Just A Cup

Day 10 - AT SEA

SO for whatever reason I was thinking we were on a 10 day cruise.... I know I told everyone that - I guess that is why I was surprised that we were going to be gone for so long of a time.  DUH...  We are on a 12 day cruise.  I am an idiot sometimes....

12 days may be too long...  Today we did a real relax day...  We had breakfast in the cabin, slept until almost 10am.  Sat by the pool-read-swan- Sailor did the Art Auction (Free Champaign you know).  Then off to the Captains 'Welcome back party' for returning guests.  Hey- we are all about FREE cocktails!!!

It was Formal Night.... So we were all suited up and off for a lobster dinner; after we went to the Schooner Bar for cocktails.  After 2 drinks we were both sick of hearing the Piano player singing the same damn sings AGAIN.

Thank goodness for the boys in the Champaign bar: Rusti & Eric

Of course before bed - I donated $40 to the Casino.

Day 9 – Croatia

We awoke to a beautiful view out of our window. This part of the world is simply beautiful. After breakfast we took the $4 bus into the Old City of Dubrovnik

How these bus drivers can drive these huge vehicles on these roads is unbelievable. We made it through the rounding streets and were dropped off on the outside of the walled old city. We saw the most incredible views of the Ionian Sea from atop the city walls. I have never seen such blue water in my life. This war-ravaged town (1990-91) has been nearly all rebuilt. Most of the homes and buildings have new roofs as most of the old ones were destroyed. The damaged city walls and building have mostly been repaired.

This part of Dubrovnik has been the cleanest graffiti free area of Europe I have seen yet. People really seem to take care of their city. Now lets talk about prices….

We had a coke and a 1 scoop ice cream cone. Cost in Venice = 5 Euro cost here 2 Euro. Sailor gave the (cute) boy a 1 Euro tip and he looked at us like we were crazy. Hey – those damn Euros all look like Monopoly money anyway.

After several hours of touring and shopping we headed back to the ship for pool time.

We had dinner at CHOPS the 5 Star Steak Restaurant on the ship. YUM! Once Sailor got the steak he actually ordered – it was even better. A couple more cocktails after the wine we went to bed – too much food and wine!

Day Rating : B+

Venice Day 7 and 8

Clearly there is no city on Earth that is as unique and simply amazing as Venice.  So of course, it would be my rotten luck that my new camera somehow "lost" over 100 pictures of the city!  I am sooo pissed.  It just means I have to go back!!

It was a good thing we were scheduled to arrive in the early afternoon, as we were up quite late partying.  On the way into port, we were told that the docks where the cruise ships normally dock, were all full with other ships.  Of course, since this IS a city that is really ON THE WATER, we were told we would be docked DOWNTOWN. 

Pulling into Venice was absolutely incredible.  Here are some pics:

These were from the deck of the ship.  Amazing...  Once we were cleared off the ship (about 1:30pm) - we headed off to St. Marks Square.  There were SOO many people in the small streets of Venice that we often would venture off the main paths, into the small (confusing) little streets.  Several times we would run into a dead end or one that ended at a canal.  But that was part of the fun of it all.  We wound our way to the Rialto Bridge, one of 3 bridges that cross the Grand Canal.

HIGH TIDE in St Marks Square

We enjoyed a light lunch from a street vendor and then continued to wonder over to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.  It was just OK.  The art was a bit TOO Modern for me.

We enjoyed a nice day in the city - then feet hurting - we decided to grab dinner and a night-time Gondola ride.

The key to a good (and more inexpensive) meal is to get away a bit from the main street where all the tourists are walking around.  We did find a couple of restaurants that looked great.  Of course it took us 3 tries before we actually found a restaurant that wasn't too busy to actually serve us.  The food was great - then we tracked down a Gondola.  Again, along the Main Canals, the going price was between 150 and 300 Euro for a 30 to 40 minute ride. 

We walked back into the canals a bit and found a great Gondolier who charged us 100 Euro for a 45 minute ride.  It was worth it - how thee guys can steer that long boat down the narrow canals, make 90 degree turns and never bump, scrape, knock, against anything.  Seeing the city from the water was amazing~!

