OBSERVATIONS AND SUMMARY

WELL, THE DAY FINALLY ARRIVED. IT SEEMS SO LONG AGO WE LEFT THAT COLD, SNOWY, DREAY DAY IN LATE JANUARY. YET, IN SOME RESPECTS, IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY. SO MUCH WAS ANTICIPATED, SO MUCH UNKNOWN, SO MUCH TO LEARN, SO MUCH TO SEE AND SO MUCH TIME TO DO IT.

COULD WE SURVIVE THE BOREDOM, WOULD WE, IN FACT, BE BORED? WOULD WE OVER EAT, WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS AND WOULD OUR DINNER TABLE MATES BE EASY TO GET ALONG WITH AND FLEXIBLE?

COULD WE ENDURE AN INSIDE CABIN FOR 107 DAYS AND NIGHTS? WOULD WE BE AT EACH OTHERS NECKS AND COME BACK ENEMIES, INSTEAD OF FRIENDS AND LOVERS? WOULD WE BE DRAWN CLOSER OR FURTHER APART?

WE LOOKED FORWARD TO THE FORTY DAYS IN PORT, BUT WHAT TOLL WOULD THE SIXTY-SEVEN DAYS AT SEA TAKE ON US AND OUR LOVE FOR CRUISING?
IT CAN ALL BE SUMMED UP IN JUST A FEW WORDS, WHERE DO WE SIGN UP?

OUR BUCKET LIST HAS MORE ITEMS ON IT NOW THAN WHEN WE LEFT HOME IN JANUARY. I RECENTLY READ, THE WORLD IS A BOOK, AND TO ONLY EXPERIENCE WHAT IS IMMEDIATELY AROUND YOU IS LIKE ONLY READING BUT ONE PAGE OF THE BOOK. WE HAVE ENJOYED SEEING LANDMARKS OF GREAT ESTEEM AND OTHERS THAT ARE LESSER KNOWN.

HOWEVER, IT IS THE PEOPLE OF THESE FAR OFF PLACES THAT ADD SO MUCH TO THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING THE WORLD. (IT IS GOVERNMENTS THAT ARE THE P.I.A. OF THIS WORLD). I DON’T WANT TO IMPLY THAT ALL PEOPLES EMBRACE THE VISITORS THAT INVADE THEIR LANDS. AND BY NO MEANS, DO THE VISITORS EMBRACE ALL THOSE THEY COME ACROSS. IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE WATCH WHEN TRAVELING AS IT IS TO SEE THE ICONIC SITES OF THIS WORLD.

OUR VENTURE TO THESE FAR OFF PLACES WAS MOST INTERESTING BECAUSE THE SIZE OF OUR SHIP PERMITTED US TO ENTER HARBORS MOST LARGER CRUISE LINERS WOULD BYPASS, ESPECIALLY THE SMALL ISLANDS IN THE PACIFIC.

ISLAND LIFE IS SIMPLE, LAID-BACK AND AS A RULE, POOR. YET THE PEOPLE ALWAYS SEEM TO BE VERY HAPPY-GO-LUCKY. ONES FIRST THOUGHT IS THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE MISSING, YET MANY OF THEM HAVE SATELLITE DISHES ON THE ROOFS OF THEIR HOMES. THEY ARE NOT VOID OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

THE COUNTRIES OF THE MUSLIM WORLD ARE MOST INTERESTING AS SEVERAL STRIVE TO ENTER THE MODERN TIMES, WHILE OTHERS REMAIN IN THE WORLD OF CENTURIES LONG GONE. SURE THEY HAVE CARS, AND CELL PHONES, AND TELEVISION BUT THEY CHOOSE TO LIVE BY STANDARDS LONG AGO TOSSED ASIDE.

THE MUSLIM CULTURE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO RESPECT FOR WOMEN. THEIR PLACE IN LIFE IS TO COOK, HAVE BABIES AND BE SUBSERVIENT TO THE MEN WHO RULE THEIR LIVES. THE CALL TO PRAYER, FIVE TIMES A DAY, RARELY INCLUDES THE WOMEN, AND ALTHOUGH SOME MOSQUES ALLOW WOMEN TO ATTEND, ON CERTAIN DAYS, THEY MUST STAY SEPARATE FROM THE MEN. YOU MIGHT RECALL THE BATHROOM EPISODE IN MUSCAT (SEE DAY 93).

THE CHINESE ARE VERY EAGER TO MEET AND TALK TO VISITORS, ESPECIALLY AMERICANS. CHINA IS A BUSTLING BEEHIVE OF CONSTRUCTION IN THE MAJOR CITIES. PLACES LIKE BEIJING AND TIANJIN ARE LARGER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. SMALL CITIES HAVE ONLY A MILLION PEOPLE AND BASED ON THOSE STANDARDS PITTSBURGH DOESN’T QUALIFY TO BE A VILLAGE.

WE WERE SURPRISED TO FIND PUSAN, KOREA SO MODERN AND PROGRESSIVE. WE EXPECTED A SLEEPY LITTLE TOWN, BUT IN FACT IT IS A MAJOR SHIPPING CENTER IN ASIA.

SINGAPORE AND HONG KONG ARE JUST LIKE THE LARGEST OF CITIES IN AMERICA. OTHER THAN A FEW CULTURAL THINGS, LOOKING UP AT THE TALL BUILDINGS YOU MIGHT THINK YOU WERE IN NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, CHICAGO OR EVEN PITTSBURGH.

