Regent Splendor cruise Oct 16 to Nov 7, 2023

The first step on board AC890 to Rome

 Let me start by saying Terryl and I have known each other for twenty-five years. We started 2023 with a plan to do something special for our Anniversary Year. Ten months preceded this symbolic first step where we have enjoyed Canada with friends and family; all the while the "travel itch" tugged at our vital organs just like it has from the very beginning for Terryl and during our time together, for me.

With 32 hours remaining prior to takeoff on AC890 to Rome we are vacuuming plastic bags of clothing and sealing them shut into our luggage consisting of one checked bag and two carryons. (It worked before and will again.) We are fortunate to be flying J Class to Rome and then Venice on a High Speed train on Oct 17 where we will check into a hotel in a Murano former glass blowing factory that will be our base for three nights before boarding Regent Splendor.

October 16, 2023

It's done. All the preparation: booking Regent Splendor, booking Manulife travel and cancellation insurance, booking Air Canada flight to Rome, booking Italiarail train service to Venice, booking NH Collection Murano Villa for three nights, booking Flu shots, packing two Carryons and one Checked (carryon size) bag, and spending the balance of this day seeing and listening to news reports that Israel and Gaza (Hamas) are about to inflict an increasing level of pain upon each other and its citizens, visitors and tourists. This tragedy will have repercussions around the world while we sit several hours before calling a Uber to drive Terryl and me to YYZ and on to the Mediterranean.

My trusted MacAir and iPhone are onboard

Oct 17, 2023

The last 20 hours have been a pleasure. The trip was also tiring but made exciting by the two drivers from Venezia train station to our hotel. After a couple of drinks and snacks we hit the sack in a bed in a building sunk into the water that makes this city of Venesia one of the true marvels in our entire world.

Our water taxi pulling into NH Collection hotel in Murano

A countryside scene through the train's window

September nephew your mother

Oct 18, 2023

It's a cloudy day in Murano with a coolish temperature outside so we enjoyed a Nespresso-style morning coffee in our hotel room that only a few years ago floated the large, very old "Murano Glass Factory." Today the atmosphere is one of an Italian-designed hotel with all the amenities one could ask for.

At 11:00 we walked out the front door--but only six steps forward--and turned sharp left to avoid walking into the water where boats own this carless unique part of Italy. We enjoyed a wonderful blunch of filled ravioli, cod and red snapper stuffed with assorted lusciousness at Trattoria Valmarana a small and cheery place only another 12 paces from our hotel.

 

October 19, 2023
The coffee machine delivers Lavazzo at 07:45 and the drapes are pulled back to  reveal a slight rainy day. After a brief discussion with the NH Collection staff requesting a water-taxi to the Venice Terminal  on October 20 at 11:00 we then visited the Murano Glass Museum right across the street-river from our hotel. 

Visiting the historical glassworks that go back hundreds of years tired me out, so we both rested the afternoon until dinner time where we feasted on—well, on this:

The above is an assortment of grilled seafood, and above that is Turnip Pasta all consumed with two glasses of wine in this comfortable and cosy dining room:

October 20, 2023

We are on board Regent’s Seven Seas Splendor and in our splendid accommodation after a water-taxi to Venice Terminal where our baggage and our selves are checked-in. We are delivered by bus (in a thirty minute drive) to the Fusina Port where the ship actually embarks. In April 2021 the city of Venice and its environmentalists  barred all large ships and their waves because of the damage done to historic buildings.

Regent was flawless in its execution in checkin, bags delivered to our Penthouse 1203 (same number as our home in Port Credit). 

