Sunday - Oosterdam
Packing up and getting to the ship was very easy. Our Airbnb host carried down our luggage and arranged for the taxi to pick us up. So Easy Peezy - but Not the HA Navigator app - we had to wait till the next day to get info on how to transfer the full internet (not just their Navigator version) to our second device. Our "Have it all Package" only allows for one device so you have to follow a bunch of steps to get it transfered over every time-- almost as bad as Cruise Critic threads. I have such admiration for the people that can use both sucessfully.
They must have known we were on the ship cause as we were leaving they gave us a rainbow filled sendoff. Actually, there was a military type ship that was coming into port and other ships were blowing horns - but we can pretend- can't we?
Normal small cruise room. Only adjustment we asked to be made is that Beth's quilt was taken off her bed and I asked for an extra blanket for mine. The room was totally adequate. Entertainment that night was a Scottish comic from Australia. Definitely a snort or two popped out of my mouth.
"Port Talks" are a great way to get information about our next port. New young guy gave us great information on what sites to not miss and how to get around. But he overused the phrase "absolutly amazing" to the point that Beth and I started giggling.
Corfu, Greece - Tuesday
Viator Tour today. Nice Mercedes van took us and about 8 others on a ride around the island. We had took a boat ride at one location that was abundant with caves. Healthy looking red coral was present with plenty of fish. The water was really clear. The 9 yr old son of the captain entertained us with his commentary. - We figure he wants to be a guide like his dad.
The pink dots are red coral
Afterwards, we had our first gelato of the trip - big mistake - we have had it every day since ...... Besides Corfu being much greener than the majority of Greece - It's is noted for tourism, olive oil, wine, komquat products which even include liqueur, and for the 80's James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only" being filmed there. Also notible - Corfu is where the current King Charles's father, Prince Phillip, was born on their "Mon Repos" (Just Rest) dining room table. This residence was used by the Royal family as a summer residence until 1967.
We separated from the group and decided to go to the Fort where the entrance fee was listed as 5 EU - BUT since we were Americans we had to pay 10 EU? Retaliation for our new tariffs? Their moat had been converted into a boat parking lot. Besides the normal fort stuff it also had the St George Church built by Prince Phillip for the soldiers The park outside had decorated horses, narrow streets, and a really LONG WALK back to boat. Interested in more about Corfu? There is a good book and Masterpiece mini series. Durrells in Corfu
That night we watched a dance show consisting of 6 very talented young dancers. It was heavily technology based with lights and moveable screens where the dancers actually timed their steps and actions with shadows and images. Very impressive !
Dubrovnik, Croatia - Wednesday
We took a ship excursion for this city. We drew the short straw and got an annoyed, greasy haired lady. She seemed to have run out of patience and nice. First stop was the cable car ride. We got their early enough that the wait for the car was short. We we right across the street from a bakery which was right next to a cannibis vending machine. Appropriate....
A great (but crowded) view of the walled city from the top. I tried to talk Beth into the bike trip that was advertised. Didn't work.
This walled city below is where they filmed a lot of "Game of Thrones"
Sadly Beth said NO
At the walled in city, our guide walked us to the entrance gate and informed us of our two options to get back to the boat. Continue with her and ride back in the bus at 2 pm or go on our own and get the 18 EU option bus back to the port. We opted for "on our own". Lots of stairs on either side of the main street.
Lots of stairs on both sides of the main road.
After hitting the noted historical sites we stopped for lunch in one of the narrow alleys. We later noticed that it was Michelen restaurant. No stars yet but it was good. We both had beers, I had a seared tuna sandwich and Beth had a Burrata salad with sundried tomatoes. Very good!
We tackled climbing the wall and walking around 3/4 of it. I was the pitiful one.... that called the halt. But we got some great photos.
We rewarded ourselves with a second day gelato and sitting in the shade by the old city well. We were told that the water in the old city well was drinkable - Beth drank out of it and is still alive 5 days later -- I chickened out. During our climb I saw evidence of a Hard Rock Cafe. I decided I needed another t-shirt to go with my Hong Kong and Russia ones. That night Beth and I had our first card game of "kings on a corner".
Split -Thursday Oct 16- Great guide, Anna, we knew right away this would be a much better tour than yesterday. Split is part of the Dalmation coast, Croatia (sort of like a state in government ways). Basically what you see in Split is the remains of a 4th century retirement home for Emperor Diocletianus. He was one of the few emperors that was not killed during his reign and built a fortified palace by the water where he loved to garden. He was asked to come out of retirement but said no, that he would rather raise his cabbages.
Anna -guide
Top section where the emperor's quarters second and third sections were staff and soldiers barracks
these Caverns were support beams for the palace AND also used in Game of Thrones for the setting where the dragons were kept.
BellTower
Two of the mentioned men in Split's history were Marko Marulic and Gregory of nin.
Marko Marulic - two different stories but the same end for Marko - two friends were "dating" a noblewomen - father catches other guy - he stabs and kills him. Because of this Marko turns into a monk? (not sure) where he wrote religious stuff and poetry. Or the story that Wikipedia reported was it was Marko that was caught and her father burned the daughter to death. Not sure which story I like -- But Marko ended up the same prolific writer and a critic of the immoral behavior of priests.
