Sunday Sept 30

A day at sea. We had plans for the day that weren’t exactly ambitious, but they were all cancelled after I had a run in with some kind of shell fish. I guess I ate something last night that had come in contact with shellfish and I just had some latent effects. Didn’t need the epi pen at least. That kept us up for a good portion of the night and so the day was even lazier than planned. Lots of reading on our deck or in the room, snoozing, walking on the deck and of course eating. Tonight is formal night, so we have to get all spiffied up. After that there is another show with the singers and dancers. It was so good last time, that we’ll likely go again.
The next five days will be very busy with 8-10 hour tours of Naples, two days in Rome and then Florence. We are on a bus, so that will give a chance to rest between stops. Naples tour includes Pompeii and the Almafi Coast. **WARNING** postings may be sporadic!!!
We told our room steward of my need to avoid shell fish, so rather than our usual appetizers, he just brought a cheese tray with smoked salmon, crackers and fruit. Wendy wants to know who will be doing this when we get home, as well bringing fresh towels twice per day, changing the sheets, bringing fresh flowers, morning coffee and freshly squeezed oj??

Saturday, Sept 29

Turkish night was fun last night, but overly crowded. The food was good, but it was hard to find a table. We finally did, and then shared it with tablemates from Windsor. Turkish music is…different. No real beat and kind of goes on and on. They had ethnic dancing after, including belly dancing, and that was fun to watch. Very colorful costumes.

We slept in Saturday and had a relaxing morning. After our waffles and omelets, we walked along the waterfront. Palm trees, warm sandy beach, it was great. We walked to Pigeon Island for which Kusadasi is named and enjoyed some shade. Forecast was for around 30c and it felt like it. I thought we should at least walk through the bazaar area, even if just for the cultural experience. We did for a bit, but found ourselves back along the beach. It was interesting that in a Moslem (albeit moderate) country that having that kind of beach ware would be present.
After three hours of hot sun we headed back to the ship for lunch. Freshly made hamburgers and ice cream we watched the sail away from port. We then talked to Carl by IM, and came up to our room to watch the sun set from our deck. Then we had to get ready for supper. Such stress! This was the night for the Chocolate Midnight Buffet. We dropped in to watch the Newly wed/not so newly wed game which must have been very embarrassing for the participants. Glad it wasn’t us. The buffet was amazing, but we both just looked and didn’t partake

Friday, Sept 28

Kusadasi, Turkey is the name of the port, but the main attraction here is the ruins at Ephesus. We had a full day tour in about 30c heat walking through Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins. We were told that John had fulfilled his promise to Christ by bringing Mary here to live. She is apparently buried in the hills up from Ephesus. Of course there are shrines and stuff for her, but we didn’t want to see that. There is also a Church of John the Baptist where he is apparently buried. We didn’t see it, but we saw the arena where the riots occurred when Paul was preaching there and the jail area where he was held. The ruins there are extensive and it was great to be able to explore there. Then we went to Myletis, where Paul met with the church elders before going to Jerusalem. We read the corresponding scriptures and it was great. Our next stop was Didyma, which is a temple for Apollo. Oracles were given there. Our last stop was at a Turkish carpet show room. Beautiful stuff and apparently great prices, but still more than we were willing to spend.
Tonight is Turkish night: food, music and dancing. Should be fun.

Thursday, September 27

Thursday
Amazing production to get all of these people out on their tours. Ours was Athens sightseeing and the Acropolis. There were about 40 people on our bus (#12) but I think there were a total of 15 buses for this one tour. Traffic is horrendous; slow and dangerous. Not a place I would want to drive. We only drove past some sights I would of liked to have seen, like Hadrians Arch and some Roman columns for the Zeus temple. We did get to spend 1.5 hours at the Acropolis. The crowds were so bad that you if you stop on the way up to take a picture, the Tourist Police yell at you to keep moving. We did have time to explore around some and take pictures. Amazing sight. They are doing a lot of restoration work, but with cranes and scaffolding. Not the way it was done originally! A highlight was seeing Mars Hill where Paul first preached to the Athenians. We could sense his bravery. Acts says he was troubled by what he saw and so spoke up. Even now the temples are awe inspiring. 2000 years ago they would have been even more so.
We had planned on spending more time in Plaka for shopping, but it was too busy and not that interesting looking after what we had seen, so we came back for a nap instead.

