30 May 08
When you have to say goodbye to some of your best mates .. not sure when you will see them again (ok fine, I will see them on the 6th and 20th of June!) and not knowing where you might meet up in the future
How sad it was today when I had to say goodbye to Amie this morning .. I miss her a ton already! Who am I going to be silly with in port? Or make fun of her phobia of willies? Or lose in some city in a foreign country? Or dance to Havi Ram with me at the Crew Disco??? :(
And then to have to say goodbye to Cat .. oh my gawd! I am upset now just writing about it. She has been by best mate since I got onboard. She has helped me when I didn't know what to do about something, or where to go, or what rules there were. She was my Mother Hen (though I am almost 8 yrs older than her!) I didn't have to worry, because she worried for me. Who am I supposed to have my meals with on sea days? And go into port for a nice lunch and ice cream? Or make sure to have ready for the crew disco on time, and then make sure she leaves at a decent hour and goes right home??
Yes, I have had to say goodbye to other friends since I have gotten on... but Cat, Amie and Clare have been my closest mates since the first week I was on the ship. Now it is only Claire and me left .. thankfully we both sign off on the same day. Given, we have met other friends .. Gemma, Pierre .. but we will never have another Pierre and His Women port days without Amie.
:sigh:
So we left So'ton a few hours ago and we are on our way north. First port is on Sunday in Bergen. This whole cruise will be in Norway - should be interesting and hopefully some good places for pics.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bits and Bobs
29 May 08
Ok, where did I leave off .. oh yes the Rock of Gibraltar. So that night was the Leavers Disco .. so sad in a way .. it was Amie and Cat's last one :( We had a great time though and Cat and I had to play Mission Impossible to get back home. Turns out one of the Accom guys had too much to drink and kicked off at some of the security guys outside the crew bar. So as I was going back to my cabin with Cat, Claire warned us and we had to go here, there and everywhere to avoid the area; when a fight breaks out, if SECO is called - he can breathalize anyone he wants, right on the spot. Now I am sure Matthew wouldn't have any reason to do it to me and Cat, but avoiding it altogether was a better plan. So we got home and had no issues. Though we laughed ourselves silly about it afterwards.
Then I sat in the door way of my cabin cause Wilson, one of the Philipinos, likes Alex the nurse and he kept walking by her cabin and had his door open (waiting for her to come back home) So I was like the Neighborhood Watch. He had been drunk at the disco and had been pushy; so I wanted to make sure she was ok. I was just sitting there, reading in the door. Anyone else who came by asked me what I was doing and I said I was the Neighborhood Watch. :)
Leavers Disco:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.ayuqlrw3&x=0&y=30boqi&localeid=en_US
Yesterday, we were in Vigo, Spain. Nothing to get excited over really ~ it was the first port that actually reminded us of other ports. It sort of looked like Sorrento, Nauplia, Cadiz and Marmaris. So we weren't really impressed (am I spoiled or what?!?). Wandered the mall and town looking for food. Settled on Burger King LOL!
On the way back - there was this sign on the quay outside the terminal pointing to the 2 ships. It wasn't like they were far away and both of them had the aft ends closest to the terminal. So the sign was just completely unnecessary! I couldn't stop laughing about it .. so Amie and Gemma let me take their pic! I also was drooling over the NCL Jade .. I want to be on a big ship like that!!! Who knows, maybe .. I am still waiting for my ship list.
Vigo, Spain:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.6rd40jg3&x=0&y=76rqh1&localeid=en_US
Came back and went to my cabin - whenever I have my door open, people always pop their head in and many people say how cool our cabin is b/c of all my "stuff" hanging around it. So I thought I would take a few pics. Also, I had a lovely new sign outside my cabin door, so I had to get a pic of that as well.
Random Cabin Pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.75ihjfjn&x=0&y=-2z7b28&localeid=en_US
Soooooo .........
I have good news and bad news .. BUT, it is the same news. My contract was extended until July 4th. I wasn't sure how I felt about it when I was told last night, but I think it will be good. I know I have to change my plans with Dad, Liz and Darin for those first few days I was going to be home. However, I think staying on till July 4th will help me get a better ship in early Aug. And I will be home for Mom's birthday too (or at least close to it) I will also be signing off in So'ton and flying home from London; so that will be easier than Russia and a 13 hr + flight!
