| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
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18th June 2021 |
LHR -> ATHens -> Piraeus |
Aboard at 6:30! |
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19th June 2021 |
Ermoupolis Syros Greece |
The Queen of the Aegean! |
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20th June 2021 |
Parikia Paros Greece |
The Marble Island |
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21st June 2021 |
Skala Patmos Greece |
St. John's Monastery |
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22nd June 2021 |
Rhodes Greece |
Lindos & Rhodes Escort |
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24th June 2021 |
Limassol Cyprus |
Exploring the North East side of town |
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26th June 2021 |
Heraklion Crete Greece |
Photographs in the city centre |
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27th June 2021 |
Mykonos Greece |
Photographs in the town |
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28th June 2021 |
Piraeus Athens Greece |
Visiting the famous Acropolis |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I left home at 9:30 and got to the Bedfont Lakes Country Park at 11:15, ready to eat my packed lunch. After having forty winks, I walked around the lovely park in the hot sun. I then visited the Tesco superstore and the High Street in Ashford, before heading to Heathrow Terminal Four long stay car park. Here at 3 o'clock I had my 59 pound PCR fit to fly test in a very quiet setting.
I got to my regular B&B at the Skylark Motel in Hounslow by 3:30. It cost me just 90 pounds for two nights stay plus 60 pounds for twenty days parking. After checking in, I caught a bus into Hounslow, but my bus pass didn't work. I then walked back to Hounslow West to spend the evening watching television. My fit to fly certificate arrived after just six hours of processing! I was also alerted to the arrival of my 104 pounds, two post-cruise PCR test kits with my new neighbours back home. Later that evening the weather broke with a heavy down pour, but it didn't clear or cool the muggy air.
I awoke at 6:30 after a restless night, ready for a cornflake breakfast with two mugs of tea in the conservatory. At nine o'clock I caught the tube from Hounslow West to Hammersmith. After buying some plasters, I walked along the Thameside path to Fulham Palace. Unfortunately this was closed, but I did enjoy the walled garden with large greenhouses. I then caught the District line to St. James's Park. From here I walked around the walls of Clarence House, Lancaster House and St. James's Palace. I continued along the pedestrianised streets around Leicester Square.
At 1:30 I met up with my old Keele University friend Richard Ross, who paid for our late lunch at the Redemption vegan restaurant in Neal's Yard, Covent Garden. I then caught the Piccadilly line back to Hounslow West. That evening I had two pork pies for supper, before starting work on this blog. Having walked over 20 thousand steps, that's over eight miles, around London and not having had a siesta, I was very tired and was asleep before nine o'clock.
I awoke just after five o'clock, having had eight hours sleep. After my ablutions, I had two mugs of tea in the conservatory. I was at the tube station by six o'clock and at LHR T4 soon after. The sign said I couldn't check in until 7:50, so I sat in the smoker's cabin out in the fresh air to read the free Metro newspaper. At 6:55 they said I could check in early after all. They wanted to see my PCR Fit to Fly certificate and my Greek Locator Form QR code, before issuing my boarding pass. They didn't want to see my vaccination certificate!
I found an ABB charging station, so was able to update this blog. (ABB is Asea Brown Boveri - The Swedish / Swiss company who make cruise ship Azipod giant outboard electric motors!) Departure was delayed one hour by the failure of the ground electrics in the heavy rain. I was surprised and concerned that Heathrow was only using one runway for both landings and takeoffs. This meant we had to queue on the taxiway for incoming planes to land first!
I watched two TV travel programmes and enjoyed the fruit pastry with a bottle of spring water. I then slept for about an hour, only to wake up over the Mamma Mia Two island of Vis off the Croatian coast. On a newish Boeing 787 I was sat by a clever photochromic window, so I had a magnificent view of Corfu and the four towers of the Gulf of Patras bridge.
At the airport, the first offical wanted to see both my Greek locator form and my vax certificate, but not my PCR fit to fly test. Non-EU passport holders, including UK and US citizens, were required to queue up for twenty minutes at immigration, rather than use the empty automatic gates reserved for EU people only! I am still a "remoaner"! My bag was already on the carousel and Dimitris my chauffeur was already waiting for me. The limousine ride to the port of Piraeus took an hour in the Friday afternoon rush hour.
