We docked at about 10:30AM and took a hugely expensive--$1/minute!--and short bus ride to the south end of the shopping area of the city. It was a religious holiday, so everyone was out and about. They have a 2 km long street mostly blocked off to traffic and filled with stands and shops and it was just packed. So, we walked along it taking in the people and the sights. We made a right turn to leave that area and ended up at the Christmas Market area--which was even more packed. We stopped at an out of the way cafe in the Gothic area of town for a break--very unique part of town--small passageways and lots of stores. Eventually, we were all walked out and came back to the ship.
Today is a sea day, so we are getting caught up on things--laundry, etc.--and won, for the second time, Trivia. Our Team winnings are a Princess Cap and Princess Tote Bag. We have 2 upstate New Yorkers and an Australian on the team. Fun.
We also had the Cruise Critic meet and greet this AM and got our Morocco trip sorted out.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monaco
When we awoke and looked out our porthole, we could see a few hundred million dollars worth of yachts right there in front of us. We were docked inside the main Monaco harbour and we were harbour-side, so we saw all the yachts docked in rows in front of us. Wowza--not Winnipeg!!!
After a quick breakfast, we set out to wander about. We climbed up-up-up to the Royal Palace. To get there, we had to go through a small shopping area, but mostly the walk was through parks and parkways--just beautiful. Lots of pictures.
Then we walked down a bit and went through the National Oceanographic Museum and Center--does the name Jacques Cousteau mean anything? 5 floors with living aquatic exhibits--some 2 story high plexiglass reef examples. And the building itself was quite something as well. What a wonderful place.
Then, we went skating on the rink! This requires some explanation--they have a Christmas Village in the port area with some rides--we went on the beautiful 100 year old carousel--and food and drink and a skating rink (normally a pool). So, well, after some alcohol, we decided we had to do it... Lousy ice of course and the skates didn't fit and weren't sharpened but, we have pictures to proove that we were there!
Walked around past some of the yachts. Huge and luxurious. Then, we took an electric boat ride across the harbour to our ship--then off to Barcelona
After a quick breakfast, we set out to wander about. We climbed up-up-up to the Royal Palace. To get there, we had to go through a small shopping area, but mostly the walk was through parks and parkways--just beautiful. Lots of pictures.
Then we walked down a bit and went through the National Oceanographic Museum and Center--does the name Jacques Cousteau mean anything? 5 floors with living aquatic exhibits--some 2 story high plexiglass reef examples. And the building itself was quite something as well. What a wonderful place.
Then, we went skating on the rink! This requires some explanation--they have a Christmas Village in the port area with some rides--we went on the beautiful 100 year old carousel--and food and drink and a skating rink (normally a pool). So, well, after some alcohol, we decided we had to do it... Lousy ice of course and the skates didn't fit and weren't sharpened but, we have pictures to proove that we were there!
Walked around past some of the yachts. Huge and luxurious. Then, we took an electric boat ride across the harbour to our ship--then off to Barcelona
Monday, December 6, 2010
Parco Nazionale Delle Cinque Terre
After a short overnight cruise from Civitavecchia to Livorno, we got on the bus in the morning to go to Cinque Terre, a collection of 5 small isolated fishing villages that have been declared a World Heritage Site. Although connected by train, (which goes through the coastal mountains) it is very difficult to get cars into them and certainly not a bus. "Lovers Lane" connects 2 of them--its a 1km pathway along the coast above the waves. Besides the tremendous natural beauty of the rocky seacoast, each village has its own character and beauty. They are all vertical, constructed around streams and man-made terraces.
The only unfortunate thing was that it was a rainy, windy, cold day--but that made the Caffe Latte taste that much better!
We're not yet sure about this "small ship cruising" thing--in particular, we are on "fixed seating" for dining and some of our 6 table mates are a bit wierd--but others are nice. We'll be with them for the next 15 meals!!!
Tomorrow, Monte Carlo!
The only unfortunate thing was that it was a rainy, windy, cold day--but that made the Caffe Latte taste that much better!
