one per day), afternoon tea (with scones and sandwiches), a hospitality desk upon arrival to each port so the local representative comes to YOU and you don’t have to line up to ask your questions after docking, crossword and puzzle pages, a shop that has just about everything you need, guitar melodies music in the evening and three movies daily on TV plus a full library of CDs (We have a Bose stereo in the room) and a DVD library. We are seeing more homeless cats and dogs in Greece than I remember and realizing that about 80% of the population still smokes – all ages, from the youth to the elderly.

Kotor church

I can't seem to figure out how to add more than one photo at a time...

Dubrovnik at night and Kotor Montenegro

It was sunny and mild with a nice breeze. The open air market was in full swing. The streets are cobblestone and filled with other cruise ship passengers….CROWDED. We re-visited a few churches and walked along the main street and headed back to the boat. Enjoyed a quiet lunch in the dining room, which was strangely dark on the 3rd level with the port hole windows covered… Worked from the ship and then headed back in to Dubrovnik and worked from an internet café for about 3 hours. It certainly does help when you can connect with the rest of the world…all is OK at home. We wandered over to the Hilton, just outside the city walls, and explored the hotel – lovely pool! It was 7PM by now and we saw the clock tower strike 7:00 as the "man hit the bell with his large hammer". Back on the ship, we just didn’t feel like dressing up so we ordered off the restaurant menu and had room service. They deliver the next night’s menu with your daily newspaper the night before so you have time to decide where you prefer to dine. It is a dining experience in The Restaurant - -at least two hours. We enjoyed it all tonight in about 45 minutes. Gave us time to work and rest before Martin Beaumont, the English comedian we have enjoyed on other trips. Friday, October 18, 2013 Kotor Montenegro – I was excited to finally get to this port located in the Gulf of Kotor and surrounded by an impressive city wall built by the Republic of Venice. Venetian influence remains predominant in the city’s architecture. The Bay of Kotor is sometimes called the southern-most fjord in Europe, although it is actually a submerged river canyon. We were up just at dawn for the sail-in through this beautiful fjord. Kotor is part of the World Heritage Site dubbed the Natural and Culture—Historical Region of Kotor, and has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is a UNESCO world heritage site. We were up early for the sail in through the beautiful fjord but it was too dark to see a lot before arriving to Kotor and the morning sunshine! We were off the boat and walked to the public bus station for a 30 minutes ride to Budva, and the old town. This is one of the oldest settlements in the Balkans surrounded by 15th century ramparts, including a medieval fortification system with city gates, defense walls and towers. The streets are narrow with picturesque small squares. We hopped in a taxi from there and drove back to Tivat, largest port, and then across in a car/truck/passenger ferry for a short 10 minute transfer across the Bay. We drove around the LARGE BAY to Perast and Risan. There were two lovely islands in the middle of the bay with beautiful rock formations, churches and trees creating idyllic scenes with the crystal clear surrounding them. It was a lovely drive! Then to the Old Town of Kotor – and it was well worth a visit! The Cathedral of St. Triphan dates from the 12th century and has a wonderful museum upstairs with the bones of several Saints. We also visited three other Serbian Orthodox churches with the incense and beautiful scenes in the church. They do not have pews in these churches. The paintings and colors and filigree work around the art is stunning. We found free WIFI at the tourist information booth and ran there for a short time to get some work done. Was a lovely and warm afternoon. Wandered to the fish, flower and vegetable market and there are many fish caught locally – some are quite colorful! We sailed at 3PM with a special caviar and champagne splurge on the open decks! It truly is a beautiful fjord and sail out and the Chef was standing in the Jacuzzi serving the caviar – Seabourn is known for their “caviar in the surf” ceremony. Since this itinerary has no real beach day, we enjoyed seeing them in the Jacuzzi serving us caviar! We were ready to host the Ensemble cocktail party by 6PM. We had more officers show up than our group so it was really nice time for all! The Captain, Chef, Cruise Director, Hotel Manager, Future Cruise Consultant, Excursion Manager, Crew Purser, Asst Cruise Director all shared the hour with us! Then we hosted a small dinner party in the restaurant and really enjoyed spending time with our VIP guests from CA and Bermuda. It was a lovely evening! Ms. Tomono Kawanura, a Japanese classical pianist was our entertainer and played superbly. There is wonderful music by two groups and a special evening entertainer each night.

Cravats originated in Croatia...

