Piraeus (Athens), Greece--Day 9

Our last trip ashore we visited Athens and the Acropolis and learned this: The landmark hill of the Acropolis was built by the Athenians during the 5th Century BC in honor of the goddess Athens, patroness of the city. The temple complex was regarded as a citadel of the Gods, with the Parthenon standing out as the most architecturally sophisticated temple of that period. We rode a bus for 75 minutes after docking at Pireaus before we reached Athens. Greater Athens including Pireaus and the suburbs has over four million inhabitants and extends for 150 square miles from the sea to the mountains so it is huge. On the way to the Acropolis we stopped at the Olympic stadium which was used in the 2004 Olympics and is the only stadium in the world built of marble. It was started in 329 BC and then completely renovated in 1895 in time for the first Olympics of 1896. I was impressed by it's perfection. Standing in front of the Parthenon with us is the president of WFG Monte Holms and his wife Lisa. We ate with them one night. Very lovely people. James is standing by the Propylea completed in 429 BC and is all of marble, of course and supposedly the most perfect of Athenian art. The whole Acropolis is being renovated at a cost of 34 million dollars. Athens cannot be described adequately and we saw only a small portion of it. So magnificent, I hope they can restore it all someday. At the Acropolis we went to the Acropolis Museum which are all items from the 5th and 6th century BC and then we went on to the National Archaeological Museum which contains one of the most exciting and complete collections of the antiquities in the world. We could not see it all... This is looking out over the city of Athens. We had a lovely breeze that day which was very fortunate. On the side of the hill we also saw the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which is used for modern concerts. If you saw Yanni's concert at the Acropolis, you saw it. Liza Minnelli had been there the week before we came. It is totally open and incomplete now but has seating for 5000 which was carved into the rock in 161 AD. They say the acoustics are fantastic. So back to the ship for more food and entertainment (a fantastic buffet on the top deck with dancing and singing and all that jazz) and then the flight home the next day. Except for James being held in New York Immigration for an extended time (I thought I might have to fly home with the luggage without him) it was a perfect trip. Oh, yes, they held him because they were looking for another James Hardy--so much for naming your children common names...

Santorini, Greece--Day 8

Of all the Cyclades Islands, Santorini is often considered the most dramatic. Once an active volcano, in 1620 BC, the volcano erupted with such force that the center of the island literally exploded, leaving a submerged crater. Thira or Fira Town is laid out along the edge of a cliff that forms a portion of the rim of the now extinct caldera. The ship's tender took us to the Skala harbor and then a cable car took us up to Fira Town. You could go up a zig zag path by donkey or walk.

Some of them did walk but said the donkeys passing by you is a problem and coming down they would slip or fall so I am glad we stuck to the cable car, even though there was a long line of the over 65 crowd who had come off the big cruise ships. Evidently a rich family built the cable cars.

The town with the blue roofs is Oia and has magnificent views from the top plus with its cobblestone streets and white mansions on the cliffs it is very picturesque. It was once a major harbor but is now recognized as a peaceful place to escape to. I asked one couple how their stay was there and they were ecstatic over their 4 days on the cliffs.

We rented a little car and toured the whole island with Butch and Flo and then ate at one of the little towns. The bread everywhere is wonderful plus the pizzas and salads, cheese... There was also lots of shopping places in Fira before we took the trolley back down.

James found lots of jewelry he liked for Camber and I bought a Greek casual long dress for cool nights in the mountains and some embroidered pillow covers showing the pretty white homes. It was very dry there but they told us their grapes get enough dew to make them grow and there is a "special volcanic taste" to the wine.

The white buildings almost sparkle in the sunshine and the many terraces and patios on the cliffs is very enchanting.

From every spot you can see all the other islands and ships down in the bay. We saw more cruise ships here than any other place we docked except for Athens. Flo found some pretty jewelry she liked in this little town we ate in and James liked the the little light dresses and shirts for Camber to wear to the swimming pool over her swim suit.

Since we shopped so long the crowds were long gone from the cable car on our return trip. A very pleasant day...

Monemvassia, Greece--Day 7

Monemvassia, Greece is a 985 foot high crag sticking up out of the sea. The Lower Town has been restored and has many shops and homes to walk by. There was an upper town at one time and there is a wall encircling the whole city. It is the dark area on the picture of the crag, not the village you see in the foreground on the other island.

