Sunday 21 April, 2019 – Corsica

Today I woke up feeling completely better – How is that possible? Yesterday I still had a fever but today I’m perfectly fine. I got dressed and said to The Earl – I’ll see if I still feel okay after breakfast then perhaps we can go ashore. We went to the Buffet and after walking around the many stations for too long I finally got what I wanted to eat. There is just too much choice!

Later in the morning we went into the town of Ajaccio, Corsica. After having coffee at a cafe with free internet we wandered around a bit and then I saw a little train that I thought would be a fun way to explore the town.

MSC Seaview

It was a about an hour ride around the town and was quite enjoyable.

Napoleon Monument

Our Fun Train

As you can see I made a full recovery

It was quite warm today and so we went to an open-air restaurant and had a smoothie each. Then we went back to the ship.

Display in The Restaurant – specially for Easter

Looks delicious

When we went to dinner our Arab table companions expressed their delight that I had recovered. The husband asked me all about my symptoms and medication. I couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate table mate as it turns out that he and his wife are both doctors currently doing advanced studies.

Monday 22 April, 2019 – Genoa, Italy

I woke feeling great again today. This morning we opted to have breakfast in the restaurant where we could be served rather than fight the crowds in the buffet again. What a pleasure it was! On Costa Victoria it was till partly self service but here the waiters come to take your order for everything. We both chose yogurt and fruit followed by Eggs Benedict – Totally awesome.

We went ashore at Genoa and after having coffee at a restaurant with internet we took the Hop on Hop off bus. It was the best way to see the city.

Tuesday 23 April 2019 – Pisa

I really, really wanted to see The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the ship offered a lovely tour but at the very high cost of €79 each! We thought that just too expensive and The Earl said we must just explore La Spezia. I was really disappointed and started scheming how we could get to Pisa on our own. Could we get a bus? How long would it take? Would we be able to make it there and back before the ship sailed? The tour was obviously expensive because it was so far to go!

Well I needn’t have worried. There was an information desk at the ships’ terminal and we asked the friendly consultants how we could get to Pisa. I was a little confused when the young man showed me a place on the city map – “Is that where we get a bus?” I asked – He looked confused – “It’s the best Pizza place in town,” he said. “No need to take a bus!
“Not Pizza,” I said feeling silly, “Pisa – The leaning tower? ” I must have pronounced it like Pizza instead of Pisa! So he explained that there was a train and it wouldn’t take us long to walk to the train station! Luckily we didn’t follow that advice as it was raining so we took a taxi and had we walked it would have taken half an hour!

Unfortunately, when I was ill I had switched my phone off and when I switched it back on I didn’t know the pin! I had left the piece of paper with the European SIM info on it back at the B&B in Rome! So we would have to find our way without Google Maps!

The train ride, we were told, by another official at the information desk, would take 20 minutes so we would have no trouble getting there and back in time. What she failed to inform us was that the trains only ran once every hour so if you missed it you would have up to an hour to wait! Also the train actually took 1 hour and 20 minutes to get to Pisa! We left the terminal at 10:30 am and needed to be back on board by 5:00 pm.

Luckily for us we only waited 20 minutes for the train and then met a very friendly French family on board. The Earl entertained the little boy and girl with pictures of wild animals on his phone. Their faces were a picture. None of them could speak English but we managed to communicate that we were going to The Leaning Tower and lucky for us, so were they. The mom had internet and Google Maps and said it would be fine if we followed them.

Well – it was pouring when we arrived in Pisa and after walking a short way, we bought another umbrella as sharing was just not helping! We jumped puddles and raced after the French Family who were enjoying the journey and getting wet and slightly lost. Every now and then Mom would show Earl the map and they’d decide on which way it was trying to direct us. It all worked out brilliantly and after half an hour, as we rounded a corner – there it was – The Leaning Tower of Pisa that had fascinated me when I’d learned about it in school. Priceless. To see this iconic tower in real life left me awe-struck. The rain let up to a trickle and we posed with our brollies for pics but I did not try to push the tower down as so many others were pretending to do.