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 – slept great at the Courtyard by Marriott near the airport – free shuttle and easy bus stop across the street from the hotel! Cloudy and overcast and mild temperatures to enjoy as we make our way to the ship. We took a taxi to the ship and it seems more like a yacht. There were drinks and staff while we waited until 12:45 to board. There were many staff present to carry our bags onboard and we waited in the lounge with a variety of sandwiches and drinks. At about 1:30, a staff person walked us to our stateroom suite #103. It is lovely! Sofa big enough for 3 people, two stools, two chairs, Bose stereo, TV with DVD players, mini frig, desk, vanity, welcome bottle of champagne, walk in closet, safe, double sinks in the bathroom, bathtub, and a nice large window with a sill large enough to sit on and look out! Zoe, our stateroom stewardess appeared and offered us a selection of soaps (Hermes, L’Occitaine, a French sea soap and Moulton Brown) and pillows. We have personalized stationery also! We had the lifeboat drill and as were getting ready for dinner, they announced it was “meet and greet” time in the hallway! Half of the people showed up in their bathrobes and dressing gowns as they were preparing for dinner! And there was champagne (again!) for everyone and the Chef, Captain Othell , and various officers mingled on each floor. It really did create a warm welcoming feeling as you met your "neighbors". Several of us then met at the launderette! It seems to be the place to “be” with the most activity. Ironing for dinner and checking out the facilities….there are two washers and two dryers and an ironing board. Complimentary self-use. It had been cloudy and gray all day but as we had sail away from Venice the sun came out and it was so pretty. The islands surround you and you sail past St. Mark’s Square and can see the small canals with the bridges (not luggage friendly!). Dinner had been pre-arranged for us to dine with Paul Anderson, assistant Cruise Director, and he is also a classical Spanish guitarist. We dined also with Tony, Pam, Anne, John – all from the UK. Found out there are 122 from the UK onboard as they had a package rail and cruise to arrive in Venice via the Orient Express! They stayed in London at the Ritz pre-Orient Express and then at the Hilton in Venice pre-boarding. We are 48 Americans and 4 from Australia and 2 from Bermuda and a few other countries. The ship only holds 208 guests with a gross tonnage of 10,000 gross tons. All alcohol and beverages are complimentary at all times. Dinner was a very nice festive time and then we enjoyed Paul’s classical guitar after dinner. We wandered around to find the small casino, one poker table, six slot machines, one roulette wheel and one 21 table. There are two dance bands/singers onboard and they are very good! Wednesday, October 16, 2013 - sea day – our only one on this voyage so we decided to try the main restaurant, called The Restaurant (?!) . It was a gray and cloudy most of the morning so we wandered around, attended the Chef’s demonstration of White Plum Tomato Soup (delicious!!) and Pot of Dark Chocolate with Orange. The port talk was in the afternoon and then nap time – how special. Dinner was another lovely affair with four English – two from Guernsey, the Channel Islands and other others from Nottingham. The show was a cabaret from the staff – cruise staff and singers. They are multi-talented and it was great. The only show room is a lounge where all the lectures and demonstrations are held. It is almost a full moon and the water is so beautiful with the moon shining on it. The sea was a little rough but we did fine. Thursday, October 17, 2013 – Dubrovnik Croatia We are fortunate to be here for the third time in less than a year! Who would have thought? We booked a cruise in this area last October on the Queen Elizabeth, toured Croatia in March with other travel agents and found ourselves here today. It is sunny and bright and dazzling. “Did you know the cravat originates from the Croats? During the Thirty Year’s War (1618-48) that raged over most of Europe, the legendary Croatian Light Cavalry reached all the way to Paris. The Croats used to tie live-colored scarves around their necks in a certain way as part of their traditional national costume. During the reign of Louis XIV this attractive Croatian style became widely popular among the fastidious Parisians so much so, that they adopted the new fashion item, hence, a la maniere croate (in the Croatian Way). This is the story about how the cravat came into vogue at that time and how Europe and the entire civilized world were conquered by the cravat as a symbol of their future before them.” Our only tender port, we tendered in to the walled city of Dubrovnik. We embark in the marina section in the back of the boat – if it were nice warm weather, we would have kayaks and canoes and water toys available to enjoy from the back of the boat. The tenders are small motor boats that hold about 24 people. Nothing like the big ship tenders that can hold up to 300 people! We arrived at the marina right at the city wall and walked around to explore the markets, churches, walk the cobblestone streets and reminisce. It is a lovely walking town.

We're off on another adventure...hosting from Venice to Athens...

Seabourn SPIRIT – Oct 15-27, 2013

Venice to Athens

We’re off on another adventure!  I’ve had a Seabourn cruise in my sight for a long time and Ensemble had a last-minute cancellation of their hosts.  Our flights worked out so we are here!  Or almost here…

I’m in Dusseldorf and Gene is still flying across the Atlantic.

We meet in Venice tonight and board the ship tomorrow.