The Library entrance

From For to Aft mid-ship

Just a Chandelier 

The entrance to Pacific Rim dining room

October 22, 2023

I’m in the theatre waiting for the lecture “My Little Wet Home In A Trench The role of humour & music in WW1 & WW2.” By Warren Fahey. It’s 09:15

Warren begins his lecture complete with slides both pictorial and text with mostly headings with very little copy. That makes sense to me as I listen and observe. Warren is experiencing sound issues with his slide projection, an important aspect because there is music and song involved. However, he soldiers on and does the singing himself. We are talking about these great old songs that the soldiers sang themselves, and this is about 60% of this presentation. The ones that they wrote about their sergeants and other 'brass' who got the gravy before the men did—in a manner of speaking—if they got it all.

The countries are scarred by the ravages of war. He talks about the totality of the war across the planet. 32 countries went to war with 70 million combatants with 18 million killed. Both wars were front line trench wars and the music became part of both wars. 

Patriotic songs were are a big part of both wars. Glenn Millar and Vera Lynn were vital to their moral. The Australians had coo-ee marchers who yelled at the farmers in the field to “Come join the army.” In his 40 Minute lecture Warren sings many of these songs with his Aussie accent and reminds us that when England declared war that meant the colonies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and allies automatically joined the effort to defeat the Nazis in Europe and the Japanese in the Pacific. 

Mr. Fahey closes with “War does declare who won but more importantly who was left. 

Here are a few photos of our suite and the indescribable decor of the Splendor.

The Veranda aft Outdoor Dining

By the pool on 11th deck

Entrance to Library 

Just a nice looking Wall of Wine

The Ensuite Bedroom

Ensuite Bathroom 

See the steps at the top of this picture?

In the afternoon we jump on a bus and motor into the walled city of Dubrovnik. Today—a Sunday—the stores are closed and there is an incredible food and drink festival on one entire street maybe 150 yards long by 10 yards wide. The tables are full with food and wines that are about to be consumed by a staggering amount of hungry tourists and natives alike. And shooting off this road are many streets that are 3 yards wide running perpendicularly straight up the mountain into the beautiful sky above all of this. And yes, they fit their tiny little restaurants in 3 yards with just enough room for people to pass.

October 23, 2023

We have docked at Kotor Montenegro and woke at 05:45 to Room Service at 06:30 with fruit, coffee, toast, croissant, eggs, bacon, sausage, orange and grapefruit juices; all of which was followed by an excursion to the very top of the surrounding mountains in a very wide bus traveling at appropriate speeds navigating single lanes and 23 switch backs, stopping and waiting for opposite directional small cars to back up for 50 to 100 yards allowing us to motor on. [Much later on this cruise we are told by a native of Montenegro that a few buses over the years never managed to safely navigate this treacherous road and went down the hard way.]

Valdamir—our tour guide—partnered nicely with the bus driver who was the spitting image of Val and, he too is well over 6’ tall. According to Val the Montenegro’s are the world’s second tallest people. Is it the Danes who are the tallest?

Val spoke for approximately four hours almost non-stop this morning. He knew his country’s history going back to Christopher Columbus days and beyond. He told us about the 400-year-war with the Turkey Ottoman war machine against his people several times. He spoke of Politicians and Police officers and questioned how they keep their jobs. There we were: on hair pin turns two young kamikaze pilots—racing their cars—speed past us, and no sooner did Val finish condemning these youngsters to fines of 1,500 Euros and six months suspension of their licence to drive with a little time in the local slammer, we drove past a police vehicle parked on the road and the officer was drinking his morning coffee instead of manning the roads and doing the job he’s paid to do. Of course Val spoke about this observation at length just the way he spoke of the Kings and Queens and the Royalty that ran Montenegro until the 20th Century when their country became a Republic and the Royalty’s homes became museums that we toured today and were told, "No photography please."