It was used as a refuge in the 8th century when the Greeks fleeing the Slav invasion of Lakonia settled there and was almost impregnable by their enemies.

The only way into the Lower Town is through a tunnel with a gate and there are cobblestone streets and stone buildings throughout. We walked along the wall and then had to come back as there was no way over to the gate area.

The shops were full of wooden products made out of olive wood and handicrafts, jewelry and glassware.

James rented a moped and we traveled across the bridge and strait joining the crag to the village on the island and then up this hill to the gate and the Lower Town built into the crag. You had to park it outside the gate. Someone took a picture of me riding on the back of the moped and said, "Now that is trust." Notice my purse I bought in Venice that can be a back pack as well. Worked out very nicely.

Then we took the moped all around the other island and James looked for places to go snorkeling. I also saw the largest watermelon I have ever seen in my life there.

James later took some of the guys to that different areas to snorkel and they were impressed he knew the island so well. I went back to the ship, and to Tea and to nap--as an old lady should occasionally.

As we looked over the walls we could see some people swimming in the water below and there were little steps built for them to get down into the sea. We couldn't figure out how to get where they were though. It was like they were coming out of their homes right to the sea. The water was so clear and such a beautiful color. This was the only day I sweated a little as we walked and climbed but the air was great for my skin.

This is a better view of the Lower Town built into the crag...

Aboard the Silver Wind--Day 4 and 6

Saturday as we left Venice we treated ourself to a wonderful buffet and sat on the rear deck and watched Venice go by. Then we passed one of the largest yachts in the world, owned by a Microsoft Exec and took our picture by it. Then there is High Tea in the afternoon which is more delicious sandwiches and goodies. We also took the tour of the Captain's quarters and watched them drive the ship and checked out all the maps and things...The Social Director took his picture with us. Entertainment also consisted of playing the slots and winning ($540) or the roulette wheel and not winning. (I didn't consider it gambling--just entertainment for the moment.) There was also dancing lessons, Karoke, pilates, jogging on the deck and alot of lazing around the pool and eating... One of the dancers helped with the Bingo and was this demure, quiet, slender London girl. But at night she turned into this sexy, vibrant dancer. It was amazing.

The singers were especially good and the lead male and female singer had recently married so were very romantic. Most of the entertainers were from England. But the cooks and service people were from Greece, Thailand, Singapore--in other words, all over.

James tried out the Captain's chair. It was amazing how smooth the ship was all the time.

Oh, yes, the bingo. It was fun and I accumulated enough points to win a T-shirt. Woo woo.

There was also several movies on the TV you could choose from and a library of books and movie cds and there was the computers you could use to check your email. One day they opened up the galley which was almost the length of the ship and had a buffet up and down both sides. I asked the service girls if they ate what we did but she said, "Not at all, they had mostly rice dishes and simple foods." Nothing fancy like ours at all. Plenty to do on the ship and you could always sit on your private deck and have them bring you pizza--the Margarita pizza is just different kinds of cheeses and fresh tomatoes (no sauce or olives, etc) and it was to die for...

And the company did have a three hour meeting one day...but that was the only business except for the guy talk around the tables...

Dubrovnik, Croatia and Riviera--Day 5

On Sunday morning we stopped at the "Jewel of the Adriatic" Dubrovnik. It was founded in the 7th Century by Greek refugees from Epidaurus and became the most important city after Venice during the Middle Ages. The city is enclosed by ancient walls and has marble-paved squares and cobble streets. The Bosnia war in 1991 affected many of the priceless treasures and there has been an energetic restoration program. It is beautiful. We also sailed on the Dubrovnik Riviera which Jacques Costeau said was one of the cleanest and best preserved waters in the world today. Our tour guide spoke with a heavy accent and gave us too much detail about the Monastery and Museum but it was a delightful city to visit. After the tour we had an interesting lunch. They leave the vegetables in the salads quite large and use lots of fresh tomatoes in everything. Good tomatoes! And there is always lots of delicious bread.

The heartier young people walked the wall but I chose to look in the shops and have ice cream. They soon all followed for the ice cream but it was hard to find out what the flavors were. Some of the clerks seemed a little weary of tourists (It is a very popular stop) and many of them did not speak English--but then why should they?