THE DESERTS OF CENTRAL ASIA AND AFRICA, EGYPT, JORDAN, DUBAI AND OMAN, JUST CAN’T BE ANY HOTTER THAN WHAT WE THINK HELL IS LIKE. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE LIFE HAS EXISTED IN THESE AREAS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. GLOBAL WARMING IS NOTHING NEW TO THESE PEOPLE, IF, IN FACT, THERE IS SUCH A THING. THEN AGAIN, MAYBE WE ARE TO THIN SKINNED. AT ANY RATE THESE COUNTRIES SHOULD BE THANKFUL THEY DON’T HAVE UNIONS THAT COULD CREATE WORK STOPPAGES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 100.

INDIA IS EVERYTHING SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE PORTRAYED. IT IS, AS THEY DESCRIBE THEMSELVES, INCREDIBLE. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE, TALL BUILDINGS, ENERGETIC, INDUSTRIOUS AND PACKED WITH SOME OF THE POOREST LIVING CONDITIONS IMAGINABLE. AS OUR INDIAN TABLE MATES PUT IT, “THEY JUST DON’T SEEM TO HAVE ANY PRIDE IN THEMSELVES.”

MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA POSSESS GREAT BEAUTY AND IF IT WERE NOT FOR TOURIST THEY WOULD LIVE IN TOTAL POVERTY. IT IS A HAVEN FOR DICTATORS, OPPRESSION AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BLAME OTHERS FOR THERE SITUATION.

WHAT WORDS DESCRIBE THE LANDS DOWN-UNDER. NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA ARE FABULOUS. (MAYBE BECAUSE THEY SPEAK ENGLISH...OR SOME FORM OF IT...IT CERTAINLY ISN’T THE QUEEN’S ENGLISH) THE COUNTRIES ARE CLEAN, THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY AND THEY ARE PROUD OF THEIR HOMELAND. FURTHERMORE THEY HAVE A DEEP LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR AMERICA AND WHAT THE YANKS DID FOR THEM IN WWII. THANK GOD SOMEBODY LOVES US.

WE WERE ONCE TOLD THAT THE BEST THING YOU CAN GIVE YOUR KIDS ARE ROOTS AND WINGS. WE TRUST WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB. THEY HAVE CERTAINLY TAUGHT US HOW TO USE OUR WINGS, AND COMING HOME, NO MATTER HOW GOOD A TIME THE HOLIDAY MAY HAVE BEEN, IS JUST AS EXCITING AND ADVENTURIST.

IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER TRIP OF A LIFETIME. IT HAS COME AND GONE, WAY TO SOON. WE HAVE SEEN GREAT PLACES, MADE MANY NEW FRIENDS, TOOK THOUSANDS OF PICTURES AND LEARNED MORE THAN WE EVER EXPECTED. THE QUESTION IS, WOULD WE DO IT AGAIN, IN A HEARTBEAT?

WE HAD BEEN ASKED WHAT OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO VISIT HAVE BEEN. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT WAS ONCE ASKED WHICH OF HIS PROJECT WAS HIS FAVORITE...TO WHICH HE REPLIED...HIS NEXT. SO IT IS WITH GEORGIA AND ME, THE BUCKET LIST GETS LONGER AND EACH BROCHURE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL BRINGS NEW IDEAS AND PLANS. I’VE SAID BEFORE, WE SCRAP MORE PLANS THAN WE MAKE, BUT WHEN WE MAKE THEM ...LOOK OUT.

GODS CREATIONS ARE MARVELOUS, EVEN WHEN HE USES MAN TO MAKE SOME OF THEM. GOD IS GREAT AND MY SWEETIE WAS BY MY SIDE.


THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING OUR ADVENTURE. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, PLEASE SIGN IN AS A FOLLOWER. WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHO SHARED OUR JOURNEY.

DAY 108 - ROME, ITALY - MAY 15, 2010

WE WERE UP AT 5:00 AND IN THE BUFFET BY 5:30. FOR SOMETHING TO EAT. WE HAD A LONG DAY AHEAD OF US. WHEN WE FINISHED WE WENT STRAIGHT TO THE LOUNGE AND WAITED FOR THE WORD THE SHIP HAD CLEARED IMMIGRATION. ONCE CLEARED THE DISEMBARKING PROCESS COULD BEGIN. WE WERE SCHEDULED FOR THE FIRST GROUP SINCE OUR PLANE DEPARTED ROME INTERNATIONAL BEFORE 10:30.

AS WE LEFT THE SHIP WE SWIPED OUR KEYCARDS FOR THE LAST TIME AND HEADED FOR THE TERMINAL AND OUR LUGGAGE. SURPRISINGLY ALL FIVE PEICES WERE TOGETHER. WITH LUGGAGE AND PASSENGERS ON THE BUSES OUR NEXT STOP WAS THE AIRPORT.