Wednesday, September 26

Colin’s birthday today. It is hard being away for special days.
Last night, the meal was excellent. Filet mignon cooked just right and very tender. Must have had 8-10 oz each. Getting dressed up was fun. A lot of men had tuxedos. After we went to the ‘Salute to Broadway’ show. We were amazed at the level of talent for both singing and dancing. It was a late night, especially with a one hour time change.

Wednesday was a sea day. We had thought about going to a talk on Greece and Turkey at 10am, but didn’t wake up until 10:30! We had a really lazy day, walked around the jogging track 8 or so times. We had received an invitation to the art auction with the promises of give a ways. I made the mistake of going and somehow (it was Wendy’s influence) we ended up with two Kincaid prints. They wanted to frame them for cheap, but that is how their frames looked – cheap. It will probably cost us a fortune to frame them, but one is of a canal scene in Venice and the other has a golden retriever in it. Pretty hard to resist.
We had a nice meal again. We are starting to get to know our tablemates and are enjoying them. The show sounded good, but we went right to bed with our Athens tour leaving at 7:45. The weather today was overcast and a bit cooler. Seas were 5m and we could feel it. Some people were quite bothered by it. Fortunately by evening it was still, warm and muggy.

Tuesday, September 25

We drank our morning coffee on our deck as the ship sailed into Dubrovnik. We had a casual breakfast in one of the other restaurants and took a bus into town. Dubrovnik is a medieval town with thick walls, turrets, palaces and more red roofs. Absolutely beautiful. We walked, and walked, and climbed up and down stairs and then more stairs. I think we wore off our crepe suzettes from last night. Still have that wonderful pastry stuff we had for lunch though. Between the hiking and climbing we do exploring, plus the walking and climbing stairs we do on the ship, I think we will get good exercise. The dining room is on deck 4, we are on deck 8 and the pools etc are on 10 and 11. The gangway is of course on deck 1. We have resisted using the elevators when ever possible. Tonight is formal night, so we will get showered and dressed up. The Captain is having his welcome after supper and then the evening entertainment. It will be a late night, but tomorrow is a day at sea.
Photos aren't loading well, so will skip them for now at $.38 per min (or phone at $8.00/min)

Monday September 24

After a pretty good night we went to the main dining room for breakfast. Bit too stuffy for us. It was fine, but we decided to try casual next time. We took the shuttle in to Venice to take the ‘secrets’ tour of the Doge’s Palace. The Doge was the elected ruler who with his cabinet held absolute rule over their empire. Venice was self ruling for centuries and was quite powerful. Beautiful paintings, gold work on the ceilings, etc. One of the most famous prisoners there was Casonova who managed to escape. Another famous Venetian was Marco Polo. His maps are on the wall.

We caught the shuttle back and got ready for our muster drill. Pretty uneventful…until I realized that I had left both our room keys in the room. It was 3:45 and the ship was leaving Venice at 4pm, and we really wanted roof top views for that, but without my camera??? Fortunately we were able to get help, get the door unlocked and run up to the top deck to watch the most incredible sight. The ship sailed along the island and we could see over the entire city with the red roofs, sparkling canals and masses of people and boats.

We dressed for dinner and again had a marvelous meal. We have noticed that most of the people on the ship are within 10-15 years of our age. Not a party ship, but not an old geezer one either. (and no comments from our children, please!)

Sunday, September 23

Today is Carl’s 30th birthday! We checked out of our hotel, left the bags in storage and ‘hopped’ aboard the vaporetto to go up the Grande Canal. It was packed, and we were jostled around until we finally got a spot where we could see – but only out one side. Interesting views of the palaces, but especially of the people. Apparently Venice has a population of 300,000 but 150,000 tourists come every day. We got off at the last stop, then took the ‘express’ vaporetto back to San Marco. We wandered up to the Rialto bridge area after buying a wrap. Then we bought some gelato at what is called the best gelato in Venice. Wow. It was so smooth and creamy and wonderful! Never had any as good as that before. We got our bags and headed to Santa Maria Formosa Piazza to catch our water taxi. We were so glad we hadn’t tried to carry/pull our bags through the crowds onto vaporettos. Cost a fortune, but made a real difference.

