Acropolis

Big tick of the bucket list today with a private tour of Athens beating most of the buses this morning to the Acropolis. Lau did very well and got all the way to the top as well. As you can see the weather is still fantastic. 

The Parthenon with surprising few tourists at 9/30am. 

Temple of Athens

View of Athens from the Acropolis

Lau behind the camera. 

Quiet Afternoon in Chania

Gonia Odigitria Monastery

While we were at a Maleme our taxi driver suggested we visit the Gonia Odigitria Monastery which was nearby. We were very pleased we accepted his advice as it was beautiful. 

Next Update

Venice – Saturday 24^th Sept.

Train trip to Venice was great then it was an expedition to get from the train station to our Hotel. I now know how Hillary felt climbing Mt Everest. Certainly wasn’t the distance but lugging the bags up and over bridges a mission. Finally arrived at our hotel and then with a big smile on the receptionist face “ we have given you a large room with a garden view”. What he failed mention was to two flights of stairs you needed to navigate, after the bridges it was just about the straw that broke the camel’s back. My knees are now pretty good up and down stairs.

Once we had caught our breaths we went and bought water Taxi 2 day excursion tickets and caught a boat to St Marco square and once again walked over the Rialto Bridge. We sat in the square listened to the beautiful music and people watched. Time went by so quickly. Caught the water taxi back to ROMA (our stop) and sat by the river had a few drinks then out to dinner in the square. Both were feeling pretty shattered and look forward to bed. Heard of a bed of nails well we slept on a bed of bricks accompanied by mosquito’s. I didn’t get bitten but Russell certainly did.

Sunday 25^th September – Caught a water taxi to Lido. It is south of Venice and is a long island that protects Venice’s lagoon from the Adriatic sea. It was a stark contrast to Venice, very modern, good pathways (no cobble stones) and a lovely sandy beach. We took the long trek home which meant that we had travelled the completely round Venice which also included Murano where the beautiful glass is made. Drinks and dinner then home to do battle with the Mosquito’s.

Monday 26^th September – Packed the bags and exited our Hotel around 11am and made our way to the cruise ship. The walk this time was very much a stroll in the park in comparison to our arrival. Our ship is -  The Royal Caribbean Line -  Rhapsody of the Sea -  76,000 tons, 2000 passengers, 800 crew. Security was pretty tight everything was scanned and re-scanned. Finally got to our room around 3pm and must say delighted with Russell’s choice – photos attached. It was lovely to unpack and sort out the washing which you could imagine was quite alot nearly 3 weekson the road. The ship sailed at 5pm on the dot and what a fabulous journey out to the Adriatic Sea. We sailed past St Marco Square and the Rialto Bridge wonderful view. Light dinner as Russell not feeling 100% with snuffles. I reckon he has the beginnings of Legionnaires disease because the air conditioning unit in our Hotel Room in Venice which I do not think had been cleaned since the Medici family visited, either that or Zeka Virus from the Mosquito’s. Laur’s medical kit to the rescue. First night at sea in a very comfortable bed and some gentle rocking made for a pleasant night’s sleep.

Tuesday 27^th September – day at sea and some much needed R&R. Room service for breakfast and did not have my shower till 10am a first since leaving home. Not the first shower by the way but leaving it till 10am a first for Laur. 11am we went to the theatre to listen to the shore excursions as our first will be tomorrow Katakolon – Greece.

Wednesday 28^th September  - Katakolon Greece

Not far from the port and a half day excursion for many tourists was a trip to Olympia site of the ancient Olympic Games. Russell & I did not go as I had been before and both still  feeling slightly off. We took a quiet stroll to the township and a visit to the Museum of Ancient Technology. That was truly fascinating and well worth the 2 Euros it cost us. We made our way back to the ship mid afternoon and people watch from our balcony. It was fine dining for us which we thoroughly enjoyed then watch many make absolute fools of themselves with a Karaoke quiz, a good laugh.

People on board are from every walk of life and some I am sure cruise for a hobby. We are novices compared to many and the food that is consumed is unbelievable. It is fascinating just to sit in the everybody’s restaurant and watch the piled plates go buy as you do not pay for any food it is eat all you like. I have found myself a gem in that there is a coffee shop that sells excellent coffee even though I have to pay for it – well worth every Euro. We sailed at 5pm for Crete.

Laur

Crete

This morning we hired a taxi from the Port at Souda to Maleme where the New Zealand 22nd Battalion defended hill 107 which overlooked the Maleme Airfield. Through some stuff ups of command we withdrew from the position prematurely and allowed the Germans to reinforce through the airfield which probably cost the campaign. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5003191/Officer-breaks-rank-over-the-Battle-of-Crete

I have heard and read a lot about the battle and wanted to look at the ground for myself. The hill is now a German War Cemetery with all the Germans killed in the Crete campaign buried there. 

Very well kept cemetery. Over 4,000 graves

The end of the airfield can be seen in the centre of the picture and run off to the right. 

