and a few other things
Grabbing greece, a handful at a time
If you have been keeping up you will know that we have just left Paris in my last post. Arrived for a lovely evening in Santa Marinella via Fiumincino airport and then off onto a cruise.
Our first port, Santorini!
Visting Greece has been a life long (I’m talking about since childhood) dream. I was enamored of the Greek and Roman mythological legends. Their Gods and Goddesses, dragons and the wizards. Ironically that love affair did not fade as I entered adulthood. But being the practical, serious uptight chick that I am I wasn’t looking for the fantasy on this trip but more the history.
first stop fira
The first thing you learn in Europe, or at least on our itinerary is that “you just can’t get there from here.” On TV it seems you simply step off of the ship or the plane and the world that you have been waiting to see is there at your feet.
In reality most ports are a good 30 minutes up to 2 hours away from your disembarkation so be aware.
A bruised cruise
Let me start by saying that this is the only real negative of our trip. I foolishly booked our Greece portion on Norwegian cruiselines. My bad! and lesson learned. On a positve note it did get me to Greece as well as a couple of places in Italy that I would have struggled to get to otherwise.
I think I’m done with cruising. Too many people in one place, too much nickel and diming (even with the “all included-free at sea”). Understanding this as the caveat when I talk about our experiences ‘grabbing greece’ is important.
Our first look at Greece (and Fira)
We tendered from the ship which was continually delayed due to sheer volume on the dock. It reached capacity (people) multiple times before they could get us all out. Once we disembarked we waited approximately an hour and a half in line to get to the cable car that would get us to the populated portion of this lovely island.
How to get there (without the cable car)
Once on top we began exploring Fira, the island’s capital. It was charming in of itself. As in Paris we began wandering the streets to see what we could see. The views did not disappoint.
We knew that we needed to get to Oia (pronounced EE-AA) as that was the “fantasy”. After sending out a Kalimera to a local merchant and asking directions we were able to find the bus and taxi station. Taxi was 30 Euros (each way) and the bus was 1.6 Euros/each (and for round trip) no-brainer here. The bus was really nice with huge windows that allowed us to see the speeding countryside as he took us to our ultimate destination.
Arriving at santorini
Santorini, (heart bump) folks it did not disappoint. It was the quaint village I had dreamed of. Beautiful snow white buidlings, restaurants suspended over the sea and every inch dotted with shops selling their wares. Food, jewelry, art.
We lunched atop the mountain overlooking the Aegean sea. Dined on a yummy greek version of a quesadilla. And of course my fave, the Tzatziki along with a local beer.
And this was the view. Yes I know it is gratuitous but how else could you know if those pictures you’ve seen all your life are real?
Heading back to the ship
Once again we board the bus and head back to Fira. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this one thing. Dashing down the hill the vendors are offering samples while hanging out the windows. I grab the spoon they are offering.
Stop the presses! I swooned! There, midflight down the hill. My guess it was yogurt but none like you have ever eaten. It was like eating ice cream except it didn’t melt. Pure cream and velvet on the tongue and palate. Ok, back to the mad dash.
We arrive back to the port an hour ahead of our required time. Just to wait, you guessed it, another hour and a half to board. Sighh. But at least I saw Santorini.
Next stop athens
We selected the hop on and off to tour Athens with our ultimate goal to climb the Acropolis (that’s the hill) and see the Parthenon (the temple) and immesh ourselves into history. This tour (the only one booked through the ship) included lunch at a local restaurant.
what they didn’t tell you
We boarded the bus wanting to see the sites (and it was raining) and deciding to leave the pièce de résistance (the Parthenon) to last. In the telling, the lunch changed to a “snack”. We decided to make the most of the shelter from the rain and not get off of the bus at any of the stops except lunch. This allowed us to see everything we wanted and left plenty of time for the true purpose of our tour.
The lunch allowance was 1.6 Euros and a “takeaway only”. We opted to try another local beer and the Beef and lamb kabobs on our own. This was interesting. I guess I was expecting a choice between the two and not a ground mixed version. No problem, I wanted the authenticity.
