Today, we have docked at Crete, and after a breakfast at the buffet, I notice that there is 30 percent off Spa services, and decide to check out getting my hair cut, and Bob says, not just cut, but more, so I go and decide to get it cut, which is done not long after I have gone there. I have decided not to go ashore, as I think I will have a day of doing things for me. I have made an appointment for a Massage, and I will also get my hair done with some highlights.
I get my hair cut, but it seems I am not able to get the hairdresser to fully understand what I want, and I say I want a trim, not much off, as I am trying to grow the layers out, so she just cuts a little of one of the layers, and then tidies up the side, and that is it done. I am a little dissappointed in myself more than anything, but it is tidied up a bit. Will get a decent cut, when I get back home. So the next appointment is at 5pm. This is for the massage. Bob has decided to check out the ship yard that our ship has docked near too, and when he gets back, he says that he went into Crete, well almost.
Massage time arrives, and the massage is good, and relaxing, and as is the usual thing at the end of it all, they try to sell you something more. I resist, and go back and fill in time until my hair colour appointment at 7pm.
At just before 7 I go up and get to mu appointment, as I had previously sorted out what colour I was going to have in my hair. I did state that I wanted a full head of what I thought was going to be highlights, but again, there was a communication problem, and after a while my whole head is covered in dye. So Iam feeling a little anxious about the end result, as I have choosen an orangey red colour. I am left alone for 30 mins while the colour take in my hair. The hair dresser returns and rinses out the colour and the colour of my hair, is a light orange of sorts. I am not to sure about it, but it is done.
I head up to the room, not sure about it at all, and Bob assures me it is good. I will just have to have time to get adapted to it.
We go to the buffet for dinner, and then the day is done.
Tuesday, 3rd March, 2020.
Today we have docked in the port of Rhodes, on the island of Rhodes.
We have risen early, as the ship is docking, and after observing this, we head off for breakfast. Then we head to the meeting point for the tour we have booked today. We don't have to wait to long and we are boarded onto a bus, and on the road to explore this part of the island.
Our first stop is at the Acropolis of Rhodes, and there are lots of Peacocks about at this stop. Unfortunately the Acropolis entrance is closed as it is in the off season. But we get to walk in the opposite direction, to a large cross that has been mounted. It has very nice panaramic views of the port and city.
The Colossus of Rhodes was a huge statue of the sun god Helios, which was constructed in 280BC. It was 33 meters high, and was made of bronze. It is amazing to think of how they constructed such a large statue, back in those times. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in earthquakes and when the Arabs took over the city is future years, they sold off the bronze, so there is nothing there or even remenants of it being there. The historians only have pictures that were found to prove that it was there. It was once one of the wonders of the ancient world.
We continue to take in what our guide is telling us about this ancient city, and it seems that this is the place where the Templar knights first began. We get of the bus and walk into the old and ancient part of the town, which was the palace of the Knights, and it was protected by 3 walls, and two moats and then the palace. The whole walled city is still being used, and it is the only city in the world that has the original and complete wall around it. There are seven entrances into the city, and walking around it was amazing. Many of the homes are still being lived in, and that has helped to preserve them. The whole walled city is a UNESCO site, and therefore, renovations have to be made exactly to strict conditions. This city was built in 408BC, it is wonderful to have such places still about.
After the walking part of the tour, we break from the group and do our own thing, and find a cafe to have a coffee, and a bit to eat, and ended up having some lunch, which was very enjoyable Greek food.
We buy the tee shirt to say that we were here, and then head back to the ship. Again we have to go through the scanning device, and then we head back up to the room. Bob has a rest, and I do a bit of reading in the library. Then it is back to the buffet for dinner, and day is all but done.
Wednesday, 4th March 2020
Athens
Today we have docked at Athens. We have chosen to do a tour to the Parthenon. This is a bus trip, and there are a few historical sights to see before we get to it. Like the very first statuim that was used for the first modern Olympics. The Panathenaic Statium, hosted more than 50 000 people for the first modern Olympics. It is an all marble and is the only of that is built entirely of marble. It was built in the 6th century, and renovated in 1896. There is a story about a Marathon that is held here, a messenger was told to run from the Battle of Marathon to Athens and tell the leaders that they had won the war, and he did that in full armour, from a little village, about 40 miles away, and when he got there he uttered two words, we won, then died. So this is where of the marathons end.