That’s Kotor way down there

The Splendor/The Mountain

October 24, 2023

Corfu Villages, Winery, Olive Oil and …

1000 Year-Old-Olive-Tree pictured through a BusWindow 

A Shop that encourages parking

Just a spot to sit and rest

I'm sure there's a bell at the top of this

Pudster peaking at Corfu’s Folklore Museum

An excellent Tour Guide

This Marley Roof reminded me of mine at 36 Fernbrook

A Pool and an Ocean

Another very old Olive Tree

Two bottles of TakeOut Olive Oil

The Splendor pulled into Corfu around 08:30 today and by 09:45 the sun was out with a  temperature of 22C. After a delicious breakfast on the Veranda on Deck 11 aft, we head to the Theatre where the daily delivery of excursions Bus Tickets are delivered in a detailed fashion that puts us on our way in minutes. The Tour Guide is a bouncy and bright Hungarian lady who emigrated to Greece where she found her husband and decided to stay and learn to do her work. Of course she speaks perfect Greek, Hungarian and English telling her stories with a light hearted approach to the history and importance of all of it. 

We have 28 guests on our TourBus today which will last five hours driving narrow roads through the villages built on the hills--not the beaches--because being on the beach is too dangerous: that's where the pirates murdered or robbed you hundreds of years ago. Today the men are in the village taverns talking about everything, and the women are at home doing the work. The men will go to work in the fields, have a siesta in the afternoon, and finally go home for dinner where they share their daily knowledge with their family members.

In today's Corfu the pirates are long gone. The tourists have become their number one GDP. But still their food, cheeses, meats and olives, olives and more olives find their way around the world especially in their Olive Oil encased in glass just like Terryl has as we prepare to return to Splendor.

October 25, 2023

Last evening, without a reservation at Pacific Rim—the Asian restaurant that everyone on board is raving about—we approached the front desk and asked if we could take part in the hope that someone cancelled. The polite lady said that they were sold out, but, if we’d like to return at 20:00 there could be availability. 

In the closest bar we struck up a conversation with a gentleman who had been speaking with another person. With Terryl beside me I said, “You and me are fine looking fellows but that man sitting next to you looks like he is right out of a Hollywood studio playing the part of the most handsome-man-in-town.” The three of us introduced each other and off we went in conversation for thirty minutes concluding with an invitation to join them for dinner tomorrow evening at the Chartreuse. 

Terry and I went over to Pacific Rim, were led to a wonderful table where we were served wonderful Asian foods in their unique Pacific Rim style. The meal was fabulous. We’ll be there with our reservation—pre-booked online in Toronto—at 18;30 October 26, and do it over again.

This afternoon I'm wagering 35Euros in a Blackjack Tournament in the Casino, Terryl is resting with her book on Deck 11 in the shade with a glass of Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc from Monterey California.

We'll be back to let you know how it went,

It's 15:30 in the theatre where Warren Fahey is lecturing on “The History of The Book from the first printed pages to the digital e-book."
Warren starts with his witness of what people are reading on board Splendor.. There’s a page of book Covers that Warren has written (approx 30 different books).
People write for various reasons. Story writing is one of them. He starts with Mycenaean Greece and their plates with text carved into these plates.
Other books were of poetry and scripture of religious books written by priests. In China they started writing books on papyrus in 1000BC. The Romans used scrolls and rolls of papyrus. A thought, in some libraries we still have newspapers rolled on dowels.
The Quran is one of the historical written books and then he puts up a slide of Gutenberg. Warren shows a full room filled with Typographers. He talks about the threat that books will affect the society.
The Great library of Alexandria was torn down in the 1600s  and then rebuilt. The catholics were concerned that certain books were not fit for the average citizens. Hitler destroyed books for the same reason. Some even gathered persons wearing reading glasses and shot them. There are worse crimes than reading books, the real crime is not reading them..
Encyclopedia is started in 1768 in Britannica. The last printing was in 2012.
The paperback kicked up the printing of books during our time.
1000s of different books have been banned in different countries around the world. Fifty shades of Grey is cited as over 200 million copies sold in the UK.
Porto Portugal has a fabulous Bookshop. Livaria and don’t miss the one in Buenos Aires named Attune. Tehran has a great bookstore however there are so many subjects that are not represented in their store.
Audiobooks are taking off around the world. Kindle and Amazon are mentioned enthusiastically. And while we are on the subject allow me to insert a link directing you to my one and only written book which is a certain sign that BOOKS WILL NEVER DIE. Please click the link for an Audiobook, Ebook, Paperback or Hardcover copy of mine:

2nd Place Finishes and Bad Knees

October 26, 2023

At the Blackjack table I finished 2nd by $500 in total winnings to a young Asian man. I was close but no cigar.

