Afterthoughts: While our trip didn't start well with arriving in Rome 11 hours late due to airport closures and flight rescheduling, it was soon forgotten. We had the trip of a lifetime with our family and we will forever share warm memories of the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Mediterranean and its inhabitants. Would we do it again? In a heartbeat! In the posts you will see below, we hope to share a bit of the beauty of this world with our friends. We hope you enjoy it.
Suggestions: Instead of simply scrolling down through these posts, I suggest that you use the menu listed on the right and start by clicking on Day 1, then Day 2, etc. This way you will experience things in the same order that we did them. Also, to get the most out of the pictures, I suggest that you click on each one and enjoy it in its full size because a lot of detail is lost in the thumbnails. Have fun. . .
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Last Day - Rome, Italy
I can't believe it, but our cruise is actually over. The MS Noordam docked back in Civitavecchia early this morning so we packed up and said goodbye to her. We still had a full day to spend in Rome before returning home, so we had booked a private tour of Rome. Our knowledgeable and handsome (just ask the girls) driver, Daniel, took the five of us (Ken, Ceil, Vi, Susan and me) on an 8-hour tour in his spacious van. We started off by walking through the Catacombs of San Sebastian (no cameras allowed), then drove past a portion of the Appian Way that was built in the mid-4th century BC 
and went out to see the beautiful St Paul's Basilica. 
We saw the only pyramid in Italy which was built in 30 BC, 
drove past the Circus Maximus, 
and walked through the Piazza del Campidoglio 
to see the ruins of the Roman Forum. 
After a delicious lunch in a local, non-touristy, restaurant, we visited the world's smallest country, Vatican City. Inside St Peter's Square, 
there was a huge line of tourists waiting to get into the Sistine Chapel (we skipped this). The Pope had spoken there shortly before we arrived (oh well, we can't see everything I guess) and so we saw St Peter's Basilica with empty seats (everyone was in line now). 
Then we drove to the awesome Victor Emmanuel Monument with all of its huge statues 
and went on to tour the Flavian Amphitheatre (best known as the Roman Colisium) completed in 80 AD. 
As if that wasn't enough, no trip to Rome would be complete without visiting Trevi Fountain 
and throwing in a coin so we'd return someday. 
We then drove by the Spanish Steps 
and stopped in to see the Pantheon in all its glory. 
From there, it was back to the hotel for a night's rest before our long flights home. What a marvelous day to cap off an amazing trip!
and went out to see the beautiful St Paul's Basilica. 
We saw the only pyramid in Italy which was built in 30 BC, 
drove past the Circus Maximus, 
and walked through the Piazza del Campidoglio 
to see the ruins of the Roman Forum. 
After a delicious lunch in a local, non-touristy, restaurant, we visited the world's smallest country, Vatican City. Inside St Peter's Square, 
there was a huge line of tourists waiting to get into the Sistine Chapel (we skipped this). The Pope had spoken there shortly before we arrived (oh well, we can't see everything I guess) and so we saw St Peter's Basilica with empty seats (everyone was in line now). 
Then we drove to the awesome Victor Emmanuel Monument with all of its huge statues 
and went on to tour the Flavian Amphitheatre (best known as the Roman Colisium) completed in 80 AD. 
As if that wasn't enough, no trip to Rome would be complete without visiting Trevi Fountain 
and throwing in a coin so we'd return someday. 
We then drove by the Spanish Steps 
and stopped in to see the Pantheon in all its glory. 
From there, it was back to the hotel for a night's rest before our long flights home. What a marvelous day to cap off an amazing trip!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Day 10 - Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii
Our last full day of the cruise finds us in the port of Naples, Italy. Today's tour is Sorrento and Pompeii. Sorrento 
is a small town wonderfully located over white steep cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Bay of Naples. We shopped around the beautiful downtown area for a while. 
We even discovered a local beverage called limoncello, that is made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar and is perfect to sip on after a fine dinner. We found yet another ornate church on a side street. 