After we finish looking over this statium, we continue onwards and go past the Temple of Olympian Zeus, It's contruction started in the 6th century BC, but was not completed until the 2nd century AD. In Roman times, it was the largest temple in Greece, and housed one of the largest statues in the Ancient world. It sure was a large and even though it is ruins now, one can imagine just how big it would have been.
Again we continue and we get to our prized stop, The Parthenon. We are guided by the guide on the bus and given the history of what is in the area. There are theatre ruins, and the Erechtheion, which is a greek temple, and it was quite impressive, and it was dedicated to the Athena and Poseidon, which was constructed between 421 and 406 BC. The temple of Athena Nike, which was constructed in the same time. So standing on the Acropolis of Athens is quite an amazing thing, with all of these wonderful historical ruins.
Unfortunately, we are summoned back to the ship, for security reasons, and we are all filled with dread that there is a case of the coronavirus onboard. Our tour is obviously unfinished, but at least we got to see the main attractions. There was some conflict with another tour guide, that said we should not have been allowed to continue, but our guide told guests to meet at the bus at 12, and that is what was done, and she figured that while we were here, a quick look was deserved. So after we had all assembled at the bus, we headed back to the ship amid the grumblings of many people, and the fear of others.
Back on the ship, we all go through the usual scanning of items, and then Bob and I go back to our cabin. We then go and get some lunch, not knowing what is going to eventuate, so we have a feed, in case we are confined to our cabins for the duration. Alas, it was not so, thankfully, we are told that a guest from the previous trip did contract the virus, and that we were called back for our safety, and that no one on board has the virus. It was all a precaution.
Thursday, 5th March 2020
Today, the ship docked in Corfu. We stayed on board, and chilled.
Friday, 6th March 2020
The ship was not allowed to dock at Malta today, due to the reported case of the guest who had the virus on the ship on the previous cruise, and the Government didn't want to have public unrest if we docked. This was after some misleading media reports despite, being assured there was noone on the ship who had the virus.
Tonight we got dressed up in our glad rags again, and went for dinner in the Resturant.
Satuday, 7th March 2020
Our ship docked in Messina, and it is a rainy sort of day. There are tours operating, but we have decided not to go on any. Instead, we settle for taking a walk and happen to come accross a little train tour, which was where we were admiring a big old bell tower, and its cathedral beside it. The bell tower is as Astronomical clock, and was constructed in 1933, and is quite something to look upon.
We board our little tourist train, and take a drive about the city. We come to a panaramic view of the city, and it is here that there is one of very old bell.
The tour takes about 45 mins, and we are returned to where we began, it is still raining lightly, so we decide to head back to the ship, only after Bob stops and buys some sweets and nuts from a street vender.
We embark with the usual process, of everything being scanned and our cards scanned aswell.
We decide to go and have a coffee at one of the lounges, and we wait for quite some time, as one of the waitresses, is talking to other guests, about American politics. She has been with them for well over 15 mins, and Bob is starting to get annoyed. Eventually another waitress comes over, and Bob asks her for the name he co worker, and she sidesteps the question, by just asking what we would like. She handled the situation very well, and after she had taken our order, she went over to the waitress and spoke to her. There were other customers who were waiting aswell.
After we had our coffee, we headed back to the cabin, and called it a day.
On our way to Rome, we cruise past an active Volcano, called Stomboli. We could see steam coming out of it, and it has been active since the 1930s. It was an amazing site to see.
Sunday, 8th March 2020
This morning we have docked in Rome. Bob and I decide to disembark around 11.30 so let all the other people get off who are going on tours and others that like us are leaving the ship here. We leave the ship a little before 11.30, as we are not sure what we have to do to get off, but it was hassle free. All we had to do was show our passports to the MSC staff, and get our cards swiped, and that was about it.
We have a bit of a wait for the car to come and collect us, as it was organised for 1pm. We watch the buses come and go, with guests as MSC is running a shuffle run for people to get to the airport.
Bob makes a call to the company to see if we can be collected a little earlier as we are ready, and he is told maybe 15 mins early. So we wait. Around 12.30 our car arrives, and we are diven to our next place. This is an hour and 20 mins trip. Our driver, does he best to get us as close to where we need to go. He speaks some english, and he was born in Rome. After we arrive, he gives Bob his card as Bob has questioned him about taking us to the airport in a weeks time.
So now we have to check into this place, but first we have to find the key safe, and that isn't as easy is it seems. Eventually it is foumd, and we are inside our next unit. It has been a relief to be off the cruise ship, with the difficulties that it has had getting into ports because of the Coronavirus. Even though noone on the ship got it, it was something hanging over everyones head.