The next day we did some shopping; saw St Marks Square at HIGH Tide (see above), had a yummy Cappuccino and a pastry then headed back to the ship for the Masquerade Party on board that night!!

Day 4 and 5 Naples and Pompeii

This was the first stop so far that the port didn’t look like a nasty old port. It was a big city though and Sailor so loves big cities (NOT!). We jumped on a bus to Pompeii for our 4 hour tour.

Naples

Now I knew about Pompeii – we all know about it from some random history class in High School. What I had no clue is A) How large of a place it is and B) How advanced the city was.

Outside of Pompeii

A Bakery in Pompeii

A street in the city of Pompeii.

A home in Pompeii.

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This was truly a large city for its time. We saw the Bakeries (complete with ovens), the indoor plumbing, the Brothels (the only buildings with windows – so the girls (and boys) could hang out the window and entice the men inside). The large squares and gardens were beautiful. We saw several of the bodies that have been uncovered (the expression of their body language shows that they suffered terribly in those last moments. One body was found on his knees praying. It was simply amazing.

I think the reason we both had such a disconnect from what we expected to what we saw, was due to the fact that so much more has been unearthed in the past 20 years.

After our tour; we enjoyed Pizza in a small café. After all Pizza in Naples is kinda the norm.

2 Tourists Inside Pompeii

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Day Rating: A

Place to come back: Probably not – we have seen it – but it is a must see!

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Our friend from Scotland - (I think we got engaged on one drunken night).

Our friends from the West Coast

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Day 5 SEA DAY

THANK GOODNESS. I think everyone on the ship was ready for some R&R today. After our late partying with our friends from LA and Scotland – sleeping in was needed.  While it was a very windy day, but were still able to find a nice place in the sun. 

Dinner was at Portofino, the great Italian Restaurant on the ship.  We ate too much and drank too much - but what a nice relaxing day...

Rome

This day of our trip was perhaps the most exciting thus far. Today I experienced things that mere words or pictures could never describe. The first part of the trip was seeing first hand the intense traffic jams and over crowding of the city of Rome and the area surrounding Vatican City. I though DC traffic was bad – not even close!!!!

Once our tour bus dropped us off, we met our guide, Sillvio; a tall, very intense Italian man. So passionate about the sites, it was a thrill just to hear him speak. We were informed that the (hour) line outside of the Vatican was rather short today. WOW.

Once inside the Vatican Museum, the shear size is completely overwhelming. These great halls, filled with the most incredible art collections my eyes have ever seen. It was complete and utter sensory overload. Then we went into the Sistine Chapel. To say that something takes your breath away is not even close. I (we) have all seen pictures of this, Michelangelo’s greatest work. NOTHING can prepare you for actually being there. The power, the energy, makes the room come alive – not in a religious sense (though I am sure those religious folks feel it more), but pure beauty. To know that you stand in amidst one (if not THE) greatest art works of all time. That coupled with the knowledge that you walking the halls where Emperors, Popes, men who have ruled (at one point in time) most of the civilized world. WOW.

One of MANY hallways in the Vatican Museum.

In St Peter's Ballista

No pictures can describe any of these places.

Inside St Peters near the tomb of St Peter

What these spots are : Hmm...

Camera lens was clean - no other pics had these "spots"

St Peters

Then we saw St Peters Ballistica, another truly amazing place, and St Peters Square. Again, there was so much to see and so little time. One could spend days here just admiring in awe these great architectural and artistic places.

After lunch and wine (like any good Roman), we saw one of the Great 7 wonders of the Ancient World, the Roman Coliseum. Again, this (and other nearby ruins) is amidst city buildings, cars, scooters, tourists, business people and school children. AMAZING.

The Coliseum is large, but not as big (around) as I though it was. It is very high, with many levels, in the times, the higher the level you sat, the poorer you were. (Just like today; The cheap seats are always in the nose-bleed section. What was also interesting is how the Coliseum had been looted or scavenged during the fall of the Roman Empire. The reason part of it collapsed was because folks stole the iron supports to use or sell. It was truly an amazing sight.

The Roman Colosseum

It was exhausting day, followed by a huge meal back on the ship and a few drinks at the Piano bar.

