The Ouseys in Victoria Page

After another relaxing day at sea we sailed into alexandria.  It was time for the pyramids and we were looking at a long day which in fact it was. 2.5 hours each way in a bus.  Our guidek, however, made the trip there shorter by describing, in detail, Ancient Egyptian history, so as to prepare us for what we were about to see.  He did an excellent job.  The pyramids were something to behold.  Carolyn and I felt the same as we did when we saw the Eiffel Tower, much grander in reality than in pictures or videos.  Just the same we took many pictures.  We made several other stops to see statues of Rames II at Memphis, including the 450 ton behemoth of him.  They had found it on its back and thats the way they show him. 

 

We had a late lunch at the Meridian hotel in Cairo and then to a Bazaar to see the making of papyrus and some shopping, of course.  Driving through Cairo gave us a chance to see some of the local life.  Some of the poverty, and of Camels, horses, donkey carts, sharing the roads with taxis, buses, and mercedes.  It was an exhilerating day, which made for a quiet ride back to the ship.  Today another day at sea, tomorrow on the Athens and the Acropolis.

 

Ciao.

Here we arein Limassol.  the fourth port in a string of 4 days.   We are pooped. but struggling on, ha ha.  All stops have been interesting although once you seethe ruins at Ephasis, the rest pale in comparison.  

 

The last four days seem a blur now that I am sitting at a computer trying to think.  In any event all are still healthy except Judy seems to have come down with something.  maybe something she ate, maybe the sun and mug of Ouzo yesterday. 

 

Must run, I am running out of time on this internet station.

 

Hope this finds everyone well

 

ta ta and Peace.

The change over from the first cruise to the second one went without a hitch, except  that we were not all at the same table for dinner as before, so after 2 days of playing musical tables, we finally got settled in one spot.  Peter and Mary, both in their mid 80's, have fitted in well.  They have expressed their gratitude to us for letting them join our group.  They are a great couple, Mary is a peach and they are great pear.  hee hee,  oh oh Mike's humour is rubbing off on me. Peter's sense of humour fits in well.

 

We had the second day at sea and today we were in Mykonos, Greece.  100% of the houses are white with 90% of them with blue trim, some religious significance.  It does explain the dress of the day which is casual/White& blue.  It is a very clean town and we enjoyed it and of course the "shopping".

 

We have 3 port calls in the next 3 days. Ephesus (Kusadasi) Turkey, Rhodes, Greece; Limassol, Cyprus; which will keep us busy.  Well must run and find the group ( which are all healthy now) hopefully they are in the shade, it has been hot hot and sunny.  Fantastic weather and calm seas the whole time so far.  keeping fingers and toes crossed.

 

Ciao

We have completed the first cruise and are currently on shore at the Rome terminal.  I am on a shore interenet with Hi speed, what a relief as  the speed on board is extremely slow (worse than dial up most of the time) and expensive, At 75 cents per minute one does not spend much time on it. expecially when 80% of the time is waiting.

 

Any how we had a great time in Naples we did a tour of Pompeii.  What a disaster that must have been at the time.  Very good tour, and recommended.

 

We are particularly glad to hear that Mom is moved into her new place and enjoying it, thanks to Catherine, Lyn and David for their hard work. 

 

Also Nonis operation was successful and she is home recuperating, get well quickly dear.

 

A correction to my first blog,   Ector and Pat are from Kamloops not Victoria.  And everyone is well and enjoying the cruise immensely.

 

We are all set for the next phase of the cruise which includes, Greece, Turkey, Egypt etc.   Will blog when I can.

 

Ta ta & Peace.

Imagine being too busy on a cruise to blog  LOL.

 

On Day 8 we entered Split, Croatia, it is a quaint town of 200,000, centred around a huge palace originally built in the 3rd century, talk about history.  We did a tour of the palace, and the rooms, tunnels,and passageways made getting around the ship seem simple.  We enjoyed a huge outdoor market (shopping) selling, well, everything imaginable.  Day 9/10 we were in Venice a most enjoyable part of our journey.  One would need months to explore it properly, and I don't have enough space here to do it justice.  Safe to say we enjoyed it.  Gary's flu turned into a head/chest cold which is on the wane.  However, Carolyn seems to be coming down with it.  Darn.  Everyone else is healthy and enjoying themselves.  Mikes goofy sense of humour is keeping us all in good spirits.

 

Glad to hear that Noni's Operation went successfully, and do hope she recovers quickly.

 

Today , Day 11, we are in Dubrovnik...

Cial all.

I thought that there was a lot of vertical acreage at Portofino, but on Day 3 we were docked at Livorno and many of us went on a tour to Le Cinque Terre (5  villages).  This tour was a combination bus and Ferry tour.  The towns (5+) are built on much steeper mountain slopes that reach right down to the water.  The locals have perfected vertical farming of grapes and olives.  The walking part of the tour was mostly up or down with very little level.  Amazingly scenic, even the many pictures we have taken don't do it justice.  It was near the end of this tour that Gary O. felt ill and woozy.  Apparently some 24 hour bug invaded him for 48 hours.  So he missed any further touring on Day 4 which was also in Livorno.  Others enjoyed tours into Livorno, Pisa, or Florence which they all seemed to enjoy.  Gary was back to 99% on Day 5 which was at sea; so we all kicked back and enjoyed the many amenities the ship has to offer.  The entertainment and meals have been fabulous.  Day 6 (today) we are in Messina and we enjoyed a walking tour of the city which  has many churches and Cathedrals.  One in particular has a Bell tower that plays a bit of a mechanical and musical show every day at noon.  Quite interesting.  It was a Sunday so the stores were closed, so sad, well the guys were happy anyway..  Tomorrow is another day at sea, another day to relax. 

 

take care, 

Ciao

The flight out was uneventful. Vanc to Montreal was in a new a/c roomy and comfy, but the flt to Rome was in an older, Air Canada a/c cramped and the flight long.  Got to our ship in timely fashion and wwonder of wonders all our luggage made it.  Mike, Gail, Carolyn and I met up with Gary and Judy, along with Ector & Pat.  On the flight we met Peter & Mary.  The ten of us, all from Victoria, are seated together for dining.  Today we are in Portofina, our first port of call.  The weather is excellent, tho a little breezy.  Lovely little town with most of the streets on structures on hillsides.  Tonight is our first Formal dinner, so must go and get gussied up.

 

Bye for now.