Statue of Romulus and Remus and their wolf mother

The Leaning Tower

The Arno River

The French family disappeared to do their own thing and I said to The Earl – so do you know the way back – No idea, said he. Well I have a vague idea – Let’s go – cos we need coffee and the internet and we must get a train before it gets much later.

After coffee, catching up with internet and browsing a few shops, we made our way to the train station. We had only 20 minutes to wait and this time the journey took just over an hour. We got a taxi to the terminal then the shuttle bus and made it to the ship by 4:30 pm! It was a wonderful end to our MSC cruise.

Wednesday 17 April 2019 Not what one wishes when on holiday.

My fever was down again this morning and you would not know that I’d been so ill last night.  I don’t have a cold or any upper respiratory problems but obviously my body is fighting something!

We got a taxi to the station, caught a train to Civitavecchia and then two buses to the ship.    A lot of luggage dragging was involved but we both managed perfectly.  No breathlessness, fatigue or any sign that I might be ill.  Boarding went very smoothly and soon we were on board.  And then the minute I relaxed –  it hit me again – High fever, and this time – pain in my right breast and pain down the right side of my back!  Uh ho those are the symptoms I had when I went down with Lobar Pneumonia in August 2012!

I dragged myself to dinner but could barely eat and excused myself to return to the cabin.  I felt really awful and had a restless night.

Thursday 18 April 2019 to Saturday 20 April 2019 – Confined to Quarters

The following morning I still had a high fever so went to see the Ship’s doctor.  There is a whole hospital on board! When we eventually found the place we entered and found a number of crew members in a waiting room.  A nurse came up to us and led us to a different section.  Nobody was waiting.  Another nurse took down my details and then ushered me into the consulting room.  A charming Italian doctor examined me and asked lots of questions.   He was clearly not sure what to say and did not do an x-ray. Instead he diagnosed acute bronchitis – I had my doubts – and prescribed 500mg Amoxicilline twice daily for five days.  I was confined to quarters, feeling really rotten for the next three days.  I missed Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona.  I was sorry not to meet my niece in Barcelona but I was still feverish and it would have been disastrous.  The Earl would not go ashore without me and was the most attentive nurse.  He amused himself by exploring the ship.

It is a magnificent ship – very glitzy and very big.  Because it is so big it is easy to get lost.   But he has orientated himself and has managed to bring me meals from the buffet– not that I’m eating much!  I am just so happy that I have a very comfortable balcony cabin with a wonderful view so  I can just relax and get well again.

Sunday, 14 April 2019     Venice to Rome

Venice to Rome

We took a train from Venice to Rome.  This involved dragging our luggage from the hotel to the water bus, then dragging lit again from the pier to the train station.  We’d booked a fast train which was great but there wasn’t enough room to stow our luggage above our seat so it had to be left the entrance to the carriage.  We weren’t the only ones with a problem and luggage had to be stacked on top of each other.  Anyway, the trip went smoothly and just three hours later we arrived at Roma Termini.  Now when you’re in a foreign country it can be stressful trying to work out where you should be.  All I wanted was to get a taxi, get the luggage in the boot and be taken directly to our accommodation.   But a man with a badge reading – Free Information – approached us.  The Earl was all too eager to hand over the decisions to him – He suggested a hop on hop off bus for two days.  “No,” said I,  “We have luggage.  I don’t want to buy a ticket for hop on hop off now.  I want to think about it and perhaps get one tomorrow.”