Day Rating: A+

Place to Return: YES

Cruise Day 2 Florence – Pisa

Florence is one of this places that trying to see in a day is simply impossible.  There is so much fantastic architecture and sculptures, museums and the like.  Our guide was very knowledgeable about the area of Florence and the surrounding area of Tuscany.

A square in Florance.

We saw the great plaza filled with the great statues; including; ‘David’.  Wow if only I had his abs…..  The plazas and squares were filled with tourists; glad it is not the busiest tourist season!  We at least were able to taste some wonderful wine and grab (an overpriced) cappuccino.  No sign of a Starbucks here – they have the real stuff in Italy– why screw with that!!!

Pisa is one of those places you need to go and “check off the list”.  It is a poor looking town on the outside.  Inside the old city walls, sits the Tower itself, along with the great Cathedral and the (largest in the world), Baptismal building.  The area is surrounded by tourist trap shops selling everything from ‘David’ –naked from the waist down boxer shorts – to Gelato to knock off Luis Vatton handbags. Eh; neat – interesting – got my pics there – no need to return.  A once in a lifetime need to see (for about 5 minutes).

Day Rating: A

Place to Return: YES (Florence not Pisa)

Cruise Day 1 - Cannes France

I suppose there are places in the South of France that are incredible to see.  The port we pulled into was rather boring to say the least.  We did however take a great tour.  We opted not to see Monte Carlo, which was one option, but went to a very cool French Perfume factory.  From there we went to the Medieval town of St. Paul de Venice.  This incredible town is just what you picture from the days of Medieval times.  The small narrow cobblestone streets and shops (now wired with electricity and running water) were very neat to see.

  This walled city is amazing.  The views of the hilly countryside from the walls and surrounding area were worth the drive. 

Back on the ship, we enjoyed a fun eve of eating, drinking and listening to the tunes in the Schooner Bar.

Day 2 & 3 Barcelona-Departing

Day 2 in Barcelona- Still unsure what time zone our bodies were in – we woke up at 10 ish…. Sleeping almost 10 hours. WHEW! We proceeded to Zurich Café for a café con leche and a snack. We then headed to the Picasso Museum where there were about 8 billion people wanting to get in. Seems the 1st Sunday of the month the place if free, but there is still a line to get in. The huge line went quickly – we argued longer about weather to wait in the line or not than anything else. It was amazing seeing how this artist’s style changed over time. It was as if he became bored with certain styles and changed his entire genre of painting. From there we went to the most incredible Cathedral I have ever (and will probably ever see). A short Metro ride and we were at the Segatta Familia (something like that). Still under construction (since 1889?) – expected completion 2024. This awe-inspiring design of Gaudi is something that has to be seen! I will post pictures at some point. After a day of playing tourists we headed back to the Hotel for pool time, book reading and cocktails. Seem later Sunday eve, the hotel was having its last Sunday Tea Party – the reading turned into a night of drinking and partying! Being that the world is really NOT that big – we ran into 2 guys from about 7 blocks from our house that used to work with our upstairs neighbor. GEEZ! We also joked and met folks from Barcelona to Tel Aviv to Phili and Seattle. It was an enjoyable night. Then we had dinner at about 11pm with a guy we met named Jorge. A great 2nd day in Europe. Day 3 – Barcelona I was awake before 7am – how I have no idea – but I was. I did some emailing and then packing before heading off for coffee. We then decided to do a bus tour of the city. A bit more touristy than I like, but our feet were KILLING US. It was 20 Eruo with spending! After the tour and 100 pictures later, we headed to Brilliance of the SEA. The check in process was quick and we were settled on board in minutes. Seeing as this is our 5th cruise we have a routine – open Champaign – eat chocolate covered Strawberries – tour ship – the STUPID mandatory lifeboat drill- unpack (in like minutes) – refill Champaign glass-head to dinner- head to Schooner Wharf bar for Piano Player and more cocktails. The only sad note was that our friend and Piano Player extraordinaire – Barry from Boston – was not on our ship. NOOOooo he is on Jewel of the Seas this season… sigh…. We did enjoy –whats his name…Anselmo Baloes (not as much as Barry). Of course, as typical, we drank too much ate too much and made friends with some other drunk singers. A couple for LA and their friends from Scotland. It’s gonna be a great cruise…..