The people in the restaurant worked very hard to please us. Those are all WFG people waving on the ship. It was a beautiful day as you can see.

The Silver Wind

WFG rented the whole ship for the cruise so there was 276 WFG people and 220 crew. We really had service during the whole cruise. A water taxi picked us up at the Westin Hotel and took us to the pier. Notice the outside private decks for each room. Very light and airy and even if the ship was sailing you could sit out there in perfect comfort and order something to eat whenever you wanted to. I ordered pizza once after an excursion and late afternoon nap and I ate the whole thing myself--so much better than American. This was an Italian ship, did I mention that? James is standing with Butch and Flo Chellia who moved here from Singapore in 96. They were so pleasant to be with.

Notice my rock decorated Houston, Texas jeans--always fun to wear. Some of the group waiting for the water taxi to take them to the Silver Wind.

The rooms were very large with a sitting room and two comfy beds in a bedroom.

The closet was also large with a dressing room as well and the bathroom was larger than mine and very luxurious. I also had a separate dressing table with a hair dryer and then there was the separate desk and a bar stocked with juices and soft drinks. etc. You didn't have to pay for anything and could order anything you wanted anytime of the night or day. Did I mention that all ready. Eating seemed to be the most important thing for everyone! Creme Brulet 24 hours a day! That first night we dressed up for the dinner and you could have as many entrees, appetizers, desserts, etc. as you wanted!! It was that way at every meal or buffet. We ate very well every breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the dishes were all so decorative--unbelievable!

Oh, yes, they provide all kinds of lotions, soaps, shampoos of a very high quality. James in the sitting room with the tv which actually had cable.

We ate with Mike and Mary Anne Hinsvark, Jarrod Hendricks and Kenya and Glenn Small--all from the San Diego area and very pleasant dining companions. And then there was singing and dancing entertainment--every night!

Next morning we could shop again before leaving Venice. We opted to stay on board--One couple was late coming back and we sailed without them!!! Took them three days to catch up with us--not a good thing to be left behind without passports.

Flight to Venice and Venice--Day 1,2,3

I flew to San Diego and James and I flew to Atlanta--no problem but we spent 6 hrs in Atlanta so we were very tired by the time we arrived at the Venice airport. However, we had breakfast while flying over the Alps and I was so impressed. I had never imagined how extensive they were. The many lakes of turquoises, blues, and greens were like little jewels and the Alps seemed to go on and on forever. Another venture someday, maybe. At the airport, James hired a water taxi to take 8 of us to our hotels, which were on canals and near the famous St. Marks Square. The captain's driving of the water taxi was extraordinary as he turned the corners and passed the Gondolas. The water was very dirty and buildings old and watermarked on the outside but the hotels and shops were amazingly clean not damp at all inside. After showering at the Calvalletto Hotel we walked through St. Marks Square and saw the Basilica (Cathedral) and then met Mike and Mary Anne Hinsvark and Jarrod and Monica Hendricks. We wandered through the small streets and looked in the shops while looking for a restaurant that Mike remembered by the Rialto Bridge. We finally found it and it was worth the search. We sat under a lighted veranda by the canal so we could watch the Gondolas and lights on the water and across the canal. The food and service was wonderful and the Creme Caramel (flan) the best I had ever had. It was a magical place. I slept well that night even with the shutters open and noise from the street below in the early am but James did not so I shopped all morning while he caught up on his Z's. There was so much beautiful murano glass, laces, handkerchiefs and leather purses plus lots of touristy type things. It was fun to watch the people in the Square --though why they would let those dirty pigeons land on their arms and hands was beyond me. When it was time to check out a man appeared with a cart and loaded all our luggage and then maneuvered the cart up and down the stairs over the canals. It was only a 10 minute walk from our hotel to the pier hotel where we left our luggage to wait for the water taxi. There was still time to shop so I found the leather purse I had come to buy and James went crazy for ties, soccer shirts for the children, tapestries and table cloths for Camber. The streets are very narrow and many, many tourists but the shops are very nice and some of them are very, very expensive (purses for $400) etc. I did not buy that kind. It is easy to see that Venice or Venezzia survives with the tourist trade but it is well worth the trip.