I will make it up to Dad, Liz and Dar .. we will just have to do it on another few days. But it will work out now because I won't go back till at least Aug 1 and now I can go with Mom to take my (great) Aunt up to Maine to see some family. (she has been begging us to take her for a few summers now) Its not what I would call an exciting trip, but I will be able to spend time with Mom and my Aunt .. as well as get to be on a road trip :) Lots of driving will be done when I am home! Philly, Jersey, Chicago, Philly, Maine .. YAY
5 weeks from tomorrow .. I will be on my way home!! :)
BTW, is anyone even reading this thing anymore??? My comment log went from huge when I started to nill now .. am I that boring?!? :(
Ok, where did I leave off .. oh yes the Rock of Gibraltar. So that night was the Leavers Disco .. so sad in a way .. it was Amie and Cat's last one :( We had a great time though and Cat and I had to play Mission Impossible to get back home. Turns out one of the Accom guys had too much to drink and kicked off at some of the security guys outside the crew bar. So as I was going back to my cabin with Cat, Claire warned us and we had to go here, there and everywhere to avoid the area; when a fight breaks out, if SECO is called - he can breathalize anyone he wants, right on the spot. Now I am sure Matthew wouldn't have any reason to do it to me and Cat, but avoiding it altogether was a better plan. So we got home and had no issues. Though we laughed ourselves silly about it afterwards.
Then I sat in the door way of my cabin cause Wilson, one of the Philipinos, likes Alex the nurse and he kept walking by her cabin and had his door open (waiting for her to come back home) So I was like the Neighborhood Watch. He had been drunk at the disco and had been pushy; so I wanted to make sure she was ok. I was just sitting there, reading in the door. Anyone else who came by asked me what I was doing and I said I was the Neighborhood Watch. :)
Leavers Disco:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.ayuqlrw3&x=0&y=30boqi&localeid=en_US
Yesterday, we were in Vigo, Spain. Nothing to get excited over really ~ it was the first port that actually reminded us of other ports. It sort of looked like Sorrento, Nauplia, Cadiz and Marmaris. So we weren't really impressed (am I spoiled or what?!?). Wandered the mall and town looking for food. Settled on Burger King LOL!
On the way back - there was this sign on the quay outside the terminal pointing to the 2 ships. It wasn't like they were far away and both of them had the aft ends closest to the terminal. So the sign was just completely unnecessary! I couldn't stop laughing about it .. so Amie and Gemma let me take their pic! I also was drooling over the NCL Jade .. I want to be on a big ship like that!!! Who knows, maybe .. I am still waiting for my ship list.
Vigo, Spain:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.6rd40jg3&x=0&y=76rqh1&localeid=en_US
Came back and went to my cabin - whenever I have my door open, people always pop their head in and many people say how cool our cabin is b/c of all my "stuff" hanging around it. So I thought I would take a few pics. Also, I had a lovely new sign outside my cabin door, so I had to get a pic of that as well.
Random Cabin Pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.75ihjfjn&x=0&y=-2z7b28&localeid=en_US
Soooooo .........
I have good news and bad news .. BUT, it is the same news. My contract was extended until July 4th. I wasn't sure how I felt about it when I was told last night, but I think it will be good. I know I have to change my plans with Dad, Liz and Darin for those first few days I was going to be home. However, I think staying on till July 4th will help me get a better ship in early Aug. And I will be home for Mom's birthday too (or at least close to it) I will also be signing off in So'ton and flying home from London; so that will be easier than Russia and a 13 hr + flight!