Barcelona

I will attempt to share multiple stories about our Europe trip....  My body is still in an unknown time zone......I went to bed 5 hours ago but was wide awake at 7am.. OYE....

Our trip thus far........

We left Dulles for a horrifically long layover at JFK.  All to save a few hundred bucks we sat for 5 hours.. UGH!!!   And JFK is one of those airports that sucks!  Anyway.... we boarded our flight and left JFK pretty much right on time.  We were lucky enough to get the 1st row in coach.  The best part was that the First Class Stewardess kept giving us left over stuff.... Mimosas about 20 minutes into the flight..... a half bottle of wine to take home...more OJ (in real glass) at breakfast.....  It was nice.  Of course you know the trick of a transatlantic flight - trying to fool your body that you slept for hours.  They give you dinner then breakfast 4 hours later....  Yeah right.....

We arrived in Barcelona a bit early (7am) and found our way quickly through customs and then waited an waited for our bags... Once we got them all we went to the train.  Now Sailor wanted to take a €60 cab... I wanted to experience Barcelona with a €4 train ride..... our first argument (even though he forgot I decided how we would get to the Hotel before we left DC).

While enjoying the clean, 20 minute train ride into the city center, I was a bit amazed at how much Graffiti there was.  In fact that is probably the only thing I truly do not like about the city.  It makes the city look much dirtier than it is.

We arrived (with too much luggage) at the city center - somehow found a cab for our 5 minute cab ride to the hotel.  We could have walked if  A) We knew where the hell to go and  B) I hadn´t brought most of my closet with me.

Our Hotel, ´Hotel Axel´was very nice.  Situated in the L´Eixample area of the city, about 3 blocks from the Metro.  It was of course early morning so we could not yet check in - so we dropped the bags off and went in search of cafe and a snack.  Las Ramblas is the main Boulevard lined with trees and tourists ´cafes every ten feet, street performers and merchants.  A bit touristy, but what the hell, when in Rome......  It was a great place to People Watch.   We have a cafe con leche.... not yet sure how to order food we settled on the best NON-STARBUCKIAN coffee I have had.  Yes there are multiple Starbucks here - but I simply refuse to go there....

After some cafe, we strolled Las Ramblas to the biggest Market I have seen.... I will post pictures later - it was AMAZING.... La Bouquerta (sp?)    What kind of food do you want?  It was here....  We had a Bocadilla y jahmon  --YUM--  Basically a small sandwich with (Spanish) ham on the Best bread you have ever tasted.  WOW...

Then we continued to explore the Gothic Quarter.  The very typical European NARROW streets  with tiny balconies everywhere, so hard to describe, so cool to see and walk down.  Once we learned that the street signs were on the buildings and not on a sign post we were golden!  So we navigated through the allies and passage ways to the great Cathedral.  It was amazing.  From there we saw other sights, like the Statue of Columbus pointing off to the sea (North Africa I was told - not the new world)  OK so someone screwed up when they built the thing....

Back to the Hotel for a nap-  I DIED for about 2 hours.......

We then headed to Montjuic.  We figured out how to use the Metro... WOW  What a METRO!  Makes DC´s Metro look pathetic!  So clean and nice... In minutes we were at our destination.  We were so efficient in getting there we were 2 hours early.  We wanted to see the incredible fountains which light up at 730pm.  OK so off for Tappas and a beer.  BTW in this city you cant go more than a block without seeing a place serving Tappas and beer.  Live esta especial en Española!   Or something like that...

We saw the fountains  WOWOWOW   Very impressive..... I will show pics later to validate this!

Afterwords we Metro´d back to our Hotel to change and find dinner.... Dinner in Spain (like most of Europe) happens late..... So at 9pm we could barely find a place that wasn't packed.... but we did and had a good meal.  Then off for some bar hopping (all within 3 or 4 blocks of our hotel) and then back to bed where we passed out for 10 hours.....  OYE !!!!!!

All that and it was only Day 1.......