Finishing the Saga.....

   Taromina Gardens

We are home now after a very long day, 26 hrs., of travel and travail.  The plane was delayed in Barcelona which was just uncomfortable as we had time in Atlanta.  But then the next plane to Detroit was delayed as well causing us to literally run to the next terminal to catch the last one to Kalamazoo.  There were others racing toward the gate as well.  Alas, the door had been closed with the plane still sitting there but no one would open the door up.  Seven of us were left frustrated and angry in the terminal.  Delta gave us vouchers to cover the flight cost but only offered a flight the next morning.  We wanted to be home so rented a car and drove.  Arriving at 2 am we dropped into bed exhausted.  The next morning as we went to return the car and collect our luggage that made it on the plane, the battery was dead in our car that had sat for a month.  AAA to the rescue.   We were very glad when all the tasks were completed so took naps!!!

I will post photos as I am able of the last stops on this trip. (it keeps saying the mail box is full) We visited Naples where we took the ferry to Capri for the day.  Ana Capri was interesting and the chair lift to the top afforded great views of the island and sea.  There we took a boat around the island before returning by ferry to the ship.  

After a sea day we debarked in Barcelona for two nights.  Gansens were in our hotel so we toured the old town with them and found the Placa Rieal for lunch.  Kris and Jeff were in another hotel and we never caught up with them but they enjoyed the HoHo bus and dinner before leaving the next day.

We did the HoHo and enjoyed seeing the city again.  Our hotel was in a great location near the Placa Catalonia and the old town as well as La Rambla  We had dinner on La Rambla the first night then back to the Placa Rieal the next.  It is such a pretty square and well worth searching out.  As we left Barcelona both of us thought we need to come back and spend some more time there and in Spain.

It was such fun traveling with Henry and Helma as well as Jeff and Kris on the cruise.  They were all new to Princess and I think like it enough to sail again.

The stay at Watermill was so much fun.  The location and buildings were beautiful as were our hosts Lois and Bill.  The food was amazing!   We visited such lovely painting sites and experiences gracious meals and attention that it is hard to be back to reality.

And the next big trip...South America on the Oosterdam.....

 

Lunch in the square..with wine of course!

Barcelona Placa Reial

We did walk a bit more to see the Placa at night after tapas on La Ramblas.

Last day before returning to reality.

The bay

A very narrow road!!!

Half way up

Leaving Kotor

Sometimes this is so magical. We spent the day in a 4x4 climbing the mountain behind the city on a winding road ending in an unpaved path to lookout favored by a past King. The  view was amazing looking down to the fjord and ships below.

After a taste of the local cheese and prosciutto ham on delicious bread, accompanied by local wines, we made our way back down to the tenders

Now we sail through the night to Messina.i'm sitting in the balcony sipping wine from Turkey with the last of the sun in my face counting my blessings.

Santorini

It was a beautiful day to see the island.

My Greek lunch in Fira

Lunch in Fira

Oia today

Gansens in Oia

Sea in the distance ......

Tricky steps among the crowd!!!

Acropolis tour day

We climbed the steps up then walked up and down the Plaka to the Agora and the Olympic site. We were exhausted!! 

Dinner was nice and Kris and Jeff joined us. It was an early night for us on Aloha deck!!!

Iconic windmills of Mykanos

View from the Mykanos coffee bar

Mykanos

Helma looking great!

Blue Mosque

Gate number one

Don't get lost!!!

View from the Topkapi over the Bosporus

Over the Bosporus to the Asian side

Istanbul

We had a great,if tiring, day in Istanbul with our guide. Walked miles it seemed with her telling us all the interesting facts about her home. We visited the Blue Mosque and Topkapi palace, the Bazaar. Hagia Sophia had a humongous line so we voted to skip as we would have done nothing else.

Lunch was at Pudding, a famous local cafe where hippies gathered in the 70's before leaving for India. We had fun chatting with the group one couple from Las Vegas, one from Tialand sp?? And the guide. She appreciated my rusty knowledge of the history and artifacts we were viewing.

I think I'd like to come back to see more...slowly!!