I will make it up to Dad, Liz and Dar .. we will just have to do it on another few days. But it will work out now because I won't go back till at least Aug 1 and now I can go with Mom to take my (great) Aunt up to Maine to see some family. (she has been begging us to take her for a few summers now) Its not what I would call an exciting trip, but I will be able to spend time with Mom and my Aunt .. as well as get to be on a road trip :) Lots of driving will be done when I am home! Philly, Jersey, Chicago, Philly, Maine .. YAY
5 weeks from tomorrow .. I will be on my way home!! :)
BTW, is anyone even reading this thing anymore??? My comment log went from huge when I started to nill now .. am I that boring?!? :(
Monday, May 26, 2008
Get A Piece Of The Rock
26 May 08
Rock of Gilbraltar, Gibraltar Straits
I never thought going past a "rock" would be such a big deal; but then I didn't realize how big said rock was going to be. We were more than 5 miles from it at first and then as close as 3 miles from it before we turned into the straits. (Capt said he made sure it was on the starboard side just for me .. ha ha .. funny guy!) It is huge! People actually live on it!
Anyway, so Amie and I went up to the Prom Deck to take some pictures. She used to actually live there a long time ago, so she was very excited to see it again. I put on the tele-foto lense since I knew we were still going to be far away.
Some of the pics are "over-exposed" as I was messing around with exposure, since it was a bright day and even a little hazy .. so don't mind. Also, the splashing pics of the water next to the ship were from dolphins!!! Not the normal bottlenose, Flipper type .. these are little; more about half the size of Flipper. They were playing in the surf the ship was making, but they were really jumping out, so it was tough to get them. It was really cool to see.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1cr05mpv&x=0&y=-mln9gj&localeid=en_US
Other than that; nothing going on here today. Its a sea day .. booooring!
Tonight is the Leavers Disco .. I am sad because it is Amie and Cat's disco .. they leave on Friday :( Boooooooo!!! Though tonight should be good fun .. tomorrow is a port day so everyone can sleep in. That means everyone can party hard tonight :)
(Oh and Cat passed her CPSC course .. not sure if I mentioned it before; if not, basically it allows her to drive a life boat or tender in the event of an emergency as well as be an IC (person "in charge" of a Muster Station on her next ship; which she will be 2nd IC on Oceana) It is supposed to be a very good course to have; I will look into something like that once I get back to the states (would rather take one from the USCG than from the UK; not sure if the UK one would hold the same merit on a US ship; but what do I know!? LOL)
Rock of Gilbraltar, Gibraltar Straits
I never thought going past a "rock" would be such a big deal; but then I didn't realize how big said rock was going to be. We were more than 5 miles from it at first and then as close as 3 miles from it before we turned into the straits. (Capt said he made sure it was on the starboard side just for me .. ha ha .. funny guy!) It is huge! People actually live on it!
Anyway, so Amie and I went up to the Prom Deck to take some pictures. She used to actually live there a long time ago, so she was very excited to see it again. I put on the tele-foto lense since I knew we were still going to be far away.
Some of the pics are "over-exposed" as I was messing around with exposure, since it was a bright day and even a little hazy .. so don't mind. Also, the splashing pics of the water next to the ship were from dolphins!!! Not the normal bottlenose, Flipper type .. these are little; more about half the size of Flipper. They were playing in the surf the ship was making, but they were really jumping out, so it was tough to get them. It was really cool to see.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1cr05mpv&x=0&y=-mln9gj&localeid=en_US
Other than that; nothing going on here today. Its a sea day .. booooring!
Tonight is the Leavers Disco .. I am sad because it is Amie and Cat's disco .. they leave on Friday :( Boooooooo!!! Though tonight should be good fun .. tomorrow is a port day so everyone can sleep in. That means everyone can party hard tonight :)
(Oh and Cat passed her CPSC course .. not sure if I mentioned it before; if not, basically it allows her to drive a life boat or tender in the event of an emergency as well as be an IC (person "in charge" of a Muster Station on her next ship; which she will be 2nd IC on Oceana) It is supposed to be a very good course to have; I will look into something like that once I get back to the states (would rather take one from the USCG than from the UK; not sure if the UK one would hold the same merit on a US ship; but what do I know!? LOL)
Sunday, May 25, 2008
When it rains, it pours ..