From there, we entered Pompeii, a Roman city that was buried 
under ash and pumice from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD and not re-discovered until 1748. The first large area we came to was the Forum with Mt Vesuvius in the background. 
Just off the Forum was the Basilica 
and a little further down the road was the entrance to the Marketplace 
where we viewed plaster molds made of some of the victims as they were found. 
There were chariot wheel grooves in many of the ancient stone roadways throughout the area. 
Many of the homes had large atriums in their courtyards. 
Most impressive indeed.
is a small town wonderfully located over white steep cliffs and offers a fantastic view over the Bay of Naples. We shopped around the beautiful downtown area for a while. 
We even discovered a local beverage called limoncello, that is made from lemon rinds, alcohol, water and sugar and is perfect to sip on after a fine dinner. We found yet another ornate church on a side street. 
From there, we entered Pompeii, a Roman city that was buried 
under ash and pumice from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD and not re-discovered until 1748. The first large area we came to was the Forum with Mt Vesuvius in the background. 
Just off the Forum was the Basilica 
and a little further down the road was the entrance to the Marketplace 
where we viewed plaster molds made of some of the victims as they were found. 
There were chariot wheel grooves in many of the ancient stone roadways throughout the area. 
Many of the homes had large atriums in their courtyards. 
Most impressive indeed.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day 9 - Palermo, Sicily
Our tour today is Cefalu: A Seaside Town. On our way there, we went by the Fountain of Shame which was built in 1555 
for a private family and then moved to the Piazza Pretoria in Palermo in 1574, where it now sits next to two churches - hence the name. The city of Cefalu 
is located on the northern coast of Sicily 
and dates back to the 8th century! The big attraction there was the Cathedral of Cefalu, built in the 12th century, 
although wandering around the narrow pedestrian streets 
and shops was also very entertaining. Speaking of narrow streets, this car 
got stuck while trying to exit one of the alleys. Ouch!
for a private family and then moved to the Piazza Pretoria in Palermo in 1574, where it now sits next to two churches - hence the name. The city of Cefalu 
is located on the northern coast of Sicily 
and dates back to the 8th century! The big attraction there was the Cathedral of Cefalu, built in the 12th century, 
although wandering around the narrow pedestrian streets 
and shops was also very entertaining. Speaking of narrow streets, this car 
got stuck while trying to exit one of the alleys. Ouch!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Day 8 - Tunisia
We awoke to find ourselves in Tunis, Tunisia - our first and only visit to the African continent. Today's tour is Best of Tunisia and what a day it was! We started off at the Market of Medina 
where the shop owners would approach you and try to sell you something if you looked at them. Fortunately, it was early in the day and most of the shops hadn't opened yet. We were guided to a rooftop where we could see the city of Tunis. Many areas were dirt poor but some were decorated with inlaid ceramic and blue wrought iron. 
On the way down, we were ushered into a room where they tried to sell everyone a Persian rug. 
After we made our escape (without any rugs), Susan, Ceil and Vi looked around the shops in the market. 
Our next stop was the Bardo Museum 
which was simply breathtaking with its hand-carved plaster ceilings 
and rooms full of mosaics. 
From there, our guide took us to see the ruins of the Antonin Baths at Carthage. 
Our last stop of the day was at the city of Sidi Bou Said where all of the buildings are white and the doors and windows are blue. 
It just wouldn't be northern Africa without camels for the tourists, would it? 
where the shop owners would approach you and try to sell you something if you looked at them. Fortunately, it was early in the day and most of the shops hadn't opened yet. We were guided to a rooftop where we could see the city of Tunis. Many areas were dirt poor but some were decorated with inlaid ceramic and blue wrought iron. 
On the way down, we were ushered into a room where they tried to sell everyone a Persian rug. 
After we made our escape (without any rugs), Susan, Ceil and Vi looked around the shops in the market. 
