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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