25 May 08
I am not sure if I should tell the locals to build an ark, or what! Yesterday was a sea day .. and surprise, the weather was crappy with showers all day. Today we were in Alicante, Spain .. and shockingly, it was pouring when I woke up this morning! I got up to the cyber and it was dark, stormy and raining. Ewwww! I mean we are in the Med, right? It was like England weather :(
So needless to say, there was no way in hell I was going out. Being out in the monsoon in Corfu was enough; but at least it wasn't all that cold that day. It was cooler here today. So I worked till 11, then went back to my cabin and read. Went to lunch with Cat around 12 and we had a lingering lunch being chatty with whomever wandered in. We were like the welcoming committee! Around 1, I went back to my cabin .. read a little more and then went down for my nap :) I never want to have a real land job again ~ I mean how can I not have my nap?!?!
Tomorrow is another sea day .. then we have Lisbon on Tuesday. Hopefully I will have my ship list this coming week .. fingers crossed!!!
I am not sure if I should tell the locals to build an ark, or what! Yesterday was a sea day .. and surprise, the weather was crappy with showers all day. Today we were in Alicante, Spain .. and shockingly, it was pouring when I woke up this morning! I got up to the cyber and it was dark, stormy and raining. Ewwww! I mean we are in the Med, right? It was like England weather :(
So needless to say, there was no way in hell I was going out. Being out in the monsoon in Corfu was enough; but at least it wasn't all that cold that day. It was cooler here today. So I worked till 11, then went back to my cabin and read. Went to lunch with Cat around 12 and we had a lingering lunch being chatty with whomever wandered in. We were like the welcoming committee! Around 1, I went back to my cabin .. read a little more and then went down for my nap :) I never want to have a real land job again ~ I mean how can I not have my nap?!?!
Tomorrow is another sea day .. then we have Lisbon on Tuesday. Hopefully I will have my ship list this coming week .. fingers crossed!!!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Well, not what I was expecting ..
23 May 08
but oh-well; you win some, you lose some. Messina Sicily was not really all that nice. There seemed to be a lot of things closed up (and it is a Friday!) and there was a lot of trash and stuff just lying around. Hmmm, it was really odd because it seems like it could have been a pretty neat little town.
Cat and I had a lunch date - she is signing off on the 30th and this was probably the last time we could go ashore together. (We only have 3 ports left this cruise) So we wandered for a little trying to actually find someplace that was open and looked decent enough. We found a cute little place on one of the side streets where we could sit outside and the food looked good. We had a nice lunch just chatting about her leave and my sign off date, etc.
Afterwards we went for a walk around the block on the way back to the ship and came across a beautiful church. It was a shame because the street all around it was so dirty, but this church was so pretty. It reminded me of the Glockenspeil in Munich. It had all these different statues that moved .. we saw it on the half hour, but supposedly (as we heard back on the ship) it is quite the show at the top of the hour. Oh well. It wasn't like we were going to sit there for another half in this filthy square.
We left the square and stopped for ice cream on the way back - for some reason, it is an Italian must for the ice cream and it is soo damn good! Got back onto the ship and both of us went for our naps. I feel like a geriatric, but I love my naps man!
When I came up to work tonight, I was sure to bring my camera as it was a beautiful day out, so I knew we would have a good sunset as we sailed away. I was right! So there are a few sunset pics as well. Not my best work .. its hard to take a pic directly into the sunlight. But still, I think they came out decent enough.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1dk1bup7&x=0&y=lnong3&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is a sea day and then we are off to Alicante, Spain. After that, only 2 more ports ~ Lisbon (Portugal) and Vigo (Spain) and back to So'ton we go!
but oh-well; you win some, you lose some. Messina Sicily was not really all that nice. There seemed to be a lot of things closed up (and it is a Friday!) and there was a lot of trash and stuff just lying around. Hmmm, it was really odd because it seems like it could have been a pretty neat little town.
Cat and I had a lunch date - she is signing off on the 30th and this was probably the last time we could go ashore together. (We only have 3 ports left this cruise) So we wandered for a little trying to actually find someplace that was open and looked decent enough. We found a cute little place on one of the side streets where we could sit outside and the food looked good. We had a nice lunch just chatting about her leave and my sign off date, etc.