THE WORST PART OF CRUISING IS THE RETURN TRIP HOME, ESPECIALLY THE AIRPORT HASSLES. THIS PROVED TO BE NO DIFFERENT. RECOVERING OUR LUGGAGE FROM THE BUS WENT SMOOTHLY HOWEVER THE CROWDS OF PEOPLE HAD TO BE FUNNELED THROUGH SIX TINY PATHS FOR THAT FINAL IMMIGRATION PROCESS. SOME PEOPLE GOT VERY TESTY. THE PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED AS THE LUGGAGE CARTS HAVE TO STAY BY YOUR SIDE. THE CROWDS WERE NOT HAPPY CAMPERS BY ANY MEAN. IT TOOK US ALMOST FORTY-FIVE MINUTES TO NEGOTIATE OUR LINE ONLY TO BE USHERED THROUGH A DOOR TO THE TERMINAL AND ANOTHER LONG LINE FOR THE CHECK-IN PROCEDURE, LUGGAGE STILL AT OUR SIDE.

AFTER ASKING ABOUT THE LINES I VENTURED FORWARD TO READ THE TWO SIGNS WHERE THE LINE BEGAN TO BEND TO THE RIGHT. ONE OF THE SIGNS INDICATED ATLANTA AND THE OTHER NEW YORK. OUR FLIGHT WAS TO NEW YORK AND WE MADE A BEELINE FOR IT. ALTHOUGH THE SITUATION IMPROVED, THE “Q” WAS PACKED AND SNAKED AROUND SEVERAL TIMES. I MUST ADMIT, WE WERE HAPPY THAT OUR LINE WAS MUCH SHORTER THAN THE ATLANTA LINE.

TIME WAS TICKING AWAY AS WE APPROACHED THE CHECK-IN DESK. SOMEDAY IT MIGHT BE CHEAPER TO GO ON VACATION AND RENT CLOTHES AS OPPOSED TO PACKING YOUR OWN. THE AIRLINES CHARGE FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING NOW DAYS AND DELTA IS NO EXCEPTION. WE WERE ALLOWED ONE BAG FREE, FOR EACH OF US, WITH OUR SECOND BAGS CHARGED AT ONE PRICE AND THE THIRD BAG AT A HIGHER RATE. WHAT A RIP!

WITH THE BAGS CHECKED AND CREDIT CARD CHARGED WE WERE USHERED TO YET ANOTHER LONG LINE FOR THE SECURITY SCREENING. AT THIS POINT I COULD SEE OURSELVES WAVING GOODBYE TO THE PLANE IF THE PROCESS DIDN’T START TO MOVE MORE QUICKLY.

WE DID FEEL JUST AS IF WE WERE IN AMERICA THROUGH THE PROCESS, HOWEVER. THERE WERE THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS AND ONLY ONE LINE FOR SCREENING. HAVING CLEARED THE METAL DETECTORS WE MADE OUR WAY TO THE GATE AND ANOTHER SCREENING PROCESS. AS WE FINALLY REACHED THE GATE, BOARDING HAD BEGUN AND WE TOOK OUR PLACE IN LINE AND FOUND OUR SEATS.

THE FLIGHT WAS LONG, SMOOTH AND WE PASSED OUR TIME WATCHING MOIVES AND LISTENING TO MUSIC ON THE IN HOUSE SYSTEM. THE NEXT HURTLE WAS JFK. SURPRISINGLY, THE PROCESS CLEARING CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION WENT QUITE WELL. THE HARD PART WAS THE FIVE HOUR LAYOVER.

I’M NOT A NEW YORK FAN AND JFK, BEING IN NEW YORK, IS HIGH ON THE LIST OF THINGS TO HATE ABOUT NEW YORK. I SUPPOSE THE FIVE HOURS MOVED QUICK ENOUGH BUT WE WERE SURE GLAD WHEN WE BOARDED THE PLANE FOR FORT LAUDERDALE. HOWEVER, NO EXIT FROM NEW YORK COMES EASY.

THE FLIGHT IS NORMALLY TWO AND A HALF HOURS BUT THE SCHEDULED CALLED FOR AND EXTRA HOUR. IT TURNS OUT THERE IS CONSTRUCTION AT JFK AND TAXIING TO THE PROPER RUNWAY TAKES FOR EVER. NEW YORK WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE YOUR STAY PLEASANT...I GUESS.

WE WERE EXPECTING COLETTE AND SCOTT AT THE AIRPORT BUT WERE SURPRISED TO SEE CHRIS ALSO. HE FLEW IN FROM KENTUCKY FOR THE WEEKEND AND HE WAS A VERY WELCOME ADDITION. WE ALL WENT TO DENNY’S FOR SOME DESSERT BEFORE SETTLING IN AT COLETTE’S.

REALITY IS BEGINNING TO SET IN, WE HAD TO PAY FOR A MEAL.

DAY 107 - SORRENTO, ITALY - MAY 14, 2010

WE WERE WIDE AWAKE LONG BEFORE ENTERING THE BAY OF NAPLES AND DROPPING ANCHOR AT SORRENTO. THE SORRENTO PORT IS NOT DEEP ENOUGH FOR CRUISE SHIP AND IS ONE OF THE FEW PORTS ON THIS CRUISE WHERE TENDERING IS REQUIRED.

I WAS READY BEFORE GEORGIA AND HEADED FOR THE TOP DECK TO GET SOME PICTURES AS WE TRAVELED ALONG THE COAST AND INTO THE BAY. ALTHOUGH THE SKY WAS OVERCAST AND HAZY, THE SHORELINE WAS VISIBLE AND THE PICTURES WERE NOT GREAT. AMALFI AND POSITANO WERE NOT CLEAR BUT HAVING BEEN TO ITALY BEFORE, THE SHORELINE WAS UNMISTAKABLE.

