The small fishing village of Ithion is famous for its octopus and squid dishes- and cold beer. But it is the town of Sparta and the ancient city of Mystra that called me over the hills of the Peloponese (sp?) to explore the magnificent ruins and sanctuaries of Mystra. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the following photos tell it all. I can't begin to describe the beauty of this spot, which far exceeded my expectations. I will allow the photos to tell the story for I can not begin to do it justice.
Next stop, Santorini, Greece. Until then - enjoy the photos!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
September 2, 2008 - Lazy Day At Sea
After a long and busy day in Corfu, a day at sea was a welcome respite. So many things were on the schedule to do beginning with morning yoga, followed by a seminar presented by one of our passengers who is in the medical profession. A wonderful photo presentation by another couple covering their recent trip to Antarctica. They had a tremendous selection of penguin photos to share. I had no idea there were so many varieties- 18, I believe. Sure whetted my appetite to take that long dreamed about vacation to the Antarctica.
Afternoon dance lessons offered by another passenger was a lot of fun and came in handy for the evening dance competition. A lot of us gathered at the back of the ship for sunset before going to dinner. As always, it did not disappoint.
Tomorrow we anchor off of Yithion, Greece. A small fishing village, it is known as the octopus and squid capital of Greece. If one does not take the side trip to Mistras near Sparta, the next best thing to do is to find a little cafe in town to enjoy the local fare and a cold beer. The ruins at Mistras is are widely known to be some of the best representations of Byzantine buildings and religious frescoes. I will include photos tomorrow of our trip there.
Signing off after another great day - from somewhere in the Aegean Sea!
September 1, 2008 - Corfu, Greece
What a day.
Began the morning with a brisk walk into Old Town Corfu. Even in the early hours the small city was bustling with open air parkets selling fruits and vegetables along with the local wines, honey and olive oil.
I wandered most of the morning through the narrow alleyways of Old Town. It reminded me a bit of the Latin Quarter in Paris... very colorful. The Old Town area was just named a Unesco World Heritage Center and will soon be closed off to traffic. People will be able to stroll without worrying about traffic hazards and motor scooters humming in and out.
Lunch in Old Corfu was super. A greek salad, some Tsatziki and spinach pie - heaven.
The afternoon I spend with Lidja, our tour director. We went in search of 85 bottles of olive oil for our guests joining us next week in Athens. Having lived here several years ago, Lidja knew her way around and showed me some lovely highlights... a Monastery high in the hills as well as small towns that dot the countryside. A few towns had streets so narrow between buildings that I thought the ar would not even fit. This did not even phase Lidja as she was all to familiar with Corfu and all the nooks and crannies.
Tours headed out throughout the day to the nude beach, Achillion Palace and to Old Town. The evening entertainment from a local folkloric group that serenaded us with Bouzouki (sp?) music and dancing after dinner and I fell into bed at 11:30, happily exhausted from the day. Early yoga class tomorrow so I will sign off now! Tomorrow is another day at sea.
Began the morning with a brisk walk into Old Town Corfu. Even in the early hours the small city was bustling with open air parkets selling fruits and vegetables along with the local wines, honey and olive oil.
I wandered most of the morning through the narrow alleyways of Old Town. It reminded me a bit of the Latin Quarter in Paris... very colorful. The Old Town area was just named a Unesco World Heritage Center and will soon be closed off to traffic. People will be able to stroll without worrying about traffic hazards and motor scooters humming in and out.
Lunch in Old Corfu was super. A greek salad, some Tsatziki and spinach pie - heaven.
The afternoon I spend with Lidja, our tour director. We went in search of 85 bottles of olive oil for our guests joining us next week in Athens. Having lived here several years ago, Lidja knew her way around and showed me some lovely highlights... a Monastery high in the hills as well as small towns that dot the countryside. A few towns had streets so narrow between buildings that I thought the ar would not even fit. This did not even phase Lidja as she was all to familiar with Corfu and all the nooks and crannies.
Tours headed out throughout the day to the nude beach, Achillion Palace and to Old Town. The evening entertainment from a local folkloric group that serenaded us with Bouzouki (sp?) music and dancing after dinner and I fell into bed at 11:30, happily exhausted from the day. Early yoga class tomorrow so I will sign off now! Tomorrow is another day at sea.
