We arrived in Barcelona on Halloween.

As we arrived in Barcelona the ship had some pretty interesting transformations.  Well, it is Halloween. 

​So some carvings.

The chefs had a competition on who carved the best pumpkin.  Wow these people are creative.  The carvings are a bit creepy.

We walked into the Ledo pool area and it seems that all the towel creatures escaped the cabins and gathered around the pool.

Well, we have another country checked off. Sort of.  None of us got off the ship today.  We arrived a bit after noon and don't have any excursions planned until tomorrow. Walking around a tourist trap shopping market surrounded by pickpockets did not seem a good choice. The cruise director warned everyone that Barcelona has the highest number of pickpockets in Europe if not the world.  Today, we relaxed on ship.

Tonight, Shawna had a very different mixed drink. 

The drink is a Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned.
Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Angostura and Orange Bitters with Smoked cherry wood.

Tomorrow, we go on an excursion.

We come into the bay at Cannes but have to tender in to the dock.

Well, we did walk around Cannes so we can all say we have been to France.  

We saw a European RV.  Tiny by US standards.

Cannes is known almost exclusively for the annual film festival which is at different time of the year.  This is the off season for Cannes.  We walked along the shore and that pretty much was all.

Shawna walked down to the shore to touch the Mediterranean.

The pianist with the hair performed again tonight.  He was great.

Later was the Orange party.  The colors of the Dutch royal family is orange so Holland America cruise line has a party each cruise in honor of them.  Fun time. Music. Dancing.  Some free snacks.

The ship is moving at a pretty good clip.  The captain said we would maintain 18 knots all night and we could tell.  Time for bed.

Well, we came into port of Livorno, a big industrial port.  They make boats here.  The Seven Stars boat manufacturing company.  Most seem to be luxury mega yachts.  There have to be 2 dozen HUGE ones here right now. 

Yes, we got the full “trolley” experience. ​

The tower was started in 1174 but was not complete until 1372. The slow completion was because even at the beginning it was obvious that something was wrong with the foundation.  

The tower began to lean during construction due to soft ground that would not completely support the weight of even the incomplete tower. The sinking and leaning continued to get worse as the tower was completed but the bells had yet to be installed.

In an attempt to limit the problems with the increasing weight the walls are thinner as they reach the top. There are over 290 steps to the top.  We did not have time to make the walk up.  One more thing to add to the list of things we will want to do when we come back.

The weight of the tower is estimated at 14,500 tons. The tower has 296 or 294 steps; the seventh floor has two fewer steps on the north-facing side of the staircase.

We grabbed a quick lunch at a cafe.  It was great but this is Italy and if you sit down at a cafe there is an expectation that you will be there for a while and in no hurry at all.  We had to make it clear that we were on a tour and only had 30 minutes to eat.  Thankfully they were able to help us.

Back on the trolley for a bouncy ride back to the bus that would take us to the Cruise Ship and our last view of the the tower.

Overall a very nice day.  We got to tour around the tower and other buildings in the plaza.  We had some Italian pizza and something to drink.

We needed much more time and planning to go into the tower, church, baptistry, and the cloistered cemetery. All require timing and the tower requires reservations to climb.  Maybe someday we will come back with more time.

Finally Shawna, Betty, and I have been to Rome.  The ship came into Civitavecchia.  A small port town northwest of Rome.  After a quick breakfast, we headed to the main-stage to get our turn for the bus that would take us into Rome.  The drive in was along highways that passed through a mostly agricultural area of Italy. After about an hour, we started having more buildings and traffic.  

We made a quick bathroom break along the highway.  The location was a cross between a convenience store and a rest area.  An interesting thing was that much of the parking lot had solar panels over the spaces and EV charging stations.  Several were in use.

As soon as we entered Rome, the traffic became heavy and we slowed.  Rome as a city surrounds the places we would want to see.  We weaved through the city and then stopped to start our long walk today. The tour guide spoke to us over a small headset we all wore. He was very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed his descriptions and guidance.  

​Even the walk between stops took us past some interesting buildings and churches.

Just a heads up.  There will be lots of history in this post.

Our first stop was the Spanish Steps but we walked many blocks before coming to that square.  First, we pass a large column.  The Column of the Immaculate Conception.  Each year there is a ceremony here where the Pope brings a wreath.  Our guide told us that day the square is completely packed with people waiting to see the Pope.  The sculptures are impressive.

