| This cruise began for us with a two day stay in | | | | We took the shore excursion to the Pyramids, |
| Istanbul minus one suitcase that Delta Airlines lost. | | | | about a three hour bus trip. The buses traveled in |
| We had been in Istanbul for a couple of days at | | | | convoys with police escorts. I presume it's an anti |
| the end of our last cruise, and my wife fell in love | | | | terrorist thing. The Pyramids were awesome! We |
| with it. We spent the time checking out things we | | | | got to actually climb up on one of the pyramids. |
| didn't see on the last trip, and shopping for | | | | There were also cool tombs that we toured, and |
| underwear, pantyhose, shoes, and other things | | | | of course, shopping for jewelry and papyrus art. |
| Kathy needed after the lost luggage fiasco. There | | | | Our next port of call was Athens Greece. Since |
| we were, at the Grand Bazaar, Kathy in a pair of | | | | we had been to Athens recently we opted not to |
| my boxer shorts and a T shirt the ship gave her. | | | | take any of the excursions and just went to the |
| But we found some great bargains on knock-offs. | | | | Plaka. We found yet another Internet cafe where |
| The Millennium set sail for Kusadasi (Ephesus) | | | | we could update our web site. Although it was |
| Turkey in the early afternoon. The next day we | | | | about 3 flights of stairs to get to the cafe, were |
| arrived in Kusadasi, known for its very extensive | | | | given the "Computer with a view" .. Just out the |
| ruins at Ephesus. These are the most impressive | | | | window was a spectacular view of the Acropolis. |
| ruins we have ever seen, be sure not to miss | | | | And we found another fabulous open air cafe. |
| them when you are in Kusadasi. Cleopatra and | | | | We arrive next at Naples, Italy. The day was kind |
| Mark Anthony were tourists at Ephesus! | | | | of a whirl wind of a day as we took a hydrofoil |
| We toured a rug factory which was actually a rug | | | | to the island of Capri where we toured the island, |
| store. However, they gave a very interesting | | | | an interesting and beautiful island and playground |
| presentation on how Turkish rugs are woven and | | | | for the rich. Then on to Sorrento where we had |
| how to determine the quality of rugs. We saw a | | | | lunch and wandered around the scenic town, and |
| demonstration of a young girl weaving a rug. | | | | finally we toured the amazing ruins at Pompeii. |
| While in Kusadasi we spotted an internet cafe sign | | | | There are enough ruins at Pompeii to spend |
| and so we went on in. They were quite excited | | | | weeks there and still not see everything. |
| that we had come in; they uncovered their single | | | | Thousands of years ago and they had plumbing |
| computer, taped some cardboard to the window | | | | fixtures...running water in their homes, taverns, |
| to reduce the glare on the screen, and brought us | | | | saunas, and all sorts of surprising things. A very |
| some cokes to drink. After we finished surfing | | | | busy day! |
| the net we asked how much we owed. They said | | | | Next stop, Rome and the Vatican City including St. |
| "nothing!" and they wouldn't let us pay for | | | | Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican museum. At the |
| anything. Odd but interesting and nice. | | | | Vatican, we visited the Sistine chapel which was |
| The next day was a day at sea with no stops at | | | | mind blowing. Following that we visited the |
| any ports. We consider days at sea as our lazy | | | | Coliseum. The Coliseum was another amazing |
| kick-back and relax part of our cruises. So we | | | | place. Kathy was really impressed with the Trevi |
| "bagged some rays" by the pool and checked out | | | | Fountain in Rome (she threw in the required 3 |
| the drink of the day. | | | | coins so we could come back to Rome). |
| The next day we arrived in Limasol, Cyprus. | | | | Our next port was Nice, France. We visited a |
| Originally we were supposed to go to Haifa Israel, | | | | famous flower market, had coffee at a little side |
| but due to some Middle East unrest, the | | | | walk cafe, and we took a shore excursion to |
| destination was changed to Limasol. There was an | | | | Monaco. Monaco isn't very big! We could stand in |
| interesting castle that we toured, and then we | | | | one spot and see the whole country. There are |
| went looking for an internet cafe. We found one | | | | lots of shops on the tiny narrow winding streets. |
| and did a little updating of our website while we | | | | We had lunch (at an open air cafe) and Kathy |
| were there. Internet cafe's can be found in most | | | | liked the Roquefort cheese so much she asked |
| cities and it is truly amazing to see the | | | | the waiter where should could get some, and he |
| differences. There isn't really much in Limasol. | | | | directed her to a market. We bought some and |
| Our next port of call was Alexandria Egypt. The | | | | brought it home with us. |
| port was HUGE! There were quite a few sunken | | | | The following morning we disembarked in |
| ships poking up out of the water as we entered | | | | Barcelona and within hours we were on our way |
| the port...wonder what that was about? Our ship | | | | home! Another fantastic cruise ship adventure |
| was greeted with a giant red carpet and a large | | | | under our belts! |
| band playing music. | | | | |