We arrived home at midnight (tues am). Tired. We managed to sleep from Atlanta to Sacramento. A five hour flight, that left late out of Atlanta. After a few moments of talking w/Alex (Kyle was dead asleep), we were in bed by 1:30 a.m. Dave managed to get up at 7 and I rolled out of bed about 7:30. Back to the usual routine. Coffee and the paper.
No time to dilly dally. I was unpacked and doing laundry by 9 am. UGH, I've got to fold this stuff myself. No more maid service. Dave has gone to the store to replenish the stark refrigerator. I'm not sure what the kids ate while we were gone, but apparently there was plenty to drink. I found some type of purple shooter thing in the refrigerator outside...... I guess I won't ask since I really don't want to know.
All in all, a great trip. Thanks for reading. WE do really love being home. Until the next trip,,,, CIAO
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Sunday
We enjoyed a delightful dinner Saturday night. We were given the name of a nearby restaurant by one of the shop owners who we had purchased some liquors from. It was good. After dinner we sat and watched people walk by. There are many American tourists here.
Sunday, we saw the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and presidential palace. It was interesting. Marching band and all. It is also very hot and these poor soldiers have stocking on as thick as socks and their shoes are reported to weigh 5 lbs each. There is some type of horsehoe on the heel no doubt contributing to that. We walked the temple of Zeus. One cannot truely appreciate the size of this thing unless you are actually standing next to it.
After much walking around, we set out in search of a place to watch the British open. We had to wait until 6 pm. Back to the hotel and pool.
I have managed to pack our bags. We did not accomplish much shopping folks because the Euro is high. No bargains to be had here!
At the airport now. Want to be home. We miss the kids, dogs and the comforts of home. Love to all.
Sunday, we saw the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and presidential palace. It was interesting. Marching band and all. It is also very hot and these poor soldiers have stocking on as thick as socks and their shoes are reported to weigh 5 lbs each. There is some type of horsehoe on the heel no doubt contributing to that. We walked the temple of Zeus. One cannot truely appreciate the size of this thing unless you are actually standing next to it.
After much walking around, we set out in search of a place to watch the British open. We had to wait until 6 pm. Back to the hotel and pool.
I have managed to pack our bags. We did not accomplish much shopping folks because the Euro is high. No bargains to be had here!
At the airport now. Want to be home. We miss the kids, dogs and the comforts of home. Love to all.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
good by ship hello athens
Well, we said good by to the friends we made with promises to keep in touch. We left the ship at 10 am sadly and were taken away by cab to the Royal Olympic hotel in Athens. On arrival the hotel is beautiful. 5 star by european standards. The lobby is truly 5 star, our room is a typical european room. Somewhat stark. We could not check in so we wandered to the acropolis. What a magificant sight! Its hard to imagine life back then, but they surely had the knowledge on engineering. The size of this entire site is spectacular.
We were back at the hotel by 3 and sat by the pool for a few hours, listening to our book on tape. Almost finished with that. Dinner was outside in a nearby neighborhood.
Saturday morning, we woke late 8 am, coffee and ready to head off for more sights. We agreed we would be back by 3 to finish the book. This morning, at breakfast, waiting for coffee. I looked around and realized we'd really been spoiled. We had to get our own coffee! ARGH, back to reality--- slowly. I guess that's the way to do things. Love to all. Back on Monday.
We were back at the hotel by 3 and sat by the pool for a few hours, listening to our book on tape. Almost finished with that. Dinner was outside in a nearby neighborhood.
Saturday morning, we woke late 8 am, coffee and ready to head off for more sights. We agreed we would be back by 3 to finish the book. This morning, at breakfast, waiting for coffee. I looked around and realized we'd really been spoiled. We had to get our own coffee! ARGH, back to reality--- slowly. I guess that's the way to do things. Love to all. Back on Monday.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
thursday eve
OK, I tried this evening to get on line, but for some reason, AOL IM doesn't wor here. whatever. WE had a busy afternoon. There is always something to do. I managed to tell you that I was working out and that Dave was doing a cooking class. I actaully ran and he did the cooking class. We met up in our room. He was excited by what he had learned in his class. I was just glad I finished my run. Anyway, we met Lesa and Kit for lunch. They had sushi, I ordered a pizza with arugula. My lunch was better than theirs, actually mine had arugula on it. I have forgotten to mention that the crew members on this ship actually speak (or maybe I did) more than two languages. This is incredible. We really need to teach our kids other languages.
OK, enough of the political stuff. We had lunch, I had the most magnificant mojito ever. To our room. I did laundry and packed. Dave napped. After that, I managed to finish disk two of "Into Thin Air". Love It. Can't wait for disk three. Dave has to catch up.
On to the trivia game at 5 pm. We were team five and came in second. We missed one question. Oh well, we managed to win some points. After that was the putting contest. There had to be double the people from the past few days. Well happy to say...... I WON AGAIN!!! I gave all my points to Dave --- 38 in total. he got a t-shirt and a money clip. I bought a travel bag from the boutique. Whatever, it was fun.