We then reached the steps and fountain in front. Interestingly they are called Spanish but paid for by the French and built by an Italian. There are 135 stairs and completed were in 1725.  At the top of the steps is a church and the Sallustiano Obelisk.

The steps are surrounded by some of the most expensive land in Rome. Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada, Versace, and a lot of brands I don't recognize have stores here.  Just saying the extremely wealthy shop here.

We then moved on to the Trevi Fountain.  Once again walking through streets and turning left and right before suddenly there was the fountain. 

It was completed in 1762 and depicts Oceanus, the god of all water.  The fountain is the terminus of the  Aqua Virgo viaduct which was constructed in 19 B.C and is 85 feet tall and 150 feet wide.  It's huge.  The name comes from Three Roads which come together at the fountain.  Tradition says that if you toss a coin with your right hand over the left shoulder and into the pool ensures you will return to Rome.  Lots of coins are thrown in the fountain each day usually around 3000 euros. Every evening the coins are collected and used to feed the needy of Rome.

We spent some time at the fountain and had a Gelato.  It was very good.

The area around the fountain was packed.  A couple of times we were bothered by beggars, street vendors, and always on the watch for pick-pockets. 

After tossing a coin in the fountain, we gathered and started to our next stop which was the Pantheon.  ​

​Even our walk from the fountain to the Pantheon was interesting.  Everywhere there are ancient churches and and occasional obelisk.  Sant' Ignazio di Loyola, a Jesuit Church, is impressive from the outside but the 400 year old frescos inside are supposed to be spectacular but it was not part of our tour.

As we walk into the plaza of the Pantheon, it is amazing to think this is the ancient Roman building that has a hole in the ceiling.  There is so much to say about this landmark.  ​

It would have been even more amazing as it was soon after it was completed.

The plaza in front of the Pantheon there is a fountain and obelisk.  The Fountain of the Pantheon was one of the first fountains erected in 1575 of Renaissance Rome.

MAN! Everything is SO OLD here.

The central obelisk of Ramses II.  Yes, this is a real Ancient Egyptian Obelisk. The carving is "Ramses the second excellent son of the sun god" and works performed in honor of the god. It was originally moved from Egypt to stand at a temple to Isis but that temple was demolished and the site is now a Catholic Church.  In 1711, Pope Clement XI Albani had the Obelisk added to the center of the fountain.

The Pantheon it self is amazing.  Much bigger than I imagined.

It was built in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa, burned in a city fire in 80 BC and rebuilt, burned again in 118 BC and rebuilt by Hadrian by 128 BC.  Much later it was remodeled from for the Roman gods to Catholicism.

The building is amazing.  A circular dome 142 feet in diameter of Roman concrete that rises 71 feet above the base and ends with a 27 diameter hole to the sky. It is still the worlds largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and the exact method of construction has never been determined.  The walls the dome rests on is 20 feet thick.

​The "front" porch and entrance is of Corinthian columns supporting a triangular gabled roof. Beneath the porch are huge 24 foot tall bronze double doors. Impressive!  I guess that was the point.

The romans were incredible builders. If a sphere were in the Pantheon it would exactly fit the dome and just touch the floor in the center.  The concrete was made with different material.  At the base it is stronger and heavier but at the very top of the dome it is very light mixed with pumice.  It would not have have supported the weight if the concrete was of the same mix. 

The dome itself is not just smooth but decorated with a geometric design.  When the sun shines in it moves across the building to indicate time of day and seasons.

The hole, oculus, being 27 feet wide allows rain to fall in the building.  The Romans planned designed the floor to slope to the center and drain between the marble tile floor.  To this day the system allows rain to drain away without creating puddles.

The Pantheon was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of Santa Maria Rotunda, or Santa Maria ad Martyres, and is still and active church.  All the original Roman deities and decorations have been replaced with statues of the Catholic.  Much of it in late Renaissance form. 

As with many churches there are several tombs in the building.  The most notable is that of Raphael or Raffaello who died in 1520.  He was considered one of the greatest artists, painters and architects of the Renaissance.  His dying request was to be buried in the Pantheon.

The last stop was Piazza Navona where the fountain Fontana dei Fiumi is found.  That is also where we had lunch at a very nice restaurant.  We enjoyed pizza and drinks.

