Italian Cities

2007 July 1-3
Docked in Venice, Italy. On the 1st we just took a water taxi into
town and walked around on our own. No amount of pictures
can do it justice. Everything is so grand, it's almost impossible
to take in. We just kept walking around the streets and alley-ways,
passing over many canals and watching all the gondolas.
Paul stopped for a piece of real Italian pizza, Diane opted for
fresh fruit at an open market. Walked over the famous Rialto
Bridge which passes over the Grand Canal.

In the evening we escorted a tour which was an evening
cruise around the canals by gondola. On our tour was an 87
year old guest (Arline) who could barely walk. We managed
to get her off the very turbulent water-taxi, walk ~ 200 yards
up and down steps to the gondolas, and then lower her
into a gondola. The gondolier was not happy about it and
kept giving us dirty looks - typical Italian. It was a beautiful
experience except Paul sat with Arline and Diane sat alone.
Maybe we'll have better luck next time.

On the 2nd we had IPM so had to stay on-board. Nice
quiet day, had 1 hour training and did a little work in the shops.

On the 3rd we escorted the "Introduction to Venice" tour.
This included a tour of the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace)
which included paintings by many Venetian great artists.
We all went through the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)
which was very eerie. It was a bridge connecting the palace
to the prison, and it's said you could hear the sighs of the
prisoners. It's one of those places where you swear you can
feel a presense. We also toured the Basilica di San Marco
(St. Mark's Cathedral). After that a day-time gondola ride.
It was very interesting going onto the grand canl in gondola
this time. Lastly we we went to a Murano glass factory.
While everything was very pretty is was still basically a
sales opportunity.
Then shops open 5p - 11p.

2007 July 04 "Independence Day"
Day at Sea. While this is Independence Day for the U.S.,
there are maybe 20 crew members on board that are
U.S. citizens. We worked 9am - 9pm. After work changed
into formal-wear (it was a formal evening on-board) and went to
one of the shows "My Favorite Things" with music from
Rogers and Hammerstein. The show didn't start until
about 10:45pm. After the show (about 12 midnight) we went
to the crew party but had missed out on all the hamburgers
and hot dogs because everyone else had eaten everything.
Oh well. We also get to celebrate every other nationalities.
holidays.

2007 July 05
Docked in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Today started with a crew drill. We never know if it's to muster
stations or to emergency stations. Anyway, they evacuated the
entire ship of crew. Then lifeboat stations 9 & 10 which
included Diane had to board one of the lifeboats. It will hold
140 souls. In rough seas that could be tough. Diane held
back to get on at the last minute - smart thinking. Then the
Captain of the ship came out for a little pep talk. Life on-board
is really very interesting.

Afterwards, took a bus-ride shuttle into town this time. There are
many internet cafe's there so Paul spent time on the internet,
Diane walked around the side streets. It was very crowded with
tourists (like us) by the time we got there. We'll do "the wall"
next time.
Serenity sailed at 6p, shops open 6p-11p.

2007, JULY 06
At Sea
We were supposed to be at work at 9am. At 9am the phone
rang and the manager said "are you planning on joining us -"
we were sound asleep. With an inside crew quarter you
never know what time it was. Anyway, both alarm clocks
failed us.

Shops open 9am - 9pm. After work had a delightful drink
in Palm Court with Hong and Canh Nguyen from Viet-Nam.
They experienced the exodus of Viet-Nam after the war.
Now they own an extremely nice restaurant "Lotus" in
Vernon, CT. We're looking forward to a visit there some day.

2007, July 07
Anchored off Taormina. After oversleeping work the day before
we decided to sleep in. Enjoyed a day off in the sun and on-board.

2007, July 08
Anchored at Sorrento, Italy
Both Paul and Diane escorted tours from Sorrento where we
took a hydrofoil to the Isle of Capri. First the tour took us to
Anacapri (which is upper Capri) where we enjoyed the
Villa San Michele museum and gardens. Diane in particular
really enjoyed the peacefulness and coolness of the gardens.
Then on to Capri Town. Very expensive shopping.....Valentino,
Yves St Laurent, etc. The town was so crowded Paul and
Diane could not find each other for lunch. Also enjoyed
Augustus Gardens. In the evening, went back on shore and
walked around the shops. Bought a pashmina (scarf)for €1.5.
What a buy. Then back to the ship and to the "O-Bar" (Officers Bar)
for a little on-board socializing. A great day.

2007, July 09
IPM. Slept until noon.
We're becoming shoppies.
Day off. Laundry......that sort of thing.
Shops open from 5p - 11p.

Til we update again...........