But he insisted that it would be our cheapest deal and that there would be no problem with the luggage.  Well – dear reader – always listen to you own instincts – This man told us that being a Sunday we would wait ages for a taxi and it would be very expensive.  He led us to the Green Hop on Hop off.  After withdrawing cash I paid 60 euros for two tickets – which I could use for two days, but I really didn’t want to as Rome is an easy city to just use your own two feet to explore,  and had the Earl not insisted I would have run a mile.   We got on the bus which they promised would take us right near our hotel.  NOT SO.  They dropped us and then we had to drag, ask directions, drag some more, ask more questions until half an hour later we arrived stressed and exhausted out our accommodation.   Later I found out that a taxi would have been no more than 15 euros for the two of us!

Upon arrival  we rang the bell and were told to come in.   In the dingy hallway we were confronted by a lift – no indication as to which floor we were to go to.  So I climbed the stairs till I found the B&B.   The Italian ladies could not understand why I was confused, asked if I’d phoned the office – what office?  Is this not where we were supposed to be.  Yes – not to worry – we were in the right place but they didn’t know when to expect us – Well check in is after 2 and it was 3!    Luckily they were there – because we found out in the next three days that they weren’t always!    The place was a dump!  Beware of booking a B&B in Rome.  They can be fine but this one was really basic – It was clean but the bed was old and the cupboard rickety.  But never mind we’re used to camping so in comparison this was luxury and so we just made the most of it.    It included breakfast but I wish it hadn’t as all we got was coffee – excellent – and pre-packed horrible croissants, bread, muffins and jam, none of which was particularly appetizing –  anyway the ladies were sweet and tried to be as helpful as possible so we ended up quite enjoying our three-night stay.

Monday, 15 April 2019 Rome

We took the hop on hop off bus today.  After all we did pay for it!   We visited The Pantheon, checked out the Colosseum and threw a coin into Trevi Fountain. We also got a European sim card so that we could use Google Maps and not get lost!

The Pantheon

Inside The Pantheon

When I got home in the afternoon, I suddenly felt very cold.  There were no extra blankets on the bed so I put Earl’s puffy jacket on and fell asleep.  When I awoke I had a fever of 39 C

Tuesday 16 April 2019 Rome

When I awoke my fever was gone and I felt fine.  We went for a long walk along the river, through the Jewish Quarter and then to the Vatican.  On the way to The Vatican,  a man in a very smart car stopped and called to me.

“Where are you from,”  he asked,  “I recognise your husband.”

We both went to the window and he asked again.  We told him that we were from Cape Town.

He said, “I had an Italian restaurant in Cape Town. ” Foolishly I fed him the name – “Casanova’s?”  I asked.

“Yes, but now I am working for Armani.  I’ve just come from a fashion show.  I’m coming to Cape Town soon for another show.  I want you to do something for me.

“You are an elegant woman – and just the right size – Here is a jacket for you.”    He handed a packaged jacket to me, “I want you to wear it and to tell your friends where you got it. It is free.”

I was immediately suspicious. Then he gave one to The Earl – who was delighted to get a free gift.   “It’s to promote my product,” he said.

I was not happy, “No – I said – We won’t do it.  But The Earl said, “Don’t be silly – it’s a promotion – he wants us show them off when we get home.”

I walked away not wanting to create a scene with my cooperative husband.   Then the crunch came.  He asked The Earl for money for fuel.    Finally he realised what the catch was and gave him back the jackets.

Back at the B&B I did the research and found that this is a huge scam going around – different stories – but all Amani  – and the jackets are fake and ugly!  I wonder how many people get taken in by these scammers.

Picturesque walk next to The Tiber

The Vatican

Later that afternoon I once again got an attack of cold shivers and my fever shot up to 39!   Uh oh – what will I do.   It’s travel day tomorrow.

Friday, 12 April 2019 Venice

Sadly we disembarked The Costa Victoria today.   For the next six days we would be on our own in Italy – three days in Venice and three in Rome.