August 31, 2008 - Day at Sea
A lazy day at sea was in order after three busy port days. Passengers relaxed, slept in, sunned, got massages and caught up on their reading. Even on board seminars were held - presented by our own passengers wishing to share knowledge about places they have been, photos of far away places not yet visited by many.
Enjoyed swimming in the aft pool and receiving a massage by Marietta, the ships Asian massage therapist. I was so relaxed I actually almost fell off to sleep.
The food is good on board - especially the desserts (much to my waistline's dismay).
People are enjoying the trip and itinerary, We decided to delete a port of call having visited it late last week before the cruise. The dry climate in and around Kotor, Montenegro was experiencing wildfires when we were there last week. Any while the evening was lovely with the small walled city lit up and the small restaurants serving up everything from pizza to pasta and fish - our stop would only allow us a 4 hour daytime stay - We did not want to chance the fires still smoldering - muddying the blue skies with a smokey haze - especially since we could not stay until evening. A longer stay in Corfu was planned along with another day at sea. Disappointing to some - most agreed that they change was a good one.
Tomorrow we come alongside Corfu at 8 am with a departure of 11:45. Should allow everyone to enjoy this beautiful, Greek port to its fullest. More tomorrow!
Enjoyed swimming in the aft pool and receiving a massage by Marietta, the ships Asian massage therapist. I was so relaxed I actually almost fell off to sleep.
The food is good on board - especially the desserts (much to my waistline's dismay).
People are enjoying the trip and itinerary, We decided to delete a port of call having visited it late last week before the cruise. The dry climate in and around Kotor, Montenegro was experiencing wildfires when we were there last week. Any while the evening was lovely with the small walled city lit up and the small restaurants serving up everything from pizza to pasta and fish - our stop would only allow us a 4 hour daytime stay - We did not want to chance the fires still smoldering - muddying the blue skies with a smokey haze - especially since we could not stay until evening. A longer stay in Corfu was planned along with another day at sea. Disappointing to some - most agreed that they change was a good one.
Tomorrow we come alongside Corfu at 8 am with a departure of 11:45. Should allow everyone to enjoy this beautiful, Greek port to its fullest. More tomorrow!
August 30, 2008 - Dubrovnik
Sailing into Dubrovnik this morning was magical. Situated on the southernmost part of the Republic of Croatia, Dubrovnik is the administrative seat of the area and is rich in cultural and historical monuments. A Unesco World Heritage site, one just has to gaze at the walled city from the sea to understand what an immense undertaking it must have been to construct such a sight.
Two large Costa cruise ships in port today helped make my decision to stay on board until later in the afternoon- after the hoards of cruisers leave on their floating cities!
Evening in Dubrovnik is even more enchanting than daytime. The sun going down over the walled city - swallows darting through the long alleyways, out for their evening meal. Several of us went into town to enjoy a typical Croatian. We found a lovely tavern that appeared to be a popular place for the locals - just what I wanted! After an enjoyable evening we strolled back to our tender while enjoying a gelato. Someone told me that if you walk while eating a gelato - it doesn't count... sounded logical to me.
Tomorrow we have a day at sea and I am looking forward to having no place to go. I plan to just relax and enjoy the ship and our passengers. Good night from Dubrovnik!
Two large Costa cruise ships in port today helped make my decision to stay on board until later in the afternoon- after the hoards of cruisers leave on their floating cities!
Evening in Dubrovnik is even more enchanting than daytime. The sun going down over the walled city - swallows darting through the long alleyways, out for their evening meal. Several of us went into town to enjoy a typical Croatian. We found a lovely tavern that appeared to be a popular place for the locals - just what I wanted! After an enjoyable evening we strolled back to our tender while enjoying a gelato. Someone told me that if you walk while eating a gelato - it doesn't count... sounded logical to me.
Tomorrow we have a day at sea and I am looking forward to having no place to go. I plan to just relax and enjoy the ship and our passengers. Good night from Dubrovnik!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
August 29, 2008 - Hvar, Croatia
Another early morning. It is not often we are afforded such an unobstructed view of the sunrise and, while the soft covers and bedclothes are tempting me to sleep in, the sunrise wins out.
We stopped in Hvar, Croatia today. The island is more lush than our previous stop with a wide variety if subtropical vegetation. Small kiosks selling fresh cut lavender greet us as we disembark our tender in town. The aroma beckons me to linger and sample the differences in variety from one seller to another. I gown lavender in the small Texas Hill Country town where I live so I am feeling a little tug at my heart as I stroll through the stalls.