The entertainment was a paino guy, Hyperion Knight. He was good.
Dinner with the shreeveport couple, Lisa and Kit, Gary and Irene (Austraila). Good win and good food. Sad to say our last night. More from Athens tomorrow. Love to all.
OK, enough of the political stuff. We had lunch, I had the most magnificant mojito ever. To our room. I did laundry and packed. Dave napped. After that, I managed to finish disk two of "Into Thin Air". Love It. Can't wait for disk three. Dave has to catch up.
On to the trivia game at 5 pm. We were team five and came in second. We missed one question. Oh well, we managed to win some points. After that was the putting contest. There had to be double the people from the past few days. Well happy to say...... I WON AGAIN!!! I gave all my points to Dave --- 38 in total. he got a t-shirt and a money clip. I bought a travel bag from the boutique. Whatever, it was fun.
The entertainment was a paino guy, Hyperion Knight. He was good.
Dinner with the shreeveport couple, Lisa and Kit, Gary and Irene (Austraila). Good win and good food. Sad to say our last night. More from Athens tomorrow. Love to all.
At sea
Today is Thursday. Our first (and only) full day at sea. Tomorrow is our final port, how sad. We are really enjoying our trip.
Last night the crew transformed the poolside in to a full buffet, chairs covered w/blue and white bows on the back. It was lovely. Way too much food to choose from so,,,, we decided to be different and eat in the restaurant. It actually was a much better choice for us. We had a delicious portioned controlled meal. I had the low cal shrimp and scallop dish, while dave had the lamb. He loved it and mine was absolutely wonderful. We had dinner with Lesa and Kit, the Shreeveport couple. We also shared two bottles of a delicious Italian red. I've no idea the name of it. Dave probably remembers. After dinner, to bed. It was a long day.
I've managed to run again this morning. I want to get a head start on this diet thing. :( Three miles is completed. NO more!!! Dave is at the cooking demonstration class. I've done laundry and will need to get our bags packed. There is still time for shopping in the boutique. Don't know what I REALLY want. I know there is still shopping ahead in Athens. What to buy???
Last night the crew transformed the poolside in to a full buffet, chairs covered w/blue and white bows on the back. It was lovely. Way too much food to choose from so,,,, we decided to be different and eat in the restaurant. It actually was a much better choice for us. We had a delicious portioned controlled meal. I had the low cal shrimp and scallop dish, while dave had the lamb. He loved it and mine was absolutely wonderful. We had dinner with Lesa and Kit, the Shreeveport couple. We also shared two bottles of a delicious Italian red. I've no idea the name of it. Dave probably remembers. After dinner, to bed. It was a long day.
I've managed to run again this morning. I want to get a head start on this diet thing. :( Three miles is completed. NO more!!! Dave is at the cooking demonstration class. I've done laundry and will need to get our bags packed. There is still time for shopping in the boutique. Don't know what I REALLY want. I know there is still shopping ahead in Athens. What to buy???
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tues/Wed
Last night was formal night. Dave put his tux on and I put on my new long black dress. We left for cocktails about 8 pm and headed for the bar. It's interesting to see the many variations of "dress." There is a couple here who wore Kilts as their tux. It was very nice. We met a very nice couple from Shreeveport. He owns hospice and nursing homes. She is a pharmacist. We ended up conversing with them and they joined us for dinner. Dinner was fabulous. Everything here has been for that matter. After dinner, we went to the theatre to hear the singer. He sang till about 11 pm. Off to the casino. It was packed. The jewlery store is also open in case you forgot a piece of jewlery. The pieces are lovely. Off to bed at midnight. We have no agenda for Wednesday.
We woke Wednesday morning with the sun glaring in our room. Curtains get closed quickly,but the ship is still moving. When we awoke, it was 9 am and the ship is docked. We must have been tired. Coffee is immediately ordered. Off to work out afterward. Since we have no agenda, we agree we'd work out, shower and head in to town on our own. We also have resigned ourselves to the fact that we will need to limit our food intake and overall calorie intake when we get home. No matter what you do, it catches up w/you.
We left the ship and headed to town on our shuttle bus. Corfu is cute. At first it gives the impression that one is in Mexico. The old part is full of shops and merchants selling trinkets and the like. We stopped at one store and purchased some "stuff" to take back. Since we skipped breakfast, we just had to eat lunch, something greek. After asking the merchant where a good place to eat was, he replied he did not speak english. Shortly thereafter, a young girl appeared in the store, possibly his daughter. He said something to here and she asked us what we wanted to eat. We told her something greek and local. He asked us to follow him--- after he wrapped each of our purchases--he lead us down an alley way and in to a restaurant. Said something to the man in the restaurant. The man looked at us and asked us to sit anywhere we would like, the place was ours.
Greek salad and fresh fish is what we ordered. The fish was served whole -- head, etc. It was grilled and served with a huge wedge of lemon, lettuce and fresh tomatoes. The greek salad was served with bell peppers, olives, onions, lettuce and a huge piece of feta. FABULOUS. Afterward, watermelon was served. This had the be the cheapest meal we've had this trip. About 25 euro. Other meals have been averaging about 35-45 euro.