It was pretty daunting finding ourselves surrounded by water and not quite knowing how we were going to get to our next destination. We thought we’d just hop on a bus or taxi – and we did – but not the type we’re used to – this one went on the water!   For just €11, including luggage, we travelled on The Grand Canal to San Zaccaria boat pier.  What an awesome experience.  It was just a short walk from there to Hotel Bisanzio where we were to stay for two nights.   Our room was not ready so we dropped our luggage and then went for a long walk and also had a coffee and snack at one of the restaurants.

Later in the afternoon after checking in, the Earl had a nap in our very comfortable room and I went for a walk to Piazza San Marco on my own.

On my way back as I passed a restaurant I heard my name called – it was my Mauritian friend having a late lunch with her hubby and nephew who was on his Spring break from university in Paris.   I joined them for a coffee and chat.  Then suddenly my friend yelled – there’s our ship – and sure enough the Costa Victoria cruised by in the Grand Canal!

We weren’t hungry after having had lunch so we did not go out for supper.

Saturday, 13 April 2019 Venice

This morning’s breakfast was excellent.  We helped ourselves to fruit, yogurt, various cold meats and cheeses and delicious croissants.   The coffee, too, was excellent.

I wanted The Earl to experience a Gondola ride but he simply was not interested.  There were many available but at an exorbitant fee of €80 and no sharing with other couples was allowed!  So instead we took the hop on hop off water bus and visited Murano and Burano for a fraction of the price.

The island of Murano is famous for it’s glass making.  As we have both seen glass blowing demonstrations before we did not wait in the queue to watch yet another one.  We browsed the shops and I bought some necklaces.

Burano is famous for its lace and embroidery.  I could have spent a small fortune there but my darling husband restrained me.

We were away the whole day and it was so much more worth it than a Gondola ride!

In the evening we went out for a lovely Italian dinner.

Wednesday, 10 April 2019 Dubrovnic

So today we arrived in Dubrovnik. We had to take the tender boat to go ashore. The weather is still chilly but the sun was shining.  We did a very interesting walking tour of the city but had to don rain ponchos at the end as it started raining. Val and I stayed a bit longer to shop and explore but I didn’t want Earl to stay out in the cold so he went back on the tender boat.  We only stayed an hour longer.

Walking Tour of the City

Clock Tower

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Looking down on our ship and an island

So beautiful

We were also taken to a demonstration of how they make jewelry from coral.  The coral used regrows very quickly but is difficult to retrieve as it grows at a great depth.

Thursday, 11 April 2019 Omis and Split

The weather improved today.  We had the most awesome guide who did the city walk in both Omis and Split.  An awesome boat trip was included from Omis.  Just when I was wondering when it would end as it became chilly and I was hungry, a secluded restaurant appeared out of nowhere! It was here that we had lunch and afterwards took the bus back to Split and the ship.

On the boat at Omis

Amazing rocky mountains in the background

Omis

Fishing hut on the bank

Comfortable fishing chair

The Restaurant Appears

Arriving at The Restaurant

Delicious Traditional Croatian Food and Wine was served

Lovely entertainment

The guests were serenaded

The walking tour of Split was interesting.  The main feature is Diocletian’s Palace. It was built as a retirement home for the Roman Emperor, Diocletian in the fourth century AD.

A sort of mall has been incorporated into the remains of the palace, beautifully blending the old with the new.

Only one of the twelve sphinxes brought to Split after Diocletian suppressed a rebellion in Egypt in 297 AD.  Only one  remains and stands at the Peristyle.

It is made of black granite and dates back to Pharaoh Tuthosis III who lived between 1479 and 1425.  The vessel in her hands is meant for offerings.

The Port of Split

Monday, 08 April 2019 Olympia

The Earl was still not feeling well so decided have a rest day on board ship today.  So I went ashore with Val. We decided not to visit the archaeological site but to rather spend our limited  time shopping!  In all the places we have visited so far I have not been at all interested in the ‘stuff’ on sale at the touristy places.   But Greece was different – there were lovely things to tempt the savvy shopper.   Perhaps it’s because of my Greek heritage that attracted me to the clothes, the jewelry and the confectionery.   Laurie (my daughter) is a definite throwback to her Greek roots and could pass as a Greek Goddess any day of the week.   I really wanted to get her something that showed where she originated.

