Kalimera from Crete

Not sure what day it is, second full day of cruise. We are stopped outside this lovely place and tendering in to town today. Last year I was here with Steve, Marilyn and Alex. We wandered through town and bought some olive oil soaps. It was my last port of call before Rome and coming home.

This time, it feels like our holiday has just begun. Walking, chatting, being. We have really enjoyed all our dinner partners and also having room service each morning, eating on the veranda as we watch the entry in to a new port.

There are beaches here however we probably won’t search for them. Just walking and exploring the local fare.

Later: returned from an awesome day in Chania. Wow! Such friendly service, not pushy and with exquisite Greek designer clothes and jewellery. I thoroughly enjoyed Chania as much this time than last year.

We walked along the sea wall, then ventured inland on small uncrowded streets. Sure there were tourist shops that we avoided, and a market that seems to go on forever and then there were delightful clothing stores with spectacular outfits, designer brand names I recognized from my previous visit.

I picked up a few things and still wishing I had picked up more. Light airy, flattering and flowy. Just the way I like it. No bottoms, and I even found a sale rack with 50% off for some great linen and cotton things that just can’t be found where we live.

I see yellow and black / white combinations, some bright coral to orange and vibrant blues seem to be colours du jour. my mom spied an awesome ring for my long fingers, the sign of circle of live /infinity.

We had tendered in and then the ship relocated to a port and we all took the city bus to join the ship at the pier. Up to our room to enjoy the time together and talking about our day.

Dinner of surf and turf. Filet mignon and lobster tail with a great sauce. I also ordered steamed veggies. Shrimp cocktail every night and fabulous soups.

The wine is bottomless but apparently we are not. At one point I had 5 or 6 beverages in front of me. Drinks as well as wine are complimentary on this cruise, however we have yet to enjoy any spirits (yet). The cruise is young and our first and only sea day is tomorrow so perhaps a happy hour may be on the horizon. The red tonight was called the Crusher, I think, merlot. The whites have been great as well, mostly Chardonnay.

Hotter each day and tonight we have howling winds on the seas.

Time to call it a night. I have completed the quick feedback survey and give Azamara an easy 8 out of 10. Looking for a ten before disembarkation.

Heading now to Israel, then Cyprus before we head back to more Greece. I will pick up more postcards for the grandsons.

Good night my peeps, and loving family. Sleep well where you are, and wish you were here.

Love Pamela
Xoxoxoxo

Kalimera from Crete

Not sure what day it is, second full day of cruise. We are stopped outside this lovely place and tendering in to town today. Last year I was here with Steve, Marilyn and Alex. We wandered through town and bought some olive oil soaps. It was my last port of call before Rome and coming home.

This time, it feels like our holiday has just begun. Walking, chatting, being. We have really enjoyed all our dinner partners and area having room service each morning, eating on the veranda as we watch the entry in to a new port.

There are beaches here however we probably won’t search for them. Just walking and exploring the local fare.

Island Nafplion

The centre square is paved with marble. This is an ancient city surrounded by shops and cafes. Bakeries, tourist shops and a boardwalk promenade. There is a fortress as well a prison (no longer in use) sits in the harbour on its own island. Interesting and gloomy energy.

A local tourist gal is by the main lobby and we stop to chat and learn from her. It’s will be an awesome day to wander and look. Gentle day in Greece. It’s is my first time here and we tender in. We share the harbour with Oceania Riviera ship. Very beautiful and both my favourite cruise lines.

Later: we investigated the streets of marble throughout old town. Shops, cafes, interesting people. Many from our ship we recognized. We found some little treasures. I was looking for a coin or pendant of Greece. I found one to add to my collection around my neck. Some said it was some ancient calendar, some said it is a collection of Greek symbols and came from Ephesus. Once I found it, there were several others in a few more shops, silver, comparable prices. I looked at rings and clothes, but not much tempted me. I found a cute ring, no symbol of significance and I had to take off one of maxi sting rings to make room for the new addition.

I found some more suitable postcards to send to Luke and Jack.

We came back to the ship and had salmon brochettes by the pool area … And Mediterranean grilled veggies. Yum! A glass of white wine for the day. Off to our room to et ready for the evening. I had a date with the maitre d from diniNg area to discuss my food issues. Then on to a cocktail party meet and greet with 189 travel agents! I am shocked by the large number.

Ten dinner with another couple. They were lovely, married 30 years, live in San Diego. Both very tall. We ended up talking a lot about criminals and youth and what people can do to assist. It was a great chat. Then we went to the show together and listened with goosebumps to the singing voice of the cruise director from Toronto Eric de Gray. Powerful voice and very entertaining!

Checked email this morning. The sun came out and the day was so great. Relaxing and so enjoyable.

Wish you were here.

Love Pamela

Ps off to Crete, Chania is the port town, more tendering. I loved this city when I was here in the fall. It seemed much hotter then.

Today Nafplion Greece

We have arrived at our first port of call. It has been a busy few days catching up on sleep, food and of course some wine.

On Tuesday (today is Thursday) we had a 12 hour day cruising to three Saronic islands, Hydra, Poros and Aegina. We purchased a few olive oil products and I bought and ate pistachio nuts. It turned beautiful and sunny as the day wore on and we very much enjoyed our time at sea and exploring on land.

Yesterday we had a wonderful transfer, arranged through the taxi and he took us by the Temple of Zues, Acropolis and the site from the first Olympic Games rebuilt to the amazing outdoor theatre today. On our way to the port of Pireaus, we talked about Greece and what it is like in Athens.

I met up with fellow CruiseShipCenters consultant, Sandy P. how fun, she and her husband had been on a river cruise and then disembarked from Oceania Riviera.

We had a seamless and effortless embarkation, no waits, no lines, brilliant with Azamara. The same day also Oceania Riviera and RCCI Navigator of the Seas were loading. I was on Navigator last fall, so fun to see her again and I enjoyed seeing the new Riviera.

Our rooms were ready and we went next to lunch and had a great chat, enjoying the hot sun. Sitting out on our veranda was also very nice. I took a few pictures.

We participated in the safety drill and met a few other agents. Then off to freshen up and meet others for dinner in Discoveries Dining Room. Our room is mid ship deck 7 and really is lovely.

At dinner we met a couple from Seattle, formerly Hawaii. Very interesting and happy time, more wine. Then off to the show, introductions to some of the entertainment crew, followed by a lively musical and dance show with 6 or 8 singers and dancers. Great orchestra accompaniment and terrific songs from musicals over the ages. The cruise director is from Toronto Canada and the future cruise consultant from Vancouver Island. I think I should make some enquiries!

Up to the Looking Glass, late night dj. There were a handful of people there, and the name of the event was Jetlaggers. Many must have been as they were not up dancing! First night at sea can be slow starting.

I must hads some caffeine in my decaf, so am back to hot water now. I did not sleep well. We put out for room service breakfast, up watching the sun rise.

Up, had breakfast and we tender in today to Nafplion Greece. More to follow.

Beautiful, wish you were here!

Pam