Author: TC0241

Not quite an early start today so I have time to write my blog on the deck. Not a bad idea as I am near the coffee machine however I am in sight of the Joggers on the deck above and they keep crossing my eye line. The normal group going at different paces all except one who is Jogging backwards, yes backwards. What one earth he thinks he is doing. I move away so I can concentrate and end up near one of the doorways. Like yesterday I greet each person passing with a cheery “Hello there, nice day, enjoy” with mixed results. I am even greeting the crew which I think is unnerving them. It takes around 30 minutes to complete then back to get Judi and a quick breakfast.

10:30 sees us in the lounge with our stickers E-1 today. A small bus so only around 20 people for this tour of Ephesus. The guide is young and a little nervous. This ability to use the phrase “you know” more than one in a sentence is remarkable. The People you know used to live here you know and you know they were very you know sophisticated. He gets better as he settles into his rhythm. The site is 30 minutes away so an easy drive. It used to be a small port but it silted up however it remains an iconic name amongst ancient ruins.

It is impressive but a little ragged, I think it could do with a little more organization. It does have some impressive mosaics and frescos but these are not generally on view they are in a part sectioned off. We get in because we have paid they little extra. They do show how detailed people were in those days. A swimming pool kitchens, bathrooms. All quite well preserved, all of the archeological work being done by some Austrian university. There is a two story library which was at some point supposed to rival Alexandria but of course fate is cruel and everything was lost. There is an extremely impressive amphitheater which seats 25,000 so by far the biggest I have seen. Shame they have been using it for rock concerts and the acoustic vibrations had a detrimental effect on it so there are repairs going on. I say going on I could only see two workers both asleep under a tree but there was a big crane.

I am not actually disappointed in Ephesus but I have to say they could do a lot more with it. There are many stones with inscriptions on just lying around and you can tell some of the restoration work was poorly thought out. columns change shape half way up, cornices do not match so it looks more like some form of leggo set. That said the physical size of the amphitheater and the mosaic floors (if you can get in to see them) are possibly worth the entrance fee and it is only a stones throw from Kusidasi where we are docked and we are soon back there for a little retail therapy. I have to say the place is very neat and tidy and a welcome relief from the harassment we have suffered at some other places. It is possibly only the culture difference but I don’t appreciate being bullied into buying something. There is a repetitive nature to the shopping, Jewelers, tiles, clothes, cafe, jewelers, tiles clothes, cafe. so it becomes slightly monotonous but the streets are clean and nobody is grabbing hold of you (I really hate vendors grabbing my arm). We make a couple of minor purchases for the flat, Judi says it needs some stuff to make it look like ours as right now it looks bare. Bright tiles and hand painted bowls should do.

Back for an hour or so lounging around. The two piece band is hard at it although nobody notices. They play on deck in the casino lounge and in the upper cabaret lounges every day and I am in constant amazement at the singers fortitude in standing on deck in the full sun and have watch as she gets more and more of a tan.

Dinner is interesting as we comment on the American Open Tennis championships which started this week. The provokes a debate on players and interestingly the English couple really seem to dislike Andy Murray because he is Scottish and the Irish couple do not like Roger Federer because he is Swiss. Now neither have met them and of course it is of no consequence what these tennis players do. They just play tennis they do not dictate Governmental policy or actually do anything bad or are troublesome about anything they just play tennis every now and again. What I found fascinating was how someone can form an opinion about another person based only on conjecture. How can you hate someone for no good reason. You can “Prefer” someone else and even support someone else but there is no reason to violently dislike. I point this out because over the last few days we have met lots of cultures which hate other cultures for things which did not happen to them themselves and on occasion may have happened centuries ago. In fact some may never of really happened or may have been distorted through the telling of the stories and yet here we are 2009 with the same thing. Maybe we have not moved on very far at all.

This got me thinking do “I” dislike anyone. Well there was a man I said I would never work with again (a long time ago) that was because I always had the impression he was a little violent. I added another a while back because it seemed he could only be right by making everyone else wrong which got tiring after a while. I have never met anyone who was “always right” and probably never will but we live in hope.

An easy day tomorrow Patmos a Greek island not much there so only a gentle stroll planned.

Ashdod where we dock is really a working port and we dock next to several hundred cars on their way from the far east to Europe. They do not go through the Suez Canal as the rates are too high so they get taken off before get moved overland and back onto the same ship at Ashdod thus avoiding the charges. You would think the Egyptians would be smart enough to reduce the rate and at least get some money. Anyway today we are heading off to Jerusalem possibly the highlight of the tour and a place I have wanted to visit for a long time. Our tour is really only centered around the old city and the more prominent sites.