We did meet Steve Olin Evangelist for dinner at Chartreuse last night and it was a memorable affair enjoyed by all. Steve’s life story is huge. He was a professional MLB baseball pitcher before his university years, a multi billionaire, an almost homeless man who lost everything, found the Christian religion along and maintained his Jewish faith, and, remade his billions once again. Here is a link to a YouTube audiotape made in 2018 when Steve was 72 years of age if you wish to see and hear this  interesting and capable man. Please click this link.

https://youtu.be/0N1nB3qIYxE?si=3Kl5hYrUpqjhgf5U

This morning we are on a bus to Lindos out of Rhodes to see their Acropolis and a wonderful third generation pottery demonstration on the road to Lindos. An older man was doing the spinning and creating his masterpiece; a son of the speaker who is also a gifted painter and not a potter rounds out the operation started by the speaker’s father who is pictured in a large painting right above the potter’s wheel. I thought of Marie-Lou Bois my beautiful daughter-in-law during the time we spent in his shop. This man was gifted and proud of the heritage they have created.

When we arrived at the site I didn’t take the hike up after I had walked twenty minutes to the bottom of this well-travelled road. We were told that the walking conditions were not the best with the stones highly polished and tricky to navigate.

This guy was ready to do the walking for me

Lindos Acropolis

Our trip back to the ship was very pleasant and we had lunch at the pool bar and dining area on nachos and lobster plus the usual drinks just before I start to type.

Typing like a mad man

It’s 17:00 on board Splendor and Zahid enters our suite and we are on our balcony enjoying a cocktail when Zahid—our butler—arrives with a tray of hors d'oeuvres.

October 28, 2023

It was on this day, but 25 years ago when I knocked on Terryl's door for the first time. It was our first date after a telephone call that our mutual friend Florence Pappain had arranged. After the comfortable "Hellos" I asked Terryl where she might like to go; she said "Bert and Ernie's is a nice little bar just a little way from here." And off we went with my right foot in a plastic bag only a few days after bunion surgery. We had an enjoyable evening and when I dropped her off I said I would like to see you again and she said okay. Our second outing was six weeks later at a Christmas House Party about a block and a half away from my home in Brampton. Who knew I had hit the Mother-Load?

Yesterday we docked at Bodrum, Turkey. It's a beautiful city surrounded by little markets and sailing vessels, one of which we booked for a four hour cruise where we were invited to take a swim. Many took the Captain up on his offer and jumped in at the appropriate time. The balance of our time was very pleasant under motor power without the benefit of the twin-masted sails. Terryl looked for a shady spot and started talking with Maddie and David about all kinds of things and concluded that Maddie could write a book. Well Maddie had already written her book. She was some kind of celebrity and been interviewed on the big talk shows when her fame was in full flight thirty years ago. At 76 years of age she has slowed down a little and enjoying life on cruises with David. Just like us.

When we returned to the dock Terryl had just enough time to drop a few Euros in a clothing shop operated by a Supreme Bargainer who couldn't get the best of The Pudster. Remember the golden rule, start bargaining at 50% of the first mention of price; and then go deeper as the dual grows in intensity. She had a bag full of Gucci, Lucci and Pucci knock-offs and bolted out of the shopkeeper’s sight.

The setting sun and please see the moon below

The rising moon at exactly the same hour as the sun sets!

I broke up the photos of our suite purposefully because it's just too much all at one time.