Our unit is on the 5th floor of a residental complex, and has a supermarket on the ground floor, as well as a Pizza place and a cafe. All seems very handy.
After a while we go down, and gather some supplies for the night and the mroning,
Day is done.
I get my hair cut, but it seems I am not able to get the hairdresser to fully understand what I want, and I say I want a trim, not much off, as I am trying to grow the layers out, so she just cuts a little of one of the layers, and then tidies up the side, and that is it done. I am a little dissappointed in myself more than anything, but it is tidied up a bit. Will get a decent cut, when I get back home. So the next appointment is at 5pm. This is for the massage. Bob has decided to check out the ship yard that our ship has docked near too, and when he gets back, he says that he went into Crete, well almost.
Massage time arrives, and the massage is good, and relaxing, and as is the usual thing at the end of it all, they try to sell you something more. I resist, and go back and fill in time until my hair colour appointment at 7pm.
At just before 7 I go up and get to mu appointment, as I had previously sorted out what colour I was going to have in my hair. I did state that I wanted a full head of what I thought was going to be highlights, but again, there was a communication problem, and after a while my whole head is covered in dye. So Iam feeling a little anxious about the end result, as I have choosen an orangey red colour. I am left alone for 30 mins while the colour take in my hair. The hair dresser returns and rinses out the colour and the colour of my hair, is a light orange of sorts. I am not to sure about it, but it is done.
I head up to the room, not sure about it at all, and Bob assures me it is good. I will just have to have time to get adapted to it.
We go to the buffet for dinner, and then the day is done.
Tuesday, 3rd March, 2020.
Today we have docked in the port of Rhodes, on the island of Rhodes.
We have risen early, as the ship is docking, and after observing this, we head off for breakfast. Then we head to the meeting point for the tour we have booked today. We don't have to wait to long and we are boarded onto a bus, and on the road to explore this part of the island.
Our first stop is at the Acropolis of Rhodes, and there are lots of Peacocks about at this stop. Unfortunately the Acropolis entrance is closed as it is in the off season. But we get to walk in the opposite direction, to a large cross that has been mounted. It has very nice panaramic views of the port and city.
The Colossus of Rhodes was a huge statue of the sun god Helios, which was constructed in 280BC. It was 33 meters high, and was made of bronze. It is amazing to think of how they constructed such a large statue, back in those times. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in earthquakes and when the Arabs took over the city is future years, they sold off the bronze, so there is nothing there or even remenants of it being there. The historians only have pictures that were found to prove that it was there. It was once one of the wonders of the ancient world.
We continue to take in what our guide is telling us about this ancient city, and it seems that this is the place where the Templar knights first began. We get of the bus and walk into the old and ancient part of the town, which was the palace of the Knights, and it was protected by 3 walls, and two moats and then the palace. The whole walled city is still being used, and it is the only city in the world that has the original and complete wall around it. There are seven entrances into the city, and walking around it was amazing. Many of the homes are still being lived in, and that has helped to preserve them. The whole walled city is a UNESCO site, and therefore, renovations have to be made exactly to strict conditions. This city was built in 408BC, it is wonderful to have such places still about.
After the walking part of the tour, we break from the group and do our own thing, and find a cafe to have a coffee, and a bit to eat, and ended up having some lunch, which was very enjoyable Greek food.
We buy the tee shirt to say that we were here, and then head back to the ship. Again we have to go through the scanning device, and then we head back up to the room. Bob has a rest, and I do a bit of reading in the library. Then it is back to the buffet for dinner, and day is all but done.
Wednesday, 4th March 2020
Athens
Today we have docked at Athens. We have chosen to do a tour to the Parthenon. This is a bus trip, and there are a few historical sights to see before we get to it. Like the very first statuim that was used for the first modern Olympics. The Panathenaic Statium, hosted more than 50 000 people for the first modern Olympics. It is an all marble and is the only of that is built entirely of marble. It was built in the 6th century, and renovated in 1896. There is a story about a Marathon that is held here, a messenger was told to run from the Battle of Marathon to Athens and tell the leaders that they had won the war, and he did that in full armour, from a little village, about 40 miles away, and when he got there he uttered two words, we won, then died. So this is where of the marathons end.
After we finish looking over this statium, we continue onwards and go past the Temple of Olympian Zeus, It's contruction started in the 6th century BC, but was not completed until the 2nd century AD. In Roman times, it was the largest temple in Greece, and housed one of the largest statues in the Ancient world. It sure was a large and even though it is ruins now, one can imagine just how big it would have been.