At one of the shops I asked the assistant if I could connect to his internet, take a photo of a dress and send it to my daughter to see if she would like me to get it for her.  He agreed.  “How old is your daughter, he asked.  “Thirty nine,”  I replied.  “I am also 39”  said he.  “Are you married,” I asked.  “No”

“Well,” I joked, “I am looking for a nice Greek boy for her. Perhaps you should meet!” He grinned , looking just a tad interested.   His mother eyed suspiciously from behind the cash desk.

Then I what’s app called Lolz, told her to look at the photo of the Greek Toga style dress and then said, “I have a lovely Greek man your age here – Speak to him.”

Playing along  she replied coyly, “Hi, I’m Lauren.”

“Hello,” he said, “I am waiting for you here!”   ‘

We all, including Mama, had a good giggle  – and yes – I bought the dress and another for myself!

Lolz liked the blue one

Red for me.

At the next shop the assistant was very keen to sell me something for another daughter.  “The man next door offered to marry my youngest, ”  I said, “What can you offer?”

“Unfortunately” he said,  “I am already married but I can give you a big discount!” – so he too made a sale!

Val and I really enjoyed our shopping and it was rather fun having a girls day out.

The ship left port at 4 pm so it was only a short day at this lovely island.

Tuesday, 09 April 2019 Corfu

So today we docked at Corfu island at 07:00.   Earl felt better and came up to breakfast with me.   He also decided to join Val and me on an exploration of Corfu Town.   We walked to the terminus and then caught a bus into town.   We had a really lovely morning and spent too much money.

There were a few cruise ships docked near us

A narrow shopping street

In the afternoon Earl decided not to do the “Easy Tour of Corfu”   So Val once again came along with me.  It was a lovely tour but I did not take many photographs!

Kanoni and Mouse Island

The bus let us off a the top the hill in Kanoni. From there we had lovely views of the church of Vlacherna, the sea and Pontikonissi or Mouse Island.

Pnotikonissi was the ship of the legendary King Ulysses.  It was wrecked during a terrible storm and the God, Poseidon turned his boat into this green rock island.

We also stopped at a distillery and saw a video on how the made cumquat liquors and sweets.   I bought some gifts there too.

Sunday, 07 April 2019 – Santorini

We disembarked with the tender boats at 9 am and then did a bus tour to the Mount of Prophet Elijah and The Akrotiri archaeological site The weather was not great but it was still stunning.

On the tender boat

Beautiful Spring Flora

Sign pointing us to the monastery – but we didn’t really have enough time to explore

Stunning views from the top of the mountain

We had an excellent guide telling us all about the Akrotiri site.

The first people that lived at this site were Late Neolithic – 4000 BC.  It was an early Aegean port during the Bronze Age.  It is amazing that so early on in history this civilization had elaborate drainage systems and multi-storey buildings.

Akrotiri was destroyed by The Theran Volcanic Eruption in about 1627 BC.  The volcanic ash preserved the remains of frescoes and other works of art.  Excavation is still ongoing.

Our guide at Akrotiri

What a view!

The architecture  – awesome

We popped into a restaurant and paid too much money for coffee but the view was worth it.

Costa Victoria waiting patiently

Indescribably Beautiful

Tender Boats waiting for us

Going down in the cable car – That’s Tom next to me.

Imagine living here!

The colours are mainly blue and white

The Earl – always happy on water

Yes – It was fantastic

The cable cars go up and down all day

IF you don’t use the cable car – you can walk up or down that windy path!

Many people on Costa Victoria have been infected with the Ship’s Bug – dubbed the Costa Cough!   The Earl seems to be going down with it and went straight to bed after dinner this evening.

