I found this little letter on my computer — gives you an idea about the rocky beginning of the trip:
We are on the cruise and having a nice time. Saw the coast of Sicily as we went through the passage between on the way to Dubrovnik.
The airlines failed to connect our bags through Amsterdam so we spent a gut wrenching two days worrying about what to do if they didn’t get our bags to us before we sailed. In Rome – no change of clothes, no toiletries other than the purse stuff, meds for only a week – Bob had a comb, I had a nail clipper….. Don’t speaka da language… etc. An angel of a front desk person at the Rome Courtyard Marriott (Paola) – this is the hotel where all the retired pirates (what Ann Hutchins calls the pilots – it has stuck) are staying pre cruise. Long story short – the morning of boarding, Paola called once again for us and the bags were in Rome airport – whoopee – now we take a very expensive cab ride and pick them up – do not trust their delivery to anyone – and then another expensive taxi ride to the ship – where we boarded actually even before all the other pirates.
They are an interesting group… Bob said (during the morning brunch) that you can just feel the “command” – I asked him how that felt and he said “kind of creepy.” Lots of jokes from him about the pirates not getting off on time on the bus because they were hassling about who would sit in the right seat — seniority— date of hire, etc.
Formal dinner tonight – and a cocktail party with the pirates – free drinks for one hour.
There is way to much to do even without the beautiful places we visit. Today is a day at sea – high tea in the formal dining room. Bob wasn’t into it so I went on my own and had a nice cuppa.
Greek Orthodox priest feeds the pigeons in Corfu
home on the Noordam, Holland America
morning on the verandah
Dubrovnik, old walled city
Dubrovnik lunch
Bob on the verandah — what luxury!
We had a wonderful trip on a cruise through what is known as “The Roman Empire” Italy, Greece and Greek Isles, Dubrovnik, Croatia and Turkey
We made it to Athens and are having a Greek lunch before a trek to the Acropolis that you can see in the distance.