We are picked up at 7:30 with lots of security and I mean lots these Israelis don’t take chances. They have been fighting someone since the day Israel was declared a state by the UN so they know how to handle themselves. Our guide gives an informative view of the country on our one and a half hour journey into the city. She seems more than a little biased against the Arab population maybe with good reason but at first hearing it does sound a little harsh and somewhat “I’m right so you must be wrong” sort of scenario. Out first stop is the Mount of Olive’s which is the place all people of the Jewish faith want to be buried. The Jews are still waiting for the Messiah who is supposed to throw open the Mercy gates and the graves packed all along the mount face this way. The gates are bricked up so when he come it is liable to be spectacular. We are interrupted several times by the Arab hawkers trying to sell postcards (does anyone buy postcards any more) or have camel rides. They were a little heavy handed and unnecessarily loud even when asked to hang on. Not the most subtle sales people if they think they can bully people into purchasing things.

We get a briefing of the City of David which is much smaller than I imagined. The old city walls whilst spectacular cover a small site which has not only been expanded multiple times but also torn down and built over by which ever group captured the city last. The Romans were responsible for tearing down the walls leaving only a part of the western wall now commonly known as the Wailing wall. This in itself is not particularly holy however it is the closest place Jews can get to their holy place on the other side which is in Arab hands. we stand and watch and push little notes into the crevasses of the wall with our hopes and wishes. This area is specifically Jewish and their link through history to their heritage and identity.

We move off not far to find the Via Dolorosa which marks the Catholic “stations of the cross” which we follow. This one is a little strange for me being Catholic as I have known the stations all my life and to physically be there and to follow the winding path is really weird. The route is not particularly long and ends inside the “Church of the holy Sepulcher” which is built over the site of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. This place is strange indeed. One because you naturally think the crucifixion happened outside so building a church over it somehow spoils the vision. The other is that the church houses six or seven denominations of christian faiths. Catholics, Coptic, Armenian and several others each has their space and style and it shows clearly how even with the same spiritual link how people can differ in their interpretation. (I think even the priests have problems, YouTube the place as I think there was a fight between the clergy only a couple of months back). The place is heaving with people from the different denominations all rooting for their particular version or Religion and nothing like the peace and tranquility you would have expected given the reverence of the location. If this is truly where Jesus died you have to wonder if his preaching are really being followed and that we all share the common bond or as it would seem that everyone is trying to be the dominant force at the expense of the others. It sort of spoiled it a little for me.

The Garden of Gethsemane on the other hand was a quiet garden with some ancient Olive trees. It is easy to imagine the trees in front of me have been here for a couple of thousand years and the simple church on the side was more like my expectations. A place more for quiet reflection and one of peace and tranquility.

All the while our guide is informing us the border used to be at this point and that point and those holes in the wall are shell marks. There are a lot of soldiers on the streets all looking pretty relaxed more a deterrent than actually expecting trouble. Israel has conscription so all men and women spend some time in the military hence most of the ones we see with their machine guns casually slung over their shoulders are what I would describe as kids. There was one ally way in the bazaar where the Jewish sector ends and the Arab one begins where I saw a soldier with his pistol out and poised ready for anything “unexpected” one learns to protect oneself if you had been through what they have in their history.

Lunch is at a Kibbutz which is a collective farm. There were set up to encourage people to emigrate to the new state as well as to cultivate the land. They have done an extremely good job in the 30 – 40 years and the land is well tended and managed. Lunch is good and at the end we get taken to a vantage point to see Bethlehem. Again you really don’t expect it to be that close but it is. Back on the coach and off to King David’s tomb (thats the David and Goliath one) and the site of the last supper. Well not quite the site but they think it was there so they built a church just in case and incorporated a mosque as well.

We round off the day with a sort of tour back through the countryside which is on the one hand fascinating and on the other disappointing. The Jews are building a huge concrete wall to “manage” the more sensitive areas and keep Jews and Arabs apart. We are confidently told the wall does not go all the way and when it ends there is electrified barbed wire. We are also quickly informed the current is not meant to harm just inform the nearest army post of something happening. Sorry but barbed wire is barbed wire electrified or not. We pass a couple of check points and given our status as tourists we are waved through. Not so for others and there is a line of cars who are going through the daily ritual of being “processed” which I think is a euphemism for being delayed.

I am by no means a historian but it is very clear that what ever fate has dealt to the Jews throughout the centuries this time they mean to keep what they have.

I suppose whilst I am sort of fulfilling a bit of a dream on this leg of the trip it also serves to shatter some illusions. This was a battlefield throughout the ages and to some degree still is. The three faiths Muslim, Jewish and Christian all purport to have teaching of peace and harmony and tolerance. What I saw today did not lead me to believe that these wishes will come true any time soon. It seemed people were prepared to go to any length to defend their particular inch of ground even if they have no way of proving that this particular inch is the right one or not. I think that they are quarreling over the physical aspect and have long forgotten the spiritual aspect of the faith they say they are serving. There was no laughter today no serenity no peaceful coexistence.

Lets hope someone reads the note I left in the wall.