The ship is huge. We checked in and were escorted to our room, where champagne, hors d’oerves and fruit awaited us. We could get used to this. Our bags were a little late in coming, but we made it to dinner and it was excellent. Appetizer, soup, salad, main course, and dessert with about 4 choices of each. We really could get used to this. By the time dinner was over we were exhausted, so we cleaned up our stuff and unpacked and went to bed.

Saturday, September 22

Wow, it is late, we are tired and we need to check out tomorrow to get on the ship (which we saw in port) Just say we had a great time walking around, eating gelato, drinking capuccino and just drinking it in. It feels like a movie set, yet these is so ancient and people really live here. Here is St Marks Basilica , built in 1063. And then one of us on a gondola ride. we'll say more when there is time.

Friday September 21

This was a travel day, and really that is all we did. We checked out of the Sumner, took a taxi to the Gatwick express train and go to the airport about 10:30 for a 1pm flight. Security was a little tighter than we have seen, but still not a real problem. The taxis are great, with lots of room for bags and the train was very smooth. We arrived in Venice about 4:30 and then lugged our bags a long ways to the water bus, which took over an hour to get to San Marco Square. We then dragged our bags across bridges and down narrow streets (ie some of them only one person could walk at a time between the buildings) and to our hotel. We found it fairly easily. The room is great, fairly large and only up two flights of stairs. We went out for supper and then decided to walk to the square...but where was it? It is like a maze and for some reason all of the the names are in Italian. We found it and wandered around watching the people and the duelling orchestras - one plays for a while, and then across the piazza, another one plays. Great fun. And then to bed.

Thursday, September 20

Our last night in London. Tomorrow we head for Venice. Hard to believe that we are moving on already, but I think we are ready. We got to see most of the things on our 'must do' list, but just experiencing London, the tube, the people etc was amazing. No matter when or where, the sidewalks are full of people and there is traffic. Still takes thought which way to look when crossing the street. The tube was interesting, but very tiring. Often had to change trains, which meant changing levels and often walking up, then across a fair ways before down again. Part of the adventure. Wendy was great with the adventure and really did well. Have to admit we were both a little uncomfortable with the men we saw one evening being intimate with each other going down to the tube. It always seemed safe. Could have used more toilets and garbage cans!

Today we slept in and then took the tube to St Paul's cathedral. One of the highlights of our trip, definitely. to think they built that and did such intricate art work 350 years ago with out cranes and other equipment. I expect we'll continue to be amazed as we travel. We climbed to the whispering gallery 30m above the main level. We chose not to climb the extra 81m to the top for the views. The detail and design were wonderful. We stayed for a reading of Scripture from the main floor before heading to the crypt. We thought about having lunch there, but nothing looked very fresh!

We found a sandwich shop, had a wrap then coffee in a little shop in an alley way. What we have come to realize is that it is not just one building that makes it interesting, but all of the buildings. They fill every spare inch of space and all seem to have character. Many are remodelled. It is 'living history.' After our coffee, we took the tube back to the British Museum area. We walked a couple of blocks to it and explored for a couple of hours. Neither of us is really into museums, but I wanted to see the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, the bog man and other things. Seeing the real thing is what made it worthwhile.

We came back to our room for a break then walked to a fish and chips place. Then explored some more stores (do people really buy those things?) Wendy saw a nice purse for 300 pounds. We had coffee and then came back to pack. In Venice the hotel has internet access from their computer, so assuming it works, I will keep up the written part, but may not be able to do the photos. We board the ship on Sunday and then it may be too expensive. We'll see. Realized that my camera was set to manual focus. Not sure when that happened, but the ones I checked look ok. Perhaps not the sharpness I would have liked to have, but still useable.

Wednesday, September 19

It was too late last night to post, so here is the update. We took the tube to Leicester Square and bought tickets for Mamma Mia, then back on the tube to Victoria Station. We walked up to Buckingham Palace, but there wasn't a changing of the guard that day. We marvelled at the size of the building and the fact that the queen is seldom there. We didn't go in, but instead walked in Green Park to Apsley house, where Wellington had lived. We debated about going in and decided to go to Harrod's instead. Wow. I wanted to take a picture of the doorman wearing white gloves, but the crowds made it hard to stand still. We walked around the store some. Saw a nice necklace for L48,000, but no one would take us seriously in DeBeers. We did buy a few little things, and then went into the food area and bought sandwiches, and took them to Hyde Park to eat. I had thought of going back to take the picture, but the crowds, traffic and construction made it too difficult. We walked through the park to Kensington Palace instead. We had coffee, scones, clotted cream and jam at the Orangery (yum!) before the tour. The first part was quite disheartening as it was room after room of multimedia stuff on Diana. But the rest was great. It is one thing to see representations of rooms, clothing etc, but to actually see where Victoria was sleeping when called to become queen, or where Queen Mary actually ate, with the exact furniture, pictures, etc was really interesting.