We're not yet sure about this "small ship cruising" thing--in particular, we are on "fixed seating" for dining and some of our 6 table mates are a bit wierd--but others are nice. We'll be with them for the next 15 meals!!!
Tomorrow, Monte Carlo!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Good-bye Star Princess, Hello shopping!
After disembarking the Star and checking in to our wonderful little hotel the Miramare, we set out to get rid of some Euros. The town of Civitavecchia is easy to walk around and has lots of little shops, including an Italian Leather handbag shop, where I got a new purse. Surprise, surprise! We got a new Christmas decoration for Paige to admire and had a fun day topped off by the best PIZZA ever. Mike was in heaven, and it was another high bar meal. Our hotel is on the sea and is very pretty. The rooms have 12 foot ceilings and marble bathrooms. Nice!
We catch the Pacific Princess today so will sign off. Ciao!
We catch the Pacific Princess today so will sign off. Ciao!
Napoli, Pompeii, Ravello, and Amalfi
Our final port day was spent with our new friends from New Jersey. We had a nice big van with our driver Nichola, who had nerves of steel. The drive to Pompeii was quick and we were there for 8:30 opening. It is so interesting to see. Th city was buried completely by an eruption in 79ad. The layout and architecture of the city were stunning. We could see the walls of the houses with frescoes and paint colours still visible. It was a little gruesome and disrespectful to see the casts of the people who died but it did prove how suddenly the eruption happened. The brothel was interesting, with pictures of each act so if one did not speak the language it could be chosen by pointing!
To get to the little town of Ravello we drove up into the Monte Latteri mountains. Narrow winding switchbacks with breathtaking views of both the mountains and the ocean. Such contrasts, many Mercedes cars, and then we would round a curve to see a burro tied up in front of a small house. Everywhere are grapevines, Nichola said that most rural people make their own wine. The region is also known for lemons, the base for Lemoncello, which is a delicious liquer. Princess makes it on some ships so we got a taste for it! We stopped for lunch in Ravello, at a little local place where Mama served us the most delicious feast of hot zuccini salad, crusty bread, gnocchi, canneloni (Alene would have loved it!) fettucine, Tiramisu, all accompanied by vino rossi and ended with clementines from her garden. It was one of the meals that will set a high standard for any future Italian food. The ambience was pretty terrific, also. Ravello is picturesque and quaint, full of cafes, shops and with a central square looking up on the terraced vineyards in the mountains.
The Amalfi coast is rightly famous as a beautiful drive. It is another switchback, hairpin turn, white knuckle, hide your eyes TREAT! The views get better around every corner and the sea is azzura (my Italian spelling may be off). We stopped for a little look at Amalfi but sadly Ellie fell and injured her ankle so we had to get back to the ship.
In all it was a good day despite injury and a little rain at Pompeii. We will be saying goodbye to the Star Princess and some good new friends. I expect we will keep in touch, we hope to meet again on some future cruise.
To get to the little town of Ravello we drove up into the Monte Latteri mountains. Narrow winding switchbacks with breathtaking views of both the mountains and the ocean. Such contrasts, many Mercedes cars, and then we would round a curve to see a burro tied up in front of a small house. Everywhere are grapevines, Nichola said that most rural people make their own wine. The region is also known for lemons, the base for Lemoncello, which is a delicious liquer. Princess makes it on some ships so we got a taste for it! We stopped for lunch in Ravello, at a little local place where Mama served us the most delicious feast of hot zuccini salad, crusty bread, gnocchi, canneloni (Alene would have loved it!) fettucine, Tiramisu, all accompanied by vino rossi and ended with clementines from her garden. It was one of the meals that will set a high standard for any future Italian food. The ambience was pretty terrific, also. Ravello is picturesque and quaint, full of cafes, shops and with a central square looking up on the terraced vineyards in the mountains.