Check-in was a protracted affair, whilst they awaited another CoViD test result. I finally got on board at 6:30 but, as usual, my room key wouldn't work. I just made it to Cruise Director Vicki's introductions by the pool. Afterwards Manny the stage manager led me down to the theatre for me to record my first port talk. Unfortunately he couldn't get PowerPoint presenter mode and my embedded video to be recorded, so I rushed through it in barely 30 minutes.
I then dined alone al fresco at the Hot Rocks Grill on a filet mignon steak with a jacket potato and vegetables, followed by pistacio ice cream. I then explored the ship, before updating this blog. I only just managed to achieve my daily target of 10 thousand steps (about four miles) during the day. I went to sleep at 11:30 (Greek time) but only 9:30 on BST.
I awoke at 5:30 and got up at 6 o'clock to a lovely sunrise across the Cyclades islands. I did 8 circuits (one mile) of the top deck and saw two dolphins. At 7 o'clock I breakfasted on scrambled egg, corn beef hash and crispy bacon. I made the mistake of sitting at a table for six and, as I finished, the waiter had to clear the entire table!
The previous day the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) had removed the Code Bubble requirement, thus allowing all guests (but not crew) to go ashore on their own. So I was off the ship at 8:10 and got up to St. George's Roman Catholic Church in Upper Syros (Ano Syros) by 9 o'clock. On the way up, I couldn't go in the Metropolitan Cathedral as a service was in full swing. I then worked my way down via the Greek Orthodox Churches of the Resurrection of Christ, St. Nicholas and the Dormition of the Virgin. In the latter I was unable to find the famous icon painted by El Greco!
I nearly ran out of water in the hot sun, but got back to the ship at 11 o'clock. I then handed my escort wish list in at the tours desk before they closed at 11:30. Danushka arrived to service the room, so I adjourned to the Observation Library. At noon I lunched al fresco on the salmon en croute with cauilflower cheese, followed by just one scoop of sour cherry ice cream, a new flavour for me!
My first port talk had now appeared on the TV so I watched it, before having a 60 minute siesta. At three o'clock I gave my 35 minute lecture on our next island, Paros. Vicki, the Cruise Director, wrote in her report: "Very good feedback however due to long port days very few guests attend. However the guests that participated were complimentary." Afterwards I did six lengths of the pool, followed by ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis, followed by six more lengths of the now empty pool. I daren't stay too long in the hot sun, not having seen much during our lock down winter!
Back in my suite, my Paros talk was now playing on the TV. I updated this blog and got dressed in my ruby red outfit for the first formal night of this cruise. At six o'clock I attended the safety drill which I had missed the previous afternoon due to my late arrival at the ship.
At seven o'clock I went to the welcome cocktail party. I dined with Nelli and her mother Helen from New Mexico in La Terrazza Italian restaurant. I began with the lentil soup, continued with the Insalata Caprese and the veal cutlet, ending with the Cassata Sciciliana. After dinner we had the first excellent production show entitled "Mind the Gap", the story of British musical talent from the Sixties. I knew every song - that dates me! When it ended, I went straight to bed, having walked over 25 thousand steps, that's over 10 miles during the day!
I awoke at six o'clock and got up at 6:30 in time to see the two islets which had sunk the Empress Samina ferry back in 2000. At seven I breakfasted al fresco on TWO eggs Benedict on the terrace (La Terrazza), but they took a time to arrive. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and awaited the start of the tender service. I snuck on to the last of the tour tenders away and was ashore by 9:15.
I headed first to the Church of 100 Doors, but the Pentecost service was in full swing with the congregation spilling out into the courtyard. I then moved on to the nearby archaelogical museum, which surprisingly was already open! I shelled out €3 to see the Parian marble statues and other artifacts.