Back on the bus and completing our rounds we anticipated our final stop. Arriving at the site of the Acropli we encountered (gasp) a line. One that extended and translated into at least an hour wait. Sadly, the timing prohibited us from meeting our goal to see it from the top. We did talk to another shipmate later that chose to start with the Parthenon. Interestingly, she was told that she could not do both. You took the bus or you saw the Parthenon-BAD FORM and management Norwegian!
Ok- loose here!
The parthenon
So much history even from afar it astounds.
Back on the ship I gaze out and say a silent thank you for another memorable day.
sunset on the caldera
(if you are a Blacklist fan you may recall Raymond Reddington waxing eloquently about the sunset on the Caldera.) LOL, we get it Raymond. We get it.
Olympus/Katakolo
Our last greek island. We were originally scheduled for Corfu but that changed prior to our leaving. We decided to just wander again. Lovely little waterfront housed with numerous restaurants and up and down streets.
I definitely would like to experience more of Greece. By land along the water instead of from it. So much to say about Greece and so little time. The lemon and orange trees that grow everywhere- This is “yard art” for some but you can find them growing randomly along the streets as well. Just like a fairytale.
I will need to do some research on where that may take me. Crete? Corfu? Mykonos? Ah-h the possibilites.
The few other things
We left Greece and had a day at sea. Malta was on the itinerary but unfortunately weather prohibited that one. Passed Messina/Sicily on the way in.
You cannot visit Sicily without this wonderous site (Mt. Etna)
[history lesson]-Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and is in an almost constant state of activity. The fertile volcanic soils support extensive agriculture, with vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south.[8 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Etna
First stop Castelmola
and another step back into time.
We even got to try Limoncello and 2 varieties of the local wine (the only wine I didn’t like)
Taormina
I could have spent hours exploring here.
We settled on a couple of hours that included lunch and more experimenting with the local cuisine. Seafood! A yummy local fish dredged in cornmeal.
Churches abound in Italy. Not usually my thing but as I have stated before most are artwork in of themselves. But what is really fascinating are the stories they tell. Nothing is ever as it seems.
*note the faces carved into the stone on either side of the doorway. These all represent centuries of religious figures/leaders.
A clock tower. We came upon this in the square. Each piece (level) moves as the time changes
Next stop Amalfi
We headed next day to the Amalfi coast visiting Positano and
Sorrento with a small group of 6 other people. (We could have done without 5 of them as they unfortunately showed “the ugly american” side of the U.S.)
Charmed and challenged by the narrow and lovely (steep) streets of Positano, we had a quick visit here and we were back in route to allow us to spend a little more time and indulge in a local pizza from Sorrento, sicilian style at de Francos.
shoreline on the way to Positano
and then Positano
it POSITIVELY did not disappoint
Sadly, the inside of a pizzaria was the extent of seeing Sorrento.
but a tasty little snack to go along with my Sicilian pizza (pictured is Alphonse, our driver. He and Ana Maria were gracious enough to take us here to experience my first Italian pizza)
And of course no trip to Italy is complete without seeing Pisa. We sailed into the port of Livorno (remember you can’t get there from here, lol). Thirty minute bus ride and we arrived. And no judgement! Doing those fun pic things with the tower is not as easy as it looks. You would be amazed at the lengths the people go to to achieve it though.
final destination
Our final visit was to Cannes. We tendered in (much more organized this time). Walked along the waterfront and had our 1st (and boo-only) Beignet. It was orgasmic!
After doing a little exploring we decided to brave the train and go to Nice. We figured out the ticket thing and prepared to wait for our train.
train terrors!
This is not for the faint of heart. Masses of people surge forward trying to be first on the train. There are no assigned seats (and we know now, not enough seats for tickets sold). Rennie being the big guy he is, muscles his way through looking behind sure I am with him. One of those times that being polite did not benefit me.
I see the look of horror on his face as the doors ding and alert to closing and I am still on the platform! With the tickets I might add. I take a “leap” of faith. Jump forward, spreading my arms wide and push! The entire crowd moves forward and I tuck my tush as the doors close behind me.
Whew! Another adventure!
Well that’s about it for now. We grabbed Greece, sailed a Bruised Cruise and took you along for a few other things. I hope you are enjoying the ride.
Stay tuned for next week’s finale…Rome-ing Italy
Until then, I am now and always…
Sassaleeyours