So here we are at Yoga there are only two of us today our friend is staying overnight in Cairo so our instructor has only Judi and I to contend with. Still doing circuit training rather than slow methodical stretching but at least I am getting used to it. The breathing colors at the end still concerns me he keeps say to block everything out but all I can hear is the thud thud thud of the treadmills behind us and a guy bellowing “Y’ULL HAVE TO SHOUT I’VE GOT MY IPOD ON” so the colors I am breathing are beginning to resemble a Jackson Pollok (Google it).

We do not dock until noon so after breakfast I take the opportunity to get a haircut which will save me having to learn the word in Russian when I get home. Hanging around the sun deck I can see the Joggers on the track above me. I noted the other day 13 laps equals a nautical mile (1,852 yards which will come in useful later). There are 8 to 10 people in various stages of movement so semi-professionals some almost walking. They are all going the same way bar one, why is there always one not only is he going in the opposite direction to everyone else he can’t seem to make up his mind if he is going on the inside or the outside so he upsets the rhythm of each one he passes. I am sure they are not amused but seem too polite to tell him. There garb is varied and there is one old sun bronzed chap in dayglow yellow speedo’s who is striding with purpose. Not for me I think so I head off for the bottomless pit call the coffee station.

As we enter the dock there are lots of things to see. A couple of small religious sites a small harbor for the tiny fishing vessels we have been passing for the last hour or so. Lots of big container ships and bulk carriers. a huge floating dry dock and a ship building yard. Port Said owes everything to the Suez Canal and has prospered and suffered with both. During its early life it was the center of attention then after the abdication of the last Egyptian king and the subsequent Suez crisis and WWII it got bombed heavily. The Arab Israeli war saw the canal closed for several years so not much luck for the town. We are only stopping here to pick up the people who stayed in Cairo and will only be here 6 or 7 hours. Judi and I decide to take a stroll into the town behind the security wall even though everyone says there is not much out there. As it happens everyone is correct. There really is nothing endearing about the place and several other brave tourists like us can confirm. If we had gone on a scavenger hunt we would not have brought many treasures back.

The highlight really is to sit on the top deck and watch the big ships glide gently by and little car ferries trying to pass in front and behind them and the tugs pushing pulling and nudging things int the right place. The pilot boats the police boats the fishing boats and a host of others all performing a little water ballet. I spent quite a while and a good few camera clicks recording it all until Judi insists we try again at the trivia quiz. We pass a lone Jogger on the track and it is damn hot today so I am surprised someone has the mental determination for it. We have to wait in the Casino lounge for the quiz master who has decided it was being held on a different deck and whilst we wait we pair up with a brother and sister from LA. Eventually we get started and are stuck on the number of years the Berlin wall stood when their parents turn up. The girl asks her father if he knows, she asks him in Russian which was a bit of a surprise as the kids are as American as apple pie. Anyway he says it was done by krushchev and around 30 years I suggest only 20 but am shouted down (in the end I was closer though). Now there is a question how long is a nautical mile and given I am the only one to offer an answer it goes down on the pad. I am right of course and also correct that Mr Birdseye invented the Freezer but we still only get 11 correct so an improvement but not enough to get use the coverted luggage tags. Somehow I think we will be there until we do.

Back to the cabin and the jogger is still pounding away I wonder if he has done the 13 laps for a nautical mile yet. Our breakfast guy is also on the track but somehow I am not sure he can make it round once. He is happy enough taking his usual short steps with his stick and still smiling. You just have to hand it to some people they just keep going.

The gang are back together for dinner which is excellent as usual but the service is beginning to deteriorate a little. It is taking longer for them to complete things even handing out menus and clearing plates. Maybe they are short staffed or maybe they have extra tables but it takes us an extra 45 minutes to get through the meal. I am going to let it slide given how good the food is. (well for now anyway). We all have to prepare for a big day tomorrow Jerusalem and Nazareth. Top of my list for this trip and something I was never sure we would get around to so a lot of anticipation plus the clocks go forward again tonight so one hour less sleep so I had best get cracking.

Day 6 When did I stop worshipping the Sun

Yoga is almost the same as yesterday except with a slight swell we do not try the balance positions which I think is a good thing. Even on flat ground I can not stand on one leg so on a boat it is just farcical. Managed to put the docket out so we at least got tea and coffee and the 3 cups I had started to kick in with the first stretch. did I mention there are only 3 of us in the class so 4 with the instructor “Bradley” (A made up name I think) so we constitute half of the lesson. This is the last one for a couple of days so lets make the most of it and Stretcccccch. I survive and stagger off for breakfast, lucky for me it is on the same deck, Toast boiled eggs (for a change) and coffee. We find a table in fact given how small this boat is it is a little surprising that what ever meal we are at there are tables available. On the Alaska cruise we would get food and then wander around for 10 minutes whilst it got cold searching for somewhere to sit. (there is probably some mathematical ratio for tables to people to time somewhere). The old guy is there before us but we have nearly finished by the time he actually gets his butt on the chair.