After about an hour, we regrouped and headed to the bus for our ride back to the ship.  Of course, there is always someone our a couple who can not find their way back to the meeting spot on time.  After a few minutes, they walked up as if nothing was wrong and we started for the bus.  Our guide was determined not to be late even if it means someone gets left behind.  Rome is NOT a place you want to get left behind.

We are exhausted but we made it without getting pick-pocketed or lost in the city.   Back to the ship. Dinner and then off to bed as we have an excursion in the morning.

We arrive early in the morning but the ship ahead of us in the port was having problems so we were delayed going on our excursions. Of course, we did not know that until we were already up, dressed, and headed to breakfast prepared for the excursion.  We had been warned that we should have rain around noon and that we about the time we were to start back to the ship.  So with cameras and all the related items including raincoats, we found that the ship was still out to sea instead of almost docked.

The city is interesting.  The castle was at the port and high on the hill was a large Monastery with another medieval castle above that.  This city is definitely a place we would like to visit again.

We were dropped off just a short walk from the entrance to the site.  It was a gas station and next door was an RV park.  So camping is right across the street from Pompeii entrance.  The campgrounds here are for “caravans” which is the European version of an RV.  It’s not the size of the RV’s but driving it in Italy that concerns me.  They are crazy drivers.

We did a tour of Pompeii.  WOW! It was very interesting and at times a bit more strenuous than expected.  It was good that Betty did not go on our tour.  We were also lucky that it did not rain because the stones would have become very slick.

History Warning:

Pompeii was first settled around 600 BC.  The city grew quickly and by 79 AD the city was an estimated population of 11,000 and wealthy.  It was a port city with many wealthy merchants.  Many theaters, temples, homes, restaurants, ....  But in 79 AD that all suddenly came to a sudden end when Vesuvius erupted sending ash and pumice to cover the city.  Both Pompeii and  Herculaneum were buried under 12 to 20 ft of volcanic ash and pumice.  The lesser known Herculaneum is differently worth the a tour according to Cousin Paulette. 

Back to the eruption.

For two days near the end of November 79 AD the volcano erupted.

On the first day Pumice rained down first which allowed most to escape with much of the wealth was removed.

Sometime before sunrise on the second day pyroclastic flows started which killed everyone still in the city.  As far as has been determined so far just over 1000 people were buried in the flow. All died suddenly suffocating in the extreme heat then immediately buried incasing their bodies leaving a nearly perfect mold of the body in the last moment of death.

By the end the city was gone and even the coastline was expanded. Some excavations were done but most were just to rob the city of stone, statues, and what little wealth that remained.  It is speculated that most of the Pompeii was left undisturbed because gold and silver melted and was difficult to find in the ash making digging unprofitable. 

Back to today.  It was a busy day to visit the site.

Pompeii is amazing.  You literally walk in the roads and paths of Pompeii.  Walk into and around theaters, homes, stores, and even a brothel.  The walls were the original walls.  Many that had the “plaster” with color still showing. Everything was just as it was after Vesuvius covered the city with ash. Mosaics on floors. Marble seats, ponds, walls, columns, and even fountains.  They looked like no time had passed at all.

Our first stop was a large area for events.  All around the outside were 2 or 3 story tall structures where people could sit to enjoy events presented in the center area, purchase snacks and meals. This was primary for small competitions and religious events.

Next, we walked by one of the many theaters.  Being at the stage area, we could see where the actors would enter to perform. The doorways are too short for me.

The Pompeii version of a fast food restaurant was so obvious to everyone.  The holes used to hold large bowls of food both heated and cooled by water.

Along the roads were small homes, restaurants, and shops.  Interior of the city block was where the wealthily lived away from the noise of the road and the smell.

The builders were very smart and imbedded reflective rock into the roads to make walking at night easier.

​

The city was supplied water with lead pipes.  Many can still be found. We now know that lead is a horrible choice for drinking water pipe.

Fountains were placed throughout the city.

More mosaic which were entrances to wealthy homes.

Even the sidewalks were originally paved with scrap mosaic rock.

We then walked down the main road to the large area which was easily multiple acres surrounded by the remains of temples.  The front of each with columns and words carved above.  Pompeii is far too large for us to tour in the time we had available so we really want to return and tour on our own someday. ​

In “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (1864) by Jules Verne, at the conclusion of the novel they are ejected from Stromboli.  In some of the movie versions, it was usually Vesuvius as it is a more famous volcano.  Another case of screen writers thinking they know better than the original authors.

