All aboard for Agropoli. . . . . . .and a visit to Paestum

May 3-4, 2017 - The first afternoon and evening on a new ship is always exciting. 

Some of us had already had brief exchanges with other passengers (who later

 became friends on board) at the meet up at Gatwick airport. We all flew to Naples

 together on British Airways and were then taken by coach to the port where the

MS Island Sky awaited in brilliant sunshine.

After meeting up with the remainder of our group of eleven friends with hugs and

 quick catch ups - a brief look around the awesome and spacious cabin where the bags

 have been delivered quickly for later unpacking, and meeting our delightful attendant

 Ana Lisa who was truly a gem the entire trip. . . .afternoon tea was served. This was a

 British ship so no holds barred at teatime, or any other meal actually!

This was followed by the mandatory safety drill for all guests in the lounge, on a ship
 this size you actually get to see just about everyone before you sail. . . . . . . the

 happy 114 passengers, and the fabulous crew of 80 smiling faces who, in no

 time flat, seem to know you as Ms. Mary, Mr. Bob etc. and always address you 
by name.

A Welcome Aboard Briefing introduced us to our fantastic Cruise Director Brenda,

 and her Assistant Reba, both of whom we came to know well and had such fun with
over the upcoming ten days.

At 6 PM we were ready for the sail away, followed by a quick unpack. Wonderful to

 have a huge closet with tons of hangers, room to move about, these are the things
 that count on a ship. A freshen up, and then off to dinner and a restful night at sea.

The small port of Agropoli was the convenient location for the first morning

 excursion to Paestum - go here for more details.
Founded by the Greeks in 600BC and dedicated to Poseidon,
the god of the sea, this ancient site, and the famous paintings in the adjoining
 museum, are the only examples of Greek architecture in Italy and are considered 
better preserved than the Parthenon in Athens. Walking through the amazing ruins
 enables one to see the best example of Greek culture outside Greece.

We were taken ashore by local tender boat and the quayside was bustling as

 the fishermen prepared their nets and small boats for the day ahead. . . . . . . on 

the bluest water and in warm sunshine.

The museum at Paestum contained some wonderful art. . . . . . . . it would require

an entire day to view all and read the story behind every piece found at the

ancient site.

Amphora ~ 510 BC

Returning to the ship, the blue water was calm and we enjoyed lunch on the deck,

 followed by a restful afternoon at sea after walking the ruins in hot sunshine.

 Heading across the Strait of Messina - 152 nautical miles to Messina, our first 

port in Sicily. Later the Captain's Cocktail Reception and Welcome Dinner 

was enjoyed by all - we were definitely a lively group!

Setting sail on the blue Mediterranean. . . . . . . .

This lovely journey started on May 2, 2017. 

Over the next couple of weeks (I'm back home now), I'll be sharing

 with you some of the beautiful places we visited in Sicily and Malta.

The entire trip went smoothly with no hitches and near perfect weather, however I,

 then Bob, and several other shipmates were hit by a really tough bug - after three 

days of laryngitis, an awful chest infection kicked in followed by non-stop

 coughing. I have coughed for Italy, Malta, England, and that endless 4,000 miles

 back across the pond where they looked at me like I was 'Typhoid Mary', and now

 here in the USA!

I'm on day eleven now BUT I swear tomorrow I am going to feel better and 

be much quieter so I can sit here and work on my photos and stories.

So, nighty nite - I'm off swigging a mug of hot milk and brandy as I head to bed.

More coming later. Hope you like history, ruins, volcanoes, cathedrals, art,

twisty roads, vineyards, tasting wine, tasting olive oil. . . . . . . and of course 

eating the best pizza and gelato on the planet!

Expedition to Sicily. . . . . . . . . . . .

WAY we go.

At the airport now. 
Leaving tonight for Italy. . . . . . . . . usual long transatlantic flight to London's

 Heathrow airport, followed by an early morning bus ride south to Gatwick airport. 

 Meeting up there with our friends, and other travelers joining the trip, and we all
 head out together on a flight to Naples. 
The MS Island Sky will be waiting for us and we board early afternoon to be
 whisked away on the evening tide for the overnight sail to our first shore excursion
 just south of Naples, then cross the sea to the beautiful Island of Sicily. 
The red marker on this map is Mt. Etna, hoping to get pictures, but not planning
 to climb as it has been quite active lately!

South of Sicily is the tiny island of Malta and it will be our last stop on the cruise.
All these places will be a first for us so we are very excited about this trip. 

I may not be here blogging for a while - but on the other hand I may just

 pop up unexpectedly if I have Internet access. 

I probably won't be leaving comments but I will read your posts if 

possible, again it all hinges on whether there's Internet available and

 how fast it works on board the ship!

"Arrivederci amici"

No Hang ups. . . . . . . . .

It's that time again and today I'm doing the packing dry run.

Packing  - always a pain.

 'Crossing the pond' time - full of expectations.

Off soon on a journey to new places - exciting.

HERE is where we're headed on Tuesday.

I didn't get the portable clothes rack (above) out for organizing my wardrobe

for this trip. I usually do that as many of you know, however this time, because 
we'll be on an expedition ship and no formal attire is required, packing
 is somewhat easier. Also, the weather should be close to perfect - visiting
 Sicily and Malta in May sounds like the best time of the year with temperatures
 in the low 70's and very little rain. Hopefully this means light clothing 
and layering should work.
Hooray!
It will be a long journey to get to the ship in Naples. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . I just know I'll be ready to be rocked to sleep that first night
on the water. That reminds me - I need to pack pj's. . . . . . . . . also
go to a birthday party this afternoon, transplant some cucumber plants,
 feed the birds, make soup, clean out the 'frig, get a manicure/pedicure. . . . . 
. . . . . . . . . . and just a whole list of other things which require attention
 this busy weekend before we lock the doors and head to the airport.

Enjoy your weekend dear friends.

Sicilian Odyssey. . . . . . . .

Can't keep it under wraps any longer. . . . . . . . we are off in a few weeks

 on another beautiful ship, and I'm getting excited.

The MS Island Sky is one of the finest small ships in the world. Her sister ship,

 the MS Caledonian Sky, took me on that amazing expedition to Japan and the

 Russian Far East with my friend Paula in 2013.

You know how I love expedition ships with a small complement of passengers. 

You get to meet new people and have time to chat, and the always friendly

 crew members remember who you are and call you by name. This time there will

 be about 114 passengers with a crew of 75. Our group will number 10 so we'll be

 taking up much of the ship, we'll try to behave, haha!  We sail again with lovely

 friends from the UK, California, and perhaps a couple of new surprise travelers,

 plus of course Paula our wonderful friend and our group's great hostess.

This class of cruise ship is casual dress for the most part, no fancy evening

clothes required - always so much easier to pack for!

Also, there will also be at least one landing ashore by Zodiac boats, at the small

 Italian port of Agropoli, to visit Paestum founded by the Greeks in 600 BC, and

 to view the Temple of Poseidon.

The itinerary for this cruise sounds awesome. We'll meet up at Gatwick (UK) airport
 and fly to Naples, Italy where we transfer to the ship that afternoon and set sail
 in the evening for a nine day circumnavigation of Sicily, with a final disembarkation
 on the island of Malta. 

Although we've visited much of Italy, we've never been to Sicily, or Malta,

 so are really excited at what this trip will encompass. . . . . .from archaeological
 treasures to the recently erupting volcano, Mt. Etna.

More on the trip later as time to fly/sail away gets closer.