Some reflections from land and London

The train whisked us through the 'green and pleasant land', away from Southampton, and back to the city. The fields were so green, and some blossom is still there. We had sailed into the Solent about dawn, and disembarked mid morning. It is hard to believe we seen so much, travelled so far in a few days, and as I write, the ship is heading out again to the Canaries. It was a wonderful trip. One of my special ports was Korcula, a little island and port on the Dalmation coast, part of Croatia. It was a pretty place, with a wonderfully preserved historical town, reflecting the many nationalities who have conquered the country over the centuries, Italians, Greece, Romans. The people still seem to live very simple, happy lives, very welcoming and proud of their country. They are so pleased to show you their history, but you are just welcome to see how they live day to day, and I loved it. The scenery is beautiful, you can see why it is becoming so popular as a holiday destination for people from all over Europe.
There have been soo many highlights, sailing into Venice on a sunny spring morning was something we will never forget, the photos hardly do the experience justice, all I will say is that the pictures in travel books and brochures do not lie, it is every bit as beautiful and amazing as is said. That said, it was also very crowded, and it must be pretty hard going in the summer months. It is VERY expensive, the cups of coffee were commented on - we just walked and, looked. The handbag salesmen on the street are pretty intimidating - they come right into a group, and stand in front of you. The rules in the city are that the person buying the bag can be fined heavily (thousands) if caught buying - in an effort to get rid of the trade. It is not nice when they are right in your face. (Should have bought a mask). We saw gondolas, though a lot were waiting for customers. They are very expensive - I just did not want more swaying, so was happy to just look. The hundreds of bridges are wonderful, they are everywhere, and turning 360 degrees can show several in sight. It is very easy to get lost, but in a nice way. It is weird to be in a city with no cars. We saw the floating trucks - barges with a semi trailer on the back that go along the canals delivering - I wondered how they got goods in.
There was so much to see, and so little time, but the sail in and out of this fairytale city was just stunning. We seemed so big and brutal beside the delicate features of the city sitting so precariously in the water.
We had a pretty easy time on the water - very few very rough days, the worst being when we could not get into Malaga - so we were lucky. The ship had a few Australians on the crew - shop crew mainly, and they appreciated having a little Anzac service. There were a few tears after, as homesickness hits a little. We did not find any other Australians in the passengers.
Now we are back in London, with the news all about the election (with the odd gaff from the Prime minister being played over continually). Voting is not compulsory, but there seems to be a feeling that there could be changes afoot here in the govt. Greece is causing huge economic problems, and I am pleased we dont have too many euros - the currency is having a few problems. That is the end of the news bulletin
I still feel as though I am on the water a little - feel as though I am going up and down, so we will go and walk the embankment, and absorb the ambience of this city that seems to pull us in. It is hard to explain.
More soon

Sailing home

There was a band, a lot of people waving the union jack as we sailed from Gibralter, that little UK outpost. As "highland cathedral' was played, the tears came to my eyes, and we waved farewell not only to the Rock, but the last port of call before Southampton. It is hard to think it is almost all over, and it has been wonderful. I will report about Korcula, a pretty little island and town on the Dalmation coast later (wireless is about to run out), I think Croatia is my new favourite place after Northern Europe.
R became the first chaplain to take an Anzac day service on Azura, with over 100 people coming to support the aussies - I will write more from London - losing the wireless all the time, speak from London
More son

A new Dunkirk for travellers

The headlines all say - bring us home / the ships are coming
It has been interesting to be on this side of the world in the middle of the results of the ash cloud and consequent airline problems. Ther were huge issues here, with so many trapped in counrties and ports and airports with no chance of getting out soon. Apparently they will take a week or more to clear them all. The shiip had problems with staff unable to get to the ship for duties, and others with no way to get home. The navy has ships going to Spain, and Calais has so many they cannot cope with the numbrs for the ferries. You soon realise how reliant we are on various transport methods, and when it goes wrong, we are marooned, physically and perhaps mentally. There must be huge numbers of Australians who will have trouble getting back to Australia - the flights are full usually anyway without extras. It was an odd feeling knowing that in an emergency we could not get home for a few days at least. Another piece in the travel patchwork.
More soon