I then explored the old town, heading out to St. Anne's Chapel (Agia Annas) on the headland, passed the first of the town's beaches, but not quite reaching the Town Hall. I doubled back along the prom to St. Nicholas' Church, where the congregation were being given local Pentecost pastries as they left. I finally found the Frankish Crusader castle (Kastro) on top of the foundations of the ancient Temple to Athena.
Back at the Byzantine Church of 100 Doors, the service had finished. I shelled out 2 euros to go into the Eccelesiastical museum which included entry to the famous baptistery. The latter was a remarkable Byzantine church in its own right, with an enormous cross-shaped font set in the floor to allow total immersion of the baptised. I was also able to enter the extensive galleries of the main church next door to get better photos than the throng downstairs.
I then walked north east to the second of the town's beaches, before doubling back along the prom. Back at the tender pier, two of the brand new tenders had had hydraulic problems and so two more had to be lowered to the water. This meant it took me an hour to get back to the ship and bang went my siesta!
I lunched on two small minute steaks with eggplants / aubergines and macaroni cheese on the side. I finished with just one scoop of the raspberry sorbet.
Back in my suite, I updated my blog and prepared for my next port talk. At three o'clock I gave my 40 minute talk on Patmos. One couple apologised for coming in late, saying that they were still having trouble with the tenders. This was, of course, the very first time that the tenders had been used in anger!
I bathed in the very hot, large spa jacuzzi, which is like the ones on the new Saga ships with an integral tubular metal couch. The difference, however, was its location on one of the outside rear decks, so you don't need to run the gauntlet of the Spa 'hostesses'! I moved up a few decks to the rear deck standard jacuzzi, before doing half a dozen lengths of the main swimming pool. I then had another five minutes in one of the jacuzzis there too. Perhaps the greatest thing I have missed these 15 months of lock downs!
Back in my suite, I watched my Patmos lecture, before getting into my informal rig. At seven o'clock I joined Camila and Sofia to host the solo travelers get together. At 7:45 I led seven singles to the Hot Rocks Grill. I was sat with Wilma from Switzerland, Nelli and her mother Helen from New Mexico, Mary and her cousin Bill from Florida, Ruth from Maine and Anne from Philadelpia. I had the filet mignon on the hot lava rock with a jacket potato and vegetable skewers as usual. I finished with the sugar-free strawberry ice cream.
At 10 o'clock I went to the excellent rock 'n' roll pianist and vocalist Martin Kaye from Manchester. He was bursting with energy and sang super songs from the fifties and sixties. Unfortunately the huge and expensive LED back screen had the wrong aspect ratio. I went to bed at 11 o'clock, having walked over 20 thousand steps (about 8 miles) during the day!
I awoke at 6 o'clock and got up at 6:40. At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) as we anchored in the bay. You could see the famous fortified monastery of St. John of Patmos on the central hill. Back in my cabin, I answered an email from one of my agents seeking bids for Oceania and Regent Seven Seas cruises! At 9:15 I snuck on to the last of the tour tenders, which were local ferries not Silversea's!
It took me 25 minutes to walk the one and a half miles up the steep cobbled path to St. John's monastery. I shelled out 5 euros to go into the magnificent fortified complex. This included the main church, the chapel with the silver coffin of the founder and the museum. The latter was on two floors with marble statues, gold chalices, vestments etc. However the place wasn't quite as good as St. Catherine's monastery in Sinai, which I have visited twice.
I explored the old capital of Chora around the flanks of the hill top. I went in the Source of Light convent (Zoodochos Pigis), where one of the English speaking nuns gave me a private tour! I photographed the famous trio of windmills, before descending on the road. This was much longer going down than the cobbled path had been coming up, due to the many hairpin bends, but it was gentler and easier on the joints!
Half way down I went in the famous Apocalypse Cave, where St. John of Patmos wrote the Book of Revelation. Back in the port of Skala, I walked north along the prom completely missing the famous baptistery. So I walked far too far and on the way back I was shocked that I had managed to walk passed it on the way out without noticing! This was where St. John baptised the locals during his short exile here in 95 AD.