The island is only 5 square miles in size but almost all of that is uninhabited.  Only the land right at the shore is used.  The population is around 500 people.  These people live in the constant knowledge that the volcano could kill them at any moment.  The volcano has been constantly erupting for thousands of years but major events are rare.

The island if visible both day and night and is distinctive in shape so it has been called the Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.  When ancient sailors saw this island in the distance they knew where they were and where to go.

If you look at some of the pictures you can see where the last flow occurred in 2019.  If this had been down a different flank of the volcano it would have covered the town.

I tried to get lava but all we got was some smoke and ash plumes.

The view was pretty amazing.  We could not see any lava but there was plenty of smoke and ash.  Our problem was just at the time we arrived at the volcano we were at the Mixology Class. The “classes” include 4 drinks and WOW are they heavy pours. ​

Well, that was a bust.  The weather was significant as we came in between the mountains that make a channel to Kotor. The wind started to increase.  This is a very narrow passage at under 1000 feet across.  I went up to get coffee at 10 Forward (the Crow's Nest) and the view ahead looks like a dead-end.

As we approached the narrow passage, it became clear how we would get into the bay.

It may have been nice to visit the towns and villages in the area.  They look quaint. 

As we headed out, we passed several Cold War Yugoslavia Sub bases built in the 1970s.  They were cut into the mountain to be almost impossible to see or attack.  A cover could be swung over the entrance that looked like the rocks and plants of the rest of the shoreline. The design was based on tunnels Hitler's subs used in WWII. Think of the scene from the first Indian Jones movie.

Instead of a port visit, this turned into a sea day so we relaxed on ship and had a nice lunch in main dinning.

​Tonight the comedian Geoff Boyz performed again. He was OK but the Captain is actually funnier.  The entire crew takes their lead from the Captain.  He has a great sense of humor which even goes to competing with others by wearing crazy socks.

We moved the clocks forward an hour this morning but I still woke up by 6am.
​
I left Shawna sleeping and was off for coffee and having breakfast with Betty. Later I went back to the cabin to bring Shawna coffee.

​Today, we visit Mykonos and Delos. Today, we arrived at the port at Mykonos for our tour of the Delos Archeological site. Once off the ship, we get on a Sea Bus to the town.

Greek towns are so pretty.

Delos was the religious site for Apollo god of light and his twin brother the god of music.

This was a huge city in its day.  Massive temples, homes, shops, restaurants, theaters, stadiums for competitions.

​Temples, or what is left of them, were everywhere.  All of the buildings were completed hundreds of years BC.  Over the centuries the island was stripped of much of the stone to use to build homes on ​Mykonos. It was easier to haul walls of temples than to cut new stone. So that pretty town was built from pieces of the temples of Delos.

The temples were impressive in there day.  Huge structures.  Large statues.  One which was about 30 feet tall.  All are just the base and foundations of the original structures.

Even with all the stripping of stone and carvings there are several impressive remnants.

We passed one of the remaining fresh water pools.  Built in around 400BC and still here holding water.

We were able to tour one the last remaining courtyards of a wealthy family.  The original mosaic is still in place.  This was placed several hundred years before Christ was born.  Amazing!

The walls of the city were covered in marble, plaster, and color. These were a people who enjoyed bright colors.  Over the many years the plaster has fallen. The paint has faded and lost it's color.

More floor mosaics.

The remains of one of the many theaters was part of the tour.  They loved theater and had their own entertainer celebrities. The Delos theater was completed in 230 BC and seated 6500. 

Back to the ship just in time for All Aboard. We were on the last boat leaving Delos and only just made it on board before the first warning blast of the ships horn.
​

​I thought I would throw in some of the menus we have on ship.

We arrived in Turkey!  After breakfast, we looked out over Istanbul.  The port overlooks the north side of the city.  Istanbul is a huge city that crosses between the European continent and the Asian continent.  Between is the waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. ​

We had decided not to take any excursions in Istanbul with the war in Israel and protests of the war. Instead we went out to shop in the stores right at the port.  Of course they have massively inflated prices but it did not matter anyway since they were all high end stores.  If you can think of it, they had a store. Louis Vuitton, Versace, Prada, Armani, Gucci,  …   We did not even step in.  Just looked from the sidewalks.

Betty and Paulette were tired and returned to the ship.  Shawna and I took a walk though the shops outside of the port mall. 

Mosques are everywhere.​

In the afternoon, we pulled away.  The port is crowded and boats all trying to stay out of the way.