Gregory of Nin was a Bishop in the 900's - bucked the pope and gave mass not in Latin but in Croatian. Made Christianity more popular. For some reason rubbing his toe is supposed to be good luck.
Froggyland - Yes, it's as silly as it sounds. I wish I could have taken photos, but alas not allowed.
During the Victoria era it was a fad to have stuffed birds, animals etc in your home. Taxidermy was considered an art. Ferenc Mere was exceptional and had a great sense of humor. If you can't make it to Split Croatia then you must go to the web site.
FroggyLand
Cheesy Virtual Reality - Ok one more silly tourist attraction. Slightly out of date when compared to today's virtual reality experiences - but a good way to introduce VR to people that have never used it. 15 minute VR cartoon that introduces Split's history.
Diocietians Dream Easy walk back to the boat where we found a couple of solar power benches - for charging devices. Cool idea !
Trieste Italy- Friday - no tour at all - DIY
After watching the informative Holland America Port talk, we only had two destinations on our 'wish list' for this day. The San Giusto Church/Castle and Marimare Castle. We quickly caught a taxi right outside the port with an informative and helpful driver. Side note -- He was planning on joining the US army to be able to immigrate to the US, but he broke his back in a motorcycle accident and was turned down.
First stop was the San Giusto Church which was located conveniently right next to the 1460 Castle of the same name. Beth climbed the bell tower (I passed - still recovering from the previous days's of stairs).
The castle wasn't open yet so we walked around and saw many memorials and statues dedicated to previous wars and revolutions.
view from the hill - Oosterdam on left
In 1468 Frederick III had the fortress/castle built for the Imperial Captain; a representative of the Habsburgs. The castle had well displayed weapons, furniture and floor tiles as well as an educational section for kids. We climbed up to the walls and walked around. It provided great views of the city.
view of the church from above
a lot of fancy woodwork
hundreds of spears and halberds
We walked down the hill passing thru a nice garden and playground to the main part of town. We ended up back at the port to get another 20 min taxi ride to Marimare. While reseaching I found a great little 20 min intro to Marimare on Youtube that explains the history so much better than I do in the next paragraph. (and only 3 ads to put up with ) Marimare Video
Built in 1860 for Austrian Maximillian and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. It was planned to be a retirement home, but he was called away to be the Emporer of Mexico where he was killed there just a few years later. Ferndinand Maximillian was interested in a variety of plant and tree species and designed the 54 acres around the castle.
F. Maximillian
After touring the house we walked around outside, had another daily gelato, and walked thru part of the gardens.
Afterwards Beth walked around in Trieste - I took a nap.....
Saturday - Sea Day - Elevator Day
Today I am refusing to climb any more than 3 floors at a time. Any more than that and I am pushing elevator buttons for my excersize. This trip has been rough on the knees and hips. Since the beginning of the trip we have walked and climbed a lot. I am pretty good with the walking but I suck at the stairs. According to my iWatch (when I remembered to put it on ) 13 flights of stairs was the least recorded flights and 22 being the most. Beth has been super nice letting me take it slow when I know she is in much better shape than I.
Sunday -19th Saranda Albania
This was a ship excursion - so 4 big buses. All going to the same places. Usually that is not the best way to see the sites, but we got lucky and got a driver that was exceptional. He used to be an university professor of English and other languages. He ended up quiting because he couldn't support his family on a teachers salary. I know that feeling. He now has 40 yrs of guide experience. He grew up during the communist era and shared some of his stories with us. I think the most moving was the fact that when he was a 11-14 he would join a line of other boys at 2 AM in the morning to wait for a liter of milk at the store. He said sometimes he'd get to the front and there would not be any for him to take home to his siblings. Albania did not escape communist rule until 1991. Very hard to imagine. It's good to be reminded of how lucky most of us have been in the US.
The first stop was the Lekuresi castle. After a scary ride up a very narrow and mountainous road we arrived at the castle built by an Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537. Strategic hill because it overlooked the town of Sarande and harbor. Now it is a restaurant and tourist attraction.
beautiful farm land in the valley
Albania only became independent in the 90's student revolt. Basically they pulled down a statue. There was no bloodshed due to the fact the army sided with the people and not the communist government.
Albania is trying to restore some of the religious sites that were destroyed during the communist rule. So we had a stop at one of the sites that had started to be restored. Beautiful stone work on the outside but sad on the inside. I don't think they hold services there.
Beth and I were outside looking at the ruins and Beth said "listen there is a stream" I did and sure enough there were sounds of a stream nearby. Of course we had to see if we could find it. To our surprise it was a flock of sheep that wore bells about 3 blocks away. Fooled us both!
I visited the burial grounds - mostly modern dates and strangely the majority of them were males. I never got to ask where were the females were laid to rest.
Next stop was a restaurant that provided us with a drink (sodas, water, beer or wine) and samples of some of the Albania local food, which was a lot like Greek food. The also provided us with local dancing and songs.
Albania hopes to make it into the EU in 2 or 3 years