Our Ensuite Shower

Our Dressing Room and Safe

This one’s for YOU

Another part of the Library 

Our suite looking in from the front door

The dressing room

Bar, Fridge, Coffee in room

The living room in our suite

I was tired at 06:00 and I convinced Terryl to stay on board today. We had been to Kusadasi and Ephesus on two other occasions and I needed the downtime. With the drinks we have enjoyed inside the serving areas combined with the complimentary bottles that are in our bar since Oct 16, only half of the Glenmorange, one third of the Grey Goose, and half of the Gin remains to be enjoyed. And Terryl only drinks white wine wherever we go, and I'm always with her.

This Anniversary Day is going perfectly with the Captain’s “Krew Kapers” at 18:00 with musical entertainment provided by the cooks, the waiters, the cleaners and the entertainment director who helped put it all together. They were terrific.  

October 29, 2023

I’m not in my best condition and behaviour this morning due to a little cough that came out in the last two days. Sleeping sitting up over night helped and then we saw the medical staff before breakfast and began signing documents prior to any advice or treatment we could/would receive. They were acting in their and the public’s best interest for sure. However, we left in a few minutes to reconsider further medical aid. 

I couldn’t be that ill because my appetite is still good, but we decided to stay on board and not tour Syros, Greece today. 

We ended our Anniversary Day last night with a small gift for Terryl

This watch reminds me of the one I gave Terryl twenty-five years ago when she agreed to be blindfolded while we walk into St. Anne’s Spa with me saying, “We’re going to have the ‘time’ of our lives. 

Gretchen and Jeanette created this and the Anniversary Cake for us on our return to our suite at 23:00 last night

October 30, 31, 2023

The majority of passengers disembarked on Oct 30; we stayed on for the next cruise from Athens to Athens until November 6. 

We did a bus tour of Athens and the Acropolis on Oct 30 that gave me the following images to share.

Athens is a very large Metropolis containing about 40% of the total population of Greece which is approximately 11,000,000 with a whole load of tourists added during April to November. Our temperature today is around 75 Fahrenheit which couldn't have been nicer for our drive to Xanthi, an area that boasts of harvesting tobacco successfully until they couldn't compete with Marlborough and Japan in the world markets. 7% of Greeks who smoke still enjoy their home grown product, but the rest of them have moved on. The big tobacco plant was bought out by the Japanese and their products moved to world markets. We witnessed an obsolete two-track-railway system that once shipped tobacco in-the-good-old-days to many of the surrounding countries. Turkish and Greek homemade tobacco products are a very small player these days.

Going back to Athens yesterday the big treat on our tour was a climb up to the Acropolis and its' attractions. Yours truly decided against the climb and toured the streets and took in the sights--one of which is pictured above with an enormous sandal--another is a Karshian attempt at some magnificent trees--another is wrought iron balconies--and is of Queen Melania (not Trump) because everyone knows this lady in marble on the town square. We were told by our guide that during the tremendous heat of the summer of 2023 no less that 25 people fainted EVERY day during their climb up or down before or after visiting this historic site. 

Here's a little pictorial comment on what we saw today:

The pictures you see above are those of a lovely river, mountain, and walk way; what you don’t see are local dogs following along barking and snarling. These dogs have shared this walkway with us but didn’t appear to be happy about it. Some of us were unsettled by the baring of teeth and turned back. We did.

Our young male tour guide loved this otherwise peaceful walk and told a story of his days as a footballer getting ready for a big game. To settle his nerves before the game he would spend time by this river and work on the head game that goes with preparing for an important sporting contest. When game time was upon him, he and his teammates were unbeatable and took home the trophy. They celebrated for a few days and days like we all do. However our guide concluded his story with these words, “After that game we went downhill and nowhere in football, but I still like to come here, my quiet place. 

November 1, 2023

We are docked at Istanbul Turkeyi in their magnificent new port where we are on our 12th floor balcony directly over their brand new City Centre shops. I can see Breitling, Tagenauer, Marks and Spencers, and many other world class retailers from this vantage point.

