Bit of a blog - Spirit of Adventure - Treasures of the Adriatic - Oct 2023

Where-Theres-A-Will · October 19, 2023

8 minutes ago, nosapphire said:

Spend it on board, or take it home with you. Any credit balance remaining on the on-board ac is put back on whatever card you registered on board.

(You can tell that there are a LOT of people following this brilliant blog - for which I thank NorbertsNiece).

Thank you. Now makes sense.

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

1 hour ago, Denarius said:

What are you doing instead? Are you staying in Split overnight? If so, you will find that the place has a different feeling in the evening after the day trippers (and cruise passengers) leave. The seafront promenade and old town are awash with local people strolling, eating and drinking. There are street entertainers etc and almost a carnival atmoshere. Highly recommended.

Here's a pic of our current location. Whilst not cold out the wind was really evident in town and certainly I got soaked at one time!

There are all sorts of issues involved in berthing overnight unexpectedly in a port not least the fact that the berth may be needed for other craft and the cost incurred.

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

There are shops within and without the walls. Game of Thrones merchandise is everywhere here as in Dubrovnik.

The Avars badly damaged the palace, but, when their incursion was over (c. 614), the inhabitants of the nearby ruined city of Solin (Salona; Diocletian’s birthplace) took refuge within what remained of the palace and built their homes, incorporating the old walls, columns, and ornamentation into their new structures (that area now comprises the nucleus of the “old town” of Split.

The heavens open and I sought refugein a gift shop.

Those cobblestones are treacherous when wet!

Sheltering from the rain I hear Sir Paul singing, "Simply having a wonderful Christmas time"!

I bought a plastic mac for €10. A decent lightweight waterproof jacket in a shop was €109!! Mine of course is in the cabin 🤦‍♀️

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

I head for Gregory Nin's statue. The big toe of this towering monument to a Croatian national hero is worn from years of superstitious rubbing.

I then go to Froggyland. They charge for entry and photography inside isn't allowed so I grab pics from the entrance. It's a truly bizarre place. Here's their website : https://froggyland.net/

I buy postcards there to send to my grandkids. Then spend a good half an hour looking for the post office 50 metres away 🤦‍♀️

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

I would have gone next to The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, which was consecrated at the turn of the 7th century AD, and is regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that remains in use in its original structure, without near-complete renovation at a later date (though the bell tower dates from the 12th century). The structure itself, built in AD 305 as the Mausoleum of Diocletian, is the second oldest structure used by any Christian Cathedral.

But it's closed.

So I head back through the Palace to attempt to catch the hourly shuttle back. Tourists are now flooding the place. It's almost impossible to take a pic without random strangers posing interminably for photos!

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

I take a quick stroll out on deck. It's very, very windy out. Sailaway pics from the Britannia lounge where there's a nightly dancing session.

Edited October 19, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

NorbertsNiece · October 19, 2023

Have asked for sliced GF bread!! It's wonderful!!

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Day 12 Sea day, should've been Rovinj

Good morning and thanks for following!

Buongiorno e grazie per seguirci!

We're on our way to Italy's mainland. We've cruised south overnight and are now heading north.

Not sure how much exercise I'll get today. My lower back is poorly. 😥

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Our course from Split.

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Midway in the Adriatic between Croatia and Italy is the lighthouse island of Pelagruža. Uninhabited except for lighthouse staff archaeological finds dating back to 6th millenia BCE have been found!

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

18 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

The Fab four were fab!! Sound and harmonies pretty spot on. Humourous exchanges between them, and the audience, spot on. This was early Beatles, the next show will feature a later repertoire.

I find the accoustics in the MDR difficult as I wear aids in both ears. We both prefer the ambiance in the Grill.

We're simply not hungry for afternoon tea! We indulged once on our previous cruise and it was lovely. I may have lapsed in my GF diet back then but there is no way I can these days sadly 😭

Also, wherever you are in the Grill you can see the sea!!

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

A bit earlier...... from the Captain. Venice authorities have stated that due to high tides they will be closing some of the barriers around Venice to prevent flooding. We need to arrive before the barriers are shut so will be through them around 430am berthing by about 6am.

Denarius · October 20, 2023

21 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

I take a quick stroll out on deck. It's very, very windy out. Sailaway pics from the Britannia lounge where there's a nightly dancing session.