Our next stop was the Bardo Museum 
which was simply breathtaking with its hand-carved plaster ceilings 
and rooms full of mosaics. 
From there, our guide took us to see the ruins of the Antonin Baths at Carthage. 
Our last stop of the day was at the city of Sidi Bou Said where all of the buildings are white and the doors and windows are blue. 
It just wouldn't be northern Africa without camels for the tourists, would it? 
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Day 7 - At Sea
No surprise views this morning, just the Mediterranean Sea to see. After a day of reading, swimming and relaxing, we celebrated our son Ken's birthday (a day early) with dinner in the finest restaurant aboard the Noordam, the Pinnacle Grille. Here's the Birthday Boy with his wonderful wife, Ceil, happily anticipating their meal.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Day 6 - Mallorca
This morning, the ship docked in Palma de Mallorca on the island of Mallorca. Today's tour was the Caves of Drach. The bus took us to the other side of the island where we toured the caves. Unfortunately, photography was forbidden so you'll have to take our word for it that it was beautiful. In addition to the usual stalagmites and stalagtites, there is a large lake inside the caves where they put on an houly performance with musicians floating in rowboats playing classical music. In Palma, we saw the huge Seo Cathedral 
which was begun in the 13th centiry and took 300 years to complete. In the harbor at Mallorca we saw the yacht Amadeus, 
at 230 feet long is the 64th largest yacht in the world. All of the women were looking at the hansome crew of the Amadeus instead of the scenery but, if you look in the background, at the top of the hill, you can see Bellver Castle that was built in the 14th century.
which was begun in the 13th centiry and took 300 years to complete. In the harbor at Mallorca we saw the yacht Amadeus, 
at 230 feet long is the 64th largest yacht in the world. All of the women were looking at the hansome crew of the Amadeus instead of the scenery but, if you look in the background, at the top of the hill, you can see Bellver Castle that was built in the 14th century.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Day 5 - Barcelona, Spain
We had two tours today. The first was Gaudi's Barcelona which took us all over Barcelona to see the works of Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926), an architect who belonged to the Modernist style (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique and highly individualistic designs. In downtown Barcelona, we saw both the Casa Batilo (known locally as the House of Bones) 
and the Casa Milà (better known as La Pedrera) 
two of his most recognizable buildings. From there, we went to the hillside to visit Gaudi's Park Güell 
with its commanding view of Barcelona. Our last, and most impressive, stop was at the Sagrada Familia 
a massive Roman Catholic church started in 1882 and is still under construction today. We stood and stared in awe at both the Nativity Facade, 
and at the Passion Facade 
on the other side of the church. The inside was crowded but massive. The columns and ceiling represent a canopy of trees. 
When finished, it will hold a choir of 2,000 and seat another 5,000.
Our second tour of the day was called Panoramic Barcelona. The bus took us all around Barcelona where we saw sights like the Plaza del Toros (bull fighting arena)
and the Olympic Stadium where the 1992 Olympics were held. 
Today's last picture is of John & Susan enjoying the view of Barcelona from Olympic Hill. 
and the Casa Milà (better known as La Pedrera) 
two of his most recognizable buildings. From there, we went to the hillside to visit Gaudi's Park Güell 
with its commanding view of Barcelona. Our last, and most impressive, stop was at the Sagrada Familia 
a massive Roman Catholic church started in 1882 and is still under construction today. We stood and stared in awe at both the Nativity Facade, 
and at the Passion Facade 
on the other side of the church. The inside was crowded but massive. The columns and ceiling represent a canopy of trees. 
When finished, it will hold a choir of 2,000 and seat another 5,000.Our second tour of the day was called Panoramic Barcelona. The bus took us all around Barcelona where we saw sights like the Plaza del Toros (bull fighting arena)
and the Olympic Stadium where the 1992 Olympics were held. 
Today's last picture is of John & Susan enjoying the view of Barcelona from Olympic Hill. 
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