Better shot of airfield. 

Commonwealth War Cemetery at Souda Bay

Katakolon

Our first stop. Both Lau and I seemed to come down with colds and sore throats 2 hours after coming on board so took it easy here and only a walk along the quay and a small museum visit. 

 Our balcony second deck up from third Life boat from left, middle balcony. 

Parked at Katakolon 

Waterfront at Katakolon

Leaving Venice

Views from our room balcony leaving Venice. 

Maltese Crusise ship. Looks like hard work. 

St Marks Square 

Update

Written on the Train Florence to Venice

We are now heading for Venice after 4 fabulous days in Florence with Jess & Matt. I do not think we would have seen half the things we did if it had not been for Matt’s extensive knowledge of Italy and sounding like a local with all the Italian expressions and mannerisms.

The first night Matt took us to his favourite steak restaurant. I have never had such an amazing steak in all my life Scotch Fillet with balsamic, Jess had mushrooms and  Matt & Russell a Florentine 3cm thick T-Bone we all slept very well that night.

Russell has posted a photo of our hotel room really felt like I was living in the true Italy all but  the shower which was about 700mm x 700mm Russell had difficulty washing his feet as you could not bend down and if you did you hit the mixer and either turned the shower off or got a hot blast.

On our  first day we hired the car (4 door Audi A1) and  did a road trip. Before leaving Florence we went up Piazzaole Michelangelo to take the panoramic photo of Florence along with the other 5 million tourists. It was then onto Lucca. It was such a lovely drive through countryside grape vines and olive trees the true Tuscany.  Lucca was amazing well known for its 4.5 kilometres of well preserved Renaissance walls encircling its historic city centre and its cobblestone streets which were not great for smooth walking. The walls reminded me very much of The Great Wall, said to Russell Donald Trump may like a visit to get some ideas about building the wall between USA & Mexico.

Lunch in Lucca was a Matt Holland special.  We would have never found the restaurant and would never have experienced the amazing Pizza which I could only eat half of. We continued our wonder through Lucca and then back to Florence. No one fancied dinner that night so it was a few drinks and bed.

Day 3  - Florence. We met Jess & Matt for breakfast – a true Italian one. Croissants filled with custard and an espresso. That is the first time I have gone overboard normally have fresh fruit, muesli and Yogurt. A great day sightseeing - standing on the Pont Vecchio and looking at all the gold jewellery for sale. Matt took us to a leather shop which all his tours go to when in Florence and Russell bought a new wallet. I bought a new handbag but waited till I hit the markets. Our last sightseeing venture was the Medici Chapel -   dating from the 16^th&17^th centuries saw a lot of Michelangelo works dedicated to the certain members of the Medici family. Did not see David as both Russell & I had been on our last trip. We then found a lovely restaurant in the square  had drinks and eventually dinner.

 Day 4  - Road trip Florence to Siena in a slightly bigger Audi A3. Our first stop was San Gimignano -  a little hill town encircled by 13^th century walls and huge towers. Originally there were 17 towers  but only 13 are now left standing.  It was beautiful and the view from the top well worth the trek.

From there we went onto Monteriggioni  - this was not on the tourist trail but recommended by the owner of the hostel Jess & Matt were staying in. It is located on top of a hill and is completly walled medieval town which has mananged to retain its ancient roots and its medieval looks over the centuries.Built in the 13^th century not many changes have been made since. So glad we did this as there were few tourists and you were able to walk around without the push & shove.

Siena – As Russell said only really saw the Piazza del Campo the most important feature as we were running out of time to have the rental back in Florence by 6pm – yes we made it just.

It was then a sad goodbye to Jess & Matt as they headed to Milan to catch their respective flights to Brisbane and London while Russell & I caught the train to Venice. Once we are cruising I will do a little more updating

Love to all Laur

Venice

Some photos from No 1 Vaporetto Line up the Grand Canal. 

Our Hotel

On Bridge just out of San Marco Square. 

Bridge from railway station we had to drag our bags over. 😓

Rialto Bridge

4th Cruise Ship that left Saturday afternoon. 

In St Marks Square. 

Around Florence

Basilica Di Santa Croce

Dante Monument 

Ceiling inside Medici Chapel 

River Arno

The Duomo and huge crowds

Rooftop lunch over looking Duomo

Palazzo Vecchio

Siena

Really only saw the Piazza del Campo in Siena as we ran out of time, but it was very impressive and I can't imagine trying to race a horse around it on cobblestones. 

Monteriggioni

A lovely hill top fortified town we had lunch at. Few other tourists so was great. 

San Gimignano

See Lauren's blog contribution to come. 

View of Tuscan countyside from San Gimignano

Hotel

When you consider that most hotel buildings in Florence are over 300 years old you need to make allowances for very small lifts that only go half way up the building. Apparently our room is an "upgrade" in size because we are staying 4 nights, but unfortunately it is right at the top of the building. Views are great however and location very handy.

Blue gps dot marks room.