Venice - words are not enough

I had been afraid to think that it may not be as beautiful as portrayedin photos and travellers tales, or the weather may fail us, but as we sailed into this magical city, it all became wonderful. The canals opened up a wonderful scape of the old buildings, we saied past St Marks square, with the famous pillars at the waterfront, past numerous bridges, to a berth up near the train station (for those familiar with the city layout). We got a boat to the main area near the sqaure, and wlaked, saw Doges Palace, and St Marks, saw huge crowds, gondaliers waiting for their fares - not too many, thewy charge at least $80 per passenger for 30 minutes - very expensive, and they rock quite alarmingly. The sun shone and we saw this wonderful city at its best. the doges Palace is partially covered with huge advertising bill boards now - the only way they can raise the money to repair the buildings. The crowds were huge, and I must say we were pleased we did a guided tour - very intimidating to confront such a city layout with no experience, and no language. It is an amzing place and we are thrilled we saw it in such a way, and to sail in and out - as I said words are not sufficient, it an experience like no other in travelling, and I will compose more words later.

More soon

The postacrds do not lie

We sailed into a glorious dawn and found Dubrovnik waiting. There was a large part of the official city band up early to greet us, and then we were off. They are the first to have physiaclly checked the passports, but I did not get a stamp. I like a stamp to prove I am here.
It is a lovley city and we waked the old town, investigating the tiny lanes off the Placa, a main thoroughfare through the old wall. There were market areas, and naturally a lot of souvenier stalls. Many commented on the high price of everything from goods to refreshments. There is also a tax for rebuilding Dubrovnik built into all purchases. Little mention is made of their past troubles of some years ago, and they seem a very strong people committed to a new country and time. We loved the little and not so little vegetable gardens every house seems to have, the laneways where the washing is hanging above people siting at tiny cafe tables having their morning coffee and a chat. It was a lovely day wandering the streets in the balmy sunshine, the water had an azure quality to the colour and it was very much the postcard look we had hoped maybe there. The streets are clean, and there is a sense of pride, even in the officials checking buses as we left the Port, the ban dwho played, and the street vendors. Andthere was a lady I watched from the our deck alcony, as we sailed off - putting the washing out on a line from her front window. The house looked old but so cared for, and I could imagine the simple things that made he life. She seemed

A day in Greece

Corfu appeared out of the mist.It wasnt sunny and postcard perfect, but an early exploration of the pretty town revealed a lovely sojurn - especially before two ship loads of tourists a ppeared. (The cecret is to be on one of the early shuttle buses and beat them all)There are tiny lanes with 3 and four story buildings revealing a glory of past times, holding hands with clothes lines strung between, and weather beaten shutters. The elderly men are out greeting one another and the shops putting out their wares,(I wonder how much is genuinly local or from China), but they add colour to the streets.
The laneways reveal all sorts of treasures, tiy apothacaries, little barber shops, where the barber must know all the locals and spend more time chatting than cutting, and it will all be good.The local priest wanders down the street, in his big black hat and black robes greeting so many he knows, and there are the carzy vespa riders, weaving everywhere.
The bus drivers who ferry us form the ship to town are amazingly silled. The parking is chaotic, driving worse than Paris (though apparently better than Naples!) ad we are amazed how he weaves the bus down tiny streets and did not scrape a single car. The nonchalant look on drivers face revealed this is apparently the norm Corfu welcomes you in its cosy casual way, and invites you to accept their ways as special and good for them and visitors while you are with them. It was lovely, even without the sun
More soon

A Saturday at sea

Sailing off the coast of Tunisia, beauitful blue sea and sunny day - a perfect day to be at sea.