We leave at 10 tonight and a day at sea tomorrow. We reach Athens on Friday. Tonight there is a bbq at poolside with music and dancing. Another night of fun.
We woke Wednesday morning with the sun glaring in our room. Curtains get closed quickly,but the ship is still moving. When we awoke, it was 9 am and the ship is docked. We must have been tired. Coffee is immediately ordered. Off to work out afterward. Since we have no agenda, we agree we'd work out, shower and head in to town on our own. We also have resigned ourselves to the fact that we will need to limit our food intake and overall calorie intake when we get home. No matter what you do, it catches up w/you.
We left the ship and headed to town on our shuttle bus. Corfu is cute. At first it gives the impression that one is in Mexico. The old part is full of shops and merchants selling trinkets and the like. We stopped at one store and purchased some "stuff" to take back. Since we skipped breakfast, we just had to eat lunch, something greek. After asking the merchant where a good place to eat was, he replied he did not speak english. Shortly thereafter, a young girl appeared in the store, possibly his daughter. He said something to here and she asked us what we wanted to eat. We told her something greek and local. He asked us to follow him--- after he wrapped each of our purchases--he lead us down an alley way and in to a restaurant. Said something to the man in the restaurant. The man looked at us and asked us to sit anywhere we would like, the place was ours.
Greek salad and fresh fish is what we ordered. The fish was served whole -- head, etc. It was grilled and served with a huge wedge of lemon, lettuce and fresh tomatoes. The greek salad was served with bell peppers, olives, onions, lettuce and a huge piece of feta. FABULOUS. Afterward, watermelon was served. This had the be the cheapest meal we've had this trip. About 25 euro. Other meals have been averaging about 35-45 euro.
We leave at 10 tonight and a day at sea tomorrow. We reach Athens on Friday. Tonight there is a bbq at poolside with music and dancing. Another night of fun.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Dubrovnik and Kotor Montenegro
AAAAAHHHHHhh what can I say. Dubrovnik was lovely. An old town surrounded by a castle which began in the 6th century, completed in the 17 (I think). Anyway, the castle was built to protect the town from the water and the unwanted (mostly enemies). The town today is as it was, old and built with brick. The streets are made with limestone and travertine. It is very clean. YOu can see the merchants sweeping their walkway. It is very impressive. The walk around the castle tookus about 2.5 hours. About three miles around. At some point the wall is only about 3 feet high and you are looking down a cliff to the water. YOu don't want to get dizzy at this point. It had to be about 95 degrees. So looking down on the water which was very clear was very tempting. Back on the bus and to the pool. There is plenty to do here on the ship. When we got back, we jumped in the pool, listened to our book on tape "In to thin air" (about the mt everest climb). A shower and out to dinner. There was a magician last night. After that, dinner. We ate in a different dining room last night. It was fabulous. Then again, nothing has been bad here.
After dinner, by poolside, they had an Andrea Boccelli concert (CD version). Lounge chairs and blankets were out. We sat for the last 15 minutes then it was over. Off to bed.
We awoke at 6 am (room service -- coffee) arrived. We had to be portside for our 8:30 tour of Kotor. This is a cute water town. Almost resortish. They also had a town surrounded by a wall. Same as Dubrovnik. After our two hour tour, we sat and had something to drink. Walked around the town abit and back to the ship. Lunch was on the ship today. After lunch, the book on tape poolside (after jumping in). It had to be 105 today. It was very hot. we of course were in the shade. It's 6:30pm now and about 9:30 am in California. I'm going to go get ready for dinner. Tonight is our last formal night. We plan on having dinner then going to hear the singer tonight. (I can't remember his name). Whatever, it's fun. Oh, forgot to mention. Every day at 5:15 they have a putting contest for points. I won yesterday!!! I really want to play the trivia game that they have at 5:30. Hopefully tomorrow we can try this. OK. Love to all.
After dinner, by poolside, they had an Andrea Boccelli concert (CD version). Lounge chairs and blankets were out. We sat for the last 15 minutes then it was over. Off to bed.
We awoke at 6 am (room service -- coffee) arrived. We had to be portside for our 8:30 tour of Kotor. This is a cute water town. Almost resortish. They also had a town surrounded by a wall. Same as Dubrovnik. After our two hour tour, we sat and had something to drink. Walked around the town abit and back to the ship. Lunch was on the ship today. After lunch, the book on tape poolside (after jumping in). It had to be 105 today. It was very hot. we of course were in the shade. It's 6:30pm now and about 9:30 am in California. I'm going to go get ready for dinner. Tonight is our last formal night. We plan on having dinner then going to hear the singer tonight. (I can't remember his name). Whatever, it's fun. Oh, forgot to mention. Every day at 5:15 they have a putting contest for points. I won yesterday!!! I really want to play the trivia game that they have at 5:30. Hopefully tomorrow we can try this. OK. Love to all.
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