0	15 Oct 2013	Venice, Italy		04:00 PM
1	16 Oct 2013	At Sea
2	17 Oct 2013	Dubrovnik, Croatia TR	08:00 AM	11:00 PM
3	18 Oct 2013	Kotor, Montenegro	07:00 AM	03:00 PM
3	18 Oct 2013	Scenic Cruising Bay of Kotor CO
4	19 Oct 2013	Igoumenitsa, Greece	10:00 AM	09:00 PM
5	20 Oct 2013	Argostoli, Greece	08:00 AM	06:00 PM
6	21 Oct 2013	Itea (Delphi), Greece	07:00 AM	03:00 PM
6	21 Oct 2013	Enter Corinth Canal at Corinth CO	07:00 PM	07:00 PM
6	21 Oct 2013	Transit the Corinth Canal CO
6	21 Oct 2013	Exit Corinth Canal at Isthmia CO	08:00 PM	08:00 PM
7	22 Oct 2013	Nafplion, Greece	08:00 AM	05:00 PM
8	23 Oct 2013	Mykonos, Greece	07:00 AM	04:00 PM
9	24 Oct 2013	Rhodes, Greece	08:00 AM	05:00 PM
10	25 Oct 2013	Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey	08:00 AM	11:00 PM
11	26 Oct 2013	Cesme, Turkey	07:00 AM	03:00 PM
12	27 Oct 2013	Piraeus (Athens), Greece	07:00 AM

Lots of small ports and names we can’t even pronounce!  Will be wonderful to actually cruise through the Corinth Canal!

The SPIRIT is a smaller ships with only 200+ passengers.  We have stateroom 103, an ocean view suite at 277 sq. feet!

We have ten in our group and our Ensemble cocktail party is set for Friday night.  Am sure it will be fun to meet everyone and share this incredible itinerary and ship.

Seabourn’s Claim to Fame

Discover The Seabourn Difference

		Intimate ships with no more than 229 suites A Seabourn ship is like a private club, where members share expansive open decks, inviting social spaces, and the personalized attention of an exceptional crew.
		Unique itineraries to must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot go Each cruise is a hand-picked collection of fascinating places, and each day brings a new opportunity for authentic discovery – another chance to explore your world in a personal and meaningful way.
		Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests It is supremely relaxing to be looked after by thoughtful hosts, whose knack for anticipating what you might like borders on the clairvoyant.
		Spacious, all-suite accommodations with sweeping ocean views — many with verandas Seabourn suites are thoughtfully appointed and inviting, designed as homes away from home with room to unwind or entertain.
		Open bars throughout the ship, and fine wines poured at lunch and dinner. Meet and mingle with fellow guests in a carefree atmosphere, where no one has to pick up the tab.
		All dining venues are complimentary — dine where, when and with whom you wish From casual to elegant, indoors, al fresco or in your suite, a range of choices invites you to be spontaneous.
		Gourmet dining experiences that rival the finest restaurants anywhere From French fries to foie gras, every dish served on Seabourn receives the expert attention of highly skilled and imaginative chefs. The finest ingredients are selected with care, perfectly prepared to your order, and served with pride.
		Complimentary welcome champagne and in-suite bar stocked with your preferences Soft drinks, beer and mineral water, complete glassware and your favorite wines or spirits are ready for your enjoyment or for entertaining.
		Tipping is neither required nor expected — service simply to delight you Our award-winning staff is driven only by their sincere desire to please, and with a smile that comes from the heart.

 http://www.seabourn.com/luxury-cruise-vacation-onboard/Spirit

Here we are....35 years later

Anne's shirt (from France) says, "It is nice to see you again!"



Here we are...from Lisbon, Delaware, Germany, Washington DC, Tennessee AND Philadelphia, Oregon, Paris and Seattle!

"THE" Reunion - AFS Denmark 1977-78 and meeting again in 2013

The reunion we've been waiting for! We were 36 students (between the ages of 16-18) from all over the world and we interviewed with AFS (American Field Service) to live with families for a year. We did not choose Denmark; we were matched with families and they happened to live in Denmark. When we arrived in Denmark in July 1977, our group of 36 lived together for three weeks at a language camp in Ollerup. Then we met our families, went to gymnasium (high school) and were lucky enough to see each other almost monthly at various functions around the country. We became very close. (And I have been very fortunate to have seen many of them on various trips since 1978.) And now was our chance to be together again! 16 of us rented this incredible beach house in Middelfart with an indoor pool, 8 bedrooms, two kitchens, two living rooms, outdoor living space, fire pit, bikes and within walking distance to the beach. We had the absolutely most glorious weather for the entire stay AND a full moon (!) and we wined and dined and talked ourselves silly. We took turns cooking and shopping and cleaning and it was one of the best weeks of my life. ...Just like a movie where old friends get together after years apart and nothing seems to have changed. You pick up right where you left off. You connect again and now you go on with today's news. It was fantastic. And so very special. I wish the same for all of you with those special people in your past. It is worth every minute of your life and every cent in your wallet to make it happen.

My special AFS family