Casual Days...

We just left our last port in the Mediterranean Sea as we head through the channels into the Black Sea. Our last port was on the island of Crete in Katakolon, Greece. Ahh Greece. I indulged in spinach pie, tzatziki sauce, pita bread, and frappes. Yum!! As a cast finding ways to make video of our fabulous ports of call we're also working on music videos. So that was a fun adventure today. The last time I came to Katakolon, we visited the land of Mt. Olympus and saw Olympia where the first Olympic games were held. This time we had a typical Greek Saturday. We sat around a long table and had lots of food and loud conversation just like any Greek family. The Ouzo poured for some and so did the sweet wine, but I chose not to partake since we have a show tonight. I'm not a particular fan of Ouzo anyway or any of the liquors that are in the licorice family of liquors. The day before we were in Albania. A new port for the line. It just came out of communism just under 20 years ago so now it's been rebuilding out of the bland commune housing to the colorful resort housing. New hotels and apartments were springing up everywhere. Gardens and places to relax leisurely were now sprawled along the coast. I just walked around the city enjoying the scenery of Sarande and the interesting people that lived there. It was a great day to walk around and enjoy the beautiful sun. I was hoping to get on a tour to one of the World Heritage Sights, but alas, I didn't fill out my request in time. Needless to say I can still say I was in Albania. Now how many people can say that? I didn't know it was so close to Corfu, Greece as well. I guess it's now becoming a popular Greek getaway. A few days ago we were in fabulous Dubrovnic. After all the ads I've seen broadcast from the local stations we get via the satellite feed on the TV, I must get out and see more of Croatia. It just appears to be so stunning. The old city of Dubrovnic (also a World Heritage Sight) is just stunning to walk through and absorb. Yes, it's a little cliché (as some of our jetsetters on board will tell you), but I still love it for what it's worth. In order to SEE Croatia, you have to leave the popular areas. I love the charm of the old city though and would gladly stay there if I could. We just hung out in the city absorbing the atmosphere casually and then enjoyed a lovely afternoon on the rocks later. This is now my 3rd visit to Dubrovnic and I've loved it every time. Next stop is Istanbul (not Constantinople). We're there for a long day and I hope to get out and experience it fully.