Afterwards we went for a walk around the block on the way back to the ship and came across a beautiful church. It was a shame because the street all around it was so dirty, but this church was so pretty. It reminded me of the Glockenspeil in Munich. It had all these different statues that moved .. we saw it on the half hour, but supposedly (as we heard back on the ship) it is quite the show at the top of the hour. Oh well. It wasn't like we were going to sit there for another half in this filthy square.
We left the square and stopped for ice cream on the way back - for some reason, it is an Italian must for the ice cream and it is soo damn good! Got back onto the ship and both of us went for our naps. I feel like a geriatric, but I love my naps man!
When I came up to work tonight, I was sure to bring my camera as it was a beautiful day out, so I knew we would have a good sunset as we sailed away. I was right! So there are a few sunset pics as well. Not my best work .. its hard to take a pic directly into the sunlight. But still, I think they came out decent enough.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.1dk1bup7&x=0&y=lnong3&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is a sea day and then we are off to Alicante, Spain. After that, only 2 more ports ~ Lisbon (Portugal) and Vigo (Spain) and back to So'ton we go!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone
22 May 08
Oh yeah?!?! Well, they weren't out with us today when it was monsooning in Corfu Town! We (again, Pierre and his women) left the ship and it had rained this morning, but was just overcast. Hopped on the shuttle to the town and just as we were getting there, it started to rain. Wasn't happy about it - but we had all brought umbrellas and windbreakers.. so we figured we would find the first decent restaurant and go in.
Ha ha - yeah, that's funny!
First of all - about 2 mins out of the bus and the sky opened up and began dumping buckets of rain on us! My windbreaker, which is normally a little rain resistant, couldn't keep up and it was coming right through. :( It was a warm day and we were all in flip flops .. so needless to say our feet were soaked! We headed for the first restaurant; it was really expensive! So we went to the next one and they only had seating outside .. and most of the areas were getting wet. We moved on .. and on .. and on. One restaurant after another and it was either really high priced (I swear they jacked up the prices - almost 20e for a freaking sandwich?!?) or they only had outdoor seating. Ick! I mean I can't blame them really, the weather has been very unseasonable for the Med this time of year and has been awfully wet. And most of these restaurants have the dining outside and only the kitchen and such are inside.
Anyway, we headed back towards the main square where we were dropped off and headed into McDonalds. It was warm and dry in there. Clare and Gemma wanted to get some take-away to take back to the ship; which was a great idea! So we got a few sandwiches, but then decided to grab a cab back to the port area. We had remembered seeing a really nice Pizza Hut - with covered seating and heaters as well as indoor seating. So we piled into a nice Mercedes Cab with our driver and off we went. Obviously, with the weather being so bad - there was no way I was getting the camera wet, so no pics of the town .. sorry!
We arrived about 15 mins later and we were the only ones there, so the guys were thrilled to have us. I guess with it being such bad weather, they don't get the normal foot traffic they would on a sunny day. So we were brought in, where we were told to hang up our jackets and dry out! :) Ended up having a really enjoyable lunch, all nice and warm and of course yummy pizza! I don't know that I will ever tire of pizza; I wonder if I can make up a pizza diet some how? LOL
Towards the end of lunch, we noticed it had stopped raining and looked like it was going to clear up. Figures, right?!? By the time we actually finished and paid the bill .. the sun was out in full force. So we decided to walk back to the ship; to dry out some more and to walk off our tasty lunch! It was a really nice walk and felt so good to get some sunshine on our webbed feet and get our clothes dried some more.
Got back to the ship at about half 3 .. plenty of time for my nap! Got out of the damp clothes and into my jammies and off to the sleeps I went. Went to work at my normal time of 7pm and throughout the evening the sun was making the sky so pretty, so as it was setting, I went and got my camera and took a few pics before it set completely. They are nice if I do say so myself!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.ce30r83v&x=0&y=-o16ow0&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is Messina, Sicily and then we have a sea day .. then we will start heading back out of the Med; hitting a few more ports before we get back to So'ton on the 30th. Oh, and on the 30th I am meeting up with the MTN Manager from Ventura (P&O's newest ship) and he is going to get me a pass so I can go onto his ship and get a tour. :) Pretty cool! I, of course, will have the camera (do I ever go anywhere without it?)