Again we continue and we get to our prized stop, The Parthenon. We are guided by the guide on the bus and given the history of what is in the area. There are theatre ruins, and the Erechtheion, which is a greek temple, and it was quite impressive, and it was dedicated to the Athena and Poseidon, which was constructed between 421 and 406 BC. The temple of Athena Nike, which was constructed in the same time. So standing on the Acropolis of Athens is quite an amazing thing, with all of these wonderful historical ruins.
Unfortunately, we are summoned back to the ship, for security reasons, and we are all filled with dread that there is a case of the coronavirus onboard. Our tour is obviously unfinished, but at least we got to see the main attractions. There was some conflict with another tour guide, that said we should not have been allowed to continue, but our guide told guests to meet at the bus at 12, and that is what was done, and she figured that while we were here, a quick look was deserved. So after we had all assembled at the bus, we headed back to the ship amid the grumblings of many people, and the fear of others.
Back on the ship, we all go through the usual scanning of items, and then Bob and I go back to our cabin. We then go and get some lunch, not knowing what is going to eventuate, so we have a feed, in case we are confined to our cabins for the duration. Alas, it was not so, thankfully, we are told that a guest from the previous trip did contract the virus, and that we were called back for our safety, and that no one on board has the virus. It was all a precaution.
Thursday, 5th March 2020
Today, the ship docked in Corfu. We stayed on board, and chilled.
Friday, 6th March 2020
The ship was not allowed to dock at Malta today, due to the reported case of the guest who had the virus on the ship on the previous cruise, and the Government didn't want to have public unrest if we docked. This was after some misleading media reports despite, being assured there was noone on the ship who had the virus.
Tonight we got dressed up in our glad rags again, and went for dinner in the Resturant.
Satuday, 7th March 2020
Our ship docked in Messina, and it is a rainy sort of day. There are tours operating, but we have decided not to go on any. Instead, we settle for taking a walk and happen to come accross a little train tour, which was where we were admiring a big old bell tower, and its cathedral beside it. The bell tower is as Astronomical clock, and was constructed in 1933, and is quite something to look upon.
We board our little tourist train, and take a drive about the city. We come to a panaramic view of the city, and it is here that there is one of very old bell.
The tour takes about 45 mins, and we are returned to where we began, it is still raining lightly, so we decide to head back to the ship, only after Bob stops and buys some sweets and nuts from a street vender.
We embark with the usual process, of everything being scanned and our cards scanned aswell.
We decide to go and have a coffee at one of the lounges, and we wait for quite some time, as one of the waitresses, is talking to other guests, about American politics. She has been with them for well over 15 mins, and Bob is starting to get annoyed. Eventually another waitress comes over, and Bob asks her for the name he co worker, and she sidesteps the question, by just asking what we would like. She handled the situation very well, and after she had taken our order, she went over to the waitress and spoke to her. There were other customers who were waiting aswell.
After we had our coffee, we headed back to the cabin, and called it a day.
On our way to Rome, we cruise past an active Volcano, called Stomboli. We could see steam coming out of it, and it has been active since the 1930s. It was an amazing site to see.
Sunday, 8th March 2020
This morning we have docked in Rome. Bob and I decide to disembark around 11.30 so let all the other people get off who are going on tours and others that like us are leaving the ship here. We leave the ship a little before 11.30, as we are not sure what we have to do to get off, but it was hassle free. All we had to do was show our passports to the MSC staff, and get our cards swiped, and that was about it.
We have a bit of a wait for the car to come and collect us, as it was organised for 1pm. We watch the buses come and go, with guests as MSC is running a shuffle run for people to get to the airport.
Bob makes a call to the company to see if we can be collected a little earlier as we are ready, and he is told maybe 15 mins early. So we wait. Around 12.30 our car arrives, and we are diven to our next place. This is an hour and 20 mins trip. Our driver, does he best to get us as close to where we need to go. He speaks some english, and he was born in Rome. After we arrive, he gives Bob his card as Bob has questioned him about taking us to the airport in a weeks time.
So now we have to check into this place, but first we have to find the key safe, and that isn't as easy is it seems. Eventually it is foumd, and we are inside our next unit. It has been a relief to be off the cruise ship, with the difficulties that it has had getting into ports because of the Coronavirus. Even though noone on the ship got it, it was something hanging over everyones head.
Our unit is on the 5th floor of a residental complex, and has a supermarket on the ground floor, as well as a Pizza place and a cafe. All seems very handy.
After a while we go down, and gather some supplies for the night and the mroning,
Day is done.
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