I didn't have long to wait for the next tender to get back to the ship. I had a late lunch of cheeseburger & fries, without bread, al fresco at the pool side Grill. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and prepared for my next lecture. At three o'clock I gave my 40 minute talk on Rhodes: the Island of the Knights. Vicki, the Cruise Director, wrote in her report: "Nice comments from Guests." After my daily temperature check, I slept for over an hour, my first proper siesta this cruise!
I then swam six lengths of the pool and spent ten minutes in each of the main and rear deck jacuzzis. As I got out, I had a wardrobe malfunction as the side seam of my swimming trunks had burst! For the rest of the cruise, I had to swim in one of my pairs of shorts. At seven o'clock I was listed in the Chronicle's programme as hosting the solo travelers. We were joined by Maria from Madrid for the first time. At 7:45 we descended to the new S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Tasting) complex, where most of the solos had gathered. So eight guests joined Katherina, Camila, Slavko and myself for dinner. We had two six person tables: Katherina, Camila, Maria, Nelli, Helen and Mary on one and Slavko, Anne, Ruth, Bill, Wilma and me on the other. I stuck to the day's Patmos menu: cheese tart to begin, pork chops to continue and a pouggia parcel to finish.
We broke up at ten o'clock for show time with the Italian Tenor, the Welsh Soprano and a pianist. They finished, inevitably, with "Time to Say Goodbye"! After faffing around in my suite, I finally got to sleep at 11:30, having walked over 23 thousand steps (about 9 miles) during the day and having gained a blister!
The ship awoke me at 6:20 manoeuvering in the harbour, ten minutes before my alarms. At 7 o'clock I had the full English breakfast al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) with a magnificent view of the old walled city. Back in my suite, I updated this blog. After my daily 8 o'clock temperature test, I rushed passed the old town of Rhodes to photograph the new town for the first time. In the main tourist information office they remembered that I had recently emailed them. They provided me with a fine carrier bag to take back all my leaflets ready for coming back here next month on the brand new Celebrity Apex!
I got back to the ship at 9 o'clock ready to escort my first choice all day tour of Rhodes. I had a 50 seat coach for just six guests, a limitation imposed by the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John. Our first stop was at the Rhodes Acropolis on Monte Smith overlooking the windier, wetter west coast. We had a brief photostop at the viewpoint outside Lindos, before stopping in the edge of town parking lot. We then walked downhill to the 50c toilets in the little square.
The centre of the pretty village was heaving with tourists as we made our way through the narrow streets. We climbed up the steps to the famous ancient Greek Acropolis, where it was very hot with next to no breeze despite the elevation. There was a marvellous view looking down on the heart-shaped Bay of St. Paul. Walking back down the smooth marble steps was tricky in my brown suede shoes.
Back in the village during our free time, I shelled out 3 euros to go into the Church of the Assumption and its Eccesliastical Museum.
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Entrance was free to the traditional Lindian House with its famous bridal bed veil. Back up at the parking lot, I slept for half an hour on the drive back to Rhodes town. Here we entered the old town via the D'Amboise Gate to tour the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Order of St John. This had been destroyed by a gunpowder explosion in the 1800s and had been rebuilt in the 1930s by the occupying Italians. They created a huge new building ready for Mussolini and the King of Italy, but neither ever visited. We saw the famous statues and Roman mosaics moved from the neighbouring island of Kos.
Having walked down the Street of the Knights of St. John, we finally began our late lunch at 4 o'clock. I was sat with my six charges, but four of the other escorts sat together. One of the single ladies complained that evening that she had had to lunch alone! We began with two plates each of Meze starters with taramasalata, tzatziki, hummous etc. These were followed by a salad plate and the main course of beef (not goat!), potato and sweet pepper stew in a yoghurt sauce. We finished with tasty orange cake which was a bit doughy. The guests had unlimited white wine and I was given a bottle of the local Mythos beer. My six guests choose to walk back to the ship, so it was just guide Michael, driver Basilis and me to drive back.