Oh yeah?!?! Well, they weren't out with us today when it was monsooning in Corfu Town! We (again, Pierre and his women) left the ship and it had rained this morning, but was just overcast. Hopped on the shuttle to the town and just as we were getting there, it started to rain. Wasn't happy about it - but we had all brought umbrellas and windbreakers.. so we figured we would find the first decent restaurant and go in.
Ha ha - yeah, that's funny!
First of all - about 2 mins out of the bus and the sky opened up and began dumping buckets of rain on us! My windbreaker, which is normally a little rain resistant, couldn't keep up and it was coming right through. :( It was a warm day and we were all in flip flops .. so needless to say our feet were soaked! We headed for the first restaurant; it was really expensive! So we went to the next one and they only had seating outside .. and most of the areas were getting wet. We moved on .. and on .. and on. One restaurant after another and it was either really high priced (I swear they jacked up the prices - almost 20e for a freaking sandwich?!?) or they only had outdoor seating. Ick! I mean I can't blame them really, the weather has been very unseasonable for the Med this time of year and has been awfully wet. And most of these restaurants have the dining outside and only the kitchen and such are inside.
Anyway, we headed back towards the main square where we were dropped off and headed into McDonalds. It was warm and dry in there. Clare and Gemma wanted to get some take-away to take back to the ship; which was a great idea! So we got a few sandwiches, but then decided to grab a cab back to the port area. We had remembered seeing a really nice Pizza Hut - with covered seating and heaters as well as indoor seating. So we piled into a nice Mercedes Cab with our driver and off we went. Obviously, with the weather being so bad - there was no way I was getting the camera wet, so no pics of the town .. sorry!
We arrived about 15 mins later and we were the only ones there, so the guys were thrilled to have us. I guess with it being such bad weather, they don't get the normal foot traffic they would on a sunny day. So we were brought in, where we were told to hang up our jackets and dry out! :) Ended up having a really enjoyable lunch, all nice and warm and of course yummy pizza! I don't know that I will ever tire of pizza; I wonder if I can make up a pizza diet some how? LOL
Towards the end of lunch, we noticed it had stopped raining and looked like it was going to clear up. Figures, right?!? By the time we actually finished and paid the bill .. the sun was out in full force. So we decided to walk back to the ship; to dry out some more and to walk off our tasty lunch! It was a really nice walk and felt so good to get some sunshine on our webbed feet and get our clothes dried some more.
Got back to the ship at about half 3 .. plenty of time for my nap! Got out of the damp clothes and into my jammies and off to the sleeps I went. Went to work at my normal time of 7pm and throughout the evening the sun was making the sky so pretty, so as it was setting, I went and got my camera and took a few pics before it set completely. They are nice if I do say so myself!
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.ce30r83v&x=0&y=-o16ow0&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is Messina, Sicily and then we have a sea day .. then we will start heading back out of the Med; hitting a few more ports before we get back to So'ton on the 30th. Oh, and on the 30th I am meeting up with the MTN Manager from Ventura (P&O's newest ship) and he is going to get me a pass so I can go onto his ship and get a tour. :) Pretty cool! I, of course, will have the camera (do I ever go anywhere without it?)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Just me, myself and I
21 May 08
Dubrovnik, Croatia
I have to say, I am not sure what I expected from Croatia; but it certainly didn’t strike me that it would be this pretty! The marina alone was gorgeous .. I didn’t get any good pics on the tender ride in, since I was stuck in the back and the window was closed (and filthy!) Once we got to the terminal, there was a shuttle that would take us from the Marina to the Old City.
I was blown away by how amazing the city walls were around the old city – WOW! I walked around outside the walls first, taking some pics of the water and the cliffs. I had offered to take a pic of a couple who looked like they wanted to be in the pic together, in hopes they would return the favor (they did) so that is my first pic. (which came out really cool btw!)
When I went inside the gates of the city, it was like being transported back in time. Everything was so well laid – and of course it was all in stone and marble. Which baffles me, since people pay so much to have marble put in their homes .. and here it is what they used all the time because it was the resource they had.