Is the five masted sailing ship in the next to last picture the Golden Horizon, operated by Tradewind Voyages but originally built for Star Clippers? At first I thought that she was the Royal Clipper, but the RC is square rigged on all five masts whereas the GH's rear mast just carries a spanker like the ship pictured. I thought that Tradewinds had ceased operating, if this is she then it appears that they have not.

arlowood · October 20, 2023

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

A bit earlier...... from the Captain. Venice authorities have stated that due to high tides they will be closing some of the barriers around Venice to prevent flooding. We need to arrive before the barriers are shut so will be through them around 430am berthing by about 6am.

Where are you docking for the Venice port of call. Is it at Fusina or Chioggia. Hope not Ravenna as some other cruise lines have been forced to adopt. Ravenna is pushing it a bit as a "Venice" port of call.

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

1 hour ago, Denarius said:

Is the five masted sailing ship in the next to last picture the Golden Horizon, operated by Tradewind Voyages but originally built for Star Clippers? At first I thought that she was the Royal Clipper, but the RC is square rigged on all five masts whereas the GH's rear mast just carries a spanker like the ship pictured. I thought that Tradewinds had ceased operating, if this is she then it appears that they have not.

I'm so sorry, I didn't check what she is at the time. Not seen her since.

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

15 minutes ago, arlowood said:

Where are you docking for the Venice port of call. Is it at Fusina or Chioggia. Hope not Ravenna as some other cruise lines have been forced to adopt. Ravenna is pushing it a bit as a "Venice" port of call.

We're docking in Marghera which is a 45 min boat ride from Venice.

Whiteduck1 · October 20, 2023

Hope you have have had a reasonable day aboard..I've missed all your usual posts today, hope you are feeling OK.. Safe sailing...

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

We tied at Trivia this morning! We lost on the tie breaker question which was, "How many real pigs were used in the filming of 'Babe'?"

I was laid up pretty much all afternoon with my back.

Dinner tonight was a really special buffet in the grill. Having already ordered my GF meal from the regular menu this came as a lovely surprise. Whole sea bass!!

There's always an amazing selection of cheese at dinner, GF biscuits are available.

Edited October 20, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

3 minutes ago, Whiteduck1 said:

Hope you have have had a reasonable day aboard..I've missed all your usual posts today, hope you are feeling OK.. Safe sailing...

Thank you! I was determined to take it easy today as there's no way I'm missing Venice!! I can only imagine when the Captain mentioned Venice in his address earlier that the whole ship held their breath momentarily!!

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Venice

Arrive 0700. All aboard 1830.

The captivating city of Venice is one of Italy’s best-loved destinations. Once the centre of the powerful Venetian Republic, medieval Venice spans 118 tiny islands joined by labyrinthine canals crossed by elaborate bridges. The city has remained largely unchanged and contains a treasure trove of architectural masterpieces like the Basilica, Doges' Palace, Campanile Bell Tower and Bridge of Sighs. St Mark’s Square provides a focal point for exploration – it is fringed by old cafes and dominated by the Basilica of the same name.

-----

Geoff is taking the following Saga excursion :

VENICE PANORAMIC TOUR

Begin this excursion with a coach transfer

to Stazione Marittima where you will join a

private motorboat for a two-and-a-half hour

mini cruise around the Venetian Lagoon. Your

boat tour will take you past the Giudecca

Canal and Giudecca Island, the Redentore and

Zitelle Churches and the Old Customs House.

View the entrance to the Grand Canal, with St

Mark’s Square and its world-famous sights,

and enjoy a panoramic tour of St Mark’s Basin,

with views of the Isola San Giorgio, Vivaldi’s

Church, the Isola San Servolo and the Santa

Elena Gardens. Your mini cruise continues

with views of the Lido and the Arsenal. A

commentary will point out the sights as you

return to your ship.

Please note: You will need to manage up

to 6 steps unassisted to board the boat.

Some vessels may require up to 20 steps

to reach the upper deck. There will be a

coach transfer between the ship's berth (the

walk to the transfer coaches from the ship

is approximately 400 yards) and Stazione

Marittima where you will pass through

security control and from where you will

embark and disembark the boats to Venice.

Queues may be possible at peak times. All

sightseeing is from the boat and no stops

are made. The boat has inside and outside

wooden seating.

I will taking the following tour with Viator. Ferry ticket for 9am to get me there!

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Watching the Playhouse streaming on TV whilst Geoff is in the North Cape Bar watching Rugby. 'The Beatles Experience' opened with an amazing Beatles animation. Fab.

NorbertsNiece · October 20, 2023

Something I really appreciate about the bathroom here.... when you have to get up in the night..... there's a light permanently on a dimmed setting, assuming you've left your key card in the holder/switch by the cabin door!