AS WE ATE BREAKFAST THE WEATHER LOOKED AS THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO BE THE FIRST BAD TOUR DAY OF THE CRUISE. HOWEVER, OUR EXCITEMENT OF GOING TO CAPRI FOR THE FIRST TIME WOULD NOT BE DENIED BY A LITTLE BAD WEATHER.

AS WITH ALL SHIP TOURS WE HEADED FOR THE LOUNGE FOR CHECK-IN AND BUS ASSIGNMENT. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I CAN REMEMBER HAVING EVERYONE GATHERED SO QUICKLY FOR TRANSPORT TO SHORE. WE WERE ON THE TENDER AND HEADING STRAIGHT FOR THE SORRENTO CLIFFSIDE WHERE OUR TOUR GUIDE, ENZO, WAS WAITING. HE GAVE US OUR TICKETS FOR THE JET-BOAT TO CAPRI AND BEFORE WE KNEW IT WE WERE WHISKING ALONG THE WATER TO CAPRI. THE CLOUDS WERE BREAKING, THE SUN WAS PEEPING THROUGH AND THE DAY WAS BEGINNING TO LOOK PRETTY BRIGHT.

OUR BOAT PULLED ALONG THE PIER AND WE ALL MET A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY NEAR SOME RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. THE LITTLE HARBOR WAS JUST AS I HAD SEEN IT ON THE TRAVEL CHANNEL. COLORFUL SHOP FRONTS, SEVERAL DOZEN SMALL FISHING BOATS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THE TOWN OF CAPRI ACTUALLY SITS HIGH ON THE HILL AND IN ORDER TO GET TO THE TOWN FROM THE PIER SMALL BUSES PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION. OUR GROUP WAITED FORTY MINUTES BEFORE BOARDING TWO BUSES FOR THE HAIR RAISING TRIP TO THE TOP. OUR FIRST STOP WAS THE TOWN OF ANACAPRI.

ANACAPRI SITS ON A HIGHER HILL THAN CAPRI AND THE TRIP IS FILLED WITH DOZENS OF SWITCHBACKS, NARROW PASSAGES AND CLIFFSIDE THRILLS. THE SMALL TOWN IS MORE LIKE A TINY SHOPPING COMMUNITY AS THERE ARE VERY FEW HOMES IN THE AREA.

WE MET WITH OUR GUIDE AND HE OUTLINED OUR SCHEDULE. WE HAD A FEW MINUTES IN AN EXCLUSIVE SET OF SHOPS. THE PLAN ALSO CALLED FOR A VISIT TO THE ST. MICHELLE MUSEUM. HOWEVER HE LEFT IT OPEN AND WHEN GEORGIA AND I HEARD THE OPTION WE JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRAY FROM THE GROUP. OUR MEETING TIME WAS SET FOR 11:30 NEAR THE STEPS.

OUR CHOICE WAS TO RIDE THE SKI-LIKE CHAIRS TO THE VERY HIGHEST POINT ON THE ISLAND. A ROUND TRIP COST US NINE EURO EACH AND WAS, BY FAR, THE MOST SPECTACULAR VANTAGE POINT ON THE ISLE OF CAPRI. UNLIKE MOST SKI LIFT CHAIRS THESE WERE ONLY MADE FOR ONE. GEORGIA HOPPED ON FIRST AND I FOLLOWED. I KNEW GEORGIA WOULD BE HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE, AND PERHAPS HAVE HER EYES CLOSED AS WE CLIMBED TO THE TOP. I HANDLED THE CAMERA AND PICTURE TAKING AS WE ROSE TO THE TOP.

THE TRIP TAKES ABOUT FOURTEEN MINUTES AND AT ONE POINT AS YOU REACH ONE OF THE TOWERS, THE LIFT SINKS INTO THE VALLEY BEFORE BEGINNING THE CLIMB AGAIN. THE VIEW OF THE FINAL DESTINATION DROPS OUT OF SIGHT FOR A SHORT TIME. WHEN THE CHAIR REACHES THE PLATFORM, TWO ASSISTANTS HELP YOU EXIT THE LIFT BEFORE IT SWEEPS AROUND THE LARGE IRON WHEEL AS IT STARTS ITS FOURTEEN MINUTE RETURN TRIP DOWN HILL.

GEORGIA AND I CLIMBED THE STAIRS TO THE OBSERVATION AREA AND ENJOYED THE BEAUTIFUL, MARVELOUS, VIEW OF THE CAPRI COASTLINE AND THE BAY OF NAPLES. EACH DIRECTION PROVED TO BE EXCEPTIONABLE AND PROVIDED AN ALMOST 360 DEGREE PANORAMIC VIEW. AS WE PREPARED FOR OUR JOURNEY DOWN THE MOUNTAIN A SLIGHT MIST BEGAN TO CROSS A PORTION OF THE NORTHERN TIP OF THE ISLAND ADDING A MYSTERIOUS ERA FOR OUR ADVENTURE DOWNHILL.

WE BOARDED OUR CHAIRS FOR THE TRIP DOWN, GEORGIA HELD ON TIGHT AND I HANDLED THE CAMERA. AS WE REACHED THE FIRST OF THE FOURTEEN TOWERS THE MIST BROKE AND THE BLUE SKIES RETURNED, PROVIDING BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF THE VALLEY BELOW. THE BLUE WATER OF THE BAY AND THE LUSH GREEN VALLEY WERE IDEAL FOR SNAPPING PICTURE AFTER PICTURE. WE REACHED THE BOTTOM AT EXACTLY 11:30 AND THE SCHEDULED MEETING TIME.

