EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
and
BLACK SEA CRUISE

Sept. 17 - Oct. 3, 2008



Sept. 17 We flew from Winnipeg via Toronto to Rome, Italy. Irene and Chris were joined by their friends Chris and Annelies Kaufmann, who like us live in the Fountain House in Winnipeg.

Sept. 18 Arrived at Rome Airport and were transferred by bus to the beautiful Prinsendam, Holland America Lines small cruise ship carrying 700 passengers and 400 crew. We had life boat drill, good dinner and smooth seas when we sailed.

Sept. 19 We were up early to be awed by the ever spewing and smoking Volcano Stomboli. We had excellent viewing starting before dawn till after sunrise and cruising about 1/2 mile off shore.

Through the Straits of Messina that separate Italy and Sicily. This is a very narrow channel and a Pilot came on board.

Sept. 20 Sailing overnight to Dubrovnik, Croatia. The ancient city looking as beautiful as before the Yugoslavia conflict. We spent the day walking the old historical streets and enjoying the atmosphere of the city.



Sept. 21 A day visit to Sarande, Albania, which will hopefully become a holiday destination and tourist resort judging by the hundreds of buildings going up and only partially finished.






Sept. 22 Agostoli, a Greek Island which was totally destroyed in the '50's by an earthquake and has been rebuilt. This is a popular tourist resort.

Sept. 23 At Sea

Sept. 24 Visiting the beautiful and exciting ancient city of Istanbul, Turkey. Awesome Churches and Mosques, Grand Bazaar and a bustling harbour.






Sept. 25 At Sea

Sept. 26 Trabzon in Eastern Turkey, south of Georgia. A traditional old city with hundreds of Minarets and Mosques. Most women were in Islam attire. Masses of men stop in squares or streets to pray when the call for prayer is heard. They use cardboard or carpets to kneel on and traffic slowly passes them.

Sept. 27 We were safely docked in downtown Sochi, Russia. A popular sea resort for the Russian people and it is the largest resort in the Russian Republic. We saw people swimming in the Black Sea very close to where we were docked. Sochi will host the Olympic games in 2014.



Sept. 28 Sevastopol, Ukraine. This site was chosen by Catherine II of Russia to establish her naval harbour in the Crimea. We visited a Muslim Khan Palace and Harem, which was very well maintained and exhibited. We then went on to a Monastery which was carved out of rock (about 50km out of the city). This is a pilgrimage destination.





Sept. 29 Nessebur, Bulgaria. This is an very ancient town. We did not take a tour but enjoyed walking the old streets of the island, followed the pathway around the island, visited St. Stefan Church where frescoes from the 16th century adorn the walls, and stopped for refreshments at a restaurant overlooking the small harbour.

Sept. 30 At Sea and slowly crossing through the Bosporus, by Istanbul, the Sea of Marmara, and then the Dardanelles. A spectacular all day trip with commentary from the Cruise lecturer about the history and the sights. This is one highlight of the trip.


Oct 1 Docked in Kusadasi, Turkey. This is the seaport for the ancient City of Ephesus, which is mentioned in the Bible. The excavated buildings and streets date back 2000 years. A sight that reminds one of Pompeii





Oct 2 Our last stop of Athens, Greece where we visited the Acropolis and the shopping district - the Plaka. Our hotel for night was right in the Plaka and we could walk to the historical sites and park. After our journey home we woke up from our unreal dreams of having travelled to such an ancient culture





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