Here are a few photos taken from our balcony on the ship’s 12th deck:

Turkish Flag

The Turkish Flag is front and centre in Istanbul

Only one of many new avenue’s loaded with stores in City Centre

November 2, 2023

Thirty minutes ago The Splendor pulled away from Istanbul’s City Centre docking facility and at 15:30 I’ll be in the Theatre listening to Jeana Rogers tell the story of the old and new IZMIR.

Jeana is an older lady who does the work on board that Scott Leeming believes I might be interested in, that is lecturing on my experience traveling with Terryl for the last twenty-five years.

Jeana starts by talking about the myriad of things to do in Istanbul. 

How much do you know about Turkey? We see a map of the main cities, A picture of a Temple where Izmir, formerly known as Smyrna where Ataturk (Mustafa Kemal) brought them into the twentieth century. This is Turkey’s 100th Anniversary. Ataturk defeated the invaders from Greece. Ataturk was one of the first world leaders to give women the vote. He introduced the Roman alphabet. 

Other important points at their seafront is Kordon (promenade) and they do partake in alcohol. Clark Tower at Konak Square is a gift from Germany. 

[500 Turkish Lyra is about $20 US.] 

Kermeralti Bazaar is one of their markets. Bargaining is a way of life and don’t worry about hurting them they’ll never sell and lose money. Caravanserai is another market but this one is covered. Terryl and I experienced finding a great shop one day but incapable of finding it the next. (Jeana has done the same.) The blue circle is actually called the Evil Eye. She shows many slides of these bazaars. 

Apothecaries will create one’s own perfume. Tulip Tiles are everywhere. The Turks gave the tulip to the Netherlands in the 1700’s. Turkish Delight (Lokum) candies are pictured. Turkish Olives come in many colours. Turkish pretzels are seen, Consider a Hookah Shisha water pipe at break time. Ephesus ruins are mentioned about 5 miles from Izmir. Ephesus died because the coast line moved away, and to where? Izmir. The house of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus is mentioned. Magnesia Gate and Corresus Gate and Terrace Gate in Ephesus. Picture of The Odeon theatre holding 2000 people. Baths of Scholastica are mentioned. Public toilets photo with friends of Jeana sitting appropriately. Restoration is always going on in Ephesus.

November 3, 2023

We've docked at Izmir, Turkey a major city of 5,000,000 people who live in the shadow of Istanbul with its population of 11,000,000. Why? Because its political slant is liberal/social while Istanbul is conservative and offers more opportunity for young people. Izmir is a city steeped in antiquity and cultural differences.

I am going to drop a load of photographs here to give you a look at what the Izmir citizens cherish and revere.

 

Our tour ran from 12:00 to 16:00 and we returned to Splendor for a chilled beer and glass of Terryl's preferred white wine before getting ready to dine at Chartreuse tonight. The menu for me is escargot, lobster bisque, coquille st. Jacques, and rack of lamb. And here they are:

A perfect day ends with their Best of Broadway extravaganza in the Theatre. 

November 4, 2023

We are in Bodrum, Turkey to drop off an item that was too large for Terryl— like we often do at home in Port Credit. And it’s a really nice day too. 

However, the seas were angry today (George Costanza of Seinfeld fame) and our Capitan cancels docking in favour of a sea day to maintain safety for his passengers and staff on board. Terryl reminded me of a waiter we met on Regent Splendor who worked on Costa Concordia when the ship steered in to rocks and went down 10 years ago. The waiter told us the second-in-command was blamed and then released when the Captain was found to be the culprit. The waiter left Costa for Regent only a few months ago and loves his work and mixes drinks like ‘The Gin Made Me Do It.’

The splashing in the pool put some swimmers on the benches for the day. 

November 5, 2023

We are pulling into the Port at Mykonos this morning--that is if the wind and waves will allow. The weather has been close to perfect from October 20 to completion which will be twenty-four hours from now. But we have all day today and tomorrow to enjoy.