AFTER ANOTHER FORTY MINUTE WAIT FOR TWO BUSES OUR GROUP BEGAN THE JOURNEY TO CAPRI, AND LUNCH AT A LOCAL HOTEL, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY. WE EXITED THE BUS AND WALKED TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE SMALL TOWN. THERE IS A CERTAIN SPOT ALONG THE WAY WHERE NO CARS ARE PERMITTED ON THE STREETS. IT IS ESPECIALLY APPROPRIATE THAT NO CARS ARE ALLOWED BECAUSE THE CROWDS ARE OVERWHELMING.

OUR GUIDE RELATED THEIR ARE 12,000 RESIDENCE ON THE ISLAND AND DURING THE TOURIST SEASON AS MANY AS 15,000 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE INVADE THE ISLAND. WE ARE HERE AT THAT IN BETWEEN SEASON AND I CAN’T IMAGE MORE PEOPLE THAN THOSE WE ENCOUNTERED TODAY.

ENZO SHOWED US OUR MEETING PLACE, WHICH WAS CURRENTLY SET FOR 3:30, AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON HOW FAST WE GET THROUGH LUNCH. A SHORT FIVE MINUTE WALK DOWN SEVERAL HILLS AND WINDING ALLIES, WE REACHED OUR HOTEL RESTAURANT. IT WAS A COZY LITTLE PLACE, THE RESTAURANT WAS TOWARD THE BACK AND OUR ROOM WAS A GLASS ENCLOSURE WITH VIEWS OF THE GARDEN.

WHEN WE FINISHED LUNCH WE MET ENZO. THE PLAN WAS TO VISIT AN OUTDOOR GARDEN DOWN NEAR THE COAST AND BELOW THE HOTEL. HOWEVER, GEORGIA AND I OPTED TO LEAVE THE GROUP AND WALK THE NARROW STREETS OF THE TOWN. WE STOPPED OCCASIONALLY TO TAKE PICTURES AND WINDOW SHOP, MY FAVORITE KIND OF SHOPPING.

THE ULTIMATE GOAL WAS TO WALK OFF ENOUGH CALORIES TO ENJOY AN ITALIAN GELATO. NO TRIP TO ITALY IS A TRIP TO ITALY WITHOUT HAVING A BIG CONE OR CUP OF GELATO. THERE MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR JELLO, BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR GELATO. WE FINISHED THEM WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE GROUP TO GATHER.

ENZO GAVE US OUR FUNICULAR TICKETS AND ANOTHER MEETING TIME AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL NEAR THE PIER. SHORTLY AFTER GATHERING WE WALKED TO THE JET-BOAT AND BEGAN OUR TRIP BACK TO THE SORRENTO PIER. A SHORT WALK FROM OUR DROP POINT WE BOARDED OUR TENDER FOR THE SHIP.

WE BOARDED THE SHIP AND HAD TIME TO CLEANUP AND MEET FOR OUR LAST SUPPER, SO TO SPEAK, ON THE PACIFIC PRINCESS. OUR LUGGAGE WAS OUTSIDE OUR CABIN DOOR BEFORE LEAVING FOR DINNER. ALL OF OUR TABLE MATES SHOWED UP FOR DINNER. IN AS MUCH AS GEORGIA AND I ATE LUNCH, AND A BIG ONE AT THAT, SO LATE WE LIMITED OUR CHOICES FOR DINNER. WE DID HOWEVER SAVE ROOM FOR THE INFAMOUS SHIP DESSERT, BAKED ALASKA.

THE FINAL SHOW WAS NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR. THE GROUP WAS CALLED THE BEATLES REUNION. FOR ALMOST AN HOUR THEY PERFORMED ALL BEATLE SONGS. THEY DRESSED, SOUNDED AND LOOKED LIKE THE FAB FOUR. THEY WERE EVEN FROM LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. AFTER THE SHOW WE HEADED FOR THE CABIN, DID SOME LAST MINUTE PACKING TO OUR CARRYON LUGGAGE, SET THE ALARMS AND FELL ASLEEP. THE SHIP DOCKS AT 5:00 AND OUR SCHEDULED TIME OF DISEMBARKING IS 6:30.

DAY 106 - AT SEA - MAY 13, 2010

TODAY WAS REALITY DAY. WE HAVE A TOUR TOMORROW, GET OFF THE SHIP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING AND WE ARE IN NO MOOD TO STAY UP LATE FRIDAY NIGHT TO PACK. THEY WOULD LIKE THE MAJORITY OF THE LUGGAGE OUTSIDE OUR CABIN DOOR BEFORE GOING TO DINNER FRIDAY.

IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW GOOD A TRAVELER ONE MIGHT BE, VERY FEW PEOPLE ARE GOOD AT PACKING, ESPECIALLY FOR 107 DAYS AWAY FROM HOME ON A SHIP. PACKING TO RETURN HOME IS EVEN HARDER. FOR ONE THING YOUR SPIRITS ARE LOW BECAUSE THE HOLIDAY IS OVER; SECOND, AS A RULE YOU HAVE ACCUMULATED MORE STUFF AND THE LUGGAGE CARRIERS DIDN’T GET BIGGER, (BUT WE DID).

TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, WE DID MANAGE TO GET EVERYTHING PACKED EXCEPT THE CLOTHES NECESSARY TO GET HOME, AFTER GETTING ALL DRESSED UP FOR THE LAST FORMAL NIGHT OF THE CRUISE.

DAY 105 - ATHENS - MAY 12, 2010

WE WERE UP EARLY IN PREPARATION OF THE ANCIENT CITY OF ATHENS. ALTHOUGH WE HAD CONSIDERED CANCELING OUR TOUR BECAUSE OF THE DOMESTIC RIOTS.

THE RUINS OF ATHENS IS A MUST SEE. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL TOURS OFFERED FOR THIS PORT GEORGIA AND I NEVER CONSIDERED ANYTHING OTHER THAN SEEING THE ACROPOLIS.

THE BUSES LOADED QUICKLY AND WERE OFF THROUGH THE STREETS OF PIRAEUS, THE PORT CITY, FOR OUR FIRST STOP. AS WE DROVE TO THE OLYMPIC STADIUM BUILT FOR THE 1896 MODERN DAY GAMES WE PASSED A NEW INDOOR STADIUM BUILT FOR 2004 VOLLEYBALL OLYMPIC GAMES.

THE STADIUM BUILT IN 1896 WAS USED IN THE 2004 GAMES FOR THE MARATHON EVENTS, IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AND IS USED ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR CULTURAL EVENTS. IT HOLDS SIXTY-THOUSAND PEOPLE AND IS OPENED AT ONE END, SOMEWHAT LIKE SEVERAL OF OUR MODERN FOOTBALL STADIUMS IN AMERICA.

IN AS MUCH AS THE PACIFIC PRINCESS WAS ONLY ONE OF FIVE CRUISE SHIPS IN PORT TODAY, THE BUSES LINED UP ON THE STREET SEVEN OR EIGHT DEEP AND THE CROWDS WERE HEAVY. EVENTUALLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO TAKE PICTURES WITHOUT OTHER PEOPLE INTERFERING. THE VERY NICE FEATURE OF THIS TOUR WAS THE USE OF HEADSETS. EVEN IF WE STRAYED, A FEW WORDS OVER THE HEADSET AND WE KNEW EXACTLY WHERE TO GO.

WE BOARDED THE BUS AND DROVE PASSED THE HOTEL THAT JACKIE ONASSI LOVED, BIG DEAL, AND THE ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS WHICH FEATURES SEVERAL UNIQUE SCULPTURES. THE ATHENS LANDSCAPE IS SUCH THAT ALTHOUGH YOU MAY SEEM TO BE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL AREA, OLD GREECE JUST POPS UP OUT OF NOWHERE. ADDITIONALLY, WE DROVE PASSED THE FORMER ROYAL PALACE, WHICH IS NOW SOME FORM OF GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. THE ROYAL FAMILY LIVES IN EXILE IN ENGLAND.

OUR DRIVE TO THE ACROPOLIS RAN INTO A SNAG AS WE HIT THE NARROW CROWDED STREETS CLOSE TO THE ENTRANCE.OUR GUIDE HAD JUST MADE THE DECISION TO EXIT THE BUS SEVERAL BLOCKS FROM OUT DESTINATION WHEN THINGS BEGAN TO CLEAR.

AS WE WALKED THROUGH THE PARK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ACROPOLIS OUR GUIDE GAVE US ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS IN CASE WE SEPARATED AND GOT OUT OF HEADSET RANGE. WE BEGAN OUR LONG WALK UP A COBBLESTONE STREET TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE RUINS. AS WE WAITED FOR HER RETURN WITH OUR TICKETS WE HAD TIME TO WALK OVER TO, AND CLIMB THE STAIRS, TO MARS HILL. MARS HILL IS THE SITE OF ST PAULS SERMON TO THE GREEKS QUOTED IN THE BIBLE, ACTS 17.

THE VANTAGE POINT FROM THE TOP OF THE HILL PROVIDED SEVERAL BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF THE AGORA RUINS, THE AGORA STRUCTURE, THE TEMPLE OF HEPHAESTUS, IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE BEST PRESERVED BUILDINGS OF THE PERIOD. THE ENTIRE BUILDING STANDS COMPLETE WITH ALL ITS PILLARS, STATUES AND ROOF STILL INTACT.

ADDITIONALLY, TO THE LEFT AND ON ANOTHER HILL IS A BEAUTIFUL NEW BYZANTINE CHRUCH WITH MULTIPLE DOOMS.

WE HEARD THE CALL TO REGROUP AND RECEIVE OUR TICKETS FOR ENTRANCE TO THE ACROPOLIS AND PARTHENON. FACTS THAT I HAD EITHER FORGOTTEN, OR PERHAPS NEVER KNEW, WAS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THEM. THEREFORE I SHALL TAKE THE TIME TO REMIND US, THE ACROPOLIS IS THE SITE, THE PARTHENON IS THE STRUCTURE. (END OF TODAYS LESSON)

AS WE WALKED THE PATH TO THE TOP OF THE SITE OUR GUIDE STOPPED ALONG THE WAY TO POINT OUT OTHER STRUCTURES SLIGHTLY OVER THE HILL FROM OUR VANTAGE POINT. ONE SUCH RUIN WAS A SMALL AMPHITHEATER, HEROD ATTICUS THEATER, USED FOR ASSEMBLIES. VERY WELL PRESERVED, THE BACK WALL HAD SEVERAL ARCHES WHILE THE SEATING PROVIDES AMPLE ROOM FOR LARGE CROWDS.

