Amalfi Coast, Salerno (Italy)

Nicky and I were really jazzed up after the experience last night. I was hoping she may have gotten over here initial anger about missing the Venice experience to see the place where Grammy's family came from... At least we had something good planned for today - a trip down the beautiful Amalfi Coast. Most people I know have travelled to Sorrento (on the Naples side), but the drive down from Salerno was definitely a different (and special) experience to have with Nicky. I guess you could say this was like a real honeymoon for us - we never really went anywhere fancy when we got married. We stopped in many small towns and had a delicious lunch in a fire-burned pizza restaurant called Altamarea di Caso Antonio. Nicky bought some pretty ceramic angels - one for each of the girls. Hairpin turns were the watchword - even with huge tour busses coming the other way! Nicky grabbed the Oscar Sierra handles many times before the day was done. We really didn't want the day to end, but we headed back to Mercogliano (Titino Green Park Hotel) at sunset. We have just one more day before we need to head back to Rome.

Mercogliano, Avellino (Italy)

We relaxed a little today. It has been a whirlwind of a trip for Nicky - she left on the 26th and hasn't stopped since! We went out in the afternoon and drove around in areas that look like vineyards - maybe where Fiano di Avellino comes from... We looked for some lunch during the reposa - nothing was open. Eventually found a small deli that was open and we used my little Italian dictionary to get some meat, cheese and bread. We made our own little sandwiches (I don't think Nicky was happy with the selection). Before dark we visited an old monastery - complete with 1000 year old library. The tour guide had to get special permission for Nicky to enter the all male community. He told us that this monastery made the first limoncello and that everyone else has stolen the idea since (hmmmm....). It started to snow around 1900 and Nicky shopped for leather gloves and a hat (ended up with a leather jacket, too...). Dinner was at a family restaurant recommended by the hotel. Luckily, we had parked the car, since the roads were soon a mess with black ice. We struggled up the hill on foot and found that the restaurant was like a parish hall set up for a huge banquet. Food lined a 100 foot wall on tables - every Italian thing you could ever want! We sat down at a table and soon were talking to some college age waiters. I told them about Grammy's family and they said they knew both Ippolitos and Festas - they were out of town today, we were told. After a very fulfilling buffet-style meal, we were enjoying the ambiance when the manager came out to tell us that the storm had gotten so bad that we was going to close. However, he said we (his "good friends") could stay as long as we joined his family with a glass (or two or three) of limoncello. We stayed for many hours and told stories of Vincenzo and Rosina and our homes in America. Everyone was very friendly and treated us like family. Spent another good night in the Titino Green Park Hotel.  I don't think I could beat tonight's dinner - ever!!!  

Mercogliano, Avellino (Italy)

During breakfast at the Hotel Alimandi this morning, Nicky told me that we needed to be in Avellino by tonight.  As a result, we passed on the Rome sightseeing (we had our chance in 1997)... Taxi took us near some of the great sights - Coliseum, Forum, etc. Getting trains down to Naples were no problem - just had to change to get one for Salerno. Arrived before dark and picked up our rental car. As we drove out of town, Nicky and I got into a fight (I guess that's what happens after nearly four months apart!) about whether we should stop at the Via Vittorio Emanuelle (there is actually one in every city)... After some map searching, we arrived in Mercogliano, near Avellino, and checked in to the Titino Green Park Hotel. We watched some videos of the twins - funny ones of them in their bouncy chairs playing with each other. I miss them.

Roma [Rome], Latium (Italy)

With plans already a day behind, Gerald and I went down the stern at 0500 to try to get on the first boat ashore. It didn't look good at first, but the Admiral's barge was doing a test run and they let us get on! We were pretty lucky, since I heard later that the boating was secured again... Then I really blew it, though. Nicky told me to meet her at "the hotel we stayed in last time" and I started over to the train station with Gerald because that's where I thought we had stayed.  When we got there, though, it was not the right hotel. The only thing that eventually helped me was that I remembered that Nicky had stayed at a place right next to the pier (Hotel Gran Duca).  Yes, that's the one where she was staying. Gerald was a good sport and didn't kill me, but it was about a mile, round trip, with bags... We met Nicky and Angie at the correct hotel and then walked all the way back to the train station (another half mile). Needless to say, I was quite frustrated by all the confusion and extra walking... By this point, Nicky was afraid to tell me, but she admitted that she had "messed up" our Eurorail passes - or, to be more accurate, mine. From the Livorno Centrale Station, we got on the train to Roma Termini and hoped that we could make it there without encountering a conductor. Once in Rome, I had to visit a ticket booth at the main train station and listen to a little Italian man yell at me for about half an hour. "You are a very stupid man!" he kept saying.  Nicky had signed my ticket and he didn't want to fix the problem (i.e. replace it with a new ticket). Eventually, I said I was sorry for being an idiot enough times that he gave me what I wanted. We struggled with our bags over to the Hotel Alimandi (near the Vatican) where Gerald and Angie had already checked in. Late dinner - just enough time to explore tomorrow before we take another train south...

Livorno, Tuscany (Italy)

I was supposed to meet Nicky this afternoon but the ship never let me off! This has to be one of the most frustrating situations - she is almost a stone's throw from me and I can't get there! Maybe we can get together tomorrow.

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Antalya (Turkey)

Returned the car this morning and then got a ride from one of the other guys back to the Ship. Back aboard with plenty of time to spare...

Antalya (Turkey)

Rented a car early this morning and explored the town. Wanted to drive out farther and explore, but ended up getting some work in the afternoon... Still enjoyed the freedom of having a car until very late... Slept at the Sheraton again.

Antalya (Turkey)

Woke up early and turned over the Admin duties. Went walking around town with the guys... Back to the Sheraton for dinner and bed...

Antalya (Turkey)

When the Ship pulled in this morning, I had a chance to go right into town. Gerald and I were trusted with the Boss' liquor - and we made it to the Sheraton without any issue. Set up the Admin and enjoyed the weather all day. Bed very late...

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Chania, Crete (Greece)

My first visit to this little town...

Iraklion, Crete (Greece)

When the Ship pulled in this morning, it was to the pier! We didn't have to do any training - and the first tour began around 0900. I had convinced about 10 guys to go with me to see Knossos - a rare treat. It was definitely worth it!

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Suez Canal (Egypt)

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