We have a spa day pass today which means we get to sit at the front of the boat where no children or bands are allowed. A sort of quiet area, it is quite and also a sun trap so a lot of time is spend trying to get out of the sun. Now I don’t remember when I changed from wanting to sit in the sun to wanting to avoid sitting in the sun. I remember times gone by when I though the best possible day would be lying on a deckchair slowly frying myself. Interestingly Egypt where we are heading actually worshipped the Sun as a religion and there are some followers on the ship. Greased up they lie prone only stirring to reapply more bronzer and to turn themselves over to baste another portion. Some of them will need to turn many times given the girth or physical size. These days given a choice I will walk on the shady side of the street and where possible avoid direct sunlight. I am not particularly worried about skin cancer or premature aging (think it is too late for that) I just don’t like it any more.

Heading back across the deck for lunch my old guy is trying to lower himself onto a lounger I help him down but now I am worried he will get sunstroke trying to get himself back up ( I will check on him on the way back). If you think we are eating all the time you are correct that’s what you do on cruises. Food is available 24*7. I must have been in the US too long as I put fruit on the same plate as my Mexican chili beef and takeo. Think I need the fruit more. Our guy is stood up by the time we pass again so he must have started to rise as soon as I helped him down.

Back in the suntrap we play shuffle chair for a while trying to avoid the sun until it is time for the wine tasting. A small diversion which gets us back inside in the air-conditioning. There are six selected wines and none of them are French, Kendal Jackson, Wolfblass, Moldavi? (spelling) and a couple of Chilean (Chilean chardonnay is good and worth a try these days for the price) The talk is informative and the handouts even more so. We end with a desert wine which would be great after dinner but not so good at 3:45 in the afternoon. I decide the spa is just a little too bright and decline to return. Judi say s she has to go as she has another spa appointment, who would have guessed. She will be getting loyalty and christmas cards from them this year I am sure. I head back to the cabin to finish my book, The second of the cruise. I normally only read novels on holiday not at home there are too many distractions and even when I read it is normal none fiction (not sure why they are not just labeled “fact”). So to have completed 2 books already for me is good. One about a swimmer who encounters a young whale and the second a book on short essays by the lady who took over from Alistair Cook (google him) who did those wonderful “Letters from America” which I and my mother used to tune in and listen to so many years ago. Even when I was no longer at home we would both listen and discuss when I called.

I went to post yesterdays blog in the top lounge only to find Team Dominican Republic holding another party which looks like it has been in full swing for quite a while. There is lots of Latin music and dancing, Kids and elders everyone is having fun and the bar staff are on their toes keeping up with them. It is good to see a group who are taking their enjoyment so seriously. I know they will be back here after dinner and continue into the small hours. It does not seem to impact them at all and they are always around at breakfast recounting the great time they had the previous evening. (note to self check the place out for a holiday)

I found some of the photos taken of us at “Formal” night and not as bad as I expected so need to start saving as these do cost you. Dinner is again excellent I have Rib eye steak and Judi salmon. (Elaine no pictures of this meal but plenty of others check the web photo album). We are engaged in conversation with out table guests and time flies fast. We are “encouraged” to leave by people clearing up around us, where did the last 2 hours go. Not ready to retire yet we meander to the lounge where several drinks later we decide enough and turn in all a little tired and emotional. There was an announcement late this afternoon telling us the clocks were being put back an hour tonight now we only put them forward last night which is weird. We conclude that as it is Ramadan there mush be some deviation on the daylight savings. Whatever it means an extra hours sleep and given we are not on muster until 8:30 am.

I am sweating and out of breath so maybe not as quiet as I had hoped. I am in the middle of what is supposed to be the Yoga class but the speed this guy is working us you might think it is Pilates. My yoga is more relaxed but right now I seem to be in some form of circuit training. Up down Stretch, downward dog, plank, squat, pigeon, camel, etc and did I mention it was only 8 am. So much for a quiet day. It didn’t start that well either it seems “I” forgot to hang out the morning tea and coffee sign so I had to scurry off and get it myself. When you do it yourself you can only carry one of each so limited caffeine which is not helping. The session ends with us breathing colors whatever that is Blue, Ggreen, Yellow, Orange and finally Red. I am sure it helps but my mind is not in a relaxed state so apart from the stretching I feel limited benefits.

Once over it is time for breakfast which means dodging the ditherers. The people who stand staring at food unable to make a decision fried or scrambled. white bread or brown. This is made worse by the sheer volume of options available. From steak to Ice cream. I am happy with toast and a couple of eggs and lots and lots of coffee. There is one guy who is now a feature of the dining as he is very frail and it takes several minutes for him to lower himself into a chair and even longer to get up again. I don’t say this in jest but to note anyone can cruise and well done to those who do. We will all be old at sometime and if I still have the gumption to travel around the world like this guy then I will have good reason to be pleased with myself. It is all to easy to get frustrated with people as they age but remember what ever life you are living it is because someone before you built it. They are not all national hero’s most just ordinary people doing ordinary jobs but all part of what ever system or process which allows you to live the lifestyle of your choice and do what ever you chose to do right this minute. Next time you see one say thanks or help them along, your turn will surely come.