AS WE CLIMBED HIGHER THE STONE PATHWAY BECAME MARBLE STAIRS AND A MARBLE PATH. IN SEVERAL AREAS THE MARBLE IS SO WORN THEY HAVE CONSTRUCTED WOODEN STEPS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE ORIGINAL STAIRS. WE WEAVED THROUGH THE SWITCHBACK PATH AND AS WE WALKED UNDER THE TALL MARBLE ARCH BETWEEN THE PILLARS THE HUGE PARTHENON COMPLEX CAME INTO VIEW.

EVEN THOUGH THE STRUCTURE IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING RESTORATION, THE SCAFFOLDING IS NOT THE FIRST THING TO WHICH YOUR EYES ARE DRAWN. THE EIGHT TALL MARBLE PILLARS ON THE FRONT SIDE AND THE DECAYING MANTEL IMMEDIATELY DRAW YOUR FOCUS. THE BUILDING IS RECTANGULAR IN SHAPE AND THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 46 EXTERIOR PILLARS AROUND THE PERIMETER.

THE Parthenon was constructed between 447-432 BC., to be the focus of the Acropolis building complex. it was dedicated to the goddess Athena Pallas or Parthenos (virgin). The temple’s main function was to shelter the monumental statue of Athena that was made by Pheidias out of gold and ivory. 

TO THE LEFT OF THE PARTHENON IS THE ERECHTHEION.The elegance and delicate forms of the Erechtheion contrast sharply with the neighboring Parthenon. The temple IS Lined WITH long Ionic columns. one SET at the northwest corner which is supported by tall PLAIN columns, and ANOTHER SET at the southwest corner which is supported by six massive female statues, the famous Caryatids.

The Caryatids have become the temple’s signature feature, as they stand ON ONE LEG and seem to casually support the weight of the porch’s roof on their heads. Their identification, or the purpose for such elaborate column treatment is lost through the centuries, but it was by no means a new feature in Greek architecture.

WE GATHERED FOR A BRIEF HISTORY LESSON AND MOVED TO THE FAR END OF THE PARTHENON STRUCTURE. AFTER A FEW INSTRUCTIONS AND AN AGREED UPON MEETING TIME WE WERE ON OUR OWN FOR AN HOUR TO EXPLORE AT WILL.

PART OF THE ORIGINAL SITE IS ELEVATED AT THE FAR END AND IT PROVIDES AN EXCELLENT OBSERVATION VIEWING POINT FOR SNAPPING UNOBSTRUCTED PICTURES OF THE CITY. SEVERAL MILES AWAY A CHURCH SITS AT THE HIGHEST PEAK IN THE CITY. LYCABETTUS HILL IS THE SITE OF THE CHAPEL OF ST. GEORGE.

RETURNING TO GROUND LEVEL WE HEADED TO THE LEFT OF THE PARTHENON TO VIEW THE LARGER AMPHITHEATER, THE THEATER OF DIONYSIOUS, USED FROM ANCIENT TIMES FOR PERFORMANCES.THIS SITE IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH RESTORATION. MUCH LARGER THAN THE HEROD THEATER SEEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WALKWAY IT DOESN’T HAVE LARGE ARCHED WALLS BUT THE SEATING CAPACITY SEEMS TO BE GREATER AND THE STAGE IS MUCH BIGGER.

THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL PILLARS BEHIND AND TO THE LEFT OF THE THEATER. THEY ARE THE REMAINS OF THE TEMPLE OF ZEUS. THOSE PILLARS STILL STANDING ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE ORIGINAL TEMPLE MUST HAVE BEEN QUITE LARGE.

TIME WAS RUNNING OUT AND GEORGIA AND I BEGAN WALKING BACK TOWARD THE ENTRANCE. FREQUENTLY TURNING TO LOOK BACK FOR ONE LAST GLIMPSE WE SNAPPED PICTURES AS IF THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. AS WE RETURNED TO THE CAR-PARK, AS THEY CALL THEM IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, WE REJOICED IN THE FACT WE WERE GOING DOWN THE HILL AND NOT UP. THE HEAT WAS BEGINNING TO BECOME MORE INTENSE AND WE INQUIRED ABOUT BUYING A SODA.

OUR GUIDE KNEW EXACTLY WHERE TO SEND US AND ONCE THERE WE WERE HAPPY CAMPERS. WITH OUR COLD CANS OF COKE IN HAND WE WERE THE ENVY OF THE BUS.

THE RETUN TRIP TO THE SHIP ONLY TOOK FORTY MINUTES AND ONCE SAFELY ON BOARD WE HEADED TO THE BUFFET FOR SOME SOUP AND A SANDWICH. WE HAD A WONDERFUL DAY BUT REALITY WAS BEGINNING TO SET IN AS OUR THOUGHTS TURNED TO PACKING OUR LUGGAGE.

HOWEVER, IT’S NOT OVER YET, ITALY HERE WE COME.