Back at the ship at six o'clock, I just had time for half a dozen lengths of the pool and ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis. I had to swim in my beige shorts as my trunks had been condemned. The sun was still very hot and predicted to get hotter at the end of the week! At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Katerina. There was one newcomer, Carolyn from Annapolis the state capital of Maryland and the home of the famous US Naval Academy.
At 7:45 four guests: Mary & Bill and Nelli & Helen, together with hostess Katerina & me, went down to the main dining room, Atlantide. I began with the lobster bisque and continued with three small Argentinian Estancia steaks with fries and asparagus. I ordered my favourite Argentinian Malbec red wine, which was also enjoyed by Katerina, Mary and Nelli. I just managed to get my triple ice cream dessert, before the excellent Elton John show time began at 10 o'clock. It featured the exuberant Michael Kaye on piano and vocals singing all the classic Taupin & John songs. I went to bed at 11:30, having walked over 20 thousand steps (about eight miles) during the day!
I didn't wake up until nearly 8 o'clock, having slept for over 8 hours. I had TWO small omelettes with my crispy bacon and tomatoes in La Terrazza restaurant. I then did six circuits (half a mile) of the top deck walking track, before it got too hot. At 10 o'clock I went to Slavko's presentation on cruising the Galapagos islands. One lady wrote: "Say hello to Slavko (nicknamed Slabcake by a Saganaut I knew)."
At 11:15 I went to the "Stolen Lamb & the Food of Cyprus" culinary demonstration in the theatre, not the new teaching kitchen, which is too small. I didn't sample the food, but I did have a glass of the Cypriot red wine! At noon I lunched on a small anchovy and caper pizza al fresco in the Spaccanapoli pizzeria on the top deck. I then slept for 85 minutes.
At three o'clock I gave my 45 minute talk on "Limassol: the Port for Cyprus" to a slightly larger audience, as it was our first sea day. Afterwards I had my mid-week lateral flow swab test which I had to administer myself, under the supervision of a nurse. I then sat in on Katherina's interesting Greek lesson, ready for my "Welcome to Greece" lecture on the Celebrity Apex next month! Before six o'clock, I did half a dozen lengths of the pool and spent ten minutes in the one of the jacuzzis in the shade. At seven o'clock I hosted the singles inside the Panorama Lounge as it was just too hot outside!
At 7:45 we watched the magnificent sunset, but unfortunately there was no green flash. At eight o'clock Bill led Mary, Nelli, Helen, Wilma, Martha and me down to the Japanese Restaurant Kaiseki against by protestations! I began with the miso minestrone soup and then continued with the delicious king crab balls (which Bill called crab's testicles to everyone's amusement!) My main course was the recommended surf 'n' turf combination of Maine lobster tail and Japanese wagyu beef steak. I finished the lovely meal with the green tea ice cream, which gave me a bit of toothache later in bed. I had one bottle of Asahi beer and one of Sapporo to wash it all down. At the end of the meal, Bill kindly paid my cover charge.
It was way past 10 o'clock when we finished eating, so I had missed the Grande Amore operatic show. I went up to the top deck to do a dozen laps to reach my 10 thousand steps a day target, hoping to see the stars, but there was a bright full moon and the ship was floodlit. I didn't get to bed until midnight.
I awoke at 6:15 and breakfasted on the full English al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) with a dramatic view of Limassol's new skyscrapers at seven o'clock. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and checked out my brand new "Mamma Mia: the Greek Musical" lecture. I was the only guest on the first shuttle bus away at 9:05. At the old port drop off point, I was given their wifi password at the Tourist Information Office (TIO), so I was happy. I walked around the old town including the castle, but at 4.50 euros I declined to go in again.
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I went in the small carob mill museum, but the Grand Mosque was closed for renovation.
On St Andrew's Street, I paid a mere 1 euro for a fine Cyprus cap. The old university library were unhelpful, whereas the new university library in the old cultural centre printed out a page for me. Admission to both the archaeological and municipal museums was free. In the archive section of the latter, I was able to print off some more business cards.
