Greece - Katakolon/Olympia

November 18, 2011

We awoke the next morning already docked in the small Greek fishing village of Katakolon, in the western Peloponnese region. This quaint hamlet was the jumping off point for the relatively short bus ride through mountainous terrain strewn with orange and olive groves, to the ancient site of Olympia where the earliest Olympic games were held over two thousand years ago.

Among the ruins of stadiums and gymnasiums stands the one remaining pillar of the former Temple of Zeus, which housed a statue in his honour that was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Also still legible at the entrance to the arena, were the stones where those caught cheating in the Games had to etch their names for eternity, along with what they did to earn their shame.

After touring the ruins and running a length of the ancient arena, we returned via coach to Katakolon and enjoyed some shopping and a nice lunch on the waterfront. After all, what is a trip to Greece without a real Greek salad and a jug of red wine at seaside? I had never seen a brick of feta so large on one salad....the waiter kept apologizing that it had broken under it's own weight before he could get it to the table! Parakolo!

1. Remaining pillar of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia

2. Greek ruins

3. Ancient arena

4. Real Greek salad!

5. Norwegian Jade docked at Katakolon

Day at Sea - Italian Coast

November 17, 2011

Leaving Civitavecchia behind, we spent a relaxing day cruising southeast along the Italian coastline. With no specific itinerary, we further explored the ship and enjoyed some quiet time on the sea.

For our viewing pleasure, we passed alongside two of Ialty's three active volcanoes along the way, having seen the third (Vesuvius) at Pompeii on our previous trip to Italy. First we passed the volcanic isle of Stromboli on the starboard (west) side, literally a volcano in the sea with a small village at the base.

Shortly thereafter we passed through the Straits of Messina, where Sicily and mainland Italy are separated by a narrow gap, site of the world's most infamous bridge likely to never be built. An Italian pilot had to come aboard via speedboat to guide the Jade through the treacherous passage.

We also passed volcano Mount Etna on the far end of Sicily as we cleared the Straits, though on this day she was obscured by clouds.

1. Stromboli

2. Mainland Italy

3. Sicily - city of Messina

4. Time for lunch

All Aboard!

November 16, 2011

Upon arrival at Civitavecchia, we boarded the Jade and hooked up with the rest of the Coxes. Early arrival meant we all had to hang out on deck and while away a few hours with beer and buffet while waiting for our staterooms to be ready, before late afternoon departure from port.

We also explored our confines, some 14 long decks holding 2400 passengers and over 1000 crew. Amenities included many pools, spas, a basketball court, bars, lounges, restaurants, casinos, etc.

Eventually we got our room assignments and settled in for the journey, including a memorable welcome aboard production in the ship's Stardust Theatre, as the massive vessel glided slowly out to sea....

Off to the Mediterranean!

November 14-16, 2011

Started our fabulous Mediterranean odyssey with a flight out of Toronto, direct to Rome, courtesy of the fine folks at Alitalia. Free wine and emergency exit legroom translates roughly to "heaven" in Italian.

Eight hours and six time zones later, we touched down at Fiumicino (aka Leonard Da Vinci) airport, and relatively promptly boarded the express train to downtown Rome. After dumping our rather large and heavy backpacks at Hotel Montreal, near central Termini Station, we set off to explore Rome on foot and mainly force ourselves to stay awake as long as possible to stave off jetlag.

Large and frequent groups of police, Carabinieri (military police) and media helped us stay alert, as Italy ushered out reviled Prime Minister Berlusconi and ushered in a new era amidst economic turmoil in the Eurozone. Having said that, the country has none less than 38 political parties jockeying for leverage, and the average federal government last 8 months.

Having seen the sights, including the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona, we finally succumbed to body clocks and crashed. The next morning we caught another train bound for Civitavecchia, the port of Rome over an hour west to the coast. It was here that we would catch the cruise ship Norwegian Jade, and hook up with the rest of Jane's family for a ten day voyage around the cradle of civilization.

Paranormal Investigation of Mackenzie Hall

We took the opportunity to join a late-night paranormal investigation recently, hosted by Spectral Solutions of Windsor. The subject of the investigation was Mackenzie Hall in the Olde Sandwich Towne area of Windsor, formerly the county seat, courthouse and jail for many a tumultuous decades in the 1800's and early 1900's.

Cool old building, nocturnal setting, adjacent (current) prison, cemetery and church. A number of controversial trials and public executions took place in this very building, leading the intrepid investigation team to wonder just who might still be lurking in the lurch and haunting the halls.

Nothing overtly supernatural to report, but a very interesting and surreal experience all the same! Although....careful observers will note that Jane and I took identical pictures of the building exterior with different cameras, and MINE is all blue skies and warm fuzzies, while HERS casts a decidedly ominous pallor!

Yes, that's why she is holding the EMF meter, not me. I was too busy dumping salt down her back.

Midnight Marauder

I might have gone with "Backdoor Burglar", but that sounded a tad controversial. Suffice it to say that now that the kittens are living on the back deck (in wonderfully crafted kitten totes of Jane's personal devising), we occasionally suffer other nocturnal visitors as well.

On an unrelated note, has anyone seen my wallet?

Thanksgiving in Tillsonburg

My stomach still aches, when I hear that word....

Good visit for Cox-Giving on the way back from a few free meals in Orillia and Midland. Always nice to remember what REAL fall colours look like!