DAY 104 - AT SEA - MAY 11, 2010

THIS WAS SOMEWHAT OF A RELAXING DAY. WE LOOKED FORWARD TO OUR PENDING TRIP TO ATHENS. OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THE SHIP CAPTAIN TRIED TO KEEP US ABREAST OF THE STATUS IN THE GREECE BANKRUPTCY RIOTS.

IT WAS FINALIZED LATE TODAY TO KEEP ATHENS AS THE PORT OF CALL. THE COMPANY HAD BEEN WORKING ON ALTERNATIVE PORTS, HOWEVER, WE WERE NEVER ADVISED WHAT THE ALTERNATIVES WERE.

WE BEGAN THINKING ABOUT PACKING. THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS LEAVE LITTLE TIME FOR GETTING OUR LUGGAGE READY FOR PICKUP EARLY FRIDAY NIGHT. WE LOOK FORWARD TO ATHENS TOMORROW.

DAY 103 - SUEZ CANAL - MAY 10, 2010

ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOT AWAKE, WE ARRIVED AT THE SOUTH END OF THE SUEZ CANAL ABOUT 2:00 AM IN THE MORNING. OUR SHIP TRAVELED THROUGH THE CANAL AS A CONVOY. NORTH BOUND TRAFFIC ENTERS EARLY IN THE MORNING FROM THE RED SEA AS DOES THE SOUTH BOUND TRAFFIC FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA. TWO LONG STRETCHES OF THE 100 MILE LONG CANAL HANDLED ONE-WAY TRAFFIC IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE DAY. THESE TWO NARROW AREAS EMPTY INTO EITHER LONGS STRETCHES CONTAINING MEDIAL STRIP TYPE DIVIDERS TO SEPARATE THE FLOW OF THE SHIPS OR THE LARGER BITTER LAKE AREA. TWENTY-THOUSAND SHIPS PASS THROUGH THE CANAL EACH YEAR.

UNLIKE THE PANAMA CANAL, THE SUEZ CANAL IS NOT A LOCK SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS ARE NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL, THE PRIMARY REASON FOR THE LOCK SYSTEM OF THE PANAMA CANAL IS THE MOUNTAIN TERRAIN SEPARATING THE ATLANTIC AND PACIFIC OCEANS. THE SUEZ IS A 100 MILE CHANNEL THAT CONNECTS THE SEAS OF ASIA AND EUROPE.

THE INFORMATION WE WERE GIVEN WAS TO ENTER THE CANAL AROUND 7:00 A.M. FOR THE TWELVE TO FOURTEEN HOUR JOURNEY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN END WHERE WE WOULD REFUEL BEFORE CONTINUING TO GREECE. APPARENTLY WE BEGAN THE JOURNEY AROUND 5:00 A.M. GEORGIA AND I WERE IN THE BUFFET BEFORE 8:00 AND WE WERE WELL INTO THE CHANNEL. WE WERE THE THRID SHIP IN THE TWELVE SHIP CONVOY. THE WEATHER WAS ALREADY VERY HOT, VERY DRY, SANDY DESERT ON BOTH SIDES AND PESTY FLIES BECAME AN INCREASING ANNOYANCE. THE HAZY SKIES PREVENTED US FROM SEEING NO MORE THAN TWO OF THE SHIPS BEHIND US.

AS WE MOVED INTO BITTER LAKE SIGNS OF ABUNDANT LIFE BECAME EVIDENT. WE PASSED MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, SMALL COMMUNITIES, RESORTS AND FERRYBOAT LANDINGS USED TO MOVE TRAFFIC FROM THE EGYPTIAN MAINLAND TO THE SINAI PENINSULA. ALTHOUGH WE HAD EXPECTED TO DROP ANCHOR IN BIITER LAKE WHILE WAITING FOR THE NORTHERN PORTION OF THE CANAL TO CLEAR, WE NEVER EVEN SLOWED DOWN BUT INSTEAD CONTINUED INTO THE PASSAGE IN OUR JOURNEY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN.

ONE OF OUR PASSENGERS MENTIONED THAT THE ONLY BRIDGE CROSSING THE SUEZ, NEAR THE END OF THE CANAL, WAS A GREAT PLACE TO TAKE SOME MARVELOUS PICTURES. MOST OF THE PASSENGERS, HOWEVER, DIDN’T REALIZE WE ENTERED THE CANAL EARLIER THAN EXPECTED. WE WERE UNDER THE BRIDGE SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE EXPECTED AND THE BRIDGE WAS BEHIND US BEFORE WE KNEW IT.

THE HUNDRED MILE TRIP THROUGH THE CANAL WAS TO END WITH A STOP FOR FUEL ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SIDE, HOWEVER THE SEA WAS SO ROUGH THE REFUELING WAS CANCELLED AND WE CONTINUED ON TO OUR ATHENS PORT OF CALL.

ANOTHER THING THAT WAS ROUGH WAS THE PESTY FLIES WHICH SEEMED TO INCREASE IN NUMBER AS WE PROGRESSED THROUGH THE CANAL. GEORGIA AND I ABANDONED THE DECK FIVE PERCH WE USED IN TRAVELING THE CANAL. ALTHOUGH THE DECK FIVE WASN’T CLOSED THE AREAS NEAR THE BUFFET CLOSED UNTIL WE ENTERED THE MEDITERRANEAN. THIS JOURNEY, LIKE ALL THE OTHER ADVENTURES IN THIS TRIP, WILL REMAIN ANOTHER TREASURED MEMORY.