I then walked back along the beach, prom and sculpture garden to the old port. Back at the TIO, I received an email from Silversea asking me to stay on for another 10 days! Decisions, decisions! One gent wrote: "You're such a lucky so and so, they are even luckier." I caught the 12:30 shuttle bus back to the ship. There I lunched on a cheeseburger and fries with no bread, al fresco by the pool!
Back in my suite, I updated this blog and back-upped my photographs. At three o'clock I gave my 40 minute enrichment lecture entitled "Mamma Mia: The Greek Musical!" At the end of it, Antonio, head of Silversea entertainment, came up to me asking for my decision about staying on for another cruise. I said I only had one condition: unlimited internet (rather than 100 Mb per day) to write one new lecture. I had anticipated this might happen, so I had already prepared the other new talk required before hand. Vicki, the Cruise Director, wrote in her report: "Martin gave it his all for the recording." I dozed for 45 minutes, before doing six lengths and spending ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis.
At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers with Katerina. We dined in the main restaurant (Atlantide) with Bill & Mary, Nelli & Helen, Maria, Wilma and S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Tasting) chef Eva. I began with my favourite lobster bisque followed by NY Strip Steak (Sirloin) with proper chips (not skinny fries!) & asparagus. We began with a chilled glass of champagne and then had the Argentinian Malbec red wine again. I just finished the sugar free Fantasia dessert just in time, before Jo Mackie's excellent cabaret. I went to bed at 11:25, having walked over 20 thousand steps (about 8 miles) during the day!
I awoke at 7 o'clock ready for the full English breakfast al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) at 7:30. I then did 8 laps (one mile) of the top deck track, meeting fitness instructor Sacha from Ukraine towards the end. Back in my suite, I had to send emails to my dentist in Poole, to my B&B near Heathrow and to my neighbours in Coy Pond, explaining my extension on board!
At ten o'clock I gave my 40 minute talk on Heraklion to my largest audience, such as it was, so far. Vicki, the Cruise Director, wrote in her report: "Once again very good feedback from guests for Martin." Afterwards I was able to complete my paperwork for my next cruise, having been given unlimited internet access. At 11:15 I went to the Cretan cooking demo and enjoyed the wine tasting. At noon I had a small anchovy and caper pizza al fresco looking down on the pool. I then slept for two hours.
I watched my Heraklion port talk on the TV, before working on my new Chania lecture, ready for the next cruise. At 5:30 I swam half a dozen lengths of the pool and spent ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis, with the hot sun being ameliorated by the cooling breeze. Back in my suite, I changed into my informal gear wearing my favourite Navajo bolo.
At seven o'clock I hosted the solo travellers get together with Katherina. Most of the group were going to La Dame French restaurant, but Anne & Ruth let me tag along with them to Atlantide. I began with the leek & potato soup, followed by the filet mignon and ending with the sugar free Fantasia dessert. We had Spanish red wine, although I could have had my favourite Argentinian Malbec.
At 10 o'clock I sat with Anne & Ruth to watch the fabulous Rock Rhapsody tribute to pop group Queen. Afterwards, I went up to the top deck to reach my 10 thousand daily step total, but my right hip was hurting, so I only managed 6,889 steps (less than three miles) during the day. This was the very first time since last December that I hadn't reached my daily target!
The bow thrusters awoke me at seven o'clock, so at 7:30 I was having the full English breakfast al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) overlooking the Green Peace boat. I was off the ship soon after eight o'clock, walking into town.
At 8:50 I reached the old Venetian fort which surprisingly was already open. I shelled out 4 euros to go inside to see the military artifacts. Up on the battlements there were lovely views across the old Venetian port. Continuing along the promenade, I discovered that the Historical museum would not open until 11 o'clock, so I decided to come back then. I continued to the Natural History museum, but that was completely closed for renovation.
Heading into the city centre, I went into the enormous Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Minas, but declined to go in the Museum of Christian Art next door. The Basilica of St. Mark, now a municipal art gallery, had an interesting exhibition on the second world war with free admission. Next I went in the Church of St. Titus, which had been built as a muslim mosque with a large, central dome. Opposite the famous archaeological museum, the tourist information office was shut, as was the info point next to the central library.