We walked to the tube and went back to Marble Arch area. It is so much quieter than Victoria or Kensington area where our agent wanted us to stay (expensive too.)

After a rest, we took the tube back to the West End for the play. really fun. I realized I didn't know many ABBA songs, but the performances were great. We grabbed some supper at a Japanese place called Wagawama or something (one of our best meals) and then took the tube home. People on the tube were openly drinking beer, even gin. It was 11:30, but the streets and tube were packed.

Interesting and full day.

Tuesday

Somehow didn't get this done last night. Beautiful sunshine all day with the occasional cloud, but still cooler. Wendy has been feeling the breeze and finding it cold. I have been ok, but haven't even thought of zipping off my legs yet. We started by taking the tube to the London Eye. It was incredible. The views were amazing and we really enjoyed it. The parliament buildings were the main attraction. We then walked across the bridge, to James Park, along Whitehall Avenue, past 10 Downing St to Trafalgar Sq. The views down Whitehall were neaat, but otherwise, not much to see. We checked out Leicester Sq after visiting Pizza express and found the half price ticket booth. Thinking of Mamma Mia still, even though they don't offer deals.
We wandered down to Picadilly circus and then along one of the main streets for shopping. we stopped in Hamley's, a toy store that has been in existence since 1760. Seven floors of toys! Then down Carnaby Street before finding a coffee shop for a break.
We walked for miles and miles. Then back home for a rest before a several block walk to James Street for supper. On a very narrow street for over two blocks there were cafes, bars and restaurants lined up. All had tables outside (the only place where smoking is allowed) and they were full. People everywhere. It isn't possible to just walk down the street, as there is a constant flow of people. Here, it was compounded by the tables, people standing on the corner with their beer and maitre d's trying to entice people into their cafes. We had a burger with hand cut fries. Very good. We had thought about a crepe for dessert, but too full.
Headed back, checked out Marks and Spencer before settling into a Starbucks for coffee. They don't have decaf filter coffee here. Regular or Americano decaf.
Somehow it was after 11:30 before we got to bed. Notting Hill was on the telly.
We are learning to master the tube, but lots of walking. Down two levels, then up, across and then down etc. Quite efficient, but tiring.

Monday, Sept 17

After an OK night, we went for breakfast and then took the Tube to Tower of London. Amazing trip on all these different layers of tubes, walkways etc. And people!!! Busy everywhere. We spent 3 hours at the Tower, looking at the Crown Jewels, and heard the stories of kings and queens, torture, execution etc. It was started by William the Conquer before 1100AD and was used for royal residence for centuries before becoming a prison.

We then took a boat down to Westminster and toured the abbey and looked at the parliament buildings. Westminster Abbey has also been in use for centuries. Every king or queen since William 1 has been crowned there. Many are also buried there, along with Darwin, Shakespeare, Churchill and others. Somehow the day was gone and we took the tube back, rested a while and then went for supper.

We are exhausted from a long day, but really enjoying the history. Tomorrow? Still not sure...St Paul's? perhaps.

Arrived safe and sound

Flight went well. We arrived a little bewildered, but managed to get the express train to London ok and then a taxi to our hotel. We then took a tour on an open double decker bus and saw a glimpse of the sights. Parliament Buildings, Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, St Pauls, especially are incredible and do prove that we really are here. We are exhausted and ready for bed. We went to a pub for supper and found that a good cultural experience. We'll try to tell more another night.

A tour of the Millennium

This link has some good views of the ship. Only three days until we leave!

http://gardens-hoa.com/MIL071202/Millennium.htm

but before we get there, we will be spending five nights in London at the Sumner, near Marble Arch tube station.

And then a couple of nights at Hotel Al Piave in Venice.

We end up in Barcelona at Hotel Pulitzer, but that is getting way too far ahead of ourselves.

And here is the itinerary that the ship will be taking

The Millenium

Here is the ship we will be spending two weeks on...