After Breakfast we go and find a shady spot on the deck, this lasts for 30 minutes as we plan to go to a lecture on Alexandria which is our next port of call. I know little about this place so the idea of someone giving me the low down saves me the reading. Jo the host is funny and a little irreverent but informative so worth the effort. He does go on and on about the sunsets too long though. I think to myself the ones I saw at lake Titicaca will live with me forever (the pictures should be on Picassa under Peru) and seriously doubt these will be anywhere close.

Back to the shady deck for 30 minutes then the ping pong tournament starts, click, click,,, click, click,,,, click click,,, The Cruise champion is crowned inside 40 minutes ( I think he is semi professional) and order is resumed and other 30 minutes and it is time for lunch. Think the old guy has not quite finished breakfast but game as ever he is trying to sit down to the Chinese buffet.

Back to the not so shady spot and drag the chairs around a bit, 30 minutes and the water volleyball starts, The pool can accommodate around 20 people so 2 teams of 5 each thrashing around bumping into each other is possibly dangerous but it all ends fairly well. Then the band strikes up. I say band I mean a singer and a bloke on some computerized machine which plays backing tracks. The singer stands in the full sun which makes her a brave girl indeed as she will fry.

Judi is off now she has booked some appointments at the spa. This gives me the opportunity to move down a few decks in lie under one of the lifeboats in the shade. There I manage to write yesterdays blog . I get some time to doze until some kids decide it would be a god idea to chase on another up and down the deck. I am more fearful for their safety than the noise and am glad when the parent arrive. It is the pushchair man from yesterday and he herds them back inside.

I head back to the cabin around 6pm. It is formal night so need to dress up. It is also the Captains cocktail party where all the officers are introduced to the guests with brief explanations of what they do. They don’t look comfortable but this is part an parcel of modern cruising. Getting attached to the crew and visa versa is expected to build on the “experience”. A nice idea but I think they should give the officers a little more help as none of them except the Captain look happy about it. On to the photographs and my turn to look unhappy. I prefer to be on the other end on the lens and find it difficult to strike a natural pose. I give it my best shot and we shall see if this one makes its way home with us. On to dinner which again beats expectations our fellow guests are entertaining and all seem to have traveled more than us so we are full of “what did you think of” questions. At the end of dinner one of the waiters is doing tricks with paper napkins and somehow produces an extremely elaborate rose from a piece if tissue. I should have paid more attention as it was something quite spectacular.

On to the lounge for a night cap. Judi vodka I beer which comes in a can but is huge and must be a full pint. Not what I as expecting but hay its a holiday. We chat with some people until the contingent from the Dominican Republic arrive. On mass they file in like they all just stepped off a bus. There must be 60 of them so a few missing. The bar staff have already warned us about them. It seems the previous night they had the bar open until 3:30 am and were dancing none stop. The crew and the DJ are very pleased to see them as nobody likes to work in an empty bar. As soon as the music starts they are up and on the floor. Samba and Marengo seem to be the favorites. We stay for a couple of drinks until I remember we are crossing a time zone tonight which makes out 8am Yoga calls actually a 7am class, what joy.

So much for a quiet day at sea.

Day 3 A cruise ship should not be this difficult to find

So day 3 starts with coffee and tea which Judi suggested I order so she did not have to go down for breakfast at 8am. So drinks on the balcony watching the sun rise over Rome. The breakfast when we eventually arrive is very good and thoughts of “this is what it will be like in France when we eventually give it all up” come to mind (although not sure the waiters will be included). Checkout around 9:45 and the bill has only two errors on it. No 32 euro charge for yesterdays sun lounger mattresses so all is fine. We plan to leave the cases at the hotel and use their shuttle bus to drop into town as I want some linen shirts as it is still very hot. Bus leaves at 10:30 (very civilized) wander down town looking more for shops than sights however we do pass by the Trevi Fountain again and I think it is even busier than yesterday Today is Monday so not sure why there are more tourists. The Centurion is still there this time on his mobile phone, Typical Italian waving his arms around and making gestures even though the caller cannot see him.

try a couple of shops without success even Massimo Dutti does not have much to offer then we spot a couple of shops and bang 4 shirts later we are back on the street. Judi would not let me buy the white linen trousers, she said they were a little too trendy what ever that means. We stop for a coffee on a corner by the Tomb on the unknown soldier and opposite the balcony Mussolini used to rant to the crowds (Google him). Nero said that to control Rome you needed to control the Mob which is the locals, Mussolini knew exactly how to do that.

