40th Anniversary Cruise Pt. 2

Our next stop was in Corfu, Greece.

Unfortunately, I had eaten something that didn't agree 

with me the night before,

so I was up all night with tummy troubles

so I stayed on the ship and Tom went exploring on his own.

Tom was so excited to set foot in Greece.

He told anyone and everyone he talked to that he was Greek and that

his Grandfather had emigrated from Kaminitsa, Greece.

What a beautiful stop.

Tom found a swimming hole, so he was thrilled to jump in the Mediterranean sea!

Look at this dapper Greek dude!

GRAFFITI is a major problem in Greece.

Tom finally made it back on board and I was feeling much better so 

we enjoyed a delicious dinner

and a beautiful sunset.

Our next stop was Olympia, Greece.

The port was called Katakolon so we looked around the town while we waited for the

bus to take us to Olympia.

We enjoyed walking around the ruins

The Olympic track

The athletes would enter the stadium through this arch.

So much archaeological research needs to be done, 

but I don't think Greece has the money to pay for it.

We visited the museum to see more of the antiquities.

Do I look hot, because yes it was hot?

Put on the helmet of salvation.

This is the present day city of Olympia.

After our tour of Olympia we took the bus back to Katakolon where we did a little shopping.

We walked into this guy's jewelry store.

He was so friendly and loved hearing about Tom's ancestory.

He had lived in the area for many years and had been chosen to carry the Olympic torch 

from Olympia in 3 different Olympics.

He showed us his copy of the torch and told us his story.

He was a professional soccer player.

Well, to make a long story short,

we ended up buying a ring from him.

He was a great salesman.

I loved our stop in Olympia.
My handsome date!

Next stop was Athens, Greece.

We had quite a time trying to get from the cruise port to the Acropolis on public

transportation. But we finally made it.

It was another HOT day!

We hiked up to the top of the Acropolis past the ampitheater

and hit a people traffic jam.

It was crazy all the people trying to get up on top.

The parthenon under construction. They are trying to restore it.

Looking down from the top

and out at the huge city of Athens

Caryatid porch

Athena's temple with an olive tree symbolizing wisdom.

Look at the hordes of people.

After we explored the Parthenon we were hot and hungry and found a cafe  

in the Plaka to sit and relax.

It was magical.

Hadrian's gate

The temple of Zeus

The modern day Olympic stadium

We walked to the Parliament building and saw the changing of the guard.

It was so interesting.

The Agora

We took the subway to the Agora and it started  pouring rain.

We were glad to get back inside the train and head to the port.

Back on the ship for dinner.

We didn't leave Athens until late.

It was a beautiful harbor.

Next stop Santorini.

What a crazy place built on the top of a rock island.

You either had to take a donkey to the top or ride the gondola.

We opted to take an excursion to the city of Oia first so

we got off the ship first and took a boat and then a bus to the top.

Oia is a beautiful all white village that is made up of tourists.

I don't think any locals live there.

We took a ton of photos

and then took the bus to Thira where we found a cafe at the top of hill to enjoy a beautiful 

view and some Greek souvlaki

and a mango smoothie

We took a billion more pictures

and then took the tram down the mountain and back to the ship.

Another yummy dinner and dessert

and sail away

We spent the next day at sea and had our last formal night with steak and shrimp.

Don't you love the towel animals?

Good morning Italy!

Our last stop was the city of Naples.

We loved wandering around and listening to Rick Steeve's walking tour on our phones.

Naples reminded us a lot of New York City.

Lots of people crammed into a small place.

But there is some beautiful architecture and

they have restored many of the buildings that were destroyed during WWII.

Carbinieri, I never did figure out the difference between them and the Polizei.

Naples is where pizza was invented and we had to sample a piece.

It was so delicious!

We walked to the museum and did a tour.

They had many antiquities from Pompei on display.

Fish market

Water fountain.

This is a statue of Moses.

I love the Vespa scooter right next to it.

Patron saint, Punchinella

We got this yummy traditional Naples sweet roll.

We walked and walked!

And finally made it back on board.

Our waiter and assistant waiter from Indonesia.

They were so nice!

Goodbye Naples! We really liked you!

We spent our last night on the ship and had an early flight,

so got off the ship first and took the bus to the airport.

We got all checked in for our flight and were waiting at the gate

when they announced that the flight was cancelled.

What?

We spent the next 4 hours figuring out how to get home.

They put us up at the airport Hilton hotel and fed us all our meals.

By the time we got situated I was exhausted.

Not Tom, he has boundless energy,

so he took the train into Rome and walked all over exploring that beautiful city,

while I rested at the hotel.

The Trevi fountain is a mad house.

The Spanish steps.

Tom bought a Grek (gut bomb) right by the train station and headed back to our hotel.

We made it to the airport the next day and flew home without any more problems.

We just got an extra day in Rome.

I'm always very happy to come back home after a long trip,

but our 40th anniversary cruise was a trip of a lifetime.