Saturday, 06 April 2019 Crete

Being of Greek ancestry, I was really looking forward to The Islands.   Cyprus was superb so what would Crete be like?   Not disappointing at all but the weather had turned wet and cold.

Our bus took us on a scenic drive and our guide Dimitra was amazing.  She is an archaeologist with a PhD and her favourite topic is Greek Mythology.   I thoroughly enjoyed the stories she related.

The archaeological site of Knossos is the largest Bronze Age site on Crete and is believed to be Europe’s oldest city.   There was human settlement there as early as The Neolithic Period, 7000 years BC.

The Palace of Knossos was the ceremonial and political centre of The Minoan Civilization.

Arthur Evans, an English archaeologist unearthed the palace in modern times. Clay and stone incised spools and whorls were dug up and indicate that cloth making took place in the very early years.

Interesting animal and human figurines were also found.  The nude females had exaggerated breasts and buttocks which is believed to be associated with the worship of the Neolithic Mother Goddess.  Most figurines were to do with religion.

The first Cretan palaces were built after 2000 BC in the early Middle Minoan period. The palace of Knossos was the largest.  Pithoi or large storage jars of up to five feet tall were used for all kinds of storage in those days.

The palace had bathrooms, toilets and a drainage system.

Greek Mythology tells that King Minos lived in a palace at Knossos. In this tale he had Daedalus build a large maze in which to contain his son who was the scary Minotaur – half bull, half man.

Minos’s daughter, Ariadne fell in love with Theseus and helped him navigate the labyrinth by giving him a ball of thread to mark his way and find his way back.  He killed the Minotaur with the sword of Aegeus and led the other Athenians back out of the labyrinth.

The church of Panagia Kera was also very interesting and intriguing how the artists of the times brought in things that were affecting them at that time into their interpretation of the biblical stories.

During our free time in Krista we sat at a lake-side restaurant and had some genuine Greek food for lunch – well we shared a Moussaka and Earl ordered a Margarita Pizza and I had a couple of slices of that.   Even in Greece they serve everything with fries!  I found that disappointing.

Lake Voulismeni – once believed to be bottomless but is not at all.

Thursday 4 April 2019 – Cyprus

As we cruised into Limassol Cyprus this morning we saw that The Queen Mary II had overtaken us in the night and was already docked.

Our first impression of Cyprus was a good one.  It was a beautiful Spring Day and we took photos from the deck as we cruised in.

Our bus left just before 9:00  and we had both Italian and English speaking passengers with a guide for each language group.   The English Speakers had George who was just awesome.  He spoke clearly and slowly and gave us a constant flow of information on the agriculture, nature, birds and history of the island as we travelled the scenic route to Paphos.

Greek mythology is fascinating and we certainly learned a great deal about the gods and goddesses on this trip.   A story that captured our imagination was the birth of Aphrodite – Goddess of love and fertility.   There is a camel shaped rock at her birthplace in the sea and if a maiden wants to be more beautiful, she will be if she swims around the rock, three times, in the nude at full moon!

The Birthplace of Aphrodite – Come on girls – do that swim!

We also visited the Paphos Archeological park to see the Kings’ Tombs and the Paphos Mosaics.

The underground tombs date back to the fourth, fifth and sixth century BC.   They are carved out of solid rock.  No kings are actually buried here as no kings resided there.  In the fourth century Cyprus was under Persian Rule and later under Egyptian rule.  Some of the tombs feature Doric Columns.

The floor mosaic archaeological site was fascinating. Elite homes and palaces were decorated with mosaics depicting every day life and stories about the gods.   The mosaics are from houses of different eras between the second and fourth centuries AD, thus covering the Hellenistic period until the Byzantine period.

Many houses and mosaics were destroyed over the centuries but five houses can be seen a Paphos.

The spring flowers in the park were also really beautiful

We then had free time and The Earl and I walked along the waterfront and then had coffee at a local pavement café.   Cyprus s truly amazing.  It would be great to spend a whole week here.