Time to go back to the hotel and really start out holiday. Today we have to find our boat. The port is a little over an hour away so we are getting a taxi. The shuttle is waiting at the pickup point and we take our seats as we spin one more time past St Peters basilica and out of the old town. A point to note is that they do not allow any new buildings inside the city walls so no skyscrapers or funny shaped glass and steel places. The city has history on every corner and you really need a guide book or you will just wander past something which is 2,000 years old which would be a shame.

Into the taxi and sped North (I think) through some pleasant countryside. Not beautiful but good enough and slightly discolored with all this sunshine. An easy ride along the motorway. When I worked here I drove myself and it was in the days before GPS so navigation was “interesting”. I remember getting on one road when I was going to a friends for dinner. I was following the signs and after about 40 minutes had guessed I had taken a wrong turning. The sign probably said “The Road To Rome (is not this one)” anyway it was a toll road so the first stop was to pay. Trying to explain I needed to turn around the guy motioned an opening just past the toll. I of course had to first pay to get through then pay the same guy to get back across on the other side of the road. Very funny these Italians maybe he was on commission. We can see all the cruise liners at the port as we crest the last rise. Our ship (not boat please) is quite small only 700 passengers. Some of the big ones now take 2,500 to 3,000 so ours should be cozy as Judi puts it. Down into the town we go and head for the ships and there are lots of them. This is a ferry terminal as well as a container port so around the docks entrance it is chaotic. Our taxi driver is not quite sure where he is going and we have to steer him away from going on to one of the car ferries however at this level we seem to have lost all of the cruise ships. Now you would think that would be difficult but not so. Given all the ferries in the way we can not actually see where our craft is. Judi is only panicking mildly. It is 3pm and the ship sales at 6 so we actually have lots of time although the meter is still running. We suggest the river stops and asks but he is a man (they don’t like to do this) and an Italian as well ( really don’t like to do this) however our persistence pays off and he stops at a small cafe and gets directions. We are in the right place but there is a very small side road to take, whilst it is a small road it is quite long so a couple of kilometers later there we are in front of the Royal Princess. A tiny ship amongst it’s bigger cousins.

Now here is an interesting conundrum we all know Judi likes to be early in fact “likes” is probably not the right word. Well let me tell you boarding started at 1pm and Judi had planned not to get here until 3 pm. Why I hear you ask as you climb back onto your chairs, well the bottle neck created by everyone arriving for a 1pm check in is more than she can stand. So she reasons that by 3 pm the crowds will have died down and there will be less hassle. She is correct of course (and you ever doubted it, I thought not). We are the “ONLY” people checking in at this time. The only hitch is they plan to keep our passports which makes both of us nervous. We have our passports close to hans all the time and have done for about 10 years. Someone saying they will look after them for a couple of weeks makes the heart race a little especially when you think we are visiting 4 more countries along the way. Ok deep breath its part of the process so we toe the line. Onto the ship greeted at every doorway and every elevator shown to our cabin which is not bad at all. Judi thinks it is too near the lift but we shall wait and see. We got an upgrade to this one from a cabin with restricted views (The lifeboat blocks the window) so probably best not to complain about it. Test the emergency drill which is compulsory and Judi’s drill which is an orientation of the ship so we know where everything is. Back to the cabin and unpack. Everything gets unpacked and there are even enough hangers for both of us.

All that is left is dinner. We are on a fixed table and it is always interesting to see who your fellow diners are. There is a couple from Billarickie he works in freight forwarding (what ever that is) and a couple from County Down in Ireland. He used to train horses and she is a school teacher. Everyone seems to have traveled a lot so think this might work out ok. The dinner was better than expected with decent steak and fish. I had a Crawfish and Black Mussel Cajun dish with pastry on the top not what I expected but never the less very good. I do need to watch out as it was listed as a “a specialty dish” and you know me and “I’ll have the special” it normally gets me into somewhat of a pickle.

So now our holiday has actually started. I am really glad we took the time in Rome it really was nice and it reminded me why I think it is my favorite city (european edition) Tomorrow we should dock in Sorrento for an excursion to Pompeii. A 7:30 leave so a 6:30 wake up and I though this was a holiday. To cap it off Judi has booked me in for the 8 am Yoga sessions for the days when we are not on excursions, you got to love that girl.

Yesterday I forgot one of the dress code violations. Down at the pool there was a guy not sure of the actual nationality however he was short with light red hair. Taking off his shirt revealed freckles and a pasty white chest which may never have seen the sun before. The real problem was that he was wearing speedo’s and not just any speedo’s but white ones which made his flesh even that much duller. Now the sight of this was fearful enough but the thought that he might get into the pool was even more terrifying as the swimsuit might turn translucent. I have no idea what the manufacturer was thinking but the shop assistant is also to balme how can you sell these to someone with pale flesh and freckles no,no,no.

