IntrepidFromDC

Pride

The homeless problem in Santorini is different than DC.

I really wanted a genuine Greek lamb gyro. I tried 7 places, they all had 3 kinds, chicken, pork and chicken & bacon. Just no escaping the golden arches.

Beautiful whitewashed buildings with many great views of the deep blue water, and more of those pink flowering trees. I don't know what they are but they're everywhere and bloom several times a year. Their bark is like Crape Myrtle..

Tram, in line, getting ready to board, view, after getting off

On the water taxi

My first trip to breakfast buffet was a success because the bacon was not on bacation. I took the tram up and walked down after exploring Thira/Fira (the Greeks call it both, not Santorini). I would definitely do Santorini again from a cruise, but I would take the speedboat to Oia and the bus back to Thira. Apparently Oia is larger and more beautiful. At least that's what the guys selling the $30 round trip tickets said while we were waiting in the long, 40 minute line to board the tram. In the sun.

I double checked the menu and you are correct. I didn't know a pasty was something you could eat, I thought it was - well, you know. Mea Culpa to everyone from Michigan and to all the pasties out there.

I don't think I posted these pics of Kusadisi. Last pic is children in the schoolyard at recess.

I went back to double check for you in case they moved loungers and chairs there after the first day, but sorry...

Tonight's MDR dinner was much better than the buffet dinner last night. "Michigan Pastry" which I don't remember seeing on the menu before and roast turkey with stuffing.

You can ask for your ratings from any casino supervisor or the host. It's not the same thing as points but it does help you earn perks, from free steakhouse dinner to heavily discounted or even free cruises. The cruise I'm on now was free and I am really happy because it is a great cruise so far!

As I understand, you earn points playing slots, but you get rated at the tables. It's easy to quantify your points, it's just your bet $ x # of bets. On the table they can quantify the # of bets you play by the little light under the space where you place your chips but they estimate your average bet $ by walking around and observing after initially inputting a $ amount based on your first bet. Either way you're earning your way to those wonderful free cruises.

Food... last night we had a fun group at the Heads-up Hold 'em table and I missed my 815 MDR res, looking at the time it was 905pm. So I risked Buffet. I tried a little of everything and everything was pretty eh... less than ok but not inedible...ok the hangar steak was inedible and the carved pork was dry and lacking flavor... but even the branzino and chickpeas were not very good and I thought how do you mess up chickpeas? Today's lunch in Kusadisi was a welcome break from Carnival food.

More shopping

I didn't have to worry, they did the math for me, even did the currency exchange with no charge. It was good quantity and quality food for $5, the tea was strong like I like too.

$5 including 2 chais and service for all the food on the table. I have never had Turkish bread pizza, it was great. Rice and salad had good flavor especially the tomatoes.

Shopping at Grand Bazaar

Greece requires a negative antigen 2 days prior, or negative PCR 3 days prior to cruising. Cruise left Rome Sept. 11. If I flew to Rome Sept. 7 I would have had to get tested in Italy and if I test positive quarantine at my expense in Italy for 14 days. So I moved the flight so I could test at local CVS to avoid quarantine.

Kusadisi I walked around old town, checked out the fort, a couple mosques and the grand bazaar. Next time I will visit the ruins but usually my first visit to any place for just one day I like to do a long walking tour or if it's a big city a HOHO bus with narrative.

Various shots of things around the ship. Bonsai has been empty most of its' open hours, it seems. The violin trio is very good. They captured my attention playing atop the atrium bar and I was mesmerized with some of their playing, enjoyed all of it. I haven't seen a comedy show yet because the casino has been unusually giving so far. I have little doubt things will change.