George in a skirt

He wore shorts and they insisted he come with us inside so he had to don the skirt. I had to put a scarf on to cover my hair and arms. 

Pudding cafe

My lunch

Stuffed zucchini..cheese and potatoes. With a stuffed grape leaf appetizer. G had chicken kabob.

Grand Bazaar

Huge complex....ooh the bead store!!  

Blue Mosque

Inside it's quite beautiful. The city is clean and efficient. Huge with 30 million living here. 

More ruins of Ephesus

Ephesus trail hikers

Marble road

Ephesus ruins

Small fishing boats at port

Ephesus

Today was an early start in the port of Kusadasi

For our tour of the ancient city. It was very large and still being reconstructed. The port itself is very nice and is a popular tourist destination.

The walk through the ruins became very hot and we all couldn't correlate the audio with what we were seeing. However it was wonderful to see it all.

All yours in Turkey must stop at a carpet store so we were ushered into a very nice one and given drinks of Turkish coffee or apple tea. They told us about carpet weaving then displayed many beautiful rugs. Each one was more beautiful than the last. It was hard to say no except those we liked were quite expensive. 3'x2' for $4500. to start. I had to pass on the bargains.

Helma and I both bought beautiful scarves but then it was back to the ship and lunch for us all.

Tonight's dessert

Coconut mouse w chocolate and coconut crust

Knossos view in Crete

Lunch in Crete

Herakleion gyros 

Artists in Venice

For FB

Train day.

Sadly our time at Watermill came to an end but most of us continued in Italy. 

We took the train from Pisa to Civitavechia, a two hour ride. To get to the platform we had to go down stairs then up again, all while dragging along our suitcase and carryon bag. George managed two cases and his backpack.This was not easy!! When they say pack light...listen!

We knew this and made the choice. Seats were right by the door with room to stack luggage on the extra seat.  The ride was nice and stopped at many small towns along the way. We were excited to see the sea.

When we arrived we stood by the door luckily another passenger came by and showed us the door would not be opening. Yikes! So we had to drag the cases up three steps, down three more to find a door. A kind passenger held it open for us.  Once at the station there were more steps down then happily an elevator.

A taxi took us right to the ship to check in. From there took very little time until we were in our staterooms.

The ship is beautiful and does not seem any larger but has more decks and large dining rooms.  After walking around a bit, reserving the sanctuary for tomorrow morning, we enjoyed dinner and then an early bedtime. George and Henry were pooped from lugging the luggage! 

Now I m sitting in the sanctuary looking our over Naples. Later we'll go out walking with a bit of shopping I expect.

Final day reception...the group

Thursday

We were off to All Convention del Carmine, a nearby former monetary with views of the town below. It is used as a wedding venue now and is lovely to paint.

We scatter around the grounds and worked on our sketches and paintings until lunch.

Karsten brought lunch to us and served focaccias, polenta, spinach pastries, a bulgar salad, with wine and other beverages. For dessert there was a tart. Alas none left for me!!!

After lunch we went back to the Watermill to continue working or to read or nap. Some were dropped in Fivizzano to shop. We are needing the pharmacy as several of us have colds now. George will need antibiotics as its in his chest like his Christmas bronchitis. Hopefully he can get some today.

The shoppers sweet talked a local to give them a ride back from town as it began to rain just before they started the walk back. It would have been interesting to watch as he did not speak English and they did not speak Italian. Many hand gestures were involved. They packed into his small car but were very happy to do so!! He was approved by the pharmacist...no worries!

Dinner was prepared by Lois and was delicious! A pesto risotto, then sausage with lentils and grilled eggplant. Dessert was a Torta da Capri made with ground almonds instead off chocolate. Delicioso!!

We had the usual after dinner in the salon but many retired early to rest. Tomorrow is our last day here. A new venue to paint and a gourmet lunch then back to Watermill to finish up and set up for the little reception this evening. We have a early morning drive to Pisa to meet trains.

Gansens and we will board the ship in Civitavecchia to continue our adventure. Others continued to Venice, Florence or home.

Cypress

Artists...

Karsten setting up a lovely lunch

Monastery in Fivizzao