So what’s wrong with a nice quiet beach holiday

Good question and one I ask myself every now and again. I remember a couple of trips to Blackpool when I was a kid. (as one of 10 kids trips were are rare occurrence so they were remembered) There is even a picture of me on Blackpool beach all ribs and skinny arms. The place was around 90 minutes from where we lived so not exactly an adventure but when you are 8 or 10 any trip is exciting.

If you know me you know I like new places I think I have only been back to the same place two or three times. Bangkok is one and there is something about the place it used to be very dirty and smog ridden full of un-metered taxi’s and Tuktuk’s which are three wheeler motorbikes. These days the smoke has gone and there is an underground and a monorail. The “water taxi’s are still exciting you literally jump onto a boat and roar down the river to the stop you want and jump off.  Health and safety would not allow it in most country’s but it is one of those experiences you need to try once just to be able to tell people how scary it is.

So back to the question, it came to mind as we are 3 days from our next vacation. A Mediterranean cruise  which combines the best of what we need. We get to see different places but only have to unpack once. We used to try and cram a weeks adventure traveling around then a week in the same place doing nothing but it would seem those times are long gone. We have done holidays where you just keep moving and are in a different place every other night which means you never really unpack you just rummage around your bag trying to find things and wondering why you though it was a good idea to bring 3 jackets to a place which is 100 degrees. I met a woman in the US who says when you travel all you need is a toothbrush and a visa card which is a challenge but worth considering. Not sure I have ever had a holiday where I have either run out of clothes or regretted not bringing something.

It is different for business travel that I have down to an art form a single carry on can support me for 2 weeks and despite what Judi thinks putting things into plastic bags to organize them works for me. Having a house full of saved bags is somewhat of a drag but you need a stock to work from. These days I have progressed from shopping carrier bags to these new vacuum bags where you squeeze the air out. There is a down side which is that you can get far more into you bag so it gets heavier.  We have a golden rule on packing and cases. “You can take what ever you want as you are carrying it” it was concocted when Judi wanted to take 6 pairs of shoes to Santorini. This is a small Greek island and we spent two weeks in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops. Six pairs of shoes I think not but if my darling wants to take something then of course she can she is carrying it.

Santorini was probably our only “beach” holiday if only because it was so small there was actually nothing to do. I hired a car one day and it took me only a couple of hours to complete a full lap of the place. The biggest stretch of tarmac was the airport runway. A day out was to go to the main town 30 minutes away and watch the cruise ships disgorge all their passengers into the jewelry shops and café’s. Ironically we will be those people in a couple of weeks as it is one of the stops on the cruise. So I will return to a place I have been before. This time though I know exactly which jewelers I will go to. It is one we went into on our first visit which had some really unique gold items which at the time were well out of my price range. They probably still are but I have regretted buying Judi a necklace at least once a month ever since. So this time I will buy something just to get it out of my system.  Don’t worry about spoiling the surprise Judi is still not reading my blogs. (Word has just told me blog is not a valid word spelling think they need to get wit the times)

So off around Europe on a boat for a couple of weeks, I have a plan to blog about where we are every day so allocate some time to check for updates. I will also try and post pictures on Picassa but don’t worry I will include links. Listen to me it sound almost like I know what I am doing with all this technology. The reality of course is that I am at the limit of my capabilities and hanging on by a thread. The phrase “I am not technically gifted” springs to mind.

What is interesting about this trip is that it is less than a week before we travel and there are no piles of clothes around. Judi normally starts laying out clothes (and shoes) at least a week before they go into cases. Not this time although that might be because there is actually nowhere to put piles in the place we are in it is too small. In the States we had a whole bedroom devoted to this. It became a staging area where cases and clothes were stored and exchanged for other cases and clothes as we finalized our requirements.

This morning Judi even told me she has yet to book a taxi to the airport. The airport is Domodedovo which is the one serviced by the express train. I think if she is using a taxi then it is because the cases will be big. The train station is 20 minutes away from the flat which might be a drag too far although I did it on my recent adventure.

I have not got around to answering my question yet (sorry for the rambling)

I think there are so many interesting places in the world it would be remiss of me not to at least try and see as many as I can whilst I can. I am knocking on a bit now and I have this vision in my head of me in some old peoples home staring at the wall and when I eventually am physically there I will be remembering all the wonderful places I have been and the silly things we did and smiling inside.
I do not deride people who choose to return to familiar places again and again and secretly wish I could do that.
Maybe the next holiday will be lying on a beach somewhere (maybe next to a temple or a medieval fort or old city wall)

So almost ready to take off. Smiler decides to take the newspapers round and the babushka in the window set takes a copy of every one available. She ends up with five which I think is a little excessive even for a 4 hour flight. Maybe she will make fire lighters out of them when she gets home. Blond lady and she are getting along famously. I have no idea at all what they are talking about but they seem happy. I look for my peanuts and as I pour some into my hand two more appear. Both ladies to my right are holding their hands out for some and smiling broadly. Actually I am fine with this as the bag is much bigger than I usually buy and given I do not have enough personal discipline not to eat them all it is good someone will help me.