Back at the Historical museum at 11 o'clock, I paid the senior citizen rate of 3 euros rather than 5 euros to go in. I saw and photographed the two famous works by Heraklion artist El Greco. Again it was the second world war section that I found most interesting.
Back at the ship by noon, I had a cheeseburger and fries al fresco by the pool. I then dozed for an hour, interrupted by a wrong number phone call and the delivery of a letter. At three o'clock I started giving my Mykonos port talk, unfortunately after twenty minutes the ship suffered a power cut. The emergency water tight doors immediately closed! Manny the stage manager was unable to re-establish communications with the broadcast centre and, with an early show in the offing, we abandoned the whole thing. Vicki, the Cruise Director, wrote in her report: "Martin performed it like a pro."
I worked on my upcoming Chania port talk, before doing six lengths of the pool and spending ten minutes in one of the jacuzzis. I then changed into my all black formal outfit. At 6:30 I went to the excellent Musical Theatre showtime, but had to slip out at 7 o'clock to host the solo travellers. At 8 o'clock Nelli led Helen, Bill, Mary, Maria and myself down to the Silver Note restaurant. I had the large lobster tail to begin, continued with the small lamb and small duck. I helped Mary finish her vegetarian whole grain cereals, before finishing with the Berry Fantasia dessert.
We finished just after ten o'clock, when we adjourned to the pool side show time entitled "Simply Divine". I sat with Wilma, who had joined us at the end of the meal. When the singers had finished, Bart the DJ took over and Vicki the Cruise Director led off YMCA, so I joined in. I went to bed at 11 o'clock, having done over 21 thousand steps (over 8 miles) during the day.
I awoke at 6 o'clock and got up at 6:30. I had the full English breakfast at 7 o'clock, where I chatted to a lady from Cornwall. They lived in Lelant which was within the G7 Carbis Bay exclusion zone, so for 10 days they were constrained in where they could go! We docked at eight but it took half an hour to get the coach drivers rapid antigen tested. I was one of the first off the ship at 8:35, walking along the coast passed several little beaches to Mykonos town. I climbed up the eastern side of the town to the Agricultural museum, but being a Sunday it was closed. I skirted around the south side of Mykonos town to get to the famous row of windmills:
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I photographed the Little Venice waterfront, before doing the sights of the old town. The ABC (Another Blooming Church) count reached five, before I had had enough of the heat at 11 o'clock. So I ambled around the old port to the new marina, where I caught the 11:30 shuttle bus back to the ship.
At noon I lunched al fresco by the pool on my favourite cheeseburger & fries with no bread. Back in my suite, I updated this blog and back-upped my photographs. At two o'clock (not three as usual) I gave my 35 minute talk on "Pireaus: the Port for Athens". Back in my suite again, I packed up all my things, except for those items on hangers, ready for my upgrade from deck 4 to deck 6! In my new suite I lay down for half an hour, before doing half a dozen lengths and spending ten minutes in the jacuzzi.
At 6:30 I went to the Continuing Guests cocktail party wearing my Greek fancy dress.
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Here I sat with Nelli & Helen together with Marcia from Clarendon Park in Leicester. At 7 o'clock the departing singles Bill & Mary, Anne & Ruth, Carolyn, Maria & Wilma joined us.
At 8 o'clock we moved down to La Terrazza Italian restaurant. I began with the lentil soup, continued with the Insalata Caprese, had the Fillet Steak for my main course and finished with Italian cheese. The dinner party broke up at 10:30, when I went back to my new suite. Here I watched my Piraeus/Athens lecture on the TV, whilst updating this blog. I went to sleep just after 11 o'clock, having walked over 19 thousand steps (nearly 8 miles) during the day!
Having left my balcony curtains open, I awoke to the light just after 6 o'clock. At 6:45 I had the full English breakfast al fresco on the terrace (La Terrazza) as we tied up at cruise terminal B, which is actually beyond terminal C! I was off the ship soon after eight on a wild goose chase to find an Aldi which turned out to be the name of a Greek office company! I did however find a Lidl about half a mile beyond the Piraeus metro station. Here I bought a lovely pair of trainers / sneakers for just 15 euros, to replace my old pair which had fallen apart earlier in the cruise!