Well, the white water had its way today as well and the Captain decided to anchor his ship instead of dock this Splended vessel. The tenders are running but Terryl and I decided to stay on board, have lunch and a splash of the latest I Gusti creation, hang around the pool, Library and hit the Gym for the first and only time during the 17 days  on Splendor. 

We arrived at Pacific Rim (Asian styled) restaurant at 18:30 to share the table with 2 American ladies and enjoy an incredible meal. 

Sashimi

Black Cod

Lobster Tempura

A Duck dish to die for

November 6, 2023

Last night we packed three checkin bags, tagged them 2Brown and put them outside for pickup. And then hit the rack for tomorrow’s disembarkation.

Today we breakfast and seamlessly leave the ship and meet a porter standing beside our bags; when we agree she walks with us and our complete 5 bag luggage approximately 50 yards to numerous taxis. I asked for a price to our hotel which was reasonable as well as educational and funny at the same time for the 30 minutes to the Wyndham Grand Hotel. We were welcomed by a young lady at the desk who gave us an upgrade and a lovely smile as she checked us in 5 hours before checkin time. We’re in and cracking the hootch and sandwiches from Splendor. 

There’s an Acropolis between columns

We expect to have an early dinner up the street and hit the hay early all prepared for two flights tomorrow and a Uber home. But first we rest a little and photograph the Acropolis at noon that you see above. Around 18:00 we leave the hotel for a little walk and meet a charming women working in a small street size restaurant who promptly cocks a large fingernail and knocks a fly off my shoulder. We then have a fifteen minute talk about Greece and then leave her post at her restaurant. At this point she says, “See you later,”

On the way back we enter the Murani Restaurant and peruse the menu. We are seated at a table that was 24" above the floor.

We order Pita, Tzatziki, Greek Salad (the real one with gorgeous tomato, cucumber, onions, peppers, olives, capers and their incredible Olive Oil drenching these fresh delicacies), grilled Sardines, Greek white wine for two which was delicious and served by Nick, a wonderful and amiable young man. He had lots to say, when asked about his Greece and experiences. He then brought a local liqueuer and dessert, on the house, which was to die for, and all for the price of $29 and tipping is not a custom throughout our travels in Italy, Croatia, Turkey and Greece. 

Night time has fallen on the Acropolis and I attempted to get a night shot with my iPhone 15. How does it look? 

November 7, 2023

We are up at 06:00 and at 0:700 sitting on the 9th Floor Observation, Pool and Dining Room of the Wyndham Grand. The Buffet Breakfast was ready at the exact time and its quality was second to none that I've ever seen at a hotel that cost approximately 130 Canadian. They had it all and the freshness of the food was immediately noticed. So we ate again (I'm not looking at my weight until we are home).

A taxi cab and driver was at the front door and off we went for a fourty minute drive for 45 Euros to the airport. SKYexpress took off fully loaded for Frankfurt at 11:30 in an Airbus 320 that was a little squishy and lacking in fresh oxygen infused air, but we arrived at 14:30 and raced over to Terminal One by bus, and then the longest walk I've endured at any airport I've ever seen, while being concerned that we might miss our AC843 flight from FRA to YYZ at 17:15. If that had happened we would get a hotel and do the deed on November 8. But yes, we arrived in time, checked in, dropped two bags at checkin and raced to the gate to find out that Frankfurt had gone on to Standard time at 02:00 this very day. Yes, we had an extra hour to avoid any concern expressed, or not mentioned at all. The AC lady at checkin told us not to worry and we'd be there without a problem. She saw our concern but why didn't she mention the Standard Time issue?

The flight to YYZ was seamless and the food and drink was far better than the last time we were in J. The end of a perfect trip/vacation to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

Thank you for coming with us through amcpir.blogspot.com because without you who would be reading all this.

Until the next time: Jusqu'e a la prochaine fois: Fino alla prossima volta: Do sljedeceg puta.

So long Steve

There’s Steve Olin second from the left