The Amalfi coast is rightly famous as a beautiful drive. It is another switchback, hairpin turn, white knuckle, hide your eyes TREAT! The views get better around every corner and the sea is azzura (my Italian spelling may be off). We stopped for a little look at Amalfi but sadly Ellie fell and injured her ankle so we had to get back to the ship.
In all it was a good day despite injury and a little rain at Pompeii. We will be saying goodbye to the Star Princess and some good new friends. I expect we will keep in touch, we hope to meet again on some future cruise.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Athens
Another totally full day--up way before dawn and not back to the ship until after dark.
Busride to the Acropolis. Climbed up the stairs and path--there is an elevation gain for sure! The Parthenon, the entry gate, the temple are just amazing. There weren't too many people there so we had a good look around. It is roped off and there is a lot of restoration work going on, but it doesn't take much imagination to reconstruct it yourself. Athens is spread out below, all around and as far as the eye can see. Magnificent.
To the Plaka area for shopping--we helped out the Greek economy a bit! As we were getting ready to leave, a bunch of University students held a protest march through the area going to the Parliament buildings which are close by--that delayed us for a bit.
Buffet lunch of really good Greek food, then an hour long busride down the coast to the Temple of Poseidon. The seascape is striking; there's not much vegetation and lots of rock--and lots of beautiful homes and apartments overlooking the ocean along the way. Another smaller but still amazing defensive position and temple--again, it didn't take much imagination to conjur up a Greek Trireme out in the bay guarding the harbour...
Tomorrow is a sea day, then Naples.
Busride to the Acropolis. Climbed up the stairs and path--there is an elevation gain for sure! The Parthenon, the entry gate, the temple are just amazing. There weren't too many people there so we had a good look around. It is roped off and there is a lot of restoration work going on, but it doesn't take much imagination to reconstruct it yourself. Athens is spread out below, all around and as far as the eye can see. Magnificent.
To the Plaka area for shopping--we helped out the Greek economy a bit! As we were getting ready to leave, a bunch of University students held a protest march through the area going to the Parliament buildings which are close by--that delayed us for a bit.
Buffet lunch of really good Greek food, then an hour long busride down the coast to the Temple of Poseidon. The seascape is striking; there's not much vegetation and lots of rock--and lots of beautiful homes and apartments overlooking the ocean along the way. Another smaller but still amazing defensive position and temple--again, it didn't take much imagination to conjur up a Greek Trireme out in the bay guarding the harbour...
Tomorrow is a sea day, then Naples.
Ephesus
We docked at Kusadasi, Turkey, a nice little port town, at about noon after the run down the coast from Instanbul. A short bus ride took us to the top of the ruins at Ephesus.
This was an ancient Greek port town. Think Letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Think 250,000 people, with running water to their homes and a sewer system as well. Think the second biggest library going, after Alexandria. Think the place where Antony and Cleopatra spent their honeymoon. Think an amphitheatre seating 14,000 people, with perfect acoustics way before electronics--and a few smaller ones seating only 1,000 or so. Think hotels public markets and public baths and latrines and treelined marble pathways as wide as a city street connecting all the areas of the city. Just totally amazing--takes your breath away.
Back to Kusadasi and a visit to the market area and a nice Turkish kebab and a beer, then back to the ship.
It was 22C today--the guide said she was amazed at the way the warmth was carring on into the fall/winter.
This was an ancient Greek port town. Think Letter of Paul to the Ephesians. Think 250,000 people, with running water to their homes and a sewer system as well. Think the second biggest library going, after Alexandria. Think the place where Antony and Cleopatra spent their honeymoon. Think an amphitheatre seating 14,000 people, with perfect acoustics way before electronics--and a few smaller ones seating only 1,000 or so. Think hotels public markets and public baths and latrines and treelined marble pathways as wide as a city street connecting all the areas of the city. Just totally amazing--takes your breath away.
Back to Kusadasi and a visit to the market area and a nice Turkish kebab and a beer, then back to the ship.
It was 22C today--the guide said she was amazed at the way the warmth was carring on into the fall/winter.
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