Doubling back to the metro station, I spent 2.30 euros on a return ticket to Athens. I alighted at Monastiraki as usual and climbed up passed the Ancient Roman (not Greek) ruins to the Acropolis.
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Here I shelled out 20 euros, as the reduced rate for Senior Citizens was only for EU residents! Just entering the site I bumped into Anne & Ruth, who were just departing for the airport, after their tour of the Acropolis. I enjoyed viewing the Parthenon, the Caryatids and the views across down town Athens. I climbed back down via the two amphitheatres to catch the metro back from the Acropolis station.
Back at Piraeus metro station, I went in the small electric train museum which has free admission. I then walked back around the port to Cruise Terminal C. Here it took nearly an hour to be re-tested and processed through two waiting areas. Back on board, I had a small anchovy and caper pizza overlooking the pool. I then slept for an hour and a half. I did half a dozen lengths but only spent five minutes in the jacuzzi as it was already bubbling when I entered it.
Back in my new suite, I updated my blog, but was unable to back-up my day's photography from my old phone, not having taken my new phone ashore with me for fear of being mugged! At six o'clock it was time for the safety drill and at 6:45 Vicki introduced all of us on the hot pool deck. At 7:30 I attended the solo travellers in the Dolce Vita lounge. Katherina, Nelli & her mother Helen were already ensconced when I arrived. We were joined by Katrine from Hannover in Germany, Ellie from St. Augustine in Florida and Clara from Denver in Colorado.
At 8:15 Katherina made her excuses and I led the other five down to the Atlantide main restaurant. I began with the crab bisque and continued with the so-called salade nicoise which was mainly raw tuna. I had ordered the prime rib of beef, but a filet mignon arrived instead, but Helen came to the rescue offering me half of her prime rib. I think that the waiter had mixed up our orders! We also had extra mushrooms and asparagus which was a nice touch. I finished with the sugar free fantasia. We had an Australian red wine, although I was offered my favourite Argentinian Malbec.
The party broke up at 10:30 and, after updating this blog, I went to bed at 11 o'clock. During the day I had been carrying my old phone, so I don't know how many steps I must have done!
Vicki, the cruise director, wrote in her report: "Martin P. Lee was excellent with the solo travelers. He enjoyed taking responsibility for them and dining with them."
One lady later wrote: "It was great having met you and the 'solo' clan"
Another lady later wrote: "Thank you, I enjoyed reading it! And thank you for the company and all the laughs."
A third lady wrote: "I enjoyed every minute of your very detailed cruise log. It felt I'd been with you. We are so missing cruising."
A fourth lady wrote: "I really enjoyed your two blogs about Greece and the surrounding area. The weather was great, destination, food, the ship and the company."
One gent wrote: "You are such good value on a cruise Martin - they may not let you go"
I scored 8.35 (84%) in the end of cruise questionnaire!
8 Port talks 5 Old ports: (Piraeus, Ermoupolis, Rhodes, Limassol, Heraklion) 4 Old islands: (Syros, Rhodes, Cyprus & Crete) 4 Silversea cruises 3 New islands: (Paros, Patmos, Mykonos) 3 New ports: (Parikia, Skala, Tourlos) 3 Silversea ships: (Wind, Muse & Moon) 2 Hot Rocks! 1 Enrichment lecture: (Mamma Mia: the Greek Musical!)Dinners:
x3 Atlantide International x2 La Terrazza Italian x2 Hot Rocks Grill x1 S.A.L.T. Local food x1 Silver Note tapas x1 Kaiseki JapaneseLunches:
x4 Pool Side Grill cheeseburgers x3 Spaccanapoli Pizzeria x2 Terrazza Italian x1 Rhodes
Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure Spirit of Discovery Black Prince Black Watch Balmoral Boudicca Braemar QE2 QM2 QV QE Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Sapphire Princess VoD Discovery P&O Oriana