I had read about a Serbian Orthodox church in the city, so I wanted to find that; but other than looking for it, I had no real purpose when walking around. I was on my own today and to be quite honest, I liked it that way. I didn’t have to compromise on what to do, or wait for Clare to stop in *every* shop along the way :) So it was kind of nice to do what I wanted, when and how I wanted.
Anyway, I found the main cathedral and it was just lovely. I am not sure if I was supposed to take pics, but I turned off the flash and did anyway .. sorry! But it was too pretty not to capture. The statues they had were gorgeous .. and of course surrounded by lots of beautiful marble. I walked along some more and located the Orthodox church; again, it was like coming home to a church that was familiar. It is a very old church and had suffered some serious damage during the war in the early 90’s (when the succeeded from Yugoslavia) and when you see the pic, you will see they still have scaffolding up. The inside was very basic, and it reminded me of the church I went to in Paris with Mom (on the trip in ’06) I went into the Museum of Icons which was attached to the church; everything was so pretty, and I wanted to buy some icons .. but they were a little pricey (if I was converting the Croatian Kuna correctly) and I was low on cash as it was. I wanted to take pics – but I always feel bad doing that since it is someone’s lively-hood. I did however purchase a CD of liturgy and services from the church. It was playing in the store and it sounded so nice. It reminded me of the ones Mom has at home.
The town has a very strong Italian influence, since Italy is so close; so of course, I needed some more of that awesome Italian pizza! Yum!! After lunch, I wandered around some more and headed back towards the entrance, as I wanted to climb the walls! LOL :) It sounds funny, but seriously, you can go up the stairs and walk along the top of the city walls .. and as high and steep as it was .. I was determined to do it dammit! :)
The views were incredible .. really amazing. So of course you know I was snap-happy! Luckily today, the weather cooperated for once and I got some really nice shots .. I wandered around a bit up there and looked at things from different views. I didn’t go too far around them as I didn’t want to be late getting back to the shuttle. It always gets crowded at the end of the day and then I still needed to get the tender back to the ship. Crew were due back by 4.30 and they have been tough on that “curfew” so I couldn’t risk it. Took lots of pictures in a short amount of time!
I headed back to the square, which is next to Pile Gate (said Pee-lay) to get the shuttle. Ended up being back on with the same crew who were on with me going .. ha ha! When we got on the tender, we weren’t that full, so I grabbed the bench on top (reserved for handicapped pax) once they were done loading everyone on. That way I could get some good pics as we left. Got a cute shot of Mizzie, Jack and Colin sitting in the back, as well as Steph and Jenna showing off their treats that they were bringing back to the ship for later.
One of the ships we were in with was Holland America’s Noordam. I think it is one of its newest as she was really big! For some reason, it got me really excited for my next contract; HAL is one of MTN’s lines, so I could very well go on that ship (if she is available when I am due back to work)
Speaking of work – I was confirmed to sign off in St Petersburg!! YAY!! The only thing we are working on now is the timing of the flights. If there is only a morning flight, I asked to stay on till the 28th, so I can have the 27th to see the city. If there is a night flight, they will probably send me home on the 27th. As long as I get to see the highlights of the city, I don’t care. So I have my sign off date .. now I need my list of available ships! And its only 5 weeks from this coming weekend till I come home .. time is flying!
Here are today’s pics of Dubrovnik:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.8iec6q8b&x=0&y=-xn8l0f&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is Corfu, Greece .. YAY! We get one more stop over there after all; I thought we were done in Greece on the last cruise (and maybe this time I will just steal a man to bring home) We are planning to go to the beach if the weather is good. Fingers crossed!
Dubrovnik, Croatia
I have to say, I am not sure what I expected from Croatia; but it certainly didn’t strike me that it would be this pretty! The marina alone was gorgeous .. I didn’t get any good pics on the tender ride in, since I was stuck in the back and the window was closed (and filthy!) Once we got to the terminal, there was a shuttle that would take us from the Marina to the Old City.
