drron29

We travelled virtually all the laneways except those that were just stairs going uphill. A boat had just landed their catch. They were quickly purchased.

Now we take the shuttle bus to the bus terminal just outside the old town. The water was very clear.

Sunday and we arrive in Mykonos. We had spent over a week here about 40 years ago so had been to Delos and most of the villages so we just wandered around town on our own. Very little had changed apart from new names on jewellery stores and restaurants which were charging eye watering prices. A dish virtually the same as the salmon carpaccio as we had had onboard the day before was $A60. The only major new thing was the new port where we won the spot at the dock. The other ships that had to tender in were the Azamara Pursuit, the Star Pride and the Seven Seas Splendor. Views from the Moon.

Trivia team still powering on. Got 19.5 points but came second. But equal first in the putting. Which brought us to diner again in Atlantide. The wines began with a glass of the house red for the night which was fine but then Karolina bought me my wine for the night. Another Peruvian wine but this time a petit verdot. It was very nice. Rojaan began with the asparagus whilst I had the crab and watermelon starter from the main menu. It was very nice. Then I had the pumpkin soup. I think Rojaan's version is better. Rojaan then had the lime king scallops and I went back to a rare fillet steak. We were both happy. Now in view of expanding waistlines we again declined dessert.

What we did on our Explorer cruise through the islands was buy a carving and give it to a crew member. Usually it was well received. I know from my previous experiences especially in the Solomons that the money made from the carvings made a big difference to the villagers.

They are from California. If you have met them it’s likely you will know straight away when you see them.

Basically nothing. We were on the Dawn last August and are currently on the Moon. The only difference is a different crew. On the Moon the crew is magnificent and I feel from that perspective this is the best SS cruise that we have had. However the crew is always changing and often moves around the fleet. So no need to be concerned.

She is always polite.

We had dinner last night with a couple that did the world cruise in 2019 and will be on the 2024 world cruise with you.

An unwelcome bit of news before we left Athens. The weather forecast for Crete and Agios Nikolaos in particular was bad with high winds predicted that would prevent the Moon docking safely so now the first day of the cruise was to be spent at sea before the scheduled second day port of Mykonos. So after a few laps of the deck it was off to lunch in Atlantide. First the menu. The wine. This time a malbec blend from Mendoza that was pretty good. I had the crabcake and the baby squid whilst Rojaan had the beef short ribs which she loved. Then I had the cheesecake whilst Rojaan had the Greek yoghurt. Both were nice.

Dinner in Atlantide. Didn't take the daily menu this time maybe because Rojaan was upset because her favourite waiter was moved to La Terraza. Turned out he was only in Atlantide because of a rather difficult couple who would only deal with one waiter otherwise it might mean fireworks. They left in Athens so he has gone back to his usual place in La Terraza. So at present I am going through various South American reds that Karolina had left in the SALT restaurant after the Moon's Grand Voyage around South America. Tonight a bottle of Malbec. Tonight Rojaan had her usual fare of Beef Tartare and a lobster tail. So here are my dishes. Salmon carpaccio, a mushroom and cheese tart with gorganzola sauce and rare prime rib. All great including the wine.

Back on the ship.

The National Art gallery. Time to leave the Mountain and get back on the bus to the ship. We passed the War Museum. Now some random buildings.

Great views of the buildings on the Acropolis.

We then had a coffee in the cafe there. Great views and interesting tables.

Then it is Mt. Lyabettus and you can walk up but for the typical SS guest it is the funicular which is underground. Now there are no views in the tunnel but that didn't stop a bun rush for seats in the first row. Fairly soon we were atop the mountain and had fabulous views across Athens. There is a small Greek Orthodox chapel at the summit with quite a few icons. The faithful go around and kiss each one.

Next a photo stop at the ancient aren used again in the first Modern Olympics in 1896. With views to the acropolis with the Parthenon.

We arrived at the Parliament building a minute before the changing of the guard. The crowd parted.

It was a very slow drive through Athens. The football stadium and one of the olympic stadiums used for Athens second Modern Olympics in 2004

Friday and the third segment of our nearly grand voyage is over. I take the in transit tour. Nearly didn't happen as only 20 in transit guests. I had not known about this until a couple of days before sailing in to Piraeus. This was because the cruise was booked as 2 cruises. First Lisbon to athens and a little later Athens to Cittavechia so officially we were not recognised as being in transit. The other 9 on the tour were lucky as when I signed up it reached the minimum of 10 passengers for the excursion to take place. Rojaan decided on staying aboard as the tour said there were more than 100 stairs. A bit of a worry as later that day we got the form for passengers disembarking in Venice. Hopefully now sorted. So as usual some scenes from the Moon. It is obviously a busy cargo port and lots of ferry movements. Out to see many ships waiting. I counted over 30. And a hydrofoil ferry sets off. Then it was on the bus to Mt. Lycabettus.

Not a problem. But the sommelier may want a taste of any wine you open on board.😀

The dancers are genuine. In late 1969 I took a trip to PNG and the Solomon Islands after finishing my final medical exams. I got a trip on the medical boat around many of the Islands. At most I was the first "tourist" for the year. Auki was then the second largest European settlement in the Solomons and I spent Christmas there as the third tourist of the year. At many of the settlements as a guest dances etc were put on. Going back in the 80s and on the Explorer about 6 years ago the dances were the same as I saw in 1969. One explanation I had was the pointed "hats"were part of the ceremonial masks made by men to encourage the spirits of the recently deceased to leave the village with the masks pointing the way.