For 30 Kuna, we choose a small water taxi to take us round trip to the FKK beach, Sv. Jerolim which is a long established nudist friendly beach. The island vegetation extends almost to the water line in some places and we select a spot on the rocky beach that offers a little shade from the relentless midday sun. With the sea at our doorstep, we dip frequently to stay cool. Many passengers opted for a casual afternoon at the beach while others lingered in tow shopping. An island tour of Hvar was also offered for those wishing some cultural exchange. The three hour tour visited several historical monuments with a stop in picturesque Starigrad, a small seaside fishing village known for is large, photogenic bay. Another stop in the small farming community of Vrisnik, passengers were welcomed into a local family home for wine tasting and local cheeses. 8th generation farmers, the familly's welcome was warm and informative. We set sail in a little while for Dubrovnik. I look forward to sailing into this quaint walled city that we visited a few years ago.
We stopped in Hvar, Croatia today. The island is more lush than our previous stop with a wide variety if subtropical vegetation. Small kiosks selling fresh cut lavender greet us as we disembark our tender in town. The aroma beckons me to linger and sample the differences in variety from one seller to another. I gown lavender in the small Texas Hill Country town where I live so I am feeling a little tug at my heart as I stroll through the stalls.
For 30 Kuna, we choose a small water taxi to take us round trip to the FKK beach, Sv. Jerolim which is a long established nudist friendly beach. The island vegetation extends almost to the water line in some places and we select a spot on the rocky beach that offers a little shade from the relentless midday sun. With the sea at our doorstep, we dip frequently to stay cool. Many passengers opted for a casual afternoon at the beach while others lingered in tow shopping. An island tour of Hvar was also offered for those wishing some cultural exchange. The three hour tour visited several historical monuments with a stop in picturesque Starigrad, a small seaside fishing village known for is large, photogenic bay. Another stop in the small farming community of Vrisnik, passengers were welcomed into a local family home for wine tasting and local cheeses. 8th generation farmers, the familly's welcome was warm and informative. We set sail in a little while for Dubrovnik. I look forward to sailing into this quaint walled city that we visited a few years ago.
August 28, 2008 - Mali Losinj, Croatia
Sunrise over the Dalmation coast was unbelievable. Shortly after the bright, orange ball of fire found a resting place in the blue, cloudless sky, many began their day doing yoga up on deck. Others sipped their coffee and nibbled on fresh, warm pastries by the pool. Our destination today is Mali, Losinj. After a leisurely morning of catching up with old friends, obligatory muster drill and crew introductions, we are off to the nude beach which is a short walk from town.
Losinj has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its first mention in history was in the late 14th century. Mali Losinj grew into a popular maritime port in the 18th century, Our 45 minute stroll to Rovenska Bay, along narrow trails marked by low stone walls that have stood for centuries I spy a sign up ahead... FKK. Free Body Culture (in German) - or, nude beach! How civilized the Croatians are about public nudity. We Americans could learn a lot from these people who have long embraced the au naturel sunbather. There is no tall rock promontory or privacy fence line separating he FKK beach from the rest of the bay. No hidden, out of the way, amenity-free beach for naked people. We rent an umbrella and a couple of chairs and settle in for a couple of hours, Life is good. We make our way back to the ship on the last tender from town, A wonderful meal followed by a Star Clipper Sloop Shop FASHION SHOW (of all things!) ends a perfect day out.
Losinj has been inhabited since prehistoric times and its first mention in history was in the late 14th century. Mali Losinj grew into a popular maritime port in the 18th century, Our 45 minute stroll to Rovenska Bay, along narrow trails marked by low stone walls that have stood for centuries I spy a sign up ahead... FKK. Free Body Culture (in German) - or, nude beach! How civilized the Croatians are about public nudity. We Americans could learn a lot from these people who have long embraced the au naturel sunbather. There is no tall rock promontory or privacy fence line separating he FKK beach from the rest of the bay. No hidden, out of the way, amenity-free beach for naked people. We rent an umbrella and a couple of chairs and settle in for a couple of hours, Life is good. We make our way back to the ship on the last tender from town, A wonderful meal followed by a Star Clipper Sloop Shop FASHION SHOW (of all things!) ends a perfect day out.
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