I was blown away by how amazing the city walls were around the old city – WOW! I walked around outside the walls first, taking some pics of the water and the cliffs. I had offered to take a pic of a couple who looked like they wanted to be in the pic together, in hopes they would return the favor (they did) so that is my first pic. (which came out really cool btw!)
When I went inside the gates of the city, it was like being transported back in time. Everything was so well laid – and of course it was all in stone and marble. Which baffles me, since people pay so much to have marble put in their homes .. and here it is what they used all the time because it was the resource they had.
I had read about a Serbian Orthodox church in the city, so I wanted to find that; but other than looking for it, I had no real purpose when walking around. I was on my own today and to be quite honest, I liked it that way. I didn’t have to compromise on what to do, or wait for Clare to stop in *every* shop along the way :) So it was kind of nice to do what I wanted, when and how I wanted.
Anyway, I found the main cathedral and it was just lovely. I am not sure if I was supposed to take pics, but I turned off the flash and did anyway .. sorry! But it was too pretty not to capture. The statues they had were gorgeous .. and of course surrounded by lots of beautiful marble. I walked along some more and located the Orthodox church; again, it was like coming home to a church that was familiar. It is a very old church and had suffered some serious damage during the war in the early 90’s (when the succeeded from Yugoslavia) and when you see the pic, you will see they still have scaffolding up. The inside was very basic, and it reminded me of the church I went to in Paris with Mom (on the trip in ’06) I went into the Museum of Icons which was attached to the church; everything was so pretty, and I wanted to buy some icons .. but they were a little pricey (if I was converting the Croatian Kuna correctly) and I was low on cash as it was. I wanted to take pics – but I always feel bad doing that since it is someone’s lively-hood. I did however purchase a CD of liturgy and services from the church. It was playing in the store and it sounded so nice. It reminded me of the ones Mom has at home.
The town has a very strong Italian influence, since Italy is so close; so of course, I needed some more of that awesome Italian pizza! Yum!! After lunch, I wandered around some more and headed back towards the entrance, as I wanted to climb the walls! LOL :) It sounds funny, but seriously, you can go up the stairs and walk along the top of the city walls .. and as high and steep as it was .. I was determined to do it dammit! :)
The views were incredible .. really amazing. So of course you know I was snap-happy! Luckily today, the weather cooperated for once and I got some really nice shots .. I wandered around a bit up there and looked at things from different views. I didn’t go too far around them as I didn’t want to be late getting back to the shuttle. It always gets crowded at the end of the day and then I still needed to get the tender back to the ship. Crew were due back by 4.30 and they have been tough on that “curfew” so I couldn’t risk it. Took lots of pictures in a short amount of time!
I headed back to the square, which is next to Pile Gate (said Pee-lay) to get the shuttle. Ended up being back on with the same crew who were on with me going .. ha ha! When we got on the tender, we weren’t that full, so I grabbed the bench on top (reserved for handicapped pax) once they were done loading everyone on. That way I could get some good pics as we left. Got a cute shot of Mizzie, Jack and Colin sitting in the back, as well as Steph and Jenna showing off their treats that they were bringing back to the ship for later.
One of the ships we were in with was Holland America’s Noordam. I think it is one of its newest as she was really big! For some reason, it got me really excited for my next contract; HAL is one of MTN’s lines, so I could very well go on that ship (if she is available when I am due back to work)
Speaking of work – I was confirmed to sign off in St Petersburg!! YAY!! The only thing we are working on now is the timing of the flights. If there is only a morning flight, I asked to stay on till the 28th, so I can have the 27th to see the city. If there is a night flight, they will probably send me home on the 27th. As long as I get to see the highlights of the city, I don’t care. So I have my sign off date .. now I need my list of available ships! And its only 5 weeks from this coming weekend till I come home .. time is flying!
Here are today’s pics of Dubrovnik:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=bf232dhz.8iec6q8b&x=0&y=-xn8l0f&localeid=en_US
Tomorrow is Corfu, Greece .. YAY! We get one more stop over there after all; I thought we were done in Greece on the last cruise (and maybe this time I will just steal a man to bring home) We are planning to go to the beach if the weather is good. Fingers crossed!
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