After Italy, we thought our next stop was Istanbul but because of the bombings the plans were changed and we sailed to Alexandria. The Field Office did a spectacular job of putting together 7 trips and I spent the 3 days in Cairo. I never expected to be so insprired by the pyramids. I didn't think I could be more inspired than I was at Pompeii but standing at Giza and at Saqqara left me speechless. We had an incredible guide, Bahgat, for three days who called us all Habibi and we called him that in return. He talked openly with all of us about ancient history, women's rights, marriage, etc. and answered any questions that any of us had. We rode camels and took jeep rides through the desert and took a ferry boat down the Nile River. Sadly, at least half the ship became sick... "Pharaoh's revenge!" Below are pictures of the Cheops' Solar Boat, my kids at Giza, me on a camel and sunrise at Giza.
One day at sea and then we were in Greece. Our first stop was at the Acropolis. We had an awful guide and I was happy when we could just walk around on our own. It was an archaeological trifecta: Pompeii, Pyramids, and the Acropolis! I was in heaven!
Since my son was still on board and since we all wanted to see some Greek Islands we spent the next two days visiting two islands. First to Hydra which was small, quiet and gorgeous. No cars, bikes or motorbikes are allowed. There are a few dump trucks otherwise you walk or ride donkeys. We walked to a beautiful beach where we spent the day swimming and sunning. After some shopping and dinner, we headed back to Pireaus (our port). The next day we went to Poros, a slightly bigger island it was also beautiful and we had more time. Again, we found a great beach and swam most of the day in between meals. The next day we had to get David to the airport in Athens. After getting him to his flight, my daughter and I took the metro into Athens and did a little shopping before heading back to the ship to sail to Croatia, our last port.
Below are pictures of Hydra, Poros and the sunset at Poros. Even the locals came out and said they never had sunsets like this one.
Six students missed ship time (always at 7 PM and we typically sail at 9 PM though the Captain has the authority to change the time and leave earlier if he chooses). They missed the last ferry at the Greek Island they had visited and had to find (and fund) their way to Dubrovnik. They made it.
Dubrovnik did not look at all like I expected. It was mountainous and the water was beautiful and it was completely packed with tourists. Each day huge cruise shops docked at the harbor and thousands of tourists poured into the Old City by bus. I heard stories of people being locked in the city trying to get through the gate for 15 to 20 minutes because of the walls of people. We didn't even dock at the harbor; we were out in the sea and ot to the port by taking the "tender" (the lifeboats) which ran every 30 minutes between 7 AM and 2 AM. It took about 10 minutes to get to land. And it was very, very hot and more humid that Greece, Italy or Egypt. We only had three days there so I spent one in the city and one at the beach and the last one just walking around locally and grading papers!! (It's hard to keep up with all the grading I assigned.)
It's also a country still recovering from Civil War. Although there is not a lot of evidence right in town as we took a boat to the beach we passed about five completely bombed out hotels. It was clear that they were once quite grand and we were told that they are just now being bought up by companies like Hilton and Sheraton who hope to restore them. The beaches were lined with people but the building were vacant and just shells.
It's also a country still recovering from Civil War. Although there is not a lot of evidence right in town as we took a boat to the beach we passed about five completely bombed out hotels. It was clear that they were once quite grand and we were told that they are just now being bought up by companies like Hilton and Sheraton who hope to restore them. The beaches were lined with people but the building were vacant and just shells.
The pictures below are of the walled city, one of the ruined hotels and Jill and Julia as we waited for our drinks at a cafe! Amazing pina coladas!
Taking the Long Way Home (per the Dixie Chicks)
In so many ways this line rings true for me. We're headed home, having left Dubrovnik on Sunday, August 10. We dock in Norfolk, Virginia on Friday, August 22 at 8 AM. Twelve days at sea (plus 6 hours that we get back as we get closer to the US).
Many of us stayed on land as long as we could knowing that we were facing 12 days at sea and 12 days if iceburg lettuce, potatoes and coffee made from syrup! We also stocked up on some treats before we left. At about 1:30 the ship moved right to the harbor (no more tender boats) and we docked about 200 meters away from a grocery store. We pretty much wiped them out.
Last night we had gin and tonics on my deck as the sun set over the ocean! It was a great sunset (see below!).
As I write this there are two more class days left, two study days, two exams days, graduation and a packing day. To those of you who kept up with the blog and left comments, know that they were much appreciated. I look forward to arriving back home and to seeing everyone.
Today (Wednesday) we had our last lifeboat drill. We are also stopped at Gibraltar to re-fuel. We can't disembark (we aren't even at the dock) but we have a great view of the area. See the pictures below:
It's been a wonderful trip and I know it will take me a while to process it all. Norway seems like years ago as does Russia. I packed in a lot this summer; I learned a lot and I saw a lot. All in all, it been a wonderful summer. See you in the 'Ville!