If anyone is interested and checked the itinerary, there will be noted a number of sea days - travelling days -no docking, just sailing from one point to the next. So what do we do on these days. After six days at sea and solid tuition from R, I can get myself around the ship, just about. 'Ill see you at breakfast' initially meant I'd find him the next day. But it is sorted now, and the big ship allows for a lot of exploration, many laps of the promenade deck. Today we are in class quite alot. R has discovered a great lecturere on history, especially naval, so they already kindred spirits. I am going to one on Venice, and then one on MArco Polo (born in Venice)Together with reading, doing some emails,and the blog when possible, the time is flying. Which is not what is happeneing in Europe - the news is taken over with the dramas of teh volcanic cloud and huge no fly zone now over Europe, -as of now, all UK air space is closed and getting worse.
We are sailing off Tunisia, enroute to Greece. It is a huge shipping lane - at one tme we noted 13 ships in our sights.
More soon

A different port to expectations

We have come to Palmo on Majorca> It has been a destination of choice for many British to retire, though the GFC has apparently seen an exodus of some who cannot financially manage in this little tax haven. The seafront is lined with those unfortunate bland high rise condominiums that dictate the personality of such retirement areas. However we have done a walk around the area, seen the huge Cathedral which dominates the city skyline. It is a gorgeous day the sun is shining and the balmy temperature has bought many passengers to their deck chairs. We may dine 'en suite'for lunch! It has dramatically changed for the better since the wild weather that drove us off from Malaga.Majorca was quite mountainous and the city quite hilly to walk.In the perfect weather it is easy to see the attraction of Palmo for retirement. And the port has some seriously equipped yachts, the playthings of the rich and famous.
I sounded a little cynical or sarcastic of Palmo, and I must do it justice in its architecture and history. There is obviously a big Moorish influence in style and colour and the old castle and towers bear testament to the old ramparts which fought off the hoards in ages past. These structures sit boldly beside the modern blocks of housing and holiday lets. More soon

In port and sea

We are sitting off Malaga as I send this, wallowing in a big swell. Naturally the Captain does not want to bang up his new ship, and the port is closed so it may well be that we move on elsewhere. The sea was really rough coming through the Straits of Gibralter. But we have adopted the Sailor's swagger quite nicely, so all is well with us. The Captain is currently telling us that we will not be going in - so will turn away and will go in to Palma tomorrow morning - a half day call - but it is all new,and these things are part of the fabric of travelling.
Have raided the Library naturally, and got some light reading - Jane Green, Michael Dobbs, and the Queen Mothers official biography! Will go back for more today. The IT man in the Library is great, and spent a couple of hours getting us running on wireless. All good now.
Will report on another day. More soon

Off to sea in a beautiful pea green boat

There was a band, a blessing, everyone waved the Union Jack, and we were off. A rousing rendition of Land of hope and glory saw us leaving the wharf and waving to people who had lined a pier to watch the ship off on its maiden voyage. It was lovely to be gently rocked to sleep at sea, and this morning we are off the south coast of France heading towards the Bay of Biscay, which can be temperamental at the best of times.
We are in the lower demographics of the ship by quite a long way, which is nice for a change, with very few children and young people. The majority are very much in the retirement phase - a couple were surprised we had come such a long way on annual leave.
Off to explore the ship - I have already checked out the library. The wireless is having problems finding our pc, so we wont get any photos attached till London, probably. We will log on every couple of days to check and keep taking notes of all our experiences. So far so good. The sea is quite pleasant, though a force 8 gale is predicted.
More soon.

Our 2010 Holiday - Afloat!

My heart skipped a beat as the plane did the last hard bank on approach over London and you get a wonderful view of the noted landmarks as landing approaches. It is wonderful to be back, and the city and counrtyside has put on a beautiful spring gown of yellow daffodils, jonquils and buebells in the gardens and parks and verges everywhere. After the grim winter , nature is showing off.
The flight was fine, and now we are in Southampton about to board Azura. She was officially named on Saturday night and we had a spectacular fireworks display over the city as she was welcomed. We have already done a couple of train trips - went to Salisbury, and the cathedral yesterday - it is the first time we have seen the front of it without scaffolding and it is a wonderful sight. We were in time for the Eucharist and saw the procession of choir and clergy all very grand. The font is huge , and is a water feature in itself. The larger version of it is in Prince Charles garden at Highgrove.
The countryside is so green now after all the snow, and more recent rains, the creeks are very full and there are lots of little lambs.
Photos are of landing in Doha and two from Salisbury on a beautiful spring sunday morning.
We are packing now for the ship, and as I send this, the ship is sitting in the harbour right in front of us.
Off to some more adventures. More soon.