 

Ok we are off and in the air. Once leveled out someone tried to use the toilet at the front of the cabin and gets chased out by the business class stewardess who defends her territory like an Alsatian. Jerking the curtain closed so we do not disturb the some business class passenger who is unfortunate to be the sole focus of her attention for the next four hours. My new BFF’s and I continue to share the peanuts until smiler arrives with the drinks trolley. My companions order two drinks Babushka wants diet coke and a tomato juice the blond orange and fizzy water. I think they are trying to get their money’s worth. I just get orange.

 

About this time my previous row companion who seemed to b contemplating changing a diaper whilst in the middle seat cross from me is chased out by the angry Rottweiler in business. This means she needs to pass the drinks trolley which is at row 12 of 38. Smiler pulls it back into business to let her through and again from row 15 when she comes back. Rather than returning to her seat she decides to get something out of the overhead. Unable to do this with the little octopus she passes him to me. Mmmm still trying to get the blood to flow from our last encounter I guide his feet to the floor of the aisle rather than onto my knees. As soon as he feels something solid under his feet he is off however I have hold of his reins so he does not get far. He tries a couple of attempts to wriggle free but to no avail. He takes his wrath out on the closest thing which is half a glass of water which the passenger was hoping to drink rather than mop up. Smiler magically arrives with tissues whilst mum picks him up and goes back to her seat with a bag with a box in it. Out of the bag she pulls a box which contains a brand new portable DVD player. Now forgive me but I think she might have enough to keep her occupied than trying to get a new DVD to work and I personally doubt the battery will be charged up enough for her to get it running. If she is trying to pacify the toddler he is far more interested in the box (go figure). Lunch or dinner comes and goes with both my companions having rice and fish plus vodka which I have something resembling pasta with mince. It matters not what it is as it is just there to occupy the time.

 

Just to liven up the proceedings two more children have been released to run up and down the aisle bumping into things knocking things over and generally banging themselves into hard objects until they cried. When not on a path of self destruction they pass the time by pulling each other hair and stealing one another’s toys. I am not sure what logic the parents are using which makes them believe this is a good idea and you can feel the tension rise during the track and field events. Eventually they get tired and all sit down again.

 

I take the opportunity to visit the toilet and find a male steward leaning against the door. He moves aside and I find that his job this trip is to hold the door shut as someone has broken the lock. Back to my seat which now resembles the boot sale I went to last week. The blond lady is looking for something in her sack of a handbag and is systamatically emptying the contents onto my chair. If you have heard of the Tardis then this is the closest I have come to it. She collects everything up in her arms so I can regain my seat then promptly dumps everything into my lap. (It’s only 4 hour’s whistles through my mind). Eventually she finds her holy grail and pulls out a diary. She and babushka are swapping telephone numbers and addresses. We easily get everything back into the bag and it somehow slides under the seat in front of us.

 

We are starting to descend you can tell by the way the children start to get agitated. We will actually land on time which means we picked up around 50 minutes. This is needed as this plane has to turn around and get back to Heathrow before it closes. Landing is a little bumpy but the old adage “any landing you can walk away from is a good one” serves us well. The pilot gets a hearty round of applause which I always find entertaining. Pull into the gate and there is a mad dash however I remain seated. I know we are not getting off until the medical team has given us the all clear. Next comes the announcement for everyone to go back to their seats. The medical team board and start to use thermal cameras to check up out and even after they leave the plane everyone still seems a little reluctant to cross the threshold into business to deplane just in case they get bitten by the mad dog up there. Well I have been travelling now for 26 hours so I doubt I would feel anything so off I go.

 

First off the plane is unnerving as there are no signs and wherever you go people will follow. At the end of the gangway there are three options up down or right. I remember last time we were bused from the plan and Passport control was on the ground floor so I guess down. If I am wrong then there will be 150 disappointed people glaring at me. I guess correctly and am first at the control point. Through and even better news my bag is 5th off the plane. Through the green channel and all that is left is to walk the full length of the airport to get the train. 250 rubles for my ticket and only ten minutes to departure my luck is holding. On the train there is a woman with a shopping trolley selling drinks and chocolate so that is my treat for myself. 40 minutes later I am in the center of Moscow waiting on the pavement for Judi to pick me up. Lots of unmarked cars stopping to see if I want a lift but not this time.

Judi arrives I fling my bag in the boot and slip into the front seat.

Judi “How was the trip?”

Me “Fine just fine, another ordinary trip”.
Judi “There is always something interesting on my flights maybe you need to pay more attention to whats going on around you”
Me “that’s a thought, maybe next time I will”
I lean back and sink into the leather seat and close my eyes for a moment